Written Answers Nos. 2244-2264
2244. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the obligations that a local authority has in providing emergency housing support to persons on the social housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28612/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 2 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the requirements for a person to be regarded as homeless by a housing authority for the purposes of the Act. Section 10 of the Act provides that a housing authority may provide assistance to a homeless person, including emergency accommodation or lodgings, which the housing authority may arrange itself or which may be operated by a State-funded service provider, without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment and be approved for social housing supports.
2245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to review the motor tax system in view of the perceived or actual inequities in the system particularly for cars registered before 2008 and those persons that cannot afford to pay their tax in a single annual lump sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax for pre-2008 cars is based on engine size. The basis of charging from 2008 onwards is on carbon dioxide emissions.
With the exception of some categories of vehicle that have a low annual rate, motor tax can be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable for the half-yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively. These relativities have remained generally consistent since the 1960's.
The differential takes account of the extra workload for staff in motor tax offices and the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which operates the online motor tax system, as well as the resultant administrative costs and printing costs that arise, including the issuing of renewal notices. Each quarterly renewal of motor tax follows the same administrative procedures as the annual renewal process. Consequently, renewing on a quarterly basis generates four times the workload of an annual renewal for the equivalent period.
Based on the number of transactions in 2016, the annual cost of abolishing the additional charge associated with the half-yearly and quarterly options would be in the order of €55.3m. Based on the current number of vehicles in the pre-2008 tax category, each reduction of 1% in motor tax rates for these vehicles would cost €5.3m annually. The loss of income that would arise from changing the current arrangements in either instance would have a negative impact on the total collected via motor tax and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally; any such changes could therefore only be considered in a Budgetary context.
2246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to abandon proposals to amalgamate Galway city and county council in view of the recent decision regarding Cork city and county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Expert Advisory Group review on Local Government Arrangements in Galway is carrying out detailed examination and planning in relation to local government arrangements in Galway arising from the 2015 report of the Galway Local Government Committee (published in October 2016), which unanimously recommended the establishment of a new unified “Greater Galway Authority”. An interim report by the Expert Advisory Group was submitted to me on 19 June and will now be considered in my Department.
The position in light of the interim report will be reflected in the wider report on local government which, under the Programme for Partnership Government, is being proposed for submission to Government and the Oireachtas. Preparation of this report is continuing in my Department with a view to its completion later in the Summer.
In the case of the local authority arrangements in Cork, the Cork Expert Advisory Group concluded that, on balance, an expanded City Council area offered the best governance model for Cork.
2247. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if all State bodies under the aegis of his Department have furnished a report confirming the State body has complied with its obligations under tax law for 2015 and 2016 as required under the code of practice for the governance of State bodies; the action which was taken regarding those bodies that did not submit such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll State Bodies under the aegis of my Department have submitted confirmation of their compliance with obligations under tax law for 2015.
In respect of the 2016 year the timeline for the submission of such confirmation does not expire until the end of June 2017.
2248. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when an announcement will be made regarding the national rent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has initiated a review of the Rent Predictability Measure. At this stage, the measure has been in place for 6 months and data from the Residential Tenancies Board’s Rent Index Report for Quarter 1 2017 is also available. Using this latest data, it will be possible to ascertain the effectiveness of the Rent Predictability Measure and whether any changes need to be made.
On 15 June, my Department also announced the launch of a public consultation on the review of the Rent Predictability Measure and the system of Rent Pressure Zones introduced last December. The consultation will allow members of the public and interested parties to provide their opinions and suggestions on the functioning of the measure. A consultation guideline is available on my Department's website and submissions can be made until Friday, 30 June. The submissions received from the consultation process will feed into the review of the measure.
2249. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the criteria for the allocation of funding under the housing adaptation grant scheme to local authorities across the State; and the reason the 2017 allocation to Donegal County Council is a fraction of the amount allocated to other local authorities serving a population less than County Donegal. [28719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAllocations in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability have been made to local authorities, for many years, based on their levels of contractual commitments. Local authorities were encouraged to maintain continuity in approving and paying grants and therefore, commitments carried forward into the new financial year had first call on available funding. This approach supported authorities that kept the grant schemes open and continued to approve eligible applications. Other local authorities adopted a more cautious approach and closed schemes when applications reached a certain level.
This had resulted in certain local authorities receiving a higher allocation than others per head of population. In response, the increases that have been secured in funding for these grants in recent years have been distributed in line with population. This approach has meant that no local authority's annual allocation has been decreased in recent years, but the distribution of funding is being progressively re-balanced with each increase, to be more aligned with population and that process will continue.
The careful management of these grants each year also supports the re-distribution of funding to those local authorities that have need and capacity for a greater level of spend. Any underspends emerging over the course of the year are re-allocated to local authorities that require additional funding and in this way, for example, Donegal County Council was allocated additional funding in 2016 over and above their original allocation. This approach will also continue in 2017.
2250. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the implementation of the new tenant purchase scheme and the expected date for the introduction of same. [28797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
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 Tenant Purchase 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 review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
2251. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to home owners advertising shared occupancy bunk beds (details supplied); the legal obligations of such activity; the rules or regulations in place to protect the rights of tenants in such accommodation; if his Department has intervened in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recognises that the quality of rental accommodation is critical to the success and sustainability of the residential rental sector and its attractiveness as a long-term accommodation option for households.
A key commitment in the Strategy was to review the regulations governing minimum standards in rented accommodation, to bring them into line with modern requirements. That review has now been completed and new Regulations, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, have been made and will come into operation on 1 July 2017. These Regulations will replace the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 and the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
In addition to the updated Regulations, procedures for a more efficient, standardised and transparent inspections and enforcement approach across all local authority areas will be introduced. Specific ring-fenced funding for inspections will be provided from 2018 onwards, with the aim of achieving a 25% annual inspection coverage of rental properties by 2021.
It is important to note that overcrowding and unfit houses are legislated for under Part IV of the Housing Act 1966. The Act defines overcrowding in terms of the numbers of persons sharing rooms and room size. Overcrowding may give rise to concerns in respect of fire safety, and may lead to enforcement action by fire authorities. Situations of overcrowding should be reported to the relevant local authority.
Partial use of houses as overnight guest accommodation, essentially for B+B purposes, is provided for as an exempted development under Regulation 10(4) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as long as not more than 4 bedrooms in a house are used and not more than 4 persons are accommodated in a bedroom.
Using a residential property as hostel accommodation is not exempted development and constitutes a change of use which would require planning permission.
Enforcement is a matter for the relevant local authority in its role as housing authority under the Housing Acts or as planning authority under the Planning and Development Acts, as the case may be.
2252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 30 May 2017, if every effort will be made to speed up the process of bringing forward guidelines to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with Mr. Denis Naughten T.D., the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, recently announced a "preferred draft approach" to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, focusing on noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, engagement with local communities, community dividend and grid connections.
A copy of the announcement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/coveney-and-naughten-announce-key-development-review-wind-energy-development-guidelines.
As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) will be undertaken on the "proposed draft approach" to the revised Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
It is envisaged that the SEA process will take approximately 9 months, including tendering for the appointment of SEA consultants and a public consultation period. In light of the SEA requirements, it is expected that the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until Q1 2018. In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
2253. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the release of untreated sewage into the River Boyne which is a special area of conservation at the beginning of June 2017 by Irish Water. [28843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary responsibility for ensuring the prevention of pollution rests with the local authorities, which are in turn supervised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this purpose. The Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 carry a general prohibition on the entry of any polluting matter to waters. Any persons causing or permitting polluting matter to enter waters is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €15,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.
The EPA is the statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland. Details of all prosecutions taken by the EPA for pollution incidents and details of its enforcement activities are published on the EPA's website (http://www.epa.ie/enforcement/).
While the incident in question was brought to my Department's attention, I have no direct role in the monitoring or supervision of water services. However, I understand that both Meath County Council and Irish Water have looked into this incident and a report has been sent to the EPA.
2255. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of homeless family hubs to be put in place; the location of same; the funding for and number of beds in each hub; and the date on which these beds will be occupied. [28930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the response to the commitment contained in Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness that, by mid-2017, hotels will only be used as emergency accommodation in limited circumstances, housing authorities are delivering a number of family-focused, supported temporary accommodation facilities (Family Hubs).
Family hubs are an important first response for families who become homeless and who have no alternative other than commercial hotels. The hubs will provide more appropriate and suitable accommodation for families. They are not a long term housing solution as families will move into houses and apartments that will be provided under social housing supports, as supply becomes available. This type of emergency accommodation provides a secure and stable placement for families on an on-going basis unlike the insecurity of hotel accommodation especially during peak periods and holidays.
These custom-developed facilities will offer family living arrangements 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. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services, cooking and laundry facilities and appropriate family supports.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities. Accordingly, specific information in relation to the number of families that will be accommodated in individual facilities is a matter for the Local Authorities. There are currently 15 family hubs, which are either completed or nearing completion in the greater Dublin area, where the need is greatest and I have requested that local authorities bring forward proposals for further family hubs.
Negotiations in relation to certain leasing and refurbishment costs of family hub projects across Dublin are on-going and the details are therefore commercially sensitive. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive has indicated that it is not in a position to release this information as to do so would compromise their negotiating position during this process, particularly against the background of the intention to bring forward proposals for further hubs.
Similar family facilities are being delivered in counties Limerick, Cork and Kildare.
2256. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he will publish legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services; and if this legislation will deal with the issue of ensuring financial equity to those in group and private water schemes. [28931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services was published on 12 April 2017 and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government approved the priority drafting of a Bill to give effect to relevant recommendations set out in the Committee's report on 30 May 2017. My Department is working with the Attorney General's Office on the drafting of the Bill with a view to it being published as soon as possible.
The Committee recommended that there should be equity of treatment and equivalent financial support between households on public water supplies and those in Group Schemes or using private supplies. When the details of the legislation are finalised, my Department will work with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes to ensure that households who do not receive public water services receive equivalent support to those that do.
2257. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the work of the departmental working group on the regulation on short-term letting, such as by a company (details supplied). [28932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of times the short-term letting working group has met since its formation in January 2017. [28993/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2257 and 2264 together.
Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector requires the establishment of a Working Group to provide clarity in relation to the appropriate regulatory approach, from a planning perspective, for short-term tourism-related lettings to address unintended consequences of short-term lettings, including withdrawal of supply from the rental market.
The Working Group met on 14 June and had a constructive discussion on the subject of appropriate guidance to planning authorities in relation to short-term lettings for tourism purposes. The group consists of representatives from my Department, the Departments of Finance and of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, An Bord Pleanála, Fáilte Ireland, the Residential Tenancies Board, and Dublin City Council.
The output of the Group will be a report on the appropriate regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings and the identification of the necessary amendments to legislation required to effect such regulation.
In addition to establishing a working group to consider short-term lettings, my Department has been engaging with AirBnB over the last number of months to explore the possibilities for a collaborative agreement, under which practical steps to be put in place to ensure, where there are risks that short-term letting may result the removal of significant numbers of properties from the rental market, that planning requirements are respected. Discussions in this context are ongoing with a view to agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding in the coming weeks. If successfully concluded, this approach is intended to form the basis for putting similar arrangements in place with other on-line platforms.
2258. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the work of the departmental working group on housing statistics. [28933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Data Analytics Group, convened by my Department, met for the first time on 3 May 2017 and is due to meet again on 5 July. The Group is made up of key stakeholders with a significant role and interest in housing matters. At its initial meeting, the Department presented the current position with regard to the housing statistics it publishes and the Central Statistics Office made a presentation on Census 2016 and in particular housing data gathered therein.
Once the summary note of the meeting is cleared by the Group, at its next meeting, it is our intention to publish it and all future meeting notes on the Rebuilding Ireland website (www.rebuildingireland.ie), along with the Group's Terms of Reference.
2259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if funding requests from the housing agency for the purchase of vacant homes were refused in 2016 or in 2017; if so, the amount refused; and the proposed units that were not purchased as a result of this refusal. [28934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Agency did not have any funding requests for the purchase of vacant homes refused in 2016 or 2017.
Under Actions 1.1, 2.5 and 5.6 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Housing Agency is actively and positively engaged with banks and investment companies in relation to its acquisitions programme. €70m is being provided in 2017 to the Housing Agency to establish a revolving fund to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use. The fund will be replenished by the Agency through the sale of units primarily to the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector.
As of 31st May 2017, the Housing Agency has signed contracts for 379 dwellings and 225 of these purchases have closed. The process of selling properties on to Approved Housing Bodies is underway.
2260. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the social housing developments which his Department is refusing to fund at 100%; the location of these developments; the number of units involved; and the reason 100% departmental funding is not being provided. [28935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing construction projects undertaken by local authorities are ordinarily funded in full by my Department. There could be rare situations where a local authority may wish to undertake additional works to a housing development from within its own resources, but this would be very much the exception. If there is a specific project of interest, I will have the matter considered further if more detailed information is supplied.
Social housing developments that are implemented through Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have different funding programmes and 100% Departmental funding may not always apply. For example, under the Capital Assistance Scheme, AHBs can avail of 100% funding if all tenancy nominations are to be made by the local authority, but reduced funding applies if the AHB wishes to retain a minority of nomination rights. AHBs also deliver social housing using the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) as a low interest loan to allow them access to early working capital (up to 30% of the relevant costs) for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of properties. Low interest rate borrowings are available to AHBs from the Housing Finance Agency to support the financing of the balance. The AHB effectively uses the CALF approval for the capital injection of up to 30% and the ongoing commitment of lease income under the Payment and Availability Agreement to leverage the balance of finance required.
2261. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the local electoral constituency boundary review for the 2019 local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent review of local electoral areas was carried out from November 2012 to May 2013 by a Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee established under the Local Government Act 1991. Unlike the position for Dáil and European Parliament constituencies, there is no constitutional or legislative requirement for the revision of local electoral areas.
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of requirements in relation to local government reform, involving a report to Government and the Oireachtas by mid-2017 on potential measures to boost local government leadership and accountability, including a commitment to consider reducing the size of local electoral areas.
Depending on the outcome of consideration of the mid-2017 report, any review of local electoral area boundaries would be undertaken in good time before the 2019 local elections.
Reviews of European Parliament constituencies are provided for in section 5 of the Electoral Act 1997 which requires the establishment of a Constituency Commission upon publication by the Central Statistics Office of preliminary census results. 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 respectively.
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.
2262. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are reluctant to sign up for the housing assistance payment scheme in fear they will be taken off the local authority housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the commencement of the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is considered to be a social housing support and consequently, households in receipt of HAP 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 on 1 March 2017, a further Ministerial Direction was issued, 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 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 356 households (at the end of Q1 2017) 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.
