Written Answers Nos. 616-635
616. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason local authority tenants are allowed to rent a room in their home, but those in accommodation owned by the approved housing bodies are not allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11791/24]
View answerIn March 2023, the Government agreed to extend the Rent-a-Room Relief scheme disregard to social welfare recipients, extend the disregard into medical card criteria, and permit local authority tenancies access the scheme.
My Department provided for the extension of the scheme to local authority tenancies by way of a supplementary action in Housing for All, and worked closely with the City and County Management Association (CCMA) to introduce the 'Room for a Student - Local Authority Scheme'. The scheme came into operation on 1 December 2023, and it allows local authority tenants to rent out room in their homes to eligible third level students.
My Department also engaged with the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) sector to facilitate access to the scheme to their tenants. AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations providing affordable rented housing for people who cannot provide housing from their own means and for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people. AHBs also include housing co-operatives, which are housing organisations controlled by their members/tenants who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
While there is nothing in legislation that prevents AHB tenants from renting rooms to other individuals under licence, in order to ensure a consistent and equitable approach, broad agreed principles are required to underpin any such scheme. My Department continues to engage with the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) in relation to the rent-a-room scheme and any challenges or concerns the sector may have in adapting the local authority scheme to their needs.
617. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any analysis has taken place as to what would be required to replace schools as polling stations with community centres or other available buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11800/24]
View answer671. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of polling stations used in each county for the recent referenda held on 8 March 2024; the number of stations in each county which are schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12694/24]
View answer672. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the last occasion on which the location of polling stations was reviewed; whether efforts are made to find alternatives to schools as venue for polling stations in view of the disruption and cancellation of school days which this causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12695/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 617, 671 and 672 together.
The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there.
Electoral law provides that a Returning Officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.
Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled outside school hours. Guidance also advises that it is open to Returning Officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate.
It is important to note that the wide distribution of schools around the country helps to fulfil the requirement under electoral law to provide polling stations conveniently distributed for the accommodation of electors. My Department does not collate statistics on the types of buildings used for polling stations.
618. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of access to the housing market for single persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/24]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, and now self-builders, through the use of an equity share model. Details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme Ireland DAC (Designated Activity Company) was established for the purposes of managing and overseeing the First Home Scheme on behalf of all participants. Any policy change or expansion of the Scheme, including in relation to expanding the scheme to second hand homes would be a matter for consideration by the First Home Scheme DAC and its Board.
In relation to The Help to Buy (HTB) this scheme is administered by the Department of Finance and any development of the scheme comes under the remit of that Department. Details of HTB can be found on the Revenue’s website, www.revenue.ie.
619. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11808/24]
View answer624. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to extend the current timeline restrictions on the temporary development contribution waiver scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11893/24]
View answer643. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to extend the development contribution waiver scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12228/24]
View answer644. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development contribution waiver scheme arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12229/24]
View answer662. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the development contribution waiver scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12534/24]
View answer679. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to extend the temporary time-limited waiver in respect of development contributions beyond 24 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12756/24]
View answer680. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the temporary waiver scheme in respect of development contributions beyond April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/24]
View answer700. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the temporary development contribution waiver scheme (details supplied); if he will seek to have all dates extended by a minimum 18 months to allow large housing developments which commence just before the current 24 April 2024 deadline adequate time to complete the works satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13099/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 619, 624, 643, 644, 662, 679, 680 and 700 together.
On 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.
I am presently reviewing the schemes.
620. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of current vacant and void properties identified in County Laois, in tabular form; to list the towns and villages where these properties are located and to provide, in detail, the efforts that are being made to make these properties habitable, particularly those owned by Laois County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/24]
View answerTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes.
The Action Plan outlines the various measures of vacancy, including Census data and GeoDirectory vacancy data.
The most recent GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report Q4 2023, indicates that Laois had a vacancy rate of 2.9%. This compares favourably to the national average of 3.9%.
Under the Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties.
It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Each local authority, including Laois County Council, is required to provide data in relation to the number properties entering the Programme, activity undertaken and progress made, along with outcomes. My Department will report on the 2023 Activation Programme targets in Q2 2024.
In relation to the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
Since 2014 to the end of 2023, Laois County Council have received almost €3.5 million which has supported the remediation of 349 dwellings.
Budget 2024 has provided €31 million to the programme this year and funding allocations under Planned Maintenance/Voids will be announced in due course. Notwithstanding the voids funding being provided by my Department, local authorities have a responsibility to provide adequate housing maintenance budgets for 2024 and this parallel work by local authorities is essential for the development of the planned maintenance approach, which is an objective of Housing for All.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are continuing to transition from a largely response and voids-based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
621. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with a housing development in County Kildare (details supplied); if the local authority have advanced in its attempts to upgrade the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11881/24]
View answerKildare County Council recently presented a proposal to my Department to support a new AHB/approved housing body to take responsibility for the housing development in question and last week, my Department confirmed funding approval for the necessary works to restore and re-tenant the housing.
I look forward to these homes being brought back into productive use to provide secure and comfortable accommodation for the intended residents. Further details on the advancement of these works will be available directly from the Council.
622. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with the provision of social housing at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11882/24]
View answerKildare County Council made a proposal to my Department, in conjunction with an approved housing body (AHB), for the development of age-friendly homes on the site referred to in the question.
Stage 2/Pre-Planning approval on this project was confirmed to the Council by my Department in April 2022 and I understand that planning permission was granted for the proposed development in August 2023. I further understand from Kildare County Council that the AHB is finalising the detailed design and tender documentation, with a Stage 3 / Pre-Tender proposal anticipated in Q2 2024.
Further details on the advancement of the project will be available directly from the Council and I have assured the Council and AHB that funding is in place to support its earliest possible advancement.
623. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the HAP limits for counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11889/24]
View answerUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment above the prescribed maximum rent limit in order to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. In July 2022, this discretion level was increased from 20% to 35% in each local authority area. Up to 50% can be provided in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine, on a case by case basis, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted.
At end Q3 2023 the total number of households being supported by HAP in Louth County Council was 3,104 and in Meath County Council the number was 1,805. 56.6% of the total number of households being supported by HAP in Louth County Council were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 21% above the rent limits. In Meath County Council 84% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretion payment being used was 24% above the rents limits.
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.
625. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 411 of 5 March 2024, if the technical working group deemed suitable for progression under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme any the properties that are currently subject to an open enforcement case by a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/24]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department for the provision of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The role of my Department in this area is a supporting role, in the form of the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP).
Decisions on which properties are suitable for progression through the programme are made by a Technical Working Group (TWG) working under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group. Decisions are based on the proposal put forward by the property owner in conjunction with the relevant local authority and assessed by the TWG across various criteria which include location, access to transport links and local amenities, value for money, future potential use, timeframe for delivery and capacity.
Properties offered to the ERUP are subject to inspection and ongoing project oversight by the relevant local authority, to ensure compliance as per the guidelines, should they progress through the programme.
Local authorities are independent statutory bodies with democratically elected councils and their own management system. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, provides that a local authority is independent in the performance of its statutory functions. As you are aware, local authorities have a wide range of functions, responsibilities and statutory powers under various enactments, not all of which are relevant to, nor fall under the remit of this Department.
While I am precluded under the above mentioned act from commenting on or intervening in any individual case, should you wish to provide further information in respect of your specific query, I will be better placed to provide a more detailed update.
626. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of Part B of the Building Regulations and the associated technical guidance documents, the reason the deadline of Q4 2023 was not met for the publication of the new regulations; the date they will be published; and if he will provide a list of all those individuals and organisations who made submissions to the public consultation. [11911/24]
View answerThe review of Part B of the Building Regulations dealing with fire safety is being finalised at present, with a view to the proposed Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety - Volume 1: Buildings other than dwelling houses and Regulatory Impact Analysis being published shortly.
The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the re-use of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying and rationalising fire safety requirements and guidance.
163 submissions were received (from organisations and individuals) in response to a public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations and the associated Technical Guidance Document relating to fire safety which closed on 21 April 2023.
Over 4,000 individual comments were received in relation to the draft Technical Guidance Document B. Sufficient time was required to examine each submission to consider if an amendment to the proposed Building Regulations relating to fire safety and/or the associated draft Technical Guidance Document was warranted or required.
A list of the organisations that made submissions to the public consultation is set out below. Some organisations made more than one submission.
AA Fire Safety
Amvic Ireland
Apartment Owners Network
ARUP
Arxada
Atas
Atkins Global
Bakkala Engineers
Balcas
BB7
BCP Capital
Berry Global
CABE
Carroll Joinery
Ceramic House Ltd
Citifab
Clare County Council
COFORD
Coillte Forest Industries Ireland
Commission for Regulation of Utilities
Comsec
Construction Industry Federation
CORA
Cork County Council
Crossflow
CS Consulting
Dormakaba
DRes Properties
DTE Manufacturing
Dublin City Council
Dublin Fire Brigade
Enterprise Ireland
Eurosprinkler
Fast House
Fingal County Council
FM Global
Galway Fire Service
Glennon Brothers
Glenveagh
GPDA
Grangegorman Development Agency
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
Gyproc
Halt
Hardware Association Ireland
Health Service Executive
Henry J Lyons Architects
Hibernia Real Estate Group Ltd
Hilti Ltd
HIQA
I3PT
IBEC
IJM Timber Frame
Institute of Fire Engineers
IPUT
Irish Fire
Irish Green Building Council
Irish Institutional Property
Irish Safety Systems
Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association
Irish Timber Growers Association
Jensen Hughes
Jones Engineering
Keenan Timber Frame
Kerry County Council
Kerry Fire and Rescue Service
Kevin Rooney Associates
Kildare County Council
Kingspan
Lock-iT Security
Louth County Council
Malachy Walsh & Partners
Maurice Johnson & Partners
Mayo County Council
MCORM
Michael Slattery Associates
Monaghan County Council
Murray Timber Group
National Disability Authority
National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers
National Insulation Association of Ireland
NBS Enterprises Ltd
Newell Consulting Engineers
NSAI
O’Connor Sutton Cronin
O’Mahony Pike
OMD Design Ltd
Quality Positive
Rockwool
Ronan Group Real Estate
Royal Institute of Architects Ireland
Ryan Consulting
Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Seadec
Siderise Insulation
State Claims Agency
Technological University Dublin
The Keystone Group
Third Eye Technology
Timber Engineering Research Group University College Galway
Tipperary County Council
Urban Land Institute
Waterford City County Council
Waugh Thistleton
Wexford County Council
William Cox
Wood Panel Industries Federation
Wood Technology Ireland
Woodfab Timber Ltd
Writech Ltd
627. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the total capital investment in the construction of social housing units in 2023; the average spend per unit under the deep retrofit scheme for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/24]
View answer628. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the monies allocated to the Local Authority Retrofit Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11914/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 628 together.
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes. Capital expenditure on the delivery of new social homes is also supported by current funding provided through the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP).
In 2023, Exchequer expenditure on the delivery of new build social homes amounted to €1.6bn. More broadly, the 2023 Exchequer expenditure on the delivery of social homes through the various build, acquisition and lease mechanisms amounted to €2.3bn.
In respect of the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), a new holistic approach was applied to the programme in 2021, 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.
The EERP budget allocated to the local authority programme in 2023 provided funding support of €87 million, with the average funding recouped to local authorities per dwelling amounting to €31,461 last year.
629. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the official date of the forthcoming local elections; to confirm his intention to sign the statutory order for that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11917/24]
View answer633. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider scheduling polling day for the local elections, to avoid widespread school closures and disruption to parents and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 633 together.
Electoral law allows for the taking of a poll at an election or referendum on any day of the week. In deciding on a particular day, a wide range of considerations are taken into account and ultimately there are advantages and disadvantages attaching to any day chosen. The flexibility in the legislation allows all relevant factors to be taken into account at any given time in setting the polling day.
Section 26(2) of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) provides that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage shall make an order (commonly referred to as a Polling Day Order) setting the day for the holding of the poll for the local elections.
I will make the relevant order shortly confirming the polling day at the forthcoming local elections.
630. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on an application (details supplied) in relation to an extension for a house under disability grounds. [11918/24]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet 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 administration of the grants scheme, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grant applications under the various grants, is the responsibility of each local authority. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility. Local authorities, in administering the scheme, work with qualifying applicants to secure the most beneficial outcome possible in line with the applicants' financial circumstances and within the parameters of the Grant Scheme. The information requested may be available directly from the relevant local authority.
Further details on these schemes is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
631. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process for transferring homeless HAP from one local authority in Dublin to another, that is, from Dublin City Council to Fingal County Council; if there will be no requirement to be reassessed; the length of time this takes; the process by which time spent on one housing list in the Dublin area can be transferred to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11940/24]
View answerSection 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, set down a standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing support. Under this procedure, a household may apply for support to one housing authority only, which may be the authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which it has a local connection, or the authority that agrees, at its discretion, to assess the household for support. A household, meeting either the residence or local connection condition, may specify up to three areas of choice for receipt of support in the areas of all housing authorities in the county and city concerned and, if qualified, will be entered on the housing waiting list of each of those housing authorities.
Consistent with the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is considered to be a social housing support and consequently households in receipt of a payment under the HAP scheme are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households on the waiting list, who avail of HAP, have expectations that they would receive a more traditional form of social housing support, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list.
Furthermore, local authorities are also directed that HAP recipients who apply to go on the transfer list should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list.
Guidelines on inter-authority movement were issued to local authorities to facilitate the movement of HAP households from one local authority area to another in cases where a HAP tenant wishes to access rented accommodation, with HAP support, in another local authority area. Inter authority movement is, however, subject to certain conditions, such as the relevant Social Housing Income Eligibility Bands and confirmation that the applicant's income is below the threshold in the new local authority.
HAP tenants that avail of inter-authority movement continue to be dealt with by their originating local authority. However, the rent limits applicable are those that apply in the local authority where the property is situated. The originating local authority will engage with the relevant new local authority to facilitate eligible requests for inter-authority movement.
Inter-authority movement for HAP will be facilitated without reference to Social Housing Eligibility Income Bands in areas that offer shared areas of choice in their allocation schemes. This applies in Dublin as the four local authority areas currently offer shared areas of choice in their allocation schemes.
HAP tenants who avail of inter-authority movement, can only be offered access to the transfer list of the originating local authority. The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities. The making of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such is a matter for the elected members.
632. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason engineers from the housing agency are overruling the professional recommendations of engineers acting on behalf of defective concrete block homeowners in Donegal, for applications to the enhanced defective block grant scheme, at a time when the NSAI is still reviewing IS 465, amidst growing internationally peer reviewed scientific evidence, that IS 465 is not fit for purpose. [11958/24]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) sets out the role of the Housing Agency who act as agents on behalf of the local authorities under the terms of the Scheme. Once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency engage its Framework Chartered Engineers to undertake the assessment, survey, sampling, testing and categorisation of the dwelling thereafter on a priority basis in accordance with the national standard I.S. 465:2018 and thereafter determine the appropriate remediation option and grant amount in accordance with the provision of the Act.
Therefore, the Housing Agency applies I.S. 465:2018 in its current form when determining the appropriate remediation option. The Housing Agency does not comment on individual determinations, however decisions regarding determining the most appropriate remediation option are laid out in the Act, and the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Regulations 2023
The Act also provides a mechanism for a homeowner to appeal decisions on their application at various stages as set out below which includes the determination of remediation option by the Housing Agency.
1.A refusal by a local authority to refer an application to the Housing Agency,
2.A decision by the Housing Agency in respect of a dwelling having met the damage threshold,
3.A determination by the Housing Agency of the appropriate remediation option and grant for a dwelling and
4.A refusal of a local authority to make payment of a grant approved
The NSAI is Ireland’s official standards body and is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. They are currently reviewing IS465. My understanding is that they have committed that where there are viable updates, they will come forward with those in advance of the completion of the full agreed program of necessary research.
Following the publication of any revised standard published by the NSAI, the enhanced DCB scheme will be reviewed at that point, in the event that such amendments are required.
634. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rights that affected adjacent property holders have in situations in which the National Parks and Wildlife Service carry out land rewetting on property that it has acquired or is owned by a State agency, given how this can affect neighbouring properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12014/24]
View answerUnder the National Raised Bog Restoration programme, conservation measures are undertaken on Ireland's protected raised bogs to restore these important habitats to favourable conservation status. This is done by restoring the water table to a level where the bog is wet enough to support the growth of sphagnum moss, which assists in the formation of peat.
It is important to note that the restoration of peatlands, including bogs, at an adequate scale can help reduce flooding in their catchments, as their capacity to hold water and release it slowly is greatly enhanced.
Before commencing rehabilitation work at each site, detailed restoration plans and drainage management plans (supported by comprehensive hydrological analysis where appropriate) are designed for that site. These are tailored to the site in question and take account of the surrounding lands.
Proposed restoration work planned on any peatlands, including bogs, as part of current or future restoration programmes will similarly require thorough analysis before work is done, including the drawing up of site-specific restoration and drainage management plans.
While the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) conducts very comprehensive preparatory actions and reports prior to any restoration being carried out, in the unlikely event that neighbouring landowners are affected by the work, the NPWS will engage and work with the affected parties in order to resolve any issues. If any landowner has particular queries or concerns relating to this matter, they can contact peatlandsconservation@npws.gov.ie .
635. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the LDA intends to use the Davitt Road site in Drimnagh for housing which was previously earmarked for a primary health care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12025/24]
View answerThe first Report on Relevant Public Lands published by the LDA in 2023 identified state owned land with potential for housing development in the five cities and five key growth centres. That potential identified is being assessed further in the light of ongoing developments on those sites. Suitable sites for housing development being recommended for transfer to the LDA will be considered by Government in sets, based on highest priority sites and lowest level of site constraints.
Last month, 9 sites were agreed by Government for transfer to the LDA across the cities of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway and cumulatively will have the potential to deliver over 3,000 new homes.
Subsequent sets of sites will be considered by Government in due course. These transferred sites will add to the LDA's existing housing delivery pipeline of social and affordable homes. The LDA will publish details of each project on their website, as the sites become active.
As part of the site appraisal process following the publication of the report, my Department, the Department of Health and the HSE held stakeholder engagement discussions regarding the Davitt Road site, its current and future uses, and its suitability for potential use for affordable and social housing. The site was identified as having potential for residential repurposing, or residential use alongside healthcare provision. However the site is currently in active use and not available for transfer or partial transfer to the LDA and decisions regarding its optimal future use will be made in due course.
I note that the LDA is actively developing and delivering large scale schemes of affordable and social homes on State lands in other areas of Dublin City. For example the LDA has received planning permission for 543 new homes for the Donore project at the site of the former St Teresa’s Gardens, Dublin 8, which is a partnership with Dublin City Council.
The LDA is also partnering with Dublin City Council on the delivery of 146 new affordable homes at Cromcastle, Dublin 5. Planning permission has been secured for 133 cost rental and 13 social homes on the site.
The LDA and Dublin City Council have announced a new development of over 1,100 homes at Cherry Orchard Point in Dublin, with a proposed mix of cost rental and social homes, along with retail and community space, to be developed on greenfield lands owned by Dublin City Council. A planning application for Phase 1 (708 units) was made to An Bord Pleanála in December 2023.
