Written Answers Nos. 267-282
267. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide data (details supplied) on the projected cost of construction of social housing, excluding in all cases the cost of land procurement. [37043/16]
View answerIn relation to information sought for averages of various social housing costs, the following are the relevant figures based on current unit cost ceiling data prepared from tender returns utilised within my Department.
- average cost per square meter of social housing construction in Dublin = €2,046;
- average cost per square meter of social housing construction outside of Dublin = €1,524.
The average cost of construction of various housing units including all works within the site curtilage and a contribution towards development of common areas of the overall development (footpaths, roads, lighting etc), are as follows:
- 2-bed social housing unit in Dublin = €191,850;
- 2-bed social housing unit outside of Dublin = €141,445;
- 3-bed social housing unit in Dublin = €205,250;
- 3-bed social housing unit outside of Dublin = €154,560.
268. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there are any legal restrictions that preclude the State from providing public housing in the form of long-term rental to all persons regardless of income. [37044/16]
View answer269. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the research that has been conducted by his Department into the possibility of the State providing affordable public housing in the form of long-term rental to all persons, regardless of income. [37045/16]
View answer285. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has considered revising upwards the income limits under which persons can apply for social housing, in view of the considerable rise in housing rents and the current Central Bank rules governing mortgage approval. [37333/16]
View answer286. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has considered changing the income limits for social housing for the area of the southern division of Cork County Council, in view of the fact that it is largely part of the same housing market as Cork city. [37334/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 269, 285 and 286 together.
The overall strategic objective of Government housing policy is to enable all households to access good quality housing appropriate to their household circumstances and in sustainable communities of their choice. The main focus of social housing supports is on meeting the most acute housing needs among the population, within the resources available. Thus, State-funded housing supports will continue to be targeted at those people who are unable to provide for their accommodation from their own resources, as measured by their annual net income.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing supports in each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. However, these limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020-Support, Supply and Reform and Rebuilding Ireland-Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Action 4.6 of Rebuilding Ireland provides for the introduction of a new pilot affordable rental scheme to enhance the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent. The objective of the scheme is to provide long-term affordable residential accommodation for low to moderate income key-worker households in urban areas of high demand and provide an economic incentive to increase supply of rental accommodation. Consideration of the pilot affordable rental scheme is being progressed within the context of the comprehensive strategy for the rental sector which is due for publication before the end of 2016. Consideration of relevant research in the field forms an inherent part of the development of the Strategy.
I am mindful that we need to consider every policy instrument at our disposal to tackle the many challenges in the housing market. In this context, I expect that the recently announced changes to the Central Bank rules governing mortgage lending will ease the burden on those trying to secure their own home for the first time.
270. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if builders contracted to build social housing units pay VAT on the materials used in construction; and if this cost is then included in the estimate of costs of unit construction. [37046/16]
View answerTaxation policy is a matter for the Minister for Finance. Nevertheless, my Department understands that VAT is charged on the supply of materials used in construction of residential properties, including those used for the purposes of social housing. Tenders awarded by local authorities for the provision of social housing include all costs associated with their procurement contracts.
271. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the powers that the chief executive of a local authority has to designate property rateable; if the chief executive of Clare County Council has discretion in a case (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37057/16]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. Those Acts determine properties that can, and cannot, be considered for rating purposes. The Commissioner for Valuation has responsibility for valuation matters, including determination under those Acts of relevant property for the purposes of rates.
The valuation determined by the Commissioner is fixed on a property and generally does not change from year to year, unless the valuation is revised or revalued in the normal course of that office’s work. Part 6 of the Valuation Act 2001 provides that a revision of the valuation of a particular property may be carried out if a "Material Change of Circumstances" has taken place since the property was last valued. In such cases, the occupier of the premises can apply to the Valuation Office for a revision of valuation. The application and management of this process is a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation and the Valuation Office.
The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 come under the remit of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.
272. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the locations of the 15 social houses which are currently being constructed in County Louth; and if these 15 houses are new and additional houses or if they are replacement dwellings for social houses which have been demolished. [37116/16]
View answer273. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the proposed social housing construction which is planned for County Louth over the term of the action plan for housing; and the locations of this social housing. [37117/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
In relation to the 15 social houses referred to in Question 272, 14 units have been completed under the regeneration of Coxes Demesne, Dundalk and a further unit will be delivered under the CAS programme by the year end in Drogheda. In addition, Louth County Council has acquired 24 properties under CPO and a further 49 through general acquisitions. Works are required to be carried out on these units and these works range from minor repairs to more extensive works requiring special adaptations to meet the needs of the identified tenants.
Contractors were appointed and are on site and works are due to be completed before Christmas on the rehabilitation of Woodlands Halting Site. Work is also due to get underway in the near future on 3 social housing units at Bothar Brugha in Drogheda. Louth County Council is also in the process of procuring a design team for a development of approximately 15 houses in Father Finn Park in Louth Village and is also extensively involved in the development of social housing in Dunleer through the PPP bundles.
It should be noted that there has been significant liaison with the various Approved Housing Bodies who are constructing social housing in the Louth area. Indeed, a range of projects are currently at the various stages of approval, including Clontygora Phase 2; College Manor, Dundalk; Castlecourt, Castlebellingham; Coulter Place, Dundalk; Liscorrie, Drogheda; Riverside Court, Drogheda; Clos Na Manach, Carlingford; and Scarlet St, Drogheda. There are many other projects in earlier stages of discussion.
274. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when new wind farm planning guidelines to assist the proper planning of wind power projects will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/16]
View answerIn December 2013, my Department published proposed draft revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day- and night-time noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which ran until February 2014. The Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
In light of the commitment in the Programme for A Partnership Government to finalise the Guidelines and on-going policy and legal developments in this area, my Department is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines and related matters in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in order to bring the various issues to a conclusion as early as possible. It is intended to make a statement on the matter before the end of the year, outlining the timelines for the implementation of the various elements.
275. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to update guidance and legislation in respect of funfairs and theme parks, particularly in view of an accident taking place in a well known venue in the UK. [37206/16]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing its role in relation to its responsibility for the aspects of legislation relating to regulation of fairground equipment and funfairs in section 239 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, particularly in respect of the specific legislative provisions relating to fairground equipment and also more general issues in relation to safety at funfairs, theme parks and community events. The issues of legislative change and updated guidance will be considered in light of this review.
276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding that has been provided to County Louth over the previous three years 2014 to 2016 by project name, location and funding amount in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37221/16]
View answer277. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the applications submitted for funding projects from Louth County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016 in tabular form; and if the applications were successful. [37237/16]
View answer278. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding for projects in 2017 in County Louth to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37253/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 278, inclusive, together.
My Department has a broad business agenda, including supporting citizens in safe and sustainable communities through the provision of access to good quality housing, fostering community development in partnership with local government, supporting and enabling responsive local government and protecting and improving water resources. In order to deliver on this agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies and non-statutory bodies.
Across all schemes and funding sources the funding my Department provided to Louth County Council in 2014, 2015 and to the end of October 2016 is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Louth County Council |
|
2014 |
€ 24,827,303.62 |
|
2015 |
€ 29,533,062.56 |
|
To End Oct 2016 |
€ 22,620,652.29 |
The figures include my Departmental Vote as it is currently configured, the Local Government Fund and the Environment Fund to September 2016, before responsibility for that fund transferred to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question concerning funding for a specific purpose or project from my Department, including funding which may not be drawn down until 2017, I will endeavour to provide the information sought.
279. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding that has been provided to County Meath over the previous three years 2014 to 2016 by project name, location and funding amount in tabular form. [37269/16]
View answer280. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; if the applications where successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37285/16]
View answer281. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding for projects in 2017 in County Meath to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together.
My Department has a broad business agenda, including supporting citizens in safe and sustainable communities through the provision of access to good quality housing, fostering community development in partnership with local government, supporting and enabling responsive local government and protecting and improving water resources. In order to deliver on this agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies and non-statutory bodies.
Across all schemes and funding sources the funding my Department provided to Meath County Council in 2014, 2015 and to the end of October 2016 is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Meath County Council |
|
2014 |
€ 20,109,398.72 |
|
2015 |
€ 29,007,585.88 |
|
To End Oct 2016 |
€ 24,548,339.23 |
The figures include my Departmental Vote as it is currently configured, the Local Government Fund and the Environment Fund to September 2016, before responsibility for that fund transferred to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question concerning funding for a specific purpose or project from my Department, including funding which may not be drawn down until 2017, I will endeavour to provide the information sought.
282. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the schemes that exist to assist persons whose incomes are marginally above the income limits for social and affordable housing, but for whom being in a position to save for a large enough deposit under the current Central Bank mortgage rules would be impossible; and the way in which such persons could obtain secure housing. [37330/16]
View answer284. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if it is currently within the gift of local authorities to offer loans or mortgages to applicants seeking housing; if not, if his Department has considered supporting or facilitating such loans or mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37332/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 284 together.
The lack of a sufficient supply of homes to meet demand has led to the current pressures in the housing market, making it difficult for first-time and other buyers to access housing at affordable levels.
The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness outlines the Government’s commitment to develop a fully functioning housing market that meets the housing needs of all, by overcoming the current supply shortfall and increasing the national supply level to over 25,000 new homes per year by 2021. Rebuilding Ireland takes a holistic approach in addressing the many interacting structural constraints affecting the housing market by including actions to streamline the planning system, remove infrastructure blockages and support the delivery of affordable housing. These measures should help make new developments economically viable in areas where supply constraints and price pressures are particularly acute.
Earlier this month, I announced details of 23 Major Urban Housing Development Sites with the potential to deliver up to 30,000 additional homes on existing zoned lands and close to the key areas of demand over the next 3-4 years. These sites will be highlighted as exemplars for the co-ordination and delivery of plan-led housing development and active land management.
In order to quickly get key sites moving, a €200 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) has been established. Twenty-one local authorities, working in conjunction with housing providers, submitted proposals for funding which are currently being evaluated. Successful bid proposals will be announced in December.
Separately, the National Treasury Management Agency and Ireland Strategic Investment Fund are currently exploring opportunities to support the delivery of housing-related on-site enabling infrastructure in large-scale priority development areas with a view to kick starting the development process.
Given the particular challenge faced by first-time buyers in accessing the housing market, my colleague, the Minister for Finance recently announced a Help-to-Buy initiative as part of Budget 2017. The Help-to-Buy initiative has been designed to complement the structural measures announced in Rebuilding Ireland, by providing immediate and targeted support for first-time buyers of new homes in meeting their deposit requirements, greater certainty regarding the pool of available purchasers is provided to the housebuilding sector, encouraging the construction of new housing units.
The combined effect of these and other actions under the Plan will help reduce costs and deliver more housing at affordable prices, where it is most needed.
In addition, there are currently two house purchase loan offerings available to lower income first time buyers from local authorities.
The first is a standard annuity mortgage available from all local authorities. A first time buyer unable to get a loan from a building society or a bank, may be eligible for a mortgage from the local authority concerned to purchase a new or second hand property or build their own home. The loan can be up to 97% of the price of the house subject to a maximum loan of €200,000. A local authority mortgage is an annuity mortgage with variable interest rates so repayments will go up and down in line with interest rate changes. The relevant terms and conditions applying to local authority housing loans are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. Key eligibility criteria provide that a loan applicant must be a first time buyer and must be able to show their local authority that they cannot get a loan from a bank or building society. Also, the gross income (before tax) of a single income household in the previous year must be €50,000 or less and the combined gross income (before tax) of a two income household in the previous year must be €75,000 or less. Prospective applicants should contact their relevant local authority for further information.
The second option is the Home Choice Loan, a Government backed mortgage for first time buyers. The relevant terms and conditions applying to the Home Choice Loan are set out in the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009. First time buyers can apply for a Home Choice Loan to purchase a new or second hand property or build their own home. Home Choice Loan provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased, subject to a maximum loan amount of €285,000. The loan is a normal capital and interest bearing mortgage which is repaid on a monthly basis. Home Choice Loan offers one variable interest rate. The rate is currently set at 3.25% variable, APR 3.30%. Further information is available at http://www.homechoiceloan.ie.
To support local authorities in operating their housing loan schemes in a consistent and efficient manner, the Housing Agency provides a central underwriting service to local authorities. The credit underwriting process considers the impact that family circumstances may have on the loan applicant’s capacity to make loan repayments. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the relevant statutory Credit Policy that underpins the scheme and aims to ensure prudent lending.
