Written Answers Nos. 185-209
185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if the VAT rebate that is paid to a farmer in relation to the VAT on the sale of timber from a site is based on the gross price received for the timber; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60028/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive farmers can elect whether or not to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. Revenue understands that this farmer is an unregistered farmer and is selling timber to a VAT registered purchaser.
Farmers who elect not to register for VAT are not entitled to recover VAT incurred on their expenses. However, they can avail of the Flat-Rate Farmers Scheme. The Scheme, which is permitted under the Directive, is designed to compensate VAT unregistered farmers, commonly referred to as flat-rate farmers, for the VAT incurred on goods and services they used in the course of their farming business. It allows such farmers to charge and retain a “flat-rate addition” onto the amount they charge for the agricultural goods and services they supply in the course of their farming business.
The flat-rate addition is calculated as a percentage of the amount payable to the farmer by the VAT registered purchaser for their supplies. It is a matter of fact based on the commercial agreements between the farmer and the VAT registered purchaser. Where a flat-rate farmer supplies agricultural produce or services to a VAT registered purchaser, the farmer should issue a flat-rate invoice showing details of the transaction. However, in practice the purchaser issues a settlement voucher which contains the details required on the invoice.
The information required on a flat-rate invoice includes the price, exclusive of the flat-rate addition for the supply, the flat-rate addition rate and amount appropriate to the price shown on the invoice.
186. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60082/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the ‘National Public Procurement Policy Framework’ issued by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in November 2019, sets out the procurement procedures to be followed by government departments and state bodies in accordance with EU rules and national guidelines. The public tendering process is facilitated by the national tendering platform, eTenders, for contracts with a value in excess of €25,000 in line with DPER Circular 10/14.
In compliance with ‘Department of Finance Circular 40/02’, my Department returns an annual report to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), in respect of contracts valued €25,000 or more in aggregate (exclusive of VAT) that were undertaken by this Department without a competitive process. This includes contracts which do not have to go to public tender where it is not required - for example, research and development services which are exempt from the requirement to go to public tender under certain conditions specified in Regulation 14 of the 2016 Regulations.
To assist the Deputy, the appendix below details those contracts granted by my Department relevant to the above years and the reason why the contract in question did not have to go to public tender:
Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI)
In compliance with EU Public Procurement rules, my Department procures research services directly from the Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI) without undertaking competitive tendering processes, as contracts in relation to specified research and development services are excluded from procurement regulations. Payments were made to the ESRI since 2020 to date in respect of the following research projects:
|
Research Projects |
2020 |
2021 |
January to November 2022 |
|
Joint Research Programme on the Macro-economy and Taxation |
€260,443 |
€246,198 |
€79,651 |
|
SWITCH – Tax Benefit Microsimulation Model |
€28,000 |
€28,000 |
€28,840 |
Bloomberg
During 2020, my Department conducted a competitive tendering process to procure ‘market data in real time’ services. The tender was published on the national tendering platform www.etenders.gov.ie, however the competition resulted in nil applicants. Access to ‘market data in real time’ information is essential to the financial analysis which is undertaken in the Department on a daily basis. As it was not possible to undertake a second competitive tendering process in the timeframe before the existing contract was due to expire, my Department awarded a new contract to the incumbent provider, Bloomberg. The decision to directly award was based on the extreme urgency of ensuring continuity of critical services during the COVID 19 Pandemic and to ensure continued financial analysis and preparation for the January 2021 Brexit date. A two year contract with a value of US$54,000 (approx. €49,000) was awarded. The contract will conclude in December 2022.
Institute of Public Administration (IPA)
In compliance with specific exemptions relating to the procurement of training and educational services from the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), my Department directly procured training courses from the IPA with the following contract values:
|
2020 |
2021 |
January to November 2022 |
|
€29,858 |
€28,288 |
€75,186 |
Institute of Project Management (IPM)
My Department procures the ‘Diploma in Project Management’ directly from the Institute of Project Management (IPM) and payments since 2020 are tabled below. A competitive tendering process is not undertaken as the IPM is the sole supplier for the provision of this specific course.
|
2020 |
2021 |
January to November 2022 |
|
€27,243 |
€19,399 |
€27,303 |
Bruegel AISBL – Centre Euro d’Economie
My Department directly procures annual membership from ‘Bruegel AISBL-Centre Euro d’Economie’. Bruegel’s primary objective is to improve the quality of economic policy through research, analysis and debate and membership is critically important for the Department. A competitive tendering process is not undertaken as Bruegel is the sole supplier of the specific services it offers. Annual membership payments since 2020 are tabled below:
|
2020 |
2021 |
January to November 2022 |
|
€99,609 |
€104,589 |
€104,589 |
Politico
Politico is a provider of online global news media. During 2021, my Department paid two subscription charges to Politico totaling €36,396. A competitive tendering process was not undertaken as payments to Politico are for a specific subscription which can only be provided by this supplier.
The Financial Times Limited
My Department subscribes to two online Financial Times services platforms which provide access to critical international data and analysis. A competitive tendering process was not undertaken as the Financial Times is the sole supplier for these two specific online services.
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
January to November 2022 |
|
Online subscription to Ignites Europe Financial Services |
€4,090 |
€4,090 |
€4,090 |
|
Online subscription to the Financial Times |
€21,394 |
€21,802 |
€22,257 |
187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the State implements the EU Directive on Payment Accounts' Directive 2014/92/EU obligation that "payment accounts with basic features are available to the widest possible range of consumers" and that " they should be offered free of charge or for a reasonable fee"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60096/22]
View answerThe EU Payment Accounts Directive was transposed in Ireland by way of the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 (SI 482 of 2016) (PAR). The objective of the Payment Accounts Directive is to improve and develop the internal market for retail banking, through the removal of barriers to a fully integrated market by ensuring transparency and comparability of fees related to a payment accounts, facilitating payment account switching and ensuring access to payment accounts with basic features.
Under the Payment Accounts Regulations any consumer who is legally resident in the European Union and who does not already have a payment account with a credit institution in the State has the right to open and use a payment account with basic features. Regulation 15 of the Payment Accounts Regulations explicitly states that a consumer who is legally resident in the European Union (within the meaning of Article 2(2) of the EU Payment Accounts Directive) has this right regardless of his or her place of residence and regardless of whether he or she has a fixed address, is an asylum seeker, or is a consumer who has not been granted a residence permit but whose expulsion is not possible for legal or practical reasons.
A payment account with basic features is like a regular payment account in several respects, but does not offer credit facilities i.e. overdrafts. All of the credit institutions operating in Ireland are required to provide payment accounts with basic features. These accounts are free of charge for the first year for regular payment transactions in euro within the European Union. The credit institution may charge a reasonable fee for non-euro transactions and transactions to non-EU countries.
Where the consumer lodges less than the equivalent of national minimum wage to the account in a year the account stays free of charge on a year-by-year basis for five years. After that, the credit institution can charge reasonable fees. The consumer must be given two months’ notice before any such reasonable fee may be imposed.
It should be noted that in addition to the PAR, Provision 2.11 of the Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 provides that a regulated entity must ensure that in all its dealings with customers and within the context of its authorisation it “without prejudice to the pursuit of its legitimate commercial aims, does not, through its policies, procedures, or working practices, prevent access to basic financial services”.
188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the way that the State protects the consumers' right to use cash as a means of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60097/22]
View answerOver the last decade, we have seen a shift in the way consumers and businesses are paying and banking. While historically Ireland has been a relatively cash-intensive economy, significant changes have occurred with a rapid increase in the take-up of electronic payments is evident. The Covid-19 pandemic has acted as a potential catalyst for the move towards digital payments and the move away from cash.
Notwithstanding a significant increase in the take-up of electronic payments, cash remains a vital part of the Irish payment system. In accordance with Article 128 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and with Council Regulation no 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro, euro notes and coins have the status of legal tender in euro area Member States, including Ireland.
The consumer’s right to use cash as a means of payment is based in contract law in Ireland. In context of this, where a business places no restrictions on the means of payment it is prepared to accept, it must accept cash as legal tender when offered by a customer to settle a debt that has arisen.
However, if a business specifies payment must be in a form other than cash, the customer cannot subsequently claim a legal right to pay in cash, even if that cash is legal tender. Therefore, under certain circumstances, retail businesses or service providers can refuse to accept payment in cash.
Banks have a key role in maintaining the flow of cash through the economy and ensuring appropriate access to retail banking services for all in society. The changes currently underway in the Irish retail banking sector are a reflection of the wider challenges the banking sector is facing, not only in Ireland but also abroad. It is because of these changes that my Department recently undertook a broad-ranging review of the retail banking sector.
A key part of the review was to examine the use and availability of cash in Ireland and determine whether any legislative proposal is needed in this regard. The public consultation undertaken as part of the review contained a number of questions relating to access to cash. One of these questions noted the concerns which are being raised around access to cash and asked for submissions on what should be done to protect access to cash.
The Retail Banking Review report, published on 29 November, contains a number of recommendations to preserve access to cash for consumers including the development of a National Payments Strategy and access to cash legislation to provide for reasonable access to cash. My Department will lead on the implementation of these and other recommendations of the report. The report is available here www.gov.ie/en/publication/28cf9-retail-banking-review-november-2022/.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the way that a person (details supplied) can deal with a letter received from the Revenue Commissioners in respect of property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60143/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that a letter issued to the person concerned on 4 April 2022, advising that the Local Property Tax (LPT) return for their property had not yet been filed, in respect of the valuation period 2022 to 2025.
While the person paid LPT through An Post on 19 January 2022 in respect of the 2022 LPT estimated liability, the return remains outstanding. Revenue will contact the person concerned in the coming days to assist with filing the outstanding return and to set up a payment arrangement to collect or defer, as appropriate, the LPT liability for 2023.
Further information regarding LPT can be found on Revenue’s website at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/local-property-tax/index.aspx.
190. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the long-awaited transfer of ownership of the historic Westgate House, Drogheda County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59955/22]
View answerWestgate House, Narrow West Street, Drogheda, County Louth is in the ownership of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
Officials in my Department have informed me that the sales contract to transfer the property to Louth County Council is currently being reviewed, in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor's Office. The contract will then be forwarded to the solicitors acting on behalf of the Council. It is anticipated that the transfer will be fully completed in Q1 2023.
191. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60087/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51 (1) (b).
192. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60090/22]
View answerThe Department is in its current configuration since September 2020.
The Deputy will be aware Government Departments are required to include a note in relation to compliance with procurement rules in the Appropriation Accounts published annually, and to include details of any contracts with a value of over €25,000, which are awarded without a competitive tender. The link to the Annual Appropriation Accounts as published by the Comptroller and Auditor General is included below.
www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/appropriation%20accounts/.
The 2022 figures will be published by the Comptroller and Auditor General following completion of their annual audit of the account in 2023.
In relation to contracts below €25,000, my Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing. All procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
I am advised that no contracts were awarded outside the standard procurement process during the time frame specified by the Deputy.
193. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are being taken to protect fish stocks within the River Barrow and other waterways from the proliferation of cormorants; if cormorant numbers are monitored or controlled; the policies and procedures that National Parks and Wildlife Service is using to monitor or control cormorants and other invasive species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59942/22]
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 and is not an invasive species, 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/.
I have no function in respect of the management of fish stocks, which is the responsibility of Inland Fisheries Ireland and comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications.
194. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if data on the number of cormorants on the River Barrow and other waterway systems is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59945/22]
View answer207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service monitors the number of cormorants on the River Barrow and other waterway systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59944/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 207 together.
The Cormorant 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/.
195. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for serviced sites in west Cork and their locations. [60145/22]
View answerIn September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discounted rate to individual purchasers who will self-build their own home and live in it as their principal private residence.
It is intended that the local authority will either supply existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.
The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site but will not exceed €30,000. The amount of such discount will be reflected in the sale price of the site to the purchaser.
All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and / or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications.
As the scheme has recently launched, each local authority has been asked to assess suitable sites for the scheme. Cork County Council have indicated that they are currently in the early stages of identifying potential sites which may be suitable for the Ready to Build scheme with an initial focus on existing Council owned property.
Applications for the Ready to Build Scheme are to be made to the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority. They can provide further advice and information in respect of the fund and the application process.
196. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that is being made under project Tosaigh to bring sites with outstanding permissions forward to deliver homes at affordable prices. [56961/22]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Under Housing for All, the Government aims to deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. 2022 represents the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing.
The LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market.
It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative - Project Tosaigh. An expressions of interest process was launched at the end of 2021, and the LDA now has a pipeline of projects anticipated to deliver affordable for sale and cost rental homes.
The LDA recently launched a renewed expressions of interest process under Project Tosaigh seeking proposals from the homebuilding sector for the forward purchase of unbuilt residential units. Work is underway in assessing proposals submitted.
The LDA have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes. It is intended that information on affordable delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics in the near future.
197. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures, if any, under the remit of his Department that he proposes to introduce to address the needs of persons arriving from Ukraine. [56962/22]
View answerWhile the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports to aid persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine, my Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways.
My Department continues to be an integral part of the dedicated Cabinet Committee, as established by the Irish Government. This Cabinet Committee oversees and coordinates the Ukraine humanitarian response, including accommodation and supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine.
My Department has continued to work with DCEDIY around the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project and supporting the specific accommodation needs particularly in respect of multi-occupancy vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation, subject to refurbishment being carried out. More recently, my Department supported the local government call for unoccupied homes; Offer A Home and has also provided support to the Office of Public Works by assisting with the identification of sites that may be suitable for rapid-build homes.
My Department also continues to support the coordination of the local response by requesting that each Local Authority put in place a lead Director of Service or equivalent, who is dedicated to co ordinating that response on a full-time basis, with a temporary support team. These dedicated resources which differ across the Country depending on the local need, are funding by my Department, work as part of the community response forum and lead the coordination of the provision of supports and services to Ukrainians locally.
While my Department does not have a role providing direct support to those that have arrived in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine, the measures I have outlined demonstrate the support of my Department to the whole of Government effort.
198. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of the shared island local authority development funding scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53385/22]
View answer199. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding awarded to cross-Border projects recently under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme. [49695/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
On 29 September, the Taoiseach and I announced 25 awards totalling more than €4.3 million under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding scheme at an event in Cavan. Funding was awarded to 25 projects which brought together 23 different local authorities from across the island. The scheme, which is funded by the Shared Island Fund and managed by my Department, enables Local Authorities North and South to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals. Local authorities have commenced work on the projects and funding will be available for drawdown in 2023.
The projects receiving funding promote local and regional development goals and foster collaborative undertakings right across the island in line with the revised National Development Plan for 2021-2030. The projects concentrate on key issues such the natural environment, cultural and heritage sites, enterprise, sustainability and tourism.
The awards recognise that local authorities, through their unmatched understanding of the potential and needs of their regions, are well positioned to harness the unique conditions and characteristics of their localities and deliver results that fulfil the promise present at so many sites in both jurisdictions. The scheme represents an opportunity for local authorities North and South to cooperate and to highlight their ability to deliver for their communities.
A full list of projects awarded funding is available in the attached file.
200. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his proposals relating to financial assistance packages for first-time buyers or renovators that have been brought to his Department for costing and consideration; if he is giving consideration to any such packages; if so, when they will be available for drawdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48068/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 257 of 15 November 2022 which sets out the position in this matter.
203. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the work that has been carried out in recent months on developing the Narrow Water Bridge; and the current projected timeline and costs. [48260/22]
View answerThe Narrow Water Bridge is a cross-border project led by Louth County Council and supported by the Shared Island Fund, which is designed to fund strategic north-south projects that implement the commitments and objectives on Shared Island set out in the Programme for Government. The bridge will connect Cornamucklagh near Omeath, Co Louth with Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, Co Down.
Following a Government decision in June 2021, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin announced the approval of an initial €3m in funding from the Shared Island Fund to take the project forward to tender stage. Work is well advanced in this regard, led by Louth County Council and overseen by my Department in this jurisdiction, and the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
I am very pleased to inform the Deputy that on 18 November 2022 An Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the Government's decision to approve the seeking of tenders for the Main Works Contract. This is indicative of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting this important project, with funding for future years to be determined once firm costings are available and the tender process has been completed.To date there have been 10 meetings of the Narrow Water Bridge Sub Group to progress this project the most recent on 29 September 2022. The most recent meeting of the North South Senior Officials Group on New Decade New Approach for Infrastructure and Investment was on 23 November 2022.
204. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans if any he has to increase the grants payable under the housing aid for older people scheme and the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59902/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, with Exchequer funding of €65 million available nationally in 2022. As part of the annual budgetary process the Exchequer funding provision for 2023 has been increased by €2 million to a total of €67 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Among the areas which the review, currently underway, will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
205. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of local authority-leased homes, broken down by local authority between new first tenancies and existing properties, including leases by bodies such as the Dublin region homeless executive, for the period 2017 to Q2 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59939/22]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments.
The number of local authority leased properties supported under SHCEP from 2017 to the end of Q2 2022, broken down by local authority, can be found in table 1 below. These figures are based on the number of properties claimed from the Department as at the end of each year, which is point in time data and may not align with leasing delivery numbers for that same year.
Table 1: Local Authority Leased Properties Supported by SHCEP 2017 to end Q2 2022*
|
Local Authority |
End 2017 |
End 2018 |
End 2019 |
End 2020 |
End 2021 |
End Q2 2022 |
|
Carlow |
39 |
42 |
46 |
72 |
73 |
100 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
20 |
20 |
|
Clare |
278 |
272 |
282 |
285 |
294 |
252 |
|
Cork City |
61 |
59 |
58 |
96 |
132 |
146 |
|
Cork County |
32 |
37 |
35 |
39 |
61 |
65 |
|
DLR |
22 |
22 |
25 |
104 |
111 |
199 |
|
Donegal |
180 |
167 |
169 |
169 |
153 |
160 |
|
Dublin City |
129 |
137 |
165 |
265 |
612 |
719 |
|
Fingal |
168 |
168 |
209 |
280 |
377 |
438 |
|
Galway City |
160 |
114 |
100 |
87 |
89 |
93 |
|
Galway County |
42 |
29 |
28 |
61 |
73 |
77 |
|
Kerry |
246 |
267 |
287 |
266 |
287 |
289 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
19 |
18 |
40 |
216 |
311 |
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
25 |
31 |
50 |
62 |
67 |
|
Laois |
31 |
30 |
33 |
38 |
41 |
40 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
13 |
|
Limerick City & County |
36 |
56 |
89 |
113 |
155 |
182 |
|
Longford |
92 |
103 |
106 |
110 |
123 |
120 |
|
Louth |
268 |
264 |
309 |
309 |
304 |
343 |
|
Mayo |
195 |
155 |
178 |
226 |
270 |
305 |
|
Meath |
23 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
31 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
|
Offaly |
206 |
207 |
218 |
172 |
173 |
171 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
7 |
23 |
28 |
48 |
47 |
|
Sligo |
44 |
41 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
46 |
|
South Dublin |
369 |
366 |
366 |
403 |
534 |
608 |
|
Tipperary |
374 |
396 |
396 |
317 |
323 |
306 |
|
Waterford City & County |
64 |
128 |
183 |
221 |
230 |
346 |
|
Westmeath |
255 |
291 |
258 |
287 |
310 |
323 |
|
Wexford |
105 |
122 |
140 |
154 |
176 |
186 |
|
Wicklow |
19 |
17 |
17 |
34 |
45 |
116 |
|
Total |
3,489 |
3,601 |
3,882 |
4,338 |
5,388 |
6,130 |
*Leasing schemes included in the table above are LA Short Term Leasing, LA Long Term Leasing, Enhanced Leasing, LA NARPS Agreements, LA Repair and Leasing (RLS) and LA Part V Leasing.
Local authorities lease dwellings taking account of local need, the suitability of dwellings, sustainable communities’ considerations and value for money. These properties are allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. As such, the type and size of dwelling leased, the new or existing dwelling status, the entities from whom the houses are leased and the allocation of those dwellings to new and existing tenants, is a matter for the relevant local authority having regard to its most recent housing needs assessment.
Details regarding units leased by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive or local authorities for homeless prevention are not held by my Department.
206. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited and much-delayed Westgate vision plan for Drogheda; the expected key project timeline; the expected cost of the initial proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59941/22]
View answerUnder the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund’s (URDF) first call for proposals, €476,000 was allocated to Louth County Council for the provision of technical assistance, including project management, concept development, feasibility and detailed design and planning, associated with their “Westgate Vision” project. In 2022, the allocation was increased to €608,052 to cover costs associated with the preparation of additional environmental reports.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Louth County Council.
Officials from my Department met recently with Louth County Council and I understand the local authority is currently preparing Environmental Impact Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Natura Impact Statement reports, with a view to making an application to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission in early 2023. Whilst progression of the project remains a matter for Louth County Council any application for further funding support in response to a call for projects under the URDF by my Department will receive due consideration.
208. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rent inspections that took place in County Kildare in 2021 to date in 2022; the number of private rent inspections as a percentage of overall private rental units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59949/22]
View answerThe Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these Regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
Given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on inspection activity in both 2020 and 2021. However, 2022 has seen a significant increase in inspection activity across the country.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/
The number of private rental inspections undertaken by Kildare County Council in 2021 and 2022 are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Private Rental Inspections |
Private Rental Inspections as a Percentage of Registered Tenancies* |
|
2021 |
341 |
3% |
|
2022 (Q1 to Q3) |
548 |
4% |
*Note- The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) operates a national tenancy registration system and provides my Department with the number of private rental tenancies per local authority area. The number of rental units (requested by the Deputy) is not currently available. It should be noted that the number of tenancies will be greater than the number of rental units.
209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited new fire station for Dunleer, County Louth; the location and details of the development; the key project expected timelines; the total number of staff expected to be employed once complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59971/22]
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 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.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the,
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population of the area, identified fire risks, etc..);
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (has site been acquired, etc..); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see 6 new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, 9 fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
A new fire station at Dunleer is provided for in this Capital programme. Louth County Council have been approved by my Department to tender for a design team and progress this project to full design and cost plan stage. Louth County Council are working to finalise the acquisition of an appropriate site. Upon final confirmation of site acquisition, Louth County Council will move quickly through the necessary phases to progress the construction of a new station for Dunleer. My Department will continue to work with Louth County Council to progress the Dunleer fire station project.
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 each individual local authority 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.
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.
