Written Answers Nos. 1616-1635
1616. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he will publish details of the vacant homes audit and strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPillar 5 of the Government's Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is specifically focused on Utilising Existing Housing Stock, with a key objective of ensuring that the existing vacant housing stock throughout the country and across all forms of tenure, in both the public and private sectors, is used to the optimum degree possible. In this regard, Action 5.1 of Rebuilding Ireland commits to the development of a National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy, informed by Census 2016 data.
To this end, the Housing Agency established a working group comprising senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and from the Housing Agency itself to inform the Strategy. My Department has received the output from the work of this Group and is presently engaging with key Departments and Agencies to consider the analysis and agree on the recommended actions, prior to publication.
I would like to see as much ambition as possible in bringing as many viable vacant properties back into use at an early stage. I intend, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, to explore what further actions can be taken and what new ideas we can bring to bear, in close liaison with Ministerial colleagues. If budgetary measures are needed to reinforce the ambition, this may delay the publication of the Strategy. But this will not delay the commencement of important work at local level in gathering more accurate and up-to-date information on where vacant properties are and who owns them, so that we can facilitate the re-use of many vacant properties, particularly in our cities and towns.
Ahead of finalisation of the Strategy, it is important to note that my Department has already introduced a number of significant measures under Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland to incentivise the increased use of vacant housing stock to help meet the needs of those in receipt of social housing assistance. These initiatives include the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme, and the Housing Agency acquisitions fund.
Following my meeting with local authority Chief Executives last Thursday (20 July), I am eager to advance a number of early key actions with local authorities to ensure that the timing of publication of the strategy will not delay actions to get housing stock back into use.
1617. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities operate differing approaches to ensuring that boilers are serviced and maintained correctly; his views on the apparent absence of compliance in this area from some local authorities; if he has discussed this with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment; his further views on this and the impact the serious health and safety risks associated with this; his plans for legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority, as the statutory housing authority for its area. Responsibilities are also set by the local authorities, as landlords, for tenants of social housing which are normally set out in tenants' handbooks.
The Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, sets out a number of actions in relation to standards, with the combined aim of improving the quality and management of rental accommodation. On 1 July 2017, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 came into operation. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, fire safety, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply, with new requirements introduced focusing on tenant safety, including new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units, as well as other rented residential accommodation.
All landlords, including local authorities, have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority supported by a dedicated stream of funding provided from part of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees collected by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The capacity and effectiveness of the local authorities' inspections and enforcement systems are critical to ensure that the new standards result in high quality and safe rental accommodation.
Last year's report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) on this area of inspection activity made a series of recommendations for improvements. As a result of NOAC's review and my own Department's consideration of the matter, the Strategy for the Rental Sector specifically prioritises strengthening the inspection capacity of local authorities and increasing the number and frequency of inspections of rental properties. A shared services model for inspection and enforcement of the rental accommodation standards regulations will be developed by the local government sector. Procedures for a more efficient, standardised and transparent inspection and enforcement approach across all local authority areas will be introduced. Under the Rental Strategy, this is targeted for completion by Q4 2017 and my Department is working with the local authorities, through the City and County Management Association, to develop this new and more effective inspection and enforcement system.
Specific ring-fenced funding for inspection and compliance activity will be identified from 2018 onwards and annual targets for both inspection and compliance will be agreed with local authorities. The objective set out in the Strategy is to increase inspection numbers incrementally each year so that, by 2021, 25% of all rental properties are inspected annually.
With regard to further legislation in this area, my Department will shortly be publishing a guidance document to assist local authorities in their implementation of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017. While I understand that certain local authorities undertake the servicing of boilers themselves and in other cases, this is the responsibility of tenants and is specified as such in tenants' handbooks, I am satisfied that in all cases, the minimum standards for rental accommodation apply and it remains a matter for each of the local authorities to ensure they are in compliance with these minimum standards.
1618. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will change the income assessment guidelines for housing needs assessments to disregard family income supplement on the grounds that this income support is paid to households whose own income falls below levels the Government deems acceptable and, therefore, should not be taken into account when determining a household's housing need. [35056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports is scheduled to commence later this year.
1619. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will open the grant scheme to all eligible potential applications on the basis of reports commissioned by qualified engineers in view of the high rate of failures of domestic septic tanks functioning correctly. [35064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grant scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to require repair or upgrading. The grant scheme ensures that the limited financial resources available are targeted towards householders, particularly those on lower incomes, who incur expenditure directly as a result of the implementation of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.
The Regulations provide that, subject to the applicant meeting all qualification criteria, a local authority may pay a grant to a person who is required, following an inspection, to undertake repairs or upgrades to, or replacement of, a septic tank or other domestic waste water treatment system. Applications for grant aid are administered by the local authorities in whose functional area the particular domestic waste water treatment system requiring remediation is situated. Where a local authority pays a grant under the scheme, my Department will recoup 100% of the amount paid by the local authority. Full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are set out in the explanatory leaflet and application form published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/domestic-waste-water-systemsseptic-tanks/domestic-waste-water-treatment-0.
It is not proposed to make any changes to the grant scheme at this time.
Householders who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the grant under the aforementioned Regulations and who wish to remediate or upgrade their on-site treatment systems may qualify for relief under the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme introduced pursuant to Section 5 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013. The HRI Scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements, including the repair or replacement of septic tanks. The Scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and full details are published on the Revenue Commissioners' website at www.revenue.ie.
1620. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a landlord can withhold moneys from a deposit in lieu of outstanding water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. Sections 12 and 16 of the Act state that a landlord shall return or repay promptly any deposit paid by the tenant to the landlord on entering into the agreement for the tenancy or lease, unless there is a default in the payment of rent or any other charges or taxes payable by the tenant in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement, or where there is damage to the dwelling beyond normal wear and tear.
Where there are outstanding charges or taxes and the amount is equal to or greater than the amount of the deposit, the landlord is not required to return the deposit. If the amount of outstanding charges or taxes is below the amount of the deposit, the landlord is required to refund the deposit promptly less any deductions in respect of such charges or taxes.
Where there is a dispute between a landlord and tenant in relation to the return of a deposit, the dispute can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for resolution. In light of the Government's policy review on the application of water charges and the decision to refund any charges paid by customers, the RTB will take account of such matters in the determination of any such disputes.
1621. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the €330 million in capital commitments for the action plan on housing referenced in page 21 of the summer economic statement 2017 is included in the €788 million capital ceiling for housing referenced in page 32 part II expenditure allocation 2017 to 2019 published with budget 2017. [35125/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Economic Statement 2017 published by the Departments of Finance and of Public Expenditure and Reform refers (at page 21), in the context of preparations for Budget 2018, to the need to provide a further €0.33 billion to meet capital commitments in respect of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness 2016. This additional funding for housing programmes is included in the capital ceiling of €1.113 billion for my Department in 2018 which is referred to in the section of the Expenditure Report 2017 concerning my Department that was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of Budget 2017 (footnote, page 77), and is again referred to in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report 2017 (footnote, page 12), which is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website, www.per.gov.ie
1622. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to page 23 of the Irish Water business plan, the amount of the €533 million capital investment plan for 2017 which was government capital expenditure. [35133/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1623. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to page 23 of the Irish Water business plan, the amount of the €595 million capital investment projection for 2018 which is government capital expenditure. [35134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1622 and 1623 together.
Irish Water has set out its Capital Investment Plan up to the year 2021 in its Business Plan. In December 2016, the CER made a decision on the second regulatory period 2017-2018 setting allowed revenue for this period, including proposals on operational and capital budgets. A copy of the CER's decision is available on its website, www.cer.ie.
Irish Water’s capital programme is currently funded by a mix of debt, equity and an element of customer revenue, including operational subvention (the current operational subvention in line with the domestic water charging regime set out in the Water Services Act 2014 is equivalent to the purchase of water on behalf of domestic customers relating to a product subsidy, capped charges and child allowance).
A breakdown of funding requirements on cash-flow terms in line the Business Plan is set out in Irish Water's submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/futurefundingofdomesticwaterservices/fundingdomesticwaterandwastewaterservices/FFDWS_DE_S_46-Irish-Water-Funding.pdf?v=2.4.9. This document forecasts that the €531m capital spending in cash-flow terms in 2017 will be met by €270m in Equity provided by the Minister for Finance, €132m in Debt and the balance will be met from funding from customer revenue and subvention from my Department.
The future funding of Irish Water from State sources is currently under review following the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. Irrespective of the source of funding, all Irish Water spending net of customer revenue is counted as Government spending.
1624. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the spend on Traveller accommodation in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and the number of accommodation units provided in each year. [35152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment and delivery of the accommodation needs of Travellers through 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 traveller-specific accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
In 2014, local authorities adopted the fourth round of Traveller Accommodation Programmes, with the five-year rolling accommodation programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from the Department for Traveller accommodation, on foot of proposals received from local authorities and subject to approval from my Department.
Traveller-specific accommodation is funded by means of 100% capital funding from my Department. Capital funding of €9m for Traveller-specific accommodation is being provided in 2017, an increase of €3.5m (64% increase) on the 2016 allocation. This is the third consecutive year that the Traveller Accommodation capital budget has been increased. Over €870,000 has been recouped to Local Authorities to date in 2017.
My Department also provides current funding for accommodation-related supports, such as social workers' salaries and sites maintenance, to operate in tandem with the capital programme. Current funding of €4.3m is being provided in 2017, with over €2.1m recouped to local authorities to date.
While the funding recouped to Local Authorities by my Department supports the development and construction of traveller-specific accommodation, such as halting site bays and Traveller group housing, it is open to Travellers to opt for any form of State-supported accommodation, including local authority social housing, private rental accommodation with supports under Housing Assistance Payment/Rent Supplement. Local Authorities utilise the full range of suitable accommodation options in the planning and delivery of their TAPs.
The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2014-2016 and 2017 to date is set out in the tables. The number of units delivered in 2017 will be quantified at end-year.
Table 1
|
Year |
Capital |
Current |
|
2014 |
€3,163,688 |
€4,340,080 |
|
2015 |
€4,074,630 |
€4,761,412 |
|
2016 |
€4,267,831 |
€3,148,540 |
|
2017 (year to date) |
€871,767 |
€2,184,013 |
Table 2
|
Year |
Units of traveller-specific accommodation |
|
2014 |
44 |
|
2015 |
66 |
|
2016 |
56 |
1625. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of his Departments capital expenditure allocation in 2016 of €534 million and in 2017 of €732 million by project or programme type; the number of housing units delivered (details supplied) in tabular form. [35153/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 234 of 30 May 2017, which provided details on housing expenditure in 2016 and the allocation for housing programmes in 2017 in relation to both capital and current programmes. The further details requested in respect of capital housing programmes in 2016 and for 2017, are provided in the following table.
|
Capital Housing Programmes |
2016 Expenditure €million* |
2017 Allocation €million** |
|
Local Authority Housing |
251.9 |
307 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
37 |
66 |
|
Communal Facilities |
0 |
0.5 |
|
Mortgage to Rent |
13.6 |
17 |
|
Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
35.3 |
43 |
|
Traveller Accommodation |
4.3 |
9 |
|
Housing for People with a Disability |
0.2 |
0 |
|
Regeneration / Remedial Works |
64.3 |
56 |
|
Energy Efficiency / Retrofitting |
57.3 |
35.8 |
|
Repair and Leasing Scheme |
0 |
6 |
|
Private House Adaptation Grants |
40.6 |
47.8 |
|
Mortgage Allowance |
0.5 |
0.6 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
0 |
50 |
|
Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency |
2.5 |
70 |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
0 |
0.95 |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
26.6 |
22 |
|
Total |
534 |
732 |
*Includes expenditure from surplus LPT receipts
**Includes surplus LPT allocation
Details on the number of social housing properties constructed, purchased and leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies, for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists, are published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. Some of these details are currently being finalised in respect of quarter four of 2016 and will be published shortly, with information on quarter one 2017 to follow thereafter. However, I can confirm that the housing needs of over 19,000 households were met in 2016.
My intention is that the delivery of social housing will continue to be accelerated. Total funding of €1.3 billion has been provided for 2017 to meet the housing needs of over 21,000 households.
1626. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 7 February 2017, the steps being taken to locate the environmental assessment reports; if a third party investigation will be carried out in respect of the missing reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35160/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the reply to Question Number 198 of 8 November 2016, it was indicated that, following a search of the foreshore records, my Department had not been able to locate the environmental assessment reports requested in respect of the granting of the 2006 lease and that further enquires to include the Departments who held responsibility for the foreshore function at the time of the original application in 2005 would be made.
Subsequently, in the reply to Question Number 290 of 7 February 2017, it was stated that the Departments that held responsibility for the foreshore function at the time had been unable to locate the environmental assessment reports requested in respect of the granting of the 2006 lease.
Both my Department and those that held responsibility for foreshore functions at the time of the original application in 2005 have been unable to locate the environmental assessment reports requested in respect of the granting of the 2006 lease. There are no plans to carry out a third party investigation of the matter.
1627. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if voluntary committees such as those that run local community halls are exempt from water charges; and his plans to introduce measures to ease the burden on such groups. [35167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
From 2001, national water pricing policy required local authorities to recover the costs of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services. This policy provided for charges based on actual metered consumption and is consistent with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Non-domestic customers, connected to a public water supply, are liable for charges. It should be noted that the existing tariffs for all non-domestic customers are remaining in place with no changes for the time being.
The CER is progressing a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. The CER has recently published an information note informing customers and interested parties about the project and will shortly engage in a period of public consultation on the enduring tariff framework for non-domestic water and or wastewater customers of Irish Water.
1628. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of a proposed water scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in establishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 includes funding for new group water schemes, through Measure 3. This measure supports social and economic development in rural towns and villages and their hinterlands by providing new group water schemes where public water supply schemes or private wells are not an option.
Local authorities were invited in January 2016 to submit bids under the new programme. Mayo County Council included the proposed Kilmurray Group Water Scheme in its bids under Measure 3. In total, 58 Bids were received from 16 local authorities requesting funding under this measure.
An Expert Panel was convened by my Department to examine the 2016 bids from local authorities for projects under a number of the programme’s measures, including Measure 3, and to make recommendations to my Department on funding. The Panel recommended a priority list of 11 schemes under Measure 3 to my Department, which accepted the recommendations in full when approving the rural water allocations for 2016. The priority list recommended by the Panel did not include the proposed Kilmurray Group Water Scheme.
As the approvals under Measure 3 were for the duration of the programme, there is currently no scope for any additional schemes.
A copy of the Expert Panel's report and consideration of all proposals under the programme is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
1629. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the procedures followed in the assessment of foreshore lease applications; the progress made to date in the consideration of the application by an institute (details supplied) based on this process; when it is expected that a decision will be made on this application; the minister which will be making a decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35240/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1643. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the specific sequence of steps to be followed under appropriate regulations and legislation for the foreshore lease application process; his department's assessment process regarding foreshore lease planning applications; the progress made to date in the consideration of the application by the Marine Institute for the construction of a project (details supplied) on Galway Bay based on this process; when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35663/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1629 and 1643 together.
My Department has developed a standard set of procedures that are followed during the application for a lease or licence and the subsequent assessment of that application.
1. Pre-application Stage
The first stage is called the pre-application stage. This is an informal stage during which officials of my Department will engage with the potential applicant in relation to elements required to progress to application stage. They may meet with the potential applicant at this time if it is felt necessary. The applicant then progresses to formal application stage.
2. Formal submission of an application
Once an applicant has submitted a formal application for a lease or licence the application form and supporting documentation is reviewed for completeness by either a member of the Water and Marine Advisory Unit (WMAU) or the Chair of the MLVC (Dr. Terry McMahon, Marine Institute). In the case of the Marine Institute application, Dr. Terry McMahon was not involved at any stage in the process and this stage was carried out by a member of the WMAU. If an application is acceptable at this stage it progresses to the consultation phase.
3. Consultation Phase
The length of the consultation period is determined by the size, nature and scale of the proposal and whether the application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In general, non EIS cases are the subject of a 21 day public consultation period whereas the consultation period for EIS cases is two months. As the Minister with responsibility for foreshore related matters I am also free to extend the consultation period if I consider it is necessary.
In the case of the Marine Institute application (FS006566), the Minister at that time considered it necessary to extend the public consultation period on three occasions from an initial end date of 17 June 2016 to a final end date of 9 September 2016.
Irrespective of the length of the consultation period there are two types of consultations undertaken as follows:
- Public Consultation;
- Prescribed Bodies Consultation.
- The public consultation invites submissions from members of the public and any other interested individuals or organisations. Over 500 submissions were received from the public and other interested parties during the extended public consultation period in the case of the application concerned.
- The prescribed bodies consultation invites submission from a list of bodies as prescribed under the Foreshore Regulations 2011. With the exception of the Heritage Council, comments were received from all of the bodies contacted under the prescribed bodies consultation.
- It should be noted that the two consultations may occur simultaneously.
- Following completion of the public and prescribed bodies consultations, the submissions are provided to the applicant for comment. All submissions together with the applicant's responses to the concerns raised are published on my Department's website.
4. Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) Stage
- The Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) is an ad hoc multi-disciplinary committee which is convened, as required, for the purposes of undertaking a technical assessment of an application under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. It is not established on a statutory basis and members undertake to participate in each instance as representatives of their individual organisations.
- In all cases, the application and supporting documentation together with all the submissions received from both the prescribed bodies and the public are considered in detail during the course of assessing the application. Screening under Environmental Legislation including the Birds and Habitats Directives (Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening) will be formally carried out at this stage. Only after these steps have been completed and the application fully assessed will a recommendation be made by the MLVC and a completed report provided as part of the submission for determination. It is also open to me as the Minister with responsibility for making the decision on this application to seek advices from whatever body I deem necessary in the determination of the application.
- In relation to the application in question, the report of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC), which is a key element of the foreshore decision-making process, was completed on 6 July 2017. I expect a decision to be made on this application shortly.
5. Lease/Licence Drafting and Execution
- After a determination has been made the lease or licence is drafted by the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
1630. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the Minister or Ministers with responsibility for appropriate assessment in compliance with the appropriate assessment EU directive relating to foreshore lease licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35241/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, as Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, have responsibility for regulating the use of the foreshore in Ireland in accordance with both the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, and any applicable European environmental legislation, including the EIA and Birds and Habitats Directives.
During the course of assessing an application for a foreshore lease or licence a technical evaluation is undertaken, by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC), of the application and its supporting documentation, together with any submissions received during the public and prescribed bodies consultations and the applicants responses to same. The evaluation also includes Appropriate Assessment Screening under the Birds and Habitats Directives to determine the requirement for a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
1631. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if homes which have no previous tenant occupancy can apply for the repair and lease housing scheme administered by local authorities; if a person (details supplied) can have the council decision appealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1632. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to expand the scheme to include unfinished dwellings in view of the demand for social and affordable housing and the existence of a large number of unfinished dwellings in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1633. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of applications for the repair and release scheme refused on the basis of no previous tenant occupancy for example in the case of a person (details supplied) or on the basis of unfinished dwelling since its introduction, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1631 to 1633, inclusive, together.
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland. The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property.
Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs up to a maximum of €40,000 will be met upfront by the local authority or an approved housing body (AHB). The relevant local authority determines eligibility for the scheme having regard to the location and suitability of the property for social housing and also taking into consideration the extent of the repairs that may be required. It is a condition for acceptance into the scheme that properties have been vacant for at least 12 months.
Following on from the success of the initial Repair and Leasing pilot in Waterford and Carlow local authorities, the pilot scheme was expanded on a national basis from 23 February 2017. The operation of the pilot scheme nationally is providing valuable data to facilitate a full on-going appraisal of the scheme, assess the demand and potential nationwide and also to continue to resolve any operational issues that may arise during implementation. Any expansion or proposed changes to the conditions of the scheme are being kept under review and considered in that context.
My Department is currently gathering data from local authorities in order to report progress in what was the first full quarter of operation of the national scheme and this will be published on my Department's website in due course.
1634. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of persons employed over the past three years by the 13 approved housing agencies tier three; the salary paid to these employees over the past three years; the number of new housing units completed over the past three years; the number of housing units procured and refurbished over the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, housing authorities may provide assistance to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision and management of housing accommodation. As Minister, I am empowered to grant approved status to housing bodies for this purpose. AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations, which can also include housing co-operatives, which are housing organisations controlled by their members/tenants who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
Information in relation to specific terms and conditions and number of AHB staff is not held in my Department. The appointment of personnel to AHBs, such as housing associations, is a matter for their individual Boards. I have no role in relation to such appointments nor does my Department collate data relating to the salaries paid to staff in AHBs.
To date, there are 547 bodies with approved status. The register of AHBs can be found on my Department's website at:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/voluntary-and-cooperative-housing/register-housing-bodies-approved-status.
In 2014, my Department established an interim Regulatory Committee for the AHB Sector under the auspices of the Housing Agency, which, supported by a Regulation Office based within the Agency, oversees implementation of the voluntary regulation code (VRC) for AHBs. At present, 245 AHBs have signed up to the VRC.
In its 2015 Annual Report and Sectoral Analysis, which is available at:
https://www.housingagency.ie/Housing/media/Media/AHB%20Regulation/Regulation-Office-2015-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf, the Regulation Office stated that the 203 AHBs, which at that time had signed up to the VRC, had a total portfolio of 26,904 dwellings and estimated that this constituted more than 90% of the total estimated housing stock in the sector. The final figures for the 2016 Annual Report are not yet available but are likely to show an increase of around 15% in the number of registered bodies with a proportionately smaller increase in the number of dwellings, as the newer registrations mostly comprise smaller AHBs.
Some key statistics from the Regulation Office's Annual Report for 2015 include:
- Tier 3 AHBs (those AHBs with more than 300 units) account for 73% of regulated stock.
- Total social housing asset value of Tier 3 AHBs was €1.9bn.
- €1.7bn in capital grants have been invested by Government in Tier 3 AHBs.
- The report also provides global income and expenditure figures for Tier 3 AHBs.
- Overall, AHBs report that they employ approximately 6,500 staff. This number is significantly influenced by those AHBs whose operations are predominately care and service orientated. The Regulation Office is working with the larger service- orientated AHBs to ensure greater visibility in the split between housing and other service staffing.
Rebuilding Ireland targets the delivery of 47,000 social housing units in the period to 2021. It is estimated that AHBs have the capacity to contribute around one third of these 47,000 new social housing units using a range of delivery methods, including construction, acquisitions and leasing.
Significant progress has been made by the AHB sector over the last number of years, including the delivery of 1,169 units across both capital and leasing schemes in 2016 alone. A strong pipeline of new social housing supply is also evident in the latest Rebuilding Ireland Social Housing Construction Status Report, which is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/ .
The Report provides details of 607 social housing schemes and 10,072 associated units at various stages of development, including 249 AHB projects, with 4,209 associated units.
More broadly, details on the number of properties constructed, purchased and leased in all local authorities areas for letting to those on social housing waiting lists are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. Information relating to Q4 2016 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
1635. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 16 May 2017, the status of the review of the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
