Written Answers Nos. 1037-1053
1037. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide to Dáil Éireann the modelling process conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of his Department when it comes to the recording and forecasting of air quality at any given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37347/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAir quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The instruments at the monitoring stations calculate hourly average values for each pollutant. These values are picked up by the telemetry system at between one minute and thirty five minutes past the hour. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network.
Under the CAFE Directive, EU Member States must designate " zones" for the purpose of assessing and managing air quality. The EPA, as the competent authority for the implementation of the Directive in Ireland, designated four zones which were originally designated in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011. The zones were subsequently amended on 1 January 2013 to take account of population counts from the 2011 Census.
The main areas defined in each Irish zone are:
- Zone A: Dublin
- Zone B: Cork
- Zone C: Other cities and large towns, including Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Drogheda, Dundalk, Bray, Navan, Ennis, Tralee, Kilkenny, Carlow, Naas, Sligo, Newbridge, Mullingar, Wexford, Letterkenny, Athlone, Celbridge, Clonmel, Balbriggan, Greystones, Leixlip and Portlaoise.
- Zone D: Rural Ireland, i.e. the remainder of the State excluding Zones A, B and C.
Upper and lower assessment thresholds are prescribed in the legislation for a number of pollutants. Within each zone, air quality is assessed and classified with respect to these thresholds, based on measurements over the previous five years. The results of this assessment help to inform decisions on the extent of monitoring. The greatest monitoring effort applies where concentrations are above the upper assessment threshold, i.e. where they approach or exceed the limit value. Where concentrations are between the two thresholds, less intensive measurement combined with other assessment methods, such as air quality modelling, will generally suffice. Monitoring sites are located in accordance with CAFÉ Directive requirements.
The EPA also publishes an annual report on air quality, based primarily on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive. The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2014 - Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in October 2015 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2014, compared to the CAFE Directive standards, as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health. That report indicates that Ireland currently meets all EU standards for air quality but exceeds WHO air quality guidelines for particulate matter in some areas.
1038. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the public awareness and education schemes run by his Department on an annual basis to inform the public on the importance of clean air; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department occasionally runs public information and awareness campaigns on air quality issues. Implementation of the smoky coal ban, currently in place in towns with 15,000 residents or more, is often the vehicle used in these campaigns. For example, in early 2015, my Department ran a campaign in local newspapers, providing information on the smoky coal ban rules. Agencies and local authorities are also involved in promoting the importance of good air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes an annual report on air quality in Ireland; this can be found at www.epa.ie.
Local authorities regularly initiate their own publicity campaigns, especially in relation to local enforcement of the smoky coal ban. These campaigns include seasonal posters, direct communications with households and the extensive use of social media.
I have commenced a process that will aim to extend the benefits of the smoky coal ban nationwide. This process, which will involve consultation with the EU Commission, different Departments and agencies of Government, industry and the general public, is aimed at introducing the nationwide ban with in the shortest possible timeframe, taking account of these consultations. In conjunction with this policy initiative, my Department will issue a consultation document in the coming weeks, to promote development of Ireland’s first national Clean Air Strategy, which I expect to publish in early 2016.
1039. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate, in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the name of each appointee made from 7 March 2011 to date in 2015; the date of appointment; whether or not each appointee came through an advertised public application process; the number of vacancies which currently exist on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37361/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince July 2011, my Department’s website has been used as the primary mechanism for seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under my Department’s aegis. In line with a Government Decision last Autumn, a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards, brought forward by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has been put in place, operating through the Public Appointments Service, and will govern relevant future appointments. Under the revised model expressions of interest are now made directly by registering on Stateboards.ie. My Department’s website has been amended to refer any interested party to the stateboards.ie website.
Details in relation to appointments made since 2011 to date is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/CorporateServices/TransparencyData/FileDownLoad,42058,en.pdf.
In the case of certain appointments to State Boards, statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In addition, in the case of a number of boards, not all of the appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, and in some situations appointments are made by the Minister with the consent of another Minister. Furthermore, appointments to An Bord Pleanála and to the Board of the Environmental Protection Agency are of a full-time executive nature and are governed by statutory processes.
The table below outlines the current vacancies on Boards of Bodies or Committees under my Department’s aegis:
|
Board |
Vacancies |
|
Pobal |
6 |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
2 |
1040. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government given the recent tragedy in south Dublin, if he will initiate a review of local authorities with a view to discontinuing the practice of allowing and facilitating temporary halting site accommodation for the Christmas period, which does not meet the basic health, safety and fire standards that are needed to maintain the safety and welfare of occupants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37406/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1053. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed health and safety audits to be carried out on all halting sites; when the results of these audits will be reported to him; reported to the Houses of the Oireachtas; published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1040 and 1053 together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Following the recent tragic loss of life in Carrickmines, my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is leading a Programme to Review Fire Safety in Traveller Accommodation. The objective of the review is to take immediate action to ensure that practical and appropriate fire safety measures, which can contribute to preventing loss of life and serious injury in local authority Traveller accommodation, have been applied systematically across the country. This will include community fire safety initiatives. Initial steps have been taken to identify the key issues and consultations with stakeholders at both national and local level, including Traveller Representative Groups, have taken place.
Practical solutions to the issues that are identified through this engagement will be developed on a collaborative basis over the coming weeks. This collaborative approach will ensure that the review is carried out in a consistent and coordinated manner. The programme to review and enhance fire safety in Traveller accommodation will be rolled out nationally over the coming months and is anticipated to be concluded by the end of Quarter 1, 2016. As well as the enhancements that I hope will already be in place at that stage, it will identify or propose further actions to sustain fire safety which will be given appropriate consideration by relevant stakeholders.
As provided for under sections 21 and 22 of the aforementioned Act, each local authority has in place a Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC). The role of the LTACC is to advise local authorities on the provision and management of accommodation for Travellers, and to provide a liaison between Travellers and Members and officials of the appointing authority concerned. At least one quarter of the membership of the LTACC must comprise local Travellers and Traveller groups, with the remaining members comprising elected members and officials of the housing authority. I see the role of these local committees as crucial to resolving local issues, including health and safety issues on sites.
1042. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review his policy on homelessness given the crisis now developing; if he has received reports from local authorities regarding the crisis in each such authority; if he will publish details of same; if he has further received reports recommending changes to this policy from his Department, or from another agency or organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37411/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement, which was published in February 2013, outlines the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 and emphasises a housing-led approach as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness. The Policy Statement is supported by all the major stakeholders concerned with homelessness. I have no plans to amend the Policy Statement. Details are received from housing authorities on a monthly basis with regard to people utilising State-funded emergency accommodation on a regional and county basis. These monthly reports also provide details of the breakdown of the individuals and the numbers of families and dependents that are in emergency accommodation. These monthly reports are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
1043. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's policy on how moneys allocated in the budget by Dáil Éireann to his Department are allocated; if he will provide details of such allocations from his Department for the past three years; if any policy changes are envisaged in the way persons who are not sleeping rough but who are homeless and who are supported, such as those persons in homeless accommodation such as Drogheda Homeless Aid, the Simon Community, etc. are supported; and how local authorities and other agencies account for their allocations. [37412/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for homeless services from my Department is provided to housing authorities on a regional basis. The regional approach is considered more effective as it brings 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 has been allocated to housing authorities over the past three years on the basis of established patterns of expenditure while my Department engages with housing authorities on an on - going basis with regard to the needs of the various regions. Details of the Exchequer funding provided under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 for the years 2013 and 2014 , and allocated for 2015 , by my Department to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services are as follows:
- 2013 - €45,000,000
- 2014 - €49,205,774
- 2015 - €52,849,125 (allocation)
As confirmed in the Budget 2016 announcement, I have secured funding of €70 million for homeless services in 2016, which is an increase of approximately 32% on the 2015 allocation. The appropriate allocation of the 2016 homeless budget will be considered and finalised in due course so as to ensure that the funding contributes to meeting the needs in the various regions.
My 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 and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities and, under section 10 funding arrangements, responsibility for rigorous assessment, appraisal and decision-making in relation to the need for, and funding, of particular services rests with the Management Group of the region led by the lead housing authority. In this regard, housing authorities enter into Service Level Agreements with non-governmental service providers in respect of required services.
1044. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will introduce a grant scheme for low-income households to assist with the replacement of lead pipes in their homes. [37430/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1103. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available for householders who are experiencing high levels of lead in their water pipes in Marino, Dublin 3 and in Raheny, Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38239/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1044 and 1103 together.
The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system to ensure that water intended for human consumption meets required quality standards. Responsibility for replacing lead pipes or fittings within the property boundaries, including within the house itself therefore rests with the homeowner.
In a joint position paper on lead published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2013, it is recommended that all lead pipes and plumbing in public and in private ownership should be replaced over time. The full document is available to download from the HSE’s website at: http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/water/drinkingwater/lead/HSE_EPA_JointPositionPaperLeadinDrinkingWater.pdf.
On 9 June 2015, I announced a Government-approved National Strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The Strategy was prepared by my Department and the Department of Health in consultation with Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA, in order to map the scale of the problem and identify measures to mitigate any risks to human health posed by lead in drinking water. The appendix to the strategy, available on my Department’s website, also provided a copy of the information being issued to customers by Irish Water.
As part of the Strategy, I will be establishing a new grant-aid scheme to assist low income households to replace lead pipes in their homes. It is envisaged that the scheme will be administered by the local authorities and that income thresholds and other eligibility criteria will apply. The terms and conditions of the new scheme, including the eligibility criteria, will be publicised as soon as they are finalised.
1045. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support the matter of a complaint against a planning decision in which a medical report had not been included in a planning objection which was made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37510/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála on appeal in the first instance. In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability reflects the need for an integrated, flexible and responsive approach and this is being pursued across a number of measures, including building regulations which deal with physical disability. From a planning perspective, Section 94 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, specifically requires planning authorities, as part of the preparation of development plans, to prepare a housing strategy which takes account of the existing need and likely future need for housing, with an appropriate mix of types and sizes to reasonably match the requirements of different categories of households. The special requirements of elderly persons and people with a disability are specifically highlighted in this regard.
Individual planning decisions are taken in this context, balancing the various perspectives and factors involved, including the amenity of adjoining properties. Whether or not a proposed development is acceptable is an assessment which needs to be independent of individual circumstances, and which takes account of the level of residential amenity that it would be reasonable to protect in respect of adjacent properties, inclusive of the range of usual circumstances that those amenities support.
I am satisfied that existing policy and practice in relation to consideration of residential amenities is sufficient and that to consider medical circumstances could have unforeseen and disproportionate impacts in relation to balanced decision making on planning applications.
1046. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an up-to-date list of the number of applications made to the Pyrite Resolution Board; the number of dwellings approved for remediation; remediated; to which project managers have been appointed; for which decisions were overturned on appeal; which were accepted for remediation despite having a building condition assessment of less than two. [37486/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest figures available from the Pyrite Resolution Board indicate that approximately 897 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme , of which 664 have been approved for inclusion in the scheme as follows: -
- 239 are at remedial works planning stage,
- 46 are at tender / tender analysis,
- 171 are at tender decision,
- 106 are under remediation, and
- 102 are complete.
It is anticipated that circa 230 dwellings will be remediated, or under remediation, by end 2015 with this figure projected to rise to an estimated 500 dwellings by mid-2016.
As matters currently stand, there are approximately 23 projects approved for inclusion under the pyrite remediation scheme to which project managers have been assigned by the Housing Agency. Another four projects are due to go to tender before December 2015 and will have project managers assigned shortly.
I understand that a total of 7 appeals have been made to the Pyrite Resolution Board since the inception of the scheme; 2 decisions to refuse were overturned by the Board on appeal. My Department understands that a further 2 appeals were withdrawn by the appellants on the grounds that the Damage Condition Ratings in respect of the dwellings concerned progressed from 1 to 2 and their applications were subsequently accepted for inclusion into the scheme. No other dwellings with Damage Condition Ratings of less than 2 have been accepted into the scheme.
1047. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update regarding the development of a harbour (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37536/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has an application for a foreshore lease from Schull Community Harbour Development Company Ltd. for the upgrading of an existing pier, reclamation and construction of a marina, together with the installation of pontoons at Schull Harbour, Co. Cork. The current position is that my Department is awaiting responses from the applicant to issues raised as part of the consultation process before the application can be progressed further.
1048. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the pilot funding for the provision of rural closed-circuit television will be extended to County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37571/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn initial amount of €50,000 has been allocated towards the cost of a community led pilot rural CCTV initiative, with the possibility of the pilot being rolled out to a limited number of other locations in the near future, with a potential €130,000 in total being made available for the project. As this pilot is in the very early stages, no groups have received funding to date. The rural community-based CCTV pilot will provide financial assistance towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of a rural community CCTV system. It is envisaged that CCTV cameras will be located in strategic positions in rural locations, with the aim of increasing public safety and deterring criminal or anti-social behaviour.
This will act not only as a deterrent but also assist with the possible prosecution of offenders through facilitating the detection and investigation of offences as well as providing recorded evidence of occurrences of incidents and also facilitating quicker responses.
I will continue to work closely with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána, who have the lead role in crime prevention and combatting anti-social and disorderly behaviour, regarding the roll out of a rural CCTV programme to other locations.
1049. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process involved in reducing the list of properties in unfinished estates exempt from the local property tax following on from the initial list of properties exempt from the household charge; the reasons certain properties in unfinished estates are not now exempt from the local property tax; if he will explain how these decisions were made and the role of local authorities in the matter; the guidance that was provided to local authorities in adjudicating on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37575/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 10 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, an exemption from liability can arise for properties located in developments prescribed on a list made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where the Minister is satisfied that the developments on the list are incomplete to a substantial extent, having regard to the condition of public infrastructure and amenities, including access, water services, public lighting and amenity areas. An exemption from the Local Property Tax applies to developments listed in the Schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013. The list of unfinished housing developments eligible for the exemption was compiled by local authorities utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey 2012. The survey was carried out over the course of summer 2012 by my Department in conjunction with local authorities and the Housing Agency. Only developments that were deemed by local authorities to be in a “seriously problematic condition”, regardless of whether a developer was on or off site, were included in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013.
The Government has taken a number of significant steps to address the issue of Unfinished Housing Developments. In particular, the development of Site Resolution Plans (SRPs), agreed between residents, developers, funders and local authority personnel for the finalisation of works on site to render estates as habitable as possible, has been pivotal in resolving a large number of estates. In the 2014 National Housing Survey, of the 1,263 estates inspected, there were 587 in some stage of SRPs. Specifically, 270 were agreed and ready for implementation, 230 had commenced while 87 had been completed. I believe that a continuation of this collaborative approach serves the best interests of all concerned and is an effective tool in the resolution process. The 2015 National Housing Survey is being finalised and will illustrate further progress in resolving unfinished housing developments.
To assist further in addressing the legacy of unfinished housing developments, Budget 2014 contained a special provision, in the form of a targeted €10 million Special Resolution Fund (SRF). The SRF is designed to encourage the resolution of the remaining tranche of unfinished developments identified in the National Housing Development Survey 2013 and, particularly, those developments not likely to be resolved in the normal way through solely developer/owner/funder action because of the presence of specific financial barriers. The SRF was particularly targeted to address the remaining unfinished developments with residents living in them and, in particular, any developments that local authorities identified, for the purposes of the Local Property Tax exemption, as in a seriously problematic condition.
On 2 May 2014, SRF allocations to 86 housing developments across the country were announced. Further information is available at the following weblink:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,37940,en.htm.
This public investment aimed to leverage an additional €12 million from third parties (developers/lenders/bonds) which will be invested in these estates. The SRF has enabled very substantial progress to be made in resolving as many of the remaining unfinished developments as possible.
1050. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered placing home bond schemes as a mandatory requirement for all residential building projects. [37587/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1065. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to make home bond schemes a mandatory requirement for all residential building projects. [37800/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 and 1065 together.
A number of companies currently provide structural warranties or latent defects insurance cover in respect of new residential buildings. Such insurance providers are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. My Department has no function in relation to this aspect of the matter. For consumers such products have the advantage of providing direct recourse from the insurer when problems arise rather than having to rely on the insurances of the builder/developer or other parties.
The Construction 2020 strategy includes a commitment to consider the potential for latent defects insurance (LDI) as a form of recourse for consumers when faced with serious construction defects. My Department has given the matter some consideration in consultation with the Department of Finance and a number of industry bodies.
It is important to note that key reforms to the arrangements in place for the control of building activity introduced in recent years are leading to market conditions more conducive to insurers and a wider availability and use of latent defects insurance, including -
(i) S.I. No. 9 of 2014, which came into effect on 1 March 2014, requiring greater accountability for demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
(ii) The online Building Control Management System (BCMS) was developed to coincide with the introduction of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 in order to provide a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. The system facilitates a risk analysis of all projects for which commencement notices are received, which will inform each building control authority’s own inspection arrangements thus ensuring that available inspection resources are used to optimum effect.
(iii) A voluntary register of builders and contractors known as Construction Industry Register Ireland or CIRI is now in place and will be placed on a statutory footing in the near future.
All of the above measures ensure a greater emphasis on competence, professionalism and quality in our construction industry into the future and impose a new order and discipline on the execution of construction projects, thereby reducing risk within the construction sector.
In this context, my Department welcomes the current focus by industry on promoting and supporting more widespread use of LDI. There are no plans at this time to introduce a mandatory LDI requirement for all new residential projects but my Department will keep the matter under review in the light of ongoing developments within the construction industry in general and in relation to construction insurance products in particular.
1051. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the position regarding security of employment for permanent staff of local authorities who were transferred under the Water Services Act to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37590/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Water has entered into service level agreements (SLA) with each of the 31 authorities for the provision of water services. Staff in local authorities working under these arrangements remain local authority employees. The SLA reflects the transformation agenda required for the water sector and makes provision for annual service plans to be agreed between Irish Water and the relevant local authority setting out the required performance, budgets and headcount to deliver the service. The length of the service level agreement and the fact that the agreement will include a programme of change are reflected in a Framework document, agreed with the Trade Unions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, and which is available on my Department’s website. This agreement and the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provide that, in the event of an SLA coming to an end, the staff covered by the SLA will become Irish Water employees and their terms and conditions and superannuation arrangements will be protected by legislation.
Local authority and Departmental staff who have taken up employment with Irish Water are currently working on a secondment basis pending the establishment of the superannuation arrangements provided for under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.
1052. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to proceed with the building of so-called modular housing estates, given recent renewed concern about health, safety and heating of such structures and the long periods, often decades, in which homeless families were left in such accommodation in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37606/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1075. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his planned timeline for the delivery of 500 modular units for emergency accommodation; the number of persons these will accommodate; and the length of time while social housing is being made available. [37907/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1076. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimates for the delivery of the 500 modular units for emergency accommodation; and the ancillary services required in tabular form. [37908/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1052, 1075 and 1076 together.
Government has approved the delivery of 500 units of modular housing for homeless families across Dublin. It is intended to have the first 150 units delivered as quickly as possible in the Dublin City Council administrative area, with the City Council acting as the contracting authority. The City Council expects the delivery of an initial 22 units by December, with a further 128 units to follow by late Quarter 1 2016 through a fast-tracked procurement process. A further 350 units will then be provided across the four local authorities in the Dublin region through a national procurement framework overseen by the Office for Government Procurement, with expected construction on sites by mid-2016. As with any form of development, the development of modular housing units must comply with all regulatory obligations including building control and fire safety requirements .
This programme of modular housing provision is being implemented to mitigate the issues associated with an increasing volume of homeless families accommodated in inappropriate commercial hotel arrangements. These units will provide emergency accommodation in the first instance, with each unit providing accommodation for a single household at a given time. While the placement of individual households in these units is intended to be on a temporary basis, such placements will offer a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning for access to all required services, including welfare, health and housing services.
My 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 and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. Accordingly, it will be a matter for the relevant housing authorities to determine what ancillary services may be required .
