Written Answers Nos. 326-347
328. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 128 and 294 of 25 January 2022, the position regarding the proposed public consultation on changing places requirements; and if a timeline for this consultation can be provided in addition to a detailed summary of the way that it is to be carried out. [6564/22]
View answerIn December 2020, in support of Government policy on advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, I established a Working Group to examine the provision of a changing places toilet in certain buildings. The Working Group has now recommended the types and sizes of buildings where a changing places toilet should be required, along with the technical requirements (equipment, room size and layout) of a changing places toilet.
My Department is currently finalising preparations for the launch of a public consultation in the coming weeks which will seek submissions, observations and comments on a proposed amendment to the Building Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use to make provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings.
To assist in this process, the following documents will be made available on my Department's website and it is expected that interested parties will have 3 months to submit their comments:
- Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2022
- A Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis
- An easy read consultation document
- A template for submissions
330. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a progress report on the development of legislation to identify, designate and manage marine protected areas in the marine area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6618/22]
View answerMy Department is in the process of developing stand-alone legislation to enable the identification, designation and management of marine protected areas in accordance with Ireland’s national and international commitments. This work is expected to continue for a good part of 2022.
In this regard, work is under way drawing up the General Scheme of the Bill. The target is to publish the heads of bill in Quarter 3 of this year. Dedicated resources have been assigned to the Water Division of my Department, which has responsibility in this area, and the work is progressing.
331. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in County Tipperary that are currently on social housing lists and are awaiting the provision of suitable accommodation in per municipal district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6629/22]
View answerDetail on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA captures the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met and helps better inform policy and plan for the delivery of the right types of social housing support.
SSHA data is collected and collated at local authority level. Accordingly, a breakdown by municipal district cannot be provided.
The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2020, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/#:~:text=The%20Summary%20of%20Social%20Housing,is%20not%20currently%20being%20met.
The 2021 SSHA process is underway and I expect to publish the summary report before end Q1, 2022.
332. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in County Tipperary that are in receipt of RAS; the amount this cost the Exchequer in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/22]
View answer333. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in County Tipperary that are in receipt of the housing assistance payment; the amount that this cost the exchequer in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6631/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.
At the end of Q3, 2021, there were 1,052 tenancies supported under Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in Co. Tipperary. Expenditure under the scheme relating to these tenancies up to end of Q3 2021 was €4,027,685.
At the end of Q3 2021 there were 1,860 households in the county that were actively in receipt of the Housing Aassistance Payment (HAP). At the end Q3 2021, expenditure in relation ot HAP tenancies in the county amounted to €5,569,787.
Data in relation to Q4 2021 is being finalised, full year data for 2021 will be published on my Department's website when available.
In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.
This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.
The HAP and RAS schemes remain a part of the suite of social housing options currently available across the country. Under Housing for All, the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 new build social homes. As new build supply of social housing ramps up, there will be reducing reliance on the HAP and RAS schemes.
334. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses that his Department intends to build in County Tipperary between 2022 and 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6632/22]
View answerI issued individual targets to each local authority in September 2021, in respect of the delivery required under the Housing for All target of 47,600 built social homes, for each of the years from 2022 to 2026.
The targets in respect of Tipperary County Council are as follows -
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
230 |
155 |
158 |
170 |
174 |
In addition, a Housing Delivery Action Plan which will set out how Tipperary County Council propose to deliver their housing targets, is currently being reviewed by my Department and will be published in Quarter 2 of 2022.
For the purpose of tracking social housing delivery, a Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department. This provides details of the individual social housing build projects in the programme of each local authority, including Tipperary County Council. It will be the schemes listed in the CSR that will form the basis for new build delivery of social homes in the local authorities during 2022 and beyond. The most recent CSR publication covers the period up to the end of Quarter 3 of 2021, and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/feea9-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2021/. Further specific information of Tipperary County Council's build programme will be available from the local authority itself.
I'm keen that all local authorities progress their social housing schemes as quickly as possible and that they receive the support of public representatives in the advancement of their programmes.
335. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if housing assistance will be provided to a family (details supplied) that was granted permission to move to Ireland under the family reunification process. [6639/22]
View answerApplications for for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
As social housing support is intended to address a household’s long-term housing need it is expected that any household applying for such support should have a long-term right to reside in the State.
If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.
Ultimately, decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
336. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the local authority housing assessment process. [6642/22]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended).
To qualify for social housing support a household must meet all of the eligibility criteria, which primarily relate to income, availability of alternative accommodation and previous rent arrears.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Where a household is deemed to meet the eligibility criteria, its main housing need and classification of accommodation need is determined under the criteria set out in the 2011 Regulations. If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.
Ultimately, decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
337. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the changes announced to the defective concrete block scheme on 30 November 2021, when the National Standards Authority of Ireland will bring forward proposed amendments to protocol I.S. 465:2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6678/22]
View answer338. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request the National Standards Authority of Ireland to include provisions around the testing of concrete foundations in any proposed revision to protocol I.S. 465:2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6679/22]
View answer343. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Standards Authority of Ireland has been asked to review IS 465 to include testing for pyrrhotite and other deleterious minerals in concrete blocks and foundations, in addition to pyrite and MICA; and if this is the reason his Department is not agreeing to the demolition and rebuilding of homes in County Donegal under the defective concrete block grant scheme at this time. [6731/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 338 and 343 together.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on 30 November 2021 and it included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
In the Government decision of 30 November 2021 it was directed that a review of the NSAI standard IS:465 would take place. Officials from my Department have since met with NSAI and other relevant stakeholders and I can confirm that a review of the standard will be carried out. Meetings are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders to consider and finalise the scope of the review required, what further research is necessary and the timescale for completion of the review.
In relation to decisions on the remediation option approved for each individual home, my Department does not have any role is the decision making process. It is a matter for the relevant local authority to approve the remediation option in accordance with the available scientific and engineering evidence provided within the IS:465 standard and the scope of the scheme.
Applications can continue to be made to the relevant local authorities and should be processsed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, which is underpinned by IS:465 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use Of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, until the measures announced as a result of the Government decision on 30 November are legislated for. Appropriate transitional provisions will be included in the new legislation to provide a mechanism to move applications that are received in the meantime to the revised scheme once it commences.
339. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the instruction his Department has given to Donegal County Council in relation to the processing of existing applications to the defective concrete block scheme, while legislation underpinning the enhancements announced by him on 30 November 2021 is progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6680/22]
View answerDonegal County Council have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved.
Officals from my Department met with Donegal County Council on the 20 January and advised that applications can continue to be made to the relevant local authorities and should be processsed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, which is underpinned by IS:465 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use Of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, until the measures announced as a result of the Government decision on 30 November are legislated for. Appropriate transitional provisions will be included in the new legislation to provide a mechanism to move applications that are received in the meantime to the revised scheme once it commences.
340. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the adequacy of the HAP allocation in the current rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2021, 97,600 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 62,300 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 33,400 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
Increased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly, in the order of 60% in some cases.
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support. This review is at an advanced stage.
341. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question no. 323 of 1 February 2022; if his Department has considered allowing tenants in unsold affordable properties which have not been added to the local authority housing stock to purchase these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6706/22]
View answerIn September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues relating to unsold affordable properties. The working group has discussed a number of options to date and is keen to develop a long term solution which works for all parties including the tenants, the approved housing bodies who have long established relationships with the tenants, and the local authorities. Any proposals must also achieve the best value for the Exchequer. I expect the group to finalise its work and submit a report and recommendations to me later this year.
342. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 25 January 2022, the date that the review income eligibility for social housing was completed; if he plans to publish the review; if so, the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/22]
View answerHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in November 2021. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
I will publish the review thereafter.
344. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the updated MICA and pyrite redress scheme does not have one full-time employee working on the scheme in his Department; and the details of the persons who will serve on the proposed implementation group for the updated scheme. [6732/22]
View answer345. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the homeowners affected by MICA and pyrite defective blocks at the lack of detail in the information supplied to homeowners in relation to the scheme; and if he will re-establish a working group of officials who can liaise with families in counties Donegal and Mayo to address the information gaps in relation to the scheme. [6733/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.
I received the final report of the Working Group on Defective Concrete Blocks in early October and since then have engaged in extensive consultation with Government colleagues on the matter. Following completion of this consultative process I brought a Memorandum to Government, setting out proposals for improvements to the existing scheme, it’s future administration and various other matters raised in the Report of the working group.
Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn and Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline. Arrangements for the implementation of the scheme will be finalised in parallel with the development of the legislation.
346. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.
347. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the arrangement made with the Chinese Government in relation to the return to Ireland of a person (details supplied); if commitments or undertakings, financial or otherwise, were made by the Government to secure the return of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/22]
View answerI warmly welcome the lifting of the travel restrictions on the citizen referred to, enabling him to return home to Ireland to reunite with his family. The Government has been actively engaged on this case throughout at the most senior political and diplomatic levels.
The company with which the the citizen is connected was involved in a complicated legal case in China. His situation became a consular case for my Department and consular assistance and support was provided directly to him at all stages.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs was not a party to the court case itself, and there are constraints on what I can say, I can confirm that we have provided certain assurances to the Chinese authorities to assist in resolving this matter. This has not involved the use of any public monies, and there has been no Government guarantee provided in relation to any private debts or liabilities.
