Written Answers Nos. 2207-2222
2207. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 16 November 2016, the criteria used by his Department to establish the allocation figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2208. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 16 November 2016, if the funds not drawn down by the local authority were restored to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2207 and 2208 together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The allocations and recoupment profiles for capital Traveller accommodation projects can vary across local authorities given the local priorities, circumstances and project timelines as set out in the TAPs. The first three TAPs covered the periods 2000-2004, 2005-2008 and 2009-2013. Local authorities adopted the fourth and current round of TAPs in April 2014, with the five-year rolling programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period and they also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for specific projects and developments.
As part of the annual capital allocation process, local authorities submit proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments which are assessed on a case-by-case basis by my Department in advance of allocations being made.
Funding is recouped to local authorities on eligible expenditure incurred and, where it is likely that an allocation to a local authority may be unspent or under-spent, my Department engages with local authorities to re-allocate the funding to another scheme in order to ensure that drawdown is maximised before year-end.
2210. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will expedite the making of an agreement in view of the fact that there is no national agreement between Irish Water and local authorities for the taking in charge of water services infrastructure and that the lack of such a national agreement is delaying the taking in charge process of numerous housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27620/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in 2016 to support and accelerate overall national and local action on the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI).
A specific focus of the initiative was to expedite progress by local authorities and relevant stakeholders, including Irish Water, in addressing a build-up of pending cases relating to housing developments not yet taken in charge.
My Department will prepare a report in the coming months on key lessons learned from the valuable knowledge and experience gained under the NTICI which will help inform future taking-in-charge plans, including housing developments served by developer-provided infrastructure.
2211. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount his Department or a body under its aegis has paid to a company (details supplied) for advice, the use of intellectual property and other services. [27708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not paid any monies to the organisation in question.
The information in relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as below:
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Agency |
Email address |
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An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
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Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
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Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
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Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
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Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
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Irish Water Safety |
oireachtas@iws.ie |
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Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
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Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
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Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
2213. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the protocols and legislation under which a physically disabled person living in circumstances (details supplied) can obtain the opportunity for independent living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant housing authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. In order to qualify for social housing support and be placed on a housing list, an applicant must be assessed by the authority concerned as meeting all of the eligibility and need criteria set down in the legislation.
Where a household is deemed by a housing authority to meet all of the eligibility criteria, which primarily relate to income and alternative accommodation, the authority may determine that the household has a housing need, and thus qualifies for support, on the basis of particular household circumstances or exceptional medical or compassionate grounds. It is important to note that the same process applies to all applicants, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister’s power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to housing functions is not to be construed as enabling him or her to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.
2214. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the value of bonds payable on planning developments in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and the value of discount given on bonds by each local authority to each financial institution in tabular form. [27790/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1.
These statistics include data in respect of each authority on planning applications received, the number of invalid applications, decisions to grant or refuse permission etc. However, the statistics gathered do not include information of the type referred to by the Deputy in respect of bonds taken out in respect of particular developments.
2215. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the review on apartment construction costs will be completed; the person or body that is undertaking this survey of construction costs; when he will be making the report available to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if it will be provided in advance of the budget. [27815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether the Housing Agency should be tasked with undertaking an annual audit and publishing an annual database on average construction costs in the economy which would be more independent than those undertaken by private firms involved in the construction industry; and if not, the reason therefor. [27817/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2215 and 2216 together.
Under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government is committed to a broad range of measures to tackle, among other things, some of the costs associated with the provision of housing, including apartments. This involves undertaking a detailed analysis, in conjunction with the construction sector, to benchmark housing delivery input costs in Ireland, in order to facilitate an increased level of housing output into the future.
A working group, chaired by my Department, with a broad range of industry representatives, has been established and has met on a number of occasions since December 2016. While it is intended that the working group will concentrate on the domestic market, the Housing Agency is currently advancing an analysis of delivery costs and international comparisons. Both studies are due for completion shortly.
Separately, my Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics including a House Construction Cost Index which monitors labour costs in the construction industry and the cost of building materials and can be accessed at: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/private-rented-housing/house-building/national-house-construction-cost-index.
2217. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the provisions which are in place for ensuring that all persons turning 18 years of age and eligible to vote are added to the register of electors; if he will liaise with his colleague the Minister for Social Protection, in view of the fact that this data is readily available from the Department of Social Protection in order to arrange that all those turning 18 years of age are automatically added to the register of electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectoral law provides for an entitlement rather than an obligation to be registered as an elector when eligibility criteria, including reaching the age of 18 years, are met. The preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local authority, as a registration authority. It is the duty of registration authorities to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. In support of activity by local authorities in preparing the register of electors, my Department promotes greater awareness of the register of electors through an annual campaign of promotional posters, the use of social-media and the taking out of both newspaper and on-line advertisements. In addition, my Department liaises with student bodies and youth organisations to promote awareness amongst their members and younger people generally who may be registering for the first time.
I have no plans to introduce automatic registration of voters. However, the Government has agreed that work should now commence on modernisation of the voter registration process, in the context of facilitating the registration of voters resident outside the State, in the event of an extension of the franchise at Presidential elections being approved by the people in a referendum. This will deliver benefits by providing for the registration of all voters in an efficient and user-friendly manner, while also, vitally, protecting the integrity of the system. All aspects of voter registration, including the legal provisions, will be reviewed as part of this project.
2218. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if any former Members have been appointed to State boards under his remit by the Public Appointments Service; if so, the names and positions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28214/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo former TDs have been appointed to the boards of State Agencies under the aegis of my Department through the Public Appointments Service process.
Details in relation to the membership of State Boards including the dates of appointment and mechanisms of appointment of members are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/transparency-data/appointments-state-boards/appointments-declg-state-boards.
2219. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 16 May 2017, the number of emergency accommodation service providers that received section ten funding from central government in each of the years 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017. [27954/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation rests with individual housing authorities. Therefore, operational issues, including the procurement of services, are a matter for the individual housing authorities and no direct payments are made by my Department to the providers of emergency accommodation.
2220. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost to his Department of Irish language officers currently employed in agencies or bodies for which his Department has responsibility. [27999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of employing Irish language officers is an operational matter for each agency or body under the aegis of my Department.
Arrangements have been put in place by each agency and body to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as below:
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Irish Water Safety |
oireachtas@iws.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
2221. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to conduct a review of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 1992; if he will appoint an expert panel to review this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2230. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will establish a panel of experts and other interested parties to review dog bite prevention and relative legislation with a view to bringing legislation into line with other EU countries and focusing on the obligations and responsibilities of dog owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28242/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2221 and 2230 together.
The overall thrust of dog control legislation is to place the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control, irrespective of breed. Such responsible dog ownership is the key to reducing incidences of dog biting and other problem behaviours.
The Control of Dogs Acts set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. In particular, section 9 of the 1986 Act requires the owner or any other person in charge of a dog to accompany it and keep it under effectual control in any place other than the premises of the owner, the premises of the person in control of the dog, or other premises with the consent of the owner of the premises. Section 21 of the 1986 Act provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog; it is not necessary for the person seeking damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.
In addition to the foregoing, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended) set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs have to follow, namely that such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2m in length by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place. These specific control requirements in relation to certain breeds were introduced as a balanced and workable arrangement which recognises the rights of dog owners, while also taking account of the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury or even death.
Consultation was undertaken with a range of expert bodies as part of the development of the Control of Dogs legislation and my Department remains in ongoing contact with relevant stakeholders on issues regarding dog control. In addition, the statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the relevant legislation rests with the local authorities whose dog control personnel work on enforcement on an on-going basis.
I have no plans to amend the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 in respect of these matters in view of the requirement for all dog owners and those in control of dogs to keep their dogs under effectual control, and the strict liability for damages that attaches to the owner should damage be caused to a person by a dog.
2222. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the Constituency Commission's report will be published. [28018/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 5 of the Electoral Act 1997 provides for the establishment of a Constituency Commission upon publication by the Central Statistics Office of preliminary census results. Census 2016 was taken on 24 April 2016. The function of the Constituency Commission is to make a report on the constituencies for the election of members of the Dáil and for the election of members of the European Parliament, having regard to Article 16 of the Constitution and to the provisions of sections 6(2) and 6(3) of the Act. Following publication of the preliminary census results on 14 July 2016, the Constituency Commission (Establishment) Order 2016 was made establishing the current Constituency Commission to begin work on its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies.
Section 9 of the Electoral Act 1997 provides that the Constituency Commission must present its report to the Chairperson of the Dáil no later than 3 months after the publication of final census results. These results were published on 6 April 2017 and, therefore, the Constituency Commission must present its report to the Chairperson of the Dáil no later than 6 July 2017.
