Written Answers Nos. 812-832
812. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether any new guidance has been issued by his Department to local authorities for the purposes of setting updated schemes of letting; and if so, to explain what 'not reasonably able to meet the cost of the accommodation which they are occupying' means in the updates scheme of lettings; and how this reasonableness test is assessed. [37199/23]
View answerThe allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
My Department has not issued any new guidance to local authorities for the purposes of updating their allocation schemes as referred to in the Question.
It is the local authority which assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme.
As the making of an allocation scheme is a reserved function of the elected members, accordingly each authority’s scheme will have a different emphasis when it comes to the categories prioritised and the weighting given.
813. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding drawn down from the voids programme, by each local authority, in each of the past five years and to date in 2023. [37208/23]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.
An annualised breakdown by local authority of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014 up to and including 2022 is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
Local authorities have been notified of their targets and funding available for 2023, however, it will be later this year before significant claims have been received. Full details on 2023 will be available early in 2024.
814. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who successfully availed of the vacant properties refurbishment grant since it was established; and if a geographical breakdown can be provided in tabular form. [37209/23]
View answer871. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many vacant property reimbursement grants have been issued by local authority, by month, since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37762/23]
View answer872. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many derelict property top-up grants have been issued by local authority, by month, since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37763/23]
View answer880. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is the relevant local authority or his Department that processes vacant property refurbishment grants; the average response time for an initial application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37771/23]
View answer899. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received under the croí cónaithe vacant property grant scheme since its inception to date for each local authority; the number of applications that have been approved in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38161/23]
View answer932. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received and approved respectively for the croí cónaithe scheme, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38729/23]
View answer942. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any figures in relation to the number of croí cónaithe applications made to the various local authorities since the scheme's inception, in particular Cavan and Monaghan, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38892/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 814, 871, 872, 880, 899, 932 and 942 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The grant is processed at local authority level with guidance and support provided by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department.
The grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and the required documentation has been submitted and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: Vacancy grant statistics (www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#)
815. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of acquisition of residential units (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37220/23]
View answerUnder 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.
In relation to the detail supplied, my Department is engaging with Focus Ireland in relation to a number of potential acquisitions that they are considering in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. No funding application has been submitted for the scheme referred to. However, my Department will consider any applications which align with the objectives of the scheme.
816. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that the foreshore licence (details supplied) is still active; to whom it applies; and to confirm the status of such licence when the land/property to which such a licence applies is sold. [37245/23]
View answerI can confirm that the lease you refer to was granted under the Foreshore Act 1933.
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established on 17 July 2023 and responsibility for all existing consents granted under the Foreshore Act transferred from my Department to the new agency from that date.
Queries in relation to such consents should therefore be directed to oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.
817. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is intended to amend the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016 to allow where a child grows to adulthood as a dependent of a social welfare tenant and is added as a co-tenant when an adult that all the years as a resident in the house will be taken into account towards the ten years of being in receipt of social housing support for the purposes of the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/23]
View answer818. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends amending the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016 to include people with a lifelong disability under the eligibility and income rules that now apply to pensioners, where a pension income can be accepted as the primary income in a household and the income threshold is lower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 817 and 818 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 provides for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme.
In order to be eligible, the tenant, or in the case of applications from joint tenants both tenants, must be in receipt of a social housing support (which includes the Rental Accommodation Scheme and Housing Assistance Payment) for a minimum period of 10 years. Time spent as an adult occupant of any form of social housing support is not taken into account. This requirement seeks to encourage long-term tenants to stay in their homes and support development of socially sustainable communities.
Applicants must also meet a minimum annual reckonable income of €12,500. This requirement serves a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme remains sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charging period. For these reasons, certain income is not considered reckonable when determining an applicant's primary reckonable income. This includes Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension which, for those without dependents, is currently below the minimum annual reckonable income threshold.
Schemes such as these are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are effective and sustainable. Changes to the scheme, in particular current eligibility requirements, are currently being examined as part of the Department’s work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
819. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the recent statement by an organisation (details supplied) that many engineers encountered difficulties in obtaining professional indemnity insurance coverage while operating the original defective block grant scheme; and if he will confirm that the engineers working for or contracted to the Housing Agency will be provided with professional indemnity insurance coverage for the decisions that they make under the enhanced defective block grant scheme. [37318/23]
View answerI am aware of recent views expressed by Engineers Ireland at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on 13th July, 2023 around professional indemnity cover while operating the previous defective concrete blocks grant scheme. The previous defective concrete blocks grant scheme ceased upon commencement of the enhanced scheme.
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. The new scheme is now open to applications in four counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
Section 45 (1) of the 2022 Act provides that where the Minister is satisfied that a relevant person has discharged his or her duties under this Act in good faith, he or she shall indemnify the relevant person against all actions or claims howsoever arising in respect of the discharge by the relevant person of his or her duties. Section 45 (2) (b) of the 2022 Act defines an employee, servant, agent or authorised officer of the Housing Agency as a relevant person under this provision.
820. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the names/company names of the engineer consultants that were on the original panel for the pyrite remediation scheme, and the names of the engineer consultants that are currently on the panel, in tabular form. [37319/23]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the PRB with support from the Housing Agency.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the PRB is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The names of the engineer consultants associated with the Pyrite Remediation Scheme are a matter for the PRB and the Housing Agency.
The PRB may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie and the Housing Agency at (01) 656-4190 or by email pyrite@housingagency.ie.
821. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider drafting a statutory scheme to provide a remedy for householders who are adversely impacted by vegetation from public and private lands, including the obstruction of natural sunlight (details supplied); and to advance a proposed scheme, to be managed by local authorities, in order to provide for certain rights and responsibilities, with the resolution of disputes, enforcement, and appeals in a cost-effective and efficient process that provides for the health and safety of householders including the common law applicability. [37325/23]
View answer841. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered applying orders which would restrict the planting of unsuitable species of trees in residential areas, which through their growth are likely to grow out of control and create a hazard for other dwellers. [37522/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 821 and 841 together.
Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the species or height of trees or hedges, nor does it make any particular provision for remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. However, a civil remedy is available through the Courts concerning branches or roots of neighbouring trees encroaching on a person’s property.
The possibility of providing a broader civil law remedy for parties affected by high trees and hedges on adjoining properties was raised previously with the Minister for Justice. In this regard, advice was sought on the possibility of legislative provision being made, whereby a person substantially deprived of the enjoyment of their property, such as the deprivation of light caused by high trees on a neighbouring property, could apply to the Courts for an order, and that the Courts could make an order as they see fit, for example, to cut the trees back to an appropriate height. Safety considerations relating to overhanging trees could also potentially be addressed in any such provisions.
In response, the Minister for Justice suggested that disputes of this nature between neighbours are, perhaps, more appropriately dealt with through mediation, which is being increasingly used internationally as a tool for the resolution of civil disputes, rather than through the Courts. Legislation subsequently introduced by the Minister for Justice in this regard has been enacted as the Mediation Act 2017 (the Act).
The Act, which came into operation on 1 January 2018, contains provisions to underpin a comprehensive statutory framework to promote the resolution of disputes through mediation as an alternative to court proceedings which should ideally be only used as a last resort. In essence, the underlying objective of the Act is to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs, speeding up the resolution of disputes and reducing the stress and acrimony which often accompanies court proceedings, including those involving adjoining property owners.
In relation to dangerous trees, section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended - which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Transport – provides that, where a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road or where it obstructs or interferes with the safe use of a public road or with the maintenance of a public road, a road authority may serve a notice in writing on the owner or occupier of the land on which such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is situated, requiring the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation within the period stated in the notice.
I also understand that under Section 58 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 – which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications – an electronic communications network operator or any person authorised by the operator may lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with any physical infrastructure of the network operator.
With regard to tall and dangerous trees on local authority property, local authorities - as with all landowners - are responsible for the safety and maintenance of trees on their land.
Therefore, I have no plans at present to draft a statutory scheme to provide a remedy for householders who are adversely impacted by vegetation from public and private lands, including the obstruction of natural sunlight, or restrict the planting of trees species in residential areas.
822. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the derelict sites levy in light of a recent High Court ruling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/23]
View answerI am aware of the High Court judgment referred to in relation to a derelict site. My Department is presently undertaking a review of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and will take account of the implications of the judgment as part of the wider review of the Act.
823. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to repeal or amend S.I. No. 435/2005 or otherwise amend a designation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37333/23]
View answerThere are no plans to amend or remove the designation of the location referred to or to revoke the associated S.I. No 435/2005.
824. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the fire safety defects scheme will be expanded to include buildings constructed prior to 1991; what supports are available for homeowners where their apartment building suffers from considerable fire safety defects but was built prior to 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37368/23]
View answer829. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if apartments built before 1991 will be included in the construction defects remediation scheme; if so, how applicants living in apartments built before 1991 can register their interest in the scheme; and, if not, the rationale for excluding such apartments. [37426/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 829 together.
In response to the defects that came to light in apartments and duplexes primarily built during the Celtic Tiger era, I established a Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing. The report of this Working Group was published in July 2022 and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/97c19-working-group-to-examine-defects-in-housing/. The Working Group’s terms of reference, which were agreed and adopted by the group itself, focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. These dates generally coincide with the introduction of Building Regulations in 1991 and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations in 2014.
Following on from the Working Group’s report, in January of this year I received Government approval to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
In relation to buildings constructed before 1991, the provisions of the Fire Services Acts apply and the Guide to Fire Safety in Flats, Bedsitters and Apartments was published in 1994 to assist persons in discharging their statutory responsibilities for flats under the Fire Services Acts. This guide is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3003c-guide-to-fire-safety-in-flats-bedsitters-and-apartments-1994/.
825. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37385/23]
View answer860. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the Housing Adaptation Grant, the estimated cost of 12,300 applicants being awarded the grant at the highest rate available. [37710/23]
View answer861. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes to the Housing Adaption Grant are under consideration; if it is intended to increase grants to reflect increased construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/23]
View answer918. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the means ceilings for the various housing grants for repairs and adaptations were last raised; when the ceilings for admissible costs under those schemes were last raised; if he has assessed the inflation which has occurred since then; and if he plans to review these ceilings. [38494/23]
View answerI propose to take questions Nos. 825, 860, 861 and 918 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (maximum grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (Maximum grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (Maximum grant €8,000). The cost of awarding the maximum of each of these grants to any arbitrary number of applicants is calculable accordingly.
The income limits and maximum grant amounts payable under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, introduced in S.I. 670 of 2007, were last amended in 2014 under S.I. No. 104 of 2014. 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. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required.
On foot of my consideration of the Review report, I have asked my Department to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report, and this engagement is ongoing at present. I will publish the report, including the agreed amendments to the scheme, once that engagement has concluded.
826. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of recipients of compensation for the non-cutting of turf in Barrougher, SAC bog in County Galway and Moonveenlagh, SAC bog in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/23]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) was established in 2011 for domestic turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and was extended in 2014 to include domestic turf cutters affected from raised bog Natural Heritage Areas. The Scheme comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500.
There are 96 turf cutters in receipt of compensation under the CTCCS from Barroughter Bog Special Area of Conservation in County Galway and 37 turf cutters in receipt of compensation under the CTCCS from Moonveenlagh Bog Special Area of Conservation County Kerry.
Department schemes such as the CTCCS and the Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme are part of a package of measures developed in response to infringement proceedings against Ireland by the European Commission regarding the protection and conservation of raised bog SACs.
827. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of raised bogs designated as SAC’s in the Republic of Ireland; if he will confirm if an application has been made to the EU Commission to have any of these bogs designated because of continuing turf-cutting on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/23]
View answerA total of 62 Special Areas of Conservation have been designated for raised bog habitats in Ireland.
It is assumed that the question refers to the de-designation of these SACs. The de-designation of a Natura 2000 site is not a national policy decision in isolation, and would require ratification by the DG Environment of the European Commission. Any decision in this regard would be based on scientific analysis. No application has been made to the Commission to de-designate any of the aforementioned raised bog sites.
828. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the recently published Fire Safety Code of Practice for defective apartment developments, he will confirm if a centralised scheme run by the Housing Agency and fully-funded by the State will be established to put in place the immediate actions required so that people can live safely in affected apartment complexes; if he will outline when these works will commence given the urgency and if he will commit to ensuring that these works and the associated funding will be brought forward so that people can live safely in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37412/23]
View answer834. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the introduction of emergency funding for interim fire safety works in buildings with fire safety and other defects, including the amount of funding that will be made available this year, how it will be accessed and when the funding scheme will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/23]
View answer835. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the portal within the Housing Agency for people with defective homes to access information and funding for remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/23]
View answer843. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update in relation to the provision of interim funding to allow for the commencement of emergency fire safety works in buildings with identified fire safety defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37553/23]
View answer889. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update in relation to the provision of emergency funding for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013, given the recent fire in a non-compliant Navan apartment complex; how much funding will be made available in 2023; how it will be accessed; when the funding scheme will be accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/23]
View answer898. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when he will establish the remediation scheme to provide emergency funding for the interim measures outlined in the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 828, 834, 835, 843, 889 and 898 together.
Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the scheme to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 on a statutory footing.
Key to this has been the development of a Code of Practice, in the context of the Fire Services Acts, which I published on my Department's website on 25 July at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/95159-code-of-practice-for-the-remediation-of-fire-safety-defects/. The purpose of this Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects is to support the development of a reasonable and practicable approach to resolving fire safety defects and ensure a consistent approach nationwide to remediation. It enables stakeholders such as Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) and industry to align their work with its provisions. Going forward the Code of Practice will be a key document to support the operation of the remediation scheme and will be subject to periodic review.
Importantly, it also provides guidance to OMCs, building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in the context of the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003. My Department is continuing to work with the local authority sector, particularly Fire Services, to establish the necessary processes and structures to use the Code of Practice.
My Department is also working with the Housing Agency on advice and guidance on the steps OMCs should take when carrying out such life-safety works. This includes funding mechanisms for interim fire safety measures in extreme cases and further details of this will be published in the coming months.
The Housing Agency will play a central role in the remediation scheme when it becomes operational. It has established a web portal to serve as a knowledge base and OMCs may indicate their potential interest in the future remediation scheme by inputting information on their developments on the portal which is available on the Housing Agency's website. It should be noted that this portal, which is subject to conditions of use, is not a formal registration mechanism for the future remediation scheme.
In addition, work is also underway to draft the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme. While I am working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payer’s money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
Subject to the legislative process, it is intended that a scheme would be in place in 2024.
830. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of foreshore licence applications for development of offshore wind farms in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [37437/23]
View answerMy Department has not accepted any new lease applications for offshore wind farms in the years referred to. This is consistent with Government policy relating to a plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy (ORE) development.
The Government has identified a number of projects that are the priority for development. These are called Phase 1 projects. The Government’s Phase 2 Policy Statement makes it explicit that all further offshore energy development must be determined as part of a plan-led structure, underpinned by ORE Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). Details of the ORE Phase 2 policy are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/f3bb6-policy-statement-on-the-framework-for-phase-two-offshore-wind/
There are a number of ORE Site Investigation Survey applications for licence consent under the Foreshore Act 1933 to survey areas for the potential offshore wind energy development. The applications that refer to priority projects (Phase 1 projects designated by Government) are being processed while others are paused pro tem.
The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides for a new and streamlined planning process for developments in the maritime area. Under the new regime developers who have been granted a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) can then proceed to apply for development permission from An Bord Pleanála, where the project proposals will undergo environmental assessment. Ireland’s first Maritime Area Consents (MACs) have been granted to Phase 1 projects by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with a commencement date of 23 December 2022. These are available to view on that Department's website here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fab8f-maritime-area-consent-mac/
On 17 July 2023 the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established under the Maritime Area Planning Act 1921. MARA is the statutory body that now has responsibility for managing the Phase 1 MACs and for the grant of any further consents.
831. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek an update on IT issues concerning the registration process of the Residential Tenancies Board (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy.
The remit of the Board covers the private rental sector, the not-for-profit housing providers commonly known as Approved Housing Bodies and Student-specific Accommodation providers. The day-to-day operations of the RTB are a matter for the Board.
Following the passing of legislation in 2019, with effect from 4 April 2022, landlords are required to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
To facilitate Annual Registration the RTB implemented a new tenancy management system. Although many landlords and agents have successfully registered their tenancies on the system, I have been made aware that some landlord and agent customers are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy registration system. The RTB has assured my Department that it is working collaboratively and constructively with the sector to assist anyone experiencing difficulties. The RTB has further assured officials that it is very conscious of the need to ensure that any landlord or letting agent renewing a tenancy during Cycle 2 of Annual Registration has a much-improved experience of the system than they may have had during Cycle 1. During Q2 and Q3 2023, progressive improvements are being implemented in the registration system addressing key areas of functionality and addressing known issues causing difficulty for landlords and agents. The RTB is also implementing incremental improvements and bug fixes within the registration system via regular service patches. These are being released on an ongoing basis.
The RTB is also supported by a third party outsourced service provider who carries out the RTB’s call centre, document management and data entry functions. This contract gives the RTB the flexibility to increase resources as and when required. The staffing level at the outsourced call centre has been doubled in size to deal with the issues that have arisen following the introduction of annual registration. My Department continues to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its mandate, including any specific requests with regard to annual registration.
832. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek details on the feasibility of introducing a metropolitan area plan for the ever-growing Drogheda and east Meath settlement areas, to appropriately plan and address the increasing needs of the population in the areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37453/23]
View answerOne of the principal aims of the AG-led review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 was to place plan-making at the centre of the planning system by providing for a plan led system of planning and development based on an integrated hierarchy of plan-making consisting of the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, local Development Plans and various levels of local area plans.
In order to tailor local plans to the specific and differing needs of different localities, Local Area Plans are to be replaced by a suite of Plans which will enable focus on the particular needs of local areas as part of the Development Plan and include:
• Urban Area Plans –for towns designated as “regional growth centres” or “key” towns in the RSES;
• Priority Area Plans –for a sub-part of an urban area;
• Coordinated Area Plans –for whole/part of an urban area that is in the administrative area of more than one local authority, and
• Planning Schemes related to Strategic Development Zones (and Urban Development Zones)
Lower order plans will be required to be aligned to higher order plans, including with Development Plans in order to ensure greater consistency throughout the planning hierarchy. This means that all such plans will be aligned with National Planning Framework objectives.
The National Planning Framework published in 2018 sets out a vision and strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040. The Framework recognises the strategic importance of Drogheda and aims to support its development and its economic potential as part of the Dublin-Belfast Corridor and in particular the core Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry network. The first revision to the National Planning Framework has commenced, with a draft to be published in late November/early December 2023.
Drogheda’s role is reflected at a regional level in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area. The RSES targets significant growth into the regional growth centres, including Drogheda, to enable them to act as regional drivers. In 2021 both Meath and Louth County Councils adopted new Development Plans which further underline the importance of Drogheda as a key urban centre in both Counties.
Subject to enactment of the forthcoming Planning Bill, it will be a matter for the relevant local authorities to determine whether an updated plan format is required for the Drogheda and East Meath areas.
