Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 2600-2619

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Ceisteanna (2600)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

2600. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35383/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

The Department is engaged in a number of service delivery modernisation and transformation programmes involving business process, organisational and technological change. These programmes are supported by the procurement of external consultants to provide advice to the Department to support it in meeting its objectives. Where required, external consultants are engaged for a fixed period following procurement exercises conducted in accordance with Department procedures that are compliant with EU and national legislation and with guidelines set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Contracts are awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender or lowest price. Pricing models can vary but are generally fixed price and details of consultants paid on an hourly rate are not readily available.

A breakdown of annual expenditure on consultancy and IT external service provision, and a list of purchase orders for €20,000 and above, are published on the Procurement Policy page of Department’s website www.welfare.ie. In addition, in accordance with FOI legislation with effect from January 2016, details of public contracts awarded over €25,000 are also available on www.welfare.ie. Details of expenditure on consultancy for the years 2012 to 2017 are set in the following tables.

My Department closely monitors expenditure on consultancy and it is kept to a minimum. All procurements under Consultancy Expenditure must be approved by the Department’s Project Governance Committee prior to tendering for the service.

2017

KPMG	€256,670	Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund
Mazars	€209,100	Compliance with EU GDPR
Indecon	€104,944	Independent Review of the Amendments to OFP
ESRI	€61,500	Joint Research Programme on Retirement
Consult Hyperion	€61,194	SAFE - Expert Advice
Mazars	€56,734	Outsourced Internal Audit Expertise
ESRI	€15,678	Measurement and Analyses of Income and Living Conditions
Clickworks Limited and iReach	€11,808	Strategic Review of DSP Website
Irish Research Council	€10,558	Social Protection Research Innovation Awards
Grant Thornton	€7,749	Security Partner Services
Total	€795,935

2016

ESRI	€63,975	Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Social Exclusion
Consult Hyperion	€39,307	SAFE - Expert Advice
Irish Research Council	€29,940	Social Protection Research Innovation Awards
National College of Ireland	€29,900	Development of NFQ Programme for Training in DEASP
Indecon	€29,077	Review of Local Employment Services
Mazars	€15,074	Outsourced Internal Audit Expertise
Grant Thornton	€14,637	Provision of Security Partner Services
The Analytics Store	€9,471	Predictive Analytics Modelling
Renaissance Contingency Services Ltd	€7,749	Business Continuity Management Programme
Total	€239,130

2015

Mercer	€278,479	Implementation of Mediated Agreement on Hogan Case
ESRI	€67,973	Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Social Exclusion
Indecon International Economic Consultants	€59,280	Provision of Consultancy Services to review the EmployAbility (Supported Employment) Service
Irish Research Council	€42,250	Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards
Consult Hyperion	€25,709	SAFE - Expert Advice
Mel Cousins	€18,000	Review of Rent Supplement under Equal Status Acts
RITS Information Security	€11,480	Confidential Forensic Services
ESRI	€6,285	Evaluation Research (BTEA)
EisnerAmper Ireland	€5,535	External Assessment of Internal Audit Unit
ESRI	€4,000	Action Learning, Behavioural Economics & Payments Migration
Total	€518,991

2014

ESRI	€250,000	SWITCH Research Programme
Accenture	€237,636	Review and redesign of front-line learning and development programme
Haywood Associates	€224,340	BOMi- Technical Development Advice
Naked Objects Group Ltd	€200,857	BOMi - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise
Consult Hyperion	€66,546	SAFE PSC
ESRI	€55,978	Analysis & Measurement of Deprivation & Poverty
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion	€50,978	Contracting of External Employment Services
OECD	€50,000	Youth Guarantee Advice
Axiom Consulting	€47,880	Employee Engagement Programme (Culture & Values)
Irish Research Council	€40,101	Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards
Microsoft Consulting	€36,720	Premier Support for Developers
Deloitte & Touche	€28,246	Provision of Security Partner Services
Deloitte & Touche	€23,616	IS Internal Audit Services
Microsoft Consulting	€19,590	Support to Technical Architecture Group
ESRI	€16,873	Profiling of “Stock” Live Registrants
Mel Cousins & Associates	€16,000	Evaluation of Fund for EU Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD)
ESRI	€9,809	Evaluation Research (BTEA)
Geary Institute	€7,960	Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards
Rits	€6,541	Confidential Forensic Investigation Services
ESRI	€2,000	Action Learning, Behavioural Economics & Payments Migration
Mike Byrne	€2,000	Tender Evaluation - Contracting of External Employment Services
Total	€1,393,671

2013

Naked Objects Group Ltd	€234,463	BOMi - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise
Bearing Point	€224,917	Public Services Card Registration & Management Functionality on BOMi
Naked Objects Group Ltd	€168,181	BOMi- Technical Development Advice
ESRI	€150,000	SWITCH Research Programme
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion	€140,989	External Service Delivery - Employment Services
Haywood Associates	€87,871	BOMi- Technical Development Advice
Axiom Consulting	€74,812	Employee Engagement Programme (Culture & Values)
ESRI	€67,979	Analysis & Measurement of Deprivation & Poverty
Deloitte & Touche	€48,688	IS Internal Audit Services
Accenture	€33,388	Mobile Opportunity Exploration
Consult Hyperion	€23,720	SAFE PSC
Mercer Ireland Ltd	€18,450	Long-term Pensions Policy Research
ESRI	€16,873	Profiling of “Stock” Live Registrants
Microsoft	€11,515	Support to Technical Architecture Group
Irish Research Council	€11,103	Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards
Mel Cousins & Associates	€10,000	Review of Best International Practice regarding In-Work Supports
TOR Financial	€9,900	Models of National Employment Based Pension Systems
ESRI	€9,809	Evaluation Research (BTEA)
PricewaterhouseCoopers	€7,380	Provision of Financial Advisory Services (for Payment Services Evaluation)
Monsoon Consulting	€7,085	Updates to Jobseekers Smartphone App
Monsoon Consulting	€7,042	Modification to Jobseekers Smartphone App
Deloitte & Touche	€6,540	Provision of Security Partner Services
Mel Cousins & Associates	€4,720	GRO Legislation Review
Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute	€4,000	Update of the Diet Supplement Diet Cost Report
Mel Cousins & Associates	€2,400	Guidance documentation for Deciding & Appeals Officers
Total	€1,381,825

2012

Bearing Point	€265,776	Public Services Card Registration & Management Functionality on BOMi
Naked Objects Group Ltd	€199,260	SDM - Technical Development Advice
KPMG	€153,750	Actuarial Review of Social Insurance Fund
ESRI	€150,000	SWITCH Research Programme
OECD	€130,000	OECD Review of Long Term Pension Policy
Naked Objects Group Ltd	€108,486	SDM - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise
ESRI	€81,494	Analysis & measurement of Deprivation & Poverty
Indecon	€59,557	Evaluation of the JobBridge National Internship Scheme
Accenture	€44,772	FÁS ICT Applications Systems Review
Deloitte & Touche	€39,541	IS Internal Audit Services
Consult Hyperion	€36,472	SAFE PSC
Deloitte & Touche	€27,675	Security Partner to provide ongoing Information Security Support
Creative Inc	€24,777	Design Work for Intreo
PricewaterhouseCoopers	€24,600	Review of Pension Charges
Language	€21,990	Intreo Corporate Identity
Ernst & Young	€7,623	Security Partner to provide ongoing Information Security Support
Rits	€4,654	Confidential Forensic Services
Compass Point	€4,600	Developing architecture for Intreo
Technical Guidance Ltd	€1,230	Review of Pension Charges
Daniel Finn	€650	Pathways to Work – Consultation
Total	€1,386,907

Question No. 2601 answered with Question No. 2439.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (2602)

James Browne

Ceist:

2602. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an instance in which an applicant to the Rebuilding Ireland home loans scheme meets difficulty in view of the fact their contractual employment does not cover the calendar year in spite of their employment as a second-level teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32545/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is targeted at first-time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only, to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.

To be eligible for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, you must be in continuous employment for a minimum of two years, as a primary applicant or be in continuous employment for a minimum of one year, as a secondary applicant.

Continuous employment does not need to be permanent, but continuous in nature. You may be in the same employment or in more than one employment for that period, where a break in employment has lasted no more than 4 weeks. However, there are exceptions to this when it comes to applicants who are in the teaching profession. Given the nature of their work, there is a natural break in their employment due to schools being closed during holiday periods. However, once their employment resumes after these holiday periods, then the break in employment is not seen as an official break in employment for the purposes of applying for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.

Project Ireland 2040 Funding

Ceisteanna (2603, 2604)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

2603. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the planned urban regeneration and development fund is a potential source of funding for a road scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/18]

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

2604. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a project (details supplied) will be considered for funding under the urban regeneration and development fund when it is released in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33260/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2603 and 2604 together.

On 9 July 2018, I launched the new Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) as part of Project Ireland 2040 to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.

My Department has responsibility for implementing the URDF, which has an allocation of €2 billion over the 10-year period of the National Development Plan (NDP) to 2027, with €100 million available for expenditure in 2019 and an overall Exchequer allocation of €550 million earmarked for the Fund up to the end of 2022.

The first call for proposals under the URDF is therefore now live and will run until end-September 2018. Proposals, including transport and services infrastructure, are invited under this Fund, which will operate on a competitive, bid-based Exchequer grant basis, with proposals being required to demonstrate that they will be:

- Innovative and transformational urban regeneration projects;

- Public-sector led and with the option of community and/or private sector partners;

- Matched by at least 25% direct funding from other public and/or private sources;

- Involve a minimum bid of €2m;

- A catalyst for development that would not otherwise occur; and

- Likely to leverage significant further public and private sector investment.

Detailed information on the URDF and the application process can be viewed at the following links: www.gov.ie/urdf and www.npf.ie.

I would encourage relevant sectors to adopt a collaborative approach to ensure that the potential of this Fund can be maximised and I look forward to seeing many innovative and ambitious proposals submitted for consideration under this initial call for proposals by the end of September deadline.

National Risk Assessment

Ceisteanna (2605)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

2605. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the comments in the draft national risk assessment 2018 regarding the shortage of houses being one of the most prominent risks and challenges facing Ireland and that for the foreseeable future the housing shortages are likely to act as economic constraints on economic activity; if he has held recent meetings on same; and the role his Department has in tackling this major risk. [33404/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The supply of housing and accommodation is one of the most immediate of the domestic challenges the country currently faces.  Driven by unsustainable residential construction, the scale of construction output grew to an unprecedented 25% of gross national product (GNP) in 2006 before dropping dramatically to 6.4% of GNP in 2012. Housing supply contracted sharply from late 2007, with the number of new dwellings falling by over 90% between 2006 and 2013.

The need to address the undersupply of housing is well recognised and it is for that reason that the issue has been, and remains, a top Government priority.  Through its comprehensive Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government is committed to creating and maintaining a capable, effective and sustainable housing sector, on the right scale, avoiding previous boom and bust cycles. Under the Action Plan, the social housing needs of over 137,000 households will be met over the period 2016 to 2021, supported by over €6 billion of investment, and housing supply more generally is targeted to increase to at least 25,000 homes per annum by 2020.

Rebuilding Ireland is having a significant impact, with nearly 26,000 households having their social housing needs met in 2017 alone, significantly ahead of target. In order to get overall house-building at scale activated again, the Government is investing nearly €275m in enabling infrastructure, has streamlined the relevant planning and regulatory processes, made development finance available and has introduced a vacant site levy.  

In terms of housing output, all housing activity indicators continue to show encouraging trends. For example, over 18,000 new residential construction commencements have been notified over the twelve months to end-April 2018, an increase of 23% year-on-year and planning permission was granted for almost 20,800 new homes in 2017, an increase of 27% on 2016.

In terms of housing affordability, I have commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, to place the new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing. Just yesterday, I announced details of a major cost rental project with the potential to deliver over 300 cost rental homes at Emmet Road, Inchicore, as part of a mixed-tenure development of some 470 homes in total.  This will now form the framework to be rolled out across other suitable sites.

In order to support local authorities to get their sites ready for affordable housing, I am providing €75 million in funding for enabling infrastructure via the Serviced Sites Fund. 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 has now issued and I expect to award funding in the Autumn. 

Progress on Rebuilding Ireland is kept under review and since taking up office, I have met with a range of key housing stakeholders on many occasions to discuss the main implementation issues. For example, this was a priority topic at the recent Housing Summit with local authority Chief Executives and it also featured prominently at a post-Summit meeting with local authority Housing Directors of Service.

I am confident that full implementation of the comprehensive set of actions laid out in Rebuilding Ireland will result in a much enhanced supply/demand balance in the housing sector, with consequential wider economic and social benefits. My Department and I will continue to remain firmly focused on implementation in the months and years ahead.

Vacant Sites Levy

Ceisteanna (2606, 2715)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

2606. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated yield by increasing the vacant site levy to 15%, 20% and 25%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33516/18]

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

2715. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1576 of 17 April 2018, the number of notices issued by each planning authority in relation to vacant site tax in tabular form; if his Department is monitoring the progress of each planning authority in identifying vacant sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33908/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2606 and 2715 together.

The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas.  Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities have issued notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June this year in respect of vacant sites included on their respective registers on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.  As implementation of the vacant site levy provision is a matter for each local authority, my Department does not have information on the exact number of notices issued by each authority.

The Act empowered planning authorities to apply an annual vacant site levy of 3% of the market value of relevant vacant sites, where a site exceeds 0.05 hectares in area, was, in the planning authority’s opinion, vacant or idle in the preceding year, commencing in the year 2018, and is in an area identified by the planning authority in its development plan or local area plan for residential or regeneration development, with reduced or zero rates of levy applying in specific circumstances.

However, the recently enacted Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 makes a number of amendments to the vacant site levy provisions in the 2015 Act.  Notably, as announced in Budget 2018, the 2018 Act provides for the increased rate of levy from 3% to 7% for sites on the register for the year 2019 and for the removal of the provisions regarding the application of reduced or zero rates of the levy for sites on the register that are subject to a site loan, to ensure the levy is more effective in bringing forward sites for housing development.

My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites.  However, on foot of a recent review of the on-line vacant site registers across all local authority areas, I understand that 16 authorities have populated their vacant site registers to date, of which 11 had sites on their registers before 1 January 2018.

At this time, while some planning authorities have already obtained and populated the vacant site registers with market valuation of the relevant sites, other authorities are currently  undertaking this necessary work.  In advance of having comprehensive information regarding sites valuations, it is not possible to provide an estimate of the annual levies that may be raised by planning authorities through the implementation of the levy or to estimate the annual levies that may be raised from the application of different levy rates than those provided for. 

My Department has actively engaged with local authorities in relation to the implementation of the vacant site levy in order to ensure a consistent application of the levy provisions across all city and county areas and to facilitate the sharing of best practice. My Department has also provided guidance and advice and organised three separate information seminars for local authorities, most recently on 1 May 2018, which was attended by officials from every local authority.

My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the levy to ensure that it is being fully used, in line with its intended purpose of incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas and so that the full potential of the measure can be realised.

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Ceisteanna (2607)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

2607. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason a proposed road development in Naas, County Kildare, originally planned in 1992 may be funded by the local infrastructure housing activation fund as part of the proposed Naas inner relief road; the reason an outdated road development provides two of three options for the completion of the road; the reason the LIHAF funding for the road has been approved in view of the significant passage of time and the exponential increase in the population of Naas over the past 26 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33566/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is designed to activate housing supply by putting in place the enabling public infrastructure necessary to ensure that large scale development takes place on key sites in urban areas of high housing demand.

Projects were submitted by local authorities and were selected, based on their performance in a competitive scoring matrix. Final approval was given for 30 projects under LIHAF in 2017. These projects will stimulate development of approximately 20,000 housing units across 14 local authorities. Kildare County Council submitted a number of projects for funding and three of those received final approval, including the project that the Deputy refers to in Naas.

I understand that Kildare County Council submitted the Naas Inner Relief Road project for LIHAF funding as the project, which involves the construction of 1.5 km of road, has the potential to unlock a substantial portion of residentially zoned lands which were unable to secure planning approval for housing, due to the lack of completion of the road during the downturn in the economy.

The construction of this road will facilitate the delivery of approximately 800 housing units on associated sites, including a local authority site where Kildare County Council will provide more than 70 social housing units through a public private partnership arrangement. 

I understand from Kildare County Council that, following receipt of funding approval, and in light of the changes in planning legislation since the road project was initially proposed, the Council were advised that planning approval would need to be sought again for the road. The first phase of the route selection process identified eight possible routes and subsequently, following further analysis, the number of route options was reduced to three.

I understand that Kildare County Council will be carrying out further traffic analysis and modelling during the Autumn with the objective of announcing the preferred route option before the end of the year. Kildare County Council will then commence the required Part 8 planning application process.

I look forward to the provision of the enabling infrastructure by Kildare County Council, supported by LIHAF funding, and the provision of much needed housing in the Naas area.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (2608, 2683, 2732)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

2608. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the cohort of persons who cannot obtain a mortgage and are unable to save a deposit for a house due to high rental costs but are over the threshold for council housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34013/18]

John Curran

Ceist:

2683. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the progress being made to develop an affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33665/18]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2732. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will reintroduce an affordable housing scheme to assist persons who are over the income limit for social housing but are not in a position to pay market rates (details supplied); and the supports available to assist such a person own their own home. [34370/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2608, 2683 and 2732 together.

As Minister, I have been clear that we need to address 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 the recent Housing Summit which I held with Local Authority Chief Executives earlier this month. It is also featured prominently at the post-Housing Summit meeting with Local Authority Housing Directors of Service.

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 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.

In this regard, yesterday, I announced details of a major cost rental project with the potential to deliver over 300 cost rental homes at Emmet Road, Inchicore, as part of a mixed-tenure development of some 470 homes in total. Dublin City Council will present a proposal to their elected members for approval at their September Council meeting. In parallel, the Housing Agency, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and a number of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been working on a smaller-scale cost rental pilot, at Enniskerry Road, the tenders for which will issue shortly. On foot of these pilot projects, cost rental will now be rolled out 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 originally earmarked 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 has now issued and I expect to award funding in the Autumn.

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 engagement and analysis is progressing well.

Nitrates Action Programme Implementation

Ceisteanna (2609)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

2609. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the slurry spreading deadline will be extended in view of the recent weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34028/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). The Nitrates Directive requires all member states to define set periods when the land application of fertiliser, including slurry, is not allowed and in Ireland the closed season commences on 15 October.

The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was introduced.  The provisions of the Regulations are underpinned by scientific research and good agricultural practice. The most recent scientific studies carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s ongoing Agricultural Catchments Programme have provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the prohibited spreading periods in reducing nutrient losses to waters.

While acknowledging the extreme weather conditions experienced throughout the country this year, including the current sustained period of drought conditions, I do not have any plans to make changes to the slurry spreading deadline. However, I will continue to keep this matter under review in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (2610)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

2610. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the threshold for a threat to national security under the new planning and development Acts for planning permission to be overturned; and if a potential interference with a naval base or military base of the State would constitute such a threat. [35079/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The newly inserted section 44A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that the Minister may make an order revoking or modifying a grant of planning permission but only upon the request of the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Minister for Defence and with the approval of the Government.  Furthermore, the Minister must be satisfied that the carrying out of the development, to which the grant of permission relates, is likely to be harmful to the security or defence of the State, or the State’s relations with other states, and the revocation or modification concerned is necessary in the public interest.

The potential application of section 44A in any individual set of circumstances would fall to be determined by considering the particular facts involved by reference to the above criteria.

Housing Assistance Payment Data

Ceisteanna (2611)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

2611. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of recipients of the rental accommodation scheme and the housing assistance payment in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the expenditure on each payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33495/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Housing Assistance Payment (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 by €149 million to €301 million. This will allow for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enable the additional 17,000 households targeted under Rebuilding Ireland to be supported by HAP in 2018.

In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the amount spent on, and the number of households in receipt of, the Housing Assistance Payment on an annual basis, the relevant details are set out in the following table.

Year	Additional Households supported at end of year	Expenditure €M
2016	12,075	57.69
2017	17,916	152.69
2018 (to 16 July)	9,877	141.13

At the end of Q2 2018 there were 37,751 active HAP tenancies in recipt of payment and over 21,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is currently operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland.  My Department will, of course, continue to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.

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 following table sets out the data available in relation to funding provided by my Department to local authorities under the Rental Accommodation Scheme in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. Funding provided by the 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	RAS Tenancies at 31/12	RAS Expenditure
2016	20,306	€130,998,165*
2017	19,755	€142,837,782**
2018 (to end May)	19,388	€  42,736,817

* An additional €13.9m  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 those RAS contracts in place at the end of 2017 that continue on into 2018, and the cost of a further 600 tenancies to transfer from rent supplement in 2018 in line with the Rebuilding Ireland targets. From 2018 onwards, annual RAS targets are reducing to take account of the increasing focus on rent supplement transfer to HAP.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ceisteanna (2612, 2640, 2645, 2680, 2681)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

2612. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of targeted sites to be acquired under the serviced sites fund in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; the estimated average subsidy per site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/18]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

2640. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of serviced sites completed to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33112/18]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

2645. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 945 of 10 July 2018 and 733 and 744 of 12 July 2018, the financial year in which the €75 million in Exchequer funding to the fund will be available; if the amount available in Exchequer funding in 2018 is €15 million or €25 million as separately outlined in replies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/18]

John Curran

Ceist:

2680. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications for funding under the serviced sites fund; the number being assessed; the number approved for this funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33662/18]

John Curran

Ceist:

2681. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been drawn down from the serviced sites fund in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33663/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2612, 2640, 2645, 2680 and 2681 together.

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 945 of 10 July 2018 and 773 and 774 of 12 July 2018 which broadly sets out the position in relation to the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF).

As I outlined in these replies, I am providing €75 million of Exchequer funding under the SSF to provide enabling infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of affordable homes on local authority and Housing Agency sites, in or near centres where increasing house prices and rents have created a significant affordability gap for first-time buyers and for those wishing to rent. The funding is not being provided for the acquisition of sites.

The €75 million represents an increase of €50 million in Exchequer funding from the previously announced €25 million, which was due to be spent over the two year period 2018-19. The provision of matching local authority funding of at least 25% of the cost of the infrastructure bid is a qualifying pre-requisite for all proposals, meaning that there will be a minimum spend of €100 million under the SSF.

The annual profiled allocations in each of the years to 2021, comprising Exchequer and local authority contributions, is set out in the following table.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	Total
Exchequer	€15m	€20m	€20m	€20m	€75m
LA contribution	€5	€6.7m	€6.7m	€6.7m	€25m
Total Investment	€20m	€26.7m	€26.7m	€26.7m	€100m

As noted previously, funding will be capped at €30,000 Exchequer contribution per affordable home to be delivered. When combined with the local authority contribution of at least 25% of the cost of the infrastructure bid, this will bring the per-unit grant to €40,000 maximum. On the basis of a simple calculation, there is scope to provide grant funding to at least 2,500 affordable homes facilitated under the Fund.

I have recently issued a call for proposals and I expect to be in a position to award funding in the Autumn.

Local Authority Members

Ceisteanna (2613)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

2613. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the requirement on elected members of local authorities to declare contracts they or their business interests have with the local authority of which they are members in terms of the Local Government Act 2001, the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and related legislation and regulations; his plans to amend these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32444/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, sets down an ethical framework for local government, including for elected members of local authorities. The ethical framework imposes a statutory duty on all involved to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. This framework also takes into account the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995.

Section 171 of the 2001 Act obliges elected members to prepare and furnish to their local authority an annual written declaration containing particulars of their declarable interests, as set out under section 175.  This includes, under section 175(j), any contract to which an elected member is a party or is in any other way, directly or indirectly, interested for the supply of goods or services to the local authority during the appropriate period if the value of the goods or services supplied exceeds €6,348.

The Public Sector Standards Bill, once enacted, will consolidate and significantly enhance the existing ethical framework for the public sector, including for elected members of local authorities. My Department has been advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the Bill commenced Dáil Committee Stage during April 2017. On foot of this, the Committee requested my colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, to deal with certain matters prior to the re-commencement of Committee Stage. It is understood that the matters involved have now been dealt with and Committee Stage has been scheduled for 27 September 2018.  Section 7(3) of the Bill currently provides that any contract in relation to the supply of goods or services to a public body, if the value exceeds €5,000 in a given year, is a declarable interest.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (2614)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2614. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the housing legislation which governs the planting of hedgerows in residential areas; if there is a specific height which hedgerows cannot be allowed to grow beyond in such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32445/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

There is no legislation under the remit of my Department that governs this matter, including housing legislation.  Furthermore, planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of trees or hedges, nor does it make any particular provision for remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. However, there is currently a civil remedy available through the Courts concerning branches or roots of neighbouring trees encroaching on a person’s property.

The possibility of providing a broader civil law remedy for parties affected by high trees and hedges on adjoining properties was raised previously with the Minister for Justice and Equality. In this regard, advice was sought on the possibility of legislative provision being made, whereby a person substantially deprived of the enjoyment of their property, such as the deprivation of light caused by high trees on a neighbouring property, could apply to the Courts for an order, and that the Courts could make an order as they see fit, for example, to cut the trees back to an appropriate height. Safety considerations relating to overhanging trees could also potentially be addressed in any such provisions.

In response, the Minister for Justice and Equality suggested that disputes of this nature between neighbours could perhaps be more appropriately dealt with through mediation, which is being increasingly used internationally as a tool for the resolution of civil disputes, rather than through the Courts.  Legislation subsequently introduced by the Minister for Justice and Equality has been enacted as the Mediation Act 2017.

The Mediation Act, which came into operation on 1 January 2018, contains provisions to underpin a comprehensive statutory framework to promote the resolution of disputes through mediation as an alternative to court proceedings which should ideally be only used as a last resort. In essence, the underlying objective of the Act is to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs, speeding up the resolution of disputes and reducing the stress and acrimony which often accompanies court proceedings, including those involving adjoining property owners.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (2615)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

2615. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is a minimum amount a person or persons must save per month when preparing for an application for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32506/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The 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.

Regarding savings 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 from 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. Consideration can also be given to applicants who can demonstrate a consistent and credible record of rent payments equal to the proposed monthly repayments in the case of a fixed rate loan or the stress tested monthly repayments in the case of the variable loan.  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 Housing Agency assesses applications for loans on behalf of the local authorities. However the final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis.  Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme, the statutory credit policy issued under the Regulations and have regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.

Departmental Legal Services

Ceisteanna (2616, 2784)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

2616. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32529/18]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

2784. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount paid for external legal services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2616 and 2784 together.

My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal costs and avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor's office and the Attorney General's office in terms of the provision of legal advices and representation of the Department in Court cases.

The following table sets out details in relation to external legal services provided to my Department by legal firms from 2012 to date in 2018. The table does not include costs associated with the Planning Tribunal.

Company name	Details of legal fees / services	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
		Total (€)	Total (€)	Total (€)	Total (€)	Total (€)	Total (€)	Total (€)
A&L Goodbody	Legal advice on Water Abstraction		23,985
Arthur Cox	Legal Advice on Foreshore Consent Issues	50,000	33,070		20,767	39,010	81,415	55,180
Arthur Cox	Legal Advice - Pyrite Panel							6,127
Eamon Galligan	Legal Advice -proposed amendment to section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2000					2,433		1,353
Eversheds Sutherland	Legal advice - PPP Bundles (procurement/tenders)	48,922	167,200	22,407
Geoffrey Fox	Drafting of EU (Planning and Development) (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations) 2018	43,050
Mason Hayes & Curran	Provision of Employment Law Advice					566
McDowell Purcell Solicitors	Legal Advice - DDDA						6,467	6,654
McKeever Solicitors	Witnessing signature of an affidavit		10
Rochford Brady Group	Legal Search					23
	TOTAL	€141,972	€224,265	€22,407	€20,767	€42,032	€87,882	€69,314

Water Conservation

Ceisteanna (2617)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

2617. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there are emergency regulations, such as the hosepipe ban, regarding the use of large quantities of water for irrigation other than for food production. [32558/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

On 2 July 2018 Irish Water imposed a Water Conservation Order for the Greater Dublin Area applicable to all domestic public water supplies and commercial premises for non-commercial activities.  This was followed on Friday 6 July 2018 by a National Water Conservation Order.  Both orders will remain in place until 31 July 2018 and may be extended beyond that date subject to ongoing review by Irish Water.  

Section 56 of the Water Services Act 2007 confers powers on a water services authority in respect of the conservation of water where it is necessary to prevent wastage or excessive consumption. Clauses 16 to 25 of section 56 in particular make statutory provision for the introduction of a range of restrictions, such as those currently in place, designed to conserve water supplies by preventing non-essential usage when supplies are under threat.    

Specified restrictions may include, but are not limited to, watering a garden, the watering of recreational parks or sports grounds, irrigating or spraying crops, washing vehicles, provision of commercial washing services for a vehicle or trailer or filling or replenishing a swimming pool or an artificial pond or lake.

In practice the restrictions may apply to specified activities for all or specified parts of the day.

Notwithstanding these contingency measures necessary to deal with prolonged dry weather, we continue to face fundamental long term water conservation challenges.  Past under-investment in our water infrastructure means we are contending with high network loss rates while many of our water and wastewater treatment plants are operating at maximum capacity. 

The Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 published on 21 May 2018 sets out a series of high-level policy objectives across the three thematic areas of Quality, Conservation, and Future Proofing, which must be pursued when planning capital investment and framing current spending plans.  Under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 €8.5 billion has been committed to improving the public water system over the next 10 years.

Water Conservation

Ceisteanna (2618)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

2618. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of water being used for irrigation purposes for landscaping other than food production, for example, maintaining animal racecourses and golf courses. [32559/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Water Framework Directive requires that measures are put in place to protect and, where necessary, restore to good status all bodies of surface water and groundwater. Measures must include legal and administrative controls to protect water bodies from excessive levels of abstraction.

In the River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021, which my Department published in April 2018, I committed to the establishment of a new legislative framework for the sustainable management of water abstractions, which will include a requirement for the registration of larger abstractions (greater than 25m3/day). The abstraction registration system will shortly go live, and abstractors are required to register over the following four months, detailing their level of abstraction.

As part of the preparatory work in this regard, the EPA has undertaken a quantitative assessment of known abstractions based on best available information and has created a database, which currently includes some 2,630 abstractions. This database will be optimised based on information submitted via the aforementioned register.

While the information requested is not yet fully available, based on the EPA's assessment work to date, it is estimated that some 322 golf courses and 24 horse racing facilities are abstracting greater than 25m3 of water per day.

Rental Accommodation Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (2619)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

2619. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of active RAS tenancies by local authority area for the most recent month available in tabular form. [32595/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The most recent month for which the number of active RAS tenancies is available is May 2018, at which point  there were a total of 19,388 active RAS tenancies, details of which, broken down by local authority, are set out in the following table.

No. of Active RAS Tenancies by Local Authority @ 31 May 2018

Local Authority	Total All RAS
Carlow CC	522
Cavan CC	559
Clare CC	376
Cork City Cl.	840
Cork CC	886
Donegal CC	545
Dublin City Cl.	1885
Dublin South CC	1385
Dun-Rathdown CC	531
Fingal CC	680
Galway City Cl.	438
Galway Co. Cl.	339
Kerry CC	919
Kildare CC	640
Kilkenny CC	905
Laois CC	228
Leitrim CC	109
Limerick Ct & Co.	1099
Longford CC	203
Louth CC	121
Mayo CC	851
Meath CC	431
Monaghan CC	209
Offaly CC	133
Roscommon CC	416
Sligo CC	562
Tipperary	1160
Waterford City & Co.	693
Westmeath CC	604
Wexford CC	676
Wicklow CC	443
Total	19,388