Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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311. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of his Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if he will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6308/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Brexit-related contingency planning at both a domestic and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.

While the outcome of the December European Council and the move on to Phase 2 has lessened the likelihood of a disorderly Brexit, very detailed work on a no-deal or worst-case-scenario is advancing intensively through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This work is also informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement. Separately, a new preparedness unit in the European Commission is considering EU-level responses.

All this work provides a baseline scenario for the policies and sectors impacted, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations. In this regard, it is welcome that the direction of travel is now firmly towards achieving a “status quo” transition period. Agreement on a “status quo” transition will provide certainty to individuals and businesses while also aiming to avoid any cliff edge effects between the UK leaving the EU and a future relationship agreement coming into force. The period will provide time for businesses and citizenship to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU based on the outcome of the negotiations on the framework for the EU’s future relationship with the UK. In this respect, the expectation is that the European Council will adopt additional Guidelines at its meeting on 22-23 March 2018 on the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. These guidelines – as well as further clarity on the UK position, which has been sought by the European Council – will provide a clearer picture of the direction of travel in the negotiations.

The Government’s contingency planning continues to be firmly grounded in the extensive work and outreach that has already been undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others. Much of this is in the public domain.

In so far as my Department is concerned, the National Planning Framework for Ireland 2040 is due to be finalised shortly and, along with the Capital Plan and other long-term Government strategies, will play an important role in preparing for the consequences of Brexit.

In May 2017, my Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute commenced a three-year programme of collaborative research. The output of the research programme will be a series of published papers concerning housing economics and related topics. Part of this programme will include work on estimating housing demand, including examining the implications for the housing market of changes in population levels which might arise over the medium term. Net migration, whether due to Brexit or other factors, will be one of the variables considered. The first outputs from the programme in relation to estimating medium to long-term housing demand are expected in mid-2018.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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312. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff who have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and his Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s priorities are, primarily, of a domestic focus and, as such, no additional funding was sought in 2018 for Brexit-related matters nor has there been a requirement to recruit additional staff to work specifically on Brexit policy in 2018.

While there is no requirement at this point in time for staff members to be assigned on a full time basis to Brexit matters, a team of three in the Assistant Secretary led Corporate and Business Support Division, headed by a senior official at Principal Officer level, is involved directly at various times in planning and working on Brexit matters, with input from relevant line units and experts across the organisation, as necessary. Brexit related matters are also kept under regular review by the Department’s Management Board.

My Department plays a full role in the network of working groups established to ensure a whole of Government response to the challenges of Brexit, particularly in relation to issues concerning North-South cooperation and the Common Travel Area.

Information in relation to Brexit funding, planning and staffing by agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. Arrangements have been put in place by each agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as follows: