Written Answers Nos. 313-325
313. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the recently published report following the review of the mortgage to rent scheme for borrowers of commercial private lending institutions, which sets out the percentage of MTR completed cases by lender up to December 2016; the percentage of MTR cases in the pipeline, by lender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16162/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Agency publishes statistical information on the operation of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme, including the number of both active and completed cases by lender, on its website on a quarterly basis at the following web link:
www.housingagency.ie/Our-Services/Housing-Supply-Services/Mortgage-to-Rent.aspx.
The statistics for Q1 2017 will be published on the Housing Agency's website later this week. In the meantime, I can advise that to the end of Q1 2017, a total of 3,672 cases have been submitted under the MTR scheme. Of these, 2,816 were ineligible or terminated during the process, 235 have been completed and 621 applications are being actively progressed.
I published the Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme for borrowers of commercial private lending institutions on 8 February 2017. The Review represents the completion of an early action in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The Review has explored the avenues and impediments to participation in the scheme and recommends a number of actions to make the scheme work better for borrowers. Key actions include:
- Lenders will be required to formally communicate with borrowers as to why they are not suitable for the scheme.
- The property price threshold for a house in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow is being increased to €365,000 (from €350,000), while the threshold for an apartment/townhouse in these areas is being increased to €310,000 (from €300,000). For the rest of the country, the threshold for a house is being increased to €280,000 (from €250,000) and for an apartment/townhouse to €210,000 (from €190,000).
- Flexibility will be provided in relation to the size of properties which qualify for the scheme. In practical terms, this means that an assessment of the property size suitable to a particular household will allow for a maximum of two additional bedrooms in the property above the actual needs of the household, with the property still being considered eligible.
- There are a number of actions to improve knowledge and understanding of the scheme. A range of state agencies will be facilitated to assist and guide borrowers who could benefit from the scheme. A Step by Step Guide for Borrowers will be produced alongside a range of other targeted information supports.
Implementation of the actions has already begun with changes to the scheme's eligibility criteria and some other process changes effective from 27 March 2017. I am confident that the implementation of the actions put forward in the Review will make the MTR process quicker, more transparent, easier to navigate for borrowers and, ultimately, more accessible to more households in mortgages distress.
In addition, the Review concludes that the current financial model of the scheme may not be capable of delivering the scale of successful cases that could benefit from the scheme over time. Currently, the MTR scheme relies on AHBs to purchase from lenders properties that have been voluntarily surrendered by eligible borrowers. A number of private equity firms have expressed an interest in purchasing mortgage debt portfolios from commercial banks with a view to exploring the potential for them to access the MTR scheme model for the borrowers in occupation of the mortgaged property. They are seeking an alternative arrangement that would see the mortgaged property staying in the funding firm’s ownership and the property itself leased back to the local authority in circumstances where the borrower is eligible for MTR and the borrower would therefore remain in their own home.
One of the outcomes of the Review is that in order to test the operability of alternative funding models for the scheme, the Housing Agency will work with a number of financial entities who have come forward with an interest in working with the MTR scheme to progress a number of pilot alternative lease arrangements. In advance of these pilots, a targeted marketing exercise is currently being carried out by the National Development Finance Agency, on behalf of my Department, to test the suitability of the leasing arrangements to ascertain if they would be viable for a mortgage to rent cohort. These pilot projects are in a developmental stage and so the detailed contractual and lease arrangements have yet to be agreed and my Department is working with the Housing Agency in this regard.
A detailed financial assessment of the structure of the funding of the MTR scheme will be undertaken in advance of the budgetary process for 2018. The assessment will be informed by the early impact of the other actions proposed by the Review, as well as the outcome of the experience with the pilot lease arrangements, and the availability of financial resources overall.
314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of dwellings owned by local authorities that have been retrofitted in the past three years and proposed retrofitting to be carried out in 2017 by year and local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16171/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are currently undertaking an ambitious programme of insulation retrofitting, with the support of my Department, on the least energy efficient social homes. Funding of some €107 million has been provided from 2013 to end-2016 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in excess of 58,000 local authority homes, benefitting those at risk of fuel poverty and making a significant contribution to Ireland’s carbon emissions reduction targets and energy reduction targets for 2020. A breakdown by local authority is set out in the following table.
The insulation retrofitting programme is being implemented in a number of phases: Phase 1 commenced in 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and the less intrusive cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties while Phase 2 of the programme, which has been piloted in both Fingal and Westmeath County Councils, will focus on the external fabric upgrade of those social housing units with solid/hollow block wall construction. Phase 2 will be formally rolled out to all local authorities this year.
Based on the most recent information from local authorities, it is estimated that there are in the region of 23,000 and 28,000 homes requiring Phase 1 and 2 works respectively. My Department will shortly be asking local authorities to submit details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for this Programme in 2017.
Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme – Units 2013 - 2016
|
Local Authority |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Total units 2013 to 2016 |
Total Funding 2013 to 2016 |
|
Carlow |
179 |
262 |
290 |
53 |
784 |
1,553,299 |
|
Cavan |
180 |
525 |
598 |
302 |
1,605 |
2,295,176 |
|
Clare |
366 |
333 |
298 |
175 |
1,172 |
1,913,604 |
|
Cork City |
397 |
950 |
2329 |
2128 |
5,804 |
10,947,267 |
|
Cork County |
510 |
819 |
1181 |
1622 |
4,132 |
6,556,945 |
|
Donegal |
235 |
526 |
453 |
380 |
1,594 |
2,814,965 |
|
Dublin City |
449 |
3303 |
2469 |
496 |
6,717 |
12,874,571 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
757 |
1058 |
369 |
75 |
2,259 |
4,501,339 |
|
Fingal |
2,135 |
146 |
326 |
207 |
2,814 |
7,692,163 |
|
Galway City |
167 |
319 |
383 |
874 |
1,743 |
3,941,294 |
|
Galway County |
802 |
325 |
290 |
461 |
1,878 |
2,551,883 |
|
Kerry |
69 |
538 |
441 |
108 |
1,156 |
1,659,067 |
|
Kildare |
201 |
694 |
311 |
468 |
1,674 |
3,823,518 |
|
Kilkenny |
415 |
212 |
260 |
21 |
908 |
1,737,268 |
|
Laois |
333 |
512 |
402 |
51 |
1,298 |
1,870,825 |
|
Leitrim |
146 |
164 |
550 |
158 |
1,018 |
994,850 |
|
Limerick City * |
245 |
|||||
|
Limerick County |
104 |
545 |
41 |
0 |
935 |
1,830,800 |
|
Longford |
521 |
227 |
142 |
0 |
890 |
1,840,080 |
|
Louth |
194 |
430 |
502 |
761 |
1,887 |
2,653,797 |
|
Mayo |
193 |
131 |
216 |
131 |
671 |
1,686,940 |
|
Meath |
185 |
405 |
577 |
526 |
1,693 |
3,273,924 |
|
Monaghan |
213 |
240 |
336 |
0 |
789 |
1,079,869 |
|
Offaly |
269 |
217 |
694 |
287 |
1,467 |
1,453,567 |
|
Roscommon |
90 |
422 |
202 |
107 |
821 |
921,132 |
|
Sligo |
189 |
265 |
624 |
280 |
1,358 |
1,576,892 |
|
South Dublin |
223 |
601 |
390 |
346 |
1,560 |
3,936,554 |
|
Tipperary North * |
898 |
|||||
|
Tipperary South |
322 |
689 |
0 |
223 |
2,132 |
4,674,147 |
|
Waterford City * |
68 |
|||||
|
Waterford County |
286 |
636 |
605 |
0 |
1,595 |
3,537,177 |
|
Westmeath |
753 |
968 |
200 |
131 |
2,052 |
3,292,532 |
|
Wexford |
757 |
1263 |
298 |
59 |
2,377 |
2,655,047 |
|
Wicklow |
256 |
285 |
225 |
873 |
1,639 |
4,971,576 |
|
TOTAL * |
13,107 |
18,010 |
16,002 |
11,303 |
58,422 |
107,112,069 |
* (Figures include Phase 1, some Phase 2 (2015/2016) & special projects outside Phase 1/2)
315. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the outcome to persons' status on the social housing list as a consequence of taking up the housing assistance payment scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the commencement of the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is considered to be a social housing support and consequently households are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list.
Acknowledging that households on the waiting list who avail of HAP might have expectations that they would receive an allocated form of social housing support, Ministerial Directions issued during the pilot phase of the scheme to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP tenants could avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list. With the completion of the HAP roll-out and the ending of the scheme’s pilot phase, I recently signed a Ministerial Direction, instructing local authorities to continue to offer HAP tenants access to other forms of social housing through the transfer list. This refreshed direction ensures that following completion of the HAP pilot phase, HAP tenants still get all the benefits of HAP and are no less likely to get a different form of social housing support.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their scheme of letting priorities. The setting of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such is a matter for the elected members. I understand that the majority of HAP households do avail of the option to be placed on a transfer list. Since its statutory commencement in September 2014, some 240 households (at the end of December 2016) had transferred from the HAP scheme to other forms of social housing support.
The information on the dedicated HAP website, www.hap.ie, reflects the legislation and states that any HAP tenant who wants to access other social housing supports, may do so through the transfer system as operated by their respective local authority.
316. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a value for money report to businesses affected by Revaluation 2017; his views on whether business paying more will benefit substantially in the increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters except appeals of valuation procedures set out under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 which come under the remit of an independent Valuation Tribunal. The Valuation Acts come under the aegis of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.
Under Part 5 of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015, the Commissioner of Valuation is conducting a revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties throughout the State. To date, revaluations have been completed in South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dublin City Council, Waterford City and County Council and Limerick City and County Council. I understand that revaluations in 10 local authorities, including Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin and Westmeath County Councils are due to be completed this year with valuations to take effect for rates purposes for 2018.
I am aware of recent media reports that certain business owners have stated that they will face higher rates bills. However, it is not the purpose of a revaluation to increase or decrease the total amount of commercial rates collected by local authorities but rather to ensure that the valuations used for rating purposes are up-to-date and reflect current market conditions. With this in mind, it is possible that some ratepayers may see the rateable valuation of their properties increase while other ratepayers may see the rateable valuation of their properties decrease. Section 56 of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015, as amended by section 8 of the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006, provides that I, as Minister, can make an order directing a rating authority to limit the overall amount of income it could raise through rates in the year following a revaluation to the total amount of rates liable to be paid to it in the previous year, adjusted for inflation. Rate limitation orders have been made in each of the local authorities that have undergone a revaluation to date and I will be making further orders later this year in respect of the rating authorities currently undergoing revaluations.
Independent oversight of the local government sector is provided by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC), which was established in July 2014 under the Local Government Reform Act. Its functions are wide ranging, involving the scrutiny of performance generally and financial performance specifically, supporting best practice, overseeing implementation of national local government policy and public service reform by local government bodies.
317. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the level of RAPID programme funding on an annual basis over the 2010 to 2016 period in tabular form; the allocation for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development (RAPID) Programme was launched in February 2001. It was a focused Government initiative targeting State resources at 51 of the most disadvantaged urban areas in the Country.
The Programme was aimed at improving the quality of life and the opportunities available to residents of the most disadvantaged communities in Irish cities and towns. It aimed, in a focused and practical way, to reduce the deprivation faced by residents of disadvantaged communities.
The RAPID leverage schemes were initiated in 2004, by the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes, which related to capital projects, were co-funded by the relevant agencies and funded projects that focused on estate enhancement, graffiti clean-up, traffic calming, CCTV, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds.
The table below sets out the leverage funding available through my Department. It does not include any leverage funding amounts available through other Departments or Agencies.
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€000s |
€000s |
€000s |
€000s |
€000s |
€000s |
€000s |
|
6,067 |
2,269 |
3,062 |
261 |
170 |
317 |
32 |
With effect from 2012, the RAPID Leverage schemes were closed to all new applications and the Programme effectively ceased to operate.
The Programme for a Partnership Government gave a commitment to reactivating the RAPID Programme in 2017. It is anticipated that the re-cast RAPID Programme will roll out in the near future. The total allocation for the RAPID Programme in Budget 2017 is €5 million, which includes an allocation for existing commitments under the previous RAPID Programme. The logistical and other arrangements for the recast Programme are currently under consideration in my Department.
318. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason no projects in counties Sligo and Leitrim were approved under the local infrastructure housing activation fund; his plans for projects in counties Sligo and Leitrim to be approved and funded in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages in order to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas with high demand for housing.
A call for proposals was issued to all local authorities in August 2016. It was open to all local authorities to apply for funding towards the capital cost of the public infrastructure, which when provided, would secure the early delivery of additional affordable housing at considerable scale, with developments in excess of 500 units in the Dublin area, or in excess of 200 units in areas outside Dublin.
Twenty-one local authorities submitted a total of 74 proposals in October 2016. No proposals were submitted by Sligo County Council or Leitrim County Council. It is likely that those authorities which did not choose to submit proposals may not have had enabling infrastructure projects that would have met the criteria for funding, such as the scope of proposals that would deliver housing developments at the scale of at least 200 units within the timeframe specified in the call for proposals.
On 28 March 2017, I announced funding for 34 projects under LIHAF. The cost of these projects is €226.46 million, of which €169.65 million would be funded under LIHAF with local authorities funding the remaining €56.81 million. These public infrastructure projects will be key to the delivery of 23,000 housing units over the next four years, with a longer term projection of up to 70,000 units as the selected sites are fully built out.
319. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities that operate a long-term vacant property incentive scheme for commercial rates; and if his Department encourages local authorities to operate such schemes. [16313/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
The legislation governing commercial rates does not address incentives for long-term vacant properties. Legislative provision is made for the refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. The Local Government Act 1946 provides that where a property is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for rates. However, the owner is entitled to a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes, these being if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of additions, alterations or repairs; where the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The collection of rates and the determination of eligibility for a refund in this context are matters for each individual local authority.
The Local Government Act 1946 provided that the owner was entitled to a 100% refund in most local authority areas. Separate legislation governed refunds in the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork, where the same criteria for refunds applied but only 50% of the rates paid were refundable.
With effect from 1 June 2014, when the relevant provision commenced, the Local Government Reform Act 2014 gives discretion to the elected members of individual local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority’s administrative area. The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 provide that the decision to alter the rate of refund should be taken at the annual budget meeting and that the rate of refund decided in respect of the relevant local electoral area shall apply to eligible persons for the year to which the budget relates. The absence of a decision to vary the refund means that the existing legislative provisions regarding the rate of refunds apply (either 100% or 50% as set out above).
320. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the commercial rate alleviation schemes currently being considered by his Department as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. [16316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. Among the measures being considered for inclusion in the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes, which would include schemes to support the implementation of Realising Our Rural Potential: The Action Plan for Rural Development. I hope to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.
321. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the commercial rate waivers and or rate alleviation schemes that are used in each local authority to date in tabular form. [16317/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Commissioner for Valuation has responsibility for valuation matters. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme, providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of commercial rates due by ratepayers in respect of a specified class or classes of property. The making of such a scheme is subject to my consent as Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. No rate waiver schemes have been consented to in respect of commercial property.
Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. Among the measures being considered for inclusion in the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support local and national policy objectives. I hope to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.
322. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities that allow and do not allow, respectively, businesses to pay their rates by monthly direct debit. [16318/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. My Department does not have information in respect of the number of local authorities that allow businesses to pay rates by monthly direct debit.
323. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of persons nationally who have availed of the county council shared ownership loans to date in 2017 to purchase their house, by county and in tabular form; the number of those persons who have moved over to the county council annuity loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider providing financial advice to persons who are being asked to switch from a county council shared ownership loan to an annuity loan to assist them in working out which is the best option for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
The Government announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the Shared Ownership Scheme, in 2011, given the changes in the property and lending markets. There are no plans at this time to develop a new Shared Ownership (SO) scheme. From 1991 to 2010, a total of 16,492 loans were issued under the scheme, of which 3,777 remained at the end of Q3 2016. The attached table gives a breakdown of outstanding SO loans by local authority at the end of Q3 2016.
My Department, together with the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency and local authorities, considered the affordability issues facing some borrowers who purchased properties under the SO schemes and devised a more affordable long-term path towards full home ownership. A new restructuring option has been available to SO borrowers since 1 April 2016, which involves rolling-up all outstanding debt into a single annuity loan. The feasibility of this new option for each SO borrower will be determined by their local authority, and may not be appropriate in all cases. For example, in some instances, continuing with the current SO arrangement may be the best option for both the SO borrower and the local authority, or in other cases where the outstanding debt may not be sustainable for the borrower in the long-term, the Local Authority Mortgage to Rent (LAMTR) option might ultimately be the appropriate solution. There is no obligation on any SO borrower to restructure their loan arrangement.
My Department does not currently hold information on the number of SO loans where all outstanding debt has been converted into a single annuity loan under the new restructuring option. As the new restructuring option has now been in place for twelve months, my Department is in the process of engaging with local authorities on their experience to date in offering the option to borrowers, where appropriate.
Local authorities in implementing the restructuring option will direct SO borrowers to seek financial and legal advice prior to accepting any offer of a restructuring option. SO borrowers will be advised by their local authority, in the first instance, to contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to seek free financial and legal advice. The new Abhaile Service, accessed via MABS, can also assist SO borrowers who are in arrears to access free independent expert financial and legal advice. Full details of the supports offered by the Abhaile Service are available from www.keepingyourhome.ie. Under the restructuring option, local authorities will arrange where SO borrowers require financial and legal advice outside of that provided via MABS, to pay the cost of these fees to a maximum of €1,000 excluding VAT.
Table 1: Shared Ownership Loans by Local Authority Area to end Q3 2016
|
Local Authority |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
28 |
|
Cavan County Council |
26 |
|
Clare County Council |
113 |
|
Cork City Council |
71 |
|
Cork County Council |
411 |
|
DLR County Council |
73 |
|
Donegal County Council |
152 |
|
Dublin City Council |
989 |
|
Fingal County Council |
181 |
|
Galway City Council |
13 |
|
Galway County Council |
47 |
|
Kerry County Council |
67 |
|
Kildare County Council |
307 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
89 |
|
Laois County Council |
200 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
3 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
119 |
|
Longford County Council |
35 |
|
Louth County Council |
12 |
|
Mayo County Council |
27 |
|
Meath County Council |
61 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
21 |
|
Offaly County Council |
18 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
12 |
|
Sligo County Council |
99 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
127 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
104 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
214 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
70 |
|
Wexford County Council |
37 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
51 |
|
Grand Total |
3777 |
325. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of requests his Department received for material to be made available in Braille format in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of these requests which were accommodated by his Department; the cost implication and the person or body which provided the translation service. [16377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo requests for material to be made available in braille format have been made to my Department in the years mentioned.
I am committed to providing information and services which are fully accessible to all of our customers. This commitment is reflected in my Department's Customer Service Action Plan, which is available on the Department’s website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/customer-service/quality-customer-service. In addition, there is an Accessibility Statement page on the Department's website which provides information on ‘Making an accessible publication request’ as well as an ‘Accessible publications request form’; this page can be accessed at - http://www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/compliance/other/accessibility-statement.
My Department’s website has been redesigned and was relaunched in February 2016. As part of the redesign and re-engineering process, a strong emphasis was placed on the key areas of usability and accessibility. In line with best practice, Universal Design principles were applied across the project and our aim is to ensure consistent compliance with international standard Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.
