Written Answers Nos. 2703-2720
2703. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing assistance payment, HAP, supported private rented properties that have been inspected within the required eight months of the commencement of the tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33834/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, provides the statutory basis for the HAP scheme. Section 41 of that Act provides that:
- a housing authority must be satisfied on inspection that a dwelling supported under HAP complies with the statutory standards for rented accommodation prescribed under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992;
- a housing authority shall have inspected and been satisfied that the property meets rental accommodation standards within 12 months prior to a HAP application or shall have arranged to inspect the property within 8 months of HAP commencing;
- HAP may be provided on a property, which is the subject of a subsisting improvement notice, under section 18A of the Act of 1992;
- HAP shall not be, or shall cease to be, provided on a property which is the subject of proceedings or a prohibition notice under section 18B of the Act of 1992. Where a prohibition notice has come into effect, HAP may continue to be paid for 13 weeks, for the purpose of enabling the qualified household to find an alternative dwelling.
Full national roll-out of HAP was completed in March 2017, with the commencement of the scheme on a statutory basis in Dublin City and in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Fingal County Council areas. The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) operated by Limerick City and County Council has provided local authorities with an inspection module as part of a central information management system in order to record inspection data related to HAP supported tenancies.
While inspections are being undertaken widely by local authorities, not every local authority is recording data in respect of every HAP tenancy on the HAP system. Some local authorities have signalled that their inspections of HAP-related properties form part of wider programmes of inspection of private rented accommodation, which were established before HAP commenced and are recorded separately.
The Department is working with the SSC, the Housing Agency and HAP practitioners to identify a streamlined process, which would minimise duplication of effort for local authorities across their inspection programmes, centralising all HAP related data, and ultimately, facilitating more robust and reliable analysis and reporting of inspection related data.
It is expected that by end 2018, sufficient progress will have been made to integrate the recording systems and provide the inspection status of all active HAP tenancies on an ongoing basis. It is worth noting that separately, the HAP SSC records scheme exit data based on HAP payment cessations as submitted by local authorities. Reasons for cessations are typically self-reported by the tenant and/or landlord. At the end of Quarter 2 2018, there had been 7,478 exits from HAP since the scheme commenced in 2014, with just 266 of these exits citing property standards as the reason for the exit.
In parallel to this HAP specific activity, a working group was established in 2017 to develop proposals to give effect to Actions 21 and 22 of the Rental Strategy to plan for the development of a shared services type model for inspection and enforcement of the rental accommodation standards regulations within the local government sector. The intention is that this reform will deliver a more consistent approach to the inspection and enforcement process, benefitting landlords and tenants alike, and allow for more efficient and effective use of available resources. Specialist sub groups are also currently being established, including to develop and roll out a new standardised IT system which will allow real time reporting of inspections and compliance at local and national levels. Consideration will be given to integrating the HAP inspection compliance module with this wider development of private rental standards inspections.
2704. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of households that have presented as homeless having previously lived in a housing assistance payment, HAP, tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2705. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of households that have exited emergency accommodation into a housing assistance payment, HAP, tenancy and subsequently re-presented as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2704 and 2705 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Monthly homelessness data reports are produced by housing authorities using the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. My Department collates this information into monthly national homeless reports, which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
The information collated does not include information on the number of households presenting as homeless who were previously in a HAP tenancy.
2706. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of households supported by the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) introduced in 2005 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.
In the period since the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) commenced in 2005 to the end of December 2017, some 60,338 households have been transferred from Rent Supplement to RAS and other social housing options. The latest data in relation to the RAS scheme reflects the position at end May 2018, when there were 19,388 tenancies supported under the scheme.
2707. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of households supported by the social housing current expenditure programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) was introduced in February 2009. Since then the programme has been expanded on a number of occasions to provide for new types of supply and to involve a greater range of agencies and bodies in providing accommodation. SHCEP supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the long term leasing of houses and apartments from private owners, developers and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Properties made available under the programme are used to accommodate households from local authority waiting lists. Leased properties are allocated to tenants in accordance with the relevant local authority’s allocation scheme. My Department recoups the cost of the agreements that are made with private property owners, including AHBs, to the local authorities.
At end December 2017, the total number of operational units under SHCEP was 10,152.
2708. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of family hubs in operation in and outside Dublin, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33839/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2709. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families accommodated in family hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2708 and 2709 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Family hubs offer family living arrangements with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, with the capacity to provide appropriate play space, cooking and laundry facilities, communal recreation space, while move-on options to long-term independent tenancies are identified and secured.
There are currently 21 family hubs in operation, 18 of which are in Dublin, one in Cork, one in Kildare and one in Limerick. Combined, these hubs provide over 500 units of family accommodation.
My Department is working closely with the local authorities on the development of further family hubs. A range of options are being pursued, aimed at introducing at least 400 further units of accommodation for families experiencing homelessness. Families residing in the hubs are supported by the operators of the hubs and the local authorities to exit into independent tenancies.
2711. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is working with the Health Service Executive and an approved housing body (details supplied) to construct residential places at a location in Dundalk for disabled persons living in the community with their parents. [33843/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2712. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an approved housing body (details supplied) has made an application for additional funds towards the construction of residential places; the value of the application; and when the outcome of the application will issue. [33844/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2711 and 2712 together.
Stage 1 approval has been granted to Louth County Council for a proposed development comprising of 7 units under the Capital Assistance Scheme. It is expected to deliver six 2 bed houses to accommodate elderly persons and one 4 bed person group home to accommodate people with special needs. The application was put forward by Louth County Council and Tuath Housing Association and is supported by the HSE.
Stage 1 approval recommended a budget of €1,379,436. My Department is currently awaiting a Stage 2 application from Louth County Council.
2713. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of complaints to the European Commission of breaches of EU environmental directives in respect of Ireland or State agencies here; when each of these will be decided; his views on whether the projects in respect of these complaints should proceed pending a decision by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question.
The management and decision making processes in relation to complaints to the European Commission of breaches of EU environmental directives are a matter for the Commission itself and the information requested is not available in my Department.
2714. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the legislation was commenced in respect of allowing planning applications for housing by approved housing bodies to be dealt with under Part 8 of the planning and development Acts; the number of planning applications approved by this method to date; the number of housing units covered by these applications; the number of these housing units that have been built and occupied to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33905/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and Part 8 of the Regulations made thereunder, set down an approval process for prescribed classes of development that is proposed to be carried out either by a local authority or on behalf of, or in partnership with, a local authority under a contract with that authority. The principal enactments in this regard came into force on 11 March 2002 and legislative amendments to the timeframe for the approval process came into force on 3 July 2017.
Neither planning nor housing statistics compiled annually by local authorities for collation and publication on my Department’s website include data on approvals under the “Part 8” process in respect of housing developments to be carried out by approved housing bodies on behalf of, or in partnership with, local authorities. Such information as may be compiled by local authorities in this regard may be sought directly from the local authorities concerned.
2716. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of mortgage holders who have purchased their home under an affordable housing scheme; if he has commenced the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which would enable new purchasers to switch mortgage providers; when he expects to bring forward legislative changes to enable existing mortgage holders who purchased their home through an affordable housing scheme to switch mortgage providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2719. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the changes he will make to ensure that a person with a mortgage on an affordable home that is jointly with a council and with a mortgage provider, can change mortgage providers to avail of the best rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2716 and 2719 together.
Purchasers of dwellings under previous affordable housing schemes, including dwellings sold by way of shared ownership at less than market value, have a clawback charge placed on the property. The primary purpose of the clawback regime was to prevent short-term profit-taking on the resale of affordable homes. As such, it should therefore only have effect in the event of the house being sold. However, as a result of the way in which the clawback legislative arrangements are structured, they also have an impact on those wishing to switch mortgage provider or take out an equity release “top-up” mortgage. This arises because of the time-sensitive manner in which charges on property apply.
Part V of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which I commenced last month, will allow purchasers under the new Affordable Dwelling Purchase arrangements to re-mortgage or top-up their mortgage without triggering the clawback. The Act, however, does not provide this facility retrospectively for purchasers under previous affordable housing or shared ownership arrangements.
I have requested my Department to arrange to have the provisions necessary to address this matter included in the first appropriate legislative vehicle that becomes available.
Statistics in relation to the number of affordable homes delivered under the various schemes can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.
2717. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; the estimated cost of those claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNormal State policy, as advised in the Public Financial Procedures, is that the State is its own insurer and as such covers its own costs. State indemnity for personal injury and third party property damage was legislated for in the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 where the management of claims against certain State authorities, and underlying risks, was delegated to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). When performing these functions, the NTMA is known as the State Claims Agency (SCA).
Under the general rule of State indemnity enacted through the statutory provisions above, certain State bodies are indemnified by the Minister for Finance. In that context there are no insurance claims against my Department.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
2718. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grounds or circumstances in which a county council can use its powers to freeze land zoned for development to ensure that no development takes place for a period of time; the parameters of this freezing; if this is an executive or reserved function of the county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no general powers of the type referred to in the question.
However, each local authority development plan prepared under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) sets the policy context for the development of land, including the assessment of individual planning applications. Collectively, the processes concerning the preparation of development plans and the determination of individual planning applications can be used to determine the sequencing and timing of the development of land.
For example, in accordance with the Act above, planning authorities have the power, when indicating objectives for the zoning of land for particular purposes in their development plans, to indicate the sequence or phasing of the development of such lands; these powers are reserved to the elected members. In addition, the Act also provides that there shall be no presumption in law that any land zoned in a particular development plan (including a development plan that has been varied) shall remain so zoned in any subsequent development plan.
Furthermore, local authorities have the power to grant permission for the development of land subject to or without conditions, which Section 34(4)(h) of the Act states can include “conditions for determining the sequence and timing in which and the time at which works shall be carried out”. Such powers are an executive function.
Once planning permission has been granted for a development, the permission is generally valid for a period of 5 years within which the development can be carried out.
2720. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his Department's spending on travel and subsistence expenses in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTravel and subsistence expenses incurred by my Department in the year ending 31 December 2017 and 2018 Year to Date (YTD) are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2017 |
€1,180,189.39 |
|
YTD 2018 |
€660,286.44 |
