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Wednesday, 20 Sep 2023

Written Answers Nos. 403-422

Local Authorities

Questions (403, 404, 524)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

403. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the role Chief Executive of Dublin City Council will be advertised by the Public Appointments Service; and when he expects a permanent replacement will be appointed to the role Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. [39536/23]

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Neasa Hourigan

Question:

404. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a permanent replacement for the role of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council was not selected prior to the departure of the permanent incumbent Chief Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39537/23]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

524. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the role of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council was not advertised and appointed ahead of the previous Chief Executive vacating the post, thereby removing the necessity to appoint an acting Chief Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40178/23]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 403, 404 and 524 together.

The competition to appoint the next chief executive of Dublin City Council was advertised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on 15 September 2023. The competition is open for applications until 5 October 2023 and details of the appointment process are outlined in the information booklet for this competition.

Dublin City Council has a unique and critical role in local government: it is the largest local authority in Ireland, with 63 Elected Members representing and serving 588,000 people in the city area. It plays a pivotal role in the provision of services to the 1.4 million people in the Dublin Region, and in ensuring that the city can welcome and support a large number of visitors on a daily basis for employment, business, recreation and tourism.

Dublin City Council takes a leading role in shaping the strategic vision of Dublin as a dynamic and sustainable city and seeks to continually enhance the city’s attractiveness as a place in which to invest, to work, to live, and to visit.

With an annual expenditure of almost €1.8 billion (revenue and capital) and a workforce of almost 5,600 (full time equivalents), the City Council provides a diverse, multi-layered and evolving range of services and infrastructure to both citizens and visitors to Dublin that sustain the life of the city.

Mr. Richard Shakespeare was appointed by Ministerial Order as temporary chief executive of Dublin City Council under section 145(6) of the Local Government Act, 2001, as amended, from 10 September 2023 until a permanent appointment is made to the post. Such temporary appointments to the position of chief executive of a local authority are not unusual and the appointments ensure that no gap exists in these critical top level management posts.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) manages recruitment competitions for local authority Chief Executives and the Department notified PAS of this vacancy in February 2023. PAS has dealt with a large number of such vacancies in 2023, with four new Chief Executives being recommended following recruitment processes in the first half of the year, following on from two competitions that were held late in 2022. The competition for the Chief Executive role in Meath County Council is currently underway. Dublin City is therefore the eighth competition in approximately 10 months.

In relation to the competition for the Dublin City Council chief executive post, my Department decided in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service to procure an external supplier to carry out an executive search process. The decision to carry out this process was taken in an effort to promote this competition and ensure that a broad range of candidates of the highest calibre apply to be considered for appointment to this critically important role. A permanent Chief Executive will be appointed following completion of the PAS process which will take place over the coming months.

Info booklet

Question No. 404 answered with Question No. 403.

Industrial Disputes

Questions (405, 422, 426)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

405. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the Government's position with respect to industrial action (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/23]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

422. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request the LGMA to introduce a job evaluation process in the local Government sector to assist in averting the staffing crisis in our local authorities. [39705/23]

View answer

Carol Nolan

Question:

426. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of industrial action (details supplied) that is due to commence across all local authorities regarding the issue of job evaluations; if he will intervene to assist in its resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39716/23]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 422 and 426 together.

Under the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible and each local authority is an individual employer. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) provides support to local authority management in this regard.

With regard to the current Forsa-led industrial action relating to a job evaluation claim, I am aware that talks concluded without resolution at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). It was open thereafter for Forsa to utilise the provisions of the Public Service Agreement and / or the State Industrial Relations process. Forsa has, instead, escalated immediately to industrial action which is a matter of concern.

Government has engaged with staff representative associations collectively since the early days of social partnership to reach a decision on multi-annual pay agreements for public servants. The current agreement, Building Momentum, runs to the end of 2023 and provides a 9.5% pay increase over 3 years for most public servants, increasing to 12.5% for lower paid staff. All forms of industrial action are precluded in respect of any matters relating to remuneration or to any matter covered by the Agreement.

I would encourage both parties to use the industrial relations mechanisms available. Any new claims outside of the terms of this agreement can be raised by the Unions in future agreement negotiations, discussions on which are expected to commence shortly and which will be led by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on behalf of Government.

Planning Issues

Questions (406, 407, 408)

Matt Carthy

Question:

406. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if guidance is provided to local authorities for consideration of planning applications in rural areas relating to log cabins; if it is intended to update any such guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39550/23]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

407. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning applications for log cabins in rural areas can be considered as permanent structures, or if there is any legal or planning policy that would oblige a local authority to only consider these developments on a temporary basis to cover the build period of an associated house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39551/23]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

408. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Government policy supports the development of log cabins in rural areas as a mechanism to address housing need of people living in such areas in an affordable and environmentally sustainable manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39552/23]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 407 and 408 together.

The existing Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines were issued in 2005, as Ministerial Guidance under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act).

Any person may lodge an application for permission to a planning authority in accordance with section 34 of the Act, for the construction of a house, which may be a log cabin. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide to whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.In making their decision, planning authorities shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the policies of Government, Ministerial Guidelines and any submissions or observations received on the application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.It is also within the remit of a planning authority, when included as part of a planning application to grant planning permission for a temporary dwelling in accordance with Section 34 of the Act, with conditions attached requiring its removal following a specified period and/or upon completion of a new dwelling.The relevant planning authority will assess the proposed temporary dwelling in accordance with the applicable land zoning objectives and in terms of height, scale, mass, siting, and materials (e.g. timber habitable building) in accordance with development standards as set out in national guidelines – such as the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities – and the relevant development plan, including any Local Area Plan policies/objectives, if applicable.An application for planning permission provides an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions or observations in respect of the proposed development, while also providing the planning authority with the opportunity to consider a range of potential impacts in the area. This allows for proper public participation and environmental assessment in line with the plan-led approach that underpins the planning system.The proposal may give rise to requirements for access, car parking, and amenity space as well as separate services such as water, drainage and electricity and may have implications for neighbouring occupiers and the visual amenity and character of the area and thus require assessment.

Where any party is unhappy with the decision of a planning authority in relation to an application for planning permission such as a log cabin under section 34 of the Act, the decision may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the decision of the planning authority in accordance with section 37 of the Act.

Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 406.
Question No. 408 answered with Question No. 406.

Local Authorities

Questions (409)

Michael Ring

Question:

409. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff in each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39561/23]

View answer

Written answers

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

Staffing numbers for the local authority sector for the period sought are available on the Public Service Numbers databank, which is hosted and maintained by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) and is available at the following link:

databank.per.gov.ie/Public_Service_Numbers.aspx?rep=LA

The DPENDR databank is currently updated to the end of Q1 2023. Staffing numbers for the end of Q2 2023 will be published in due course.

Housing Provision

Questions (410)

Chris Andrews

Question:

410. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the affordable housing at a location (details supplied) will be open for applicants; how individuals can go about applying for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39563/23]

View answer

Written answers

The regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. A novel condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone, is the requirement that a further 15% of approved homes across the SDZ should be social and affordable homes, in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements.

The developers are engaging with Dublin City Council regarding the provision of the 10% Part V social housing in the first phase which involves 570 apartments.

My Department has been working with Dublin City Council and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress an agreement on the delivery of the additional social and affordable housing in this first phase, subject to the SDZ requirements and value for money considerations.

In regard to the timing of the availability of housing on the site, this will be largely determined by the progress of the development. It is estimated that construction of the first phase will take 28 months to complete.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (411)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

411. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Wexford County Council will become a designated local authority under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 and the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39592/23]

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Written answers

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/ .

Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister to the Housing Agency, and whereby 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.

My Department had some engagement directly with Wexford County Council on this issue earlier this year where the formal process for the entry of a new local authority into the DCB scheme was set out.

Invasive Species Policy

Questions (412)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

412. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise on measures his Department is taking to prevent the arrival of the Asian hornet in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39594/23]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is responsible for the implementation of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014) which provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect to listed species of Union concern (the 'Union list'). Asian hornet is included on the Union list.

Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and colleagues in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, work is continuing on advancing the response structures required should Asian hornet be detected in Ireland.

There has been only one verified sighting, in May 2021, of Asian hornet in Ireland to date. There has been no evidence of an established population since then and there have been no further verified sightings.

However, following that sighting, both NPWS and DAFM committed to immediate additional surveillance for the Asian Hornet, especially around entry points in Ireland with direct access to mainland Europe including ports and airports along with large distribution hubs.

Hornets are small and extremely mobile pests. While every effort is made to prevent its entry into the country, the focus of our work in this area is ensuring a rapid response to any sighting of the Asian hornet and immediate action to eliminate the pest in the case of a verified sighting. The overarching aim is to prevent the species becoming established.

As part of this work, the Department of Agriculture runs a sentinel surveillance programme for Asian hornet, with the cooperation of volunteer beekeepers. This involves surveillance for Asian Hornet at apiaries located at strategic locations around Ireland.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre operate a sighting report alert system, which allows members of the public to notify the authorities of sightings or suspected sightings. Verification expertise, including experts at the National Museum of Ireland, is in place to rapidly identify reported suspected sightings of Asian hornet.

In addition, awareness of Asian hornet is included in the wider NBDC pollinator workshops. Officials from the NPWS also participate in the British Irish Council Asian Hornet Task Force which provides for information sharing on how to deal with the species from administrations who have extensive experience of the hornet in their areas (e.g. the island of Jersey).

Further detail and information on the Asian hornet, and measures that can be taken to prevent its introduction and establishment, is available at the following link: invasives.ie/species-alerts/asian-hornet/

Tax Code

Questions (413)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the methodology used by the working group in respect of the review of the allocation of baseline funding in the context of LPT; if he will clarify whether the census of population data were used; the census year the data derived from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/23]

View answer

Written answers

A working group, which included representatives from the local government sector, was set up earlier this year to review and establish a new model to determine Local Property Tax baseline funding levels. The work of the group has now concluded, and included recommendations that from 2024 LPT baseline funding would be distributed in accordance with population, area, deprivation levels, an authority’s locally raised income, and the achievement of National Policy Priorities. The group also recommended that no local authority should see a reduction in baseline funding upon the application of this model.

I can confirm that baselines for 2024 have been adjusted in accordance with these recommendations, and furthermore, that I have ensured that every authority receives an increase in baseline funding of at least €1.5m. Accordingly, the overall LPT Baselines of Local Authorities in 2024 will be increased from €353m to €428.4m

I can confirm that my Department will publish a report containing further detail on methodology used by the working group, and this report will be available on my Department's website shortly. Finally, it should be noted that the population data was obtained from Census 2022.

Emergency Accommodation

Questions (414, 415)

Thomas Gould

Question:

414. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local connections rules apply to those presenting for emergency accommodation; and whether this is an acceptable reason to refuse emergency accommodation. [39638/23]

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Thomas Gould

Question:

415. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where a person who is fleeing domestic violence with a teenage son, making them unsuitable for domestic violence shelter, should present; and if they would qualify for emergency accommodation outside of their county. [39639/23]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.

Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.

Having regard to the statutory role of local authorities under the Housing Act 1988, all households are assessed, and provided with homeless services, in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. Local authorities also assess applications for social housing supports, ensuring housing supports are available to households unable to meet their accommodation needs from their own resources.

In regards to domestic violence shelters, provision of accommodation and related services to support victims of domestic violence rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 414.

Departmental Communications

Questions (416)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

416. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to publish a 'how members of local authorities are elected' guide in Ukrainian; if such a guide is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39656/23]

View answer

Written answers

Following the passage and enactment of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 the existing set of electoral information leaflets including "How members of local authorities are elected" were updated to reflect the new legislative provisions relating to the electoral registration process. The information leaflets:

• How Members of Local Authorities are Elected;

• The Register of Electors; and

• Information for Voters with Disabilities;

were updated and translated into 16 languages including Ukrainian.

The leaflet "How members of local authorities are elected" is available in multiple languages on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6c483-information-on-how-members-of-local-authorities-are-elected-in-a-range-of-different-languages/ .

The other information leaflets can be viewed or downloaded in different languages on my Department's website.

EU Directives

Questions (417)

Holly Cairns

Question:

417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the preparations being undertaken by his Department in advance of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882); the guidance that is being issued by his Department to organisations and businesses in advance of the enactment of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39671/23]

View answer

Written answers

I welcome the upcoming transposition and implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which I believe will be carried out by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), under Minister O'Gorman, by year end. This transposition will ensure the important introduction of mandatory minimum accessibility requirements for certain products and services in the EU, as well as advocating for a universal design or ‘design for all’ approach to accessibility, which means ensuring access to products and services for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.

Once the interdepartmental process of implementation of the transposed Act begins with DCEDIY, my Department will be available for engagement.

Legislative Measures

Questions (418)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

418. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update to the response received from An Taoiseach in early May 2023 to this Deputy’s Question on Promised Legislation (details supplied) regarding the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39687/23]

View answer

Written answers

The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax introduced in Finance Act 2021 which seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing. The tax is an action contained in Housing for All, the Government’s plan for housing, to increase housing supply and is supported in the Programme for Government.

Each local authority in the State was responsible for the preparation of an RZLT map for their functional area. Each local authority, in preparing the draft RZLT maps, determined whether the zoned land is connected or able to connect to the six required categories of services. Any exclusions which would rule the land out of scope were applied. The local authority then published a draft RZLT map identifying the land which meets the requirements of the legislation and which may be liable to the tax. A number of local authorities also published supplemental maps to reflect changes in zoning since January 2022. The tax will first be due and payable in 2024.

A landowner with land identified on any published draft or supplemental map had the opportunity to make a submission to the relevant local authority regarding the land, setting out why they consider that the land does not meet the criteria for inclusion within the scope of the tax. For example, if the land is not zoned for residential use, if the land does not have access to or there is no capacity for any of the six servicing criteria, or if the land benefits from an exclusion as outlined in the legislation. Each local authority was required to assess any submission and inform the landowner of their decision to either remove or retain the land on the map. If dissatisfied with the local authority decision, the landowner could have appealed the determination to An Bord Pleanála, again setting out why the land does not meet the criteria for inclusion for the tax. An Bord Pleanála have been issuing appeal decisions in recent months either confirming or overturning decisions to retain land on the maps. In certain instances, the local authority or An Bord Pleanála decisions on these submissions will remove land which was subject to a separate rezoning request from liability to the tax.

In addition to being able to make a submission regarding inclusion of land on a draft or supplemental map, the landowner had the opportunity to submit a request to change the zoning of the land by variation of the adopted development plan. Where the zoning is amended to a use other than residential or mixed use including residential, it would not meet the criteria for the tax and would be removed from RZLT maps. Decisions on whether to amend zonings as a result of submissions or at any other time are a matter for each planning authority, taking into account the need to ensure that housing supply targets across the functional area can be met. It is also worth noting that provision is made in the Planning and Development Act 2000 for elected members to seek a report from their Chief Executive on the matter of proposed re-zonings at any time and in addition to the provisions of the RZLT legislation which permits rezoning requests. An Bord Pleanála have no role in deciding on zoning requests.

It is acknowledged that the tax will impact on landowners, however if the land in question is zoned for residential use under a plan adopted by the local authority and has been subject to investment by the local authority and the State in the services necessary to enable development for housing, it is intended that the land should be used for housing. This tax measure is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations.

The issue of development potential of phased land which is identified in a statutory land use plan has been raised by a number of stakeholders and this matter is currently being examined in detail by my Department and the Department of Finance having regard to the need for a consistent approach to be applicable across the State.

Local Authorities

Questions (419)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

419. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the additional €75.4 million increase in local property tax funding to local authorities in 2024 has come from increased LPT tax take, increased revenue allocation, or a mixture of both; and if the latter, to provide a breakdown. [39702/23]

View answer

Written answers

Under the current Local Property Tax (LPT) allocation model, every local authority is entitled to receive a minimum amount of funding under the LPT allocation process, known as the baseline. A working group, which included representatives from the local government sector, was set up earlier this year to review and establish a new model to determine LPT baseline funding levels. The review identified that the baseline funding of some local authorities needed adjustment according to the criteria recommended by the working group. The increase in baseline funding has been guided by the review that has taken place and the recommendations of the working group.

Furthermore, I committed to ensuring that every authority receives an increase in baseline funding in 2024 of at least €1.5m. Accordingly, the overall LPT Baselines of Local Authorities in 2024 will be increased by €75.4m from €353m to €428.4m.

Because of the anticipated increase in LPT yield in 2024, the increased net cost of raising the baseline by €75.4m, is €48m. This is made up of increased equalisation requirement of €31.2m, and reduced self-funding benefit to the Exchequer of €16.8m.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (420)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

420. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of contracts approved by his Department to be signed by the Housing Agency under the croí cónaithe scheme; the number of units involved in each contract; and a timeline for when it is expected that these units will be completed, broken down by scheme. [39703/23]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm that I have approved two proposals to date under the Croí Cónaithe Cities Scheme for the delivery of 121 units in total. The table below provides the details for each.

Scheme

No. of units

Scheduled completion date

Dublin

53

31/12/2025

Cork

68

30/11/2025

Contracts in respect of the Dublin proposal have been signed and I expect the contracts relating to the Cork proposal to be signed in the coming days.

Further proposals, from the initial call for Expressions of Interest, remain under consideration by the Housing Agency and are being progressed, with further requests for approvals expected shortly.  A second call for proposals is presently underway with a deadline of 22 September 2023 for receipt of applications.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (421)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

421. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new applications for the defective block remediation scheme since the enhanced schemed opened; the number of existing applications that have transferred to the new scheme to date; the total number of applications in the process, broken down by county, stage in the application process and the total amount of money drawn down in each county to date; and an update on the entry of Clare and Limerick into the scheme. [39704/23]

View answer

Written answers

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/ .

The table below sets out the position on the old and new defective concrete blocks grant scheme as returned from the local authorities.

Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme

Clare

Donegal

Limerick

Mayo

Total

Total Number of Applications

8

1343

TBC

350

1701

Applications Received for Old Scheme

N/A

1296

N/A

348

1644

New Applications Received for Enhanced Scheme

8

50

TBC

2

60

Applications Approved from Old Scheme

N/A

849

N/A

332

1181

Total Number of Applicants Notified of Transitional Arrangements by LA

N/A

1243

N/A

7

1250

Applications Referred under Old Scheme to Housing Agency for Damage Threshold Determination

N/A

323

N/A

7

330

Applications Referred to HA under Enhanced Scheme for Damage Threshold Determination

8

0

0

2

10

LA Administrative Claims

N/A

€1,986,728.26

N/A

€626,364.72

€2,613,092.98

LA Grant Claims

N/A

€14,423,726.11

N/A

€6,747,806.00

€21,171,532.11

Total Claims from LAs

N/A

€16,410,454.37

N/A

€7,374,170.72

€23,784,625.09

Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 405.
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