Written Answers Nos. 158-168
158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether there should be full transparency in relation to the data on water abstraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50296/23]
View answerThe European Union (Water Policy) (Abstractions Registration) Regulations 2018 provide for the establishment of a register of abstractions of water of more than 25 cubic metres per day. The register is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The 2018 Regulations provide that the EPA shall publish by electronic means, and in such abridged manner as it thinks fit, details of registered water abstractions. The EPA may share details entered onto the register, with the exception of personal details, as it considers necessary for the discharge of its statutory functions.
The EPA manages the register in the context of its broader statutory obligations under data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Individuals decisions in relation to the publication and sharing of data regarding water abstractions are a matter for the EPA.
159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person can be put on a local authority housing list in Ireland if they have a house in another EU Member State; and if local authorities check this fact. [50325/23]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations, provide that a household shall be ineligible for social housing support if it has alternative accommodation that the household could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing need, either by occupying it or by selling the accommodation and using the proceeds to secure suitable accommodation suitable for the household’s adequate housing. Therefore, Part 10 of the prescribed Social Housing Application form seeks information from applicants on whether any member of the household currently owns or has a financial interest in any property in the State or any other country and this applies to all applicants for social housing support.
Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support, the most appropriate form of any such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
160. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 19 October 2023, if he will clarify an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50327/23]
View answerThe final maps to be published by each local authority on 1 December 2023 will identify land in scope for the RZLT which would have formed the basis for liability to the tax in the event that the tax liability is not deferred to 1 February 2025.
As a consequence of the proposed deferral of liability to 2025 set out in the Finance Bill, there will be another annual cycle of mapping, with a revised draft map to be published on 1 February 2024 and a revised final map on 31 January 2025, before the liability to the tax is due to commence on 1 February 2025. This will allow landowners another opportunity to engage with the mapping process, to make submissions, including rezoning requests, if their land is identified on the revised draft map published on 1 February 2024.
There is no provision in legislation for a local authority to accept rezoning submissions at the time of publication of the final map on 1 December 2023, or at any other stage outside of the periods to be set out in legislation. The Finance Bill 2023 makes provision for rezoning requests to be made to local authorities from 1 February 2024 to 31 May 2024 for land identified on the revised draft map published on 1 February 2024. The Finance Bill 2023 also contains amendment to Part 22 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 which would remove certain land from scope for the tax.
Once the Finance Bill 2023 has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and enacted, these amendments to the liability date, providing landowners with another opportunity to make rezoning requests and removing land from scope to the tax will come into effect.
161. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in relation to grants for septic tank improvements, he plans to increase the numbers of inspections available nationwide, in order that those who need an inspection can get one to avail of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50357/23]
View answerMy Department provides financial support through the domestic waste water treatment system (DWWTS) grant schemes to assist householders carry out works to their defective septic tanks. The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment. They include a grant for necessary works where an advisory notice has been issued after an inspection under the National Inspection Plan.
The changes I recently announced to the grants are to increase the maximum grant level available to €12,000 (up from €5,000) and remove a requirement for the historical registration of the DWWTS with the local authority in order to be eligible for a grant.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required, under the Water Services Act 2007, to prepare a national inspection plan for the inspection and monitoring of DWWTS. Local authorities implement the plan on behalf of the EPA. The EPA publishes an annual report on inspections, copies of which, along with the National Inspection Plan 2022-2026, can be found on the EPA's website at the following link:
www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water /.
The current plan details the minimum number of inspections required to be carried out from 2023, which at 1,200 is increased from 1,000 in 2022.
162. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the areas in Tipperary that are covered for grants for septic tanks; if he intends to increase the areas mapped to allow a larger geographical area to avail of the grants in order to ensure the grants have a full impact in terms of environmental protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50358/23]
View answerThere are currently three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) commonly known as Septic Tank Grants. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to households to carry out works to defective septic tanks.
The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment, and are not general in application.
Grants are available for households with septic tanks in Prioritised Areas for Action and High Status Objective Catchment Areas under the River Basin Management Plan.
Further information on the areas covered can be found in the River Basin Management Plan at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/429a79-river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management-plan-natura-impact-statement
I can confirm that my Department is currently finalising the third cycle of the River Basin Management Plan which will include confirmation of the areas for action. It is expected that the new Plan will be launched in the coming months.
I recently announced changes to all three grants, increasing the value of funding available to households to €12,000, up from €5,000, and removing the qualifying condition that the owner must have registered their septic tank with the local authority. These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2024.
163. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a review (details supplied); if the qualifying criteria for the grant will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50374/23]
View answerThere are currently three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) commonly known as Septic Tank Grants. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to households to carry out works to defective septic tanks.
The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment, and are not general in application.
I can confirm that my Department has completed a review of the terms and conditions of the three grants. The review process included extensive consultation with stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector to identify where improvements could and should be made to the terms and conditions of the grants.
As a result of the review, I have approved changes to all three grants, increasing the value of funding available to households to €12,000, up from €5,000, and removing the qualifying condition that the owner must have registered their septic tank with the local authority. These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2024.
I have no plans to make further changes to the qualifying criteria.
164. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans of his Department to protect rivers and fresh water lakes from agricultural runoff and to prevent algae blooms and other environmental damage from arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50415/23]
View answerAlgal blooms (phytoplankton over-growth) in lakes are a natural phenomenon that can be exacerbated by excess nutrients and warm settled weather. Algal blooms are not specifically monitored for in the national water-monitoring programme, as, by their nature, they can be relatively short-lived events.
My Department is currently preparing Ireland’s third-cycle River Basin Management Plan, which will be a strategic government plan that will outline the national policies and high-level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters. The aim of the next plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”, with targeted measures to both restore and protect all waterbodies, which will be supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of catchment management plans by the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO). This new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan will advance Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
For the third-cycle RBMP measures to improve restoration and protection measures to address the main pressures on natural waters during the next cycle and beyond include:
• A strengthened Good Agricultural Practices Regulations and the national Nitrates Action Programme. This includes enhanced enforcement by local authorities (increasing to approximately 16,000 inspections over the cycle).
• New agri-environmental schemes under the CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) will invest €2.9billion in environmental protection measures administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. These schemes have been designed to contribute to water policy environmental objectives, as far as practically possible. In addition, a Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project has been specifically designed to target water protection measures based on risk (€50million) on 15,000 farms.
• Continued investment in wastewater infrastructure with Uisce Éireann investing over €2.3billion over the period 2020-2024. This includes 108 wastewater treatment plants and 77 collection networks at an estimated cost of €1.5billion and 92 national programmes at an estimated cost of €780million.
• In terms of protecting our water resources, primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Environmental Enforcement, exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local authorities.
165. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of exits from homelessness accommodation funded by his Department in each quarter from 2019 to Q3 2023 including a breakdown by local authority area and by single persons and families with children, in tabular form. [50423/23]
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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis.
My Department publishes a detailed quarterly performance report on homelessness, based on data provided by regional lead local authorities. The report includes details of individuals exiting State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by local authorities and is provided on a regional basis. The reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ .
My Department does not hold the specific details requested.
166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he agrees that it would be unconscionable for there to be any form of taxpayer assistance or bailout of an organisation (details supplied), in view of the fact that it has over €180 million in property assets, as against tax liabilities of €14 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50439/23]
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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
The named organisation informed the DHRE, and my Department of potential financial issues in the organisation in July 2023. The organisation also advised that it had separately informed the Charities Regulator and the AHB Regulator (AHBRA).
My Department and the DRHE formed an Oversight Group, chaired by an independent governance and legal expert, in respect of reviewing the financial and governance issues raised and to advise me appropriately. The DRHE appointed PwC to undertake a review and preliminary and draft final reports have been provided to the Oversight Group.
Following the Oversight Group's review of the recommendations made by PWC, I have recently received a letter from the Chair of the Group. The contents of the Chair's letter are currently being considered. The immediate priority is the continuity of services to persons experiencing homelessness.
167. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will lay out the exact social housing competencies for which local authorities are responsible, as opposed to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50466/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for, inter alia, ensuring that there is a suitable social housing legislative and regulatory framework as well as making funding available for the delivery of social and affordable homes. Local authorities are the statutory housing authorities and their responsibilities are set out across the Housing Acts 1966 to 2022. The overall day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter solely for each local authority. My Department provides a range of funding programmes to support local authorities in meeting the housing needs locally; the authority for the granting of such funding is set out under section 15 of the Housing Act 1988.
Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, set down a standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing support which all local authorities implement. The allocation of dwellings to qualified households, including the prioritisation of certain households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme, the making of which is a reserved function of the elected members of the local authority concerned.
The Government is committed to increasing social housing delivery and work with a range of delivery partners, including local authorities to ensure housing is available to the most vulnerable in society. Housing 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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All provides for over €4bn in capital investment in housing each year.
Local authorities are independent corporate entities with full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. My Department is working closely with the local authorities to ensure that they have the necessary funding and resources to deliver the social and affordable targets set out in Housing for All.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he might review the situation whereby housing applicants on being approved for HAP are being informed that they are being removed from the housing list in which case they have no security in the event that the HAP facility falls through and they have difficulty retaining their original position on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50480/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
Consistent with the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, households in receipt of a payment under the HAP scheme are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households on the waiting list, who avail of HAP, have expectations that they would receive a more traditional form of social housing support, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list. Housing authorities offer HAP recipients the opportunity to apply to go on the transfer list at the point when their HAP application has been approved.
Local authorities are also directed that HAP recipients who apply to go on the transfer list should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of its 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.
