Written Answers Nos. 1-45
35. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the disparity whereby households are responsible and bear the full financial costs for the unblocking and repair of their own sewerage pipes if the pipes run under their own property, but Irish Water bears these costs for households whose pipes run under public property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11572/16]
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. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or sewers extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property. Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems which are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.
While the legal position is set out in the 2007 Act, my Department is engaging with Irish Water to set out clearly the respective responsibilities of Irish Water and property owners in relation to water supply and wastewater infrastructure. As a special measure to encourage water conservation, funding has been provided to Irish Water for a first fix scheme which is offered to customers where high levels of leakage on watermains on the customer side are identified as part of the metering programme.
37. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to allocate additional moneys to local authorities to allow for the reintroduction of a housing aid for the elderly scheme to complement the housing adaptation scheme, given that many elderly persons cannot qualify for the housing aid for older people, housing adaption grant for people with a disability and mobility aids grant schemes, which would have extended their quality of life in their own homes and local communities. [11545/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current scheme of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability was introduced in 2007 and has encompassed the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, as well as the Essential Repairs Grants and the Disabled Persons Grants. The Housing Adaptation Grants provide a strong level of funding to support older people for the continued independent occupancy of their own homes . There are three types of grants available as follows:
- The Housing Aid for Older People , which provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out;
- The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs ;
- The Mobility Aids Grant , which fast tracks grants to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household.
I am aware of the social benefit accruing from these grants and, for 2016, there is a total of €56.25 million in available funding, which is an increase of some 10% over last year. This will see over 8,000 households receiving grant aid this year, contributing significantly to the scope for people to live independently in their own homes, including those leaving hospitals. I am committed to ensuring that these grants continue to be well funded in future years.
38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he will identify the most urgent and pressing issues contributing to the housing crisis; how, through the local authorities, he can make a rapid and substantial contribution by way of alleviation in the form of an immediate response to homelessness and the use of emergency accommodation to accommodate families; to implement a medium to long-term plan setting explicit targets for the local authorities in terms of annual building programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11184/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will prepare and publish a comprehensive ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within this Government’s first 100 days. Ultimately, a shortage of supply of houses and apartments to buy and rent is at the heart of the challenges in the housing sector. The plan will build on what the previous Government has already done and will draw on the work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness. The Plan will include further actions to expedite and boost supply of all types of housing in the immediate, medium and longer-terms. Under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 , 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. It is my ambition that the delivery of these homes will be accelerated and that the targets will be exceeded.
In addition , a programme of rapid-delivery housing provision is also being implemented to mitigate the acute issues associated with homeless ness. The units will provide accommodation for those families currently in hotels in the first instance, offering a greater level of stability while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Again, it is my ambition to accelerate and expand the rapid delivery programme.
These and a range of other measures required to address the overall issue of housing supply will be set out in the finalised “Action Plan for Housing”.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will follow good planning practices to ensure the provision of good quality housing alongside adequate services and recreational provision, thereby creating a suitable and supportive environment in which to rear families with consequent benefits for a stable and growing society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the heart of good planning is the creation of strong communities. The 10 principles on which the planning system in Ireland is based are set out clearly in my Department’s Planning Policy Statement published in 2015. Principle No.3 , which is particularly relevant to the issue raised by the Deputy, states: ‘Planning is about creating communities and further developing existing communities in a sustainable manner by securing high quality urban design through the design, delivery and co-ordination of new development providing a good quality of life for all existing and future users of land and buildings.’
My Department has issued a number of Planning Guidelines aimed at ensuring that new housing development is well located and supported by the required infrastructure. Where planning authorities have not sufficiently taken account of these national guidelines, I have statutory power to direct a planning authority to amend a development plan under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
At a practical level, these principles are articulated in development plans and local area plans which set the local context for the assessment of new residential development proposals. These statutory plans have evolved over recent years to become more sophisticated in identifying the supporting infrastructure, including community and recreational facilities, required to develop sustainable communities. At local area plan level, they now include measures to phase appropriate housing development in conjunction with the identified infrastructure to ensure the creation of high quality places for our citizens to live.
An example of the type of integrated planning which I seek to support is the recent Government decision to designate Poolbeg West in the Dublin Docklands as a Strategic Development Zone under section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Dublin City Council will now prepare a comprehensive planning scheme for the planned development of these lands, including in excess of 2000–2,500 new homes, as well as supporting social, educational and recreational infrastructure. The process will be undertaken in full statutory consultation with the local community and other stakeholders involved.
40. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has liaised with the housing agencies responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation process regarding their progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11329/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 , the Board is independent in the performance of its functions and neither the Minister nor I have any role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. Nevertheless, my Department is in regular contact with the Pyrite Resolution Board and the Housing Agency and is satisfied that the arrangements that are currently in place will facilitate the remediation of approximately 600 dwellings by the end of this year.
The latest figures available to me indicate that approximately 1,073 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme of which 790 have been approved for inclusion . The position on these 790 cases is as follows:
- 323 are at remedial works planning stage,
- 16 are at tender / tender analysis,
- 253 are under remediation, and
- 198 are complete.
Ultimately, the Board, together with the Housing Agency, will arrange for all eligible dwellings to be remediated to a high standard and at no additional cost to the affected homeowners. Remediation works will continue to be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity having regard to the existing demands of the scheme and the optimum use of available resources.
41. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to immediately provide resources for local authorities to allow them to put emergency tenancy action teams in place that will pursue both the acquisition of local authority houses and tenancies for the housing assistance payment and rental accommodation scheme so that all available tenancies and purchases are chased down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11594/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has clearly signalled its intent to support the implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the supply of new quality social housing units as evidenced by the €2.9 billion committed as part of the overall Capital Plan for the period 2016 – 2021 and the wider prioritisation of social housing across the budgetary process over the course of the Strategy. This commitment extends to providing local authorities with the direct resources and expertise that they require in order to maximise the full range of delivery mechanisms available to them, whether that is through active land and site management, partnership with approved housing bodies in relation to construction or acquisition projects, or working with private landlords in the context of rental or leasing arrangements.
While each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible, my Department works closely with all the local authorities in relation to their overall resource requirements, including staffing. To this end, my Department has sanctioned over 420 extra housing staff that are either in place or are in the process of being recruited by local authorities to work on the delivery of the Social Housing Strategy. Funding towards the cost of these staff has also been provided through revised cost recoupment and financial arrangements between my Department and local authorities.
Having met personally with local authority Chief Executives, I am confident that the challenge is firmly understood and the individual responsibility in relation to the specific local authority targets is clear. I and my Department will continue to respond to resourcing requests as we drive forward methodologies and working practices that can accelerate and expedite delivery across the range of mechanisms.
42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the analysis his Department has conducted on the number of properties with pyrite which do not reach a damage condition rating of 2; and his proposals to deal with these. [11181/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) provided the overarching framework for the pyrite remediation scheme and its eligibility criteria are reflective of the conclusions and recommendations of that report. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave should be remediated and that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting such damage to be remediated unless or until they exhibit significant pyritic damage. This remains the position with regard to dwellings which do not display significant pyritic damage.
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. It is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
While dwellings with a Damage Condition Rating of 1, or a 1 with progression, do not qualify under the scheme, some may be considered for inclusion at a later stage if the Board is satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply in accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the Act. My Department also understands that, in a number of cases, dwellings which had a Damage Condition Rating of 1 when their Building Condition Assessments were first completed have now progressed to a Damage Condition Rating of 2; these dwellings have now been included in the pyrite remediation scheme.
43. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to report to Dáil Éireann on the meetings he has had with the chief executives and housing managers of local authorities, particularly those in counties Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, on their participation in addressing the housing crisis; the penalties which local authorities will receive for missing their residential unit output targets in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach and I met with local authority Chief Executives on 12 May 2016, in order to discuss, amongst other things, the housing situation and in particular boosting supply and the future delivery and implementation of the targets set for the local authorities under the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The meeting provided an opportunity for a very useful exchange of views and I reaffirmed the Government’s, my own, and my Department's commitment to supporting local authorities' efforts to deliver on the ambitious delivery targets that have been set.
Acknowledging the efforts that have been made by local authorities, working in conjunction with approved housing bodies, to deliver on the Social Housing Strategy since its publication in November 2014. 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 delivery of social housing.
My approach to resolving the problems besetting the housing sector is a collaborative one. That is why, in preparing the ‘Action Plan for Housing’, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. I intend to consult with all key stakeholders, including local authority Chief Executives, and also draw on the important work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness. The question of how best to incentivise delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies will also be considered in that context.
44. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to expand the tenant purchase scheme to other buyers, given that it is restricted to local authority tenants with an income in excess of €15,000 per year, which excludes other potential participants; to include the purchase of apartments under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11597/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Tenant Incremental Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum. In determining reckonable income, the income of the tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants can be included, as can the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner/co-habitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
I intend to undertake a review of the scheme following the first 12 months of operation. I will bring forward any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage.
A separate scheme for the tenant purchase of local authority apartments came into operation on 1 January 2012.
45. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the river basin management plan, including if he will amend it to reflect the fact that the majority of those elected to the Dáil were elected on an anti-water charges platform and that the derogation under Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive makes no specific requirement for cost recovery to rely on individual consumption. [11595/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Framework Directive (i.e. Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not currently adequately support aquatic ecosystems. River basin management planning, structured in 6-year cycles, is the tool prescribed by the Directive for achieving these aims. In July 2010, the first-cycle River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for Ireland were published, covering the period up to 2015. The RBMPs, which were adopted by all the local authorities, describe the measures planned to protect and improve Ireland’s water environment covering rivers, lakes, groundwater, transitional (estuarine) and coastal waters.
Member States are required to outline in RBMPs the planned steps to implement Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive, which requires Member States to take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, in accordance with the “polluter pays” principle. This is in order to ensure that water pricing policies incentivise the efficient use of water resources and, thereby, contribute to achieving the environmental objectives of the Directive. The first-cycle RBMPs set out the then Government’s intention to introduce domestic water charges and this was recognised in the European Commission’s 2012 report to the European Parliament and the European Council on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Ireland.
The second-cycle RBMPs for the period up to 2021 are in preparation at the moment, and the draft plans are due to be published in December 2016. A six-month public consultation process will take place in the first half of 2017, and the finalised second-cycle RBMPs are due for completion by the end of 2017. As such, the question of amending the second-cycle RBMPs does not immediately arise.
Nonetheless, it is clear that the RBMPs will have to take account of the Government’s commitment, under the confidence and supply arrangement agreed in the context of facilitating the formation of the current Government, to introduce and support legislation in the Oireachtas within six weeks of its appointment to provide for the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months from the end of the current billing cycle (that is, from 1 July 2016). This will allow for the Oireachtas to decide on the enduring funding model for Irish Water upon consideration of the recommendations of an Expert Commission that is to be established within eight weeks of the Government’s appointment. The proposed details of the suspension will be set out in the legislation when published.
I expect that the Expert Commission will take full account of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive in its deliberations and I look forward to a constructive process of engagement in this area in the coming months.
