Written Answers Nos. 215-235
215. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the terms of reference of the expert panel, chaired by a person (details supplied), which is investigating problems in concrete block work in counties Donegal and Mayo, will allow it to recommend financial assistance to families already forced to carry out remediation works to ensure the safety of the family home. [11243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to amend the terms of reference of the expert panel, chaired by a person (details supplied) which is investigating the problems in concrete block work in counties Donegal and Mayo, to allow it to investigate problems in concrete block work in publicly owned buildings such as council housing and schools; and if the terms of reference allow the expert panel to recommend a redress scheme similar to the pyrite redress scheme. [11244/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
The expert panel on concrete blocks, which commenced its work in April of this year, was established with the following terms of reference:-
- To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties of Donegal and Mayo;
- To carry out a desktop study, which would include a consultation process with affected homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, testing laboratories, industry stakeholders and other relevant parties, to establish the nature of the problem in the affected dwellings;
- To outline a range of technical options for remediation and the means by which those technical options could be applied; and
- To submit a report within six months.
I have no proposals to amend the terms of reference at this time and will await the outcome of the panel’s report before considering what further actions may be required to assist the parties directly involved in reaching a satisfactory resolution to the problems that have emerged in Donegal and Mayo. While the expert panel intends to meet with public authorities who may have buildings affected by damage in the concrete blockwork and would welcome any information that can be made available, it will be the responsibility of the relevant public authorities, as the owners, to address any problems that may have emerged in their buildings.
220. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the criteria for the mortgage-to-rent scheme, given that applicants are being rejected based on family size and if a house is too big, despite this more than likely having been the family home for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes in operation through my Department. A scheme exists whereby a local authority (LA) can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant (LA- mortgage-to-rent). The other scheme provides for an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to acquire ownership of a property with an unsustainable private mortgage, which also enables the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant (AHB-mortgage-to-rent). Both schemes assist families with income difficulties whose mortgages are unsustainable, and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. Both schemes are part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process.
The package of commitments on mortgage arrears announced by Government in May 2015 included a number of amendments to the AHB-mortgage-to-rent scheme which will enable more properties to qualify, and make it more flexible and accessible to borrowers. Amendments made with effect from July 2015 include raising the valuation thresholds for properties, flexibility in relation to the size of properties, more efficient assessment of a borrower’s eligibility for social housing support and flexibility to allow cases of marginal positive equity to avail of the scheme. LA-mortgage-to-rent scheme was subsequently amended with effect from March 2016 to align that scheme with the AHB-mortgage-to-rent scheme. Together these amendments have the effect of providing more householders with access to the schemes with the impact already being evidenced by an increase in the number of applications being made.
Information in relation to local authority mortgage arrears, the local authority mortgage arrears resolution process (MARP), LA–mortgage-to-rent and the help available to borrowers is also available on my Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/housing/home-ownership/mortgage-arrears/local-authority-mortgage-arrears-help-available.
My Department continues to keep the operation of both Mortgage to Rent Schemes under review.
221. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the mechanism in place to ensure that the Dublin Airport Authority abides by all the conditions laid out by An Bord Pleanála in the planning permission granted for the second runway at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11293/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 7 April 2016, Dublin Airport Authority ( DAA ) announced that it is progressing its plans to deliver a new runway for Dublin Airport, planning permission for which was granted in 2007. The 3,110 metre runway will be built approximately 1.6 km north of the existing main runway and is expected to be delivered in 2020. It is understood that DAA expects to commence works on site before the end of the year and that it is presently working at discharging the pre-commencement conditions of the planning permission for the runway.
There are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, with a view to ensuring that works pertaining to permitted developments are carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted and any associated conditions and that no unauthorised development takes place. If a person is of the view that any development works being undertaken are not in compliance with the permission granted or are unauthorised, s/he may make a written complaint to the relevant planning authority who shall investigate the matter and take any appropriate enforcement action, including where necessary the seeking of a Court order requiring that development is carried out in conformity with the planning permission and any condition pertaining to that permission.
Under section 30 of the 2000 Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including a matter of planning enforcement, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
222. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will release funds for phase 2 insulation in Ballymun, Larkhill and Whitehall in County Dublin. [11299/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of some €8 2 million has been provided from 2013 to 2015 to support local authorities in a programme of improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock, resulting in improved energy efficiency and comfort levels, and therefore Building Energy Ratings, in over 45,000 local authority homes to date. My Department notified local authorities earlier this year to continue work on this programme into 2016 based on their locally identified priorities. Phase 1 of the programme focused on providing attic/roof insulation and cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties. Phase 2 focuses on the fabric upgrade works to those remaining dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the priority houses within their stock to tackle first in the roll-out of the programme.
223. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of planning applications and of units included in the Social Housing Strategy 2020 that have been delayed due to delays in the planning process. [11346/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Strategy 2020 (November 2014), provides for clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list with flexibility to meet future demand. In total, 110,000 new social housing units are targeted for delivery with 35,000 new units to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies, and 75,000 households to be supported mainly through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_strategy_document_20141126.pdf.
Under the Strategy, targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017. Importantly, local authorities and approved housing bodies have a strong pipeline of construction, turnkey and acquisition projects, which will deliver some 3,900 homes, with approved budget costs of some €680 million. I am keen that local authorities advance these as soon as possible, but I recognise that all projects must proceed through the planning process and this and other factors can have a direct impact on the timing for the advancement and the delivery of the approved construction projects.
At my meeting with local authority Chief Executives on 12 May 2016, I outlined my ambition that the delivery of homes under each of the social housing programmes should be accelerated and that the targets should be exceeded if possible. In that regard, I have asked all local authority Chief Executives for their ideas and proposals to expedite the delivery of social housing.
My Department does not collect data on the number of social housing units that have been delayed due to delays in the planning process. However, in light of the need to find appropriate solutions to accelerate the delivery of social housing developments, my Department is examining the scope to streamline further the consultation process for the advancement of social housing projects, in accordance with section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2001, as amended, and Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2000-2015, balancing both the need to accelerate delivery and the need to get the public's feedback on those projects.
224. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the length of time the procurement and tendering process took for each of the social housing projects included in Social Housing 2020 that have reached construction phase. [11347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcurement in relation to social housing build developments, from pre-planning through to construction, arises primarily in relation to procurement of consultants and procurement of contractors. These follow either national or EU procurement requirements, depending on the cost involved, as required by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Carrying out procurement as part of a social housing build development is the responsibility of the local authority or approved housing body implementing the project and does not directly involve my Department. Accordingly, my Department does not retain records on the average length of time of procurement processes carried out by local authorities or approved housing bodies.
I would point out that as major public sector bodies, local authorities deal with procurement on an ongoing basis across many areas of activity and accordingly, they have a strong level of experience and expertise in the area.
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to alter the structure of the delivery of the Leader programme and the local partnership arrangements and to increase funding to the Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to alter the delivery structures or partnership arrangements under the new LEADER programme. These arrangements have been determined locally in line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development.
Two broad implementation approaches have emerged as part of the ongoing LEADER local development strategy selection process. In this regard, the programme will be implemented across the 28 LEADER areas by a mix of local development companies on the one hand and by Local Community Development Committees working in partnership with local development companies as implementing partners on the other.
The allocation of additional funding to LEADER groups, which is referred to in the new Programme for Government, will be considered in due course. I believe there is sufficient funding allocated under the programme to meet demand in 2016 and 2017. It is likely, therefore, that the allocation of additional funding will be considered for the latter years of the programme when applications for funding and expenditure traditionally reach their peak. Notwithstanding this, any additional allocation of funding to LEADER groups will be made in accordance with EU rules and with a view to securing optimum outcomes for rural areas.
226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to address a matter regarding water quality testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11395/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the quality of Ireland’s water and environment under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) monitoring programme which began in 2007. Under this programme, the EPA assesses general physico-chemical parameters (nutrients, oxygen, temperature, salinity) and biological quality elements (phytoplankton, macroalgae and angiosperms).
Since January 2016, the EPA has taken on the entirety of the operational monitoring function which had previously been shared with the local authorities. On the ground sampling is conducted by local authorities and operational and surveillance samples are then brought to EPA laboratories (and to Dublin City’s laboratory for the eastern region). Investigative samples continue to be assessed by local authority laboratories.
This collaboration between local authorities and the EPA optimises the resources available and has come about as a result of detailed discussions between the EPA, the local authorities and my Department. It has been operating very effectively since the start of this year and there is no material diminution of the level or quality of monitoring on the ground. It allows local authorities to focus more resources on investigative monitoring and provides for the highest level of assessment consistency and data quality control.
There are currently 51 chemistry river sites and 169 biological river sites designated for WFD operational and surveillance monitoring in the Kerry region for the 2016-2018 period. Under the national programme, two of the tributaries of Lough Currane are monitored namely Cummeragh stream (21C04) and Isknagahiny Lough Stream (21I03). This programme has not changed since the original programme was put in place in 2007. The status of Lough Currane in the most recent assessment period was good status.
While the EPA is responsible for the analysis of samples taken for the national surveillance and operational monitoring programme for lakes and rivers there is no barrier to the local authority undertaking additional monitoring and analysis for local purposes.
227. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to sanction a new building for a library with regard to the Sligo County library headquarters in Sligo town, due to the poor state of the current building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11405/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 746 of 6 April 2016, which sets out the position in this matter.
228. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11419/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not own any property or land holding. In that context, the question of the rental value of a vacant property does not arise.
229. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why funds are lent to Dublin City Council from the Housing Finance Agency for home loans but not for the building of units; and the last time a request from Dublin City Council was received for a loan from the Housing Finance Agency to build housing units. [11429/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Finance Agency’s function is to advance loan finance to local authorities and the voluntary housing sector to be used by them for any purpose authorised by the Housing Acts, 1966-2014, and to borrow or raise funds for this purpose. It also lends to local authorities for waste and environment capital projects. The direct building of social housing units by local authorities, including by Dublin City Council, is primarily undertaken with capital funding provided through my Department, as opposed to through loan funding by Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The Housing Finance Agency has funding available to lend to local authorities for housing and related purposes. I am advised that loan funding was provided by the HFA in May 2016 to Dublin City Council for housing purposes.
230. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will work with Dublin City Council to build a small-scale shopping centre, given the difficulties in finding a developer to build shopping facilities in Ballymun in County Dublin. [11430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Dublin City Council is currently engaged in discussions with a retailer with the objective of securing a retail development in Ballymun and as this is a matter for the City Council to pursue, I am happy that it is considering all options in the matter.
231. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria for the proposed pay-by-weight charges including if he will provide concessions for families who generate more refuse due to health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11462/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to state the allowances or exemptions for the pay-by-weight waste charges for persons generating unavoidable waste due to chronic medical conditions. [11547/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 239 together.
My Department has met groups that represent people with special needs to discuss and explore the impact of pay-by-weight charging on households with special needs. My Department has also been in consultation with the HSE and the waste management industry to discuss the issue and to try to find a workable and fair solution to this important matter. Notwithstanding the complexity of the issues involved, I am hopeful that a number of possible solutions being explored as a matter of urgency can address these difficult issues.
233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding his Department provided for disability grants, mobility grants and adaptation grants, and the amount drawn down, by local authority for each of the years 2008 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [11537/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on the funding provided to each local authority by my Department and the number of grants paid to applicants under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, since the grants were introduced in 2007, is available at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
Information on the 2016 allocations is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/grantsfinancial-assistance/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-eu5625-million-improve-homes.
234. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding his Department provided for cyclical maintenance of social housing stock and the amount drawn down, by local authority for each of the years 2008 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [11538/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966 and is not directly funded by my Department.
235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding his Department provided under the rental accommodation scheme, the amount drawn down and the number of tenancies this supported, by local authority for each of the years 2008 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [11539/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
