Written Answers Nos. 897-918
897. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review upwards the €126,000 limit imposed by clause 80(1)(k) of S.I. No. 600/2001 - Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 on Local Authority Works projects requiring a Part 8 process; if he plans to index this amount to inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38137/23]
View answerIn parallel with ongoing work to finalise the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 (the Bill) and submit it to Government for final approval and subsequent publication in the coming weeks, my Department has also commenced a review of the associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations).
It is expected that the review of Regulations will be completed prior to the enactment of the Bill and will be progressed in line with appropriate transitional arrangements for the commencement of the new legislation. Amendments to article 80 of the Regulations in relation to local authority "own development" projects, including possible revision to the qualifying cost threshold for determining such projects, will be considered in the context of this ongoing review.
900. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total procurement spend of each local authority in 2022, in tabular form. [38168/23]
View answerMy Department does not have direct involvement in executive functions, such as procurement, carried out by a local authority. Under Section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Chief Executive of a local authority is responsible for the executive functions of the local authority, and for that purpose to manage and control generally, the administration and business of the authority, subject to law.
My Department does not hold the specific information requested. However, local authorities are required to publish details of payments over €20,000 in relation to goods or services procured, on a quarterly basis. These registers are published on the respective websites of each local authority.
901. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff in the Local Government Management Agency working on procurement services providing support to contracting authorities and their respective grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38197/23]
View answer902. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the Local Government Management Agency has been contacted by contracting authorities for guidance on the inclusion of social and environmental criteria in procurement contracts; if the Local Government Management Agency monitors the level of use of social and environmental criterion in procurement by contracting authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 901 and 902 together.
The information requested in respect of procurement services provided by the Local Government Management Agency is not available in my Department.
However, arrangements have been put in place by the Local Government Management Agency to provide information directly to Oireachtas members. The specific information requested can be sought by emailing corporate@lgma.ie.
903. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options open to a person (details supplied) when the first home scheme will be extended to self-builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38219/23]
View answerA number of schemes are available for eligible applicants wishing to build their own home. The Help-to-Buy scheme is an incentive for first-time buyers to help with their deposit for purchasing or self-building a new home. The scheme has already helped some 39,000 first-time buyers.
The Local Authority Home Loan is available to those wishing to purchase or self-build. This loan is a government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers or 'Fresh Start' applicants.
The Ready-to-Build scheme also supports those seeking to build their own home. Under the scheme local authorities can make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers and self-builders, with sites to be provided at a discount on market value for home-owners wishing to build for occupation as their principal private residence.
The First Home Scheme, which aims to support up to 8,000 households to bridge an existing affordability gap by providing buyers with part of the purchase price in return for the scheme taking an equity stake in their home, applies nationally to newly built homes in private developments.
The First Home Scheme is operated by a Designated Activity Company (DAC), overseen by a Board of Directors comprising representatives of the scheme funders, i.e. the State, AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB.
The First Home Scheme is not currently available for those who wish to build their own home. However, consideration is being given to expanding the First Home Scheme to include self-builds and the First Home Scheme DAC, which oversees and manages the scheme on behalf of the scheme founders (the State and participating mortgage lenders), is examining the scope to expand the scheme to cover self-build houses. A decision is expected shortly.
904. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when capital funding for the development of the fire station at Clara, County Offaly, will be allocated; if he will expedite the funding as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/23]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.); and
• value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further twelve new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of thirty-five new fire engines.
Any proposal received by my Department requesting further support from the Fire services capital programme is considered with regard to national priorities and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide.
Project consideration stages in my Department include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
Offaly County Council are currently liaising closely with my Department on extension and upgrade works to the Tullamore BA Training Centre at the Tullamore Central Fire station.
Offaly County Council have previously indicated that the replacement of Clara Fire Station is a priority going forward. While this project is not currently included in my Department's construction programme, all projects in the capital programme will be reassessed on an annual basis to maximise available capital programme funding and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects, based on ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of prioritisation.
905. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Coastal Change Management Strategy steering group will report on its initial findings and recommendations given that the group was due to report within six months of its foundation in September 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38268/23]
View answerThe Government established an Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and is supported by a Technical Working Group.
The scoping report on Managing Coastal Change has now been finalised and will be submitted to Government for consideration and approval shortly, and this will include publication of the report. It should be noted, however, that the preparation of the scoping report does not preclude the application for or approval of permission for coastal zone defence projects.
906. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider expanding the vacant property refurbishment grant to include vacant properties that cannot be refurbished and require total demolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38308/23]
View answer935. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the vacant homes grant scheme will be extended to those properties that need to be fully demolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38774/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 906 and 935 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 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.
A maximum of two grants are available to any applicant, of which one must be in respect of a home they intend to occupy as their principal private residence and the other may be in respect of a property which will be made available for rent.
The level of Grant is contingent on the works approved by the local authority and is paid based on vouched expenditure following a final inspection by the local authority.
The refurbishment of a vacant property for occupation may involve development that requires planning permission. Where appropriate, an applicant under the scheme will be required to submit evidence that planning permission has been attained prior to final grant approval. In cases where a question arises in relation to whether a proposed development needs planning permission or is an exempted development, an applicant under the scheme will be required to submit a declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
The objective of the grant scheme is to support the carrying out of refurbishment works to bring existing vacant and derelict properties back into use. While demolition and extension works can form part of an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such works must be part of a wider refurbishment of the existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme.
A full review of the scheme is to be carried out by May 2024.
907. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money spent by his Department, and agencies under the auspices of his Department, on legal firms for the purposes of answering/dealing with 'Freedom of Information' requests and appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner, in each of the past five years; the names of the companies used and the amount of money paid to each company; and for this information to be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38365/23]
View answerMy Department has not engaged the services of a legal firm to consult on any Freedom of Information requests received in the past five years.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the table.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
info@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
reps@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
908. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed referendum on the right to housing will take place in 2023. [38371/23]
View answerI established the Housing Commission in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system, as well as to consider and advise Government on possible language for a constitutional change on housing.
The Housing Commission has recently submitted its report and recommendations to me in respect of a constitutional change on housing. I plan to bring to these to Government in the coming weeks, together with my proposals for next steps in the process.
909. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the process after the consultation period for draft by-laws for inland waterways by Waterways Ireland closes on 2 October 2023; if the draft will go back out for public consultation; and if there will be a subsequent submission period after the consultation period. [38408/23]
View answerThe public consultation on the draft revisions to the Shannon Navigation Bye-laws and the Canal Bye-laws, were opened on the 19 June 2023, for a period of 90 days. Following the close of the public consultation period on the 2 October 2023, Waterways Ireland will publish details of all the submissions it receives on their website.
It will then consider and review all submissions and make appropriate changes and amendments to the draft bye-laws before publishing on their website. The publication of the amended draft bye-laws is the final element of the public consultation process. Thereafter, the draft bye-laws will be submitted to me for my consideration and approval following which the statutory process on their enactment will commence.
910. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm whether Mayo County Council has submitted a request to progress sub-projects (details supplied) independently; if so, what the implications for the funding allocations are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38445/23]
View answer911. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the current status of URDF funding provided to Mayo County Council; the stages for each project associated with three projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38446/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 910 and 911 together.
In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €11,027,500 in URDF support for Mayo County Council's two successful projects - Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative Project (€8,527,500) and Castlebar Military Barracks Project (€2,500,000).
This followed Mayo County Council's successful applications under the first call for proposals in 2018, where a total of €8,371,221 in URDF support was approved for the Ballina Innovation Quarter project (€6,232,173), the Castlebar Urban Greenway Link project (€1,997,658) and the Castlebar Military Barracks project (€141,391).
A Preliminary Business Case for each of the Call 2 projects was approved by my Department in 2022. This represents Decision Gate 1 in the project lifecycle of the Public Spending Code and gives approval to Mayo County Council to proceed to the development of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy for submission to the department as part of the approval process for the next decision gate (Decision Gate 2 – Pre Tender Approval).
Regarding the progression of subprojects independently, my Department has been actively encouraging local authorities to consider such an approach, with URDF funding for successful proposals allocated individually to each subproject under Call 2. Such an approach should help expedite project delivery. In relation to the Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative Project, which contains 6 subprojects, in order to expedite delivery the Council notified the Department in July 2023 of its intention to progress a number of subprojects independently, including The Old Post Office subproject. This approach is supported by my Department.
The Castlebar Military Barracks Project approved under Call 2 is a follow on element to the related master plan that was funded under Call 1. The project aims to finalise the Scheme Design and to bring the overall project through the Part 8 planning process, while also undertaking basic essential enabling works to existing buildings on site.
The Department understands that Mayo County Council is currently developing Detailed Project Briefs and Procurement Strategies (Decision Gate 2) for all subprojects within the Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative proposal and the Castlebar Military Barracks Project.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, Mayo County Council. Any queries regarding the timeline of the projects should be directed to the Council.
912. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the mechanisms in place to assist local authorities, including Mayo County Council, in preparing a detailed project brief and procurement strategy for its successful URDF-supported projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38447/23]
View answer913. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what support structures are established by his Department to aid local authorities in navigating decision gates when delivering large capital URDF funding; if there are workshops, training sessions, or expert consultations available to guide local authorities; and if Mayo County Council has availed of this support. [38448/23]
View answer914. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is allocating additional funds or resources for technical assistance to expedite the advancement of projects under the URDF, specifically the URDF funding; and if so, how local authorities can avail of these resources. [38449/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together.
In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the Country.
All URDF projects are required to adhere to the decisions gates outlined in the Public Spending Code (PSC). Most Local Authorities have already successfully progressed at least one URDF project through to the latter stages of the PSC. URDF staff have worked closely with their Local Authority colleagues throughout each of these projects and provided guidance on requirements for each step of the PSC, both in regular discussions and detailed as next steps in decision gate approval letters issued to Local Authorities.
The URDF team within my Department are always available to discuss queries and provide support. During the development of the previous two calls for project proposals, the URDF facilitated workshops attended by each Local Authority to provide in depth guidance and receive feedback before the calls were formalised. This practice will continue for future calls.
Local Authorities have huge experience in managing capital projects and with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). URDF projects have been completed and are being progressed right across the Country. An example of this within Mayo County Council can be seen in the successful progression of the Ballina Innovation Quarter URDF project which is nearing completion.
The URDF team in my Department are currently working with Local Authorities to assess the technical and administrative resources required to progress URDF projects in a timely manner and remain available to provide support and guidance to local authorities as required.
915. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the specific developmental contribution fee for class 1 residential units which are starting construction on a new private dwelling requested by Mayo County Council; the rationale for such a charge and the increase on the payment in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38451/23]
View answerSection 48(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that a development contribution scheme, applied by a planning authority in respect of its functional area, may make provision for payment of different contributions in respect of different classes or descriptions of development. The level of contribution, and the types of development to which development contributions should apply, including any exemptions from charging in specific circumstances if that is deemed appropriate, are therefore determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members in relation to the adoption of local authority development contribution schemes.
916. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the application submitted by Mayo County Council under the urban regeneration development fund (URDF) to address long-term vacancy and dereliction in Castlebar and Ballina; when proposals are likely to be finalising and funding awarded to these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38452/23]
View answerIn January 2023, I announced details regarding a third round of funding under the URDF. Supporting key objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First, and the Vacant Homes Action Plan, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to address long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns.
This will be achieved through the provision of a €150 million fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial) and to carry out any associated works needed to de-risk or improve the property to make it more attractive for re-use or sale. The fund would then be replenished from the proceeds received from the end use/user thereby, allowing the local authority to put in place a rolling programme of acquisitions in order to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction without recourse to borrowing and the associated financial risk.
In July 2023, following consultation with the Local Authority sector, including Mayo County Council, I announced details of each Local Authority's Approved Acquisition Programme, funding allocations and arrangements for the third round of funding under the URDF.
As part of this announcement, Mayo County Council was awarded €2 million in URDF funding to help tackle vacancy and dereliction in their URDF eligible areas. As a one-off measure to encourage early activity under the programme and a demonstration of Government commitment to tackling the long term vacancy and dereliction issue in our towns and cities, Mayo County Council also received €400,000 of their funding allocation by way of forward funding.
Mayo County Council initially identified 46 properties as suitable for acquisition under the programme, with a total estimated acquisition cost of €7,170,000. However, at this stage the focus of the approved Acquisition Programmes should be on buildings located within town centre areas that will provide, as part of their ultimate end use, some element of residential use. On this basis, 11 of the properties submitted by Mayo County Council were identified as suitable for acquisition under the initial focus of this programme.
However, as set out in Circular URDF 03/2023, I am happy to consider any submission from Mayo County Council making a further case for the inclusion of any of the properties omitted by the Department or others properties not previously identified to be included on their approved programme. I have requested a further submission from the Council in this regard.
While the Department is currently awaiting this submission from Mayo County Council, the Council has been encouraged to proceed with tackling those properties approved for inclusion on their acquisition programme.
917. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason group water schemes, including the Cadamstown group water scheme, are finding it extremely difficult to access emergency funding from his Department to address water supply issues experienced during the prolonged dry period during the summer of 2022; what measures he intends to take to ensure appropriate levels of service for people receiving water from group water schemes are brought about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38491/23]
View answerThe Department's Rural Water Programme provides capital funding to group water schemes under a multi-annual programme as well as an annual subsidy for their operational and management costs.
However, my Department does appreciate that from time to time there can be a need for group water schemes to carry out emergency capital works. When this arises, there is an agreed process whereby, at the time the event occurs, local authorities can submit applications along with appropriate documentation to my Department.
In relation to the specific funding application referred to, I can confirm that there is ongoing engagement between Offaly County Council and my Department on the matter. Further information has been requested from Offaly County Council which is required to allow a final decision be made.
