Written Answers Nos. 852-861
852. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the €121.3 million funding for Dublin’s north inner city announced in 2021. [18002/23]
View answerI understand the Question refers to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan (NDP), the URDF provides part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising almost 400 sub-projects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €121,285,388 in URDF support for Dublin City Council's (DCC) North Inner City Concept Area 1 proposal. This significant integrated urban development and area based regeneration project for Dublin’s north inner city involved a series of 11 complementary sub-projects, interlinked with current and planned transport routes, and spatially clustered in 4 hubs. The following lists the 11 sub-projects along with their allocated URDF funding:
• Parnell Sq. Cultural Qtr. Phase 1 (€56,634,459)
• Markets & Public Realm Study & Works (€14,535,750)
• Parnell Sq. Public Realm Works (€14,187,041)
• 14-17 Moore St. (€12,170,000)
• Fruit & Vegetable Market (€5,625,000)
• Broadstone to Grand Canal Cycleway (€5,206,278)
• Five Lamps Public Realm Works (€4,826,860)
• Mountjoy Sq. Conservation Plan (€2,625,000)
• 41 Parnell Sq. (€2,250,000)
• Ryders Row (€1,875,000)
• Moore St. Public Realm Works (€1,350,000)
The Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for this Call 2 project was submitted to my Department in December 2022. Following assessment of the submission, on 6 March 2023 my Department approved DCC to proceed with 9 of the 11 sub-projects. This represents Decision Gate 1 in the project life cycle of the Public Spending Code (PSC) for these projects and approval to begin development of Detailed Project Briefs and Procurement Strategies as part of the next decision gate (Decision Gate 2 – Pre-Tender Approval).
The Parnell Square Cultural Quarter project is now subject to its own PBC which DCC expect to submit to my Department by the end of Q2 2023.
Subject to adherence with the URDF Funding Principles and DPER Circular 13/2014, all appropriate and reasonable expenditure incurred in progressing these projects to Decision Gate 2 (Design fees etc.) are eligible for recoupment from my Department.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with DCC in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of this URDF projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, DCC. Any queries regarding the timeline of this project should be directed to the Council.
It should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
853. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on recommendation No. 143 of the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss; and the amendments he intends to produce to give effect to the recommendation through the Planning and Development Bill 2022. [18090/23]
View answerThe Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss agreed 159 recommendations, including 73 high level and 86 sectoral specific recommendations, reflecting the depth and breadth of the topics discussed. The recommendations of the Assembly will now be deliberated by the relevant committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The draft Planning and Development Bill 2022, which was published in January, has recently completed pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I expect to receive their report shortly and will fully consider its recommendations, along with submissions on the draft Bill received from stakeholders, when preparing the final Bill for publication. The Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and its recommendations will also be considered.
854. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to regulate electronic advertising panels; and if he will make a statement on recommendation No. 148 of the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. [18091/23]
View answerAdvertising is regulated through the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) and through the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations).
Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides exemptions for certain types of advertisements. Under Class 1 of part 2 of Schedule 2, Illuminated advertisements exhibited on business premises, wholly with reference to the business or other activity carried on or the goods or services provided on those premises shall not exceed 0.3 square metres. Under Class 2 of part 2 of Schedule 2, illuminated advertisements exhibited as part of any shop or other window display on business premises and other advertisements affixed to the inside of the glass surface of a window of a business premises or otherwise exhibited through a window of such premises. The total area of any advertisements so exhibited shall not exceed one quarter of the area of the window through which the advertisements are exhibited.
Where the illuminated advertising panel is not within the business premises and is proposed to be located on a public road, an application for an advertisement structure is made to a planning authority under section 254 of the Act. In instances where the advertisement structure does not meet the conditions of the exemptions under Schedule 2 of the regulations and is proposed to be placed at a location other than a public road, an application for planning permission is required under section 34 of the Act elsewhere.It is a matter for the planning authority to consider each application for a section 254 licence or planning permission on a case by case basis and have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Decisions by planning authorities on section 254 licences and section 34 planning permissions may be appealed to the Board under sections 254(6) which is not time limited and section 37 of the Act which must be made within four weeks of a planning authority decision on a section 34 application respectively.
With regard to Biodiversity, section 10(2)(n) of the Act requires that a development plan shall include objectives for:
the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to (i) reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to long-term decline in non-renewable resources, (ii) reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and address the necessity of adaptation to climate change, taking account of the local authority climate action plan (within the meaning of section 14B of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015), where such a plan has been made for the area in question; in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development.
My Department published Development Plans Guidelines in June 2022 which highlighted the potential role of nature-based solutions in supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Guidelines encouraged Planning Authorities to develop appropriate ‘Green Infrastructure’ policies in their development plan in this regard.
Green infrastructure can act as a carbon pool or sink which absorbs emissions and thereby helps to avoid an increase in emissions overall. It creates a more diverse habitat, which has a positive impact on biodiversity and related ecosystem services such as pollination and natural pest control. Green infrastructure can also assist in managing high temperatures, particularly in urban areas, by providing evaporative cooling and shading.
855. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new local authority homes added to the social housing stock by county since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/23]
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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities. This data is available until the end of 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 below table shows the Social Housing Delivery from Q3 2020 to the end of 2022.
|
Build |
Acquisition |
Lease |
|
|
Q3 2020 |
968 |
238 |
335 |
|
Q4 2020 |
3,363 |
723 |
719 |
|
2021 |
5,196 |
1,262 |
2,711 |
|
2022 |
7,433 |
960 |
1,870 |
|
Total |
16,960 |
3,183 |
5,635 |
856. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is expected the baseline Funding Allocation Review of local authority funding will be completed; whether it is intended to make decisions on it in 2023 for implementation in full in 2024; whether from 2024 on, Department funding of local authorities will be based totally on open, transparent and published criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/23]
View answerUnder the current baseline funding allocation model, every local authority has a minimum level of non-programme funding available to it, known as its baseline. Baseline funding comes from Local Property Tax income (LPT) and is supplemented by the exchequer where a local authority’s LPT income is less than their baseline level.
There was a previous review of the baseline funding model in 2018, and a draft allocation model was agreed by a working group comprised of my Department and the local government sector. As the then Minister for Finance subsequently decided to defer the valuation date for LPT liabilities to November 2021, the finalisation of the baseline review process was also deferred until the impact of the revaluation process could be determined.
The revaluation of Local Property Tax has now taken place and data from the Census 2022 is now available. In light of these developments, the review of the baselines has resumed, and a working group comprising my Department, the local government sector, including Elected Members, and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has been established for this purpose. The objective of this Review is to recommend a set of key indicators which may be used to allocate available funding to local authorities in a fair, equitable and transparent manner.
It is intended to conclude the work of this group by the end of May 2023, and that recommendations of the group will be brought to me shortly thereafter. While I expect that there will be a new baseline allocation model in place in time for the Local Property Tax allocations for 2024, it should also be noted that any proposed changes to the baselines will need to be considered within the parameters of the national fiscal and budgetary situation at this time.
858. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the preparations to date by local authorities to implement the residential zoned land tax in 2024; if his Department is being briefed on applications to date for exemptions; if he will continue to monitor the implementation of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18221/23]
View answerAs required under legislation, every local authority published a draft map identifying land liable to the tax on 1 November 2022. Submissions could be made by interested parties, up to 1 January 2023 challenging whether land met the criteria for the tax, identifying additional land which may meet the criteria for the tax or where made by a landowner, a rezoning request to remove the land from liability. According to the figures provided to my Department by local authorities, 1,687 submissions, including approximately 210 requests to amend zoning, were made to local authorities by the end of the public display period for the draft maps on 1 January 2023.
The level of submissions is reflective of the significant degree of effort put into communicating the publication and public display period for the maps, by my Department, the Department of Finance, each of the 31 Local Authorities and by other key stakeholders in the process.
Each local authority will have issued determinations on submissions made by landowners by 1 April and landowners may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála where dissatisfied with the local authority determination by 1 May 2023.
Relevant local authorities will be publishing a supplemental map of additional land which is considered liable to the tax on 1 May. This will reflect land which has been subject to recent zoning changes through adoption of new development plans or local area plans, through recent servicing improvements or where the land has become known to local authorities since the publication of the draft map, for example land identified in submissions.
My Department is continuing to liaise with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure each stage of the process of identifying land considered to be liable for the tax is progressed in accordance with the legislation, including appeal of determination decisions to An Bord Pleanála, the publication of supplemental maps on 1 May 2023, as well as publication of a final map by Local Authorities on 1 December 2023 reflecting any additions or removals of land from the maps as a consequence of submissions, determinations, appeals and rezoning. Local authorities will be requested to provide details of lands removed from the draft and supplemental maps as a consequence of submissions.
859. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a person may appeal or seek an exception to the policy of a clear financial record for a minimum duration of two years under the Fresh Start principle with regard to a local authority home loan application where the person has exited bankruptcy in June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18247/23]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. A ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to the Local Authority Home Loan.
Applicant(s) that previously purchased a residential property, but have been divested of this through insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, are eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan under the "Fresh Start" principle. The applicant must have exited insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings to be eligible to apply.
A requirement for applicants under the "Fresh Start" principle post-bankruptcy is that they need to have had 2 years of no negative credit events before their application for the Local Authority Home Loan to establish their creditworthiness. Any payment issue in this period would be considered as demonstrating a lack of creditworthiness. While an applicant does need to have exited bankruptcy to be eligible to apply, this 2 year period may include the final period of their bankruptcy. It should be noted that a return to solvency should not be interpreted as a return to creditworthiness, which is a separate assessment.
860. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he proposes to further extend the scope of the defective concrete blocks scheme to include additional residential properties that an individual may have leased to tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18264/23]
View answer862. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects that homeowners will be able to make applications for redress to the revamped defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18349/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 862 together.
Following 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 ('the 2022 Act') is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme.
It should be noted that the scheme, as approved by the Oireachtas in the 2022 Act, is not a compensation or redress scheme, and the State has admitted no liability in this regard. Rather, it is a Remediation Grant scheme of last resort, put in place by the Government to voluntarily assist homeowners.
The 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as related Regulations are completed, which Regulations provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act such as application forms and templates, per square metre grant rates and the definition of damage. Draft Regulations have been prepared, which are the subject of ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups, which consultation must be concluded before the Regulations will be finalised and adopted in early 2023. I extended the consultation period on the draft Regulations, which commenced in February 2023, by an additional two weeks, to 14 March 2023, following receipt of requests for time extensions from Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council. The submissions received are now being reviewed and when that review is completed I will engage further with the homeowners' action groups before finalising the Regulations shortly.
My Department recently published an updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/.
861. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what measures are being taken to increase emergency accommodation in the Cork South-West constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18312/23]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Specifically under Section 10 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 local authorities are responsible for the provision of housing supports to households for the purposes of meeting their accommodation needs, including services provided to homeless persons under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area and the funding requirements will be considered in this context.
My Department will continue to work with local authorities, including Cork County Council, to ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
