Written Answers Nos. 258-263
258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has reconsidered the proposal for a dynamic housing executive for the greater Dublin region, in view of the very low delivery of new social and affordable housing in that region and especially by Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn direct response to the housing challenge and in order to support housing authorities deliver on their responsibilities and obligations, a number of dedicated structures have been put in place in the Dublin region and nationally.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is provided by Dublin City Council as the lead statutory local authority in the response to homelessness in Dublin and adopts a shared service approach across the four Dublin local authorities. The DRHE is responsible for the planning, co-ordination and administration of funding in relation to the provision of quality services to people who are homeless in the Dublin area, and for the development of responses to prevent homelessness. The Executive works in partnership with a range of voluntary and statutory agencies and supports the Dublin Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum and Management Group.
A dedicated Housing Delivery Office (HDO) was also established within my Department to support local authorities, approved housing bodies and all stakeholders involved in the delivery of key elements of the ambitious private and social housing targets in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan. The purpose of this office is to accelerate and monitor housing delivery, both private and social, on key sites, identify further mechanisms to accelerate delivery, and support the roll-out of complex construction projects, including identifying and resolving barriers to delivery.
In order to drive transparency and accountability at local level for the delivery of social housing, I have published targets for local authorities for 2018, and also 2018-2021, and I am publishing output against these targets on a quarterly basis. These targets have been set with regard to need in each area (as established under the Summary Social Housing Assessment Process), and also delivery pipelines established and being advanced. My Department is working closely with all local authorities to drive delivery, particularly of new build homes, and to harness any available additional capacity, where appropriate.
I believe what is critical at this stage is to ensure that all of the structures already in place are aligned, co-ordinated and co-operating towards a shared vision. This includes my own Department, the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency and the newly established Land Development Agency, working with local authorities and approved housing bodies across the country. While the scale of housing delivery continues to increase significantly, I have indicated to all local authorities that I am anxious to see even further acceleration of delivery. I will continue to keep the relevant delivery arrangements under ongoing review, in consultation with key partners, particularly local authorities.
259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if AHBs are charged development levies by local authorities for social housing new build units; and if so, the amount of levies paid into each local authority in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [39124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment contributions are levied by planning authorities on the basis of development contribution schemes that are approved by the elected members of the relevant authority. These schemes set out the types of development to which contributions will apply, and the associated level of payment required, across each individual authority.
As development contribution schemes are determined at the individual planning authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members, my Department’s role is to provide the necessary legislative and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each authority. In this regard, my Department has long-standing guidance in place that authorities should apply exemptions in respect of voluntary housing schemes.
This objective is reflected in the various development contribution schemes whereby each authority has made provision to allow for a full exemption from the payment of planning contributions in respect of social housing development that is carried out by voluntary or co-operative housing associations that are recognised by the relevant planning authority.
260. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will bring forward the new tenant purchase scheme which incorporates the recommendations made in the review of the scheme recently introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39126/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. 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.
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.
261. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans her Department has for the treatment of and eradication of Japanese knotweed throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38929/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter in the first instance, for landowners. In this regard, my Department carries out considerable work on controlling invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserves but has neither the legal ambit nor the resources required to extend such work into urban areas or the wider countryside.
There is significant work, however, being carried out at present by a range of agencies in this area, including a number of local authorities. In addition, the Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS), launched in 2016 and led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is a €5.5 million project aimed at managing invasive knotweed and other non-native invasive plant species on the national road network and its interactions with regional roads. The project involves collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Information on general management approaches to invasive plant species is available from the Invasive Species Ireland website:
http://invasivespeciesireland.com/toolkit/invasive-plant-management/.
262. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an application by a church (details supplied) in County Donegal will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 25 September 2018, in relation to the same structure. The position has not changed. My Department and the Local Authority in question have been working closely with the project promoters with a view to a proposal coming forward for the next round of funding under the relevant scheme.
263. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an mbord a rinneadh as adhmad a tháinig ó Armáid na Spáinne agus ar fhógair a úinéir le gairid go ndíolfadh sé é (sonraí tugtha), an bhfuil sé i gceist aici é a cheannach ar son phobal na hÉireann de bharr a thábhachtaí atá se ó thaobh na staire de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo Roinn agus Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann ar eolas faoin ‘Bhord Armada’ agus na tuarascálacha le déanaí maidir lena dhíol nó a chur ar cheannt. Tá sé mar pholasaí ag mo Roinn gan aon ní a rá maidir le nithe atá ar cheannt.
