Written Answers Nos. 377-401
377. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 6 July 2023, if any part of County Cavan is being considered to be designated as a rent pressure zone. [6090/24]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 taking account of the constitutionally protected property rights of landlords, introduced a targeted Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. Rent controls are applied on the basis of the objective evidence available via the RTB Quarterly Rent Index Report. Currently, 77% of tenancies across the country are subject to rent controls.
Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 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:
• 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
• 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 data from the Rent Index Report for Q3 2023 relating to the local electoral areas (LEA) of County Cavan is detailed in the table below:
|
Local Electoral Area (LEA) |
Quarters >7% |
Standardised Average Rent in New Tenancies |
Standardised Average Rent in Existing Tenancies |
|
Cavan – Belturbet |
6 |
€1,029 |
€843 |
|
Ballieborough - Cootehill |
* |
* |
€792 |
|
Ballyjamesduff |
5 |
€1,156 |
€840 |
While the LEA of Cavan- Belturbet has had 6 quarters and Ballyjamesduff LEA has had 5 quarters of rent increases above 7%, the Standardised Average Rents for these LEAs have not risen above the Non-GDA Standardised Average Rent in New Tenancies of €1,253, thereby not satisfying the criteria for designation as an RPZ at this time.
The Housing Agency and the RTB continue to monitor national rents and if any LEA in County Cavan meets the designation criteria, it will be designated as a RPZ through the process outlined above.
378. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce legislation to allow Irish people living abroad the right to vote in elections and referenda in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6101/24]
View answerUnder electoral law, in order to be able to vote at elections in Ireland, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. With some exceptions (mainly postal and special voters) all persons must attend in person to vote at their local polling station and Irish citizens resident outside the State do not have the right to vote at elections or at referendums held in the State.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens resident outside of the State. My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been working closely on this issue and, on 16 September 2019, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 was initiated in Dáil Éireann by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the holding of a referendum on this issue.
While the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil Éireann, in support of the Government commitment, the Bill has been restored to the Dáil Order Paper. If the Bill is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994 requires that I, as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, make an order appointing the day upon which the poll for the proposed referendum will take place. The Act provides that the polling day shall be not less than thirty days and not more than ninety days after the date of the order.
While electoral law is kept under ongoing review, proposals for the extension of voting rights to Irish citizens resident outside the State at other elections or at referendums are not currently under consideration.
379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date that the eligibility for an exemption from planning development charges will come to an end; whether it is intended to extend this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6103/24]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
It is not proposed to extend the terms or timeline of the scheme beyond those as approved by the Government in its Decision of 25 April 2023.
380. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the issue of the recent councillor gratuity payment announced to be based on years of service, rather than a maximum limit of 20 years. [6115/24]
View answerOn 24 November 2023 I informed the President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and the Chair of the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) that approval in principle had been obtained from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, to amend local authority elected members' gratuity scheme by linking the calculation of the gratuity payment to the amount of the annual remuneration received by elected members.
This followed a lengthy period of engagement with local authority elected members through their representative organisations, in which they indicated a preference for raising the base rate of payment used to calculate the retirement gratuity. The 2020 Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members ('Moorhead Report') did not make any findings in respect of the length of reckonable service for the calculation of elected members' gratuities. I would note that the scheme that applies to members of the Oireachtas also allows for a maximum of 20 years when calculating retirement benefits.
Approval has been granted to provide for a maximum retirement gratuity for elected members of three times the annual remuneration payment, which is currently €28,724. All other conditions will remain the same, including the minimum 2 years and maximum 20 years of reckonable service. Elected members of local authorities will continue to benefit from further advantageous conditions including a minimum retirement age of 50, the universal and non-contributory nature of the gratuity scheme, and ex-gratia payments in respect of service prior to 4 May 2000. It is proposed that the new gratuity scheme would take effect at the local elections in June 2024.
There are no plans to revisit the maximum service limit for the calculation of gratuities payable to local authority elected members.
381. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the marine protected areas Bill 2023 will be published, given this legislation was initially promised for July 2023; the reason for the repeated delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6120/24]
View answer382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what measures, or necessary resources, have been put in place in order to begin implementation of the marine protected areas Bill 2023 as soon as it has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6121/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
The general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Bill was published in December 2022. Following the scrutiny of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, my Department has been working in close collaboration with parliamentary drafters to develop this Bill. While it was initially hoped to publish in 2023, the legal, technical and scientific complexity associated with this ground breaking legislation has meant that drafting has taken longer than anticipated. However, drafting is now at an advanced stage and I expect that it will be ready for publication this quarter.
A financial memorandum will accompany this Bill which will outline the resources necessary for implementation of this legislation.
My Department has been successful in obtaining EU LIFE funding of €15 million to aid in developing our network of MPAs between now and 2030. The State will add €10 million in matched funding for this LIFE project for a total of €25 million between now and 2030. The Project will ensure the co-design, development and roll out of Marine Protected Areas as well as effective ecosystem-based management.
To support the designation of MPAs once the Bill is enacted, my Department has already committed just under €650,000 from existing resources to undertake sensitivity analyses of both the Irish and Celtic Seas. The aim of these studies is to identify possible suitable areas for potential MPAs in the Irish and Celtic Seas, as well as developing methods and standards of best practice when identifying such sites. The Irish Sea sensitivity analysis was completed and published on 19 June 2023 and the Celtic Sea analysis is currently being undertaken with the expert group due to present their report to my Department by the end of April.
Any additional MPA implementation and enforcement cost estimates will be identified and included in the financial memorandum that will be associated with the Bill on its Publication.
383. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many of Ireland's special protection areas with a marine element have site specific conservation objectives in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6122/24]
View answer384. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many of Ireland's special protection areas with a marine element have conservation measures in place in addition to activities requiring consent management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6123/24]
View answer385. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional special protection areas and special areas of conservation with a marine element that are currently ready, being prepared or are being planned for designation up until 2030. [6124/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 to 385, inclusive, together.
For the purposes of this reply, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have a marine element if their boundary encompasses marine waters. 39 such SPAs have published detailed site-specific conservation objective documents.
In addition to Activities Requiring Consent, across all of Ireland’s Special Protection Areas there are many different types of conservation measures in place which are the responsibility of a range of Government Departments and other bodies.
These include statutory measures such as, for example, the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011, as amended; and consents in areas such as aquaculture and fisheries that are the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and the Marine as the competent authority. Other examples include the seven Fisheries Natura Plans undertaken for planned fisheries subject to secondary licensing in Natura 2000 sites. Some further examples are set out below.
With respect to seismic exploration, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is currently updating its 2014 “Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters”.
An inter-governmental steering group was appointed in 2020 to consider the development of a National Coastal Change Management Strategy for Ireland. Initial findings and recommendations in its 2023 report will enable the state to assess risks and develop appropriate responses. Protected habitats inside and outside the Natura 2000 network are at risk from coastal change, but also from measures to protect land from coastal erosion. An integrated approach to managing coastal change will include habitats protected under the Habitats Directive in coastal planning, thereby reducing the risk of inadvertent damage and loss.
Island biosecurity plans are being developed for important seabird islands, the first being the Skelligs (SPA 004007) and other work is underway on the eradication of invasive mammals on the Saltee Islands SPA.
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, or MARA, is a new state agency that was established on 17 July 2023. MARA’s functions are set out in the Maritime Area Planning Acts 2021 and 2022, and it will have a key role to play in the new streamlined consenting system for the maritime area.
A new Conservation Measures programme for Natura sites was established by the NPWS in 2022, supported by the additional resources provided by Government to implement the three-year Strategic Action Plan for the NPWS, approved by Government in May 2022. There are a range of funding initiatives managed by the NPWS to support individuals or groups to assist with the conservation measures in Natura 2000 SPA sites. These include, for example, the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF). Conservation measures projects in SPAs with a marine element include, for example, projects on Tern breeding sites at Kilcoole on The Murrough SPA and Lady’s Island Lake SPA where nest protection measures are being undertaken. These projects are particularly important in protecting the breeding species on the terrestrial areas of marine and coastal SPAs.
In relation to designating protected areas in the marine environment, recent developments include the two largest Special Protection Areas in the state, the North West Irish Sea SPA and the Seas off Wexford SPAs covering a combined area of over 5,300 square kilometres and protecting more than 20 of our rarest and most threatened species. The percentage of Ireland’s marine waters protected under EU Directives has increased in the past two years from 2.3% to just under the 10% promised by Ireland under the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and means that 10% milestone is realistically achievable within the current year.
In addition to the SPA designations, two large offshore marine sites, comprising more than three million hectares in area - Porcupine Shelf cSAC 2267 and the Southern Canyons cSAC 2278, were designated for the conservation of Reefs, a habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. The designation of these sites increases the area of Reef habitat protected within our Natura 2000 Network from 10% to 24%.
Designation of these new SPA and SAC sites, will make a significant contribution to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, which aims to protect 30% of the marine area in Europe by 2030.
386. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to date in implementing the National Landscape Strategy 2015-2025, broken down by the six stated objectives and 18 stated actions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/24]
View answerImplementation of the National Landscape Strategy is implicit in many of the actions taken across the built and natural heritage sphere. The current work being undertaken across Government in the context of the land use review will supplant and overtake that strategy.
Meantime, my Department has made very substantial progress on issues of habitat and wildlife protection, which are tied closely to landscape. In particular, I would emphasise the recently launched 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan, which sets the national biodiversity agenda for the period 2023-2030 and aims to deliver the transformative changes required to the ways in which we value and protect nature. This, along with the proposed Nature Restoration Law due to be ratified later this year, will continue to support the delivery of national nature, water, landscape and climate objectives, while at the same time realising co-benefits for value creation in rural economies and communities.
The key enabling action in the National Landscape Strategy is the completion of a National Landscape Character Assessment, which would complement the Local Character Assessments already prepared by Local Authorities. This is also a National Policy Objective set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF). As part of the ongoing NPF Review, my Department is currently considering options for how best to carry out such an assessment.
387. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to on-going problems of discoloured water in Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no "do not drink" notice has been issued in relation to the problem, despite Irish Water acknowledging to Cork City Council on 16 January 2024 that the discoloured water is unsafe to drink at the tap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6137/24]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, my Department has no operational function in this matter.
However, it may be helpful to note that Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives.
The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818-578578.
As part of Budget 2024, I secured funding of €1.6 billion to support Uisce Éireann in the delivery of water services. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services.
388. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with residents of Oliver Bond House and the Robert Emmet Community Development Project in relation to the recent report on respiratory conditions for residents in the complex; and the proposed redevelopment and timeline for the same. [6142/24]
View answerThe regeneration of the Oliver Bond House complex by Dublin City Council (DCC) has my Department's full support. My Department provided Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval to DCC for the redevelopment for the flats in Blocks L, M and N, on the 16th March 2022. This allowed for a guarantee of Departmental support whilst also tasking DCC to investigate a review of options to find the most suitable solution for the site.
The Department provided funding approval for four regeneration projects at Oliver Bond House in November 2023. These projects are as follows:
* N29-2-988 Social Housing Delivery
* N29-2-1057 Oliver Bond Community Centre
* N29-2-1058 Oliver Bond Precinct Improvement Works
* N29-2-1059 Oliver Bond Social Integration
I can confirm that my office is working with the representatives of the Oliver Bond residents' group to provide them with an opportunity to present to me on "Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond Report". I anticipate that there will be input also provided by the report authors. The details of that meeting will be finalised in due course.
389. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the criticisms and opposition to Waterways Ireland's proposed by-law changes; how these criticisms will be considered to update this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6183/24]
View answerWaterways Ireland proposes to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make the waterways safer for those using the waterways, blueways and greenways, and continue to provide a valuable recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.
More than 900 submissions were received during the initial consultation period, which concluded on 27 October 2023. Waterways Ireland has considered those submissions carefully and has made changes to the proposed By-laws to endeavour to deal equitably with legitimate matters of concern raised, while maintaining a balanced focus on the needs of all users of the waterways and the public. Some of those changes include:
• Introduction and extension of a five-day rule on Canal harbours
• Re-instatement of winter moorings on the Shannon Navigation
• Removal of a proposed three-day rule at harbours
• Removal of speed limit proposals on Greenways
• Reducing the proposed houseboat permit fees in suburban areas
Waterways Ireland opened the second phase of the public consultation on 15 January 2024, inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on the new, revised version of the Shannon Navigation and Canal By-laws. This second phase of the public consultation remains open until 26 February 2024 and offers an opportunity to consider the revisions to the proposed By-laws as well as an additional opportunity for the public and all users of the waterways to have their say.
Further submissions received during the second phase of consultation will be considered by Waterways Ireland to best address the views of all stakeholders.
The draft By-laws can be found on www.waterwaysireland.org/ and in local libraries along the waterways corridors. Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, or by email to corporate@waterwaysireland.org, as well as by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, The Docks, Athlone. Co. Westmeath.
The Principles and Guidelines as devised by the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform in 2016 and the Guide for the Inclusive Community Engagement published by the Department of Rural and Community Development in February 2023, have been followed by Waterways Ireland in respect of the Public Consultation process for the review of the By-laws.
It is important to note that no changes can be made to the existing By-laws, permits, or charges and fees until the legislative process associated with the formal adoption and signing of the By-laws has been completed.
390. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes in each county as of the beginning of 2024 including those provided by AHBs; the breakdown of BER ratings on these homes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6192/24]
View answerHousing 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 by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department does not collate data on the numbers of housing units owned by individual local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies.
Statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in the Local Authority Performance Indicator Report. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the number of dwellings in local authority ownership at a given time. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link: www.noac.ie/noac_publications/8339/#:~:text=The%202022%20Performance%20Indicator%20Report,44%20indicators%20under%2011%20headings
One of the functions of Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) is to collect and publish information (including statistical information on the number of dwellings in AHB ownership) concerning AHBs as it considers necessary and appropriate. AHBRA conducted its first monitoring programme in September 2022, the results of which have been published in its first Sectoral Analysis on 8 May 2023, and is available on their website www.ahbregulator.ie/ahbra-publishes-its-first-annual-sectoral-analysis-report-for-the-ahb-sector/
AHBRA is an independent regulatory authority and my Department does not hold the statistical information requested. However, 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 AHBRA is: oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie
My Department does publish comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q3 2023, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
A Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) is a dwelling where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. Where social housing commenced construction after 31 October 2019 and where substantial work was completed after 31 October 2020 it is required to be an NZEB Dwelling-typically a BER of A2. Where dwellings commenced work after 8 February 2020 and achieved substantial completion after 31 October 2020 they are required to be NZEB Dwellings.
391. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of funding provided by his Department to each local authority to upgrade and insulate their social housing stock over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6193/24]
View answerSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Over the period 2013 to the end of 2023, local authorities received over €308 million in funding to carry out energy upgrade works on over 79,000 properties.
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 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent 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.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2023 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020, the details of which are found below. A further 674 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/#
The 2024 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support to €90 million. Further details in relation to the programme including allocations will be announced shortly.
392. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average turnaround times by each local authority in bringing a vacant local authority home back into housing use; the reasons some local authorities are taking over a year to turn around these houses, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6194/24]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for reletting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf
393. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE conservation rangers attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service as of 6 February 2024; and if he will provide the same figures as of 1 February 2021, in tabular form. [6226/24]
View answerThe information requested is provided in the table below as of the 31 January 2024, the latest date for which the information is available. There has been a sustained increase in the number of Conservation Rangers employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in recent years and I am committed to reaching the recommended number of 120 Rangers for the Service in the course of the current year.
|
Conservation Ranger |
January 2021 |
January 2024 |
|
Headcount |
72 |
96 |
|
Full time equivalent |
71.43 |
95.63 |
394. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) will be addressed; the status of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6229/24]
View answerOn 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The work on the Bill is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).
My Department is currently developing Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STTL Bill. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties. It is intended that a draft of the updated guidelines will be published simultaneously with the publication of the STTL Bill by DTCAGSM - which is expected in the coming months - in order that property owners will have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STTL Bill.
395. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the qualifying criteria for acceptance onto a cost rental scheme for two non-cohabiting adults with one child; if he can provide information on what can be used to verify that the couple are non-cohabiting adults, that is, an affidavit or similar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/24]
View answerHousing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes to 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by Local Authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and by the Land Development Agency.
All Cost Rental providers are legally obliged to make Cost Rental homes available in line with the provisions of Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated Regulations. Eligibility and income parameters are a key tool in targeting State-supported homes at those who fall within the moderate income cohort and are considered most in need of affordable housing interventions. The qualifying criteria for any type of household applying for a cost rental home are as follows:
• The net household income is €66,000 or below per annum for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 or below per annum for Cost Rental homes elsewhere.
• A household member is not in receipt of any social housing supports, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
• Applicants do not own a property.
• The household size matches the size of the home advertised.
• All members of the household are living in Ireland at the time of applying.
• The household can afford to pay the rent for the home.
When applying for a cost rental home, the application must detail all relevant household members who will reside in the Cost Rental home and in order to be considered for Cost Rental Housing, a household is required to clearly outline how they have reached the net household income calculation with supporting documentation. An affordability test will be carried out to ensure that the household will have the capacity to pay the cost rent charged. Local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency currently provide Cost Rental homes. The provider for each development is be responsible for assessing all applications.
Further details on eligibility and applying for cost rental homes can be found on the affordable homes website which can be accessed at the following link: affordablehomes.ie/rent/about/
396. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Housing First National Implementation Plan; the number of current Housing First tenancies in the State, broken down by county; the target number of Housing First tenancies, broken down by county; his plans to increase the Housing First targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6270/24]
View answerThe Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over a long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Housing for All committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. The Housing First targets are based on an analysis of need, which involved all key stakeholders and was supported by The Housing Agency. Should the demand for Housing First tenancies increase, my Department will review the further expansion of the scheme.
Data on the number of Housing First tenancies created are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports. The most recent report, for Q4 2023, can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/281950/d663ffb8-9eb0-43d9-b8eb-72b45e94b137.pdf#page=null. This report shows that to date, 560 tenancies have been established under the current National Implementation Plan and 979 individuals are currently in a Housing First tenancy.
In 2024 there is a target of 261 Housing First tenancies. The 2022-2026 Housing First National Implementation Plan provides a detailed breakdown of these targets broken down by county. A copy of the Plan can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/211822/f696f832-6100-4ef4-b75f-cde874caca06.pdf#page=null
397. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if multi-annual funding is in place or planned to be in place for the built heritage investment scheme and/or the historic structures fund through local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6286/24]
View answerMy Department currently offers capital funding spread over more than one year to support heritage structures through several programmes.
The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) is administered by my Department in conjunction with the Local Authorities and aims to support owners of heritage buildings in maintaining the fabric of their protected structures. Stream 2 of the HSF is targeted at larger projects in properties which have a defined community benefit, with up to €200,000 being made available over two years for works to these primarily publicly-owned buildings, subject to the estimates process.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) offers funding to individual owners of heritage properties for smaller scale works, with grants of up to €15,000 available for short-term projects. It is my intention to examine both the HSF and the BHIS during the course of this year in order to ensure they are operating as effectively as possible from an administrative perspective and for the applicants and recipients of the funding.
The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is funded by my Department and operated through the Heritage Council. The HTI provides assistance to Local Authorities in supporting heritage-led regeneration in our historic towns and villages, including projects that address dereliction and residential vacancy, the conservation of landmark buildings, streetscape conservation projects, and conservation-led public realm works which encourage investment from other sources. Applications must show how they will build resilience in the historic built environment of the town to enable it to withstand the effects of climate change. Stream 1 of the HTI offers funding of up to €350,000 per project, which can be claimed on a phased basis over two years. The closing date for receipt of applications under HTI for 2024 is Friday 16 February.
Most recently, my colleague Minister O'Donnell has launched the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Fund (THRIVE). This scheme aims to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings within town centres through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse. THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the ERDF Regional Programmes. Up to €120m is available under the programme, with levels of support up to €7m per individual project. Further information on THRIVE is available on from the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly at www.southernassembly.ie and www.nwra.ie respectively.
398. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department are implementing to address the population decline of hen harriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6292/24]
View answerThe latest report on the status of breeding Hen Harrier in Ireland was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department last week. The conservation of Hen Harrier is now one of the most urgent bird conservation priorities in Ireland.
A draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan has been developed over a number of years in consultation with the many stakeholders who too have a role to play in ensuring that the decline of this species is reversed.
A public consultation on the draft Plan was launched on 13th January last and will run until 20th February. The draft Plan identifies over 50 key actions to address and reverse the key threats and pressures on the species, arising from the agricultural, forestry and wind energy development sectors, particularly but not only within Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas. All submissions will be considered in the finalisation of the Plan and it will then go forward to government for adoption, and subsequent implementation.
Details of the Draft Plan and associated documentation are available at www.gov.ie/en/consultation/c18d2-public-consultation-on-the-draft-hen-harrier-threat-response-plan-environmental-report-and-natura-impact-statement/
399. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the grounds on which septic tank grants will not be provided to those outside a designated area of greatest environmental priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6295/24]
View answerThere are three grant schemes for domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) available to householders. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to households for works to defective septic tanks to protect human health and the environment. All three grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are not general in application.
400. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the way that local authorities allocate the number of social housings to be built for disability accessible housing; where the figures come from to support the number of houses to be built or renovated to meet the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6298/24]
View answerA key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery, including specific plans for the delivery of housing for disabled and older people. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes and to make adequate provision for 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities.
The annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) outlines details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area. The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met, in order to better understand the level of need for such support.
The SSHA includes breakdowns by local authority across multiple categories, including those whose main need for social housing support is due to a disability, medical or compassionate grounds. The SSHA also provides a breakdown of any specific accommodation requirements that households may have under four main headings; physical, intellectual, sensory and mental health.
The most recently published SSHA, conducted in November 2022 may be accessed at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/
The SSHA 2023 is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1 2024.
401. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new local authority planners sanctioned by his Department since 2020, broken down by year and local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6328/24]
View answerThe details are set out in the following table.
|
New Planning Posts Sanctioned 2020 to end January 2024 |
||||||
|
Local Authority |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
@ end January 2024 |
|
|
Carlow Co. |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|||
|
Cavan |
2 |
|||||
|
Clare |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
Cork City |
4 |
|||||
|
Cork Co. |
1 |
1 |
5 |
|||
|
DLR Co. |
4 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
||
|
Donegal |
4 |
|||||
|
Dublin City |
4 |
14 |
||||
|
Fingal Co. |
1 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
||
|
Galway City |
1 |
10 |
||||
|
Galway Co. |
4 |
6 |
7 |
|||
|
Kerry |
4 |
|||||
|
Kildare Co. |
4 |
7 |
9 |
|||
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
|||||
|
Laois Co. |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
Leitrim Co. |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|||
|
Limerick C & C |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
||
|
Longford |
5 |
|||||
|
Louth Co. |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|||
|
Mayo |
4 |
|||||
|
Meath |
9 |
|||||
|
Monaghan |
8 |
|||||
|
Roscommon Co. |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
Sligo |
1 |
|||||
|
South Dublin CC |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Tipperary Co. |
3 |
7 |
||||
|
Waterford Co. |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
||
|
Westmeath Co. |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Wexford Co. |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
Wicklow Co. |
1 |
1 |
10 |
|||
|
Total |
11 |
34 |
24 |
162 |
2 |
