Written Answers Nos. 65-87
65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the proposed affordable purchase shared equity scheme under the affordable housing Bill in particular its interaction with the Central Bank’s mortgage lending measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3387/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, ‘Our Shared Future’, clearly lays out our commitment to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system. Government approved priority drafting of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020 on 22 December 2020, the General Scheme of which I published on 20 January last.
The Bill includes provisions to underpin three schemes delivering on the Government’s commitment to prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) affordable homes for purchase delivered by local authorities, (2) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme for private homes, and (3) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental.
The Affordable Purchase Shared Equity scheme is designed to help bridge the gap, through providing equity support, between the mortgage a household may have access to and the price of the new home they wish to buy. The measure will enable First Time Buyers to buy a new home at a price they can afford, increase housing supply, and help restore confidence in the construction sector.
In availing of the scheme there is no borrowing requirement beyond that already permitted under the Central Bank’s macro-prudential rules. The support provided is in the form of shared equity rather than a loan to households.
Notwithstanding this, officials from my Department and the Department of Finance have been engaging with the Central Bank to consider the schemes interaction with macro prudential rules as well as the proposed operation of the scheme from the perspective of its consumer protection mandate. This process will continue until the conclusion of the scheme's design whereupon the Central Bank will take a final position on the matter.
The Bill has now been approved by Government and I intend to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas in the very near future to allow for the commencement of the Scheme this year.
67. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in receipt of a housing assistance payment support discretionary top-up in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [23026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. At end Q4 2020 there were nearly 60,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,520 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to a maximum of 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis. Additional discretion of up to 50% above rent limits is available to assist in housing homeless households in the Dublin Region only.
The table below shows the number of households in receipt of HAP, over the period 2016 to 2020, who were also in receipt of some additional discretion available to local authorities.
|
Year |
No. Household in receipt of Discretion |
|
2016 |
2,418 |
|
2017 |
7,244 |
|
2018 |
14,930 |
|
2019 |
23,150 |
|
2020 |
31,079 |
68. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussions his officials had with Iarnród Éireann in relation to surplus lands in the CIÉ Works, Inchicore, Dublin 8, which had previously been earmarked for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22886/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not in discussions with Iarnród Éireann in relation to lands at the CIÉ Works, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Any state body seeking to dispose of land must first consult with the Land Development Agency (LDA).
A letter issued to all Government Ministers in 2019 asking that they advise all State bodies under their aegis that prior to seeking Ministerial approval to dispose of lands on the open market, that they must first consult with the LDA in relation to the appropriate disposal of those lands This was further strengthened by a commitment in the Programme for Government that any State lands being offered for sale would automatically be offered first to the LDA and the LDA Bill will put this requirement on a statutory basis.
70. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to support renters in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and supporting renters is a key component of that. The Affordable Housing Bill 2020 will ensure that affordability is put at the heart of the housing system and will underpin the new local authority led scheme of affordable homes for purchase, an Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme (private lands) and, for renters in Meath and all over Ireland, the introduction of a new national Cost Rental scheme.
This year will also see the first ever cost rental units, more than 400 units, built and occupied in the State. Cost rental is targeted at moderate income households where the rent charged only covers the cost of provision of homes. The Land Development Agency will be put on a statutory footing and given capital to ramp up cost rental provision to the scale needed in counties such as Meath.
The Government has, and continues to, put in place enhanced legislative protections for renters during the pandemic. There are targeted protections for renters with evictions bans in place during periods of restricted movement and protections for renters whose income has been impacted by the pandemic.
Building on the urgent Covid-19 rental measures to date, the Government has extended the targeted protections for those tenants whose income has been impacted by Covid-19 from 12 April to 12 July.
Low-income tenants are disproportionately employed in sectors that have been severely affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Significant State income supports are available to assist tenants to pay their rent including changes to the rent supplement eligibility rules for tenants whose income has been reduced because of Covid-19.
For any tenants impacted by rent arrears, my Department has published a guidance document, Part 3 (Residential Tenancies) of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 - Guidance for Landlords and Tenants, which sets out the new rental protections for tenants and landlords dealing with rent arrears that succeed those provided under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020, and provides details on the income and other supports available to tenants and landlords. The document is available on the RTB's website.
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supply.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
In terms of supports for the Rental Sector, on 1 July 2019, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act expanded the role of the Residential Tenancy Board (RTB) to investigate and sanction landlords who engage in certain breaches of the law, defined in the Act as Improper Conduct. This brought about a fundamental change in the operation of the RTB by expanding its regulatory remit.
The breaches of rental law that the Investigations & Sanctions (I&S) unit can investigate include; failure to comply with RPZ requirements; failure to register a tenancy; a reason given on a notice of termination that is known to be false or misleading; and failure to offer a tenant their tenancy back when certain conditions have been met. The RTB also has the power to apply sanctions if breaches are found to have occurred, ranging from a formal written caution and/or a fine of up to €15,000 and/or costs up to €15,000.
The RTB has a dedicated I&S Unit with staff who have a collective experience in conducting civil and criminal investigations in other regulatory and enforcement bodies as well as significant internal knowledge of the RTB and the Residential Tenancies Act.
The Programme for Government - 'Our Shared Future', commits to improve the security of tenure for tenants, through legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, increasing Residential Tenancies Board enforcement and examining incentives for long-term leasing.
Proposals for further amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts are currently being developed, for inclusion in the General Scheme of the Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill which is expected to be submitted for Government approval in the coming months for approval to proceed to legal drafting. It is expected that the Bill will be enacted by the end of 2021. Long-term letting rights for tenants are being considered in this context.
71. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; if so, the process for submitting an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22860/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary focus of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is on supporting projects that will contribute to compact growth and that will improve the liveability of our cities and towns. All applications for URDF support are assessed in terms of their alignment with the intended purpose of the URDF and also their viability before being considered for approval.
The second call for proposals under the URDF was launched in January 2020 and a copy of the circular setting out the objectives of the Fund and application conditions together with the application form and assessment criteria have been available on my Departments website since then at the below link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcc0ae-eligibility-for-the-urban-regeneration-and-development-fund/
Also, to assist local authorities with the application process my Department hosted a number of workshops to provide information on the purpose of the URDF programme and the types of proposals that would be considered for support.
In all seventy six proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application, and involving competing demands with a total combined value exceeding €2 billion. Before being considered for approval all applications were assessed in terms of their alignment with the intended purpose of the URDF programme and their viability, and also in the context of the many competing demands on the limited funds available.
The assessment process involved four distinct parts: -
- An initial assessment of all proposals carried out by my Department was provided to a Project Advisory Board (PAB) comprised of civil servants, specialists in the various relevant sectoral areas and representatives from other interested Government Departments/Agencies.
- The PAB considered each proposal in terms of the set URDF assessment criteria and made recommendations on suitability for consideration for URDF support.
- The PAB recommendations were reviewed by a sub-group of the Department's Management Board.
- Final recommendations were submitted for my consideration.
Ultimately, following this comprehensive assessment process, thirty proposals were not approved for any URDF support under Call 2.
In this regard my Department is currently issuing the local authorities involved with a copy of the assessment produced in respect of their unsuccessful proposals together with a document that sets out the related assessment process.
Should the local authority require further feedback or information on the matter my Department will be available to meet with local authority officials, and if following that meeting the local authority wishes to pursue the matter further it will be open to the local authority to request a process review which will be undertaken by my Department's Management Board.
72. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies in place to promote the concept of young persons who are given a site by their parents or other family members being encouraged and supported to live in that rural area; the way in which this policy would be impacted by the introduction of an 18% cap on rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23057/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland. The NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas and the need to ensure their continued function as places to live, work and invest in. The NPF seeks to encourage their growth and to arrest the decline of areas that have experienced low population growth in recent years.
Importantly, National Planning Objective (NPO) 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and other remoter and weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and are available on the Government’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/. My Department communicated to planning authorities (Circular letter PL 2/2017) on 31 May 2017, advising that the existing 2005 Guidelines remain in place until advised otherwise by the Department and this remains valid.
It is noteworthy that there is strong delivery of new homes in rural areas nationally in recent years – with more than 25,000 rural house planning permissions granted in last 5 years. In the same period, more than 90% of that number of rural homes were built, comprising around one in three houses completed in Ireland between 2016 and 2020.
Updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being prepared that will continue to allow for the development of homes in rural areas while also highlighting the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns in order to avoid over-development of those areas. I expect to receive an initial draft guidelines document in the coming weeks. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, I expect final updated guidelines to be available later in 2021.
In the interim, the NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to draft and adopt county development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas. Under these 2005 Guidelines, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing.
As a statutory requirement, a development plan must be formulated to be consistent with national planning policy, legislative requirements and relevant Ministerial Guidelines. In this regard, the plan must include a core strategy, under Section 10(1A) of the Planning and Development Act, which provides details of the projected population and housing both within and in rural areas outside of settlements within the area of the planning authority. In this regard, an estimate of housing in rural areas outside of town, village or other settlements is required as part of the development plan process. This is not a ‘cap’ on rural housing.
The making of a development plan, and the policies therein, is a reserved function of the elected members of a county or city council. Local elected representatives therefore must consider how best to provide for housing needs for all types of accommodation in their area and prepare appropriate policies to meet that need in their development plan.
73. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the taking in charge of housing estates process will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1428/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), provides for the taking in charge of housing developments by planning authorities. The legislation sets out the process to be followed when a development is considered to have been satisfactorily completed, as well as where it has not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 made some amendments to the relevant provisions to further strengthen and streamline the taking-in-charge process, including reducing the timelines within which the taking in charge process can be initiated by the developer concerned, the relevant planning authority or the majority of the owners of the houses involved.
I have no plans to make further amendments to the section 180 taking-in-charge provisions of the Act at this time.
74. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a large-scale trial of innovative technological solutions such as those provided by an organisation (details supplied) to reduce the instance of fuel poverty among social housing tenants. [22675/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis technology is consistent with the Government’s Climate Action Plan and the Programme for Government which supports the ambitious plan to deliver 70% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. It also supports the work of my Department and other Government agencies and Departments who are focused on helping to address fuel poverty. Last month I was pleased to launch a project to trial this innovative technological solution between EnergyCloud and Clúid – our largest Approved Housing Body. The current project will initially see 50 families benefit; however, it is clear from Clúid and EnergyCloud that they have an ambitious target to support families in each of the more than 8,300 Clúid properties throughout Ireland. This technology utilises existing infrastructure in the home, such as the hot water tank, to receive surplus renewable energy at times when it is not needed on the energy grid.
A strong emphasis on fuel poverty and the need to improve thermal performance in the social housing stock remains a priority for my Department, as is evident in the newly revised and enhanced Energy Efficiency Programme for 2021, which has received a substantial increase in annual funding support to assist local authorities in the management and maintenance of their stock. 2021 is the first year of a ten year programme that will see a significant increase and ramping up of retrofitting works over the next number of years, and it will build on the good work already undertaken by local authorities’ to-date.
The €65 million investment made available this year for energy retrofitting works, including the Midlands Retrofit Programme, will not only benefit local authorities in assisting them in the upgrade and maintenance of their housing stock, but will more importantly benefit householders in many ways, their homes will be warmer, easier to heat and more comfortable, it will enhance air quality in the home and for those currently using oil or gas they will see a saving on their energy bills,
In addition, the Government funds a number of residential energy efficiency upgrade schemes. These schemes are operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and include partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of energy efficiency upgrades as well as schemes that provide free energy efficiency improvements for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments. Grants are available for a range of measures including insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and integrated heating controls.
The installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in the Climate Action Plan. The move to upgraded digital meters will bring many benefits for energy customers by enhancing competition, making bills more accurate, providing customers with better information on their energy consumption and empowering them with new tools to make more informed choices about their energy needs. Since September 2019, when ESB Networks commenced the replacement of over 2 million electricity meters, over 250,000 meters have been installed to the end of March 2021.
We are now on an ambitious and irreversible journey away from fossil fuels to renewables. We have set ambitious targets for the decarbonisation of our built environment – these form an integral part of our Climate Action Plan, and we are currently ramping up that ambition to achieve that reduction in emissions. One significant area we are doing this in is Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), which now applies to all new buildings.
Improving energy efficiency will improve the health and comfort of those living in dwelling.
NZEB will deliver benefits across the three categories of
- Occupant costs - in terms of energy savings,
- Occupant wellbeing - in terms of improved indoor air quality and
- Our planet – impact on the development of climate change.
I will continue to ensure that improved energy efficiency and associated amelioration of fuel poverty both in social housing and the private rental sector, will continue to be the focus of attention in the years ahead. This will also provide a platform which supports the development of new enterprises which will enable the transition away from a carbon based society.
75. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the major heritage sites (details supplied) in County Clare that have been closed since March 2020 will be permitted to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23056/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no role in relation to the sites in question, which are managed by an independent group. As they are not in state ownership, I would not be in a position to comment in relation to them.
Heritage sites and general outdoor spaces at our National Monuments and historic sites in state ownership, as well as our wonderful National Parks, are generally open, in line with the latest public health advice in the National Framework on Living with COVID-19.
77. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the documents he sent or agreed to send to a company (details supplied) in relation to its proposed developments on the Moore Street Battlefield site and O'Connell Street, including letters of consent to interfere with the national monument; when those letters were sent or agreed to be sent to the company; and if the contents of the letters will be shared with Dáil Éireann. [22885/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Office of Public Works, which is responsible for managing and maintaining the national monument at Nos. 14 -17 Moore Street, engages with the adjoining landowner as necessary in relation to common boundary issues. The formal consent of the Minister is required under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 in relation to any proposed interference with a national monument. There is currently no application for such consent in this case.
78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a recent report following a survey of persons who are homeless (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this work as a priority. Homelessness is complex and causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge.
The research referred to by the Deputy was conducted by Inner City Helping Homeless via their listening service ‘BABS’. I will be continuing to accord priority to working with my colleagues across Government to ensure the delivery of the appropriate responses to the issues which are the focus of this report and to addressing homelessness more generally. The issues raised are closely inter-related with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery matters.
The High Level Homelessness Taskforce I established on my appointment as Minister and which continues to meet regularly is providing a forum for engagement with key front line organisations working to address issues such as these.
80. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that social housing units will be made available in 2021 in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports all local authorities intheir provision of new social homes through a range of programmes, with delivery targets set and published for each local authority. For 2021 I have set targets for Mayo County Council of 91 new social homes via build programmes and 65 homes through leasing. The precise projects that will be advanced over the course of 2021, are a matter for Mayo County Council and the Council will be fully supported by my Department based on the delivery they achieve.
In recognition of the likely impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on all but a limited number of social housing sites, I recently announced additional measures to support the delivery of social housing in 2021 including a programme of targeted acquisitions by local authorities and an increased focus on Buy and Renew construction with a particular emphasis on rundown vacant properties that local authorities can repurpose as social housing units.
To provide transparency on new social housing projects being advanced, my Department publishes a Social Housing Construction Status Report each quarter with details of all social housing developments completed or under construction in each local authority area, including Mayo. The report for Quarter 4 of 2020 is available at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Final-Report.pdf.
The Government will be publishing a new housing strategy this year, which will set out details of social housing delivery out to 2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards. While Mayo County Council already has a social housing construction programme in train, I am keen that they are proactive in adding to this pipeline and in working with Approved Housing Bodies to advance their existing projects as speedily as possible. It is also important that the Council housing team has the continued support of Councillors and public representatives in advancing their social housing delivery projects.
81. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the NPWS review, including the establishment of a wildlife crime investigation unit; if the body will be empowered to investigate the origins of forest fires; the powers it will have to penalise those responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NPWS review is underway with three distinct strands being undertaken concurrently.
- Strand one is focusing on stakeholder engagement (internal and external)
- Strand two is focusing on reviewing the capacity and resources of the NPWS.
- Strand three consists of a comparative desktop analysis of resources/structures of similar organisations in other jurisdictions and an overview of the role and responsibilities of other state bodies and their relationship with NPWS.
The findings of these three strands will inform the final report, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin. The review is comprehensive and takes account of NPWS full role, in terms of nature conservation, enhancing our natural heritage sites and enforcement of wildlife legislation. I hope to be in receipt of the final report from the independent Chair by this summer.
My Department is simultaneously developing a number of initiatives to deal with wildlife crime. A process is already underway on the engagement of 60 conservation rangers around the country to add to the resources available to deal with a range of functions including wildlife crime. At present arrangements are in hand for the establishment of a new Wildlife Crime Unit in my Department.
82. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the examinations he has undertaken in relation to extending the right to vote in all elections to persons when they reach 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a broad range of electoral reforms including a commitment to establish an independent, statutory Electoral Commission by the end of 2021. The Programme also contains a specific commitment to "Examine the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age to 17, in order to draw conclusions" within the lifetime of the current Dáil.
In December 2020, the Government approved the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill which, inter alia, provides for the establishment of the proposed Electoral Commission. The General Scheme was published in January 2021 and is available on my Department's website at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020/. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme.
It is intended that one of the Electoral Commission's initial functions will be to conduct research on electoral policies and procedures with a view to providing advice to the Oireachtas and to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as may be required from time to time. Following its establishment, the Electoral Commission will be well placed, if requested, to examine, among other matters, the prospect of reducing the age at which a person would be entitled to vote at elections and referendums held in the State having particular regard to the experience in Scotland as well as in other countries where a reduction in the voting age has taken place.
83. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the fact that the second largest town in County Roscommon has had its fire service removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22888/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with a local authority (details supplied) in relation to the loss of a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22887/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 97 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. Furthermore, under the Local Government Act 2001, arrangements in relation to staffing in each local authority are the responsibility of the relevant Chief Executive of that Authority. My Department supports fire authorities through general policy setting and preparing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
My Department was informed by Roscommon County Council in February 2017 that Castlerea Fire Station had been stood down because of internal staffing issues. Roscommon County Council, and its Chief Executive, as employers, sought to resolve the issues by pursuing grievance, disciplinary and mediation processes over a number of years. These efforts were unsuccessful and it was judged by Roscommon County Council that it was unsafe to mobilise this fire station to emergency incidents.
I understand that a decision was made earlier this year not to re-open Castlerea Fire Station and that the local authority members were informed accordingly. My Department is informed that fire risk in the area is being managed by an appropriate arrangement of fire cover response from the network of fire stations in the region, together with statutory and community fire safety measures.
It is important to note that the non-availability of any particular fire station does not mean that fire risk management, including fire service response, is diminished. The systemic approach to fire risk management, which has been the policy in use in this country for a more than a decade, has seen a welcome and steady downward trend in fire losses in Ireland. While each fire death is one too many, the fire death rate per million of population, averaged over three years, stands at 4.2, a figure which is one third of what it was 10 year ago.
85. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the method by which he will fund Irish Water to provide public wastewater treatment plants in towns and villages in order to allow housing to be built in growth centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22871/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
As part of Budget 2021, I secured funding of over €1.4 billion to support water services. This includes €1.3 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area.
Irish Water brought forward proposals for a Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme, as part of its Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 to the Commission for Regulations of Utilities (CRU) for consideration. I understand from Irish Water that an allocation of almost €100 million for this programme was approved by the CRU. I also understand that projects are now commencing design, and that investment under the Programme will begin to deliver in the coming years. Irish Water is working with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment supports the growth of identified settlements where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.
My Department is also considering the matter of waste water infrastructure in villages/settlements not serviced by Irish Water. I have instructed the relevant officials in my Department to prepare a report on this topic at national level. This will include a baseline survey of all rural local authorities to establish the numbers, size, national distribution and other environmental impacts for villages/settlements that do not have waste water collection and treatment infrastructure provided by Irish Water. I will be in a position to provide further update once I have received this report.
86. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he has put in place to facilitate the harvesting of horticultural peat in 2021 and 2022. [23025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting of peat for use in horticulture. However, to assist in addressing the question of horticultural peat extraction, in particular, for use within the horticultural sector in Ireland, I established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The working group is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural industry.
It is envisaged that the recommendations of the chairman will be issued to me within 6 months of the establishment of the working group (around September 2021).
The working group has already held a number of meetings. The legislative provisions in relation to horticultural peat extraction and the potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry have been discussed at these meetings.
A draft interim report of the chairman is under consideration within the working group.
87. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to put measures in place to support the refurbishment of vacant property in towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1427/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent including a targeted, effective and co-ordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland.
The National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy was published in 2018 and contains a range of objectives and key actions to be pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. There are a number of supports available from my Department to owners to bring vacant housing stock back into use including:
The Repair and Leasing Scheme is available to assist private property owners, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in utilising existing vacant housing stock throughout the country. The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property. If eligible for the scheme, the property owner can avail of a loan of up to €60,000 from the local authority to carry out the refurbishment of property.
- The Buy and Renew initiative particularly focuses on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and improve the appearance of the community with the added value of delivery social housing units. It provides the option for suitable properties to be purchased rather than leased.
In December 2018, my Department published the Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings.
The Bringing Back Homes manual is aimed at property owners, members of the public, local authorities and stakeholders in the construction industry who are interested in developing vacant buildings. It provides clear and detailed guidance on current policy and regulatory requirements that apply to this form of development.
The manual also supports the work of the vacant homes offices in local authorities, which create a central point of contact for those interested in developing existing buildings. These offices are a useful resource to assist developers and owners in clarifying the regulatory requirements that exist and how they apply to development, thus reducing uncertainty and complexity but maintaining safe, sustainable and quality standards for homes.
