Written Answers Nos 245-266
245. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of capital assistance scheme housing authority properties in Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16965/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of housing units completed under the Capital Assistance Scheme are published by my Department as part of a wide range of housing statistics. This information is available by local authority area and is at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1d3-cas-area-00-13.xlsx
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1d2-cas-area-14-todate_0.xlsx.
Detailed breakdown of these figures for individual towns or areas may be obtained from individual local authorities.
246. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to respond to complaints from persons that waste collection companies are charging fees that far exceed the existing standing charge; his plans to implement measures to regulate private companies to prevent them charging exorbitant waste disposal charges, that in one instance amounted to a 130% increase made under the guise of the pay-by-weight legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16991/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that waste management companies are introducing substantial increases in bin charges with effect from 1 July 2016; the legislative basis at national or EU level for these increases; the measures he will take to ensure that the householder can obtain the best competitive price for this service, given that householders are reporting difficulties in comparing prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17007/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the plans to introduce a new billing system by private collectors for bin collections from 1 July 2016; if he is aware of the serious public annoyance at the dramatic increases in the flat rate for collection; the increase among some companies in their weight collection charges; to explain the legislative basis to the changes and/or European Union directive changes; the measures he will implement regarding a waiver system for those on social protection payments and low incomes, as promised in the programme for Government in 2011; the regulatory framework there is in place to ensure that customers are not at a disadvantage, as a result of the changes in the pricing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 247 and 254 together.
Government waste policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy, as set out in the EU’s Waste Framework Directive. A number of specific measures have been, and will continue to be, introduced to reduce the amount of waste generated in the State and to increase the segregation of waste which cannot be prevented in line with Government policy. The introduction of pay-by-weight charges for the collection of household waste is one such measure.
In response to the pricing plans proposed earlier this month by the waste industry in relation to the nationwide roll-out of pay-by-weight charging, both I and my Ministerial colleagues have highlighted significant concerns regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for some customers from July, particularly in relation to some proposed increases in service charges.
Following intense engagement and meetings with representatives of the waste industry over the last few days, the Government has agreed a way forward that results in customers paying no more than they are currently paying for waste over the next 12 months, by means of a price freeze. This transition period should give households time to adapt to the new system and learn how to more effectively manage their waste.
During this transition period, customers will be able to see details in their bills of the amount of waste they are disposing, their costs under their current price plan and details of the comparative pay-by-weight charge. Where households become more efficient in segregating waste and reduce their waste bills, they will have the opportunity, from 1 January 2017 at latest, to choose to transition to pay-by-weight charging or, if they prefer, they can opt to remain on their current price plan.
Over the coming months, the Government, in partnership with the waste industry, will drive an intensive public awareness, information and promotion campaign to support customers in understanding the new system, how they can change their waste management behaviour and manage better their waste costs under the pay-by-weight system.
At the end of this 12-month transition period, the Government will review the operation of pay-by-weight, including the effectiveness of the transition process, and make decisions regarding its further roll-out, regulation and oversight.
In relation to the issue of waiver for certain households, during the period in which local authorities were directly involved in the collection of household waste, a minority of individual Councils offered different levels of discount to selected households, based on different qualification criteria. As local authorities exited the waste collection market, some required the private operators which took on the Councils’ customers to provide a level of discount for existing waiver customers only, and even then for a limited time.
The vast majority of such contractual commitments for private operators to provide a waiver have now expired. In that context, the number of households in receipt of waiver discounts is likely to decline further over time, especially as some householders were able to take advantage of special reduced offers elsewhere which actually undercut the waiver price. However, selected private operators still offer some level of discount to former waiver customers on a voluntary basis.
In addition, a very limited number of local authorities make financial contributions toward the cost of the collection of waste from certain households. Again, the qualification criteria and level of support differ from area to area.
With the exception of one or two municipal districts, local authorities no longer collect waste and the market is now serviced by a diverse range of private operators, where the fees charged are primarily a matter between service provider and customer and the services offered vary across the country.
248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funds for emergency accommodation in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to prevent the relocation of homeless people to emergency shelters in the city where they are away from family and support networks. [17027/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons, including emergency accommodation, rests with housing authorities. My Department does not fund any homeless accommodation or service directly but provides funding to lead housing authorities on a regional basis. Housing authorities also contribute to the funding costs for their areas from their own resources.
The various Management Groups (comprising representatives of the housing authorities within each region) of the regional Joint Homelessness Consultative Fora, are responsible for the preparation of regional statutory Homelessness Action Plans which specify the measures to be undertaken to address homelessness in their region. Section 37 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides that such plans be informed by available data, the costs of measures and likely financial resources, as well as Government policies and objectives. It is a requirement of the 2009 Act that these Action Plans be submitted to each of the relevant housing authorities for adoption by the elected representatives of the Council. Issues around service provision, including access to emergency accommodation within the Region, are integral to the Action Plans. Therefore, the provision of emergency accommodation in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, and funding for same, are a matter for the Council and the Dublin Region Homelessness Management Group.
249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a query regarding the ownership of land by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17058/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSolicitors acting for the person named have been in touch with my Department and have been advised by my Department that the area in question appears to be reclaimed foreshore. They were further advised that all of Ireland’s foreshore is considered to be owned by the State , unless valid alternative title is provided.
250. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the plan to build 24 homes adjacent to Pinewood Estate in Balbriggan; his plans to provide funding to ensure that the access road which must be built, can be facilitated, given unacceptable levels of traffic congestion in the Pinewood Estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17061/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not as yet received a formal proposal for the construction of 24 social houses adjacent to Pinewood Estate, Balbriggan. The development of such a proposal, including issues around the housing provision, access, services, etc will, in the first instance, be a matter for Fingal County Council to advance. My Department will work with the local authority on receipt of a proposal in this case.
251. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why he refused SSNO funding to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that it adhered to a Pobal request in 2014, and rolled out a national service; the appeal process in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17069/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation in question submitted an application to Pobal under the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. In total 148 applications were received and assessed by Pobal on behalf of my Department with 70 organisations to receive funding. The standard of application received was generally of a very high quality ensuring the appraisal process was particularly competitive.
I understand that the organisation in question was deemed ineligible as it did not meet the basic eligibility requirements of the Scheme. The application was deemed not to provide sufficient evidence of having a national membership or extensive reach or engagement across the country in terms of the supports and services it provides.
The organisation in question should contact Pobal if it requires further information on its application.
252. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce the submission of planning applications and comments electronically by e-mail with reference to changes to the planning process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016 and is currently on the Dáil Order Paper awaiting Second Stage, proposes to amend section 33 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to provide that the Minister may, subsequent to the enactment of the Bill, make regulations to facilitate the online submission of planning applications and appeals, including relevant fees, by electronic means (referred to as e-planning) to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála respectively. The Bill further proposes that decisions in relation to planning applications and appeals may also be dealt with by planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála respectively by electronic means.
These proposals are amongst a broad package of measures currently being developed by my Department to facilitate the streamlining of the planning process, to bring it up to date technologically, and to make it more administratively efficient. I would be anxious to make the necessary regulations in this regard at an early date, following enactment of the Bill.
253. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he provided to local authorities for homeless services and its percentage of the total local Government spending on homeless services in each of the years 2008 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17179/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Under Section 10 funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of such services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Section 10 funding arrangements. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services are a matter for those authorities.
“Section 10” funding is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis; an annual breakdown for the years 2008 to 2015 is set out in the following table:
Funding Provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988
|
Region |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Dublin |
€38,377,003 |
€38,967,542 |
€40,521,375 |
€35,732,525 |
€32,398,290 |
€31,322,223 |
€35,322,223 |
€48,270,201 |
|
Mid-East |
€1,188,303 |
€885,801 |
€906,842 |
€697,665 |
€839,146 |
€811,275 |
€928,489 |
€1,716,245 |
|
Midlands |
€683,037 |
€872,375 |
€666,344 |
€624,897 |
€672,027 |
€649,707 |
€649,707 |
€805,995 |
|
Mid-West |
€3,254,800 |
€4,110,166 |
€3,435,607 |
€2,905,457 |
€3,516,119 |
€3,399,336 |
€3,405,060 |
€3,499,898 |
|
North-East |
€1,128,576 |
€1,197,451 |
€1,037,617 |
€912,250 |
€910,194 |
€879,963 |
€879,963 |
€996,849 |
|
North-West |
€593,286 |
€444,206 |
€423,355 |
€406,335 |
€360,865 |
€348,879 |
€348,879 |
€387,643 |
|
South-East |
€1,789,704 |
€1,945,792 |
€1,742,886 |
€2,110,476 |
€1,848,877 |
€1,787,469 |
€1,818,969 |
€2,394,619 |
|
South-West |
€4,415,916 |
€5,458,211 |
€4,270,143 |
€3,505,749 |
€4,418,967 |
€4,272,197 |
€4,307,772 |
€5,000,686 |
|
West |
€1,804,375 |
€2,175,312 |
€1,699,288 |
€1,227,696 |
€1,581,478 |
€1,528,951 |
€1,544,712 |
€1,698,834 |
|
Total |
€53,234,999 |
€56,056,856 |
€54,703,457 |
€48,123,050 |
€46,545,963 |
€45,000,000 |
€49,205,774 |
€64,770,970 |
The national budget for 2016 is confirmed at €70 million. While the 2016 regional allocations are currently being finalised, the funding needs of the various regions are kept under review on an on-going basis, taking account of known and emerging costs of services, and my Department has provided reassurances to all housing authorities in this regard.
255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that there are sufficient top soil disposal locations to service the construction sector in the greater Dublin area; and if he is satisfied with the costs of disposal involved. [17201/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management Plan published in May 2015 indicated at the time , based on 2012/2013 available data , that there was sufficient available capacity for Construction and Demolition Waste. However, there has been a significant increase in activity in the sector over the last two years and additional capacity will be required to meet current and future demands.
The Regional Plan supports balanced development to meet both Local and Regional needs with a preference for larger sites with longer lifespans. A detailed analysis by the 3 Regional Waste Management Planning Offices of the Construction & Demolition Waste capacity is currently being undertaken.
With regard to the determination of prices at such facilities, this is a contractual matter between individual facilities and their customers.
257. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the €200 million earmarked for infrastructural investment is used for the building of two major roads around the town of Navan, County Meath (details supplied). [17207/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced recently the Government’s approval to the establishment of a Local Infrastructure Fund of €200 million to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites and improve the economic viability of new housing projects in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand for housing.
The Fund will be composed of an Exchequer allocation of €150 million, matched by a €50 million contribution from participating local authorities. Funding is to be allocated to local authorities, following a call for proposals on a competitive bid process basis which would be disposed to early delivery of the requisite additional housing at scale, including at affordable prices.
It will be a matter for local authorities to determine their bid proposals to identify the priority development sites which are proposed to be activated for housing in the immediate and short term through the removal of the infrastructural blockages.
The detailed arrangements on the implementation of the funding are being finalised by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
258. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing legislation to halt evictions from family homes until solutions to the housing crisis are in place. [17227/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered urgently legislating for a moratorium on family home evictions until such time as a reasoned solution to the family housing crisis is formulated by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17236/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Security of tenure under the Act is based on rolling four-year tenancy cycles. Where a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months and no notice of termination has been served in respect of that tenancy before the expiry of the period of 6 months, the tenancy is established for the remainder of the four year period. This is referred to in the Act as a ‘Part 4’ tenancy.
A landlord may not terminate a Part 4 tenancy except on clearly defined grounds which are set out in the Table to section 34 of the Act. These grounds include that the landlord intends to sell the dwelling, that the landlord wishes to change the use of the dwelling, and that the landlord requires the dwelling for a family member.
Amendments introduced in the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 strengthen the protections around tenancy terminations by providing for measures that will guard against, for example, landlords falsely declaring that the property is needed for a family member, or that it is going to be sold. In addition, the Act provides for graduated increases in the notice periods that must be given to tenants of the termination of a tenancy so that a landlord must now give a tenant up to a maximum of 224 days’ notice for tenancies of 8 years or more.
Housing is an absolute priority for this Government and, accordingly, a key priority of the Programme for a Partnership Government is the preparation and publication of an ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within the Government’s first 100 days. The Action Plan will be drafted with input from a number of key Departments, and will draw on the Report of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness, which published its final report on the 17 June 2016. This plan will map out a vision for the evolution of the entire housing sector over the coming years, including the rental sector where over one-fifth of our population now resides.
For the rental sector specifically, the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a specific commitment to review the regulatory regime for the rented sector to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between the rights, interests and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. The Action Plan for Housing will also contain a commitment to publish a strategy for the rental sector this Autumn. This strategy will chart a path for the future of the rental sector. It will also list the wide ranging actions this Government will take to achieve a mature and stable rented sector which will appropriately balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, protect the rights of vulnerable tenants, reflect our changing patterns of housing demand and support continued recovery for our modern economy.
260. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that over the past number of years, a clerk of works has not been mandatory on site, and if he will reintroduced this measure in the interest of better building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17255/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn broad terms, the role of a clerk of works is to monitor the quality of work on site, check and supervise construction details, record progress and report to the project design team. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which came into effect on 1 March 2014, introduced requirements for the appointment of design certifiers and assigned certifiers. The role of the assigned certifier is to draw up and execute an appropriate inspection plan, in conjunction with the builder and the project team, and to jointly certify with the builder that the building is in compliance with the Building Regulations when complete.
Whereas heretofore local authorities, who frequently employed clerks of works on local authority construction projects, were exempt from building control requirements, this general exemption was removed under the Building Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 with effect from 1 September 2015 following a review of the 2014 Regulations after 12 months in operation.
In response to this change , my Department has written to all local authorities outlining the revised funding arrangements that will apply typically in respect of social housing projects funded by the Department. The revised funding arrangements make provision for the additional costs associated with the new design certifier and assigned certifier roles now required under Building Control Regulations. These inspection and certification roles are a statutory obligation unlike the non-statutory system of inspections previously undertaken by the clerks of works.
The design and assigned certifier roles must be undertaken by registered construction professionals (i.e. an architect, a building surveyor or a chartered engineer), who may be directly employed by the local authority or whose services may be procured by way of public tender. It is unlikely that persons who previously undertook the role of clerk of work will be in a position to undertake the design or assigned certifier role although some clerks of works may be qualified to do so.
Staffing and resourcing issues are in the first instance a matter for the Chief Executive of each local authority. Standard funding arrangements communicated by my Department to local authorities are necessarily based around the general arrangements that typically apply to construction projects. If, in relation to specific projects, circumstances exist which require alternative approaches, these can be considered on a case by case basis by the Department in consultation with the local authority concerned. Reasonable and appropriate proposals that represent good value for money having regard to the public funds invested will always receive due consideration.
261. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for decisions on the national taking-in-charge initiative measure 2 schemes recently submitted by local authorities, and if adequate funding is in place in measure 2 for the schemes put forward. [17258/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA fund of €10m has been made available from the proposed carry-over of capital savings in 2015 to be used in 2016 to fund a new initiative to accelerate the taking-in-charge of estates, irrespective of the wider development context that they are located within.
Local authorities were invited to submit proposals based on an indicative allocation of €3.5m proposed to be made available to seven local authorities (Cork County, Clare, Donegal, Galway County, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford County Councils) for demonstration projects under Measure 2 relating to housing estates served by Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) based on an earlier pilot study, although consideration may also be given to other counties within the indicative funding available.
The experience gained through the initiative in 2016 and associated demonstration projects is intended to establish a co-ordinated taking-in-charge programme to progressively address the issue on a multi-annual basis, in the light of available local authority, Irish Water, bond and other funding sources and the general government financial position.
Consideration of the submissions put forward by the local authorities on the basis of the provisional funding levels available will be weighted towards those local authorities that demonstrate a high level of collaborative problem solving and leveraging of complimentary funding from developer, bond provider, receiver or other sources.
My Department is currently considering all applications and I expect to be in a position to award funding allocations to local authorities shortly.
262. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the urban regeneration scheme in Ballymun, Dublin 11. [17259/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the period 1999 to the end of 2015, my Department provided over € 764 million to Ballymun Regeneration Limited and Dublin City Council towards the physical, social and economic regeneration of Ballymun.
While investment in the physical regeneration of Ballymun is largely complete, my Department is continuing to support certain social and economic interventions in Ballymun over the medium term with funding allocated on the basis of agreed annual work programmes.
263. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number and status of urban regeneration schemes. [17260/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of planned further regeneration projects. [17261/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
Regeneration projects being funded by my Department target the country’s most disadvantaged communities, including those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. The 2016 allocation for existing commitments on regeneration projects is €50 million.
The regeneration project at Limerick has been in operation for over seven years, with a cumulative investment to date of some €245 million. It is expected that 2016 will see significant building works, which will include the major part of a contract for 83 new social housing units. The regeneration project at Cork City is continuing with 23 new social houses delivered during 2015 and work on a further 23 units commenced in 2016. Regeneration works consisting of major refurbishment and renewal in Dundalk and Sligo are ongoing, while Tralee regeneration is largely complete. In the Dublin City area, two new large regeneration projects, Dolphin House and St. Teresa’s Gardens, are expected to move to construction in 2016.
I am confident that in the context of the priority on urban regeneration set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I will be in a position to provide increased funding in 2017 and subsequent years for a range of measures that address deep-rooted disadvantage, while developing an approach to urban regeneration that empowers people to work together to improve their communities, to reduce poverty, disadvantage and inequality.
265. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on urban regeneration. [17262/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Programme for Partnership Government sets out the ambitious priority attached to urban regeneration by the new Government, with a series of specific actions set out therein as to how it is proposed to facilitate the regeneration of our urban centres.
In this context, I have established a working group of officials (comprising senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and other relevant actors ) to bring forward proposals for new urban regeneration measures as early as possible. In this regard, it is intended that the new measures will complement the existing regeneration programme under the Social Housing Capital Programme, as well as other social regeneration initiatives already under way. The Group meetings will be chaired by my colleague, Minister of State Damien English, TD, who has responsibility for urban renewal policy.
The series of specific actions set out in the Programme for Partnership Government are examples of the Government’s commitment and approach to regenerating our urban centres, many of which were adversely impacted by our recent economic difficulties. In this context, the Government will seek to introduce a new Town and Village Renewal Scheme to support the revitalisation of our towns and villages and improve the living and working environment of communities. Using the €30 million available to local authorities for town and village regeneration from this year, it is envisaged that the scheme will, among other things, particularly seek to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of our towns and villages as places to live and work.
In addition to this new Scheme, it is also intended under the new Programme for Partnership Government to examine a series of further initiatives, including:
- the introduction of a similar scheme to the ‘Living City Initiative’ to regenerate urban centres and villages throughout Ireland (Year 1 action),
- the establishment of a national register of derelict sites, in addition to the new vacant site levy, to bring vacant and underutilised sites into beneficial use for housing and urban regeneration purposes (Year 2 action),
- the mandating of local authorities with better land management powers (Year 2 action),
- reclassifying and incentivising the use of underutilised or vacant areas over ground floor premises in urban areas, for both residential and commercial use (Year 1 action), and
- examining the scope to reform the Derelict Sites Act to tackle the under-use and hoarding of derelict land by the State, semi-State and private sectors (Year 1 action).
In terms of existing measures already in place, my Department’s current Regeneration Programme targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities, i.e. those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department currently supports an ambitious programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, encompassing social housing improvements as well as social/community and economic renewal, as well as a number of smaller-scale projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. As outlined, the aim of the programme is to seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.
Under the current Programme, the 2016 allocation for existing commitments on regeneration projects is €50 million. In the Dublin City area, two new large regeneration projects (Dolphin House and St. Teresa’s Gardens) are expected to move to construction under the Programme in 2016, with a number of further regeneration projects in the pipeline.
In the context of the priority being attached to urban regeneration by the current Government, I will be aiming to provide increased funding in 2017 and beyond for a range of measures that will address deep-rooted disadvantage, while simultaneously developing an approach to urban regeneration that empowers people to work together to improve their communities, to reduce poverty, disadvantage and inequality. It is intended that these new measures will also include strengthening the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) as well as reactivating funding to areas covered by the RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) Programme through the local authorities.
266. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will expedite a social housing development which has being ongoing over seven years (details supplied); why this process is taking such a long time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe site in question, at Glin, County Limerick, was accepted into the Land Aggregation Scheme in 2011. Under that Scheme, the Housing Agency is responsible for engaging with local authorities, and approved housing bodies, regarding the appropriate development of the lands, prior to seeking the necessary approval from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The Housing Agency wrote to my Department requesting the sale of the land to the approved housing body for the proposed development. In order for this proposal to be considered, my Department sought clarification from the Housing Agency on the number of houses to be delivered, the timeframe for delivery, and that the proposal was in line with Limerick County Council’s social housing delivery programme.
The clarifications have been received and I expect that a decision on the proposal will be made in the coming days.
