Written Answers Nos. 1193-1215
1193. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the targets for social housing provision by the four Dublin local authorities in 2018; his Department's assessment of the delivery of those targets by the local authorities concerned to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2018 Social Housing Targets and Delivery Outputs to end Q2 2018, along with numbers of projects under construction in each local authority area, including the four Dublin local authorities, are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/detailed-council-by-council-housing-statistics-published/.
The Q2 2018 Construction Status Report shows a strong build pipeline is in place across the Dublin area with 214 projects and 4,804 homes already completed or in the pipeline, with more projects coming on-stream during 2018. This report can be found at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-latest-social-housing-construction-report/.
My Department engages with all local authorities on a regular basis regarding the delivery of social housing. This includes structured quarterly meetings to review progress and in the case of the four Dublin local authorities, monthly meetings are held. I am confident that the actions, targets and resources available to all local authorities, including the four Dublin local authorities, under Rebuilding Ireland, provide a strong platform for meeting our challenges in the housing sector and I am satisfied that overall delivery of the Plan remains firmly on track.
1194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which a group water scheme with only domestic users on it is to pay for shortfalls in the amount it receives in grants through the local authority for domestic dwellings and the actual cost of running the scheme in circumstances in which these costs are higher than the grant payable in view of the new rule introduced by his Department in 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45297/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring in his question to the annual subsidy towards the operational costs of Group Water Schemes.
In late 2017, my Department conducted a review of Group Water Schemes’ subsidies. The review involved discussions with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, the representative body for the Group Water Sector. Discussions concluded in December 2017, when I approved increased subsidy levels. The new subsidy arrangements, endorsed by a special delegate conference of the Federation on 13 December 2017, came into effect on 1 January 2018. Local authorities were advised by my Department of the increased subsidy levels on 19 December 2017 and detailed terms and conditions for the subsidy were subsequently issued by my Department to local authorities.
The terms and conditions allow for group water schemes to apply an excessive use charge on their domestic members where they are consuming above a household threshold (160 cubic meters/day) as well as a formal mechanism for schemes to reduce this household threshold amount (provided that it is not reduced to less than 115 cubic meters/day) if they are to avail of the subsidy.
The terms and conditions allows schemes to recoup some costs at 100% and others at 85%. If a scheme can demonstrate a higher domestic membership/usage, it may be entitled to a higher rate.
The changes implement the recommendation contained in the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services (JOCFFDWS), endorsed by both Houses of the Oireachtas in April 2017, that there should be equity of treatment and equivalent financial support between households using public water services and those availing of private water services.
Additionally the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides capital funding opportunities for Group Water Schemes to, if suitably located, interconnect to and be taken in charge by Irish Water (Measure 4 of the multi-annual programme), or amalgamate with nearby Group Water Schemes forming a new larger entity that is more effective, including in their day-to-day running costs, through economies of scale (Measure 1 of the multi-annual programme).
Measure 3 of the multi-annual programme provides capital funding for schemes to undertake water conservation works to reduce their wastage of water, through carrying out, where necessary, replacement of defective water mains, thus enabling schemes to reduce their day-to-day running costs.
Separate to the initial review of Group Water Scheme subsidy levels and also in fulfilment of the JOCFFDWS recommendations, in April 2018, I established a Working Group to conduct a wider review of investment needs and rural water services. There is a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 is considering the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme from 2019 up to 2021, while Strand 2 will consider the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector.
1195. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a statement (details supplied) made in Seanad Éireann on 10 March 2015 by the then Minister for Health; his views on this interpretation of fire services legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45398/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1196. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a judgment of the European Court which included findings (details supplied); if he accepts the findings of both courts that the EMS operated by Dublin Fire Brigade is in accordance with the provisions of fire services legislation and comes within his remit at national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45399/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1195 and 1196 together.
I note the statements made in the Seanad debate of 10 March 2015 and also the judgment made by the European Court (Grand Chamber) in Case C-532/03 Commission of the European Communities v Ireland which sought to compel the Health Service Executive (HSE) to put the emergency ambulance service for the greater Dublin area service out to tender.
The Fire Services Act 1981 (the Act) provides for the establishment of fire authorities and the organisation of fire services and for fire safety, fire fighting, the protection and rescue of persons and related matters.
Section 25 of the Act is an enabling clause, which provides that a fire authority may carry out or assist in any operations of an emergency nature, whether or not a risk of fire is involved. This provision enables local authority fire services to provide a response to a range of emergency situations other than fires. Over the years, fire authorities have expanded the range of emergencies to which their fire services respond to include road traffic accidents, hazardous material incidents, rescues from confined spaces and heights, water rescue etc. Fire services also attend emergency incidents at the request of other emergency services and collaborate with them in assisting the public. The provisions of section 25 of the Act enable fire authorities to undertake these roles and to assist in any operations of an emergency nature. However, it does not impose a statutory responsibility on fire authorities to perform any of these functions, nor does it confer a role on me as Minister in relation to these functions.
As Minister with accountability for fire safety and the provision of fire services by local authorities, I am primarily concerned that local authority fire service resources are used to meet their statutory obligations in respect of provision of fire services and fire safety responsibilities. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters, providing a central training programme and providing a capital funding programme for priority infrastructure projects to support local authority expenditure.
Dublin City Council provides fire and emergency services for the city and county of Dublin on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, which are also fire authorities. The local authority fire services in Dublin also provide a valued emergency ambulance service in some parts of the greater Dublin area, an arrangement carried over from the time when the local authority was also the health authority. The enabling provision contained in section 25 of the Act referred to above provides a legislative basis for local authority fire service involvement in this activity.
Notwithstanding this, the provision of emergency medical services, including pre-hospital emergency care, is the responsibility of the HSE which operates the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and emergency departments in hospitals in accordance with health sector legislation and national health policy. Therefore, while operating under fire services legislation, Dublin City Council’s fire services are in effect acting as an agent for the HSE and the costs associated with this ambulance service provision are recouped from the HSE. Dublin City Council is not providing a substitute or alternative/parallel ambulance service, operating outside of the State’s health services provided by the HSE.
Any changes to the existing arrangements are a matter for Dublin City Council and the HSE in the first instance. I have no role in relation to legislation, policy, mobilisation arrangements, operational practices, medical oversight or funding of ambulance services.
1197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that each Minister of State in his Department has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45461/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither Minister of State in my Department has had any engagements, meetings or correspondence with the person concerned in the past three years.
1198. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress he has made to date on the taking in charge of developments with stand alone treatment plants; the discussions he had with Irish Water on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45468/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 process for taking-in-charge 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, €7.5 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 14,930 homes.
Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that it is intended 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 programme in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge, including through coordination with capital works by Irish Water.
In addition, the National Development Plan includes a provision of €31 million for DPI in the period 2018-2021, demonstrating the Government's commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase.
My Department intends to write to local authorities to advise them of the future funding arrangements for DPI-type housing estates that are not taken in charge, following the publication, shortly, of the review report on the 2016 NTICI.
1199. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the remit and responsibilities of the Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two Ministers of State currently serving in my Department, Damien English, TD and John Paul Phelan, TD.
Minister of State English has a range of responsibilities in the area of Planning, including implementation of regional planning guidelines and Regional Economic and Spatial Strategies as well as Local Authority Development Plans, Local Area Plans and the Department's input to urban, town and village renewal initiatives and policies.
In the Housing area, Minister of State English has responsibilities in relation to the oversight of social housing delivery, coordination of the Government response to unfinished housing developments as well as policy development in the area of housing for older people and those with disabilities. He also has responsibility in relation to the support and overview of the Housing Finance Agency, the legislative support for local authorities in relation to Traveller accommodation and statutory functions in the area of building controls including oversight of the Pyrite Resolution Board and EU Directives and Regulations in the area of building standards.
Minister of State English also has responsibilities in relation to Marine and Foreshore issues, such as maritime spatial planning, the assessment of foreshore licences and leases, as well as certain responsibilities arising from Dumping at Sea legislation and the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. In addition to these roles, Minister of State English has responsibility for the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.
Minister of State Phelan has a range of responsibilities in the key areas of Local Government and Electoral Reform. In relation to local government, he is responsible for policy including the ongoing process of local government reform, legislation and decisions relating to local authority boundaries and metropolitan governance, as well as ensuring an appropriately structured funding system for the local government sector. Minister of State Phelan also has overall responsibility for the area of commercial rates policy and certain responsibilities in respect of the Harbours Act 2015.
Under the heading of electoral reform, Minister of State Phelan has responsibility for the voter registration process; proposals for changes to voting rights including at Presidential elections; Seanad electoral reform; the development of an Electoral Commission Bill; reform of the EU law on European elections; as well as general oversight of other electoral reform matters.
1200. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of local authority finances will be completed; if the results of this review will be reflected in the allocation of funding to Galway County Council in 2019, particularly in view of the fact that the council is critically short of the necessary finance to fulfil its role in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the question refers to the Local Government (Funding) Baseline review, which has taken place largely in parallel with the review of Local Property Tax (LPT), led by the Department of Finance. Since the introduction of local retention of LPT in 2015, LPT allocations have replaced General Purpose Grants funding previously received by local authorities from the Local Government Fund.
The Local Government (Funding) Baseline review group was established earlier this year and comprised representatives from my Department, the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG). The terms of reference of the group were:
- To consider the broad range of general indicators and data sources, not linked to specific programmes, that could be applied across the local government sector to review baselines and guide the allocation of non-programme funding;
- To consider the rationale behind these indicators and whether appropriate to the local government sector;
- To recommend a set of indicators and associated data sources to inform the objective set out in bullet 1;
- To recommend a weighting that may attach to each indicator;
- To consider, insofar as possible, the existing sources of, and demands on, local authority non-programme income as part of this process;
- To consult widely with relevant stakeholders;
- To conclude this programme of work before end August 2018.
The findings and recommendations of the Review Group are currently under consideration in my Department.
As is the case with all other local authorities, Galway County Council were notified in July this year of their provisional 2019 LPT allocation amounting to €14.5m, notwithstanding any subsequent local variation decision. One of the aims of LPT was to enhance the financial autonomy of local authorities so as to bring about a greater connection between local expenditure and local revenue raising, thereby reducing reliance on central funding. In this context, it is important to note that local authorities have the power to vary LPT rates locally by up to 15% and in such circumstances would retain all of the additional LPT generated from that decision. Any such local LPT variation decisions are a matter for the elected members of the authority to consider in the context of the revenue raising tools available locally. Galway County Council decided not to vary the LPT rate for 2019. Accordingly, the 2019 LPT allocation will remain unchanged at €14.5m.
Central Government funding of local government is a complex matter, with transfers coming from a wide range of Departments and Offices, not solely from my Department, for a variety of purposes. Some streams of funding are delivered directly from funding departments to local authorities, while others are routed through departmental agencies. Some elements of funding are project-specific, giving rise to changes in funding from one year to another, depending on a project's progression. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) reports on the Central Government funding of local authorities as part of his Annual Report, which provides an overview of the funds flowing from and through central government sources to local authorities and the purposes for which funds have been provided. The most recent report can be viewed at the following link:
https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2018/2017-Annual-Report-Chapter-04-Central-government-funding-of-local-authorities1.pdf
In terms of funding for Galway County Council, across all schemes and funding sources, my Department has provided €31.6m in 2015, €33.5m in 2016, €33.7m in 2017 and €33.8m up to the end of October 2018. Notwithstanding this, I am cognisant of the financial pressures facing Galway County Council; my Department is currently in discussions with the local authority in this regard and I expect that these discussions will conclude shortly.
1201. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the dialogue he has had with Kildare County Council with respect to a housing development, either direct build or turnkey, at a location (details supplied); if a decision has been made in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45554/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not had dialogue with Kildare County Council regarding a social housing direct build or turnkey project at the location in question. The advancement of new social housing proposals at local level are matters for the relevant local authorities and it would therefore be for Kildare County Council to bring forward proposals in this regard.
1202. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has received the report into potential arrangements and powers for directly elected mayors in Cork and other cities; and if so, if he will publish same. [45576/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1203. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans with regard to arrangements and powers for directly elected mayors in Cork and other cities on which it has been indicated there will be plebiscites held in June 2019. [45577/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1204. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the effort he has made to engage with and consult local citizens and political parties with regard to arrangements and powers for directly elected mayors in Cork and other cities on which it has been indicated plebiscites will be held in June 2019. [45578/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 to 1204, inclusive, together.
At its meeting of 27 September 2018, the Government approved the policy paper "Local Authority Leadership, Governance and Administration", prepared as part of the response to the Programme for Partnership Government commitment to report to Government and the Oireachtas on potential measures to boost local government leadership and accountability, and to consider directly elected mayors for cities. This policy paper has been forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Planning and Local Government for its consideration.
The policy paper was prepared following consultations with a range of stakeholders in the context of consideration of the future governance of Ireland’s cities.
The Government also agreed in principle to the holding of plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions for Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council, and Galway City Council and Galway County Council (in anticipation of a full merger of those two local authorities in 2021) at the same time as the local elections in May 2019. This agreement is subject to the necessary legislative provisions being included in the Local Government Bill 2018 and the future submission of more detailed proposals on the plebiscites and the questions to be put to the electorate, as well as the specific powers to be given to mayors. My Department is prioritising this work, details of which will be published in due course.
1205. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will publish the wind energy planning guidelines; the reason for such a delay; his plans to introduce more onshore wind turbines in the absence of such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.
SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report under the SEA process, will be commenced in the coming weeks, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines, following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase, in early 2019.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
1206. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the creation of the register of architectural technologists and the inclusion of those on the register within BCAR assigned certifier legislation. [45662/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraArchitectural Technologists are not currently classed as a regulated profession in Ireland. This means that there is no designated competent authority, which has the power to approve or restrict access to the profession in Ireland under national or EU law.
In early 2016, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) published Awards Standards for Architectural Technology award. The Awards Standards are designed to be used by:
(i) providers when designing new programmes and establishing minimum intended programme learning outcomes;
(ii) awarding bodies when validating new programmes; and
(iii) in the accreditation of programmes by the relevant professional bodies. They are also used by providers when reviewing their programmes.
In general, the regulation of professions is in the first instance a matter for industry representatives working in consultation with relevant industry stakeholders. My Department has been engaging with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in relation to the establishment of a statutory register. In this regard, CIAT has identified that its preferred route is to set up a stand alone register for Architectural Technologists. As such, it is now a matter for CIAT to set up a register on an administrative basis in keeping with registers already in place for other professional groupings under the Building Control Act 2007 and in consultation with the relevant industry stakeholders.
When this process is complete, my Department will be in a position to review it and potentially bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Building Control Act 2007, to provide for a statutory register of Architectural Technologists.
It is also worth noting that, depending on their personal background and experience, it may be open to persons who are Architectural Technologists, and who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings, to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers in respect of Architects or Building Surveyors. A number of Architectural Technologists have already succeeded in gaining inclusion on the statutory registers to date and are thus in a position to act as Design Certifiers and Assigned Certifiers.
1207. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason there are no time limits for An Board Pleanála to adjudicate on applications; and his plans to introduce binding time limits for adjudication of such applications. [45688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine normal planning appeals within 18 weeks of receipt of the appeal. Furthermore, under Section 37J of the Act, the Board has an objective to make decisions on applications for strategic infrastructure development within a period of 18 weeks, beginning on the last day for making submissions or observations.
Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make its decision.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provided for streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments, of 100 housing units or more or student accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to the Board for determination within a period of 16 weeks.
The comprehensive Report of the Independent Review Group on the operations of An Bord Pleanála, published in March 2016, identifies over 100 recommendations, including recommendations to change the statutory objective timeframes for the work of the Board. A high-level implementation group, with representatives from my Department and the Board, has been established to oversee implementation of the Review Group recommendations, some of which may require legislative underpinning. The recommendations in relation to the statutory objective periods within which the Board is expected to make decisions, including decisions on projects involving substantial investment in the economy, are being considered in this context.
1208. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will enact the regional planning guidelines. [45689/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF), published together with the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 earlier this year, is intended to provide the strategic context for future planning, development and investment over the next two decades. In addition, the NPF represents a long-term strategy for Government Departments, State agencies, State-owned enterprises, regional and local authorities and others to support communities to achieve their potential for economic, social and infrastructural development through a shared set of strategic objectives and key principles.
As a strategic document, the NPF is currently being given further and more detailed expression at the regional level through preparation, by the Regional Assemblies, of statutory Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the three Regional Assembly areas.
The RSES process formally commenced earlier this year and the draft Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly RSES is now on public display until Wednesday 23 January 2019. The two other draft RSESs (Northern and Western Regional Assembly and Southern Regional Assembly), subject to Regional Assembly approval, are expected to be put on public display in the coming weeks.
The finalisation of these regional strategies in the first half of 2019 will in turn prompt reviews and updates of individual county and city development plans to ensure strategic co-ordination and consistency between national, regional and local levels.
1209. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rationale for the detail in drafting the building control (construction industry register Ireland) Bill 2017; if he will undertake to expedite the introduction of the Bill as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45791/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed to placing the Construction Industry Register Ireland, or CIRI, on a statutory footing. CIRI was established on a voluntary basis in 2014 and over 800 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register.
At the end of May 2017, the Government approved the draft heads of a Bill to place the CIRI on a statutory footing and the Bill was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee’s report was received on 14 December 2017 and its recommendations are being considered. In parallel, the drafting of the Bill is being progressed and while I am not in a position at this stage to give a precise indication of the timeline for the Bill's publication, my Department is working with the Attorney General's Office with a view to achieving publication in Q1 2019.
The main objective of the legislation is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with Building Regulations within the builder community of the construction sector. The establishment of a robust, mandatory, statutory register of builders and specialist contractors is an essential consumer protection measure giving those who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. In addition, it will complement the reforms, which have been made through the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, and contribute to the development of an enhanced culture of competence and compliance in the construction sector.
1210. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 627 of 2 October 2018, if the €1.1 million allocated for the project has fully transferred to the local authority; if it will be released on a step-by-step basis as targets in construction phases are reached; if further funding will be released to the local or municipal authority to carry out road repairs, street lighting and pavement works leading to the project; if this is a matter for the budgets of the local authorities concerned; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that to date no traffic management plan or site safety plan has been circulated to members of the surrounding community and that work has stalled on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45808/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in my previous reply, €37,661 has been recouped to Wicklow County Council for this scheme. Further funding will be released to the Council on receipt of valid claims duly certified and vouched within the approved budget amount. According to the Council, this scheme will commence construction imminently once the Traffic Management and Health & Safety Plans are approved. The Council has advised that the contractor has re-submitted revised plans to the Employer's Representative following some requested adjustments, for final review. Once the plans are approved, they will be brought to the attention of the local community.
Wicklow County Council has also now indicated that ancillary works such as road repairs will be carried out as part of the scheme once the housing units are completed.
1211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the implications the proposed new regulations on a company (details supplied) will have on persons who let their primary residence for more than 90 days during the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, a Working Group was established, involving representatives of all major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term lettings, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications, changes of use relating to short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements, including having regard to regulations in place in other jurisdictions.
Proposals under consideration by the Working Group have been aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, known as homesharing, while protecting the existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand.
Having considered the Group's report as well as the recommendations in the Oireachtas Committee's report on short-term lettings, I recently announced plans to introduce a “one host, one home” model in areas where there is high housing demand.
Homesharing will continue to be permissible for a person’s primary residence, and such home-sharers will have to now register with their local authority. An annual cap of 90 days will apply for the renting out, on a short-term basis – i.e. for 14 days or less at a time, of a person’s entire home where it is their primary residence.
Where a person owns a second property and intends to let it as a Short Term Letting (STL), they will require planning permission to do so unless the property is already permitted to be used for tourism / short-term letting purposes. Planning permission for a change of use to STL can be sought and it will be up to each local Planning Authority to consider applications, based on guidance that will issue from my Department, taking account of housing demand pressures and other relevant factors such as cumulative impacts.
These proposed changes will not affect the operation of holiday homes as typically understood, or longer-term flexible lettings which are provided for those coming to Ireland under employment contracts.
It is intended that the new planning changes will come into effect on 1 June 2019, to allow property owners to prepare for and adapt to the new laws. In addition to revised draft exempted development planning regulations, which have been prepared, amendments to primary legislation will also be introduced which will underpin and strengthen the new proposals; drafting of these amendments is currently underway.
Any unauthorised development, including breaches of the proposed exemptions, may be the subject of planning enforcement by the relevant planning authority.
1212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the need for developers and the State to prioritise housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish housing system was very badly affected during the economic downturn, with housing output falling by 90%. Reversing such a significant decline in residential activity to a more balanced supply and demand position requires a mix of targeted actions across the complex and inter-related parts of the housing system.
Rebuilding Ireland, the Government's comprehensive action plan on housing and homelessness, provides a robust framework in this regard, involving a series of significant responses that are designed to:
- Address homelessness;
- Develop a major social housing programme;
- Accelerate and increase housing delivery;
- Reform and modernise the rental sector; and
- Maximise the potential from vacant homes.
Ongoing support is being provided for our most vulnerable people, while long-term programmes are being implemented to create a sustainable pathway to a stable and consistent housing system. The Government's commitment in this regard is clear, evidenced by the nearly 26,000 social housing supports delivered in 2017, the significant increase in funding being provided in 2018 and the further substantial increase in funding under Budget 2019 for housing next year, when €2.4 billion will be invested, more than in any previous year.
A strong and growing social housing construction pipeline is now in place, as evidenced in the Quarter 2 2018 Construction Status Report. Since the end of 2016, the number of schemes and homes in the programme has doubled. Activity on-site has also increased significantly, with 1,074 homes going on-site in Q2 this year alone. The Q2 2018 Report is available at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-latest-social-housing-construction-report/.
Housing Supply more generally is also increasing significantly. The CSO reports that nearly 19,700 new homes became available for use in the 12 months to end Q2 2018, an increase of 24% year on year. Planning permissions and site commencements are also increasing significantly. The latest housing activity data is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/october-house-building-data-shows-strong-growth/.
In relation to affordable housing, a multi-stranded, targeted approach is being pursued in the areas of the country most affected by a lack of affordable housing supply. The measures are targeted at households earning a maximum of €50,000 for a single applicant or €75,000 for a couple. Specifically, under Budget 2019, the Government has trebled, to €310 million, the funding available for key facilitating infrastructure on local authority sites, to support the provision of affordable homes to purchase or rent, under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF).
Land is a critical residential construction input. A key initiative in this regard is the establishment of the new Land Development Agency, which will take a more strategic approach to the management and development of the publicly owned residential land bank, acting within a clear government policy framework, including that all public land disposals must deliver at least 40% social (10%) and affordable (30%) housing.
Increasing housing supply generally, and social and more affordable housing in particular, is, and will remain, a top Government priority.
1213. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of an affordable home under the land development agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 13 September 2018, I launched the new Land Development Agency (LDA) which will act as a new commercial State body to actively manage the strategic development of public land, with a particular focus on unlocking the potential of publicly owned brownfield sites.
The Agency will act as a national centre of expertise, working with and supporting local authorities, public bodies and other interests, to harness public lands as catalysts to stimulate regeneration and wider investment and to achieve compact, sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on complex regeneration projects and the provision of affordable housing.
To enable more delivery of social and affordable homes on public lands, the Government has, in parallel with the establishment of the LDA, approved a new public land affordability requirement, whereby a minimum of 30% of any housing developed must be reserved for affordable purposes in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, whether such development is being progressed by the LDA or any other market operator.
Furthermore, public bodies, such as local authorities and the Housing Agency, engaging with the LDA in relation to their lands will also be in a position to condition the release of lands for development reflecting their own policy requirements.
Therefore, complying with the Government's new public lands affordability requirement above, the LDA will be capable of progressing a significant level of both Affordable Purchase Scheme based and cost rental-based projects on lands forming part of its portfolio of sites, working within the broader policy framework for the delivery of affordable housing set by the Government.
In line with the general internationally accepted principle that households should not be spending more than a third of their income on housing costs (e.g. rent or mortgage), and using similar maximum gross income thresholds to the new affordable scheme (i.e. €50,000 for single-income and €75,000 for two-income households), my Department is working with the LDA to ensure that it can deliver housing for both purchase and rental purposes within such parameters.
As it progresses its work, the LDA will have to demonstrate and report on how it is meeting the policy requirements under Part V and the new public lands affordability requirement, using the range of relevant affordable schemes and mechanisms.
1214. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Estimate for my Department in 2019 includes a provision of €6.5 million in respect of the INTERREG Programme, which is managed and overseen by the Special European Union Programmes Body.
1215. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount his Department has spent in 2018 on carrying out commissions of investigations and State inquiries as recommended by the Independent Review Mechanism and State tribunals; the number and name of these investigations; the individual costs in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the amount spent by my Department in 2018 on relevant activities are provided in the following table:
|
Name of Investigation/State Inquiry |
Amount Spent in 2018 |
|
Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters & Payments |
€3,415,660 |
