Written Answers Nos. 824-843
824. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of flights he has taken to or from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport since assuming office. [34760/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, I am yet to utilise Shannon, Knock and Cork airports owing to my Department and Constituency's close proximity to Dublin Airport. When arranging foreign travel for myself or staff within the Department, value for money is an overriding consideration in all aspects of Departmental expenditure, including our foreign travel policy.
825. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on revised planning guidelines, to specifically outline the number of parking spaces per household in city settings and also in town and village settings. [34803/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued the ‘Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ on 15 January 2024. These Guidelines set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the development of urban and rural settlements, with a focus on sustainable residential development and the creation of compact settlements.
In relation to car parking, the Guidelines note that in order to meet targets for reduced private car travel it will be necessary to apply a graduated approach to the management of car parking within new residential development. The Guidelines state that the approach to car parking should take account of proximity to an urban centre and sustainable transport options, in order to promote more sustainable travel choices. In summary, the Guidelines state that car parking should be reduced at all urban locations, and should be minimised, substantially reduced or wholly eliminated at locations that have good access to urban services and to public transport.
Specific Planning Policy Requirement (SPPR) 3 included within the Guidelines sets out national standards in relation to car parking that can be summarised as follows:• In city centres and urban neighbourhoods, the maximum rate of car parking for residential development is 1 no. space per dwelling. • In accessible locations that are served by a high frequency urban bus service (10 min peak hour frequency), the maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development is 1.5 no. spaces per dwelling. • In more intermediate and peripheral locations, the maximum rate of car parking provision for residential development is 2 no. spaces per dwelling.
In all cases, applicants are required to provide a rationale and justification for the number of car parking spaces proposed and to satisfy the planning authority that the parking levels are necessary and appropriate, particularly when they are close to the maximum provision.
The Guidelines were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Section 28 provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála shall have regard to the Guidelines and apply the specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) of the Guidelines, in the performance of their functions. In this regard, the provisions of the Guidelines in relation to car parking apply to all planning decisions made after the Guidelines came into force.
826. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34819/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra827. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on Phases 2 and 3 of the Ulster Canal restoration contribution; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34820/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra828. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on Cross-border innovation hub; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34821/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra829. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the all-island peatlands and biosecurity projects; the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34822/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the shared island local authority development funding scheme; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34823/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 826 to 830, inclusive, together.
The details requested on the Shared Island projects under the remit of my Department are outlined in the table.
|
Update on Shared Island Funding PQ Reference |
Name of Fund |
Total Allocation |
Expenditure to Date |
Start date of project |
Projected date of completion |
Statement |
Amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement |
Amount that will have to come from additional funding |
|
PQ 34819/24 |
Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge. |
Tender price €102,000,000 (plus VAT) |
€14,739,902.72 |
2023 |
2028 |
The landmark Narrow Water Bridge is a longstanding commitment of the Government, reflected in the Programme for Government and New Decade, New Approach agreement. |
||
|
PQ 34820/24 |
Phases 2 and 3 of the Ulster Canal Restoration contribution. |
Cost is estimated at €110,000,000 |
€28,828,664.00 (incl. VAT) |
2015 |
2028/2029 |
This transformational capital project will connect the Ulster Canal by navigable waterway to the Erne System and onward to the wider connected waterway network of the Shannon Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Royal and Grand Canals towards Dublin and further south along the Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation. The Ulster Canal is funded by my Department, the Shared Island Initiative and by the Department of Rural and Community Development. |
||
|
PQ 34821/24 |
Cross-Border Innovation Hub. |
€12,000,000 |
€1,349,405.98 |
2022 |
TBC |
My Department is responsible for managing the Government’s commitment to provide support from the Shared Island Fund to Donegal County Council for construction of a co-located North West Innovation Hub in Letterkenny. The contribution to the project will be provided to Donegal 2040 Strategic Development Company Designated Activity Company (DAC) through the Vote of my Department, subject to adherence to the Infrastructure Guidelines (formally the Public Spending Code) and appropriate governance and performance measures. On 12 January 2024, my Department issued approval to Donegal 2040 DAC to proceed to tender for the project. However, Donegal County Council informed my Department in Q2 this year that the tender process was terminated due to the lack of any suitable responses. A recommendation from the Council on the next steps to progress the delivery of this project is expected in Q3 2024. |
||
|
PQ 34822/24 |
All-Island Peatlands Project. |
€15,000,000 (€10,000,000 Shared Island funding, €5,000,000 from DHLGH) |
€2,010,625.35 |
2023 |
2028 |
The project aims to build capacity at local and national levels through upskilling, training and education programmes and restoration work. Sites in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been chosen to deliver practical peatland restoration, build capacity for long-term peatland management, undertake research and monitoring, exchange knowledge, and address socio-cultural issues across a range of restoration scenarios. |
||
|
PQ 34822/24 |
All-Island Biosecurity Project. |
€1,000,000 |
€250,000 |
2023 |
2029 |
The Shared Island Invasive Species and Biosecurity Initiative provides a framework to coordinate a Shared Island response to the threat posed by invasive species. The project is implemented by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), with oversight from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. The key outcomes of the Initiative are the delivery of: a strategic all-island risk assessment and trend analysis on invasive species; a biosecurity awareness plan; catchment level aquatic management measures in six cross-border regions; all-island alignment of current and future pathway action and contingency plans; a citizen science invasive species programme; and Shared Island invasive species conferences. The project will develop Shared Island plans and support measures to ensure joined-up strategies and coordination and to reduce the burden of cost to each of the administrations, north and south. It will complement and enable the cross-border plans to address invasive alien species under theme 5.1 of the Peace Plus programme and will contribute directly to implementation of the investment objective in the Shared Island chapter of the revised NDP on “Supporting more all-island approaches to biodiversity protection, building on the success of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan”. |
||
|
PQ 34823/24 |
Shared Island Local Authority Development Fund. |
€5,000,000 |
€3,770,663.30 |
The call for proposals was issued on 4 April 2022. The funding drawdown phase started on 1 January 2023. |
2024 |
In September 2022, the Government’s Shared Island Local Authority Development funding scheme, which is administered by my Department, supported a number of feasibility assessments by local authorities, on potential cross-border projects across a range of sectors including biodiversity, heritage, tourism, and cultural and creative industries. My Department and the Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach are engaging at present with each of the Local Authority partners on their feasibility reports to discuss how local authorities could take agreed projects forward to a further stage of development on a collaborative cross-border basis, working with the relevant sectoral line Departments and Agencies North and South. |
Specific project amounts are not contained within the Stability Programme Update and the Summer Economic Statement. |
The Department of the Taoiseach is responsible for Shared Island Funding. |
831. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a 25 house minimum has been put on rural group water schemes, if this decision will be reversed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34861/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January this year, I launched the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) 2024-2026. Local authorities were invited to submit requests for funding for priority projects in their areas.
Under MARWP 2024-2026, there are a number individual measures available and each is directed at a specific activity, such as source protection, water treatment, network improvement etc. The funding measures available are broadly in line with those provided under the previous cycle of MARWP.
However, the experience from previous MARWP is that for small scale Community Water Connection (CWC) projects, the costs per house are extremely high. Therefore, in order to benefit from economies of scale and ensure that CWC projects are viable, a minimum number of 25 households has been set for this funding measure.
832. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to legislate to ensure that so-called co-living tenancies come under rent pressure zone laws; his views on the need to ensure high protections and standards for those living in such dwellings, given the decision to end the building of new co-living developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private residential rented sector, and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The RTA applies to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to the limited number of exceptions set out in section 3(2) of that Act.
A dispute in relation to whether or not a tenancy is covered by the RTA, including the RPZ rent controls therein, may be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) - www.rtb.ie - for resolution. The RTB can make a determination on whether or not a living arrangement, including a purported licence, is a tenancy under the remit of the RTA.
The standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. These Regulations apply to all residential properties let or available for letting. All providers of rented dwellings have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the Regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate. Under sections 18A and 18B of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, a housing authority may serve an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice, respectively, where a property is found to be non-compliant.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target of 25% for the inspection of all private residential tenancies from 2021. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets. An all-time high of over 63,500 inspections were conducted last year.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspection and enforcement activity by each local authority is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/#private-rented-inspections
The operation of the RTA, the residential rental market and standards for rental accommodation are kept under constant review by my Department and the RTB.
833. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider shortening the timeframe for qualification for the tenant purchase scheme. [34888/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses which are available for sale under the scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and associated regulations. Changes to the Scheme took effect from 29 January 2024 with the introduction of the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
Amongst the changes were, in the case of joint tenant applications, only one tenant must now be in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years in order to qualify, as determined by the local authority in accordance with the rules of the scheme. This is a change from all tenants having to have been in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years previously.
My Department monitors schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, I can advise that there are no further plans to amend this aspect of the scheme at this time.
834. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has permitted the sale or intends to permit the sale or approved payment to occupiers to vacate of properties in Somerton Park, Ballinlough, Cork, properties which are pursuant to and under the provisions of a scheme provided for by section 20 of the Housing (Amendment) Act 1948 and the Regulations made thereunder, including, in particular, Statutory Instrument No. 90 of 1948; and if so, the number of properties in this location that are currently awaiting his permission in this regard. [34891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra835. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties in Somerton Park, Ballinlough, Cork, properties which are pursuant to and under the provisions of a scheme provided for by section 20 of the Housing (Amendment) Act 1948 and the Regulations made thereunder, including, in particular, Statutory Instrument No. 90 of 1948) that he and his predecessors, have provided permission for their sale, or approved payment to occupiers to vacate, broken down by year along with the agreed purchase price of each transfer of title. [34892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 834 and 835 together.
Somerton Park, Ballinlough Road, Cork consists of 44 houses built circa 1950 by the Lee Public Utility Society.
According to the leases, the houses were provided under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts 1890 to 1958.
They were grant aided under section 20 of the Housing (Amendment) Act 1948 on condition that
the houses would not be sold
• they would only be let to working class people at a rent and subject to conditions as would be approved by the Minister
• Section 20 was repealed by a 1962 Housing Act which did not contain a provision to continue in force the section 20 undertakings.
In 1975 the society converted itself into a private limited company called Lee Estates Co. Ltd. This company was wound up in April, 1976 with the assets of the company (being the houses located at Somerton Park) transferred to four individuals. Some of these individuals sought an increase in rents from the tenants of some of the houses.
In 1976 the Department asked landlords for assurance that the houses would continue to be let at a rent approved by the Minister. Notices to Quit were served on some tenants followed by Ejectment Proceedings in March, 1978. A tenant took a test High Court action successfully in 1984, the outcome of which was applied to the entire estate. The effect of the judgement was that the undertaking given under section 20 continues in force and the Minister's consent is required to any increases in the rents of the houses. A provision was included in the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980 to enable the Minister to consent to the sale of the houses, including retrospectively. The Attorney General’s Office was consulted about how these cases should be dealt with. It was decided that the role of the Minister should be to:
• consent to sales to the tenants where the tenant wishes to purchase, the price is reasonable and the vendor is entitled to sell
• approve a rent increase if agreed between the tenant and landlord or if determined by the Courts
• give retrospective consent to sales to the landlords where the security of tenure of the tenants can be guaranteed.
A number of the houses were subsequently sold to the tenants at reasonable prices to which previous Ministers consented. Previous approvals of sale were issued in respect of No. 22 in June 2001 and No. 5, No. 23, No. 42 and No. 43 in June 2008. The detailed information sought is not readily available and the collating of this information would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.
I approved consent to the sale of 33 Somerton Park, Ballinlough on 1 February 2024. This was on foot of a Circuit Court settlement.
Currently, my Department has no applications on hand for consent to a sale or an increase in rent for other houses in Somerton Park, Ballinlough Road, Cork.
836. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra837. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of the names of each special adviser employed by his Department since 2020; the Minister and Minister of State whom each adviser is associated with, and their respective salaries, in tabular form; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34935/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 837 together.
Parliamentary and Secretarial Assistants are not employed by my Department but are employees of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Members of an Garda Síochána act as my drivers since the start of 2023 and are on Garda payroll but both Ministers of State in my Department have appointed Civilian Drivers. Details of Ministerial staff – Civilian Drivers, Seconded staff for Constituency Offices and Special Advisers are set out in the tables below.
Civilian Drivers
|
Year |
Civilian Drivers |
Salary Scale |
|
2024 |
4 |
€832.73 weekly |
|
2023 |
4 |
€802.93 weekly |
|
2022 |
6 |
€773.09 weekly |
|
2021 |
6 |
€733.92 weekly |
|
2020 (33rd Dail) |
6 |
€724.33 weekly |
|
2020 (32nd Dail) |
6 |
€724.33 weekly |
Seconded staff for Constituency Offices
|
Year |
Grade |
Salary Costs |
Comment |
|
2024 |
Assistant Staff Officer (Kildare County Council) – Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell Constituency Office. |
€12,820 |
Amount recouped to Kildare County Council until appointment of Minister of State O’Donnell to OPW. |
|
2023 |
Assistant Staff Officer (Kildare County Council) – Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell Constituency Office. |
€34,581 |
|
|
2022 |
1 x CO (Minister of State Peter Burke)1 x EO (Minister of State Malcolm Noonan) |
€509.76 - €789.38 €33,149 - €51,659 |
Weekly Clerical Officer Payscale Fortnightly Executive Officer Payscale |
|
2021 |
1 x CO (Minister of State Peter Burke)1 x CO (Minister of State Malcolm Noonan) |
€471.20 - €739.99 €471.20 - €739.99 |
Weekly Clerical Officer Payscale Weekly Clerical Officer Payscale |
|
2020 |
1 x CO (Minister of State Peter Burke)1 x CO (Minister of State Malcolm Noonan) |
€471.20 - €739.99 €471.20 - €739.99 |
Weekly Clerical Officer Payscale Weekly Clerical Officer Payscale |
|
2020 (32nd Dail) |
1 x CO (Minister of State John Paul Phelan)1 x EO (Minister of State Damien English) |
€23,434 |
Overall amount recouped to Kilkenny County Council and Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine respectively. |
Special Advisers
2024
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
Areas of Responsibility |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€101,894 - €118,476 |
All policy areas of responsibility under the remit of the Department. |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€101,894 - €118,476 |
All policy areas of responsibility under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€78,303 - €91,662 |
Heritage, Electoral Reform, Marine and Water Environment issues |
|
Minister of State Alan Dillon |
Jenny McCormack |
€78,303 - €91,662 |
Local Government and Planning issues |
2023
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
Areas of Responsibility |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€98,665 - €114,722 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department. |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€98,665 - €114,722 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€75,822 - €88,757 |
Heritage, Electoral Reform, Marine and Water Environment issues |
2022
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
Areas of Responsibility |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department. |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€73,236 - €85,730 |
Heritage, Electoral Reform, Marine and Water Environment issues |
2021
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
Areas of Responsibility |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€90,702 - €105,463 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department. |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€90,702 - €105,463 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€69,702 - €81,593 |
Heritage, Electoral Reform, Marine and Water Environment issues |
2020
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
Areas of Responsibility |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€89,072 - €103,136 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department. |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€89,072 - €103,136 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister Eoghan Murphy (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) |
Paul Melia |
€87,325 - €101,114 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department with particular responsibility for press and media issues. |
|
Minister Eoghan Murphy. (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) |
Jack O'Donnell |
€87,325 - €101,114 |
All policy areas under the remit of the Department. |
838. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the expenses paid to ministerial advisers in his Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenses paid to Ministerial advisers in my Department for years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, are outlined in the table below. All claims are administered in accordance with Circular 11/82 and subsequent Circulars governing Travel and Subsistence regulations.
|
Year |
Minister's name |
Minister's adviser name |
Amount paid |
|
2020 |
Minister Eoghan Murphy |
O’Donnell- Jack |
€5,496.44 |
|
2020 |
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€1,042.02 |
|
2020 |
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€1,024.65 |
|
2021 |
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€419.04 |
|
2021 |
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€2,142.50 |
|
2021 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€6,351.05 |
|
2022 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€1,188.56 |
|
2022 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€6,515.20 |
|
2022 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€3,114.56 |
|
2023 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€1,061.96 |
|
2023 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€5,893.90 |
|
2023 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€6,928.37 |
|
2024 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€195.00 |
|
2024 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€3,281.48 |
|
2024 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€5,209.36 |
839. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how the updated National Planning Framework envisages the future split in house building across the categories of: rural one-off housing; village growth; town growth; growth in satellite areas of the five cities and in the five cities themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft First Revision to the National Planning Framework (NPF) was published by Government for public consultation on 10 July 2024, which will run until 12 September 2024. To date, a number of submissions have been received in relation to the draft from a range of public bodies, sectoral groups and members of the public and these submissions are currently being reviewed by my Department, with consideration been given to bringing forward a number of amendments to the document before it is presented to Government for final approval. As such, it should be noted that the National Planning Framework, as published in 2018, currently remains in effect.
As part of the broader body of work undertaken to inform the draft First Revision to the NPF, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was engaged to provide updated population projections to 2040, based on demographic and econometric modelling and having regard to the results of Census 2022 and other factors with potential to influence fertility, mortality and migration trends. Under the baseline scenario, the research projects that the population of the State will increase to approximately 5.7 million people by 2030 and 6.1 million by 2040. This projection forms the central core trajectory of projected population growth and underpins the strategy set out in the draft First Revision to the NPF.
A cornerstone policy of both the existing and the proposed revised NPF is the achievement of a greater regional balance in population and employment growth. The goal is to see a roughly 50:50 distribution of growth between the Eastern and Midland region, and the respective Southern, and Northern and Western Regions, with 75% of the growth to take place outside of Dublin and its suburbs.
The draft First Revision to the NPF, in the same manner as the 2018 NPF, also targets the five cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford) for 50% of overall national growth, with large and smaller towns, villages and rural areas accommodating the other 50%. The draft revision also proposes to retain the important role of the five regional centres (Drogheda, Dundalk, Athlone, Letterkenny and Sligo,) as focal points for compact growth as part of the strategy’s approach to strengthen Ireland’s overall urban structure.
The current incremental, and ongoing, shift to more regionally-balanced growth supported by urban centres of scale will be important in ensuring effective regional development and in supporting competitiveness, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability as well as climate adaptation.
This will be achieved while also strengthening Ireland’s rural fabric and supporting the communities who live there by planning for the future growth of rural areas, including addressing decline, with a special focus on activating the potential for the renewal and development of smaller settlements, while also continuing to support managed and sustainable growth in rural areas.
Specific housing targets for urban and rural areas in each local authority functional area are currently set out in the respective Core Strategies of the 31 City and County Development Plans (as may be applicable) having regard to the hierarchy of settlements of different scales in each local authority area and informed by the targets contained in the NPF and reflected in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
Ministerial Guidelines published under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 on ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning’ complement the objectives of the NPF and have introduced a standardised national approach, to be applied by each planning authority in projecting Housing Supply Targets in their Development Plan over the six-year period of each plan.
It is anticipated that these guidelines and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, will be reviewed once the First Revision to the NPF is finalised and to reflect the updated policy structures proposed in the Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is expected to be signed into law shortly.
840. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he envisages that the investment plans developed in the new ten-year county development plans will interact with the national planning of infrastructure under the National Development Plan; and if it will be necessary for the various Government Departments to align their investment approaches to this new process of having a coherent national and local planning framework. [35026/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the Irish planning system, the city or county development plan is the principal planning strategy document for each local authority area over the 6 year lifespan of the plan. The development plan gives spatial expression to the physical, economic and social needs of the community by enabling planning authorities to plan for new development, support the provision of necessary infrastructure, protect and enhance valued assets and amenities, while also safeguarding the environment. Currently, under section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, it is a statutory requirement for each planning authority to include objectives in their development plan for the provision or facilitation of infrastructure, including transport, energy, communication facilities and water services, in addition to other infrastructural needs such as waste recovery and disposal facilities. Under proposals included in the Planning and Development Bill 2023, development plans will become more strategic in nature, have a longer 10 year lifespan, that will include an integrated overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, supported by a number of thematic strategies. These strategies will, among other things, consolidate the statutory development plan objectives set down in the 2000 Act. As such, the facilitation of infrastructure provision that supports and gives effect to national, regional and county/city policy objectives will remain an important feature of the development plan, but with an enhanced plan-led approach and a longer timeframe to provide greater certainty and clarity. In terms of the interaction between development plans and the identification of infrastructure investment priorities at national level, the Planning and Development Bill 2023, in a similar manner as the 2000 Act, provides that the National Planning Framework (NPF) will identify nationally strategic development requirements as respects cities, towns and rural areas in relation to employment, future population change, housing, and associated public infrastructure. This includes an indication in the NPF of national infrastructure priorities linked to these strategic development requirements, and in particular in relation to transportation, water services, waste management, energy and communications networks, as well as the provision of educational, healthcare, retail, cultural and recreational facilities. This approach provides high level strategic direction to planning authorities in the preparation of their development plans. The Bill also retains the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), as prepared by each of the three regional assemblies, as a key planning policy instrument to provide a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of each region, thereby supporting the implementation of the NPF and the economic policies and objectives of the Government. Each RSES will identify infrastructure needs at regional level, thereby providing further strategic guidance to planning authorities at local level as respects to the objectives of their development plan. The NPF gives spatial expression to Government policy across a range of sectors and policy areas. The three regional strategies and 31 local development plans must be consistent with the NPF and are informed by comprehensive engagement with relevant infrastructure providers and sponsoring authorities, state agencies, thereby ensuring an integrated and coherent policy approach at national, regional and local level. The Planning and Development Bill 2023, when enacted, will build on the existing structures of the planning system and provide an enhanced planning policy framework to ensure that infrastructure investment is planned in a strategic manner that supports the national policy objectives of the NPF, enables balanced regional development, while also meeting the needs of local communities, and facilitating sustainable growth.
841. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken work to establish how the price of a second-hand residence compares with the price of a new build in each county; if so, the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35027/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on new and existing residential property transactions on a county-by-county basis, including purchase price, are collected by the Central Statistics Office and published on a monthly basis on its website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/HPM02
The most recent data show the growth in residential property prices has moderated significantly in the past two years, down from a high of 15% in March 2022 to 8.6% nationally in the year to end June 2024, with the monthly rate of growth slowing more recently from 1.3% in December 2023 to 0.7% in June 2024 in line with similar increases of 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.4% in March, April and May, respectively.
The annual rate of growth in new home prices is also moderating and has decreased for four consecutive quarters, to 7.4% in Q2 2024 from 11% in June 2023.
A county-by-county comparative analysis of prices of new and existing homes has not been undertaken by the Department.
842. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant or void local authority houses in each local authority at the beginning of 2024; the number of these that have been refurbished since; the allocation to each local authority this year for remediation of such properties; whether any of the local authorities could spend further funds on this work this year as it can be a quick and cost effective way of increasing the number of local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Notwithstanding this, my Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding was introduced originally to tackle long-term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
My Department has approved €31 million in funding to support the return of 2,300 vacant local authority homes this year. This funding coupled with the ring-fencing of rental incomes as part of the budgetary provision should be considered sufficient to support the remediation of vacant units this year. A submission has been received from each of the 31 local authorities under this Programme, with the selection of these properties a matter for the individual local authority.
Work in relation to the 2024 Programmes is ongoing, however, it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to 2024 output under this programme will be published on my Department’s website early in 2025.
Furthermore, local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for re-letting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf
843. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a phase out of elephants at Dublin Zoo, given that there is sufficient evidence (details supplied) that elephants do not thrive in captivity and many actually suffer, if he will confirm a timeline for such a phase out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35040/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra844. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will immediately introduce a moratorium on breeding and importing exporting of elephants into the state, given that there is sufficient evidence (details supplied) that elephants do not thrive in captivity and many actually suffer in captivity, and given that many zoos have recognised this and are moving away from keeping elephants in captivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35041/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).
The purpose of the Directive relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos is to protect wild fauna and to conserve biodiversity by providing for the adoption of measures by Member States for the licensing and inspection of zoos in the EU, thereby strengthening the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity.
In 2016, to support the existing legislation, my Department published the Irish Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (ISMZP), which can be found here: www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/zoo-licences
There are no plans to make the changes suggested.
