Written Answers Nos. 412-426
413. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the research in relation to lowering the voting age to 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54908/23]
View answerArticle 16 of the Constitution states that those who have reached the age of 18 shall have the right to vote at an election for members of Dáil Éireann. Articles 12 (relating to the President) and 47 (relating to referendums) state that citizens eligible to vote in Dáil elections are eligible to vote in such polls. Part II of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that a person must be 18 years of age and registered on the register of electors in order to vote in any electoral events.
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – contains a commitment to an examination of the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age, in order to draw conclusions.
In July, I wrote to An Coimisiún Toghcháin and outlined a number of issues that An Coimisiún might include in its initial research programme, including the commitment in the Programme for Government relating to the voting age. An Coimisiún’s draft research programme, published on 10 November 2023, includes a proposal to examine the issue of the voting age. An Coimisiún is seeking submissions (until 12 January 2024) on its draft research programme. I will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount provided to Wicklow County Council in Urban Regeneration Development Funding in 2022 and 2023 in respect of the Bray Harbour improvement project; the amount of this funding that has been drawn down to date; the amount unspent; and the amount allocated for 2024 and 2025. [54918/23]
View answer415. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with his Ministerial colleague and or officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of the Bray Harbour improvement project; the amount of funding he has committed to providing for the project; and if he has released funds to the local authority to date for the project. [54919/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.
A key measure in Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) programme is supporting significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework.
To date there have been three Calls for proposals under the URDF with more than €1.8 billion provisionally allocated. Calls 1 and 2 have supported 132 proposals, comprising almost 400 individual projects whilst Call 3 is supporting the tackling of vacancy and dereliction through a €150m revolving fund.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a preliminary allocation of €7,140,000 towards Wicklow County Council's proposal for the regeneration of the Bray Harbour Area. The proposal, made up of 6 individual projects, includes amenity and public realm works, promenade boardwalk linking the promenade with the harbour, a cycle bridge, and a feasibility study to examine options to enhance the amenities of the existing harbour, such as a harbour wall extension.
In line with URDF policy, the preliminary allocation of €7,140,000 represents the maximum 75% URDF grant funding available for an approved project. Wicklow County Council propose to fund, from its own resources, the remaining 25% of the overall estimated project costs of €9,520,000.
It should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Wicklow County Council in respect of the Council's URDF programme, responsibility for the advancement of Wicklow County Council's URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, Wicklow County Council. Accordingly, any detailed queries regarding the proposal, their engagements with other potential funding partners and/or the various statutory processes should be directed to the Council.
Following a recent URDF Programme meeting between officials from my Department and Wicklow County Council, the Council submitted a Preliminary Business Case for the Bray Harbour proposal to my Department for consideration and approval as part of Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. My Department is reviewing the submission and giving further consideration to the continued advancement of the proposal. The Bray Harbour proposal is at a very early stage in its advancement and consequently no funding has been drawn down to date from my Department.
416. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 382 of 4 July 2023, to provide a copy of the site investigation report. [54920/23]
View answerA site inspection of alleged unlicensed seaweed harvesting in the Kenmare River SAC in the vicinity of Ballycrovan Harbour, Co. Cork took place on the 24 of May 2023.
A copy of the inspection report has been sent to the Deputy.
417. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an eligible person can avail of the housing assistance payment scheme when renting a room in a house where the landlord resides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54922/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP.
HAP support is available to tenants in rent a room scheme arrangements; however, the rental of a room to a civil partner, son or daughter is excluded from this scheme. HAP cannot be paid where the tenant is seeking to rent within the family home.
In order for housing assistance to be provided under the Act the housing authority must be satisfied that the tenancy concerned is or would be a tenancy in good faith. Where there is a family relationship between the tenant and the landlord, the housing authority may seek evidence of a previous landlord and tenant relationship between a landlord and HAP applicant. This evidence may include:
• Proof of rent payments;
• A lease or tenancy agreement for the property; and
• Registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
In order for a housing authority to be satisfied that a tenancy is or would be in good faith; the onus is on the applicant and landlord to prove that what is being proposed is a bona fide tenancy.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the housing authority to make a decision in each individual case.
418. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households that have requested flexibility to breech HAP rental limits; the number of these households to which flexibility has been approved to breech HAP rental limits for the local authority area of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54923/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2023, over 112,900 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were over 58,200 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Since July 2022 each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of discretion applied in each case.
From available data, at the end of Q2 2023, 63.9% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility, at an average rate of discretion of 26.5% above the relevant limit. There were 1,741 active tenancies in Donegal County Council at end Q2 2023. Of these tenancies, approximately 30% were benefiting from additional flexibility at an average rate of 25.1% above the relevant limit.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis.
419. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant WTE staff, by job title, in the Land Development Agency; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [54943/23]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the work of Land Development Agency (LDA) relates to operational matters and as such is not held by my Department.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the LDA in this regard is: oireachtas@lda.ie.
420. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what criteria must be met for a person living in direct provision to be eligible for HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54954/23]
View answerPersons living in direct provision who have been granted international protection status can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as Irish nationals.
It is open to anyone to apply for social housing support, applications for which 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.
If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.Ultimately, decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
421. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to increase the energy efficiency retrofitting programmes by 50%. [54972/23]
View answer427. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department allocated to the energy efficiency retrofitting programme, as per the revised estimates for Budget 2024. [55013/23]
View answer428. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department allocated to the energy efficiency retrofitting programme in Budget 2024. [55014/23]
View answer429. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing retrofit budget for 2024. [55015/23]
View answer430. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing solar PV budget for 2024. [55016/23]
View answer431. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to retrofit a social house in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55017/23]
View answer432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to increase the social housing retrofit budget by 50%. [55018/23]
View answer433. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many local authority homes were retrofitted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of post-retrofit BER rating per BER level in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55019/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 427 to 433, inclusive, together.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER) as identified by the 2018 Cost Optimal calculations carried out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social housing with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
Furthermore, under the Microgeneration Support Scheme led by Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Solar PV is available for all domestic premises.
An annualised breakdown of the funding and number of properties completed by each local authority since 2013 under my Departments Energy Efficiency programme is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
In 2023, my Department announced that funding of €87 million is available under the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme for the retrofit of approximately 2,400 social homes.
Under the 2023 EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850, plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the new programme calls for local authorities to undertake a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget.
Work in relation to the 2023 programme is nearing completion and current indicators show that the original target of 2,400 retrofits is expected to be completed this year. Full details in relation to delivery under the 2023 Energy Efficiency Programme will be available early in 2024.
As notified in budget 2024, €90 million is being made available to the local authority sector for the retrofitting of social housing next year. Funding allocations to each individual local authority are still under consideration and will be announced early in 2024.
A 50% increase in the 2024 EERP budget would cost an additional €45 million.
422. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of staffing for environmental planning in local authorities, in and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54984/23]
View answer425. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff in local authorities biodiversity expertise, for example, ecologists, marine biologists or ornithologists; if there are plans to recruit additional staff; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [54998/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 425 together.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis. However, granular data, in terms of the specific role and function of each individual staff member is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.
Local authority gross expenditure is published annually by local authorities in their Annual Financial Statements (AFS) and the information is generally available on each individual local authority’s website. Each local authority is required to prepare an AFS by the end of March following year end and to publish it by the end of June. These financial statements undergo an independent audit by the Local Government Audit Service. When all audits are complete, my Department publishes a consolidated Annual Financial Statement, compiled from the AFS published by each local authority.
Information on Local Authority Payroll is contained in Appendix 1 of the Annual Financial Statement. The most recent consolidated Annual Financial Statement published is for 2021 and is available at this link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/e103b-local-authority-annual-financial-statements
426. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff in the NPWS with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55006/23]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an Executive Agency within my Department with responsibility for, inter alia, the management of our National Parks. The NPWS does not employ personnel specifically with climate action expertise. While there may be staff who have such expertise it is not an essential requirement for any role in the NPWS and therefore we do not hold a record of such qualifications.
