Written Answers Nos. 500-16
500. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the mechanism for applying for the capital assistance scheme, CAS; the total amount available in 2017 under this scheme; and the available sum for County Louth for 2017. [20554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications to deliver new social housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme should be made by an Approved Housing Body to the relevant local authority. As with all social housing projects, it is a matter for the local authority, as the housing authority for the area, to prioritise projects on the basis of how they meet the area's housing need.
The 2017 funding provision for the Scheme nationally is €66 million. Financial allocations are not made to individual local authorities as funding delivery happens in line with project delivery. There are already over 1,000 new social homes approved for construction under the Capital Assistance Scheme and these are being implemented by the relevant Approved Housing Bodies and local authorities. Funding is drawn down as these projects are advanced and I am keen to see them move forward and deliver the housing as quickly as possible.
501. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the accuracy and effectiveness of a system (details supplied) used for predicting traffic changes for proposed developments; if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by community groups and persons regarding the effectiveness of this system; the number of local authorities that use or recognise this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no involvement in the operation of this system. Traffic management is a matter for local authorities and therefore, not proper to this Department. The Department has not had any feedback from local authorities on Traffic or Transport Assessments or on TRICS.
503. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the housing data analytics group was established; the names of the persons that sit on the group; the number of meetings it has had; and if he will make public the minutes and reports from this group. [20647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe newly established Housing Data Analytics Group will monitor and review the various sources of housing data collected nationally to provide a comprehensive and coherent suite of statistics relating to housing matters.
In collaboration with data owners and stakeholders, the Group will work to refine and improve existing data sources, and identify potential data gaps and new data sources, with a view to ensuring that public policy is informed by the best possible housing data. The Group will work to support work across all five pillars of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan. The first meeting of the Housing Analytics Group is scheduled to take place this week.
The Housing Data Analytics Group includes representation from a wide range of areas. The members of the Group are as follows: George Hussey, Niall Cussen, Barry Quinlan, Eoin Corrigan, and John Wickham (Department of Housing, Planning Community and Local Government); Diarmuid Reidy (Department of Education and Skills); Cillian Doyle (Department of the Taoiseach); Deirdre Cullen, Tara Davis and Kieran Culhane (Central Statistics Office); Gerard Kennedy (Central Bank); Keith Walsh (Revenue); John McGrath and Caroline Shally (Solas); David Silke and Daragh McCarthy (Housing Agency); Rosalind Carroll (Residential Tenancies Board), Larry O'Connell (National Economic and Social Council); Edgar Morgenroth (Economic and Social Research Institute); Daithí Downey (Dublin City Council); Jason Frehill (South Dublin County Council) and Mairéad Phelan (Local Government Management Agency). In line with standard operating arrangements and in keeping with Freedom of Information and Data Protection requirements, my Department will be happy to share the learning and insights garnered from the Group's work.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office, which is the State’s authoritative voice in relation to the provision of high quality and independent statistical information supporting evidence-based decision-making, established an independent group in January 2017, chaired by an Assistant Director General, to examine housing statistics and my Department is a member of that group. This group is considering the best analytical approaches to reconciling and combining datasets in this area and will have oversight of, and a direct involvement in, the examination of any output arising from the variety of analyses currently underway.
504. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the action he has taken or plans to take as a result of the decision of Fingal councillors (details supplied) to ignore his direction to delete zonings in the new development plan, which conflict with ministerial guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the Fingal County Development Plan, I have not issued a Direction.
However, my Department made a number of submissions regarding the Development Plan during the consultation processes. The submission on the proposed material amendments included recommendations on the deletion of two zoning proposals in the vicinity of the former N2/M2 roads - amendments 12.2 and 12.3. Amendment 12.2 abutting the Cherryhound interchange was not adopted by the elected members, while amendment 12.3 in the vicinity of Kilshane crossroads was adopted.
Taking account of the location of amendment 12.3, removed from the M2 interchange and considering in full both the new County Development Plan and national policy, I did not consider it appropriate to use my powers under Section 31 in relation to this matter.
505. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the process of finalising a sublease for Sligo County Council for a local company (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrafting of the licence is at an advanced stage. However, my Department has requested that further information be supplied by the local authority before the licence can be finalised.
It is not possible to give a definitive date for finalising the licence at this time.
506. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if planning authorities, under the planning Act or lobbying Act, are required to record details of consultations or discussions with landowners, developers or public representatives in respect of proposals to zone lands in relation to which the discussions happen separately to the process of written submissions on draft development plans. [20837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra507. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if planning authorities, under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015 or lobbying Act, are required to record details of consultations or discussions with certain groups of persons (details supplied) in respect of proposals to zone lands regarding which the discussions happen separately to the process of written submissions on draft development plans. [20838/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together.
The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and my Department's Development Plan Guidelines set out in detail the requirements which the local authorities must follow when preparing their development plans. In this regard, there is no statutory consultation or discussion based process with land owners, developers or public representatives in respect of proposals to zone lands outside the development plan making process.
It is within the development plan process, which is approved by the elected members of the authority within an overall open and transparent and recorded process, that overall strategies for proper planning and sustainable development of relevant areas are prepared. The legislation provides for extensive consultation in relation to the development plan, both with the general public and certain prescribed bodies, who are offered the opportunity to make submissions or observations prior to the making of the draft development plan, and on the draft plan when it has been made, submissions which must be considered by the planning authority. The making of a development plan, the public consultation process around the making of the plan and the procedures for recording the decision making process are set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
In addition to the planning process, Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 sets out an ethical framework for all those involved in the local government service, both elected members and employees. This framework imposes a statutory duty on all in the service to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.
The statutory requirements are complemented by two Codes of Conduct, one for elected members and one for employees. The purpose of the Codes is to set out standards and principles of conduct and integrity, to inform the public of the conduct it is entitled to expect, and to maintain and enhance public trust and confidence in local government. The Codes make specific reference to planning matters and emphasise the importance of transparency and following due process within the requirements of the statutory planning framework.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 serves to provide information to the public about lobbying activities including those engaged in lobbying, on whose behalf lobbying is being carried out, the issues involved and intended results. Through the www.lobbying.ie website, advice and written guidance has been provided on the functioning of the Act and with specific regard to the planning process, including the types of communications involved and designated public officials relevant to the Act. Where lobbying activities defined under the Act with designated public officials are being engaged in by lobbyists, which may include planning matters, then the Act requires that the lobbyists involved must provide information at regular intervals about their lobbying activities to the Standards in Public Office Commission.
508. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if further measures will be introduced to address housing affordability and specifically the reintroduction of an affordable housing scheme. [20842/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans at present to re-introduce an Affordable Housing Purchase Scheme because there are a range of measures being taken under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness to increase housing supply overall, with the aim of creating a functioning and sustainable housing system which can meet housing demand at more affordable prices.
The plan is divided into five pillars, with each targeting a specific area of the housing system. Pillar 3, entitled Build More Homes, has a key objective of increasing the output of private housing to meet demand at affordable prices.
The opening up of state owned lands for the development of mixed-tenure housing, particularly in the major urban areas, where demand is greatest, is an important policy initiative. On 27 April 2017, I published details of some 2,000 hectares of land in public ownership, which has the potential to deliver up to 50,000 homes nationally. Full details of these sites can be accessed on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
I have asked all local authorities to be innovative and proactive in developing these sites. The final model for each site will be the subject of careful consideration by the local authority concerned, the elected members included, who are best placed to know and provide for the housing need in their area. Indeed, the Dublin local authorities are well advanced in bringing large-scale sites forward for mixed tenure housing, with projects advertised that can deliver circa 3,000 mixed-tenure homes in the Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council areas alone.
Other measures being taken to increase the supply of housing include -
- €200 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund;
- National Treasury Management Agency financing of large-scale “on-site” infrastructure;
- Planning Reforms;
- Putting in place a National Planning Framework and land management actions;
- Efficient design and delivery methods to lower housing delivery costs;
- Measures to support construction innovation and skills;
- The enhanced supply of more affordable starter homes in key locations through a targeted rebate of development contributions in Dublin and Cork for housing supplied under certain price levels;
- New National Apartment Planning Guidelines, reducing the cost of apartment building;
- Changes to aspects of the operation of Strategic Development Zones to enable swifter adjustments to meet market requirements;
- A vacant sites levy.
Pillar 4 of the Rebuilding Ireland Plan, entitled Improve the Rental Sector, 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. 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.
509. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to give Dublin City Council greater flexibility in deciding the levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ. [20844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to allow higher levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether 10% social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ, is adequate to make a meaningful contribution to reducing housing waiting lists in Dublin city; and the steps he will take to ensure that Poolbeg West SDZ can make a more meaningful contribution to social housing provision in Dublin city. [20846/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together.
Delivering extra housing supply across all tenures is agreed by all stakeholders as the key to addressing the challenges in the housing sector. The Government took the decision to designate Poolbeg West as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) because of its potential to deliver a large amount of extra homes in the centre of our capital and on an excellent site. The process has moved forward with Dublin City Council’s publication of a draft planning scheme for the area under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
As part of the public consultation exercise on the preparation of the draft planning scheme, my Department has indicated that the planning scheme could include a policy mechanism where, on an agreed basis, over and above the statutory requirement that 10% of the housing yield of the site be reserved for social housing under Part V of the Act, there would be delivery of up to another 10% of its housing yield, which would be accessible in economic terms for households on average industrial wages, in return for flexibility around the overall development yield on the site.
My Department's submission also pointed towards a number of delivery models, if such an agreement could be brokered between the owners of the site and the local authority and supported by my Department. These models include the potential role of the voluntary housing sector in participating in a joint venture type approach to facilitate the ultimate development of the site which could deliver an increment of housing over and above the 10% social housing requirement in the form of key worker housing as outlined above.
I believe that it is crucial that people who need social housing and key workers who cannot afford high rents can avail of housing in areas like Poolbeg. My Department will therefore continue to work with all stakeholders, including the City Council, housing providers and the local community, in developing and resourcing the mixed-tenure model above and in line with the normal financial safeguards.
512. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the monthly totals of housing units for which local authorities have received planning permission commencement notices for the most recent 12 months for which the data is available, by month and local authority, in tabular form. [20863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra513. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the monthly totals of housing units for which local authorities have received certificates of compliance on completion for the most recent 12 months for which the data is available, by month and local authority, in tabular form. [20864/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
It is important to note that the building control function of each Local Authority pursuant to the Building Control Act 1990, as amended, is separate and distinct from the planning function of each Local Authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
Local Authorities in their capacity as Building Control Authorities are required to keep certain information pertaining to building works that come under the Building Control Regulations 1997-2015 on a statutory register, including particulars in relation to Commencement Notices and Certificates of Compliance on Completion. The Building Control Management System (BCMS) is centrally hosted by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of the 31 Local Authorities and has enabled this information to be hosted on a central nationwide register, readily available and updated quarterly at https://www.localgov.ie/en/link-type/bcms.
The purpose of the BCMS is an IT enabler, set up to facilitate building control authorities, building owners, builders and construction professionals in discharging their separate responsibilities under the Building Control Act 1990. The system provides a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector.
My Department is not involved in the day to day operation of this system. However, it collates and publishes a range of housing and planning statistics, including information on Commencement Notices, which are available on the Department's website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/construction-activity-starts.
514. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the compensation or grants available for miners that lose their hearing through their work in the mining industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19553/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrent or former miners who have suffered an occupational injury or prescribed occupational disease are entitled to apply for disablement benefit.
Disablement benefit is one of the benefits payable under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, to an insured person who suffers a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational accident or a prescribed occupational disease that was sustained on or after 1 May 1967. The person must have been in insurable (occupational injuries) employment at the time of the accident or when the disease was contracted.
Occupational deafness is a prescribed disease under the occupational injuries scheme.
To qualify the applicant must have been engaged in a prescribed occupation for a period of 10 years and must make a claim not later than 5 years after leaving that employment.
The application form for disablement benefit (OB21) can be downloaded from my Department’s website (https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/disable.aspx) or can also be obtained in any of the Department’s Intreo Centres.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
515. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe that companies must adhere to while going through the process of voluntary liquidation in order for employees to be paid their statutory redundancy entitlements; and if there is a strict timescale as to when all of the steps must be undertaken. [19902/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection administers the redundancy payments scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate employees for the loss of their jobs where the employer is unable to pay statutory redundancy due to financial difficulties or insolvency. The scheme is funded from the Social Insurance Fund.
Where an employer can prove to the satisfaction of the Department that they are unable to pay statutory redundancy to their employees, the Department will make lump sum payments to the employees.
Claims for redundancy payments, signed by the employer and employee, must be submitted within 12 months of the date of termination of the person’s employment, as prescribed under Section 24 of the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967, as amended by Section 12 of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1971.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
516. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to sanctioning permanent contracts for clerical officers employed on continuous temporary contracts for over five years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012, my Department commenced the appointment of Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) to support the roll out of the Public Services Card project. These TCOs were assigned from panels established by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and issued with contracts for the specified temporary purpose of supporting the roll out of the project.
Individual contracts in a particular location may be terminated if the business need in that location no longer exists. Once the initial rollout of the Public Services Card project is completed then it is the Department’s intention that all temporary staff contracts issued will finish at that time.
My Department does not have the authority to make temporary posts permanent without the sanction of the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
