Written Answers Nos. 306-328
306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the sports capital grants will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures was published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for "equipment-only" projects. These applications were assessed first and grants to the value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
307. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the State’s obligation in preventing raw sewerage being discharged into Lough Swilly which is a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44163/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels for public water services, including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, encompassing the management of urban waste water collection and treatment infrastructure. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water
All discharges to the aquatic environment from sewerage systems owned, managed and operated by Irish Water require a waste water discharge licence or certificate of authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The authorisation process provides for the EPA to place stringent conditions on the operation of such discharges to ensure that potential effects on the receiving water bodies are strictly limited and controlled. This is in line with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive which sets out requirements for the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water with the objective of protecting the environment from the adverse effects of waste water discharges.
The EPA is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Irish Water and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.
The EPA’s report on the performance of urban waste water treatment in 2019 shows that, while many challenges remain, Irish Water is continuing to make progress and is improving our waste water systems. Irish Water has reduced the number of priority waste water sites listed by the EPA and has increased the number of large towns and cities that now meet the required EU standards for waste water discharges.
Our entire water system needs substantial and sustained investment over a number of investment cycles to fully improve performance and resilience. In this regard, as part of Budget 2021, over €1.4 billion was secured 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 public water and waste water 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.
308. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dates on which the various changes in income eligibility, in thresholds and ceilings and the commencement of applications for the various affordable schemes referenced in the Housing For All document are due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021. On 18 August, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement) (Parts 1 and 3) Order 2021, which commenced Parts 1 and 3 of the Act from 19 August. This brought into operation the Cost Rental element of the Act. The text of the Order is available at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/424/made/en/print.
On 19 August 2021 I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Designation) Regulations 2021, which came into effect that day. These Regulations govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings. The text of the Regulations is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/425/made/en/print.
On 2 September 2021 I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2021, which commenced Part 2 (other than subsections (2)(c), (6), and (7) of section 6) and Parts 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the Act from 3 September. The text of the Order is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/450/made/en/print.
With the relevant elements of the Act relating to the local authority affordable purchase scheme (Part 2) and Cost Rental (part 3), it is my intention to make further Regulations governing the eligibility and price ceilings that will be applicable to these schemes by November.
Part 4 of the Act provides the basis for the establishment of the 'First Home' (shared equity) scheme and which is to be operated and administered by a newly established special purpose vehicle (SPV). It also provides that I, as Minister, may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme, and the amount of funding that can be provided.
Work on the detailed design and operation of the scheme is advancing and the Government's recently published Housing For All Plan confirms the intention to introduce the First Home Scheme in Q1 2022.
309. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing for All Strategy is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of the State, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment in excess of €4bn per annum. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. It's the largest State led building programme in our history.
While many of the measures announced in the Housing for All Strategy are focused on improving affordablity for first time buyers, other elements of the strategy, such as the increased funding provided to the Land Development Agency, the Croí Cónaithe initiative which is focused on increasing housing supply in towns and villages, introducing higher stamp duty rate for institutional investors that purchase family homes and additional measures to reduce vacancy rates, will benefit all families wishing to purchase a home.
With regard to the issue of deposit requirements referred to in the correspondence received, these requirements are governed by the Central Bank of Ireland which retains independence in the establishment of macro-prudential policy and mortgage measures. The CBI rules state that 20% of second-time buyers can have a lower deposit requirement than the normally-required 20%.
Information in this regard is available at the following Central Bank links:
www.centralbank.ie/consumer-hub/explainers/what-are-the-mortgage-measures, and
www.centralbank.ie/financial-system/financial-stability/macro-prudential-policy/mortgage-measures.
310. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43242/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraExamination of records indicates that my Department has not utilised the services of the organisations referred to in the Question throughout the period specified i.e. from 1 January 2015 to date.
311. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a point-by-point report of the progress made to date in respect of the Programme for Government commitments in respect of housing defects; and the status of the work of the Independent Working Group to examine the issue of defective housing. [43284/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a response will issue to a request in regard to fire defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43552/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a range of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects. This includes the commitment to ensure that the remediation fund for pyrite and mica is fully drawn down. In this context, €40m was provided under Budget 2021 to cover the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme and the Defective Concrete Blocks Grants Scheme in 2021. This allocation is a clear signal of the continuing importance attached by Government to addressing the issue of significant pyritic damage and defective concrete blocks in private dwellings.
In regard to the pyrite remediation scheme, the latest figures available indicate that 2,971 applications have been received under the Scheme and, so far, 2,472 dwellings have been included, with 2,222 complete.
The latest figures available in relation to the Defective Concrete Blocks grant scheme indicate that 513 stage 1 applications have been received with 382 approved as eligible.
In response to concerns being raised about the Defective Concrete Blocks Grants scheme by homeowners in Donegal and Mayo, I established a working group to review specific aspects of the current scheme. On the request of the homeowner representatives, the timeframe for the working group has been extended to September 30th 2021.
Separately, there is a commitment to examine the issue of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, “Safe as Houses” and to assist owners of latent defect properties by identifying options for those impacted by defects to access low cost, long term finance.
In this context, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. The plenary working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021, in addition to subgroup meetings. The group’s terms of reference were adopted in May 2021 and include:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’.
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as:
- Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
5. In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
6. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach,
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation,
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
7. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
8. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
9. To report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
In regard to the working group’s deliberations, the group will seek to engage with a range of interested parties, including homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals and industry stakeholders, among others to examine the issue of defects in housing and report to me on the matter. Consultation with the relevant parties has commenced and further arrangements in this regard are currently being put in place by the working group.
I am satisfied that the group is working effectively and efficiently on this complex matter and I look forward to a report in due course following completion of their deliberation. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents, any further speculation or discussion on the output of the working group is premature at this stage.
Finally, in regard to income tax relief and Vat, taxation issues are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
312. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if section 48 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 will apply to houses purchased through affordable housing schemes; when he expects section 48 of the Act to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43311/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021. On 18 August, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement) (Parts 1 and 3) Order 2021, which commenced Parts 1 and 3 of the Act from 19 August.
On 2 September 2021, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2021, which commenced Part 2 (other than subsections (2)(c), (6), and (7) of section 6) and Parts 4, 6, 7 (which includes section 48) and 8 of the Act from 3 September.
Section 48 allows housing authorities to enter into arrangements with a bank/mortgage provider to enable the purchaser of a dwelling under the older affordable housing arrangements (Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 or Part 2 of the Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2002) to obtain a top-up mortgage/re-mortgage or to change mortgage provider. This provision has taken effect from 3 September 2021. There are similar provisions (in section 13) in Part 2 of the 2021 Act in relation to dwellings that will be purchased under Part 2, which as stated above, was also commenced with effect from 3 September 2021.
313. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the affordable housing schemes referred to in the Housing for All policy document will commence and will be open for applications; when the criteria for eligibility will be available including the new local authority led affordable purchase scheme, the new first home affordable purchase share equity scheme, the cost rental scheme and the expanded local authority home loan scheme; when they are likely to be established in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43339/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new local authority led affordable purchase scheme, the new first home affordable purchase share equity scheme and the expanded local authority home loan scheme will be available to applicants who have previously been homeowners but have lost their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43342/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
As confirmed in the Government's recently published Housing For All Strategy, it is intended that a ‘Fresh Start’ principle will apply to applications to State-run affordable housing and loan schemes. This means that people who are divorced/separated and no longer have a financial interest in the family home, or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply for State schemes.
As part of Housing for All, I also announced that a reformed successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) Scheme, the Local Authority Home Loan, will be in place later in 2021. I will be introducing the new Local Authority Home Loan, which includes an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, once the appropriate Regulations are put in place. I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate for new borrowers by 0.25% under the existing RIHL Scheme from 10 September 2021; this lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the Local Authority Home Loan.
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021 and details the provisions under which affordable housing schemes will be delivered. The Fresh Start principle has already been accommodated in the Affordable Housing Act 2021 with regards to eligibility for the Local Authority Affordable Home Scheme under Part 2 and Section 10 of that Act and the wider assessment of eligibility.
On 18 August, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement) (Parts 1 and 3) Order 2021, which commenced Parts 1 and 3 of the Act from 19 August. This brought into operation the Cost Rental element of the Act. On 2 September 2021, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2021, which commenced Part 2 (other than subsections (2)(c), (6), and (7) of section 6) and Parts 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the Act from 3 September.
With the relevant elements of the Act relating to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme (Part 2) and Cost Rental (part 3) now commenced, it is my intention to make further Regulations governing the eligibility and price ceilings that will be applicable to these schemes in the coming weeks.
Funding applications have already been approved to support the delivery of affordable and cost rental homes through by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. The first affordable homes for purchase will be made available before the year end in Boherboy by Cork City Council. The first Cost Rental Units have already been tenanted by Cluid in Taylor Hill, Balbriggan at 40% below comparative rates. Another Cost Rental development of 50 two bedroomed apartments in Enniskerry Road, Dún Laoghaire is currently being advertised and will be tenanted before year end.
Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act provides the basis for the establishment of the 'First Home' (shared equity) scheme and which is to be operated and administered by a newly established special purpose vehicle (SPV). It also provides that I, as Minister, may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme, and the amount of funding that can be provided. Work on the detailed design and operation of the scheme is advancing and the Government's recently published Housing For All Plan confirms the intention to introduce the First Home Scheme in Q1 2022.
315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time staff by job title working in the Office of Planning Regulator as of 7 September 2021; and the number of vacant staff by job title in this office. [43385/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current approved workforce plan for the Office of the Planning Regulator provides for 26 posts, all of which were filled as at 7 September 2021. The table below gives further detail on these sanctioned posts:
|
Full-time Position |
Position Filled at 7 September 2021 Y/N |
|
Planning Regulator/ Chief Executive |
Y |
|
Deputy Regulator/ Director of Plans Evaluations |
Y |
|
Director of Planning Reviews and Examinations |
Y |
|
Director of Research, Training and Corporate Services |
Y |
|
Assistant Director |
Y |
|
Assistant Director |
Y |
|
Assistant Director |
Y |
|
Assistant Director |
Y |
|
Senior Planner |
Y |
|
Senior Planner |
Y |
|
Senior Planner |
Y |
|
Senior Planner |
Y |
|
Planning Officer |
Y |
|
Planning Officer |
Y |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Y |
|
GIS Officer |
Y |
|
Communications Officer |
Y |
|
ICT Manager |
Y |
|
Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Executive Officer |
Y |
|
Clerical Officer |
Y |
|
Clerical Officer |
Y |
It should be noted that 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 the Office of the Planning Regulator is oireachtas@opr.ie.
316. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department spent on the fire services Ctri project in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [43386/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 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.
The CTrí Project, which is implementing national policy in delivering the next generation of communications and mobilisation systems for local authority fire services, is supported by my Department and is being delivered by a project team within the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in my Department. While the current three regional communication systems have operated successfully since the early 1990’s, the replacement of first generation technology and developing enhanced resilience for the system is enabling us to establish a single national system using the three current Communications Centres. The core elements of the project are:
- the replacement of mobilisation and communications equipment in all 217 fire stations (complete);
- the development of resilient communication links between fire stations, the communication centres and the data centres (complete);
- the migration from our old analogue radio systems to the Tetra digital radio platform used by other emergency services (complete);
- the development of a new mobilisation software platform which the three communication centres will use for receipt and processing of fire-related 999/112 calls from the public and dispatch of agreed pre-determined fire service response. This new mobilisation system was brought to "technical go-live" stage and operated for a period in one of the communications centres on 27 July 2021 and will be brought to full live status in all three communications centres through a roll-out programme over the coming twelve months.
The project has had financial support from the Government via the Fire Services Capital Programme, reflecting the effective collaboration of all local authorities in delivering enhanced public safety. The primary purpose of the project is to improve the quality and resilience of fire services communications across the country, ensuring both that we keep our firefighters safe and in turn, allowing them to continue to deliver safer communities.
My Department provides 100% of the capital funding for the Ctrí project. The amounts provided in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, are set out in the table below.
|
2019 |
€3,909,895 |
|
2020 |
€1,607,311 |
|
2021 |
€84,678 |
|
|
€5,601,884 |
317. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost in 2022 of recruiting five extra full-time hydrometeorologists. [43387/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the salary scales at 1 July 2021 and taking Employers' PRSI into account, the estimated cost in 2022 of recruiting five extra full-time hydrometeorologists at the first point of the scale would be approximately €185,000.
318. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the proposed scheme to implement drinking water fountains per EU Directive 2020/2184; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43502/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter.
In addition, EU Directive 2020/2184 (the Drinking Water Recast Directive) as adopted on 16 December 2020 updates the obligations on Member States in relation to the quality of water intended for human consumption. The objective of this Directive is to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and to improve access to water intended for human consumption.
In order to promote the use of tap water intended for human consumption, article 16 of the Directive requires that Member States shall ensure that outdoor and indoor equipment is set up in public spaces, where technically feasible, in a manner that is proportionate to the need for such measures and taking into account specific local conditions, such as climate and geography. Member States must transpose article 16 of the Directive by 12 January 2023.
To assist with the transposition of the Directive, and the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for Government, I have convened a Drinking Water Expert Group to provide advice on the appropriate preparations and steps necessary for the successful implementation of the Directive, including article 16, as described above.
319. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the details of the shared equity scheme for first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43511/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Bill 2021, the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation, was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021.
On 2 September 2021 I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2021, which commenced Part 2 (other than subsections (2)(c), (6), and (7) of section 6) and Parts 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the Act from 3 September.
Part 4 of the Act provides the basis for the establishment of the 'First Home' (shared equity) scheme which is to be operated and administered by a newly established special purpose vehicle (SPV). It also provides that I, as Minister, may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme, and the amount of funding that can be provided.
Work on the detailed design and operation of the scheme is advancing and the Government's recently published Housing For All Plan confirms the intention to introduce the First Home Scheme in Q1 2022.
Question No. 320 answered with Question No. 311.
321. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Environmental Protection Agency carries out monitoring of the water quality of Lough Atorick given its importance as a trout hatchery. [43643/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees national programmes of monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, transitional, coastal waters and groundwater. The EPA’s most recent published report in this regard is Water Quality in Ireland 2013-2018, which is available at the following link: www.catchments.ie/water-quality-in-ireland-2013-2018/#
As part of their National Lake Monitoring Programme the EPA reports on the ecological health of over 200 lakes, covering around 80% of the surface area of all lakes in Ireland. Each lake is monitored for a range of different plants and animals along with various chemical and physical parameters. The information gathered helps with the understanding and management of these freshwater resources.
A collaboration between my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities through the Local Authority Waters Programme, the www.catchments.ie website contains information about Ireland's river catchments, sub-catchments and some 4,829 waterbodies throughout Ireland. Assessments and trends for water quality are also available for many waterbodies.
In particular the 3rd Cycle Lower Shannon (Lough Derg) Catchment Report (HA 25C), published in August 2021 and available at the following link, provides a summary of the water quality assessment outcomes for the Catchment which includes Lough Atorick.
catchments.ie/wp-content/files/catchmentassessments/25C%20Lower%20Shannon%20Catchment%20Summary%20WFD%20Cycle%203.pdf
322. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites on the derelict sites register of each local authority. [43657/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of notices issued under section 11 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 by each local authority in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43658/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of directions made by him and his predecessor under section 12 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in respect of each local authority in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43659/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of directions made by him and his predecessor under section 13 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in respect of sites held by statutory bodies in each local authority in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites acquired by each local authority under the powers provided in the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the sum payable to each local authority in 2019 and 2020 as a result of the derelict sites levy. [43662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites on the derelict sites register in each local authority in which the derelict sites levy was not payable in 2020 as a vacant site levy was payable in accordance with the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. [43663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of prosecutions initiated by each local authority under the powers provided in the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43664/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict site acquired by each local authority under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, the Derelict Sites Act 1961, or the Acquisition of Derelict Sites Act 1940, used for the purpose of housing in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [43665/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329 and 330 together.
My Department collects statistics relating to the Derelicts Sites Act 1990 on an annual basis in Q3 of the following year. Therefore the information requested in respect of 2020 and 2021 is not yet available. The latest available statistics in this regard relate to 2019 and these are set out in the table below.
I have made no directions under sections 12 and 13 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in the period since taking office. Nor did my predecessor in the period from the beginning of 2019 to the date of his leaving office.
My Department does not collect data on the number of sites on the derelict sites register in each local authority in which the derelict sites levy is not payable as a vacant site levy is payable in accordance with the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. Similarly, my Department does not collect data on the number of prosecutions initiated by each local authority under the powers provided in the Derelict Sites Act 1990 nor does my Department collect data on the subsequent use of sites acquired under the Derelict Sites legislation,
The relevant local authority should be contacted for this information.
