Written Answers Nos. 568-593
568. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) application submitted by Meath County Council to provide funding for the Local Distributor Road (LDR) 1a, linking the Trim and Dublin Roads near Springfield Glen in Navan [28073/26]
View answerIn January 2026, the Government launched the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support direct investment in the critical infrastructure needed to unlock housing delivery in towns and cities across the country.
The HIIF is a multiannual €1 billion fund and will be managed by the Housing Activation Office in my Department. It represents the largest housing infrastructure investment announced by the State in many years. The fund is designed to address infrastructure constraints that are preventing or delaying housing development, particularly in locations where housing can be delivered at scale and at pace.
Call 1 of the HIIF opened for applications from local authorities and the Land development Agency (LDA) on 21 January 2026 and closed on Friday 27 February 2026. Applications have been received from local authorities across the country, including Meath County Council, and from the LDA. I can confirm that an application has been received for the Navan Local Distributer Road - LDR 1A project. Confirmation of receipt of this application issued to Meath County Council on 6 March.
The Housing Activation Office team is actively reviewing all applications received against the scheme criteria and recommendations will be brought forward shortly in accordance with the governance arrangements for the fund. As this process is ongoing I am not in position to comment on any specific application.
569. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding schemes that are available to approved housing bodies that wish to carry out large-scale conversion projects bringing vacant offices or commercial buildings into residential social housing use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28116/26]
View answerMy Department operates two programmes that can support Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to progress large-scale conversion projects that bring vacant offices or commercial buildings into residential social housing, namely the Capital Advance Loan Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
Drawing on these funding programme, my Department's expanded Buy and Renew Scheme supports AHBs or contractors working on their behalf to, among other things, bring vacant and derelict properties that cannot be easily undertaken or addressed by others back into productive use and repurpose vacant commercial properties as new social housing. Funding is available on a project-by-project basis.
570. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of approved housing bodies that have successfully developed social housing through CALF in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/26]
View answerCALF funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction or purchase of new social housing units. This loan facility can support between 25% and 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the remaining finance sourced by the AHBs from private lenders (usually the HFA) with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements (P&A).
|
Year |
Total Approved Housing Bodies Funded via CALF |
|
2021 |
15 |
|
2022 |
14 |
|
2023 |
16 |
|
2024 |
16 |
|
2025 |
15 |
571. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the updated guidelines for windfarms; if these guidelines will include setback distances, noise and flicker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/26]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of National Planning Statements in relation to onshore wind energy development, following a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, such as the onshore wind energy development, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as setback distances, noise and flicker.
A focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines has been taken as part of the development the National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the Planning and Development Act 2024. It will address key matters including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
In the interim, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding wind energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
572. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1066 of 18 March 2026, the grounds upon which he feels unable to provide the figure requested for the value of sponsorship received; and the criteria by which he deems this figure to be 'commercially sensitive' [28253/26]
View answerUnder Delivering Homes, Building Communities, my Department, in partnership with other key Government Departments and agencies, is leading a co-ordinated programme of stakeholder engagement on the role of private capital, including institutional investment, in supporting additional housing supply.
In this regard, the Irish Government led the coordination of a national presence at Marché International des Professionels de l'Immoblier (MIPIM) 2026, one of the world’s leading real estate and investment forums which took place in Cannes, France from 9 to 12 March. The key aim of Ireland at MIPIM 2026 was to establish a presence at the conference to compete with other countries and cities for a limited supply of international capital which is crucial to fund increased supply of new housing in Ireland.
In line with how other countries and cities fund their attendance at MIPIM, private sector sponsors covered the financial cost to Ireland at MIPIM 2026 in terms of the Ireland pavilion and the associated organisational supports. No Exchequer funding was involved in this element of MIPIM.
The sponsors were coordinated through two key representative bodies, Irish Institutional Property (IIP) and Property Industry Ireland (PII) alongside an event management company who managed the interface with the MIPIM organisers, the construction and fitting out of the pavilion, event project management, branding, website design and so forth.
An inter-departmental working group, led by my Department, organised the public sector input into Ireland at MIPIM 2026 including the interfacing between the public and private sectors, and the coordination of the event programme as delivered across both sectors.
Given that the costs incurred by private sector sponsors of Ireland at MIPIM 2026 are subject to competitive procurement by those organising pavilions at MIPIM, the value of that sponsorship is not being released on the basis of commercial sensitivity as outlined in section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. My Department considers this information as commercially sensitive due to the potential of prejudicing any future contracting or procurement of a MIPIM pavilion with reference to Section 36(1)(c) of the Act.
573. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding that was provided by his Department to carry out works at a location (details supplied) in order that it could provide accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28254/26]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a whole of Government response with a focus on meeting the temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the war. The Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP) was initiated on foot of Government decision 26/04/2022 as part of the wider humanitarian response to the invasion of Ukraine. In June 2023, in acknowledgement and response to the then ongoing accommodation pressures, ERUP was extended to include privately owned buildings in addition to state owned buildings previously only considered under the programme.
Offers of privately owned properties were filtered for suitability under the programme. Any necessary refurbishment of the buildings were funded by, and carried out by, the property owner, with no funding provided by my Department. The property in question fell within this category of privately owned building. No state funding was provided to the property owner under ERUP.
The ERUP closed in October of 2024.
574. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of funding requests his Department has received from Cavan County Council seeking funding approval to purchase additional fire appliances and or specialist equipment for Cavan Fire Services in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number that were approved in each of the years in question, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28257/26]
View answer575. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of funding requests his Department has received from Roscommon County Council seeking funding approval to purchase additional fire appliances and or specialist equipment for Roscommon Fire Services in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number that were approved in each of the years in question, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28258/26]
View answer576. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of funding requests his Department has received from Kerry County Council seeking funding approval to purchase additional fire appliances and or specialist equipment for Kerry Fire Services in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number that were approved in each of the years in question, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28259/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 574, 575 and 576 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In April 2026, I announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2026-2030, with a funding allocation of €328.5m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.
The 2026-2030 fire services capital programme has prioritised 39 fire stations projects as well as outlining an initial allocation of 40 new Class B fire appliances across the 27 fire authorities.
Any proposal received by my Department requesting further support from the fire services capital programme is considered with regard to the national priorities and the totality of requests from fire authorities nationwide.
The number of funding requests through the fire services capital programme in 2025 and to date in 2026 from Cavan County council, Kerry County Council and Roscommon County Council are detailed in the table below.
577. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of the 2025 capital budget allocation that was actually spent for the National Parks and Wildlife Services; if any unspent capital budget for 2025 was automatically included in the 2026 budget allocation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28260/26]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which operates under the Heritage Division of my Department is funded through the Department’s Vote.
In 2025, the core capital allocation for the NPWS amounted to €44 million. This allocation was fully expended by year-end, representing a 100% drawdown of the capital budget.
579. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund will reopen; the amount applied for and drawn down to date by local authority and project. [28534/26]
View answerIn January 2026, the Government launched the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support direct investment in the critical infrastructure needed to unlock housing delivery in towns and cities across the country.
The HIIF is a multiannual €1 billion fund and will be managed by the Housing Activation Office. It represents the largest housing infrastructure investment announced by the State in many years. The fund is designed to address infrastructure constraints that are preventing or delaying housing development, particularly in locations where housing can be delivered at scale and at pace.
Call 1 of the HIIF opened for applications from local authorities and the Land development Agency (LDA) on 21 January 2026 and closed on Friday 27 February 2026.
The Housing Activation Office team is actively reviewing the applications against the scheme criteria and recommendations will be brought forward shortly in accordance with the governance arrangements for the fund.
As the assessment process is ongoing I am not in position to comment on specific applications. I can confirm that no funding has been drawn down by Local Authorities to date as funding approvals are yet to be made.
The HIIF Call 1 Scheme Outline document can be found on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/housing-infrastructure-investment-fund-call-1-scheme-outline/.
My Department is currently in the process of developing further calls under the HIIF, with the intention of broadening the approach later in 2026 to include a wider range of delivery models and a broader mix of public and private delivery partners. A further call is anticipated later this year.
580. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department plans to introduce regulations surrounding the transparency of money paid to property management companies by residents who feel as though their money is not be administered correctly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/26]
View answerThe responsibility for the Multi-Unit Developments Act, 2011 (the MUDs Act), falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The Programme for Government committed to moving the responsibility for the MUDs Act to my Department to streamline support for OMCs and improve oversight. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is currently being advanced. Engagement between our Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
581. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed relocation plan relating to Elm Park, Buncrana, County Donegal; the scope and objectives of this plan; if a final decision has been made in respect of the relocation; to provide a timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28606/26]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 commenced on 22 June 2023. It underpins the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
I visited Donegal last year where I met many of the residents affected and I understand the flood issue pertaining to Elm Park in Buncrana, where nine homeowners are particularly affected.
Some of homeowners impacted are eligible to avail of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme which is funded by my Department but they are understandably worried about availing of the scheme and remediating their homes without the flood risk having been addressed. I know that the Office of Public Works has a plan to undertake flood relief works in the coming period in that area which will address the flood risk.
The residents however, are concerned about the length of time before those flood works would be completed and have asked that consideration be given to relocation options.
I appreciate the genuine concerns of the residents based on their own personal experiences in recent years. Therefore, I am disposed towards exploring solutions to the flooding issue based on the needs of those affected if a workable solution can be found.
I know that in the past the OPW have used relocation schemes in some small and specific circumstances. I have asked officials in my Department to work with the Office of Public Works on examining the potential to develop a relocation scheme which might address the needs of the community in Elm Park, whilst remaining consistent with the underlying DCB legislation and the principles of good governance and value for public monies. Any such scheme must also remain cognisant of the broader flood relief works being undertaken by the OPW in the wider area.
My Department and the OPW are exploring the feasibility of relocating the residents and are preparing a report on whether and how a relocation scheme might work. Once I have that I will consider same with the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works with a view to bringing options to Government.
582. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the Waterways Ireland Climate Action Plan 2030 and in particular the progress on Key Result 4.3 relating to the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and active travel options for employees and waterway users, to be achieved by the end of 2026. [28630/26]
View answerWaterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The detailed information requested in relation to the the implementation of the Waterways Ireland Climate Action Plan 2030 is not held in my Department. However, 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 Waterways Ireland is oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org.
583. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason women and children residing in domestic violence refuges are not included in the official homeless figures; if he acknowledges that their exclusion may underrepresent the true scale of homelessness, particularly among women and families; and if he will consider revising the methodology used in the compilation of homelessness data to include those in refuge accommodation, so as to provide a more accurate reflection of housing needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28632/26]
View answerMy 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 local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons 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.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of February 2026. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/, and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitisation open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
These reports do not capture details of individuals utilising temporary accommodation that is not overseen by local authorities, such as clients of domestic violence refuges. The operation of refuges is under the remit of Cuan, the State Agency for Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV), under the remit of the Department of Justice. The provision of accommodation in refuges is distinct from homeless emergency accommodation and as such, individuals in refuges are not included in the statistics prepared by my Department.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. These quarterly performance reports include information on presentations to homeless services by new single adult and family households who entered emergency accommodation. The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department.
Since Q2 2023, local authorities have been reporting the reasons for presentations by single adult and family households who newly enter emergency accommodation. A category for ‘Domestic Violence’ as a household reason for presenting and entering emergency accommodation was added in Q1 2024, and ‘Leaving an Institution’ (which includes Care/Hospital/Prison/Refuge) was added in Q3 2024.
The most recent published data is in respect of Q4 2025 and the progress report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/.
At this link you will also find the individual regional quarterly performance reports that include details of the reasons for presentations to homeless services by new single adult and family households who entered emergency accommodation.
584. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the affordable and purchase homes delivered in 2025, by delivery stream including, AHP local authority delivery, AHP turnkey, AHB cost rental direct delivery, AHB cost rental turnkey, LDA cost rental direct delivery, LDA turnkey, in tabular form; and the average cost of delivery for each stream broken down by total development cost and total cost to the Department via APF, CREL and STAR. [28634/26]
View answerThe new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing affordable housing measures being implemented by the Government. In particular, a new Starter Homes Programme, which is a central component of the plan, aims to deliver an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
To underpin the delivery of this Starter Homes Programme, the Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding, including a number of important affordability measures, supported by an investment package of direct Exchequer funding, investment through the Land Development Agency and lending by the Housing Finance Agency.
This expanded delivery, under the new housing plan, will build upon the significant progress already made under our previous plan Housing for All, with over 22,000 affordable housing supports having been delivered from its launch to the end of 2025 (including VPRG and First Home statistics up to end of 2025).
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis, including for social housing provision and starter home delivery activity by local authority and delivery partners, for each local authority area. Data from 2022 to 2025 is currently published on the statistics page of my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/.
These delivery statistics include 409 turnkey Starter Home Purchase Scheme and 34 turnkey Cost Rental units acquired by local authorities during 2025. Of the Cost Rental units delivered by the Approved Housing Bodies, up to the end of September 2025 a total of 521 units were turnkey acquisitions.
Finalised figures for 2025, including expenditure pertaining to the delivery of affordable homes, are currently being validated and will be published in due course.
The 2026 Exchequer allocations for my Department are published in the Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service 2026 and can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/653f8c26/Revised_Estimates_for_Public_Services_2026.pdf.
585. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the implementation of the Lower Shannon Fish Passage Initiative; the stage implementation is at; if there is an implementation plan published and a timeframe for the implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28636/26]
View answerMy Department is currently engaged in the procurement process to secure expert advice to support the implementation of the Lower Shannon Fish Passage Initiative. This project is building on the Roadmap for the Lower River Shannon Report which was published in 2021 and is available on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/lower-river-shannon-report-2021/. An initial output of the project will be the production of an initial project plan and schedule. It is envisaged that the overall project will take in the region of 5 years to complete.
586. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering a new phase of supports for existing cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme applicants, as per correspondence issued to applicants; the stage this consideration is at; when applicants will be informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28648/26]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).
This scheme has compensated those impacted by restrictions on turf-cutting on protected sites, and over its 15-year term has helped to ensure the conservation of important peatland sites of unique ecological value.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service offers other schemes to support the conservation of these sites and local community groups, including:
• The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme, which is a once off, area based financial incentive and voluntary land purchase scheme which enables the conservation of protected peatlands. The scheme is open to applications from eligible property right holders who wish to have their lands included as part of a restoration scheme or where access is required for restoration measures within protected raised bogs.
• The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme aims to encourage local communities, organisations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites and peatland areas and funds a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit.
Other supports, such as those operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, are available to those with older homes, inefficient heating systems and those most at risk of fuel poverty.
587. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to extending the mandatory retirement age to 62 to members of the retained fire service; if he can provide details of any analysis or costings that have been carried out on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28649/26]
View answerUnder 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 they are responsible. This includes managing operational costs.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In 2024, the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 was enacted. This Act amended, among other matters, the law in relation to the age at which certain public servants are required to retire. Part 11 of the Act provided the then Minister for Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (M/PENDR), to make orders, enabling line ministers – Justice, Defence and Housing – to make regulations regarding the retirement age of uniformed services. Indeed, these regulations were made in August 2024, with the consent of then M/PENDR, raising the mandatory retirement age (MRA) to 62. As the MRA was raised less than two years ago, there are no plans to revisit this matter at this time.
588. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future sets out the actions needed to address critical social, economic, political, demographic and environmental challenges. As Minister, I am determined to progress each action under my Department’s remit, to continue to support sustainable development and vibrant communities through strategic planning, the sustainable and efficient delivery of well-planned homes, the sustainable management of our water resources, the nurturing of Ireland’s heritage, and effective local government.
The attached table provides a summary of progress made in regard to each commitment.
589. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received, approved and refused under the domestic waste water treatment system grant scheme, in each local authority, in each of the past ten years, by local authority, in tabular form. [28698/26]
View answer590. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of funding approved and amount paid under the domestic wastewater treatment system grant scheme in each local authority, in each of the past ten years, by local authority, in tabular form. [28699/26]
View answer591. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average grant amount approved under the domestic wastewater treatment system grant scheme in each local authority, in each of the past ten years, by local authority, in tabular form. [28700/26]
View answer594. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections, the grant applications arising, the number of approvals, and the total funding approved under the domestic wastewater treatment system grant scheme in each local authority, under by the following categories, national inspection plan, prioritised areas for action and high status objective catchment areas, in each of the past ten years; by local authority and category, in tabular form. [28703/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 589, 590, 591 and 594 together.
The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) grant scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department.
Detailed operational data in relation to the scheme — including the number of applications received and inspections carried out — is held at local authority level and may be obtained directly from the relevant local authorities. My Department does not hold this information centrally. However, my Department does hold data in relation to grant payments made under the scheme.
The tables attached set out, by local authority and by year from 2016 to 2025, the number of DWWTS grant payments, the total amount of funding paid, and the average grant amount paid.
The tables also include, where available, a breakdown of grant payments and associated funding by reference to the National Inspection Plan (NIP), Prioritised Areas for Action (PAA) and High Status Objective Catchment Areas (HSOCA). The HSOCA and PAA categories were introduced in June 2020.
The National Inspection Plan is prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency and provides the risk-based framework for the inspection programme, including the identification of priority areas for inspection informed by environmental risk assessments.
Further information on the National Inspection Plan is available on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
DWWTS paid by local authority by year 2016 to 2025 by average grant
592. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections of domestic wastewater treatment systems carried out in each local authority; and the number of those inspections which identified systems requiring repair, upgrade or replacement, in each of the past ten years, by local authority, in tabular form. [28701/26]
View answer593. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspectors engaged in the inspection of domestic wastewater treatment systems in each local authority, in each of the past ten years; and to specify whether these figures are whole-time equivalent, by local authority, in tabular form. [28702/26]
View answer595. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the basis on which domestic wastewater treatment systems are selected for inspection; the criteria applied; whether these are set nationally or locally; and whether a written guidance document, circular or protocol governs this process; and if so to provide a copy. [28704/26]
View answer598. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed the extent of unmet need under the domestic wastewater treatment system grant scheme arising from the current inspection-led model; whether estimates exist of defective systems not captured by the inspection regime; and whether he considers the current model equitable across local authorities. [28707/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593, 595 and 598 together.
My Department does not collate the detailed operational data sought, including the number of inspections carried out or the number of inspectors engaged; this information is held by individual local authorities.
The inspection of domestic wastewater treatment systems is carried out by local authorities under the framework set by the Environmental Protection Agency through the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems. The Plan sets out a risk-based methodology for selecting systems, with a focus on environmental protection, including drinking water sources and sensitive water bodies. Local authorities select systems for inspection in line with this guidance.
My Department has no direct role in these activities, nor does it determine inspection targets or staffing levels at local authority level.
In relation to grant supports, the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Grant Scheme provides assistance in defined circumstances, including where a system has failed an inspection, although this does not in itself confer an entitlement to a grant. The scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department.
My Department has not carried out a national assessment of unmet need under the scheme. In addition, there is no comprehensive national estimate of defective systems beyond those identified through the inspection regime. The risk-based approach underpinning the National Inspection Plan is designed to direct resources to areas of greatest environmental risk. The same national framework applies across all local authorities, and I consider that this supports a consistent and equitable approach.
Further information, including the National Inspection Plan, is available on the EPA website.
