Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Land Development Agency

Mick Wallace

44. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the Land Development Agency; and when legislation is expected in this regard. [24027/19]

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Mick Wallace

58. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will re-evaluate the HAP limits for Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/19]

Home Building Finance Ireland Establishment

Mick Wallace

66. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is still working with the Department of Finance on the HBFI loan scheme; if updates can be given about the scheme with regard to the input of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24029/19]

Rent Controls

Mick Wallace

71. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider introducing rent controls for Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24026/19]

Vacant Sites

Mick Wallace

94. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether the application of the vacant site levy and vacant site register is varying from county to county resulting in varying levels of success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24030/19]

Vacant Sites Levy

Mick Wallace

68. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to publish the 31 progress reports on the implementation of the vacant site levy he has received from local authorities; if he has considered changes or amendments to the vacant site levy further to the information contained in such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16352/19]

Homelessness Strategy

Mick Wallace

96. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether housing policy may be contributing to the increased number in homelessness; if he will consider re-examining the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/19]

Private Rented Accommodation

Mick Wallace

101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the increased number of bulk sales of apartments by developers to REITS or investment funds; his plans to counter this and the effect it has on the first-time buyer and rental markets; if he has had discussions with his colleague, the Minister for Finance, with regard to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/19]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Mick Wallace

110. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered the report, Safe As Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection, by the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government; his plans to implement a redress scheme supported by an industry levy, interest-free loans or tax deduction with regard to building deficiencies in apartment blocks as suggested by the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/19]

Vacant Sites Levy

Mick Wallace

117. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered examining reducing the 0.05 ha minimum site size threshold for the vacant site levy given that over 160 sites were identified by Dublin City Council as being vacant but were under 0.05 ha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16350/19]

Rental Sector

Mick Wallace

586. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of improvement notices issued by each local authority as a result of non-compliance with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14999/19]

Rental Sector

Mick Wallace

587. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of prohibition notices issued by each local authority pursuant to section 18B(1) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15000/19]

Rental Sector

Mick Wallace

588. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the percentage of rented units in each local authority registered with the RTB that were deemed non-compliant with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, following inspection in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15001/19]

Rental Sector

Mick Wallace

589. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of rented units that were deemed not compliant with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, and which did not achieve compliance via follow-up inspection in each local authority in each of the years from 2015 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/19]

Vacant Sites Data

Mick Wallace

1401. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacant site levy implementation progress reports received from local authorities to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13376/19]

Vacant Sites Data

Mick Wallace

1402. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites on vacant site registers; the number of local authorities that have not listed sites on their vacant site register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13377/19]

Vacant Sites Levy

Mick Wallace

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that the changes introduced in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, specifically the removal of provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 relating to reduced rates of vacant site levy being applied in situations in which a site loan exceeds specific percentages of the market value of a vacant site, are working as intended; if there has been an increase in the number of sites being placed on the register following the removal of the exemptions; if he is satisfied that local authorities are applying the most up-to-date version of the vacant site levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8469/19]

Land Development Agency

Mick Wallace

35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the fact that the Land Development Agency is not accessible under freedom of information; if information relating to the work of the agency to date on the number of staff employed, external advisers employed and fees associated with both staff and external advisors will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8470/19]

Social and Affordable Housing

Mick Wallace

41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether legislation allowing developers to deliver 10% of social housing units required per development off site is acceptable in the housing emergency in Dublin and nationally; if the legislation relating to this exemption will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/19]

Local Authority Housing

Mick Wallace

58. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of direct build social houses delivered by all 31 local authorities in 2018 excluding those built by approved housing bodies and Part V; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/19]

Land Development Agency

Mick Wallace

61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff he expects to be seconded from NAMA and the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, to the Land Development Agency; if he has had discussions with the Minister for Finance and his officials in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8473/19]

Appointments to State Boards

Mick Wallace

62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether a possible conflict of interest arises in view of the appointment of a person (details supplied) to the board of An Bord Pleanála due to the role of the person as head of planning for a publicly listed company; the number of persons who applied for the appointment to the board; if the appointment of the person was an unanimous decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1476/19]

Land Development Agency

Mick Wallace

64. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the work of the Land Development Agency to date; when it expects to deliver its first sites; if the primary legislation regarding the Land Development Agency has been drafted; when he expects the role of permanent chairperson to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1474/19]

Rental Sector

Mick Wallace

101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the trend of large-scale developments of apartment units being sold in bulk to investment and pension funds; his further views on whether this is contributing to a rental cartel; his plans to draft legislation in conjunction with the Minister for Finance to make it a requirement for developments with over 100 units to advertise these units on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1477/19]

Vacant Properties

Mick Wallace

103. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that the vacant site levy is working to its full potential in its current format; his views on whether site owners are utilising loopholes in the legislation to avoid paying the tax; his plans to amend the legislation with a view to tightening up the definition of a vacant site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1475/19]

Vacant Properties

Mick Wallace

105. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether local authorities are not utilising their powers under the compulsory purchase order to supply land for social and affordable housing; his further views on whether certain local authorities appear to be ignoring their requirement under the legislation enacting the vacant site levy; his plans to issue a new circular with regard to the vacant site levy to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1478/19]

Traveller Accommodation

Mick Wallace

87. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the fact that up to nine local authorities have not drawn down allocated funds for Traveller accommodation in the past year; if he will consider directing local authorities to make use of these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/18]

Planning Issues

Mick Wallace

94. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to initiating a review into one-off builds prevalent in rural areas; his views on the issue that the prevalence of one-off builds in rural Ireland is having a detrimental effect on towns and villages; if he has considered examining town planning schemes used in European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47117/18]

Residential Property Sales

Mick Wallace

119. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the matter of newly completed apartment blocks being sold in bulk to investment funds and pension funds instead of being sold individually on the open market; if he will consider discussing this new trend with the Minister for Finance with a view to drafting legislation or regulation that prohibits the bulk sale of units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47116/18]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Mick Wallace

131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of compulsory purchase orders undertaken by Wexford County Council other than for national road projects from 2011 to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47119/18]

Land Development Agency

Mick Wallace

11. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he expects legislation to be introduced on the Land Development Agency, LDA; the number of staff the agency currently employs; if the position of CEO of the agency was advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39097/18]

Legislative Process

Mick Wallace

16. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to the passing of Second Stage of the Urban Regeneration and Housing (Amendment) Bill 2018, if his Department will work with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government with a view to enabling the Bill to be enacted as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39098/18]

Local Authority Housing Funding

Mick Wallace

19. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the overall funding allocated to the 31 local authorities for void refurbishment in 2017 and to date in 2018; the conditions attached to receiving funding for a void refurbishment; if he is satisfied that this scheme has been given the necessary budget to be a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/18]

Local Authority Housing

Mick Wallace

22. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on reports that Dublin City Council approached a company (details supplied) to rent blocks of units for social housing tenants; his further views on whether this development may contribute to rent increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39099/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Mick Wallace

38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether his Department's insistence on mixed tenure developments is having a negative consequence on the delivery of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39096/18]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Mick Wallace

533. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability to include funding for equipment for the extended space such as sensory equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28837/18]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Mick Wallace

595. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the disparate systems of differential rents for social housing will be completed; if his attention has been drawn to the disparity between differential rents in County Wexford and south County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27702/18]

Departmental Agencies Funding

Mick Wallace

46. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his discussions with the Minister for Finance regarding Home Building Finance Ireland; the input his Department will have in the State agency; his views on the fact that the agency will be staffed by NAMA employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/18]

Local Authority Housing Data

Mick Wallace

48. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of direct builds by each of the 31 local authorities in 2017; his views on the fact that 11 local authorities built zero homes; his further views on whether there may be an over reliance on private sector turnkey units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/18]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Mick Wallace

77. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the wait times for Irish Water to acknowledge, process and communicate final decisions regarding pre-connection applications for sewerage and water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26820/18]

Vacant Sites Data

Mick Wallace

78. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of the 31 local authorities that have set up a vacant site register; the number that have not; the number that have and the register remains empty; his views on the fact that certain local authorities are ignoring the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015; the steps he is taking to force local authorities to comply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26824/18]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Mick Wallace

90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the waste water deficiencies in County Wexford; the number of locations in which untreated raw sewage is discharged in the county; if he is satisfied that Irish Water is doing everything possible in regard to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26821/18]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Mick Wallace

223. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations by which planning permissions for commercial solar energy installations are assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23916/18]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Mick Wallace

224. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is formulating regulations regarding the construction of solar power projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23915/18]

Housing Provision

Mick Wallace

53. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the zoned land owned by the 31 local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19862/18]

Land Availability

Mick Wallace

62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the views expressed in his proposal to the public consultation conducted by the Department of Finance on the issue of unused zoned and serviced land which determined that no new tax intended to encourage the development of residentially zoned and serviced land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19863/18]

Land Acquisition

Mick Wallace

80. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the role his Department will play with regard to the new Government agency that will buy private land adjoining existing prime sites held by State and semi-State organisations in order to assemble land holdings that will then be developed for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19861/18]

Planning Data

Mick Wallace

1535. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 666 of 13 February 2018, the number of applications made to An Bord Pleanála to date under the fast-track planning system; the number of these applications that have been declared invalid; the number of applications that have been refused and that were successful, respectively; and the average processing times for pre-planning decision and a final decision, respectively, in tabular form. [15446/18]

Home Loan Scheme

Mick Wallace

1536. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the eligibility conditions that apply for separated or divorced applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme according to the credit policy 2018; and if the same credit policy applies across all local authorities. [15448/18]

Planning Issues

Mick Wallace

39. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the fast-track process operated by An Bord Pleanála is removing time and costs for builders and developers; his views on the fact that only one application has been granted to date; if comments (details supplied) will be clarified in view of the fact that the board received 37 valid pre-application and subsequently received 17 planning applications and has issued decisions in respect of three cases to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/18]