Written Answers Nos. 401-422
401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Department's plans to support the owners of thatched buildings with rising and crippling public liability insurance costs. [55053/22]
View answerI am very aware of the concern expressed by owners of thatched properties in relation to their difficulties with insurance. Under Action 6 of the strategy for built vernacular heritage, A Living Tradition, launched in December 2021, my Department has undertaken to “investigate and work to resolve the urgent issue of affordability of insurance for thatched buildings”, as well as other relevant issues relating to thatch and thatched buildings.
My Department’s built heritage unit has been working to progress the resolution of these issues and a steering group, expressly tasked with advising on this particular action, has been set up. This group is chaired by a thatcher, who is also a thatch-owner, and includes a second thatch owner, a thatching inspector with the Department, and a local authority architectural conservation officer and a heritage officer, a representative of the Heritage Council, and a representative of the Department for Communities (NI).
A specialist has also been engaged to carry out an urgent assessment of the insurance sector as it applies to thatched properties. This has involved engagement with thatch-owners, insurance brokers, insurance companies, the supervisory authorities (including the FSPO, Central Bank, Department of Finance), local authorities and any other relevant bodies. An interim report was received at the end of September and the final report is due at the end of this month. My Department is prepared to act quickly on the findings of this report. In the meantime, we continue to explore all options for dealing with these matters.
402. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the cessation of a turf cutting compensation application made by a person (details supplied). [55072/22]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
To assist my Department in assessing the application for compensation under the scheme, correspondence was issued to the applicant on the 12th of October, 2021 requesting further information. To date, my Department has not received this information from the applicant. The correspondence has been re-issued to the applicant and upon receipt of the information requested, further assessment of the application can be undertaken.
403. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider reviewing the Planning and Development Act 2000 in relation to public consultations where a licence is sought. [55095/22]
View answerUnder section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. This includes the Section 254 licensing process. This question is asking for an interpretation of the Law which is a matter for the Courts.
Section 254 of the Act, provides for a licensing system for appliances and structures, placed on, above, under or along a public road, including footpaths. The Act provides that a "public road" has the same meaning as assigned in the Roads Act 1993, which defines it as “a road over which a public right of way exists and the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies on a road authority”.
A person applying for a licence must provide the planning authority with such plans and other information concerning the position, design and capacity of the appliance, apparatus or structure as the authority may require. A licence may be granted by the planning authority for such period and upon such conditions as may be specified, including conditions in relation to location, design, space taken up by appliance and the need to protect protected structures etc. Within the statutory framework, licensing is a matter for each individual planning authority and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.
In considering an application for a licence under section 254(5) of the Act, a planning authority shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, development plans, the number and location of existing appliances and the convenience and safety of road users including pedestrians.
Under section 254(6) any person may, in relation to the granting, refusing, withdrawing or continuing of a licence under this section or to the conditions specified by the planning authority for such a licence, appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Planning legislation is kept under constant review and I have no plans to make further legislative changes in this regard at this point in time.
404. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022 to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55132/22]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022 was approved by Government on 27 July 2022 and is published herewith on the Government website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4258f-general-scheme-of-local-government-maternity-protection-and-other-measures-for-local-authority-elected-members-bill-2022/.
The Bill was before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny on 22 September 2022 and I received the Joint Oireachtas Committee's Report on 28 October 2022. The recommendations therein are under consideration in my Department as drafting of the Bill is finalised.
The Bill will be published once approved by Government and will progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas having regard to the overall Government legislative programme.
405. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale, from a policy perspective, for issuing a directive to South Dublin County Council to reverse the ban on new data centre developments in its development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55143/22]
View answerIt is important to note the role of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in the overall plan making process. One core function of the OPR is the independent assessment of all local authority and regional assembly statutory plans, including county and city development plans, local area plans (LAPs) and regional spatial and economic strategies (RSESs).
The OPR provides observations during the drafting of statutory plans. In cases where the OPR finds that a local authority's plans are ultimately not consistent with relevant regional or national policies, the OPR can recommend the use of Ministerial powers of direction to bring plans back in line with statutory requirements and best practice.
Concerning South Dublin County Council, the above mentioned independent assessment process is taking place and has not yet concluded. Consequent to a recommendation made to me by the OPR under section 31AM(8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), I notified South Dublin County Council on 28th July of my intention to issue a Direction (a draft of which was included in the notice) to South Dublin County Council to take certain measures specified in the notice in order to ensure that the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 is in compliance with the requirements of the Act. Information pertaining to this draft direction and subsequent responses from the Local Authority to the OPR are available at www.sdcc.ie/en/devplan2022/adopted-plan/draft-ministerial-direction1/. The public consultation period ran from 10th August to the 23rd August 2022.
The intention to issue a draft direction of 28th July (including a statement of reasons) sets out the basis from a policy perspective for a revision, to ensure the Plan is in compliance with the requirements of the Act. In particular, the draft states that the Planning Authority is hereby directed to take the following steps concerning this topic, to:
- Amend the land use zoning objectives in tables 13.4, 13.8 and 13.10 to reinstate data centre use class as an ‘open for consideration’ use class in the REGEN, Enterprise & Employment (EE) and Major Retail Centre (MRC) zoning objectives.
The accompanying statement of reasons gave the policy basis for this draft direction, that:
1. Pursuant to section 31(1)(ba)(i) and section 31(1)(c), The Development Plan as made includes material amendments to the draft Plan, which are not consistent with national and regional planning policy and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, including:
...
(b) Changes to land use zoning objectives for REGEN, Major Retail Centre and Enterprise and Employment (Material Amendments 13.1, 3 13.2 and 13.3) which make data centre use class a ‘not permitted’ use class across all zoning objectives in the Plan inconsistent with Regional Policy Objective 8.25 in the RSES for the EMRA which promotes Ireland as a sustainable international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres and associated economic activities at appropriate locations and lacks an appropriate evidential basis.
Subsequently, the Chief Executive of the Council issued a report dated 19 September 2022 on the submissions and observations made to the planning authority on this draft direction. The Office considered this notice and issued a notice under section 31AN(4) of the Act to me, as Minister responsible, on 10th October 2022 recommending that I exercise my function to take such steps to ensure that the plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
I am currently considering its contents and recommendations. It is important to note that this process remains live and has not yet concluded and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.
406. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where he will publish zoned land maps as submitted by local authorities. [55145/22]
View answerThe Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax that was introduced in Finance Act 2021. It applies to land that is both zoned as suitable for residential development and is serviced. The RZLT is an annual tax, which will be first due in 2024 in respect of land which met the relevant criteria on or before 1 January 2022 and which is reflected on the map to be published by local authorities on 1 December 2023. The tax will be administered on a self-assessment basis
The tax applies to land that is:
- zoned suitable for residential development whether it be solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses, including residential use,
- serviced (that is: reasonable to consider may have access, or be connected, to public infrastructure and facilities, including roads and footpaths, public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, necessary for dwellings to be developed and with sufficient service capacity available for such development) and
- Existing residential property may appear on local authority maps prepared for the purposes of RZLT. Nonetheless, such property is excluded from the scope of the tax, although they may be required to register where the land size exceeds 0.4047 hectares (1 acre).
I have no direct function in relation to the publication of these maps. As set out in the Finance Act 2021, the publication of maps related to the Residential Zoned Land Tax is the responsibility of the respective Local Authorities.
All local authorities have now published draft maps, showing what land is proposed to be within scope. People should check the maps on their own local authority’s website, or visit the local authority's offices to view the maps of land in scope.
Links to the relevant Local Authority websites can be found at www.gov.ie/RZLT
407. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an organisation, which is a voluntary organisation that uses a property exclusively for charitable purposes and otherwise than for private profit, must be a registered charity in order to be exempt from local authority rates; if its sole purpose of using the property exclusively for charitable purposes is sufficient to exempt it from commercial rates without being on the charity register; if the term "charitable organisations" within the Valuation Act 2001 refers only to those organisations which are registered charities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55191/22]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes as well as determining the ratability or not of a property is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Valuation Act provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Acts. Paragraph 16 of Schedule 4 provides for exemption to any land, building or part of a building which is occupied by a charitable organisation that uses the land, building or part exclusively for charitable purposes and otherwise than for private profit.
Section 3 of the Act provides that a “charitable organisation” means a charitable organisation within the meaning of section 2 of the Charities Act 2009 that is entered in the register of charitable organisations pursuant to Part 3 of that Act. Thus, to avail of this exemption a charity must be registered as described.
On the basis that the question relates to a specific organisation, the Valuation Office may be contacted at Oireachtas.Enquiries@valoff.ie to ascertain the ratability or otherwise of the property in question.
408. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports (details supplied) that average private rent prices have almost doubled since 2012; if the RTB has investigated whether this is permitted, given the implementation of rent pressure zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55243/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024 and prohibit any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The Act also provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually.
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP (CSO data for September 2022 shows HICP inflation of 8.2 % p.a.), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted to provide, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs where the inflation rate is higher.
In all cases, section 19(1) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) prohibits the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent. In general, a rent in respect of a dwelling cannot be reviewed more frequently than annually in an RPZ, or bi-annually outside of an RPZ. In reviewing a rent, a landlord must complete the Notice of Rent Review (available on the RTB’s website) which must be served on the tenant at least 90 days before the new rent becomes payable and requires details of the rent last set for the dwelling and, if the dwelling is in an RPZ, comply with procedures providing for the rent increase restriction and use the Rent Pressure Zone calculator on www.rtb.ie to ensure compliance with the rent setting laws. A landlord must include details of 3 comparable rents in the Notice of Rent Review.
Not all properties in RPZs are subject to the 2% restriction.
An exemption applies to the first rent setting of a tenancy of a dwelling where:
- no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling during the two years immediately prior to this current tenancy beginning; or
- no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling where the dwelling is a protected structure, or is in a protected structure or is a proposed protected structure during the 12 months immediately prior to the current tenancy beginning. A protected structure is defined in the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 Act provides a legal definition of ‘substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation’ to illustrate the type of works to be carried out to a rental property to qualify for a further once-off exemption from RPZ rent controls in respect of the first rent setting after such works.
Such works shall result in:
- a permanent extension increasing the floor area by 25%; or
- an improvement in the Building Energy Rating (BER) by at least 7 ratings; or
- at least 3 of the following:
- a permanent alteration of the internal layout;
- adaptations for a person with a disability;
- a permanent increase in the number of rooms;
- an improvement in the BER by 3 or more ratings where the original BER was D1 or lower; or
- an improvement in the BER by 2 or more ratings where the original BER was C3 or higher.
Where a tenant is unsure as to the validity of a Notice of Rent Review served, he or she may refer the matter to the RTB for dispute resolution, with redress available to the tenant and may include a direction to pay a refund of any unlawful rent amount paid and an amount of damages.
The RTB also has an Investigations and Sanctions unit dedicated to investigating certain potential breaches of rental law by a landlord referred to as improper conduct under Schedule 2 to the Acts. Since 1 July 2019, the RTB is empowered under Part 7A – Complaints, Investigations and Sanctions – of the Residential Tenancies Acts to investigate improper conduct by landlords including unlawful rent setting in RPZs and to impose sanctions, where appropriate. The RTB has the power to impose sanctions if improper conduct by a landlord is found to have occurred, ranging from a formal written caution and/or a fine of up to €15,000 and/or costs up to €15,000. The RTB publishes any sanction imposed on landlords arising from RTB investigations into breaches of rental law on a dedicated website page – www.rtb.ie/court-orders.
409. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who have availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [55252/22]
View answer410. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money that has been paid out under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [55253/22]
View answer411. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any local authorities have drawn down money under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme; and if so, if he will list the local authorities, the amount of grants and the total funding that each received in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [55254/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 to 411, inclusive, together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.
Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.
On the 14 July 2022, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant will benefit those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing reviews of the schemes under it. Given that Pathway 4 of Housing for All is intended to support re-use of existing buildings and the synergy with the Government's Our Rural Future policy, I do see the sense in extending the eligibility for the scheme to vacant properties in both our cities and rural areas to ensure we are using our existing housing stock to the fullest extent possible. In that context, I am pleased to say that the Government has decided to extend the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and I expect to have that extension to cities and rural properties in place in the coming weeks.
Vacant Homes Officers in each local authority will be available to provide advice and information on the schemes and the application process.
Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to date has been very positive, with 392 applications reported at the start of November. As the Grant was only recently launched, no data is available before July 2022. Data in relation to breakdown of applications and draw down of funding is currently being collated and this will begin to published on the Department's website in the near future.
412. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects that vacant property refurbishment scheme applications will be accepted for rural properties under the extended croí cónaithe towns fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55259/22]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.
Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.
On the 14 July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant will benefit those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
On 21 September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing reviews of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme to date has been very positive, with 392 applications reported at the start of November.
Given that Pathway 4 of Housing for All is intended to support re-use of existing buildings and the synergy with the Government's Our Rural Future policy, I do see the sense in extending the eligibility for the scheme to vacant properties in both our cities and rural areas to ensure we are using our existing housing stock to the fullest extent possible. In that context, I am pleased to say that the Government has decided to extend the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme and I expect to have that extension to cities and rural properties in place in the coming weeks.
Vacant Homes Officers in each local authority will be available to provide advice and information on the schemes and the application process.
413. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that the planning fee for use of land as a burial ground is more than three times higher than the planning fee for the provision of a house. [55282/22]
View answerArticle 156 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), states that a fee shall be paid to a planning authority by an applicant when making a planning application. Class 1 of Part 12 of Schedule 9 to the Regulations sets the amount of the fee payable in respect of a planning application for the provision of a house at €65. Class 12 of Part 12 of Schedule 9 to the Regulations sets the amount of the fee payable in respect of a planning application for the use of land as a burial ground at €200, or €50 for each hectare of site area, whichever is the greater.
Therefore, the fee payable for an application for the use of land as burial grounds is calculated on a case by case basis and is dependent on the size of the area of the land proposed to be utilised for burials and is not based on the number of burials, whilst the fee for the provision a house is a fixed fee per individual house.
414. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the expected publication of the revised wind energy development guidelines considering the very significant number of applications being submitted throughout the country at the moment; the reason for the significant delay in publishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55299/22]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Guidance on the noise aspect is currently being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Officials from the two Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources. Further to a meeting between officials of both Departments on 14 October 2022, this matter is currently being considered by DECC and further inputs are expected shortly. Following this, my Department will be in a better position to provide an update on the expected publication date of the revised Guidelines, the finalisation of which remains a priority.
It should also be noted that the review and finalisation of the Guidelines has been included as an action in the recently published Climate Action Plan, with a Q2 2023 delivery date target.
416. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 11 October 2022, if the lack of a management or conservation plan for the Boyne-Blackwater is contrary to the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55309/22]
View answerThe River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (site code 002299) is selected for the protection of fens, wet woodland, river lamprey, salmon and otter and is designated under the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). There is no requirement under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 to produce management or conservation plans for SACs.
417. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned that there was no improvement reported in 78% of the water bodies in the LAWPRO second cycle "priority areas for action"; if he will outline his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55310/22]
View answerThe recently published Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report Water Quality in Ireland 2016-2021 shows that the main risk to water quality continues to be excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) in our rivers, lakes and coastal areas.
In relation to the Priority Areas for Action, the EPA reports that a total of 117 river water bodies showed improvements in status, while 67 declined, resulting in a net overall improvement in status class in 50 water bodies in the Priority Areas for Action. Overall these water bodies performed better than areas outside of the priority areas, where the overall number of improvements have been cancelled out by the number of water bodies with a decline in status.
The Government is taking strong action on Water Quality including: a record investment in Irish Water capital programmes; a new CAP Strategic Plan with measures to protect and improve water quality in agricultural areas; and a new stronger Nitrates Action Programme.
The Government will shortly launch a new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan. This plan will build on the work of the second-cycle, and will again describe the main pressures and activities affecting water status, set out the environmental objectives to be achieved up to 2027 and identify the measures needed to achieve these objectives, including those highlighted by the EPA.
418. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that ceiling track hoists are not provided for under the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability) Regulations 2007; if he will provide an update on his engagement with the Department of Health as to a suitable resolution regarding the funding of hoists; and when ceiling track hoists will be made available to persons who require them but cannot currently access them. [55312/22]
View answer422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55501/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 422 together.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme is underpinned by secondary legislation. The provisions of Article 7 of the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability) Regulations 2007 set out the types of mobility aids that the grant can be used for, including accessible showers, access ramps, grab rails, stair lifts and other minor works to facilitate the mobility needs of a member of a household. The funding of fixed track hoists is not provided for under the scheme as they are prescribed medical device appliances which require the assistance of trained carers for their safe operation.
My Department is continuing to engage proactively with the Department of Health and the HSE on this issue. The objective of reaching a suitable resolution on the funding of fixed track hoists remains a priority.
419. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill 2020; and when this Bill will proceed to the next Stage. [55367/22]
View answerIt is my intention to bring forward a piece of legislation provisionally titled the Fire, Emergency Management and Public Safety Bill, whose primary purpose will be to update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Part of the impetus for this work arises from the review of fire safety in Ireland carried out in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy in the UK. It is also my intention that the Bill will place relevant elements of evolved emergency management practice at national and local level on a statutory footing.
A General Scheme of the Bill is in preparation within my Department. This has been informed by consultation with the relevant sectors likely to be impacted by its provisions. The shape of the Bill has been considered on a number of occasions by the Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM). The Board is comprised of Chief Executive Officers from local authorities, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) as well as other Government Departments and supports the general approach being taken in the Bill. However, there is still a need for further consultation with both stakeholders and our other Government partners to ensure the Bill brought forward is both comprehensive and robust.
The intention of the Bill is to support and strengthen the role of local authorities. The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of each individual fire authority. The work of local authority fire services has, to a large degree, been underpinned by the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 for nearly 40 years. While this legislation has served the country well, and key indicators such as fatalities from fire per million of population have been reduced consistently to the point where they are at their lowest for forty years, it is appropriate now to ensure that the underpinning legislation fully reflects the changes in society and the expanded and more dynamic roles that our local authority fire services have taken on in recent years. For that reason, the opinions of the local government sector have been sought as to the shape this legislation should take and preliminary opinion has also been received from the Local Government Management Association.
Like all legislation, this is a complex piece of work, which necessitates consideration of multifaceted issues that impact on a number of sectors. The current Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 have stood the test of time for nearly 40 years. I want to ensure that its replacement also stands the test of time and when my Department is satisfied that the legislation being brought forward is appropriate, balanced, complete and robust, a Memorandum will be brought to Government on the issue in due course.
420. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce any flexibility on the 12-month income rule for determining social housing support eligibility in cases where persons have lost their jobs but whose previous income still places them over the threshold. [55440/22]
View answerI currently have no plans to amend the Household Means Policy and the requirement to assess household income eligibility on the previous 12 months net average income.
The income eligibility requirements reflect the long-term nature of social housing support.
However, my Department is monitoring the operation and implementation of the policy, which will be kept under review.
In the wider context, I am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model.
In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by end Q4 2022.
I have also recently approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - have moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income threshold for these areas has increased from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022.
421. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of officials in his Department who have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years to date; the grade of each official; and the cost for each attendee in tabular form. [55485/22]
View answerMy Department provides a range of strategic learning and development options, delivered flexibly, using a range of delivery methods, with a particular emphasis on work based learning.
In the past ten years to date, there were no officials in the Department who completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.
