Written Answers Nos. 754-773
754. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his Department’s work to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment in respect of the capital investment plan for wastewater infrastructure; and if he is satisfied with the adequacy of funding. [56718/23]
View answerUisce Éireann, as a single publicly-owned national water services authority, takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. Under Part 5 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is the economic regulator of Uisce Éireann, and is responsible for setting the total level of revenue that Uisce Éireann can receive over a defined ‘revenue control’ period.
The current revenue control period, RC3, runs from 2020–2024. As part of the revenue control process, the CRU reviewed Uisce Éireann’s Capital Investment Plan and the approved Strategic Funding Plan. The capital investment plan set out a clearly-defined set of priorities to deliver improvements to water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, where they are needed most urgently to meet our EU drinking water and wastewater obligations, while supporting balanced urban and rural development.
The Programme for Government commits to funding Uisce Éireann's capital investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits to almost €6 billion investment to be undertaken by Uisce Éireann in the period from 2021-2025, of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services.
The next revenue control period, RC4, will run from 2025–2029. As part of this process Uisce Éireann will submit a multi-annual Strategic Funding Plan (SFP) to me and my Department. The SFP will specify the arrangements Uisce Éireann propose to make and measures they propose to take to meet the policy objectives of the Water Services Policy Statement incorporating its estimated funding requirements for capital investment for the period. The SFP will be considered in the context of the ongoing update to the National Development Plan.
This multi-annual funding is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and wastewater infrastructure, and will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across urban and rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area.
755. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [56776/23]
View answerI am advised by the relevant local authority that a non-statutory master plan has been developed for the site in question and agreed with the local community. This master plan has been reviewed and revised a number of times over the years. This master plan includes the construction of over 800 homes.
To comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, the local authority will need to progress an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and apply for Part 10 Planning with An Bord Pleanála in order to advance the next phases.
The requirements of the EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU) have been transposed into Irish law through the Planning and Development Acts (2000 – 2018). Where a project meets the threshold, an EAI Report must be submitted as part of Part 10 planning.
As this development is “above threshold” in terms of site area (above 500 units) it therefore must go through Part 10 planning via An Bord Pleanála for a decision. This means the full site must be designed to planning requirements and submitted as one master plan application. Subsequent to Part 10 planning grant, the site can be progressed.
756. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the framework for the new multi-annual rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56790/23]
View answerThe Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) is the main funding stream providing capital funding to address the challenges facing the Rural Water Sector and in particular by Group Water Schemes.
I can confirm that I launched the MARWP 2024-2026 today, 17 January 2024. Local authorities have been invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.
757. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on the vacant tax levy for a person (details supplied). [56794/23]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act) introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which was aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas. Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their functional areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities were required to issue notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 November 2018 in respect of vacant sites on their respective registers on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019. Similar arrangements applied in respect of vacant sites listed on local authority registers in subsequent years.
The primary objective of the levy is to act as a mechanism to incentivise the development of vacant and underutilised sites in urban areas for both the provision of housing and the development and renewal of land, thereby facilitating the most efficient use of such land and sites and enabling them to be brought into beneficial use rather than allowing them to remain dormant and undeveloped.
The implementation of the vacant site levy provisions is a matter for the local authority concerned. However, the Act provides that the planning authority will notify owners of vacant sites at various stages throughout the process, including when the planning authority intends to enter the vacant site on the register, when it has been entered on the register and when the levy falls due for payment. Owners of vacant sites may make submissions to the planning authority in respect of their sites at various stages in the process. In addition there are also a number of appeals provisions in the Act, including an appeal by the registered owner against the entry of a site on the register, an appeal of market value determination of a site and appeal against demand for payment of the levy contained in the Act.
Section 19 of the Act provides that where vacant site levy for a year is due and owing, the amount of the levy shall remain a charge on the land concerned until it is paid. The amount of levy owed by a person in respect of vacant sites that have been listed on a vacant site register may be obtained from the local authority in whose functional area the sites are located.
758. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 10% of social housing stock. [56848/23]
View answer759. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 15% of social housing stock. [56849/23]
View answer760. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 25% of social housing stock. [56850/23]
View answer761. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 20% of social housing stock. [56851/23]
View answer762. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 30% of social housing stock. [56852/23]
View answer763. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 50% of social housing stock. [56853/23]
View answer764. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to install solar PV on 40% of social housing stock. [56854/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763 and 764 together.
Works eligible under my Department's revised Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme 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. Consequently, my Department does not collate information on the cost to install solar PV panels.
In limited circumstances, my Department will fund the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social homes 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. These limited circumstances are supported within the current funding envelope.
Notwithstanding the eligible measures funded by my Department, local authorities can install PV Panels using funding from their own resources and therefore, further details may be available directly from the local authority sector on request.
Furthermore, under the Microgeneration Support Scheme led by Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Solar PV is available for all domestic premises.
765. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Tuam LEA in County Galway will be considered an RPZ, given increasing rents in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56881/23]
View answerSection 24A of the Residential Tenancies Act provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ). Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the Acts for designation as an RPZ are as follows:
1. the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
2. the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is –
- in the case of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow or a local electoral area (LEA) in any one of those counties, above the average rent in the State, excluding rents in the 4 Dublin Local Authority areas, or
- in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ.
The Housing Agency and the RTB continue to monitor national rents and if the LEA of Tuam in County Galway meets the designation criteria, it will be designated as a RPZ through the process outlined above.
766. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will list the ongoing research commissioned under the remit of his Department through the North-South Ministerial Council, Shared Island Initiative or through other all-island arrangements; if he will outline the research that has been completed; the date of publication of the research since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56917/23]
View answerMy Department engages in collaborative research at an all-island level, through a broad range of partnerships and cooperation mechanisms, as set out below.
National Parks and Wildlife Services all-island collaboration
Officials in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department collaborate with colleagues in Northern Ireland on an ongoing basis on shared, all-island nature, biodiversity and ecological interests, as detailed below:
|
CANN Interreg project |
Conserving Peatlands and Wetlands across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with financial support from the INTERREG VA programme. Match-funding provided by my Department along with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, and NatureScot in Scotland. |
2002 |
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CABB Interreg project |
Cooperation Across Borders for Biodiversity (CABB) brings together six environmental organisations, including; BirdWatch Ireland, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Northern Ireland, RSPB Scotland, Butterfly Conservation, Northern Ireland Water and Moors for the Future. The CABB Project is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA programme. Match-funding provided by my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, RSPB Scotland and Mines Restoration Ltd.
Link: birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/species-habitat-conservation/countryside-wetlands/cooperation-across-borders-for-biodiversity-cabb/ |
Not yet published |
|
Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel – IRBBP |
Supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department alongside the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, BirdWatch Ireland, RSPB Northern Ireland and the UK Rare Breeding Birds Panel.
IRBBP compiles records of rare breeding birds, and produces detailed conservation accounts, with the participation and input of naturalists, ornithologists and birders across the island of Ireland. Updates published in BirdWatch Ireland’s journal “Irish Birds”. Link: irbbp.org/ |
2004 – ongoing |
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Irish Curlew Task Force report |
NPWS provided secretariat and contributed to this all-island advisory group consisting of a broad range of stakeholders with an interest in the management of the Curlew and its habitat, including RSPB Northern Ireland.
Link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/curlew-task-force-recommendations.pdf |
2019 |
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Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2014 – 2019 2020 - 2026 |
NPWS supports this all island initiative led by RSPB Northern Ireland and Birdwatch Ireland to review status of birds in Ireland and assign to Red, Amber or Green list of conservation concern.
Links: birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/2019/09/BOCCI.pdf birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/2021/04/Irish-Birds-2021-BOCCI-for-web.pdf |
2020 |
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A census of breeding seabirds in Britain and Ireland (2015–2021) |
Fourth census of Britain and Ireland’s internationally important populations of breeding seabirds. NPWS participates in the Seabirds Count Steering Group with stakeholders across these islands including Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), BirdWatch Ireland and The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Link: www.lynxeds.com/product/seabirds-count/ |
2023 |
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Curlew Captive breeding and head-starting programme |
Established in 2017 to pioneer Curlew conservation efforts in Ireland, funded and co-ordinated by NPWS and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. Runs on an all-Ireland basis with cooperation of RSPB Northern Ireland.
Link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/files/curlew-conservation-programme-annual-report-2023.pdf |
2023 |
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DragonflyIreland |
Research funded by NPWS with Ulster Museum (National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland) and The Heritage Council
Nelson, B., Thompson, R. and McFerran, D. 2001 Guide to the Dragonflies of Ireland. MAGNI Publication No 005. NMGNI, Belfast Nelson, B. and Thompson, R. 2004. The Natural History of Ireland’s Dragonflies. MAGNI Publication No 013. NMGNI, Belfast
Link: www.researchgate.net/profile/Brian_Nelson7/publication/299424544_The_Natural_History_of_Ireland's_Dragonflies/links/58e3ab7d0f7e9b7c2eb5f64c/The-Natural-History-of-Irelands-Dragonflies.pdf |
2000-2004 |
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All Ireland Species Action Plans |
Published jointly by NPWS and Environment and Heritage Service, Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland. Covering species of high conservation concern, including Corncrake, Pollan, Irish Hare Link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/2005_Group_SAP.pdf |
2005 |
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OrchidIreland |
Database of orchid records held by CEDaR (Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, National Museums Northern Ireland) and NPWS. Curtis, T. and Thompson, R. (2009) The Orchids of Ireland. National Museums Northern Ireland, Holywood. Curtis, T. and Wilson, F. (2014) Orchid Ireland Survey 2014. Final Report.
Links: www.nationalmuseumsni.org/cedar www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/data-request-form.docx www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/1402_ORCH14_01.zip |
2003 – 2014 |
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LichenIreland |
Database of lichen records held by CEDaR (Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, National Museums Northern Ireland) and NPWS. Seaward, M.R.D. (2010). Census Catalogue of Irish Lichens (3rd Edition). National Museums Northern Ireland, Holywood.
Links: www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/ www.nationalmuseumsni.org/cedar www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/data-request-form.docx |
2006 – 2015 |
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Centre for Irish Bat Research 2008-2011 |
Established in 2008. A cross-border initiative established in 2008 and funded by NPWS, co-located in University College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast. Research funded includes 2 x PhDs, 1 x Masters and numerous scientific publications. |
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
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Distribution and status of Nathusius pipistrelle in Ireland (2016). |
Report commissioned by NPWS
Link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Nathusius%20Ireland%20-%20Final%20report_2016.pdf |
2016 |
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All-Ireland Mammal Atlas 2010-2015 |
Lysaght, L. and Marnell, F. (Eds) (2016) Atlas of Mammals in Ireland 2010-2015, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford. NPWS part-funded this all-island atlas and alongside Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR), the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Bat Conservation Ireland, Northern Ireland Bat Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, contributed datasets.
Link: biodiversityireland.ie/app/uploads/2021/11/Mammal_Atlas_web.pdf |
2016 |
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All-Ireland squirrel and pine marten survey, 2019; final report 2020 |
NPWS commissioned and published research by Ulster Wildlife and NUI Galway. Lawton C., Hanniffy, R., Molloy, V., Guilfoyle, C., Stinson, M. & Reilly, E. (2020) All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey 2019. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 121. National Parks and Wildlife Service
Link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM121.pdf |
2020 |
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Irish Scheme for Cetacean Observation and public Education - ISCOPE I and II |
NPWS co-funded with Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland), Heritage Council, Marine Institute.
Links: iwdg.ie/cms_files/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Final_ISCOPE_I_Report.pdf iwdg.ie/iscope-ii/ |
2006, 2010 |
Further, NPWS has produced 13 All-Ireland Red Lists in the period 2009 - 2020 in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, as listed below:
|
Ireland Red List |
Published |
|
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No. 1 – Water beetles |
Foster, G. N., Nelson, B. H., & O Connor, Á. |
2009 |
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No. 2 – Non-Marine Molluscs |
Byrne, A., Moorkens, E.A., Anderson, R., Killeen, I.J., & Regan, E.C. |
2009 |
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No. 3: Terrestrial Mammals |
Marnell, F., Kingston, N., & Looney, D. |
2009 |
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No. 4 – Butterflies |
Regan, E.C., Nelson, B., Aldwell, B., Bertrand, C., Bond, K., Harding, J., Nash, D., Nixon, D., & Wilson, C.J. |
2010 |
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No. 5: Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish |
King, J.L., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Boylan, P., Caffrey, J.M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Gargan, P.G., Kelly, F.L., O’Grady, M.F., Poole, R., Roche, W.K., & Cassidy, D. |
2011 |
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No.6: Damselflies & Dragonflies (Odonata) |
Nelson, B., Ronayne, C., & Thompson, R. |
2011 |
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No. 7: Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) |
Kelly-Quinn, M. & Regan, E.C. |
2012 |
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No. 8: Bryophytes |
Lockhart, N., Hodgetts, N., & Holyoak, D. |
2012 |
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No. 9: Macro-moths (Lepidoptera) |
Allen, D., O’Donnell, M., Nelson, B., Tyner, A., Bond, K.G.M., Bryant, T., Crory, A., Mellon, C., O’Boyle, J., O’Donnell, E., Rolston, T., Sheppard, R., Strickland, P., Fitzpatrick, U., & Regan, E. |
2016 |
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No. 10: Vascular Plants. |
Wyse Jackson, M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Cole, E., Jebb, M., McFerran, D., Sheehy Skeffington, M., & Wright, M. |
2016 |
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No. 11: Cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras) |
Murray, T.E., Foster, S., & Marnell, F. |
2016 |
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No. 12: Terrestrial Mammals |
Marnell, F., Looney, D., & Lawton, C. |
2019 |
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No. 13: Stoneflies (Plecoptera) |
Feeley, H.B., Baars, J-R., Kelly-Quinn, M., & Nelson, B. |
2020 |
Collaborative Spatial Planning - British-Irish Council
My Department is an active participant in the Collaborative Spatial Planning work sector of the British-Irish Council (BIC), the activities of which promote collaboration among the eight BIC administrations across these islands. Valuable engagement has taken place through the BIC Housing work sector to address shared policy challenges and this culminated in a joint symposium on Age Friendly approaches to Housing and Collaborative Spatial Planning, hosted in Belfast in November 2019. This symposium considered how policy professionals might address some of the key spatial planning and housing challenges in the period up to 2040. Arising from the symposium a policy guide on ‘Creating an Inclusive Future Vision for our Ageing Populations’, was developed and published following Ministerial approval in July 2022. Future focus areas include:
• contribution of spatial planning to the revitalisation of towns;
• contribution of spatial planning to ‘Build Better Places’ in the context of COVID-19 recovery;
• consideration of best practice in National/Regional Planning Frameworks; and
• promoting expert learning and experience sharing.
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 below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
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An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
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An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
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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) |
oireachtas@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 |
767. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that can be offered to a person and their child (details supplied) facing eviction who is currently ineligible to go on the social housing waiting list. [56956/23]
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.
Under Section 20 of the 2009 Act and Regulation 22(1) of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, 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. However, Regulation 22(2) of the 2011 Regulations provides that this ineligibility does not apply where an applicant for social housing support owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is formally separated or divorced.
Local authorities may provide households with social housing support under the Rental Accommodation Scheme or the Housing Assistance Payment scheme until ownership of the family home is resolved in a formal separation or divorce settlement.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case.
769. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action will be taken with respect to the sale of homes with fire safety defects by vulture funds to buyers unaware of these defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56973/23]
View answerI fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue.
I received Government approval in January 2023 to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in eligible apartment complexes, and since then I have been working to advance the steps to prepare the required legislation to put the remediation scheme on a statutory footing as a matter of priority. In advance of that I launched, on 11 December 2023, an Interim Remediation Scheme. The interim scheme funds work to fix emergency fire safety issues in apartments and duplexes that were built between 1991 and 2013. It aims to ensure that there is an acceptable standard of fire safety in buildings before more comprehensive works are completed under the main scheme.
In relation to developments where concerns over fire safety issues arise, when a building is constructed and occupied, statutory responsibility for safety is assigned under section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 & 2003, to the ‘person having control’ of the building. The person having control is required to take reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons in the event of fire. In multi-unit developments, the "person having control" is generally the Owners’ Management Company (OMC). Consequently, the OMC has responsibility to be transparent about any fire safety concerns or defects.
However, as with all purchase of property, significant responsibilities lie with the purchaser and their representatives in the completion of the conveyance process.
770. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications and the amount of funding applied for by each local authority the disabled persons grant scheme for improvements and remedials for their homes; and the amount received from his Department for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57046/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities receive an overall allocation, with the responsibility for the apportionment between the three schemes being a matter for each authority given their knowledge of local need.
My Department's approach each year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan and implement the grants programme. Over the course of the year, my Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. This means that if underspends arise on the part of some local authorities, they can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity.
In 2023, an initial Exchequer provision of €66.5 million combined with a Supplementary Exchequer provision of an additional €6 million facilitated the payment of over 13,000 grants. Details of initial annual allocations and subsequent local authority drawdown up to 2023, incorporating additional funding sanctioned, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics
My Department also provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.
Details on the allocation and drawdown of funding for each local authority for the Disabled Persons Grant, which incorporates Improvement Works in Lieu, is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020/
773. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on grants for biocycle; the details of the eligibility criteria for these grants; when they will open to applicants and how to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57096/23]
View answerThere are currently three separate Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS) grant schemes available to householders. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to householders to repair or upgrade their defective DWWTS, commonly called septic tanks.
Grants are available to householders where a septic tank has been found to be defective following an inspection by the local authority or if located in a designated area of greatest environmental priority.
In November 2023 I announced substantial improvements to the terms and conditions of all three grants. I approved an increase of the grant amount available to €12,000 from €5,000 and also made it is easier to qualify by removing the requirement, for the purposes of the grant, on households to have registered their DWWTS with the local authority.
The changes came into effect on 1 January 2024.
Further details are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/
