Written Answers Nos. 255-264
255. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which properties are assessed and categorised by local authorities like SDCC for families with specific medical and accessibility needs; and the oversight that is in place to ensure these categorisations are accurately applied and communicated. [11280/24]
View answer256. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cases where discrepancies arise between initial assessments and subsequent communications from local authority personnel (details supplied), the mechanisms that are in place for families to seek review or appeal these decisions to ensure their homes are made suitable for their needs without undue delay or confusion. [11281/24]
View answer257. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification on the responsibilities and accountability within local authorities for ensuring that properties allocated as medical relets meet the requisite standards and adaptations as promised to families with disabled members. [11282/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 256 and 257 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. The allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation schemes made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
The 2011 Assessment Regulations prescribes, within the Regulations, the housing support application form which must be completed. These Regulations also provide that the local authority may request additional information where it is necessary to assess the applicant’s eligibility and need for housing support. In the case of a household with a member seeking prioritisation on the basis of disability the HMD1 form must be completed by medical professionals to guide the local authority on the nature and extent of the disability concerned, and how these may be alleviated by appropriate housing supports. The purpose of the HMD1 form is to obtain the relevant information in order that the local authority may assess the applicant’s condition in order to award a priority to the applicant, if this is merited.
Therefore the assessment of applications for housing support, including medical priority, is a matter for individual local authorities in accordance with their allocation schemes.
I understand local authorities have internal complaints and appeals systems which may be used to appeal cases. Such arrangements are a matter for the local authorities concerned.
258. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposals to proceed with the provision of a second bridge over the River Liffey at Celbridge, County Kildare will occur due to the increasing issue of traffic congestion in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/24]
View answerOverall responsibility for roads policy and funding for the implementation of transport strategies is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. Kildare County Council as the Roads Authority, is responsible for the management of the road network in its jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding the above, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is providing part-funding for some applicant-led roads projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
A key measure in Project Ireland 2040, the URDF, with an allocation of €2 billion, is supporting a programme of 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.
In 2021, as one of the successful applications under the URDF's second call for proposals, I announced a preliminary allocation of €10,237,500 towards Kildare County Council’s proposal for a Celbridge to Hazelhatch Link Road. This followed on from Kildare County Council’s successful application for €400,000 towards the provision of technical assistance for the advancement of the project under the URDF’s first call for proposals in 2018. To date a total of €10,637,500 in URDF funding has been provisionally allocated by my Department towards the overall cost of this project.
Pending the approval of a Preliminary Business Case, this provisionally approved allocation should enable Kildare County Council to advance the project through the design and planning stages of the project.
Subject to securing the necessary planning consents and funding to cover the costs of construction, the project will provide a link road between Celbridge Town and Hazelhatch Train Station of approximately 2km in length, including the delivery of a second bridge over the River Liffey in Celbridge. The project will enhance connectivity between Celbridge Town and Hazelhatch Train Station, supporting compact, consolidated development in Celbridge by realising the full potential of zoned lands south and east of the River Liffey.
Approved projects must be carefully developed and managed in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects and in full compliance with the recently published Infrastructure Guidelines. Currently Kildare County Council is preparing a Preliminary Business Case for submission to my Department as part of Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. Upon receipt of this submission further consideration will be given to the continued advancement of design work on this project.
It should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Kildare County Council in respect of their URDF Programme of works, responsibility for the advancement of their supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Kildare County Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.
259. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 29 February 2024, if he will provide an update on the conservation advice pilot grant scheme (details supplied). [11372/24]
View answerIn 2022 my Department operated a pilot Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for owners of Protected Structures. This scheme provided grants to cover the cost of having a conservation architect visit the property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner. The completed reports outlined maintenance guidelines for the building, and suggested repairs and improvements which would enhance the building’s character, integrity, and amenity.
The aim of the scheme was to help owners of protected structures to understand the value and potential of their historic buildings, and to prompt them to consider investments which could enhance that value, whether funded privately or through government grants. Our records indicate that payments have been made in respect of all conservation reports completed under the scheme. It is then a matter for the owner to decide whether they wish to carry out works on foot of the conservation advice received, and to apply for any relevant grant support.
In regard to grants for conservation works, I would highlight particularly the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. These are programmes funded by my Department but administered by the Local Authorities. Owners interested in applying for these schemes should make contact with the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in their Local Authority.
My Department is currently examining options for continuing to support the provision of conservation advice for historic buildings, and is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in this regard.
260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that there must be a minimum of 25 houses seeking water to be eligible for a “ Community Connection” to an existing Uisce Éireann main as per the conditions of measure A7 Community Water Connections of the Water Framework; how it is intended to make mains water available where there are small pockets of houses dependent on individual wells and streams for supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11376/24]
View answer261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, in view of the fact that 10% of houses are not connected to either the Uisce Éireann network or an approved group water scheme, he will consider introducing a national scheme to bring mains water to all the remaining houses in the State without such a supply to ensure that all houses in the State have a good supply of potable water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11377/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
I launched the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 (MARWP 2024-2026) on 17 January 2024. Local authorities have been invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas with a closing date of 12 April 2024.
The core purpose of the MARWP 2024-2026 is to provide the necessary funding to address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure drinking water supplies for rural dwellers, where public Uisce Éireann water services are not available. Significant capital funding of €175m is committed to the MARWP under the National Development Plan.
Under MARWP 2024-2026 there are eight individual funding measures and each is directed at a specific activity e.g. source protection, water treatment, network improvement. The funding measures available are broadly in line with those provided under the previous Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme.
Experience from previous cycles of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme have shown that projects of a small scale under Measure A7 have been at a very high unit cost. Setting a minimum number of houses is necessary in order to benefit from economies of scale and to ensure that such projects are viable.
I have no plans to introduce a national scheme to bring mains water to all the houses in the State without such a supply.
262. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the housing assistance payment scheme to increase the amount of supports to reflect the increase in private rental costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11415/24]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2023, there were 57,617 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The limits applicable are related to the specific household and the rental market in the area and so vary significantly across each local authority.
Since 11 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. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market.
Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where the household would not be in a position to meet the rental costs being sought.
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.
263. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider bringing forward an allowance for local authority members to assist with their expenses of running an office including rates, materials and utilities. [11416/24]
View answerSince the introduction from July 2021 of the new remuneration package available for local authority elected members following the publication of the Moorhead Report, there is in fact financial support for elected members in relation to the running of an office.
The Local Representation Allowance (LRA) is payable to an elected member of a local authority on a vouched basis for expenditure up to €5,160 per annum incurred by the member wholly and exclusively in the performance of his or her duties.
Eligible expenditure categories under the LRA include 'rents, rates and other such charges' in respect of an office, 'signage in respect of an office', 'improvements to office accommodation', 'utilities of an office', 'cleaning for office accommodation', and 'insurance, including for office accommodation'.
The LRA guidance defines an 'office' as a 'room or rooms used exclusively for or during the relevant period for the transaction of business in the performance of his/her duties as a Member'. While many elected members choose to use a home office, they are not precluded from using the LRA to rent - on an individual or indeed shared basis with other members - a high street office space.
It is worth noting also that some local authorities make office accommodation and facilities available for their members to avail of should they so wish.
264. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the drafting of the heads of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill; if he can outline what changes to housing legislation will be in the Bill and when he expects the general scheme to be published. [11423/24]
View answerThe Government approved the drafting of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 on 30 January 2024. I recently wrote to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enclosing the general scheme and advising my Department is happy to assist the Committee in the course of its deliberations as part of the pre-legislate scrutiny process. I look forward to engaging with the Committee in this regard.
The General Scheme provides for –
• Amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 to provide legal and habitual residence as eligibility criteria in the Social Housing Assessment process and limiting eligibility for EU/EEA nationals to those who have been in the State longer than three months;
• technical amendments to the text of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019;
• amendments to the Building Control Acts 1990-2020 to provide for the submission of Certificates of Compliance on Completion prior to the opening, operation or occupation of a building and a regularisation process for works and buildings; amendments to extend the powers to make building regulations and inspect; and to provide for a warning letter and withdrawal of an enforcement notice.
There may be further amendments to the General Scheme that I deem appropriate on the advice of the Attorney General. The Bill is listed as one of my Department's priorities for drafting for this session.
