Written Answers Nos. 245-254
245. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has had further discussions with management at South Dublin County Council regarding the challenges faced by the council in respect of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38504/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing authority administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis and funding from my Department for homeless services is also provided on a regional basis. Dublin City Council is the lead authority for the Dublin Region, which also includes South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. My Department is engaging with Dublin City Council, as the lead authority for homelessness in the Dublin Region, on an ongoing basis in relation to homelessness. My Department meets with Dublin City Council and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive on a regular basis to ensure that every effort is being made to address the on-going homelessness issue.
246. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a local authority has any flexibility to give oral hearings to third parties to a planning application; and, if not, if he will consider such an approach. [38522/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning legislation provides that any person or body, on payment of the appropriate fee, may make a submission or observation in writing to a planning authority in relation to a planning application within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the application by the planning authority.
The legislation does not provide discretion for planning authorities to hold oral hearings in relation to planning applications. I have no plans to amend the legislation in this regard.
However, a person or body who makes a submission on a planning application to a planning authority may appeal the decision of the planning authority to An Bord Pleanála (the Board). The Board may, at its own discretion, hold oral hearings in relation to cases being considered by it.
247. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce rent certainty to combat the increase in homelessness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38542/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for Q2 2015 show that on an annual basis, nationally, rents were 7.1% higher than in Q2 2014. Rents for houses were 6.4% higher, while apartment rents were 7.6% higher than in the same quarter of 2014.
These annual rates of increase were driven mainly by the Dublin market. Overall, in the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 9.2% in Dublin (with house rents up by 8.8% and apartment rents higher by 9.4%). Annual growth in rents for the market outside Dublin was more subdued. In the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 5.8% (with house rents up by 5.8% and apartment rents higher by 5.9%).
A shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents 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 demand are addressed. Social housing has been prioritised by this Government and over €1.7 billion in Exchequer and local authority self-funding was allocated to the Social Housing Strategy between the 2015 and 2016 budgets, to support the provision of over 33,000 units. The Government’s Capital Plan goes beyond 2016 and commits €2.9 billion in capital funding towards social housing out to 2021.
Ultimately, the key to addressing upward pressure on rents is through increasing the supply of housing, which is a core focus of the Government’s Construction 2020 strategy. In 2014 the number of house completions was 11,016 units nationally, an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure. The latest figures for new house completions show that 8,914 units were completed to the end of September 2015, up 14% on the corresponding figure for 2014. As announced in Budget 2016, NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020, with 90% of these units to be in the greater Dublin area.
A range of measures is being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople / .
In addition to these measures, I am continuing to work on proposals to address the issue of rising rents. The level of rent increases, particularly in the greater Dublin area, presents a serious challenge. The regulation of rent however, raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to this issue is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring final proposals to Government for decision as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has finalised new planning guidelines for wind turbines; if not forthcoming, if local authorities can make new development plans with their own planning criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38595/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process. It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines. My Department is advancing work on the finalisation of the Guidelines in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts. In the interim, the 2006 Guidelines continue to apply.
Under the Act, each planning authority’s development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned.
Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia,objectives for the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure including energy facilities. Section 9 of the Act further requires that a development plan be consistent with such national plans, policies or strategies as they relate to proper planning and sustainable development.
As the preparation or variation of local authority Development Plans must take account of all relevant and up to date national plans, policies and strategies, my Department advised planning authorities by way of circular letter PL 20/13 dated 20 December 2013 that until the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines has concluded, planning authorities should defer amending their existing Development Plan policies relating to wind energy as part of either the cyclical review or variation processes. They were instead advised to continue to operate their existing Development Plan policies and objectives until the review of the Guidelines was completed.
249. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reinstate the budget for Traveller accommodation, as there are 1,500 Traveller families living in sub-standard, inadequate and overcrowded conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
Accommodation for Travellers is provided across a range of options and it is open to Travellers to opt for any form of accommodation. These include standard local authority housing, which is financed from my Department’s capital allocations for social housing, private rented accommodation or private housing assisted by local authorities or voluntary organisations, and Traveller-specific accommodation which is funded by means of 100% capital funding from my Department. Traveller-specific accommodation includes group housing schemes and halting sites. The local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes detail the provision and management of Traveller-specific accommodation in their respective areas.
The 2014 Annual Count of Traveller families shows that, of the 10,226 families recorded, just over 20% were in Traveller-specific accommodation. The vast majority are accommodated in either standard social housing or in private rented accommodation. The Count also showed that 445 families (4.5%) were living on unauthorised sites, a considerable reduction on the 25% recorded on such sites when the first count was held in 1999. This reduction is testament to the significant investment in Traveller-specific accommodation over the last 15 years. The level of investment had to be reduced in recent years, similar to most areas of State investment. However, approximately €400m has been invested in the provision and support of Traveller-specific accommodation over the last 15 years.
A provision of €5.5m for Traveller specific accommodation has been agreed in the Budget for 2016. This is an increase of €1.2m on this year’s capital allocation.
250. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of staff in his Department capable of dealing with the public in the Irish language; if there are training programmes in place for staff to improve their level of working Irish; the provision there is for other minority languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38623/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproximately 3% of the staff in my Department are proficient to carry out their duties completely through the medium of Irish and these staff can be directed towards particular work areas requiring Irish as and when required. My Department continues to provide staff with the opportunity to improve their Irish language skills by offering language training at a number of different levels. Provision of translation services for minority languages would be provided should the need arise.
251. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding allocated by his Department to organisations not audited directly by the Comptroller and Auditor General; the names of these organisations; the funding allocated to each over the past five years; the process in place to ensure that value for money is achieved and that the funding allocated is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38669/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, including protecting the environment, providing necessary housing supports and fostering community and rural development in partnership with local government and other local development bodies. In order to deliver on this broad business agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, as well as dedicated agencies, non-statutory bodies and individuals in accordance with the public spending code. The bulk of the Department’s expenditure on approved schemes is recouped to local authorities, which are subject to independent audit by the Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) under the Local Government Act 2001, as amended.
Agencies under the aegis of the Department, apart from Irish Water, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and the Housing Finance Agency, are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Housing Finance Agency is subject to independent audit. Irish Water is also subject to independent audit and is accountable through its Board to the Commission for Energy Regulation. The LGMA is subject to audit by the Local Government Audit Service.
In relation to local development bodies funded by my Department to deliver programmes such as LEADER and the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the disbursement of funding is subject to the public spending code, national operating rules and a robust independent audit and inspection regime, which examines, inter alia, value for money issues.
If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question concerning funding for a specific purpose or body from my Department, I will endeavour to provide the information sought.
252. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the location where the two tonnes of Asian clam extracted by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Lanesborough in County Longford were stored; how they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38688/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a trial dredge at Lanesborough carried out by Waterways Ireland with assistance from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), some 2.5 tonnes of material was removed from the trial site and IFI offered to store the material at its site in Roscommon.
The issue of disposal of material stored following the trial dredge, and of material from any substantive intervention, would have to be considered on a multi-agency basis and also be subject to advice from, and agreement with, the Environmental Protection Agency.
I am advised that neither my Department nor IFI have a statutory remit in the area of invasive species and that it would appear that this remit rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). It is clear that a multi-agency response to the substantive issue is required, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), as the body with a statutory remit, in the lead. I have agreed with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who has responsibility for NPWS, to continue working collaboratively on this issue.
253. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan is not covered by the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention including the townland of Caraghramer, Co Monaghan.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
My Department has recently received updated information from operators in respect of further commercial rollout of high speed services. The Department is now reviewing all of the data provided by operators for 2016 - 2020 with a view to validating and updating commercial coverage plans and revising the map as appropriate.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises / home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals with a view to updating the intervention area Map. I expect to publish an updated version of the Map and to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with all addresses passed by 2020.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current and expected position in the context of the availability of high-speed broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; if current or future proposals are expected to address the severe deficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38548/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when it is expected to be able to offer full high-capacity broadband service to the Maynooth area in County Kildare and its hinterland; the progress to date in this area under both commercial operations and the national broadband scheme; the timeframe by which the scheme will roll out coverage to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38559/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the provision of broadband in areas (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he has any indication of the timing of the roll-out of Eir broadband in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38592/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 254, 257 and 258 together.
The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention and includes the townlands of Allenwood South (Naas)Narraghmore, and Calverstown Demesne in Co Kildare. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
In addition and based on information provided by commercial operators, 78% of townlands of Allenwood North, 61% of the townland of Allenwood Middle and 100% of the townland of Maynooth will be covered by the commercial sector while the remaining 22% of Allenwood North and 39% of Allenwood Middle will be part of the State intervention.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises / home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 55,000 premises to date in Co Kildare with over 12,500 more expected to be served by commercial investment. Approximately 20,500 premises in Kildare will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
38 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July last. Non-confidential versions of these submissions have been published since last week and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals with a view to updating the intervention area Map. I expect to publish an updated version of the Map and to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with all addresses passed by 2020.
