Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

651. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timeframes involved in each of the revised four stage social housing approval process as outlined in Rebuilding Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26175/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 4-stage approval process, referred to in the Question, was introduced earlier this year and while there is evidence that the new streamlined arrangements are supporting accelerated delivery, the number of projects that have moved through all 4 stages does not provide a basis for generating a meaningful average at this time.

I can advise the Deputy that my Department encourages a pragmatic approach to engaging with local authorities around the approval of social housing construction projects, as well as informal technical dialogue to resolve issues. The 4-stage approval process is a streamlining of the stages covered under Capital Works Management Framework and consists of:

Stage 1 – Capital Appraisal (establish the business case);

Stage 2 – Brief pre-planning developed design and cost check;

Stage 3 – Pre-tender cost check;

Stage 4 – Tender approval.

These 4 stages are advanced largely in parallel with the normal local authority work on planning, designing and tendering of social housing construction projects. Therefore, projects continue to be advanced while stages are cleared, so that the approval process does not negatively impact on the overall delivery.

The time taken for advancement through the various stages will always vary, with the quality and completeness of the initial proposal and the subsequent submissions a key input in this regard, along with the scale and complexity of individual projects. During this time when projects are being advanced and reviewed, the local authority advances the issues relating to planning, design, procurement and statutory consents.

The Deputy will be aware that Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Homelessness and Housing commits to areview of my Department’s processes and procedures for approving and advancing housing construction projects, with a view to further improving and streamlining our approval processes. This review is now underway and will be completed over the coming weeks.