Written Answers Nos. 337-365
337. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an annual breakdown of the private rented and private ownership homes target for each year with respect to the housing targets set out in page 32 of Housing for All. [51452/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to Figure 2 on page 31 of Housing for All, “HNDA Projection 33,000 Annually to 2030”, which provides the annual average breakdown by tenure type. This includes an annual average of 11,800 new private ownership homes and 6,500 new private rental homes, respectively.
Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/.
338. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the procedure that is in place in terms of the decanting of social housing tenants, both in local authorities and approved housing bodies, when works need to be completed on their homes due to the presence of pyrite or Mica. [51466/22]
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/.
Section 36(1) of the Act provides that the Government may make a scheme for the purposes of enabling a designated local authority or an approved housing body to remedy damage caused to dwellings by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.
In order to inform the necessary administrative and governance arrangements to be put in place prior to the roll out of this scheme my Department is developing a pilot scheme with Donegal County Council on local authority homes which are impacted. My Department is also in discussion with a Donegal based Approved Housing Body with a view to involving homes from that sector in the pilot.
With regard to the separate Pyrite Remediation Scheme, the provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act, 2013, apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The Pyrite Remediation Scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. Implementation of the Scheme is a matter for The Housing Agency who manage the remediation process, undertake procurement of professional services and the remediation contracts.
Local Authority Homes are not eligible for inclusion in the Pyrite Remediation Scheme as per section 3(5)(f) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. Approved Housing Bodies are however scheme participants and are dealt with in the same manner as all other participants.
The Guide for Scheme Participants provides more detailed information around the whole remediation process and can be found on the PRB website www.pyriteboard.ie/.
339. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the totality of wholetime equivalent staff directly employed, by each local authority, for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [51475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaffing numbers for the local authority sector broken down by each local authority area for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to the end of Q2 2022 are available on the Public Service Numbers Databank which is hosted and maintained by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is available at the following link: databank.per.gov.ie/.
340. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide 50% flexibility to homeless HAP in Galway city, as is provided for in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of the Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, have now approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness. Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.
I am committed to decreasing our reliance on the HAP scheme and central to that is significantly scaling up our social housing supply. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes 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. My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities. 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/.
341. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current upper limits per unit for the affordable housing fund and the cost-rental equity loan. [51510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available to support delivery of Cost Rental by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities and by the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Delivery will increase incrementally, to an average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year. 10,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered from 2021 to 2026. AHBs will be supported by Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding and Local Authorities will be able to avail of funding for Cost Rental delivery through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental on its own portfolio of sites, or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh.
In accordance with the objectives of Housing For All, currently under the Affordable Housing Fund, dwellings in schemes with a net density of over 50 dwellings per hectare in cities designated under the National Planning Framework can qualify for funding of up to €100,000 per unit, dwellings in schemes with a net density of over 35 dwellings and under 50 dwellings per hectare can qualify for funding of up to €75,000 per unit, and dwellings in schemes with a net density of less than 35 dwellings per hectare can qualify for funding of up to €50,000 per unit.
International events have contributed to an increase in the cost of loan co-financing and the trajectory of interest rates which impacts AHB delivery of Cost Rental homes as well as all housing providers. Combined with the ongoing impact of construction cost inflation, the viability of schemes has become more challenging, negatively affecting the required level of cost rent paid by tenants.
With this in mind, Government has decided that it is appropriate to increase the funding ceilings available per dwelling delivered for both the CREL and AHF schemes. The changes for both schemes will be subject to defined criteria which allows the demonstration of need and the operational parameters for implementation are currently being finalised and will be completed over the coming weeks.
Budget 2023 saw the funding allocation for CREL increase from €70m in 2022 to €75m for next year, while funding for Local Authorities through the AHF rose from €60m in 2022 to €90m for 2023. The changes to these two schemes, combined with the increased funding available, will help to address some of the challenges faced by AHBs and Local Authorities in the continued implementation of Cost Rental schemes. The funding available will help to continue to target rents achievable for Exchequer-supported Cost Rental homes at a minimum discount of 25% below open market rates.
342. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review of all planning permissions granted by An Bord Pleanála under the strategic housing development provisions will be carried out following the finalisation of the review he commissioned in April 2022 into certain matters relevant to the planning board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála ('the Board') is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
In the light of the media reports which raised a number of matters in relation to conflicts of interest and certain other matters, the Chairperson of the Board announced in May 2022 that he had established an internal team of senior management personnel to examine a sample of decided cases. The purpose of this internal review is to identify whether there are specific risks to compliance with the internal controls, systems and procedures under the Board’s relevant Statutory Framework and Code of Conduct and whether any other specific matter needs to be brought to the Chairperson’s attention.
The Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála has informed me that he will update me in respect of the outcome of the review and recommended actions, following consultation with the Board’s legal advisors after the internal review is finalised.
With regard to broader issues that have been raised in relation to the Board’s internal processes, on 24 August 2022 the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) initiated their review of An Bord Pleanála’s (ABP) systems and procedures as part of its reviews programme. The review, which is being undertaken by independent planning experts from other jurisdictions and Conleth Bradley S.C, is being carried out in two parts in line with the Terms of Reference which have been published on the OPR’s website. The first part was completed on 3rd October 2022 and has been published on the OPR’s website with the second part due by 30th November 2022.
This review will help inform other internal changes as required and will also assist in identifying legislative amendments which may be required. I have already published an Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála arising from the recommendations of Phase 1 of the OPR Review and the Government has agreed to the drafting of priority legislation to replace the existing system of nominating bodies with a process of open competition for the appointment of ordinary board members to An Bord Pleanála.
343. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of building control officers who are employed by each local authority; his views that the numbers are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.
However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the local authorities which might have numbers employed at this grade (Building Control Officer) is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.
344. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence in the details supplied by the Deputy deals with a range of issues in relation to the operation of the private rental sector.
In general, the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Government recognises and appreciates the key role of landlords in providing much needed accommodation. Landlords are essential to a fully functioning residential property market. The Government is committed to supporting the continued participation of landlords and growing their investment in the rental market. It has also been necessary in recent and uncertain times to strengthen tenancy protections for tenants including for reasons of supply and affordability in the sector.
In term of assisting landlords, it should be noted that the Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2023 that he would double the amount of tax deductible pre-letting expenses to €10,000 in respect of properties vacant for at least 6 months (currently, a vacancy for at least 12 months is required to avail of this measure). The Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Finance in relation to financial measures to assist landlords.
The operation of the rental market and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 are kept under constant review.
345. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his Department's engagement with the European Commission on the implications of State aid rules for financing and development by the Land Development Agency. [51572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency Act 2021 was developed taking account of legal advice in relation to State Aid. The Department’s approach, based on advice received, is that the economic functions of the Land Development Agency (LDA) do not give rise to an advantage either to the LDA or other parties under State Aid rules.
The European Commission was informed about the Land Development Agency at the time of its establishment in August 2018. A structured engagement with the Commission through its informal preliminary procedures is currently being carried out by officials in my Department. Detailed information was provided to the Commission prior to the enactment of the LDA Act outlining the nature and role and functions of the LDA. This engagement is ongoing and is consistent with the approach taken in relation to other commercial state bodies and reflects the specific nature of the LDA.
346. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on recent issues within An Bord Pleanála; and the steps he has taken in relation to the organisation’s ongoing operation. [51667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála stands at the apex of our planning system and plays a crucial role as the final arbiter of many planning applications. In this light, I treat any allegations of inappropriate actions or behaviour by its members with the utmost seriousness. The government has sought to act openly, quickly and effectively in responding to the immediate problems, address underlying issues and maintain a fully functioning planning system.
On October 4th, following Government approval, I published an Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, which was informed by the Phase One review by the Office of the Planning Regulator of certain systems and procedures used by An Bord Pleanála. The Action Plan outlines several measures relating to the Board appointment process, structure, capacity, resourcing and operations within An Bord Pleanála. Its intention is to underpin public confidence in the efficacy and ability of An Bord Pleanála to decide cases in a timely manner while supporting the values of independence, impartiality and integrity.
I have also received Government approval for the priority drafting of legislation to introduce a new appointments process for Board members of An Bord Pleanála. It is intended that this process will reflect modern best practice for recruitment to senior executive positions within the Irish public service.
Other immediate measures already taken include
- a comprehensive review of the internal code of conduct of An Bord Pleanála being undertaken by the Board,
- the complete cessation of two person decision making panels, and
- the overhaul of internal compliance procedures on ethical requirements.
I am confident that the actions taken to date, and those proposed, will assure the public of this Governments commitment to ensuring the highest levels of accountability and transparency in the work of our agencies.
347. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the 31 local authorities that have housing applications lodged with An Bord Pleanála; the number of housing applications lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51755/22]
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. My Department does not compile data on housing applications lodged by local authorities with An Bord Pleanála. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
It should be noted that arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
348. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider asking councils not to consider working family payment and carers’ allowance when calculating rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51761/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will finish the review of the differential rents scheme; if this will be made a reserved function as promised in the 'Putting People First' document in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.
Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including the Carer's Allowance and Working Family Payment, are a matter for individual local authorities. My Department has no role in this regard.
Housing for All commits to developing proposals for a standardised national differential rents scheme across the country. The timing of this work is being considered as part of the current review of Housing for All and having regard to the significant changes in the economic environment over the past year.
350. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a comprehensive copy of the briefing notes and recommendations that he received from his Department in respect of the 2022-2023 General State-wide Wild Birds Declaration that he signed on 6 July 2022. [51766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will arrange for my officials to provide the briefing note given to me in respect of the 2022-2023 General State-wide Wild Birds Declaration that I signed on 6 July 2022.
351. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 12 July 2022, if he will provide a direct and more comprehensive reply as not previously provided. [51767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from the Department.
352. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department/National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) retains the records pertinent to the research, consultation and preparatory work for the drafting and final approval of S.I. No. 254/1986 - European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations, 1986, and if so, the reason these records have not been submitted to the Office of the National Archives under the National Archives Act, 1986, Regulations 1988; and whether or not his Department/NPWS holds an up-to-date and legally compliant certificate of retention for the records from the consenting officer in the Department of An Taoiseach, and if so, if he will provide a copy of the certificate. [51768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from the Department.
353. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the warnings to the general public posted on his Department/NPWS’s website concerning the current, persistent avian flu outbreak (details supplied) and specifically with regard to the warnings about risks from faecal waste from wild birds, if he is satisfied that these publications provide sufficient transparency regarding the public health risks for example to schoolchildren/schools, patients/hospitals, food businesses and residential areas where large colonies of urban gulls are known to have established for breeding purposes in the period March-September each year, and are also known to forage year round; and if he is not satisfied with the current level of publicity and transparency regarding the public health risks, he will outline the way his Department/NPWS intends to improve transparency and awareness. [51769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the national warnings to the general public posted on his Department/NPWS’s website concerning the current, persistent avian flu outbreak (details supplied) and specifically with regard to the published warnings about risks from faecal waste from wild birds, his attention has been drawn to the best practice advice for the proper methods of cleaning high-amenity locations/sites contaminated with faecal waste from wild birds for example screening off of affected areas, chemical treatment and use of full respiratory equipment by staff and workers, and for example that power washers should not be used as they cause wide dispersal of contaminated micro-droplets than can be inhaled/ingested by workers and passers-by; and if he will consider that such best practice advice for cleaning contaminated locations/sites should be well publicised, especially to ensure that schools, hospitals, supermarkets, restaurants and so on where high density colonies of seagulls are known to breed in the period March to September each year and deposit large amounts of faeces and detritus, should be properly advised as to how to clean and indeed how not to clean such locations. [51770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the national warnings to the general public posted on his Department/NPWS’s website concerning the current, persistent avian flu outbreak (details supplied), if he will outline the way all risks from the avian flu and other attendant risks for example from faecal contamination from wild birds are documented and managed in his Department’s/NPWS’s and local authorities’ formal Health and Safety Statements under the terms of the Health and Safety Authority’s legislation; and if he will provide a copy of the pertinent sections of the NPWS’s up to date, pertinent Health and Safety Statements, procedures, advices and details of all protective equipment provided and applied towards the protection of staff and contract employees who may be exposed to such risks in the course of their work. [51771/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 to 355, inclusive, together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is not the lead organisation in relation to matters raised. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland and the NPWS will always contact them when it becomes aware of such issues. The situation is being monitored intensively and any suspected cases reported to DAFM for testing.
In line with our own protocols NPWS staff do not handle dead or sick wild birds , nor do they handle apparently healthy ‘most at risk bird species (that is water birds, raptors and corvids)’ .
In certain circumstances, however, NPWS volunteers for Avian Influenza collection teams may handle suspect dead/sick birds or water birds/raptors/corvids, but only under specific conditions as set out in the protocol including training, vaccination and PPE Equipment. In terms of Occupational Health and Safety the NPWS are following all formal recommendations and risk management controls including the use of PPE and training as issued by the DAFM and will continue to update its operating procedures in line with these recommendations.
DAFM also carries out year round avian influenza surveillance sampling. In areas where Avian Influenza has already been confirmed, it may not be necessary to collect further birds for sampling. The avian influenza virus is very contagious amongst birds and can survive for several weeks in the environment. The faeces of infected birds contains a high level of virus and so the area can remain infective irrespective of whether bird carcasses are removed from an area or not. If is deemed appropriate for public amenity reasons to remove dead birds or to display signage, etc., e.g., on beaches or areas with frequent human footfall, it is a matter for the Local Authority.
Question No. 354 answered with Question No. 353.
Question No. 355 answered with Question No. 353.
357. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed development of affordable housing by the Land Development Agency, Sandy Road, Galway; if the land is owned by the Land Development Agency; the level of funding that has been committed to the Land Development Agency to enable the project to proceed; when the planning permission will be sought for the project; the projected completion date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed development of affordable housing by the Land Development Agency, Dyke Road, Galway; if the land is owned by the Land Development Agency; the level of funding that has been committed to the Land Development Agency to enable the project to proceed; when the planning permission will be sought for the project; the projected completion date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51915/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.
Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The Land Development Agency 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.
The Dyke Road site forms part of a strategic brownfield landbank located on the edge of Galway City Centre which has been identified for comprehensive redevelopment by Galway City Council. The site extends to c. 1.75 hectares and is located to the northeast of the city centre, within walking distance from Eyre Square and the Headford Road area.
The Land Development Agency has advised my Department they have reached an agreement with Galway City Council who own the lands, to progress with a residential led development at this site.
Following the most recent draft city development plan, the Land Development Agency is advancing the procurement of a professional design team to progress a phased planning application for the site, which following consultation, will determine the number of residential units and other uses to be accommodated on the site along with a phasing plan.
The Land Development Agency will be funding professional fees for the planning application stage while the capital delivery budget will be developed as the scheme design progresses. The preliminary programme for the project is based on a planning submission in Q3 2024 with unit delivery subject to a positive planning decision.
In relation to Sandy Road, the Land Development Agency has advised my Department that it is currently preparing a Framework Masterplan to guide the development at this site. The public lands are currently owned by Galway City Council, Galway County Council and the ESB, with the ESB site identified in Housing for All as a site that will transfer to the Land Development Agency at the appropriate time. The Land Development Agency will align with the timetable for the Draft City Development Plan and consult on the Framework Masterplan, in early 2023, following the Plan being made. The procurement of a professional design team will follow this.
The Land Development Agency will formulate budgets driven by the feasibility scheme which would support a planning application in the first instance.
359. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that he has taken to advance the recommendations of the National Women’s Council toolkit for local authorities on the way to encourage women into local government and support them to stay. [51925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and I have worked closely with the National Women’s Council for a number of years, and last month I officially launched their Toolkit for Local Authorities on Supporting Family-Friendly Local Government, in the Custom House.
This toolkit, funded by my Department, offers recommendations geared towards assisting both officials and councillors in making the role of local authority members more manageable and sustainable. This toolkit recognises that, while the issue of care disproportionately affects women, it also impacts all people who have caring responsibilities.
My Department has undertaken a wide variety of initiatives aimed at promoting the participation of women, inclusion and diversity in local government, through funding research, providing supports to organisations that deliver capacity building and training for women interested in local government, and annual calls for funding geared towards both political parties and local authorities. The latter calls for funding provide investment for innovative and forward-thinking projects which support wider inclusivity and diversity in local government decision-making structures, a number of which were outlined in the NWCI family friendly toolkit, such as workshops, training and information campaigns. This year, my Department expects, for example, to provide funding to Westmeath County Council for a feasibility study which will examine the infrastructure that would facilitate the childcare needs of councillors, along with the feasibility of providing a multi-purpose room and accessible car parking within the boundaries of the Council buildings. Westmeath County Council will also install a baby changing room on site using Department grant funding.
360. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which companies seeking to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation units for disabled and elderly communities can receive departmental approval in order to be engaged by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51932/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations set out the minimum requirements for the construction of new buildings and certain works to existing buildings. The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. My Department has no function in assessing whether any particular proposal complies with the Building Regulations. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act 1990 – 2020 to the local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.
Separately, the process of Agrément certification applies to those products and processes which do not fall within the scope of existing construction standards, either because they are innovative or because they deviate from established norms. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément assesses, specifies testing, and where appropriate, issues Agrément certificates confirming that new building products, materials, techniques and equipment are safe and fit for purpose in accordance with the Building Regulations and with the terms of the certificate.
The NSAI is a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and, as such, further detail on the Agrément certification is a matter for the NSAI and its parent Department.
My Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses. The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
These grant schemes assist in the carrying out of works to make accommodation more suitable for the needs of older and disabled people, the types of works included are access ramps, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access, etc. The grant schemes also contribute towards other works that are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability or addressing their mobility needs which may include the provision of an extension.
Further details on these schemes is available at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
361. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department receives reports from Irish Water regarding the length of time it is taking to connect new residential schemes to a water supply. [51934/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels in accordance with Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. This includes the connection of new houses to the water services network. Irish Water has been given statutory responsibility in this domain, and I, as Minister, have no function in relation to this matter.
Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of Irish Water has been assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). In accordance with Part V of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, the CRU is responsible for the determination of the charges and charging arrangements that shall apply to customers of Irish Water. On this basis, the CRU has come to its own independent assessment of the appropriate charges and charging arrangements that shall apply to new network connections.
The charging arrangements for Irish Water customers is a matter in the first instance for Irish Water. Any issues, which cannot be resolved by Irish Water to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) whose decision on the matter is binding on Irish Water.
My Department receives quarterly progress updates on key statistics and information on investments linked to housing and housing initiatives relating to 'Housing for All' including the delivery of new connections.
At the end of Q2 2022, Irish Water responded to 88% of pre-connection enquiries and 79% of connection applications within 16 weeks. In the first six months of 2022, Irish Water issued positive responses to 1,572 enquiries associated with 58,418 housing units and issued 2,392 connection offers associated with 18,044 housing units. Customers have accepted 1,584 offers associated with 13,259 housing units. Irish Water completed 1,908 connections to water infrastructure associated with 10,723 housing units.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
362. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 15 September 2022, the maximum spend permitted for Traveller accommodation in each of the years since 2020; if there is a ceiling on the funding that each local authority can draw down or any other budgetary restrictions since the allocation process was amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities and implemented a new allocation process following a review of arrangements for the disbursement of funding provision and related supports for Traveller specific accommodation. Since 2020, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and draw down funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. Funding ceilings are not applied to individual local authorities and funding is managed within the overall annual Exchequer provision.
The capital provision for Traveller specific accommodation since 2020 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Capital Provision |
|
2020 |
€14,500,000 |
|
2021 |
€15,500,000 |
|
2022 |
€18,000,000 |
363. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s plans for the fire stations in Ballyshannon and Bundoran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy and progressing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (had a new site been acquired?, etc.); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
Project consideration stages in my Department include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
In July 2022, representatives of Donegal County Council and the Donegal Municipal district met with officials of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) from my Department regarding plans for Ballyshannon and Bundoran Fire stations. At the July meeting the NDFEM officials outlined the application process including the provision of a Business Case, in order that an assessment might be made under the Public Spending Code rules set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the provision of funding allocation.Once a business case is received by my Department, it will be evaluated and further considered in the context of the funding available under the existing Capital Programme.
364. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of notices of termination that have been submitted to the Residential Tenancies Board since the beginning of July 2022. [52035/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 , to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
From 6 July 2022, Part 11 of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 amends the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to require landlords to copy the RTB when serving a notice of termination.
Information on Notices of Termination is contained on the website of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) at: www.rtb.ie/data-hub.
Arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the additional information sought.
365. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeowners who have availed of the repair and leasing scheme in each county since its inception, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52057/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on the repair and leasing scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q2 2022 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
This includes the number of units delivered by each local authority since the launch of the scheme. My Department does not hold details of the property owners.
