Written Answers Nos. 374-390
374. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of boats removed from rivers, canals and inland waterways in Ireland from January 2022 to April 2023, by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24788/23]
View answerWaterways Ireland is a North South Body responsible for the management and maintenance of more than 1000km of Ireland's inland waterways. They include the Shannon, Shannon Erne Waterway, Erne System, the Barrow, the Royal and Grand Canals and the Lower Bann Navigation. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The information requested in respect of the waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland is not held in my Department, however arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceo@waterwaysireland.ie
375. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of housing units which were not commenced or completed during the period of Covid-19 restrictions which applied to the construction sector in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24022/23]
View answerData in relation to housing commencements, broken down by local authority area, is published by my Department on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
Data in relation to new dwelling completions, broken down by Local Electoral Area is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/
Covid-19 reduced construction activity and output of new homes in 2020 and 2021. Commencement notices declined during periods of lockdown but were followed by high levels of commencements indicating a quick recovery. My Department worked closely with key stakeholders during the crisis, ensuring that housing construction was able to resume safely, in line with public health guidelines, as soon as it was possible. In 2022, the first full year of Housing for All delivery not impacted by COVID-19, almost 30,000 homes were completed. This is an increase of 45% when compared to 2021’s delivery of 20,560 homes.
376. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 32 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24036/23]
View answerMy Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.
The full set of published CSRs, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In 2016, my Department granted Stage 3 Pre-Tender approval to Fingal County Council for this project, that will result in the delivery of 32 social housing units.
The development of the project is on hold pending the remediation of contaminated land to allow residential development for the wider lands in the area. The project is also dependent on new road and water infrastructure.
377. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 27 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24037/23]
View answerMy Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.
The full set of published CSRs, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In 2015, my Department granted Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval to Fingal County Council for this project, following which the project was progressed through the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) 4 Stage Preconstruction process. The final project comprised a total of 74 units, which were delivered on a phased basis during 2017 and 2018 at a cost of €11.9m. The project was not officially opened by a Minister.
378. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 44 housing units at a location (details supplied) approved to be acquired by Fingal County Council in January 2016 have been acquired; if so, the date; the final cost of the acquisition; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the acquisition not proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24038/23]
View answerMy Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.
The full set of published CSRs, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In 2015, my Department granted approval to Fingal County Council for the acquisition of 44 units at this location. The units were delivered in 2015 at a total cost of €13.2m.
The scheme was officially opened in November 2015 by An Tánaiste of the day, Joan Burton.
379. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/23]
View answerTipperary County Council reported the 3 social homes referred to as completed in Q4 2016 at a total cost of €237,234.
I am not aware of this project being officially opened.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/ .
380. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the local authority housing unit approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in May 2015 has finished construction; if so, its completion date; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/23]
View answerTipperary County Council reported the new social home referenced as completed in Q4 of 2021, at a total cost of €313,760.
I am not aware of this project being officially opened, possibly due to Covid restrictions which may have applied at that point.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
381. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 12 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/23]
View answerI understand from the Council concerned that they did not proceed with the 12 social homes originally approved at this particular location and that instead, they priortised and developed other new build social housing projects in areas of higher demand.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
382. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the six local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/23]
View answerThe Council concerned reported the 10 social homes at the address mentioned as completed in Q4 of 2021, at a total cost of €2,328,591. The number of new social homes being delivered under this project was increased from 6 to 10. I visited the development on 20 February 2023.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
383. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the two local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24051/23]
View answerThis project was reported by Wexford County Council as completed in Q2, 2018 with 2 new social homes delivered. This project received funding of €632,461 from my Department.
The project was not officially opened by a Minister.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Projects Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
384. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the local authority housing unit approved for construction at a location (details supplied) has finished construction; if so, its completion date; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24052/23]
View answerThis project proposal was reported as completed by Wexford County Council in Q4 2021 with 1 new social home delivered. This project received funding of €234,345 from my Department.
There was no official opening of the project.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
385. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 26 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24053/23]
View answerThe project proposal referenced received funding approval in principle in January 2016, however advancement of the project was contingent on further development of surrounding sites and the completion of an access road required to service the site. This additional development ultimately did not happen and the Council's social housing project at this particular location was not advanced.
However, the Council has delivered 27 new social homes at this location through other projects in recent years and there are a further 9 new homes currently on site.
My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
386. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm whether a Senior Counsel was appointed to pursue accountability from suppliers of defective concrete blocks; and if he will provide an update on the work of this appointed SC. [24056/23]
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.
Priority was given in the Government Decision to developing the necessary Regulations to implement the DCB Scheme. However, as part of the decision the Government also approved the appointment of a Senior Counsel to review the defective concrete blocks issue and make recommendations on the matter. Terms of Reference are being developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General to progress the appointment of a Senior Counsel to review the role of the industry and regulation.
387. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected revenue yield from an increase in the derelict site levy to 20% in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/23]
View answer416. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites acquired by each local authority under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, the Derelict Sites Act 1961, or the Acquisition of Derelict Sites Act 1940, used for the purpose of housing in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24380/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 416 together.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The information requested in relation to properties acquired under the Act in respect of 2022 is provided in the Table below. My Department does not collect data on the subsequent use of sites acquired under the Derelict Sites legislation. The relevant local authority should be contacted for this information.
Based on the current legislative provisions under the Act, the derelict site levy due nationally to local authorities in 2022 at a rate of 7% of the market valuation of the properties listed on local authority derelict site registers was €5,638,551. Applying a rate of 20% in that year would have increased the amount due under the measure to €16,110,146.
|
2022 |
||
|
Local Authority |
No. of Derelict Sites acquired by agreement |
No. of Derelict Sites acquired compulsorily |
|
Carlow |
0 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
1 |
|
Clare |
0 |
3 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
6 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
11 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
3 |
41 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
4 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
3 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford City & County |
3 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
8 |
80 |
388. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in Appendix 1 of the Laying the Foundations: Housing Action Report produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government were met in respect of Cork City Council; and the final spend on the same. [24061/23]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to 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 total funding provided by my Department to Cork City Council for the delivery of capital and current Housing programmes for the period 2015 to 2017 is set out in the table below
|
Capital €m |
Current €m |
Total €m |
|
109 |
49 |
158 |
389. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 35 AHB housing units approved for construction (details supplied) have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24062/23]
View answerMy Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.
The full set of published CSRs can be found at this link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In 2019, my Department granted Stage 3 Pre- tender approval to Cork City Council and Respond Approved Housing Body. This project will result in the delivery of 28 Units under the CAS Construction scheme.
Cork City Council have advised that the enabling works have been completed. They have encountered a number of delays including issues on site (the age of the Building and the presence of Japanese Knotweed). The Council is also working with the Approved Housing Body to resolve all issues.
390. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the development on right-sizing; if he has engaged with participating local authorities regarding the uptake of this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/23]
View answerHousing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a national policy on right-sizing.
My Department is advancing work on the development of this policy and exploration of the options to support and incentivise right-sizing on a voluntary basis with the objective of optimising the potential for more efficient use of under occupied existing private and social housing stock. The development of a national right-sizing policy is having regard to a focused stakeholder consultation undertaken in the latter part of 2022 and existing local authority approaches to right-sizing for social housing. My Department is working on bringing forward a draft national policy in the coming months.
