Thursday, 6 Apr 2017

Written Answers Nos. 20-38

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (20)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

20. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that his Department’s three schemes aimed at bringing vacant homes back into use only target 3% of the total vacant housing stock and in view of the fact that his Department is currently developing a strategy to target these units if this strategy will contain a commitment to significantly increase the resourcing of this scheme to ensure a greater number of vacant homes are brought on stream. [17089/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The three schemes to which I presume the Deputy is referring are those already launched under Pillar 5 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness aimed at facilitating the re-use of existing housing stock; namely:-

- the Repair and Leasing Scheme, providing funding to the owners of vacant properties for their refurbishment and subsequent long-term leasing to local authorities for social housing purposes, with €140m funding being provided over the next 5 years aimed at securing 3,500 units for social housing,

- the Buy and Renew Scheme, facilitating local authorities to purchase and renew housing units in need of remediation and make them available for social housing use, with an initial budget of €25m for 2017, and

- the purchase by the Housing Agency of vacant properties on the portfolios of financial institutions, for social housing use, in respect of which a rolling fund of €70m is being provided.

The significant levels of funding being provided for these schemes reflect the priority attached by the Government to getting vacant properties back into use, particularly for social housing purposes.

As I have indicated, Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland is specifically focused on ensuring that the existing vacant housing stock throughout the country and across all forms of tenure, in both the public and private sectors, is used to the optimum degree possible. In this regard, Action 5.1 commits to the development of a National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy, informed by Census 2016 data, to:

- inform the compilation of a register of vacant units across the country,

- identify the number, location and reasons for longer-term vacancies (i.e. over 6 months) in high demand areas, and

- set out a range of actions to bring vacant units back into re-use.

To this end, the Housing Agency, which has lead responsibility for coordinating the development of the Strategy, established a working group in September 2016, comprising senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and from the Housing Agency itself to inform the Strategy. The Working Group is presently concluding its deliberations on recommendations to be incorporated in the Strategy, with a view to facilitating and incentivising the greater re-utilisation of vacant properties. It is expected that the Strategy will be published next month. 

Question No. 21 answered with Question No. 14.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ceisteanna (22)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

22. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will respond to this Deputy's submission to his office and his senior departmental officials on the proposed social housing public private partnership for Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Wicklow and Kildare County Councils. [17087/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The submission in question has been received from the Deputy and is currently being reviewed in my Department.  A detailed response will issue in due course.

At this point, however it should be noted that I do not propose to abandon the PPP financing model being pursued, as has been recommended in the submission.  The Social Housing PPP programme provides for an investment with a capital value of €300 million and is expected to deliver 1,500 social housing units in total, via three bundles. The PPP programme complements the increased Exchequer-funded capital expenditure which is part of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan.  PPP is just one of the methods of delivery being pursued under the Action Plan.  As an off-balance sheet source, it provides a means to access otherwise unavailable finance.  It should also be noted that the Programme is subject to comprehensive value for money tests, details of which, and the manner in which the tendering process is to be conducted, are set out in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 163 of 8 March 2017.

The PPP programme will use what is termed an ‘availability based’ PPP model, in which a private sector company designs, builds, finances and maintains the social housing units over a 25 year period in return for a monthly ‘unitary payment’.  The ‘availability based’ model being applied has been used successfully in Ireland to deliver roads, schools, primary healthcare centres and courthouses.  The housing units will be handed back to the local authority after 25 years in a predefined, good quality condition.  The sites will remain in State ownership for the entire period.

The relevant local authorities will retain responsibility for tenant nominations and the allocation of units during the contract period.  Tenants allocated to PPP units will be drawn from the local authority social housing waiting list in accordance with that local authority’s allocation scheme.  The tenants will be subject to standard arrangements as apply to other social housing allocations, including in respect of the charging of differential rent.

The project comprising the first bundle of sites is being overseen by an established corporate governance structure.  The Project Board is chaired by the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council and each local authority is represented by a Director of Service.  My Department has two nominees, with the National Development Finance Agency also represented.  An independent Process Auditor attends Project Board meetings to assure that correct procedures are followed.  This structure operates effectively and provides for local authority participation and oversight in respect of the project.

The Deputy's submission addresses some other issues on which my Department will respond directly, having considered the matters further.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (23)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the review of the criteria pertaining to the tenant purchase scheme has been concluded; his plans to deal with anomalies in the scheme as currently constituted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16802/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016.  In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.

The work of the review is now nearing completion and a full report setting out findings and recommendations is currently being finalised in my Department. The report will be submitted to me shortly and any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered will be brought forward in due course.

Rent Controls

Ceisteanna (24)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

24. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether the application of the RPZ 4% rent limit to RAS, HAP and SCHEP leases runs the risk of landlords withdrawing from the leases and putting the current tenants at risk of homelessness. [17085/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Where an area is designated as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ), the rent limits apply to all tenancies supported by the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and secured by Rental Availability Agreements which are utilised in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and RAS-type arrangements under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP).  However, the RPZ provisions do not generally apply to other (long-term) contracts agreed under the SHCEP programme.

My Department continues to monitor the impact of Rent Pressure Zones in relation to social housing supports that operate in the private rental sector.  Given that each of these schemes are different in their operation, specific advice has been provided by my Department to local authorities where required and further advice will be provided in due course.

The introduction of the Rent Predictability measures in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) will assist local authorities and tenants to secure units within the private rental market at a more sustainable and predictable cost.  The limits on rent increases in RPZs apply to all rental properties in the designated area, except those that are new to the rental sector or those that have been substantially refurbished.  There should, therefore, be no incentive resulting from the Rent Predictability measure for landlords to leave any of the schemes referred to.

However, I have undertaken to carry out a review, in June this year, of the Rent Predictability provisions introduced under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. At that point, the provisions will have been in place for 6 months and it will be possible to ascertain their effectiveness and whether any changes need to be made. The issues raised by the Deputy will be considered, as necessary, in the context of that review.

Harbours and Piers Maintenance

Ceisteanna (25)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

25. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department includes the remit of the maintenance of local authority harbours; the future funding initiatives to be established by his Department to address the need for larger scale upgrades of harbours in County Donegal including the multi million breakwater project at Greencastle harbour and the Inver Pier extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

My Department has no function in relation to the maintenance of local authority harbours and I have no plans for a future funding programme for harbours/piers. The funding for the infrastructural works referred to is a matter for Donegal County Council, in the first instance.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (26, 39, 46)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

26. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in publishing the report on mica; when the report will be made publicly available; if a redress scheme for properties in County Donegal will be included as a result of the report's findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

39. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed the findings of the expert panel set up to review the mica issue; the details of those findings; the timeframe for a decision on putting a redress scheme in place to provide financial assistance to affected homeowners following on from the panel's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17077/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

46. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed the findings of the expert panel set up to review the mica issue; the details of those findings; the timeframe for a decision on putting a redress scheme in place to provide financial assistance to affected homeowners following on from the panel's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 39 and 46 together.

An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016 to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo.  The panel have the following terms of reference:-

(i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties of Donegal and Mayo;

(ii) To carry out a desktop study, which would include a consultation process with affected homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, testing laboratories, industry stakeholders and other relevant parties, to establish the nature of the problem in the affected dwellings;

(iii) To outline a range of technical options for remediation and the means by which those technical options could be applied; and

(iv) To submit a report within six months.

The expert panel on concrete blocks met on twelve occasions since it was first established and a similar number of meetings have taken place with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, the elected members of Donegal and Mayo County Councils, local authority officials, industry bodies, academics, public representatives and other interested parties.  A substantial volume of information has been provided by affected homeowners in both counties, as well as from Donegal and Mayo County Councils; additional information was also provided through the consultation process.

The panel has now concluded its meetings and is in the process of finalising its report which is undergoing legal proofing, which I anticipate will be completed shortly.  In this regard, I will await the outcome of the panel’s report before considering what further actions may be required to assist the parties directly involved in reaching a satisfactory resolution to the problems that have emerged in the two counties.

Homelessness Strategy

Ceisteanna (27)

John Curran

Ceist:

27. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in view of the continuing increase in homelessness, the short term and immediate actions he will take to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

In July last year I published the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which provides a multi-stranded, action oriented approach to achieving the Government’s key housing objectives, including addressing homelessness in a comprehensive manner.  The Action Plan is available through the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/.

The long-term solution to the current homelessness issue is to increase the supply of homes; accordingly, Rebuilding Ireland is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply – social, private and rental.  During the lifetime of the Plan some 47,000 new social houses will be provided, supported by Exchequer investment of over €5 billion, and housing output generally will be progressively increased towards the target of producing 25,000 houses per year through all channels.

Increases in Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payment levels, implemented from 1 July 2016, are playing an important role in terms of supporting families to remain in rented accommodation.  It is intended that long-term housing needs of households currently homeless will be met through housing supports such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, and general social housing allocations.  Significant outputs are being achieved in this regard.  Housing authorities achieved over 3,000 sustainable exits from homeless accommodation into independent tenancies during 2016, a record level of exits in a calendar year.

Where households do find themselves in homeless situations, a range of enhanced supports are being implemented under Rebuilding Ireland, through a variety of Government agencies including the HSE and Tusla, while at the same time housing authorities are also pursuing the delivery of enhanced emergency accommodation facilities.  New supported temporary accommodation initiatives are currently being delivered to provide family accommodation with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. 

The implementation of Rebuilding Ireland is being advanced across a number of Departments and agencies, under the oversight of the Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach.  The second quarterly progress report, which is in respect of 2016 Quarter 4 actions, can be accessed through the following link:-

http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-irelands-second-quarterly-progress-report/.

Further reports on progress will continue to be published on a quarterly basis.

Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 19.

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (29)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

29. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress being made on reducing the social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16799/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The results of the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments carried out in 2016 show that there were 91,600 households on local authority housing waiting lists as at 21 September 2016. This figure represents an increase of 1,728 households, or 1.9%, on the 89,872 households recorded in the last summary which was carried out in May 2013.  The results of the 2016 Summary 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 Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, sets out the Government’s approach to addressing the current challenges in the housing sector.  Delivering on the ambitious targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland, including the commitment to deliver an additional 47,000 social housing units by 2021 and an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme, will address the needs of households on waiting lists. 

The delivery against this target is already underway and 2016 saw over 19,000 social housing supports provided nationally, with expenditure of €935 million on housing during the year. This exceeded the target of 17,240 for 2016, giving a very positive start to the challenge of meeting the ambitious targets in Rebuilding Ireland.  In 2017, it is planned to deliver social housing supports to at least 21,000 households. In addition, I expect to provide new social housing delivery targets for all local authorities later in Q2 2017, taking account of the results of the 2016 Assessments.

In line with previous commitments, statutory summaries of social housing assessments are now being  carried out on an annual basis, rather than every three years as was done in the past. These regular summaries will provide up-to-date and comprehensive data on the numbers of households qualified for social housing support on an on-going basis and will ensure that social housing supports delivered continue to match the variable profile of those in need.

Arrangements to carry out the 2017 summary are well advanced and I expect the results to be available for publication in the latter half of this year.

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Ceisteanna (30)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has completed its examination of new off balance sheet funding mechanisms in view of the failure to find any under the scheme announced in budget 2015; his views on the delay caused to the building of new social housing as a result; and if the funds allocated will now be immediately invested in building new social homes or acquiring vacant housing to house the homeless. [17101/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

In Budget 2015 the Government announced that part of the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy was to be made available to establish an off-balance sheet financial vehicle to provide financing to Approved Housing Bodies, with the aim of facilitating the provision of additional housing units in support of the Government's Social Housing Strategy. Work on this activity was carried out by my Department in consultation with the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, despite a high level of engagement with a wide range of potential providers and financiers of social housing, no new model of provision and/or financing of social housing on an off-balance sheet basis could be identified.

In response to this outcome, it was decided instead to commit €10 million per annum from the Bord Gáis proceeds, over a longer period, which could be used to secure the development of a pilot affordable rental scheme. Action 4.6 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan provided for the introduction of an affordable rental scheme to enhance the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent. Provision was made for €10 million to be allocated through my Department’s Vote in 2017.

As set out in the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector, the commitment on affordable rental is now to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in rent pressure zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, targeting middle income households, in mixed tenure developments. The cost of providing rental units is to be permanently reduced by lowering the initial investment and development costs for providers - AHB or private - allowing the rental units to be made available at below market prices without the need for ongoing rental subsidies.

Accordingly, the provision of €10 million allocated for 2017 is being redirected to support additional activity under other housing programmes within my Department.

I am committed to continuing the effort to develop mechanisms that can deliver funding for social housing in a manner that is off-balance sheet and does not negatively impact on the general government balance. Action 2.4 of Rebuilding Ireland provides that the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) will work with the private sector to establish a funding vehicle capable of facilitating off-balance sheet investment in delivering social and private housing. Work on developing the new funding vehicle is currently underway within the NTMA.

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Ceisteanna (31)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

31. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of housing units his Department expects to approve in 2017; if he will increase the availability of social and affordable housing, with specific reference to Dublin Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17094/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

To support the implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, I have secured €5.35 billion in Exchequer investment to deliver 47,000 social housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisitions and leasing, over the period 2016 to 2021. This €5.35 billion investment comprises some €4.5 billion in capital funding and €844 million in support of programmes funded from current expenditure. In addition, €200 million is being provided for the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund through investment in key enabling infrastructure.

I have previously acknowledged the good start made on social housing delivery with 13,000 households' needs met in 2015 and over 19,000 in 2016, but my ambition is that the delivery of social housing will continue to be accelerated and that the target set of 21,000 units (through various delivery methods) for 2017 will be fully achieved.

With reference to Fingal, to date in 2017 alone, I have approved two construction projects totalling 54 units and one turnkey proposal providing 11 units. In addition, I understand that Fingal County Council are currently preparing to submit further proposals to my Department and those will be considered without delay. Furthermore, taking account of the outcome of the results of the Statutory Social Housing Assessments carried out in 2016, I expect to outline new targets for social housing delivery for all local authorities later in Q2 this year.

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (32)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will release funding to employ more staff in the housing section of Laois and Kildare County Councils and release extra funding to expand their housing construction programmes. [16819/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

My Department works closely with Laois County Council and Kildare County Council in relation to their overall staffing requirements. However, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority. Funding provided from my Department towards capital construction projects can be used to assist in meeting the cost of local authority administration and technical work associated with those projects.

Details of the social housing construction programmes of Laois and Kildare County Councils are included in the list of projects nationwide that I published as part of the Rebuilding Ireland reporting at end-Quarter 4 2016 and which can be accessed at the following link:  http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/. This shows 10 social housing construction projects in Co Laois at that point and 13 in Co Kildare, which are at various stages of advancement from planning and design, to those that are already on site. This list is being added to on an ongoing basis and I have assured Laois and Kildare County Councils, and all other local authorities, that funding is in place to support these important construction programmes.

Since 1 January 2015, my Department has received 7 staff sanction requests from Laois County Council and 56 staff sanction requests from Kildare County Council in relation to Housing, with all 63 posts approved. The sanctioned posts include replacement, temporary and additional staff. There are no outstanding Housing related sanction requests from these local authorities with my Department. The detail of the sanction requests received is set out in the following table.

-	Title of Post	Number of posts
Laois Co	Senior Executive Officer	1
	Chief Technician Housing	1
	Assistant Staff Officer Housing	1
	Chief Technician	1
	Executive Technician	1
	Staff Officer	1
	Clerical Officer	1
Total		7
Kildare Co	Senior Architect	1
	Director of Services (Planning)	1
	Clerical Officer	1
	Social Worker	2
	BER Assessor -Clerk of Works Grade 6	1
	Tenant Liaison Officer	1
	Senior Architect	1
	Senior Executive Officer	1
	Project Manager Housing	1
	Administrative Officer	1
	Staff Officer	2
	Executive Engineer	1
	Executive Technician	2
	Tenant Sustainability Officer	1
	Homeless Outreach Worker	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	3
	Clerical Officer	3
	Homeless Outreach Worker	1
	Executive Planner	1
	Clerk of Works Housing Delivery	4
	Clerk of Works Housing Maintenance	1
	Tenant Sustainability Officer (SO level)	2
	Staff Officer	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	2
	Clerical Officer	2
	Staff Officer	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	1
	Clerical Officer	1
	Clerical Officer	1
	Clerical Officer	2
	Staff Officer	1
	Assistant Staff Officer	2
	Executive Planners	3
	Clerical Officer	3
	Senior Executive Planner	1
Total		56

Security of the Elderly

Ceisteanna (33)

John Brassil

Ceist:

33. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review costing and feasibility for the provision of a grant to install monitored intruder alarms for over 66s living in rural areas in view of the increase in rural crime and break ins (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16809/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages support for vulnerable older people, including those in declining health and/or those living in isolated rural communities, by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms. The aim of the scheme is to enable older persons of limited means to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. 

The scheme does not support the installation of house alarms. The issue of community crime prevention is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.

Library Services

Ceisteanna (34, 47)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

34. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider plans regarding the national library procurement and make use of an exemption for cultural services in European Union procurement law in view of the importance placed on supporting SMEs; his views on whether a national tender process will harm small businesses and put them at a disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/17]

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

47. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the procurement policy will force the closure of bookseller library suppliers and long established businesses with regard to the national library procurement tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 47 together.

The provision of public library services, including the procurement of books, is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001.

A national tender for book stock procurement was run recently by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of local authorities. All matters related to the tender process were managed by the LGMA with support from the Education Procurement Service. The LGMA has confirmed that the process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and in full compliance with all regulations, policies and guidelines governing public procurement in Ireland.

My Department had no direct role in this regard and, therefore, has no authority to intervene in what was an independent procurement process. I understand, however, that the tender process has concluded and contracts have been signed with the successful tenderers. Irish companies were successful in four of six lots.

Arrangements have been put in place by bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information by those bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. Accordingly, information in respect of the tender process can be obtained directly from the LGMA, who can be contacted at [e-mail].

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Ceisteanna (35)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

35. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if and when the local infrastructure fund can be accessed by Westmeath County Council in order to upgrade housing on the Ardmore Road, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16812/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The 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.

21 local authorities submitted a total of 74 proposals in October, 2016. The overall funding sought by Local Authorities was far in excess of the funding available. Westmeath County Council submitted two proposals in respect of Mullingar and Athlone.

On 28 March 2017, I announced funding for 34 projects under the 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. 

Westmeath County Council received approval for its project at Athlone, with an allocation of €1.83m. However, due to the substantial oversubscription of proposals, it was not possible to approve other valid and worthy proposals, including the Mullingar proposal, within the funding available.

I am seeking additional funding for LIHAF under the review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021, but it will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to consider in the context of other demands for the available funds. In the event that more funds are secured, proposals that did not receive funding will be reconsidered and Local Authorities will also have an opportunity to advance new proposals that would meet LIHAF objectives.

Animal Breeding Regulations

Ceisteanna (36)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

36. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the review of the guidelines associated with the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010; when he expects to publish the finalised guidelines for enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16823/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

In late 2015, the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment (DBE) Guidelines, under the auspices of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) Dogs Working Group. The work undertaken to date has been to produce a first draft revision of the Guidelines.

I considered it essential to broaden the review of the Guidelines to a more formal public consultation, both for quality assurance and to address the need for openness and inclusiveness. A wide-scale formal public consultative process commenced on 1 December 2016 and closed on 28 February 2017.  My Department is currently reviewing the feedback received through the process before submitting the findings to me.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 12.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (38)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to recent reports that Ireland's largest build-to-let apartment development, which is to be built at the former Dún Laoghaire golf course, is to be put up for sale on the international market; the number of these apartments that are to be designated for social or affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17097/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct function where the sale of private property is concerned.

Every planning permission to which Part V applies is required to contain a condition that a Part V agreement be entered into.  In considering the options for a Part V agreement in relation to a particular housing development, a planning authority must consider whether such an agreement will contribute effectively and efficiently to the achievement of the objectives of the housing strategy.

Following changes made to Part V in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, the payment of cash in lieu of units or the transfer of sites or parts of sites was removed, and instead the remaining options are focused on the delivery of completed units.

The Department does not hold information regarding Part V agreements made in respect of individual planning permissions.  Information on individual planning permissions can be obtained from the relevant Local Authority.