Written Answers Nos. 2620-2640
2620. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he has taken to introduce a BER style water conservation rating for buildings in line with the recommendations of the Special Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32599/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2622. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he has taken to fund and promote water conservation systems in line with the recommendations of the Special Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2620 and 2622 together.
The provisions of the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services have now been largely legislated for, as required, in the Water Services Act 2017. Promoting the efficient and sustainable use of water is central to my Department’s water policy. I recently published the Water Services Policy Statement which sets out the range of policy objectives across the key thematic areas of quality, conservation and future proofing that will be pursued between now and 2025.
Reflecting the provisions contained in the Water Services Act 2017 and, in line with the recommendations of the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, Irish Water plans to invest around €500 million over the period up to 2021 to reduce leakage. A range of interventions are being implemented, including pressure-management activities, active leakage-control measures including continuing the “First Fix Free” scheme, water-mains renewals and continued customer-side savings. These interventions are targeting savings of around 61 million m3 per annum against the 2017 baseline.
Domestic water use above a threshold level will be subject to a charge, and the threshold will be set at 1.7 times the CRU’s estimated rate of demand per dwelling. Customers that use water above this level will be charged for the excess portion of use. This will ensure that pricing mechanisms incentivise efficient use in the domestic sector.
The Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services recommended a proactive approach to promoting awareness of water conservation, and Irish Water places a strong emphasis on this important area. A dedicated section on the Irish Water website provides information in relation to water conservation at www.water.ie/bewatersmart. The content includes suggested lifestyle changes to save water and information on how to check for water leaks in the home. Information is also available on water saving devices outside of the home, including rainwater butts and rainwater reuse for the farming sector.
Irish Water’s website also has a facility where members of the public can report leaks in public areas. Based on the information provided, Irish Water will follow up to confirm a leak on the public mains and complete a repair.
Irish Water supports a number of environmental education campaigns which raise awareness, promote understanding and encourage people to take action on water conservation issues. This includes the Green Schools Programme, which has delivered savings of 360 million litres of water in schools in one year alone. Irish Water has also engaged with primary and secondary schools as part of Engineers Ireland’s Engineers Week, to increase knowledge and awareness of water conservation and its benefits to the environment.
Irish Water is currently undertaking a research study to provide an in-depth understanding of household water usage. The insights will help guide the roll out of product and behavioural interventions to improve water conservation in Ireland. Key findings show that, in general, people agree with the need to value and conserve water. These research findings are now under review to provide recommendations for behavioural change and water saving devices inside the home.
An Fóram Uisce has a statutory role in relation to water conservation under the Water Services Acts and will independently consider the recommendations in respect of water conservation made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, including those relating to building standards, with a view to identifying what practical steps should be taken towards implementation.
2621. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he has taken to review the EPA’s research budget on water management and conservation in line with the recommendations of the Special Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32600/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as environmental regulator is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU directives and national regulations for drinking water supplies and wastewater discharges to water bodies. Irish Water is the lead authority in relation to the management and conservation of public water supplies.
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with the EPA in relation to its role in respect of water and wastewater services, including with regard to the resource implications arising from its responsibilities.
Under its Water Quality Programme, my Department funds the EPA to conduct a range of activities to facilitate and support the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy), including the water quality monitoring of rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwater.
In relation to policy on water conservation, on 21 May 2018 I published the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 following its approval by Government. The Policy Statement 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. The EPA was involved as a key stakeholder in the process leading to preparation of the Policy Statement, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/water_services_policy_statement_2018-2025_0.pdf.
The policy statement supports the promotion of water conservation and water resource management as an important element of water services policy that is to be reflected in strategic investment planning by Irish Water. For the period of the policy statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leak detection and repair, network improvements, cost effective metering, public awareness campaigns and funding to fix customer side leaks. The national leakage reduction programme in particular includes investment of some €250 million over the next four years under the find and fix repair scheme and the water mains rehabilitation programme.
This Policy Statement was informed by the 2017 Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, JOCFFDWS, which was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas and which includes a number of recommendations in relation to the continued use of metering to support water conservation, to reduce leakages and to ensure compliance with the European Union Water Framework Directive, as opposed to for revenue raising purposes. The Water Services Policy Statement is consistent with this position.
The water services policy statement is expected to influence all stakeholders, including An Fóram Uisce which has a statutory role in relation to water conservation and the EPA in respect of developing research proposals. Having regard to its statutory role, the policy statement provides that An Fóram Uisce will consider the recommendations in respect of water conservation made by the JOCFFDWS, with a view to identifying what practical steps should be taken towards implementation.
2623. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has contracted the legal services of a company (details supplied) at any point over each of the past six years; if so, the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32644/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not contracted the legal services of the company in question at any point over the past six years.
2624. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will change the wording in the social housing support household means policy to reflect the fact that FÁS schemes have been replaced by community employment schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32664/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 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.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced. The household means policy is being reviewed as part of this process and the issue raised by the Deputy will be addressed. I expect the results of the review to be available for publication later in the summer.
However, I would expect that on an administrative basis local authorities when carrying out assessments for social housing support have already taken into account the fact that, for example, FÁS Schemes are no longer in operation and have been effectively replaced by Community Employment Schemes.
2625. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expected social housing output for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, by type of build, acquisition, leasing, RAS and HAP. [32685/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2744. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the targets for the delivery of social housing by build, acquisition, leasing, RAS and HAP for 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. [34643/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2625 and 2744 together.
The table sets out the targets in respect of social housing under the main programme areas for each year of Rebuilding Ireland.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding delivery in 2022, in addition to homes provided through the Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) Scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), a further 12,000 social housing homes will be delivered through build, acquisition and long term leasing programmes.
|
Year |
|
Build |
Acquisition |
Leasing |
RAS |
HAP |
|
2016 |
Target |
2,260 |
1,755 |
225 |
1,000 |
12,000 |
|
2017 |
Target |
3,200 |
1,250 |
600 |
1,000 |
15,000 |
|
2018 |
Target |
4,969 |
900 |
2,000 |
600 |
17,000 |
|
2019 |
Target |
6,385 |
1,025 |
2,130 |
600 |
16,760 |
|
2020 |
Target |
7,716 |
800 |
2,631 |
600 |
13,000 |
|
2021 |
Target |
8,907 |
800 |
2,450 |
- |
10,000 |
2626. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the supports available to a person (details supplied) to help cover the cost of the remedial works to fix pyrite damage on their home. [32694/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the board with support from the Housing Agency.
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The scheme is applicable to dwellings, which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established, in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2017 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the board must be accompanied by a building condition assessment with a damage condition rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a damage condition rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister of State, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or alternatively at oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie.
2627. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding applications made by Cork County Council for the provision of social housing in locations (details supplied) in 2017 and to date in 2018. [32700/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs housing authorities, local authorities, including Cork County Council, are responsible for the identification of social housing need in their area and for the development of appropriate responses to the need identified. My Department is supporting local authorities and approved housing bodies in the provision of social housing across build, lease and acquisition programmes.
Over the period 2016-2021, the Government is committed to the provision of 50,000 social housing homes. Cork County Council, over the course of 2016 and 2017, has delivered over 630 additional homes under these programmes, and has a target to deliver a further 2,154 such homes across the period 2018 to 2021.
Local authorities now have substantial pipelines of new build social housing projects, details of which can be seen in the quarterly social housing construction status reports published by my Department. The most recently available report sets out the position as at end first quarter 2018 and is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2018/. This report lists approved projects within the Cork County area, submitted by Cork County Council and approved housing bodies, AHBs.
My Department also publishes a wide range of statistical information in relation to other housing delivery mechanisms, including the number of houses that have been built, acquired or leased by local authorities. These statistics are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
Funding is provided by my Department to local authorities to acquire a range of properties for social housing use. Identifying and undertaking such social housing acquisitions is largely delegated to local authorities, so that they may respond flexibly to all opportunities to provide new social housing. Such funding is provided on the basis that the houses are suitable for social housing use and suitable also across a range of other considerations including value for money, design, planning and other compliances. As the housing authority for its area, it is a matter for Cork County Council, in the first instance, to determine the suitability of any units for acquisition, including the appropriateness of acquisitions by AHBs for social housing purposes.
2628. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacant site levy registration appeals to An Bord Pleanála that were accepted and rejected respectively. [32727/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, underutilised 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 issued notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
There are a number of appeal provisions in the Act, including an appeal against the entry of a site on the register, an appeal of market value determination of a site and an appeal against demand for payment of the levy.
By end June 2018, An Bord Pleanála had received a total of 74 valid appeals against the entry of sites on the registers of planning authorities; 53 of these cases have been decided, leaving 21 still to be determined. Of the 53 appeals decided, 32 were confirmed and 21 were unconfirmed.
2629. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when Irish Water will change the account of a person (details supplied) from commercial to domestic in view of all the evidence provided and the necessary declaration form being submitted over a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
Section 8 of the Water Services Act 2014 (as amended) makes provision for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to provide a dispute resolution service for unresolved complaints
of customers of Irish Water. Further information on pursing complaints with Irish Water or with the CRU is available on the website of the CRU and can be accessed from the following weblink www.cru.ie/home/complaint-form/water/.
Neither I nor my Department have a role in relation to the management of individual customer accounts or the resolution of complaints which are matters for Irish Water in the first instance or, where a satisfactory resolution is not forthcoming, for the CRU.
As Minister, I must respect the independent statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on Irish Water and on the CRU in line with the Water Services Acts 2007-2017 and I cannot involve myself in individual cases.
It may also be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
2630. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funds to local authorities for adaptations to local authority rented dwellings under the housing adaptation for people with a disability scheme will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32844/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides capital funding to all local authorities to undertake adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock under the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) Scheme. The scheme applies to extensions that are needed to address over-crowding (families who outgrow their current dwelling) and the needs of older people or people with a disability, who may require chairlifts or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
The scheme also provides funding for Improvement Works in Lieu of Social Housing (IWIL’s) in order to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant is already approved for social housing. This allows people to remain in private housing while their housing need is met without increasing the strain on current social housing stock and also reduces the numbers of persons who might otherwise find themselves homeless.
This scheme alleviates the need for elderly people and those with disabilities to be placed in high support accommodation and allows them to continue living in the comfort of their own homes. Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of the works, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%. Funding allocations in respect of this important scheme were issued to each individual local authority on 6 July 2018.
2631. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the recent tendering process for repairs to local authority houses by Waterford County Council which contravenes the terms of circular letter 10/14: Initiatives to Assist SMEs in Public Procurement and has resulted in 120 job losses among small builders in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32918/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and the carrying out of responsive repairs for tenants living in social housing, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Therefore the specific issue raised is a matter for Waterford City and County Council.
2632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the rent to buy scheme (details supplied) will be reintroduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32930/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present the making of rent schemes and the setting of rent levels is a matter for each local authority under the provisions of the Housing Act 1966.
Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft national differential rents framework under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Such a framework had as its main aim the facilitation of a significant harmonisation in local authority rents, including a set of standardised income disregards, whilst retaining the general principle of rents related to household income.
This work is now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, to review the disparate systems of differential rent for social housing in place across local authorities. The overall objective is to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market.
The Government is committed to supporting access to home ownership for lower income households and a range of paths to home ownership will remain in place in that regard. These include the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme, and the introduction of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan which was launched earlier this year. I have no immediate plans to introduce a general rent-to-buy scheme across all local authorities.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016 and provides opportunities for tenants to become homeowners, while also promoting sustainable communities. The scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The terms of the scheme involve discounts of 40%, 50% or 60% off the purchase price of the house, linked to tenant income. On the sale of a house under the scheme, the local authority will place an incremental purchase charge on the house equivalent to the discount granted to the tenant. Generally, the charge withers away over a period of 20, 25 or 30 years depending on the level of discount involved.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. In finalising the report some further consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
2633. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the provision of a sewerage system for the residents of Coolmagort Avenue, Beaufort, County Kerry will be urgently addressed in view of the fact that raw sewerage is seeping into gardens and is the cause of serious health and safety concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe taking-in-charge of housing developments is a matter for the relevant local authority under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). My Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI).
Under the terms of the NTICI, which was underpinned by €10 million in funding, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals. Ultimately, €7.7 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 13,400 homes.
Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that I intend to publish shortly. The publication of the NTICI report will be of value to local authorities and other stakeholders in applying the lessons from the pilot authorities, in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge. I expect that the initiative will contribute to further streamlining of the taking-in-charge process, through, for example, securing coordination with capital works by Irish Water.
In addition, the recently published National Development Plan includes provision of €31 million for the period 2018-2021 for DPI. This is clear evidence of the Government's commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase, commencing with an estimates provision of €3 million in 2018 on which further details will be announced in due course.
2634. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to bring forward the commercial rates and evaluation Bill; if this Bill will assist small businesses in rural Ireland that are struggling under the burden of local commercial rates; his views on whether the levying of commercial rates without giving due regard to turnover of the business is an outdated and archaic system of taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Commissioner of Valuation has responsibility for valuation matters. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.
Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces. Locally elected members adopt the annual rate on valuation they consider necessary in order to provide the required services.
My Department has in recent years requested local authorities to exercise restraint in setting ARVs and they have responded positively in this regard. The national average ARV has not changed significantly in recent years. The national average ARV decreased slightly each year from 2010 to 2015 and has increased slightly each year from 2016 to 2018.
As provided for under section 66 of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities may decide to offer assistance or money in kind in order to promote the interests of the local community, which includes, inter alia, the economic or general development of the administrative area (or part of it) of the local authority concerned. Also, local authorities work closely with ratepayers experiencing difficulty in the payment of commercial rates. In this regard, local authorities facilitate the payment of commercial rates by instalments, and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay.
The principle of local authorities levying rates based on an independent valuation is well established, and I have no plans to change this. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. My Department has developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates, and last year the Government approved the drafting of a rates Bill. Among the measures included in the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support the implementation of policy objectives, including: local economic and community plans; objectives contained in development plans and local area plans; and national planning policies. A draft Bill has been prepared by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and, subject to Government approval, it will be published shortly.
2635. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the various commercial rates struck in each of the local authority areas throughout the country to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property, determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.
My Department has in recent years requested local authorities to exercise restraint in setting ARVs and they have responded positively in this regard. The national average ARV has not changed significantly in recent years. The national average ARV decreased slightly each year from 2010 to 2015 and has increased slightly each year from 2016 to 2018.
Details regarding the Annual Rates on Valuation determined by local authorities in 2018 are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/2018_arvs_and_byas.xlsx.
2636. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he plans to take to receive a response from county council housing departments (details supplied) requesting information on the number of council houses that each local authority built in 2017 on council owned ground, that is, started as a greenfield and brownfield site, contracted out to tender to builders, built and completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33085/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is supporting local authorities in the provision of new build social housing through a range of different initiatives, including the construction of social homes on their own lands, construction delivery in conjunction with Approved Housing Bodies and also, local authorities are working in partnership with private developers to deliver social housing construction through turnkey arrangements.
Through this range of supports, local authorities now have substantial pipelines of new build social housing projects approved, details of which can be seen in the quarterly social housing construction status reports published by my Department. The report covering the period up to the end of first quarter of 2018 is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2018/.
These construction status reports include construction schemes being delivered through the range of different programmes. Those listed as "SHIP Construction" are new build schemes taken forward by local authorities usually on sites they own or have acquired and, in most cases, the local authority will have procured a design team externally and in all cases, will contract the construction of the new social homes to private developers. "SHIP Turnkey" projects are separately identified in the report and are construction schemes where local authorities contract private developers to construct new housing, usually taking advantage of designs - which are fully building regulation compliant - and planning permissions that are already in place. Of the total local authority build output in 2017 of 1,014, there were 386 delivered through local authority turnkey contracted projects.
The construction status reports are also published on Ireland's open data portal in a format that allows the identification of the different delivery programmes and different local authorities. The fourth quarter 2017 report is available in open data format at the following link: https://data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2017. The first quarter 2018 Report referred to above will be added to the open data portal very shortly.
2637. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of allocations under the local infrastructure housing activation fund in 2018; if such allocations come under the capital expenditure heading of departmental expenditure under Vote 34; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2638. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 945 of 10 July 2018, the status of the anticipated allocation amount under the local infrastructure housing activation fund in 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2637 and 2638 together.
30 projects received final approval for funding under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund at a cost of approximately €195 million, of which 75% will be provided by my Department. Further details of these 30 projects, including the amount of approved funding, are available at http://rebuildingireland.ie/lihaf/.
This funding is provided to local authorities through subhead A.9.1 under Vote 34. Local authorities can draw down the funding allocated to their projects at any stage, once the cost has been incurred. The allocation for 2018 is €60 million. To date, local authorities have drawn-down almost €2.2 million in funding through LIHAF and my Department is currently processing claims for expenditure from local authorities for second quarter 2018.
The low level of draw-down by local authorities reflects the stages which the infrastructure projects are at currently. The expenditure incurred during the design, planning, and tendering stages is significantly lower than that at the construction stage so a major increase in draw-down is expected as projects progress through to construction.
The balance of remaining expenditure on the 30 projects will be allocated to this subhead over the coming years 2019-2021 as the infrastructure is built and as local authorities draw down the funding. No further additional projects or spend are envisaged under LIHAF, as explained in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 945 of 10 July 2018, as it is expected that such projects will fall to be considered under the €2 billion urban regeneration and development fund, the €1 billion rural regeneration and development fund or the €75 million serviced sites fund, as appropriate.
2639. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the report of the working group on short-term lets submitted to his Department; and when a targeted public consultation will be initiated on its proposals. [33111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my reply to Question No. 1590 of 17 April 2018, and arising from the detailed analysis by the working group which informed the development of a range of proposals to establish an appropriate comprehensive regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings as well as identifying amendments to relevant legislation to give effect to such a regulatory regime, I am continuing to review the group's report. I am also examining the recommendations from the Oireachtas committee's report on short-term lettings, and have been engaging with other relevant Ministers in relation to the appropriate next steps in taking forward the proposed recommendations.
