Written Answers Nos. 119-134
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which student accommodation requirements can be met in the short to medium term with particular reference to putting in place the necessary measures to ensure adequate accommodation in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlleviating the housing crisis is a cross-Government priority and the available analysis indicates that the lack of suitable rental accommodation for students is driving up rents in the private rental sector, particularly in areas where demand for rental property is high. This is contributing to what we know is already a considerable strain on some students and their families to participate in higher education with knock-on effects on completion rates. The reality is that dealing comprehensively with this issue will only take place as part of a more general programme to address the major housing and homelessness issue.
Accordingly, my colleague Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, on 19 July 2016 published “Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness”, following Government approval of this comprehensive and ambitious Plan. The full plan can be accessed at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/Rebuilding%20Ireland_Action%20Plan.pdf.
My Department worked closely with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in developing this Plan, with a specific focus on student accommodation, and I very much welcome the commitments contained in the plan and I look forward to working with colleagues on a cross-Departmental basis to ensure that the commitments contained in the Plan are implemented as soon as practicable.
120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received submissions from the school authorities in respect of grant aid for a new school in Newtown; the progress to date in determination of the application for assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2214/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for major capital works to my Department towards the end of 2016. My Department will consider the application and respond directly to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
121. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the need for a new school build to replace an existing school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2216/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application for major capital works from the school in question. Any application received will be considered and a response will be conveyed to the school authority subsequently.
122. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the need for an accelerated school build for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the project can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme (2019-2021). My Department is aware of the school's accommodation needs and will be liaising with the school in due course in the context of progressing the project into the architectural planning process.
123. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the Exchequer of any ongoing investigations or inquiries in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that in 2016, €67,542.83 was spent by my Department on ongoing investigations or inquiries.
124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 1 December 2016, the names of the members and chair of the marine licence vetting committee which will consider the Marine Institute's 35-year foreshore lease application in Galway Bay. [2036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the constitution of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) as part of the consideration of the application concerned are expected to be finalised shortly. This information will be forwarded separately at that stage.
125. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when Part 3 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 will be commenced; the protection it will provide for tenants in a development (details supplied); if the protection from termination of tenancies in which ten, or more, dwellings are being sold will apply and to which this section of the Act applies, is afforded to tenants who are given notice of termination of tenancies on different dates but where the total is over ten; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 was signed by the President on 23 December 2016. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2017 commences Part 3 of the Act, insofar as it is not already in operation, other than sections 44, 45, 48 and 49. This Commencement Order takes effect from 17 January 2017.
Under Part 3 of the Act, Sections 38 to 40 provide, inter alia, that where a landlord proposes to sell 10 or more units within a single development at the same time (i.e. classified as being within a 6-month period), the sale will be subject to the existing tenants remaining in situ, other than in exceptional circumstances. Where, before the commencement of section 40 of the Act, a valid notice of termination has been served on a tenant on the ground that the landlord wishes to sell his/her property, then that notice takes effect as if section 40 had not commenced. However, I understand that, in the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the termination notices have since been withdrawn.
From 17 January 2017, subject to limited exemptions, termination notices issued by a landlord in relation to ten or more tenancies in a single development within a six month period will not be valid.
126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2002; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2105/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2003; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2004; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2005; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2108/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2006; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2109/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2007; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2110/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2008; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2009; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households on the waiting list for social housing in Galway city since 2010; the categories the households are in; the number of persons, adults and children that equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2113/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 134, inclusive, together.
Details on the number of households on waiting lists in each housing authority area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing
Assessments. The most recent figures available are the results of the 2016 Summary which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf.
The 2016 results show that there were 3,322 households on Galway City Council’s waiting list as at 21 September 2016. The results are broken down across a range of categories, including by household composition.
The results of the previous summaries undertaken in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2013, are available on my Department’s website at the link below and include breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories, including household composition: http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/sub-topic/needs-assessment.
It is important to note that only the results of the 2013 and 2016 summaries are directly comparable with each other. These summaries were carried out using a standardised methodology as specified by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. Previous summaries were not carried out under the current standardised assessment regime for social housing support which came into effect on 1 April 2011.
In line with a commitment given in the Social Housing Strategy 2020 future summaries will now be carried out an annual basis. I expect the results of the 2017 summary to be available for publication in the latter half of this year.
