Written Answers Nos. 2011-2030
2011. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for legislation governing the rates structure to enable sectors of society (details supplied) to obtain rates waivers under specific conditions and particularly in respect of weather related damage. [37942/17]
View answer2017. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to modernise and consolidate legislation governing commercial rates; the status of the drafting of the rates Bill approved by Government on 11 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38082/17]
View answer2046. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the new commercial rates Bill; his plans for helping small and struggling businesses that are finding it impossible at present to pay their commercial rates bill under the present system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38397/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2011, 2017 and 2046 together.
Local 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 pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces. Locally elected members adopt the annual rate on valuation they consider necessary in order to provide the required services.
The Commissioner of Valuation, who has responsibility for valuation matters, is conducting a programme of revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties throughout the State. The purpose of the revaluation process is to provide for more consistent and up-to-date valuations for rating purposes and to assist in providing a more equitable distribution of valuations across those liable to pay rates. The Valuation Office comes under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. Many of the provisions are outdated and not suitable for business trends in the modern era. My Department has developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates. Among the measures included in the General Scheme of the Bill are provisions to allow a local authority to introduce rates alleviation schemes to support specific national and local policy objectives. The Government approved the drafting of a Rates Bill at its meeting on 11 April 2017. These proposals will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in due course.
The draft legislation does not provide for rates waivers for weather related issues encountered by small businesses. In instances where small businesses have difficulties arising from weather related damage, other supports have been made available by the Government. Most recently in Donegal, the Government introduced a Humanitarian Support Scheme to assist small businesses and community, voluntary and sporting bodies. This scheme is funded by the Department of Defence and administered by the Irish Red Cross.
2012. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37995/17]
View answer2013. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff deployed full-time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38011/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2012 and 2013 together.
Matters in relation to Brexit are managed by the business unit responsible for the coordination of EU and international business in my Department, with input from relevant line sections and experts across the organisation, as necessary. The relevant team, in the Assistant Secretary led Corporate and Business Support Division, is headed by a senior official at Principal Officer level and, while there are no staff deployed full-time to the issue, three people are involved directly at various times along with input from a larger number of staff across my Department as required. Brexit-related matters are also kept under regular review by my Department's Management Board. Apart from the normal staff and overhead costs, which have not been quantified to date, no specific additional funding has been allocated in my Department for Brexit-related matters at this point in time.
Brexit is a Government-wide issue and my Department has been working closely with other Departments on the preparations to date and will continue to do so during the negotiation period.
2014. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by his Department in the 18 months to September 2017 in respect of construction projects; the way in which he monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms his Department employs to establish this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38027/17]
View answerMy Department has a team of Technical Advisers who monitor, on an ongoing basis, construction projects for which we are the sanctioning authority. The last 18 months has seen much increased activity in this area with many project tender returns assisting towards the development of a reliable database in respect of housing construction projects in which my Department is involved. The technical team's role in monitoring of these construction projects includes consideration of tender inflation. Our recent tender activity indicates that inflation is broadly in line with the Tender Price Index published by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland; which is in the region of 8-10% over the timeframe to which the query relates.
2015. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has studied the implications of Brexit regarding inward migration from the UK and EU and the additional demand this will impose on the private rented residential sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38080/17]
View answer2070. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Brexit related research currently being undertaken by his Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38889/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2015 and 2070 together.
The extent to which Brexit will impact on the private rented residential sector or indeed on the housing market generally, is uncertain at this point in time as it will be determined at least in part by the nature of the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
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.
I continue to work with stakeholders in implementing the Rebuilding Ireland programme and will keep the potential housing-related impacts of Brexit under review as the negotiations unfold.
2016. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his officials completed the trial densification project at a location (details supplied) in the Dublin City Council area; the conclusions drawn from the densification project and its viability for being rolled out nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38081/17]
View answerWhile I am aware of the project referred to, my Department is not directly involved in it.
Government policy acknowledges the benefits of more compact development at urban locations proximate to public transport and other local services, as outlined under statutory Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines issued by the Minister in 2009 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
Urban planning and development policy also emphasises that particular care must be taken in the formulation of infill development proposals within established communities whose character is established by their density or architectural form. Any specific project must go through the relevant local planning process.
Our planning system provides a robust and well proven mechanism to assess such development proposals in striking an appropriate balance between the reasonable protection of the amenities and privacy of adjoining dwellings, the protection of established character and the need to enable reasonable infill proposals to meet our society’s housing requirements.
2019. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress his Department has made along with the National Development Finance Agency on allowing larger institutional private investors to become involved in financing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38084/17]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme provides a means whereby properties can be built or bought by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) with the combined use of State and private funding, and leased by AHBs and Local Authorities from private providers, for the provision of social housing. This scheme is underpinned by a lease and other legal agreements. These provide that rental payments are made by the State over an agreed long-term time period, typically 20 years. In return, the housing unit is made available for social housing purposes.
Changes are now being proposed to this scheme in order to facilitate larger institutional private investors to become involved in the financing of social housing.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is acting as financial advisor to my Department in this work and has undertaken market engagement in the development of the scheme. The new arrangements arising from this process are being tested to ensure that there is no negative impact arising from how they are viewed and treated in respect of the State’s General Government Balance. As part of this process, the proposed changes have been examined by Eurostat. Work on the scheme is well advanced, with details expected to be announced later this year.
2020. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons and families assisted under the emergency accommodation scheme in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38085/17]
View answerFunding in respect of homeless services is provided on a regional basis. During 2016, my Department recouped over €68.6 million to the Dublin Region housing authorities, while payments exceeding €23.7 million have been recouped to date in 2017.
With regard to the number of homeless persons, official homeless reports are published on my Department's website on a monthly basis and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). These reports capture details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The specific data sought in the Question is not available in my Department, and is a matter for the relevant housing authority.
2021. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent finding by an organisation (details supplied) that eight out of ten landlords wrongly issued rent increases to tenants in rent pressure zones in cases on which it adjudicated; the steps he will take to ensure more compliance by landlords with the new legislation. [38091/17]
View answerMy Department is currently conducting a review of the Rent Predictability Measure and, on the basis of the RTB rent data and of the recently conducted consultation on the operation of the Rent Pressure Zones, is examining whether there is avoidance, either through the unjustified use of the exemptions or the introduction of extra charges by landlords or the implementation of increases beyond those allowed under the legislation and whether new approaches to ensuring compliance are necessary. Where policy and/or legislative changes are recommended on foot of the review, they will be implemented as a matter of priority.
2022. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing and-or affordable housing units built or purchased by each of the approved housing bodies (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38135/17]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery as envisaged in Rebuilding Ireland. My Department and local authorities administer a number of funding programmes to assist AHBs with the cost of building, buying and leasing new social houses. All funding is conditional on the properties being made available to households on local authority waiting lists.
Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% is available to AHBs towards the provision of accommodation for people with disabilities, the elderly and homeless who are social housing qualified. The funding is provided by way of a local authority loan to the AHB with funding to cover the loan amount being drawn down by the local authority from my Department. A provision of €66 million has been provided nationally for the scheme in 2017. As the scheme is administered by the local authorities, details relating to the AHBs providing the accommodation and the categories of persons involved would be available from the authorities rather than my Department.
Under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), my Department, together with local authorities, can support AHBs to construct, purchase or lease housing units and make them available for social housing. The housing units are secured under long-term leases/ availability arrangements between local authorities and AHBs, the cost of which is recouped to local authorities by my Department. The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities, to assist with the financing of the construction or acquisition of units that will be provided to household on local authority waiting lists. CALF is a low interest loan to allow them access to early working capital (up to 30% of the relevant costs) for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of properties. Low interest rate borrowings are available to AHBs from the Housing Finance Agency and other private finance sources to support the financing of the balance. A provision of €43 million has been provided for the scheme in 2017. The capital advance is repayable by the AHB to the local authority at the end of a payment and availability agreement, usually 30 years. All proposals for CALF are submitted to the Department by AHBs for review and to ensure that the project complies with the terms of the CALF and that there are sufficient funds available.
In addition, AHBs may fund the construction or acquisition of properties which are secured for social housing by local authorities using their own reserves. Details of such activity by individual AHBs are not collated by my Department.
Details of the annual social housing output in each of the years 2014, 2015, and 2016 as well as the specific output under each of the funding programme are available on my Department's website at the following link - http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
2023. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he, or bodies and agencies under the remit of his Department, plans to make services or payments dependent on the mandatory use and production of the public services card; if so, the services and payments which will now be dependent on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38151/17]
View answerMy Department, generally, does not provide services or payments directly to the public; services tend instead to be provided to the public through our agencies or through the local authorities. I do not currently have any plans to make the use of the Public Services Card by the public mandatory for the receipt of services directly from my Department.
The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. 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 details for each agency are listed in the following table.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie. |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
2024. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the houses built as part of the State fund established to build social and affordable housing, including the location of each house, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38166/17]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, sets out the Government’s approach to addressing the current challenges in the housing sector. It is focused on increasing supply across all tenures and, in respect of social housing, the target is to deliver 47,000 housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisition and leasing over the period 2016 to 2021. This activity is being supported through a significantly increased investment programme of €5.35 billion. Alongside this is an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme which over the lifetime of the Plan is targeted to meet the needs of more than 83,000 households.
While still at an early stage of implementation, there is already strong evidence that the focus on increasing and accelerating housing supply in Rebuilding Ireland is achieving results. In 2016, the housing needs of over 19,000 households were met through a range of housing programmes, supported by expenditure of over €935 million. A further €1.3 billion has been provided for 2017 to support the accelerated delivery of social housing and the achievement of this year's target to meet the housing needs of over 21,000 households.
A comprehensive status list of social housing schemes for all local authority areas, can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/. This status report covers the period up to the end of Quarter 1 of 2017 and lists 607 approved social housing construction projects, their locations and also includes a range of information relating to their advancement, including those delivered during 2016 and to the end of Quarter 1 of 2017, it also shows those progressing through planning, design and construction. Details in respect of Quarter 2 of 2017 will be published shortly on the Rebuilding Ireland website.
These 607 projects are funded under a range of different initiatives such as local authority construction, turnkey developments, rapid delivery, regeneration programmes and construction and turnkey developments by approved housing bodies (AHBs). The precise timing for the advancement of each of these projects, including completion dates, is a matter for the relevant local authorities and AHBs concerned, in the first instance.
Further project approvals are being added to the construction programme as they are developed by local authorities and AHBs, updated details of which will be published on a regular basis. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing projects as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard. Furthermore, last week I announced that from 2018, the budget for social housing is being reorientated away from acquisitions and into direct build programmes for local authorities and AHBs. As a result, the current target for 2018 of c.3,000 newly built homes will increase by almost 30% to c.3800. When combined with homes to be delivered through Part V, and including old social housing stock that is being refurbished and returned to use, some 5,000 new social housing homes will be delivered in 2018.
As a result of this policy shift, this trend will continue across the current capital plan so that more than 20,000 new social housing homes will be built directly by local authorities and approved housing bodies over the lifetime of the capital plan.
The Government is committed to further increasing the number of new homes which will be built as part of the Social Housing Build Programme. Discussions are ongoing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and decisions on additional funding for social housing purposes will be finalised in the context of Budget 2018.
2026. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that every high rise and multi-unit development has been appropriately inspected for fire safety and is fully in compliance with all fire safety regulations, in view of the Grenfell fire disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38186/17]
View answerUnder Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003, there is a standing responsibility for fire safety in buildings of all kinds to which this legislation applies on the “person having control” of the premises. In addition, the design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014 and the primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations, including fire safety, rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.
Auditing and enforcement of the provisions of the Fire Services Act and Building Regulations is a function of the 31 local authorities, who have a suite of enabling and enforcement powers under both legislative codes.
In response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and in recognition of fears expressed for fire safety, on 27 June 2017, I tasked the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in my Department with co-ordinating a high-level Task Force to lead Ireland’s re-appraisal of fire safety. The Task Force was requested to oversee and report on a number of initial steps and to consider urgently any potential life safety issues arising and appropriate responses. The Task Force is reviewing and re-appraising existing arrangements and systems for fire safety and related issues which impact on fire safety in Ireland. As it carries out its work, the Task Force will continue to take into account information and developments arising in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.
In addition to establishing the Task Force, I requested that a number of initial actions be taken, including reviews of fire safety in social housing and fire safety in medium and high rise buildings. The Task Force is preparing an initial report for me by the end of September 2017, with a further report setting out further proposals for my consideration in 2018.
Local authorities were requested to review fire safety in the multi-storey social housing sector. Initial research undertaken in response has not identified any residential buildings in Ireland directly comparable, or of a similar scale, to Grenfell Tower. The responses from all 31 local authorities indicated that there are 1,250 multi storey social housing buildings in Ireland, containing 17,060 flats. Initial assessments of fire safety features in these buildings indicated a high level of presence of appropriate fire safety features and action has been initiated by the local authorities to rectify specific identified concerns.
Local authorities have confirmed also that they commenced a process of engagement with management companies of privately-owned multi-storey buildings where social housing is being provided in relation to the fire safety responsibilities of those companies as the ‘person having control’ of the building.
The Task Force Working Group on Social Housing will continue to analyse the returns received and identify issues which merit further consideration or action.
Local authorities were also requested to carry out a preliminary survey to identify buildings of more than six storeys, or more than 18m in height, fitted with external cladding or rain screen systems, with or without insulation, that may be a cause for concern in respect of potential for rapid fire spread, and to consider whether use of the power to require a fire safety assessment is warranted, in respect of identified buildings. This request covered residential accommodation and other buildings. Residential buildings include flats or maisonettes, residential institutional uses (hospitals, nursing homes, homes for old people or children, schools or other similar establishments providing accommodation) and other residential uses (including hotels, hostels, guest buildings, residential colleges, halls of residence).
A total of 847 such medium to high rise buildings have been identified in these categories, including 372 residential and 475 ‘other’ uses. Of these, the presence of cladding has been noted in 86 residential and 160 non-residential buildings. For 86 residential buildings and 111 non-residential buildings, local authorities have decided to request the persons having control over the building to carry out a fire safety assessment (under section 18(6)(a) of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 & 2003) on buildings with cladding systems and concealed spaces (cavities) in the external wall construction and its potential impact on fire safety in the building.
As the work of the Fire Safety Task Force progresses, the issue of reviewing buildings less than 18m in height will be considered. The 18m height threshold for initial consideration was chosen as this is the height at which specific additional fire safety requirements are triggered in building regulations. This is also seen as the maximum height at which external fire-fighting is possible.
I will consider all issues emerging, including regulatory arrangements, in line with developments and the reports of the Task Force and, particularly, as further information becomes available in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire.
2027. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons in each local authority in receipt of HAP; the number in receipt of an enhanced HAP or top-up payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38205/17]
View answerUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation, the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 (as amended). The Government increased the maximum rent limits available under the HAP and Rent Supplement schemes across the country with effect from 1 July 2016. Furthermore, additional flexibility above the existing HAP rent limits was made available to all HAP local authorities from the same date.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis.
From data that is available, at the end of Q2 2017, 17.8% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility that was provided to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limits. When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region is removed, 12.6% of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility that was provided to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limits. The following table identifies the number of households being supported by HAP where additional flexibility was utilised by local authority area.
|
Local Authority Area |
Number of HAP supported households at end of Q2 2017 |
Number of HAP supported households where additional flexibility was utilised by LA |
% |
|
Carlow County Council |
515 |
36 |
7% |
|
Cavan County Council |
60 |
1 |
1.7% |
|
Clare County Council |
1,113 |
47 |
4.2% |
|
Cork City Council |
1,290 |
413 |
32% |
|
Cork County Council |
2,127 |
157 |
7.4% |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,540 |
3 |
0.2% |
|
Dublin City Council* |
375 |
95 |
25.3% |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council* |
46 |
37 |
80.4% |
|
Fingal County Council* |
121 |
49 |
40.5% |
|
Galway City Council |
645 |
305 |
47.3% |
|
Galway County Council |
570 |
45 |
7.9% |
|
Kerry County Council |
194 |
27 |
13.9% |
|
Kildare County Council |
1,128 |
432 |
38.3% |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
800 |
14 |
1.8% |
|
Laois County Council |
88 |
3 |
3.4% |
|
Leitrim County Council |
42 |
- |
0.0% |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
1,767 |
28 |
1.6% |
|
Longford County Council |
60 |
- |
0.0% |
|
Louth County Council |
1,568 |
68 |
4.3% |
|
Mayo County Council |
624 |
408 |
65.4% |
|
Meath County Council |
856 |
315 |
36.8% |
|
Monaghan County Council |
360 |
12 |
3.3% |
|
Offaly County Council |
465 |
3 |
0.6% |
|
Roscommon County Council |
74 |
- |
0.0% |
|
Sligo County Council |
347 |
2 |
0.6% |
|
South Dublin County Council* |
1,783 |
13 |
0.7% |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,407 |
150 |
10.7% |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
1,339 |
56 |
4.2% |
|
Westmeath County Council |
148 |
10 |
6.8% |
|
Wexford County Council |
192 |
8 |
4.2% |
|
Wicklow County Council |
164 |
10 |
6.1% |
|
Total (Excl DRHE) |
21,808 |
2,746 |
12.6% |
|
*DRHE |
1, 428 |
1,391 |
97% |
|
**Grand Total (including DRHE) |
23,236 |
4,137 |
17.8% |
*In Dublin City Council, DLR, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils, eligible homeless households are assisted under the Homeless HAP scheme operated by the DRHE, under which additional discretion is available in recognition of the difficulty that can exist in housing homeless households. These homeless HAP numbers are not included in the HAP numbers identified under each of these Dublin LA areas in the table above.
**Tenancy numbers reflected above show all HAP tenancies set up at end Q.2 2017 where the rent was agreed. A further 607 HAP tenancies were set up at this point, but were awaiting final rent agreement.
More than 26,000 households are currently in receipt of HAP support. A breakdown by the number of households supported by HAP, including the number of Rent Supplement transfers in each local authority area for 2016 and for Q2 2017, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland.
2028. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when construction work on each site will commence and when homes on each site will be available in view of the fact that it is now almost two years since the Government's original announcement to provide 520 new social housing homes by means of a PPP mechanism across six sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38206/17]
View answerThe Social Housing PPP Programme involves an investment with a capital value of €300 million. It is to deliver 1,500 social housing units in total, via three bundles. The first bundle comprises six PPP sites, providing for over 500 units in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each individual bundle of sites takes an estimated 37-48 months to deliver in total, including planning, procurement and construction. It is expected that construction would commence in 2018 on the first sites, with units becoming available from 2019.
The time taken to put the procurement and contractual arrangements in place is necessary in order to appropriately structure the mechanism to ensure that the quality of the units delivered and the management agreements protect the interests of tenants and taxpayers. The timescale for the construction period is in line with traditional delivery.
2029. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been drawn down to date further to the announcement of the local infrastructure housing activation fund; the particular lands and developments this funding relates to; the funding he expects to be drawn down in the remainder of 2017; the particular lands and developments this relates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38207/17]
View answerOn 28th March 2017, funding was announced for 34 projects under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). The total cost of these projects is €226.5 million, of which €169.7 million would be funded from the Exchequer under LIHAF with local authorities funding the remaining €56.8 million.
No drawdown of funding can occur until grant agreements between my Department and local authorities have been signed.
Local authorities are continuing to work with developers with a view to finalising agreements in relation to LIHAF. My Department has informed local authorities that the final deadline for the receipt of any outstanding documentation, including details of the local agreements between local authorities and developers, is 15th September. I intend to review all documentation relating to each of the projects considered for formal approval with the aim of proceeding to signing Grant Agreements with Local Authorities as soon as possible thereafter. This will enable drawdown of funding to begin later this year.
The full list of approved projects, together with brief descriptions and the projected housing yield for each site, is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/rebuilding-ireland/local-infrastructure-housing-activation-fund-approved-projects.
2030. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend legislation to ensure that the rate of deposits sought by landlords is no more than one month's rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38208/17]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provides for, among other things, the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board.
The Government is fully committed to the principle of ensuring effective protection of deposits. However, I am examining the current legislative provisions to take account of the changed circumstances since the scheme was first envisaged and determine what modifications and improvements should be made to ensure that the scheme, when introduced, can operate effectively and efficiently.
I am aware of the issue of some landlords charging more than one month’s deposit which has been raised on a number of occasions recently. The setting in legislation of a limit on the level of deposit that a landlord may require is also being considered in the context of the examination of the deposit protection scheme mentioned above.
