Written Answers Nos. 229-236
229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his commitment to bring student residences in under the rules of the Residential Tenancies Board in respect of rent pressure zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent Pressure Zones have their legal basis under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016, which regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector. Pursuant to section 3(1) of the 2004 Act, the Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy. The provisions of the Acts, including those provisions providing for the rent pressure zone measure, do not apply where the dwelling is occupied by a person under an agreement which is not a tenancy agreement.
Licensing agreements, such as those that apply in respect of some types of student accommodation, are not covered by the legislative protections of the Residential Tenancies Acts because they are not deemed to be tenancy agreements for the purposes of the Acts. Consequently, the restrictions on rental increases in Rent Pressure Zones, provided for in the Acts, do not therefore apply to accommodation types that are not subject to a tenancy agreement.
However, if there is any doubt as to the type of agreement in place in respect of individual dwellings, for example whether it is a tenancy or licence, the matter should be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for a determination.
In addition, the Department of Education and Skills (DES) is liaising with my Department, including through the forum of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Student Accommodation which is convened by the DES, to examine the wide range of student accommodation types (and ancillary services) available with a view to considering how best to regulate pricing arrangements.
230. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local area plans, strategic development zones and county development plans in operation by local authority in tabular form; the number in operation in 2005, 2010 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23047/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the basis of the latest information available to my Department from local authorities across the country, there are 193 statutory city and county development plans, local area plans and strategic development zone planning schemes currently in place under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The following table, compiled on the basis of information provided by planning authorities, sets out the detailed numbers of county/city development plans, local area plans and strategic development zones for each local authority in 2005, 2010 and 2018.
|
County/City Development Plan |
Local Area Plan |
SDZ |
|||||||
|
Local Authority |
2005 |
2010 |
2018 |
2005 |
2010 |
2018 |
2005 |
2010 |
2018 |
|
Carlow County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
17 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
13 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Fingal County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
20 |
18 |
24 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Galway City Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
16 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
18 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny County Council[1] |
2 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
26 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County Council[2] |
2 |
2 |
2 |
15 |
18 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Tipperary County Council[3] |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford City & County Council[4] |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
35 |
35 |
35 |
171 |
267 |
149 |
3 |
7 |
9 |
1 Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council were two planning authorities prior to 2014
2 Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council were two planning authorities prior to 2014
3 Tipperary North and South Riding County Councils were in existence prior to 2014
4 Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council were two planning authorities prior to 2014
231. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his plans for establishing an electoral commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 220 and 224 of 16 May 2018 which sets out the position in this matter.
232. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to publish the report on certain planning matters in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a report from Senior Counsel in June 2017 regarding his Review Into Certain Planning Matters In Respect Of County Donegal.
My Department is currently reviewing and assessing the contents of Senior Counsel’s report and I have requested the advice of the Attorney General in respect of a number of points, including the issue of publication and dissemination of the report and any further actions arising.
When I have received the Attorney General’s advice, my Department will finalise a submission for my consideration, on foot of which I will be in a position to address the matter further.
233. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an ongoing issue (details supplied) with Irish Water will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems that are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water, when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.
While the Act of 2007 sets out the legal position, Irish Water has developed the First Fix Free scheme for repairing domestic leaks, in line with broader water conservation policy objectives. The relevant policy document, Irish Water First Fix Leak Repair Scheme for Domestic Water Customers, as approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on 5 August 2015, is available at the following weblink - www.water.ie/for-home/first-fix/first-fix-leak-repair-scheme.pdf.
The arrangements for the repair of leaks is an operational matter for Irish Water in which I have no direct involvement. However, I understand that Irish Water will repair a reported leak regardless of the size of that leak, within the parameters of its role as the public water services authority and subject to the criteria set out under the First Fix Free Scheme. I also understand that arrangements for the necessary repair works in this instance have been agreed by Irish Water with the homeowner concerned.
It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
234. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost per annum of the town centre health check programme; the number of checks undertaken per annum since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23052/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA pilot Town Centre Health Check training programme was developed in late 2016 by the Heritage Council working in collaboration with universities and other bodies. The operation of the programme is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council.
I understand that seven towns have participated to date and funding of €15k has been allocated. An evaluation of the pilot programme is underway and a full report is expected to be published this year.
It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources, however my Department will continue to work closely with the Heritage Council to ensure continued investment is appropriately targeted within the heritage area.
Further information on the programme is available from the Heritage Council and on their website www.heritagecouncil.ie
235. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount allocated to the language planning fund on a national and per county basis in each year since funding commenced; the 2018 allocation; and the amount of expenditure expended in tabular form. [23030/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to further assist the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, of which the language planning process is an integral part, a specific fund was established in 2014. This fund has been used since 2014 for the implementation of the language planning process, which began to operate in that year, as well to finance a range of specific projects, measures and initiatives as additional support for both the implementation of the Strategy and the language planning process, accordingly.
As the language planning process is a key part of the implementation of the Strategy, it has been necessary, in the context of the remits assigned to them under the process, to allocate sufficient funding to both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, as appropriate, to enable them to support the preparation and implementation of language plans for Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.
The following table outlines the amount allocated specifically for the language planning process in each county for the years 2014 to 2017 by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge. It is worth noting that further costs were incurred in administering the process such as training, publicity, workshops, material etc. which does not relate to one specific county.
|
County |
2014€ |
2015€ |
2016€ |
2017€ |
|
Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas |
||||
|
Donegal |
51,000 |
15,000 |
50,327 |
36,673 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
28,000 |
30,000 |
|
Galway |
50,000 |
55,815 |
35,500 |
69,231 |
|
Kerry |
35,000 |
0 |
33,608 |
11,734 |
|
Cork |
0 |
15,000 |
0 |
31,200 |
|
Waterford |
15,000 |
0 |
9,763 |
6,000 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
10,000 |
12,000 |
|
Gaeltacht Service Towns |
||||
|
An Clochán Liath, Co Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Béal an Mhuirthead, Co Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Daingean Uí Chúis, Co Kerry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9,749 |
|
Letterkenny, Co Donegal |
- |
- |
- |
10,000 |
|
Galway City |
- |
- |
- |
10,000 |
|
Irish Language Networks |
||||
|
Loughrea, Co. Galway, |
- |
- |
- |
15,000 |
|
Ennis, Co. Clare, |
- |
- |
- |
15,000 |
|
Clondalkin, Dublin |
- |
- |
- |
15,000 |
|
Projects and initiatives directly benefiting the implementation of the Strategy |
299,879 |
286,125 |
659,152 |
613,000 |
It is also worth noting that, as of 2018, an allocation worth €2.65m has been made available for the Language Planning Process. As the process is moving forward this year from the preparation of plans to their implementation, the whole fund has been directed towards the process as well as to a number of specific new measures that will be funded centrally as additional support for the language planning process.
The language planning process is now underway in all 26 Gaeltacht areas and the first six language plans have been approved. Five further plans are currently being assessed by the Department with the expectation of approving them in the near future. An allocation of up to €100,000 will be provided over a 12 month period in respect of each area in order to begin implementing the plans. An additional €50,000 will be allocated in respect of 5 specific language planning areas due to particular challenges associated with these areas.
The preparation of plans is in hand in relation to the Gaeltacht Service Towns of Letterkenny, Daingean Uí Chúis, and the cities of Galway and Cork, while it is anticipated that work will begin this year to prepare plans in respect of Dungarvan, Tralee, An Clochán Liath and Castlebar.
Preparation of plans continues in relation to the Irish Language Networks of Ennis, Loughrea and Clondalkin, with plans expected to be submitted for approval by end of year.
236. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be made available to a scheme (details supplied) to reopen it to new bookings in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is independent in the performance of its functions. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding is allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports.
In 2018, I allocated funding of €6.377M to the Heritage Council as part of the annual Estimates process. This represents an increase of €123,000 on the 2017 allocation, which, in turn, had been increased by over €1 million on the 2016 allocation.
The Programme mentioned by the Deputy is very popular and successful in raising awareness and appreciation of our national heritage. I am informed by the Heritage Council that the Programme is fully booked for this year. I understand, however, that the Council is examining whether it can identify further funding to allow the Programme to expand and meet increased demand.
I also understand that the Heritage Council plans to develop the Programme further as part of their new Strategic Plan which will be published shortly.
More detailed information on this Programme and the Heritage Council’s other activities is available on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie or by contacting the Council directly.
