Written Answers Nos. 498-522
498. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the allocation for local authority disability and mobility adaptation grants for council tenants and private homeowners in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if additional funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20315/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding allocations under the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (LA Tenants) for local authorities in 2018 and 2019 are detailed in the tables below:
Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (LA Tenants) - 2018 Allocations
|
Local Authority |
Department Contribution (90%) |
Local Authority Contribution (10%) |
Total (Department and LA Contribution) |
|
Carlow County Council |
€311,220 |
€34,580 |
€345,800 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€350,598 |
€38,955 |
€389,553 |
|
Clare County Council |
€481,412 |
€53,490 |
€534,903 |
|
Cork City Council |
€1,291,171 |
€143,463 |
€1,434,634 |
|
Cork County Council |
€740,601 |
€82,289 |
€822,890 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€466,102 |
€51,789 |
€517,891 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€1,544,921 |
€171,658 |
€1,716,579 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
€387,487 |
€43,054 |
€430,541 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€512,425 |
€56,936 |
€569,361 |
|
Galway City Council |
€367,881 |
€40,876 |
€408,757 |
|
Galway County Council |
€401,673 |
€44,630 |
€446,303 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€423,617 |
€47,069 |
€470,685 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€364,029 |
€40,448 |
€404,477 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€296,202 |
€32,911 |
€329,113 |
|
Laois County Council |
€326,003 |
€36,223 |
€362,225 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€260,550 |
€28,950 |
€289,500 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
€454,767 |
€50,530 |
€505,296 |
|
Longford County Council |
€296,075 |
€32,897 |
€328,972 |
|
Louth County Council |
€394,456 |
€43,828 |
€438,284 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€209,956 |
€23,328 |
€233,284 |
|
Meath County Council |
€359,543 |
€39,949 |
€399,492 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€285,011 |
€31,668 |
€316,679 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€313,545 |
€34,838 |
€348,384 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€314,390 |
€34,932 |
€349,322 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€475,265 |
€52,807 |
€528,072 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€346,915 |
€38,546 |
€385,461 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€591,707 |
65,745 |
€657,453 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€318,674 |
€35,408 |
€354,083 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€339,349 |
€37,705 |
€377,055 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€310,445 |
€34,494 |
€344,939 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€464,010 |
€51,557 |
€515,567 |
|
Total |
€14,000,000 |
€1,555,556 |
€15,555,556 |
Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (LA Tenants) – 2019 Allocations
|
Local Authority |
Department Contribution (90%) |
Local Authority Contribution (10%) |
Total (Department and LA Contribution) |
|
Carlow County Council |
€205,000 |
€22,778 |
€227,778 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€230,000 |
€25,556 |
€255,556 |
|
Clare County Council |
€350,000 |
€38,889 |
€388,889 |
|
Cork City Council |
€2,000,000 |
€222,222 |
€2,222,222 |
|
Cork County Council |
€1,000,000 |
€111,111 |
€1,111,111 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€400,000 |
€44,444 |
€444,444 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€2,375,000 |
€263,889 |
€2,638,889 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
€255,000 |
€28,333 |
€283,333 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€625,000 |
€69,444 |
€694,444 |
|
Galway City Council |
€450,000 |
€50,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
€350,000 |
€38,889 |
€388,889 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€300,000 |
€33,333 |
€333,333 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€450,000 |
€50,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€225,000 |
€25,000 |
€250,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
€220,000 |
€24,444 |
€244,444 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€175,000 |
€19,444 |
€194,444 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
€1,275,000 |
€141,667 |
€1,416,667 |
|
Longford County Council |
€200,000 |
€22,222 |
€222,222 |
|
Louth County Council |
€260,000 |
€28,889 |
€288,889 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€150,000 |
€16,667 |
€166,667 |
|
Meath County Council |
€245,000 |
€27,222 |
€272,222 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€200,000 |
€22,222 |
€222,222 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€205,000 |
€22,778 |
€227,778 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€205,000 |
€22,778 |
€227,778 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€325,000 |
€36,111 |
€361,111 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€500,000 |
€55,556 |
€555,556 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€500,000 |
€55,556 |
€555,556 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€21000 |
€23,333 |
€233,333 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€225,000 |
€25,000 |
€250,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€515,000 |
€57,222 |
€572,222 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€450,000 |
€50,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Total |
€15,075,000 |
€1,675,000 |
€16,750,000
|
In respect of the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (LA Tenants), all local authorities were asked to submit details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for 2020. These work proposals are being evaluated and the individual funding allocations for 2020 will issue shortly, and it is anticipated that the overall funding provision will be in line with previous years. However, in the interim, to avoid any delay in undertaking works, local authorities were advised earlier this year to proceed with works of up to 65% of their 2019 allocation.
Separately, funding allocations for 2018 and 2019 under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, for private houses, is publicly available on my Department’s website at the following links:
For 2018: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/special-housing-needs/minister-english-announces-eu6625-million-funding-improve-homes-older.
For 2019: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/special-housing-needs/older-people/minister-english-announces-eu7125-million-funding-improve.
For 2020, a total of €73.75 million has been provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme for private houses, 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.
499. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports that some persons are required to sleep rough before they can declare themselves homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20385/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of that Act. This legislation allows a local authority to assess a household as homeless without any requirement for individuals to be rough sleeping or accessing emergency accommodation.
500. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason businesses cannot access the rates wavier due to the fact many county and city councils have not been given instruction on the way in which to apply the rates wavier; and the way in which the rates shortfall will be made up. [20396/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes.
An initial three-month waiver of rates for businesses forced to close business due to COVID-19 was announced in early May.
In order to enhance the supports available for enterprise, and in recognition of the fact that not only have many ratepayers been forced to close business due to the public health requirements, but many others who remained open have suffered significant reductions in turnover, this waiver has now been extended for a duration of six months to the end of September and the categories of enterprise who will be eligible to avail of it has been expanded.
A 100% waiver will be applied to all businesses, for a six-month period to the end of September, with the exclusion of a small number of categories. The rationale for the exclusion of certain categories of ratepayers is that their operations were not as severely impacted by the pandemic, coupled with the need to direct resources appropriately.
To support both the local government sector and the ratepayers impacted, €600m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates for six months for eligible businesses impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. This will take the form of a credit in lieu of rates.
The Credit in Lieu of Commercial Rates shall be administered by Local Authorities.
Credits in lieu of commercial rates applied to ratepayer accounts under this scheme shall be applied as a credit on the rate bill for 2020. Local authorities have been provided with guidance on the waiver and should automatically apply a 100% credit in lieu of commercial rates, for a six-month period, to classes and categories of occupied rateable property where the occupying business is not in an excluded category.
508. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when a decision will be made on an application from Louth County Council for funding to develop the northern port access route, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouth County Council submitted an application for funding support for this project under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The final date for the submission of applications under Call 2 was the 29th May. A large number of proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application for URDF support.
Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are very complex, and each will require detailed assessment. The assessment process will take place over the coming months with the intention that a new tranche of approved proposals, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040, will be announced later in the year.
509. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to ensure refunds are provided to students for all relevant payments of accommodation provided under section 13(d) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 in which the accommodation has been vacated by the student due to the suspension of higher education activity due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20512/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 27 March 2020, 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 from the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and were subsequently extended to 20 July by the previous Government.
On my request, after consultation with the Minister for Health, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Government has made an Order extending the emergency period until 1 August 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.
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 during 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 former Minister for Education and Skills 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 rents paid.
510. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the proposals to modernise the electoral registration process following public consultation in early 2019 in view of the publication of the relevant report in December 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20533/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to progressing this work including the simplification of processes and forms; a move to a system of identity verification using one's PPSN; a rolling register and a single national electoral register database.
Work is ongoing in my Department on developing a new streamlined registration application form to replace the current suite of forms. Further consultation with Local Authorities and others, including the National Adult Literacy Agency and the National Disability Authority, is planned to ensure the form is simple, effective and accessible to all citizens.
In relation to optional online registration, a technical evaluation of the Voter.ie platform being used by the Dublin Local Authorities will inform a recommendation to Government regarding the suitability of voter.ie for roll out as a national electoral registration platform.
A number of other reforms, like rolling registration, will require primary legislation. My Department is currently developing proposals in this respect for consideration by Government.
511. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the contribution the forestry industry is making to the housing construction industry from an environmental perspective; if he will support the further development of timber-frame construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll new dwellings must comply with building regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The building regulations apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings.
The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M).
Building regulations are performance based. My Department does not have an approval function and does not approve or endorse products for compliance with the building regulations or standards.
I.S.440: 2009+A1:2014 Timber Frame Construction, Dwellings and other Buildings is the Irish standard on timber frame construction (as referenced in Technical Guidance Document A Structure 2012 and Technical Guidance Document B Fire Vol 2 2017). I.S. 440 refers to responsibilities, materials, design, manufacture, construction details, site work and services.
My Department encourages the use of standards and rapid delivery frameworks for delivery of social housing in the construction sector which supports all construction technologies including timber frame. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are leading a construction productivity workgroup which also supports all construction technologies.
Embodied Carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings as the operational carbon emissions for heating, lighting and other services have been significantly reduced in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings. Measures to take account of embodied carbon emissions are proposed in the Climate Action Plan and in the Construction Products Regulation.
Under the Climate Action Plan, the Office of Public Works are putting in place a roadmap to promote greater use of lower-carbon building material alternatives in construction and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are carrying out a research and development project to examine life cycle analysis and embedded energy in buildings to compare the use of sustainable materials.
In addition, at EU level under the Construction Products Regulation a framework is being discussed to look at the impacts on the wider environment that occur during the whole life cycle of a construction product. The European Commission has invited stakeholder opinion from industry and others through online workshops and a recent survey.
512. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent High Court judgment (details supplied); the implications that this case will have on the current planning process; and if he plans to introduce changes to the planning regime in respect of strategic housing developments, the lifting of height restrictions and the reduction in apartment standards. [20546/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt would not be appropriate for me to comment on the High Court Judgement referred to because neither I, as Minister, or the State is a party to the case concerned. In addition, it should be noted that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any case which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
While not commenting directly on the Judgement, I note that the Judgement referred to the application of the provisions of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 relating to Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) and the relevant "specific planning policy requirement" 3(A) contained in the Urban Development Building Heights Guidelines issued to planning authorities in December 2018, rather than questioning the validity of same.
I cannot comment on the workings of An Bord Pleanála as it is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of SHD applications.
514. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of support allocated, drawn down or requested for the restoration of Fermoy Weir. [20668/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the funding of the maintenance and repair of weirs is not a matter that falls within the remit of this Department, and it has no specific funding line for such projects, it is appreciated that this is a very important project for Cork County Council and the community of Fermoy, in particular.
In view of the strategic importance of this project from an economic, social and environmental perspective, a strictly once off exceptional payment of €175,000 to Cork County Council was sanctioned by the previous Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government from the Local Government Fund on the 17 September 2019. However, the approved allocation has yet to be drawn down by Cork County Council. My Department remains committed to this level of support in 2020.
515. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of funding drawn down by Cork County Council for Traveller accommodation in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. [20669/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The drawdown of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation by Cork County Council in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Drawdown |
|
2018 |
Nil |
|
2019 |
€205,668 |
|
2020 (year to date) |
Nil |
516. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the new social housing in the Cork County Council area by local area, unit type and whether new build, refurbishment, purchase or social leasing in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. [20670/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra518. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the planned social housing units or those in the process of delivery in Cork County Council area broken down by local area and type of unit for 2020 and 2021. [20672/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 518 together.
My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. This will provide the Deputy with detailed breakdown of activity across multiple years up to end Q4 2019.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Q1 2020 returns were deferred to be collected in conjunction with Q2 2020 and both will be reported on in due course.
In addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, a detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published which provides scheme level detail on new build activity. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020.
This report is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
More detail, including information broken down to local area level, should be available from the local authority.
517. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the total cost of social leasing, rent supplement, RAS and HAP payments, respectively, in the Cork County Council area in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. [20671/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure for Cork County Council under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) from 2018 to date in 2020 is as follows:
|
Scheme |
Expenditure 2018 €m |
Expenditure 2019 €m |
Expenditure to end Q2 2020 €m |
|
RAS |
6.9 |
4.9 |
2.5 |
|
SHCEP |
5.4 |
4.9 |
1.1 |
SHCEP supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments. Dwellings under the scheme come from a number of different sources including private owners, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Part V and the NAMA Special Purpose Vehicle (NARPS).
In relation to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord.
Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but rather recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC. However, the following table details the number of active tenancies and average rent paid to landlords at the end 2018 and 2019 for County Cork.
|
End Year |
No. of Active HAP Tenancies |
Average Rent Paid |
|
2018 |
3,339 |
€727 |
|
2019 |
3,431 |
€748 |
Responsibility for Rent Supplement falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
