Vol. 732 No. 3
37 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the high level expert group on unfinished housing developments will complete its work; and the date on which it will publish its final report. [11503/11]
The high-level advisory group on unfinished housing developments, established in October 2010 following the publication of my Department's national housing development survey database, is identifying practical and policy solutions to address the difficulties associated with unfinished housing developments effectively and promptly. On foot of the interim analysis and findings of the advisory group, published on 17 February 2011, initial funding of €5 million is being made available to local authorities to deal with immediate safety issues and works to improve the living conditions for existing residents. My Department has put in place the necessary arrangements for local authorities to make applications for funding in the most urgent and serious cases.
The initial findings of the advisory group indicate that action on unfinished housing developments will require a collaborative approach by all stakeholders working together to co-ordinate their efforts to resolve the unfinished developments; an immediate focus on public safety aspects and critical issues affecting residents of such developments; a structured and prioritised approach by local authorities supported by central resources; the use of site resolution plans and, where appropriate, innovative options such as residents and community involvement, co-operatives and self-build within the resolution process; and national co-ordination and monitoring of regionally and locally organised efforts to tackle the problem.
I received the final report of the advisory group on unfinished housing developments on 6 May 2011. I am considering its findings and recommendations as a matter of urgency and will bring proposed actions and recommendations to the Government for approval shortly with a view to publishing the report as soon as possible thereafter.
I am glad that the Minister of State received the report on 6 May. We do not want the Government to convene expert groups that fail to deliver quick outcomes. This issue is of great concern. The €5 million available to complete unfinished sites and housing estates can be put to good use. I know of applications that have been made for that money that the Minster of State should examine. In some cases there is not much money involved, but €5 million is still not adequate to deal with the number of estates.
The previous Government commissioned a report that studied the number of unfinished estates. Many of these sites are unsafe. They are unfit for human habitation. They have half finished roads, no lights, unsafe access routes and building materials stacked all over them. I would like the Minister of State to look at the funding to make those sites safe. This has to be a key priority.
I agree with Deputy Stanley and I have the commitment in this area. The €5 million is an initial amount and it is provided by the State to the local authorities. Most people in the House know that it is the developers and the owners of unfinished housing developments, or the receivers when they are appointed, who have the primary legal obligation to address outstanding problems associated with these developments. I want any public funds spent under this provision to be recouped from the developers and the receivers. The public have put enough money into developments and I do not want to be seen as an easy touch.
There are four categories of development. The most important is where the development might be in place but there is no on-site activity, yet there is significant planning, building control compliance and public safety issues, or where the developer or site owner cannot be contacted and the estate is basically abandoned. This fourth category of development is the area on which I will be concentrating as a matter of priority. If there is additional money, I will try to provide it. Many submissions have already been made and these are now being assessed, and I will try to ensure that adequate funding is provided. I would like developers also to play a role.
How much of the €5 million allocated to deal with the issue of unsafe estates has been drawn down to date by local authorities?
None to date. They have only been recently received and they are being assessed.
I do not want to see any delay. Deputy Stanley referred to reports being prepared and then gathering dust. I do not want to see this gathering dust. I want to ensure that there is action on foot of the recommendations because, as the Deputy will be aware, it nearly took a Herculean effort to get everybody on board in relation to the advisory group.
It was a fairly high-level advisory group and now that we have recommendations, let us act on them. The recommendations will not satisfy everybody. All I can say from my preliminary perusal is that they are a good start. That is what it is, just a start.
I certainly would be encouraging the Department. There will be no delay or obfuscation on my part. I want this to work. My primary concern is the residents and those who paid big money for houses in those estates, some of which are deemed unsafe or fail to comply with the building regulations.
On solutions, some of the estates would have been covered by bonds. The only institution which gave a bond in perpetuity was Anglo Irish Bank. All of the other bonds have time limits on them. Would the Minister of State consider looking at the embargo in the context of employing persons who can call some of those bonds in where they are at risk of elapsing and then it will fall back on the local authority? I am concerned that we will miss an opportunity with some of those bonds that have a fixed term of something like seven years.
A short reply from the Minister of State. We are out of time.
Where there are bonds attaching that are active and alive, I would be surprised if any local authority did not ensure that it would be taking all steps, including legal recourse, so that the bonds available are utilised in the context of dealing with the particular problems that have arisen, but if Deputy Catherine Murphy brings a particular case to my attention, I certainly will pursue it vigorously with the local authority because this is a vital aspect. In fairness, Deputy Murphy raised a significant aspect. There will be recommendations in the context of the report concerning the issue of bonds and how they might be dealt with in the future.
38 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider using ghost housing estates held by the National Assets Management Agency for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11502/11]
Two of the key challenges for the housing sector at present are the oversupply of housing in certain areas, including in respect of unfinished estates, and the need sustainably to meet the increasing demand for social housing in the context of a severely restricted resource environment.
In terms of unfinished housing estates, my Department established a high-level expert group in October 2010, following the publication of the National Housing Development Survey database. This group, which included representation from the National Asset Management Agency, has outlined a range of actions on unfinished housing estates, including requiring a collaborative approach from all stakeholders to resolve unfinished developments, a focus on public safety, a structured and prioritised approach from local authorities, the use of site resolution plans, and national co-ordination and monitoring of regional and local efforts to tackle the problems. This group has now presented me with a final report which I will consider before bringing proposed actions and recommendations to Government for approval.
There are clear linkages between the roles of my Department and the National Asset Management Agency in addressing the challenges involved and there is significant potential to align the objectives of the two organisations.
My Department has engaged extensively with representatives of NAMA and I have also met with the chairman and CEO of NAMA to discuss means of securing a social dividend through the acquisition of suitable residential units for social housing purposes, while providing a return in line with NAMA's mandate. I hope that this engagement will see the delivery of increased social housing provision in the short term.
As the Minister of State will be aware, there is a massive demand for social housing. It is estimated there are approximately 55,000 applicants waiting for local authority housing. We need to avoid the boom-bust property model of previous Governments and reorientate how we provide housing towards the public provision of social housing.
NAMA holds much of the property.
I invite Deputy Stanley to ask a question. Time is running out.
My concern is this: if the taxpayer is footing the bill for NAMA, where is the dividend for the people? I note that the Minister of State is raising the issue but this needs to be pursued vigorously by Government. The public is bankrolling NAMA. We are bankrolling the banks.
A question please.
There must be a public dividend here. What steps will be taken over the next number of months?
The Deputy's time is up.
Local authorities are renting houses left, right and centre for social housing purposes. We need to move away from this towards providing rent allowance, long-term leases and the rental accommodation scheme.
I call on the Minister of State to reply.
There are many empty houses which should be used for this purpose. Will the Minister of State outline the steps that will be taken to do this?
Approximately 180 category 4 unfinished housing developments have been identified and we are exploring with NAMA how many are under its control. Two issues arise — loans and property. Loans are under NAMA's control. However, properties are under NAMA's control only when parties fail to agree a plan, as we have seen happen in recent weeks. NAMA is accelerating this process and we can work only where we have the legal power to do so. We should not have the view that NAMA is the panacea to all of our social housing problems; that would be very foolish and I will not give any hostages to fortune, or mislead people who come from the same environment as I did, having been born and reared in a social house provided by Westmeath County Council.
The Minister of State's time is up.
I have met Mr. McDonagh and the chairperson and they know my views on the social dividend. However, if one reads the legislation carefully, one will see that the first priority of NAMA is to have a commercial remit, after which the social dividend comes.
I thank the Minister of State.
I thought we had more time. I would like to have a discussion on these issues.
Hear, hear.
We agree with the Minister of State.
The Minister of State is a great man for the filibuster.
These are the rules of the House.
I know what the rules are.
These are ordinary questions, to which timeframes apply.
The Minister of State is dead right.
Two questions remain. I call on Deputy Paudie Coffey to ask a question.
What the Minister of State has said is fine, but I ask him to exercise caution in taking over NAMA estates for social housing purposes.
A question, please.
Is it essential that from these houses there is access to social services such as schools? The question on bonds discussed earlier is very important because throughout the country it has been found that bonds are totally inadequate to fix estates.
Time is up.
Will the Minister of State revise the bond system and instruct local authorities accordingly?
The Minister of State has a full minute to reply.
I had better obey this time.
I will examine the bonds issue because there is a recommendation on unfinished housing developments. Deputy Brian Stanley was concerned that this issue would be put on the long finger. I will chair the co-ordinating group charged with overseeing the implementation of the objectives set. That is how seriously the Government takes the matter. It is correct that the objectives should be to maximise the delivery of social housing to cater for the greatest level of need while achieving good value. However, we cannot create a situation where every estate under NAMA's control will be taken for social housing purposes. That would be the wrong direction to take and I will not go down that road. Another consideration is that social housing must be well located. It is of no use having social housing in the middle of the countryside with no access to services.
Hear, hear.
The cure could be worse than the disease. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett has raised this matter and asked me about assessment requirements which in response I have loosened.
The reference made to 50,000 applicants by Deputy Brian Stanley is very generous. I can see the number being much greater because many more people will be on social housing lists. I do not see anything wrong with this because I want to have an integrated social housing list, where some people will have incomes, others will be in receipt of social welfare payments and others will have other means.
I thank the Minister of State.
I will take cognisance of this because, if possible, I want social housing to be provided adjacent to schools and other services.
39 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle sewerage and damp problems in social housing estates in which regeneration projects and the detenanting scheme have stalled in recent years; and his priorities for urban regeneration as committed to in the programme for Government. [11532/11]
40 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent experience of regeneration projects (details supplied); and his position on the use of public private partnerships in view of this. [11520/11]
53 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent episode of a television programme which portrayed the unhealthy and inhumane conditions that many Dublin City Council tenants reside in, notably in an estate (details supplied) and other stalled regeneration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11514/11]
59 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take regarding the reports from a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11380/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 40, 53 and 59 together.
My Department currently supports an ambitious programme to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects like Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate-wide regeneration projects in Dublin city and in a number of towns around the country. This year my Department is providing €124.6 million to support the national regeneration programme. This represents almost 25% of the overall 2011 budget for the social housing investment programme.
The regeneration projects currently being progressed are almost entirely Exchequer funded. Public private partnerships, PPPs, have played an important role in regenerating social housing estates and in providing social, private and affordable housing in a number of areas. That said, such developments are only possible when market conditions permit.
In response to the downturn in the housing market and the prevailing economic climate in 2008, the private investment envisaged for a number regeneration projects has not materialised. As a result Dublin City Council suspended its PPP programme for St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens, Dominick Street, Croke Villas, St. Teresa's Gardens and Dolphin House.
In the absence of PPP alternatives and with the support of my Department, the city council established a multi-disciplinary special housing taskforce to examine all options with regard to the future regeneration of the areas concerned.
The taskforce prioritised three areas for regeneration — St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street. Last autumn, my Department approved the city council's first phase of redevelopment in St. Michael's Estate, with Exchequer funding of €5.8 million being provided for the social housing element. Outline proposals for O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street have also been agreed with my Department and the Council has indicated that it will be presenting detailed plans for funding in the course of 2011.
My Department continues to support the city council's de-tenanting strategy to facilitate the ultimate regeneration of all the flat complexes concerned. Exchequer funding of €7 million has been set aside in 2011 to support this programme of works, including €2.625 million specifically for the relocation of tenants.
With regard to the specific issues raised in relation to Dolphin House, I emphasise that ongoing management and maintenance of this flat complex is a matter for Dublin City Council. It is incumbent on the city council to put forward a clear vision for the ongoing management and future regeneration of the complex and to develop strategies and work programmes, in collaboration with my Department, which will give practical effect to this vision. For my part I will support to the fullest possible extent any agreed strategy which will have an immediate as well as a long-term impact on the standard of the accommodation and living conditions in Dolphin House as well as in the other areas of the city.
Last week I met the city manager, the assistant city manager with responsibility for housing and their technical and administrative team to ascertain the position in relation to management and maintenance issues in Dolphin House and elsewhere and to hear the council's plans for their future regeneration. I am assured that the council is taking a proactive approach to resolving issues in relation to ingress of damp, drainage and ventilation in Dolphin House. I accept that accommodation which was designed and built more than 50 years ago has not kept pace with modern lifestyles. However, retrofitting and refurbishment can overcome this in most circumstances. As an immediate first step in establishing what works are necessary to improve living conditions in the complex, the city council, in consultation with tenants, will now commence a condition survey of all these housing units. This survey will inform a programme of maintenance works to be carried out at Dolphin House by Dublin City Council.
Before I call Deputy Kitt, I remind Deputies that under the rules, each Deputy has one minute to ask a supplementary question and the Minister has one minute to reply. They are the rules and I will enforce them accordingly.
On "Prime Time" on 3 May, on which the Minister of State was interviewed, very disturbing facts emerged about dampness, sewage and children with health problems. What is the situation in regard to funding? Is the Minister of State considering other public private partnership funding or other funding? What are the proposals from Dublin City Council in regard to the three estates mentioned in the television programme?
Dublin City Council has prioritised the programme of regeneration and is making submissions to us in that regard. In regard to the public private partnerships, the market conditions are not there, except in exceptional circumstances where local authorities' land or sites would command a high value or price. They fell away in 2008. One of the problems was putting all the eggs in one basket in terms of relying on public private partnerships as a way to deal with this issue.
Dublin City Council is very much engaged with the residents. It has discussed details of the conditions with the residents and agreed with them that it will have further discussions with them after the first 20 properties have been surveyed to see what emerges and how it will progress. It is important that this process continues without let-up. I am pleased the local authority has engaged with the tenants directly. The conditions survey is being carried out and must be completed quickly. I assure the Deputy that my Department will work with Dublin City Council, which is the responsible authority. Funds are limited but we have secured 25% of the available capital funding for regeneration projects.
Deputy Kitt must realise that the Ballymun regeneration is proceeding apace. Some €700 million has already been spent on this, which is the biggest regeneration project in Europe. Some €53 million has been allocated towards it, with €35 million allocated to Limerick. The Limerick project will cost €346 million, to be completed in 2015 or thereabouts. Money is extremely limited and I do not want to give false hope to people. I will work with local authorities to ensure there is necessary additional funding. I will engage in this regard to ensure that, as a first step, appropriate remedial and refurbishment works take place.
I am concerned about the failure of previous PPP housing regeneration projects. Residents of St.. Michael's Estate, Inchicore, have endured many broken promises and delays. The residents of Dolphin House endure inhumane conditions that are difficult to imagine, let alone live in. The regeneration projects are long overdue and people are living in these complexes as a result of failed PPPs. If Members or Ministers had to live in these complexes, we would all be hopping mad about this. Does the Department have an action plan to deal with the outstanding projects in the State?
It is not the Department but Dublin City Council that brings forward proposals and prioritises. The council has set up a housing task force since the collapse of the PPPs in 2008. Phase 1 of St. Michael's Estate, consisting of 75 new units of accommodation, is under way. Demolitions are planned for this summer and the family resource centre will be moved. Funding has been agreed to undertake this work. In Dominick Street, 65 of the units are still occupied and demolition work will commence later this year. A statutory planning application was lodged at the end of 2010. Subject to confirmation of planning and detailed proposals from the council, the Department will consider the project for pre-tender approval.
At O'Devaney Gardens, some 88 units are occupied. A planning application was lodged in December 2010 and approval has already been secured in respect of demolition. Detailed funding proposals are awaited from Dublin City Council. The council has set out its prioritisation list in this context. I must act in the context of what comes forward. In straitened economic circumstances, with limited resources, people are entitled to live in decent accommodation. The conditions illustrated are unacceptable and deplorable.
I call Deputy Boyd Barrett. I ask him to put a question.
Given the disastrous failure of PPPs to deliver for St. Michael's Estate and Dominick St., has the Government decided to abandon that model when trying to progress regeneration? I hope it has. Will the Government consider moving to a direct labour approach to the regeneration of estates, refurbishment works for council estates and the construction of social housing? This is a quicker way of doing it and is not vulnerable to the ups and downs demonstrated by PPPs that are dependent on private developers involved to make a quick buck. Even with the tendering process, where it is outsourced, there are major delays. There is a regeneration project in Dun Laoghaire, which took ten years because private developers——
The Deputy's time is up.
——kept going out of business. Why do we not employ some of the unemployed construction workers directly to do this regeneration work?
The Minister of State has one minute.
The good news is that Dun Laoghaire is finishing this year. It has been finalised at long last.
It took this long.
The model of delivering regeneration through PPPs had merit, as evidenced by the successful regeneration of Fatima Mansions. The project was widely acclaimed as a regeneration success and was delivered at no net cost to the city council. It is also beneficial to meeting the objectives of sustainable communities, as these usually involve a mixture of private and social housing and community and commercial development. The Fatima development is an example of the mixed use and mixed tenure approach. Regarding the future relevance of PPPs in regeneration, the market conditions are not there at present except in circumstances where local authorities' land or sites command high prices.
One remaining PPP project is under consideration, at Charlemont Street, and it was granted planning permission on 5 May 2011. The city council is in the process of commencing consultation with local residents and their representatives. That will be overseen by the NTMA and the procurement process will commence shortly. Some 180 units will be used for social housing purposes, with a significant number of them set aside as replacement units for current residents.
Deputy Boyd Barrett's point about employment is well made and I am not averse to it in respect of getting the maximum number of people in employment.
Deputy Wallace has one minute.
Will the Minister of State consider examining the manner in which PPPs are appointed and their structure? The structure is flawed and there is good reason the estates that were not developed were held by the same builder-developer. The manner in which the selection process works has major problems. Most builders could not possibly get on the list. Only a handful of builders in Ireland could tick all the boxes and I question the way the council is operating it.
I ask the Minister to seriously consider how work is assessed and controlled and the quality of workmanship.
Deputy Wallace's time is up.
This may apply to private or social housing. There is no proper control of workmanship. In the private sector, engineers and architects sign off on the work but the builder-developer pays the architect and engineer so they have no choice but to go along with him.
The Deputy's time is up. Thank you, Deputy Wallace.
We did away with the clerk of works years ago. Fianna Fáil got rid of them when it suited the party and its friends and we need to introduce a system for controlling workmanship.
Deputy Wallace has a head start on me on this, notwithstanding the fact that I come from a family involved in building at a very low level. Deputy Wallace indicates that it was extremely difficult for small firms to engage in PPPs. Standards were so rigid and forms were so detailed——
It was not related to standards.
I was not aware of that. I will be here ten weeks tomorrow. It is something I may well explore, particularly in the context where proposals emerge from Dublin City Council for other areas. In the context of limited resources, there may be a new way of evaluating PPPs. I will ask that this be examined.
I support the old clerk of works system, which worked extremely well. Generally, these people had detailed knowledge and attended at 8 a.m and were the last to leave in the evening. I was a junior in these matters when I was working as a student but I saw that system at work. Deputy Wallace is an advocate of the return of something of that nature and says workmanship now is not as good as it should be. These are issues I am eager to explore to ensure projects let slip in 2008 can be brought back from the back burner to ensure ordinary people can live in decent, habitable accommodation. That is the least we owe them. A number of steps are required to ensure the process is accelerated and front loaded. I will pursue this and Deputy Wallace, who has experience in this area, may have details to furnish. I will examine them in that context.
I welcome the allocation of €2 million in the current year for regeneration in Sligo. It has been brought to my attention that a commitment was given by a former Minister of State regarding house repairs within the catchment area. I request that the current Minister of State place a portion of this €2 million, perhaps in the region of €200,000, in an allocation for house repairs within that catchment area. The building programme will commence in Sligo within the regeneration area.
I am concerned because many builders in my area are quoting but are not in a position to get any of these contracts. These builders are being undercut by builders from elsewhere. In areas around the Border in particular, such as my constituency of Sligo and north Leitrim, it is vital for us to give priority to people living in the area. They have given service and worked extremely hard over the years in the building trade.
The Minister of State should consider the allocation for house repairs. A commitment was given by a former Minister of State and Deputy, Mr. Finneran, to those in Sligo in the past. We should consider giving builders from the region the opportunity to carry out this work.
I have heard Deputy McLoughlin's suggestion that €200,000 be ring-fenced for the repair of housing within the Sligo Borough Council area. That is from the €2 million being allocated to the Cranmore development. As I understand it, that has been delayed for a considerable period but has now been given the green light. I will ascertain if commitments were given in that regard and I anticipate that if they were, Sligo Borough Council would furnish full and comprehensive detail in respect thereof. I am not in a position to give a commitment standing here without examining the file on the matter for Sligo and the Cranmore area. I will have the matter reviewed in that context.
On the question of contracts, Deputy McLoughlin is well aware that once the project values exceed €1 million, they must be advertised in the Official Journal so everybody has the opportunity to participate in the process. Deputy McLoughlin may be alluding to the fact that tendering procedures should be looked at so that contracts can be broken down. The Deputy has alluded to people trying to secure some valuable work in order to provide very important employment to some of the 440,000 unemployed people. There may be a way to ensure the people referred to by the Deputy have a chance to secure some of those contracts in order to provide much-needed employment. Perhaps that is the way forward.
41 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the average turn-around time for void houses in each local authority area across the State. [11523/11]
49 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of Exchequer funding available to local authorities to assist them in maintaining an active voids reletting programme; and the amount of this funding that has been drawn down by each local authority area since it has been established. [11524/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 49 together.
The sixth annual report of the Local Government Management Services Board, published in February 2011, which details service indicators in local authorities in 2009, shows the average time taken, from the date of vacating of a unit to the date when all necessary repairs are carried out, to re-let a unit in each authority. The figures show that some 4,286 dwellings were vacant, accounting for 3.4% of the total national social housing stock of around 126,000 units.
The length of time taken to re-let units varies considerably between authorities and ranges from as little as one week in Limerick City Council to as high as 45 weeks in South Tipperary County Council. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement, based on the information set out in the report, outlining the time taken to re-let dwellings in all local authority areas.
It is a matter for each local authority, as an integral part of the management and maintenance of the social housing stock, to carry out any necessary pre-letting repairs and maintenance works to dwellings which are vacated by tenants in order to re-let the units to new tenants within the shortest possible timeframe. Under my Department's social housing investment programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of the social housing stock. This includes the carrying out of repairs and refurbishment works on both occupied and vacant dwellings. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the level of resources to be directed towards refurbishing vacant properties from within the allocations notified to them.
The overall capital provision from my Department in respect of improvement works to the national housing stock for 2011 is €31 million. This does not include funding for large-scale regeneration projects and estate-wide remedial works projects which also include retrofitting and refurbishment works on vacant dwellings, for which a further provision of €172 million is being made this year. My Department's improvement works programme is specifically targeting vacant dwellings in 2011 with the objective of returning the maximum number of vacant units to productive use at reasonable cost. In the case of casual or short-term vacancies, a grant of up to €18,000 or 90% of cost, whichever is the lesser, is recouped to the local authority in respect of works to improve the standard and the energy efficiency of a dwelling.
In the case of properties which have remained vacant for a protracted period or properties which have fallen into a state of serious disrepair, a special measure is being introduced this year which will allow local authorities to claim up to €35,000 for each unit returned to productive use. Authorities are required to prepare an Improvement plan for vacant properties for 2011, outlining the number of vacant properties on hands and setting out the proposed measures to improve these properties.
My Department's records show that over the period 2004 to 2010 some €52 million was recouped to local authorities in respect of improvements works on vacant properties. I will also circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out details in this regard.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
|
County Council |
Average time taken (in weeks) |
|
Carlow County Council |
17.7 |
|
Cavan County Council |
13.0 |
|
Clare County Council |
18.2 |
|
Cork City Council |
17.9 |
|
Cork County Council |
11.1 |
|
Donegal County Council |
24 |
|
Dublin City Council |
19.5 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
15.9 |
|
Fingal! County Council |
18 |
|
Galway City Council |
7 |
|
Galway County Council |
30.1 |
|
Kerry County Council |
24.1 |
|
Kildare County Council |
6.9 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
19.7 |
|
Laois County Council |
18 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
15.1 |
|
Limerick City Council |
1 |
|
Limerick County Council |
40.2 |
|
Longford County Council |
7 |
|
Louth County Council |
8 |
|
Mayo County Council |
18.5 |
|
Meath County Council |
11 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
14.8 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
12.5 |
|
Offaly County Council |
8.8 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
21.3 |
|
Sligo County Council |
18.6 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
18.7 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
45.8 |
|
Waterford City Council |
9 |
|
Waterford County Council |
19.5 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
5.2 |
|
Wexford County Council |
9.2 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
25.6 |
|
County Council |
€ |
|
Cavan County Council |
451,395.00 |
|
Clare County Council |
793,307.00 |
|
Cork City Council |
2,853,410.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
2,108,482.00 |
|
Donegal County Council |
377,536.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
31,021,448.63 |
|
Fingal County Council |
430,965.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
209,752.00 |
|
Galway County Council |
356,277.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2,645,289.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
134,194.00 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
223,454.00 |
|
Limerick City Council |
1,181,503.00 |
|
Limerick County Council |
547,564.00 |
|
Longford County Council |
762,839.00 |
|
Louth County Council |
702,664.00 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,371,463.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
1,514,163.00 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
211,002.00 |
|
Offaly County Council |
272,705.00 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
379,677.00 |
|
Sligo Borough Council |
357,555.00 |
|
Sligo County Council |
165,181.00 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
664,857.00 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
27,611.00 |
|
Waterford City Council |
1,588,878.00 |
|
Wexford County Council |
712,730.00 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
821,583.00 |
|
Total |
52,887,484.63 |
This is a big issue across most local authorities, with the scale of the problem differing across areas and particularly in some of the very large working class areas in Limerick or Ballymun. I heard the Minister of State's comments about Limerick's turnover but in south Tipperary, the turnover time is unacceptable. The Minister of State should address the problem as it is scandalous for the process to take so long. In many working class areas in Finglas, Ballymun and other parts of the city, the turnover can be anything from two or three months. There are even cases where properties have been tied up for a year or more.
Will the Minister of State consider whether local authorities need more money? He has outlined some of the issue but there is a question about delivering the properties much more quickly. We cannot afford to have them lying empty as that can lead to anti-social behaviour. Properties are boarded up and left sitting without being let. We must turn them over more quickly. The Minister of State mentioned a figure of €31 million but certain local authorities need an extra bit of help.
I agree with the Deputy. Our focus is on vacant properties and each local authority is required to prepare an improvement plan for such properties. Better and more flexible grants are available this year and the €35,000 measure is available to deal with vacant properties which require a different level of work in order to return them to productive use.
This is a time when we are strapped for cash and there are clear difficulties so it is important that all our household units are in service and being allocated. In capital funding, the priority is focusing on the regeneration and remedial works discussed earlier and remedial works within reduced resources. With local authorities we are focusing on using funding to maximise the number of units in service at any time. That is critical. I spent almost 19 years in local government and we did not get money from the Exchequer to effect repairs. The Deputy may also have spent some time in that area. We are providing €18,000 per unit to improve standards and energy efficiency and up to €35,000 for units which are in poor condition. In exceptional circumstances, such as where a property has suffered fire damage, the local authority may claim up to a maximum of 60% of the costs of demolition and rebuilding. In the context of straitened economic circumstances, the Department has focused on this area as a priority because of the huge social housing list. It is contrary to our policy objectives to allow local authority housing to remain boarded up. Such units attract unwanted elements and give rise to all sorts of issues for those who live in the same estate. Boarded up houses can become a magnet for problems that affect good people who are trying to pay their way and repair their own houses.
I acknowledge that the Minister of State has introduced flexibility to the measures for remediating houses but the large number of void houses is nonetheless an issue. While he stated that the percentage is small relative to the overall housing stock, it is a large number. He hit the nail on the head when he referred to the visual impact of boarded up houses, which is what hits people. As constituency representatives, all of us receive telephone calls on a weekly basis in regard to boarded up houses. Is it within his wherewithal to introduce an order or regulation to oblige local authorities to refurbish houses within a specified period of time?
I do not know what figures my local authority, Limerick County Council, provided in respect of the tabular statement circulated in the Minister of State's reply but I am sure the Deputies from Limerick City would dispute the claim of a turnaround time of one week. I am not calling anyone a liar but I do not believe units can be turned around in as short a time as one week because the evidence suggests otherwise. Can a regulation or order be introduced to require local authorities to turn around these vacant properties within a specified period?
Deputy Niall Collins put forward a fair suggestion. Unless significant damage has been done to a vacated house, it should be possible to re-allocate it within six weeks. I speak as somebody who lived all my life in a local authority house. While local authorities may not have adequate maintenance staff to do the necessary work, where minor repairs or repainting are required I am eager to see them being proactive in providing funds so that people can complete the work themselves in order to move in. That would obviously be subject to examination by a clerk of works so that the repairs are done to a proper standard. Any work that takes more than four or five weeks is getting into the "unacceptable" zone. I have no doubt that the housing needs assessment, which was undertaken on 31 March and will be available within the next three to five months, will show a significant increase and I will buy Deputy Boyd Barrett a pint if I am wrong. That is why we must get this issue right as part of the overall social housing programme. I am prepared to take any suggestions as to what Deputies regard as a reasonable time period. I am considering a period of six to eight weeks but that may be too short.
I welcome the seriousness with which the Minister of State is addressing this issue. Houses that are boarded up for long periods represent a running sore in estates. It is frustrating for unemployed construction workers to see these boarded up properties given that they are capable of making the necessary repairs. Even some of the people on the housing lists would prefer to refit the houses themselves rather than let them rot. If the figures about Limerick are accurate, can the Minister of State find out how houses are turned around in one week? What is being done there that is different from the rest of the country?
One of the reasons for the slow turnaround may be the requirement to tender for work. It often takes forever simply to hire a builder. If we gave local unemployed construction workers or even the people on the housing lists the opportunity, they could turn the houses around much faster. Obviously proper standards must be applied but we should consider this alternative because the cumbersome tendering process is causing lengthy and unnecessary delays in many cases.
I will be brief because my points have been addressed by others. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to investigate the work practices of those who turn around properties quickly.
Following on from Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, will the Minister of State consider some kind of community employment scheme whereby redundant apprentices and crafts people could be employed by local authorities to refurbish houses that have been sitting vacant for long periods? Such a scheme would produce a win-win result because it would tackle the housing list while creating employment and saving the Exchequer on rent allowance in the private sector. We need to think outside the box because it is a problem that is experienced nationwide.
Will the Minister of State consider providing details on turnaround times among the various local authorities? I am interested in finding out the figures for Sligo Borough Council and Sligo County Council. I also ask for details on the number of houses boarded up in recent months. Can figures be supplied in respect to the houses in my electoral area that have been in a deplorable state for a long period? I support the proposal by Deputy Coffey. There are a large number of local builders who would love to be involved in this work and they have a role to play in enhancing our housing estates. It is important that we set up schemes that ensure these houses are refurbished as quickly as possible.
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for individual authorities under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 and I do not want to trespass into that area. I am allocating resources, but the utilisation of such resources in terms of value for money and improvement work plans for vacant properties is a matter for the local authorities concerned. Local authority members do not want the Minister to think he or she knows all or to be dictated to by the Custom House. I will not be a dictator to local authorities and will work with them to ensure they achieve their objectives. As somebody who came through it, I am a great believer in the local authority system.
The figures provided relate to 2009 but I do not doubt many of the figures for vacant stock have improved since then. Individual housing authorities and the County and City Managers' Association are actively pursuing measures to increase efficiency and reduce turnaround times for refurbishing and re-letting vacant stock. The local government value for money audit also provided information in this regard. Local authorities may be constrained by the moratorium and other factors but I am sure they are aware of the need to reduce turnaround times to maximise the number of units available for allocation. They should be innovative and think outside the box in terms of incorporating some of the solutions proposed today in their strategies. It is important to work with trade unions within the local authorities to ensure everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet. The last thing I want to see, as the son of a former local authority worker, is displacement of local authority employees. I am stating this vested interest so that people cannot say that I argued for this without saying where I came from. Local authority employees have done exceptional work over the years.
It is important to discuss with the unions ways in which some of the schemes that were advocated today may be incorporated as part of the solution. If there are almost 4,300 houses, that means there are potentially 4,300 households which could be paying money into the local authorities. In other words, although it may be somewhat circular, it is a way of getting money in. This, in turn, would increase the money available for further housing maintenance programmes, perhaps allowing local authorities to replace staff who have retired in order to carry out the necessary remedial works. It is a win-win situation and I am open to suggestions. However, I will not dictate to local authorities on how they should do their work.
42 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce equality proofing of legislation and policy initiatives that come from him. [11512/11]
Enhancing equality and social development is central to the work of my Department, including, for instance, in the areas of housing and community development. The Department has a strong commitment to evidence-based policy formulation and uses the full range of tools and techniques to assess the impacts of policies and programmes at all stages of decision-making and legislative development.
It is a fundamental requirement that policy decisions must not contravene equality, anti-discrimination and human rights law. All legislative proposals are carefully scrutinised for compliance with this code. There is also public consultation and engagement with equality interests where relevant in development of policy and legislation. Regulatory impact analysis is undertaken for all key new legislative proposals and includes an assessment of impacts on equality under a range of headings as part of a comprehensive review of all potential impacts to ensure policy coherence.
Any changes to the current systems for equality-proofing of legislation and policy initiatives are best approached on a whole-of-Government basis. I remain committed to ensuring future policy initiatives and legislation developed by my Department enhance rather than detract from equality in our society and for citizens.
My party seeks meaningful equality-proofing across all areas of policy formulation and decision-making whether in programmes for addressing waste management or housing, support for the community and voluntary sector, or the need to provide greater access to training for jobs in alternative energy, to name but a few. It is important to address the gender impacts of any measures to address these issues and to ensure they are fully consistent with the principles of equality of access and outcomes. We propose the introduction of equality-proofing of all law and policy and the imposition of a legal duty to promote equality, equivalent to that in operation in the Six Counties. Does the Minister intend to bring forward any legislation in this area in the near future?
My Department, together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Health and Children, is taking part in a pilot to test guidelines for proofing proposals regarding disability prepared by the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the lead Department in regard to equality issues. We will await the outcome of this pilot programme which involves cross-cutting issues relevant to various Departments. I take on board the suggestions the Deputy made. We will examine section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which places a statutory obligation on Northern Ireland Departments and local authorities to have due regard, in carrying out their functions, to the need to promote equality of opportunity.
43 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a procedural problem with social housing applications whereby if a person needs to amend some part of the information on their form that they must resubmit their application in full and begin the process again; and his plans to rectify same. [11507/11]
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011, include a standard application form to be completed by all households seeking social housing support. To ensure that a housing authority is in a position to consider a household's application properly and fairly, this form must be completed fully and all relevant supporting documentation supplied. Failure to provide full information could result in an inaccurate assessment of the household's application, including an unwarranted negative decision regarding qualification.
For this reason, guidance from my Department advises housing authorities to return any incomplete applications as soon as possible and to request a complete application to enable an assessment to be conducted. A checklist for applicants is included and applicants are strongly advised to submit applications in person to verify the form's completeness straight away, so as to avoid unnecessary delays.
Once a household has been deemed qualified for social housing support, and put on the waiting list, it is the responsibility of the household to keep the housing authority updated of any change in details or circumstances which may affect the household's eligibility or priority. This process does not require resubmission of an application form.
There have been numerous cases where people who have lost their homes have experienced difficulties in applying for social housing. We must have new criteria to deal with people in that position. The current application form does not cater for certain people who were previously home owners but whose properties have been taken by the banks or otherwise. This issue must be taken into account in order to cater for such people.
The Deputy makes a fair point. I have indicated my intention to look at the assessment regulations by the end of the year and I will take on board submissions from Deputies in this regard. There is nobody better than Oireachtas Members and local authority representatives in this regard because they are at the coalface and can identify the shortcomings and failures of any system. The new application process has brought some degree of consistency and uniformity. It is important, for example, that what is applied in Westmeath can also be applied in Dublin. However, if there is a lacuna, particularly where people have been subject to a repossession order or something of that nature, it is important that they be accommodated. I refer to situations where home owners are no longer in a position to pay their mortgage and the legal system has moved beyond the threat of proceedings to them having to vacate their home.
I am eager that this situation be accommodated within the overall assessment procedure. It is a comprehensive procedure. I have a view, informed by being a local authority representative where the best education is obtained, that there should be, as far as possible, a one-stop shop in respect of social housing policy. I intend to bring forward a social housing policy review in the coming months. A priority in this regard is the provision of a one-stop model where a person is assessed only once as opposed to the situation in the past where there were multiple assessments. I understand there are always concerns about anything new. The form has to be comprehensive in order to ensure that it is right for Athlone Town Council as well as for Westmeath County Council. That is more efficient than having people traipsing into two different offices.
Another issue I have considered in depth in the past ten weeks relates to supplementary welfare provision and the rent allowance scheme. Persons undergo a rigorous assessment by the local authority after which they receive an assessment letter and must then go off to a community welfare officer somewhere else, perhaps a considerable distance away. It may be time to bite the bullet and to incorporate all of this within a social housing context. Whereas rental income support was originally intended as a temporary income support measure it has now become an integral part of overall social housing policy.
That is what I am thinking about.
A standard form is available but not everybody has access to a computer or is computer literate. Has the Minister of State discussed an online version of the application form with the Local Government Computer Services Board or the County and City Managers' Association? Significant administrative time could be saved if such access was provided. As public representatives, we often help applicants to fill out the form and we could, therefore, do it online for them. It would be a useful way to save staff time.
I welcome the Minister of State's approach to this issue. It is a positive day and we are hearing many positive comments. I must pinch myself.
Deputy Boyd Barrett is selling out.
Deputy Luke ‘Ming' Flanagan was well looked after by Fine Gael in Roscommon in the past when it suited him.
I welcome the Minister of State's suggestion to bring both functions together in a one-stop-shop but the discretion community welfare officers have in sanctioning rent allowance is worrying. The vast majority of CWOs are good, decent people but problem cases arise because they have discretion rather than being subject to clear guidelines about people's eligibility. This matter needs to be examined.
I always argued for discretion. I recall that my first day as a council member when we discussed the county development plan, an old councillor, who has long since passed away, said the one thing we must not do is allow the county manager to streamline everything because he will never exercise an ounce of discretion. Perhaps there is an argument in that regard. However, standardisation of interpretation is important. The Minister supports that and I am grateful to him for his support. My intention is to bring everything together so that there would be a unitary interpretation while, at the same time, allowing flexibility, where needed. CWOs served us well in the past because they knew individual and family circumstances best through their work.
Deputy Murphy has again demonstrated her knowledge of the local authority system. Her idea is excellent and I will see whether it can be implemented. I will suggest that my officials raise this at their next meeting with representatives of the County and City Managers' Association. If the Deputy has further ideas in this regard, I would appreciate it if she would furnish me with the details. Her proposal would simplify everything for the applicant whom we are trying to work with and whose needs we are trying to satisfy. Such applicants can become confused but many young applicants are computer literate and if the forms were available online, it would be efficient for the applicants and the local authorities. I hope turnaround times would also improve. It would be administratively efficient and effective and it would be worthwhile pursuing.
44 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to improve or accelerate social housing provision in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11589/11]
62 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase funding for the development of publicly provided social housing for older persons. [11521/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 62 together.
Notwithstanding the significant easing of affordability experienced in recent years, the current adverse economic circumstances have impacted on the demand for social housing and the capacity to meet this demand. The straitened resource environment has accelerated the shift away from reliance purely on programmes of construction and acquisition.
The main focus in terms of supports provided by Government will be on meeting the most acute needs, the housing support needs of those unable to provide for their accommodation from own resources. We are committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to these needs, including those of older people, through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing, continued strong support for special needs provision through the capital assistance scheme and the suite of adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities.
This will necessitate a continuing restructuring of the social housing investment programme to allow for delivery of new social housing through more flexible funding models, in order to enable us to meet our social housing delivery commitments in the period ahead while, to the greatest extent possible, protecting programmes targeting special needs. The social housing leasing initiative and, in particular, the rental accommodation scheme will each play their part as long-term mainstream social housing supports.
The Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease, and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies, including from the Housing Finance Agency, for construction and acquisition.
I am sure the Minister of State will agree it was a scandal that the previous Government oversaw an unprecedented property boom during which up to 90,000 houses were built annually but left a legacy of 50,000 people on local authority housing lists, which is an astonishing indictment of its performance. Can he assure the House that the Government will not oversee an equally great scandal with up to 300,000 empty houses in the State while 50,000 people are on the housing list and that he will aggressively move to resolve this terrible anomaly, which could result in people being on the list for nine or ten years?
Must we not aggressively attack this issue not only because of the obscenity of houses lying empty while people are on the housing list but also for sound financial reasons? If the 50,000 people on the housing list were housed, it would save the State approximately €500 million in rent allowance payments annually and it would probably generate €360 million for the Exchequer in rent. This would not even be fiscally neutral. We would benefit if we housed the 50,000 people on the list. While acknowledging the Minister of State's earlier comments, is there not a case for allocating suitable NAMA properties to social housing applicants and, where such properties are not suitable, to engage workers to construct social housing because that would create employment, provide housing and save the State money by generating a new revenue stream? It is a "no brainer" to do this. Does the Minister of State intend to move in that direction?
I would love to do that because local authorities should be the prime drivers of social housing policy and I come from that background but, in the context of the straitened financial circumstances in which we find ourselves, the capital budget for social housing has reduced by 66% since 2008 down from €1.535 billion to €500 million and the bulk of that reduction has affected the local authority housing programme, the allocation for which has reduced from €1 billion to €140 million this year. The financial parameters within which we will operate over the coming years rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes by local authorities and, therefore, we must examine alternatives such as the build to lease or rental accommodation schemes, transfers from NAMA and so on.
Delivery of social housing will be primarily facilitated through more flexible funding models. The social housing leasing initiative will be discussed with NAMA. I met NAMA officials and I informed them that I want to generate a social dividend, if possible. This could be a circular bird because the agency is operating on behalf of the State, as is the Department. If we can implement the initiative in conjunction with NAMA, rent could be charged at 80% of the market rate on long-term leases, which would generate a return for the State on a long-term basis, with applicants then having the option to purchase or the State having the option to take equity in the property at the end of the lease.
I would like the State to get some return from long-term leasing through the tenants. Approved housing bodies will play an increasing role through securing funding from the Housing Finance Agency to either lease, purchase or construct houses. They provide an off-balance sheet method of funding the social housing programme and they will play an ever-increasing role in that regard.
I would like to proceed in the manner outlined by Deputy Boyd Barrett but I am not in a position to do so because of financial constraints. It would be misleading and dishonest of me to start giving out something that is not achievable in the short term. I do not wish to engage in that approach on the floor of the Chamber.
Social housing is a huge issue.
The Deputy should ask a question please.
You should give me a bit of leeway, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, as I got caught up in traffic.
I have been very fair to the Deputy.
Getting here was a nightmare.
Deputy Ellis had to make way for the Queen.
I missed some of the important things I wanted to get. Approximately 44,000 people are on the social housing list. Approximately 100,000 people are on rental subsidy, which costs the State more than €500 million. That is a total of 144,000 people looking for social housing. It is an absolute scandal.
The Deputy should ask a question please.
The Minister has outlined some of the ways to deal with the issue. In the context of NAMA, existing housing stock owned by builders, in addition to properties lying idle could be purchased on a five-year basis. Some money could be paid upfront and the remainder in five years time. It would be a win-win situation if local authorities could get such housing stock as it would provide revenue to them and it would also create employment in the construction industry to clear the backlog of building work.
I wish to call Deputy Finian McGrath.
I am just making the point——
This is Question Time.
I urge the Minister to consider the available properties in NAMA and to see whether they can be made available to local authorities.
I wish to ask the Minister of State two short questions. In his response he referred to housing for disabled people. Will he ensure that it is a priority, as people with disabilities have extra problems?
When does the Minister of State envisage something will happen on the ground to benefit those on waiting lists?
I am not clear about the Minister of State's reasons we cannot proceed in the manner I outlined. I accept what he said about economic constraints but this is a financially positive move for the State. We will save money if we invest in NAMA housing stock or build new social housing to house those on housing waiting lists. Surely that is a safe bet in terms of capital investment. We have money in the National Pensions Reserve Fund. If we house people we will save on rent allowance payments and get revenue into the State through rental income. There is no risk in doing that and it would get people back to work. I do not understand why we would not do it.
The leasing arrangements are crazy because they are throwing money away to the benefit of private developers. Could the Minister of State guarantee that in so far as leasing arrangements are entered into, they will not be with developers who are bankrupt so that we are essentially keeping them in business when they are bankrupt? It is one thing for a local authority to lease from NAMA because the money is coming back to us but it would be a crazy waste of money if we were to lease from a developer who is bankrupt and who would not still be in business were it not for the existence of a local authority lease. I seek assurances in that regard.
I invite the Minister of State to return to the issue in the House at a future date having examined the amount of money being spent on options such as the rental accommodation scheme, long-term leases and rental subsidies. He should add those costs together. I referred previously today to vacant houses in ghost estates. I agree that not all such properties are suitable for local authority housing nor should all local authority housing be in the one place. We support the integration of social housing. I urge the Minister of State to examine the option and to try to use existing resources to better effect as much taxpayers' money is being poured down the drain at the moment.
A number of questions arise in that regard. I do not object to Deputy Boyd Barrett's objective. I am somewhat constrained but I must deal with reality. In the context of NAMA, a significant number of houses do not fall within the social housing provision. This week and early next week we will engage in a process to identify suitable housing. In the case of abandoned estates or where nobody is to be found we will enact appropriate legislation in the House to ensure that the State and citizens get a social dividend or benefit. I look forward to all-party support for the legislation, which would be novel.
I assure Deputy Finian McGrath that the housing strategy for people with disabilities sets out the framework for the proposed delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. That will inform the future development of local housing action plans. I will ensure it will be central to the review of social housing policy that will take place in the coming months. Notwithstanding the constraints on financial resources I have outlined we have maintained and increased the funding for the suite of housing adaptation grants and mobility grants that are available. They have been subject to review and we are getting good value for money in that regard.
My objective as Minister of State with responsibility for this area is to ensure that people get an opportunity to live in their home environment for as long as possible. We are creating jobs in that area for people on the live register. It is a win-win situation. I take cognisance of the points made by Deputy Stanley and look forward to a productive debate in that regard.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Jim Daly — the eligibility criteria of applicants for the position of supervisors in the new Tús programme; (2) Deputy Tony McLoughlin — the need to award €400,000 in aid towards Sligo Airport; (3) Deputy Michael Healy-Rae — the need to improve the way in which matters raised by way of parliamentary question to the Minister for Health and Children are responded to as highlighted by a recent query relating to Kenmare Community Hospital, County Kerry; (4) Deputy Seamus Healy — the need to commence the bypass of Tipperary town on the N24; (5) Deputy Nicky McFadden — the provision of an extension to Baylin national school, Athlone, County Westmeath; (6) Deputy Ciarán Lynch — the need to address the deficit in foreign language skills; (7) Deputy Joe Carey — the need for any boundary extension of Limerick city not to extend into County Clare; (8) Deputy Gerald Nash — the need to continue to support, resource and recognise the contribution of the arts to society and the economy; (9) Deputy Dessie Ellis — the need for the Minister to act in light of last night's programme detailing the shocking lack of regulation in the taxi industry across the country which is endangering people and the livelihoods of honest taxi drivers; (10) Deputy James Bannon — the need for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to expedite a review of the by-law which banned eel fishing in Ireland in 2008 that resulted in 500 fishermen being out of work; and (11) Deputy Bernard J. Durkan — the closure of the dental service at Derrinturn, County Kildare.
The matters raised by Deputies Ciarán Lynch, Michael Healy-Rae, Bernard J. Durkan and Tony McLoughlin have been selected for discussion.
