Written Answers Nos. 323-345
323. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times between January 2017 to August 2020 that the board of An Bord Pleanála overruled the recommendation of case inspectors with regards to decisions on planning applications and appeals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47135/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times that An Bord Pleanála has rejected its own inspector's advice to refuse planning approval over the past five years; the locations of these planning applications in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46360/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 347 together.
Since the establishment of An Bord Pleanála in 1977, planning legislation has clearly assigned final responsibility for decisions on planning appeals to the Board of An Bord Pleanála. The role of the Board is to consider the Inspector’s report, along with all other relevant application documentation and submissions from third parties including observers, in order to come to a final decision. Where the Board’s conclusion differs from that of the inspector, the decision must include the reasons for so differing in order to ensure transparency in the decision making process.
Consequently, the data requested is not collated by this Department. 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: 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.
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 is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
325. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of loans provided by the Housing and Finance Agency to each institute of higher education for each year data is available; the amount of financing drawn down to date from each institute of higher education for each year data is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Finance Agency (HFA) was established by the Housing Finance Agency Act, 1981 and its function is to advance loan finance to local authorities, the voluntary housing sector and Higher Education Institutes, to be used by them for any purpose authorised by the Housing Acts, 1966-2014, and to borrow or raise funds for this purpose.
The Housing Finance Act 1981 was amended in 2016 by Section 51 of the Planning and Development (Housing) Act Residential Tenancies Act 2016 to allow the HFA to lend to Universities for the purposes of student accommodation.
Since that time almost €170 million of loans have been approved for over 1,400 units of accommodation in UCD, Trinity and UCC. A breakdown of the loans approved are set out in the table below:
|
Name of HEI |
Date Approved |
Value Approved € |
Date Advanced |
Year Advanced |
Value Advanced € |
|
UCD |
13/09/2018 |
123,000,000 |
25/11/2019 |
2019 |
60,000,000 |
|
UCD |
13/09/2018 |
12/06/2020 |
2020 |
10,000,000 |
|
|
UCD |
13/09/2018 |
25/09/2020 |
2020 |
20,000,000 |
|
|
Trinity |
06/12/2018 |
12,000,000 |
11/12/2020 |
2020 |
9,000,000 |
|
UCC |
28/03/2019 |
33,000,000 |
04/12/2020 |
2020 |
10,300,000 |
|
UCC |
28/03/2019 |
23/07/2021 |
2021 |
7,800,000 |
|
|
Total |
|
168,000,000 |
|
|
117,100,000 |
|
HEIs |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Loan Approvals |
€135,000,000 |
€33,000,000 |
€168,000,000 |
||
|
Loan Advances |
€60,000,000 |
€49,300,000 |
€7,800,000 |
€117,100,000 |
With regard to Housing for All, Section 3.6.3 (Facilitate Lending for Social and Affordable Housing) foresees the HFA’s role being expanded to enhance the supply of student accommodation by allowing them to lend to Technological Universities. A commitment is made to legislate for this and the relevant Action Point is 18.10.
326. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of student accommodation providers that have received planning permission to rezone for other purposes in each year since 2011; the number of student beds that this has removed from the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45965/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of student beds that have been lost in each year for which data is available due to purpose-built student accommodation being provided with planning permission to covert for alternative uses; if this has been done on a permanent or temporary basis; the duration in the case of temporary permission; the alternative use approved in each case whether short-term, tourist letting, co-living and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46574/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 366 together.
The specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of student beds lost each year due to purpose-built student accommodation being granted change of use planning permission, and the number of student accommodation providers that have received planning permission for change of use of such accommodation either on a temporary or permanent basis, is not available in my Department.
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:
www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/
However, the data collected relates to the total number of planning applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority (but not broken down by reason for the grant or refusal of permission), by the duration of the permission, nor the type of development involved. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed data on a number of planning related issues including permissions granted and completions by development type and county. Data is available at the following link on the CSO website: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/planningpermissions/
327. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of towns awaiting progress for the commencement of phase one of the collaborative town health check process; the budget allocated by his Department to the Heritage Council for this initiative in 2021; the average costing for an initiative per town based on the experience of operating the programme by his Department and the Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45981/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative of the Heritage Council which is funded by my Department. 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 Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
328. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of acquisition funding that has been provided to Clare County Council between 2016 and 2020, in tabular form. [46003/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding provided by my Department to Clare County Council under the Social Housing Investment Programme for the acquisition of properties for social housing use for the period 2016 to 2020, is as follows -
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
€3,398,301 |
€10,780,103 |
€14,899,484 |
€9,031,733 |
€5,757,185 |
329. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review HAP bands for social housing tenants. [46004/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly, in the order of 60% in some cases.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The current maximum HAP rent limits are available on the Irish Statute Book website at the following link:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/56/made/en/print?q=housing&years=2017
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
In considering this issue, I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
My Department closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis. It is considered that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally adequate to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. Under Housing for All, my Department will undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.
330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his officials have engaged with and-or liaised with Ministers and-or officials in other jurisdictions in respect of issues impacting houses such as pyrite and MICA; if he will provide a schedule of those engagements; and if he will set out the nature of those engagements. [46020/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme has been open for applications since the end of June 2020.
The Scheme was informed by the work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.
The terms of reference of the Expert Panel on defective concrete blocks did not extend beyond the jurisdiction of the Irish State.
I have not engaged or liaised with Ministers or officials in other jurisdictions on the matter. I did however receive a written representation from Mr. Colum Eastwood MP on the 21 July 2021. This representation was in relation to a request that consideration be given to the inclusion of non principal private residences under the current Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme relating to Donegal and Mayo only. A response was provided in writing on 2 September 2021.
331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to instances in which defective concrete blocks originating from Ireland that made their way into supply chains to other jurisdictions. [46021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme has been open for applications since the end of June 2020.
The Scheme was informed by the work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.
The terms of reference of the Expert Panel on defective concrete blocks did not extend beyond the jurisdiction of the Irish State.
332. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to ensure that safety issues regarding drinking water are quickly identified and communicated to relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46045/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 122 of 2014) requires that where a water supplier discovers a failure to meet the quality standards that person shall notify the relevant supervisory authority for that supply in accordance with such guidelines as the Agency may issue for that purpose.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified two serious incidents in recent weeks at drinking water plants serving Dublin City (Ballymore Eustace plant) and serving Gorey, Co. Wexford. This included, in the case of Gorey, illnesses detected by the HSE in the community served by that water supply. The EPA is continuing to investigate these incidents.
Additionally, I have also met with the Managing Director of Irish Water as well as both the Chief Executives of Dublin City Council and Wexford County Council on 18 September. I have requested Irish Water to immediately undertake an audit of each water treatment plant across the country to ensure that proper processes are in place in terms of dealing with and escalating any incidents which may arise.
I will meet again with Irish Water and the local authorities in question early next week to discuss the response to the above incidents.
333. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the fresh start principle for applications to State-run affordable housing and loan schemes outlined in the Housing for All plan, which would mean that those who are divorced or separated would be eligible to apply for State schemes, will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46065/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment of in excess of €4bn per annum. In general, affordable purchase schemes under the plan will be targeted at first time buyers. However, it is intended that a ‘Fresh Start’ principle will apply for applications to both affordable purchase housing and local authority home loan schemes. This would mean that people who are divorced or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply.
Housing for All commits to delivering an average of 4,000 affordable purchase homes per annum.
Regarding the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, I have already commenced Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 regarding Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements. Section 10 of that Act details criteria for the assessment of applicant eligibility by a housing authority and provides eligibility in cases where a marriage, civil partnership or relationship has ended. It is intended the Regulations governing the operation of these provisions will be put in place in the near future.
With regard to Cost Rental affordable homes, the first set of Regulations under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 came into effect on 19 August, and these govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings. 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 eligibility and price ceilings that will be applicable to these schemes by November 2021. These regulations will also reflect the ‘Fresh Start’ principle.
Finally, the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021, will also apply this 'Fresh start' principle. The ‘Fresh Start’ definition will come into effect with the other changes under the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme later in Q4 this year, when the new Regulations and revised Credit Policy are in place.
334. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed Shannon pipeline for water provision is still being considered by Government; and the timelines and current projected costs for the project. [46086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands. Irish Water takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water.
Irish Water is also developing a National Water Resource Plan (NWRP) which is a 25 year strategy to ensure a sustainable, secure and reliable public drinking water supply, setting out how Irish Water is to balance the supply and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long term. It is a strategic framework used to identify deficiencies across the whole water supply system, and to develop plans and programmes to address them through capital investment, demand management and improved operation of facilities and distribution networks. The NWRP consists of the published Framework Plan and the development of the four Regional Water Resources Plans (RWRPs), which Irish Water is currently developing, to identify the combination of preferred approaches within and between regions to address the needs identified in the Framework Plan.
Under the Water Services Act 2013, Irish Water is required to seek the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to enter into capital commitments. Irish Water must seek Ministerial consent prior to entering into any individual capital commitment of a value in excess of €20m. This is a financial control and not a project consent and consideration must also being given to the appropriate application of the Public Spending Code for evaluating, planning and managing the public investment in the project as it proceeds through its lifecycle.
It is anticipated that Irish Water will be submitting a Preliminary Business Case during 2022, including an update to the preliminary cost estimate, to inform the Government's Decision at Gate 1 - Approval in Principle to the Project. The Government’s consideration will also be informed by an independent external review of the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities also to be undertaken in 2022 having regard to Irish Water’s Preliminary Business Case including the National Water Resource Plan and its associated Regional Water Resource Plans.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
335. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected timelines for the completion of the national census and consequent Constituency Commission report. [46089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2020, the Government, on the advice of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), decided to postpone the 2021 Census due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The next census is now due to take place on 3 April 2022. Reviews of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies are linked to the publication of Census of Population data. In practical terms, the publication of preliminary census results triggers the establishment of a Constituency Commission under section 5(1) of the Electoral Act 1997 with the Commission required to present its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies to the chairman of the Dáil within three months of publication of final census results.
The timing for the publication of both preliminary census results and final census results are matters for the CSO but typically have taken place within approximately 3 months and 12 months respectively of the holding of the census. The next review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies will commence following the publication of preliminary census results and will be completed in accordance with the statutory timeframe.
Notwithstanding the above, in January of this year, I published the General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill. The general scheme addresses a number of commitments in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future including the commitment to establish a statutory Electoral Commission. The general scheme has been published on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020/.
The Electoral Commission will be independent of Government and will report directly to the Oireachtas. Following its establishment, it will, among other matters, take on several existing statutory electoral functions from the outset, including the work currently undertaken by Constituency Commissions.
336. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is considering within the planning appeals system to curb the challenges of serial objectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic participation is one of the key principles of the planning system in Ireland, and reflects the important principles set out in the Aarhus convention. In accordance with Article 29 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), any person or body, on payment of the prescribed fee, may make a submission or observation in writing to a planning authority in relation to a planning application within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.
Under Section 37 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) an applicant for permission and any person who made submissions or observations in writing in relation to the planning application to the planning authority in accordance with the permission regulations and on payment of the appropriate fee, may, at any time before the expiration of the appropriate period, appeal to the Board against a decision of a planning authority under section 34 of the Act.
It is a matter for the Courts to decide whether to grant leave for Judicial Review in planning cases in accordance with sections 50 and 50A of the Act. While respecting the system of public participation, the Government is planning legislative change to reform judicial review in the planning domain, and also introduce and establish a new division of the High Court to deal with planning and environmental cases. In addition, the Government’s Housing for All Plan has committed to a review of planning legislation to ensure it is more accessible and streamlined. These reforms, together with increasing digitalisation, will improve the functioning of the planning regime.
337. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is possible for new, incomplete estates to be added to the list of unfinished estates exempted from local property tax; and if so what is the application process. [46108/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of Unfinished Housing Developments related to a particular time period covering the economic downturn, which had given rise to circumstances whereby many developers were unable or unwilling to complete housing developments (estates and apartments). This led to undesirable situations where, for example, some residents were living in partially completed housing developments.
Local Property Tax (LPT) exemptions in respect of certain unfinished housing developments were applied to those developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 91 of 2013). These developments were exempted on the basis of a 2012 survey to identify developments that were in a seriously problematic condition.
My Department notified all local authorities of the details of the approach to the waiver in early February 2013. My Department asked all authorities to re-examine their classifications to ensure their continued accuracy. My Department also held a seminar on the waiver for local authorities on Unfinished Housing Developments at which the rationale for the approach to the waiver was further explained.
The list of unfinished housing developments eligible for the exemption was compiled by local authorities, utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey. Only developments (and parts of developments) that were deemed by local authorities to be in a “seriously problematic condition”, regardless of whether a developer was on or off site, were included in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013. These Regulations applied to 421 developments, which remain exempt from LPT. The qualifying conditions are set out in detail on the LPT portal at: www.revenue.ie and are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The list was compiled and signed off on by each individual local authority in the knowledge that only those developments listed would qualify for the waiver. There is no appeal or review mechanism built into the application of the waiver. There is therefore no scope to add to the list of unfinished estates. With regard to new incomplete estates, it is a matter for local authorities to assess the best options for resolution of developments that are to be taken in charge.
It is of note that new properties purchased from a builder or developer between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2021 are exempt from Local Property Tax (LPT) until the end of 2021.
338. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Coastal Change Management Strategy steering group, will report on its initial findings and recommendations given that the group was to report within six months of its foundation in September 2020 and given that areas such as Portrane, County Dublin have already been greatly affected by coastal erosion (details supplied). [46128/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Group is comprised of senior officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Met Éireann, and the County and City Management Association. The Group met for the first time on 3 September 2020 and most recently met on 10 June 2021.
Further to the initial meeting of the Steering Group in September 2020, a technical working group was also established under the stewardship of the OPW. The work of this group has focused on the identification and initial analysis of data sources, to underpin the work of the Steering Group.
Since the initial meeting in September, the work of the Steering Group was progressed through a series of bilateral meetings to scope out the extent of the issues, including, inter alia, the threats and effects of coastal change as they relate to the remit of the individual Steering Group members and the wider stakeholders.
The intention of these bilateral meetings has been to give an opportunity to discuss the emerging work of the Group and to stimulate the most effective engagement of these key stakeholders. The meetings to date have been very useful in allowing for issues relating to coastal change management to be reflected upon and explored in the context of the particular operations of the participating organisations.
The findings of the group are currently being compiled into a report which will be presented to Government later this year.
339. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding will be made available to Donegal County Council for the retrofit scheme replacement of single-glazed windows and doors under the retrofit scheme in Radharc an Gleanna, Ard an Rátha, Contae Dhún na nGall; the level of funding allocated to Donegal County Council for such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46138/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is the responsibility of the local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. My Department supports local authorities with annual funding to support management and maintenance of their social housing stock under a number of funding programmes.
The programmes include the newly revised 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme in response to the Programme for Government commitment for local authority owned housing. This new ten year programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. It is planned to retrofit 36,500 Local Authority homes to this performance requirement by 2030.
This revised programme, focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. Works eligible under the Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement where required, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works, with all properties upgraded required to reach a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal level.
Donegal County Council was notified of an allocation of €1,569,993 for 2021 with a requirement to retrofit a minimum of 58 properties. The decision on what homes are retrofitted under this funding allocation is a matter for Donegal County Council.
340. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes to the defective block redress scheme will permit successful applicants to submit a new application, change to another option or submit a change of circumstances when the property has deteriorated since applying for the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to concerns being raised by homeowners in relation to the Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, I established a time-bound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups who are tasked with reviewing the operation of the scheme and providing a report with recommendations originally by 31st July.
At the request of homeowners and in order to afford them more time to consider and respond to key issues under discussion, it was agreed at the meeting held on the 27th July that the timeline for the submission of a report by the Working Group would be extended to the end of September 2021.
While the work of the group continues it would not be appropriate for me to comment on its deliberations. Following conclusion of the deliberations of the Working Group, I will, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General, bring proposals to Government.
341. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the detail of the provision of housing for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence in the Housing for All plan. [46145/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits the Government to continue to provide capital funding for the further development of housing for the specific vulnerable cohorts supported under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), in alignment with support services provided through State agencies and NGOs. The latter has included coordination on the ground with the HSE, Tusla and others.
Under Housing for All, CAS will continue to support the development of new refuges for victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Available funding under CAS in 2021 is €96 million to support the range of priority housing delivery it targets via the Approved Housing Bodies.
342. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to conduct a plebiscite to ensure that the water supply infrastructure remains in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46250/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will have the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46377/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 348 together.
The Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector, to involve the integration of water services operations within Irish Water's organisation structure.
The matter of a referendum on water ownership is under active consideration at present in the context of the ongoing engagement with ICTU and the relevant affiliated unions on water sector transformation in line with the Government Policy Paper.
343. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his engagements with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the context of audits, inspections and or financial examinations of Irish Water; if he will provide an update on plans to include Ervia and Irish Water as bodies that can be subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46265/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving regard to the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, Irish Water’s governing legislation, including the Water Services Acts and its Constitution, and Irish Water’s current position as a subsidiary within the Ervia Group, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) does not currently have a role with respect to Irish Water.
However, the issue of audit is relevant in the context of the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, so as to become a standalone, publicly owned, commercial, regulated utility. Following the Government decision in July 2018, on the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, my Department is working on a suite of actions to support the implementation of that Government decision, and to give effect to the Programme for Government’s commitment to retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility.
Amending water services legislation is required to facilitate the separation and it will include appropriate accountability arrangements, including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General with respect to Irish Water. My Department has been liaising with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in this regard. The General Scheme of the Water Services Separation Bill 2021 provides for arrangements in relation to Irish Water’s accountability to the Oireachtas and matters connected with it including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General. A copy of the General Scheme is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb18c-general-scheme-of-water-services-separation-bill-2021/.
345. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full year cost of recruiting seven additional full-time architectural engineering inspectors for his Department in tabular form. [46287/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the salary scales at 1 July 2021 and taking Employers' PRSI into account, the estimated cost in 2022 of recruiting seven additional full-time architectural engineering inspectors at the first point of the scale would be €570,513.
