Written Answers Nos. 633-652
633. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what guidance has been given to local authorities regarding variable rate mortgages provided by the local authorities and whether the Department agrees with local authorities passing on said rate increases to the mortgage holders. [47784/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra635. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has considered providing funding to local authorities to absorb the increased cost of mortgage interest applying to mortgage policies they have provided. [47786/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 635 together.
Local authorities' loan books are comprised of both fixed and variable rate loans. Historically most loans were variable rate, but under the current Local Authority Home Loan all new mortgages issued are fixed rate, as was the case for the vast majority of mortgages issued under the predecessor Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The current value of outstanding local authority mortgages are approximately evenly split between fixed and variable rates.
Legally, the rate of interest on a housing loan shall be such rate as may be fixed from time to time by the Minister, provided that the rate shall not be less than the rate at which money is lent to housing authorities by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) for the purpose of making such housing loans. Local authorities do not have discretion to individually set interest rates.
Operationally, local authorities borrow from the HFA to finance their mortgage lending. Therefore, their cost of financing is largely determined by the rate of interest charged by the HFA. As the cost of finance to the HFA is determined by the cost of finance on international markets, recent rises in wholesale interest rates and increased interest rate volatility have resulted in higher HFA interest rates being charged to local authorities, for both new fixed rate lending and historic variable rate mortgages. Consequently, this has resulted in increases to rates for borrowers.
The latest increase in the variable rate by the HFA, which was 0.5%, took effect from 1st October 2023. Given the pressures facing variable mortgage holders and that the latest variable increase would have been the second such increase this year, I instructed local authorities not to pass on all of the interest rate increase to borrowers. This reduced the increase due to be paid by borrowers from 0.5% to 0.2%. This brings the all in cost for variable loans to 4%, which is relatively low compared to most variable rate mortgages.
634. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the mortgage interest relief scheme proposed by his Government will also include those on local authority mortgages that are affected. [47785/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMortgage Interest Tax Relief measures were announced in Budget 2024. The details of the scheme are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
As with borrowers from commercial banks, borrowers with local authority mortgages are potentially eligible to apply for mortgage interest relief, subject to the qualifying conditions of the scheme. It will be a matter for qualifying mortgage holders to apply to the Revenue Commissioners for this relief. Local Authorities can provide mortgage information to borrowers where requested to do so.
636. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants to the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability scheme in the years 2019 to date in County Monaghan; the number approved; the number who are awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47796/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
Details of the number of grants paid and the amount spent by each local authority, including by Monaghan County Council, for 2019- 2022 are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
Exchequer funding of €66.5 million is available nationally for the scheme in 2023 and Monaghan County Council received an Exchequer allocation of €1.6 million. The Council claimed a total of €1.448 million in Exchequer funding to date, facilitating the payment of a total of 249 grants so far in 2023.
Details in relation to the number of applicants with a grant approval or awaiting grant payment are not available in my Department. This information may be available directly from the local authority.
637. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the government of Israel, any state body of the government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47810/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find table below outlining my Department's engagement with the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection and Israel's Ministry of Housing and Construction.
|
Date |
Unit within DHLGH |
Engagement with |
Initiated by |
Type of Engagement |
Topic(s) |
|
08-Aug-22 |
Climate and Construction Innovation Unit |
Israel’s Ministry of Housing and Construction |
Israel’s Ministry of Housing and Construction |
Online Meeting |
Construction Industry Register Ireland and the drivers to put this on a statutory footing; Brief discussion on Modern Methods of Construction |
|
12-Sep-22 |
Rental Market Unit |
Israel’s Ministry of Housing and Construction |
Israel’s Ministry of Housing and Construction |
Online Meeting |
(Meeting arranged as follow-on action from 08 August 2022 meeting above.) Discussion on rising rents, rent controls and house prices. No further actions from this meeting. |
|
09-Jun-23 |
Marine Environment Unit |
Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection |
Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection |
|
The Department responded to an informal information gathering email received on 07/06/2023 from Israeli Ministry, requesting information regarding Ireland's regulations or standards aimed at preventing leakage of micro plastics from recycling plants through wastewater systems.The Department in response advised that Marine Environment Unit is aware of discussions at EU level to consider such matters in future revisions to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. |
To note: Ireland (represented by Met Éireann) and Israel (represented by the Israeli Met service) are both members of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). In delegate bodies of EUMETNET, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and WMO, delegates from Met Éireann attend meetings on occasion where Israeli delegates are also present.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the Table below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
info@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
reps@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
638. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47828/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has had no engagement with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the Table below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
info@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
reps@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
639. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 18 October 2023, if the draft regulations have been presented to his private office for consideration; when it is expected that these regulations will be published; if there is a period of time provided for in the regulations before they will be fully applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47866/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed the European Union (In-Building Physical Infrastructure for High-Speed Electronic Communications) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 520 of 2023) on 25 October 2023. They apply from that date. The Regulations are available on the electronic Irish Statute Book at the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/si/520/made/en/pdf.
640. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of government funding for all Dublin City Council housing programmes and expenditure in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the designated uses for each funding stream; if he will report on any projected changes in individual funding streams for 2024; and the rationale for any changes in funding. [47868/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding provided for Dublin City Council’s Housing Programmes, by delivery stream, in each of the years from 2018 to end September 2023, is set out in the table below.
|
Delivery Stream |
2018€m |
2019€m |
2020€m |
2021€m |
2022€m |
2023 (to end September) €m |
|
Build |
153 |
101 |
132 |
164 |
135 |
69 |
|
Acquisition |
102 |
133 |
87 |
107 |
65 |
54 |
|
Lease |
19 |
27 |
35 |
52 |
64 |
29 |
|
HAP* |
12 |
15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
RAS |
15 |
15 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
8 |
|
Homelessness** |
106 |
121 |
218 |
173 |
180 |
140 |
|
Other Capital Programmes |
17 |
27 |
14 |
11 |
25 |
11 |
|
Other Current Programmes |
15 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
|
Total |
439 |
455 |
520 |
540 |
501 |
328 |
Budget 2024 provides for continued record investment in Housing with €4.1bn in Exchequer funding for the delivery of housing programmes, comprising Capital funding of €2.6bn and Current funding of €1.5bn. The Capital provision of €2.6bn will be supplemented by Land Development Agency (LDA) investment and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) lending, resulting in an overall capital provision of over €5bn in 2024.
Detailed information in respect of the Housing elements of Budget 2024 are set out in the 2024 Expenditure Measures Report, which is available at the following link:
gov.ie - Budget 2024: Expenditure Reports (www.gov.ie)
The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service (REV) will be published in mid-December and will set out the final detail on the 2024 allocations for the Housing programmes.
Notes:
*In respect of HAP, the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service was established in January 2018 and it was made available to each of the 31 local authorities. Initially, my Department recouped these additional HAP Place Finder financial supports (deposits and advance rents) to each individual local authority, including to Dublin City Council in 2018 and 2019. However, Limerick City and County Council now provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP-related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department stopped recouping Dublin City Council in respect of HAP Place Finder payments from 2020 and instead recoups these payments via the HAP SSC. Further information in relation to HAP expenditure is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
gov.ie - Overall social and affordable housing provision (www.gov.ie)
** The administration of homeless services is organised across nine administrative regions, with one local authority in each of the regions acting as “the lead authority". The role of the lead authority for each region includes the disbursement of Exchequer funding across the region. The lead authorities for the regions are Dublin City, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath, Cork City and Galway City. Financial reports from each of the nine homeless regions are published on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data
641. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the anticipated changes in funding to local authorities for 2024 in respect of the conversion of voids; and, where a reduction in funding is projected, the rationale for such a reduction. [47869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra642. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 24 October 2023, if any reduction in subvention to any local authority will be reduced in the years 2023 or 2024; and if so, the rationale for such a reduction. [47870/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra643. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for capping the average amount spent by local authorities under the void programme at an average of €11,000 across all dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of this reimbursement in view of the cost of building materials and labour. [47903/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 641, 642 and 643 together.
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long-term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
The emphasis of the programme is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. There is no specific levels of subvention and therefore, the question of a reduction does not arise. Under the Voids programme, local authorities select properties for the programme and there is no upper cap on the amount that can be spent on an individual unit, providing the total amount averaged across all dwellings submitted by a local authority is met.
From 2020 to the end of 2022, expenditure of some €117.5 million has been recouped to local authorities under the Voids Programme which funded the return to productive use of 8,339 social homes nationwide.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, local authorities should now be in a strong position to continue the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids-based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
644. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the preparations of the guidance document on improving energy efficiency in traditional buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47939/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is preparing a guidance document on Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings. A Project Steering Group was established to oversee the preparation of the guidance and includes representatives from:
- The Built Heritage Policy and Climate Action Policy sections of my Department
- The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- The Department of Education and Skills
- The Heritage Council
- SEAI
- The Office of Public Works
The drafting of the Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings guidance document is well advanced. The final draft of the document is currently with the graphic designer in advance of publication before the end of the year.
645. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all projects under the ready to build (serviced sites) scheme, whether underway or completed, broken down by local authority, size and current status of the project. [47974/23]
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 challenge of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
In September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, was launched. Under the Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the purposes of building a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
It is a matter for the local authority to identify a suitable site that is either already in their ownership or that can be acquired. It is intended that the local authority will develop existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.
My Department is continuing to liaise with all local authorities with respect to the scheme. Eight sites have been made available for sale by Laois County Council. Over 110 sites have been identified by various local authorities for potential sale, but have not officially been submitted under the scheme to date. My Department is working with those local authorities to progress the sites to sale.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
646. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if land currently owned by a State agency and not zoned residential would be eligible under the ready to build (serviced sites) scheme prior to a material contravention being made. [47975/23]
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 challenge of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
In September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, was launched. Under the Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the purposes of building a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
It is a matter for the local authority to identify a suitable site that is either already in their ownership or that can be acquired. It is intended that the local authority will develop existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
647. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if prospective homeowners can access the enhanced help-to-buy scheme to build a home on a serviced site developed under the ready to build (serviced sites) scheme. [47976/23]
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 challenge of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
In September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, was launched. Under the Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the purposes of building a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
It is a matter for the local authority to identify a suitable site that is either already in their ownership or that can be acquired. It is intended that the local authority will develop existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.
My Department is continuing to liaise with all local authorities with respect to the scheme. Eight sites have been made available for sale to date in Laois. Over 100 potential sites have been identified by various local authorities.
The conditions of the Ready to Build Scheme do not preclude prospective applicants from availing of other Government initiatives such as the enhanced Help to Buy Scheme.
648. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the revised cost rental equity loan (CREL) guidance document will be published. [48000/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Housing for All, 18,000 Cost Rental homes are targeted between now and 2030. While the initial pipeline of Cost Rental homes are targeted in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork City and other major urban centres, similar to Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes, Cost Rental delivery will also be scaled up and implemented across more Local Authorities as soon as practicable.
Since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act in July 2021, over 800 Cost Rental homes have been delivered, by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency (LDA).
The Government increased income thresholds for Cost Rental homes, with net household income limits for eligibility of €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. This was introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023, replacing the former national net income limit of €53,000. The increased thresholds recognise that prevailing rents in the private market have increased significantly in recent years and a large cohort of private renters are experiencing severe affordability challenges, particularly in Dublin. The new thresholds will apply to all Cost Rental homes provided under the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
The Government has also agreed significant changes to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) on foot of a recommendation from the Working Group on the Cost Rental Equity Loan. CREL is available to Approved Housing Bodies which provide Cost Rental homes. The improved loan will see availability of increased levels of loan finance, together with new State equity investment which will improve the ability of Approved Housing Bodies to bring forward Cost Rental homes. Overall State funding is increasing from 45% up to 55% of capital costs, on a sliding scale as necessary for project viability at appropriate rent levels. The existing loan model is being supplemented with new State equity investment element (up to a maximum of 20% of capital costs), which will effectively never need to be realised so long as the property remains in the Cost Rental sector.
My Department informed the Approved Housing Bodies (AHB's) and the Housing Agency of these changes to the CREL scheme and the Department is currently finalising a revised CREL guidance document, which will be issued to the AHB's and their representative groups in the coming weeks. While the issuing of revised guidance will be of use, it is no barrier to applications being submitted or assessed and indeed AHB's have been encouraged to, and continue to, submit CREL applications, which have been assessed and approved under the new parameters.
649. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48015/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently engage the company referred to, nor has it done so in the past 5 years.
650. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to update the 2006 wind energy development guidelines relative to the changes in that sector, such as technology and the size of a single turbine and how these turbines adversely affect local communities; the status of the 2019 guidelines; to outline his intentions relative to the need for such guidelines; if he will set out his response to documents, linked by QR code, submitted to his Department by this Deputy from a group (details supplied) detailing its concerns and proposals regarding wind energy and the just transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48023/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his position on each of four matters (details supplied) relative to the development/improvement of Government policy on wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. In line with the “preferred draft approach”, the review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with DECC which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, is currently advancing guidance on the noise aspect of Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. Both Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
In this connection, DECC has appointed noise consultants to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. My Department is engaging with DECC and the noise consultants with a view to moving this aspect of the review forward. My Department, in conjunction with DECC, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work, with a view to bringing the review of the Guidelines to a conclusion.
It should be noted that Action EL/23/4 of the Climate Action Plan 2023 Annex of Actions contains a commitment to having new draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines prepared by the end of Q4 2023, with revised Guidelines to be published in 2024. My Department is working on the finalisation and publication of the revised Guidelines in line with this commitment.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
Supplementary to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Code of Practice for Wind Energy Development in Ireland - Guidelines for Community Engagement published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) sets out to ensure that wind energy development in Ireland is undertaken in observance with the best industry practices, and with the full engagement of communities around the country. The inclusion of AA1000 and OECD Standards or any review of the Code of the Practice would be a matter for DECC to consider.
In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies as well as any guidelines issued by my Department.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
652. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, given the discrepancies in the clawback calculations from FOI responses received from Dublin City Council (€24,000) and South Dublin County Council (€40,000), and noting that legislation mandates consistent clawback rules for homes resold within 20 years, he will clarify the proper implementation of the clawback, as per the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48033/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the clawback on previous affordable housing schemes is Section 99 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, or Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, depending on the home in question. Both pieces of legislation set the same clawback rule: where the property is resold within 20 years, the homeowner must pay a clawback amount equal to a percentage of the proceeds of the sale.
The clawback is a legal requirement which all relevant parties would have been made aware of in advance of purchase, but the percentage reduces over time and withers after 20 years. As laid out in the aforementioned legislation, the calculation of the clawback is based on the proceeds of the sale, i.e. the selling price.
As a contractual party, all issues pertaining to the clawback are a matter for the relevant local authority.
