In the first instance, we have reinstated the two-stage process that replaces the SHD process. Decisions are now being made by local authorities and are then going on to An Bord Pleanála. A comprehensive review of An Bord Pleanála is under way. A draft report has been issued. The Office of the Planning Regulator, with access to external expertise, is looking into the operational duties of the board. There has also been a strong increase of 25% in the capital funding going into An Bord Pleanála to ensure that it can…

On behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I am happy to have the opportunity to outline the Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022 to the Seanad. The purpose of the Bill is to set out a system of controls on the abstraction and impoundment of water, to protect our environment and to ensure compliance with Ireland's responsibilities under the water framework directive. Article 11 subsection (3) of the water framework directive requir…

I thank the Senators for their valuable contributions to the debate in connection with this key legislation. As the legislation progresses through the House, we will be happy to work with Senators to try to reflect many of the contributions that were raised in the legislation. I wish to point out initially, in relation to the pre-legislative scrutiny report, that the Department took on board suggestions therefrom. It was a catalyst to respond to some of the key changes that were in the legislation. Some of the reco…

I thank the Acting Chairperson and thank Senator Garvey for raising this very important Commencement matter. To provide some background, legislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code in areas designated as RPZs were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, which came into effect on 1 July 2019. The aim of the legislation was to return much-needed accommodation being used for short-term letting purposes in the de…

The Department has increased enforcement controls in the recent legislation. That is currently with the European Commission, so we can finalise the regulations to underpin that legislation. The Housing Agency adjudicates on rent pressure zones so anyone can make a case for an area to be included in the RPZs but it must meet the strict criteria laid down under the Act. It can go through that process. What was the Senator's third point?

The increases must be measured on a consistent basis, month on month.

The six months will start once the engagement with the Commission is finished. That relates to the current legislation and obviously negotiations are concluding with the Minister with responsibility for tourism in relation to Fáilte Ireland because that is the game-changer-----

-----for having the robust controls which will ensure a balance in the long-term residential rental market.

I thank all the Deputies for making contributions in this important debate. I have no doubt that no Deputy in this House, Government or Opposition, underestimates the gravity of the current housing challenge that is presented throughout all our communities. All Members have family and friends who are feeling this acute crisis throughout the country that we are trying to respond to. As a constituency Deputy doing clinics on a weekly basis, I too hear the frustrations of my constituents who are in very difficult situ…

I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I wish to be associated with his comments on John McKeon. I spoke to him yesterday and he is out of hospital after seven months. That is a huge achievement for him in terms of getting through his illness. He is a credit to the local authority in Longford. I am sure he will be back at work shortly. I look forward to engaging with him again. As I said, I thank Senator Carrigy for constantly bringing this issue up with my office. I acknowledge the funding pres…

I acknowledge the contribution of the Senator. As I assured the chief executive and his team, we have not been found wanting in delivering the allocation for Longford in the two years since I have been in the Department. This is the third year that we have secured that allocation. When the previous cathaoirleach was seeking to be part of significant capital decisions on purchasing land in the local authority, we were able to provide an assurance that the allocation would be provided again for the current year. The …

I thank Deputy Hourigan for the question. My Department is cognisant of the current financial environment in which local authorities, including Dublin City Council, are operating, and the pressures facing them in respect of general inflation and higher energy costs in particular. These challenges are common across the sector - indeed, across the State - and I will set out how support from central government for local authorities in 2023 will increase in recognition of their financial challenges. My officials are in…

We are working hard to support local authorities for 2023, which will be a difficult year. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has secured an unprecedented increase in housing for the homeless, with over €250 million, which will be a significant asset for Dublin City Council and other councils, protecting the most vulnerable. It is important for the State to do so. In the programme for Government, Our Shared Future, we have the move to 100% retention of the local property tax, which will take place in 2023. This …

The Deputy is correct about the trajectory that Dublin City Council has taken. It has forgone almost €12.3 million by decreasing the local property tax. Timing is an issue for the Revenue Commissioners. It needs advance notice to inform citizens what the rate will be, hence the budgetary meeting has to be in September to adjudicate on the rate. I was in the Seanad earlier. We discussed a particular county which has increased its local property tax for the last three years and brought in significant income. It is no…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on budget 2023, which is a significant package with an €11 billion intervention to try to help families, support pensioners who are worried about heating their homes, support families with the weekly shop and, critically, keep vulnerable jobs so we have a record level of employment in the economy. I will move on to areas that are my responsibility. The housing adaptation grants were significantly increased to try and support people to live in their homes independently, especially …

I thank everyone for their contributions on this important matter. Since its establishment in 1977, An Bord Pleanála has become an integral part of the Irish planning system, providing an independent, impartial and objective appeals process, in addition to numerous other functions. The immediate actions that have been taken in response the recent allegations, along with those being undertaken by the Office of the Planning Regulator and the board itself, are necessary steps to ensure restoration of the high level of…

I thank the Cathaoirleach, and the Senators for their contributions. I will specifically address amendments Nos. 52 and 53. They provide for the Minister to submit a report within seven weeks of the passing of the Bill to both Houses, confirming whether grants for three ancillary items, namely, accommodation, storage and immediate repair works, can be made available to a homeowner who has approval for, and has completed, a full demolition and rebuild but where further damage to the home, such as to its foundations,…

I thank the Senators for their contributions. I will now address amendment No. 57, tabled by Senators Flynn, Higgins, Ruane and Black. The amendment seeks to modify the refund of compensation provisions and substitute provision in respect of limited subrogation so as to allow the Minister to only subrogate claims in excess of the full cost of a like-for-like replacement or remediation while preventing owners from double recovery of costs. Subrogation is dealt with under section 29. The refund of compensation provis…

I addressed the amendment.

Section 29 provides for the subrogation of rights to the Minister for those applicants who have received a grant payment under the scheme. If a homeowner chooses to pursue a right of action in respect of the damage to their home then they are free to do so, however, the Bill must be framed so as to ensure that the grant does not operate as a form of double compensation. It is also important that section 29 is retained as it is the State stepping in on behalf of the taxpayer to ensure the litigation is appropriately…