Written Answers Nos. 826-840
826. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of an application by Meath County Council for 25 housing units in Dunshaughlin, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra827. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason certain applications for social housing funding by Meath County Council were not successful in the recent allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 826 and 827 together.
A proposal for a 25-unit project in Dunshaughlin was recently submitted to my Department from Meath County Council.
Following an initial examination of the proposal, additional information was sought from Meath County Council in order to facilitate a full assessment of the project in question. I am advised that Meath County Council are currently preparing a response to my Department's queries and the Deputy can be assured that on receipt of this response, my Department will complete its assessment of this project and revert to Meath County Council on this issue, as a matter of urgency.
828. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason behind the changes to section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 made in section 28 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. [32743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra829. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the changes to section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 made in section 28 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 have not yet been commenced. [32744/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the European Commission was in contact with Ireland regarding the changes to section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 made in section 28 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 in advance of or subsequent to the enactment of the 2016 Act; and if so, the content of such communications. [32745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 828 to 830, inclusive, together.
Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that a planning authority may, on application and in certain circumstances, extend once only the duration of an existing planning permission for a maximum period of 5 years, subject, at the authority’s discretion, to compliance with certain conditions.
The Government’s Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness committed to give further consideration to amending section 42 of the 2000 Act to provide for a further extension of the duration of current permissions that have already benefitted from one extension of duration for a specified period. Legislative amendments to give effect to this commitment are provided for in section 28(2) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, amending section 42 of the 2000 Act, and, inter alia, are limited to housing developments of 20 units or more which have substantial works carried out.
In addition, section 28(1) of the 2016 Act inserted an amended eligibility condition into section 42 of the 2000 Act relating to environmental impact assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment (AA). It provides that any developments that required EIA or AA at the time of the original permission will not qualify for an extension of duration of the permission and the new condition will apply to both developments where substantial work has been completed and developments where work has not commenced. The purpose of this amended eligibility condition is to avoid an extension of time being granted for developments where, for whatever reason, EIA or AA was required but not carried out at the time of the original permission or where EIA or AA was carried out at that time but is now arguably out of date.
Due to the drafting construction of section 28 of the 2016 Act with these two separate provisions, it has not been possible to specifically commence the second provision above without also commencing the first, which was always intended to be commenced at a later date to allow any potentially impacted developments to prepare for these new legislative requirements. Accordingly, I am proposing to make certain necessary amendments to section 28(2) of the 2016 Act to address this issue.
It was originally intended to make these amendments in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 which is progressing through the Oireachtas and is presently at Dáil Report Stage. However, due to the limited time available in the current session, I have obtained Government approval to introduce these amendments in a short priority Bill – the Planning and Development (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2017 – with a view to completing its passage through both Houses before the Oireachtas Summer recess. Following enactment, I will be in a position to commence section 28(2), relating to the potential for a second extension of duration for planning permissions for housing developments of 20 units or more, as a matter of priority. Subsequently, I will then consider the commencement of section 28(1).
I have not had any engagement with the European Commission on this proposed provision.
831. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an anomalous situation in Dublin City Council whereby persons and families who are on the housing transfer list can see their positions on the list stagnate or regress owing to others joining the list from different areas and priority bands; if he will liaise with Dublin City Council to ensure priority is given to those that have been waiting longest for transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant housing authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all housing authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
Section 22(17) of the 2009 Act provides that the Minister’s power to direct a housing authority regarding the operation of its allocation scheme shall not be construed or operate to enable the Minister to direct the allocation of a dwelling to a particular household.
I am, therefore, precluded from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by housing authorities in the allocation of particular dwellings.
832. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 636 of 27 June 2017, if the Nevin Economic Research Institute, NERI, will be a member of this expert group in view of the housing crisis and the fact that the target date for the report from the expert group to be delivered by the end of the third quarter is no later than the fourth quarter of 2017. [32959/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra833. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 27 June 2017 (details supplied), the scale of the cost rental agency being considered; and his views on whether it should be aiming at 10,000 to 20,000 rental units per annum on local authority lands such as St. Michael's estate in Inchicore. [32960/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 832 and 833 together.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, noted that the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to develop a "cost rental" option, taking account of work already completed in this area, including by the National Economic and Social Council and others.
In line with this commitment, Action 12 of the Strategy commits my Department to lead an expert group to develop a cost rental model for the Irish rental sector. This Group will address issues such as funding mechanisms, the need to grow the necessary institutional capacity, particularly within the AHB and not-for-profit sector (whether through mergers, new entrants or strategic partnerships), rent levels, the households to be targeted and the appropriate regulation mechanisms.
The Expert Group will assess the benefits that a larger and more developed not-for-profit segment would bring to the rental sector and the housing system, by increasing supply of rental accommodation for middle-income households and ensuring new capacity is developed and attracted into Ireland. The Expert Group will also consider various proposals, including the proposal to establish a semi-State company to progress the cost rental model, in the course of its work.
It is my intention to establish this Expert Group in the coming weeks and the development of a proposal regarding its membership and terms of reference is currently being prepared in my Department. As committed in the Rental Strategy, it is envisaged that the Expert Group will report initially before the end of the year.
834. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for family hubs in areas of Rathfarnham, Templeogue, Terenure and Tallaght; the number of hubs planned; the location of each; the number of families to be accommodated in each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the response to the commitment contained in the 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. 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 accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, while my Department’s role involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. It will therefore be a matter for the relevant housing authorities to consider the ongoing need for such facilities in their areas within the overall context of their social housing delivery programmes.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, there are currently 15 supported temporary accommodation facilities advancing in the Dublin region; however, none of these are currently located in the areas referred to by the Deputy. It should be noted that specific information in relation to the number of families accommodated in individual facilities in Dublin is a matter for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
835. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if construction work can be carried out in areas in which planning permission was granted that was subject to an environmental impact assessment in circumstances in which it is not in line with the planning permission granted; if the planning authority or An Bord Pleanála can grant permission for retention works that have already commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.
Any development that is carried out without planning permission or that does not comply with the terms of a planning permission is unauthorised development and may be subject to enforcement action by a planning authority. Responsibility for enforcement action in relation to any breach of the planning code is a matter for individual planning authorities and there are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Act.
Where a development has been carried out without first obtaining the necessary planning permission, the developer may apply to their planning authority for retention permission. An application for retention permission is required to be assessed by a planning authority in the same way as any other application, that is, the planning authority is required to consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received, and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
However, section 34(12) of the Act specifically provides that applications for retention permission must not be accepted where a planning authority decides that if an application had been made in respect of the development concerned before it commenced, the application would have required an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment, or would have required a determination as to whether an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment was required.
Where the planning authority refuses to consider an application in these circumstances, it is open to the applicant to pursue the matter under the existing procedures for substitute consent under Part XA of the Act, in which case an application must be made to An Bord Pleanála, seeking leave to apply for substitute consent in the first instance.
836. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding available for a project (details supplied); the details of funding provided to end of 2016, available in 2017 and expected funds to be available in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of Portlaoise Library is supported by my Department under the Libraries Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021. Under the programme, my Department has allocated a contribution of €1.65million towards the overall cost of the proposed development.
No funding has been drawn down by Laois County Council to date in respect of this project. However, work has commenced on the development of the project and it is expected that funds will be drawn down by Laois County Council on a phased basis over the period 2018-2019.
837. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the unallocated spend within his Department for 2017; the expenditure allocated to programmes in 2017 which are due to cease in 2017; the funds that will become available within his Department's expenditure profile in 2018 due to changes in demand for services and goods and-or changes to costs within his Department and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32241/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pension Votes in 2017 is over €921m. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of the Defence Forces and civil servants and civilian employees in the Defence Sector, ongoing standing and operational costs of the Defence Forces and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces as well as funding for Civil Defence and a grant towards the running costs of the Irish Red Cross.
The budget allocation allows the Defence Forces to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, and facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
The Defence and Army Pensions Estimate Provision for 2017 is expected to be fully expended by year-end. The expenditure allocation for 2018 will not be settled until the budgetary process is concluded later in the year. No reduction in demand for goods and services is envisaged for 2018. Defence expenditure programmes are on-going in nature and none are due to cease in 2017, with capital programmes for replacement of essential equipment for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure continuing to require funding for 2018 and subsequent years.
838. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps is proceeding with attempts to medically dismiss a serving Air Corps health and safety whistleblower, whom he met recently, in direct contravention of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate of me to comment on individual personnel cases. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces and my Department are fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014, and to the protections contained in that Act.
839. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed in, or in agencies funded by, his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel and civilian employees attached to military installations.
The annual cost, including Employer’s PRSI, of implementing a living wage of €11.70 per hour in respect of Civil Service Staff and Civilian Employees employed by my Department is estimated at €82,464.98. The costs in relation to Civilian Employees do not include those employees who are undergoing apprenticeship training.
The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force contain professional and technical remuneration elements in addition to allowances in the nature of pay which reflect the unique aspects of military life both at home and abroad. As such, the non-standard time and attendance patterns of military personnel and the rates of remuneration associated with a wide spectrum of duties undertaken by such military personnel can vary across the different branches of the Defence Forces and, consequently, does not facilitate the general application of a threshold rate of pay.
840. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure by the Department of Defence for photography, advertising, public relations, website development and media interview training and preparation in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and up to 6 July 2017 is set out in the following tables. There was no expenditure in the past five years on communications advice.
In relation to expenditure in these areas for the Defence Forces, it was not possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe available. I shall provide the figures to the Deputy when I receive them from the military authorities.
Photography:
|
Year |
Company |
Total |
|
2012 |
Fennell Photography |
€116.85 |
|
2013 |
Maxwell Photography |
€17.22 |
|
2014 |
Maxwell Photography |
€713.40 |
|
2017 |
Maxwell Photography |
€590.40 |
Advertising:
|
Year |
Company |
Total |
|
2012 |
Ard Education |
€1,476.00 |
|
|
Roscrea People |
€300.00 |
|
|
Public Appointments Service |
€10,938.73 |
|
|
Reed Business Information Ltd |
€760.06 |
|
|
Brindley Advertising |
€29,884.24 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€959.40 |
|
|
The Heritage Guide |
€630.00 |
|
2013 |
Ard Education |
€677.00 |
|
|
Roscrea People |
€300.00 |
|
|
Mediavest |
€49,807.08 |
|
|
Brindley Advertising |
€52,917.31 |
|
|
Health & Safety Times |
€1,230.00 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€1,199.25 |
|
|
Walking World Ireland |
€1,353.00 |
|
|
Irish Food Publishers |
€774.90 |
|
2014 |
Health & Safety Times |
€861.00 |
|
|
Ard Education |
€800.00 |
|
|
Roscrea People |
€300.00 |
|
|
Mediavest |
€90,783.82 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€1,199.25 |
|
|
Irish Food Publishers |
€774.90 |
|
2015 |
Ard Education |
€800.00 |
|
|
Roscrea People |
€300.00 |
|
|
Mediavest Ltd. |
€77,949.90 |
|
|
Silchester Marketing |
€879.45 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€1,199.25 |
|
|
Irish Food Publishers |
€774.90 |
|
2016 |
JP Devlin Media |
€4,982.00 |
|
|
Ard Education |
€984.00 |
|
|
Digital Media Enterprises |
€529.00 |
|
|
Roscrea People |
€300.00 |
|
|
Mediavest Ltd. |
€85,579.42 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€1,199.25 |
|
|
Irish Food Publishers |
€774.90 |
|
|
IASW |
€300.00 |
|
1.1.2017 to 6.7.2017 |
Mediavest |
€28,607.32 |
|
|
North Wicklow Times |
€959.40 |
|
|
Europus |
€61.50 |
Public Relations:
|
Year |
Company |
Total |
|
2015 |
Seven Star Ireland |
€3,383.00 |
Website Development:
|
Year |
Company |
Total |
|
2012 |
Webcloud |
€2,140.20 |
|
2014 |
Fusio Ltd |
€15,990.00 |
Media Interview Training:
|
Year |
Company |
Total |
|
2016 |
Carr Communications |
€750.00 |
