Written Answers Nos. 99-116
99. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received any correspondence from his Department in relation to the review being carried out on housing adaptation grants, mobility aid grants and housing for older people grants, given the serious situation whereby local authorities such as Louth County Council have suspended these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29869/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department advises local authorities annually that, as far as practicable, a percentage of the allocation under the schemes should be ring fenced in respect of any emergency applications which might arise under these schemes during the course of the year. Consequently, all local authorities manage their schemes to ensure access to the grants programme is maintained to the extent possible throughout the year in the highest priority cases and further information in this regard would be available directly from the local authorities. It should be noted that Louth County Council have confirmed that urgent cases involving hospital discharges are still being processed. In addition, my Department recently considered and approved a further Exchequer allocation provision of over €570,000 in 2023 as requested by Louth County Council.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the grants scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds and the grant limits.
I have received the Review report and on foot of the careful consideration, I have asked Department officials to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report.
100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the foreshore licence granted (details supplied) regarding the foreshore activity issued by the Department of Transport during 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29885/23]
View answerThe responsibility for the development on Ireland’s foreshore is currently regulated under the provisions of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. The Foreshore Act 1933 requires that a lease or licence must be obtained from the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government for the carrying out of works or placing structures or material on, or for the occupation of or removal of material from, State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest and provides for the removal of any material within the foreshore and not more than thirty feet below the surface thereof.
The position at the time of the two referenced Marine Notices from 2022, which related to proposed geophysical survey activity involving sonar and echo sounding equipment and which are undertaken in a non-intrusive manner and do not place anything on or remove or disturb or interfere with the seabed or shore, was that a foreshore licence was not required under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933, on foot of legal advices.
There always were, however, obligations on proposers intending to undertake such survey activity to seek Ministerial consent in accordance with the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
In December 2022, arising from further legal advice, my Department undertook to amend the legislation to include within the definition of Foreshore under the Foreshore Act 1933, the body of water over the relevant seabed. Part 3 of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act, 2022 introduced an amendment to that effect.
As a result a licence under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 is now required for the type of activity in question.
The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides for the establishment of a new marine planning system and a new licensing and development management regime, to be administered by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), in conjunction with An Bord Pleanála (ABP) and the coastal local authorities. MARA is due to be established on 17 July, 2023.
101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 492 of 21 March 2023, when a State property lease will issue to a sports club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29895/23]
View answerI am aware of the longstanding issues involved with conveyancing matters in regards to the granting of a State Property Lease to Callinafercy Rowing Club, Callinafercy, Milltown, Co. Kerry.
Issues concerning the trust powers of the club remain outstanding. I have recently been informed that the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) have been in contact with the legal representatives acting on behalf of the Club in this matter and have been providing support to them in examining their client’s trust powers and are awaiting confirmation of same. Therefore, as it stands the matter resides with the clubs solicitors until they are able to bring this matter to its conclusion.
102. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is intended to reopen the caravan loan scheme in 2023; when it is likely this scheme will open, in view of the urgent need for such a scheme due to the unacceptable and inhumane conditions Travellers in substandard caravans are living in; whether any new scheme will be needs-based rather than, as happened in 2022, based on a very limited and inadequate number of replacement caravans being made available through each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29937/23]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
The nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022. My Department has completed a review of the operation of the pilot scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. A report has been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform which is currently under consideration, with an outcome expected shortly.
103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when specific turf cutting compensation scheme payments will be issued (details supplied). [29974/23]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is applicable to turf cutters who have been affected by the designation of raised bogs as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas and who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. It comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme.
Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year in order to facilitate applicants in the provision of fuel for the following winter period. Annual payments for 2023 under the scheme continue to be made on a weekly basis. My Department expects these payments to applicants who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme to be completed before the end of the third quarter of 2023.
104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals, if any, there are to exempt early education services premises from local authority rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29980/23]
View answerTailte Éireann (TÉ) is the State agency formed following the merger of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland on 1 March 2023. All the functions previously carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, and Ordnance Survey Ireland are now being performed by TÉ.
The Valuation Division of TÉ carries out the valuation activities formerly assigned to the Valuation Office. TÉ is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes and decisions in relation to exemptions are the sole responsibility of TÉ, and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Valuation Act maintains the long-standing position that properties including private schools and private childcare facilities, such as play schools, preschools, crèches and Montessori schools, that are established for the purpose of making a profit are liable for rates.
The Act sets out that all buildings used or developed for any purpose, including constructions affixed thereto, are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Such exempt buildings would principally include those used for public worship, education and health care provided on a not-for-profit basis, and for charitable purposes.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to TÉ in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of TÉ. There is a right of appeal to the High Court on a point of law.
Finally, Oireachtas Members may contact TÉ in respect of specific cases at reps@tailte.ie.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the nature advisory committee will be established, as recommended in the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/23]
View answerThe Strategic Action Plan for the Renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, approved by Government in May 2022, stemming from the Review, Reflect, Renew process culminating in the Kearney Report, does not contain an action as referenced in the Question, and in that regard, and I have no plans at this time to establish such a committee.
106. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in appendix 1 of Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report, produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, were met in respect of South Dublin County Council; and the final spend on same. [29983/23]
View answer128. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in appendix 1 of Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report, produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, were met in respect of Meath County Council; and the final spend on same. [30105/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 128 together.
My 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 South Dublin County Council and Meath County Council for the delivery of capital and current housing programmes for the period 2015 to 2017 is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Capital €m |
Current €m |
Total €m |
|
South Dublin |
67 |
86 |
153 |
|
Meath |
54 |
18 |
72 |
107. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 50 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29984/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In October 2022, my Department granted Stage 4 tender approval under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) 4 Stage Preconstruction process, with a funding allocation of €27m for a 69 unit scheme at the location concerned. The scheme is currently on site with an expected completion date of Q4 2024.
108. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 39 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29985/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was originally granted Stage 1 approval in 2015. South Dublin County Council subsequently submitted a redesigned project to the Department in 2019, and a 38 unit scheme was completed in Q4 2022. A budget allocation of €10.6m was approved for this project and the final costs are awaited from the Council. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 35 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29986/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q1 2019 and a total of 40 units were delivered. A budget allocation of €12.8m was approved for this project and the final costs are awaited from South Dublin County Council. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
110. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 28 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29987/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q4 2018 with 28 homes delivered. A budget allocation of €6.2m was approved for this project; South Dublin County Council has submitted final costs which are currently being assessed by the Department's Technical Advisors and on completion of this assessment a final budget will issue to the Council. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
111. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 22 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29988/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q4 2018 and a total of 14 units were delivered. A final budget allocation of €3.3m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
112. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 18 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29989/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q2 2018 and a total of 17 units were delivered. A budget allocation of €4.1m was approved for this project; South Dublin County Council has submitted final costs which are currently being assessed by the Department's Technical Advisors and on completion of this assessment a final budget will issue to the Council. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
113. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 11 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29990/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q3 2018 with 11 new homes delivered. A final budget allocation of €2.2m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
114. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the ten AHB housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in July 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. [29991/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
In Q2 2023, my Department granted a revised Stage 3 Pre -Tender Approval for this project which is being progressed under the Capital Assistance scheme. This approval is subject to a number of conditions, including clarification around the scheme design. The Department is actively engaged with South Dublin County Council to progress this project to construction.
115. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the two AHB housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in July 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. [29992/23]
View answerThe project referenced received conditional Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) Payment and Availability funding approval in 2017 for two social housing homes at Hollyville Terrace, Palmerstown, Co. Dublin. The most recent update to my Department from Clúid Housing and South Dublin County Council is that the project was withdrawn in February 2023 due to a change in strategy by Clúid Housing to focus on delivering larger scale social housing developments.
My Department publishes a quarterly Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report, which sets out the continuing progress being made in advancing the national local authority and AHB new-build pipeline. The latest report, setting out the position at end Q4 2022, can be accessed at the following web-link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
116. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 37 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (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. [29993/23]
View answerMy Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides 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 most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The project referred to was completed in Q4 2018 with 37 new homes delivered. A final budget allocation of €8.2m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.
