Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Vol. 1006 No. 4

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Irish Water

David Stanton

Ceist:

33. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to parliamentary question No. 760 of 21 April 2021, the amount of Departmental funding drawn down by Irish Water to date in 2021; his expectations for the drawing down of further funding by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22861/21]

I asked the Minister a question last month about the amount of funding that Irish Water has received and he told me it received €1.4 billion. I am interested to know the amount of this funding that has been drawn down to date this year by Irish Water, his expectations for the drawing down of further funding by Irish Water and a breakdown of same, and to give us an idea of where the money is going.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan): Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water service planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water.

As part of budget 2021, funding of over €1.4 billion was secured to support water services. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services, support improved water supplies right across the island, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas.

Over €1.3 billion in voted Exchequer funding is to be provided to Irish Water in respect of domestic water service provision in 2021 of which €692 million is capital funding and €614 million is current. By the end of April 2021 Irish Water has drawn down €223.25 million of which €153.5 million relates to current funding and €69.75 million relates to capital funding.

I expect that Irish water will draw down this full provision in 2021 to continue its investment to provide clean, safe drinking water to customers, to treat and return waste water to the environment and improve water quality in our river catchments and our estuaries.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. There does seem to be an issue in that many people feel that Irish Water has a shortage of money. All the questions before now have been about housing, and I am sure the Minister of State realises that in many parts of the country housing development is frozen in many towns. In Mitchelstown in my own constituency, and in Midleton and Castlemartyr, no new houses can be built now because Irish Water does not have the infrastructure, and maybe does not have the funding either. Has an analysis been undertaken across the country to find out what towns cannot actually build houses because of waste water infrastructure deficits? If the Minister of State does not have that information, he might give it to me at some stage. What is the timetable for rectifying these? As I said, there is a sense that Irish Water does not have the funding. There are some very good people in there. In my own area of Youghal, Cobh, Cork Harbour and Carrigtwohill, there is amazing work being done with new waste water treatment plants but we need now to unlock the land. Local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, funding has been made available in some areas, to allow housing to continue.

I wish to highlight the same issue in my own area. I thank the Minister of State for meeting representatives from my area about the Irish Water difficulty in Dún Laoghaire and the waste network that needs urgent upgrading. I thank him for providing the report on what Irish Water is doing to identify the scale of the issue and replace it, but it is a really urgent problem right across the coast of Dublin Bay. I know the Minister is aware of it and we have an awful lot of work to do to try to upgrade it.

The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien and I met with SOS Dublin Bay last week to discuss some of these issues. We will get a response from Irish Water on that.

To reassure Deputy Stanton, the investment by this Government will be significant over its lifetime and that is reflected in the 2021 allocation and the €87 million that was invested in Irish Water through the July stimulus last year. The projected capital investment in 2021 is in the region of €900 million overall, and within that Irish Water will deliver €103 million of new connection infrastructure to facilitate housing and commercial development. This is €103 million of expenditure which is funded externally. The funding to be provided to Irish Water is vital to maintain its asset base and current levels of service to ensure compliance and growth and to deliver improvements in drinking water quality and capacity, to manage waste water and protect and enhance the environment, and to support growth and economic development for Ireland. It will deliver projects and programmes targeted at achieving Irish Water outcomes and outputs, including the removal of projects from the EPA remedial action list, and addressing agglomerations under the urban waste water treatment directive.

I recognise the huge investment and amount of work being done by the hard-working people in Irish Water but that does not take away from the fact that there are towns such as Mitchelstown, Midleton and Castlemartyr in my constituency and maybe other towns around the country that are frozen and locked out of housing development because of a lack of infrastructure. Will the Minister of State prioritise those? Has any analysis been undertaken on towns like that across the country where they are locked out. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is listening to this. In some instances the land and developers are available and LIHAF funding has been provided; it is all ready to go and the only thing stopping it is the water infrastructure. No developer will take a chance on building houses - they will not be let by the local authority and rightly so - unless they are guaranteed a connection. They cannot get a connection if the water infrastructure is not up to speed. I ask the Minister of State to have a look at this and to assist and support Irish Water on this. It might not be all about money but there is a feeling in some instances that it might be.

I wish to bring to the Minister of State's attention that Irish Water is failing in its duty of care on the management of its assets in Drogheda in County Louth and that for the first time ever, the EPA has issued an instruction to Irish Water that if it does not manage its resources properly, it will be prosecuted. There is a stench emanating from the waste water treatment plant. One of the three settlement tanks has been shut down. There is septic sewage coming in from east Meath because it is not being taken out of the pipes. I ask that the Minister of State meet with Irish Water as a matter of urgency to discuss how it will deal with this. It is a shame and a disgrace that an entity that I was part of setting up is treating my town so badly.

I assure the Deputy that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke and I are committed to working with Irish Water over the lifetime of this Government to deliver this project. As I stated already, the removal of projects from the EPA remedial action list is a key priority of Irish Water. We are happy to take up the Deputy's request to meet with Irish Water on Drogheda, as that is important.

Housing Issues

James O'Connor

Ceist:

34. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the acceleration of housing in eastern areas of County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23015/21]

I raise the exceptionally important problem of a waste water treatment plant in the Mitchelstown area and Irish Water. It is holding up two housing developments that are ready to go in the area which means local people from the town and the wider community are unable to get homes there. It is completely unacceptable. I have been working alongside the local Fianna Fáil councillors there and I ask for the Minister's assistance. Perhaps the Minister will indulge me by telling me how his Department can assist in getting Irish Water to put the infrastructure that is needed in Mitchelstown in place.

Tá an cheist seo faoi thithíocht. On the Deputy's specific question, I can take that up. To follow on from what previous Deputies and our colleagues have said, there is work to be done by Irish Water. They have more funding this year than they have had in many years. The national development plan review includes some requests about provision of waste water treatment and increasing capacity particularly in rural towns and villages and also in our regions. I know it is acute in Cork. I met with Deputy O'Connor and we discussed it. I am happy to convene a meeting with Irish Water on it but we are trying to drive on its capital programme. As Deputies O'Connor and Stanton have rightly said, we cannot deliver housing without waste water and fresh water capacity. It is a challenge but one that is surmountable. We will not be left wanting for funds but it is about delivery now. The local authorities also have a role. We will come up with quite an innovative solution in the summer, subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

On Question No. 34, which relates to the provision of housing for County Cork, the programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver over 50,000 homes. I will provide the Deputy with the written answer. Cork County Council, which is one of the exemplars on the delivery of social homes, delivered 546 social homes in 2020. In 2021, Covid will impact somewhat but the council is on target to deliver 740 new social homes supported by the Government. The construction status report of the fourth quarter showed a total of 29 projects on site to deliver a total of 569 social homes in Cork county. The Deputy has been a very strong advocate for affordable housing and Cork county will play a leading role in affordable housing for working people.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer. I will certainly work alongside him to continue to tackle these issues. However, the reality with Irish Water and its treatment of my constituents in Cork East is that Mitchelstown is listed on the capital plan from 2020 to 2024 but funding has not been provided. I want to tell the Minister in the strongest terms that this is completely unacceptable. Just down the road in Glanmire there have been multiple water outages too. We have a serious problem with Irish Water in Cork East and I need the Minister's assistance. I look forward to working with him proactively to deal with these particular issues. Down the road, Midleton is a huge town with potential to grow. Multiple housing developments, which are badly needed, in close proximity to Cork need the water infrastructure as well. It has to be said, they also need schools.

The lack of waste water treatment facilities and a freshwater supply for new houses is holding back the development of housing in my municipal district and for the people of Mitchelstown. Perhaps the Minister will be able to reply on that.

It is about the delivery of the capital plan. The Deputy is correct, in that Mitchelstown, Glanmire and Midleton have capacity issues. He has raised this with me before. We need to see the delivery of the capital programme. I am happy to meet the Deputy regarding these specific issues in the towns in question. We will not be able to deliver the affordable homes we need for working people unless we can make progress in that area. I firmly believe we will.

The serviced sites funding will support the delivery of a further 360 affordable homes in Cork county, including 70 cost rental homes in Carrigaline. In addition, two of the eight newly selected sites for the cost rental scheme are located in Cork city. I will announce the precise locations in the coming weeks. Later in the summer, we will publish our Government plan, Housing for All. I am happy to work with the Deputy, who is a strong advocate for his constituency, on the delivery of the upgrade to the waste water treatment infrastructure in the three towns in question and of affordable housing for working people.

I thank the Minister for his very good answers on affordable housing. This is of enormous concern to many younger buyers. As the youngest Member of the Oireachtas, I hear these concerns almost every day from people who are struggling to access housing in their communities. I am delighted to hear that Cork County Council is facilitating some of the very first developments under the Minister’s tenure. I ask him to ramp up the level of development in order that it is spread right around the county. I am talking about places such as Midleton, Killeagh, Youghal and Cobh. These are growing areas that need housing for young populations. An interesting statistic is that the east Cork area has one of the youngest working populations in the country, as well as one of the fastest growing. Therefore, we need the housing stock. We also need investment from Irish Water. The same has to be said for north Cork, including Mitchelstown. I am delighted progress is being made in Mallow but the people of Mitchelstown need the Minister’s support. I thank him for his answers today.

Affordable housing and its delivery for working people are central to the Government’s response to the housing crisis. As a Government, we believe in homeownership. It is a just and honest aspiration and it is one that should be supported by the State. That is why the affordable housing Bill we published yesterday is so important. It is to deliver a suite of measures to people all over the country who heretofore found they had been left out of the housing market. These measures will work. I thank the Deputy for his support in that regard.

On the delivery of capital infrastructure, the Irish Water capital investment plan is crucial. I meet representatives of Irish Water regularly at management level to encourage them to expedite the delivery of projects. I am happy to work with Deputy O’Connor on the three towns in his constituency and to facilitate a meeting with Irish Water in that regard. The capital plan Irish Water has is ambitious. We have ground to make up regarding waste water infrastructure all across the country, not just along the western seaboard. This is acutely the case in certain areas.

Flexible Work Practices

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

35. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies to support local authorities to continue new work practices implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic that are more family friendly for councillors and council staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22889/21]

I am raising with the Minister of State this evening the opportunity to continue with some of the work practices of local authority staff and councillors that have emerged during the Covid pandemic. Adopting the new flexible working practices we have seen has led to a better and more balanced way of life for many people and their communities. There will be less pressure on public transport if staff are not needed in the same way as they were. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State’s thoughts on this.

I thank the Deputy for her question. Similar to other sectors, the local authority sector will continue to make available flexible working, remote working and family-friendly arrangements that facilitate work-life balance while ensuring the delivery of all local authority services. Consideration of family-friendly working practices is particularly important in ensuring that elected councils are fully representative of the constituents they serve. In this regard, on 20 October 2020, a ministerial order was signed by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, under section 29 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 allowing meetings of local authorities to be held remotely. It remains a matter for each elected council to decide if it wishes to continue to avail of this order, based on the wishes of the elected members. I am aware of the desire among some councillors, particularly those with family or other caring responsibilities, for the option to attend meetings virtually to continue. I can confirm I am supportive of this aim. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this regard.

Earlier this year, I convened a working group of key local government stakeholders, including councillor representative organisations, to examine the non-pay-related recommendations of the Moorhead report. The working group is in the process of finalising an action plan that will deal with many of the issues referred to by the Deputy, such as administration and IT supports, flexibility of meeting times and duration, and technological solutions. Also covered will be matters such as remote meetings, voting and live-streaming of meetings, along with training and development supports. Addressing these key issues will facilitate the retention of existing councillors, while also maximising the accessibility of local government to future candidates. It will also ensure the role of the councillor is manageable, accessible and sustainable, including for anyone who has other obligations in the form of caring responsibilities or work commitments.

I thank the Minister of State for all his work in this area. It is so important in supporting people going into local politics, attracting a more diverse group and keeping them. The Minister will be aware that while Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which is in my area, is the first with a 50:50 gender balance, two of its female councillors, namely, Councillors Lorraine Hall and Eva Dowling, have had babies since the election in 2019, because that is what people do. In Ms Hall’s case, there was no provision for her to be able to adapt; she simply had to cope with a newborn baby and the council meetings. Ms Dowling was able to have a pairing arrangement with Councillor Emma Blain but these arrangements are unsustainable. It does not just end at six months. As the Minister of State has identified, young families pose a difficulty for councillors. Some councillors are hoping to have the opportunity to have hybrid meetings, partly virtual and partly in person. It is great to hear the Department is supportive of that and a range of other measures.

I thank the Deputy. It is great news that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is reflective of society at large. It is important to have a gender balance in our local authorities that reflects the communities they serve. Councillor Lorraine Hall is on our committee. On foot of the Moorhead report’s recommendations on the non-pay items, we have established a sub-group to examine maternity benefit for elected representatives. Elected representatives are officeholders, not employees, which means they are different under employment law. We have really to work on this. The group has had two meetings. Several female councillors, representing different geographical areas, are considering this. I want to come up with a response that is meaningful, that women will use, that will be supportive and that will encourage more women to enter politics. It is so important that all our local authorities reflect the communities they serve. I am very supportive of that as Minister of State.

I thank the Minister of State for the update on that work. It is such welcome work and it is so important. There has been a big change for council staff. We are hearing reports from councillors to the effect that, in many ways, they have been even more accessible in recent months because people have been sharing mobile phone numbers and so on. That has made connectivity much easier, rather than leaving messages at desk phones and so on. It has been possible to resolve many little problems very quickly, which is good. If we can continue with this, it will be an important part of providing more flexible working arrangements.

I recognise the important right to disconnect. We should not be overburdening council staff or councillors. They do need a right to disconnect and do need to have the privacy of their family home and family life because everybody needs a balanced working environment. Everything we can do to create flexibility in work, whether it is by allowing one to work for two days at home and three in the office, or vice versa, will be really important.

I thank the Deputy for her comments. As she rightly stated, flexibility is so important for our local authority workers. They can avail of many family-friendly, supported policies that will be enhanced and continued. We are talking about career breaks, flexible working, the work-sharing scheme, parental leave, paternity leave, parent's leave, maternity leave, carer's leave and associated policies. They are so important in supporting our local authority workers.

The Deputy referred to the right to disconnect. That, in tandem with what the Tánaiste is trying to progress in respect of remote working in his Department, is part of the measures to support employees to realise their potential and work from home, or, indeed, adopt a blended approach that suits all concerned.

As the Deputy noted, it is important for people to have that right to disconnect in order that their homes will be private and they will have time for their families. I hope that a blend of these policies will give people greater opportunities to be with their families and disconnect and will encourage a better society in general. They could be some of the rewards from Covid.

Climate Action Plan

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

36. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work that is being undertaken to ensure that the planning system supports the overall efforts for decarbonisation of society in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/21]

Will the Minister of State ensure that the planning system supports the overall efforts for the decarbonisation of society? I welcome the decarbonising zones that have been identified, with one per county. Where the planning system is not working, however, is that a town such as Drogheda, one of the five national growth centres, has not been selected in addition to Dundalk. I welcome Dundalk's selection but it is not a national growth centre. Will the Minister of State examine the rules and regulations to ensure that national growth centres such as Drogheda will automatically be designated as decarbonising zones?

The climate action plan 2019 reaffirmed the important role of planning and the national planning framework in supporting national decarbonisation objectives. A top priority of the national planning framework is compact growth and its inter-relationship with sustainable mobility and transport. Compact growth is also a strategic response to counteract urban sprawl, which results in a high carbon footprint due to demands on transport and energy, mostly based on fossil fuels. Along with minimising transport demand, higher densities and shorter travel distances will reduce energy demand and use. Multi-storey and terraced buildings in close proximity require less energy and make renewables-based systems of energy distribution such as district heating more feasible. City and county development plans must promote sustainable settlement and transport strategies, including measures to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, and address the necessity of adaptation to climate change.

The Department promotes decarbonisation through a wide range of measures including statutory planning guidelines such as the updated wind energy development guidelines; the development of the national marine planning framework and an associated marine consenting regime to enable the development of offshore renewable energy; working with local authorities to develop decarbonisation zones; and legislation to promote the use of solar panels and increased numbers of charging points for electric vehicles. I am confident in all the work the Department is doing to support the Government's efforts to put Ireland on a pathway to decarbonisation. It is clear we have a shared vision, from the climate action plan and the national planning framework to the county development plans, regional strategies and local area plans, to try to realise the targets contained within the climate action plan. It is important for a sustainable future that we do that and work together and that there be connectivity between the Government plans.

I ask the Minister of State to answer the question I asked about decarbonisation zones. I welcome his analysis and all the work that has been done. He referred to the national planning framework. Drogheda is designated in the framework as a national growth centre but because the selection of decarbonisation zones is limited to one per county, the largest town in Ireland, the next to become a city, cannot take advantage of the access to new ideas and investments that will come through the Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, and other organisations. Will the Minister of State examine the regulations in order that in an exceptional case, a town that is a national growth centre could benefit in full as the other town, Dundalk, rightly and properly does from transport, active travel, civic buildings analysis, green spaces, biodiverse land use, air quality, waste management and all the other issues?

The initial question referred to the overall strategy for the decarbonisation of society. Action 165 of the climate action plan specifically requires the identification of one location or area in a local authority that will be subject to a plan for a decarbonisation zone. Thereafter, follow-up steps could include harnessing the potential to develop a low-carbon town project for future calls under the climate action fund. The early progression of decarbonisation projects harnesses a range of technologies and incentives that will be subject to a mid-project review by the local authority. Each local authority has been requested to identify before 30 April 2021 a potential area suitable for selection as a decarbonisation zone. Each application should be accompanied by a broad outline of the main projects that could be implemented in the zone and an indication of the potential outcomes deliverable in terms of the reductions in carbon emissions, while recognising that the precise details should be included in each local authority's climate plan. At a minimum, these outcomes must be capable of meeting the Government's targets for carbon emission reductions as set out. Specifically, they must meet a 7% reduction overall in greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030.

I accept that Drogheda was not mentioned in the initial question, but I mentioned it in the question I have since asked the Minister of State. I ask him now, simply and respectfully, to examine the issue. One would expect that when a town has been identified as a major national growth centre, it would be included as a designated decarbonisation zone in order that it can take full and proper advantage of all the changes coming.

I accept the question from the floor. It is difficult to comment, given that I do not have in front of me the detail on a particular town and I am talking about the broader policy. I will engage with the Department and revert to the Deputy on the matter. As I stated, each local authority was mandated to put forward one area for selection as a decarbonisation zone. We can discuss Drogheda into the future and see what we can derive from that. It is important that these plans be well connected, although I appreciate there are geographical constraints that people are concerned about. Drogheda, which the Deputy quite rightly fights for daily, is a huge growth centre with significant capacity to attract inward investment. We will do everything to facilitate that and will discuss it again with the Deputy.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

37. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of progress regarding the town centre first initiative; when this process is likely to conclude and be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22615/21]

Seán Canney

Ceist:

44. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a scheme to support owners of buildings within towns and villages to refurbish these properties and bring them into use as residential units within town and village centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22874/21]

We need foreign investment in our housing markets but we need it to stimulate the supply of housing by funding the building of apartment blocks. We do not need what happened in Maynooth. That is the exact opposite of what young couples of my age who want to own their own homes need. That is why we need the Minister to limit the powers of these investment funds. They should not be allowed to buy up two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses that are already built. That is not putting people first. Will the Minister of State provide an update on the Town Centre First initiative?

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 44 together.

While our towns and villages have shown remarkable resilience through the recent crisis, they require specific policy supports to ensure they will continue to function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and raise families, to act and serve as cultural and recreational hubs for the surrounding areas and to facilitate social and community interaction. In this context, the programme for Government committed to developing the Town Centre First initiative. With a view to giving effect to this commitment and the actions outlined in the programme for Government, a Town Centre First interdepartmental group was established in November 2020 to consider the regeneration of towns and villages. The group is jointly chaired by the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Rural and Community Development.

In parallel, a Town Centre First advisory group was established to enable the experiences of a broader group of stakeholders to be brought to bear in informing the process of policy development and will support the work of the interdepartmental group. Following the initial development stages through the forum of the interdepartmental group and the advisory group, four key pillars are in development as part of the Town Centre First framework via the support of dedicated working groups tasked with addressing governance and enabling structures, an economic and social purpose, a living towns approach and investment and resources.

Work has progressed well and draft working group papers are being developed for discussion, initially with the interdepartmental group, in the coming weeks. There is a general consensus among all the groups that there is no one solution or issue that can or should be addressed in isolation but rather that a Town Centre First framework should be holistic and capable of being tailored to address the individual needs, size and characteristics of a town. Until such time as this work has been further progressed and measures developed and agreed, it would be premature to comment on the specific matters raised. The aim is that the interdepartmental group will provide recommendations for consideration by the Government in June. It is envisaged that these recommendations will cover the short, medium and longer terms to 2040 to align with Project Ireland 2040.

Recently, €5 million in funding for a connected hubs fund was announced. This is a really welcome initiative for people who are looking to work flexibly or closer to home. The fund is, however, targeted at existing remote working hubs, which means that prime locations such as Rathcoole on the N7, or Lucan and Adamstown just off the N4, cannot apply. Will projects in these areas be eligible for funding under any of the Town Centre First plans? Will the Minister of State be looking at how we can invest in living towns farther down the country to allow for flexible working?

Living towns and the hubs to which the Deputy has referred will be key elements and tenets of what we do as we assess what will assist workers and communities and as we develop a sustainable model to grow our towns. We have had a number of bilateral engagements with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department with a view to expanding the network of remote working hubs. As the Deputy referenced, a number have already been established. I understand that the Minister has put a call out for another round, which will allow for more hubs. It is very important that we offer viable opportunities for communities to ensure that they have the capacity to engage in remote working. We must also ensure that they have broadband and any other key elements required to carry out their functions as vibrant communities. These issues will be studied. As I referenced in my initial response, we have had a pilot programme with respect to six towns at which we have looked before. We have learned from that and will be formulating a proposal for the Government halfway through this year.

I thank the Minister of State for that reply. Remote working can really help us with our housing plans as well as it will give people the freedom to live outside of our urban town centres and big population areas. I will take this opportunity to commend the Government for the approval the Cabinet gave for the new Housing for All initiatives this week. We will have our first scheme for affordable housing on public land, our first ever cost-rental initiative, an affordable purchase shared equity scheme for people who can purchase homes in private developments and the extension of the Part V provisions so that 20% of homes will be ring-fenced for social and affordable housing. We are making great progress in this area and I look forward to seeing the results.

Before the Minister of State responds, two more Deputies wish to speak.

Does the Minister agree with the report of Chambers Ireland, made available last year, which states that, if all vacant properties in towns, villages and cities around the country were made available, 18,000 new homes could be activated? Does he agree that this would require incentives and a carrot-and-stick approach? I am sure the Minister of State knows, as I do, that there are small villages all over the country in which 20 properties may be lying idle. Dealing with this requires an incentive on one end and some kind of penalty on the other for owners who decide to leave such properties lying idle. Will the Minister of State comment on that?

I have spoken to the Minister and told him that I welcome the return of the requirement for 10% of homes in new estates to be sold as affordable housing. It is a measure that should never have been dropped. It should have been continued. It is a sustainable model. It goes without saying that it is highly important that towns and villages be rejuvenated but I ask that this be done in a sustainable way. The density guidelines currently in operation outside of Dublin are not sustainable. If the densities are in the mid-30s, we are looking at large apartment blocks. That is not sustainable in towns, villages and even in suburban areas outside of Dublin. Young people want to be able to buy starter homes. Apartments are needed but we must have an integrated model. It is something at which the Minister of State might look at in the context of this and the whole issue of building outside Dublin.

I thank Deputy Higgins for her comments, for articulating aspects of the affordable housing Bill and for all her good work on the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. She has been very articulate on it. On the comments of the other Members, Deputy Stanton has raised the issue of derelict homes on a number of occasions. We have a stick approach in the form of the vacant sites levy. It was 3% of the market valuation until 2018 and has increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards. As part of our Town Centre First initiative, of whose advisory group Chambers Ireland and similar actors are members, we must consider how we can adopt a carrot approach to unlock these brownfield and infill sites and derelict buildings and to open them up. That is very important. That will increase the vibrancy and we are working hard to deliver that.

In response to Deputy O'Donnell, I absolutely concur on the density issues. I issued a circular in connection with the matter last week. I am absolutely willing to meet with the Deputy to discuss the matter further.

Mica Redress Scheme

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

38. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will carry out an urgent review of the financial assistance offered by the State under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme on the basis of the applications received to date by Donegal County Council and the serious concerns of affected families across the county. [22859/21]

I ask the Minister to urgently review the defective concrete blocks scheme as it applies in Donegal. He will be aware that a large number of families have engaged with the scheme, which is simply not fit for purpose. I ask him to listen to the many voices from Donegal he is hearing and to urgently carry out a review of the scheme to see how it can be made fit for purpose and help families to make their homes safe. These are families that have waited many years for a scheme to protect them

I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for the question. I have met many of those homeowners. I was actually in Donegal last summer, as the Deputy will know, when we opened the scheme for applications. I have quite a lot of personal experience with this type of remediation scheme. I was involved with the pyrite remediation scheme, going back to 2011, with the late Minister of State, Shane McEntee, who was heavily involved in the scheme.

All schemes evolve from their initial condition. My colleague, Deputy Calleary from Mayo, has also been raising matters relating to the scheme with me. With specific regard to Donegal, when I recently met with the defective block group there, I asked it to forward a submission to me. I asked the group to come back to me with a little bit more detail so that we could assess exactly what it was looking for and get an understanding of the size of homes involved and the issues with the banks. I have written to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, on those issues. Some of the banks are not interacting with people, even to help them with the test. Only on 29 April, just a few days ago, I received quite a detailed submission from the group through Councillor Martin McDermott, a colleague of mine in Donegal who is doing a very good job there, and we are assessing that submission at the moment. There are issues with regard to the size of homes and various other things.

I encourage people to engage with the scheme. It is important. At this stage, we have 378 stage 1 applications, 308 of which relate to Donegal and 70 to Mayo. Nearly 60% have been approved. It is important that people continue to engage with the scheme. It is in its infancy and when I was in Donegal I told people that it will be a multi-annual scheme. It will take a number of years to fix the problem we have in Donegal and Mayo. I have also heard reports of the issue in another county in the north west and we are investigating that at the moment. I only received the submission from the group very recently. Other Members and my party colleagues have raised other issues with me as well.

As the Minister knows, the Mica Action Group campaigned for many years. The Minister referred to the pyrite scheme for families in Dublin and north Leinster. That scheme was 100% funded. We in Donegal have always felt let down in that our scheme was 90% funded. We were, however, relieved to have some type of a scheme. The difficulty right now is that the limits for a complete rebuild of one's home meant that it is just not economic. The families not only have to make up the remaining 10%, but pay VAT. Why is that? This is the second time they have had to build their homes. Why would they also pay VAT? Construction costs are increasing. The Minister talked about the role of the banks. His colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy English, who introduced this scheme, recently asked where the banks are. We are now nearly a year on. Where are the banks in assisting these families? These are the questions people are asking.

I am not being confrontational on this in any way, shape or form. I have engaged extensively with the group and with homeowners in the area. To put this in context regarding the cost of remediation, the Deputy referenced the pyrite remediation scheme. The average cost of remediation under this scheme was between €60,000 and €80,000 per home. The average cost in respect of the defective blocks scheme is significantly higher than that, as the Deputy will know. The maximum approved cost is €275,000. Apples and oranges are being compared here. We have to be honest with people.

At the request of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and Deputy McHugh, I met the group a number of months ago and asked for additional information to be sent to me, which I received on 29 April. I will assess it and be happy to keep all Deputies and other representatives in Donegal and Mayo apprised. My colleague, Deputy Calleary, has raised issues concerning the 10% contribution and how we might be able to bridge that gap, for example, with other State agencies. I am open to considering the matter, but I encourage people to continue engaging with the scheme in its current form. We will work with them as best we can.

VAT is a sore point, but there is also the replacement issue. The Minister talked about keeping the original windows and doors in the houses. Why can these people not avail of a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, grant? They are building new homes, but the Minister wants to build them to standards from 20 years ago. The scheme is not fit for purpose, which we have been telling him for the past year. He needs to start listening to the large number of families involved. I could send him two emails I received in the past 24 hours. Every day, I receive emails from families highlighting point after point. Whatever about the Minister's comment on the amount of State funding, I cannot understand why he has not sat down with the banks, told them that they are not stepping up to their responsibilities and asked them why, since the State is restoring assets over which they have control to full market value from zero, they will not help these families and get them to the point where they can make their homes safe. Why can he not at least sort that out?

I thank the Minister and his staff for their engagement over recent months. The scheme is falling short. I cannot begin to describe the mental and physical stress that families are under. Deputy Conway-Walsh and I are working together closely on the scheme. The requirement of a 10% contribution will prevent people from accessing it because they do not have that money. Regarding the requirement to replace like for like in terms of energy issues, we are setting up a meeting with the SEAI. I have met the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, BPFI, about trying to get banks to engage with the scheme. We are engaging with the federation. We have also been considering the need for capacity in local authorities to deal with the volume of potential applications. I am not one for drama, but I estimate that multiple hundreds of applications are coming. We need more support to be able to provide information on the scheme and to manage the applications.

I thank Deputy Calleary for his constructive engagement. Many Members have engaged in a constructive way. I would have expected them to do so because we are not trying to be confrontational. Rather, we are trying to work through these issues. If people want to set up a campaign about the situation, that is fine, but I am interested in solutions. Deputy Calleary has engaged with us in that regard. We are looking at measures in connection with other State agencies as well.

I do not control the banks. Deputy Mac Lochlainn knows that, but it might not suit his sound bite. I have written to the banks and the Minister for Finance. I have also written to the BPFI. I have engaged with the residents directly in an open and extensive way. Most reasonable people would understand that, if we receive a detailed submission on 29 April, we need to be afforded time to examine it, but that might not be good enough for Deputy Mac Lochlainn either. I am interested in delivering solutions for people. I have extensive experience with remediation programmes. I will revert to my colleague, Deputy Calleary, in that regard.

Wind Energy Guidelines

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the revised wind energy development guidelines; the reason for the significant delay in publishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13265/21]

What is the timeframe for the publication of the revised wind energy development guidelines, what is the reason for the significant delay in their publication and will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter? The 2006 guidelines have been under review for a considerable period.

I thank the Deputy for his question. My Department is focused on a review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects, including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

Almost 500 submissions were received in response to a public consultation undertaken as part of a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, of the draft guidelines, many of which were very detailed and technical in nature. My Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications have analysed the submissions received in conjunction with the contracted SEA and noise consultants, and are in the process of preparing finalised guidelines, having undertaken a detailed consideration and analysis of all the submissions received.

Prior to the conclusion of the SEA process, a number of changes are being made to the noise sections of the guidelines. This work is being led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and is being completed in conjunction with its external noise consultant and my Department. Work is ongoing in respect of the outstanding issues and is being advanced by our Department. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, we are endeavouring to finalise and publish the revised guidelines as quickly as possible.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am interested in knowing what he understands "as quickly as possible" to mean. He will appreciate that there is considerable interest in these guidelines and many people are waiting on them. Over recent weeks, the Joint Committee on Climate Action heard from the planning regulator, who said that the guidelines were needed urgently, and Wind Energy Ireland, which is eager to see them. The Minister of State will know from Longford and Westmeath that many local authorities have been dealing with applications for years. The planning regulator raised this as an issue. We need to see the new guidelines because the technology has moved on so significantly that the current guidelines are outdated, creating a planning vacuum that is ripe for confrontation between communities and developers.

As the Deputy articulated, significant changes have occurred in recent years. Working in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, our Department has been trying to arrive at a response that is fair to communities. We are clear on the need for communities to have protection, but we must ensure a balance so that we also meet our renewable energy targets. The work is still ongoing, but it is very technical. The changes in respect of the noise issue comprise the last major piece of the jigsaw that we are trying to connect. External consultants are giving advice to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in that regard. I hope that we will arrive at a finalised document later this year.

I commend my colleague, Deputy Stanley, who introduced the Wind Turbine Regulation Bills 2016 and 2020. The latter is on the Order Paper and might provide a helpful template for the Departments.

In the planning regulator's contribution to the Joint Committee on Climate Action, he raised the possibility of developing a renewable energy roadmap with county-specific targets. From my experience as a county councillor in Meath, I know of the discussions that happened over the border in Westmeath about the possibility of ruling out renewable energy for large swathes of the county. In terms of county-specific targets, is designating areas for renewable energy an option?

It is clear in the first instance that, through the climate action plan and the national planning framework, counties should provide clarity in terms of where they will achieve their targets in order to meet our national climate action obligations. Those targets can be achieved through a large number of renewable energy options, for example, biomass, solar farms and wind energy. It is up to counties to be specific. The Office of the Planning Regulator is an independent office. The planning regulator's job is to examine national plans - the climate action plan and the national planning framework - and regional strategies and determine whether there is a shared vision running through them right down to the county development plans.

The new regulations, when they are updated, will provide our councillors and citizens with protection and enhanced guidelines on how we can achieve our renewable energy targets in a safe way that respects the will of our communities.

Local Authority Housing

If Deputy Durkan wishes to avail of a one-minute question and a one-minute response, I will facilitate him.

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to an emergency public housing programme in which the private sector, on contract to local authorities, might provide direct build housing on public lands with a view to dramatically increase the availability of housing at affordable prices or on income qualification grounds by county given the interruption of the construction industry due to Covid-19 and the continuing increase in the cost of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/21]

This question seeks to focus attention on the urgent need to provide affordable and local authority housing to respond to the kind of situation that has arisen in Maynooth and a number of other towns throughout Leinster where the population is growing.

I thank Deputy Durkan for the question. The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in society and this is reflected in the programme for Government.

More than €3.3 billion has been made available in 2021 for housing, the largest budget in the history of the State. This year alone, we are providing capital funding of €468 million specifically to cover affordability measures. This includes €110 million for a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme and a new equity loan facility to deliver cost rental homes; €50 million in services sites funding to deliver affordable purchase homes on local authority lands; €38 million in local infrastructure housing activation funding which will support the delivery of homes on private lands, including many discounted prices; €210 million for lending under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and €205 million to be spent by the Land Development Agency in its progression of housing, including affordable homes. In addition, the help-to-buy scheme is also available via the Department of Finance.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.
The Dáil adjourned at 9.32 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Thursday, 6 May 2021.
Barr
Roinn