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Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 865-884

Housing Assistance Payment

Ceisteanna (865)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

865. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for the housing assistance payment; and when a decision will issue in relation to the case. [12066/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The administration of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case.

Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. The HAP Shared Services Centre (HAP SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.

The HAP application form comes in two parts, Section A to be completed by the applicant tenant and Section B to be completed by the landlord or agent. An application for HAP will only be accepted by the local authority when both Section A and Section B are completed, signed and returned, along with the required supporting documentation. Any delay in tenants and landlords supplying this information will impact on the processing time of the HAP application. The earliest date a HAP payment to the landlord will apply from is the date a complete and valid HAP application has been received by the local authority.

Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is entered on the system by the local authority and then submitted for processing and payment by the HAP Shared Service Centre. HAP application processing times within local authorities may vary. If there are delays at the processing stage within a local authority, payment to the landlord may be backdated to the date on which a complete and valid application form was received by the local authority. The landlord is therefore not penalised for any delay.

Local Authorities and the HAP SSC continue to provide a critical service to all HAP customers. While local authorities are putting in place arrangements to reduce direct contact, because of public health requirements, alternative processes are in place to ensure a HAP service continues to be provided. This is particularly important for those applying for support under Homeless HAP in the current crisis.

Under the HAP scheme, priority is currently being given to HAP set-ups and ensuring that landlords are paid and that HAP tenancies are maintained. HAP applications continue to be received and processed by local authorities, and the HAP Shared Service Centre is continuing to carry out all of the necessary back office activities in setting up HAP tenancies as normal.

At the end of Q4 2019, over 71,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 52,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 30,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ceisteanna (866, 898)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

866. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the public spending code does not apply to residential developments by the Land Development Agency; if aspects of the spending code apply to such developments; if so, the parts that apply; and the way in which this application differs to capital projects led by Departments and local authorities. [12273/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

898. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the four-stage approval process applied to local authorities for social housing construction developments does not apply to developments left by the Land Development Agency. [12272/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 866 and 898 together.

The day to day management of the Land Development Agency (LDA), including spending on capital projects, is a matter for the Chief Executive and his management team reporting to the LDA Interim Board. In line with all commercial and non-commercial State bodies, the LDA is required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, including ensuring that robust and effective systems are in place for compliance as appropriate with the Public Spending Code.

The LDA Board is required to ensure that it has regard to appropriate models for investment appraisal for the evaluation and management of all investment proposals, including the Project Lifecycle introduced in the new Public Spending Code. In addition, under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Chairperson of each State body, including the LDA, should confirm in its annual report that the organisation is adhering to the relevant aspects of the Public Spending Code.

My Department has responsibility for the safeguarding of public funds expended from the Department’s Vote and in accordance with the Code of Governance, is required to be satisfied that the requirements of the Code are being properly implemented and observed. It is intended that my Department will be assisted in this regard by the advice provided by NewERA in exercise of its statutory advisory role under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. At present there is a Memorandum of Understanding between my Department and the LDA. Once the legislation to establish the LDA as a commercial state body is enacted, the LDA will be subject to the usual Departmental oversight arrangements for Commercial State Agencies as set out under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In line with other commercial state bodies, when capital commitments are being entered into, the LDA will be required to seek Ministerial consent.

In line with its remit, the LDA can provide services to local authorities or work with them on a collaborative basis in relation to the development of sites for housing. In relation to such projects, the LDA, in line with other State bodies, has its own investment appraisal arrangements in place under the Public Spending Code as outlined above. The 4 stage approval process applies to local authorities where they are entering directly into a capital works programme.

Certain LDA projects will require funding from my Department in relation to social housing provision or involve other supports from the Housing Budget. In order to ensure that such funding is expended in accordance with the Public Spending Code, including procurement requirements, my Department is currently putting in place a formal protocol with the LDA, which will facilitate good budgetary management and clarity on future financial commitments.

As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie for detailed information in relation to their expenditure.

Water Quality

Ceisteanna (867)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

867. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if information regarding the water quality and levels of pollution in waterways in County Tipperary since 2010 will be provided. [12436/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees national programmes of monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters and groundwater, including those in County Tipperary. The EPA’s most recent published report in this regard is Water Quality in Ireland 2013-2018, which is available at the following link; https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/waterqualityinireland2013-2018.html. The previous report covering the period 2010 to 2015 is also available at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/waterqualityinireland2010-2015.html

Assessments and trends are also available for many water bodies on www.catchments.ie. This is a collaboration between my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities through the Local Authority Waters Programme. The website contains information about Ireland's river catchments, sub-catchments and some 4,829 waterbodies throughout Ireland.

Commercial Rates

Ceisteanna (868, 871, 884)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

868. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider extending the rates freeze for those working in industries that will remain closed for the long-term, for example, those working in the events industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12561/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James O'Connor

Ceist:

871. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a sustainable source of funding either from an EU level or through national borrowing has been secured to ensure that the commercial rates deferral does not impact the ability of local authorities to maintain public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11721/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

884. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider the removal of commercial rates for empty places of entertainment and warehousing of event equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12101/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 868, 871 and 884 together.

The levying and collection of rates are legal matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Valuation Acts. In certain circumstances, vacant properties may receive a partial waiver of rates, at the discretion of the relevant local authority.

In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues arising. In addition, my Department has engaged with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Public Expenditure and Reform, Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to commercial rates and local authority funding issues, as well as the role that local authorities may be in a position to play in supporting economic recovery.

On 20 March 2020 it was announced that local authorities agreed to defer rates payments due from the most immediately impacted businesses for at least a 3-month period. Subsequently on 2 May 2020, the Government announced that the initial deferral had been replaced by a waiver of commercial rates to apply to all businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a 3-month period. My Department is currently preparing further guidance on the scope and application of the waiver for local authorities. Any extension of the waiver would need to be considered in the context of the easing of public health restrictions. The costs of the 3-month waiver will be met by the Exchequer and in light of this, additional borrowing specific to the local government sector is not currently under consideration by my Department. While the allocation of non-mortgage borrowing capacity for local authorities is set annually by my Department, a decision to borrow is a reserved function of local authority members.

Housing Adaptation Grant

Ceisteanna (869)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

869. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding being made available for housing adaption grants by local authority; the uptake of the grants by each local authority; the number of applicants and waiting time for the grant by each local authority, in tabular form. [11651/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Details of the number of grants paid and the amount spent by all local authorities up to 2018, are available on my Department's website at the following ink:

https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.

The following table contains details of the 2019 Exchequer funding drawn down by local authorities for grants up to 31 December 2019, as well as this years drawdown up to 31 May 2020. The amounts shown are for Exchequer drawdown and each local authority adds a further 20% contribution.

Local Authority

Exchequer Drawdown to 31 December 2019

Exchequer Drawdown to 31 May 2020

Carlow

€1,337,450

€300,552

Cavan

€992,380

€181,975

Clare

€2,399,552

€0

Cork

€4,323,799

€744,336

Cork City

€981,908

€186,807

Donegal

€1,333,144

€458,247

Dublin City

€7,395,113

€2,302,937

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown

€1,159,572

€225,117

Fingal

€2,043,228

€427,906

Galway

€1,695,312

€507,916

Galway City

€807,777

€267,888

Kerry

€2,549,136

€803,287

Kildare

€2,497,750

€319,713

Kilkenny

€1,526,314

€569,613

Laois

€820,976

€46,120

Leitrim

€154,738

€69,855

Limerick

€2,659,000

€555,405

Longford

€575,984

€68,954

Louth

€1,176,836

€323,687

Mayo

€1,853,661

€462,821

Meath

€2,000,215

€427,130

Monaghan

€1,451,430

€987,867

Offaly

€1,294,412

€0

Roscommon

€1,075,381

€52,750

Sligo

€1,162,243

€128,254

South Dublin

€1,785,306

€824,838

Tipperary

€2,944,856

€918,434

Waterford

€1,220,152

€321,204

Westmeath

€1,043,669

€171,008

Wexford

€1,896,870

€639,382

Wicklow

€1,108,370

€292,541

For 2020, a total of €73.75 million has been provided for the scheme, and notification of individual local authority allocations will issue shortly.

In the interim, all local authorities have been advised that they can expend an amount equal to 65% of their 2019 allocation. This interim funding provision should allow all local authorities to continue to process, approve and pay grants to successful applicants, pending the notification of the full year 2020 allocations.

The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of each local authority. My Department does not hold information in relation to the current number of applications pending or the waiting times in individual local authorities. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.

Housing Adaptation Grant

Ceisteanna (870)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

870. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the advice being given to applicants in cases in which housing adaption funding is no longer available. [11652/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses remains available to applicants and applications continue to be processed and funding remains available across all 31 local authority areas.

In 2020, a total of €73.75 million is available for the scheme, made up of €59 million Exchequer funding with the balance of €14.75 million to be contributed by local authorities.

Notification of individual local authority allocations will issue shortly. Pending that local authorities have been advised that they may pay out an amount equal to 65% of their 2019 allocation to successful applicants. This interim funding provision should allow all local authorities to continue to process, approve and pay grant applications.

Question No. 871 answered with Question No. 868.

Property Registration Authority

Ceisteanna (872)

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

872. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if contact will be made with the Property Registration Authority office in County Roscommon in order to expedite an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11733/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.

Housing Assistance Payment

Ceisteanna (873)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

873. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons and families allocated a HAP tenancy between end of February to the end of May 2019 and 2020 respectively, by local authority in tabular form. [11753/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. The tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancies Acts.

At the end of Q4 2019, over 71,000 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 52,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 30,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. An additional 17,025 new tenancies were set up in 2019.

Data in relation to households supported by the HAP Scheme is collated and published on a quarterly basis. A breakdown of the number of households supported in each local authority area to the end of Q4 2019 is available on my Department's website at the following link:

https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision

Data to end Q1 2020 will be published as soon as it is available.

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (874)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

874. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons and families allocated a social housing tenancy between end of February to the end of May 2019 and 2020 respectively, by local authority in tabular form. [11754/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The allocation of social housing support is a matter for each individual local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.

Section 22 of the 2009 Act requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

My Department does not hold information of the specific type requested by the Deputy.

Departmental Policy Functions

Ceisteanna (875)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

875. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department’s People Strategy 2018-2020 was developed in partnership with staff and sets out the strategic priorities, objectives and actions through which we wish to engage, support, develop and lead our staff, in alignment with our strategic goals. The strategic goals identified under our ‘WELL’ Strategy are ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Engagement’, ‘Learning and Development’ and ‘Leadership’, which reflect the evolving nature of working life in the Department and the diversity of needs, motivations and experiences that are a feature of the modern workplace. Under the heading of Leadership we are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Some specific measures to support diversity and inclusion include the following:

- My Department has been involved in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme since 2018, offering graduates with disabilities a 6-month work placement within the Department;

- My Department supports the Job Shadow Day initiative on an annual basis, as part of the national project which brings people with disabilities and local employers together for one day; for the last number of years we have teamed with the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK);

- In 2019, my Department established its LGBT+ staff network, which organises events and talks on a continuous basis and is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General;

- My Department is currently finalising its Universal Design and Accessibility Policy and Action Plan, which aims to demonstrate the Department’s commitment to accessibility, the principles of Universal Design and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities;

- Since 2019, the Secretary General has given his supports to the 30% Club, which promotes gender equality on boards and senior management, fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace;

- In 2019, the Department facilitated the North East Inner City (NEIC) workplace programme, which provides students in inner city DEIS schools with access to and insight into professions and career paths outside their existing network of contacts; and

- This year, my Department has run Disability Awareness Training, supporting our commitments under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.

In addition, my Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who provides additional support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate.

My Department complies with all central policy and guidance. It should be noted that the Civil Service People Strategy 2018-2020 commits to review and revise the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion policy, which my Department will fully support in due course.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (876)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

876. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the grant for upgrading to a water filter system has been cut to €1,000 under the multi-annual rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11851/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, the grant scheme to support improvement works for a private water supply has been revised. This revised scheme forms part of the funding investment under Measure 8 of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019 to 2021.

Following an examination of the previous arrangements, consultation with stakeholders including local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive, and consideration of the matter by the Rural Water Working Group, the revised scheme brings into effect the following changes

A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000 (which represents an increase of 47% on the current maximum grant amount);

Where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well, a maximum grant of €5,000 has been introduced;

Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and UV filtration) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000.

- The maximum percentage of approved costs is being increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total combined maximum costs of €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well.

- The qualifying age of a house before an application can be made remains at 7 years and the period before a further application can be made also remains 7 years. However, applicants are now permitted to make a second application if the maximum grant was not fully utilised within the seven-year period

These changes form part of the larger investment already being made through the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, to support the communities and local economies of rural Ireland. The Government continues to work with local authorities to ensure that people living in rural Ireland have access to quality water services, equivalent to those living in urban communities.

The relevant Circular issued to local authorities on 4 June and full details of the Terms and Conditions can be found on the Department's website at the following link:

https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (877)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

877. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of income thresholds to qualify for a place on a local authority housing list will be completed; the timeline for publication; and if disproportionately low thresholds such as those in County Carlow will be amended upwards. [11852/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.

Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.

However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will also have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (878)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

878. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will contact the housing department of Kilkenny County Council to determine the reason for delays in processing approval of arrangements for a housing transfer on certified health grounds for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11855/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

Section 22(17) of the 2009 Act provides that the Minister’s power to direct a local authority regarding the operation of its allocation scheme shall not be construed or operate to enable the Minister to direct the allocation of a dwelling to a particular household. I am, therefore, precluded from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the allocation of particular dwellings.

Student Accommodation

Ceisteanna (879)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

879. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is engaging with companies and landlords that run purpose-built student accommodation unaffiliated to universities or technological universities that have not offered students a refund on unused accommodation and associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11860/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With effect from 27 March 2020, new emergency measures were introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period. Tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances, during this period. These emergency laws initially applied for a period of 3 months under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 but a Government Order has extended their application until 20 July 2020.

My Department recently published a Guidance Document on Covid-19 supports for landlords and tenants which sets out the emergency rental measures and income and other supports available to tenants and landlords during the emergency period. The Guidance document is available at: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/COVID_Update_Guidance_Document_final.pdf

and a list of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed and is available at: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Comms%20and%20Research/FAQs_on_Emergency_Legislation_Final.pdf.

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2019 provide for minimum notice periods to be served by tenants and landlords for tenancy terminations – for example, a student must provide 28 days notice to end a tenancy of less than 6 months duration or 35 days to end a tenancy of more than 6 months but less than 1 year.

The Acts do not prescribe specific terms and conditions regarding the payment of rents or deposits for inclusion in individual letting agreements in the private rental market including the student-specific accommodation sector. Contract law governs such arrangements.

The specific terms associated with an individual student’s rights and obligations are likely to be set out in a written contract signed by both the student and the landlord. Engagement between the parties to clarify the respective contractual obligations of the student and the landlord is key in establishing whether a breach of contract had occurred.

Students may wish to contact their third level education providers to seek any assistance that they might be in a position to provide. If a student cannot come to an agreement with their accommodation provider, they might wish to contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) regarding their concerns – https://www.rtb.ie/– or to refer a dispute for resolution with regard to the non-refund of their deposit.

The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Due to the quasi-judicial nature of work of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to comment on or intervene in the specifics of any individual case, or to meet with anyone that may be party to a dispute lodged with the RTB.

I understand that the Department of Education and Skills is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. The Department of Education of Skills understands, based on the information available to it, that the majority of students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they vacate their accommodation. The Minister for Education and Skills has indicated that he would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation. However, it is not within the remit of the Department of Education and Skills nor of my Department to direct any accommodation provider to refund a rental payment.

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (880)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

880. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes nationwide under local authorities; the number of social homes retrofitted under the energy efficiency and retrofitting programme; the estimated cost to deep retrofit the remaining number of social homes; the average cost by house of retrofitting under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11894/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are circa 138,000 social housing homes nationally in the ownership of local authorities. My Department has been funding an Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for these properties since 2013. The Programme has two phases: Phase 1 comprises the bulk of the work undertaken to date and has focused on delivering immediate improvements such as cavity wall and attic insulation; Phase 2 targets higher cost measures, such as fabric upgrades, window and door upgrades and the installation of photovoltaic panels and heat pumps.

In the period 2013 to 2019, some €151 million in exchequer funding was provided under the Programme to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 72,000 local authority homes. In addition, between 2014 and 2019, energy efficiency upgrade measures have been incorporated into the Voids Programme to return over 9,000 vacant local authority homes to productive use.

The cost of carrying out an energy retrofit on a social home depends on a wide range of factors including dwelling size, year of construction, dwelling condition, and construction type. While initial indications suggest that investment in the region of €2 billion may be required to complete the retrofitting of the local authority housing stock, further detailed analysis is required to profile the works required, including the further works required to those homes that have already had lower cost improvements carried out under Phase 1 and under the Voids Programme.

Local Authority Funding

Ceisteanna (881, 883)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

881. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to help local authorities meet the massive shortfalls and deficits in their budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11906/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

883. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the finances lost and extra costs incurred by local authorities directly due to Covid-19; and if these losses and expenses will be replaced by centralised funding. [12071/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 883 together.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department has taken a number of measures to assist local authorities with the financial difficulties they are experiencing.

At the outset and to minimise cash flow challenges, my Department arranged for the early payment of Local Property Tax (LPT) to all local authorities. As a short term measure, my Department made €136m available to local authorities as cash flow support in early April, in order to ensure that vital services that local authorities deliver can be maintained. This support was comprised of the early payment of the LPT allocation ordinarily paid from the Local Government Fund in May and July.

On 2 May 2020, the Government announced that a waiver of commercial rates will apply to all businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a three-month period. The costs involved will be met by the Exchequer. My Department is currently preparing further guidance for local authorities on this initiative.

It is also recognised that local authorities have incurred additional costs in relation to their lead role in the Covid-19 response. My Department has requested local authorities to separately identify and capture these costs, so as to accurately support financial analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the local government sector. In order to support the sector generally, my Department will continue to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (882)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

882. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there has been a discussion and review of the disparities in the way that An Bord Pleanála and local authorities have variances in their application of housing densities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11907/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under Project Ireland 2040, including the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Government has identified the achievement of compact growth as a key mechanism to support the future sustainable development of our cities and towns that will address issues such as regional development, housing supply, climate action, urban sprawl and long-distance commuting.

The compact growth objectives set out in the NPF are in accordance with and underpinned by statutory ministerial planning guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, published by my Department in 2009 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The Sustainable Residential Development guidelines are applicable to all planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála.

The Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas generally require densities in the range of 35-50 dwellings per hectare (dph) on outer suburban/greenfield sites. This has been established Government policy since 1999. The Guidelines, however, also provide scope for densities below 35 dph on more peripheral sites in smaller towns and villages, in particular to assist in delivering more sustainable alternatives to dispersed urban-generated rural houses.

It is important to note that the application of the Sustainable Residential Development guidelines in the assessment of individual planning applications is a matter for each planning authority and/or An Bord Pleanála, on a case-by-case basis. I am precluded from commenting on any specific planning case, in accordance with Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

An Bord Pleanála is a statutory independent body, that typically upholds national policy in accordance with established ministerial planning guidance, where there is divergence apparent in local policy.

I am satisfied that the 2009 Guidelines are consistent with supporting the appropriate development of our urban settlements in the context of the compact urban growth objective of the NPF. However, these guidelines will be subject to update to further strengthen the achievement of compact growth objectives, and any such review will include consideration of their application throughout the planning system.

Question No. 883 answered with Question No. 881.
Question No. 884 answered with Question No. 868.
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