Written Answers Nos. 393-417
393. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current members of Sport Ireland; the Minister who appointed each; and the current remuneration of each, in tabular form. [14031/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the membership of all State Boards is available on the State Boards website. The names of current Sport Ireland Board members, along with their dates of appointment, expiry dates and the basis of their appointment are available at the following link: membership.stateboards.ie/en/board/Sport%20Ireland/
In all cases, the appointments were made by the relevant Minister with responsibility for sport at the date of appointment / reappointment.
In line with Government guidelines on fees payable to members of State boards, Sport Ireland is a Category 3 body. Board fees payable to members under this category are €11,970 per annum for the position of chairperson and €7,695 per annum for ordinary members. In addition, travelling and subsistence allowances can be payable, subject to the appropriate conditions, at the rates applicable to civil servants of the highest grade in relation to travel reasonably undertaken in relation to the appointment. Details of Board fees and allowances paid to board members are published in Sport Ireland’s annual accounts.
A PAS process to fill vacancies for the positions of Chairperson and two ordinary members of Sport Ireland has recently concluded and appointments to those positions will be announced shortly.
394. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the operation of Sections 39 and 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 and Section 7 of the Heritage Act 2018 to address repeated incidents occurring annually of illegal land burning. [14001/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently conducting a review of wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project, taking in every facet of our wildlife laws. It will entail extensive public consultation. It will examine closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
I am keen that our laws offer the best protection possible for wildlife and biodiversity, are based on sound scientific and ecological advice, and strike a fair balance between economic and social needs and the needs of wildlife. The issue of burning is one area that will be looked at closely as part of this review.
395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to review the rent pressure zones (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12238/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the difficulties in the housing market at present. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has primary responsibility for housing policy. As part of the Housing for All action plan update published last November, I understand that his Department will undertake a review of the private rental sector. I expect that this review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years and will ensure that our housing system provides an efficient, affordable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants.
The exiting of small landlords from the private rental sector is a consequence of multiple factors. A changing regulatory environment which has been necessary to ensure a fair and effective residential rental sector that balances tenants' rights and landlords' responsibilities has resulted in a challenging compliance framework for some. The recent rise in house prices has also prompted some landlords to sell their rental properties. Fears of legitimate access to their properties without encumbrance arising future policy decisions have been cited by others.
In relation to landlords subject to income tax, rental income is part of the total taxable income of the landlord. Individual landlords may be subject to income tax at their marginal rate of tax in addition to which USC and PRSI will also apply.
I would make the point that there is already a range of tax-based measures in place to support private landlords. These measures include 100% mortgage interest relief, the new-retro-fitting allowance introduced in Finance Act 2022 and a number of other deductible expenses. For example, owners of rental properties are entitled to claim deductions of up to €10,000 against rental income from that premises for various expenses incurred prior to it being first let after a six-month period of non-occupancy.
As the Deputy will be aware, decisions regarding tax incentives and reliefs are normally made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. Such decisions must have regard to the sound management of the public finances and my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, may serve to narrow the tax base and can make general reform of the tax system that much more difficult.
With that said, my Department continues to monitor all aspects of the property market, including the number of landlords in the rental sector, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Government to ensure that any further interventions in the housing market are appropriately calibrated, represent the best use of scarce public resources and boost the supply of housing in both the public and private sectors.
396. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are two schemes for social housing retrofitting, one for voids and one for occupied homes. [12251/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra397. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units to be retrofitted in Cork in 2023. [12252/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
My Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP) in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 to the end of 2022, over 77,500 local authority social housing dwellings have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of over €251 million.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the programme, designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. Works are typically carried out in this order. The installation of gas/oil boilers or solid fuel/inset stoves including wood pellet stoves are not supported by the Department under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
Separately the emphasis under the Department's Voids funding Programme is on minimum refurbishment works by the relevant local authorities to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Energy efficiency works may be carried out in parallel and if so the works associated with the EERP, as prescribed in 2021, apply.
The 2023 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support from €85 million allocated in 2022 to €87 million in 2023 with details of this year’s programme including target allocations being finalised. Due to the BER requirement of B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent under the programme, it will ensure that each property will have improved energy efficiency performance post upgrade works. With regard to the local authority properties which are selected to be retrofitted through funding available from the EERP, the selection of properties is a matter for each individual local authority.
398. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12272/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Financial Procedures (PFP) set out the guidance and procedures for managing annual Voted provisions. The Virement process i.e. the application of savings on one or more subheads to meet excess expenditure on another subhead in the same Vote is possible because the annual Appropriation Act specifies in the Schedule only the ambit (Part 1) of each Vote. The Act does not give legal effect to the individual subheads as “to do so would disrupt the smooth working of the financial system.”
My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda to deliver on key Government priorities covering a broad range of functions on Housing, Water, Planning, Local Government, Met Éireann and Heritage. The annual total Gross Voted provision for my Department since I took office is set out below:
|
Year |
Gross Voted Provision* |
|
2020 |
€5.5 billion |
|
2021 |
€5.5 billion |
|
2022 |
€6.2 billion |
|
2023 |
€6.6 billion |
*including capital carryover
This significant level of funding, which is essential to deliver on key Government priorities, is the result of the annual Estimates process where detailed assessments and costing exercises are undertaken to estimate the total amount of funding required and to allocate that funding to each Programme in the Vote. This substantial funding is further allocated across large number and range of specific subheads across the Vote. Maximum flexibility, in line with Public Financial Procedures, is required to reallocate funding to ensure optimal use of available funding to deliver the maximum level of outputs.
As provided for in the Public Financial Procedures the prior approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR) is sought by my Department when virement is proposed.
Summary details of the number and value of virements since 2020 are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
No. of Virements |
Total Value of Virements |
|
2020 |
35 |
€179m |
|
2021 |
43 |
€450m* |
|
2022 |
47 |
€109m |
*includes €310m provided for the Local Government Fund to partially cover the cost of the Commercial Rates Waivers arising in 2021
Explanations for variations in Programme expenditure are detailed in my Department’s Appropriation Accounts of the relevant years and can be found at the link below:
www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/appropriation%20accounts/
399. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when a standardised approach to the calculation of rents for local authority tenants will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12328/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits to developing proposals for a standardised national differential rents scheme across the country. Following the publication of Housing for All Action Plan Update in November 2022, and having regard to the significant changes in the economic environment over the past year, this action is now scheduled for completion in Q3 2023. A decision to implement a revised national scheme will be considered thereafter, as appropriate.
400. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the security contract for the Department of Housing, 90 North King Street has been awarded to a company (details supplied); and his views in relation to same, given the ongoing industrial dispute in relation to the company. [12331/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 115 of 8 March 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
401. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeless people on the housing list in Waterford and nationally, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12340/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2021, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/f6119-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2021-key-findings/
Details in relation to those whose basis of need for social housing support is "Homeless/living in an institution, emergency accommodation or hostel" can be found at tables 2.5 and A1.5 of the report.
The SSHA is a point in time exercise. It is not directly comparable to the monthly reports published by my Department vis-à-vis the number of persons in emergency accommodation arrangements.
The 2022 SSHA will be published shortly.
402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the report Retained Fire Services in Ireland: A Review of Recruitment and Retention and the Future Sustainability of Service Delivery, which was published in December 2022; the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12349/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions No. 159 and 166 of 9 March 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
403. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes completed in the past two years in Waterford and nationally, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12350/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes, broken down by houses and apartments, respectively completed in Waterford and nationally in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12351/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Quarter 3 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/ Data for Quarter 4 2022 is currently being collated and will be published in the coming weeks. My Department currently does not hold details of delivery by housing typology across all the social housing delivery streams. This data may be available from the relevant local authorities.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
405. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown on the amount of subsidy administered for type A, B and C determinants by each local authority for group water schemes, in tabular form, listing the number of group water schemes under each local authority's remit and the total subsidy allocated annually from 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12352/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Departments’ Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, facilitates the development of water services for areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services. Responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of the Programme is devolved to the local authorities. My Department funds the authorities to carry out their work under the Programme.
Local authorities are responsible for the administration of the annual subsidy to Group Water Schemes (GWS) on behalf of my Department. As part of their assessment of an application for funding, local authorities are required to verify all expenditure being claimed.
I can advise that my Department does not maintain data on subsidy payments in the detail requested. The day-to-day administration of the subsidy, including numbers of GWS under each local authorities remit, subsidy type and payment amounts to each GWS are a matter for the relevant authority. Therefore, local authorities are best placed to provide this information.
However, my Department has prepared the table below detailing the amount of total subsidy paid to each local authority for the years 2018 to 2022.
|
Local Authority |
2018 € |
2019 € |
2020 € |
2021 € |
2022 € |
|
Carlow |
244,789 |
349,900 |
295,134 |
292,712 |
261,775 |
|
Cavan |
3,988,608 |
4,280,801 |
4,621,391 |
3,712,675 |
5,450,581 |
|
Clare |
1,470,453 |
1,692,094 |
1,750,217 |
1,555,589 |
2,160,774 |
|
Cork |
126,545 |
186,498 |
164,236 |
169,309 |
185,702 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,097 |
2,477 |
|
Donegal |
138,461 |
199,803 |
195,625 |
182,458 |
231,415 |
|
Galway |
3,511,087 |
4,322,114 |
4,188,969 |
4,008,795 |
5,328,286 |
|
Kerry |
298,466 |
189,787 |
375,591 |
252,165 |
352,216 |
|
Kildare |
117,510 |
160,282 |
167,147 |
163,549 |
150,577 |
|
Kilkenny |
356,588 |
195,606 |
625,664 |
412,970 |
373,817 |
|
Laois |
427,394 |
462,349 |
515,157 |
516,018 |
509,802 |
|
Leitrim |
336,143 |
349,968 |
387,407 |
304,135 |
307,875 |
|
Limerick |
1,439,582 |
1,470,988 |
1,599,504 |
1,195,669 |
1,459,069 |
|
Longford |
6,026 |
28,133 |
17,940 |
12,654 |
12,719 |
|
Louth |
147,578 |
59,600 |
289,409 |
276,121 |
221,142 |
|
Mayo |
3,953,105 |
5,293,427 |
4,922,982 |
4,785,200 |
5,486,211 |
|
Meath |
116,012 |
114,242 |
146,323 |
160,330 |
170,378 |
|
Monaghan |
2,622,346 |
4,401,947 |
4,131,909 |
3,524,883 |
4,911,747 |
|
Offaly |
949,607 |
1,167,603 |
588,403 |
1,363,783 |
1,017,513 |
|
Roscommon |
638,099 |
886,780 |
870,528 |
865,562 |
1,157,013 |
|
Sligo |
1,054,601 |
1,530,834 |
982,287 |
1,251,584 |
2,110,481 |
|
Tipperary |
500,845 |
544,875 |
603,826 |
574,946 |
563,446 |
|
Waterford |
11,160 |
15,356 |
17,134 |
17,756 |
19,776 |
|
Westmeath |
46,836 |
54,090 |
61,968 |
61,979 |
62,280 |
|
Wexford |
363,586 |
588,831 |
547,817 |
620,031 |
582,681 |
|
Wicklow |
101,152 |
121,303 |
101,597 |
114,956 |
120,333 |
|
Total |
22,966,578 |
28,667,210 |
28,168,168 |
26,399,928 |
33,210,086 |
Figures in table have been rounded to the nearest euro.
406. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections undertaken by each local authority administrating a subsidy towards the cost of group water schemes; the number of enforcement notices issued to recover a subsidy not meeting terms and conditions of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra407. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that proper oversight on the financial governance and regulation of group water schemes is in place by local authorities; if group scheme audit accounts are independently checked by the Local Government Audit Service to which the claim relates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together.
Group Water Schemes (GWS) are community-owned and community-run enterprises which manage water distribution systems in rural areas. My Department provides funding support, including through the payment of an annual subsidy, for some of the day-to-day costs of GWS. The application and approval process for this funding is administered by the local authorities.
There are a number of different subsidy types and rates available and in order to be approved funding, there are conditions and standards that must be met by GWS. As part of the approval process, local authorities are required to verify that the expenditure being claimed is in line with the expenditure detailed in audited accounts, which GWS must provide as part of their application. GWS must also be properly constituted in a way that recognises the members as the owners of the scheme.
Further details on the subsidy can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#operational-funding-for-group-water-schemes
I can advise that applications for subsidies that do not meet the terms and conditions are a matter for the relevant local authority who are best placed to provide this information.
GWS audited accounts are not independently checked by the Local Government Audit Service. However, GWS constituted as co-operatives or companies must have a statutory audit of its annual accounts completed by an external independent auditor. This helps to provide oversight, governance and regulation within the GWS sector.
408. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will arrange for his Department to request all local authorities to carry out an audit of their housing stock in respect of all three, four and five bedroomed properties which are occupied by one person only; if a more progressive plan will be put in place to facilitate those who wish to downsize to smaller houses or apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12370/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra409. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of all properties currently being managed by local authorities which are three, four and five bedroomed but which are occupied by one person only, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
The management of local authority housing stock and social housing waiting lists, including the allocation of tenancies, are matters solely for local authorities in accordance with the Housing Acts and associated Regulations.
That said, local authorities always strive to maximise the use of housing stock and prevent under-occupancy of dwellings. A local authority's statutory allocation scheme seeks to ensure households are offered properties appropriate to their housing need at the time of allocation and avoid under-occupancy from the outset. Local authorities also seek to actively manage allocated dwellings, including in respect of households that were initially allocated properties that met their housing need at the time but who may now be residing in a property under-occupied or too big for their needs.
Most local authorities will also consider housing transfers on the grounds of under-occupation or downsizing, provided certain criteria are met. Such transfers typically depend on smaller, more suitable accommodation being available. Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to decide the conditions to be met in relation to transfer applications.
Housing for All commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. This includes developing a national policy on rightsizing, which is currently being progressed by my Department.
410. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm who is entitled to view deeds of transfer held by the Property Registration Authority; who is entitled to alter any aspect of the property deeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12393/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished on 1 March 2023, Tailte Éireann is the State agency formed following the merger of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland. All the functions previously carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, and Ordnance Survey Ireland will now be performed by Tailte Éireann. Any information required by Oireachtas Members can be sought directly from Tailte Éireann.
Tailte Éireann’s Practice Direction, entitled Inspection of Documents, comprehensively deals with the inspection of deeds retained in the Land Registry. The Practice Direction can be accessed here: www.tailte.ie/registration/guidance-and-legal-practices/legal-practices/practice-directions/inspection-of-documents/
411. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify what health and safety standards local authorities are supposed to adhere to in the provision of emergency accommodation. [12475/23]
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.
It is an operational matter for local authorities to monitor and implement standards in emergency accommodation. To assist in ensuring that homeless services provided are of a high standard, a National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) was developed by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) in partnership with the NGO Sector, the HSE, and other key stakeholders. HIQA lent support to the development process and in drafting the NQSF. The process from development to implementation of the standards framework ran from 2013 to 2019. The standards framework is now in place nationally for all local authority and NGO services.
The DRHE have also adapted the NQSF standards to apply their provisions to private emergency accommodation (PEA). The draft standards for PEA were approved in 2021 and a developmental approach is being taken with the roll out.
412. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate the possibility of the Custom House History Museum recording, recognising and acknowledging An Gorta Mór with a permanent exhibition in the museum as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15 November 2021, I officially opened The Custom House Visitor Centre, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.
The Custom House Visitor Centre is a visitor experience exploring the construction, burning and restoration of Dublin’s Custom House featuring new and interactive exhibits telling the rich history of the building and showcasing its exceptional architecture.
Any queries regarding the exhibition and its content should be directed to the OPW.
413. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any projects under his remit are on hold due to Capital Funding pressures; if he will indicate the projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12630/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any projects on hold due to capital funding pressures. My Department funds a number of bodies who manage their own projects. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
414. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is intended to re-open the caravan loan scheme for the Traveller community; if funding will be made available to fund a replacement caravan for all those that are eligible and need one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12696/23]
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.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
The nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022 and my Department is currently reviewing the operation of the pilot scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. A report is being prepared and options for a further scheme are being considered as part of this review.
415. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, when is it envisaged that the consultation on draft regulations will be commenced and concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12746/23]
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 (DCB) 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 the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021, is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme.
The 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as related Regulations are completed, which Regulations provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act such as application forms and templates, per square metre grant rates and the definition of damage. Draft Regulations have been prepared, which are the subject of ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups, which consultation must be concluded before the Regulations will be finalised and adopted in early 2023. I extended the consultation period on the draft Regulations, which commenced in February 2023, by an additional two weeks, to 14 March 2023, following receipt of requests for time extensions from Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council. The submissions received are now being reviewed and when that review is completed I will engage further with the homeowners' action groups before finalising the Regulations.
Grant rates, to be included in the final Regulations, will be based upon updated regional construction costs for 2023 provided by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). The Expert Group on defective concrete blocks will make recommendations to operationalise the SCSI report figures for 2023 before they are incorporated into the Regulations.
My Department has published an updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks scheme. It can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/
416. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that any named person on a HAP application is provided with accommodation alongside their partners also named on the application. [12800/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP.
A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice.
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter for the relevant local authority.
417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline all funding options available to persons or non-profit groups carrying out stewardship activities of special areas of conservation. [12801/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2022, Government approved a three-year Strategic Action Plan for renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Building on the substantial investment under the Plan, which comes to an additional €55 million across three budgetary cycles, there are a range of funding initiatives managed by the NPWS to support individuals or groups to assist with the conservation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
These include:
- The Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme (PCES)
- The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme (PRBRIS)
- The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS)
- LIFE Wild Atlantic Nature
- LIFE on Machair
- The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF)
- The Community Foundation for Ireland
- NPWS Farm Plan Scheme
- Farming For Nature
In addition, funding supports are available from other sources including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the LEADER Programme, and local authorities.
