Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to publish legislation to provide a legal basis for national parks, as outlined in Action 1E2 of the National Biodiversity Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23625/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe publication of legislation to provide a legal basis for National Parks is a priority for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) within my Department. The NPWS is currently assessing the requirements of such legislation and considering how best to advance legislation in such a way as to maximise possible benefits to the National Park System.
It should be noted, just as the NPWS is committed to undertaking a review of legislation such as the Wildlife Acts, it too has included legislation for National Parks in its work plan and is committed to examining and progressing appropriate legislation where it is in the best interest of both the citizen and nature.
122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 11 April 2024, the timeline for the publication of the draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24279/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Interdepartmental Group (comprising my Department, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is still continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas.
At the Interdepartmental Group meeting of 15 December 2022, it was agreed that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media would commence a study in 2023 on the methodology and format for Linguistic Impact Statements as a key elements of future planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas. This study was subsequently commenced in February 2023. Initial proposals have been received from consultant, whose work is nearing completion, and this is informing the draft of planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas. Several Interdepartmental Group meetings took place in 2023 and bilateral Departmental engagement is ongoing.
The draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas are currently being finalised for my review in the first instance and then mandatory screening under EU law for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), as well as for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment (AA). It is intended that, subject to the outcome of the screening exercises, that draft guidelines will then be published for public consultation.
All local organisations in Gaeltacht areas and members of the public including language groups will be able to submit their views on the draft during this consultation phase for the consideration of my Department.
It is my intention to publish these Guidelines, having regard to the need to consider the complex matters involved and further to engagement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
In this regard, and noting the importance of consultation on these matters in ensuring that a robust and effective policy position is reached, I intend to publish a proposed policy approach for consultation as soon as possible in order to inform the finalisation of the draft guidelines.
123. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the UNESCO world heritage site application for the passage tombs of County Sligo, by ensuring state protection and ownership of land containing important passage tombs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24366/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo was added to Ireland's World Heritage Tentative List in 2022. My Department has met a number of times with Sligo County Council to discuss how the nomination towards World Heritage status should proceed and we are currently finalising a Memorandum of Understanding with the Local Authority that will set out the overarching nomination structure, key milestones on the journey to inscription, and key responsibilities.
The proposed World Heritage property will include both State owned and privately owned sites. It is not envisaged that the State will acquire all elements of the property but may consider sites for acquisition should an opportunity arise. This will be dependent on both value for money principles and clear title. A comprehensive Management and Conservation Plan will be developed as part of the nomination dossier that will be submitted to the World Heritage Committee.
It should be noted that the term ‘property’ is used by UNESCO to define an area that has World Heritage status, rather than referring to ownership. World Heritage status does not affect Irish ownership or property rights and World Heritage properties do not become public property; nor does their ownership pass to any international body. Ownership remains as it was prior to inscription, and Irish laws still apply.
The process to inscribe a Tentative List site on the World Heritage List takes a minimum of five or six years and is dependent on various factors. My Department recently published ‘A Guide to World Heritage Nomination’. Based on UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines and on international best practice, this is a non-statutory guide to assist local authorities, the public and key stakeholders understand the various World Heritage processes, timelines and requirements in an Irish context. This publication can be found at the link below:
www.worldheritageireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A-Guide-to-World-Heritage-Nomination-WH-Advice-Series-No.1-April-24.pdf/.
125. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to increase the supply of cost rental homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23907/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCost rental is a new form of tenure which was introduced under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, where rents are set only to cover the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. The Government's Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030, and significant funding is being made available to support provision by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), local authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), and now also private providers under the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme.
My Department's Affordable Housing Fund now provides funding of up to €150,000 to support Cost Rental delivery by local authorities in the cities.
Last year the Government approved additional support for AHBs to deliver Cost Rental homes by increasing funding under the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme to now a maximum of 55% of capital costs, comprising a mixture of favourable loan financing and State equity investment. My Department has also extended 'Accelerated CREL' early drawdowns, in order to support forward-funding of homes and the achievement of more competitive acquisition or development costs.
The Government has also introduced the Secure Tenancy and Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme to support the affordable delivery of new Cost Rental homes by the LDA and private providers.
Since its introduction, over 1,600 Cost Rental homes have been delivered to date and following the introduction of the measures I have already outlined, a strong pipeline of Cost Rental homes is now in place, and under continuous development, across all delivery streams.
126. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plan/scheme that is in place for social housing tenants who are still living in pyrite affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24296/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Act also provides for the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Social Homes Scheme. This is a scheme for the purpose of enabling a designated local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB) with dwellings located in a designated local authority area to remedy damage caused to dwellings, owned by the local authority/AHB, by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.
Section 36 of the Act provides that social homes will receive the same remediation options as those covered under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme for private housing, and the same grant cap, grant rates and damage threshold requirements, along with access to ancillary grants.
A draft Scheme has been prepared by my Department. In terms of content, it is based on the current Enhanced Scheme with appropriate amendments where necessary to reflect the slightly different nature of social housing. The fundamental terms and conditions regarding eligibility and grant rates are the same as the private scheme. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Act.
The draft DCB Social Homes Scheme constitutes the framework for the application of the provisions contained in the Act. It is informed by feedback my Department has received from The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) regarding AHB units where there are concerns about the impact of defective concrete blocks. My Department has also had extensive engagement with the four designated counties under the Act - Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare - regarding their affected housing stock.
I expect to be in a position to finalise the Scheme shortly.
128. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will work to designate the Cairns Hill West passage tomb as a national monument. [24364/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, my Department has established and maintains a Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) which affords legal protection to all recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State, including the passage tomb on privately owned land such as Cairns Hill.
The National Monuments Acts permit me, as Minister, to acquire a monument which I, as Minister, consider the preservation of which to be a matter of national importance (i.e. a national monument as defined for the purposes of the National Monuments Acts), or to take such a monument into my guardianship or (where it appears that the monument is in danger) to make a preservation order in relation to it.
In the event that it appears appropriate or necessary that any of the above steps be taken in relation to the passage tomb at Cairns Hill, consideration will be given by my Department to such action.
129. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the completion date for the regeneration, refurbishment or rebuild projects of social housing complexes in Dublin 8, 10, 12 being funded by his Department through Dublin City Council or the LDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24344/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department fully supports Dublin City Councils refurbishment or rebuild of social housing complexes in Dublin 8, 10, and 12.
The aim of a regeneration project is to create sustainable communities through a combination of social, educational and economic initiatives and also by rejuvenating the built environment by a mixture of demolition, construction and refurbishment of dwellings having regard to urban design guidelines.
The following programmes have been approved for funding and I am advised of the following completion dates by Dublin City Council.
|
Scheme |
Location |
Project Name |
Projected Completion |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
Dolphin House, phase 1 b |
Q4 2027 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
School Street, Thomas Court Bawn phase 1 |
Q3 2027 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
School Street, Thomas Court Bawn phase 2 |
Q1 2029 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
Emmet Road, phase 1 |
Q4 2027 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
Emmet Road, phase 2 |
Q1 2028 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
Emmet Road, phase 3 |
Q2 2028 |
|
DCC |
Dublin 8 |
Oliver Bond House |
Q1 2029 |
|
LDA |
Dublin 8 |
Donore Project |
Q4 2027 |
|
LDA |
Dublin 10 |
Cherry Orchard Point |
Q4 2029 |
|
LDA |
Dublin 12 |
Bluebell Waterways |
Q4 2029 |
130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the long standing housing issues in Carndonagh and Milford town, County Donegal whereby Donegal County Council and affordable housing bodies cannot proceed with the purchase of a large number of properties in both towns, for families and persons on the social housing list due to his Department's limits and rules; and if he will intervene to find a reasonable solution in both instances.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 (AHBs).
As housing authorities, local authorities are responsible for the identification of the social housing need in their area. The statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) carried out annually since 2016 captures the total number of households qualified for social housing support to better inform policy and to allow local authorities, such as Donegal County Council, to develop appropriate responses to meet this need. As such, it is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.
For 2023 and 2024, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire 1,500 second hand social homes this year. The additional acquisitions are focused primarily on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March 2024, setting out details of the arrangements for 2024 and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions.
It is a matter for Donegal County Council to determine the most appropriate response to the need for social housing supports and to progress the purchase of any second hand acquisitions or new turnkey developments in line with parameters set out by my Department.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 4 2023 on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
133. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the challenges with the defective concrete block scheme in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Enhanced Grant Scheme was legislated for following extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders. The new Scheme provides very considerable enhancements for eligible homeowners and provided for the inclusion of Clare and Limerick. At the time of the Scheme launch, I established an Implementation Steering Group comprising officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowners' Liaison Officer (HLO) who have met several times over the last number of months and will keep the operation of the regulations and guidelines under review. In addition a subgroup of this group met in January and April of this year focusing on the financial aspects of the scheme and following these meetings my Department has issued updated guidance to local authorities that will enable eligible applicants have earlier access to grant funding for certain eligible works.
I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners are facing in the counties affected and the Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. Mental health supports for individuals and families affected by the defective concrete blocks issue, free counselling sessions are now available to individuals and families in the four relevant counties. The Department of Health have worked with the HSE to ensure that mental health supports are available through My Mind and homeowners can visit www.mymind.org and register for the service.
I have been supportive of applications by designated local authorities for Defective Concrete Block Facilitator posts to support homeowners through the grant scheme process. I understand a facilitator was appointed by Clare County Council on 11 September 2023.
135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24426/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service.
Our Customer Service Hub agents are available through phone and webchat services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. They can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice/.
136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the system for applying for a passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24456/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service. Paper applications, by their nature, will always be a slower process. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. Passport Service figures show that only 5% of applicants now use the Post Passport channel.
The Passport Service has a system whereby applications do not go to the back of the queue following a request for further documents. When the Passport Service receives the required additional documentation from the applicant, the application is prioritised for checking.
Online applications for which additional photos are requested are processed within a maximum of 10 working days of the receipt of the new photo. All other requests for further documents are processed within 15 working days of receipt of the additional documents, for both paper and online application types.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online well in advance of their travel date for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport application will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24533/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 22nd May 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 15th May 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
140. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the connection date for an area (details supplied) has again been pushed back for connection under the National Broadband Plan; his views on whether it is acceptable that an area less than 20km from Dublin city centre does not have access to high-speed fibreoptic broadband; the measures that will be taken to expediate connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24530/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The Question refers to an area located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/ ).
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
Commercial Fixed line operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and SIRO are delivering high-speed broadband services in the blue area/ non-intervention area of the map.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this premises can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/.
This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI have advised the delay is outside of their control at present and dependant on a 3rd party stakeholder to complete enabling works in this area. NBI provides the public with indicative rollout dates, based on the best information available at any given time. The Network build is in progress and it is estimated that high speed Fibre Broadband will be available for this area within the date range January 2025 – June 2025.
The route of the network rollout is not based on cost or an economic model. Instead, it’s based on an engineering design that allows NBI to get to every premises as quickly as possible, working within the confines of how fibre networks are built and utilising existing infrastructure wherever possible.
