Written Answers Nos. 283-304
283. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the facilities available in his Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides breastfeeding employees with access to flexible spaces across all of the office locations for which we have responsibility. These spaces include wellbeing rooms and rest rooms. Each one is shielded from view and is free from intrusion by co-workers or the public and is provided with appropriate furniture.
Although currently demand does not exist for these spaces to be permanently dedicated for lactation purposes, staff have been made aware of their legal entitlement to breastfeeding breaks at work. The rooms outlined are continually available for these purposes and are fitted with locks.
284. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions taken by his Department and his predecessor in relation to 2018 whistleblowing reports of euthanasia being carried out by a controlled drug at a dog pound (details supplied); and the structures put in place to prevent future replication of same. [9416/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps taken regarding a complaint made to his Department by way of a protected disclosure over three years ago and reported recently in the media relating to a dog pound (details supplied); if his Department contacted the four Dublin local authorities that use the pound regarding this matter; if so, the actions that were taken at the time by the local authorities on the subject matter of the protected disclosure; the actions he plans to take on the continued use of the pound by the four Dublin local authorities following the protected disclosure given the ongoing public concern regarding animal welfare issues there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9956/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 318 together.
I trust the Deputies will appreciate that given my obligations under Section 16 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to protect the identity of a person who has made a disclosure, as well as the rights of individuals named in a protected disclosure, I am unable to provide details of any particular protected disclosure. Any communication by my Department regarding a protected disclosure is directed to the discloser.
I would also point out that the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of these Acts is vested in local authorities who have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. The Control of Dogs Acts is the policy responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, while animal welfare matters are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
285. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if information (details supplied) will be provided in relation to the Land Development Agency. [9421/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.
The day to day management of the LDA is matter for the LDA Chief Executive and his management team reporting to the LDA Interim Board. Under its Establishment Order, the LDA may appoint such and so many persons to be employees as it may determine. The LDA reports on its salary and consultancy costs in its annual financial statements in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The LDA's 2019 Annual Report, including its financial statements, is published on its website and covers the period from September 2018 to end December 2019.
In addition, 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.
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, on the basis of information provided by the LDA to my Department, I can indicate that the LDA currently has 43 staff, including 3 staff seconded from other State bodies. It is currently actively recruiting further staff and expects to have 50 staff by the end of 2021. It will have skilled staff in the areas of finance, investment appraisal, investment management, legal, procurement and property development (i.e. quantity surveyors, engineers, planners, architects etc) along with corporate and compliance support roles. The LDA does not operate a grading system. Contracts are agreed with employees following a competitive hiring process. The LDA spend on salary costs for the period September 2018 to January 2021 is approximately €3.5 million.
As with any other body responsible for developing large scale projects, the LDA requires professional and technical advisors and these services are tendered for in line with public procurement processes. Public tenders vary in length and do not guarantee any award of services or expenditure until contracts are negotiated. Examples of professional services tendered to date by the LDA include Legal, Architect Lead Design, Project Management, HR, Procurement, Corporate Advisory, Communications.
To date professional fees incurred by the LDA on projects are predominantly planning and design fees and project management fees as the LDA conducts feasibility and design work on their portfolio of sites. The total spend across sites since September 2018 is in the region of €6 million. For the same period, corporate professional fees, including procurement fees, communications, recruitment, IT and legal, of approximately €1.7 million have also been paid to date.
The LDA currently leases office space in Ashford House, Tara Street, Dublin 2. The annual rent is €248,000 (ex VAT) with an annual service charge of €40,000 (ex VAT). Limerick City and County Council made accommodation available to one agency employee based in Limerick for a period, for which no rent was paid by the LDA. Due to Covid restrictions, all LDA staff work remotely.
286. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a means to resolve cases where the advice provided by a departmental help desk differs from the decision taken by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are instances in which the 175 sq. m of gross floor area eligibility criteria for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan have been viewed with a degree of flexibility; if so, the basis on which this flexibility is applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10046/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 322 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme is administered by the local authorities, in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018.
Under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018 a loan cannot be issued where the house has a gross internal floor area of 175 square metres or more. It is therefore not possible for a local authority to approve a loan for a property with a gross internal floor area of more than 175 square metres.
Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Call Centre can provide advice to applicants based on the details applicants choose to give it. However, it does not have access to the full details of an application and it is not its role to make a determination on an application.
However, the local authority who the applicants applied to do have access to the full application and the final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis.
287. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an independent appeals process for a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme the final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.
Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority.
Each local authority must have an Appeals Process in place to allow a dissatisfied applicant to appeal a loan application decision of the credit committee. An Appeals Panel should comprise of personnel not involved in the original decision which is the subject of the appeal.
Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
288. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if steps can be taken by the State to retain ownership of the graving docks on the Grand Canal that were constructed in 1796; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9439/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe intrinsic heritage value of the Graving Docks on City Block 19 is recognised by my Department and Waterways Ireland and the conservation of waterway heritage assets has been identified within the Dublin Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), which forms part of the Dublin City Development Plan.
Any development of City Block 19 will have the protections outlined in the SDZ and an accompanying vision that reflects the significant social, historical and cultural value of the site for the local community, waterway users and for Dublin.
Waterways Ireland is currently considering a range of options in relation to the most effective and sustainable way to deliver this ambition for City Block 19.
Waterways Ireland has commenced work on developing a strategic framework and associated priorities for land/canal use in Dublin, which will identify a suite of sustainable, integrated and co-ordinated development initiatives. This work is ongoing and it will ultimately inform the strategy for City Block 19 and the other development opportunities within Dublin linked to its waterways.
Waterways Ireland will continue to engage with my Department in framing the strategy to re-imagine the waterways. Consultation and collaboration with external stakeholders would form an integral part of this process.
289. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions his Department is taking, pursuant to the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, to ensure the eradication, containment and management of Japanese knotweed on all lands owned by his Department and all lands owned by local authorities; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9471/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter for landowners. While my Department carries out considerable work on controls in National Parks and Nature Reserves, it does not have the resources or the powers required to extend such work into urban areas or the wider countryside. Likewise, the NPWS is not resourced to provide grant funding to homeowners for the removal or eradication of Japanese Knotweed.
I am aware of the work carried out across the country by many local authorities to tackle invasive alien species and I am currently finalising the details of a new stream of funding for local authorities to target invasive alien species in their areas. I hope to be in a position to announce this scheme in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, there is considerable work being carried out at present by a range of agencies in this area, including a number of local authorities. While there is no national eradication plan at this time, my Department will consider options for improved national co-ordination of work on invasive species, including increased cooperation between local and central government.
NPWS has a regional network of conservation officers and wildlife rangers who may, in certain cases, be in a position to provide practical advice on invasive species. For details of the NPWS staff in a particular area, please see the relevant section of the website, www.npws.ie/contact-us.
Information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland, including Japanese Knotweed, is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) website. Incidences of invasive species can be reported via the NBDC website and I encourage members of the public to use this facility.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Japanese knotweed are available from:
www.biodiversityireland.ie/japanese-knotweed-faq/.
With regard to the case referred to in the Question, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this until such time as my Department has had an opportunity to discuss with the relevant parties and determine in more detail the measures that have been proposed to manage the species in the area referred to, and the reasoning behind the proposal of these measures.
Please note also that a licence is required to remove and dispose of Japanese Knotweed under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and contractors employed to carry out this work should be aware of this requirement. If you have any queries in relation to the transport of Japanese Knotweed please contact the Licensing Unit of NPWS at email: wildlifelicence@chg.gov.ie.
290. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the referendum to ensure public ownership of water will take place; if he will address the concerns of local government staff on plans regarding staff transfers to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government provides that the Government will retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility.
The realisation of this commitment will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen the public water system embark on a journey of transformation, from a structure based on locally-organised water services authorities, towards a single, national, water utility. This has been a complex and challenging process for key stakeholders, notably the workers and their trade union representatives, the local government sector, and Ervia/Irish Water.
In keeping with the Programme for Government commitment, the Government yesterday approved a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility which is now available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/06326-water-sector-transformation-policy-paper/. The Policy Paper sets out the Government's expectations and views in relation to the next phase of the Water Sector Transformation Programme, including those matters raised in the question.
By setting out its views and expectations in this way, the Government is enabling stakeholders to engage meaningfully in the change process which will give them the strongest possible say in determining their own future working arrangements. I will be writing to the Workplace Relations Commission in the coming days asking them to contact the parties to arrange to re-commence engagement on a Framework for the future delivery of water services. The Government believes it will be possible to reach a collective agreement which addresses the interests and concerns of all parties.
291. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children and families in hotel accommodation and family hubs; and the prospects of secure housing for these persons. [9557/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. Data relating to homeless families and their dependants are presented at a regional level. The Reports are available to access on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
The most recently published report, in respect of December 2020, confirmed that there were 970 families in emergency accommodation during the survey week. This represents a 37% reduction on the position one year previously and is the lowest number of families in emergency accommodation since March 2016.
For families experiencing homelessness, family hubs offer a greater degree of stability than is possible in hotels with access to more appropriate living, storage, cooking and play areas for families. There are currently 35 operational family hubs nationally, offering more than 760 units of family accommodation in key urban housing authorities.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes, is a key priority of this Government. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new builds. In Budget 2021, we backed this objective with funding of €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing. Subject to the impact of the Covid related restrictions on the construction sector, the available funding will deliver 12,750 new social homes through build, acquisition and leasing. A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes.
292. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider issuing exemptions in written format to private citizens having to conduct emergency works under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9561/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if family home renovations will be considered specifically when planning and giving guidance for the reopening of the country over the coming weeks due to the substantial additional cost to families of delayed projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10147/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 329 together.
The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended).
With regard to private housing development, the Regulations provide that housing and construction works ongoing on 8 January could continue where the works required to render the property capable of occupation were scheduled for completion by 31 January 2021. The Regulations also provide for the supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and homes (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis.
On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021.
293. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by her, in tabular form. [9600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the table below. All special advisers are based in Custom House, Dublin 1.
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Contact details |
|
Darragh O’Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
Tel - 01 8882000 Email - ciara.shaughnessy@housing.gov.ie |
|
Darragh O’Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Kevin Dillon |
Tel - 01 8882000 Email - kevin.dillon@housing.gov.ie |
|
Malcolm Noonan, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform |
Hannah Hamilton |
Tel - 01 8882000 Email - hannah.hamilton@housing.gov.ie |
294. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the age of retirement for local authority workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9609/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe minimum age of retirement in a local authority or other public service employment is dependent upon a range of factors, including but not limited to the commencement date of employment and the specific contract of employment. Without the full information, it is not possible to comment on individual cases.
In any event, the aggrieved party should, in the first instance, raise his concerns with the employing organisation, which will possess his full employment details.
295. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans approved by Cavan County Council in 2020. [9612/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount.
Figures for 2020 (up until Quarter 2) are available on the Gov.ie website www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
296. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by Civil Service salary scale, in tabular form. [9665/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were 1,201.70 staff serving in my Department at the end of January 2021, as calculated on a fulltime equivalent basis. The information requested is set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
16.00 |
9.75 |
25.75 |
|
ADVISORY COUNSEL GRADE 2 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
ADVISORY COUNSEL GRADE 3 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
|
ARCHAEOLOGIST |
11.53 |
12.00 |
23.53 |
|
ARCHITECT |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISOR |
1.00 |
3.00 |
4.00 |
|
ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT GR 1 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
|
ARCHITECTURAL/ENG INSPECTOR |
2.00 |
9.00 |
11.00 |
|
ARCHIVIST |
1.73 |
1.73 |
|
|
ASSISTANT AUDITOR ENVIRONMENT |
1.50 |
7.00 |
8.50 |
|
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MET SERVICE |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
ASSISTANT FIRE ADVISOR |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
75.26 |
53.80 |
129.06 |
|
ASSISTANT SECRETARY |
4.00 |
4.00 |
8.00 |
|
ASSISTANT STAFF ENGINEER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
AUDITOR ENVIRONMENT |
8.13 |
13.00 |
21.13 |
|
CHIEF ARCHAEOLOGIST |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
CIVILIAN DRIVER |
2.00 |
4.00 |
6.00 |
|
CLEANER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
|
CLERICAL OFF TEMPORARY |
4.00 |
3.00 |
7.00 |
|
CLERICAL OFFICER |
81.71 |
30.80 |
112.51 |
|
CONSERVATION RANGER |
25.33 |
47.00 |
72.33 |
|
CRAFT CHARGEHAND |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
|
CRAFT FOREPERSON |
6.00 |
6.00 |
|
|
CRAFT WORKER |
1.40 |
7.00 |
8.40 |
|
DIRECTOR METEORLOGICAL SERVICE |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
DIRECTOR OF AUDIT |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
DISTRICT CONSERVATION OFFICER |
2.00 |
12.00 |
14.00 |
|
ENGINEER GRADE 1 CIVIL |
3.19 |
3.19 |
|
|
ENGINEER GRADE 2 CIVIL |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
|
ENGINEER GRADE 2 MECH/HEATING/ |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
|
ENGINEER GRADE 3 CIVIL |
1.50 |
1.00 |
2.50 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
95.70 |
54.86 |
150.56 |
|
FOREPERSON GRADE 1 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
FOREPERSON GRADE 3 |
1.00 |
4.00 |
5.00 |
|
FORESTRY INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
GENERAL OPERATIVE GRADE 1 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
GENERAL OPERATIVE GRADE 2 |
25.80 |
25.80 |
|
|
GENERAL OPERATIVE GRADE 3 |
12.00 |
12.00 |
|
|
GUIDE |
17.80 |
8.00 |
25.80 |
|
GUIDE SUPERVISOR |
5.00 |
1.00 |
6.00 |
|
HEAD SERVICES OFFICER |
0.80 |
0.80 |
|
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
71.03 |
64.30 |
135.33 |
|
ICT APPRENTICE |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
|
INSPECTOR PLANNING |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
|
INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
1.00 |
7.00 |
8.00 |
|
METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER |
8.60 |
19.00 |
27.60 |
|
METEOROLOGIST |
27.90 |
30.60 |
58.50 |
|
POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER |
1.00 |
2.00 |
3.00 |
|
PRINCIPAL |
13.30 |
30.40 |
43.70 |
|
PRINCIPAL ADVISOR HIGHER LEVEL |
1.00 |
4.00 |
5.00 |
|
PRINCIPAL AUDITOR |
1.00 |
4.00 |
5.00 |
|
PRINCIPAL CLERK |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
PRINCIPAL METEOROLOGICAL OFF |
1.00 |
14.00 |
15.00 |
|
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT GR 1 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT GR 2 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
QUANTITY SURVEYOR GRADE 1 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
|
|
SECRETARY GENERAL |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
SENIOR ADVISER |
8.00 |
8.00 |
|
|
SENIOR ARCHAEOLOGIST |
2.00 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
|
SENIOR ARCHITECT |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
|
SENIOR ASSISTANT FIRE ADVISOR |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
SENIOR METEOROLOGICAL OFFICER |
16.50 |
33.85 |
50.35 |
|
SENIOR METEOROLOGIST |
3.00 |
4.00 |
7.00 |
|
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
SENIOR STATISTICIAN |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
SERVICES ATTENDANT |
1.23 |
1.23 |
|
|
SERVICES OFFICER |
4.00 |
15.00 |
19.00 |
|
SPECIAL ADVISER TO MINISTER |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
|
SPECIAL ADVISER TO MINISTER OF STATE |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
STATISTICIAN |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
STOREKEEPER CLERK GRADE 1 |
3.00 |
1.00 |
4.00 |
|
STOREKEEPER CLERK IN CHARGE |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
|
STORES/OFFICE SUPERVISOR |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
SUPERVISING HOUSING INSPECTOR |
0.60 |
1.00 |
1.60 |
|
SURVEY CONTROLLER |
1.00 |
3.00 |
4.00 |
|
VISUALLY IMPAIRED TELEPHONIST |
0.60 |
0.60 |
|
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
2.00 |
8.00 |
10.00 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
5.80 |
15.00 |
20.80 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 3 |
11.80 |
11.60 |
23.40 |
|
Total |
556.72 |
644.98 |
1201.70 |
297. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason 60 social housing units in the social housing stock of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council remain unoccupied despite a large social housing waiting list; if additional funding will be provided to ensure that these homes are prepared for new tenancies and occupied by April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9676/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent, the management and maintenance including the re-letting of newly vacated homes of local authority housing stock is a matter for each local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLR) has advised my Department they receive approx. 10-20 units per month for re-let. DLR has advised that the majority of properties that become vacant are re-let within 12 weeks following completion of a standard list of works. A small number require substantial works.
DLR has confirmed that the majority of the current unoccupied units require standard works and are being prepared for re-let within the 12 week time-frame.
For homes that required substantial refurbishment work or have been vacant for extended periods of time my Department provided additional funding over and above the standard voids funding under the Covid-19 Voids programme and July Stimulus Funding programme. DLR availed of these programmes which allowed them to bring some long-term voids back into use.
298. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [9687/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department and currently underway, are set out in the following table, together with the scheduled completion date.
|
Title of live Study/Review/Research |
Scheduled for Completion |
|
Mortgage to Rent Review |
Q1 2021 |
|
Unlawful Termination of Tenancies Report |
Q2 2021 |
|
Review of the Compulsory Retirement Age of Full-Time Firefighters |
To be confirmed |
|
Review of the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability |
Q4 2021 |
|
Production of national standard climate maps to support Irish building standards |
Q1 2023 |
|
Production of climate monitoring indices and products |
Q1 2023 |
|
TRANSLATE – coordination of standardised climate projections for Ireland and the development of climate services |
Q1 2023 |
|
Climate Services ERA-NET “ERA4CS WINDSURFER” project on wind and wave scenarios, uncertainty and climate risk assessments for forestry, energy and reinsurance |
Q4 2021 |
|
Climate Services ERA-NET “ERA4CS EUPHEME” project on a European prototype demonstrator for the harmonisation and evaluation of methodologies for attribution of extreme weather events |
Q4 2021 |
|
Climate Services ERA-NET “ERA4CS INDECIS” project on an integrated approach for the development across Europe of user oriented climate indicators for GFCS high-priority sectors: agriculture, disaster risk reduction, energy, health, water and tourism |
Q4 2021 |
|
Behavioural analysis perception of weather & climate information |
Q4 2021 |
|
Development of atmosphere-ocean-wave coupling models for the energy sector |
Q2 2022 |
|
Understanding of the effects of climate change on sea levels using atmosphere-ocean-wave coupling models |
Q2 2022 |
|
Development of a pollen forecast prototype |
Q2 2021 |
|
Expansion of surface physics and physiography elements of Numerical Weather Predication (NWP) models |
Q4 2021 |
|
Understanding of the future Irish climate using EC-Earth climate simulations |
Q4 2022 |
|
SFI Centre for Research Training use of Applied Mathematics, Statistical Learning & Machine learning for Numerical Weather Predication (NWP) research |
Q4 2025 |
|
Publication of the new Status of Ireland Climate report |
Q2 2021 |
|
Gender Equality in Local Government Committees, North West & Midlands |
Q1 2021 |
|
Candidate Selection for Local Elections |
Q2 2021 |
|
Rent Controls in Ireland and Abroad: Why, What, and How?* |
Q4 2021 |
|
An Assessment of Structural Rental Affordability Challenges And Policy Implications in Ireland.* |
Q4 2021 |
|
Adding a specific Construction sector to the COSMO macroeconomic model.* |
Q4 2021 |
|
ESRI research programme on water in support of Ireland’s implementation to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and associated activities |
2022 |
|
Review of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) in preparation for Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), covering the period 2022–27 |
2021 |
|
An inventory of barriers to fish migration in our surface waters, under the River Basin Management Plan |
2021 |
|
Impact of restoration management on Green House Gas fluxes from All Saints Bog and Esker Special Area of Conservation |
Q4 2023 |
|
Provision of scientific and technical Information to inform the development of drainage management plans for raised bog special areas of conservation |
Q1 2021 |
|
Social housing and income-based rents International Practice |
Q1 2021 |
|
Summary of Social Housing Assessment 2020 |
Q1 2021 |
|
Glendalough Outstanding Universal Value Study |
Q2 2021 |
|
Scoping Study in to Potential for an Increased State and State Supported Heritage and Culture Presence in the Moore Street Area |
Q1 2021 |
|
Custom House conservation and capacity works – Public Spending Code Economic Appraisal |
2021 |
|
Housing First Targets Review |
Q2 2021 |
|
Review of NPWS |
Q3 2021 |
|
Biodiversity review, Killarney National Park |
Q3 2021 |
|
Rhododendron peer review, Killarney National Park |
Q3 2021 |
|
Biodiversity review relating to the Blasket Islands |
Q3 2021 |
|
Puffin Island: biosecurity review |
Q1 2022 |
|
Determination of micro-litter content of 95 coastal sediment samples in support of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) implementation |
2021 |
|
Health Research Board Analysis of data on fire-related deaths |
This is an ongoing collaboration |
|
Research Study on the Movement and Survival of Hares after Coursing |
Q1 2022 |
* Note: This research is an element of the Department’s joint research programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute, on housing economics and spatial planning.
299. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the housing and homeless situation in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9715/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the emergency homeless accommodation in County Donegal; the number and demographics of persons accessing this accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. Data relating to homeless adults are presented at a county level. Where fewer that ten individuals are recorded in a county, data are aggregated with an adjacent county, in line with best statistical practice. The most recent report, for December 2020, records that there were 29 adults utilising emergency accommodation in counties Donegal and Leitrim. Data on families and dependants are represented on a regional level. The December 2020 report records that there were 6 families in the North-West Region in emergency accommodation, which combines Counties Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo.
The Reports are available to access on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes, is a priority for me and for this Government. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new builds. In Budget 2021, we backed this objective with funding of €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing. Subject to the impact of the Covid related restrictions on the construction sector, the available funding will deliver 12,750 new social homes through build, acquisition and leasing. A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes.
300. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in receipt of the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, in County Donegal; the number of persons in receipt of HAP in County Donegal in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) continue to be effective and secure forms of social housing support, and remain a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available across the country.
Data in relation to active tenancies in HAP and RAS for the period 2018 to Quarter 3, 2020, in County Donegal, is set-out in the table below:
|
End 2018 |
End 2019 |
End Q3 2020* |
|
|
Active HAP Tenancies |
1,729 |
1,805 |
1,849 |
|
Active RAS Tenancies |
549 |
538 |
510 |
* Data in relation to Q4, 2020 will be available shortly.
302. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on the social housing waiting list in County Donegal by the type of accommodation and length of time waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons and family units that were added to the social housing list in County Wexford in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9896/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 316 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recently published summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the assessment in June 2018.
The full report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/29da7-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2019-key-findings/.
The total number of households qualified for social housing support in Donegal in 2019 was 926, and 2,260 for Wexford.
Figure 2.7 and Table A1.7 of the report provide a breakdown of the current tenure type by local authority. Also Figure 2.6 and Table A1.6 provide a breakdown of any specific accommodation requirements, the majority of which (80.5%) had no specific accommodation requirements. Details on the length of time spent on the social housing list is provided in Figure 2.8 and Table A1.8 which provide details on the length of time households have been on the record of qualified households (the Waiting List).
It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time exercise and does not reflect the dynamic nature of entries to and exists from the waiting lists.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the 2020 assessment was delayed and conducted in November. Work is ongoing and the summary report of the 2020 assessment will be published in due course.
303. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to Donegal County Council for housing in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9719/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding for a wide range of programmes and supports to assist households with their housing needs, including the delivery of new social homes, targeted supports to meet the housing needs of specific groups and programmes to maintain households within their existing housing through improvement, upgrading and adaptation works.
The funding provided to Donegal County Council for the delivery of housing programmes in each of the years 2016 - 2020 and to end January 2021 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2016 |
12.29 |
|
2017 |
23.03 |
|
2018 |
25.07 |
|
2019 |
28.27 |
|
2020 |
31.73 |
|
2021 (to end January) |
1.88 |
304. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that have been retrofitted drawing on the €65 million allocation announced in October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme in 2013, with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 73,500 units of social housing stock have been 'shallow' retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €161 million under the scheme.
A key objective of the Programme for Government is the retrofit of 500,000 homes by 2030 to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard. It is expected that approximately 36,500 of those will be local authority owned homes. The 2021 Energy Efficiency Programme is a newly revised programme designed around the Programme for Government commitment with a significant increase in funding support of €65 million. €20 million has already been allocated to the Midlands Retrofit Pilot as part of the 'Just Transition' programme leaving a balance available for allocation under the 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme of €45m.
Last week I launched the newly revised Programme with an initial allocation to local authorities of €35 million in funding for the retrofitting of 1,293 homes. The balance of €10m will then be allocated to local authorities who demonstrate an ability to complete the additional work and spend the full allocation in 2021. This Programme will see a significant upscaling, from a ‘shallow’ to ‘deeper retrofit’, on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years and will target 2,400 social homes for upgrade works in 2021, 750 of which relate to the Midlands Retrofit Pilot.
