Written Answers Nos. 201-215
201. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of acceptance and refusal rates for a scheme (details supplied) of each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications for the Local Authority Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the final decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures provided by the Agency on the numbers of applications that it has assessed for each local authority, from January up to the end of June 2022 are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
Applications Assessed |
Recommended to Approve |
Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Cavan County Council |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Clare County Council |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
Cork City Council |
14 |
5 |
9 |
|
Cork County Council |
23 |
7 |
16 |
|
Donegal County Council |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dublin City Council |
20 |
9 |
11 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
7 |
1 |
6 |
|
Fingal County Council |
16 |
9 |
7 |
|
Galway City Council |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Galway County Council |
11 |
5 |
6 |
|
Kerry County Council |
11 |
4 |
7 |
|
Kildare County Council |
9 |
3 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Laois County Council |
11 |
3 |
8 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
9 |
4 |
5 |
|
Longford County Council |
9 |
5 |
4 |
|
Louth County Council |
18 |
1 |
17 |
|
Mayo County Council |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Meath County Council |
14 |
10 |
4 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Offaly County Council |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Sligo County Council |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
14 |
5 |
9 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
15 |
2 |
13 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
9 |
5 |
4 |
|
Wexford County Council |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
19 |
5 |
14 |
|
Total |
284 |
105 |
179 |
My Department does not collect information on figures for applications and refusals under the Fresh Start principle of the scheme.
Information on Local Authority drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
As the Local Authority Home Loan is only for applications since 4 January 2022, data on drawdowns is not yet available for this loan type. This link will be updated when information on the Local Authority Home Loan becomes available.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
202. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 28 June 2022, the constituency boundaries and seat numbers that would apply in the scenario that a general election is called before the expected receipt of the Commission Report in summer 2023; if it is necessary that the 1:30,000 ratio be adhered to; if so, the way in which that would be achieved in advance of summer 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36895/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 16 of the Constitution sets out the overarching requirements that apply to the membership of Dáil Éireann. The constitutional provisions require that Dáil constituencies be revised whenever population change, as ascertained in a census, leads to population to member ratios in individual constituencies that are significantly out of line with the national average or the limits set out in the Constitution of 1 member to every 20,000 to 30,000 of population. It is only following the publication of final census results that the constituency revision can be completed.
As set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 28 June 2022, the Electoral Reform Bill 2022, which is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides for, among other matters, the establishment of an Electoral Commission. In addition, the Bill provides for the review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies to be undertaken by the new Electoral Commission following its establishment. Under the provisions of the Bill, the Electoral Commission is required to publish the report on its review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies within three months of the publication of the final census results. This mirrors the timeline that currently applies to the Dáil and European Parliament constituency review process.
While the publication of final census results is a matter for the Central Statistics Office, results are anticipated for publication in Spring 2023 with the publication of the Commission's report anticipated in Summer 2023. It will then be a matter for the Government to bring forward a Bill and for the Oireachtas to legislate in this important matter. Any general election held before new constituencies are enacted will be held on the constituencies set out in the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017.
203. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns that the new framework for the future of water services which completes the transition of such services to Irish Water, will facilitate partial privatisation of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe "Framework for future delivery of water services" which was developed through an engagement process facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, will enable the delivery of the Government's ambition for a world class public water system as set out in the Government's Policy Paper on Water Sector Transformation (February, 2021).
The Framework restates the Government's vision for water services based on the establishment of a national water services authority in public ownership. There is no change in policy in relation to public ownership. Nor is there a change in the legal position as set out in section 2 of the Water Services Act 2014 which prevents a current or future Government from initiating any legislative proposals that would seek to transfer Irish Water from public ownership, unless such proposals are first approved by a majority vote of the Irish people in a national plebiscite.
The matter of a referendum on water ownership continues to be under active consideration as a broader policy concern relevant to the water sector transformation process in line with the Government Policy Paper.
204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a media report (details supplied); his views on same; if consideration is being given to removing the obligation on planning authorities to comply with section 28 guidelines and Specific Planning Policy Requirements as part of the review of planning legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra“Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland” sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. This review is being led by the Attorney General and he has established a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. It is due to be finalised by the end of the year. Extensive work is under way on the review and my Department is engaging with the Attorney General and the working group on it.
All provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, including those relating to Section 28 guidelines and Specific Planning Policy Requirements, will be examined in the context of this review.
My Department is also engaging with stakeholders on the review and in this regard has established a Planning Advisory Forum consisting of representatives from a broad range of sectors, including the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. The role of this Forum, which I chair, is to input to the evolving policy and legal agenda, particularly in relation to the Planning Legislation Review.
205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full list of successful applicants in the built heritage investment scheme and for allocations awarded. [36955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the decision-making criteria employed for the built heritage investment scheme; if unsuccessful applicants received or will receive feedback and have the opportunity to apply for future rounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide feedback on a built heritage investment scheme application (details supplied) in order that the applicant may understand the ways in which they fell short and the way that they may improve for subsequent rounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36962/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together.
My Department provides financial support for eligible conservation works towards heritage buildings, historic structures and archaeological monuments through three grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Community Monuments Fund (CMF).
The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals.
The BHIS is administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department, and it is through the local authorities that assessments are made and funding is granted. Queries regarding any assessments or feedback for a BHIS grant should be directed to the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer within the local authority. They are also very well placed to advise on the various options available to applicants when deciding on reapplying in the future. It should be noted that applications are closed for 2022, but I plan to announce details of the 2023 scheme towards the end of this year.
Details of the grant offers made under the 2022 BHIS may be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/136b2-minister-noonan-announces-over-4m-in-funding-for-512-built-heritage-projects-across-ireland/.
208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to increase the accuracy of the passport tracking service online to show real-time data of each actual step of the application process; if processing applications actually means that the application is only received should the track reflect this real-time accurate information; if an application is in a queue to get seen by a checker if the passport tracker can inform applicants of this and the status to reflect online with a checker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that some passport applications are not registering correctly on the passport online tracking service; if he will ensure that all passport applications are registered correctly on the tracker system given that inaccurate information on the online tracker system causes confusion and additional unwarranted stress to applicants and causes additional unnecessary calls to the Passport Office customer service team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36788/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website - www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/. The information available on the Tracker has recently been upgraded and is an excellent guide as to where an application is in the system.
The online Passport Tracker tool provides applicants with an indication of how their application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. The tracker is updated every two hours between 7am and 7pm.
When tracking their application using the online tracker tool, applicants will receive updates that relate to the current status of their application, such as:
- Application has been received.
- Application has been received. Applicant must submit supporting documents to proceed with the application.
- Supporting documents have been received and are being verified.
- Application is being processed
- There is a problem with the application. An email has been sent to the applicant.
- Passport is being printed.
- Passport has been dispatched.
The “processing application” stage on the Tracker covers the period of time from when supporting documents have been received and verified by the Passport Service until the application is approved. During some of that period the application is in a queue waiting to be reviewed.
On a recent occasion, during the week of 13 June 2022, the Passport Service experienced technical issues with the Tracker, resulting in the registration of some online applications being delayed. These issues were identified as soon as possible and the affected applications have now been updated on the Tracker. The Tracker is now operating as normal.
The Passport Service operates an award-winning online service, which compares favourably with countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The recent service improvements implemented by the Passport Service are enhancing the efficient and effective delivery of this essential citizen service. While there are no current plans to update the online Passport Tracker, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways to enhance further the customer experience for citizens, in particular through its ongoing programme of reform.
210. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 213, 215 and 218 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.
211. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36814/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36848/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36863/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant's travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36940/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 211, 212, 214, 216 and 219 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
