Written Answers Nos. 1054-1071
1054. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of landlords who have signed up to the housing assistance payment programme in each of the four Dublin local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37608/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. There are now over 4,500 households in receipt of HAP and 3,200 separate landlords receiving rental payments related to the HAP scheme. The scheme has been rolled out to all categories of households in 15 local authority areas, and will shortly be rolled out to 3 further areas. Among the four Dublin local authorities, the scheme is only available to all categories of households in the South Dublin County Council area. The Dublin Region Homelessness Executive (DRHE) is also managing a HAP Homeless Pilot for homeless households for the four Dublin local authorities. In this context, the table below provide a breakdown of HAP Households and landlord numbers by Dublin local authority area.
HAP - 2 November 2015
|
Local Authority |
HAP Households |
HAP Landlords |
|
Dublin City |
34 |
34 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
1 |
1 |
|
Fingal |
5 |
5 |
|
South Dublin |
444 |
427 |
1055. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed the Dublin housing executive and the housing managers of the four Dublin local authorities to review Part V compliance through financial contribution on developments currently being built in their areas to ensure that, even the limited conditions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 are implemented; these developments will yield significant numbers of homes for citizens and families on housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformed by an extensive public consultation process and an independent in-depth review of the operation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, a number of amendments to Part V were included in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 which came into force on 1 September 2015.
The principal objectives of the 2015 amendments are to:
- maximise the opportunity for the delivery of social housing units;
- secure the principle of integrated mixed tenure developments;
- address weaknesses in aspects of the existing legislation identified in a number of court judgements; and
- enhance the economic viability of developments.
It is currently open to local authorities to agree with developers to have their Part V obligations fulfilled in a number of ways, including:
- the transfer of ownership of land, subject to the planning application, to a local authority for the provision of housing;
- the building and transfer of ownership to the local authority, or persons nominated, of completed social housing units on the land, subject to the planning application;
- the transfer of ownership to the local authority, or persons nominated, of completed social housing units on other land, not subject to the planning permission; and/or
- the long term leasing of properties.
The transfer of land remains the default option but the option of providing a cash payment in lieu of housing has been removed, as has the option of providing sites or land elsewhere.
My Department has advised every local authority of the commencement of the new Part V legal provisions and requirements. In addition, authorities have been advised that the new Part V arrangements can be retrospectively applied to existing planning permissions where works have not commenced. With the consent of the developer and the local authority, Part V agreements reached on foot of the previous Part V provisions may now be renegotiated in line with the amendments contained in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. Local authorities should be seeking every opportunity to maximise the immediate delivery of social housing units.
The new Part V provisions are a key component of the range of delivery mechanisms required to achieve the targets set out in the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 .
1056. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to recent parliamentary questions, if he will confirm the number of housing units offered to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council by the National Asset Management Agency; whether these two local authorities refused a substantial number of these units; if he has received an explanation from them as to the reason for these refusals, given that homeless and housing waiting lists have hardly moved in the past year, and are continuing to grow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince December 2011, my Department and the Housing Agency have been engaged with NAMA identifying properties that might potentially be suitable for social housing purposes. Full details of units offered to local authorities and delivered under this process, including a break down by local authority, is available on the website of the Housing Agency at www.housing.ie/.
NAMA.
Since the process began, up to end of September 2015, a total of 1,600 NAMA residential properties have been delivered for social housing use, comprising of 1,241 completed properties, with a further 359 that have been contracted and where completion work is on-going.
Of the total 6,574 units identified nationally, 4,048 are no longer available for social housing purposes for a variety of reasons. In respect of 2,469 of these properties, local authorities considered them unsuitable for social housing purposes because of sustainable planning and housing policy issues associated with the units or the units were located in areas with no social housing demand. A further 1,579 units originally identified by NAMA as available for social housing were subsequently discovered by NAMA to be unavailable.
In the Dublin City Council area, 827 units were identified, 399 had demand confirmed by the City Council and of these 377 have been delivered to the end of September 2015. Of those units not progressing, 190 were subsequently discovered by NAMA to be unavailable and 238 were determined not to be suitable by the City Council. Of these 238 units, almost 150 units were in a single development where the City Council determined that 48 units in the development was a sustainable number for social housing purposes and those have been delivered. In that context demand was confirmed in 29 developments (either for the total development or a portion on the development) from the total 32 developments identified by NAMA.
In the Fingal County Council area, 270 units were identified, 105 had demand confirmed by the Council and of these, 60 have been delivered to the end of September 2015. Of those units not progressing 153 were subsequently discovered by NAMA to be unavailable and 12 were determined not to be suitable for social housing purposes by the Council.
The process of reviewing units previously deemed unsuitable by local authorities is on-going. Local authorities, particularly those in high demand areas, are continually reviewing the list of available NAMA properties to see if they are suitable to be brought into use as social housing.
1057. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to representations received from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI currently have no outstanding Ministerial representations from the Independent Tyre Wholesalers & Retailers Association (ITWRA). My Department has met with representatives from ITWRA on a number of occasions this year. During these meetings, all aspects of the regulation of Tyres and Waste Tyres and the changes which are proposed were discussed. In addition to this, my Department also arranged for certain suggestions made by ITWRA to be examined and discussed directly with Repak ELT which will be the sole compliance scheme for the tyre sector. In addition to these contacts, my Department has continued to copy ITWRA on all correspondence from the Tyres Working Group. A further meeting of the Working Group will be held on 11 November, to which ITWRA have been invited to attend. It is entirely a matter for ITWRA as to whether they accept this invitation.
1058. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the mortgage subsidy scheme will remain in place for the foreseeable future; if the subsidy has increased since 2011; the number of persons who are currently availing of the subsidy, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37631/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage Subsidy Scheme (MSS) is available to local authority borrowers who purchased their home as part of a Local Authority Affordable Housing scheme. The MSS is administered by local authorities and eligibility for the subsidy is based on household income.
There are no plans to amend or suspend the Mortgage Subsidy Scheme at this time. The amount of mortgage subsidy payable has neither increased nor decreased since 2011. As set out in the table below, mortgage subsidy is currently being claimed by 7 local authorities in respect of 202 households .
|
Local authority |
Number of households in receipt |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
38 |
|
Louth |
15 |
|
Mayo |
59 |
|
Tipperary |
18 |
|
Waterford |
34 |
|
Dublin City |
33 |
|
Total |
202 |
1059. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons in hostel or hotel accommodation by gender and to identify whether they are adults or children. [37705/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on individuals in emergency accommodation is provided through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). Lead housing authorities provide monthly reports on homelessness which identify the number of 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: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
1060. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for a list of initial applications for funding made to his Department under the rural water programme (details supplied), by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37729/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of my Department's Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for group water and group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual group scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities.
Details of the applications for funding under the Rural Water Programme from local authorities in 2015 are set out in the following table.
|
County |
2015 Block Grant Initial applications |
|
Carlow |
€372,537 |
|
Cavan |
€2,293,588 |
|
Clare |
€1,759,781 |
|
Cork |
€2,100,780 |
|
Donegal |
€1,352,946 |
|
Galway |
€9,359,498 |
|
Kerry |
€5,541,025 |
|
Kildare |
€1,137,790 |
|
Kilkenny |
€3,859,992 |
|
Laois |
€1,284,864 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,581,004 |
|
Limerick |
€1,180,127 |
|
Longford |
€938,916 |
|
Louth |
€277,562 |
|
Mayo |
€9,158,350 |
|
Meath |
€243,73 8 |
|
Monaghan |
€3,143,061 |
|
Offaly |
€860,469 |
|
Roscommon |
€2,208,55 5 |
|
Sligo |
€366,105 |
|
Tipperary |
€464,032 |
|
Waterford |
€474,850 |
|
Westmeath |
€566,899 |
|
Wexford |
€1,259,615 |
|
Wicklow |
€677,266 |
|
TOTAL |
€52,463,350 |
1061. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual operation costs of delivering domestic water services, excluding capital expenditure, for each of the past five years; the current operation costs under Irish Water; the anticipated operational costs for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37736/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water is being funded by a combination of domestic and non-domestic water charges, Government support and the raising of debt on capital markets. Irish Water is a regulated utility and its operating and capital plans are reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation, which approves an “allowed revenue” to end 2016-this represents the total costs (including depreciation and the return on capital employed) which Irish Water can recover from customer’s bills, taking account of Government subvention. The annual average operational costs in the period 2015 and 2016 under the regulatory model are estimated at €750m. It might be noted that some costs, such as the first fix programme amounting to around €30m per annum are capitalised within the regulatory model, but are treated as operational costs under the relevant accounting rules. Details of Irish Water’s proposed costs are outlined in their revenue and water charges plan which was reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the review and the CER’s decision are available at www.cer.ie.
In relation to the period prior to 2014, information in relation to the annual spend by local authorities is outlined each year in the local authority's Annual Financial Statement. It should be noted that this expenditure included costs associated with non-public water services e.g. group water schemes, and in some cases other services such as surface water drainage, flood alleviation etc. which remain the responsibility of local authorities as these functions have not transferred to Irish Water.
1062. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for details of the programme for social housing purchases in 2015; the number of units that have been purchased to date; the number that are expected to be purchased by the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Strategy 2020 provides a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, 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. Social housing targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017 and these are available on my Department’s website, along with the associated provisional funding allocations, at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
The targets set and the funding allocated are being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by local authorities, designed to accommodate over 25% of those currently on the housing waiting list in the area.
Given the time-lag between approval and delivery in terms of construction projects, a successful programme to remediate vacant units, as well as the acquisition by local authorities of properties through turn-key developments and other purchases, are important parts of social housing delivery this year.
Specific information on social housing units acquired and constructed in respect of all local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls.
Local authorities have advised me that they are advancing the purchase of some 1,000 units this year and that the vast bulk of these purchases will be finalised between now and the end of the year.
My Department is working with local authorities to ensure that maximum delivery takes place and I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms under current and capital expenditure programmes, the authorities will continue to deliver social housing targets in 2015, in line with the Social Housing Strategy.
1063. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the allocation for social and voluntary housing approved for Galway City Council and Galway County Council; the number of units approved; the number provided; the value of the approvals; the expenditure to date by his Department for housing in 2015, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37780/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTargets and provisional funding allocations for social housing delivery under my Department’s main capital and current programmes were issued to all local authorities in April this year. These targets were issued in the context of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which provides a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, 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. The targets are for the period out to 2017 and the available funding is being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by the local authorities designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the housing waiting lists. Galway City Council and Galway County Council have a combined target of 1,126 units, supported by €58.5m of investment, and is broken down as follows:
|
Local Authority Housing/ AHB delivery via CAS/ Return of vacant properties |
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
|||
|
2015-1 7 |
2015 |
2016/7 |
2015 |
2016/7 |
|
|
Galway City Council |
136 |
90 |
251 |
20 |
21 |
|
Galway County Council |
144 |
80 |
230 |
80 |
74 |
The detailed implementation of the programmes and projects to deliver on these targets is a matter for each individual local authority, but I am confident that good progress is being made in their achievement. When the targets were announced, it was indicated that the funding would support the refurbishment of vacant social housing units and support local authorities in both building and acquiring housing. Subsequently, I announced new social housing construction projects to the value of approximately half a billion euros, including 155 new units for the Galway local authorities at a cost estimate of €25 million. Details are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm
Given the time-lag between approval and delivery in terms of construction projects, a successful programme to remediate vacant units, as well as the acquisition by local authorities of properties through turn-key developments and other purchases, are important parts of social housing delivery this year. The Galway authorities inform me they aim to deliver around 70 new acquisitions this year, while I am providing funding support to them to return 90 vacant social housing units to productive use.
Information on social housing units constructed and acquired in respect of all local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls
The projects and programmes to deliver new social housing are being advanced strongly by local authorities. To date this year, investment in the broad range of initiatives under my Department’s social housing current and capital programmes by both Galway authorities is €8.6 million. I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms under these programmes, local authorities will continue to deliver on the social housing targets for 2015, in line with the Social Housing Strategy.
1064. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of assistance paid to Clare County Council in 2014 and to date in 2015 towards the upgrading of the pier in Doolin in County Clare; the subhead in the Revised Estimates that this funding was paid under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37782/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department made grant payments to Clare County Council towards the extension and upgrading of the pier at Doolin, Co. Clare in the amount of €2 Million in 2014 and €2 Million to date in 2015. This funding was paid under subhead D.7.
1066. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of rates billed, collected and written off by local authorities for each of the past five years in tabular form. [37803/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority during the annual budget process. The information requested is set out in the following tables. The figures relate to the amount of commercial rates accrued, collected and written off, as reported by local authorities in Appendix 7 of their individual audited financial statements. It should be noted that the amounts collected and written off may include arrears. The latest available audited information relates to 2013. As a matter of course, every local authority publishes its annual audited financial statement on their websites.
As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in light of prevailing circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.
Rates Accrued - 2009 to 2013 (€)
|
Authority Name |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
5,437,343 |
5,373,175 |
5,341,971 |
5,982,868 |
5,703,956 |
|
Cavan |
10,176,204 |
10,501,300 |
10,855,105 |
11,170,539 |
11,161,294 |
|
Clare |
35,667,253 |
35,491,606 |
36,002,565 |
36,323,230 |
36,245,152 |
|
Cork County |
101,645,326 |
104,214,738 |
111,391,189 |
113,655,375 |
113,468,590 |
|
Donegal |
20,911,384 |
21,120,580 |
20,934,163 |
21,331,713 |
21,306,610 |
|
Fingal |
128,955,984 |
118,535,544 |
116,394,656 |
121,495,756 |
119,258,645 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
88,786,813 |
89,479,989 |
88,948,647 |
86,392,172 |
83,345,888 |
|
Galway |
22,494,723 |
23,139,712 |
23,637,493 |
23,840,912 |
23,905,615 |
|
Kerry |
20,389,044 |
20,629,311 |
21,775,882 |
21,906,913 |
21,729,399 |
|
Kildare |
38,904,433 |
38,359,818 |
36,235,752 |
46,928,784 |
47,194,065 |
|
Kilkenny |
11,414,523 |
11,745,434 |
11,982,779 |
12,097,364 |
12,058,348 |
|
Laois |
8,917,227 |
9,240,132 |
10,044,575 |
12,048,656 |
12,273,101 |
|
Leitrim |
4,600,260 |
4,655,068 |
4,775,424 |
4,838,734 |
4,982,914 |
|
Limerick |
26,570,796 |
27,634,169 |
28,546,208 |
28,807,773 |
29,070,113 |
|
Longford |
3,961,062 |
3,861,091 |
4,705,577 |
4,718,199 |
4,696,445 |
|
Louth |
7,879,049 |
7,772,866 |
8,003,832 |
8,130,503 |
8,036,634 |
|
Mayo |
13,756,717 |
13,649,034 |
14,642,530 |
14,778,314 |
14,699,264 |
|
Meath |
21,524,342 |
20,612,832 |
24,830,057 |
25,242,305 |
25,346,531 |
|
Monaghan |
6,206,629 |
6,370,715 |
6,431,415 |
6,488,790 |
6,597,586 |
|
North Tipperary |
7,035,847 |
6,770,021 |
6,987,763 |
7,071,819 |
6,853,951 |
|
Offaly |
7,640,804 |
7,974,255 |
7,899,297 |
8,979,440 |
9,009,532 |
|
Roscommon |
10,330,451 |
10,251,188 |
10,527,686 |
11,223,586 |
11,195,305 |
|
Sligo |
4,747,159 |
4,876,672 |
5,026,819 |
5,209,631 |
5,188,603 |
|
South Dublin |
121,180,161 |
124,313,660 |
125,550,859 |
122,641,598 |
122,440,818 |
|
South Tipperary |
7,730,074 |
7,475,915 |
7,743,482 |
8,582,258 |
8,604,888 |
|
Waterford |
6,946,607 |
7,128,391 |
7,698,959 |
7,551,177 |
7,253,827 |
|
Westmeath |
8,057,669 |
8,383,920 |
8,558,775 |
8,583,346 |
8,529,318 |
|
Wexford |
16,563,297 |
17,176,710 |
18,188,065 |
18,672,534 |
19,497,357 |
|
Wicklow |
16,574,472 |
17,047,486 |
17,341,036 |
17,579,632 |
17,503,212 |
|
City Councils |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Cork |
62,220,908 |
63,419,617 |
64,625,928 |
65,475,997 |
65,214,509 |
|
Dublin |
321,119,556 |
324,537,363 |
325,075,795 |
341,260,508 |
341,150,111 |
|
Galway |
33,168,472 |
33,592,654 |
33,989,005 |
34,830,055 |
34,820,670 |
|
Limerick |
30,298,778 |
30,542,193 |
30,721,667 |
30,468,252 |
29,020,604 |
|
Waterford |
18,381,032 |
18,458,611 |
17,954,201 |
18,696,956 |
20,943,532 |
|
Borough Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clonmel |
4,735,915 |
4,990,898 |
5,099,593 |
6,236,154 |
6,234,999 |
|
Drogheda |
11,888,285 |
12,264,642 |
11,929,818 |
11,839,983 |
11,655,555 |
|
Kilkenny |
6,008,514 |
6,215,696 |
6,370,420 |
6,445,737 |
6,424,678 |
|
Sligo |
7,369,547 |
7,378,179 |
7,511,060 |
7,703,409 |
7,726,515 |
|
Wexford |
7,088,670 |
7,435,003 |
7,328,038 |
7,872,361 |
8,056,459 |
|
Town Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Arklow |
3,184,059 |
3,307,109 |
3,348,263 |
3,321,641 |
3,338,673 |
|
Athlone |
3,726,900 |
4,163,845 |
4,205,310 |
4,384,959 |
4,288,152 |
|
Athy |
1,311,115 |
1,479,091 |
2,127,256 |
2,187,210 |
2,191,547 |
|
Ballina |
3,605,209 |
3,678,842 |
3,789,898 |
3,776,444 |
3,781,477 |
|
Ballinasloe |
1,616,989 |
1,692,755 |
1,708,156 |
1,717,844 |
1,720,435 |
|
Birr |
1,244,333 |
1,309,898 |
1,306,433 |
1,342,020 |
978,495 |
|
Bray |
6,773,847 |
6,544,720 |
6,619,047 |
6,611,668 |
6,650,194 |
|
Buncrana |
1,361,814 |
1,363,697 |
1,333,758 |
1,333,765 |
1,336,351 |
|
Bundoran |
1,051,283 |
1,053,302 |
984,254 |
952,551 |
953,935 |
|
Carlow |
5,579,976 |
5,390,554 |
4,879,386 |
5,457,486 |
5,359,115 |
|
Carrick on Suir |
805,744 |
722,252 |
704,491 |
940,238 |
943,721 |
|
Carrickmacross |
1,331,506 |
1,371,026 |
1,372,743 |
1,372,280 |
1,371,455 |
|
Cashel |
611,903 |
667,398 |
630,939 |
794,309 |
794,769 |
|
Castlebar |
3,764,682 |
3,926,284 |
3,992,787 |
4,058,517 |
4,033,313 |
|
Castleblayney |
807,785 |
863,943 |
846,817 |
829,078 |
851,027 |
|
Cavan |
1,995,581 |
2,009,266 |
1,954,728 |
1,956,147 |
1,896,556 |
|
Clonakility |
1,322,273 |
1,309,618 |
1,301,751 |
1,287,185 |
1,265,648 |
|
Clones |
447,869 |
448,072 |
443,663 |
448,796 |
448,796 |
|
Cobh |
893,276 |
896,495 |
902,870 |
832,617 |
830,971 |
|
Dundalk |
14,095,551 |
14,066,929 |
13,857,337 |
13,861,563 |
13,669,588 |
|
Dungarvan |
3,092,323 |
3,265,512 |
3,278,902 |
3,312,810 |
3,205,621 |
|
Ennis |
5,187,532 |
5,360,153 |
5,441,596 |
5,434,567 |
5,448,158 |
|
Enniscorthy |
1,633,836 |
1,627,597 |
1,620,053 |
1,432,063 |
1,712,883 |
|
Fermoy |
1,087,537 |
1,112,551 |
1,037,044 |
1,036,429 |
1,045,562 |
|
Kells |
627,255 |
569,718 |
710,302 |
706,302 |
706,293 |
|
Killarney |
7,969,331 |
7,938,635 |
7,771,506 |
7,831,911 |
7,834,181 |
|
Kilrush |
705,442 |
714,855 |
733,765 |
733,412 |
735,239 |
|
Kinsale |
1,085,313 |
1,071,310 |
1,078,755 |
1,069,783 |
1,061,669 |
|
Letterkenny |
5,693,021 |
5,764,798 |
5,550,869 |
5,577,265 |
5,609,089 |
|
Listowel |
1,811,342 |
1,818,436 |
1,811,766 |
1,857,966 |
1,865,296 |
|
Longford |
3,075,264 |
3,109,828 |
3,257,811 |
3,264,837 |
3,267,948 |
|
Macroom |
898,580 |
916,457 |
922,977 |
913,615 |
949,637 |
|
Mallow |
2,374,515 |
2,502,270 |
2,484,508 |
2,477,040 |
2,471,655 |
|
Midleton |
1,846,256 |
1,837,594 |
1,805,399 |
1,766,430 |
1,678,555 |
|
Monaghan |
3,264,821 |
3,318,330 |
3,347,424 |
3,353,244 |
3,356,126 |
|
Naas |
6,277,717 |
6,321,829 |
6,192,438 |
7,586,340 |
7,622,270 |
|
Navan |
2,679,783 |
4,999,327 |
5,086,665 |
5,317,908 |
5,364,427 |
|
Nenagh |
3,317,460 |
3,178,200 |
3,186,393 |
3,240,193 |
3,245,780 |
|
New Ross |
1,136,190 |
1,132,009 |
1,129,976 |
903,634 |
1,268,139 |
|
Skibbereen |
1,075,348 |
1,075,258 |
1,133,650 |
1,101,172 |
1,092,248 |
|
Templemore |
444,672 |
464,787 |
463,446 |
466,101 |
457,747 |
|
Thurles |
2,255,258 |
2,202,616 |
2,311,395 |
2,354,113 |
2,316,137 |
|
Tipperary |
1,285,139 |
1,110,739 |
1,166,240 |
1,349,584 |
1,344,217 |
|
Tralee |
9,623,687 |
9,694,815 |
9,776,892 |
9,811,953 |
9,836,205 |
|
Trim |
750,357 |
770,511 |
845,938 |
852,547 |
853,969 |
|
Tullamore |
4,326,334 |
4,359,564 |
4,453,369 |
4,475,373 |
4,486,704 |
|
Westport |
2,844,498 |
2,798,720 |
2,763,558 |
2,785,450 |
2,783,086 |
|
Wicklow |
1,672,388 |
1,649,684 |
1,664,821 |
1,673,967 |
1,674,882 |
|
Youghal |
1,393,276 |
1,418,781 |
1,414,964 |
1,402,887 |
1,404,962 |
Rates Collected - 2009 to 2013 (€)
|
Authority Name |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
4,615,309 |
4,713,637 |
5,014,574 |
5,349,312 |
5,662,045 |
|
Cavan |
8,603,408 |
9,215,051 |
8,940,324 |
8,915,787 |
9,547,936 |
|
Clare |
32,996,202 |
31,371,523 |
34,462,839 |
35,068,727 |
35,781,114 |
|
Cork |
90,972,573 |
90,916,445 |
98,611,248 |
99,581,705 |
101,444,286 |
|
Donegal |
15,658,398 |
16,168,187 |
15,057,566 |
16,510,243 |
16,828,925 |
|
Fingal |
117,887,956 |
109,089,208 |
110,856,320 |
111,170,882 |
117,054,598 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
80,006,996 |
81,556,189 |
77,289,649 |
76,485,950 |
78,121,345 |
|
Galway |
17,502,006 |
18,200,480 |
18,148,608 |
18,304,926 |
18,183,451 |
|
Kerry |
16,875,495 |
17,554,303 |
18,090,642 |
18,545,649 |
18,329,177 |
|
Kildare |
37,248,297 |
35,017,488 |
34,379,974 |
32,935,210 |
35,934,498 |
|
Kilkenny |
9,704,411 |
9,425,334 |
10,143,519 |
9,828,562 |
10,293,860 |
|
Laois |
8,105,288 |
8,187,869 |
8,793,540 |
9,049,045 |
8,829,032 |
|
Leitrim |
3,704,221 |
3,660,377 |
3,567,441 |
3,551,524 |
4,141,356 |
|
Limerick |
22,942,636 |
23,150,780 |
23,398,832 |
22,979,999 |
24,229,527 |
|
Longford |
3,589,772 |
3,631,607 |
3,642,088 |
3,857,521 |
3,817,962 |
|
Louth |
6,313,800 |
5,746,530 |
5,890,869 |
6,140,069 |
6,589,934 |
|
Mayo |
10,962,439 |
10,349,404 |
11,535,135 |
10,901,201 |
11,134,966 |
|
Meath |
20,475,209 |
19,689,702 |
20,617,515 |
21,203,158 |
21,535,803 |
|
Monaghan |
4,984,210 |
4,965,581 |
5,009,795 |
4,963,050 |
5,188,572 |
|
North Tipperary |
6,376,522 |
6,182,328 |
6,192,017 |
6,100,916 |
6,088,049 |
|
Offaly |
6,459,394 |
7,267,813 |
7,119,014 |
7,136,574 |
7,151,970 |
|
Roscommon |
8,156,169 |
7,733,539 |
8,469,001 |
8,716,625 |
8,527,522 |
|
Sligo |
3,730,381 |
4,016,899 |
3,704,759 |
3,855,428 |
3,889,700 |
|
South Dublin |
110,634,633 |
112,063,348 |
110,736,605 |
115,315,419 |
116,610,117 |
|
South Tipperary |
7,139,326 |
7,323,848 |
7,339,280 |
7,787,094 |
7,401,621 |
|
Waterford |
5,932,664 |
5,676,246 |
5,957,256 |
5,840,764 |
5,913,849 |
|
Westmeath |
6,772,598 |
8,064,443 |
7,699,962 |
7,987,665 |
8,049,691 |
|
Wexford |
14,398,434 |
15,041,928 |
15,137,668 |
16,117,998 |
16,977,391 |
|
Wicklow |
13,701,249 |
13,425,755 |
14,249,739 |
13,700,820 |
13,658,447 |
|
City Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
56,121,873 |
56,548,108 |
57,543,725 |
57,194,781 |
56,979,228 |
|
Dublin |
307,480,452 |
296,510,814 |
301,729,856 |
302,023,257 |
305,666,229 |
|
Galway |
26,407,815 |
25,497,007 |
27,310,581 |
28,436,509 |
28,751,323 |
|
Limerick |
24,116,791 |
24,080,407 |
24,551,342 |
23,763,117 |
22,650,976 |
|
Waterford |
17,810,528 |
16,942,553 |
16,088,371 |
16,984,756 |
16,347,137 |
|
Borough Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Clonmel |
4,071,334 |
4,457,738 |
4,452,109 |
4,840,651 |
4,853,164 |
|
Drogheda |
9,093,766 |
8,748,669 |
8,129,044 |
8,630,541 |
8,762,812 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,781,442 |
4,803,670 |
5,069,326 |
5,419,007 |
5,706,542 |
|
Sligo |
5,776,438 |
5,615,268 |
5,658,449 |
5,833,182 |
5,735,480 |
|
Wexford |
5,468,672 |
5,754,319 |
5,996,625 |
6,553,816 |
6,623,113 |
|
Town Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Arklow |
2,506,775 |
2,272,143 |
2,161,059 |
2,260,384 |
2,655,154 |
|
Athlone |
3,341,585 |
3,519,698 |
3,951,536 |
3,922,388 |
3,973,785 |
|
Athy |
1,451,230 |
1,485,262 |
1,465,825 |
1,335,972 |
1,412,253 |
|
Ballina |
2,763,260 |
2,752,980 |
2,833,218 |
2,653,591 |
2,783,412 |
|
Ballinasloe |
1,169,263 |
1,143,753 |
1,159,841 |
1,188,438 |
1,139,998 |
|
Birr |
848,368 |
906,386 |
890,876 |
994,791 |
989,234 |
|
Bray |
5,505,673 |
5,180,802 |
5,604,898 |
5,278,360 |
4,888,165 |
|
Buncrana |
544,465 |
480,392 |
719,625 |
640,125 |
662,297 |
|
Bundoran |
844,621 |
741,670 |
833,802 |
792,547 |
830,435 |
|
Carlow |
4,752,063 |
4,757,249 |
4,496,444 |
4,548,555 |
5,069,228 |
|
Carrick on Suir |
609,132 |
665,187 |
694,001 |
707,393 |
675,625 |
|
Carrickmacross |
1,066,463 |
1,258,862 |
1,142,045 |
1,206,775 |
1,187,143 |
|
Cashel |
541,937 |
635,593 |
663,602 |
634,129 |
647,150 |
|
Castlebar |
2,815,840 |
2,920,489 |
2,798,752 |
2,870,456 |
2,976,819 |
|
Castleblayney |
501,613 |
454,129 |
532,992 |
508,264 |
519,587 |
|
Cavan |
1,542,812 |
1,518,295 |
1,390,277 |
1,259,008 |
1,638,799 |
|
Clonakility |
1,194,989 |
1,085,295 |
1,028,461 |
1,011,224 |
1,047,348 |
|
Clones |
295,820 |
290,196 |
283,772 |
251,434 |
298,861 |
|
Cobh |
643,627 |
616,001 |
668,735 |
644,740 |
663,857 |
|
Dundalk |
10,538,426 |
11,490,630 |
12,275,753 |
10,191,041 |
9,341,904 |
|
Dungarvan |
2,021,346 |
2,113,441 |
2,441,895 |
2,223,420 |
2,191,533 |
|
Ennis |
3,998,872 |
4,142,290 |
3,791,599 |
3,954,400 |
3,850,769 |
|
Enniscorthy |
1,300,902 |
1,410,443 |
1,299,429 |
1,355,649 |
1,392,314 |
|
Fermoy |
843,543 |
786,684 |
681,614 |
755,642 |
704,594 |
|
Kells |
596,111 |
520,308 |
505,926 |
495,929 |
472,525 |
|
Killarney |
6,071,252 |
5,765,076 |
5,917,305 |
6,515,599 |
6,248,934 |
|
Kilrush |
663,293 |
591,100 |
671,585 |
720,900 |
670,563 |
|
Kinsale |
867,812 |
1,036,555 |
856,749 |
829,252 |
866,182 |
|
Letterkenny |
4,264,540 |
4,413,525 |
4,504,240 |
4,566,802 |
4,641,479 |
|
Listowel |
1,515,865 |
1,510,379 |
1,485,689 |
1,535,977 |
1,499,965 |
|
Longford |
2,339,321 |
2,312,838 |
2,243,712 |
2,118,580 |
2,213,550 |
|
Macroom |
798,493 |
661,989 |
766,454 |
662,880 |
711,246 |
|
Mallow |
2,110,280 |
2,129,908 |
2,098,324 |
2,120,432 |
2,112,244 |
|
Midleton |
1,652,934 |
1,559,084 |
1,426,397 |
1,411,407 |
1,378,026 |
|
Monaghan |
2,415,801 |
2,454,932 |
2,198,350 |
2,395,553 |
2,378,671 |
|
Naas |
5,759,815 |
5,590,137 |
6,001,452 |
5,770,868 |
5,999,678 |
|
Navan |
2,083,747 |
3,687,510 |
3,836,091 |
3,822,396 |
4,286,829 |
|
Nenagh |
2,740,789 |
2,750,039 |
2,586,041 |
2,537,436 |
2,634,859 |
|
New Ross |
1,050,605 |
943,233 |
775,114 |
790,911 |
833,219 |
|
Skibbereen |
832,117 |
851,206 |
872,989 |
913,651 |
910,991 |
|
Templemore |
387,715 |
431,456 |
383,723 |
346,203 |
362,894 |
|
Thurles |
1,724,944 |
1,634,640 |
1,544,858 |
1,599,607 |
1,561,007 |
|
Tipperary |
1,204,559 |
1,103,302 |
982,935 |
997,247 |
942,595 |
|
Tralee |
6,788,930 |
6,374,133 |
6,494,019 |
6,382,633 |
6,208,767 |
|
Trim |
632,408 |
633,889 |
643,629 |
675,920 |
667,176 |
|
Tullamore |
3,184,720 |
3,077,564 |
3,136,771 |
3,307,223 |
3,108,978 |
|
Westport |
2,509,853 |
2,514,155 |
2,415,163 |
2,418,287 |
2,246,447 |
|
Wicklow |
1,029,552 |
1,445,653 |
1,118,643 |
1,357,811 |
1,248,358 |
|
Youghal |
1,003,821 |
1,021,557 |
977,296 |
949,772 |
883,207 |
Rates Written Off - 2009 to 2013 (€)
|
Authority Name |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
84,558 |
65,201 |
514,264 |
134,181 |
185,030 |
|
Cavan |
150,332 |
767,529 |
1,322,456 |
1,627,509 |
1,350,126 |
|
Clare |
396,538 |
205,650 |
269,821 |
476,011 |
1,340,856 |
|
Cork |
5,041,167 |
6,672,558 |
9,849,863 |
9,840,621 |
13,674,551 |
|
Donegal |
1,363,280 |
2,492,414 |
3,432,462 |
6,097,753 |
2,536,979 |
|
Fingal |
2,141,388 |
3,757,096 |
6,992,569 |
7,351,122 |
12,024,553 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
1,712,032 |
3,325,110 |
6,864,448 |
8,945,801 |
7,777,926 |
|
Galway |
2,727,353 |
4,043,523 |
3,639,288 |
4,115,859 |
4,084,539 |
|
Kerry |
2,362,878 |
2,368,421 |
3,443,752 |
3,351,757 |
3,479,574 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10,489,942 |
11,952,277 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,237,416 |
1,699,530 |
1,808,986 |
1,963,479 |
2,284,949 |
|
Laois |
271,481 |
659,583 |
535,774 |
2,446,495 |
2,833,495 |
|
Leitrim |
545,554 |
696,734 |
882,051 |
649,020 |
650,451 |
|
Limerick |
2,644,874 |
4,028,917 |
4,150,636 |
4,077,074 |
4,522,655 |
|
Longford |
204,541 |
117,420 |
813,425 |
882,658 |
802,640 |
|
Louth |
756,462 |
946,116 |
966,060 |
972,640 |
1,384,017 |
|
Mayo |
2,484,383 |
2,533,929 |
2,958,216 |
3,416,224 |
3,202,946 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
2,610,559 |
3,027,261 |
4,544,500 |
|
Monaghan |
602,947 |
1,022,223 |
994,360 |
1,120,614 |
1,363,327 |
|
North Tipperary |
188,260 |
316,956 |
409,171 |
562,351 |
633,248 |
|
Offaly |
803,689 |
937,826 |
717,747 |
666,819 |
809,190 |
|
Roscommon |
1,563,232 |
1,688,361 |
2,100,010 |
2,407,413 |
2,458,072 |
|
Sligo |
579,355 |
671,143 |
630,018 |
724,061 |
979,738 |
|
South Dublin |
1,687,009 |
3,012,133 |
3,559,276 |
6,001,550 |
11,189,046 |
|
South Tipperary |
1,760 |
24,720 |
-2 |
756,724 |
946,441 |
|
Waterford |
408,964 |
530,506 |
931,303 |
1,595,087 |
1,466,342 |
|
Westmeath |
236,607 |
178,733 |
144,669 |
226,741 |
284,578 |
|
Wexford |
660,644 |
398,791 |
826,444 |
1,735,247 |
2,575,060 |
|
Wicklow |
1,464,190 |
1,730,389 |
2,300,005 |
3,314,451 |
3,575,356 |
|
City Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
1,852,616 |
3,483,443 |
4,852,617 |
4,817,014 |
5,147,867 |
|
Dublin |
6,247,794 |
9,035,651 |
12,882,359 |
36,849,042 |
37,789,463 |
|
Galway |
2,435,131 |
4,664,801 |
4,745,866 |
5,707,531 |
5,464,322 |
|
Limerick |
1,823,528 |
2,676,147 |
3,570,993 |
4,511,846 |
5,406,834 |
|
Waterford |
189,950 |
192,323 |
650,384 |
386,833 |
3,452,374 |
|
Borough Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clonmel |
47,189 |
38,886 |
53,726 |
1,724,900 |
1,552,352 |
|
Drogheda |
2,149,886 |
2,517,366 |
2,328,721 |
2,381,315 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
555,533 |
838,460 |
923,453 |
1,208,562 |
1,084,604 |
|
Sligo |
890,046 |
1,127,339 |
1,265,723 |
1,496,967 |
1,620,738 |
|
Wexford |
467,995 |
714,075 |
693,665 |
1,660,856 |
1,577,801 |
|
Town Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Arklow |
520,877 |
638,080 |
714,498 |
722,857 |
1,057,043 |
|
Athlone |
0 |
99,142 |
182,549 |
138,250 |
99,579 |
|
Athy |
0 |
0 |
610,532 |
590,321 |
685,515 |
|
Ballina |
729,526 |
851,891 |
814,084 |
1,029,978 |
1,013,776 |
|
Ballinasloe |
324,172 |
437,460 |
434,160 |
445,947 |
522,507 |
|
Birr |
233,453 |
0 |
306,211 |
326,033 |
0 |
|
Bray |
704,429 |
369,999 |
544,012 |
682,458 |
1,141,973 |
|
Buncrana |
762,828 |
569,131 |
534,954 |
780,499 |
618,403 |
|
Bundoran |
87,232 |
76,240 |
177,139 |
182,948 |
145,065 |
|
Carlow |
110,825 |
116,322 |
362,801 |
292,840 |
466,115 |
|
Carrick on Suir |
4,606 |
0 |
12,762 |
254,106 |
249,472 |
|
Carrickmacross |
88,280 |
78,791 |
132,419 |
175,892 |
147,921 |
|
Cashel |
0 |
0 |
0 |
140,639 |
144,577 |
|
Castlebar |
682,085 |
800,826 |
861,222 |
986,001 |
1,183,227 |
|
Castleblayney |
133,134 |
143,966 |
276,944 |
172,959 |
321,138 |
|
Cavan |
300,985 |
271,722 |
422,298 |
356,717 |
390,933 |
|
Clonakility |
52,862 |
159,339 |
118,317 |
111,330 |
239,681 |
|
Clones |
128,492 |
121,380 |
202,715 |
160,619 |
164,637 |
|
Cobh |
146,664 |
303,998 |
226,826 |
177,516 |
159,679 |
|
Dundalk |
966,133 |
1,831,808 |
651,355 |
3,954,748 |
2,596,217 |
|
Dungarvan |
311,792 |
478,296 |
575,806 |
1,365,949 |
599,120 |
|
Ennis |
591,822 |
528,930 |
502,755 |
1,001,939 |
1,018,530 |
|
Enniscorthy |
58,316 |
131,649 |
118,904 |
181,441 |
473,707 |
|
Fermoy |
204,826 |
224,882 |
170,099 |
323,708 |
298,646 |
|
Kells |
0 |
0 |
199,690 |
189,748 |
231,108 |
|
Killarney |
833,203 |
918,274 |
1,235,852 |
1,099,909 |
1,436,087 |
|
Kilrush |
7,777 |
12,820 |
31,854 |
7,507 |
37,715 |
|
Kinsale |
14,472 |
309,488 |
83,553 |
171,608 |
296,036 |
|
Letterkenny |
388,328 |
869,900 |
918,515 |
975,920 |
962,727 |
|
Listowel |
209,707 |
244,837 |
288,105 |
373,394 |
379,466 |
|
Longford |
591,740 |
526,848 |
840,294 |
682,906 |
924,430 |
|
Macroom |
51,661 |
191,450 |
163,677 |
212,925 |
227,333 |
|
Mallow |
171,242 |
246,973 |
546,072 |
350,592 |
282,212 |
|
Midleton |
108,601 |
159,674 |
286,832 |
266,273 |
353,154 |
|
Monaghan |
538,040 |
566,891 |
592,916 |
753,465 |
1,069,162 |
|
Naas |
0 |
3,828 |
18,520 |
1,498,416 |
1,195,907 |
|
Navan |
331,598 |
996,615 |
975,358 |
1,288,358 |
1,212,384 |
|
Nenagh |
377,330 |
386,733 |
412,067 |
512,472 |
530,654 |
|
New Ross |
8,065 |
93,602 |
120,724 |
63,328 |
361,282 |
|
Skibbereen |
161,644 |
168,981 |
160,658 |
177,391 |
158,710 |
|
Templemore |
16,509 |
39,623 |
45,549 |
54,129 |
71,577 |
|
Thurles |
344,008 |
409,940 |
634,846 |
506,037 |
665,406 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
39,348 |
7,214 |
287,677 |
390,674 |
|
Tralee |
2,912,370 |
2,696,114 |
2,788,085 |
2,922,294 |
3,825,360 |
|
Trim |
0 |
0 |
232,801 |
194,662 |
193,302 |
|
Tullamore |
736,996 |
701,140 |
800,081 |
1,018,200 |
1,131,948 |
|
Westport |
149,391 |
282,849 |
269,144 |
302,247 |
416,971 |
|
Wicklow |
291,953 |
256,035 |
300,894 |
331,430 |
307,478 |
|
Youghal |
339,981 |
321,338 |
463,991 |
477,387 |
618,394 |
1067. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he received a report (details supplied) regarding an independent planning review; the cost of the report; the amounts paid; when he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37807/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions having regard to specific planning issues in respect of six planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The Consultants were paid a total of €94,916.91 for the contract. I received the final report from the consultants in July 2015 and my intention is to publish the report shortly having fully considered its contents.
1068. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the large number of housing estates in County Tipperary which are not taken in charge by Tipperary County Council; that the majority of these housing estates have street lighting which is not functioning; of the large number of break-ins and criminal gang activity in County Tipperary recently; his views that adequate lighting in rural and urban housing estates is an essential factor in deterring these criminal activities; his plans to allocate once-off funding to Tipperary County Council to repair the street lights in these housing estates, and all other broken lighting in urban and rural areas in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37819/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe taking in charge of residential estates by local authorities is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Section 180(1) provides, in relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission, that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the owners of the houses involved, initiate the taking in charge procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act 1993. My Department, by way of Circular letter PD 1/2008 dated 26 February 2008, issued updated policy guidance to planning authorities on Taking in Charge of Residential Developments/Management Arrangements. This advised each planning authority to develop or update, as appropriate, its policy on taking in charge by the end of June 2008, based on the following principles (among others):
- Certain core facilities/infrastructure to be taken in charge on request - public roads and footpaths, unallocated surface parking areas, public lighting, public water supply, foul and storm water drainage and public open spaces;
- The procedures for taking in charge to begin promptly on foot of a request by the majority of the residents in the development or by the developer, as appropriate. Protocols, including time frames, must be set out by planning authorities to respond to requests for taking in charge.
Each planning authority’s policy on taking in charge is required to be made available to the public and published on its website and the policy must be reported on to the elected members on a regular basis, and at least once annually.
My Department is currently reviewing, in the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, the current provisions in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to the taking in charge of housing estates by planning authorities with a view to improving and streamlining the taking in charge procedures. A particular focus of the review will be the time limits for the taking in charge of housing estates with a view to expediting the process. My Department is consulting with planning authorities in this regard.
1069. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the entitlement of British citizens, who are long-term resident here, to vote in a general election; if their entitlement is influenced by either being married or not being married to an Irish citizen; if any specific documentation is necessary, such as a voter's registration form; if he will provide details of a British citizen's entitlement to vote in various elections and referenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37859/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBritish citizens resident in the State may vote at Dáil, European Parliament and local elections if they are entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which they ordinarily reside. Only Irish citizens are entitled to vote at referendums. The marital status of any person does not have any bearing on these entitlements. To be entered in the register of electors, a British citizen, ordinarily resident in the State, must make the necessary application to their local authority. Forms are available from local authorities or to download from www.checktheregister.ie.
1070. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for details of any communications that have taken place with the European Commission regarding breaches of the urban waste water treatment directive as listed by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37872/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in regular communication with the European Commission regarding the implementation of the range of EU Directives for which I am responsible as Minister. The Commission and my Department meet on an annual basis in this regard and the next such meeting is scheduled for 17 November in Dublin. In October 2012, Ireland was notified of a pilot EU infringement regarding the possible non-compliance of a number of identified urban agglomerations with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This was subsequently upgraded to a formal infringement proceeding by letter of formal notice in September 2013. In that letter, the Commission outlined its concerns in relation to Ireland’s compliance with various aspects of the Directive.
Ireland responded to the Commission on 11 December 2013 and on 14 February 2014. A supplementary letter of formal notice was received from the Commission on 24 September 2015 updating and fully replacing the initial letter of formal notice. My Department, with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Irish Water, is currently preparing a response to the letter of formal notice.
1071. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how much of the €57 million in funding which was allocated in March 2015 to Tipperary County Council has been used to reduce the housing waiting list in 2015; if the council is still on target to reduce the housing list by over 40% by 2017; the number of vacant social housing units in County Tipperary that have been refurbished this year, as a result of the allocated funding, in tabular form; the status of the proposed building projects in Gortnahoe, Cloughjordan, Templemore and Thurles in County Tipperary; details of the proposed 832 housing units in County Tipperary that have been bought or leased for the provision of social housing since the funding was announced on 31 March 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37885/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTargets and provisional funding allocations for social housing delivery under my Department’s main capital and current programmes were issued to all local authorities in April this year. These targets were issued in the context of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which provides a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, 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. The targets are for the period out to 2017 and the available funding is being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by the local authorities, designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the housing waiting lists. The target and provisional funding allocation in respect of Tipperary County Council was 832 units and €57.1 million; targets in respect of all local authorities are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
When the targets were announced, it was indicated that the funding would support the refurbishment of vacant social housing units and support local authorities in both building and acquiring housing. Subsequently, I announced new social housing construction projects to the value of approximately half a billion euros, details of which are on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm .
These included projects targeting 72 new units at a cost of over €10.5 million for Tipperary County Council at Gortnahoe, Cloughjordan, Templemore and Thurles. These are now being progressed through the various stages of planning and design by the Council.
With a target of 287 units under the Capital Programme of the Social Housing Strategy to the end of 2017, I am pleased that Tipperary County Council are projected to have 146 units delivered by the end of 2015, or over 50% of their capital target delivered just one year into a 3 year, capital-intensive programme of housing provision. This means that Tipperary County Council are well ahead of their capital target for delivery of social housing units with the funding I have provided.
To the end of September 2015, under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (previously known as the leasing initiative), Tipperary County Council has delivered 330 social housing units and drawn down over €4 million; this includes 31 units delivered in 2015 and over €80,000 in expenditure drawdown. It should be borne in mind that current expenditure is on-going for the length of the agreements entered into by the local authority. Expenditure under the Rental Accommodation Scheme by Tipperary County Council in 2015 exceeded €5 million up to the end of September, with a delivery of 74 transfers out of their target of 100. The Housing Assistance Payment scheme has been operational in Tipperary County Council since 29 June 2015 and to date, 115 households are being supported.
The detailed implementation of the programmes and projects to deliver on the targets that have been set is a matter for each individual local authority. However I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms under these programmes, local authorities will continue to deliver on the social housing targets for 2015, in line with the Social Housing Strategy.
