Written Answers Nos. 284-303
284. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 28 September 2022, if his Department has received correspondence from Cork City Council concerning stormwater pipes; the date they received this correspondence; the date on which a reply was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57409/22]
View answerLegal responsibilities in relation to the repair and maintenance of stormwater pipes are set out in the reply given to Question No. 142 of 28 September 2022 and the position remains unchanged. As Minister, I have no function in relation to the matter. At the time of responding my Department is not aware of any correspondence from Cork City Council in relation to the matter. Any correspondence received will be replied to in an appropriate manner.
285. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dates that he, or officials in his Department have met with each local authority to ensure that the affordable housing scheme is being delivered at affordable prices by local authority in tabular form. [57410/22]
View answerAs part of the implementation of Housing for All, each local authority has prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan for the years 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities.
These targets and action plans have formed the basis of the programme of affordable housing delivery under Housing For All, which the Department, local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency are working together in collaboration to achieve.
I have organised Housing Summits with local authority Chief Executives and Housing Directors, to collectively advance delivery of Housing for All, the most recent of which was held on 13 October.
Officials in my Department are in regular contact with local authorities who are delivering affordable housing. Furthermore, senior officials from my Department have held online and/or in person meetings with Chief Executives and Housing Directors of the key local authorities responsible for affordable housing delivery both in the first half of 2022 and again in Q3 and early Q4. For example, officials travelled to Cork to meet with Cork City Council and Cork County Council on the 17 October 2022.
A key objective for the Government under Housing For All, is ensuring that homes are being made available to purchasers at a minimum of 15% below current market values, and for Cost Rental properties at a targeted 25% below market rental values for the area.
This, along with the affordable delivery and cost rental pipeline, local housing and property information and current construction costs have been key discussion items between my Department officials and local authorities and all are working to deliver housing at the lowest possible affordable purchase prices and cost rents feasible.
286. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body that has responsibility for the clearing of gullies blocked by leaves; and his views on whether there is a responsibility in areas in which flooding is known to occur to ensure that these gullies are cleared in advance of adverse weather conditions. [57423/22]
View answerIn September 2004, Government approved a national flood risk policy which assigned OPW the lead role for flood risk management and mitigation. The OPW is responsible for overseeing Ireland’s approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas, i.e. prevention, protection and preparedness.
The 2004 report also acknowledged that the primary concern of my Department in relation to flooding, is to ensure that when adverse conditions arise, local authorities (including the fire services) are able to respond promptly and effectively to help offset the worst effects in relation to those aspects for which they have direct responsibility.
There are three main flooding threats:
- Fluvial (river)
- Tidal
- Pluvial (rainfall)
My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department for response to flooding with the Office of Public Works (OPW) having responsibility for flood prevention and mitigation. The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) of my Department, working with Met Éireann and OPW, monitor weather conditions on an on-going basis. NDFEM staff co-ordinate the response to flooding at national level, when required, supporting local authorities.
Local authorities are designated as a Principal Response Agency as well as being 'Lead Agency' for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). Local authorities prioritise life safety when responding to flooding emergencies. Protection of critical infrastructure, property and transport routes are also key objectives in any response to flooding.
My Department works with relevant stakeholders as appropriate, including Met Éireann, OPW, local authorities, relevant Departments and ESB to ensure a co-ordinated response to each flooding event.
The arrangements for emergency management have evolved and, when called upon, are seen as having worked well, in particular the responses to flooding and other severe weather emergencies led by local authorities. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies as part of their individual Major Emergency Plans. Local authorities also have a Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings and OPW and EFAS flood advisory/ warnings and High Tide Advisories. This enables local authorities, where possible, to anticipate and prepare for potential flooding events, and stand up the appropriate resources in readiness. All Local Authorities also have scheduled maintenance programmes in place, which incorporate the clearing of leaves in autumn and on-going general road and gully cleaning.
287. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for the croí cónaithe towns fund that have been received; the number approved; and the number drawn down in tabular form. [57424/22]
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 real 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.
In July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/
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 has been very positive, with 419 applications reported to the start of November. In order for applications to be assessed and a decision made, specified supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and a site visit carried out by the local authority to asses the works being applied for. In some cases this may involve the local authority reverting to the applicant for additional information. Drawdown occurs at the end of the works and information in relation to same will be made available in the future. It is also intended that in future that data on the scheme will be published on the Department's website on a quarterly basis.
|
Total Applications Received |
419 |
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Total Applications Approved |
66 |
288. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if garden rooms are excluded under the adaptation grant scheme. [57430/22]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability scheme, in respect of private houses. The scheme comprises a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses, in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, which does not include garden rooms.
The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Further details on these schemes is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when firefighters employed by Dublin Fire Brigade will receive the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57512/22]
View answerI refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 15 November 2022. The position remains unchanged.
290. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that have been received for the croí cónaithe cities fund; the number that have been approved; and the number that have been drawn down in tabular form. [57525/22]
View answerThe Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The scheme is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.
The scheme launched on the 10th May with an Expressions of Interest process which is being managed and administered by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. The closing date for receipt of proposals was 21st June 2022.
On receipt of applications in June, the Housing Agency has been actively undertaking the various appraisal stages (3) which deal with the following:
1. Eligibility of proposals
2. Ranking of suitable proposals and
3. A detailed due diligence process leading to designation (the current stage of progress).
Alongside this, the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme is currently subject of an application in respect of State Aid to the EU’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) with a decision due shortly.
Until that live process has concluded, and due to the on-going commercial sensitivity surrounding the live assessment process, it is not possible to comment any further on specific details until then.
291. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will urgently correspond with an organisation (details supplied) regarding two derelict properties which are owned at a location; and if he will ensure that the organisation carries out repairs as a matter of urgency and brings these properties back into use as rentals for those on the social housing list. [57531/22]
View answerWhere an approved housing body has purchased or constructed housing, the responsibility for management and maintenance of the housing is a matter for them, in conjunction with the local authority. My Department will engage with the local authority in relation to the homes referred to in the question with a view to having them brought back into productive use and to reinforce the point that any vacant social homes in any local authority area should be addressed.
292. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to amend Section 12 of Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to ensure that tenants are not prohibited from hanging clothes to dry in gardens, balconies or within view of windows. [57555/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions.
Generally, it is “house rules” agreed between a landlord and a tenant at the start of a tenancy that might deal with laundry, keeping pets, noise, satellite dishes, etc.
The Acts do not provide for such matters. However, section 18 of the Acts provides that no provision of any lease, tenancy agreement, contract or other agreement may operate to vary, modify or restrict in any way section 12 (obligations of landlords) or section 16 (obligations of tenants). Obligations additional to those specified in section 16 may be imposed on the tenant by the lease or tenancy agreement concerned but only if those obligations are consistent with the Acts.
Landlords should make sure that their tenants are familiar with the house rules by including them in the tenancy agreement. House rules must not be in contravention of rights and protections afforded to owners/tenants in law, including privacy, data protection or equality legislation, etc.
It would be inappropriate for the Acts to prescribe such particulars.
293. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will explain the rationale behind affordable housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57620/22]
View answerFollowing the publication of Housing for All last year, I asked local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. In preparing these Plans, local authorities were asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and plan their provision accordingly.
18 local authorities, including Galway County Council, who had a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I also set five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those 18 local authorities.
An identified high level of affordable housing need arises where the HNDA indicates that, of the total projected need for housing in the county, over 5% of new households will not qualify for social housing but will also be constrained in accessing housing by their ability to afford to buy or rent. The level of affordably constrained need in Mayo is assessed at below 5%, although some localised affordability issues may arise in certain towns within the county.
All local authorities including both Mayo and Galway County Councils submitted their initial draft Plans to my Department last December and they both published their final Plans in July of this year.
It is possible for local authorities, including Mayo County Council, to undertake an analysis of affordable housing need at sub-county level to determine whether a need for affordable housing schemes is evident in specific towns/areas. Such an analysis was recently undertaken by Mayo County Council and some pockets of affordability challenge have been identified within the county.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy is available to support affordable housing purchase in schemes located in large or key towns identified in Regional Social and Economic Strategies, where an affordable housing need is evidenced, ensuring that provision is aligned with where need is concentrated.
My Department, the Housing Agency and the LGMA are available to assist all local authorities in the consideration of schemes and the preparation of applications. My Department has recently received an AHF funding application from Mayo County Council to support affordable housing delivery in Westport which is under consideration.
Furthermore, I recently announced the ‘Ready to Build’ Scheme. The scheme will be funded from the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites available in towns and villages to potential purchasers for the building by the purchaser of a principal private residence. The sites will be sold at a discounted rate of up to €30,000 from the market value. The discount will be determined by the cost of servicing the site. This will facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025 and can be availed of by Mayo County Council to help meet affordable housing need.
Finally, the First Home Scheme, launched in July this year, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide.
294. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of approval for a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57636/22]
View answerA funding application from Limerick City and County Council for this turnkey project was received in my Department on the 30 September 2022. The project was approved on the 18 November 2022 and the local authority has been notified.
295. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposed timeline going forward for the proposed referendum on housing to take place given the closure of the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57637/22]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, The Housing Commission was established by Government in December 2021 to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland. The Commission’s Terms of Reference cover a wide range of issues connected to housing, one of which is to consider the complex constitutional issues arising in this area and to propose appropriate wording for a referendum on housing.
As part this process the Commission held a dedicated Conference in May 2022 and launched a public consultation on 1 July, which concluded on Friday 2 September. The purpose of the consultation was to encourage as many people as possible to have their say in respect of a referendum on housing in Ireland. More than 2,000 submissions have been received and I understand that the Commission is pleased that there has been a broad response from members of the public, tenants, landlords, public representatives, organisations involved in housing, the charity sector, the community & voluntary sector, people working in related policy and legal areas and elsewhere. The majority of submissions received came from the general public and reflect a range of disparate views which will greatly assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the Government on a potential constitutional amendment. The submissions are being analysed to inform the Commission’s deliberations on a proposed wording for a referendum. The submissions will provide invaluable input from the public and stakeholders to assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the government.
The proposed timeline for a referendum on housing will be a matter for Government to consider following receipt of the proposed wording from the Commission.
296. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if works as provided for under the built heritage investment scheme for Tipperary County Council to mitigate issues of damp in the structure of Knocklofty House, Clonmel, County Tipperary, as referenced in HPLG-MoSN-00491-2021 are scheduled to proceed; the reason that work has not commenced to-date; if engagement with all relevant stakeholders to maintain the structure has taken place; the details in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57668/22]
View answerMy role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including particular structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). The inclusion of a structure on Tipperary County Council's RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of the structure and also gives the Council powers to deal appropriately with development proposals affecting it and to safeguard its future.
Under the 2022 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), all 31 local authorities were allocated grant funding and asked to nominate awards to a number of heritage projects, for approval by my Department. The project at Knocklofty House was one such project nominated by Tipperary County Council and approved by my Department. However officials in my Department have recently been informed that the Knocklofty House project will not proceed this year.
This was a decision made at the discretion of Tipperary County Council, which has responsibility for administering the BHIS on my Department's behalf. However, Tipperary County Council will be able to advise further.
297. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification on a matter in relation to the Irish retained fire service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57704/22]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department. Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide deliver local authority fire services, 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country.
It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.
In 2013, my Department published 'Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland'. The adoption of KCS as national policy saw national norms/ standards established for fire services in Ireland for the first time, against which local authority fire services could benchmark themselves. The report of the Fire Service Validation Group, 'Fire Services in Ireland, Local Delivery - National Consistency', published in 2016, noted the staffing arrangements in place in fire services across Ireland to achieve these standards, and that fire services manage staffing levels in fire stations to achieve the national standards of fire service response.
The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach, which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires that occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. There has been a welcome downward trend in the incidence of fire, with the fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three-year average, currently at 4.3 deaths per million of population. While each death is one too many, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population and positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates.
In May 2021, the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management mandated a small internal project team to undertake a review of the model of local authority ‘Retained’ fire services delivery. This review has a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff, with the proviso that due consideration also be given to input from the County and City Management Association.
The objective of the review was to explore and understand the issues that can impact service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options that will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority fire services into the future.
The initial engagement element of the review was the gathering of appropriate data and information, to inform the needs analysis and option appraisals for further development. To that end, the project team undertook a procurement process and engaged the services of an independent consultant to survey the views of the personnel who work in the retained fire services and those that have recently retired from the retained fire services. In preparing the survey, the project team sought the views of retained services trade union representatives through the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group.
Comprehensive updates on the progress of the report have been positively received by the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group. There is broad agreement that the survey outcomes are reflective of feedback received directly from Retained Fire service members previously, and that the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group remains the appropriate forum for feedback on the report.
The review report is due to be submitted to the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in early December for final approval. Implementing the recommendations of the Retained Review is a priority of mine and the NDFEM Board. This will require a sequence of steps that will include the development of a new model for service delivery with rostered time off for retained fire-fighters to improve the work life balance for Retained Firefighting staff. I believe this is the best course of action, and the opportunity must now be given for engagement with all sides to ensure we have a fire service model that works for the public it serves and all Retained Firefighters going forward.
298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the legislation for a directly-elected mayor in Limerick; and the date for the publication of the legislation. [57764/22]
View answerThe Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill providing for a directly elected mayor for Limerick at its meeting of 20 April 2021. The Government also approved the publication of the General Scheme and its referral both to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny and to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme in November 2021.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of this complex Bill and its publication has been identified as a priority as soon as practicable. Drafting of this legislation is well advanced.
299. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will instruct An Bord Pleanála to review the appeal from an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the 19.5 telecommunications mast at Glaslough village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57805/22]
View answer300. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the intervention of a person (details supplied) to grant permission to a 19.5 telecommunications mast at Glaslough Village [57806/22]
View answer301. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the decision of Monaghan County Council and the recommendation of An Bord Pleanála Planning Inspector to refuse the 19.5 telecommunications mast at Glasough village will be restored, given the resignation of senior members of An Bord Pleanála [57807/22]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Sections 50, 50A and 50B of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, codify the statutory right of judicial review of any decision of An Bord Pleanála.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, I as Minister am specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is or may be concerned.
302. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the recent provisions in the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 as passed by Dáil Éireann on 24 July 2022, will be enacted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57868/22]
View answerThe Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 was enacted on 24 July 2022. My Department is currently drafting regulations to provide for consequential amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations regarding the substitute consent procedure, following which the substitute consent provisions of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 will be commenced. The regulations are at an advanced stage of drafting and it is is envisaged that this process will be finalised by the end of the year.
