Written Answers Nos. 261-289
261. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is his intention that houses badly affected by the defective blocks issue in County Wexford will be included in the national redress scheme; if his attention has been drawn in particular to a badly-affected home (details supplied) in Ferns, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58731/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The Act has currently designated 4 local authorities for inclusion in the Enhanced DCB Scheme, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick City and County and Mayo County Councils.
My Department received correspondence from the homeowners relating to this specific property and a replied issued directly to them in July 2022. Since then the Bill has been signed into law. Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the Enhanced DCB Grant Scheme, which, it should be noted, may include a request by a local authority to the Housing Agency, and whereby the Housing Agency thereafter carries out testing of dwellings.
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the Act is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the Act which are to be prescribed including but not limited to the grant rates, damage threshold, and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, and declarations.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/.
262. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is monitoring the number of cormorants on the river barrow and other waterway systems; if any relevant data on the number of cormorants on the river barrow and other waterway systems will be provided; the policies and procedures that the NPWS is using to monitor this invasive bird; if the NPWS control the number of cormorants on the inland waterway system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58757/22]
View answerThe Cormorant is native to Ireland and is monitored at a number of sites during its breeding and non-breeding seasons, in accordance with Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive. It is largely a coastal breeding bird but a portion of the Irish population nests inland in freshwater environments. A breeding survey, including Ireland’s inland waterways system, was conducted in recent years.
The data is summarised in a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Irish Wildlife Manual, publicly available on the NPWS website www.npws.ie at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM114.pdf.
Outside the breeding season, this species frequents inland waterways, as well as coastal and estuarine sites across the country. The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is Ireland's programme for monitoring population trends of wintering waterbirds, including Cormorant, and the habitats they use.
I-WeBS covers approximately 250 sites and 750 subsites per annum across the country. An Irish Wildlife Manual describing the status and distribution of wintering cormorant and other waterbirds for the period 2009/10 – 2015/16 is also available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM_106_Irelands_Wintering_Waterbirds.pdf.
Contemporary data from I-WeBS can be accessed via the survey’s dedicated web portal at irishwetlandbirdsurvey.ie/.
Section 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) provides, that where protected wild animals or birds are causing serious damage, persons affected may, on application to the Minister, seek a permission to take appropriate steps to mitigate the damage.
Applications are investigated by my Department's NPWS to determine if serious damage is being caused and, if so, the most practical method of controlling the problem. To date in 2022, my Department has received no such applications for the River Barrow.
263. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of grant funding provided to Mayo County Council under measure 8 of the multi-annual rural water programme 2009-2021 for septic tanks and wells; the number of applicants who were in receipt of this funding; the average grant received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58783/22]
View answerI understand the Question is referring to Measure 8 funding under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021.
The table below sets out the amount of funding recouped by my Department for Private Water Supply (Individual Well) grants and Domestic Wastewater Treatment System (Septic Tank) grants under this Programme.
Recoupment under Measure 8 for 2019-2021 to Mayo County Council
|
Measure |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (up to 25/11/2022) |
|
Private Water Supplies (Individual Wells) |
€8,915.34 |
€8,421.58 |
€35,067.37 |
€11,000.00 |
|
Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (Septic Tanks) |
€67,786.64 |
€62,634.75 |
€222,004.11 |
€9,377.54 |
My Department has devolved the day to day running of the Rural Water Programme to the local authorities. The local authorities, Mayo County Council in this case, are best placed to provide the remaining details referred to in the question.
264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the proposed interim enforcement measures for short-term lettings; if he will provide an update on the proposed licensing system for short-term lettings; and the role, if any, for the RTB in the proposed Bord Fáilte licence. [58788/22]
View answerAction 16.7 of the Housing for All Updated Action Plan commits to the development of "new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need”. As an interim measure and pending the establishment of the new Fáilte Ireland registration system for the short-term letting sector, provision was included in section 3 of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) aimed at updating and strengthening the pre-existing provisions on short-term letting operated through the planning code.
Under the requirements of EU Directive 2015/1535 on Technical Regulations and Information Society services (the TRIS Directive), Member States are required to notify proposals for technical regulations and rules on goods and services (including information society services such as online platforms) to the EU Commission before they can be brought into effect. This is intended to ensure that there is as much transparency as possible with regard to proposed national initiatives for the establishment of technical regulations with potential impacts on trade, the internal market and the free movement of goods and services.
Further to the TRIS Directive requirements, Ireland notified its proposed interim arrangements for the regulation of the short-term letting sector to the EU Commission on 29 July last following which there was some engagement between the EU Commission and my Department. In the meantime, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has made good progress in the development of its legislative proposals to underpin the proposed Failte Ireland registration system for the short-term letting sector to the extent that at a recent meeting between, the Minister for that Department and Minister O'Brien, it was agreed to proceed with the progression of that legislation with a view to its early enactment and the associated establishment of the Failte Ireland registration system in early 2023.
In light of the foregoing, my Department has withdrawn its notification to the EU Commission of the proposed interim arrangements provided for in the 2022 Act.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in consultation with Fáilte Ireland, is working to finalise a General Scheme of a Bill to underpin this system with a view to seeking Government approval to the publication of the General Scheme in the coming weeks.
While it was initially contemplated that there could be a role for the Residential Tenancies Board in the enforcement of the proposed interim arrangements referred to above, it will not have any role in the proposed Department of Tourism/ Failte Ireland registration system.
265. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the individual capital allocation to each of the housing programmes funded by his Department, including SHIP, CALF, CAS and so on; and the total spend for each of these programmes for each year from 2020 to date in 2022, in tabular form. [58789/22]
View answer266. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his Department’s engagement with stakeholders involved in attempts to deliver cost rental homes in a location (details supplied). [58790/22]
View answerDepartment officials are engaging with Dublin City Council on an ongoing basis regarding the mixed tenure development at O’Devaney Gardens including the potential for cost rental homes. My Department is also represented on the Housing Land Initiative Project Board which is progressing the O’Devaney Gardens project.
Following a Competitive Dialogue process and approval of S.183 land disposal, Dublin City Council and Bartra, the preferred bidder, entered into a Development Agreement in December 2019.
The developer agreed to enter into an option agreement with Dublin City Council, whereby the Council or its nominee i.e. Approved Housing Bodies, will have the right to purchase some or all of the 524 developer/private units.
As part of wider efforts to support delivery of affordable purchase, cost rental and social housing on this site, Departmental officials have engaged with a range of stakeholders. This has included engaging with Approved Housing Bodies in respect of the potential for support under the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and with the Local Authority itself in respect of the Affordable Housing Fund for affordable purchase and Cost Rental.
267. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out the LDA’s affordable housing targets for 2022, including cost-rental and affordable purchase and their delivery to date. [58791/22]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
268. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish the Q3 social housing output report. [58792/22]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
The Quarter 3 social housing delivery statistics are being collated and will be published shortly, in conjunction with the Quarter 3 Construction Status Report.
269. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of amendments that have been made to the Planning and Development Act 2000. [58880/22]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, has been amended by successive Governments since it was enacted in 2000. Amendments may include additional provisions, repeal of existing provisions or the substitution of existing provisions with updated text. The recording and publishing of amendments to primary legislation is a function of the Attorney General's Office and is made available online through the Irish Statute Book at www.irishstatutebook.ie. I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for Planning have no statutory function in the recording or publishing of primary legislation including amendments, through the Irish Statute Book.
In addition to the Irish Statute Book, the Law Reform Commission makes available a consolidated version of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, which was last updated on 23 June 2022. This is available online at revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2000/act/30/revised/en/html .
270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times that the fire brigade has been called to incidents involving persons entering or attempting to enter the water in the River Corrib in Galway city in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [58995/22]
View answer272. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times that fire brigades have been dispatched in each county in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [58998/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 272 together.
The 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 fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other fire safety related matters and providing capital funding support for purchase of equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
My Department collects statistics from local authorities, on an annual basis, regarding fire service attendance at incidents and the types of incident involved. The information requested from 2012 through 2021 is available at the link below: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f0dd8-fires-attended-by-brigades/.
The data requested is not yet available for 2022.
With regard to the incidence involving persons entering or attempting to enter the water in the river Corrib in Galway city, that level of detail for specific locations is not recorded in the statistics, a total annual figure for the Rescue/ Removal of Persons from Water is available from individual local authorities.
271. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of fire stations which have been closed in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and the locations of those fire stations. [58997/22]
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 Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy and progressing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority for infrastructural projects.
The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for the fire authority, based on its assessment of risk, needs and resources. In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, under the Local Government Act 2001, it is the responsibility of each Chief Executive to employ such staff and to make such staffing, funding, recruitment and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of their local authority.
Over three thousand professional, competent and highly committed personnel staff the full-time and retained local Authority fire services in Ireland. Local authorities, as the funders and the employers of fire service personnel, have demonstrated their commitment to this service over the past number of years. The number of frontline fire service staff have been maintained at a consistent high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even at a time when staffing numbers were out of necessity reduced in other areas of the local authorities.
The most recent review of Fire Services in Ireland resulted in the publication of “Keeping Communities Safe - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland” (KCS) in 2013. This was a report on the outcome of a wide-ranging review of Fire Services in Ireland, undertaken in 2011/2012, and adopted as Government policy in early 2013.
The provision of Fire Services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach of Area Risk Categorisation which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires which occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. It is a matter for the Chief Executive of individual local authorities that adequate and appropriate provision of fire services are provided, guided by the principles of Area Risk Categorisation as laid out in the "Keeping Communities Safe" policy document.
A copy of that document is available from, www.gov.ie/en/publication/72e1d-keeping-communities-safe/.
Fire authorities cooperate with each other as and when required, and on a regular basis, on a number of matters. For example, the Fire Services Act, 1981 and 2003 enables them to assist each other and provide support on a ‘mutual-assistance’ basis, and this is the expected norm for Fire Services.
The current fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three year average, equates to 4.35 deaths per million of population, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population. While every death is a regrettable tragedy, this metric positions Ireland among countries with the lowest fire fatality rates.
In the period of 2012 - 2022, a single fire station has been closed at Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The fire station was closed for operations in 2017 and formally closed in 2020. This was a decision of the local authority based on their assessment of need in line with Keeping Communities Safe. In that same 10-year period, another new fire station at Carraroe, Co. Galway was officially opened in 2016, with support from my Department. Since 2012, my Department has supported local authority fire services with grant assistance from the fire services capital programme in excess of €31 million solely to fund the replacement, refurbishment and extensions of the existing network of fire stations and training centre infrastructure.
273. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current salary scale of the chief executive officer in each local authority in tabular form. [59017/22]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
274. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that he has to provide support to tenants of local authority housing in light of the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59026/22]
View answerThe Government is acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges that the rising cost of living is placing on households and, with this in mind, introduced a suite of measures in Budget 2023 to assist households, and those on lower and fixed incomes in particular, in meeting these challenges. This includes tenants in local authority social homes who are largely shielded from the recent significant increases in rents impacting renters in the private market.
Notwithstanding, local authorities offer facilities to support tenants who are experiencing financial hardship. A local authority tenant who has experienced a reduction in household income may seek a review of the rent payable to take account of the changes circumstances. Local authorities may also agree, where payment of rent would give rise to hardship for a household, to accept a lesser sum from the tenant for a specified period.
275. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will initiate a campaign of awareness for homebuyers, solicitors and estate agents on the need for a structural test of second-hand homes that come on to the market for sale given the growing number of properties across the State with defective concrete blocks. [59068/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at hwww.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/
I understand that the conveyancing process in Ireland, which is under the remit of the Minister for Justice, provides for mechanisms to enable purchasers of secondhand houses to enquire as to the nature, quality and condition of a property prior to purchase. With this in mind this matter would remain with the Minister for Justice for consideration.
276. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant; the breakdown by county of the grant allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59180/22]
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). Further details are available on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/.
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 by mid-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. It is intended that in future, data on the scheme will be published on the Department's website on a quarterly basis.
The operation of schemes under the fund is delegated to and managed by local authorities. The funding for 2022 is not currently being allocated on a local authority basis and it is not anticipated that there will be a constraint on allocations. Expenditure and associated allocations will be kept under review for 2023, as the schemes roll-out.
The fund is targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025 and data is being gathered on the operation of the initiative. While interim reviews will be ongoing, a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be undertaken no later than mid-2024.
277. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the immediate testing of foundations of homes (details supplied) in County Donegal to provide reassurance and certainty to affected homeowners that the remediation work is being carried out on fit-for-purpose foundations and that public funds are not at the risk of being wasted should the foundations degrade, post-remediation. [59181/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The decision made by Government last November called for a number of reviews to be completed. This included a review of the I.S. 465:2018 standard and the consideration of other potentially deleterious material e.g. pyrrhotite and the impact, if any, on foundations. I have asked NSAI to review I.S. 465 and carry out all necessary research as a matter of priority. NSAI is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and, as such, detail on its programme of work and delivery is a matter for the NSAI and its parent Department.
An interagency Defective Concrete Blocks – Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to support and inform the NSAI Standardisation Program in relation to technical issues. The steering group includes representatives from NSAI, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Housing Agency (observer), and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Steering Group has agreed a process to specify, procure, fund and manage research projects, subject to budget constraints, and research proposals have been developed by the relevant NSAI Technical Committees, including pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks, potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations etc.
GSI have established a Framework for the Provision of Laboratory Analysis Services in support of Geological Survey Ireland’s “Irish Construction Materials” Project: Concrete Products . GSI will project manage research projects under the framework. In this regard, research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks has already commenced and will run until Q4 2023 and I anticipate that research on the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations will commence shortly.
Foundations can be left in situ and built upon and this is the approach recommended. The issue of foundations is under review by the National Standards Authority of Ireland and should the current position change provision will be made to provide for foundations within the Enhanced Grant Scheme.
Once the necessary review has been concluded and any revised standard published I can confirm that the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will be reviewed at that point having regard to any amended standard.
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the Act is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the Act which are to be prescribed including but not limited to the grant rates, damage threshold, and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, and declarations.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/.
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review of the current National Retained Firefighters' Association of Ireland model will take place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59195/22]
View answerIn May 2021, I requested the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management 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.
‘Retained firefighters’ are members of their local community who are on call to respond to a range of emergencies. All firefighters are required to undergo a continuous development training programme by attending lectures, exercises, practical courses and other forms of training to maintain competency levels. Many retained firefighters have other full or part-time jobs but when the call comes are ready to drop whatever they are doing and become part of a team, ready to face a wide range of emergencies. Retained Firefighters are paid an annual retainer with additional payments for attendance to drill training and per call out.
The objective of the review is to explore and understand the issues that are impacting on service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options that will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority retained 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.
It is anticipated that the final review report will be submitted to the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management at its December 2022 meeting. The board will submit the report to me following agreement. Following this, recommendations to address the issues raised in relation to the recruitment and retention of Retained Firefighters will then need to be considered together with all relevant stakeholders.
279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide additional resources to Wicklow County Council in order to provide for a full-time fire service for Bray town and its surrounds. [59197/22]
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, primarily through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Currently, there are 31 fire authorities, which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 218 fire stations nationwide.
A review of fire services in Ireland resulted in the publication of “Keeping Communities Safe - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland” (KCS) in 2013. This report was the outcome of a wide-ranging review of fire services in Ireland which was undertaken in 2011/2012, and was endorsed as national policy in early 2013. It is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/72e1d-keeping-communities-safe/.
The KCS policy document set out the overall approach, the methods and the techniques to achieve the objective of keeping communities safe from fire. For the first time, it set out national norms, standards and targets against which local authorities can benchmark their fire services. It concluded that local authorities were best positioned to continue to provide fire services in Ireland.
Over the course of 2014/2015, an External Validation Group (EVG) commissioned by the Management Board of the NDFEM, visited every fire service in the country as part of a new external validation process arising from the implementation of KCS. In April 2016, the Management Board published the first EVG Report titled “Local Delivery - National Consistency”. The findings of that process are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a23ce-external-validation-of-fire-services/.
In recognition of population movements and changes in the built environment over time leading to variation in the categories of response which are applicable, KCS also set out the requirement to monitor and review risk categories. In 2020 a desktop review, titled the Capacity Review, was undertaken by the NDFEM. Following its completion, a report titled Response, Resilience & Recovery, was completed in October 2020.
The revised Area Risk Categorisations (ARC), for all stations in Wicklow, including Bray, were reviewed by the External Validation Group, in November of 2014. The Wicklow ARC was further reviewed during the Capacity Review, on 26th August, 2020 at the request of management in Wicklow County Council. A further independent report provided by a UK based consultant, which examined the provision of fire services in Bray, based upon an assessment undertaken in accordance with UK standards, was also reviewed.
The Area Risk Categorisation of the Bray fire station area at category C2, medium risk, is consistent across all three reviews, using the documentation and supporting evidence provided. This categorisation is consistent with national guidance, as contained within KCS.
Each of the three reviews provides a recommendation for one “Retained” pumping appliance in the Bray fire station area, to attend incidents commensurate with its risk. The current provision in Bray fire station, is two “Retained” pumping appliances.
Having reviewed all of the available evidence, Wicklow County Council have made the decision to continue the operation of Bray Fire Station as a Retained Fire Station, in line with the current Area Risk Categorisation C2.
280. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are in place to support homeowners (details supplied) in County Wexford who are facing catastrophic damage to their home as a result of defective blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59198/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The Act has currently designated 4 local authorities for inclusion in the Enhanced DCB Scheme, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick City and County and Mayo County Councils.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the Enhanced DCB Grant Scheme, which, it should be noted, may include a request by a local authority to the Housing Agency, and whereby the Housing Agency thereafter carries out testing of dwellings.
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the Act is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the Act which are to be prescribed including but not limited to the grant rates, damage threshold, and the form and content of various reports, certificates, forms, and declarations.
My Department recently published a comprehensive and updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/.
281. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend gender quotas to local authority elections in line with the recommendations of the recent Women’s Voices in the Council Chamber report. [59241/22]
View answerAt present, state funding of political parties is linked to the achievement of a gender balance in candidate selection for Dáil general elections only, by a provision of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012. The intention at the time was that these measures would have a knock-on effect by providing an incentive to political parties to expand voluntarily their gender diversity. These funding provisions also had an impact by highlighting the issue of gender disparity in politics and providing a starting point for addressing imbalances.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future sets out a broad range of electoral reforms which the Government is committed to delivering during its term of office, including a specific commitment to the establishment of an independent, statutory Electoral Commission. Administrative arrangements for the establishment of the Electoral Commission – entitled An Coimisiún Toghcháin – are currently being put in place by a transition team within my Department. The selection process for An Coimisiún’s membership is underway and the recruitment process for its Chief Executive will commence in the coming weeks. An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s formal establishment is anticipated in the coming months.
An Coimisiún will strengthen our electoral system as a whole and help us to anticipate and respond to the challenges we face in our evolving electoral environment. One of an Coimisiún’s key functions will be a public awareness and education role in respect of electoral events. It is envisaged that an Coimisiún will carry out this function with a particular emphasis on increasing participation in our democratic processes among segments of society which are marginalised or traditionally under-represented in electoral matters.
In addition, an Coimisiún Toghcháin will also have a research and advisory function. In this context, the Programme for Government commits the Electoral Commission, when established, to undertake a number of items of research on electoral matters and an Coimisiún will be well placed, if requested, to undertake a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 1997 which provides the statutory framework for dealing with political financing and the funding of political parties.
The outcome of the 2019 local elections was in a number of respects positive for the participation of women in local government. There was a modest increase in the percentage of women candidates, as well as an increase in the number of women elected. There were also a number of local authorities which reached or surpassed the 30% threshold of women elected members.
However, I also recognise that a great deal of work remains to be done to address the under representation of women in local government and this is a policy priority of mine and my Department, which has undertaken a range of initiatives aimed at improving gender balance on councils, in addition to making the role of the councillor more flexible and sustainable for all.
These initiatives include a funding scheme to incentivise political parties to increase the number of women candidates running in the 2024 local elections. My Department also funds partner organisations such as Women for Election, Longford Women’s Link and The National Women’s Council of Ireland to provide excellent capacity building and training services, benefitting all women interested in entering local government, with or without political party affiliation. In addition, my Department continues to support local authorities in their efforts to encourage the participation of women and wider diversity in local government structures.
My Department is also prioritising making the role of councillor itself more sustainable by improving the terms and conditions of the role and reducing obstacles to the participation of women, like introducing maternity leave and supports.
282. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Departments’ services who are employed in his Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59295/22]
View answerMy Department has appointed three Access Officers. These Officers have responsibility for providing and coordinating assistance for, and guidance to, people with disabilities accessing my Department's Services, as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005. Specifically, these roles are divided across three areas; Physical Access, ICT Access and Publishing Access. These services are communicated on my Department's website and can be accessed at this link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/839bc-contact-the-department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/.
My Department's Access team is currently progressing through an Accessibility Action plan which comprises of 53 actions. These actions include, but are not limited to:
- A competent professional body completing Accessibility audits of all Departmental locations,
- Training for staff in the area of Disability Awareness,
- Appointment of Access Officers and an Inquiry Officer,
- Commitment to the allocation of resources for Accessibility,
- Continual upgrading of facilities to improve physical Accessibility,
- The automation of doors, installation of chair lifts, ramps and accessible toilets in Departmental Office locations, where required.
- Upgrading and refitting of Departmental locations to meet Part M Compliance,
- Providing reasonable accommodation on an ongoing basis, in line with best practice and having regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2005,
- Reviewing the design of websites under the aegis of my Department in accordance with Universal Design principles as required under Point 23, National Disability Inclusion Strategy, and
- Creation and implementation of evacuation plans for people with a disability.
283. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Housing his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59344/22]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. Applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports, to be eligible.The tenant or, in the case of applications from joint tenants, both tenants must be in receipt of social housing support (which includes Housing Assistance Payment) for a minimum period of 10 years. This requirement, introduced in February 2022, seeks to encourage long-term tenants to stay in their homes and support development of socially sustainable communities.
Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
284. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the Building Regulations part B (Fire Safety) will be released for public consultation. [59415/22]
View answerDraft documentation in the form of revised draft Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations, Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety, and a Regulatory Impact Analysis are currently being finalised. My Department intends to bring these forward for public consultation in the coming weeks.
285. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the details of part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 whereby social housing tenants can purchase social housing units. [59416/22]
View answerThe Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties secured for social housing are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme to ensure the original policy intent is not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.
Detailed information on the Tenant Purchase Scheme is included in the scheme guidance for local authorities which can be accessed on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/f7fda-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-incremental-tenant-purchase-scheme-2016/. Further information may also be available on individual local authority websites.
286. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons currently waiting to be homed who have selected a location within the Dublin Fingal constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59424/22]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2021, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/f6119-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2021-key-findings/.
The SSHA exercise for 2022 is currently underway and the summary will be published in early 2023.
287. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant properties in need of repair under the remit of Fingal County Council within the Dublin Fingal constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59425/22]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process.
Data in relation to levels of vacancy, average turnaround times and reasons associated with this are not routinely collated by my Department. However, statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including vacancy and the average time taken to re-tenant a dwelling. The most recent report, relating to 2021 as published in November 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/noac_publications/report-50-noac-performance-indicator-report-2021/ .
288. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Council administration staff allocated to the housing department in Fingal County Council with responsibility for the Dublin Fingal constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59426/22]
View answer289. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional council administration staff have been allocated to the housing department with responsibility for the Dublin Fingal constituency due to the high level of contact from tenants and applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59427/22]
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