Written Answers Nos. 331-350
331. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what percentage of lands ‘scoped-in’ on the residential zoned land tax-draft map are currently in active use by farmers, for farming, and not lying fallow. [34207/23]
View answerThe Finance Act 2021 introduced Part 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by landowners, including farmers, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced.
The tax applies to land that is:
- zoned suitable for residential development whether it be solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses, including residential use, and
- serviced (that is: reasonable to consider may have access, or be connected, to public infrastructure and facilities, including roads and footpaths, public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, necessary for dwellings to be developed and with sufficient service capacity available for such development)
In order to be liable for the tax the land must meet both criteria.
The total area contained on the draft maps nationally is c.55,200 ha.
Data supplied by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine indicates that approximately 11.75% of the total area contained on the draft maps overlaps with land receiving farm payments.
332. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on the short-term tourist letting register. [33441/23]
View answerOn 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy and action plan. This work is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).
Updated Planning Guidelines on short-term letting, which are aimed at providing clarity on the planning permission and exemption requirements for properties operating in this area in both rent pressure zones and more rural areas are currently being prepared by my Department to supplement the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill. It is intended that the updated guidelines, which will also take account of the recent communication from the EU Commission on this matter, will be published on the enactment of the Bill.
333. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of tenant in situ purchases in each local authority. [33442/23]
View answer382. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of tenant in situ purchases that have been completed in each local authority since the scheme was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33806/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 382 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023 and these allocations are being kept under review.
Details of social housing acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 4 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/
Data is currently being collated for Quarter 1 2023 and will include a breakdown of the number of homes purchased by each local authority under the tenant in situ scheme. This data will be published in due course. Data on averages costs will be available subsequently, when local authorities have submitted full information in relation to the cost of completed acquisitions.
334. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have a full-time vacant homes officer. [33445/23]
View answerAddressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022.
This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that VHOs are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place.
The role of the VHO in each local authority is:
- To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;
- To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;
- To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and
- Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department. The Vacant Homes Unit supports the VHOs and the VHO network, providing information and advice, facilitating dissemination of information and best practice.
335. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on the effect of inflation on local authorities and approved housing bodies in the context of construction. [33446/23]
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 and 54,000 affordable homes by 2030.
Since 2020, there has been significant inflation in construction materials, fuel and energy costs. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, were significant factors impacting on the level of construction inflation. This inflation, coupled with supply chain constraints, impacted on the cost of delivering housing projects. In May 2022, the Government introduced the Inflation/ Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework. This framework included measures to:
- address delay to the Substantial Completion of the Works, or a Section of the Works, that had occurred since 01 January 2022 where the delay is caused by supply chain disruption;
- address recent inflation in the prices of fuel and energy;
- address inflation in materials, from 1 January 2022 onwards for those Public Works Contracts with a version date earlier than 7th January 2022; and
- proactively, and collaboratively, manage the on-going impact of these external factors insofar as is possible within the project’s original delivery parameters.
In 2022, following the introduction of the framework, tender competitions for social housing projects indicated some reduction in the levels of price volatility, along with some increase in the number of tenders returned per competition. This improvement in the tendering environment has continued into 2023.
On 3 July, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth T.D., announced significant amendments to the Public Works Contract to provide greater certainty with respect to risk in response to continuing challenges in the construction market. These measures include revised price variation clauses for the recovery of inflationary costs and the removal the fixed price period for inflation energy and fuel. The package will rebalance the risk involved in delivering public works projects, while maintaining expenditure control for contracting authorities.
336. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the cull of seagulls which was permitted on a pilot basis in Balbriggan proved a success; whether an extension into other areas where over-invasion of residential areas is occurring, could be considered where these birds are clearly moving out of their natural habitat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33448/23]
View answer350. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to several Parliamentary Questions of 13 June 2023, in particular where he provided additional information not actually sought in the questions viz that "Matters relating to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds; correctly disposing of rubbish on our streets to make them less attractive and to discourage them from congregating in particular areas; any warning signage or publicity campaigns in relation to same is a matter for the local authority concerned.", if he is aware of and if he accepts or rejects the expert advice on urban gull ecology as provided to his predecessor's Consultative Committee on Urban Gulls, which stated the primary reasons for which gulls are colonising towns and cities (details supplied). [33550/23]
View answer351. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a specific matter (details supplied). [33551/23]
View answer352. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is applying a decision threshold in relation to the control of urban gull species (herring gulls) whereby they must pose a threat to public health and safety in densely populated urban areas in order to be included in the Annual derogation Declarations; if he will set out the specific evidential criteria being applied by his Department or the NPWS when deciding whether or not such a threat exists; and the reason that when such a threat has been recognised by his Department or the NPWS, for example, in Balbriggan, that the only action it has taken is to declare the threat in the annual declarations, when it is in fact a duty of the State to act proactively to protect citizens and public health and safety. [33552/23]
View answer353. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of queries (details supplied). [33553/23]
View answer364. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that when a Government Department confirms a recurring threat to public health and safety for the first time there should be a clear and distinct public administration response from said Department and from relevant executive agencies, and as the Minister - on the advice of his Department or the NPWS legally declared in July 2022, and again in April 2023, that high density urban gull colonies are a threat to the health and safety of the people of Balbriggan, a town of circa 25,000 citizens, if he will assure the Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service's (NPWS) over-arching role and responsibilities include policy, direction of appropriate executive agencies actions, and review of implementation, especially where public health and safety is threatened, and that the Department or the NPWS also retains a proactive role and procedural and reporting mechanisms for ensuring that effective reduction of the threat is being achieved by the executive agencies, and that all of these activities are encompassed in accurate and timely advice to the Minister from his Department or the NPWS. [33662/23]
View answer365. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that when a Government Department confirms a recurring threat to public health and safety for the first time there should be a clear and distinct public administration response from said Department and from relevant executive agencies, and as the Minister - on the advice of his Department or the NPWS legally declared in July 2022, and again in April 2023, that high density urban gull colonies are a threat to the health and safety of the people of Balbriggan, a town of circa 25,000 citizens, if he will provide copies of the formal correspondence between his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fingal County Council regarding the above threat since he made the legal declaration in July 2022. [33663/23]
View answer367. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied), in particular where he provided additional information not actually sought in the questions viz that "Matters relating to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds; correctly disposing of rubbish on our streets to make them less attractive and to discourage them from congregating in particular areas; any warning signage or publicity campaigns in relation to same is a matter for the local authority concerned.", will he advise as to relative extent to which his Department believes feeding of gulls in urban areas is responsible for the rapid proliferation of high density breeding (i.e. not just "congregating" per his reply) colonies as evidenced in his Department/NPWS's National Urban Gull Survey 2021, compared to i) the lack of predators compared to natural sea habitats, ii) ideal breeding conditions compared to natural sea habitats, iii) almost blanket legal protection for decades, iv) no resistance from humans compared to other wild bird species, and v) limitless food opportunities in the species typical 50k daily foraging range (seaward, rural and urban) as advised by the UK expert on urban gull ecology that was consulted by his predecessor's Consultative Committee on Urban gulls in 2019. [33666/23]
View answer368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied) particularly the part of his reply where he provided "Details of key elements of the evidence base that were available to NPWS to inform the Wild Birds Declarations 2023-2024”, can he note that none of the evidence sources that he quoted address the question asked, viz will he provide the evidence considered, accepted and rejected by his Department in respect of the species listed for control for reasons of public health and safety, and the sources and dates thereof, and will he instruct his Department to provide the information requested, such that will allow an objective and transparent analysis and comparison of the decision criteria used across all species or evidence. [33667/23]
View answer369. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will he explain why his Department/National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is applying a decision threshold in relation to the control of urban gull species (herring gulls) whereby they must pose a threat to public health and safety in densely populated urban areas in order to be included in the annual derogation declarations, and will he set out the specific evidential criteria being applied by his Department/NPWS when it is deciding whether or not such a threat exists, and will he explain why, when such a threat has been recognised by his Department/NPWS, for example, in Balbriggan, that the only action it has taken is to declare the threat in the annual declarations, when it is in fact a duty of the State to act proactively to protect citizens and public health and safety. [33668/23]
View answer370. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware that the coastal city of Malaga, Spain, EU member state, population 569,005 in 2016, which has a surveyed population of 3,200 gulls, that is, a ratio of one gull to 177 people, provides a service to its residents as part of an "Environmental Health Service" (details supplied) via a phone-based app or a free phone service to have gull nests and eggs or injured gulls removed in order to protect its citizens from aggressive attack and or injury by gulls, and will he compare that basic public health and safety service in another EU member state, under the same legislation as applies in Ireland, to the complete lack of a response to urban gulls issues here in Ireland, for example, in Balbriggan, population 23,000 people, gull population 3,000 per NPWS's survey 2021, or a ratio of one gull to eight people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33669/23]
View answer371. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware that Natural England, NE, the public body responsible for nature protection in England, implemented in 2022 a joint initiative with the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA, that was commenced in 2000, whereby Local Authorities across England which have public health and safety issues with urban gull colonies are granted, subject to submission of an acceptable gull management plan to NE, 'Organisational Licences' which empower them to control urban gulls in order to preserve public health and safety under the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, legislation which the UK implemented in order to comply with the 1979 EU Birds Directive, and will he inform the Deputy whether his Department intends to protect public health and safety in our cities and towns that are being negatively impacted by high density urban gull colonies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33670/23]
View answer372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied) particularly the part of his reply were he provided "Details of key elements of the evidence base that were available to NPWS to inform the Wild Birds Declarations 2023-2024", in particular the evidence provided via his Department's National Urban Gull Survey, Keogh, N. T. and Lauder, A. W., 2021, is he aware of the serious public concerns now widespread in areas with regard to serious urban gull issues, and given the warnings about the risk of such concerns with regard to said areas in his Department's 2021 survey, that is, two years ago, will he explain to the Deputy why the people of Drogheda have still not been afforded protection of public health and safety in the Annual Declarations. [33671/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 350 to 353, inclusive, 364, 365 and 367 to 372, inclusive, together.
All birds in Ireland, in the first instance, are protected by both EU and Irish law. Derogations from the law may be sought in the form of licences or general Declarations. The management of gulls on private property is a matter for the relevant property owner. For the sake of clarification, I would like to clarify that no cull of gulls has been permitted, or carried out.
As highlighted in that 2021 Irish Wildlife Manual Urban Gulls report, there are a myriad of factors which may influence the presence or absence of urban nesting gulls (including proximity to known/historical breeding sites, to waterbodies, distance from the sea). Anthropogenic factors supporting urban nesting gulls include the abundance of food in these urban/suburban areas; suitability of some structure/building as nesting locations, and conversely, increased pressures in the marine environment, such as commercial fishing limiting foraging opportunities for many seabirds, seabird bycatch, and climate change effects on availability of key prey species.
As set out in the relevant urban gulls and seabird reports provided, the conservation status of herring gull for example, has not been secure in the past (i.e. previously Red-listed). While the most recent 2021 Birds Of Conservation Concern in Ireland update, has seen the Herring Gull move from the Red to Amber list, it along with Lesser Black-backed Gull remain on that list due to breeding population and/or range declines of between 25- 49% for that ‘Amber’ category
The State-wide Wild Bird Declaration allows for the control of certain protected wild birds by removal of the nest or eggs of those species in Balbriggan without going through the licence application process. There are no current plans to expand the current Declaration to include other areas outside of Balbriggan as there is no evidence to suggest that this derogation has had any significant impact on the activity of gulls nesting on private properties. The NPWS does not hold any statistics in relation to the numbers of nests or eggs that were removed in Balbriggan under the Wild Bird Declarations, though anecdotal evidence suggests that very few individuals carried out this activity.
There was a change in the wording of the Wild Bird Declaration in 2022 that replaced the term ‘Public Health’, anywhere it was used in the Declaration, with ‘Public Health & Safety’. This was to bring the wording in line with Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive, it was not a change in the status of the threat level regarding any of the Birds listed.
I understand that other Countries may be taking different approaches when dealing with various bird species.
Matters relating to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds; correctly disposing of rubbish on our streets to make them less attractive and to discourage them from congregating in particular areas; any warning signage or publicity campaigns in relation to same is a matter for the relevant Local Authority.
337. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline what progress has been made in relation to the proposed replacement of board members of An Bord Pleanála; to provide an update on the recruitment of additional overall staff resources at An Bord Pleanála given the huge delays in determining cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33456/23]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
The total number of Board members currently serving in An Bord Pleanála is 14, with a further temporary appointment to be made in the coming weeks to bring the Board to full strength of 15, the maximum now provided for under the legislation.
Arrangements are being put in place for the new recruitment process for full-term board members and work is underway to commence the competition for the recruitment of a full-term Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála.
There are now more people working at An Bord Pleanála than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board, as detailed below.
• In October 2021, my Department approved an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the setting up of a new Marine and Climate Unit.
• In December 2022, 34 additional posts were sanctioned, and the Board is in the process of filling these positions.
• In April 2023, the Board submitted a request for sanction to my Department for a total of 59 new posts, all of which were approved.
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 An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
My Department obtained the information requested from An Bord Pleanála who have advised that, as of 30 June 2023, 221 people are working in the Board, (including Board Members).
338. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the procedures for a tenant on the Drogheda housing list who is moving to a HAP tenancy in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; which local authority is responsible for making the HAP payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33464/23]
View answerThe flexibility of Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) as a social housing support is one of the scheme's key characteristics and was one of the primary benefits envisaged at the outset of the scheme. With this in mind, my Department issued circulars relating to inter-authority movement in 2017 and 2019, with the aim of facilitating movement of HAP households from one local authority area to another in cases where a HAP tenant wishes to access rented accommodation with HAP support in another local authority area.
Inter-authority movement is, however, subject to certain conditions, such as the relevant Social Housing Income Eligibility Bands and confirmation that the applicant's income is below the threshold in the new local authority.
HAP tenants that avail of inter-authority movement continue to be dealt with by their originating local authority. However, the rent limits applicable are those that apply in the local authority where the property is situated. The originating local authority will engage with the relevant new local authority to facilitate eligible requests for inter-authority movement.
HAP tenants who avail of inter-authority movement, can only be offered access to the housing transfer list of the originating local authority. The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities. The making of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such is a matter for the elected members.
Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. The HAP Shared Services Centre (HAP SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.
339. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of concerns that Waterways Ireland may have failed to register any properties such as marinas over the course of the last 23 years; if he will have this matter investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33479/23]
View answer340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate concerns is that approximately 20 marinas are operating without permission or authorisation from Waterways Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
The registration, licensing and operation of marinas is managed by Waterways Ireland, a North South body sponsored by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
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 relevant contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org.
341. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether the date range for being liable for the development contribution fee will be amended to include those who have submitted commencement notices in January of this year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33499/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
These temporary time-limited arrangements apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development -
• that commences on site between 25 April 2023 and 24 April 2024, and
• is completed not later than 31 December 2025
My Department recently issued Circular Letter PL 08/2023 on 21 July 2023 and the associated supplementary Guidance Note on the detailed operational arrangements in relation to the development contribution waiver scheme and the Uisce Éireann connection charge refund scheme. The Circular Letter and Guidance Note are available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/circular/9b113-circular-pl-082023-temporary-time-limited-waiver-in-respect-of-development-contributions-operational-guidance-for-local-authorities/
These temporary arrangements are being applied irrespective of the date of planning permission for the residential development. It is not proposed to extend the terms or timeline of the scheme beyond those as approved by the Government in its Decision of 25 April last.
342. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he intends to ensure the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg SDZ following the sale of NAMA's stake in the site to the developer. [33503/23]
View answer360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on progress in respect of negotiations in respect of the proposed development at the former Irish Glass Bottle site at Poolbeg. [33631/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 360 together.
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. A novel condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone, is the requirement that a further 15% of approved homes across the SDZ should be social and affordable homes, in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements. This requirement remains in place across the SDZ regardless of who the owner or developer of the site is.
The developers are engaging with Dublin City Council regarding the provision of the 10% Part V social housing in the first phase which involves 570 apartments.
My Department has been working with Dublin City Council and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress an agreement on the delivery of the additional social and affordable housing in this first phase, subject to the SDZ requirements and value for money considerations.
I understand that NAMA held a percentage stake in the company that owns the site and has recently announced that it has sold its interest to the majority stakeholders. This has no effect on the SDZ requirement and engagement in relation to the SDZ requirement for additional social and affordable housing continues.
I am not in a position to comment further on the contents until an agreement is finalised but I note it is intended that an agreement on foot of the SDZ provision will not only address how many apartments will be taken under this first phase but that if not all the additional social and affordable homes are taken now, they will be provided over the course of the full development.
343. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress on expanding postal votes in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33507/23]
View answerElectoral law provides for postal voting for a number of different categories of people including the following - whole-time members of the Defence Forces, members of An Garda Síochána, Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners, electors living at home who are unable to vote because of an illness or a disability, electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day, full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State, prisoners and certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.
In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.
Furthermore, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provided for a wide-ranging modernisation of our electoral structures and processes, including significant changes to postal voting arrangements. Under the provisions of Part 3 of the Act, the introduction of a rolling electoral registration process (in contrast to the former annual registration process) means that people can register or update their registration details, including postal voting applications, at any time of year up to the usual deadlines in advance of an electoral event.
The Act also provided for the extension of existing postal voting facilities to persons with mental health difficulties that were previously only available to persons with physical health difficulties. The voter’s certifying medical practitioner no longer needs to provide the nature of their illness or disability but can indicate an expected duration, which the registration authority will have regard to when assigning a postal voting arrangement. This means that for those postal voters with longer term or ongoing issues, annual renewal will not be required.
The Electoral Reform Act 2022 also included provisions for the establishment of an independent, statutory Electoral Commission, entitled An Coimisiún Toghcháin. An Coimisiún has been given a new research, advisory and public information function, which will see it carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a commitment to examine the use of postal voting, with a view to expanding its provision. In support of this commitment I intend requesting An Coimisiún to examine and research the issue as part of its annual research programme.
344. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce measures to allow Irish citizens who are working overseas in the private sector to vote in national, local and European elections while they are away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33517/23]
View answerUnder electoral law, in order to be able to vote at elections in Ireland, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. With some exceptions (mainly postal and special voters) all persons must attend in person to vote at their local polling station.
Subject to a limited number of exceptions, Irish citizens resident outside the State do not have the right to vote at elections or at referendums held in the State. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens resident outside of the State. My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been working closely on this issue and, on 16 September 2019, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 was initiated in Dáil Éireann by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the holding of a referendum on this issue.
While the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil Éireann, in support of the Government commitment, the Bill has been restored to the Dáil Order Paper. If the Bill is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994 requires that I, as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, make an order appointing the day upon which the poll for the proposed referendum will take place. The Act provides that the polling day shall be not less than thirty days and not more than ninety days after the date of the order.
While electoral law is kept under ongoing review, proposals for the extension of voting rights to Irish citizens resident outside the State at other elections or at referendums are not currently under consideration.
345. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the subject matter of departmental reports which are pending publication; and the timeline for publication of each of these reports. [33525/23]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
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Title of Report |
Subject |
Expected Publication Date |
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Annual Financial Statement |
Audited amalgamated Annual Financial Statement for the 31 local authorities |
Q3 |
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Conservation Objectives: Derragh Bog SAC 002201. Version 1 |
Detailed site-specific conservation objectives |
Q3 |
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Conservation Objectives: Derrinlough (Cloonkeenleananode) Bog SAC 002197. Version 1 |
Detailed site-specific conservation objectives |
Q3 |
|
Conservation Objectives: Girley (Drewstown) Bog SAC 002203. Version 1 |
Detailed site-specific conservation objectives |
Q3 |
|
Conservation Objectives: Scohaboy (Sopwell) Bog SAC 002206. Version 1 |
Detailed site-specific conservation objectives |
Q3 |
|
Conservation Objectives: Wooddown Bog SAC 002205. Version 1 |
Detailed site-specific conservation objectives |
Q3 |
|
Draft Interim Review of Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report as part of public consultation |
Draft Interim Review of Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and SEA Environmental Report |
Q3 |
|
Housing Costs, Stress and Deprivation |
Research working paper which examines housing affordability and deprivation |
Q3 |
|
Implementation Review of 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan |
Review of the 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan |
Q3 |
|
Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in Ireland under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive |
Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in Ireland under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive |
Q3 |
|
Review of the Private Rental Market |
Report on the provision of a housing system which can provide an efficient, affordable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants |
Q3 |
|
Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 |
The Department’s three year strategic plan outlining the Department’s strategic goals and objectives |
Q3 |
|
Supporting Policy Development for ‘Out-of-Season’ Bathing in Ireland |
Research Paper “Supporting policy development for ‘out-of-season’ bathing in Ireland” |
Q3 |
|
Waters of Life IP Project: Framework of Measures and Best Practice Guidance for High Status Objective Waterbodies |
Framework of Measures and Best Practice Guidance for High Status Objective Waterbodies |
Q3 |
|
3rd Cycle River Basin Management Plan |
River Basin Management Plan |
Q4 |
|
Annual Report 2022 |
A report on progress made in 2022 towards achieving the Department’s strategic goals as identified in the Statement of Strategy 2021 |
Q4 |
|
Energy Efficiency Investments and the Private Rental Sector in Ireland |
An analysis to include an examination of the ‘Split-Incentive’ effect |
Q4 |
|
Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings |
Guidance document on improving energy efficiency in traditional buildings |
Q4 |
|
Interim Review of Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report |
Interim Review of Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and SEA Environmental Report |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Ancient & Long-established Woodland |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Irish raised bogs: Active and Degraded raised bog, Rhynchosporion depressions condition 2013 to 2018 |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
National Hen Harrier Survey 2022 |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Bryaceae Survey |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Bryophyte taxonomy |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Important invertebrate Areas - The Raven |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Important invertebrate Areas - Sallymount |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Species categorisation |
Q4 |
|
Irish Wildlife Manual |
Checklist Burren Lepidoptera |
Q4 |
|
Local Government Fund Account 2022 |
Published account of all income and expenditure from the Local Government Fund in 2022 |
Q4 |
|
Report on 2nd National Biodiversity Conference |
Report on the 2nd National Biodiversity Conference |
Q4 |
|
Report on the Review of the Housing Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
Report on Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
Q4 |
|
Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme |
A review of the future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), considering its role in the private market, taking account of the impact of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme (HAP) and Approved Housing Body (AHB) participation |
Q4 |
346. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants for social housing in each county, and in Dublin City Council; and the number of social housing units which came on stream in the same areas in 2022. [33526/23]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2022, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/ .
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 Quarter 4 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/ .
347. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding Part V tenants' use of communal areas in apartments; and his plans to review this policy. [33527/23]
View answerPart V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires private developers to ensure that a specified percentage of land zoned for residential and other uses is reserved for social and affordable housing.
Local authorities negotiate Part V agreements with the developer in line with a range of guidelines and supports aimed at assisting them in maximising the benefits of Part V in the context of its housing needs. Depending on the characteristics of the development, these negotiations may also include a social housing tenant’s access to any amenities which are over and above the standard open space requirements, for example gyms, cinema rooms, co-working areas etc. Neither I or my Department have a role in the process of the local authority reaching an agreement with a developer.
It is a matter for each local authority to decide to pay these additional amenity contribution costs from local authority funds on a case by case basis, or to explore the option for tenants to pay these costs directly to the relevant entity charging the fee. It is my understanding that generally local authorities opt out of the additional amenity levies, as these can be a significant extra cost and are not provided to tenants of other forms of social housing.
348. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the adequacy of the vacant sites register. [33528/23]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), each local authority maintains a Vacant Sites Register in respect of their functional area with sites listed in such registers being liable to the vacant site levy, also introduced under the provisions of the Act. As provided for under the Act, the register in respect of each local authority is available for inspection at its offices and online on its website.
A Vacancy Survey project, supported by my Department, commenced in three local authorities in December 2022. The objective of the survey is to capture data on the number of vacant dwellings in each local authority. This will facilitate direct engagement with property owners at local authority level in order to bring the properties identified back into use. This will be rolled out across local authorities in 2023.
In addition, the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), a key commitment under Housing for All, is a new tax which was established in the Finance Act 2021 and will replace the vacant site levy. The RZLT is designed to activate suitably zoned and serviced land for housing and is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. The primary aim of the tax is as an active land management measure, to incentivise landowners to activate existing planning permissions for housing on identified lands, or to engage with planning authorities and seek planning permission on land which is suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. Landowners will be liable for the tax, even if they have planning permission, until such time as development on the site is activated.
The Department of Finance leads on the implementation of the RZLT with the involvement of my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the 31 local authorities. In this regard, my Department published section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Residential Zoned Land Tax on 29 June 2022, which provided guidance on identifying land which is within the scope of the tax. A copy of the Guidelines can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbc41-residential-zoned-land-tax-guidelines-for-planning-authorities/
The implementation of RZLT consists of two phases as set out below:
Phase 1: the preparation and publication of maps by the 31 local authorities identifying land within the scope of the measure. All 31 local authorities published draft maps in this regard on 1 November 2022. This was followed by a period of consultation during which landowners can make submissions to the relevant local authority. The initial mapping process will conclude with the preparation and publication of final maps on 1 December 2023. From 2025 onwards, local authorities will update the maps on an annual basis.
Phase 2: the administration of the tax by the Revenue Commissioners. This will commence in 2024, with the initial liability date for the tax arising on 1 February 2024 and the first pay and file date following on 23 May 2024.
Further details with regard to the RZLT, including a full description of the submission process and milestones, can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbad0-residential-zoned-land-tax/.
349. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department records the reasons for refusal of access to homeless accommodation; and, if so, the incidence of such reasons being given in to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [33529/23]
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 a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. Local authorities also assess applications for social housing supports, ensuring housing supports are available to households unable to meet their accommodation needs from their own resources.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of May 2023. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal data.gov.ie/.
The specific data sought is not available to my Department.
