Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3788/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning Issues
Ceisteanna (238)
Freagraí scríofa
The zoning of lands for particular uses is a reserved function of the elected members of a planning authority, in accordance with the statutory development plan procedures under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Chapter 4 of the 2007 Development Plans Guidelines issued under section 28 of the Act provides a framework to be used, when considering decisions on zoning as part of the development plan process.
In relation to the specific issue referred to, I have been informed that Kerry County Council's Renewable Energy Strategy was adopted by way of a Variation to the Kerry County Development Plan 2009-2015 on 5th November 2012. The preparation of this Strategy was preceded by a Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), which informed the Strategy, but did not form part of the Strategy or the County Development Plan.
The Current County Development Plan 2015-2021 was adopted on 16 February 2016 and included the 2012 Renewable Energy Strategy.
While Local Authorities have been advised not to review planning policy until a review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 has been completed, I am aware that Kerry County Council have begun a review of their LCA which, upon completion, will best position the Council to consider a policy review, once the revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines have been finalised and published.
Local Authority Housing Mortgages
Ceisteanna (239)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:239. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 17 of January 2018, and in view of the announcement of the introduction of the new scheme Rebuilding Ireland home loan, his plans to amend this loan scheme to include persons that are not first time buyers but due to changed circumstances, for example, marriage, separation or ill-health had to sell their home and are unable to secure home mortgages through commercial lending institutions (details supplied). [3822/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, I am introducing a new loan offering, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, with effect from 1 February 2018. The new loan will enable credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not have otherwise been able to afford at a higher interest rate.
As with previous local authority house purchase loan finance, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first time buyers only. There is no change in this regard. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.
The option currently available for non-first time buyers is to seek home loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.
Local Authority Funding
Ceisteanna (240)
Niall Collins
Ceist:240. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to each local authority in each of the years 2015 to 2017 with respect to refurbishing voids, purchasing properties, building new units and for HAP, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested is set out in the table.
For 2017, in addition to the funding provided to local authorities under the build and acquisition programme, further funding of €70 million was provided in respect of the Housing Agency Acquisitions programme to facilitate the acquisition of suitable portfolios of properties for social housing from financial institutions and investors.
In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but rather recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.
My Department has since 2015 provided local authorities with a HAP administrative payment of €150 per HAP household on the basis of the cumulative number of new households supported through HAP in each year. This administrative payment recognises the resources required to manage the HAP process by local authorities.
|
|
2015 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
|
Local Authority |
LA/AHB Build & Acquisition €m |
Voids €m |
HAP €m |
LA/AHB Build & Acquisition €m |
Voids €m |
HAP €m |
LA/AHB Build & Acquisition €m |
Voids €m |
HAP €m |
|
Carlow |
2.35 |
0.30 |
0.03 |
4.82 |
0.07 |
0.05 |
9.13 |
0.09 |
0.02 |
|
Cavan |
2.23 |
0.31 |
0.00 |
2.84 |
0.31 |
0.01 |
3.85 |
0.30 |
0.01 |
|
Clare |
4.23 |
1.47 |
0.04 |
4.13 |
1.33 |
0.12 |
14.76 |
0.97 |
0.05 |
|
Cork County |
9.92 |
2.09 |
0.15 |
22.03 |
1.27 |
0.15 |
42.44 |
1.13 |
0.08 |
|
Donegal |
2.13 |
1.00 |
0.08 |
2.87 |
0.99 |
0.14 |
12.15 |
1.87 |
0.06 |
|
DL Rathdown |
16.20 |
0.26 |
0.00 |
13.99 |
0.18 |
0.00 |
37.81 |
0.28 |
0.01 |
|
Fingal |
37.07 |
1.63 |
0.00 |
15.64 |
1.73 |
0.00 |
52.25 |
1.33 |
0.02 |
|
Galway |
1.44 |
0.71 |
0.01 |
4.43 |
0.47 |
0.06 |
5.78 |
0.40 |
0.03 |
|
Kerry |
4.53 |
0.89 |
0.00 |
4.78 |
0.92 |
0.01 |
12.16 |
1.10 |
0.03 |
|
Kildare |
13.95 |
0.36 |
0.01 |
23.4 |
0.49 |
0.11 |
39.47 |
0.21 |
0.06 |
|
Kilkenny |
6.62 |
0.38 |
0.09 |
8.47 |
0.35 |
0.05 |
14.65 |
0.31 |
0.02 |
|
Laois |
4.66 |
0.06 |
0.00 |
3.87 |
0.10 |
0.00 |
9.42 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
|
Leitrim |
0.36 |
0.18 |
0.00 |
1.46 |
0.71 |
0.01 |
1.58 |
0.00 |
0.01 |
|
Limerick |
0.80 |
0.50 |
14.81 |
4.64 |
0.38 |
55.99 |
12.19 |
0.22 |
141.09 |
|
Longford |
0.64 |
0.43 |
0.00 |
1.59 |
0.51 |
0.00 |
4.45 |
0.00 |
0.01 |
|
Louth |
5.18 |
0.29 |
0.10 |
9.57 |
0.09 |
0.10 |
7.34 |
0.08 |
0.07 |
|
Mayo |
1.84 |
0.29 |
0.01 |
5.27 |
0.23 |
0.06 |
6.40 |
0.26 |
0.04 |
|
Meath |
5.25 |
0.86 |
0.01 |
17.44 |
1.44 |
0.07 |
20.00 |
0.77 |
0.06 |
|
Monaghan |
2.62 |
0.10 |
0.03 |
5.87 |
0.67 |
0.03 |
13.48 |
0.51 |
0.01 |
|
Offaly |
2.27 |
0.55 |
0.03 |
2.85 |
0.85 |
0.04 |
4.28 |
0.11 |
0.03 |
|
Roscommon |
0.74 |
0.26 |
0.00 |
1.65 |
0.81 |
0.01 |
5.13 |
0.04 |
0.01 |
|
Sligo |
2.79 |
0.44 |
0.01 |
3.56 |
1.10 |
0.03 |
6.18 |
0.91 |
0.03 |
|
South Dublin |
9.26 |
0.22 |
0.09 |
18.69 |
0.70 |
0.14 |
29.96 |
0.72 |
0.06 |
|
Waterford |
6.84 |
0.49 |
0.11 |
9.60 |
1.13 |
0.07 |
6.77 |
0.57 |
0.06 |
|
Westmeath |
1.11 |
0.65 |
0.00 |
4.31 |
0.44 |
0.01 |
5.54 |
0.33 |
0.02 |
|
Wexford |
5.44 |
0.30 |
0.00 |
9.03 |
0.16 |
0.01 |
18.89 |
0.43 |
0.04 |
|
Wicklow |
12.28 |
0.86 |
0.00 |
4.90 |
0.25 |
0.01 |
4.56 |
0.28 |
0.03 |
|
Tipperary |
6.13 |
1.30 |
0.03 |
7.44 |
1.20 |
0.13 |
12.60 |
1.32 |
0.08 |
|
Cork City |
22.06 |
4.50 |
0.03 |
20.97 |
6.81 |
0.14 |
18.06 |
1.49 |
0.08 |
|
Dublin City |
43.26 |
11.64 |
0.01 |
75.71 |
8.76 |
0.12 |
114.93 |
8.52 |
10.46 |
|
Galway City |
4.15 |
0.22 |
0.00 |
0.61 |
0.35 |
0.05 |
7.47 |
0.12 |
0.06 |
Local Authority Housing Mortgages
Ceisteanna (241, 243, 247)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:241. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria for and the estimated number of applications per annum of the recently announced mortgage scheme. [3863/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Cowen
Ceist:243. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if non-first time buyers were considered in the recently announced mortgage scheme. [3865/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Cowen
Ceist:247. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority mortgages issued in each of the years 2011 to 2017 nationally and in each local authority; the amount involved; the arrears rate nationally and in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 243 and 247 together.
Following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, I am introducing from 1 February 2018 a new loan offering, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The new loan will enable credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not otherwise have been able to afford at a higher interest rate. Full details of the loan's eligibility criteria and other information is available from the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan website, http://rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first time buyers only. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources. The option currently available for non-first time buyers is to seek home loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.
The Housing Finance Agency (HFA) has raised €200 million on a fixed rate basis for periods out to thirty years maturity. Based on the pricing achieved, local authorities can offer a first tranche of fixed rate annuity finance to eligible borrowers at rates of 2.0% and 2.25% per annum, for twenty five and thirty years respectively, up to an aggregate maximum of €200 million. The funding will be drawn down by local authorities from the HFA to match fund their lending under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. It is not possible to estimate the number of fixed rate loan applications per annum under this loan.
Information on (1) the overall number and value of local authority loans, and a breakdown by local authority area, issued from 2011 to Q3 2017 and (2) the overall level of local authority loan arrears, and a breakdown by local authority area, from 2011 to end Q3 2017 is available on my Department's website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity.
Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 224.
Question No. 243 answered with Question No. 241.
Question No. 244 answered with Question No. 236.
Housing Data
Ceisteanna (245)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:245. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when monthly reports of housing target and delivery will be published. [3867/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the second Housing Summit, held on January 22nd, I asked each Local Authority Chief Executive to furnish a report by mid-February, confirming and setting out how their Local Authority will deliver on its social housing targets over the coming years. It is my intention that the targets will be published as soon as possible thereafter, and progress made by each Local Authority in terms of delivery against these targets will then be published on an ongoing basis, providing greater accountability and driving delivery.
Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 228.
Question No. 247 answered with Question No. 241.
Deer Hunting
Ceisteanna (248)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the proposed mandatory hunter competence as assessment programme and concerns raised by farmers and members of the public. [3882/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department grants some 5,000 licences annually to hunt deer during the Open Season which is the period during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The Open Season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer.
In March 2015 my Department along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published the report Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action which includes policy recommendations relating to deer conservation and management that could be pursued by both Departments and stakeholders. An Irish Deer Management Forum was established to implement the various actions listed in the Report. The Forum itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations as well as representatives from both Departments.
The Forum has issued a number of recommendations including a recommendation that mandatory certification of deer hunters should be introduced on a phased basis over a five year period from 1st January 2018 for existing licensed deer hunters and that new deer hunters should have the required certification from 1 January 2018.
I acknowledge the importance of ensuring that deer hunting is carried out in a safe manner. In that context my Department is considering how best to implement the recommendations of the group having regard to a range of factors including the fact that there are many hunters with many years of experience, knowledge and expertise and also the need to ensure and the most appropriate training and certification process would ultimately be implemented having regard to the most up-to-date safety, conservation and hunting considerations taking account of both local and international best practice.
In that regard my Department is satisfied that the most appropriate course of action is to consider the introduction of an appropriate training and certification process for first time applicants for deer hunting licences to commence from a date which will be determined in due course but certainly no later than 2020.
Irish Coursing Club
Ceisteanna (249)
Clare Daly
Ceist:249. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a licence has been issued to a club (details supplied) to host a second day of trials at Powerstown Park, Clonmel; and if so, the criteria and circumstances under which a licence was issued. [3799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In October 2017 my Department issued a revised licence in relation to coursing under Section 34 of the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) on behalf of its affiliated clubs which included new and revised conditions relating to the reporting of coursing trials. One such condition condition stipulates that an individual coursing club may hold no more than one trial session but that in exceptional circumstances the ICC may apply to hold a second day’s trial.
My Department recently received a request from the ICC to hold a second day’s trial in relation the three day National Coursing Meeting which is scheduled to be held in Clonmel on 10th, 11th and 12th February. This application is currently under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the ICC in due course.
Airport Development Projects
Ceisteanna (250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255)
Robert Troy
Ceist:250. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the land for Clifden airport was purchased; the person or body from which the land was purchased; the amount paid for the land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3802/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:251. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the land for Inishbofin airport was purchased; the person or body from which the land was purchased; the amount paid for the land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3803/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:252. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount her Department has spent developing Clifden airport to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3804/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:253. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount her Department has spent developing Inishbofin airport to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3805/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:254. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for Clifden airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:255. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for Inishbofin airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3807/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 255, inclusive, together.
The table sets out the data that the Deputy has requested:
|
SITE |
PURCHASED FROM |
SITE PURCHASE COST |
YEAR(S) |
DEVELOPMENT COST |
|
Clifden |
Clifden and West Connemara Airport PLC |
€474,113 |
2007 |
€4,911,765 |
|
Inishbofin |
Various registered owners under CPO |
€460,474 |
2004 - 2016 |
€3,270,182 |
Regarding plans for the sites, in 2017, my Department undertook a public consultation process whereby it sought submissions from interested parties in relation to the future use of both Clifden and Inishbofin airstrips. A large number of submissions were received and these are currently being reviewed by my Department. The submissions received will inform my Department in its deliberations regarding the future of these facilities.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (256)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:256. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the local authorities that have not yet published their culture and creative plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme - Enabling Creativity in every Community is a key element of the Programme and the 31 Local Authorities are important partners.
Last year, a sum of €2m (€1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government) was allocated between all 31 Local Authorities to enable them to develop and implement their Culture and Creativity Action Plans for 2017 which included an associated programme of events and initiatives in each county. All local authorities produced a Culture and Creativity Plan in 2017 which are available online at https://creative.ireland.ie/en/local-plans.
The local authorities are currently preparing long-term Culture and Creativity Strategies which will aim to ensure that people and communities across Ireland will have the opportunity to fully realise their creative potential at local level. These Strategies will be accompanied by an Activity Programme for 2018 and for every subsequent year of the Strategy. It is expected that both the Strategies and Activity Plans will be published during the Spring of 2018.