Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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62. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the plan to move homeless persons from hotels to industrial premises; the reason these buildings are being exempted from planning permission rules; if he has satisfied himself that the decision to exempt them is in compliance with building control legislation; if these buildings will be converted in compliance with BCAR regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25020/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness includes the objective that, by mid-2017, hotels will only be used in exceptional circumstances as emergency accommodation for families. The long-term solution to the current homeless issue is to increase the supply of homes; accordingly, Rebuilding Ireland is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply. During the lifetime of the Plan some 47,000 new social houses will be provided.

It is intended that the long-term housing needs of homeless households, including those families currently accommodated in hotels, will be met through housing supports such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and general social housing allocations. Significant outputs are being achieved in this regard; housing authorities achieved over 3,000 sustainable exits from homeless accommodation into independent tenancies during 2016, a record level of delivery in a calendar year.

Housing authorities, working with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, are also pursuing a range of supported temporary accommodation initiatives to provide accommodation for homeless families with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotels, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support, including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services and appropriate family supports.

It is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to comply with all legislative requirements in relation to building works, including the provision of accommodation for homeless families and individuals and related services. Planning permission is required for certain alterations and material changes of use of existing buildings. However, the Chief Executive of a local authority may exercise emergency planning powers under Section 179 (6)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

Building Regulations apply to a wide range of works to existing buildings, including material alterations, changes of use etc. A Building Control Authority may, if it considers it reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case, grant a dispensation from, or a relaxation of, any requirement of building regulations in respect of buildings or works which are situated within the authority's functional area.

A Fire Certificate is required for certain works to existing buildings to which the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations apply. This triggers the provisions set out in the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI 9/2014) for certificates of compliance and an assigned certifier.