Written Answers Nos. 585-601
585. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the changes he has made to allow access by persons to their own data held by his Department and bodies under its aegis following the introduction of GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra586. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the staffing complement and resources of his Department's data protection officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra587. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the data protection impact assessments his Department has commenced since 15 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 585 to 587, inclusive, together.
My Department has appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) as required under Article 37 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). One additional staff member works in the Data Protection Unit, alongside the DPO.
Information Officers have also been appointed in each Business Unit to assist with ensuring data protection compliance across the Department.
No Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) have commenced since 15 May 2018 in my Department. However, the Department is aware of the requirements under Article 35 of the GDPR, which prescribes that a DPIA shall be conducted by a controller where a type of data processing, in particular using new technologies, is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, and in the other specific instances in which controllers must conduct a DPIA.
In the event that a DPIA is required for a proposed data processing activity, this will be carried out in accordance with the Data Protection Commission's published guidance on DPIAs and with the assistance of the Department's DPO.
In relation to the issue of allowing access by persons to their own data held by my Department, all information regarding the process of making a 'Subject Access Request' has been published on the Department's website athttps://www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/compliance/data-protection/how-request-your-personal-information.
The Data Protection Unit has also developed a Guide for staff on handling and responding to requests from individuals who wish to request access to the their personal data.
Responding to access requests for personal data within the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. Arrangements have been put in place by each agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as below:
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
reps@valoff.ie |
588. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the discretion permitted by local authorities in a case of an application for mortgage to rent in circumstances (details supplied); if these limits will be increased to reflect the reality of the situation families are facing applying for inclusion to the social housing register in circumstances in which they are marginally above the maximum income limits; the way in which these limits have been assessed; the length of time they are set to be in place and over which years [31522/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe income eligibility limits for Social Housing Support are set out in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 which prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Local authorities are obliged to adhere to the Household Means Policy in assessing applicants for social housing support.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced. The Housing Agency is carrying out the detailed statistical work on behalf of my Department and I expect the results of this review to be available for publication in late Summer 2018.
589. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to change the advice to potential applicants of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme to infer that the insurance policy in the scheme will minimise their repayment ability by €100 per month and that there is a minimum amount of savings that a person must be making; if his attention has been drawn to these anomalies in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is designed to enable credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The scheme is targeted at first-time buyers who 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.
It is a statutory requirement that mortgage protection insurance (MPI) is taken out in respect of all local authority housing loans. The Local Authority MPI scheme is a group scheme that is designed to provide an appropriate level of insurance cover to those who wish to avail of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. This cover provides certainty to both the applicant and the local authority regarding all Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans that are issued, and it is prudent financial practice. Given this requirement that applicants must take out MPI, continuing to include its monthly cost when assessing an applicant's ability to repay a loan under the scheme is also a financially prudent approach that I have no plans to change.
I am aware that there had previously been issues concerning the inclusion of the cost of MPI in the on-line calculator. This calculator was amended in order to take the cost of mortgage protection insurance into account, and this facility gives potential applicants a clearer indication of the amount that they could be eligible to borrow under the scheme, prior to their submitting an application.
Regarding the minimum savings record required under the scheme, in order to support prudential lending and consistency of treatment for borrowers, a Loan to Value ratio of 90% applies to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan as per the Central Bank's prudential lending guidelines. Therefore, in order to avail of the loan, applicants must have a deposit equivalent to 10% of the market value of the property.
Applicants must provide bank or similar statements (such as post office, credit union etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application, clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The cash savings of the applicant should be no less than 3% of the market value of the property. Gifts are permissible up to 7% of the market value of the property, where their source is verified.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. In order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants, decisions on all housing loan applications must be made, in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme, the statutory credit policy issued in accordance with the Regulations and have regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency, which assesses applications on behalf of the local authorities. Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
590. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if more resources will be allocated to An Bord Pleanála to deal with the increased workload arising from the transfer from local authorities to the board of planning functions in respect of larger scale residential development; if the impact of the additional workload on the board in respect of processing appeals before it has been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provides for new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments, of 100 housing units or more or student accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála for determination within a period of 16 weeks of the lodging of the application.
Since the new arrangements came into operation, i.e. from 3 July 2017 up until end June 2018, the Board received 31 planning applications and has issued decisions in respect of 18 cases, all of which were made within the 16 week timeframe.
My Department liaises closely with An Bord Pleanála to ensure that it has appropriate resources in relation to the performance of its functions. In relation to the additional strategic housing developments functions, a new Strategic Housing Division of the Board was established to decide on these applications, involving the recruitment of an additional dedicated 10 professional and administrative staff members in 2017. Two additional Board members have also been sanctioned to serve this Division, with the appointments being made in February and June this year.
The Board now has a complement of 11 members and has over 150 staff employed. I am satisfied that the Board has sufficient and necessary resources to deliver effectively and efficiently on its important statutory mandate and functions.
591. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress his Department has made in respect of the establishment of and roll-out of an affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31568/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I have been clear that we need to address issues of housing affordability, recognising the pressures that exist for low- to middle-income households, particularly in Dublin and certain other of our main urban centres. The delivery of targeted affordable housing, for purchase and rent, was a priority topic at last week’s Summit which I held with local authority Chief Executives. It is also featuring prominently at the post-Housing Summit meeting with local authority Directors of Service this week.
A three-pronged, targeted approach to affordable housing provision is being pursued. Firstly, in terms of affordable housing for purchase, I have now commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, to place the new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing. This Scheme will be delivered by local authorities developing their sites in key locations. The Scheme will be complementary to other Government Schemes which help first-time buyers to buy a home, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
Secondly, I am also determined that cost rental homes become a major part of our rental landscape in the future. There is a gap between social housing and the rental market that needs to be filled, making a sustainable impact on housing affordability, national competitiveness, and the attractiveness of our main urban centres as places to live and work. Cost rental is an important component of progressive housing systems around Europe.
The Housing Agency, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and a number of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been working to get our first cost rental pilot, at Enniskerry Road, ready for tenders to issue shortly. In parallel, Dublin City Council, my Department and the National Development Finance Agency are undertaking detailed modelling and financial appraisal on a major site, at St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore, to assess its suitability for a significant cost rental development. The work of that multi-disciplinary team is progressing well and should be concluded shortly. Once we have proven the concept through the pilot projects I plan to roll out cost rental across other suitable sites.
Finally, in order to support local authorities to get their sites ready for affordable housing, I am providing additional funding for enabling infrastructure via the Serviced Sites Fund. Given that housing-related infrastructure will now be able to avail of funding under the €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, I am re-directing 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. When local authority co-funding is included, an overall minimum investment of €100 million will be provided to those sites that require infrastructural investment in order for them to be brought into use for affordable housing. The call for proposals under the Serviced Site Fund issued two weeks ago.
From engagements with the local authorities in Dublin, the wider Greater Dublin Area, as well as Cork and Galway cities, their initial estimates suggest that they have lands with the potential to deliver some 4,000 new affordable homes. My Department is continuing to work with the key local authorities and the Housing Agency to identify sites which would see the level of ambition increase to at least 10,000 new affordable homes from local authority-owned land, and that analysis is progressing well.
592. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the engagement his Department has had with the European Investment Bank in respect of the funding of additional social and affordable housing here; his plans to secure additional EIB funding for social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to working with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to secure long-term, low-interest funds for major infrastructure works, including housing development. Together with officials from my Department, I met with EIB housing experts in Luxembourg in February of this year to further build on the EIB’s long-standing support for investment in Irish social and affordable housing. During the visit, EIB technical and financial experts outlined funding models that have successfully supported new social and affordable housing investment across Europe and could be adapted to unlock new housing investment in Ireland.
My Department continues to liaise with the EIB to examine how best to secure funding as an additional investment source for the delivery of social and affordable housing, including cost rental initiatives. The EIB has provided ongoing advice and support to the team in my Department working on cost rental, bringing its international experience from funding similar projects to bear. My Department and the National Development Finance Agency have undertaken detailed modelling and financial appraisal on a major site, at St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore, to assess its suitability for a significant cost rental development. That work is almost finalised and I expect be in a position to announce the first major cost rental project in Dublin shortly, with a broader cost rental programme across Dublin and other cities to follow.
With regard to funding for social housing, in the last five years the EIB has made available €350 million for investment by Approved Housing Bodies across Ireland in cooperation with the Housing Finance Agency. The funds utilised through this facility have supported construction of thousands of new homes and energy efficiency improvements that will significantly reduce household heating bills.
Moreover, in recent months, both Limerick City and County Council and Fingal County Council have entered into financing agreements with the EIB. Fingal County Council signed a €70 million Framework Loan Agreement with the EIB which will trigger a €180 million investment in strategic infrastructure projects within the county’s Capital Development Plan. The EIB also signed off on a €85m loan to Limerick City and County Council, a record commitment for an urban investment programme for the city. The EIB funding will be invested in capital projects, including some residential development.
Such frameworks signal the start of new funding streams for local authorities, which is a very positive development. Other local authorities are being encouraged to consider EIB funding sources for housing, including cost rental and land activation projects, at appropriate sites and Strategic Development Zones.
593. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made in establishing a vehicle for credit unions to invest in the development of social housing. [31571/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitments in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, an Innovation Fund was established to assist AHBs to develop structures, policies and new funding mechanisms. One of the projects being funded, which is being undertaken by the Irish Council for Social Housing, is the development of a Special Purpose Vehicle to facilitate investment into the AHB sector by investors, including the Credit Union movement. The project was approved in May last year and is being undertaken by the ICSH in three phases. The first two phases have been completed and the third phase is due to be completed by the end of September 2018.
In respect of the development of specific SPVs by the credit unions to enable them to make investments in the sector, it is a matter for the credit unions themselves to make the necessary arrangements.
594. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the allocation of funding for social housing and the draw down by local authorities for social housing in each of the years 2000 to 2018, inclusive, by local authority in tabular form. [31601/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation regarding the annual Estimates of Public Expenditure, including the overall amounts made available for the delivery of housing programmes, is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at the following link: http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/.
There is no precise amount of funding notified to individual local authorities for the delivery of housing in a particular year as my Department provides the relevant funding to local authorities as social housing projects are advanced. The funding provided by my Department in respect of the delivery of housing programmes each year from 2005 to date in 2018 is set out in the table below. The data is provided from 2005 onwards in order to align with the introduction of my Department’s current financial management system during 2004.
The breakdown of the data at individual local authority level over the 14 year period is not readily available. However, if the Deputy is concerned about a specific local authority or local authorities, I will have the matter explored further on receipt of the relevant information.
|
Year |
Total Expenditure |
|
2005 |
€1,232m |
|
2006 |
€1,363m |
|
2007 |
€1,508m |
|
2008 |
€1,710m |
|
2009 |
€1,391m |
|
2010 |
€1,065m |
|
2011 |
€742m |
|
2012 |
€672m |
|
2013 |
€580m |
|
2014 |
€585m |
|
2015 |
€762m |
|
2016 |
€943m |
|
2017 |
€1,408m |
|
2018 (to 6 July) |
€707m |
|
TOTAL |
€14,668m |
595. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding for grant aid to persons installing a zero discharge wastewater treatment system as part of a pilot scheme in County Leitrim will be provided in view of the fact that the pilot scheme will provide important research for planning and one off housing throughout rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31605/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Multi-annual Rural Water Programme was established under my Department to run for the period 2016 to 2018. It was developed through a working group of key stakeholders involving Local Authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as well as my Department.
Under Measure 6 of the programme a grant is available to assist owners of premises connected to domestic waste water treatment systems (more commonly known as septic tanks). The grant supports the costs of repairs to, and upgrading or replacement of, such treatment systems, where the works arise directly from an inspection carried out under Part 4A of the Water Services Act 2007 (as inserted under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012), and the subsequent issue of an Advisory Notice by the local authority. This grant scheme is not available in respect of newly constructed houses.
The terms and conditions of the grant scheme are set out in an Explanatory Memorandum which is available from Local Authorities and on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/domestic-waste-water-systemsseptic-tanks/domestic-waste-water-treatment-0%20.
My Department is currently addressing the recommendations contained in the April 2017 report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services as they relate to the rural water sector. In this regard, in April 2018, I established a Working Group to conduct a wider review of the investment needs of rural water services. In addition to my Department, the Working Group comprises: the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Health Service Executive, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and the County and City Management Association.
The Working Group, which has met three times to date, is considering how best to position and resource water services in rural areas so that they can contribute further to the development and long-term sustainability of a comprehensive and cohesive rural water sector that will have the capacity to produce quality outcomes comparable to those available to customers of public water services.
The terms of reference of the review provide that there will be a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 will consider the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme from 2019 up to 2021, while Strand 2 will consider the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the rural water sector.
Having regard to the outcome of the review, and decisions to be taken on measures to be included in the programme from 2019 to 2021, applications will be invited from Local Authorities in respect of funding for that period.
596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to support the provision of homelessness services within counties Kildare and Wicklow in circumstances in which it is planned to redeploy homelessness services in the form of emergency accommodation from Dublin to County Kildare in which supply is tight; the way in which he plans to support those homeless families in County Kildare that are not permitted to access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31612/18]
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 accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and is a matter for the relevant housing authorities.
Exchequer funding towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services is provided by my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. A Statutory Management Group exists for each region, comprised of representatives from the relevant housing authorities and the Health Service Executive. It is the responsibility of the Management Group to consider issues around the need for homeless services and to plan for the implementation, funding and co-ordination of such services.
597. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he has taken in his Department further to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's statement (details supplied) that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018 is needed to provide a legal basis for certain data transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31626/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Data Sharing and Governance Bill, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, was published on 8 June 2018 and is currently at Report Stage in the Seanad.
The purpose of the Bill is to promote and encourage data sharing between public bodies by providing a statutory framework for data sharing for legitimate and clearly specified purposes that are compliant with data protection law; and to improve the protection of individual privacy rights by setting new governance standards for data sharing by public bodies.
National and EU data protection law requires that data sharing needs an explicit legal basis. Data sharing is currently carried out by my Department and our agencies largely under existing sectoral legislation. I understand that it is expected that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill will provide a flexible legislative gateway for data sharing by public bodies that will simplify the complex legal landscape that currently exists. The Bill also provides a framework for public bodies to share data in a manner that is compatible with data protection law, including the new General Data Protection Regulation that came into effect on 25 May. My Department will continue to monitor our data sharing requirements and will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as necessary.
598. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén costas a bhain le Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm sna blianta 2009, 2010 agus 2011 agus cén costas a bhainfeadh leis an scéim thabhairt ar ais [31101/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá na sonraí maidir leis an gcostas a bhain le Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm sna blianta 2009, 2010 agus 2011 leagtha amach sa tábla thíos.
|
Bliain |
€ |
|
2009 |
697,000 |
|
2010 |
926,000 |
|
2011 |
412,000 |
Ní mhiste a mheabhrú don Teachta nach bhfuil na costais riaracháin a bhain le reáchtáil na scéime san áireamh sna figiúirí thuas. Ní gá a rá go raibh na costais sin suntasach i dtéarmaí acmhainní daonna agus airgid.
Níl aon meastachán ar fáil ar an gcostas a bheadh i gceist chun an scéim a thabhairt ar ais.
599. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for the Creative Ireland programme scheme; when an announcement regarding the successful applicants will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31166/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Programme Scheme was launched on 17 May 2018. Following an extended deadline for applications to the 15th June, a total number of 287 applications were received in respect of the Scheme. It is expected that an announcement regarding successful applicants will be made mid-August 2018 following a comprehensive evaluation process including assessment by an external panel of experts. Further information on the terms and conditions of the scheme is available at https://creative.ireland.ie/en/news/new-creative-ireland-programme-scheme-201819-announced.
The purpose of the Creative Ireland Programme Scheme is to develop strategic collaborations with a variety of organisations/individuals in order to identify and develop new initiatives that support the broad objectives of the Creative Ireland Programme and help inform policy and/or cross-sectoral development in the area of culture, creativity and wellbeing.
600. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta léiriú a thabhairt ar an mbunús dleathúil atá ann maidir le Foras na Gaeilge a chómhaoiniú ar an mbonn 75% ón a Roinn agus 25% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus tagairt a dhéanamh don dlí nó don ionstraim reachtúil a chuireann i scríbhinn an chomhréir seo. [31238/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFaoi réir fhorálacha an Achta um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999 (Mír 2.1 de Cuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 don Chomhaontú sa Sceideal), is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, a dhéanann moltaí maidir leis na buiséid d'Fhoras na Gaeilge a íoctar as airgead a vótáiltear i dTionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus i nDáil Éireann.
Tuigtear dom gur socraíodh ar chóimheas 75:25 mar ráta cómhaoinithe d'Fhoras na Gaeilge ag eascairt as breithiúnas ar an tionchar a bheadh i gceist don dá dhlínse agus go bhfuil buiséid ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas d'Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an mbonn sin ón gcéad lá.
601. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in her Department; the civil service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister on the 30th November 2017, and as provided for by the Public Service Management Act 1997, I have appointed two Special Advisers, one of which has been appointed as my full-time Media Adviser since the 8th January 2018. This Special Adviser has extensive experience as a senior editor with over twenty years’ experience in both traditional and digital media and is paid at the third point of the Principal Officer (Standard Scale).
