Written Answers Nos. 310-329
311. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount per project made available and drawn down under the local infrastructure housing fund to date; the number of residences projected per project; the number of affordable residences per project to be provided; the number of residences finalised by project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33170/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) was designed to support housing supply by relieving critical infrastructure blockages. 30 projects were approved with an overall budget of €195.7m, €146.8m Exchequer funded and the remainder funded by local authorities. Details of the approvals by local authority area, budget allocation, project description and projected housing delivery are available at www.rebuildingireland.ie/LIHAF.
Of the 30 projects, 2 projects will not proceed. Kildare County Council has confirmed that the Naas Inner Relief Road will not progress and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has confirmed that the Clay Farm project will now not proceed. One further project, Clonburris in South Dublin County Council, will not avail of LIHAF funding but will proceed in conjunction with funding from the Urban Renewal Development Fund.
Currently, 7 LIHAF projects have completed infrastructure construction. Of the remaining 20, as of 22 June (and excluding the Naas, Clay Farm and Clonburris projects), 10 projects have been approved to go to, or are already at, infrastructure construction stage. Of the remaining 10 projects, one is expected to have a tender approved and go to construction in Q3 2021.
Nine are not yet ready to go to infrastructure tender stage which is required in order to receive approval to proceed to construction. Of these nine, six are advancing through the detailed design and planning stage and the remaining three projects are currently under review. My Department while reviewing these projects will consider requests from local authorities for extensions to the funding agreements as and when they arise.
In terms of homes delivered, the table below details the number of completed homes up to Q4 2020, some figures are still being finalised. Figures in respect of 2021 delivery are currently being collated by Local Authorities.
|
Local Authority |
Project Name |
Residential Units Delivered to Date |
Social/Part V |
Cost Reduced/More Affordable |
|
Cork County |
Carrigaline |
203 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
Oldtown/Mooretown |
299 |
14 |
285 |
|
Kildare |
Naas |
190 |
15 |
150 |
|
Meath |
Ratoath |
131 |
12 |
10 |
|
South Dublin |
Adamstown SDZ |
1,640 |
164 |
728 |
|
Cork City |
Glanmire |
97 |
16 |
58 |
|
Fingal |
Donabate |
163 |
37 |
126 |
|
Limerick |
Mungret |
95 |
46 |
49 |
|
Kilkenny |
Ferrybank |
30 |
3 |
|
|
Total |
2,848 |
307 |
1,406 |
In terms of the LIHAF funding drawdown, thus far, most infrastructure projects have been at the design, planning and procurement stages, and the bulk of expenditure will arise during the construction phase. This is reflected in the level of expenditure to date, with approximately €65.946m in Exchequer funds drawn down (matched by a further 25% local authority funding) bringing the total expenditure to approximately €87.928m. Whilst drawdown to date has been in-line with expectations and budget profiling, at this time it is not fully apparent what impact the extended closure of the construction sector due to the Level 5 public health restrictions will have on LIHAF funding claims in 2021. The table below details the exchequer funding drawn down up to 22 June 2021.
|
Local Authority |
Project Name |
Infrastructure to be delivered |
Drawdown of LIHAF funding Exchequer Contribution to 22 June 2021 (€) |
|
Clare |
Claureen, Ennis |
- New link road including services and roundabouts |
237,091 |
|
Cork City |
Old Whitechurch Road |
- Re-routing power lines. - Road improvements. - Water and drainage improvements |
8,364,000 |
|
Cork City |
South Docks |
- South Docks Transition Zone transport infrastructure - Eastern Gateway Bridge western approach road - Marina Park - District Park - Kennedy Park upgrade |
6,377,538 |
|
Cork City |
Glanmire |
- The Glanmire Sustainable Transport Package - Upgrade of Dunkettle road (northern section) - Other road improvements including new link road and junction upgrades |
606,240 |
|
Cork County |
Midleton (Water-rock) |
- Knockgriffen junction upgrade - New spine link road - Storm water sewer |
411,964 |
|
Cork County |
Carrigaline |
- Upgrade of Shannonpark roundabout |
450,000 |
|
Dublin City |
Dodder Bridge |
- New public transport bridge across the Dodder near the point it empties into the Liffey |
637,480 |
|
Dublin City |
Belmayne and Clongriffin |
- Road Improvements - New Main Street |
415,421 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Cherrywood |
- Revision of the Woodbrook roundabout on the old N11 - Road improvements to support housing development - Access to the future DART station. |
3,213,297 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Woodbrook Shanganagh |
- Druid's Glen Road (road only) - Druid’s Glen bridge (short bridge structure transversing valley) - New N11 junction 'Q' at Druid Glen Road - Druid's Glen Road (bridge feature) |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Clay Farm |
- Construction of 600m of new loop road |
0 |
|
Fingal |
Donabate Distributor Road |
- Distributor Road - Bridge over railway line |
10,784,703 |
|
Fingal |
Oldtown Mooretown |
- Road improvements - Junction works at Rathbeale Road |
4,020,000 |
|
Fingal |
Baldoyle Stapolin |
- Ramp providing pedestrian and cyclist access to Clongriffin Train Station - Attenuation areas - Regional Park - 'Hole in Wall' staggered junction upgrade works |
3,709,393* |
|
Kildare |
Naas |
- Naas inner relief road |
470,190 |
|
Kildare |
Maynooth |
- Maynooth Eastern Relief Road - Bridge crossing railway and Royal Canal |
683,349 |
|
Kildare |
Sallins |
- Provision of community and amenity space |
654,584 |
|
Kilkenny |
Ferrybank |
- Provision of community and amenity space |
350,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
Western Environs |
- Distributor Road from the N76 Callan Road to the Circular Road - Upgrade of the Circular Road to the Kilmanagh Road - Upgrade the Kilmanagh Road on the Northern Boundary of the Western Environs Area - Linear park and internal amenity areas |
6,711,050 |
|
Limerick |
Mungret |
- Provision of new distributor road |
2,341,164 |
|
Louth |
Newtown Drogheda |
- Provision of Access Road |
95,331 |
|
Louth |
Mount Avenue Dundalk |
- Road Improvements |
229,916 |
|
Meath |
Ratoath |
- Ratoath outer relief road |
1,614,642 |
|
Meath |
Farganstown, Navan |
- Access road |
4,425,247 |
|
South Dublin |
Kilcarbery/Corkagh Grange |
- Surface water upgrade improvement scheme |
889,789 |
|
South Dublin |
Clonburris SDZ |
- Spine access road, including junction upgrade - Pumping station and rising foul main to existing sewer network - Foul sewer outfall |
36,996 |
|
South Dublin |
Adamstown |
- Celbridge link road - Airlie Park - Tandy's Lane Park |
5,792,572 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
Gracedieu |
- Access Road |
159,118 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
Kilbarry |
- Distributor road |
2,182,291 |
|
Westmeath |
Brawny Road, Athlone |
- Access Road |
82,500 |
|
Total |
65,945,866 |
*One claim is currently being processed.
312. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 263, 264 and 265 of 13 May 2021, his plans to further encourage and incentivise the repurposing of vacant properties in private ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33195/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent including providing a targeted, effective and co-ordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. There are currently a range of measures to assist in ensuring that our existing housing stock is used to the greatest extent possible.
My Department published the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, in 2018, which 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. The Strategy is underpinned by a number of supports and guidance put in place by my Department to assist in bringing vacant housing stock back into use including:
- The Repair and Leasing Scheme which assists private property owners, local authority and Approved Housing Bodies to utilise existing vacant housing stock throughout the country as social housing. 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 a rental property. The maximum loan for property repair available under the Repair and Lease Scheme has recently been increased by my Department from €40,000 to €60,000. This increase allows for greater access to the scheme for owners of properties that require more extensive repairs.
- The Buy and Renew Scheme particularly focuses on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and improve the appearance of the community. It provides the option for suitable properties to be purchased by local authorities, rather than leased, if that is the preference of the owners.
- In December 2018 my Department published the Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings. Revitalising our main streets through well designed refurbishment of residential units, particularly above shops, could help to rejuvenate smaller town centres and city streets as well as produce more houses.
To further support work at local authority level, my Department has secured funding for each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of my Department’s Vacant Homes Unit to liaise with and seek information/statistics from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office plays a key role in the co-ordination of work to tackle vacancy within each local authority.
313. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged interest for savings on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requested information is not available in my Department. However, it may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail addresses for members of the Oireachtas in respect of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department, as set out in tabular form below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
314. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning applications which were granted by local authorities with enurement clauses attached that were appealed to An Bord Pleanála with An Bord Pleanála subsequently removing the enurement clauses in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33324/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision is made under section 39 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), which enables a planning authority and An Bord Pleanála to attach a condition to a grant of planning permission for a structure which is to be used as a dwelling, specifying that such use may be restricted to use by persons of a particular class or description and that provision to that effect shall be embodied in an agreement under Section 47 of the Act. Under section 47(5), particulars of an agreement made under this section shall be entered in the planning register maintained by the planning authority concerned. The attaching of planning conditions to individual planning cases are a matter for the planning authority concerned.
Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. However, the data does not include the number of planning applications which were granted by local authorities which included "enurement clauses" as a condition of planning permission, or the number of these permissions which were granted and subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
315. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the marking scheme in respect of the community monuments fund scheme 2021; the reason Louth County Council only received 38% of proposed project awards versus applications (details supplied) which is the lowest percentage in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Community Monuments Fund is a very popular scheme with demand far outweighing the level of funding available and, therefore, only a proportion of the applications received can be funded. A robust assessment was carried out of all 166 applications received under the scheme for 2021. Applications which failed to meet the minimum requirements in terms of required documentation, as stated in the grant memorandum, were deemed ineligible. I am happy to confirm that the National Monuments Service of my Department is committed to engaging with all local authorities and applicants with a view to advising on unsuccessful applications and with the objective being to improve outcomes for all next year.
316. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount in the capital budget as set out in table 8 of the Stability Programme Update 2021 that is designated for housing, that is, for building social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital expenditure provision for my Department in 2021 as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2021 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and available at https://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/ is €2,762m.
The breakdown of this capital allocation by Programme is set out below:
|
PROGRAMME |
2021 GROSS CAPITAL PROVISION €m |
|
Housing |
1,837 |
|
Water |
722 |
|
Local Government |
15 |
|
Planning |
130 |
|
Met Éireann |
13 |
|
Heritage |
44.5 |
|
TOTAL |
2,762 |
These provisions will be used to advance capital investment across a range of programme areas within my Department’s remit, including local authority housing, voluntary housing, estate regeneration, the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, urban regeneration and development, water and wastewater services, and fire and emergency services.
In relation to capital ceilings for 2022-2025, these are currently being revised in the context of the review of the National Development Plan to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in the coming months and my Department is actively engaging with DPER in that regard.
The Government set out its housing priorities in the Programme for Government across numerous areas, including homelessness, affordable home ownership, public and social Housing, the Land Development Agency, rent reform and planning and my Department is focused on moving those priorities forward.
To deliver on these commitments, I will publish a new Housing Strategy, 'Housing for All' in July, which is being developed at the moment using a whole of Government approach. The delivery of more social and affordable homes will be a key focus in the Plan. The new strategy will set out details of social housing delivery for 2021-2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards.
317. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing family hubs for families experiencing homelessness in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/21]
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 role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department has been working with the local authorities to deliver family hubs, which provide more appropriate emergency accommodation for families. There are now 35 hubs operational nationally, offering over 766 units of family accommodation. Of these, 26 of these are in Dublin, with 2 in Galway and Kildare and 1 each in Cork, Clare, Meath, Limerick and Louth.
My Department provides capital funding to local authorities to support the development of family hubs. Since 2018, capital payments of €42m have been made in respect of family hubs. The capital funding to be provided in 2022 will be dependent on the progress made by local authorities on the development of additional family hubs.
In relation to the operational funding for family hubs, my Department does not fund any homeless services directly but contributes towards the overall expenditure incurred by housing authorities in the provision of homeless accommodation services. Under the funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources and may also incur additional expenditure outside of the funding arrangements with my Department. Therefore, the exact spend on homeless services, including on the operation of family hubs, is a matter for individual housing authorities, in consultation with the Management Group of each of the relevant regional joint Homeless Consultative Forums established in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
Financial reports from each of the regions, setting out total expenditure on homeless services, including on family hubs for 2020, are published at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/. These financial reports show that housing authorities incurred expenditure of some €25m on the operation of 35 family hubs in 2020. The current funding to be provided in 2022 will depend on the scale of family hub provision at that time.
318. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of expanding the housing element of the Housing First programme to fully meet existing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies.
The National Implementation Plan for Housing First, published in September 2018, which puts the programme on a national footing, is designed to provide this response, by delivering permanent housing solutions and associated supports for rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation. It extends the delivery of Housing First nationally, with the introduction of targets for each local authority.
The Plan includes an overall target of 663 tenancies in the period 2018-2021. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and the local authorities.
In line with the National Implementation Plan, Housing First is being delivered on a regional basis by the local authorities and the HSE. Contracts for the delivery of services have been put in place in each of the nine regions responsible for the delivery of homeless services with tenancies now in place in every region. At the end of March 2021, a total of 539 individuals were being housed under the Housing First programme including 438 individuals who have been housed since the publication of the National Implementation Plan.
The Programme for Government commits to the further expansion of Housing First. Research is currently being undertaken by the Housing Agency to carry out an assessment of need for the supports provided by Housing First. This will inform the expansion of the Programme which I expect to announce later this year, in advance of the expiration of the current National Implementation Plan. Costings based upon the targets set out in the expansion of the Programme will be assessed in conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Health.
319. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff currently employed by the National Market Surveillance Office; the intended staff allocation for the Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33407/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff currently employed by the National Building Control Office; the intended staff allocation for the Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33408/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 682 of 2020 prescribed Dublin City Council-National Building Control Office (NBCO-DCC) as a competent authority to carry out the functions of a Market Surveillance Authority under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 225 of 2013). The service delivered by NBCO-DCC is complementary to the existing role of the 31 Building Control Authorities who are also Market Surveillance Authorities.
In regard to the number of staff employed by the NBCO, including in relation to market surveillance, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
The NBCO may be contacted by phone at 01 222 7947/7948 or by email at support@nbco.gov.ie
321. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of building control officers employed by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33409/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of litter wardens employed by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33410/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dog wardens employed by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321, 322 and 323 together.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.
However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the local authorities which might have numbers employed at these grades (Dog Wardens, Litter Wardens, Building Control Officers) is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.
324. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of inspections that are carried out in relation to the issuing of fire certificates by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33412/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of a new building and to certain works to existing buildings. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations in 12 parts, Parts A to M. Part B (Fire safety) sets down the statutory minimum standards of fire safety provision.
Part III of the Building Control Regulations requires a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) to be obtained for new buildings (with some exceptions) and certain works to existing buildings. The FSC ensures the building/works, if constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted, comply with the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations. As such, an application is examined technically, by the Chief Fire Officer /Building Control Authority, for compliance with Part B, either on the basis of Technical Guidance Document B or through alternative approaches to providing fire safety.
A right of appeal is also provided for in this Part of the Building Control Regulations, in instances where a building control authority grant a fire safety certificate with conditions, or refuse to grant a fire safety certificate. The applicant may appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the decision of the building control authority. The Board is fully independent in the performance of these statutory functions.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020, primary responsibility for compliance of works with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the owners, designers and builders of buildings.
Since the introduction of Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, (BCAR), greater accountability is required in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. This legislation empowers competence and professionalism in construction projects and establishes a chain of responsibility that begins with the owner.
In addition, under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020, Building Control Authorities have strong powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution. As such, the number of inspections is a matter for local authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory powers the Acts.
In line with the agreed Performance Indicators for Local Government and the Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works, Building Control Authorities are required to carry out a level of inspection equivalent to 12% to 15% of new buildings for which valid commencement notices have been received. The National Oversight & Audit Commission (NOAC) collects and publishes this data. The Performance Indicators in Local Authorities reports are available at http://noac.ie/noac-reports/.
The National Building Control Office (NBCO) within Dublin City Council provides oversight, direction and support for the development, standardisation and implementation of Building Control as an effective shared service in the 31 Building Control Authorities. My Department is working with the NBCO on a review of the inspection policy for building control. It is intended that the new policy will position Building Control Authorities to carry out risk-based targeted inspections by making more efficient and effective use of the available resources. Much progress has been made on this review, an inspections protocol and methodology has been developed and a pilot IT system to support inspections has also been developed. The issue of targets and capacity will be considered further in this context of this policy review.
325. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated to each local authority for the housing adaption grant for people with a disability scheme and for the disabled persons grant scheme; if local authorities have discretion to use funds from one scheme to meet demand under the other scheme according to local need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33413/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme for local authority tenants or persons on local authority housing waiting lists, 2021 funding allocations were issued in early May to all local authorities and are available publicly at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/20e02-minister-obrien-minister-burke-approve-over-23m-in-funding-for-the-disabled-persons-grant-scheme-improvement-works-in-lieu-of-local-authority-housing-scheme/
Separately, funding allocations for 2021 under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, for private houses, were issued to all local authorities on 1 March and are publicly available on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0da3f-minister-obrien-minister-burke-announce-75m-fund-to-improve-homes-of-older-people-people-with-a-disability/
Each scheme operates independently of the other with Disabled Person Grants applicable to local authority owned homes and the Housing Adaptation Grants available for homes in private ownership. In consequence, local authorities do not have discretion to transfer funding between schemes.
326. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the referendum on the right to housing will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33424/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. The Programme for Government also commits to establishing a Commission on Housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing.
It is intended that the Commission on Housing will review the commitment to hold a referendum on housing. It is planned that the Commission on Housing will be formally established in September this year. The Chair designate for the Commission was announced in May, and work is now advancing on the finalisation of the Terms of Reference. Once the Terms of Reference are finalised, it is intended to hold a process to invite expressions of interest to identify persons who have an interest in serving on the Commission and I will then appoint Commission Members in due course.
327. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the terms of reference for the Commission on Housing will be published; if the membership of the Commission will include relevant experts within the housing sector such as architects, academics and experts in sustainable planning, homelessness and rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33425/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government committed to establishing a Commission on Housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing.
It is planned that the Commission on Housing will be formally established in September this year. The Chair designate for the Commission was announced in May, and work is now advancing on the finalisation of the Terms of Reference. Once the Terms of Reference are finalised, it is intended to hold a process to invite expressions of interest to identify persons who have an interest in serving on the Commission and I will then appoint Commission Members in due course.
328. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons, families and children that have presented to Wexford County Council as homeless in each of the years 2012 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33441/21]
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. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/
The most recently published data is in respect of April 2021. There were 22 adults in emergency accommodation in Wexford during the April count week, a reduction of 8 (36%) on the position one year previously. County Wexford is part of the South East region for the purposes of homeless reporting, along with counties Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow. The combined South East region reported 15 families, with 29 dependants associated with these families, in emergency accommodation in April 2021.
All homeless data from January 2019 to date are also published on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal at: https://data.gov.ie/
My Department does not collate the specific data relating to presentations to homeless services in Wexford requested by the Deputy.
329. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the development of log cabins should form part of the overall housing stock; his plans to remove the barriers to the development of this type of housing, including the difficulties in securing mortgage finance for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33455/21]
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, and in addition achieve a 60-year durability for all key elements. 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 and technology/material neutral.
Part D (Materials and Workmanship) requires that all works should be carried out in a workmanlike manner using “proper materials…which are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are to be used” to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.
For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agreement. 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 2012 and Technical Guidance Document B Vol 2 2017). I.S. 440 refers to responsibilities, materials, design, manufacture, construction details, site work and services.
Manufacturers of timber frame buildings are assessed under an approval scheme operated by the NSAI for compliance with I.S. 440 requirements including Factory Production Control (FPC). A register of compliant manufacturers is available on the NSAI website at https://www.nsai.ie/certification/.
Issues in relation to mortgage finance are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
