Written Answers Nos. 329-348
329. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of compulsory purchase orders commenced and completed by each local authority in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not collected by my Department, as the approval or confirmation of proposals for the compulsory purchase of land or property by statutory authorities is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.
In this connection, arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of my Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has conducted an analysis of homeowners who will be unable to avail of the MICA redress scheme due to an inability to make up the financial shortfall in circumstances in which the square footage cap applies; the way that he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on 30 November 2021 and it included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. 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 from €247,500 to €420,000.
- The grant calculation methodology in respect of option 1 remediation will be based on a cost per square foot with costings to be set by my Department in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). An indicative rate of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 sq foot with a sliding scale thereafter has been announced by my Department and this will be subject to review as required in line with construction cost changes. In the case of remediation options 2-5 a similar but necessarily different approach will be taken to inform the appropriate rate for blockwork removal and replacement following consultation with SCSI.
- 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 homes on behalf of homeowners and local authorities and will thereafter recommend the appropriate remediation option and grant amount for each home.
- Alternative accommodation and storage costs are to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000.
- €5,000 will be available for essential immediate repair works recommended by a building professional as part of the Building Condition Assessment process.
- 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.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline.
In the immediate term I am making amendments to the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 which will allow for the recoupment of Engineer fees to homeowners who have applied for entry into the scheme. Furthermore, as part of these amended regulations, €5,000 will be recoupable as an allowable cost under the scheme for essential immediate repair works which are deemed necessary by a homeowners engineer under a Building Condition Assessment report.
331. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on Croí Cónaithe Towns and Villages; the timeframe for this scheme to be initiated; if this scheme will apply to derelict houses in rural areas; if not, if it will apply only to houses in towns and villages; if the grant will be retrospective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4393/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The suite of measures under the pathways to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund which will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
The approach to the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is currently under consideration and it is expected that a call for proposals will issue to local authorities later this quarter.
332. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the review of social housing income thresholds which was completed at the end of 2021; if he plans to raise the thresholds; and if so, when and the amount. [4404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing 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. I expect to make a decision on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
333. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the revised defective block redress scheme; when the legislation will be published; and when the new scheme will be open to applications. [4405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on 30 November 2021 and it included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. 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 from €247,500 to €420,000.
- The grant calculation methodology in respect of option 1 remediation will be based on a cost per square foot with costings to be set by my Department in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). An indicative rate of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 sq foot with a sliding scale thereafter has been announced by my Department and this will be subject to review as required in line with construction cost changes. In the case of remediation options 2-5 a similar but necessarily different approach will be taken to inform the appropriate rate for blockwork removal and replacement following consultation with SCSI.
- 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 homes on behalf of homeowners and local authorities and will thereafter recommend the appropriate remediation option and grant amount for each home.
- Alternative accommodation and storage costs are to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000.
- €5,000 will be available for essential immediate repair works recommended by a building professional as part of the Building Condition Assessment process.
- 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.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline.
In the immediate term I am making amendments to the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 which will allow for the recoupment of Engineer fees to homeowners who have applied for entry into the scheme. Furthermore, as part of these amended regulations, €5,000 will be recoupable as an allowable cost under the scheme for essential immediate repair works which are deemed necessary by a homeowners engineer under a Building Condition Assessment report.
334. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the roll-out of a nationwide e-planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe e-Planning project providing for the establishment of the National Online Planning Portal and allowing for the online submission of planning applications, appeals, submissions and associated fees on a nationwide basis began its pilot phase on 22 December 2021 in Tipperary and Galway County Councils. The pilot is testing the ability of the local IT systems to accept planning applications online. This pilot testing phase is expected to conclude on 17 March 2022. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which is co-ordinating and managing the project on behalf of my Department, has received positive feedback from both the contracted consultants and the two local authorities concerned on the operation of the new system which has been positive to date.
After the pilot phase has been completed, it is intended that a phased roll-out of the system to all other planning authorities will take place over the remainder of 2022. Engagement with the next local authorities that it is proposed to link up to the National Online Planning Portal will begin over the coming weeks. Once fully rolled out, e-Planning will provide an online option for the public to engage with the planning system, in addition to the paper based system.
335. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the report commissioned by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities of the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project due to be finalised in late 2019 has not been finished; if the report has been finished, the reason it has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4416/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2013 requires the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to provide consent for all commitments for capital expenditure above a certain threshold.
Given the scale and the strategic importance of ensuring there are reliable and resilient water supplies in the Eastern and Midlands region, and recognising the statutory role of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as independent economic regulator of Irish Water, including its role of reviewing Irish Water’s capital investment plans, the CRU was tasked in 2018 to undertake the review to support any future decision in relation to capital expenditure consents that will be required in the event that planning approval is obtained for the project.
This review has commenced but has not progressed as quickly as originally expected. The CRU timetable for this project is taking into account the progress and output of Irish Water's National Water Resources Plan, which is currently under development. The CRU has recently sent an update to my Department in this regard. It will also be an important input in the context of the updated Public Spending Code for evaluating, planning and managing the public investment in the project as it proceeds through its lifecycle.
The Terms of Reference for the review are available on the CRU website at the following link: www.cru.ie/document_group/water-supply-project-eastern-and-midlands-region/.
336. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual spend in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 on homeless accommodation. [4432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual spend in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 on homeless accommodation in Dublin. [4433/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
My 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.
My Department does not fund any homeless services directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards these costs. Under the funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of these funding arrangements with my Department. Therefore, the exact spending by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the types of services, are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homeless Consultative Forum, as provided for under Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. The funding provided for 2018 to 2020 is set out below:
|
Region |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Dublin |
€106,267,187 |
€120,699,124 |
€217,535,359 |
|
Mid-East |
€3,738,000 |
€5,525,000 |
€8,500,368 |
|
Midlands |
€2,177,128 |
€2,814,500 |
€2,531,226 |
|
Mid-West |
€5,044,000 |
€7,559,100 |
€9,188,376 |
|
North-East |
€3,007,520 |
€3,685,000 |
€2,935,081 |
|
North-West |
€541,522 |
€672,700 |
€812,285 |
|
South-East |
€3,815,000 |
€4,550,200 |
€3,890,374 |
|
South-West |
€9,687,741 |
€12,048,100 |
€16,247,187 |
|
West |
€4,721,895 |
€7,446,200 |
€9,259,668 |
|
Total |
€138,999,993 |
€164,999,925 |
€270,899,923 |
In 2020 additional Covid-19 costs were met as well as expenditure carried from 2019 when homelessness peaked at 10,514 persons.
Certified financial reports, which provide a breakdown of expenditure for each region, are published annually on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/#local-authority-regional-financial-reports.
338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total percentage and total value of homeless accommodation that was not put out to tender in Dublin in each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. [4434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if ethics compliance committees are in place to monitor or regulate the procurement of homeless accommodation. [4436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total percentage of homeless accommodation in Dublin that is tendered to private operators. [4437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together.
My 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 a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. My Department does not fund any homeless services directly but contributes to the overall expenditure incurred by housing authorities in the provision of these services.
The procurement and tendering processes carried out by each local authority and compliance with procurement rules in relation to same, are directly a matter for the relevant Chief Executive. Local authorities are required to ensure compliance with all statutory obligations in terms of the use of public funds. Details of the percentage or total value of emergency accommodation tendered by local authorities are a matter for the relevant local authorities.
Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 sets out an ethical framework for local government that imposes a statutory duty on all persons in the local government service to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. The main requirements are that councillors and employees avoid conflicts of interest. Councillors and certain employees must submit annual declarations of interests. As Minister, I may issue Codes of Conduct to further inform councillors and employees of the standards of behaviour that are expected. Each local authority appoints its own internal Ethics Registrar to oversee compliance and complaints of ethical breaches must be directed to the Ethics Registrar in the first instance.
341. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the available data on the number of non-principle private residencies in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold the data requested. Further information may be available from the Revenue Commissioners following conclusion of the LPT revaluation process or from the CSO following the next census.
342. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that those who fall into the demographic category of long-term disabled and or the elderly may be unable to avail of the MICA redress scheme due to the fact that they are unable to borrow the remaining amount that needs to be put forward; if he will instruct his Department to carry out an analysis to determine the percentage of those that can avail of the scheme by category, that is, able-bodied, disabled, elderly, elderly and disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on 30 November 2021 which included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme and aims to remove the barriers to entry in relation to the previous scheme.
Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. 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 from €247,500 to €420,000.
- The grant calculation methodology in respect of option 1 remediation will be based on a cost per square foot with costings to be set by my Department in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). An indicative rate of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 sq. foot with a sliding scale thereafter has been announced by my Department and this will be subject to review as required in line with construction cost changes. In the case of remediation options 2-5 a similar but necessarily different approach will be taken to inform the appropriate rate for blockwork removal and replacement following consultation with SCSI.
- 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 homes on behalf of homeowners and local authorities and will thereafter recommend the appropriate remediation option and grant amount for each home.
- Alternative accommodation and storage costs are to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000.
- €5,000 will be available for essential immediate repair works recommended by a building professional as part of the Building Condition Assessment process.
- 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.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/.
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline.
In the immediate term I am making amendments to the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 which will allow for the recoupment of Engineer fees to homeowners who have applied for entry into the scheme. Furthermore, as part of these amended regulations, €5,000 will be recoupable as an allowable cost under the scheme for essential immediate repair works which are deemed necessary by a homeowners engineer under a Building Condition Assessment report.
343. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total allocation of funding to Dublin City Council for the affordable purchase and affordable cost rental homes at O’Devaney Gardens; the allocation of the affordable housing fund per unit of affordable purchase accommodation; and the allocation of cost rental equity loan or other related funding for the purchase of the affordable cost rental accommodation on this development. [4501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing.
Measures to deliver this housing are supported by over €4 billion in funding annually, representing the highest ever level of Government investment in building social and affordable housing. 54,000 affordable homes interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities submitted their Plans to me, to include social and affordable housing, in December 2021. In drawing up their plans, each local authority assessed the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) and will plan provision accordingly.
Dublin City Council (DCC) originally submitted a Serviced Sites Fund application to my Department in respect of O’Devaney Gardens in May 2019 and received approval in principle in August 2019 for €10.23 million to assist in the delivery of 117 affordable purchase units.
Following the establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) in June 2021, Dublin City Council re-submitted this application under AHF in September 2021 seeking €24.8 million to assist in the delivery of 248 affordable purchase homes or €100,000 per affordable unit which is the maximum level of subvention permissible under AHF.
The application has been assessed by the Housing Agency and a team in my Department. Department officials are in regular contact with Dublin City Council in respect of a number of clarifications sought and share a commitment to securing affordable housing units on this project. I expect my Department's formal approval for the funding to be finalised shortly.
344. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps taken by his Department to promote and fund dedicated LGBTQI+ emergency accommodation within homelessness services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4565/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families at risk of homelessness is a key Government priority. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, sets an ambitious objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge.
It specifically provides for the establishment of a National Homeless Action Committee. The primary objective of the Committee is to bring together key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the homeless inter-agency measures committed to under Housing for All and to ensure coherence and co-ordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions. The first meeting took place on 20 December 2021 with the second meeting due to be held this month.
The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO-delivered services. It has been developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided. In general, the operation of these emergency accommodation facilities is contracted out by local authorities, under service level agreements, to NGOs involved in the delivery of homeless services.
Standard 1.1 of the Framework aims to ensure that the rights and diversity of each service user are respected and promoted. A key feature of this includes ensuring that service users are treated with dignity and respect, their equality is promoted and the service respects their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status, civil status, race, religious beliefs or as a member of the Travelling Community.
My Department directly supports implementation of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and an official from my Department who has responsibility for homelessness is a member of the Committee which reviews implementation of this Strategy.
345. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in his Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of Acts, including sections or other provisions of Acts, falling under the remit of my Department, for which a commencement order has yet to be signed, are set out in the attached table.
346. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of planning applications processed in 2021 in each local authority; and the number of qualified planner whole-time equivalents available to process such applications in tabular form. [4789/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning 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. However, the 2021 data has not yet been submitted to my Department for compilation and should for the moment be sought directly from planning authorities. It is expected that the 2021 data will be published by my Department in Q2 2022.
With regard to staffing of planning authorities, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.
However, granular data, in terms of the number of planners available to process and determine planning applications in each local authority, is not specifically collected and consequently is not available in my Department. It should be available from individual local authorities.
347. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average number of weeks that the four stage approval process is currently taking for social housing new builds that were completed in the past 12 months. [4802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average number of weeks for assessment and approval within my Department of local authority social housing construction projects under the four stage approval process, for projects completing that process in the last 12 months, is 24 weeks.
I recently announced measures to further improve the quality, cost-effectiveness and pace of delivery of social homes. The new Design Manual for Quality Housing will help to improve the quality of social housing by guiding local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, and their consultants, on the design of social housing site layouts and the internal layouts of individual social homes.
I also announced the completion of a Review of Pre-Construction Processes for Social Housing Projects which sets out a number of practical actions to further streamline the processes, while ensuring that cost effectiveness is being achieved for the taxpayer. Details are available at the following link on my Department's website - www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d7b5c-minister-obrien-launches-two-new-publications-to-improve-quality-quicken-delivery-of-social-homes/.
348. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new State architecture policy will be published. [4803/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in this matter.
My Department, along with key partners and stakeholders, has completed a new National Policy on Architecture which will promote and embed quality in architecture and the built environment in Ireland, for increased environmental, economic and social sustainability and resilience. It will support the implementation of priorities such as Project Ireland 2040, the Climate Action Plan 2021, Housing for All and Town Centre First, to assist in addressing key issues including societal well-being, climate change and urban regeneration. It will be launched in the coming weeks.
It is my intention that this new National Policy on Architecture will play an integral part in implementing our vision for the future, providing policy actions that will encourage best quality in researching, understanding, managing, enhancing and reusing our existing built environment assets as well as delivering sustainable new places and spaces.
