Written Answers Nos. 358-374
359. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of the Derelict Sites Act working group; the engagements it has had and plans to have with local authorities; the timeline for when the group will present recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17542/24]
View answerThe 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. My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established. The group met on three occasions during 2022 and remains active. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised shortly. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.
The scope for the engagement of additional staff resources in local authorities to assist in the more effective enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored in my Department in the context of an ongoing review of the staff resourcing needs of local planning authorities generally.
360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the European Commission's announcement of 7 February 2024 that it was sending Ireland a letter of formal notice (INFR(2023) 2178) for failing to fully comply with its obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (Directive 91/271/EEC), the eight towns with a population of more than 2,000 where wastewater is not properly treated before being discharged and the three towns of more than 10,000 in which wastewater is being discharged into sensitive areas without the more stringent treatment required by the directive; if he has responded to the Commission's letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/24]
View answerThe European Commission issued a letter of formal notice to the Irish Government on the 7 February 2024. The Commission considers that Ireland has failed to fully comply with the obligations set out in the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (Directive 91/271/EEC) in 11 urban areas.
Having consulted with the Attorney General’s Office, my Department responded to the Commission on the 5 April 2024. Ireland refutes the Commission’s allegations and while the letter of formal notice and Ireland’s response to the Commission are confidential because of the legal proceedings, I can say that the information the Commission refers to in the letter of formal notice relates to the year 2020. My Department has included more up to date information in the response to the letter of formal notice.
I can also say that compliance has been demonstrated at four of these listed agglomerations (namely Ringaskiddy, Cobh, Clareabbey and Mitchelstown); and works have also been completed at two other listed agglomerations (namely Kilmore Quay and Kilrush). While Ireland also refutes the Commission’s allegations in relation to the remaining 5 agglomerations these are either subject to ongoing assessment or have projects underway and are at various stages of completion.
My Department is working closely with Uisce Éireann to ensure the delivery of the necessary infrastructure improvements in the shortest practicable timeframe possible.
Information relating to compliance of specific areas with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is available on the EPA website, www.epa.ie, and in the EPA Report on Urban Wastewater in Ireland which is published annually. The most recent report relates to the year 2022, and is available at www.epa.ie.
Uisce Éireann continues to develop and implement a long-term investment perspective in order to strategically address the deficiencies in the public water and waste water system. Building water and waste water treatment plants, as well as upgrading or building new water and waste water networks, requires significant and sustained investment.
As part of Budget 2024, I secured funding of €1.8 billion to support water services and €1.66 billion of this will go to Uisce Éireann. This investment will deliver significant improvements in public wastewater services and will improve water quality in rivers, lakes and marine areas.
361. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of research his Department is funding regarding activities by Met Éireann; if he will detail the recommendations Met Éireann has made to him in respect of pluvial flooding (details supplied); and the amount he has funded to Met Éireann for this research from 2020 to date in 2024. [17555/24]
View answerMet Éireann a line division of my Department funds a broad range of research activities relevant to its mission “to monitor, analyse and predict Ireland's weather and climate. We do this to provide Irish society and decision-makers with world-class weather, climate, and flood services to protect life and property, and to promote wider societal and economic well-being”.
Met Éireann is currently funding the Weather and Climate Research Professorship and two research calls (1) TRANSLATE to develop and deliver multiple climate services in support of the climate decision-making community, and (2) Code Performance to contribute to the development on the performance of numerical weather prediction codes on emerging high performance computing systems.
In addition, Met Éireann is co-funding research with a number of other organisations including EPA and Teagasc. Some examples of this include evapotranspiration maps for Ireland, evaluating the vulnerability of aquifer recharge to changing climate across Ireland and Synthetic Aperture RADAR with Applications to Meteorology. In the area of flooding, research has been conducted into fluvial and coastal flooding.
Met Éireann funded €4.3m in research between 2020 and to date in 2024.
362. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the terms and conditions for purchasing your own home from Westmeath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17576/24]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. The scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. The 2015 regulations were amended by the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which came into effect on 29 January 2024.
These amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required in order to qualify to purchase a house under the Scheme, to €11,000 per annum. In addition in the case of joint applications, only one tenant must now be in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years to qualify for the scheme.
The Ministerial Directions on Reckonable Income were also amended, and from that date the Widow's, Widower's, Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory), Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, and Disability Allowance, are considered to be primary reckonable income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the Scheme. Furthermore, the Working Family Payment, Age 80 (Pension) increase, and the Rural Social Scheme will now be considered as secondary sources of income.
The purchase price discount received by an eligible tenant purchaser is based on the tenants' income and may be 40%, 50% or 60%. An incremental purchase charge, otherwise known as a clawback, is then placed on the property for a period of between 20 and 30 years, depending on the discount received by the tenant purchaser. This charge gradually reduces over time.
While eligibility for the scheme is determined by the local authorities on examination of an application, it should be noted that my Department has issued detailed written guidance to all local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme.
More specific information, including an application form, can be obtained from the local authority directly: www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/housing/promotinghomeownership/tenantincrementalpurchasescheme/
364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 30 May 2023, if he plans to provide city status for the town of Drogheda; if he has reviewed his position on the matter since his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17603/24]
View answerIt remains the case that the question of city status for Drogheda is not under consideration at the moment. As indicated previously, the National Planning Framework (NPF) published in 2018 sets out a vision and strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040. The Framework recognises the strategic importance of Drogheda and aims to support its development and its economic potential as part of the Dublin-Belfast Corridor and in particular the core Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry network. Drogheda’s role is reflected at a regional level in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area. The RSES targets significant growth into the regional growth centres, including Drogheda, to enable them to act as regional drivers. In 2021 both Meath and Louth County Councils adopted new Development Plans which further underline the importance of Drogheda as a key urban centre in both counties.
In addition, the first revision of the NPF is underway. The current timeline envisages publishing the draft revision and accompanying technical assessments for national public consultation in June 2024. This will be followed by an amendment stage in August 2024, to review and consider submissions and the application of any relevant amendments. Subject to Government approval, the finalised document will be published in September 2024.
Local government areas are specified in primary legislation. The Local Government Act 2001 currently provides for three cities, namely Cork, Dublin and Galway, and for each of these to have a city council.
If an additional city council was to be established, it would have significant implications for the county in which the area concerned is situated, particularly around loss of functions of the relevant county council. Creation of a “Drogheda city” local authority would have a major impact on Co Louth, leaving the county council with much reduced territorial jurisdiction, population, and resources. This would be further complicated by the fact that the area being proposed for Drogheda to qualify as a city includes part of Co Meath.
For a city council to be established, provision would have to be made for this and other consequential matters in the relevant legislation. There are no plans for legislation in this regard.
365. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process in place to check the standard of work carried out where a grant from a local authority is being paid; if he is satisfied all regulatory requirements are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/24]
View answerIn 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under the revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The selection of properties for inclusion in my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme, assessment of eligible works required and prioritisation of works is a matter for each individual local authority in their administration of the programme. To that end pre works surveys must be carried out so as to inform the works to be carried out to achieve the minimum B2/Cost Optimal BER post works and appropriate Heat Loss Indicator is reached where Heat Pumps are deployed.
Prior to the recoupment of funding to the local authority sector, each individual dwelling submitted as part of a funding request is assessed against the criteria of the scheme to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and guidance documents.
366. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to consider allocating grants based on energy ratings for vacant houses, particularly in cases where the property was not vacant for the required duration to meet the requirements for the vacant home grant due to recent purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17677/24]
View answer369. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the Croí Cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant scheme to allow it to be paid in stage payments when certain works are completed, as this would require much less funds to be put in place up front as access to finance is a significant impediment to many people who wish to take on the renovation of a vacant or derelict property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17763/24]
View answer385. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the percentage of approvals, payouts and applications delayed due to planning under the Croí Cónaithe scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18049/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 366, 369 and 385 together.
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 as homes. 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 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to properties which have been vacant for 2 years. Homeowners and private landlords who wish to improve the energy efficiency of a property can apply for home energy upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI). Further information can be found on the SEAI website at the following link: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/
The requirement for planning permission is not a barrier to grant applications being processed or decided upon. A local authority may give approval in principle to a grant application where the applicant is required to obtain planning permission for the development / works involved. In these circumstances, the applicant must provide details of their planning application to accompany their grant application. Any grant approval in principle shall not be confirmed as approval in full until a final decision has issued in respect of the planning application by the planning authority.
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. The payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/. This data includes the number of grants approved and paid broken down by local authority
When I launched the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, I gave a commitment that a comprehensive review of the schemes under the Fund, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken. In line with Action 29 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update 2023, that review is underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
367. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies and supports in place for individuals who previously met the threshold for a cost-rental property and who are permanently housed in a cost-rental unit, if the person’s income falls significantly due to illness or injury; the procedures in place to convert a cost-rental property into a social home where this is necessary due to a change in the ability of the occupant to pay for cost-rental tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17693/24]
View answerHousing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes to 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), and by the Land Development Agency.
The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the open market. Rents will increase only in line with general consumer inflation, remaining stable in real terms while continuing to cover ongoing costs. Cost Rental homes also come with the added advantage of long-term, secure tenancies regulated by the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
The nature of the Cost Rental model means that, unlike differential rents in social housing for low-income households, the rent is not set according to the income of the tenant. Cost Rental homes are advertised and made available at a certain rent level, which is needed to cover the costs of delivery and provision and so ensure the long-term future of the homes in the sector.
It is not intended for Cost Rental to overlap with, or replace existing social housing supports for low-income households. Cost Rental is designed to assist middle-income households who do not qualify for social housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), but who are facing affordability pressures on the private rental market. Cost Rental is a major step forward in providing much-needed affordable rental options to households with incomes above the household limits set for social housing.
Therefore, Section 34 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides that the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) cannot be paid for a Cost Rental tenancy, at least initially, in line with this policy aim that rent payments cover costs without additional State supports. However, in recognition of the potential unforeseen changes in household circumstances that can occur during the lifetime of a tenancy, Section 34 removes this restriction on HAP for Cost Rental tenancies after the tenancy has lasted for more than six months. It is important to note that HAP is dependent upon someone first being assessed as eligible for social housing supports. Assessment for social housing supports is conducted by local authorities and qualification is dependent on both household income and assessed housing need.
368. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when payment will issue to a person in County Mayo (details supplied) for work this person carried out in view of the length of time the person is waiting for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/24]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department highly appreciates the beneficial working relationships it has with individuals who provide valuable services to the NPWS. The work of these individuals helps the NPWS to manage the extensive lands under its remit and is viewed as being important to the ongoing good governance of this important public resource. While I am not in a position to comment on individual cases, I can confirm that my Department is looking into this particular matter and is seeking to resolve the issues involved as soon as possible.
370. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing developments still undecided by An Bord Pleanála; his plans to ensure the backlog of cases is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/24]
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.
Details of cases to be determined by the Board are a matter for the Board. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, I am, as Minister, specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
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 Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
371. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update (details supplied) on the scheme targeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/24]
View answerMy Department continues to invest in water and waste water infrastructure to support the development of those rural villages that are not currently served by Uisce Éireann.
More than €243 million of funding, over the period 2021 to 2025, has been provided under the National Development Plan for non-Uisce Éireann investment in rural water infrastructure. This includes €175 million to support the Rural Water Programme and, of this, €50m has been committed specifically to address the requirements for villages and similar settlements without access to public waste water infrastructure.
My Department launched a funding measure for the provision of waste water collection and treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to public waste water services.
I recently approved funding for a number of demonstration projects under this measure, including for Ramsgrange village in County Wexford. Future approaches to villages without public waste water collection and treatment facilities in County Wexford and elsewhere will be informed by the progress on these demonstration projects.
372. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Carlow County Council has applied for inclusion in the enhanced defective block remediation scheme; when the scheme will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/24]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 405 of 16 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.
373. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter in relation to rates appeals (details supplied). [17870/24]
View answerThe Valuation Tribunal is an independent statutory body established under the Valuation Act 1988 and continued by the Valuation Acts 2001 to hear appeals against decisions on the valuation and revaluation of commercial and industrial properties for rating purposes.
There are a number of options available to an occupier of a rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Acts 2001 (as amended). Firstly, before a determination is made, they may make representations to the Valuation Division of Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of the Valuation Division of Tailte Éireann.
An appeal to the Tribunal under the Valuation Act may be on grounds of the quantum of the valuation of a property or the rateability of a property. The Tribunal may disallow an appeal and thereby affirm the decision of Tailte Éireann; allow an appeal and amend the valuation of the property; or decide that the property under appeal should be included in, or excluded from, the valuation list. Decisions and determinations of the Tribunal are published and are available on the Tribunal’s website, www.valuationtribunal.ie. Subject to a right of appeal to the High Court on a point of law, the decision of the Tribunal is final.
374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential property developments currently owned by investment funds within each local authority area; the name of the investment fund; the number of units within each development; if the development is occupied or unoccupied; the duration if unoccupied from either the date of completion or from the date it was acquired whichever is relevant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17873/24]
View answerMy Department does not collect the data sought in the Question.
