Written Answers Nos. 283-296
283. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the targets for minimum standards in rented accommodation inspections for each year since 2019, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10809/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of minimum standards in rented accommodation inspections carried out in each year since 2019, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10810/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. In the years 2019 and 2020, inspection targets of 15% and 20%, respectively, of all registered private residential tenancies were set. Housing for All sets a target of 25%, i.e. from 2021. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections and enforcement carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/
While 2022 inspection data in respect of some local authorities is still currently being validated by my Department, circa 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings were undertaken last year- this represents the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
285. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if arrangements can be put in place to allow Irish students living abroad as part of their course of study in an Irish university, including students on Erasmus programmes, to vote in Irish elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10824/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish students enrolled in an Irish course, but temporarily on a placement overseas, can be considered for inclusion in the postal vote or otherwise accommodated to participate in elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 307 together.
Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including for full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State. Under section 63 of the of the Electoral Act 1997, students pursuing a course of study on a full-time basis at an educational institution in the State who are registered at, and living away from, the family residence for study purposes and cannot attend at their designated polling station on polling day are eligible to apply for entry onto the postal voters' list.
Additionally, students who live away from home while attending college have the choice of being registered at their parents' address or their student residential address within the State.
Section 11(3) of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that a person shall be deemed not to have given up ordinary residence if he intends to resume residence within eighteen months after giving it up.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a commitment to mandate the Electoral Commission, known as An Coimisiún Toghcháin, to examine the use of postal voting, with a view to expanding its provision. An Coimisiún Toghcháin, which was established on 9 February 2023, will be requested to carry out research in respect of this matter in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Any reform of electoral law concerning postal voting generally will have regard to the outcome of this work.
286. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the particular aspect of the vacant homes policy contained within the Croí Cónaithe scheme (i.e. ownership of second properties) was currently under review and as this is impacting many accessing the grant and bringing properties into use through their local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All. In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November, 2022.
The Grant is focused on home ownership. A range of individuals or households, where the property will be their principal private residence are eligible to avail of the scheme, with the prioritisation of applications for consideration using the framework of priorities below and in line with overall funding available. The priorities are implemented on a sliding scale.
1. Applicants who are First Time Buyers (i.e. not have purchased or built a home for themselves) or who qualify under the ‘Fresh Start’ principle. The Fresh Start principle includes previous homeowners who have experienced divorce or separation, or insolvency or bankruptcy, and who no longer have a legal interest in the previous home.
2 Applicants (other than 1 above) who have particular needs – specifically, disabled people or older people who are moving from their current home which they are selling or have sold and want to refurbish and live in a vacant property.
3. Applicants (other than 1 and 2 above) who are moving from their current home which they are selling or have sold and want to refurbish and live in a vacant property.
The Grant is exclusively available to individuals or households for which the property will be their principal private residence. It is not available to undertakings and/or developers, etc. and applicants must be selling or have sold their current home.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
287. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Irish Water hopes to complete the full replacement of all lead water pipes nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann (UÉ) has statutory responsibility for water services planning, delivery and operation at a national, regional and local level.
This includes responsibility for addressing lead risks in the public water system for which UÉ has its own Lead in Drinking Water Mitigation Plan.
I have no function in this matter. However, Uisce Éireann 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.
288. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place regarding index-linked gratuity payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms for gratuity payments to elected members of local authorities are as set out in the provisions of the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002-2006. The calculation of the gratuity is based upon the Representational Payment that was in place when the Principal Regulations were given effect and this is adjusted in proportion to any adjustments made to the salary of a Senator.
The Regulations provide for a maximum gratuity payment, after 20 years of service, that is worth 400% of the amount of the adjusted Representational Payment. As of 1 March 2023 the adjusted Representational Payment is worth €19,166 and so this provides for a maximum gratuity of €76,664 to a retiring member with 20 years service after leaving local government service.
The gratuity becomes payable when a person, having reached the age of 50 years and with at least 2 years qualifying service, ceases to be an elected member of a local authority whether voluntarily or as a result of not being re-elected.
Where a person ceases to be an elected member before age 50 then the gratuity is preserved until he or she reaches the age of 50 years. The amount of a preserved gratuity is calculated based on the adjusted Representational Payment applicable on the date that the former member reaches the age of 50 years.
The calculation of the gratuity in individual cases is a matter for the relevant local authority.
289. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning permission is required for a licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10907/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Section 4 of the Act and articles 6, 7, 8 and 10 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations, Class 5 sets out the specific exemption for minerals and petroleum prospecting from the requirement to obtain planning permission:
(a) The carrying out of works on any land for the purpose of minerals prospecting and the erection or placing on land of any structures required for that purpose, where the prospecting is carried out pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence, lease or permission granted by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999;
(b) The carrying out of works on any land for the purpose of searching for petroleum and the erection or placing on land of any structures required for that purpose, where the searching is carried out pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of an exploration licence, a petroleum prospecting licence or a reserved area licence granted by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 (No. 7 of 1960).
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
290. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of single men with no parental responsibilities under the age of 60 years who are on the waiting list for social housing and-or voluntary agencies housing in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10963/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of single women with no parental responsibilities under the age of 60 years who are on the waiting list for social housing and-or voluntary agencies housing in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10964/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.
The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists is generally a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.
That said, details on the number and composition of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments. The most recent summary, conducted in November 2021, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/f6119-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2021-key-findings/
While the data sought in the Question are not detailed in the summary report, analysis by the Housing Agency suggests there were 275 single men and 165 single women under the age of 60 and with no parental responsibilities on the waiting list for social housing in Clare on the 'count date' in November 2021.
The 2022 Summary of Social Housing Assessments will be published shortly.
292. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grant aid available to small - three or more connections - group water schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the Rural Water Programme are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/
My Department is currently working to finalise the Multi Annual Rural Water Programme 2022 – 2025 which will build on the success and achievements of previous programmes.
293. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with respect to the European Commission's approval of the Croí Cónaithe cities scheme, the dates and summaries of the notifications between his Department and the Directorate-General for Competition in relation to this scheme; how the scheme will be implemented; the timeframes; the reason the scheme was located within the Housing Agency rather than the local authorities, given their experience in dealing with turnkey developments to date. [11073/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports building 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers up to 2026. The scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The scheme is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.
The scheme launched in May 2022 with an Expressions of Interest process, which is being managed and administered by The Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. The Housing Agency is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the Irish housing sector. The agency has a team of dedicated housing professionals with the knowledge and expertise to administer the scheme.
Since receipt of applications in June 2022, The Housing Agency has been undertaking the various appraisal stages which deal with the following:
1. Eligibility of proposals
2. Ranking of suitable proposals and
3. A detailed due diligence process leading to designation (current stage).
In May 2022, in tandem with the launch of the EOI process, a pre-notification of the scheme under Article 107 (3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union was made by my Department to the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission (DG COMP). In the context of pre-notification contacts, on 17 June 2022, the DG COMP sent a request for information to the Department, to which a reply was given on 15 July 2022. Additional information was provided by my Department on 17 October, 12 and 16 November and 5 December 2022 as part of the pre-notification process. Following this process, on 7 December 2022 my Department formally notified the scheme to DG COMP, with additional information provided on 16 December 2022.
On 6 February 2023, my Department received notification from DG COMP that the scheme has been deemed compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 107 (3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This positive decision enables The Housing Agency to actively progress matters on processing and concluding Stage 3 of the Scheme and will allow the building of designated apartments to get underway.
Per the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), a second call under the scheme is expected to be announced by end of Q2 2023.
294. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking in response to illegal land burning which occurred in Cork south-west in recent days. [11085/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. Illegal and uncontrolled burning of land brings a high degree of danger and causes serious damage in some of our most important natural landscapes. In respect of fires in South and West Cork, unfortunately some of these extensive fires occurred in designated sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas). Preliminary investigations indicate more than 6000 acres were burnt.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department prioritises fire patrols to take account of the prohibited period for burning under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act (from 01 March to 31 August), and to take account of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). In the event that any burning incidents are observed in SACs or SPAs during these patrols they will be investigated under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. For undesignated areas, investigations will be under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act. Where evidence is adequate the NPWS will seek a prosecution. As is standard practice, the NPWS will also report illegal fires to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) through the Cross Compliance procedures which may result in automatic deductions to landowners from their Basic Farm Payment.
Particular and increasing vigilance in aerial monitoring is in place across our National Parks and Nature Reserves, designated sites and wider countryside this year. We are monitoring fires along the West Coast and spreading South to Cork and Kerry including close surveillance on Killarney National Park. NPWS staff remain vigilant, working closely with the Gardaí and the Fire Service, and will continue aerial surveillance with increasing regularity and to supplement the intense ground patrol over the coming months.
Cork based staff of the NPWS actively participate in the Cork Wildfire Co-Operation Group, which is an Inter-Agency initiative (NPWS, DAFM, Forest Service, Teagasc, Coillte, Fire Service, Gardaí, and the Irish Farmers Association). Its brief is to foster best practice and legal compliance with vegetation burning by landowners.
The NPWS is also working to review, consolidate and modernise the Wildlife Act and the Birds and Habitats Regulations. The updates to this legislation will be wide-ranging but will have a particular focus on deterrence and on improving the enforceability of wildlife laws.
295. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes delivered in Cork city in 2022. [11099/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared and published a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. I have set individual five-year Housing delivery targets for local authorities. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need, including Cork City Council, were also set affordable housing delivery targets and asked to include their planned affordable housing delivery in their Housing Delivery Action Plans. These plans were published on the local authorities’ respective websites in July 2022. Cork City Council's housing delivery plan can be viewed at this link www.corkcity.ie/en/media-folder/housing/cork-city-council-housing-delivery-action-plan.pdf
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery significantly increasing this year. A pipeline of housing delivery is in place and being developed by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and by the LDA.
Local authorities were requested to submit their data returns and information on delivery of affordable homes in their area to my Department, in the same manner as is done for social housing. This process has now been completed and statistical data on delivery across all delivery streams is currently being validated. I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics shortly.
296. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 21 February 2023, if he will provide the information that was requested for both the allocation and outturn for each individual programme heading under each Vote for his Department for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. [11120/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Vote 34 REV provision and total gross expenditure by Programme are provided in tabular form at the link below. In each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the provisions provided in the tables reflect the final REV for the Department in that year i.e. post any Supplementary Estimates and the totals include the relevant capital carryover amounts.
