Wednesday, 17 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 214-221

Housing Assistance Payments Administration

Ceisteanna (214)

John Halligan

Ceist:

214. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the rent ceilings being imposed on persons in Waterford City and County are too low, and do not reflect the real cost of rent being paid by tenants (details supplied); if he will consider abolishing the rent ceilings, and introducing an incentive to landlords, in order to encourage them to take on tenants who wish to take part in the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme; and if he will increase payments under the Scheme to reflect the enormous cost of rent in Waterford City and County. [23974/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income.

Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, on 18 December 2014, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities. The second phase of the HAP pilot has commenced with the HAP scheme becoming operational in Donegal County Council since 25 May 2015 and in Offaly County Council since 15 June 2015. HAP will become operational in Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils and Cork City Council from 29 June 2015.

There are now over 2,200 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme, with 293 of these households accommodated in the Waterford City and County area.

Section 43(2)(a) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for the making of Regulations to prescribe the maximum rent limits for different household classes that will apply in each local authority where HAP has been commenced. In prescribing these limits, household size and prevailing rents in the relevant areas are taken into consideration. These limits are currently based on the rent supplement limits as set out by the Department of Social Protection, in advance of the introduction of a national differential rents framework for local authorities, as provided for under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

The operation of the Rent Supplement scheme is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection published a review of the maximum rent limits under the Rent Supplement scheme on 27 March 2015 and this review is available on that Department’s website. In the context of the implementation of HAP, my Department works closely with the Department of Social Protection, and closely monitors data gathered by HAP pilot authorities in relation to this issue. This data is important in the context of the further roll out of HAP and the maximum rent limits that may apply in local authorities where HAP is operating will be kept under review in this context.

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (215, 216)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the local authority housing list in County Monaghan; the capital funding for house building, allocated to Monaghan County Council for each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of housing units to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/15]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the local authority housing list in County Cavan; the capital funding for house building allocated to Cavan County Council for each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of housing units to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23977/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The most recent Summary of Social Housing Assessments, carried out as at 7 May 2013, identified 741 households on the waiting lists of the Cavan housing authorities at that time, and 696 households on the waiting lists of the Monaghan housing authorities. The full results of the 2013 Summary are available on my Department’s website at the following link:http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.

With regard to funding and targets for the delivery of social housing, on 1 April last I announced targets for all local authorities to 2017. As part of this announcement, Monaghan County Council has been set a target of 205 social housing units, supported by €11.5m of investment, while Cavan County Council has a target of 240 units, supported by €12.5m of investment. This funding is being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by the local authorities to accommodate people on the housing waiting lists.

On 5 May 2015 I announced a major social housing construction programme involving €312m of investment, comprising some 100 projects and 1,700 housing units, including new build projects in Counties Cavan and Monaghan. Full details, including the individual projects, the funding allocated and the number of units to be delivered across all local authorities, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.

I stated at the time that this announcement was part of the first phase of direct-build projects under the Government's Social Housing Strategy and that further assessments of build proposals are being carried, which will result in the approval of additional projects, details of which will be announced in due course.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (217)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

217. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update regarding climate change legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23989/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 was published on 19 January 2015. The Bill provides a statutory basis for the national objective of transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050. In doing so, it also gives a solid statutory foundation to the institutional arrangements necessary to enable the State to pursue and achieve that national transition objective.

The Bill completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 25 March 2015 and completed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann on 9 June 2015. I intend to seek an early date for the taking of Report Stage in Dáil Éireann.

Air Pollution

Ceisteanna (218)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

218. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out any research into the effect of chemtrails or contrails, and their effect on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has not carried out any research into what are sometimes called chemtrails, as these are not a scientifically recognised phenomenon.

Neither has my Department carried out any research into the effect of contrails. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is currently funding a PhD study on contrails and their potential effect on climate as part of its STRIVE research programme. The study titled Cloud cover and radiation balance changes over Ireland due to aircraft induced contrails is due to be completed later this year.

My Department has previously been informed by Met Éireann that vapour trails are formed through the emission of exhaust gases from jet engines of aircraft in the upper troposphere and that the main component of these gases is water vapour.  Ambient air temperature at jet cruising altitudes is often below -500C. Under these conditions, water vapour cools and condenses and the particles act as ice nuclei, leading to the production of ice crystals; these ice crystals are what are visible from the ground as a linear cloud of condensation.

Depending upon atmospheric conditions, these vapour trails can rapidly dissipate or remain for some time, gradually spreading horizontally into an extensive thin cirrus cloud layer. Water in the atmosphere commonly evaporates to become water vapour.  As a general rule, the drier the air the more effective this evaporation process will be. Under more humid conditions, there will be less effective evaporation and so contrails will generally last longer in more humid air. Contrail formation is also influenced by wind speeds, with higher winds disrupting and breaking up contrail formation.

Contrails do not adversely impact ambient air quality in Ireland. Met Éireann advises that there is some evidence that contrails can influence climatology but they have little impact on day-to-day weather. The purported reason for the former is that the contrails (or consequent cirrus cloud) will trap outgoing long-wave radiation, thus leading to warming in the atmosphere, and that this effect is greater than the reflection of short-wave radiation from the sun.

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (219)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

219. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will remove an estate (details supplied) from consideration under the Homeless Action Plan, in view of the regeneration project planned between Dublin City Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association. [24031/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

On 4 December 2014, I hosted a special Summit on Homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the Summit were then formalised into an Action Plan to Address Homelessness which was noted by the Government at its meeting on 9 December 2014. Included among the measures in the Plan was a re-examination by Dublin City Council of its vacant properties scheduled for demolition with a view to refurbishing suitable units on a temporary basis to address the immediate need.

Subsequently, the City Council identified possible options, including the refurbishment of residential blocks at Croke Villas, and my Department confirmed funding approval for this purpose. The progression of this refurbishment proposal is a matter for Dublin City Council. However, I have made it clear to the Council that should this refurbishment proposal not proceed it is essential that they progress concrete, tangible solutions to alleviate the temporary accommodation needs of families currently accommodated on an emergency basis in hotels and B&B arrangements. Similarly, the progression of discussions with the GAA in relation to a road-widening project at Sackville Avenue and other development works in the environs of Croke Park is a matter for Dublin City Council and in which my Department has had no formal involvement.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (220)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

220. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in detail, the maximum weight per bag which waste company operators are permitted to collect, in the context of environmental and workplace regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Waste Management (Collection Permit)(Amendment) Regulations 2015 provide that household kerbside waste only be collected in approved reusable receptacles (such as bins/caddies) from 1 July 2016, with the exception of the collection of such waste in areas designated by local authorities as being only suitable for the collection of such waste in non-reusable receptacles, such as bags. This means bags are being phased out other than in very limited circumstances and in areas specifically designated by local authorities as having a need for continued bag collection services (due to accessibility issues etc), household kerbside waste cannot be collected in bags beyond 1 July 2016.

Waste legislation does not set out a maximum weight per waste receptacle collected. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland. They monitor compliance with legislation at the workplace and are the national centre for information and advice to employers, employees and self-employed on all aspects of workplace health and safety.

Building Regulations

Ceisteanna (221)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

221. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the supports his Department will provide to the residents of an area (details supplied) in County Kildare, in respect of health and safety issues, in all aspects possible, in view of the very concerning survey reports that residents are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I fully appreciate and acknowledge the extremely difficult and distressing situations that homeowners face when they find that the homes in which they have invested may not be completed to the required acceptable standards.

However, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Implementation and enforcement of the building control system is a matter for the relevant building control authority. In addition, local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981 and the Planning and Development Acts, both of which can also be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in residential buildings.

In this context, I am aware that Kildare County Council in its capacity as Fire Authority has previously been engaged with the Owner Management Company and with owners of some individual apartment units in the development concerned to resolve a number of problems that became apparent on and from 2013. I am also aware that, following the recent fire incident affecting a number of units in the development concerned, Kildare County Council engaged the services of a Fire Safety Consultant to assess compliance with fire safety requirements in a number of vacant housing units and a report has been prepared in the matter.

I understand that at a recent meeting between the residents and Minister Kelly, many residents raised concerns in relation to fire safety in their homes. These issues are now under active consideration in my Department and I understand that Minister Kelly will be responding to the residents very shortly.