Written Answers Nos. 472-491
472. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Kildare County Council is concerned at the large overspend on retrofitting under the Midlands Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme, which must be met from its own resources; if his Department will make up the shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA budget of €65 million was allocated to local authorities in 2021, with €20 million allocated under the Midlands Retrofit Pilot as part of the 'Just Transition' programme, and the balance of €45 million under the 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for the retrofit of homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard under these Programmes.
The Programme requires local authorities to move to a deeper level of retrofitting, eligible works under the programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation, windows and external doors, heat pumps and ancillary works.
The Programme has experienced significant delays due to the effects of COVID-19 and other obstacles including tendering and supply chain issues particularly concerning Heat Pumps, Windows & Doors, and Insulation. My Department is aware this has led to an increase in prices for certain local authorities in retrofitting properties.
Officials from my Department have had ongoing engagement with Kildare County Council and recently met to further discuss the implementation of their Programme. It was confirmed that my Department would support costs being experienced by Kildare County Council where the works relate exclusively to energy efficiency works up to a B2/Cost Optimal BER level and that there has been overall compliance with the programme and that the appropriate supporting documentation is available on all funding claims being made.
The Council was reminded that the spread of properties under the programme were to include a mix of house types requiring various levels of work in order to ensure the average cost per unit falls within the limits set by my Department. This approach gives local authorities the flexibility to recoup costs of up to €45,400 on some individual homes, as long as the overall claim cost per home does not exceed an average of €27,000.
Learning from the 2021 programme will inform the 2022 programme.
473. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will assist Kildare County Council with funding to commemorate the sesqui millennial of the death of St. Brigid in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, my Department has no function in relation to commemorations such as those outlined in the question and I am not aware of any funding request from the local authority.
474. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the response by his Department to the findings of the Cost of Disability in Ireland research report; the plans that will be made in quarter one of 2022 in response to these findings; if he will implement an all-Department response that will be timescaled and measured to ensure everyday costs are reduced for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63221/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cost of Disability in Ireland report provides useful research to inform the ongoing development and implementation of policy in this area. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, under the leadership of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and on which my Department is represented, will be the mechanism through which issues raised in the report are discussed and progressed.
The Cost of Disability in Ireland report has informed the preparation of the new joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 which I launched on 14 January 2022, together with my colleagues Mr. Darragh O'Brien T.D. and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability.
The new Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. This new Strategy will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities and older people.
Preparation of an Implementation Plan for the Strategy will begin in the first quarter of 2022 with a target for completion by the second quarter. The Cost of Disability Report will also inform the preparation of the Plan, particularly Theme 3 of the Strategy which is concerned with affordability of housing for disabled people aligning with the affordability objective of Housing for All.
In addition, Housing for All commits to a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs, including the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which will also be important in responding to the issues raised in the Cost of Disability in Ireland report. This review is underway in my Department.
475. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local councils carry out means testing and calculation for social housing eligibility based on net or gross income; if the maximum household income will be increased to reflect the rising cost of living; and if local councils remove persons from the social housing list who are over the HAP limit. [63226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo be eligible for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a household must qualify in the first instance for social housing support and be placed on a local authority housing list.
Applications for support are assessed the relevant local authority according to eligibility and need criteria set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended).
Income eligibility is assessed on an applicant household's net income. The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, while income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. If deemed eligible, the local authority will determine the most appropriate social housing support, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), for the applicant household.
A household’s qualification for support may be reviewed at any time at the discretion of a local authority or where the local authority becomes aware of changes in the household's circumstances. It will also be assessed at the point of allocating support. Households deemed to exceed the prescribed limits will be removed from the housing list.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4, 2021. Following consideration of the review’s findings and recommendations, I intend to make a decision on proposed changes shortly.
476. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person (details supplied) and other persons in similar circumstances will be given leeway with their new commercial rates given the seasonal nature of their businesses. [63229/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Acts 2001-2020. The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
Under Irish law there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates payable by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation set by the Commissioner of Valuation, multiplied by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) decided annually by the elected members of each local authority. The annual setting of the ARV is a reserved function of the elected members of each local authority and the Commissioner of Valuation has no function in that regard.
The basis of rateable valuation for all property is set out in Part 11 of the Valuation Act 2001. Section 48 provides that the method of determining a property’s value generally is “net annual value”. Net annual value is specifically defined as the rental value for which one year with another, the building might, in its actual state, be reasonably expected to let from year to year, on the assumption, that the probable average annual cost of repairs, insurance and other expenses (if any) that would be necessary to maintain the property in that state, and all rates and other taxes in respect of the property, are borne by the tenant of the property.
All valuations are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Valuation Acts, and in keeping with accepted valuation methodologies, best practice internationally and valuation principles and case law arising from the independent Valuation Tribunal and the higher courts and reflect among other things the use and location of the particular property. In the case of a property where its use and/or location might result in a degree of seasonality this is reflected in the valuation of the property and by extension the rates liability.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Acts, 2001-2020. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to the Valuation Office in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of the Valuation Office. Finally, there is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
477. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Department of Rural and Community Development has sought his Department's views on plans by Louth County Council to use funding approved by that Department to develop the Boyne greenway on the northside of the River Boyne at Mell, Drogheda, County Louth; if his Department has reservations on the proposed project in view of the fact that part of the subject area for the greenway plan involves a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProposals to construct greenways through Drogheda along both banks of the Boyne were referred to in the then Draft Louth County Development Plan (CDP) 2021-2027. Louth County Council referred this plan to my Department in October 2020, and a number of recommendations were subsequently submitted.
In September 2021, my Department received further correspondence as part of an Appropriate Assessment screening being carried out on this project. No detailed design was provided for the proposed project, only a map detailing the layout. My officials would be happy to review and provide observations on any further consultation by Louth County Council.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has not sought my Department’s view in relation to this plan or funding for same. Any such funding is a matter for that Department to consider.
478. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an application was submitted for retrofitting on Noonan's Road; the details of the application received; and the additional information now required. [63245/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of local authority homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 73,500 units of social housing stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €161 million under the scheme.
The Energy Efficiency Programme was revised in 2021 with an increased Budget of €65 million, to include the Midlands Retrofit Programme, and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. This revised programme will see a significant upscaling to ‘deeper retrofit’ on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years. The 2022 programme will see a further budget increase to €85 million.
My Department received a Capital Appraisal from Cork City Council for the Noonan Road Apartments in 2021. This application covered Energy Efficiency upgrades and general refurbishment/upgrade works which were not covered by a specific funding programme. Cork City Council have been informed by my Department that they can apply for funding under the 2022 Energy Efficiency programme. Funding may also be available under the Voids/Planned Maintenance Programmes, as appropriate, for non energy efficiency works.
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a foreshore licence for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63282/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I received an application for a licence under section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 from Ballyheigue Strand Horse and Pony Racing Company Ltd., Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry on the 1st December 2021 for the proposed Horse and Pony Races that were scheduled for 27th December 2021.
This application was approved on 16th December 2021 and full details of this application can be viewed on my Department’s website at
www.gov.ie/en/foreshore-notice/6b638-fs007498-ballyheigue-strand-horse-and-pony-racing-co-kerry/
480. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage , further to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 14 December 2021, the person or body that gives approval for the location of hare coursing. [63295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issues licences to the Irish Coursing Club to facilitate the capture (under Section 34) and tagging of hares (under Section 32) for closed park meetings under the Wildlife Acts.
The Irish Coursing Club decides the location of hare coursing meetings.
481. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a flexible approach will be considered in terms of the threshold limits for social housing in cases in which a family who have been on the housing list for a number of years goes over the threshold due to a child becoming employed full-time. [63308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing support is a long-term support to assist those households unable to meet their long-term housing needs from their own resources, with such need determined with reference inter alia to a household's total assessable income when they apply for such support.
Applications are assessed by local authorities in accordance with eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended).
The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. While the Policy does provide for a range of income disregards, and local authorities may also disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature, the income of all persons aged 18 years and over included in a social housing application is assessable for social housing assessment purposes, and local authorities have no discretion in this regard.
482. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given by his Department to continue the local authority commercial rates waiver (details supplied). [63411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recouped €729m to local authorities to fund the cost of a rates waiver in 2020. This meant that for eligible businesses their commercial rates were funded by Government for nine months of 2020. A further €424m was recouped to local authorities by Government to fund the cost of a nine month waiver from Q1 to Q3 2021. These are unprecedented measures, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.
The Government, in Budget 2022, announced a more targeted commercial rates waiver for Q4 2021 to cover the hospitality and tourism sectors and €62.3m was allocated for this purpose. On 3 December an extension of the targeted waiver covering the hospitality and tourism sectors was announced. It is recognised that these sectors make a significant contribution to local authority income through their commercial rates, and to local economies generally by enticing visitors, boosting walk-in trade for other businesses and providing employment. These waivers are intended to assist specific sectors as they continue to be severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions beyond September 2021 and need support to get back up and running.
As with all public health measures and associated supports, the waiver of commercial rates will be kept under review.
483. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who is in full-time education with an allowance from a relative of €160 per week but has a housing need is entitled to housing assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63424/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.
484. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the defective concrete block scheme 2021 will include redress for second homes impacted by MICA which are semi-detached to a primary residence that is also impacted by MICA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63444/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government agreed an enhanced €2.2bn Defective Concrete Block scheme on 30 November 2021. The comprehensive changes include:
- The current 90% maximum grant will be increased to a 100% grant for all remediation options 1-5.
- The maximum grant cap for option 1 (demolition and rebuild) will be increased to €420,000 from €247,500.
- The grant calculation methodology will be based on the cost per square foot (psf) of rebuilding the existing home, with costings to be set by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). An indicative rate of €145 per square foot is set for the first 1,000 sq foot based on SCSI methodology with a sliding scale thereafter.
- A revised application process will be introduced which will only require the homeowner to submit an initial ‘Building Condition Assessment’ at minimal cost recoupable on entry to the Scheme. The Housing Agency will take over testing, sampling and categorisation of remedial works.
- Alternative accommodation and storage costs are to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000.
- In relation to works carried out under remediation options 2-5, a second grant option, will be available for such a home in the future if blockwork which was not removed as part of the initial remediation work subsequently proves defective in accordance with the IS:465 standard.
- A new independent appeals process will be introduced.
- The Scheme will be extended beyond the current scope of Principal Private Residences only, to also cover Residential Tenancies Board registered rental properties, subject to the introduction of a clawback mechanism upon re-sale within a set time period depending on the remediation option used. Opportunities for the State to acquire such rental properties for social housing purposes will also be examined.
The priority must be to ensure that homes being occupied as principal private residences are remediated and Government has therefore prioritised owner occupied principal private residences and tenanted rental properties which were RTB registered as at 1 November 2021.
There are no plans to extend eligibility for this scheme beyond those homes identified in the Government decision of 30 November, 2021.
485. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that event companies are not included in the quarter 4 2021 commercial rates waiver administered by local authorities given the significant curtailment to events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has directly impacted event companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63447/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recouped €729m to local authorities to fund the cost of a rates waiver in 2020. This meant that for eligible businesses their commercial rates were funded by Government for nine months of 2020. A further €424m was recouped to local authorities by Government to fund the cost of a commercial rates waiver for the first nine months of 2021. These are unprecedented measures, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.
The Government, in Budget 2022, announced a more targeted commercial rates waiver for quarter 4 of 2021 to cover the hospitality, leisure and entertainment, and tourism sectors. €62.3m has been allocated by Government for this waiver. On 3 December 2021 an extension of the current targeted waiver covering the hospitality and tourism sectors was announced. The waiver will now run until the end of March 2022.
Local authorities levy rates on property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. Valuation lists identify categories of commercial property. Because of this, commercial rates and consequently eligibility for the rates waiver schemes, are based on property categories. Eligibility for the quarter 4 waiver is predominantly based on specific hospitality, leisure and entertainment, and tourism property categories. Within this context office and industrial property categories are not eligible for the Q4 waiver.
Government has the challenge of balancing competing demands for finite resources. The Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 targeted rates waivers are separate, standalone schemes and in recognition of the resources available, many businesses that benefited from previous waivers are no longer eligible. As with all public health measures and associated supports, the waiver of commercial rates will be kept under review. However, there are no current plans to extend the scope of the waiver.
486. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to move forward accessibility issues for the public to OPW-run Moyne Abbey, Ballina, County Mayo given that the OPW can only advise on access for OPW staff and not on public access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63465/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Monuments in my ownership or guardianship and managed by the Office of Public Works are, for the most part, accessible to the public, or where surrounded by privately owned land, accessible under local arrangements. Some monuments acquired in the past do not have a public right of way, but it is my Department's intention to acquire such rights, where possible, and with the agreement of landowners.
In relation to Moyne Abbey, my Department is aware of the issues around accessibility to the site, and will continue to work with the OPW, the Local Authority and local landowners to explore future access.
487. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage , further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 30 November 2021, the number of properties put aside for this reason; the number that have been used for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63470/21]
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 emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. This includes the provision of units or properties that are used for households that are in emergency accommodation that may be required to self isolate for COVID-19 purposes.
The number and type of properties provided is an operational issue for the relevant housing authorities in consultation with the HSE, and my Department does not complile the specific information that is sought. From a strategic perspective, in the context of the overall response to COVID-19, my Department is in regular contact with local authorities to ensure the availability of sufficient bed capacity to facilitate the isolation of suspected or confirmed cases that arise in homeless services.
488. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will alter the regulations on the registration of septic tanks to allow persons who purchase a property in which the septic tank has not been previously registered to register same in order to be eligible for grant aid to upgrade for environmental reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63471/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the recommendations contained in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services report in April 2017, a Working Group was established to conduct a review of the wider resources and investment needs relating to the rural water sector. The Working Group recommended a number of revisions to the existing grant scheme that provided support towards the remediation, repair, or upgrading works to, or the replacement of, domestic waste water treatment systems. The revised and new regulations that underpin the grant schemes were published in May 2020.
The Water Services Act 2007, as amended, required all owners of premises served by an individual domestic waste water treatment system to have the system entered into a register maintained by local authorities. The prescribed date of 1 February 2013 was appointed by the Water Services Act 2007 and 2012 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012, as amended. New houses with domestic treatment systems continue to be required to register.
The strict cut-off date, together with sanctions for non-compliance, was successful ensuring that an estimated 95% of systems were registered. Amending this provision to allow for retrospective registration would require amendments to primary legislation. It was not possible to do so as part of the introduction of the revised grant schemes which were effected by regulations.
In implementing the revised arrangements, my Department has undertaken to conduct a review of the grant schemes, to ensure their continued alignment with policy objectives. The specifics of this review are currently being formalised and the issue of the registration cut-off date will be considered, noting, of course, that primary legislation would be required to effect such a change. This review is expected to be completed this year.
489. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is an offence to offer reduced rent in exchange for sex, as reported by a newspaper (details supplied); if not, the steps he will take to stop this from occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra504. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions his Department plans to take to ensure the practice of landlords offering accommodation for sex is not permitted within the rental system in view of newspaper reports of landlords offering accommodation for sex. [63631/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 504 together.
I condemn in the strongest terms any instance where properties are offered for rent in return for sexual acts. I have sought and received advice from the Attorney General in relation to the matter, which I am currently considering in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Justice.
490. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is planned to undertake a review of pollution at the Elm Park stream to measure the water quality from wastewater treatment plant overflows in the locality. [63505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the effect the release of raw sewage into Dublin Bay; if it is considered that sewage releases in the Sandymount area contributes to the increase of Ectocarpus deposits on Sandymount strand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63506/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together.
Primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in waste water treatment plants and returning waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.
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.
In respect of Dublin Bay, my officials are currently working with local authorities to examine the most suitable options to provide for safe bathing during the winter months, and to improve the dissemination of information around bathing water quality, particularly in the Dublin bay area. In this regard, the Dublin Bay Task Force, chaired by Dublin City Council is carrying out work aimed at improving bathing water quality all year round, including an assessment of inputs to Elm Park Stream. As part of this work the following actions have or will be undertaken:
Irish Water and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has recently closed out a sewer overflow at Larchfield after delivering upgrades to the combined drainage infrastructure at that location. This eliminates one source of pollution to the Elm Park Stream;
Installation of a flow and water quality monitor near the outlet of the Elm Park stream will provide information on pollutant loads in the stream just before it discharges to the beaches. This will assist in predicting water quality problems in order to protect public health; and
A report is being finalised on behalf of the Task Force to identify pollutant sources and prioritise remediation works within the Elm Park Stream catchment. This report will support local authority engagement with private land owners for drainage misconnection identification and infrastructural rectification works.
