Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
461 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to improve communication between local authorities and tenants to ensure that means tests are updated accurately and any arrears developing are disclosed at an early stage. [29477/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authority rents are set in accordance with a rent scheme adopted by each housing authority. The making and amending of these rent schemes are an integral part of a housing authority's housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002 under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 (as amended). Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 will replace, once commenced, existing provisions in relation to differential rent schemes. Regulations and guidelines for housing authorities in relation to differential rent are currently in preparation in my Department. While it is not the intention to implement a national standardised differential rent scheme, the proposed regulations will more clearly set out the matters that may be included in a local rents scheme, including procedures for rent reviews.
463 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will put in place guidelines for the detenanting of social housing complexes undergoing renovation to ensure that remaining tenants are not left vulnerable and isolated. [29479/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports a number of large-scale regeneration and estate-wide remedial works schemes around the country, involving the demolition or extensive refurbishment of existing flat blocks and houses and the provision of replacement housing either on-site or in adjacent areas. In these cases, de-tenanting will generally be necessary in order to facilitate the demolition and reconstruction phases of projects.
Funding is provided by my Department to support a range of permanent and temporary housing options for affected tenants, including the purchase of houses and apartments, the upgrading of existing vacant housing units to provide interim accommodation or the short-term leasing of properties under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
It is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to draw up, in consultation with tenants and the local community, a detailed regeneration masterplan for the area in question. De-tenanting and relocation strategies are an integral part of the masterplan and should set out, inter alia, how the physical regeneration plan will be implemented and how tenants will be accommodated during the demolition and construction phases of the project. De-tenanting and relocation implementation plans are project-specific and compiled in consultation with relevant stakeholders including tenants and the local community. In considering projects for funding approval, my Department is mindful of the need to ensure that de-tenanting strategies are appropriate and well-managed and that, as far as possible, households are not further disadvantaged through unsatisfactory implementation of agreed strategies.
464 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update in the Limerick Regeneration Project including new housing units, in the process of being built, currently finished but vacant or occupied. [29480/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year I announced an allocation of €27.5 million to support ongoing physical and social regeneration in Limerick. The five-year term of office of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies ended on 14 June with responsibility for the management and administration of the regeneration programme transferring to the new Limerick Office for Regeneration. The focus in 2012 is on transitioning from the planning, preparatory relocation and demolition works within estates to construction of new houses and apartments and the refurbishment of existing homes.
Some 33 housing units are nearing completion at Clíona Park. Contracts have been agreed and construction will shortly commence on 29 new units at Vises Court and 35 units at Southill. It is intended to acquire 10 almost-completed units and 10 sites at Wallers Well. Planning permission is awaited in respect of around 80 new housing units at Lord Edward Street. Once planning approval is secured, it is intended to commence the tender process as quickly as possible with a view to having a contract in place by end 2012. Small infill developments are being progressed through the planning stages for new houses at a number of locations around Kings Island.
