Written Answers Nos. 213-228
213. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or a body under its aegis has estimates for the number of weeks it takes from the granting of planning permission to commencement on site for social housing units. [23219/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrecise information on the number of weeks it takes from the granting of planning consent to commencement on site for a social housing construction project is not readily available.
While ordinarily, local authorities, on securing planning approval, will move on to prepare tender proposals, followed by the tender process itself, the post-tender evaluation, contract negotiations and commencement on site, this sequence does not always apply. For example, work may already have been undertaken on tender preparation ahead of the normal sequence of project advancement.
The outcome of the planning process can also have a direct impact on the time required to advance a project. If stipulations or variations are specified in the planning approval granted for a project, a local authority may need to alter designs and costings to take account of this and the time taken to respond to this depends largely on the variations imposed, which cannot be foreseen in advance.
214. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the final estimated unit cost for the rapid-build units in Poppintree in Ballymun; if on the basis of this project his Department will be recommending the roll-out of this model elsewhere; if a cost-benefit analysis has been or will be undertaken to compare rapid-build housing with other methods of housing delivery; and if he is aware of any other projects where such rapid-build unit projects are planned. [23220/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a Government Decision of October 2015, a programme for 500 units of rapid-delivery housing units across the Dublin Region is being implemented to meet the needs of homeless families currently residing in commercial hotels. Under this programme, an initial 22 units at Poppintree, Ballymun, were delivered and fully occupied in May, and another 131 units are expected for completion in the Dublin City Council area by the end of this year. In addition, 44 units are to be delivered in the Fingal County Council area by the end of this year. Under the first phase of the Programme, a further 305 units will be provided for this purpose across the four Dublin authorities.
Building on this, I announced as part of Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness published on 19 July 2016, that the total output of the Rapid Build Housing Programme will be increased to 1,500 units, to assist in achieving our aim of moving the existing group of homeless families out of hotels as soon as possible. 200 units will be delivered by the end of this year (as outlined above), 800 in 2017 and a further 500 in 2018. Furthermore, if the units are ultimately not required to meet the needs of homeless families, they will be used by local authorities for general social housing allocations.
In relation to the development at Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin City Council entered into a contract in November 2015 for the delivery of the 22 rapid-delivery units at a cost of €4.265m excluding VAT. This is the original tender cost and remains the approved cost, equating to approximately €194,000 per unit. I understand that the final account between the Council and the provider is pending agreement. The average cost per unit must be considered in the context of their early delivery, requiring advanced fast-track construction methods, and the quality of the finished units which have a superior energy efficiency rating. It can be anticipated that there will be reduced costs associated with further rapid-build schemes as a result of a more competitive procurement environment and the scale of additional provision now proposed.
215. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or a body under its aegis undertook a regulatory impact assessment of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, SI 9, system changes before being introduced; if so, the results of this assessment; and if not, the reason this is the case. [23221/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn extensive public consultation process was undertaken in 2012 to inform the development of the revised building control regulations which came into effect on 1 March 2014. A comprehensive consultation document was published entitled Strengthening the Building Control System - A Document to inform public consultation on Draft Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012, which set out the context in which the reforms, as later signed into law in the form of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, would operate and the regulatory impact of these for building owners and industry stakeholders.
In broad terms, the 2012 consultation document identified that the proposed reforms to the building control regime may give rise to additional design, inspection, certification and insurance costs, which would ultimately be borne by building owners/contracting authorities. The impact assessment estimated that the requirement to engage an assigner certifier to inspect and certify the construction works could add up to €3,000 per housing unit to the overall build costs.
However, the document signalled that such additional costs would be justified by the enhanced quality and standard of design and construction of the building project concerned having particular regard to the many notable instances of non-compliant buildings which had failed to meet minimum requirements under Building Regulations. The overarching objective of the proposed statutory inspection process was to reduce the incidences of defective works on site and any resultant costs associated with carrying out remedial works following completion.
Over 500 submissions were received by my Department during the public consultation process on the draft regulations undertaken in the first half of 2012. All submissions received were comprehensively considered and meetings were held with a board range of professional bodies and industry stakeholders in advance of finalising the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, (S.I. No. 9 of 2014), and their introduction on 1 March 2014.
S.I. No. 9 of 2014 was reviewed following its first 12 months in operation to consider, among other things, the impact of the regulations on single dwellings and extensions to existing dwellings. Arising from the review, the owners of one-off houses were given the facility to opt out of statutory certification from 1 September 2015 under the Building Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015.
However, it was clear from the review that the recent reforms have brought a new order and discipline to bear on construction projects. I am confident that as the transition to the new arrangements for the control of building activity continues to progress, these reforms will prove capable of transforming the culture of the construction industry in Ireland to one of improved compliance and quality.
216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been a review of the negative effects of Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, SI 9, on the multi-unit sector as there was for the once-off build sector; and if not, the reason this is the case. [23222/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014), following its first 12 months in operation, was announced on 2 April 2015. While the review examined the impact of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on single dwellings and domestic extensions, it was not restricted nor confined to those specific issues; it was a full review of the broader operation of the regulations which was open to all construction professionals, industry stakeholders, local authorities and other interested parties. The scope and objectives of the review were as follows:
(a) To review the operation of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 in consultation with industry and local authority stakeholders and members of the public;
(b) To consider in particular the impact of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on single dwellings and extensions to existing dwellings having regard to specific concerns which have been raised in relation to the cost burden of the regulations and the level of certification required for this sector;
(c) To consider more generally the impact of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on owners, occupiers and users of buildings having regard to the statutory purposes for which building regulations may be made (i.e. public safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, efficient use of resources and good building practice);
(d) To make recommendations that will strengthen and improve the arrangements in place for the control of building activity in keeping with the principles of good and fair administration; and
(e) To report with recommendations to the Minister of State as soon as possible, but in any event no later than 30 June 2015.
A total of 171 submissions were received from private individuals, industry stakeholders and local authorities during the public consultation process. All submissions received were reviewed by my Department and a report on the consultation process was published on my Department’s website on 31 July 2015 and remains available at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,42398,en.pdf .
No specific issues were raised during the consultation process in relation to the impact of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on multi-unit developments.
217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that costings by his Department in its review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 were rejected by the professional stakeholder bodies including Engineers Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland as underestimating the amount of work involved and time taken and having unrealistic views of salaries in the sector; if his Department still maintains its costings made in its review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23223/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014), which require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
The key impact on costs associated with the implementation of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 lies in the requirement for the appointment of an Assigned Certifier whose role, in conjunction with the builder and the project team, is to draw up and execute an appropriate inspection plan and to certify the building’s compliance with Building Regulations on completion. In effect, the statutory Certificate of Compliance on Completion certifies that a building is compliant with all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations.
As part of last year’s review of the first twelve months of the operation of the regulations, my Department prepared a Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan for a Single Unit Dwelling on a Single Development in order to identify the key stages that would require inspection during the construction of a single unit dwelling on a single development and to estimate the costs associated with such an inspection plan.
The cost calculations published to accompany the Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan demonstrated that the Assigned Certifier role could be achieved at an approximate cost of €3,800 inclusive of VAT. Where additional design work is required the combined cost of assigned certifier duties and additional design work will be of the order of €6,000 inclusive of VAT. These costs relate to the implementation of the inspection plan on a single non-complex dwelling. A copy of this plan and all other documents released as part of that public consultation are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/search/archived/archived/archived/current?query=sample%20inspection%20plan.
Ultimately, the fees for professional services are determined by market forces and are outside the scope of my Department’s regulatory powers. Nevertheless, during the public consultation, a number of respondents confirmed that they were already providing assigned certifier services for between €3,000 to €4,000 per dwelling which supports the estimated costings prepared by my Department for single non-complex dwellings.
218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter regarding 1850 and 0818 numbers being more expensive than regular landline numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23240/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question relates to telecommunications policy and regulation and this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the question.
I can confirm that my Department has no 1850 numbers or 0818 numbers.
219. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the national mitigation plan to transition Ireland to a low-carbon economy; the key annual actions for this plan to 2020; the resources being made available to implement actions in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23261/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate change has been prioritised by the new Government as reflected in the establishment of a new role of Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
However, pending the formal legal transfer of the climate functions from my Department to the new Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment later this week, there is an interim period where responsibility for some statutory and other issues remains with me as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Notwithstanding this transition process, Minister Naughten is already fully engaged in policy development and issues relating to the climate change agenda within the newly expanded remit of his Department.
In accordance with section 4 of the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government must submit a National Mitigation Plan (NMP) to Government for approval by June 2017. In line with the requirements of section 4(3)(a) of the Act, arrangements are currently being made to activate the formal statutory process required to facilitate the preparation of the first NMP. Notwithstanding this statutory process, work has been underway for some time on developing the NMP, with a draft due to be published for consultation by end 2016.
The first iteration of the National Mitigation Plan will place a particular focus on putting the necessary measures in place to address the challenge to 2020 but also in terms of planning ahead to ensure that appropriate policies and measures will be in place beyond that.
The ultimate objective of successive National Mitigation Plans is to incrementally achieve this low-carbon transition vision by 2050. In that context, the National Mitigation Plan will have regard to Ireland’s obligations under the current 2009 Effort Sharing Decision, the Paris Agreement and any likely future EU and international obligations that may arise, including new national targets to be agreed under the EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Package.
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the national climate change response dialogue and adaptation framework; the key annual actions for this framework to 2020; the resources being made available to implement actions in the framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23262/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides, inter alia, for the approval of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans by Government for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.
In relation to adaptation, section 5 of the 2015 Act provides for the making and submission to the Government by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government of iterative national adaptation frameworks which will specify the national strategy for the application of adaptation measures in different sectors and by local authorities in order to reduce the vulnerability of the State to the negative effects of climate change and to exploit any beneficial opportunities that may arise. Work is progressing in relation to the first such framework, which must be submitted by December 2017 and each approved framework must be reviewed not less than once in every five-year period thereafter.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change. This builds on the Energy White Paper commitment for the establishment of a National Energy Forum which would invite a wide range of stakeholders to consider evidence-based inputs and maximise consensus on broad energy policy measures.
The National Dialogue on Climate Change will encompass the role set out for the National Energy Forum but with a wider focus to include the examination of key issues that need to be addressed in our long-term transition to a new low-carbon future. Options are currently being assessed as to how best to optimise the processes which will underpin the functioning of the National Dialogue, including scale and format.
221. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on plans to develop a rural resettlement programme; the timeframe for such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23294/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has overall responsibility for regional and rural matters and will be advancing a broadly based rural development strategy, in the context of the Programme for a Partnership Government.
For my part, the Government yesterday published Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which includes a range of measures supportive of the regeneration and renewal of towns and villages across rural Ireland and by association ensuring a vibrant population in those places.
It is my aim that all steps are taken to secure the re-use of vacant and underutilised properties for residential purposes, particularly in the many towns and villages in rural Ireland that contain a significant number of empty houses.
Through measures such as the Repair and Leasing Initiative (RLI), for example, upfront financial assistance will be made available to property owners to upgrade empty but sub-standard accommodation in return for leasing the property back for social housing purposes. Acquisition and leasing options are also available to local authorities to ensure that households needing accommodation may be provided with that accommodation.
The development of a rural resettlement programme will be considered further, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, in the context of taking forward these measures, the details of which are set out in the Action Plan, which is available on the website, www.rebuildingireland.ie.
223. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress of the report into the fire at a location (details supplied); if it will be forwarded to Kildare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in the interests of supporting owners and residents living in developments such as the one referred to in the Question, where concerns regarding non-compliance with fire safety requirements arise, my Department announced that a review would be undertaken by an independent fire safety expert to develop a framework for general application in such situations. The independent fire safety expert has now completed this task and the report on the matter is currently being considered in my Department, with a view to publication at an early date.
I understand that Kildare County Council continues to liaise with the residents of the development concerned on an ongoing basis in an effort to be of support and assistance to residents at this difficult time.
224. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when or if his Department will utilise section 6(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 to confirm a new title for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform received the approval of Government on Tuesday 19 July 2016 to transfer key environmental functions from me to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with effect from 22 July 2016. The Government also approved the change of name of my Department to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government with legal effect from 23 July 2016.
225. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has examined the service provision of the WALK PEER project in County Louth regarding the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; if this model of service provision could be replicated in other counties; if he will make the necessary funds available to such a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23160/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Providing Equal Employment Routes (PEER) project was one of 14 disability activation projects (DACT), in the Border, Midlands & West region, jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), from the end of 2012 to April 2015. The project was delivered by the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK).
The objective of the DACT programme was to explore a variety of routes towards ensuring that people with disabilities were enabled to avail of progression, education and development opportunities within the world of work. Similar to many other projects with EU funding, a key criterion used when selecting projects for the programme was that appropriate learning should be capable of being independently mainstreamed into the future. Given governance issues and procurement requirements, it was never intended that the funding for these projects would continue in the long-run or that they would become ongoing service delivery organisations in their own right.
The WALK PEER programme was subsequently successful in obtaining additional funding from the HSE and a private-sector organisation, which allowed the project to continue for another year until July 2016. Following a request for further funding to my Department, it was recognised that there was a need for some short-term support to enable it to continue service provision until the end of the year.
One of the findings of the evaluation of the DACT projects is that there continues to be gaps in the nature of supports for high dependency individuals that are pre-activation in nature. My Department is collaborating with other relevant Government Departments, with a view to resolving the situation and providing a coherent approach at national level for this group of people.
Furthermore, under Action 5.1 of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, the National Disability Authority chairs a working group that seeks to develop an effective co-ordinated policy approach to assist individuals with disabilities, including those who require a high level of support, to obtain and retain employment having due regard to the implementation of the HSE’s New Directions policy. To this end, the working group aims to draw up an implementation plan that provides a seamless continuum of support for people with disabilities particularly with regard to the key transition points from school to education and employment. It is envisaged that the work of this group will be completed in the autumn.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for jobseeker's allowance has been refused for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for jobseekers allowance was refused for the person in question on the basis that he was not considered habitually resident in the country. The person has been afforded the right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the processing of a carer's support grant in respect of a person (details supplied) will be expedited considering the medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22953/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant) was received in my Department on 15 July 2016. This application is being processed as expeditiously as possible having regard to the significant increase in the number of people applying for Carers Support Grant this year.
The applicant will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
228. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for illness benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22960/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the statutory pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. One of the conditions is that a person must have a minimum of 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. This condition is also regarded as satisfied if the person has a minimum of 26 paid contributions in both the governing year and in the year prior.
Claims made in 2016 are governed by the 2014 tax year, and only PRSI Classes A, E, H, and P are reckonable for illness benefit purposes.
The person concerned has 27 paid contributions in the 2014 year and 25 paid contributions in the 2013 year. The statutory pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions have not been satisfied in this case and Illness Benefit cannot, therefore, be paid.
If the person concerned is unable to meet their needs, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance and should contact the community welfare services at their local Intreo centre.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
