Written Answers Nos. 222-226
222. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address the anomaly whereby the maximum HAP allocation is between 23% and 47% less than the average rental price in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49673/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently over 29,800 households in receipt of HAP and over 20,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation, the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended). The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on the household size and the rental market within that area. HAP applicants are informed of the maximum rent limits for their local authority area; these elements of the scheme are stated in the HAP Tenant Information Booklet, on the dedicated HAP website, www.hap.ie, and local authority staff are expected to explain them to each HAP applicant.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. Greater enhanced support is also statutorily provided for in the Dublin Region for homeless households. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis. Local authorities must also be cognisant of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act when approving increases in HAP payments and advise tenants accordingly.
My Department is aware that some HAP recipients are making payments directly to their landlords, beyond the amount of HAP being paid on their behalf. There is no legislative provision precluding HAP supported households contributing towards the monthly rent to their landlord. Where a qualified household sources accommodation outside the maximum rent limits, it is important to highlight the responsibility falling on the household as set out in their tenancy agreement. From available data, at the end of Q2 2017, and excluding the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region, 12.6% of HAP households nationally were benefiting from the flexibility to exceed the rent limits. In the Kerry local authority area, 27 of the 194 households supported by HAP at that point, or 13.9% of households, were benefiting from the flexibility to exceed the rent limits. The average level of discretion being provided to those households was 13.4% in excess of the rent limits.
The data available to my Department indicates that the current rent limits and the flexibility to exceed those rent limits, continues to provide local authorities with sufficient capacity to assist households in securing rented accommodation that meets their needs. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland.
224. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1358 of 7 November 2017, the criteria used to classify voids. [49710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraVacant social houses are those that are in need of far greater levels of repair in order to bring them up to a lettable, energy efficient condition and are vacant pending that work. The funding criteria involved are listed in the following table.
|
Energy Efficient Measures -50% ERDF Co Funded |
Max Grant |
|
300mm Attic Insulation |
€500 |
|
Cavity Wall Insulation or Dryling Wall |
€1,000 |
|
External Wall Insulation in lieu of cavity wall insulation or dry lining Terrace/End Terrace |
Terrace €4,500 |
|
End Tec €7,500 |
|
|
Window & External Door Replacement |
€4,750 |
|
Replacement Boiler or Installation of Renewable Heating System with fully Integrated Heating Controls with exception for solid fuelled central heating appliances. |
€1,750 |
|
Replacement Radiators and Pipework |
€750 |
|
Installation of Room Space Heating Stove |
€1,000 |
|
Total |
Terrace €14,250 End Tec €17,250 |
|
Ancillary Measures if required |
Max Grant |
|
Installation of Kitchen |
€1,200 |
|
Installation of Bathroom |
€1,000 |
|
Rewiring of Smoke Alarm |
€2,300 |
|
Plumbing |
€800 |
|
Internal Joinery |
€800 |
|
Internal Painting |
€1,500 |
|
External Painting |
€1,100 |
|
Gutter Downpipes/Foul Water Systems |
€500 |
|
Wheel Chair Access |
€500 |
|
External Works Upgrade |
€800 |
|
Waste Disposal |
€250 |
|
Other Necessary Works not specified Above. |
€2,000 |
|
Total |
€12,750 |
225. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the licensing of mechanical harvesting of seaweed and kelp in the Bantry Bay area; and the policy in respect of mechanical harvesting of these resources by private companies. [49739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application to harvest seaweed in Bantry Bay was originally received in 2009, approved in principle in 2011 and the legal papers giving effect to the decision were completed in 2014. The licence requires the submission and approval of a detailed monitoring plan prior to the commencement of harvesting. The monitoring plan is under consideration in my Department at present.
The proposed rotational harvesting plan ensures that only a portion of the bay is harvested each year. To strengthen the sustainability of the harvesting plan for the licenced area within the bay, the harvesting will also be subject to a strict monitoring programme based on an associated baseline study. All costs associated with the baseline study and associated with the monitoring programme were or will be fully borne by the licensee.
All details of the application and determination are available on my Department’s website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/foreshore/applications/bioatlantis-ltd.
Should an unacceptable impact on the environment be observed, I will have no hesitation in acting to modify/restrict harvest practices and schedules as necessary; this is provided for in the licence.
It is considered that valuable scientific information will become available from the monitoring programme. This in conjunction with other work and research will feed into future policy formation in the area of seaweed harvesting aimed towards the sustainable development of the seaweed industry.
226. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 15 November 2017, the meaning of his statement on advance funding in the case of Cork County Council (details supplied); the details of this approach; if it is available to each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of a number of turnkey projects, Cork County Council is progressing an approach in certain situations whereby land is provided as security against the provision of a limited deposit. The availability of this approach to other local authorities will be considered where it is feasible and is recommended by the local authority.
