Tuesday, 16 Apr 2024

Written Answers Nos. 383-406

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (383)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

383. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a European citizen can seek remedies under section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to implement the legislation transposed into Irish law by the Houses of the Oireachtas under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972, to give effect to the CJEU judgements against Ireland in Cases C-50/09 and C-215/06; if not, if he must transform further legislation to ensure compliance with Articles 2 to 4 of the EIA Directive, as amended by the Public Participation Directive 2003/35; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16685/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Section 160 of the Planning and Development Act (the Act) provides that a planning authority or any other person can apply to the High Court for an injunction in relation to an unauthorised development. This provision of the Act also sets out what the Court can specify in its orders and other detailed procedural matters.

No further legislative provisions are required to transpose the EIA Directive, as the EIA Directive is fully transposed in the planning code via Part X of the Act and Parts 10 and 19 of the associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 - 2024

The objective of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, is to ensure a high level of protection of the environment and of human health through the establishment of minimum requirements for the environmental impact assessment of projects. The EIA Directive therefore ensures that certain public and private projects that are likely to have significant effects on the environment may only be granted consent after an assessment with regard to their effects on the environment has been carried out.  As the Deputy is aware, there have been a number of European Court of Justice rulings in relation to the implementation of the EIA Directive, including Case-215/06, Case -50/09 and Case – 261/18.

Case C-215/06 was taken against Ireland for failure to ensure full implementation of Directive 85/337/EEC (the EIA Directive).  The judgment in this case had two grounds:

- firstly that Ireland failed to ensure that projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location, are made subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA), before development consent is granted,

- secondly that by failing to ensure the development consents granted for the Derrybrien Wind farm development were preceded by an EIA, Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 2, 4 and 5 to 10 of the EIA Directive.

The first ground in the judgment of case C-215/06 was addressed by amending national legislation via the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, which, amongst other things, introduced a legislative process known as substitute consent to provide for the potential regularisation of development consents that had previously been granted permission in breach of the EIA Directive.  In effect, this is like retention permission for a development that had required an EIA, but proceeded without one.

The second ground resulted in a further referral to the CJEU.  This case C-261/18 concerned the regularisation of the Derrybrien wind farm development from an EIA perspective.  An Bord Pleanála made a decision on the substitute consent application for the Derrybrien Wind Farm in County Galway in 2022.  In their decision, the Board refused to grant substitute consent for ESB’s wind farm, which ends the statutory process seeking to retrospectively regularise the environmental impact assessment status of the wind farm, (the subject matter of the EU court judgment in case C-261/18).

The decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in case C50/09 found that Irish legislation was not fully in conformity with the EIA Directive (2011/92/EU). Specifically, the Court found that in a case where a project requiring EIA required both planning permission and an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) license, the fact that Irish legislation did not prevent the Environment Protection Agency from making a licensing decision before the planning permission application was decided, and therefore before the EIA was completed, meant that part of the overall consent for the project (i.e. the license) was being decided without an EIA being first carried out, contrary to Articles 2 and 4 of the EIA Directive.

In order to comply with the Court ruling it was necessary to make amendments to the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 and the Planning and Development Act, 2000 in relation to the assessment of projects which require both a consent under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and an IPPC license. These amendments were made in the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations 2012, which came into effect on 30 September 2012 (new application for IPPC licenses) and the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (No.2) Regulations 2012, which came into effect on 15 November 2012 (IPPC license applications on hands).

Ireland is now in compliance with the both of the CJEU judgments referred to in this question (C-50/09 and C-215/06). I consider that the planning code is now fully compliant with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

Fire Service

Ceisteanna (384)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16730/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Following the Government’s recent approval of an increase in the mandatory retirement age for certain members of the uniformed services, I committed to examining a similar extension to the mandatory retirement age for all fire fighters with a view to providing consistency across the uniformed services.

On 12 April, I was pleased to announce that I have now secured approval for this change for both full-time and retained firefighters up to the age of 62, details of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/eea5a-mandatory-retirement-age-for-full-time-and-retained-firefighters-to-rise-to-62/.

This increase in the mandatory retirement age in the uniformed services, including the fire services, will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant pension legislation to be brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform.

It is expected that the necessary legislative provisions can be enacted before the Dáil summer recess.

The extension of the mandatory retirement age for firefighters is the latest in a number of initiatives aimed at improving retention and recruitment within the retained fire services. Local authorities are implementing WRC recommendations that will see an increase in retained firefighter numbers, structured time off, flexibility to attend calls and guaranteed fixed minimum earnings.

In tandem with the further increase agreed under the Public Sector Pay deal, retained firefighters also secured a further commitment to examine an increase to their annual fixed retainer payment.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (385)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

385. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a 2023 payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied) for Natterjack toad ponds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme engages with farmers and landowners to support nature on their land, through encouragement, advice and financial supports. As with any scheme, the number of plans is limited and a competitive process was applied to the selection of plans from the round of applications that the applicant was part of.

It was noted that some of the land in the application was already in the ACRES Co-operation Project (ACRES CP) administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This poses difficulties in terms of dual participation, given that ACRES CP adopts a ‘whole farm’ approach. Should the applicant wish to engage further on this, they may contact [e-mail] and further details can be discussed.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (386)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

386. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a 2023 NPWS farm scheme application submitted by a person in County Kerry (details supplied) for the Natterjack toad pond payments was rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme engages with farmers and landowners to support nature on their land, through encouragement, advice and financial supports. As with any scheme, the number of plans that can be approved is limited and a competitive process was applied to the selection of plans from the applications received.

It was noted that some of the land submitted by the applicant is already in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme Cooperation Project (ACRES CP) administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This poses difficulties in terms of dual participation, given ACRES CP adopts a ‘whole farm’ approach, and on that basis the application was not approved. Should the applicant wish to engage further on this matter, contact should made with [e-mail]

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (387)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

387. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the rule regarding local authority housing list transfers will be changed, ensuring that those who have been on a local authority housing list for a number of years do not go to the end of the list if they transfer to a different local authority's list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16029/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended provide that households may apply for support to one local authority only. Usually, this will be the local authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which the household has a local connection. Local authorities may also, at their discretion, assess households with no link to the area for support.

A household, meeting either the residence or local connection condition, may specify up to three areas of choice for receipt of support in the areas of all local authorities in the county and city concerned and, if qualified, will be entered on the housing waiting list of each of those local authorities. In accordance with Regulations, a household may not change their areas of choice for a year. If after a year they decide to change their location choices, then the restriction on changing the choices again for a year applies again, and so on.

Generally, is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. This ensures any unfairness that might arise for households already on a waiting list in a receiving local authority is avoided.

Households are reassessed against the eligibility and need criteria set down in the relevant legislation when transferring to another local authority area. If deemed eligible, they qualify for the suite of social housing supports, including the Housing Assistance Payment, and are placed on the housing list to be considered for suitable tenancies in accordance with the relevant local authority’s allocation scheme. Notwithstanding, local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time.

Insurance Coverage

Ceisteanna (388)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

388. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions are being taken to ensure that owner management companies are not faced with punitive insurance cost hikes as a consequence of discovering construction defects in apartments or duplexes. [16049/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department is currently, as a matter of priority, preparing legislation to put in place on a statutory basis, a remediation scheme for owners of certain apartments affected by fire safety, water ingress and structural defects. This legislation will establish supports for the remediation of these defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.

Pending the introduction of the statutory scheme, an Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes has been in place since December 2023. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website.

The Interim Scheme was put into place following extensive engagement with homeowner representative groups by both myself and officials from my Department and the Housing Agency. This engagement remains ongoing. I am aware of the insurance issue raised by the Deputy and I arranged a meeting with Insurance Ireland recently to discuss this matter. I raised the specific issue highlighted by the Deputy. Insurance Ireland confirmed to me the industry position that properties once remediated and certified will be assessed, underwritten and insured as normal. I brought their attention to a very small number of cases where OMCs appeared to be having issues regarding cover prior to works being carried out. They committed to looking into the matter further with their members with a view to ensuring that such situations were avoided given the Government's commitment under the Scheme. I understand that this work is ongoing and my Department remains in close contact with the sector on this important matter.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (389)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

389. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of vacant social houses in Mayo; how many specifically in Castlebar and Ballina; the average turnaround time for a social house once it is vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16104/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.

However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for reletting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:

www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (390)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

390. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out in tabular form the percentage of all in development costs per unit of social or affordable housing paid by his Department to local authorities and Approved Housing for the SHIP, CALF, CAS, AHF, and CREL schemes. [16106/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Government and my Department continue to support local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in the delivery of new public housing, with strong recent delivery and ambitious national and local targets set for local authorities to deliver further social and affordable housing.

To support this delivery, Budget 2024 saw record levels of housing funding, with over €5bn capital investment for housing in 2024, made up of €2.6bn Exchequer, €978m Land Development Agency (LDA) and €1.5bn Housing Finance Agency (HFA) funding. The NDP Capital Ceiling provision in 2024 represents an increase of €358m on the 2023 provision.

Through the significant exchequer funding made available under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP), where local authorities build or acquire, houses/apartment for social housing use, my Department provides 100% of these costs to local authorities.

Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) my Department provides up to 100% Capital funding to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide new social homes for priority categories to include homeless, disability and age friendly housing.

CALF funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support from 25% to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements. A nominal interest rate of 2% fixed per annum is charged by the local authority on the initial capital amount. Repayments on either the capital or interest are not required during the term of the loan (between 10 and 30 years), although where an AHB chooses to, repayments can be made during the term. At the end of the term, the outstanding capital amount plus the interest accrued, is owed and repayable to the local authority. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department.

The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist all local authorities to respond effectively to identified localised affordability constraints by delivering additional affordable housing stock whether through direct construction, or in partnership with developers through 'turnkey' projects. Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 (in respect of cost rental developments in the five city areas) are available for local authorities to bring forward suitable schemes where homes can be offered for purchase or rent to eligible applicants at an affordable price. An Exchequer contribution represents 95% of the subvention, with the remaining 5% coming from a local authority contribution.

CREL is available to Approved Housing Bodies which provide Cost Rental homes. The improved loan allows for the availability of increased levels of loan finance, together with new State equity investment which is improving 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.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (391)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

391. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of planning applications which are decided by An Bord Pleanála within eight weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024; the proportion of planning applications which were decided by An Bord Pleanála within sixteen weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the proportion of planning applications which were decided by An Bord Pleanála in a period exceeding sixteen weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024. [16161/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.

The information requested is not held by my Department as timelines on decision making is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is [e-mail].

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (392)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

392. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if An Bord Pleanála has requested additional resources for staffing in the past 12 months; and, if so, the roles for which additional funds were sought. [16162/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.

There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board, including the approval and sanctioning of 59 new posts in April 2023. The Board has advised that as of 31 March 2024 there were 262 individuals working in the Board including Board Members. The Board received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date. A increase in budget of €5million over 2023 has been made available to the Board for 2024 to enable sanctioned staffing levels to increase to more than 300 people and 15 decision-making board members to be maintained.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is [e-mail].

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (393)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

393. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine a matter (details supplied) in relation to short-term rentals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16289/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The work on the Bill is being led by the Minister for Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and her Department (DTCAGSM).

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission, this includes a material change of use of a property such as for short term letting. Where a person owns a second property which is not their principal private residence and lets it, or intends to let it, for short-term letting purposes, they will require the appropriate planning permission to do so unless the property concerned already has planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes, or is otherwise exempted under legislation.

My Department is currently developing Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STTL Bill. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties. It is intended that a draft of the updated guidelines will be published simultaneously with the publication of the STTL Bill by DTCAGSM in order that property owners will have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STTL Bill.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (394)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

394. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects a decision and announcement on successful applications for this year’s community monuments fund. [16299/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The allocation of funding under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund was published on 14th April, with over €7.4 million being made available to 140 projects around the country in order to help conserve, maintain, protect, and promote local monuments and to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.

Detailed information on the projects and amounts awarded is now available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbbef-community-monuments-fund-list-of-awards-2024/.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (395)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

395. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on working with religious institutes to identify any houses in their portfolio that are not currently occupied to be offered to local councils or housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16304/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. My Department will publish a Progress Report on the Plan in April, setting out what has been achieved in 2023 and further steps that will be taken in 2024.

Under the Vacant Homes Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April 2023.  This Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties. 

As part of the CPO Activation Programme, local authorities are tasked with identifying vacant properties in their administrative area, which could include vacant houses in the portfolio of religious institutes, identifying the owners of these properties and engaging with them to bring the properties back into use. It is a matter for the local authorities to determine which properties will enter the CPO Activation Programme and be prioritised for activation, however targets have been set for all local authorities in 2023. These will be reported on in Q2 this year. 

The activation of vacant properties includes engagement with owners on the range of schemes and supports available to assist in bringing the property back into use. The programme also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful, using the properties acquired for social housing, community use or making them available for sale on the open market. .

Capital funding of €1.4 billion is available under the Social Housing Capital Funding Programmes (Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS)) to support local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in tackling dereliction and vacancy through the purchase and repurposing/renewing of vacant buildings and blocks as new social homes. 

The Repair and Leasing Scheme is another option to bring vacant properties back into use as social housing. Under the scheme, property owners receive an interest free loan to bring a vacant property up to rental standards in return for leasing it to a local authority or AHB for between 5 and 25 years. The loan is repaid as a reduction in the lease payment over an agreed term. 

The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and maximising the use of all existing properties, will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.

Flood Relief Schemes

Ceisteanna (396)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

396. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address several matters (details supplied) regarding the flooding in east Cork in October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16334/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department is designated as the lead Department for co-ordinating the response at national level to seven scenarios, including severe weather and flooding.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) within my Department, is tasked with co-ordinating the immediate response to these emergencies, working closely with Met Éireann, supporting the local authorities and the other Principal Response Agencies. Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for co-ordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management”.

All local authorities have an established Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings, High Tide Advisories and the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) advisory warnings. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies. The NDFEM, in its role as Chair of the National Steering Group for Major Emergency Management, issued “A Guide to Flood Emergencies” in March 2024 to all local authorities, providing updated information on co-ordinating a response to flood emergencies.

Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the unbudgeted costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works for exceptional overtime payments, the hire of plant and heavy machinery, the purchase of materials required for the clean-up and the hire of contractors associated with significant severe weather emergency events.

This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of the activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities generally cannot be met from within existing resources. This practice is considered a vital enabler of the local authority response, providing the assurance that availability of resources is not a limiting factor in providing an effective local response.

In the context of the flooding that occurred throughout the country – though experienced most acutely in East Cork - in the aftermath of Storms Babet, Ciarán and Debi, each of which affected Ireland in quick succession during Q4 2023, clearly the costs of the immediate response/clean-up met the criteria of an exceptional severe event that could not be budgeted from within existing local authority funding.

My Department worked with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to secure supplementary exchequer funding to contribute towards the exceptional expenditure directly associated with local authority flood responses in 2023. Each affected local authority made a submission detailing their eligible unbudgeted expenditure and Cork County Council received in excess of €3.7 million from my Department to support the necessary clean up and immediate response costs.

With reference to the severe flooding impacts in East Cork, my Department has no role in the planning, funding or provision of flood defences or structural works in the context of flood prevention. Neither does my Department have a role in providing funding to small business or residents who are impacted by flooding.

The Department of Social Protection administer the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme to support households affected by flooding. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment activate the Flooding Support Scheme for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations that are impacted by flooding. The OPW lead on flood risk management and the construction of flood defence measures, working directly with local authorities.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (397)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

397. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE qualified arborists employed by his Department as of 9 April 2024, in tabular form. [16403/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an Executive Agency within my Department with responsibility for, inter alia, the management of our National Parks. The NPWS does not employ staff as qualified arborists and does not have such a grade or title of position. While there may be staff who have such qualifications it is not an essential requirement for any role in the NPWS and therefore we would not hold a record of such qualifications.

Construction Industry

Ceisteanna (398)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

398. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any analysis of likely future trends in construction sector inflation and how it pertains to the funding commitments under the Government housing plan to 2030. [16418/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Defective Building Materials

Ceisteanna (399)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

399. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will be initiating the six-month review of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme, which was promised and committed to almost one year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16506/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

As the Deputy is aware, I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023, which contains the Enhanced Grant Scheme (Scheme) and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

The Scheme was legislated for following extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

At the time of the Scheme launch, I established an Implementation Steering Group comprised of officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, The Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer (HLO). Part of the Group’s remit was to produce a six-month report. It should be noted that this report is not a review of the fundamental terms and conditions of the Scheme as set down in the 2022 Act, rather it is a report on the how the Scheme is progressing since it launched in 2023.

I recently received this report on the operation of the Scheme covering the period July to December 2023 i.e. the first six months of the Scheme and I am satisfied with the progress being made. The Group made a small number of recommendations based on its assessment of the first six months of the Scheme’s operation and these are receiving appropriate attention.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (400)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

400. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further supports or review of the croí cónaithe application (details supplied) can be undertaken; if there are any additional supports that he is aware of that might assist in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16507/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

The grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.

Works that have already commenced on the property, prior to application and an approval decision, cannot be claimed for as part of the grant. Proposed works not yet started, can be included on the grant application.

Where an application is not successful, the applicant can lodge an appeal with the local authority to whom the application was made. A senior local authority official who was not involved with the original decision will assess the appeal and contact the applicant with the outcome.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. That review is currently under way.

Derelict Sites

Ceisteanna (401)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

401. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites in County Longford added to the derelict sites register in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the number of sites that were restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16574/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Alan Dillon)

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.

Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The information requested in respect of Longford County Council is provided in the table below. 

While the returns do not provide information regarding the number of sites restored, an update is requested on the number of sites, in respect of which a notice or demand under the Act issued, where the issues were resolved and no further action was required. Longford County Council indicated a nil return in respect of this.  

	No. of Sites on Register at 1 January	No. Of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year	No. Of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year	No. of Sites on Register at 31 December
2021	36	0	0	36
2022	36	0	1	35
2023	35	0	0	35

Derelict Sites

Ceisteanna (402)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

402. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites in County Westmeath added to the derelict sites register in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the number of sites that were restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16575/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.

Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The information requested in respect of Westmeath County Council is provided in the attached below.

While the returns do not provide information regarding the number of sites restored, an update is requested on the number of sites, in respect of which a notice or demand under the Act issued, where the issues were resolved and no further action was required. Westmeath County Council indicated a nil return in respect of this.

	No. of Sites on Register at 1 January	No. Of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year	No. Of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year	No. of Sites on Register at 31 December
2021	100	1	16	85
2022	85	0	2	83
2023	83	5	7	81

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (403)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

403. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the budget for the repair and leasing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) seeks to bring vacant properties back into use as social housing. Under the scheme, property owners receive an interest free loan to bring a vacant property up to rental standards in return for leasing it to a local authority or an Approved Housing Body for between 5 and 25 years. The loan is repaid as a reduction in the lease payment over an agreed term.

€12 million in funding has been allocated for the scheme in 2024.

The maximum funding available under the repair and leasing scheme is €80,000, including VAT, per each individual home completed. For example, where a vacant former shop is converted into 4 homes, a loan of up to €320,000 is available. The scheme is increasingly being used to convert vacant commercial properties into social housing units. Such conversions are generally suitable for reconfiguration into one and two bed units, which continue to form the highest percentage of social housing need.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (404)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

404. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the social housing retrofitting programme to Approved Housing Bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16607/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to the reply to Questions No. 72 and 75 of 10 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Defective Building Materials

Ceisteanna (405)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

405. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants who have applied for the defective concrete block scheme grant in Carlow; when he expects the first grants to be issued to those applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16608/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. The new scheme is now open to applications in four counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.

When a local authority that is not designated under the Scheme determines through the established mechanisms that homes within their functional area have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the scheme extended to include any such county or part of such county.

Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to The Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, The Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.

I understand that The Housing Agency met with Carlow County Council staff last month and The Housing Agency envisage commencing concrete block sampling and testing on a small number of damaged dwellings in County Carlow in May 2024.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (406)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

406. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a grant (details supplied); the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16614/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is a programme of the Heritage Council, which is responsible for all decisions on individual grants.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to directly contact the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is [e-mail].