Written Answers Nos. 305-327
305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of domestic flights in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department. [50120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Policy on all matters relating to official travel by staff of the Department and its Offices, including air travel. The Policy is framed on the relevant circulars and advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and reflects the general principle of achieving efficiency and value for money and minimising travel and subsistence costs. The Policy is regularly reviewed. The last such review was completed in March of this year.
In respect of the Agencies that come within my remit, they are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them.
306. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership, including directors and shareholders, if any, of Galway Culture company, further to his announcement on 29 September 2022 (details supplied) of an allocation of €147,000 to Derry and Strabane Council, Ulster University, Galway Culture company, Creative Enterprise West, Atlantic Technological University and the Western Development Commission; its registered address; the name and number of all organisations that tendered for the project; if he will provide details of the Atlantic Region of Creative Content project; the purposes for which the company was established; when it was established; and if he will provide a breakdown of the way in which the €147,000 will be spent. [49287/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 29 September, the Taoiseach and I announced 25 awards totalling more than €4.3 million under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding scheme at an event in Cavan. Funding was awarded to 25 projects which brought together 23 different local authorities from across the island.
Galway City Council, as the lead local authority, was awarded €147,000 in funding for the Atlantic Region of Creative Content project. This project brings together the expertise and strengths of the partner organisations to support the development of an all-island creative industries cluster, facilitated through virtual production spaces and clustering for the creative industries North and South. The project is a collaboration between Galway City Council, Derry City and Strabane Council, University of Ulster, Atlantic Technological University, the Western Development Commission in partnership with Creative Enterprise West and Galway Culture Company. Funding received will be spent on securing a project manager and research assistant, developing pilot projects and facilitating research events both North and South, and supporting activities.
While Galway Culture Company is part of the project, it does not have a formal reporting relationship to my Department. That responsibility lies with Galway City Council in respect of this project. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities.
Further details of the project are available on Galway City Council's website www.galwaycity.ie/news/2789/59/Galway-City-Council-Galway-Culture-Company-awarded-300K-for-two-exciting-cross-border-collaborations-that-will-directly-support-the-arts-in-Galway-/d,News%20Detail
307. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to review the tenant incremental purchase scheme to allow those who were tenants of Part V houses prior to the introduction of the regulations to proceed with the purchase of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not currently considering changes to the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme vis-à-vis inclusion of Part V properties provided for social housing support.
The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties secured for social housing are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy intent is not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.
308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 14 September 2022, the number of applications received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a domestic dwelling derogation licence to exclude bats from premises in each year 2012 to 2022 inclusive, the number of derogations approved for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49458/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe below table shows the number of applications received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a domestic dwelling derogation licence to exclude bats from premises in each year from 2012 to 2022 inclusive along with the number of licences issued on foot of same.
|
Year |
Applications |
Licences issued |
|
2012 |
51 |
51 |
|
2013 |
53 |
49 |
|
2014 |
44 |
41 |
|
2015 |
45 |
39 |
|
2016 |
64 |
60 |
|
2017 |
63 |
63 |
|
2018 |
124 |
115 |
|
2019 |
116 |
116 |
|
2020 |
126 |
113 |
|
2021 |
151 |
127 |
|
2022 |
108 |
86 |
309. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the financial obstacles for persons affected by mica at different stages of the remediation process; if he will he consider introducing a mechanism to bring forward the accommodation and storage cost element of the approved legislation in order to alleviate the financial hardship that many families are enduring this winter; when the new scheme will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The priority now is to ensure regulations, including those around the payment of ancillary grant applications as set out in Section 22 of the Act, which are necessary to provide for the finer details around which the new and enhanced scheme will operate are prepared and signed off as soon as possible.
Guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme will also be drafted by my Department.
The aim and intention is to have the regulations and guidelines finalised before the end of the year with the scheme opening for applications as soon as possible thereafter, which I expect will only be a matter of weeks later.
310. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when fees for engineers will be returned to persons affected by defective blocks who have yet to receive this payment; if he has taken the impact that the rising costs have had on this cohort into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
Pending commencement of the Act, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, underpinned by the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations, 2020 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
Regulation 5 of the 2022 Regulations waives the requirement for a Stage 1 confirmation of eligibility to be in place prior to recoupment of the cost of the engineer’s fees for homeowners whose applications were received by the local authority before the 24 February, 2022.
Regulation 8 (11) of 2020 Regulations requires that a homeowner must have received a Stage 1 confirmation of eligibility before the cost of the engineers fees for their I.S. 465 report can be recouped and continues to have effect in respect of applications received by the local authority on or after the 24 February, 2022.
My Department issued guidance to local authorities on 25 February 2022 requesting they make immediate arrangements for the recoupment of engineers fees to homeowners whose applications were received before the 24 February, 2022.
Existing applicants under the current grant scheme will not be disadvantaged from being early movers and will benefit retrospectively from the increased grant amounts and allowances which will be available under the enhanced scheme.
Section 11 of the Act provides for an increase or decrease in remediation and ancillary grant amounts. These amounts can be revised by Government order not more than once every 12 months. Three such orders can be made and thereafter a resolution of the Oireachtas will be required for the making a maximum of three further orders. The maximum overall increase in the overall grant cap which can be applied by the Minister in any single order is 10%.
As set out in Section 11 (6) of the Act, in making an order to increase or decrease, regard will be given to construction costs prevailing in the designated local authority areas and the economic circumstances of the State prevailing at the time of the making of the order.
The grant rates to apply will be prescribed in regulations which my Department are currently working on. The grant rates prescribed will be no less favourable than those recommended by SCSI in their cost report and will be sufficient to enable a homeowner to remediate their home.
311. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if incremental credit will be awarded to assistant and executive planners, as well as cognate professionals, within local government and analogous grades in the public service more widely given that incremental credit has been made available to other professionals; if all postgraduate experience will be allowed to qualify for incremental pay with no deductions as per Circular 08/2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was agreed previously by Government that with effect from 1st January 2011, starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public service should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale.
My Department issued Circular EL 02/2011 to all Chief Executives in the Local Government sector, following receipt of the Department of Finance instruction. Circular EL 02/2011 provides that all future competition notices, advertisements and information booklets must specify that, for persons entering a recruitment grade for the first time, starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale. Such notices and booklets must also specify that the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.
The provisions of the Circular state that no undertaking, formal or informal, should be given by or on behalf of any local authority to a candidate that the relevant salary may be negotiable.
However, where a Chief Executive is of the view that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the offer of starting pay above the minimum, the specific sanction of my Department (in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) should be sought in advance of any offer being made.
This policy is still in force, as are the provisions of Circular EL 02/2011. Should a local authority employee have queries in this regard, they should contact the HR Department in their local authority.
312. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current incremental tenant purchase scheme permits council tenants in homes classed as a maisonette to avail of purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49527/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.Under the scheme, maisonettes and duplex units provided in blocks that require arrangements between accommodation owners for regular upkeep and maintenance of common structures, works and services are excluded from sale. Maisonettes in blocks of 4 or less may not be sold except where individual maisonettes or duplex units have the same degree of independence from adjoining accommodation as semi-detached or terraced houses and can be sold in fee simple without conditions additional to the prescribed sale conditions.
In respect of maisonettes or duplex units that are located in blocks of 5 units or more, provision has been made to allow tenants to potentially purchase these under the Tenant Purchase of Apartments Scheme. Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Housing (Tenant Purchase of Apartments) Regulations 2011 provided for the commencement of that scheme and the terms and conditions of the scheme, which came into operation on 1 January 2012.
It is a matter for the housing authority to determine on a case-by-case basis which set of circumstances applies to a particular maisonette or duplex unit.
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to review the income threshold to qualify for social housing following Budget 2023 and the slight increase that some cohorts have received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the report on income eligibility for social housing that was completed in December 2021; and when the recommendations from that report will be implemented. [50155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 337 together.
The review on social housing income thresholds is now available at the link below on my Departments website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c49a0-review-of-income-eligibility-for-social-housing-support/
I have recently approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by the end of 2022. Pending completion of this work, I have approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022. It is now appropriate to await the report I referred to previously before considering the appropriate income threshold levels for all counties, and the potential impact of any changes that might arise.
In relation to Budget 2023, it should be noted that a number of the changes announced in the Budget come into effect in 2023, while others such as once-off financial payments may be disregarded as part of the income assessment for social housing eligibility.
314. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that are still outstanding from the August 2005 report on the Present and Future Protection of Thatched Structures in Ireland; the supports that are available to support homeowners maintain thatched roofs; the number of thatched roof dwellings per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the problems faced by owners of thatched properties. The report that you refer to has been superseded by 'A Living tradition: a strategy to enhance understanding, minding and handing-on of our built vernacular heritage', which I launched last December.
Action 6 of this strategy deals specifically with thatch. Under this action, my Department is working to resolve the urgent issue of availability and affordability of insurance for thatched buildings and to examine other relevant issues including thatching standards, fire prevention guidance, and the availability of appropriate thatching materials.
My Department has commissioned an expert report on the question of thatch insurance. An interim report was received at the end of September with the final report due at the end of November. My Department has begun to examine the approaches suggested by the interim findings and will be prepared to act quickly on the findings of the final report in November.
At present my Department estimates that there are approximately 2,000 older vernacular thatched houses in Ireland. My Department is in the process of establishing a national survey of thatched buildings which will determine the overall position more precisely and make possible an accurate county-by-county breakdown.
Under Action 4 of the strategy my Department will be assessing the efficacy of grant aid programmes for vernacular buildings, and the Department’s thatching grant will form part of this assessment. All of these activities are intended to improve the situation for thatch owners.
Under my Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof, funding of up to €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland where the private owner holds a medical card. A higher level of assistance of up to €8,252 is available for houses on specified offshore islands, where the owner holds a medical card. In the case of private owners without a medical card, funding of up to €3,810, or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland, rising to €5,714 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island.
In addition to the thatch repair grant, my Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two 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). Details of the 2023 schemes will be made available in the coming weeks.
315. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request local authorities not to remove a person who has entered addiction rehabilitation from the social housing waiting list. [49642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe day-to-day operation of the social housing system, including the oversight and practical management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, is a matter solely for each local authority.
If a household on the waiting list experiences a change in the details given on their application form, such as entry into addiction rehabilitation, they should immediately notify their local authority so their records can be updated. Local authorities are also required, when directed by the Minister, to undertake a statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) to count the number of households on the waiting list for social housing supports whose need has not yet been met. As part of this assessment, all local authorities write to relevant households informing them of the assessment process and seeking updated information where necessary. Where a number of attempts to contact a household fail to elicit a response, authorities are advised that it is not unreasonable to then close the household’s application. However, local authorities are also advised that should the household subsequently respond with the information required within a reasonable time, the application could be re-activated.
It is the responsibility of the local authority, while taking a compassionate approach, to make a decision in each individual case.
316. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a restriction on recording full council meetings in either a statutory instrument or legislation. [49657/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules governing the meetings and proceedings of local authorities are set out under Part 6 and Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended.
Schedule 10, section 14 requires that minutes of the proceedings of a local authority meeting must be drawn up by the meetings administrator. These minutes are then submitted for confirmation as an accurate record at the next meetings. The confirmed minutes are then the official record of the meeting.
Schedule 10, section 16 of the 2001 Act allows a local authority to make standing orders for the regulation of its meetings and proceedings. Standing orders may require that no cameras or any kind or recording equipment may be used at meetings of the Council without the prior approval of the Council.
In addition the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, which are under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, confers rights on individuals in relation to the privacy of their personal data as well as responsibilities on organisations holding and processing such data.
Any organisation using recording equipment should remember that simply recording and/or storing video and/or audio data could be considered as data processing, even if no further use is made of that data. Furthermore, that data may be considered ‘personal data’ where an individual can be identified from it and their prior consent may be required.
The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the rights of individuals under the 2018 Act, oversight of GDPR and other data protection requirements. The DPC has issued a range of guidance to assist organisations in complying with GDPR and data protection requirements, which may be found at the link below: dataprotection.ie/en/dpc-guidance.
317. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his views expressed in July 2022 regarding additional funding for Galway County Council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAcross all schemes and funding sources my Department provided €82.9m in 2020, €84.4m in 2021 and €24m to end September 2022 to Galway County Council. Included in this is the unprecedented level of support provided by central Government to local authorities in respect of the COVID -19 pandemic. The payments in 2020 also included an additional allocation to Galway of €1m; funding that was linked to the operation of municipal districts, and in 2021 an additional allocation of €600,000 for discretionary income was made.
For 2023, the Government is making a significant contribution of €333 million to support local authorities. A large portion of this figure (€199 million) will be towards assisting local authorities with the cumulative effect on pay costs arising from the National Pay Agreements and the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation. This allocation will ensure that local authorities will have the necessary resources, in terms of people, to perform their functions and provide essential public services to our citizens; in excess of one thousand services in fact. Furthermore, as has happened in previous years, we will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of any additional pay increases that are confirmed for 2023. The pay allocation for Galway County Council for 2022 is €4.4m. The 2023 pay allocation for Galway County Council, which will be in excess of the 2022 allocation, will be determined and notified to the local authority shortly.
My Department is very aware of the current financial environment in which local authorities, including Galway County Council, are now operating and, in recognition of the ongoing pressures, support of €60m has been secured to assist the sector. It should be noted that this funding is additional to the €333m outlined above, and its purpose will be to provide additional support to assist local authorities in meeting the increasing costs involved in providing a wide range of services. The individual allocations of additional support under this scheme and any other additional support to be provided are currently being finalised and the allocation for Galway County Council will be notified to the local authority shortly.
As committed to in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, the move to 100% retention of Local Property Tax (LPT) will take place in 2023. All Equalisation funding will now be met by the Exchequer, to ensure that all authorities receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their Baseline. Local authorities may also vary their LPT rate by up to 15%; authorities that increase the rate retain 100% of the additional income, while local authorities that decrease the rate bear the full reduction in income. Galway County Council has opted not to avail of this opportunity to raise additional locally sourced income since 2018. The council could have benefited from an additional €2.15m in 2023 if it had applied the additional 15% upward local variation in the same manner as many other authorities. Galway County Council will receive €155,561 in LPT equalisation funding for 2023 in addition to an expected €14,362,329 LPT yield to achieve a baseline funding of €14,517,890.
Finally, it should be noted that it is intended to commence a comprehensive review of the current LPT baselines in the coming months. This review could not commence in time for the 2023 LPT allocation process without reliable and up-to-date data, primarily the detailed census data. The overall funding position of Galway Co Council and all local authorities will be considered as part of this review.
318. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the apartments in Finglas, known as Prospect Hill, that were taken back into the possession of Dublin City Council; if they remain in full ownership of the State; if a block of apartments recently sold by the National Asset Management Agency in the same complex were the ones owned by the State; the status of that particular block; and when the apartments will be allocated. [49756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProspect Hill consists of 469 apartments the majority of which are in private ownership.
Dublin City Council (DCC) has full ownership of 58 apartments located in Blocks 2 and 2a.
DCC has advised my Department that following a scope of works exercise, the tender for remediation works was advertised in Q2 2022 for these 58 apartments. A contractor has been appointed to undertake the works and is expected to commence on-site on 12 October 2022.
DCC has also advised my Department that the work will be completed in Q4 2023 after which the units will be allocated for social housing.
Neither DCC or my Department were involved in the sale of units by the National Asset Management Agency.
319. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the regulations which he recently made to protect the basking shark cetorhinus maximus under Section 23(2)(a) of the Wildlife Act 1976, entitled the Wildlife Act 1976 (Protection of Wild Animals) Regulations 2022, can be policed and enforced by Inland Fisheries Ireland out to the 12-mile jurisdictional limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, along with my colleague, Minister McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently signed the Wildlife Act 1976 (Protection of Wild Animals) Regulations 2022. The effect of these Regulations is to confer ‘protected wild animal’ status on the basking shark under section 23 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. This statutory instrument came into effect on Monday 3rd October, 2022.
Under section 72 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended, enforcement powers rest with An Garda Síochána and authorised persons appointed by the Minister. Inland Fisheries Ireland is an agency under the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and not my own Department.
320. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities are obliged to publish the system of fees they charge homeowners for the purchase of the fee simple for their property; if it is correct that local authorities are obliged to review the charging structure at regular intervals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49806/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of planning applications that have been rejected in the past 12 months by Louth County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49823/22]
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. The most recent data available in respect of Louth County Council indicates that 23.3% of planning applications were refused permission by the Council in 2021. However, 2022 data has not yet been collected and consequently is not available in my Department. In addition, my Department does not compile data on the reason for refusal to grant permission. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will be accepting applications from rural applicants following the recent announcement of the expansion of croí cónaithe vacant property grants to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.On the 14 July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant will benefit those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.On 21 September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing review of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme to date has been very positive, with 276 applications reported at start October.Given that a key objective of Pathway 4 of Housing for All is to ensure that the houses we already have are being fully used, I have decided to extend the eligibility for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to vacant properties in both our cities and rural areas.Both schemes under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will continue to be for those who intend to occupy the property as their principal private residence. Officials in my Department are working with the Vacant Homes Officers in each local authority in the coming weeks to update the details of the Grant, with a view to the expanded scheme being available in November.VHOs in each local authority will be available to provide advice and information on the schemes and the application process.
323. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an estate (details supplied) is being considered under the energy efficiency funding scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme.
In response to the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that 500,000 homes are retrofitted to a B2/Cost Optimal energy performance by 2030, my Department has committed to the delivery of 36,500 retrofits by the local authority sector and launched a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 for local authority owned housing. This extensive programme focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided, namely a heat pump.
The scheme itself is administered by the local authority as the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock rests with each local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. As such, all decisions in relation to the homes selected under the programme or the works to be completed on each individual home is a matter for Cork City Council.
My Department has received correspondence from Cork City Council on the matter and is working with the council to identify the most appropriate solution for them in relation to this estate.
324. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to local authorities currently at capacity in terms of their emergency accommodation provision; the number of local authorities that he has engaged with that plan to expand their provision of emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The role of my Department is to ensure that a framework of policy, legislation and funding is provided to ensure that housing authorities are in a position to address homelessness at a local level. I can assure the Deputy that resources and funding are not an obstacle to the urgent efforts required. Budget 2023 reflects this commitment by allocating €215 million for homelessness services.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area and the funding requirements will be considered in this context. The exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services including the number of places in accommodation are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
I am aware of the pressures currently being experienced in accessing Emergency Accommodation nationwide and local authorities are working to address these, with assistance from my Department where necessary. A range of measures have been introduced to tackle accommodation shortages and in terms of the provision of Emergency Accommodation. All local authorities continue to make every effort to ensure that assistance is provided to all homeless households. My Department continues to liaise with local authorities in this regard.
In response to the very severe pressure on emergency accommodation concerns raised by members of NHAC, IPOA and other stakeholders I have convened a meeting next week to allow for a roundtable discussion on Homelessness and retaining landlords in the sector.
325. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he has taken to ensure that each local authority is fulfilling its obligation to provide emergency accommodation to those with a local connection; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin is becoming the only destination for persons who are otherwise refused elsewhere and this has contributed to Dublin being at capacity in terms of emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
I wrote to all Chief Executives on 9 December 2020 to ensure that the most vulnerable on the streets do not end up without shelter due to not being from the area and asking local authorities to ensure that the local connection requirement in a social housing assessment context is not operating as a barrier in the provision of emergency accommodation.
My Department is aware of the pressures being experienced in Dublin and across the country in the current climate and is liaising with local authorities to assist them in providing solutions to support those who may find themselves homeless.
326. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which he will prepare a management plan for the River Boyne and River Blackwater special area of conservation; the date on which this plan will go to public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50004/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC (site code 002299) is selected for the protection of fens, wet woodland, river lamprey, salmon and otter.
My Department currently has no plans to prepare a management plan for this site. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has published site-specific conservation objectives for the SAC and a number of conservation measures apply.
This document can be downloaded from the following links at the NPWS website: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/conservation_objectives/CO002299.pdf.
327. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that his Department has in the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; the guidelines his Department is operating in terms of the standards of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50020/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports, for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. My Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways.
My Department continues to be an integral part of the dedicated Cabinet Committee, as established by the Irish Government. This Cabinet Committee oversees and coordinates the Ukraine humanitarian response, including accommodation and supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. As well as this, my Department is continuing to develop and oversee work under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project, which involves the review of properties identified as potentially suitable for refurbishment for use as multi-occupancy accommodation for the purposes of accommodating Ukrainians. The process is ongoing to identify, examine and validate buildings that could be refurbished to accommodate larger groups of people. My Department has developed associated guidelines, the purpose of which is to provide guidance to building owners and contractors on the standard of accommodation required and clarity on the application of statutory processes related to development. The Guidelines for Temporary Accommodation in Existing Buildings for those fleeing the war in Ukraine - Single Persons & Family type Accommodation are available at; www.gov.ie/en/publication/44050-guidelines-for-temporary-accommodation-in-existing-buildings-for-those-fleeing-the-war-in-ukraine-single-persons-family-type-accommodation/
Finally, my Department, in consultation with local authorities and other public bodies, prepared an inventory of sites that may be suitable for modular housing as part of the humanitarian response, for consideration by the Office of Public Works.
