Written Answers Nos. 328-347
328. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will announce a package to deal with the issue of apartment fire defects in Celtic tiger-era apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report Safe as Houses?, and to assist owners of latent defect properties by identifying options for those impacted by defects, to access low-cost, long-term finance. In response, in February 2021, I established a Working Group to examine the matter. The Group was chaired by former Donegal County Council CEO Seamus Neely.
I received the comprehensive report of the Working Group on 28 July titled Defects in Apartments - Report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing , and I published it straight away.
On 27 September, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform Government of the content of the report and of the next steps that I will be taking.
In that context, I will now, in consultation with Government colleagues, develop options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
Firstly, an inter–departmental/agency group will be established to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year. In addition, an advisory group to develop a Code of Practice will be established to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in line with Recommendation 8 of the Working Group’s report and in the context of the Fire Services Acts.
I also intend on liaising with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector, as matters progress. My Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advice in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
Finally, it should be noted that the Minister for Finance announced the introduction of a 10% levy on concrete blocks and other concrete products, with an expected annual yield of €80m on 27 September. This will provide a sustainable contribution from the construction sector towards the costs of dealing with construction defects over the coming years.
329. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income from the working family payment can be included in calculating eligibility for housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50069/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income received from the working family payment can be included in calculating eligibility for a family to be placed on a local authority housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.
The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Under the Household Means Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. All income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including Working Family Payment, is assessable.
More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/
331. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the inclusion of carer’s allowance in income calculations for local authority home loans. [50097/22]
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 is a successor loan to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan which was introduced in February 2018. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The Local Authority Home Loan has an upper gross income limit for scheme eligibility, which takes into account all relevant household income. The income limit is €75,000 for joint applicants. It is €65,000 for individual applicants seeking to buy in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway and €50,000 in the rest of the country. The income taken into account in the eligibility assessment for the Local Authority Home Loan is taxable income, which includes carer’s allowance. This, as well as other elements of the scheme, is continually kept under review to ensure that the scheme remains relevant.
The Local Authority Home Loan has wider eligibility criteria than the previous Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, in that the income ceiling for individual applicants seeking to buy in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway was raised from €50,000 to €65,000, showing that the scheme has adapted to changing circumstances over time.
Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and lending local authority.
The final decision on Local Authority Home Loan applications is a matter for the relevant local authority).
Further information can be found on the dedicated website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
332. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy change in his Department with regard to the purchase of HAP, RAS and leased tenancies by local authorities or approved housing bodies, AHBs, in cases in which tenants are in receipt of a notice to quit; if he will provide circulars, memos and or any guidelines issued to the local authorities or AHBs in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50128/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list broken down by local authority, of all HAP and RAS tenancies bought by local authorities with the tenant in situ since the April 2022 circular allowing same to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50130/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.
Housing 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 by 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 and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes.
On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focussed on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are:
(i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter;
(ii) in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and
(iii) can be completed during 2022.
The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 2 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department does not hold data on the occupation status of properties acquired for social housing. This information may be available from individual local authorities.
Copies of the circular letters were provided to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
334. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No 288 of 4 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the 2,800 homes to be delivered for affordable purchase and cost rental, through both LDA investment and with funding of €90 million via the affordable housing fund stating the number of cost rental and affordable purchases to be delivered by the LDA and the number of cost rental and affordable purchases to be delivered by local authorities. [50137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra2022 represents the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery significantly increasing in 2023.
A delivery target for 2023 was set in Housing for All of 5,500 affordable homes for affordable purchase and cost rental across the various delivery streams. In implementing Housing for All, each local authority has now prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan for 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities.
Local authorities have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics later this year.
A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is also being developed by local authorities. Furthermore, a number of local authorities are currently working on submitting advance purchase proposals to my Department and I anticipate that activity in this area will increase further going forward.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market. It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative - Project Tosaigh.
The target under Project Tosaigh is the delivery of 5,000 new homes in the years 2022 to 2026 for affordable cost rental or sale to eligible households under affordable purchase arrangements. The LDA has advised my Department that they are nearing the completion of phase 1 of Project Tosaigh and will be in a position to provide details as to where these developments are shortly.
The Q2 2022 Housing for All progress report detailing proposals and progress on the LDA's active sites over both the short and long term can be accessed on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/03335-housing-for-all-q2-2022-progress-report/.
335. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Electoral Reform Act 2022 is currently in law and enacted; and if the criteria regarding registration of a political party remain, either 300 members 50% of whom are on the electoral register or an elected member of Dáil Éireann under item 45 of this Act. [50145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electoral Reform Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) was enacted on 25 July 2022 and section 1(5) provides that the provisions of the Act are subject to commencement orders being made.
The qualifying criteria for the registration of political parties are currently set out in section 25 of the Electoral Act 1992. Section 4(1)(h) of the 2022 Act repeals section 25 of the Electoral Act 1992 and section 45 of the 2022 Act restates the relevant qualifying criteria for the registration of political parties. These qualifying criteria remain unchanged. However, the 2022 Act does provide that the Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin will become the Registrar of Political Parties and will be responsible for preparing and maintaining the Register of Political Parties. The relevant provisions of the 2022 Act have not yet been commenced.
336. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that have been delivered under the long-term social housing leasing scheme in the Dublin City Council administrative area in each of the years since 2018, by housing area (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the number of dwellings delivered under the Long Term Leasing Scheme for the Dublin City Council administrative area from 2018 up to the end of Q2 2022 can be found in Table 1 below.
Table 1: The Number of dwellings delivered under Long Term Leasing in DCC - 2018 to Q2 2022:
|
Year |
Number of Dwellings |
|
2018 |
37 |
|
2019 |
92 |
|
2020 |
225 |
|
2021 |
489 |
|
2022(Q1 & Q2) |
208 |
Leasing delivery data for Q3 2022 is being collected and collated at present and will be published as soon as that process is finalised.
Leasing delivery data is collected on a quarterly basis, broken down by Local Authority. Data regarding housing areas within Local Authorities is not held my Department.
338. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of external consultants that have been hired by his Department in each of the years since 2016 to date in tabular form; the purpose of the consultant contracted; and the cost per contract. [50163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Consultant |
Purpose |
Expenditure € |
|
2016 |
||
|
Bid Management Services |
Procurement Advisory Services |
3,963 |
|
Bruce McCarthy |
Review of Draft S31 Direction in Westmeath. |
1,970 |
|
Des Johnson |
Reviews of Draft S31 Direction in Louth and Kildare. |
6,000 |
|
Eamon O'Boyle & Associates Limited |
Technical illustrations re draft Technical Guidance Documents B (Fire Safety) to the Building Regulations 2016. |
2,411 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
National Planning Framework (NPF) Demographic and Econometric modelling |
60,000 |
|
Invas Biosecurity |
Program of measures re Water Framework Directive. |
9,225 |
|
IT Executive Focus |
Review ICT Structures and Delivery Model. |
22,115 |
|
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Programme of Measures (POMs) development. |
181,002 |
|
Mr. Hendrick W van der Kamp |
Review of Draft S31 Direction in Donegal. |
2,688 |
|
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment of draft River Basin Management Plans. |
195,979 |
|
Steering Group on Fire Safety Review |
Fire Safety Review. |
9,905 |
|
2017 |
||
|
Artefact Limited |
Design Services for Met Éireann |
1,107 |
|
Bid & Tender Management Services Ltd T/A Bid Management Services |
Procurement Services re Climate Stations |
738 |
|
Economic & Social Research Institute (E.S.R.I.) |
Research collaboration re Housing Economics |
99,785 |
|
Europus - The Language Consultancy Co. |
Irish Translation of Building Control Regulations |
62 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Review of fire safety arrangements |
692 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
Re Eurocode Meetings |
5,051 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
Technical Secretariat to Concrete Blocks Committee |
22,718 |
|
Denis Mc Carthy |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
6,441 |
|
Frank Lee |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
1,907 |
|
Noel Kane |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
644 |
|
David Blaney |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
1,121 |
|
RPS Group |
SEA,SFRA AA for the National Planning Framework |
73,427 |
|
The Economic & Social Research Institute |
Research programme for the National Planning Framework |
90,000 |
|
Rory Mulcahy SC |
Legal Services – Review of planning matters in Donegal County Council |
55,350 |
|
Optimize |
Socio Economic OSPAR Study |
6,150 |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors |
Legal Services - preparation for the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill. |
23,985 |
|
ASM Chartered Accountants |
Review of ICT Backup Systems |
18,400 |
|
KOSI Ltd. |
Review of I.T. security systems |
26,000 |
|
O'Brien Learning |
Introduction of a formal mentoring programme. |
2,622 |
|
2018 |
||
|
Behaviour and Attitudes |
Market survey as part of a cross-departmental project re housing. |
85,000 |
|
Ipsos MRBI |
Market survey as part of a cross-departmental project re housing. |
22,416 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Research re housing economics. |
198,687 |
|
Aecom |
Cost modelling for Dwellings |
78,973 |
|
Aecom |
Cost Optimal analysis |
104,174 |
|
Concept to Print |
Bringing Back Homes |
12,961 |
|
Tom Dwyer |
Bringing Back Homes |
675 |
|
Obriain Beary |
Standard Layouts for Social Housing |
35,363 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Strategic Environmental Assessment |
107,736 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Strategic Environmental Assessment |
61,130 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Water Life Integrated Project Proposal |
77,769 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Guidance re River Basin Management Plans 2018 -2021 |
112,422 |
|
Optimize Consultants |
Assessment re marine litter |
18,388 |
|
Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers |
Assessment re protection of marine environment |
30,535 |
|
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology |
Advice re proposed micropbeads legislation |
4,305 |
|
C.A.A.S. Ltd. |
Assessment re wind energy |
31,840 |
|
Irwin Carr |
Peer review re noise aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines |
8,611 |
|
RPS Group |
Assessments re National Planning Framework documents |
73,249 |
|
Des Johnson |
Review of Local Area Plan under auspices of Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) |
3,088 |
|
KPMG |
Financial advice for the Land Development Agency |
49,616 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal Services - advice for the Land Development Agency on state aid, procurement, and to aid in drafting primary legislation for the new agency. |
171,146 |
|
2019 |
||
|
O’Herlihy Access Consultancy |
Access audit & development of access policy |
8,594 |
|
Behaviour and Attitudes |
Market survey as part of a Cross Departmental Project |
38,252 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Review of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. |
23,171 |
|
AECOM |
Cost optimal analysis |
55,988 |
|
O'Briain:Beary |
Standard Layouts for Social Housing |
14,145 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Housing Economics |
200,000 |
|
RPS Group |
Waters of LIFE Integrated Project |
151,490 |
|
RPS Group |
Guidance re River Basin Management Plan 2018 – 2021 |
122,918 |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors Ltd |
Legal Services - for Water Abstractions Bill |
23,985 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Climate Adaptation Sectoral Plan re Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructure |
103,722 |
|
ESRI |
Research re Ireland's water resources |
37,000 |
|
CDM Smith |
Parteen Fish Passage project |
72,649 |
|
Health Research Board/Eden Recruitment |
Coronial data re fire fatalities |
6,582 |
|
C.A.A.S. Ltd |
Strategic Environmental Assessment re Wind Energy Development Guidelines |
7,348 |
|
Pat Ledwidge |
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly |
3,120 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Research re implementation of the NPF |
65,000 |
|
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment & Strategic Flood Risk Assessment reports |
8,807 |
|
RPS Group |
Environmental Assessments (SEA and AA) |
264,511 |
|
2020 |
||
|
O’Herlihy Access Consultancy |
Development of Access Policy and Action Plan |
8,595 |
|
Quadra Consultancy Ltd |
Health and Safety Risk Assessments |
6,458 |
|
Quadra Consultancy Ltd |
Covid Risk Assessment |
2,118 |
|
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors |
Quality Assurance Review |
14,145 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Review of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan |
1,308 |
|
School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 |
Review of Travellers accommodation needs |
28,270 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
Standing operating procedure for heat pumps |
15,000 |
|
Conor Bean |
Review of more energy efficient Construction Details |
11,543 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Housing economics research |
200,000 |
|
RPS Group |
Guidance document re River Basin Management Plan 2018 – 2021 |
152,292 |
|
ESRI |
Research re water resources and implementation of River Basin Management Plan |
94,698 |
|
CDM Smith |
Parteen Fish Passage project |
74,043 |
|
YCD Limited , T/A Yellowstone |
Design web hyperlinks re Irish version of Water Management Issues report |
1,169 |
|
Certification Europe Ltd |
Assessment re fire services |
5,412 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Research re implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF) |
100,000 |
|
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) |
Joint research project re Measuring Planning Outcomes |
17,375 |
|
RPS |
Strategic Environmental Assessments re the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) |
69,390 |
|
Levett Therivel |
Strategic Environmental Assessments re regional and planning authorities |
1,800 |
|
Word Perfect |
Translation services |
1,255 |
|
Des Johnson |
Environmental Review |
5,972 |
|
Dr Hugh Maguire |
Museum Standards Programme |
500 |
|
PMCA Consulting |
Report re Local Authority health and leisure facilities |
9,225 |
|
2021 |
||
|
O Maille Group |
Marine Protected Areas consultation process |
2,460 |
|
Maeve Thornberry & Assoc |
Report reducing the impact of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) as marine litter |
41,006 |
|
Maeve Thornberry & Assoc |
OceanWise final report reducing the impact of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) as marine litter |
34,502 |
|
Dr Christine Morrow |
OSPAR Deep sea habitats workshops |
5,250 |
|
University College Cork |
Marine research re Phase II of DECC-led ObSERVE Programme |
300,000 |
|
Paul Forde (DBFL Consultant Engineers Ltd) |
Report re Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme |
4,920 |
|
TOBIN Consulting Engineers |
Research re Rural Water Sector |
125,600 |
|
Fehily Timoney & Company Ltd |
Guidance re Habitats Directive |
67,650 |
|
UCD-Katestone |
Guidance re Natura 2000 sites and biodiversity. |
1,688 |
|
Dr Carol Westrik |
Assessment re UNESCO World Heritage Site |
5,000 |
|
Dr Will Megarry |
Assessment re UNESCO World Heritage Site |
2,100 |
|
Dr Alison Sheridan |
Assessment re UNESCO World Heritage Site |
3,000 |
|
Ms Jane Jackson |
Assessment re UNESCO World Heritage Site |
1,550 |
|
Chris Blandford |
World Heritage Strategy Project |
14,925 |
|
KPMG (FAC) |
Socioeconomic impact study re raised bog restoration project |
3,935 |
|
Governance Ireland |
Review of governance re Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
22,878 |
|
Marine & Environmental Resource Conservation Consultants |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Trinity Wharf |
7,380 |
|
Marine & Environmental Resource Conservation Consultants |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Celtix Connect |
11,993 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Codling |
17,848 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Drogheda Port Company Dredging of River Boyne |
15,746 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Energia Site Investigation off Wexford Coast |
15,314 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Energia SI for offshore windfarm |
14,637 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Loughs Agency Sea Monitor Project |
5,929 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Cheekpoint Boat Owners Association Pontoon |
14,127 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - America Europe Connect 2 Transatlantic Cable |
21,033 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Cork County Council Dredging for Courtmacsherry Pier |
15,264 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Statkraft |
16,445 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Foynes Jetty Extension |
44,219 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Gibbon's Quay |
10,590 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Morrison's Island Flood Relief |
20,572 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Glengarriff Pier |
11,009 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Simply Blue (Emerald) ORE Site Investigations |
14,871 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Review of Fenit Harbour Dredging |
13,329 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Coiste Forbaithe na Sceilige Pontoon |
5,692 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Greenlink Interconnector |
15,990 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Ion Organics Ltd |
5,904 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - AMETS Floating Wind Test Site Investigations |
9,164 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Greenlink Interconnector DHPLG Foreshore Panel |
5,220 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - DCC Dredging at Magheraroarty Pier |
11,839 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Reen Pier |
9,213 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental Assessment in relation to Foreshore Application - Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme |
3,486 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal Services – for Transitional Protocol |
15,514 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal Service - Arklow Banks windfarm |
7,406 |
|
Padraic Thornton |
Report re Marine Planning (Development Management) Bill 2019 |
10,950 |
|
Version 1 Consulting |
Oracle upgrade assessment |
22,180 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Housing economics research collaboration |
200,000 |
|
Indecon |
Review of Local Authority Mortgage Protection Insurance |
70,110 |
|
UCD |
Review of the role of Social Workers in Traveller accommodation |
42,046 |
|
Niall Crowley |
Report re Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees |
1,845 |
|
Ordinance Survey Ireland |
Development of I.T. Tool re housing for older people. |
104,550 |
|
Bruce McCormack Consulting |
Review of EIA screening thresholds in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2022 |
3,880 |
|
RPS Consulting |
Environmental Assessments (SEA and AA) of National Marine Planning Framework |
17,671 |
|
O'Briain Beary |
Social Housing Standard Layouts |
76,312 |
|
Carla Mateus |
Met Éireann Researcher for Building Regs. |
41,500 |
|
Whitney Moore |
Legal Services - Affordable (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 |
13,069 |
|
2022 |
||
|
TOBIN Consulting Engineers |
Research re Rural Water Sector |
28,907 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers LTD |
Report re MPA Public consultation |
66,826 |
|
Atlantic Technological University |
Scientific support re OSPAR task on listed whales |
3,084 |
|
Carol Westrick |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List |
7,000 |
|
Jane Jackson |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List |
2,325 |
|
Alison Sheridan |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List |
4,984 |
|
Willam Megarry |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List |
3,658 |
|
ICOMOS Ireland |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List |
6,600 |
|
Power Design Associates Limited |
Advice re Housing Publication & Printing |
18,056 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup) |
Conduct Regulation 42A screeing for Appropriate Assessement on behalf of the Ecological Assessment Unit |
5,597 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup) |
Screening for AA on draft Regulations that make changes to the circumstance where solar PV/thermal panels and equipment constitute exempted development |
4,797 |
|
Faith Wilson Ecological Consultant |
Assessment re temporary use of specified buildings |
2,460 |
|
DBFL Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Preparation of reports relating to the enhanced DCB Grant Scheme |
25,000 |
|
Aecom Ireland Limited |
Cost-Optimal Study |
40,023 |
|
KPMG |
Required to complete the EAP process for the Clonburris URDF project’s Preliminary Business Case, specified by the Public Spending Code for projects exceeding €100m |
57,467 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) |
Development of I.T. Tool re housing for older people. |
147,600 |
|
Mitchell McDermott Cost Consultants |
Study re action of Housing for All Plan |
24,476 |
|
Conor Quinn B.L |
Legal Services - Maritime Area Planning Bill |
107,717 |
|
Remy Farrell S.C. |
Legal Services – Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures - An Bord Pleanala |
43,618 |
|
Christopher Mills |
Legal Services –Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures - An Bord Pleanala |
7,565 |
|
Marine & Environmental Resource Conservation Consultants |
Environmental assessment re Foreshore Applications. |
15,640 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental assessment re Foreshore Applications. |
289,389 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental assessment re Foreshore Applications. |
28,677 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Environmental assessment re Foreshore Applications. |
59,923 |
|
Bruce McCormack Consulting |
Review of EIA screening thresholds in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2022 |
7,680 |
|
Land Use Consultants Limited |
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Draft Solar Regulations |
21,395 |
|
Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers |
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Draft WFD Guidelines |
24,600 |
|
University College Dublin |
Data Analysis for the EIA screening threshold traffic light review |
6,150 |
|
Minogue Environmental Consultants |
SEA Screening of proposed amendments to Schedule 5 of Planning and Development Regulations |
1,599 |
340. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the situation regarding liability for local authority rates by social welfare offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of liability of individual properties for commercial rates is a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation, who is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Act provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Property directly occupied by any Department or Office of State is exempted under paragraph 12A(a) of the schedule.
While each case must be considered on its merits, this exemption would not apply where an individual or organisation has a contract to provide a service on behalf of a Department or Office of State. In such circumstances, the individual or organisation providing the service under contract is deemed to be in rateable occupation and consequently the property would be rateable.
There are a number of options available to an occupier of a rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Acts, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, they may make representations to the Valuation Office in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of the Valuation Office. There is also a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
341. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to provide funding for transfer of an entity (details supplied); the level of engagement that he and his Department have had with the company being transferred and with the local authority; the amount of funding sought by the local authority from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50267/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, as the parent Department of the Shannon Group, have the lead role in the transfer of heritage sites from Shannon Group to relevant local authorities. In order to secure the future of the heritage assets and employees, Shannon Group has had extensive engagement with the relevant local authorities since early 2021. Shannon Heritage ended their management contracts with An Post and Fingal County Council for sites in Dublin on 31 December 2021 and the transfer of the business and employees took place without issue. King John’s Castle was successfully transferred to Limerick City and County Council on 4 April.
Shannon Group continues to engage with Clare County Council in relation to the proposed transfer of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle, and Cliffs of Moher Retail Outlet. As part of its engagement with Shannon Group, Clare County Council identified a funding gap for which it sought Government assistance to enable it to take over the sites. The funding gap identified by Clare County Council is €15m (€5m a year for 3 years), the quantum of which may be adjusted downwards partly due to the better than projected performance of visitor numbers to Bunratty Castle in 2022.
The Department of Transport established an inter-departmental working group in May 2022 to examine funding options in relation to the proposed transfer to Clare County Council of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle, and Cliffs of Moher Retail Outlet. The group includes officials from the Departments of Transport, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public expenditure and Reform, the Office of Public Works, and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media. To date, the working group has met three times, and identified a number of ways to support a transfer. The Department of Transport has also met with Clare County Council and Shannon Airport Group and has asked both to continue their engagement and consider the package of measures identified by the inter-departmental working group, with a view to reaching agreement on a transfer.
Officials from my Department have met officials from Clare County Council on a number of occasions over the past 12 months in relation to the proposed transfer, the latest meeting was in July of this year. At this meeting my Department recognised the current financial environment in which local authorities are operating, and the pressures facing them in respect of general inflation and higher energy costs in particular. These challenges are common across the sector and my Department highlighted its wider responsibility to ensure that all local authorities can continue to deliver services, whilst managing limited resources.
It was also noted that Clare County Council were in receipt of support from the Local Government Fund of almost €3m in 2021 and 2022 to compensate for loss of commercial rates at Money Point Power Plant and that my Department would seek similar support for Clare County Council for 2023. Across all schemes and funding sources my Department provided €65.9m in 2020, €82.9m in 2021 and €24m to end August 2022 to Clare 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.
Officials from my Department have liaised with Clare County Council regarding the potential for some support from the Local Government Fund towards the year end. Equally, subject to submission of a suitable proposal and costings, funding towards National Monuments service approved conservation works at Bunratty Castle could be considered by the Heritage Division of my Department.
Officials from my Department will continue to engage with the inter-departmental working group and Clare County Council to support progress in the transfer of the remaining Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council.
342. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all the section 10 organisations funded in 2021 and 2022, respectively; the amount allocated to each; the quantum of funding that was derived from his Department and the balance from local authorities in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services including details of service providers are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. Exchequer funding recouped to housing authorities by my Department for the years 2021 and 2022 to date is set out in the table below;
|
Region |
2021 € |
2022 (to date) € |
|
Dublin (Dublin City) |
172,906,426 |
107,969,483 |
|
Mid East (Kildare Co Co) |
7,452,871 |
6,586,750 |
|
Midland (Westmeath Co Co) |
2,408,500 |
1,861,655 |
|
Mid West (Limerick City) |
8,222,913 |
6,487,756 |
|
North East (Louth Co Co) |
2,713,679 |
1,502,430 |
|
North West (Sligo Co Co) |
936,000 |
847,500 |
|
South East (Waterford City) |
4,291,134 |
3,841,513 |
|
South West (Cork City) |
15,836,120 |
9,756,939 |
|
West (Galway City) |
8,731,955 |
5,905,048 |
|
Total |
223,499,598 |
144,759,076 |
Financial reports from each of the regional fora, setting out total expenditure on homeless services including those services provided through the non-government sector and private emergency accommodation are published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
343. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides breastfeeding employees with access to flexible spaces across all our office locations including the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These spaces include wellbeing rooms and rest rooms. Each one is shielded from view and is free from intrusion by co-workers or the public and is provided with appropriate furniture.
Although currently demand does not exist for these spaces to be permanently dedicated for lactation purposes staff have been made aware of their legal entitlement to breastfeeding breaks at work. The rooms outlined are continually available and are fitted with locks.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
State Body |
Contact e-mail |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@valoff.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
344. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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.
345. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs that date on which an invitation was received from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to nominate Irish election observers for the Bulgarian parliamentary election scheduled to be held in October 2022; the reason that no Irish election observers were nominated for this mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs administers and maintains a roster of suitably skilled volunteers, who are available to participate in international election observation missions organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
In August 2022, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) issued a call for nominations for its election observation mission to the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Bulgaria, which were held on 2 October. The Department takes decisions on nominations to election observation missions on a case-by-case basis, in the context of the situation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It was decided not to nominate observers for this mission.
346. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the names of each person nominated to take part in Ireland’s international election observation programme since the start of 2019; the cost of each mission involved broken down by airfares, expenses, grants and insurance; if these observers were appointed or reappointed to the Irish election observation roster; if so, the date that they were originally appointed; if he will detail the budget for the programme in 2022 and 2023; the amount of the budget for 2022 that has been spent to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49722/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs administers an Election Observation Roster as part of Ireland’s commitment to supporting democratisation, human rights and the rule of law. The Roster facilitates the participation of suitably skilled and vetted volunteers who are available to participate at short notice in Election Observation Missions under the aegis of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union.
Ireland's current International Election Observation Roster has 196 active members. It was established in January 2019 and is due to expire in December 2023. To date, €38,348 of the annual 2022 budget for the Roster, of €180,000, has been spent. The budget for 2023 will be allocated before the end of 2022 as part of the overall budgetary allocation process.
Details of the costs of each mission, including airfares, expenses and insurance are regularly published on the election observation section of the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.ie/get-involved/election-observation/. In keeping with the Department’s obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which include conducting a balancing exercise between the rights and freedoms of the data subjects involved and the public interest, the information on the website does not specify the names of roster members deployed on each mission.
347. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance that has been provided by the Irish Government to the government of Pakistan in the context of the ongoing severe floods in Pakistan. [49833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply concerned by the recent severe flooding in Pakistan that has devastated many parts of the country, destroying homes, livestock, harvest-ready crops and sources of livelihood. 33 million people have been affected by these unprecedented climate-induced floods and 1,600 lives have been lost. Over 2 million homes have been destroyed or damaged, forcing people to live out in the open exposed to threats of dengue, malaria, and the fast-approaching winter.
The United Nations’ Pakistan Floods Response Plan was increased last week reflecting the rising needs in the country and the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the flooding. This revised appeal is urgently seeking US$816 million to respond to the growing needs of the Pakistani people.
Ireland is playing its part in this international response. My Department has provided €765,000 in humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Rescue Committee and Concern Worldwide. These organisations are longstanding partners of Irish Aid and are already working in the affected regions. We have provided funding to Education Cannot Wait which provides education in emergency contexts and has approved a dedicated Pakistan response.
Ireland is also working with our EU and UN partners to provide humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the effects of the flooding on the most vulnerable in the country. The EU is providing €32 million in funding to address the most urgent needs such as basic shelter, clean drinking water and sanitation, food and nutrition, and medical services. EU Member states, including Ireland, are collectively providing €93 million, bringing the overall Team Europe support to over €120 million. In addition, the EU's Copernicus satellite service has been activated to collect data to support the response and is providing a mapping service to the Pakistani authorities. Ireland also contributes significant amounts of funding to both the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and the IFRC Emergency Response Fund. Both of these funds have been utilised to respond to this crisis. The Central Emergency Response Fund has provided funding of over US$10 million to help meet needs on the ground.
On behalf of the Government, I have written to my counterpart in Pakistan to express Ireland's condolences on the loss of life and our solidarity, outlining the steps Ireland has taken to support Pakistan's recovery from this tragedy. Ireland will continue to engage closely with Pakistan at this very difficult time and will monitor developments through our Embassy in Ankara and the Honorary Consul in Karachi.
