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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 23 Apr 2024

Written Answers Nos. 341-357

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (341)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

341. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 20 September 2023, the amount her Department has paid to date to a company (details supplied) for the independent review of governance and culture in RTÉ and the independent review of contractor Fees, HR and other matters in RTÉ; the daily rate for these reviews, as referenced in her reply; and the estimated total cost of these reviews. [17915/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following procurement competitions run by my Department with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement Crowe Advisory Ireland were appointed to provide professional advisory services to support the independent Expert Advisory Committees appointed to undertake Reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters in RTÉ.

Total expenditure to date in respect of the contracts with Crowe Advisory Ireland is as follows:

• €35,286 on the Review of Governance and Culture; and

• €81,488 on the Review of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters.

Details pertaining to the daily rates of the contracts cannot be disclosed as that information is commercially sensitive.  

My Department has not yet received or processed all of the invoices associated with this contract. As such, the full costs associated with the Reviews have not yet been finalised. 

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (342)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

342. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 20 September 2023, the amount her Department has paid to date for its examination of the books or other records of account of RTÉ, as provided for under section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009; the daily rate for this review, as referenced in her reply; and the estimated total cost of these reviews. [17916/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following a procurement competition run by my Department with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement, on 12 July 2023 Mazars were appointed to examine the barter account and identify any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

To date, €286,160 has been expended on the examination.  My Department estimates that the cost of the examination will come in slightly below the previous estimate of €300,000 provided last August.

Details pertaining to the daily rates of the contract cannot be disclosed as that information is commercially sensitive.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (343)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

343. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the commencement dates for each of the reviews commissioned by her Department (details supplied); the number of days that have been worked up to date on each review individually; the daily rate financial cost of each review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17924/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 4 July 2023, following the agreement of my Government colleagues, to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ I announced the appointment of independent Expert Advisory Committees to carry out reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other matters in RTÉ.

In accordance with sanction conveyed by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the daily rate for members of the Expert Advisory Committees is as follows:

• €700 per diem for a Chairperson;

• €600 per diem for a member.

Travel and subsistence is provided in accordance with the relevant Circular (currently Circular 19/2023).

The chairperson and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters have opted to waive their fees.

Following procurement competitions run by my Department with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement:

• on 15 August 2023 Crowe Advisory Ireland were appointed to provide professional advisory services to support the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture;

• on 15 August 2023 Crowe Advisory Ireland were appointed to provide professional advisory services to support the Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters; and

• on 12 July Mazars were appointed to examine the barter account and identify any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

On 23 October 2023, McCann Fitzgerald were appointed as legal advisors to the Expert Advisory Committees.

Details pertaining to the daily rates of these contracts cannot be disclosed as that information is commercially sensitive.

Total expenditure to date for each of the reviews is as follows:

• €64,697 on the Review of Governance and Culture;

• €184,239 on the Review of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters; and

• €286,160 on the examination of the barter account and identification of any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (344)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

344. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount allocated to a county (details supplied) under the 2023 sports capital equipment programme; the number of clubs that have applied for same; the total amounts applied for by these clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18044/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas. 

The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023.  Examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last round in 2020 and the total funding applied for is €359 million, representing an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP. 

The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. These details can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/. The necessary assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants soon. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later. 

The Government recently agreed revised capital allocations under the National Development Plan totalling €2.25 billion out to 2026. The additional allocations of capital funding to 2026 will support key projects and programmes under the NDP such as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

I am confident that the revised NDP capital allocations for my Department will allow for significant funding of the 2023 round of the Sports Capital Programme. I expect that Minister Martin and myself will confirm the overall allocation for the next round of SCEP in the near future in the context of the ongoing assessment of the applications which is currently underway.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (345)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

345. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications received for the community monument fund 2024, by county, in tabular form; if there is an appeals process a local authority can enact whereby a project that is of an urgent nature can be reassessed or placed on stand-by if any other funding is returned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17309/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The table below sets out the information sought, broken down by local authority/public body and includes the total number of applications received for the Community Monuments Fund for 2024, by county, along with details of the amounts awarded.

In relation to the question on the appeals process and urgent works the National Monuments Service can provide feedback to Local Authorities on projects that have not been successful in securing funding on a case by case basis and if necessary meet with project teams to discuss how essential works can be progressed.

Applicant LA/Public Body

Total number of applications (all streams)

Total number of applications AWARDED(all streams)

Total Euro AWARDED County

Carlow County Council

6

5

€235,533.55

Cavan County Council

5

4

€147,300.30

Clare County Council

4

2

€130,000.00

Cork City Council

4

3

€160,000.00

Cork County Council

9

8

€421,796.65

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

9

4

€168,121.91

Donegal County Council

0

0

€0.00

Dublin City Council

8

4

€259,993.55

Fingal County Council

6

5

€410,854.75

Galway City Council

4

2

€200,000.00

Galway County Council

14

8

€286,070.00

Kerry County Council

7

6

€260,029.00

Kildare County Council

10

4

€360,282.50

Kilkenny County Council

14

12

€572,057.48

Laois County Council

6

3

€257,823.93

Leitrim County Council

3

2

€54,272.13

Limerick City and County Council

6

5

€278,612.50

Longford County Council

5

4

€133,102.50

Louth County Council

5

3

€120,454.00

Mayo County Council

11

5

€177,558.81

Meath County Council

7

4

€266,002.00

Monaghan County Council

3

2

€32,558.10

Offaly County Council

9

5

€370,393.44

Roscommon County Council

8

4

€260,000.00

Sligo County Council

7

5

€357,900.00

South Dublin County Council

1

1

€30,000.00

Tipperary County Council

10

6

€420,131.14

Waterford City and County Council

7

3

€103,568.00

Westmeath County Council

13

9

€430,594.50

Wexford County Council

8

5

€286,081.25

Wicklow County Council

15

6

€202,247.02

COILLTE

1

1

€29,999.70

Total

225

140

€7,423,338.71

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (346, 358)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

346. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure older people who wish to downsize or right-size are able to do so; the assistance provided in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17317/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

358. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of councils that offer a contribution scheme under which persons in homes too big for their needs can sell or offer the home to the council and, in return for a contribution from the proceeds of a sale, secure a council tenancy in a secure complex; and the number of homes that have been processed under this scheme in the past three years. [17499/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 358 together.

Housing for All commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a policy on rightsizing. The Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis.  Work is being advanced in my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing.

Whilst some local authorities operate rightsizing schemes, housing supports and the oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the application for, and allocation of, tenancies, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Further detail on the numbers of households who have availed of local authority rightsizing schemes may be available directly from local authorities.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (347)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

347. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how rural and urban swelling will be defined in the new updated rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17330/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system.  Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.  

Updated Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being prepared by my Department.  The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 19 which relates to rural housing.  This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other.  NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.

The draft Rural Housing Guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF.  The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 19 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development.

While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft planning guidelines will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas. 

Having regard to these complex considerations, the draft guidelines are subject to legal review and Ministerial approval, following which it is intended that the draft guidelines will be published for a period of public consultation.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (348, 349)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

348. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown of the total amount requested by each local authority in Ireland in respect of reimbursement, following the introduction of the development levy waiver in May 2023, in tabular form. [17356/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

349. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a parallel breakdown of the total amount paid to each local authority in Ireland following request for reimbursement since the introduction of the development levy waiver in May 2023. [17357/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.

On 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.

The schemes apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025. Under the scheme, local authorities are invited to submit a monthly claim form to the Department in respect of the cumulative development contribution waivers approved by them in the previous month. Unless an error is identified by my Department in the processing of the monthly claim forms - which will result in the local authority being requested to submit an amended claim - all claims submitted by local authorities are promptly paid.

The information requested in respect of the payments made to local authorities under the Development Contribution Waiver Scheme is provided in the table below. This table also includes detail of the claims on hand which will be paid shortly following their review.

Local Authority

Total Claims Paid

Claims on hand awaiting payment

Carlow

€326,929.86

€435,889.70

Cavan

€607,750.00

€0.00

Clare

€2,286,815.69

€0.00

Cork County

€3,499,048.42

€911,702.15

Cork City

€2,550,975.29

€270,749.76

Donegal

€454,926.49

€0.00

Dublin City

€6,301,159.21

€4,042,285.48

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

€12,959,060.40

€114,083.45

Fingal

€10,912,377.75

€0.00

Galway City

€1,798,753.80

€0.00

Galway County

€2,378,668.91

€0.00

Kerry

€126,929.40

€22,224.00

Kildare

€3,147,356.24

€1,153,898.00

Kilkenny

€644,100.15

€234,909.00

Laois

€2,293,900.00

€43,544.00

Leitrim

€195,403.00

€0.00

Limerick City & County

€644,142.18

€116,001.00

Longford

€62,750.00

€6,050.00

Louth

€6,317,089.99

€969,800.22

Mayo

€249,737.00

€0.00

Meath

€5,674,970.20

€646,770.50

Monaghan

€108,469.33

€20,239.93

Offaly

€516,640.00

€0.00

Roscommon

€146,800.00

€0.00

Sligo

€341,614.88

€231,774.87

South Dublin

€20,570,553.37

€0.00

Tipperary

€1,655,659.40

€341,546.23

Waterford City & County

€2,428,902.90

€402,879.90

Westmeath

€582,167.79

€0.00

Wexford

€922,017.35

€315,179.03

Wicklow

€1,221,960.45

€968,386.56

Total

€91,927,629.45

€11,247,913.78

Question No. 349 answered with Question No. 348.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (350)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

350. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people in receipt of the housing assistance payment in Cork, by local area, in tabular form. [17365/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.

The latest data available covers the period up to end Q4 2023. The table below provides a breakdown of the total number of active HAP tenancies at the end of Q4 2023 registered to Cork County Council, broken down by local area.

Municipal Area

Active Tenancies

Ballincollig-Carrigaline

1

Bandon-Kinsale

296

Carrigaline

116

Cobh

206

Cork City

50

East Cork

626

Fermoy

406

Kanturk-Mallow

710

Macroom

138

West Cork

867

Other*

45

Grand Total

3461

The table below provides a breakdown of the total number of active HAP tenancies at the end of Q4 2023 registered to Cork City Council, broken down by local area.

Municipal Area

Active Tenancies

Ballincollig-Carrigaline

7

Bandon-Kinsale

37

Carrigaline

59

Cobh

87

Cork City

2283

East Cork

68

Fermoy

28

Kanturk-Mallow

101

Macroom

40

West Cork

39

Other*

49

Total

2798

*inter-authority movements, whilst the tenant is registered with Cork City/Cork County, the tenancy is outside of the county.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (351, 352, 353)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

351. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, to provide a breakdown of the number of houses each local authority area has delivered through Project Tosaigh; to provide a breakdown of the number of homes each individual local authority area is contracted or recommended to proceed to procurement under this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17424/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

352. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, of the 12 local authority areas that have been provided funding under the cost rental equity loan scheme, to provide details of which specific local authority areas have been provided with funding; how many houses have been built through this scheme in each of the relevant local authority areas to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17425/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

353. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, to provide details of which specific local authorities the thirteen projects of 1,437 cost rental homes are spread over; how many cost rental homes each of the projects will deliver for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17426/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 to 353, inclusive, together.

Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 comprising of 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home Scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. The Plan set ambitious targets for affordable housing and huge efforts have been made across our delivery partners to meet those targets from a standing start.

Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of new housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of each Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites where some information about local authority's plans for delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental housing (where relevant) is available.

A strong pipeline of affordable housing solutions is now in place across all delivery streams and is under continuous development. Individual scheme information is published in advertisements on local authority, AHB and the LDA websites at the appropriate time when opportunities can be offered to prospective affordable housing applicants. Schemes being advertised are now also available in a single location on the Affordable Homes website, www.affordablehomes.ie.

Data for affordable housing delivery, is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing delivery. This data is published up to Quarter 4 2023, including AHB, local authority and LDA cost rental delivery, by local authority area's, and is available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery

This data provides information on the delivery of affordable housing delivery by local authority area up to the end of 2023.

My Department continues to liaise with local authorities, AHBs, the LDA and other delivery partners in relation to the on-going development of an affordable housing delivery programme which responds effectively to all affordable housing requirements identified at a local level.

Question No. 352 answered with Question No. 351.
Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 351.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (354)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

354. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he agrees that planning applications for sites within industrial estates should be required to prominently display planning notices at the entrance to the industrial estate rather than within the estate itself. [17442/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out the requirements for site notices when an applicant is applying for planning permission

Article 19(1) of the Regulations requires that a site notice shall be inscribed or printed in indelible ink on a white background, affixed on rigid, durable material and secured against damage from bad weather and other causes, and be securely erected or fixed in a conspicuous position on or near the main entrance to the land or structure concerned from a public road. Where there is more than one entrance from public roads, the notice shall be erected on or near all such entrances, or on any other part of the land or structure adjoining a public road, so as to be easily visible and legible by persons using the public road, and shall not be obscured or concealed at any time.

Furthermore, in accordance with article 19(2) of the Regulations, where the land or structure to which a planning application relates does not adjoin a public road, a site notice shall be erected or fixed in a conspicuous position on the land or structure so as to be easily visible and legible by persons outside the land or structure, and shall not be obscured or concealed at any time.

In addition, where a planning authority considers that the erection or fixing of a single site notice is not sufficient to comply with the requirements of articles 19(1) and 19(2), or does not adequately inform the public, the authority may require the applicant to erect or fix such further site notice or notices in such a manner and in such terms as it may specify and to submit to the authority such evidence as it may specify in relation to compliance with any such requirements

Article 20 of the Regulations, specifies that a site notice is required to be maintained in position on the land or structure concerned for a period of 5 weeks from the date of receipt of the planning application by the planning authority and is required to be renewed or replaced if it is removed or becomes defaced or illegible within that period and shall be removed by the applicant following the notification of the planning authority decision under article 31.

It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to ensure that the requirements of the Regulations as set out above are complied with. In accordance with Article 26(3) of the regulations, where, following consideration of an application, a planning authority considers that the notice in the newspaper or the site notice, because of its content or for any other reason, is misleading or inadequate for the information of the public, the planning application shall be invalid.

I am satisfied that the current requirements of the Regulations are sufficient to ensure that the public is provided with the opportunity to make submissions and observations in accordance with the principles of public participation in planning legislation. The views of third parties are an important element of the planning process and the current provisions are in accordance with the requirements of the 'Aarhus Convention' on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, which EU member states are obliged to provide for in national law.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (355)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

355. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a scheme (details supplied); and when he expects it to be open for applicants with water ingress issues to be repaired. [17476/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is currently, as a matter of priority, preparing legislation to put in place a statutory remediation scheme for owners of certain apartments affected by fire safety, water ingress and structural defects. This legislation will establish supports for the remediation of these defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. It is expected the draft legislation will be published in 2024 and that, subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.

Pending the introduction of the statutory scheme, an Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) has been established to provide for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings until full remedial works can be completed. This Scheme, which is being administered by The Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via The Housing Agency’s website, and can be accessed at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023

Full remedial works will include those related to water ingress and structural damage, as well all necessary fire safety measures, and will be funded under the forthcoming statutory scheme outlined above.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (356, 363, 375, 380, 381)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

356. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the number of grants issued by local authorities under each of the grants for older people, housing aid, mobility aid and adaptation grant in each of the past five years; and whether he has information on the extent of a waiting list for these schemes. [17477/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

363. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the rules surrounding the housing adaptation grant (details supplied) will be amended so that an invalidity pension is not included in the means test for adapting a home for disabled access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

375. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability. [17874/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

380. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that local authorities need greater discretion when deciding on the housing adaptation grant aid for elderly and disabled people given the increased rate of building inflation over the past two years; and if he agrees the grant amount should be increased by 50%. [17992/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

381. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that the six-month timeframe allowed to carry out approved works under the housing adaptation grant scheme for the elderly and disabled is too tight; and if he agrees that it should be increased to 12 months in order to counter weather issues, availability of contractors and other issues. [17993/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 363, 375, 380 and 381 together.

My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities. My Department engages regularly with local authorities on the effective and efficient administration of the scheme to ensure that all applications are dealt with in accordance with Departmental guidelines.

Details of allocations, the number of grants paid and the amount spent by all local authorities in the past five years are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/ga/bailiuchan/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/

My Department does not hold collated data in respect of applications approved by local authorities or any backlogs which cannot be met from existing funding. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.

The schemes are means tested and operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. A number of payments from the Department of Social Protection are disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Typically these payments are paid in respect of individuals who are either caring or financially supporting a third party, for example a child, a relative with an enduring impairment or a child in foster care. Specific payments related to basic needs such as fuel allowance etc. are also disregarded.

These disregards are designed to ensure that the provision of financial assistance for living costs or care do not disadvantage an individual applying for grant assistance under the scheme. Payments such as Disability Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit or Invalidity Pension are not disregarded as they are income subsidies paid directly to an individual, and are therefore assessed as income under the means test in line with the Regulations.

Applicants are encouraged to carry out the works as quickly as possible following grant approval. In general, works should be completed within six months following written approval from the local authority. In cases where works are not completed within six months following approval, local authorities should examine each case individually and, if necessary, offer an appropriate time extension for the completion of works.

Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department.  Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits.

On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (357)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

357. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making an increased allocation to Castleblayney care group through the capital assistance scheme in order to provide a community centre or facility in conjunction with the housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Capital Assistance Scheme provides up to 100% capital funding to AHBs to support the delivery of housing for certain priority categories of tenants. To date the Castleblayney Care Group AHB has completed 18 new social units of accommodation for which my Department has provided over €2.5 million under CAS. The AHB had indicated an intention to deliver an additional 2 CAS units as part of this development, for which my Department assigned further funding. I understand however, that the project has not yet been advanced.

Alongside the provision of priority accommodation for people with disabilities and age-friendly housing, under CAS my Department also provides funding for communal facilities at a level of €7,500 per unit of accommodation to a maximum of 95% of the actual costs of the works. In respect of Castleblayney Care Housing Association, communal facilities funding of €150,000 was made available to them on the basis of the 18 new social units already completed and in the expectation of them undertaking the two further units. I understand that the communal facilities project has not advanced to date but the funding remains available to the AHB to be drawn down if and when the scheme commences.

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