Written Answers Nos. 601-623
601. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the policy-making powers of local authorities under section 130 of the Local Government Act 2001 with regard to planning; the way these interact with the executive function in the same field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25749/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 130 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides statutory recognition for the role of elected members in determining policy, by resolution, in accordance with the 2001 Act and other enactments relating to that authority. In relation to planning, section 2(7) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that the doing of anything that is required under the Act that is to be done by resolution shall be a reserved function.
602. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all aggregates supplied to local authority projects are sourced from planning-compliant sources. [25771/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn purchasing goods and services, including aggregates, local authorities are required to comply fully with both national and European Union public procurement rules as set out in guidelines from the Office of Government Procurement within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, the procurement of any goods and services is a matter for individual local authorities. In addition to public procurement considerations, it is incumbent upon all local authorities to take such steps as are reasonable to ensure that all goods and services they procure are sourced from economic operators compliant with all relevant requirements under law.
603. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all ready-mix concrete supplied to local authorities is from plants currently certified to EN206 standard. [25772/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra604. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all ready-mix concrete being used by contractors working on projects being financed either directly or indirectly by his Department is being sourced from ready-mix plants currently certified to EN206 standard. [25773/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together.
In purchasing goods and services, including ready-mix concrete, local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department are required to comply fully with both national and European Union public procurement rules as set out in guidelines from the Office of Government Procurement within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, the procurement of any goods and services is a matter for the individual contracting authorities.
EN 206-1 Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance, production is a voluntary European Standard which forms part of a wider group of related construction standards. In Ireland, EN 206-1 contains a national annex which provides guidance applicable to the manufacture of ready-mix concrete for use in the State.
Under EN 206-1, a concrete manufacturer is required to operate a defined conformity control procedure; certification by a third party is not mandatory. Independent identity tests by a specifier’s representative are still provided for, in particular, where third party certification is not in operation. My Department understands that the National Standards Authority of Ireland provides a third party certification service to EN 206-1 and that approximately 161 concrete batching facilities have been certified to this standard in the State.
Ultimately, it is a matter for each individual contracting authority to specify their particular requirements for ready-mix concrete in their tender documents and to take such steps as are appropriate to ensure that those requirements are met.
605. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all aggregate products currently being supplied to local authorities are sourced from an appropriate CE, Conformité Européenne, mark accredited supplier. [25774/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all aggregate products being used by contractors working on projects being financed either directly or indirectly by his Department are being sourced from a CE, Conformité Européenne, mark accredited supplier. [25775/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.
In purchasing goods and services, including aggregates, local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department are required to comply fully with both national and European Union public procurement rules as set out in guidelines from the Office of Government Procurement within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, the procurement of any goods and services is a matter for the individual contracting authorities.
Under Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC (known as the Construction Products Regulation), manufacturers are required to provide robust and reliable information in a consistent way for construction products which are covered by harmonised European standards or European Technical Assessments. In broad terms, since 1 July 2013, manufacturers are required, when placing a construction product on the market, to make a Declaration of Performance and affix the CE mark to each product being placed on the market.
For many construction products, the application of the CE mark will require the involvement of a third party (known as a ‘notified body’) to undertake certain tasks as specified in the harmonised European standard. These tasks may include activities such as initial type-testing of products, inspection of factory production control and surveillance of factory production control. In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland has also produced additional guidance to some harmonised European standards in the form of National Annexes or Standard Recommendations which set out appropriate minimum performance levels for specific intended uses of certain products in Ireland.
As matters currently stand, there are a number of harmonised European standards, and accompanying Standard Recommendations, in place in respect of aggregates as well as for precast concrete products and masonry products which may require aggregates for their manufacture. In this regard, it is a matter for each individual contracting authority to specify their particular requirements for aggregates in their tender documents and to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the aggregates provided meet their specifications and are suitable for the purpose for which they are intended.
607. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the much-mentioned €185,000 cost of building a social house has been reached; the measures being taken to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25783/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently reviewing the unit cost ceilings for the construction of dwellings to be used for social housing. When finalised they will be notified to the local authorities. As a guide, in May 2015 the first phase of construction projects under the Social Housing Strategy was announced. Overall, there were 100 building projects delivering over 1,700 units of accommodation, varying in size from single bedroom to four bedroom units, with an estimated cost of €312.6 million, which gives an overall average cost of €178,262 per unit of accommodation. It should be borne in mind that these are pre-tender estimated costs, which may fluctuate following tender stage.
In relation to the cost of social housing developments, all such proposals are assessed by my Department based on the guidance set out in my Department’s publication Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities, which emphasises cost control and value for money as key elements.
608. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on whether he has personally reviewed the document handed in by the Irish Housing Network on 18 June 2015 during its occupation of his Department; his views on this document; if he will meet personally representatives of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25784/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department met with a number of individuals on 18 June in relation to housing and homelessness issues. During this meeting it was suggested that the group’s various points of concern be set out in a document and submitted to my Department for consideration. This has not been received to date but, upon receipt, I will give consideration to the document and to the request for a meeting.
609. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which addresses the right to housing and of which we are a member; if his Department has reported to the international covenant on the current housing crisis; if not, his plans to do so as the monitoring mechanism is in the form of submitting reports to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25786/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the third periodic report of Ireland on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its 32nd and 33rd meetings, on 8 and 9 June 2015 at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. As part of the Ireland’s delegation, which was led by Minister of State Seán Sherlock, a senior official from my Department attended and participated in the proceedings.
All documentation relating to Ireland’s submission to the Committee, including documentation and responses to housing related issues, is publicly available on the website of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the following link: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=967&Lang=en.
610. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of heavy goods vehicles registered for the years 2005 to 2014, inclusive; and the amount of income received in road tax for these vehicles for each of those years. [25832/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
611. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the total amount of funding provided for local authorities by his Department in septic tank remediation grants in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015. [25848/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra612. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of funding provided for the rural water scheme in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015 to cover septic tank remediation grant costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25849/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided to recoup local authorities the grants they pay in respect of domestic waste water treatment systems, is devolved to the local authorities.
Details of the grant amounts recouped by my Department to local authorities in 2014 and to date in 2015 are set out in the following table. No recoupments were made in 2013.
Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Recoupments to Local Authorities to 30 June 2015
|
Local Authority |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Clare |
_ |
€ 18,976.69 |
|
Cork |
_ |
€ 3,151.40 |
|
Fingal |
_ |
€ 2,951.20 |
|
Galway |
€ 15,300.06 |
_ |
|
Kerry |
_ |
€ 6,859.06 |
|
Kildare |
_ |
€ 4,000.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€2,500.00 |
_ |
|
Limerick |
€14,500.00 |
€6,104.00 |
|
Longford |
€4,000.00 |
_ |
|
Louth |
€4,000.00 |
_ |
|
Mayo |
_ |
€ 7,818.60 |
|
Meath |
€30,476.00 |
€ 12,536.20 |
|
Monaghan |
_ |
€ 12,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
€4,000.00 |
€ 17,881.41 |
|
Sligo |
€11,161.75 |
€ 14,106.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€9,741.25 |
_ |
|
Westmeath |
€2,896.20 |
_ |
|
Wexford |
_ |
€ 1,982.45 |
|
Totals |
€98,575.26 |
€108,367.01 |
613. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to support low-income families with their urgent housing needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25878/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014. The targeted social housing provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme, will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand. The Strategy also includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the summary of social housing assessments by undertaking it on annual basis from 2016 onwards, which will support the continuous monitoring of social housing delivery against need. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,39622,en.pdf.
On 1 April 2015, I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €1.5 billion for all local authorities, to meet an ambitious delivery target of 22,883 social housing units out to 2017. On 5 May 2015, I announced funding of €312 million for the first tranche of the local authority direct-build social housing programme under the Strategy. This announcement covers some 100 separate housing projects, providing 1,700 units across all 31 local authorities, the details of which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.
Further announcements of new unit delivery under the Capital Assistance Scheme and the broader social housing investment programmes will be made in the coming weeks and months.
In addition, on 28 May 2015 I announced over €91 million worth of housing investment to be used across a range of housing schemes to make more social housing available through returning vacant units back to use and to improve housing for people with disabilities, as well as retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency.
With regard to rising rents, a shortage of supply is at the heart of the issue and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. Construction 2020 also commits to identifying and implementing further improvements to the planning system to facilitate appropriate development.
A key action for my Department under Construction 2020 is the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 which was published earlier this month. The Bill focuses on housing supply-related issues with a view to facilitating increased activity in the housing construction sector, particularly in the Dublin area where the housing supply shortage is particularly acute. It provides for changes in development contributions and in relation to the provision of housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. In addition, the Bill provides for the introduction of a vacant site levy.
The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) report Ireland’s Rental Sector: Pathways to Secure Occupancy and Affordable Supply, which was published last month, is a welcome and timely contribution to the debate around the rental sector. The report calls for more secure occupancy for tenants, including greater rent certainty as well as measures to increase the supply of rental housing. The recommendations put forward in this report will be considered carefully in the context of framing any measures in relation to the rental market. My overriding objective in relation to rents is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.
614. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the increasing frequency of rental tenants in private accommodation receiving termination notices by banks due to the failure of landlords to keep up with mortgage repayments; his plans to amend existing legislation in order to increase the various periods of termination notice afforded to tenants of such properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25890/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants relating to, inter alia, security of tenure and the termination of tenancies. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. In circumstances where a receiver is appointed to a landlord's interest in a dwelling it is essential that the rights of tenants are protected. While the circumstances of each case may vary depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge under which a receiver is appointed, the policies and procedures of banks in appointing receivers cannot affect the statutory or contractual rights of tenants. The tenant continues to enjoy the same security of tenure. The appointment of a receiver does not mean that a tenant loses their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
The Act sets out the procedures and notice periods that must be complied with when terminating a tenancy. Notice periods for the termination of a tenancy by the landlord vary depending on the duration of the tenancy but periods of up to 112 days are provided for under the Act. Where there is a dispute regarding the appropriate period of notice to be given in respect of a tenancy or the validity of a notice of termination, or where the tenant does not comply with the notice of termination, the dispute may be referred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board for resolution.
In documentation submitted prior to recent meetings with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank confirmed that they adhere to the legislative framework when dealing with the repossession of buy-to-let properties.
The PRTB is aware of the impact on tenants of receivership and repossession proceedings. The Board is engaging with the Central Bank and the financial institutions with a view to developing a voluntary code of practice to apply in such situations. The main purpose of the code would be to ensure that the financial institutions are fully aware of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act and to ensure that there is consistency and fairness in the treatment of tenants in these cases.
615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce regulations restricting the burning, marketing or sale of peat briquettes or turf within specified areas; and his plans to alter the smokeless fuel classification of peat briquettes and turf. [25921/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe initial ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital: research indicates that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas.
In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remained fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones.
Peat briquettes are not covered by the solid fuel smoke emission standard set in national regulations since 1990, which are primarily concerned with bituminous (‘smoky’) coal and products containing bituminous coal.
Under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council, and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, a study has been commissioned to inform a discussion on policy options to further address emissions from residential solid fuel use on an all-island basis. The study includes-
- an assessment of the solid fuel market and barriers to the use of cleaner fuels;
- consideration of the role and impacts of biomass (primarily wood and wood-based products) and the links to climate policy;
- an economic analysis addressing the potential positive and negative effects on the consumer, for example, resulting from potential fuel switching;
- assessment of the health impact of air pollution in general and specifically from residential solid fuel emissions;
- evaluation of smoke control legislation and enforcement; and
- consideration of the issue of fuel poverty.
A final report is expected to be presented to the North South Ministerial Council later this year. It should be noted that no decision has been made at this point regarding any extension of the ‘smoky coal’ ban to other products.
616. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the late payment of the non-principal private residence charge, if he is satisfied that communications of the charge and the late payment procedures and penalties were sufficient enough to alert overseas owners in view of the potential costs concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25941/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra617. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the non-principal private residence tax penalties and charges; the options open to property owners who cannot afford to meet the charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra618. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason persons who only ever owned one home here and who, due to circumstances beyond their control, live abroad have been issued with outstanding liabilities for non-principal private residence tax; his views on whether such persons were ever the intended target of the tax; if he will bring forward legislation to clear such persons of their liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 to 618, inclusive, together.
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence.
A residential property that was not in use by an owner as his or her sole or main residence is liable for the Charge. This may not necessarily be a second home; a person may have vacated a property and have been living in rented accommodation elsewhere for work or other reasons, for example, and, in such a case, the property that the owner was no longer living in is liable for the Charge, even if it was the only residential property that person owned. It is a matter for an owner, whether resident in Ireland or elsewhere, to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the Charge and any late payment fees applicable.
The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum. Section 6 of the 2009 Act, as amended, provides that the owner of a liable property who failed to pay the charge, in addition to him or her being liable to pay the Charge, is liable to pay to the relevant local authority a €20 late payment fee in respect of each month or part of a month in which the Charge, any late payment fee, or any part of such Charge or fee, remains unpaid.
Part 12 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 also deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR Charge. The Act provided for a period from 2 March 2014 to 31 August 2014 during which time no new late penalties were applied to existing liabilities. If payment was not made in full or if settlement terms were not agreed by the end of that period, an additional late payment fee of €120 per liability date applied on 1 September 2014. As the Charge applied in each of the years from 2009 to 2013, there were five liability dates – 31 July 2009 and 31 March for each of the years 2010 to 2013. In addition to this late payment fee to be applied per liability date, the entire NPPR liability is then increased by a factor of 50% and frozen; the legislation does not provide for further penalties to apply after this date.
The NPPR Project Board, in conjunction with individual local authorities, undertook a media campaign in 2014 aimed at reminding non-compliant owners that additional late payment penalties applied after 31 August 2014. The extensive radio and print media campaign reminded non-compliant owners of their obligations to come forward to regularise their affairs and to take advantage of this once-off grace period. While it is a necessary principle of law that all citizens are required to be aware of relevant legal obligations and duties in respect of such charges, as is the case in other jurisdictions, it remains my view that reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that property owners have been aware of the Charge and liability dates.
Under section 77 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, my Department issued guidance to local authorities concerning matters relating to arrears of the NPPR Charge and late payment fees to ensure that a consistent national approach is adopted. The guidelines, which are available at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,37899,en.pdf, encourage local authorities to take a proactive approach to ensure that any outstanding NPPR liabilities are discharged in the most equitable, efficient and economically beneficial manner. It is expected, in the majority of cases, that local authorities will collect the full NPPR Charge liability from owners. In some cases, this may be by means of arrangement by instalment. The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. All non-compliant owners should log on to www.nppr.ie or, alternatively, contact their local authority to discuss any matters they wish to clarify and to make their outstanding payments.
619. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cén fáth nach bhfuil dualgas reachtúil ar chomhairlí contae nó cathrach a chinntiú go bhfuil cártaí vótála eisithe go cruinn acu i nGaeilge. [25945/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá foirmeacha iarratais do chlár na dtoghthóirí ar fáil as Béarla agus as Gaeilge agus is féidir le daoine a sonraí a scrúdú ar www.checktheregister.ie. Ba chóir go mbeadh cruinneas san eolas agus san teanga ar chártaí vótála eisithe le haghaidh toghcháin ach níl sé ar intinn agam é sin a reachtáil.
620. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cathain a chuirfidh sé dualgas reachtúil ar chomhairlí contae agus cathrach a chinntiú gur i nGaeilge amháin nó go dátheangach a bheidh gach ainm atá crochta in airde ar eastáit nó foirgnimh nua amach anseo; agus an bhfuil scéim aige chun iachall a chur ar eastáit phríobháideacha srl., a bhfuil an t-ainm orthu i mBéarla amháin faoi láthair athrú a dhéanamh thar thréimhse ainmnithe go Gaeilge nó iad a chur sa dá theanga. [25947/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigtear go gcuireann údaráis phleanála coinníollacha go ginearálta le cead pleanála ar eastáit chónaithe a chuireann gá ar an iarratasóir pleananna ar ainmniú an eastáit a chur isteach chun fhormheas a fháil. Tá coistí ainmneacha ag a lán údarás áitiúil, a folaíonn oifigigh agus comhaltaí tofa.
Comharlaíodh dom mar gheall ar chomharthaí ar sráide nó ar eastáit go bhfuil oibleagáid ar rialtais áitiúla nó eagraíochtaí poiblí agus iad ag cur suas comharthaí chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na comharthaí i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Baineann sé seo le heastáit tithíochta poiblí freisin. Má tá Ordú Logainmneacha ann ar an áit atá i gceist, caithfidh an fhoirm Ghaeilge a úsáidtear ar an gcomhartha an tOrdú a shásaimh.
Ach níl aon chumhacht reachtúil ar fáil domsa nó don rialtas áitiúil faoinar féidir linn obligeáid a chur ar phearsana nó ar chuideachta príobháideacha plaiceanna nó comharthaí a thugann ainm an eastáit nó an fhoirgnimh a chur suas, agus ní chreidim go bhfúil gá le coinníol den sórt sin nó go bhfuil sé cuí nó riachtanach.
621. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of houses on local authority books that are long-term vacant or in need of renovation. [26024/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on local authority housing stock, including vacant social housing units, are published by the Local Government Management Agency. The most recent statistics are the Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2013 which are available at the following weblink: http://www.lgma.ie/en/service-indicators-local-authorities-2013.
622. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the average rental income for a local authority house by county. [26025/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra623. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total rents received by local authorities for social housing in 2014; and the amount owed in outstanding arrears for that year. [26026/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 622 and 623 together.
My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy. Data on the total rental income is based on fully audited rental income figures and the most up to date figures are for 2013. Data on the average rental income based on those rental income figures for a local authority house are included within this range, and are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls, by clicking on the “Number of local authority houses let from 1994” link under the “Social Housing Supports” heading.
Data on rent arrears are also available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls, by clicking on the "L.A. Rent Arrears" link under the "Social Housing Supports" heading. 2014 figures will be available shortly.
