Written Answers Nos. 563-580
563. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expenditure in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 on RAS, HAP and all other housing payments to landlords being paid rent through one or other of the schemes for categories of units (details supplied). [27433/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra579. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expenditure by his Department on rent supplement payments including RAS, HAP and all other housing payments to landlords being paid rent through one or other of these schemes for units (details supplied), respectively in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and the housing estates and apartment complexes in which more than 10% of units are in receipt of the respective types of rent supplement. [27470/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 579 together.
The 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 more than 37,000 households having their housing needs met via HAP and some 21,000 separate landlords and agents currently in receipt of monthly HAP payments.
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.
The HAP scheme is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Budget 2018 has increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €301 million, in order to meet the continuing costs of existing HAP households, and the costs of the additional 17,000 households, targeted under Rebuilding Ireland, to be supported by HAP in 2018.
The Exchequer outturn for the HAP scheme in 2016 to 2017 and the 2018 spend to date, are as follows:
|
Year |
Target |
Additional Households supported at end of year |
No. of LAs operating HAP Scheme |
Outturn - €M |
|
2016 |
12,000 |
12,075 |
28 |
€57.69m |
|
2017 |
15,000 |
17,916 |
31 |
€152.69 |
|
2018 (to date) |
17,000 |
8,409 |
31 |
€117m |
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) was established in 2004 and placed responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS has provided a more structured, accommodation-based approach to the use of the private rented sector to meet long-term housing need, thereby eliminating dependence on temporary income support payments, i.e. rent supplement.
The table sets out the data available in relation to funding provided by my Department to local authorities under the Rental Accommodation Scheme in 2016 and 2017. Funding provided by my Department includes the continuing cost of contractual agreements made by local authorities with landlords under the Scheme and the additional cost of new tenancies that are secured during that year.
|
Year |
Target |
Additional Tenancies supported at end of year |
No. of LAs operating RAS Scheme |
Exchequer Allocation - €M |
Outturn - €M |
|
2016 |
1,000 |
1,256 |
31 |
131 |
145* |
|
2017 |
1,000 |
890 |
31 |
142.8 |
144.3** |
|
* An additional €13.89m in RAS recoupment claims was offset against local authority RAS Reserves in 2016 |
|
** An additional €1.38m in RAS recoupment claims was offset against local authority RAS Reserves in 2017 |
The 2018 budgetary provision is €134 million and will support approximately 19,900 continuing RAS contracts, and the cost of a further 600 tenancies to transfer from rent supplement in 2018 in line with the Rebuilding Ireland targets. Expenditure to 31/05/2018 amounted to €42.7 million. From 2018 onwards, annual RAS targets are reducing to take account of the increasing focus on rent supplement transfer to HAP.
My Department does not collect data in the manner outlined, including in respect of the numbers of housing estates and apartment complexes in which more than 10% of units are in receipt of housing support.
564. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration has been given to extending the eligibility criteria for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan for applicants with properties on rural sites in excess of 175 sq. m; if further consideration has been given to the differentiation in property values between urban and rural sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27373/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a range of criteria, set out in the enabling Regulations, establishing the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, which determine whether an applicant will be considered eligible for a loan. The criteria include that the property being purchased with a loan must not have a gross internal floor area of 175 square metres or more.
The Regulations also provide that the Scheme is not available to purchase a house or an apartment which has a market value in excess €320,000 in Counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath, or Wicklow or €250,000 in all other areas.
I have no plans to change these provisions at this point in time.
565. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent meeting (details supplied); if he will liaise with his ministerial colleagues to ensure funding is provided to restore a park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27402/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recent meeting referred to by the Deputy, organised by Minister McHugh and at which my Department was represented, to discuss funding for the restoration of Swan Park in Buncrana which was damaged following an extreme pluvial rainfall event which occurred in the Inishowen Peninsula area of Donegal on 22 August 2017.
Funding for repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Department(s) in line with sectorial responsibilities. Each Government Department liaises directly with local authorities in relation to funding of repairs and restoration being carried out through the local government system.
Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works associated with significant severe weather emergency events. This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities cannot be met from within existing resources. My Department’s scheme does not include funding for capital repair works.
Following receipt of a request from Donegal County Council for funding of €1.729m, my Department recouped that sum in full to the Council on 15 December 2017 under the arrangements for response and clean-up costs in relation to the flooding in the Inishowen peninsula in August 2017. The funding of repair to public parks, including Swan Park, does not fall under the remit of my Department's scheme and my Department’s involvement in the funding aspects of this matter concluded with this payment to Donegal County Council.
566. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the financial supports available for the removal and replacement of an asbestos roof on a privately owned residential bungalow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27427/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any grant available specific to the removal of asbestos from homes.
The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability provide a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, and could in those circumstances include the removal of asbestos.
The schemes are administered by local authorities and it is a matter for each local authority to determine how the funding is apportioned between the various grant measures and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within the capital allocations provided by my Department.
For private home owners, it is recommended that expert advice should be sought in dealing with asbestos materials and if removal is necessary it should only be done by a competent contractor with the required training.
567. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an organisation (details supplied) has received a grant; if so, when it received the grant; and the location in which the housing was built. [27430/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2008, my Department approved funding of €2.2m under the Capital Assistance Scheme in respect of a project intended to be delivered by St. John of Gods at Clancy Barracks, Clancy Quay, Dublin 8. However, no payments were made in respect of this scheme as the project did not proceed.
568. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of one, two, three and four bed local authority new build units on the basis of costings submitted to his Department by local authorities over the past 12 months; the all-in costs and construction only costs; and the itemised costed list of the individual non-construction costs for each unit size. [27434/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought in relation to average costs, to the extent and in the format to which it is readily available, is set out in the following table. The costs set out below are average costs arising in local authority areas, which are based on the analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period. Construction cost figures are reflective of building costs (including VAT) and also include normal site works and site development. All-in costs include cost of construction, land cost, professional fees, utility connections, site investigations/surveys, archaeology where appropriate, and contribution to public art. Abnormal costs are excluded from these figures.
|
|
1 bed |
2 bed (1 storey) |
2 bed (2 storey) |
3 bed |
4 bed |
1 bed Apt. |
2 bed Apt. |
3 bed Apt. |
|
Construction Costs |
€ 143,750 |
€ 149,576 |
€ 157,771 |
€ 167,224 |
€ 176,629 |
€ 150,918 |
€ 157,065 |
€ 173,953 |
|
All-in Costs |
€ 182,944 |
€ 189,644 |
€ 198,491 |
€ 209,106 |
€ 219,694 |
€ 192,068 |
€ 199,112 |
€ 218,818 |
My Department continues to maintain a clear focus on delivering value for money both in terms of the construction and all-in costs of social housing projects.
569. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the planning rebate scheme uptake; the cost per annum by local authority since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27435/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra570. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of reducing the planning rebate scheme minimum unit threshold from 50 to five units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27436/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together.
The Development Contribution Rebate Scheme was introduced in 2015 to enhance the viability of the construction and sale of residential units at affordable prices in locations of greatest need. The rebate is applicable in respect of units that were completed and sold after 1st January 2016 and before 31st December 2017 that meet the other conditions of the scheme, including that eligibility is confined to residential developments of at least 50 housing units. The scheme only applies to the metropolitan areas of Cork City and County Councils and all of the Dublin local authority areas.
The first recoupments were made under the scheme this year and to date some €2.8m has been paid to local authorities in respect of 326 housing units; further claims are on hand for processing which will take total recoupments under the scheme to over €5m in respect of 564 units, broken down as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Units |
Amount |
|
Fingal County |
238 |
€2,241,293 |
|
South Dublin County |
270 |
€2,213,641 |
|
Dublin City |
56 |
€606,141 |
Given that the timeframe for the scheme, within which it was open to developers to deliver and sell qualified units, has passed, I am not considering any proposals to adapt or extend the scheme. It is not possible to estimate the cost of extending the scheme in the manner suggested as this would depend on the number of units that would meet the scheme criteria.
571. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of doubling the number of whole-time equivalent staff working on the private rented sector functions in local authorities. [27437/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of doubling expenditure on the private rented sector functions in local authorities. [27438/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, set out a series of measures to be introduced to ensure the quality of private rental accommodation by strengthening the applicable standards and improving the inspection and enforcement systems.
On 1 July 2017, updated regulatory standards, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, came into effect. These Regulations focus on tenant safety and include new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. In August, my Department published a guidance document to assist and support local authorities in implementing the new Regulations.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority, previously supported by a dedicated stream of funding provided from a portion of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees, collected by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Since establishment of the RTB, over €34 million has been paid to local authorities to assist them in the performance of their functions under the Housing Acts, including the inspection of rented accommodation. Over 185,000 inspections were carried out during this period. The Department offers a subvention to local authorities to carry out inspection of properties under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations with funding dispersed on the basis of €100 per inspection carried out and €50 per follow-up inspection that achieves compliance.
However, the Rental Strategy recognises the need for additional resources to be provided to local authorities to aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations. Provision has been made for an additional €2.5m in 2018, with the intention of providing further increases each year in the period to 2021 to facilitate a targeted inspection coverage of 25% of rental properties annually.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Consequently, it is a matter for each authority to consider what level of staffing and resources are appropriate in order for the authority to fulfil its statutory and regulatory functions. In this context, it is not possible to provide the specific information sought.
573. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of establishing a national deposit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27441/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provides for, among other things, the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
There have been significant changes in the rental market since the 2015 scheme was first envisaged and designed. For example, the draft scheme was originally intended to be financed by the interest payable on deposits lodged; this is no longer viable, given current financial market conditions. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that disputes relating to deposits are no longer the most common dispute type referred to the RTB.
Financing the operation of the scheme is an important consideration, particularly in terms of ensuring that the likely outcomes of a new scheme are achieved efficiently and effectively and that the best value from public funds is secured. In 2015, an analysis of the potential Deposit Protection Scheme costings was undertaken and the estimated costings were as follows:
- Set-up Year: €1.5m; annual operation: €3.5m - €4m.
However, there have been significant changes to interest rates, the financial market and rents since then and careful consideration would be required to introduce any necessary reforms and enhancements to the 2015 scheme, with a view to considering whether and how to introduce a re-designed scheme that is fit for purpose and suitable for current and future rental and financial markets. Following completion of the review of the existing provisions and other matters, it is anticipated that legislative changes will be required and these will need to be developed and progressed through the Oireachtas.
574. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the budget for the Residential Tenancies Board in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [27442/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Board’s (RTB) funding is derived primarily from a proportion of the fee income accruing from tenancy registrations, as set down by Ministerial Order. This income was intended to enable the RTB to move to an entirely self-financing position in 2010. However, due to a deterioration in the RTB’s finances as a result of reduced registrations, a growing demand for RTB services and new functions under amendments made to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, it has become necessary to provide direct Exchequer funding to supplement fee income.
Section 176 of the Residential Tenancies Act provides that the fees received by the Residential Tenancies Board under the Act shall be paid into, or disposed of for the benefit of, the Exchequer in such manner as I, as Minister, may direct. By various Ministerial Directions since 2005, a percentage of fees received by the RTB under the Act has been allocated for transfer to local authorities for the purpose of the performance of their functions under the Housing Acts in relation to private rental standards inspections. Since 1 July 2016, the RTB retains the entirety of the fees received under the Act to defray its costs.
Demand for the RTB’s services has increased significantly, due to the increasing size of the rental sector and also because of the changing regulatory structure. Furthermore, a number of additional functions have been added to the remit of the RTB since 2016, including:
- implementation of new Rent Predictability Measures, such as the introduction of Rent Pressure Zones and associated on-going analysis,
- increased engagement with the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Sector,
- integration of Rent Tribunal functions into the RTB,
- introduction of Free Mediation Services,
- development of a voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme,
- establishment of a one-stop shop,
- establishment of one-person Tribunals,
- increased Education/Awareness and research role, and
- consideration and analysis in respect of a Deposit Protection Scheme.
In 2016, my Department provided some €668,000 in Exchequer funding to the RTB. €170,000 of this amount was a requirement that arose outside of the 2016 Estimates process during the year, for an advertising campaign carried out by the RTB in quarter 1 2016, highlighting changes on foot of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015.
In 2017, Exchequer funding of €2,329,000 was paid by my Department to the RTB. Included in this amount was €265,000 additional funding outside of the Estimates process in 2017, that arose during the year in respect of:
1. the provision of Fire Safety leaflets to all landlords to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and obligations in respect of fire safety requirements - €107,200;
2. €112,000 in respect of an Auto-address Eircoding project which was required to support the roll-out of the Rent Pressure Zone measure; and
3. Legal costs - €46,000.
RTB drawdown of Exchequer funding to date in 2018 amounts to €2.355m (from the overall allocation of €5.341m for 2018), primarily to support the operational costs of the RTB’s core functions and the additional powers and functions to be rolled out to the RTB over a multi-annual change period which will empower the RTB by giving it the necessary powers and resources to protect tenants and landlords in the residential rental sector.
Details of the RTB’s own self-financing income and expenditure can be found in the RTB Annual Report and Financial Statements at the following link: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/rtb-publications/.
575. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of recommencing the shared ownership scheme stood down in 2011. [27448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra583. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the shared ownership scheme per annum since its inception from 1991 until its disestablishment; the number of units provided per annum through that period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 583 together.
In 2011, the Government announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the Shared Ownership (SO) scheme, given the changes in the property and lending markets. From 1991 to 2010, a total of 16,492 loans were issued under the scheme, of which 3,323 remained at the end of Q4 2017.
Data in relation to activity under the Shared Ownership Scheme (and other affordable housing schemes) is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics. Information is readily available on the costs of the SO scheme per annum from its inception until its discontinuance.
There are no plans at this time to develop a new Shared Ownership (SO) scheme. If such a scheme was to be introduced, any costs arising would be determined by the terms of the scheme and the number of eligible applications received.
576. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of recommencing the 1999 affordable purchase scheme stood down in 2011. [27449/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra582. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the affordable housing initiative through site grants and other departmental funding per annum since its inception from 1999 until its disestablishment; the number of units provided per annum through that period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra585. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the low cost housing sites initiative through site grants per annum since its inception from 1999 until its disestablishment; the number of sites provided per annum through that period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 576, 582 and 585 together.
Data relating to activity under the Sale of Sites Scheme are available on my Department's website at the following web-link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.
Data concerning activity under the Part V Scheme, the Shared Ownership Scheme, the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and the Mortgage Allowance Scheme are also available on my Department's website and can be accessed at the following web-link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.
Information regarding Exchequer funding for affordable housing is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
I have commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the effect of which is to place a new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing. It is intended that the income thresholds will be the same as for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, and other criteria will be set out in regulations. The elected members of each local authority will be responsible for determining the order of priority to be accorded to eligible households, in line with the framework of the national scheme.
To support the main local authorities concerned in getting their sites ready for affordable housing, I am redirecting the €50 million funding for phase 2 of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund to the Serviced Sites Fund, increasing the scale of the fund from the previously announced €25 million to €75 million, to cover the period to 2021. To drive activity, I will be inviting applications for funding under the Serviced Sites Fund later this week.
|
|
Affordable Housing |
Sale of Sites |
Total |
|
2005 |
€11,282,298 |
€1,406,025 |
€12,688,323 |
|
2006 |
€35,365,241 |
€710,906 |
€36,076,147 |
|
2007 |
€34,530,248 |
€686,795 |
€35,217,043 |
|
2008 |
€36,098,509 |
€2,394,176 |
€38,492,685 |
|
2009 |
€6,325,138 |
€613,335 |
€6,938,473 |
|
2010 |
€1,411,461 |
€496,524 |
€1,907,985 |
|
2011 |
€393,103 |
€105,435 |
€498,538 |
|
2012 |
0 |
€70,558 |
€70,558 |
|
|
Total Exchequer € |
LPT Self-Funding € |
Total € |
|
2005 |
4,031,244 |
n/a |
4,031,244 |
|
2006 |
3,626,645 |
n/a |
3,626,645 |
|
2007 |
5,290,572 |
n/a |
5,290,572 |
|
2008 |
4,199,047 |
n/a |
4,199,047 |
|
2009 |
3,823,623 |
n/a |
3,823,623 |
|
2010 |
3,197,813 |
n/a |
3,197,813 |
|
2011 |
5,623,623 |
n/a |
5,623,623 |
|
2012 |
5,004,038 |
n/a |
5,004,038 |
|
2013 |
4,994,437 |
n/a |
4,994,437 |
|
2014 |
4,987,266 |
n/a |
4,987,266 |
|
2015 |
3,303,403 |
902,768 |
4,206,171 |
|
2016 |
1,953,070 |
1,741,944 |
3,695,014 |
|
2017 |
2,969,173 |
451,217 |
3,420,390 |
577. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if standard cost efficiency guidelines have been issued for the procurement of emergency accommodation in privately operated hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27461/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services. Under the funding arrangements, funding is provided on a regional basis, whereby it is delegated to a lead authority in each region. Protocols have been put in place with each of the lead authorities, which set out the arrangements and responsibilities between the Department and the lead authorities in relation to the provision of on-going revenue funding for homeless accommodation and related service costs. The protocols provide that all funding arrangements, delegated under the funding allocation system in place, must be in accordance with statutory requirements and public financial procedures, including the Public Spending Code.
In addition, delegation is contingent on key principles and the allocation of such funding by the lead authority, within individual headings of expenditure, is on the basis that all such decisions are in accordance with Government policy and the attainment of key performance targets and objectives. Housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of any funded services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements that apply.
578. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1284 of 12 June 2018, if the matter raised will be re-examined in view of the fact that the Property Registration Authority has no responsibility for the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27464/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 120(5)(a) of the Registration of Title Act 1964 as amended provides that a claim under Section 120 shall be made in the prescribed manner to the Property Registration Authority and notice thereof shall be given to the Minister for Finance. All compensation payable under Section 120 shall be paid by moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Compensation paid under Section 120 is provided from the public purse. If not agreed, this is determined by the Court, therefore requiring due consideration and, where relevant, advice from the Chief State Solicitor. Matters that involve a claim for substantial compensation are referred to the Chief State Solicitor where counsel's advice may be sought.
While the Property Registration Authority remains responsible for dealing with the matter, it is not in a position to progress an application for compensation until such time as it receives the necessary advice from the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
580. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a matter (details supplied) regarding the local government boundary review will be clarified. [27485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established two independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees on 13 December 2017 to review and make recommendations on local electoral areas having regard to, among other things, the results of Census 2016 as well as the commitment to consider reducing the size of territorially large local electoral areas as set out in A Programme for Partnership Government (May 2016). The two Committees reported to me on 12 June 2018 and now stand dissolved.
I am satisfied that the recommendations of the two Committees are clear and will enable work to commence within my Department on the preparation of the necessary orders to give effect to the Committees' recommendations in relation to local electoral areas. It is anticipated that these orders will be made in the Autumn of this year.
