Written Answers Nos. 47-69
47. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that his Department intends to increase the labour demand by 27,500 by 2025 as per the Expert Group on Future Skills Need 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCentral to delivering on the ambition of Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland is the need for additional construction sector workers. The number of construction workers involved in residential construction will need to rise to 67,500 by the middle of the decade to achieve an annual average delivery of 33,000 homes.
This will be achieved through a variety of means, including up-to-date forecast of labour demand and supply for the construction sector, and implementing measures necessary to fast-track sufficient numbers into the residential construction workforce. This includes, but is not limited to an integrated education, training and activation response, including delivery of new courses and apprenticeships, working with industry stakeholders, through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform-led Construction Sector Group, to review and promote the attractiveness of careers in the construction sector, recourse to international labour markets where supply is unavailable locally, including facilitating recruitment from abroad and changes to employment permit schemes where necessary, and encouraging participation in the Irish market by international construction firms and builders.
As a whole of Government approach has been adopted to the delivery of Housing for All, primary responsibility for the above measures falls to my colleagues, the Ministers for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, respectively. Delivery of these measures is being monitored on an ongoing basis by the Housing for All Industry Capability Workstream.
It should be noted that Housing for All progress reports are published on a quarterly basis. The fourth of these reports, covering progress in Q2 2022 is due for publication in July. These reports can be accessed on www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
48. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take action to address the rising cost of inflation in respect of persons who plan to use the local authority home loan scheme and have been successful in application for same but who now find that the amounts available and allowed will not meet the increased cost of building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
With a Local Authority Home Loan you can borrow up to 90% of the market value of a residential property. The maximum market values of the property that can be purchased or self-built are:
- €320,000 in the counties of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, and
- €250,000 in the rest of the country.
This limits the amount that can be borrowed to no more than €288,000 in the counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and no more than €225,000 in the rest of the country.
Where an applicant(s) is building their own home on a pre-owned site with planning permission, the loan will not exceed 95% of build cost and professional fees for fixed price contracts and 85% of build cost and professional fees for self-builds by direct labour.
Where an applicant(s) is building their own home on a site with planning permission to be purchased, the loan will not exceed 90% of site cost, build cost and professional fees for fixed price contracts and 80% of site cost, build cost and professional fees for self-builds by direct labour.
In the event of borrower(s) requesting additional funding following a cost overrun where they are building their own home, the Local Authority should be notified as soon as possible. The application will then be re-examined by the local authority and additional funding may be approved however, limits are applied. This is subject to the 90% LTV and not exceeding the maximum loan amount specified in the Housing Loans Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 701 of 2021) or any Regulations or enactment amending or replacing those Regulations.
While there are no plans at present to change the house price limits, this situation will be kept under review.
Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated websites:
localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/00500-local-authority-home-loan-scheme/.
49. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will be paid their turf cutting compensation payment. [33065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Question.
Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year. My Department has already started to issue annual payments for 2022 under the scheme to qualifying applicants.
50. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the circumstances relating to the appointment of a person (details supplied) to a company; the due diligence that was carried to ensure that the nomination was legitimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chairperson of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association (IRDA) , Mr. James Doyle submitted an IRDA nomination for Mr. Paul Hyde to then Minister Phil Hogan on 20th November 2013 in response to a request for nominations to Panel D nominating bodies. It is not a statutory requirement for a nominating body to be incorporated as a company.
I note that the Irish Rural Dwellers Association appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 26th Feb 2013 and were represented by their Chairperson and their PRO.
51. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider not issuing a licence for the capture of hares for hare coursing given the stress caused to the hares and the risk of spreading of disease among the hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare.
While the regulation of hare coursing is not under my statutory control, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club under the terms of the Wildlife Acts on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the netting and tagging of hares for closed park meetings. The licences granted by my Department in such instances include a range of conditions in relation to coursing hares which are designed to provide as much protection as possible to the conservation status of the hare.
My Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for a licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2022/23 hare coursing season. This is being considered at present, and a decision will be made on the application in due course.
52. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected resourcing required to fully implement the Youth Homelessness Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to developing a Youth Homelessness Strategy. This commitment is articulated in Housing for All.
An initial draft of the Strategy was developed in Q1. A revised draft is currently under development, taking into consideration feedback from the National Homeless Action Committee and responses received via various consultations. The aim of this Strategy is to help people who are aged 18-24 and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This Strategy, through extensive consultation with key stakeholders including service providers and young people who are experiencing homelessness, aims to examine the causes and experience of homelessness among young people with a view to putting in place strategic interventions to prevent entry to homelessness as well as tailoring services and supports to improve the experience of young people in homelessness and to assist them to successfully exit homelessness.
It is clear that the Strategy requires an integrated, whole-of-Government approach, with a multitude of key stakeholders playing a vital role in addressing the fundamental issues arising in addressing youth homelessness.
The specific actions of the Strategy are in the process of being finalised with a view to publishing the Strategy in September 2022. The matter of resourcing will be considered as part of the implementation process that will follow publication.
53. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected date for the sale completion of the first phase of Boherboy Road in Cork city. [33132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable houses, by project, in Cork city to be delivered in 2022. [33134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that affordable housing schemes in Cork meet the criteria for affordability; and if he will outline these criteria. [33136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55 and 57 together.
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, including Cork City Council and Cork County Council, submitted their initial Plans to me last December. Both Cork City Council and Cork County Council submitted revised Delivery Action Plans to my Department in May 2022. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. I expect that all revised Plans will be ready for publication shortly. They will provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority and Approved Housing Body delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund, and the Cost Rental Equity Loan.
Cork City Council submitted two projects to my Department under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) scheme in the 1st SSF call in 2018: Boherboy Road which will assist in the delivery of 117 affordable purchase homes and Churchfield Road which will assist in the delivery of 21 affordable purchase homes. The first two phases of the development at Boherboy Road involving 37 homes will be delivered this year and Cork City Council has advised my Department that this scheme will be advertised for applications to purchase in July. Cork City Council has advised my Department that construction will commence on the Churchfield Road project in 2023.
Cork City Council have also confirmed that they will deliver a further 36 affordable homes this year at Cluain Chaoin in Tower in two phases via an advance purchase arrangement. I understand that the Scheme of Priority in respect of Phase 1 of this development is to be presented to Cork City Council on Monday 11th July 2022 and, if adopted, the scheme will be advertised in July.
These projects were measured against agreed eligibility criteria and received approval in principle based on the supporting information submitted. A copy of the AHF funding eligibility criteria is attached for the Deputy's information.
54. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will support local authorities that are encountering increased costs due to construction inflation, particularly in situations in which original central Government grant funding is no longer sufficient. [33133/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Government policy, social housing construction projects (as with all publicly funded construction projects), must be procured in accordance with the Capital Works Management Framework. The Office of Government (OGP) is responsible for implementing national policy on public procurement, particularly in relation to construction procurement.
In January, the OGP introduced the following interim measures to address the impact that the recent price increases in construction materials is having on public works tenders:
- Reduced fixed price period duration to 24 months (previously 30 months minimum).
- Permit mutual cost recovery within the fixed price period for material price changes in excess of 15% (previously 50%).
- Introduction of a new mechanism to address the period between tender submission and award through limited indexation of the tender price.
The above measures related to new Public Works Contracts going forward (contracts with a version date earlier than 7th January 2022).
More recently, in the interest of safeguarding public projects that are already under construction and to mitigate the risks of significant losses being sustained by contractors, the OGP has introduced an ‘Inflation/Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework’ for parties engaged under a public works contract. This framework will operate on an ex-gratia basis and includes measures to:
- address delay to the Substantial Completion of the Works, or a Section of the Works, that has occurred since 01 January 2022 where the delay is caused by supply chain disruption
- address recent inflation in the prices of fuel and energy
- address inflation in materials, from 01 January 2022 onwards for those Public Works Contracts with a version date earlier than 7th January 2022
- proactively, and collaboratively, manage the on-going impact of these external factors insofar as is possible within the project’s original delivery parameters
My own Department is collaborating in a broad range of measures to mitigate inflation in construction. These include the Construction Technology Centre, whose role will be enhanced for its first three years of operation to prioritise residential construction. Its rollout will be complemented by an increased focus for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform-led Construction Sector Group (CSG) on the residential construction sector.
To further support innovation the development of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will be broadened, and will include the establishment of a national Centre of Excellence Demonstration Park for MMC.
My Department is also in the process of preparing a study to carry out an analysis for each component of cost of construction (including cost of compliance) of house and apartment development, with a view to reducing cost and increasing standardisation. It will also identify opportunities for cost reduction for consideration by relevant Government Departments and industry.
In summary therefore, my Department is vigorously engaged in, and collaborating in strategies that will support local authorities in their crucially important work, and residential construction in general, in counteracting the effects of construction inflation.
56. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses to be built by Cork City Council and by Approved Housing Bodies in Cork, respectively, in 2022. [33135/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes in the period 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority, for the period 2022-2026 and in March I issued local authority targets for affordable purchase and cost-rental.
The Housing for All social and local authority affordable purchase and cost rental housing delivery targets for Cork City Council and Cork County Council for 2022 are set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
2022 Social Build Target |
2022 Social Lease Target |
2022 LA Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental Target |
|
Cork City |
515 |
81 |
70 |
|
Cork County |
560 |
N/A |
10 |
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Q4 2021. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/af746-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2021/
A version of the CSR file can be downloaded at the link below and used for analysis in terms of local authority, funding programme, project status, location, approved housing body and completion date: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2021?package_type=dataset
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022 - 2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. All local authorities submitted their Housing Delivery Action Plans to me in December and my Department is now working closely with the local authorities to review and finalise the Plans, having regard to the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans are due to be published by local authorities before the end of Quarter 2.
58. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding given by his Department to local authorities to tackle dereliction. [33137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of whole-time equivalent vacant homes officers by local authority in tabular form. [33140/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 61 together.
My Department understand that in 2021 there were in the region of 3 full-time and 34 part-time vacant homes officers working in local authorities. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that it is increasing the funding made available since 2018 from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum from mid-2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer to support the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of vacant homes officers, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
Local authorities have been requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. I expect that each local authority will have at least one full-time vacant homes officer working in their local authority. Local authorities are continuing with the process of the delivery of the Vacant Homes Officer position on a full-time basis. As this process is ongoing, I will have a full position from local authorities following the delivery timeframe of the end of June. In addition, local authority claims for the increased provision of €60,000 will commence thereafter.
59. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the derelict sites levies collected by each local authority in 2021; the amount levied; the number of sites on each register and the cumulative amount owed by local authority, in tabular form. [33138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below contains the information requested regarding the operation of the derelict sites levy, as per the most recent returns from local authorities relating to the year 2020. Figures for 2021 are not yet available. My Department recently issued Circular Letter PL 05/2022 requesting the submission of returns on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act in 2021.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department is now in the process of establishing a focused working group to speedily progress this matter further and has been in contact with the Local Government Management Agency in relation to the nomination of relevant local authority officials to participate in this review.
|
Local Authority |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 1 Jan 2020 |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 31 Dec 2020 |
Amount levied during the year |
Amount received in respect of sites levied during 2020 |
No. of Derelict Sites acquired compulsorily |
|
Carlow |
37 |
22 |
€64,364.00 |
€3,500.00 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
23 |
23 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Clare |
44 |
39 |
€ - |
€ - |
0 |
|
Cork County |
180 |
180 |
€44,700.00 |
€900.00 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
100 |
95 |
€1,739,640.00 |
€ 163,231.00 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
18 |
€ - |
€- |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
85 |
73 |
€1,648,150.00 |
€ 142,165.00 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
22 |
10 |
€301,000.00 |
€25,800.00 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
3 |
3 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Galway City |
12 |
16 |
€298,900.00 |
€21,000.00 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
1 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Kerry |
68 |
57 |
€150,162.00 |
€- |
0 |
|
Kildare |
14 |
16 |
€93,450.00 |
€- |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
17 |
15 |
€3,150.00 |
€120.00 |
1 |
|
Laois |
88 |
92 |
€- |
€- |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
36 |
36 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
90 |
215 |
€280,265 |
€15,545.00 |
26 |
|
Longford |
34 |
36 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
€13,500.00 |
€- |
0 |
|
Mayo |
156 |
268 |
€- |
€ - |
0 |
|
Meath |
12 |
20 |
€116,654.00 |
€- |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
35 |
36 |
€- |
€ - |
0 |
|
Offaly |
19 |
19 |
€- |
€- |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
8 |
€ - |
€- |
0 |
|
Sligo |
20 |
19 |
€ - |
€- |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
10 |
10 |
€ 37,417.00 |
€- |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
46 |
39 |
€45,150.00 |
€- |
1 |
|
Waterford City & County |
33 |
33 |
€ - |
€ - |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
101 |
99 |
€370,500.00 |
€6,502.00 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
52 |
45 |
€199,640.00 |
€- |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
4 |
€42,000.00 |
€ - |
0 |
|
Total |
1369 |
1548 |
€5,448,642.00 |
€378,763.00 |
42 |
60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of units by local authorities that his Department estimates to be vacant and or derelict. [33139/22]
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, including a pathway to addressing vacancy and the efficient use of existing stock, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The most recent figures available from Census 2016 figures indicate that there were approximately 183,000 vacant homes nationwide, which is a 20% reduction on figures reported in Census 2011 (230,000). Census 2022 will provided an updated position once published.
In addition, work underway by the Department of Finance through the current Local Property Tax returns will also assess the vacancy situation. Once collated and analysed this data will provide another new data set on vacant homes including for my Department and local authorities.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 58.
62. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review into the retained Fire Service that commenced in 2021; if the final report will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33142/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that he intends taking to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the retained Fire Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33143/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the retained fire stations that were unable to deploy appliances or crews on foot of an emergency call due to manning levels in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33144/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 to 64, inclusive, together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department.
Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide deliver local authority fire services, 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country. It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.
In 2013, my Department published 'Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland'. The adoption of KCS as national policy saw national norms/ standards established for fire services in Ireland for the first time, against which local authority fire services could benchmark themselves. The report of the Fire Service Validation Group, 'Fire Services in Ireland, Local Delivery - National Consistency', published in 2016, noted the staffing arrangements in place in fire services across Ireland to achieve these standards and that fire services manage staffing levels in fire stations to achieve the national standards of fire service response.
The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach, which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires that occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. There has been a welcome downward trend in the incidence of fire, with the fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three-year average, currently at 4.3 deaths per million of population. While each death is one too many, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population and positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates.
In May 2021, the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management mandated a small internal project team to undertake a review of the model of local authority ‘Retained’ fire services delivery. This review will have a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff, with the proviso that due consideration also be given to input from the County and City Management Association.
The objective of the review is to explore and understand the issues that are impacting on service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options that will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority fire services into the future.
The initial engagement element of the review is the gathering of appropriate data and information, to inform the needs analysis and option appraisals for further development. To that end, the project team undertook a procurement process and engaged the services of an independent consultant to survey the views of the personnel who work in the retained fire services and those that have recently retired from the retained fire services. In preparing the survey, the project team sought the views of retained services trade union representatives through the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group.
That feedback in conjunction with consultation at appropriate stages with all key stakeholders during the review process, including Local Government, fire service management/staff, and the staffing interest groups will form the basis of the final review report. It is the expectation of the project team that the final review report will be submitted to the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management before the end of the year. At that time, the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will make a determination on the publication of the report.
Following the delivery of the Retained Fire services review report, any recommendations made to National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management’s Board, to address the issues raised in relation to the recruitment and retention of Retained Firefighters, will need to be considered with stakeholders.
In regards to retained fire stations that were unable to deploy appliances or crews on foot of an emergency call due to manning levels. Detailed data on the interruption of service at individual stations, whether due to staffing, unavailability of appliances, crew engagement in training or for other reasons, is not collected by, and consequently is not available in, my Department. The relevant information may be available from individual local authorities.
The Fire Service operate a pre-determined attendance model, enabling very high levels of resilience within the Fire Service. This enabled full service delivery throughout the Covid-19 public health emergency, with next nearest stations being deployed immediately in any situation where a station was unavailable.
65. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions taken by his Department on foot of formal complaints regarding alleged planning irregularities in County Wicklow; if any engagement has taken place between his Department and Wicklow County Council, the gardaí or the Office of the Planning Regulator on the allegations; if he will commit to carrying out an investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received correspondence relating to a number of allegations regarding certain matters in County Wicklow. An assessment and analysis have been carried out of the various allegations raised.
Some of the matters raised in the correspondence have been the subject of previous reviews or investigative processes by a person with suitable expertise or an appropriate statutory body external to Wicklow County Council. In addition, some of the associated cases have been the subject of statutory processes in relation to certain planning decisions.
My Department had past engagement with Wicklow County Council in relation to some of the matters raised prior to receiving the correspondence. My Department has not had any engagement with An Garda Síochána or the Office of the Planning Regulator in relation to these matters.
The correspondence and the issues raised are still under consideration in my Department, particularly in the context of these prior reviews, statutory and investigative processes, and a final decision on the appropriate action to be taken by my Department will be made in due course.
66. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to the concerns raised by an organisations (details supplied) concerning the natural heritage and biodiversity of Moylisha Hill in Counties Carlow and Wicklow. [33179/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is to promote awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues through education, outreach to schools and engaging with stakeholders and to designate and advise on the protection of habitats and species identified for nature conservation, having particular regard to the need to consult with interested parties.
With specific regard to this area, my Department does not have any designated sites at this location.
67. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider initiating a review of An Bord Pleanála decisions made in respect of the granting of permissions to erect telecommunications masts over the past six years to date in 2022. [33229/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is or may be concerned, except in very specific circumstances, which do not apply in this case.
An Bord Pleanála ('the Board') is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
It is understood that the Board are engaging in an ongoing internal review a number of decided planning cases and that this review is due to be completed by the end of June and the internal Group will report to the An Bord Pleanála Chairperson. This is an internal An Bord Pleanála process initiated by An Bord Pleanála themselves.
www.pleanala.ie/getattachment/8d1a4469-7636-4120-ad0b-edbba60dbc02/An-Bord-Pleanala-Statement-27-05-2022.pdf?lang=en-IE&ext=.pdf
68. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to incentivise right-sizing on a voluntary basis, especially for those whose accommodation is too big for their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33233/22]
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 Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Work is underway through my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.
69. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report into housing income thresholds will be published and put in place. [33241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 75 of 5 May 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.
