Written Answers Nos. 440-459
440. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated number of social houses provided in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17883/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including data on the number of social housing units provided broken down by area and year. The statistics concerned are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls.
I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units as set out in the following table.
|
Delivery method |
Number |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
2,500 |
|
Leasing, including: 400 NAMA sourced properties and 350 Mortgage to Rent Scheme |
1,200 |
|
Deinstitutionalisation Programme - new Units for people with disability leaving institutional care |
150 |
|
Social Housing Investment Programme (new homes) |
200 |
|
Units for People with Special Housing Needs under Capital Assistance Scheme (new homes) |
175 |
|
Social Housing Stimulus Programme |
500 |
As regards 2015 and 2016, the number and method of delivery of social housing units in those years will be determined in the respective estimates process for the years in question in the light of available resources.
441. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the recommendations of the CEDRA report; when it is due to come before Dáil Éireann; if it will be debated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17887/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was launched yesterday by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, in the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Co Mayo, and is available on my Department’s website, http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,37631,en.pdf and the website of the Commission, http://ruralireland.ie/index.php/cedra-reports.
I am committed to working together with my colleagues in Government and other stakeholders to outline a plan to address the issues and challenges detailed in the report. Any input that the Oireachtas might wish to make to that process, perhaps through the Oireachtas Committee structures, would be welcome.
443. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the internal capital receipts collected for the provision of social housing in Wicklow-east Carlow will be ring-fenced for housing projects in the local areas where they were collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17923/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1st January 2007 local authorities have delegated sanction to fund expenditure on improvement works to the local authority housing stock out of Internal Capital Receipts (ICR’s). The ICR-funded work programme is carried out on a county-at-large basis and is subject to annual approval by my Department. It is a matter for the local authority to determine the nature and location of these improvement works programmes.
444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government since the pathway accommodation and support system was extended nationally in 2013, the amount of funding that has been allocated for the provision of permanent accommodation and services for homeless persons; the amount of money that has been allocated for emergency shelter accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17924/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and related services rests with housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources.
The Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS) was extended nationally in 2013 and is now operational nationwide. PASS will assist housing authorities to report on the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed and 2014 will be the first year for which PASS will produce composite national data. These reports will be published on my Department's website as soon as they are available.
The Section 10 funding provided by my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis for the years 2009 to 2013 and the recently notified provisional allocations for 2014 are set out in the following table. The regional approach is considered more appropriate as it helps to bring a more strategic perspective to bear on action to address homelessness, including avoidance of over-concentration of homelessness services in certain centres and promoting appropriate regional availability of services, consistent with need.
|
Funding Provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 |
||||||
|
Region |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 Allocation |
|
Dublin |
€38,967,542 |
€40,521,375 |
€35,732,525 |
€32,398,290 |
€31,322,223 |
€31,322,223 |
|
South East |
€1,945,792 |
€1,742,886 |
€2,110,476 |
€1,848,877 |
€1,787,469 |
€1,787,469 |
|
North East |
€1,197,451 |
€1,037,617 |
€912,250 |
€910,194 |
€879,963 |
€879,963 |
|
Midlands |
€872,375 |
€666,344 |
€624,897 |
€672,027 |
€649,707 |
€649,707 |
|
South West |
€5,458,211 |
€4,270,143 |
€3,505,749 |
€4,418,967 |
€4,272,197 |
€4,272,197 |
|
Mid-West |
€4,110,166 |
€3,435,607 |
€2,905,457 |
€3,516,119 |
€3,399,336 |
€3,399,336 |
|
West |
€2,175,312 |
€1,699,288 |
€1,227,696 |
€1,581,478 |
€1,528,951 |
€1,528,951 |
|
Mid East |
€885,801 |
€906,842 |
€697,665 |
€839,146 |
€811,275 |
€811,275 |
|
North West |
€444,206 |
€423,355 |
€406,335 |
€360,865 |
€348,879 |
€348,879 |
|
Total |
€56,056,856 |
€54,703,457 |
€48,123,050 |
€46,545,963 |
€45,000,000 |
€45,000,000 |
445. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the current housing shortage, if he has definite proposals for the Wicklow-east Carlow region to carry out an assessment of the land available which could be utilised for social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17925/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra446. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the urgent lack of suitable housing accommodation in the Wicklow-east Carlow catchment area, if his Department will consider lifting the embargo and allow the relevant local authority to commence building again in order to alleviate the current housing crisis affecting the eastern region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17926/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together.
The Housing Land Availability Survey (HLAS) is an annual survey undertaken by my Department seeking information from local authorities to inform the publication of the amount of zoned residential land in their areas that is currently serviced. In 2013, my Department reviewed the HLAS approach taking account of the advent of www.myplan.ie and the need to reduce and rationalise the data gathering requirements placed on local authorities. A new Internet based approach called the Residential Land Availability Survey (RLAS) is currently being finalised in conjunction with local authorities to produce robust datasets mapped to individual land parcels across all local authorities. I expect that the final RLAS will be available in Quarter 2, 2014 and the RLAS survey will be undertaken annually thereafter.
Assessment of the need for social and affordable housing and associated lands required for their provision is primarily a matter for each local authority as part of the preparation of their Housing Strategy under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Local authorities are responsible for the implementation of their housing strategies working within their capital allocations for the housing sector provided by my Department.
The Government’s 2011 Housing Policy Statement clearly outlines that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. The Statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013. Details regarding the review are available on my Department’s website: www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/PublicConsultations/.
I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs. The financial parameters within which we continue to operate will not facilitate a return to large capital funded construction programmes. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
To maximise the social housing gain from constrained resources, the social housing leasing initiative and the Rental Accommodation Scheme each play their part and I am fully committed to capturing social housing gain from private developments. Alongside expanding the role of the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), in terms of acquisitions and construction, other mechanisms will include options to purchase within the leasing model and build to lease.
In July 2012, I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. In 2014, funding for housing, at over €587m, is effectively maintained at 2013 levels. This includes a €50 million capital stimulus to support construction and related programmes, primarily in the housing area, including €30 million to recommence a State house building programme; €10 million for an unfinished housing estate resolution project; and €10 million for housing adaptation grants. I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units. With the benefit of the additional capital for new housing construction, I expect the new social housing construction programme for 2014 - 2015 to deliver close to 700 new social and voluntary homes. A special investment of €15 million for the retrofitting of boarded-up local authority houses is intended to bring 400 homes back into productive use.
In addition, my Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA continue to work together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards bringing suitable NAMA units into social use and to ensure continued delivery of housing units for social purposes. By the end of Quarter 1 2014, some 1,951 units have been confirmed by local authorities as being suitable for social housing with the overall total delivery of social housing from NAMA sourced units now standing at 684 (completed or contracted) since the process began. Further information in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units, including a full breakdown by county of units delivered by quarter, is available at the Housing Agency’s website: www.housing.ie/NAMA. I remain committed to continuing to develop innovative and sustainable approaches to the provision of social housing.
448. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which Wicklow County Council will receive 2014 funding for housing adaptation grants, for works completed to date, works in progress and to facilitate priority 1 category cases, which include terminally ill people or those who are mainly dependent on family or a carer and where alterations-adaptations would facilitate discharge from hospital or alleviate hospitalisation in the future, and who have already been assessed as having an urgent medical need for housing adaptations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17960/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra449. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which Wicklow County Council will receive its 2014 funding allocation for housing adaptation grants in order for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who is suffering from progressive motor neuron disease to remain in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17961/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 449 together.
On 16 January 2014, I announced details of the capital allocations under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. Every local authority received increased funding for grants compared to the 2013 allocations.
The allocation to Wicklow County Council under the grant schemes for 2014 is €753,799 of which €150,760 is to be provided from the Council’s own resources. The detailed administration of the schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the local authority.
In the case of local authority owned properties, funding is allocated each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock, including the regeneration of large social housing estates and flat complexes, estate-wide remedial works schemes and a range of retrofitting works aimed at improving the fabric and energy efficiency of the properties. The management and maintenance of the social housing stock, including the compilation and funding of on-going maintenance programme and minor adaptation works, is a matter for individual authorities.
Local authorities were advised earlier this year that funding for adaptations and extensions would be considered on a case by case basis. Authorities should, as far as possible, undertake and fund these works from own resources, including from Internal Capital Receipts (ICR’s) before seeking Exchequer funding. My Department will shortly request local authorities to report on their ICR-funded housing improvement works programme for 2014. Requests for funding for adaptations and extensions to properties will be considered in the light of the returns received in this regard.
450. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 356 of 08 April 2014, where he stated that the Galway clinic at Doughiska has been licensed by the RPII and subject to regular inspection by RPII inspectors, his views on allegations which have been brought to his attention that the RPII inspector is employed by the clinic and that staff at the facility have passed on evidence that procedures were not adhered to regarding the treatment of potentially lethal radioactive waste; and if he will confirm that he has had these allegations investigated and by whom. [17969/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is the competent authority in relation to the protection of workers and members of the public from the harmful effects of exposure to ionising radiation. I can confirm that an incident was reported to the RPII in September 2012 concerning the handling of radioactive waste at the Galway Clinic, Doughiska, County Galway. The RPII subsequently requested a report of the incident and a report, which was prepared by the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to the Clinic, was provided to the RPII.
The role of the Radiation Protection Advisers is a statutory one provided for in Article 19 of the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000. While the RPII maintains the approval process for entry onto the register of RPAs, RPAs are not employed by the RPII to act on its behalf. In the particular incident in question, the RPII was satisfied that the potential radiation exposure to staff was very small and was of no concern from a health point of view. The RPII was also satisfied that local procedures had subsequently been amended with the aim of avoiding a recurrence of the incident.
451. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the heightened levels of radon affecting certain counties in Ireland, the steps being taken to raise awareness and to assist householders in combating the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18008/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s approach to radon, which is similar to that in the majority of EU Member States, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. Through support for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) radon advice and awareness work, my Department is supporting efforts to raise public awareness of the risks posed by radon. Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary.
Since 1998, the Building Regulations require all new buildings to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction. In October 2004, an updated edition of Technical Guidance Document C on Part C of the Building Regulations (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) was published, incorporating enhanced radon prevention measures for new buildings commencing on or after 1 April 2005. This guidance document, which is available on my Department’s website – www.environ.ie, is aimed at ensuring that radon protection measures are carried out more effectively.
If a dwelling is found to have a high radon level, remediation work may be recommended. Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by my Department, Radon in Buildings - Corrective Options, which is also available on my Department’s website. The RPII has also issued guidance, Understanding Radon Remediation - A Householders Guide, available on the Institute’s website at www.rpii.ie, together with a list of companies who can provide a radon remediation service and offer specific advice and recommendations. In addition, the RPII can be contacted for radon advice on free-phone 1800 300 600.
The National Radon Control Strategy, which I published on 17 February 2014, was developed by an inter-agency group, and sets out some 48 recommendations, under six thematic areas, with the ultimate aim of reducing the number of radon-related lung cancer cases. Successful implementation of the Strategy will require action from a range of Government Departments, public bodies and other stakeholders and so will require clear identification of responsibilities, good co-ordination between the various stakeholders and effective monitoring of progress. Accordingly, I have established a National Radon Control Strategy Co-ordination Group, to be chaired by my Department with representatives from key Departments and Agencies, to implement and track the key recommendations in the Strategy. This Group will, inter alia, co-ordinate policies and actions on radon across the relevant Departments and agencies, monitor implementation of the Strategy, reporting annually on progress; and at the end of the four year period covered by the NRCS Action Plan, make recommendations to Government on what further actions it considers necessary at that time. The first meeting of the co-ordination group is scheduled to take place this month.
452. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of cleaning up each illegal plant; and the total cost per annum for the cleaning up of illegal fuel laundering plants. [18015/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra453. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current arrangements for the cost of clean-ups; the person who pays; and to whom they pay for the clean-up of fuel laundering plants. [18016/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra454. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of illegal fuel-sludge dumps that have been uncovered in the past five years; per annum; and by county. [18017/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra455. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of human and environmental damage and danger posed by fuel laundering plants and by illegal sludge dumps. [18018/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been paid to clean up fuel sludge dumps per annum, per county. [18019/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra457. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are plans to change the process of paying for the clean-up of fuel laundering plants and diesel and fuel sludge. [18020/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 452 to 457, inclusive, together.
Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners from the point of view of avoiding loss of revenue to the Exchequer. My Department assists local authorities in carrying out their role as competent authorities under waste legislation, which is to take the necessary measures, on behalf of the State, to ensure that any waste generated and left abandoned by the diesel launderers is disposed of without endangering human health and without harming the environment.
Approximately 900 incidents of diesel laundering waste dumping have been dealt with by local authorities to date and my Department has up to now reimbursed the costs associated with such disposal on a case by case basis. The majority of the clean-up operations have taken place in Louth and Monaghan with 490 and 406 sites respectively. Further diesel laundering facilities have been identified in Counties Cavan, Donegal, Offaly, Meath and Waterford. Details of the amount provided by my Department since 2008 on a per county basis is set out in the table below.
This is a significant expenditure borne at present by the Environment Fund. My Department, as part of on-going cooperation with the Northern Ireland authorities on repatriation of illegally deposited waste in Northern Ireland, has held recent discussions with Northern Ireland on the need to develop a mechanism for dealing with waste from cross-Border diesel washings which would be factored into the overall discussions on waste repatriation. These discussions are ongoing.
The illegal deposition of the waste material arising from diesel laundering activities presents the local authorities with major difficulties as the task of cleaning up the material needs to be dealt with to avoid threats to the environment. The laundering process requires the use of chemicals such as sulphuric acid and bleaching agents and results in a waste by-product, a tar-like chemical compound or sludge, with the potential for environmental pollution, particularly in relation to watercourses.
I believe that a complete solution to this problem must necessarily involve effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective. In that context, my Department continues to liaise with representatives of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the local authorities concerned and the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement to seek to identify more effective enforcement solutions and these engagements will continue.
|
Year |
Louth County Council |
Monaghan County Council |
Offaly County Council |
Cavan County Council |
Donegal County Council |
Total |
|
2008 |
€448,460 |
€109,615 |
€558,075 |
|||
|
2009 |
€314,678 |
€45,632 |
€360,310 |
|||
|
2010 |
€246,211 |
€28,414 |
€29,270 |
€303,895 |
||
|
2011 |
€939,315 |
€89,588 |
€1,028,903 |
|||
|
2012 |
€1,452,267 |
€347,350 |
€23,458 |
€1,823,075 |
||
|
2013 |
€693,048 |
€150,946 |
€40,753 |
€884,747 |
||
|
Total |
€4,093,979 |
€771,545 |
€29,270 |
€23,458 |
€40,753 |
€4,959,005 |
458. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that the current primary legislation regarding dogs is not sufficiently breed neutral; if, with the introduction of new measures by local authorities, local authorities will accurately identify dog breeds in cases where a dog breed is similar to one which is subject to controls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18033/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current primary legislation regarding dogs, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992, contain provisions relating to the need to keep dogs under effectual control which are entirely breed neutral. The statutory responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the local authorities and is overseen within local authorities by the local authority veterinary services.
459. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his proposals for new legislation to abolish ground rents outright; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17613/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 introduced a prohibition on the creation of new leases reserving ground rents on dwellings. As regards existing ground rents, Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No.2) Act 1978 contains a statutory scheme whereby a person may, at reasonable cost, acquire the fee simple in his or her dwelling. To date, over 80,000 applicants have acquired freehold title to their property under this scheme. In the case of property other than dwellings, the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 contains provisions which facilitate acquisition of the fee simple in certain cases subject to agreed terms or on terms set out in an arbitration carried out by the County Registrar.
The position regarding ground rents was considered by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution in their 2004 Report 'Private Property'. The Committee took the view that a ground landlord's ground rent is a form of property right which is constitutionally protected and that abolition of such rents would be unconstitutional in the absence of adequate monetary compensation. The Committee also noted that where leases were approaching expiry, any legislation providing for the abolition of ground rents would have to provide for the payment of enhanced compensation by the ground tenant. In light of the foregoing, I have no immediate plans to introduce further legislation in this area. Operation of the existing law is, however, being kept under review by my Department.
