Thomas Gould
Question:319. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the updating of regulations to allow for plebiscites to change place names. [15988/22]
View answerDepartmental Regulations
Questions (319)
Written answers
Provisions relating to placename changes in Part 18 of the amended Local Government Act 2001 were commenced in early 2019. Previous provisions under local government legislation were repealed. In addition, provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, amending Part 18 of the 2001 Act, were commenced.
The newly commenced provisions under the amended Part 18 of the 2001 Act require updated Regulations to be made for the holding of plebiscites to change placenames.
However, in advance of making those Regulations, an issue has been identified concerning the interaction of the amended Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 and provisions contained in Official Languages legislation, under the aegis of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
My officials are continuing to work with their counterparts in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with a view to resolving the issue identified. Once a policy approach and draft legislative amendments have been agreed, it is hoped to include them in an appropriate Bill at the earliest available opportunity.
Property Registration
Questions (320)
Michael Creed
Question:320. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm the registration of a judgement mortgage (details supplied) by the land registry office. [16074/22]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.
Water Services
Questions (321)
Brendan Griffin
Question:321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding for a group water scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry will be provided in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16131/22]
View answerWritten answers
In 2019, my Department announced funding for capital works under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. An allocation of €53,550 was provided under Measure 6.(a) – Community Water Connection Network, to Kerry County Council for the project named in the details supplied.
The day-to-day administration of the Programme is devolved to local authorities. Kerry County Council, which is the local authority for the project named in the details supplied, may be able to inform the Deputy on the current position.
Departmental Data
Questions (322)
Seán Sherlock
Question:322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retainers his Department has with outside organisations; and the cost of each retainer in tabular form. [16154/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has no current retainers with outside organisations.
Vacant Properties
Questions (323)
Paul Kehoe
Question:323. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has a record of the number of vacant residential properties currently in the possession of banking institutions in Ireland; if there are plans to compel these institutions make these properties available for use or to put them on the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16289/22]
View answerWritten answers
The €70 million revolving Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund (HAA fund) was established with effect from the 1 January 2017 with the objective of acquiring vacant property portfolios from banks and financial institutions that could then be used for social housing. The target for the HAA fund was to acquire 1,600 units over a four year period to 2020 with this target subsequently extended out to 2021.
This fund has enabled the Housing Agency to actively engage with banks and investment companies in relation to the acquisitions of properties. Through the provision of direct access to capital funding for the Housing Agency, the aim was to simplify the current acquisition process for vacant portfolio purchases; speed up the acquisition process and to encourage investors to make additional supply available. The HAA fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units primarily to the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector and the funds received are recycled back into the fund for future acquisitions.
This was intended to be a short term to medium term initiative, targeting the vacant property portfolios of financial institutions and investment companies, in direct response to the social housing shortage that would be designed to complement, not displace, ongoing targeted acquisition activity by local authorities and AHBs.
As at Q3 2021, 888 units were delivered under the Housing Agency Acquisitions fund programme and an additional 562 properties were acquired by the Housing Agency Acquisitions team on behalf of local authorities. The number of homes acquired though the HAA fund and made available to AHBs under Caretaker Lease are included in my Department's overall quarterly reporting which is available at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
The Department does not have a record of the number of vacant residential properties currently in the possession of banking institutions in Ireland. The Housing Agency continues to engage with financial institutions and it is clear that the supply of properties that the fund was established to acquire has substantially declined. Under Housing For All, a review of the Housing Agency Acquisitions fund is under way and will be completed shortly.
There are also a range of measures in Pathway 4 of Housing for All which are designed to address vacancy. One of these measures is a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Programme for vacant properties. This aims to support local authorities in using CPO procedures to acquire vacant properties that will then be sold on the open market. 2,500 properties is the target under this initiative and this will be in addition to properties local authorities might purchase under a CPO for social housing use. The initiative would apply to any suitable vacant property so although it is not specifically targeted at bank controlled properties, it may encompass vacant properties controlled by the banks.
Water Quality
Questions (324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329)
Ivana Bacik
Question:324. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the changes that are expected to be made to SI. 79/2008 to ensure compliance with the 2006 EU bathing water directive; and if he will provide a timeline for the amendment of SI. 79/2008. [16291/22]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:325. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the work of the Bathing Water Expert Group in respect of its examination of measures to protect the health of bathers outside of statutory bathing seasons; the findings, preliminary or otherwise of same; if year-round water quality monitoring has been recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16292/22]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:326. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his engagement with the Bathing Water Expert Group in respect of water quality for bathers to-date in 2022. [16293/22]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:327. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the recommendations that have been made by the Bathing Water Expert Group in respect of priority actions critical to delivering Ireland’s obligations under the bathing water directive; and the steps that have been taken to implement same. [16294/22]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:328. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Ireland will be in a position to declare full compliance with the 2006 European Union's bathing water directive by the end of 2022; and if not, the steps that need to be taken in order that Ireland is compliant; and when they will be implemented. [16295/22]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:329. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the reduction of wastewater discharge into bathing areas; if he will report on the Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16296/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 329, inclusive, together.
The EPA reports in the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2020 report that 96% of bathing waters met or exceeded the minimum required standard, up from 95% in 2019.
I was pleased to see the continued improvements in the quality of our bathing waters, especially those bathing waters that are meeting or exceeding the minimum water quality requirements.
Of the four bathing waters classified as Poor in 2020, the main issue was a waste water discharge in Clifden Beach, Co. Galway; impact from agriculture in Lilliput, Co. Westmeath; a combination of sewage discharges and misconnections from domestic plumbing systems, birds and other animals, and contaminated surface streams in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin; and unusually high rainfall events impacted Cuas Crom, Co. Kerry, with no clear pollution source evident.
The relevant local authorities have management plans in place detailing the actions required to mitigate theses impacts. Where waste water is deemed to be an issue the local authorities continue to liaise closely with both the EPA and Irish Water and these actions have been, or are currently being implemented.
Excellent work is being carried out by each of our local authorities and other stakeholders on the continued improvements in our bathing water quality. To protect bathers' health and ensure that public have access to bathing water amenities it is important that the network of bathing waters is strengthened and enhanced and we continue to see new beaches identified each year.
The European Commission reviews the implementation of the Bathing Water Directive by Member States with the last review undertaken in 2018. This review found that Ireland is fundamentally in line with the provisions of the Directive. The Commission recommended that Ireland improve the provision of information on algae and short-term pollution. This has since been put in place. The report concluded that Ireland offers several good practices demonstrating how the Directive can be effectively implemented in practice. The next EPA Bathing Water Quality, in relation to 2021, is due to be published in May 2022.
The bathing season under the Bathing Water Regulations is from the 1 June to 15 September each year. There has been a call to have a longer bathing season in some areas. In response, I have met with stakeholders and I have asked the National Bathing Water Expert Group, chaired by officials in my Department, to consider the matter, including bathing water monitoring data, and make recommendations on how best to protect bathers’ health outside of the current bathing water season and what additional measures may be necessary.
The Expert Group have developed a questionnaire for the public, and a questionnaire for local authorities, to determine who is bathing during the winter months, where this bathing is occurring and the expectations of winter bathers. This information, to be gathered within the coming two months, will inform the development of guidance for bathers outside of the current bathing water season, and assist in informing the Expert Group if any additional changes, including regulatory and/or monitoring changes, are required. This assessment is ongoing and I have asked the Expert Group to report back to me in time for the outputs to be implemented ahead of the close of the designated bathing season in September 2022.
Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 324.
Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 324.
Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 324.
Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 324.
Question No. 329 answered with Question No. 324.
Housing Provision
Questions (330)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:330. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing commencements broken down by apartments, houses and duplexes in each of the years from 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [16307/22]
View answerWritten answers
Data in relation to housing commencements is published by my Department on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
Data is analysed from the Building Control Management System to produce the provided information. The table below includes the total commencements for all unit types in each of the years 2016 to 2021 inclusive and to date in 2022.
|
Statistic |
Year |
All Units |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2016 |
13,234 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2017 |
17,572 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2018 |
22,467 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2019 |
26,237 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2020 |
21,686 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
2021 |
30,724 |
|
Number of Units Commenced |
YTD 2022 |
4,188 |
Housing Provision
Questions (331)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:331. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing completions broken down by apartments, houses and duplexes in each of the years from 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [16308/22]
View answerWritten answers
Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq42021/
Data for the years 2016 - 2021 inclusive is set out in the table below. Data for Q1 2022 has not yet been published by the CSO.
|
Statistic |
Year |
All house types |
Single house |
Scheme house |
Apartment |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2016 |
9,852 |
3,640 |
5,059 |
1,153 |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2017 |
14,329 |
4,245 |
7,880 |
2,204 |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2018 |
17,903 |
4,676 |
10,969 |
2,258 |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2019 |
21,049 |
5,062 |
12,509 |
3,478 |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2020 |
20,526 |
4,942 |
11,664 |
3,920 |
|
New Dwelling Completions |
2021 |
20,433 |
4,682 |
10,644 |
5,107 |
Housing Schemes
Questions (332)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:332. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average capital and current expenditure costs for one, two and three bed social housing houses and apartments delivered by approved housing bodies through the capital assistance and the payment and availability schemes in the past 12 months. [16309/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreement (P&A). The table below includes details of the average initial CALF capital cost and average cost of the P&A agreements for social housing homes delivered in 2021, based on the numbers of bedrooms.
|
Property Type*** |
Number of Bedrooms |
Average CALF Outlay Per Unit*** |
Average Initial Monthly P&A * |
|
House |
1 |
€54,224 |
€837 |
|
House |
2 |
€42,249 |
€979 |
|
House |
3 |
€53,656 |
€1,128 |
|
Apartment (inc studio & Duplex) |
1 |
€51,929 |
€1,127 |
|
Apartment (inc Duplex) |
2 |
€65,176 |
€1,291 |
|
Apartment (inc Duplex) |
3 |
€72,455 |
€1,422 |
* The average initial approved level of P&A Associated with each of these properties listed. Owing to the nature of CALF, delivery of new housing does not always arise in the same year as expenditure and projects delivered under phased programmes may cross a number of payment periods.
** The CALF Capital Outlay represents the average amount of CALF funding approved per unit type. Approved Housing Bodies can avail of CALF funding pf up to 30% of the overall capital cost of the project. These figures are based on average figures for new build units including Part V for the calendar 2021 period. Costs may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
*** There are other units delivered in the 2021 period of over 3 bedrooms in capacity.
The nature of housing delivery under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), in terms of the accommodation provided, the types of units delivered and the scale of delivery, does not lend itself to recording and analysis on the basis of typologies in the same manner as the bigger scale social housing programmes. For example, CAS accommodation delivery can range from atypically large units for people with physical disability to group homes for people with intellectual disability to domestic violence refuges. While the cost per bedroom under CAS build projects varies significantly, the average cost in 2021 was €130,915. The data involved is drawn from a variety of project types ranging from new greenfield build, brownfield, turnkey and renewal projects.
Housing Schemes
Questions (333)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:333. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost of the payment and availability agreements currently in place for approved housing bodies funded alongside the Capital Advanced Loan Facility; and the total number of such units that receiving funding. [16310/22]
View answerWritten answers
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are important partners for local authorities in the delivery of social housing. My Department and local authorities administer a number of funding programmes to assist AHBs with the cost of building, acquiring and leasing new social housing units.
The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements, known as Payment and Availability Agreements.
A nominal interest rate of 2% fixed per annum is charged by the local authority on the initial capital amount. Repayments on either the capital or interest are not required during the term of the loan (between 10 and 30 years), although where an AHB chooses to, repayments can be made during the term. At the end of the term, the outstanding capital amount plus the interest accrued, is owed and repayable to the local authority. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department. The remainder of the capital cost is sourced by the AHB through other borrowings, to which the local authorities are not party.
At the end of 2021, a total of 11,243 dwellings were supported under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) under Payment and Availability agreements relating to units delivered under the Capital Advanced Loan Facility (CALF). The cost of funding these dwellings in 2021 was €158,196,256.
Departmental Reports
Questions (334)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:334. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2021 social housing output report will be published. [16312/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery for each local authority on a quarterly basis. The statistics are currently available to the end of Quarter 3 2021. Details of individual local authority delivery are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
The data for Quarter 4 2021 is being collated and will be published shortly, in conjunction with the Quarter 4 2021 Construction Status Report.
Commercial Rates
Questions (335)
Pa Daly
Question:335. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the rates refund applying to vacant commercial property in respect of each local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16365/22]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities have a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
Legislative provision is made for the refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. The Local Government Act 1946 provides that where a property is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for rates. However, the owner is entitled to a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes, these being if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of additions, alterations or repairs; where the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The collection of rates and the determination of eligibility for a refund in this context are matters for each individual local authority.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 gives discretion to the elected members of individual local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority’s administrative area. The Act allows local authorities to offer less than 100% refund and to vary the level of refund for vacant properties at its annual budget meeting. Since the introduction of the Act, a number of local authorities have taken the decision to reduce the percentage refund of rates available.
My Department does not normally hold data for the level of refund of rates for vacant property for all 31 local authorities. However the data was recently gathered for a separate purpose. The level of refund of rates for vacant property applied by local authorities in 2022 is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Vacancy Refund for 2022 |
Additional Information |
|
Carlow County Council |
50% |
|
|
Cavan County Council |
100% |
|
|
Clare County Council |
25% |
|
|
Cork City Council |
50% |
|
|
Cork County Council |
100% |
|
|
Donegal County Council |
100% |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
15% |
|
|
Dun Laoire/Rathdown County Council |
35% |
|
|
Fingal County Council |
40% |
|
|
Galway City Council |
36.5% |
|
|
Galway County Council |
100% |
|
|
Kerry County Council |
100% |
|
|
Kildare County Council |
100% |
|
|
Kilkenny County Council |
90% |
|
|
Laois County Council |
100% |
|
|
Leitrim County Council |
75% |
|
|
Limerick City & County Council |
10% - 100% |
Tiered range of percentage refunds based on rate demand amount |
|
Longford County Council |
100% |
|
|
Louth County Council |
50% |
|
|
Mayo County Council |
90% |
|
|
Meath County Council |
100% |
|
|
Monaghan County Council |
100% |
|
|
Offaly County Council |
100% |
|
|
Roscommon County Council |
100% |
|
|
Sligo County Council |
50% - 70% |
Tiered range of percentage refunds based on rate demand amount |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
50% |
|
|
Tipperary County Council |
70% - 100% |
Tiered range of percentage refunds based on rate demand amount |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
40% |
|
|
Westmeath County Council |
90% |
|
|
Wexford County Council |
90% |
|
|
Wicklow County Council |
60% |
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 was enacted in July 2019. Section 9 of the Act, which is not yet commenced, provides that a local authority may provide a temporary abatement for vacant properties, subject to a maximum relief which may be specified by the Minister, to ensure that all property owners (other than those whose rates liability would be below a de minimis threshold) make some level of payment to the local authority and that vacant property is discouraged in towns, villages and cities.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (336)
Carol Nolan
Question:336. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16378/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department’s People Strategy was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions through which we wish to engage, support, develop and lead our staff, in alignment with our strategic goals. The strategic goals identified under our ‘WELL’ Strategy are ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Engagement’, ‘Learning and Development’ and ‘Leadership’, which reflect the evolving nature of working life in the Department and the diversity of needs, motivations and experiences that are a feature of the modern workplace. Under the heading of Leadership we are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Some specific measures to support diversity and inclusion include the following:
- My Department has been involved in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme since 2018, offering graduates with disabilities a 6 month work placement within the Department.
- In 2019, my Department established its LGBT+ staff network, which organises events and talks on a continuous basis and is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General.
- Since 2019, the Secretary General has given his support to the 30% Club, which promotes gender equality on boards and senior management, fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- In 2019, the Department facilitated the North East Inner City (NEIC) workplace programme, which provides students in inner city DEIS schools with access to and insight into professions and career paths outside their existing network of contacts.
- In 2020 my Department adopted its Universal Design and Accessibility Policy and Action Plan, which aims to demonstrate the Department’s commitment to accessibility, the principles of Universal Design and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.
- In 2021 my Department established its Women and Allies Network, which organises events and talks, connecting women and supporters of women across grades and locations within my Department.
- My Department has an annual staff event to acknowledge and support International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
- In 2020 and 2021 Disability Awareness Training was made available to my staff, supporting our commitments under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. This training will also be made available to staff in 2022.
In addition, my Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who provides additional support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate. The DLO also raises awareness by organising regular staff information sessions on various disabilities.
My Department complies with all central policy and guidance and in 2022 the Department will introduce its own Diversity and Inclusion Policy, following staff consultation.
As requested, please see below details of the provider, which delivered diversity and inclusion training within this Department since 2018, including the associated the costs:
|
Year |
Provider |
Cost € |
|
2018 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2019 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2020 |
Ability Focus |
900.00 |
|
2021 |
Ability Focus |
1,905.70 |
|
2022 to date |
N/A |
0 |
Question No. 337 answered with Question No. 309.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (338)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:338. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the future plans for the medically supervised shielding units created as part of the HSE and Dublin Region Housing Executive Covid-19 response in Dublin and if his Department intends to continue funding these units as permanent facilities post Covid. [16447/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. This includes the provision of units or properties required for self isolation or shielding units for those medically vulnerable to Covid-19.
The ongoing need for such services is an operational issue for consideration by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) in consultation with the HSE. From a strategic perspective, in the context of the overall response to Covid-19, my Department is in regular contact with local authorities to ensure sufficient bed capacity is available to facilitate the isolation of suspected or confirmed cases that arise in homeless services.
Over the course of the pandemic a strong collaborative working relationship has been established between the HSE and the DRHE which was successful in reducing Covid-19 transmission. It is important that this collaborative way of working continues post-pandemic to ensure that service delivery is appropriate to the needs of those in emergency accommodation.
Emergency Accommodation
Questions (339)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:339. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections carried out by the Dublin Region Housing Executive in 2021 as part of the National Quality Standards Framework; if private emergency accommodation providers have been brought under the Standards Framework and if they have been included in any inspections to date. [16448/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services.
The NQSF has been developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided. In general, the operation of emergency accommodation facilities is contracted out by local authorities, under service level agreements, to NGOs involved in the delivery of homeless services. As a number of facilities are operated privately in the Dublin Region, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive have adapted the NQSF standards in order to apply their provisions to private emergency accommodation. These standards are being applied to private emergency accommodation, with the owner / operator responsible for the physical standards and the visiting support teams responsible for the support and case management standards. It is understood that these standards are currently being rolled out.
Monitoring of services and the undertaking of site visits and inspections under the NQSF are a matter for the individual local authorities. My Department does not hold the details requested by the Deputy.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (340)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:340. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps taken and progress made since July 2019 following the report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16455/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, published in July 2019, reviewed the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and other legislation that impacts on the provision and delivery of accommodation for Travellers. The Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across 4 categories which are aimed at:
1. Addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. Strengthening governance arrangements.
Delivery and implementation of the recommendations involves several areas within my Department, as well as input from other Departments, local authorities and other external stakeholders.
The Programme Board, established to drive implementation of the recommendations of the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report (July 2019), recently agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website which is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/37910-traveller-accommodation-expert-review-programme-board-update/.