Written Answers Nos. 231-244
231. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of TDs per head of population in 1922 and for every ten years to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7835/23]
View answerThe table below sets out the membership of Dáil Éireann from 1923 and every 10 years thereafter and includes the number of TDs per head of population in each of those years by reference to the relevant Census. In addition, it should be noted that constituency reviews were specifically undertaken in the years 1923, 1935, 1947, 1961, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017 and that information in respect of each of these years is also included in the table below for completeness:
|
Year |
Number of TDs |
Act establishing the number of TDs |
Population |
Census |
Number of TDs per head of population |
|
1923 |
147 |
Electoral Act 1923 |
3,139,688 |
1911 |
21,358 |
|
1933 |
147 |
Electoral Act 1923 |
2,971,992 |
1926 |
20,218 |
|
1935 |
138 |
Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935 |
2,971,992 |
1926 |
21,536 |
|
1943 |
138 |
Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935 |
2,968,420 |
1936 |
21,510 |
|
1947 |
147 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 |
2,955,107 |
1946 |
20,103 |
|
1953 |
147 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 |
2,960,593 |
1951 |
20,140 |
|
1961 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1961 |
2,898,264 |
1956 |
20,127 |
|
1963 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1961 |
2,818,341 |
1961 |
19,572 |
|
1969 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1969 |
2,884,002 |
1966 |
20,028 |
|
1973 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1969 |
2,978,248 |
1971 |
20,682 |
|
1974 |
148 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1974 |
2,978,248 |
1971 |
20,123 |
|
1980 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1980 |
3,368,217 |
1979 |
20,290 |
|
1983 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1983 |
3,443,405 |
1981 |
20,743 |
|
1990 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1990 |
3,540,643 |
1986 |
21,329 |
|
1993 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1990 |
3,525,719 |
1991 |
21,239 |
|
1995 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1995 |
3,525,719 |
1991 |
21,239 |
|
1998 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1998 |
3,626,087 |
1996 |
21,844 |
|
2003 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1998 |
3,917,203 |
2002 |
23,598 |
|
2005 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 2005 |
3,917,203 |
2002 |
23,598 |
|
2009 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 |
4,239,848 |
2006 |
25,541 |
|
2013 |
158 |
Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2013 |
4,588,252 |
2011 |
29,040 |
|
2017 |
160 |
Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 |
4,761,865 |
2016 |
29,762 |
It should also be noted that the number of TDs specified in the first two rows of the table above, in respect of the years 1923 and 1933 respectively, excludes 6 seats set aside for the two university constituencies of Dublin University (3 seats) and the National University of Ireland (3 seats).
The recently established electoral commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin - is currently undertaking a review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies in line with its functions under the Electoral Reform Act 2022. That Act provides that the Report of An Coimisiún in respect of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies will be completed and published within three months of the publication of final Census results. With the final Census results expected by the end of May, I expect that the report from An Coimisiún will be available by the end of August 2023.
The final determination of constituencies for Dáil Éireann following its next dissolution will be a matter for the Oireachtas to prescribe in legislation having regard to the recommendations of An Coimisiún.
232. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the adequacy of the Report on Insurance and Fire Safety in Thatched Properties in addressing the immediate insurance concerns of thatched property owners; his views on the omission from the report of any consultation with the insurance industry; if he has considered the introduction or any measures such as grant assistance to ensure that the owners of such buildings can be assisted in maintaining these for the purpures of their own domestic and business concerns as well as to ensure their survival from a social and historical perspective; if he intends on pursuing any other avenues to address the issues owners of these properties having getting affordable insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7836/23]
View answerI am fully aware of the challenges owners of thatched buildings have had in securing insurance cover at an affordable premium. I view the recently published report as an important step toward addressing this issue.
While the report itself focusses principally on the management of fire risk in thatched buildings, my Department has consulted widely with the insurance sector both in Ireland and abroad. The key concern raised by underwriters, brokers, and their representatives is the high cost of covering Irish thatched buildings, which stems from the high incidence of fire in these properties.
It should be noted that due to EU market rules the state cannot subsidise insurance cover. However, the experience of the UK is that, through careful management, the incidence of fire can be brought to a level where commercial underwriters will provide cover at a premium that is affordable to owners. Many of the measures identified in the report are relatively straightforward, such as avoiding the use of solid-fuel stoves and keeping chimneys in good working order. My Department will be exploring any viable initiative that can help prevent fires in thatched buildings and reduce the threat to this distinctive aspect of our national heritage.
As an immediate next step, the Department of Finance will convene in March a roundtable meeting of underwriters and brokers to discuss in more detail the findings of the report and practical options to reduce fire risk, and by extension insurance premiums, in Irish thatched buildings.
In relation to grant assistance, my department already has a number of measures in operation to assist owners of thatched buildings. A dedicated thatch repair grant is available which provides funding of approximately €500,000 each year; last year I ringfenced a further €500,000 for conservation works to historic thatched structures as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). Many thatched properties are also eligible for funding under the main stream of the BHIS and the Historic Structures Fund.
233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the affordable housing action plan submitted to his Department by Kilkenny County Council has been approved; if the number of houses projected for delivery under this plan have been accepted by his Department; if not, if Kilkenny County Council has been requested to adjust the figures downwards; and if so, the reason. [7841/23]
View answerHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared and published a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need, including Kilkenny County Council, were asked to include assessed affordable housing need and planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set individual five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities. A copy of Kilkenny County Council Housing Delivery Action Plan is available at the following link:
www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/news/council_news/kilkenny-county-council-housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026.pdf
Kilkenny County Council submitted an Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) application to my Department last year, seeking funding to assist in the delivery of 8 affordable purchase homes in Castle Oaks, Bregagh Valley. I approved this funding and Kilkenny County Council has advised my Department that these affordable purchases homes will be available for purchase in the second quarter of 2023. Assistance with developing any further affordable purchase schemes is available from my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association.
Local authorities have been begun collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics shortly.
Finally, the First Home Scheme, launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/ .
234. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will reimburse the full cost of the refurbishment of void properties and houses to local authorities as the increased costs of this type of work is causing unacceptable delays in reallocating the property; if an application for additional funding from Kilkenny County Council for such work for 2022 will be approved. [7844/23]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
From 2014 to 2022, expenditure of some €290 million has been recouped to local authorities under the Voids Programme which funded the return to productive use of 20,834 properties nationwide. Full details in relation to each local authority, including Kilkenny, can be viewed on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance. To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids-based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. Funding allocations under the 2023 Programme will be announced early in 2023.
235. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that approximately 130 members of staff from the Dublin Fire Brigade have yet to be paid the pandemic special recognition payment; the qualifying criteria for this payment to members of the Dublin Fire Brigade; if any members of the service have been excluded from this payment; the reason they have been excluded and not deemed to fit the criteria for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/23]
View answerI refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 317 and 325 of 31 January 2023 which sets out the position on this matter.
236. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has been informed by a local authority (details supplied) of the number of applications, successful, and unsuccessful carried out in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, on the tenant in situ scheme; and if he will publish that data and the number of tenants it impacts. [7857/23]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. While my Department does not operate a specific tenant in situ scheme, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes.
In January 2022 my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focused on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.In April 2022, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are:
(i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter;
(ii) in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and
(iii) can be completed during 2022.
The reinstatement of delegated sanction has allowed local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant. In November I wrote to local authorities to inform them that the current arrangements for social housing acquisitions were being extended to the end of June 2023.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 3 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ . Data for Quarter 4 is currently being collated and will be published in due course.
My Department does not hold data on the number of queries a local authority receives in relation to purchasing a property with a tenant in situ. Further information may be available directly from the relevant local authorities.
237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out the timeframe for processing submissions made to the housing supply clearing house given the delays being experienced are unacceptable in a housing crisis; the status of an application made by a person (details supplied) for a shovel ready site; the engagement if any his officials have had with the developer and provide a timeline for same; the number of applications made to date to this agency; the number of those approved or rejected; if he is satisfied with the efficiency of this agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7860/23]
View answer238. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the case of a publican selling their liquor licence and wishing to renovate the premises and turn it into apartments, if there are grants available for the renovation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/23]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) 2022 Regulations, which I signed into law on 21 February 2022, provide for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises to residential use, including the conversion of vacant areas above ground floor commercial premises to residential use. These regulations extend the operation of the previous 2018 Regulations in this regard until end 2025. In addition a new class of use eligible to avail of the planning exemption was also included in the regulations – that of public houses (up to a maximum of 9 residential units). This is designed to ease the burden of converting pubs, which are no longer viable and have ceased to operate, to residential accommodation.
My Department has a number of schemes available which are targeted at tackling vacancy.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched in July 2022. This provides a grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties, for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. A maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict.
The repair and leasing scheme is also available and this scheme may be used to convert vacant former public houses into residential accommodation, in return for the property being leased to the local authority for social housing for a period of between 5 and 25 years. Where the local authority is satisfied that there is a social housing need for the completed units, an upfront loan, up to a maximum of €60,000 (including VAT) per unit, is provided to owners of properties which have been vacant for over a year to fund work to bring the units up to the required standard for rental properties. The cost of repairs is offset against reduced lease payments to the property owner and therefore has a neutral cost to the Exchequer.
239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of the non-commercial and semi-State commercial companies under his aegis; if an explanatory memorandum will be provided in respect of the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2022; if his Department collects the funds and forwards it to the central fund or whether it goes directly; if over that period his Department has requested an increase in respect of the dividend due over it’s percentage shareholding; the number of occasions that it waived the dividend; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/23]
View answer240. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of his Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of his Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he has identified potential properties and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7939/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement and oversight of office accommodation on behalf of all Government Departments and my Department does not own any buildings that could be made available for emergency accommodation.
However, my Department, working closely with the local government sector, is supporting the whole of government response to the war in Ukraine in other ways, including through the refurbishment of vacant multi-occupancy buildings; oversight of, and financial support for, the the Offer a Home scheme and supporting the site identification process for the deployment of modular homes.
241. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any exemptions from rates for sporting clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7977/23]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes and decisions in relation to exemptions are the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.The Valuation Acts provide that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Acts. Paragraphs 4, 4A and 4B of Schedule 4 provide for certain exemptions for property directly occupied for sporting purposes.Land developed for sport, such as a playing pitch, has a long-standing exemption from rateability. Paragraphs 4A and 4B of Schedule 4, added by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, provide for the exemption of property used exclusively for community sport and otherwise than for profit.As a result of the changes made by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, those parts of the premises of a sporting club used for community sport that are not used for the sale and consumption of alcohol or to generate other commercial type income are exempt from commercial rates. Income from the use of buildings through membership fees, community organisations and participants in community sport, does not result in a property occupied by a sports club, and used for community sport purposes, being deemed rateable.
242. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legislative timeline for the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022, to complete pre-legislative scrutiny, to be introduced and passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and to enter into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7979/23]
View answerThe key aim of the review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was led by the Attorney General, was to put plan-making at the centre of the planning system by bringing increased clarity and streamlining to the legislation and improving the functioning of the planning system for both practitioners and the general public. This Review and the draft Bill it has produced represents the most comprehensive review of planning since the Act was first drafted.
The draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was agreed by Government on the 13 December 2022 and the Draft Bill was published on my Department's website on 25 January 2023.
Pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage commenced on 7 February and is expected to be completed by the end of March.
Once concluded a final Bill will be published and progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas with the hope that it will be enacted before Summer 2023, subject to the Oireachtas timetable.
243. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the resources that will be allocated to An Coimisiún Pleanála to be constituted under the Planning and Development Bill 2022; whether additional resources will be allocated to address the backlog of cases currently before An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7980/23]
View answerAn 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.
In 2021, An Bord Pleanála sought and received sanction for an additional 24 staff. In November 2022, following an updated assessment by the Board of resourcing needs likely to emerge as a result of planning applications for the National Development Plan and other infrastructure projects, new marine functions, as well as a number of senior positions approved under the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, and in accordance with the 2022-2023 Workforce Plan, the Board sought sanction for 34 additional posts. The Department provided sanction for these additional 34 posts in December 2022 and An Bord Pleanála is in the process of filling these positions. An Bord Pleanála has indicated that they will be making an additional request to the Department of Housing to sanction further staffing posts in the near future.
An Bord Pleanála have received an exchequer allocation of €26.9 million for 2023, which is an increase of €4.7million on the 2022 allocation.
In December 2022, new legislation was passed to move from the previous process of nominating bodies recommending board members, to a new open recruitment system based on transparent and objective criteria. The recent legislation also provided for an increase in the maximum number of board members from 10 to 15. Arrangements are being put in place for the new recruitment process for full-term board members, and in the interim temporary board members are currently being appointed.
Three temporary ordinary board members were appointed to the Board of An Bord Pleanála in early January 2023. A temporary appointment of Ordinary Board members from inspectorate staff of An Bord Pleanála has just been completed and two further appointments will be made shortly.
A competition for further temporary appointments from the civil and public service for a period of up to a year was commenced on 10th February 2023, with applications requested within two weeks.
In addition, a competition for the appointment of one board member (for a term of 5 years) with marine & environment experience has recently concluded and a further Board appointment is about to be made. This competition is being managed by the Public Appointments Service and will bring the number of new appointments to the Board since January to 6.
The draft Planning and Development Bill 2023 outlines the proposed new structure for An Bord Pleanála, which will be renamed as An Coimisiún Pleanála. The new Bill contains a number of provisions reflecting this new organisational structure and will clearly outline the role of –- Planning Commissioners – who will be responsible for all decision making regarding consents and applications made to it under the new Bill.- The Governing Body - which will be responsible for the governance and organisation of the body. There will be a Chief Executive responsible for the strategic management of the organisation.
244. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements he and or his officials have had with the RTB in respect of resolving an issue regarding the RTB register in which inactive accounts on the RTB register are not issued with automatically generated reminders to register a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8008/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the implementation of its tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.
Neither the RTB nor my Department are aware of any specific cases raised around this issue and therefore there has been no specific engagement with the RTB on this particular matter.
Should further information be required, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose and may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie .
