Written Answers Nos. 488-502
488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he remains assured that adequate suitable and serviced building lands remain available in each local authority area to facilitate house building in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20088/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 44 and 53 on today's Order Paper, which broadly sets out the position in relation to this matter.
In addition, while the delivery of social and affordable homes will, of course, rely significantly on the State developing the full potential of its existing residential land bank, I am cognisant of the fact that some local authorities may need to acquire land, in order to deliver on their targets under Rebuilding Ireland. My Department is working with local authorities in relation to their proposals for bringing their land banks forward for residential development, and identifying their needs for future land requirements.
With regard to housing delivery more broadly, the Residential Land Availability Survey 2014, published in February 2015, determined the location and quantity of lands that may be regarded as being undeveloped and available for residential development purposes at 31 March 2014 in each local authority area. This survey measured the total amount of lands, whether owned privately or by the local authority, that have been identified for housing development in the various local authority development plans and that are the highest priority for development.
The area of such lands amounted to 17,434 hectares which, given a range of densities appropriate to whether the areas are in small villages or larger towns and cities and as determined by the relevant local authorities, could support the construction of over 414,000 dwellings. On that basis, I am satisfied that adequate lands are available to facilitate residential development in line with Rebuilding Ireland. The Residential Land Availability Survey 2014 is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/planning/residential-land-availability/residential-land-availability-survey.
A further Residential Land Availability Survey will be undertaken in due course.
489. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the legal advice he has received in relation to the basis of the Pyrite Resolution Board's narrow interpretation of section 15(3) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 (details supplied). [20123/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to improve the pyrite remediation scheme in view of documented shortcomings. [20124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board, and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The Act also sets out the broad parameters which the Board must have regard to when establishing the eligibility criteria for the pyrite remediation scheme.
The restriction in Section 15(3) of the Act preventing applications being made under the scheme by a person who purchases a dwelling on or after 12 December 2013 (the publication date of the Bill) applies where that person knew or ought to have known that the dwelling was constructed using hardcore containing reactive pyrite.
Following a number of requests for clarification in the matter, my Department has recently sought legal advice on the Board’s interpretation of Section 15(3) and I will be in a position to consider this matter further following the receipt of the legal advice. However, it is important to note that ultimately the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts.
My Department is in regular contact with the Board and the Housing Agency in relation to the implementation of the scheme and is satisfied with the arrangements that are currently in place.
In regard to the pyrite remediation scheme, the scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established, in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
The Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) recommended a categorisation system as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works in recognition of the expensive and intrusive nature of pyrite remediation and the unpredictability of pyritic heave. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave should be remediated and that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting such damage to be remediated.
Dwellings which have no significant damage but have reactive pyrite in the hardcore material should be monitored and only remediated if they display significant damage due to pyritic heave. This remains the position with regard to dwellings which do not display significant pyritic damage.
On foot of this recommendation of the Pyrite Panel, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) published I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol in 2013.The standard provides the means by which dwellings that may be affected by pyrite can be tested and categorised.
In late 2015, the NSAI commenced a review of I.S. 398-1:2013 in the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013. The standard was updated and revised to reflect the on-site experiences and evidence gathered by technical experts, such as engineers, geologists, professionals providing sampling and testing services and other technical experts, who have been using the standard over the past four years and was published on 4 August 2017.
I welcome the revised standard published by the NSAI and in this context I signed the Pyrite Resolution (Standard for Testing) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 556 of 2017) on 6 December 2017. These Regulations provide that pursuant to section 14(9)(a) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, the “standard for testing” for the purpose of the Act shall be Irish Standard 398-1:2017 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Part 1: Testing and Categorisation Protocol, as published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland on 4 August 2017.
Any amendments which the Pyrite Resolution Board consider are required to the scheme as a result of the revised standard will be given full consideration should they be submitted to me in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
The latest figures available indicate that a total of 2,031 applications have been received under the scheme. Of these, 1,594 dwellings have been included in the scheme and the applicants notified accordingly.
A further 85 applications have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the Assessment and Verification Process, while another 225 applications are at the initial Application and Validation Process stage. 127 applications under the scheme were not successful.
Of the 1,594 dwellings that have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme:
- 284 are at remedial works planning stage,
- 85 are at tender/tender analysis,
- 208 are under remediation, and
- 1,017 are complete.
A sum of €30 million was announced under Budget 2018 to fund the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme this year. This allocation will facilitate the remediation of some 430 additional dwellings and is a clear signal of the continuing importance attached by Government to addressing the issue of significant pyritic damage in private dwellings.
491. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding will be made available to Westmeath County Council to purchase houses to enable persons that have lived in such houses as rented accommodation and which are now being disposed of by financial institutions and in which the purchase thereof would prevent homeless situations arising; if so, the criteria for making such funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities to acquire a range of properties for social housing use. Identifying and undertaking such social housing acquisitions is largely delegated to local authorities, so that they may respond flexibly to all opportunities to provide new social housing. Such funding is also provided on the basis that the houses are suitable for social housing use and suitable also across a range of other considerations including value for money, design, planning and other compliances. As the housing authority for its area, it is a matter in the first case for Westmeath County Council to determine the suitability of any units for acquisition.
492. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the additional revenue that would be required in 2019 if the budget for the housing adaptation grants for older persons and persons with a disability increased by 25% or by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20154/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the social benefit accruing from the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, particularly in terms of facilitating the continued independent living by older people and people with a disability in their own homes. This is recognised in the Programme for Government and as a consequence, funding for these schemes has been increasing year on year since 2014.
In 2018, a total of €66.25m is available for these schemes. This is made up of €53m exchequer funding, which is an increase of 11% on the 2017 figure, with the balance of €13.25m coming from local authority resources.
Increasing funding by 25% would cost an additional €13.25m to the Exchequer, with a further €3.3m to be contributed by the local authorities, while an increase of 50% would cost an additional €26.5m to the Exchequer, with a further €6.6m to be contributed by the local authorities.
Further consideration will be given to increasing funding over the coming years in the context of the range of housing supports and provision being made under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
493. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address queries (details supplied) in relation to approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20166/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has set out an ambitious set of targets for the delivery of social housing to the period to 2021 in its multi-faceted plan Rebuilding Ireland. A commitment to deliver 50,000 new social housing units through a range of delivery mechanisms has been supported by a multi-annual Exchequer commitment totalling €6.5 billion over the period. These targets will be achieved using a combination of building, purchasing and leasing high quality properties to meet the needs of households on local authority waiting lists around the country.
10,000 of these units will be leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) under leasing arrangements from a range of different sources. 3,500 are targeted to be achieved using the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) which harnesses the potential of existing vacant stock and brings it back into use for social housing. The remaining 6,500 properties to be leased are intended to be secured under long-term lease arrangements from a variety of sources which will include existing housing stock and newly built units.
Rental payments in respect of leases are either guaranteed to the owner by the local authority or by the AHB. In addition, where the property is leased from the owner by an AHB, and made available to the local authority for social housing, the payments are guaranteed to the AHB by the relevant local authority under a Payment and Availability (P&A) Agreement. In both cases, the local authority is committed to contractual lease payments to the owner regardless of vacancy periods.
In all cases, the relevant local authority makes payments to the property owner in accordance with the terms of the lease, or to the AHB in accordance with the P&A agreement, with the full costs being recouped to the local authority, in advance, from my Department on a quarterly basis. My Department has committed to these payments on an ongoing basis to allow local authorities and AHBs to enter long-term leases with private landlords.
Local authorities are statutory bodies under the Local Government Act 2001 and other enactments; all leases and P&A agreements entered into by local authorities are either approved by my Department or entered into with delegated authority from my Department, and central Government supports local authorities in meeting their obligations.
Funding for my Department's leasing programme, including the Enhanced Lease, is provided to local authorities via the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). The State’s expenditure is made up of Voted and Non-Voted Current and Capital expenditure. The SHCEP scheme is part of my Department’s Voted Current expenditure. An allocation of €115 million, which includes €83.4 million in respect of continuing contractual commitments, has been secured for SHCEP in 2018. This is an increase of €31 million compared to 2017. It should be noted that the SHCEP scheme has been in place since 2009 and the State has never defaulted on current expenditure requirements by failing to make the necessary appropriation in any given year. Existing liabilities will continue to have first call in the annual allocation of budgets.
495. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Exchequer funding allocated to the nitrates action programme in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the 2018 funding allocation by current and capital funding; the number of full and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department; and the annual running costs, including staffing costs, for his Department in tabular form. [20175/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to Ireland's fourth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) for 2018 -2021 which was agreed with the European Commission in December 2017 after extensive negotiation.
Ireland's NAP contains enhanced measures for the protection of waters based on scientific research findings and a collaborative approach to improving our water quality. The NAP is designed to prevent pollution of surface waters and ground water from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality. Member states are required to review their NAP at least every four years.
A number of officials within the Water Division of my Department, in conjunction with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, spent much of 2017 working on a review of the third NAP and on the development of the fourth programme, including negotiations with the European Commission. No Exchequer funding is allocated to the NAP by my Department and it is not possible to specify the portion of staffing costs directly attributable to NAP-related work given that it is one of a range of areas of activity focused on maintaining and improving water quality in Ireland.
496. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Exchequer funding allocated to the sustainability support and advisory programme in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the 2018 funding allocation by current and capital funding; the number of full and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department; and the annual running costs, including staffing costs, for his Department in tabular form. [20177/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 17 April 2018, I launched the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/rbmp_full_reportweb.pdf.
In accordance with the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy), this Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of measures to enhance the quality of water in Ireland's rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater. Among these measures is the establishment of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) to promote and encourage sustainable farming while meeting stringent water quality requirements. This initiative is an innovative collaboration between Government and industry and is supported by my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and by Dairy Industry Ireland.
The initiative will support a free one-to-one sustainability advisory service to more than 5,000 farmers to encourage behavioural change, facilitate knowledge transfer and achieve better on-farm environmental outcomes. A total of 30 new Agricultural Sustainability Advisors will be assigned to the programme, 20 of whom will be located in Teagasc while 10 will operate within the dairy processors' organisational structures.
The programme will be funded jointly by my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the dairy processors and the details of the funding arrangements are currently the subject of consultation between the relevant organisations. I expect that my Department will provide annual funding in the order of €1 million per annum for the period 2018-2021 to the programme, all of which will be current funding.
No members of staff of my Department will work directly on the programme; instead, my officials will contribute to the governance and oversight of the Programme as part of their normal activity to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and its associated environmental goals.
497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there was a text amendment made to a section on a website (details supplied) regarding Enniscrone, County Sligo since 22 February 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 April 2018, an explanatory note regarding the meaning and origin of the placename Inis Crabhann / Inishcrone, which was originally written on 9 March 2017, was amended on the public interface of Logainm.ie (the placenames database of Ireland).
Instead of ‘Inis Crabhann: A corruption of Inis Eiscir Abhann’, the explanatory note was altered to read:
(Irish text) "De réir dealraimh tharla athdheighilt ar Eiscir Abhann (bunleagan an logainm seo) go Eis C(i)rabhann, agus tharla athanailís ina dhiaidh go Inis (S)Cr(e)abhann > Inis Crabhann. Bhí an leagan seo ann ón 16ú aois ar aghaidh ar a laghad. Níl fianaise ar bith ann go raibh Inis Eiscir Abhann ann mar leagan Gaeilge den logainm seo fhad is a bhí an Ghaeilge fós beo mar theanga an phobail anseo."
(English text) "This place-name seems to be the result of the re-segmentation of Eiscir Abhann ‘esker of the river’ in speech to Eis C(i)rabhann, which resultantly underwent re-analysis to Inis (S)Cr(e)abhann > Inis Crabhann. This version of the name was in use from the 16th century onwards at least. There is no evidence to suggest that the form Inis Eiscir Abhann was ever the Irish form of this place-name when Irish was the vernacular here."
Explanatory notes such as this are provided by the Placenames Branch as an additional service to the public, further to the Branch’s primary remit of establishing the authoritative Irish versions of placenames. These notes are subject to revision and alteration and further notes are added on an ongoing basis.
The Irish name Inis Crabhann was given legal status in a Statutory Order that took effect in July 1975, made under the Placenames Act (Irish Forms) 1973. This was confirmed by the Placenames (Centres of Population and Districts) Order 2005, which took effect in March 2005, superseding the previous Statutory Order.
498. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the landholding of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is a special area of conservation; her future plans to designate this area as a special area of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19669/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has identified 439 sites for protection as special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. It is required, under the Directive, to formally designate its special areas of conservation and a project is in place within my Department to oversee this process. This involves the adoption of a Statutory Instrument for each site. These are not new sites – most have been legally protected for 15 years or more. The making of Statutory Instruments is the final step in the designation of special areas of conservation and does not place any new or additional conditions on landowners/users than already applied from the time the sites were first identified for designation as special areas of conservation.
The landholding referred to in the Deputy's Question lies within the Killarney National Park/Magillycuddy's Reeks/Caragh River Catchment site, which was selected for designation as a special area of conservation in 1997.
499. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the review of derogations from the EU Birds Directive will be complete having regard to the declarations in place; if methods to control seagull species can be put in place for the Howth and Sutton areas in Dublin; if an actual cull of seagulls can be considered; the way in which public consultation on this matter operates in practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Birds Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures in respect of certain wild bird species in certain circumstances - for example, where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety. The Declarations to implement these derogations are renewed annually and an annual review of the Declarations is undertaken prior to their expiry. The review process includes consideration of the views of stakeholders, such as hunting and conservation bodies, and airport authorities on the operation of the declarations.
This review for the period 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018 took into account the issue of seagulls in the North Dublin area especially in Balbriggan which had been the subject of correspondence to my Department from some community groups and other residents which proposed the inclusion of seagull species in the Declaration.
Following consideration of the matter, the last Declaration, which was effective from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, included methods to control seagull species in the Balbriggan area for public safety reasons. The control method involved the removal of eggs and nests only; the culling of seagulls was not permitted.
These changes were introduced on a one year pilot basis and are subject to review as part of a wider comprehensive review of the operation of the derogations. This comprehensive review, which is currently underway, will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available in respect of all the bird species in the declaration. The Department appointed ANIAR Ecology to undertake the review following a public tendering process. The contract is for a period of five months with the final report scheduled for mid-June 2018. A completed interim report has been received from the consultants which includes recommendations in respect of the derogation process including in relation to the 2018/19 declarations.
The pubic consultation process on the review is now complete with submissions due by 4 May 2018. The public consultation process was advertised in the main daily newspapers, the Irish Farmers Journal and on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. An extension of the derogation to Howth and Sutton is not under consideration at the present time, nor is a cull.
500. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí pobal na Gaeilge i nGlas Naíon, Baile Átha Cliath a chosaint ó dhochar a d'fhéadfadh tógáil MetroLink a tharraingt orthu, ó tharla go bhfuil sé beartaithe suíomh mór tógála a thógáil in aice le Scoil Mobhí agus Scoil Chaitríona; an raibh comhráite aici le pobal Gaeilge na háite faoin gceist agus leis an Aire Iompair agus le BIÉ; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20009/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigfidh an Teachta nach bhfuil aon ról reachtúil agam maidir leis an gceist seo. Tá curtha in iúl dom, áfach, go bhfuil an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Iompar, i gcomhar le Bonneagar Iompar Éireann tar éis tús a chur le próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí chun an bealach atá molta faoi láthair do MetroLink a phlé.
Leanfaidh an chéim seo den phróiseas comhairliúcháin go 11 Bealtaine 2018 agus táthar ag iarraidh ionchur ón bpobal i gcoitinne agus, go príomha, uathu siúd atá lonnaithe ar an mbealach féin, faoi mar atá Scoil Mobhí agus Scoil Chaitríona. Níl aon chinneadh críochnúil maidir leis an mbealach déanta go fóill. Tuigtear dom go ndéanfar seo tar éis an phróisis comhairliúcháin.
501. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she plans to proceed with the refurbishment of the National Concert Hall as committed to as part of project Ireland 2040; when these works will go to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20041/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder its plan 'Investing in our Culture, Heritage and Language' the Government intends to invest €460m in a significant number of capital projects in our National Cultural Institutions over the period 2018 to 2027. Included in this figure is €78 million for the re-development of the National Concert Hall.
Investments under this plan will be subject to appraisal and evaluation in line with the Public Spending Code. This includes the consideration of a range of options prior to committing any funding to the project, an evaluation of the financial and economic implications of the project prior to procuring the project, and robust project management arrangements throughout the implementation phase.
More details on the delivery of this project will emerge as my Department goes through this process of appraising and planning for this important investment.
502. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional facilities that may be required at the National Concert Hall if the recommendations of the Boaden report in respect of the future of the National Symphony Orchestra is implemented; the way in which the funding will be provided for to facilitate the National Concert Hall in enabling such a transfer is to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I have welcomed the recommendations of the RTÉ report in relation to the provision of orchestral music.
The report has recommended that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should be a national cultural institution in its own right, or within the National Concert Hall. It should be noted that the National Symphony Orchestra has been located in the National Concert Hall since it opened in 1981 and it provides the backbone to the Hall's orchestral music programme. Therefore, there is no change in venue required for any organisational change.
I have also recently announced a major €78m plan to redevelop the National Concert Hall as part of the Government's capital investment plan for Culture, Language and Heritage. This includes provision of a larger hall and proper rehearsal facilities for the National Symphony Orchestra. There is now an opportunity for the National Symphony Orchestra to play an even stronger role in the cultural life of the national as part of these wider developments.
Officials in our Departments have been asked to advance the recommendations of the report as a matter of priority. This will require intense engagement between both our Departments and RTÉ, and with the National Concert Hall. The concerns of employees of the orchestras will be to the forefront of considerations and there will be need to be significant engagement with them in this regard.
I expect to bring an early report to Government to chart a way forward including the steps which will be needed to address the recommendations.
