Wednesday, 20 Sep 2017

Written Answers Nos. 753-777

Housing Assistance Payment Data

Questions (753)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

753. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of checks carried out by his Department on HAP properties; the time between approval to join the scheme and the first inspection; the position in the event that an inspection results in a fail; the number of properties and or landlords that have been removed from HAP having failed an inspection; the obligations of landlords of failed properties to the sitting tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39187/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.  All landlords, including those in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority. Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, local authorities have a strengthened legislative framework available to them which provides for the issuing of Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices where landlords are in breach of their obligations.  Fines for non-compliance with the regulations were also increased; the maximum fine increased from €3,000 to €5,000 and the fine for each day of a continuing offence increased to €400.

Under Section 12 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended), landlords are obliged to: ensure that the their property is in good condition; maintain the property to the standard it was at the start of the tenancy; and reimburse the tenants for any repairs carried out on the structure.

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under section 41 of the 2014 Act, local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of the commencement of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling if not already inspected within the previous 12 months. HAP may be provided on a property which is the subject of a subsisting improvement notice under section 18A of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. HAP shall not be, or shall cease to be, provided on a property which is the subject of proceedings or a prohibition notice under section 18B of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. Where a prohibition notice has come into effect, HAP may continue to be paid for 13 weeks from the date of HAP commencing or the notice coming into force, as appropriate. 

Following the completion of the statutory phased roll-out of the HAP scheme in March 2017, the HAP Shared Services Centre, which provides a central transactional service for all local authorities and is operated by Limerick City and County Council, updated the ICT system used for HAP supported tenancies in order to assist local authorities in recording their compliance with their legislative obligations.  The inspections module went live in July 2017 and the HAP SSC is working with local authorities to ensure consistency.

This new module will provide improved information in relation to inspections of HAP properties and the information reported by local authorities under the module will be kept under regular review. 

Data in relation to all private rental inspections carried out by local authorities can be found at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/private-housing-market-statistics.

Housing Adaptation Grant Data

Questions (754)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

754. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the allocation Tipperary County Council received for the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability, home owner, local authority tenant, housing aid for older people and mobility aids grant in 2017; the percentage of this allocation compared to 2016; the percentage of that allocation that has been received by Tipperary County Council for each grant category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39199/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people in private houses to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.  The suite of grants includes the Housing Aid for Older People, the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant.  The 2017 allocation for Tipperary County Council is €2,426,184 which is 104% of the 2016 allocation.  During 2016, the Council drew down 65% of the allocation, broken down into 15.6%, 40.6% and 8.8%, respectively, in respect of the Housing Aid for Older People, Housing Adaptation and Mobility Aids grants. On top of the exchequer funding amounts, the local authority made a further 20% contribution in respect of these grants.

The Disabled Persons Grant Scheme provides funding for adaptations to existing social housing stock such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, etc. The Scheme also supports extensions in cases of overcrowding. During 2016, my Department provided funding of €522,243 to the Council under the scheme and this year their allocation is €411,695; which is 79% of their 2016 funding.  On top of the exchequer funding amounts, the local authority also makes a further 10% contribution in respect of these grants. While the allocation for this year is lower than the amount they received in 2016, my Department will be closely monitoring the spend on the scheme and where local authorities are underspending, the Department can give consideration to increasing allocations to local authorities following a request from them for additional funding.

The detailed administration of these grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grants to applicants under the various measures, is the responsibility of the local authorities.  I am conscious of the social benefit accruing from the Schemes and further consideration will be given to increasing the funding over the coming years.

Rental Accommodation Scheme Administration

Questions (755, 756)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

755. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the supports that are being provided to local authorities to find replacement housing for tenants under the rental accommodation scheme in circumstances in which landlords withdraw from the scheme due to limits of the rent pressure zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39200/17]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

756. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the powers available to local authorities to continue to support housing under the rental accommodation scheme in rent reviews within rent pressure zones which result in significant differences with open market rent prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39201/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 755 and 756 together.

Under the terms of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), local authorities retain the responsibility to source further accommodation for a household accommodated under RAS, should the dwelling that the household is living in become unavailable through no fault of their own.  It is a matter for local authorities to make every effort to secure suitable alternative accommodation for any household in RAS in the circumstances outlined as quickly as possible.

In light of the pressures on the rental market in certain locations, it can be difficult to source new RAS properties.  In all cases, not just where a tenancy is under threat, there is no bar on RAS households from sourcing alternative accommodation themselves, if they so desire, independent of the local authority. Once the local authority is satisfied that the accommodation meets the needs of the household and conforms to standards for rental accommodation, which are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, the property can be brought into RAS.

Where possible, local authorities are guided to agree rents which equate to circa one month's rent less than the market rate over a given 12 month period (annualised saving of 8% on market rate) to represent the level of risk transferred to each local authority. However, where there is difficulty in a local authority securing RAS accommodation, there is flexibility in relation to the discount in market rates, at the discretion of the individual local authority. A local authority may also allocate a property to a social housing tenant if a RAS tenancy cannot be sourced.

The issue of properties where landlords have maintained rents at levels substantially below the rents currently being sought has come up in the review of the Rent Predictability Measure and the operation of the Rent Pressure Zones.  In a Rent Pressure Zone the rent increases available to these landlords will be well below those achievable by landlords who have been charging higher rents and driving the rent inflation in the area.  The review has considered the potential implications for RAS tenancies.  Any changes found by the review to be necessary will be addressed in the wider review of Rebuilding Ireland.

At the end of 2016, local authorities report that there were 20,306 households  supported by RAS. A further 540 households transferred from Rent Supplement to RAS between January and July 2017.  RAS remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support.

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Questions (757)

Robert Troy

Question:

757. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of an application for funding for the upgrade and realignment of the Ardmore road to accelerate housing provision at Ardmore, Mullingar, County Westmeath submitted by Westmeath County Council under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation fund in November 2016; and if this application will be responded to in a timely manner to enable Westmeath county council install this infrastructure and help address housing supply issues. [39203/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

A call for proposals under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund was issued to all local authorities in August 2016. It was open to all local authorities to apply for funding towards the capital cost of the public infrastructure, which when provided, would secure the early delivery of additional affordable housing at considerable scale, with developments in excess of 500 units in the Dublin area, or in excess of 200 units in areas outside Dublin.

21 local authorities submitted a total of 74 proposals in October 2016. The overall funding sought by Local Authorities was far in excess of the funding available.  Westmeath County Council submitted two proposals in respect of Mullingar and Athlone.

On 28 March 2017, I announced funding for 34 projects under the LIHAF. The cost of these projects is €226.46 million, of which €169.65 million would be funded under LIHAF with local authorities funding the remaining €56.81 million. These public infrastructure projects will be key to the delivery of 23,000 housing units over the next four years, with a longer term projection of up to 70,000 units as the selected sites are fully built out. 

Westmeath County Council received approval for its project at Athlone, with an allocation of €1.83m. However, due to the substantial oversubscription of proposals, it was not possible to approve other valid and worthy proposals, including the Mullingar proposal referenced by the Deputy, within the funding available.

I am seeking additional funding for LIHAF under the review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021, but it will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to consider in the context of other demands for the available funds. In the event that more funds are secured, proposals that did not receive funding will be reconsidered and Local Authorities will also have an opportunity to advance new proposals that would meet LIHAF objectives.

Property Tax Administration

Questions (758)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

758. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position that would arise if a local authority were not to notify his Department by the designated date of its decision in respect of the local property tax for the following year; the process that would be followed by his Department in such a circumstance to notify the Revenue Commissioners of the LPT from that local authority for the following year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39237/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Effective from 1 July 2014, local authorities may vary the rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) in their administrative area for the following year by up to 15% of the basic rate of the tax. Elected members are responsible in law for adoption of the local authority's annual budget, and the power to vary LPT rates has enabled them to directly influence the level of LPT income available to meet their expenditure requirements. The power to vary LPT rates was assigned to local authorities to further increase their autonomy.

In accordance with LPT legislation, the decision to vary must be taken by resolution of the Council and be notified to the Revenue Commissioners and to the Minster for Housing, Planning and Local Government by 30 September in order to apply for the following year. It is a matter for the local authority concerned to notify the Revenue Commissioners of any such decision in the form and manner specified by them.  As the decision applies to one year only, the rate reverts to the basic rate in the following year unless a resolution is notified.

The Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014 set out the process that applies to variation decisions, including the factors that local authorities must consider and the type of public consultation that should be undertaken as part of that process. Guidance has also been issued to local authorities concerning matters relating to these Regulations and is available on my Department's website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad%2C38336%2Cen.pdf.

Housing Provision

Questions (759)

Clare Daly

Question:

759. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Central Mental Hospital site is one of the circa 800 publicly owned sites that are to be made available for the construction of housing as reported in the media (details supplied) earlier in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39275/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

On 27 April 2017, my Department published the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, which can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.

The map is the result of the collation of data by my Department from local authorities, the Housing Agency, and other State and semi-State bodies. The data sets released to date include details of over 700 local authority and Housing Agency owned sites totalling some 1,700 hectares, as well as 30 sites (200 hectares) owned by State or Semi-State Bodies, the latter in the Greater Dublin Area and other major urban centres, with the potential to deliver homes in the short to medium term.

The site referred to, the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, which still operates as an active hospital, was not included in the initial mapping exercise, as published in April.

As the owner of the site, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has primary responsibility for any future plans for its development. My Department will continue to work with all State bodies, including the OPW, to ensure, where appropriate, housing is delivered from State sites that are available for development.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (760)

Michael McGrath

Question:

760. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of persons currently on secondment from a local authority to his Department; the length of the secondment in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

There are currently 5 persons on secondment from local authorities as set out in the following table:

Local Authority	Number of Staff	Business Unit	Length of Secondment
Galway County Council	1	Housing Delivery Office	September 2016 to date
Fingal County Council	1	Forward Planning	March 2016 to date
Dublin City Council	1	Fire Services and Emergency Management Directorate	January 2015 to date
Limerick City and County Council	1	Fire Services and Emergency Management Directorate	April 2014 to date
Tipperary County Council	1	Fire Services and Emergency Management Directorate	January 2015 to date
Total	5

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Questions (761)

Michael McGrath

Question:

761. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses built by local authorities in each of the years since 2000, in tabular form; the number of units received by each local authority by way of Part V; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39282/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Details on the number of social housing properties constructed, purchased and leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies, for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists, are published on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.

Information is currently being finalised in respect of quarter one of 2017 and will be published shortly, with information on quarter two 2017 to follow thereafter. 

Details on the number of units delivered under Part V arrangements are also available on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.

Specific data relating to 2016 social housing output arising from Part V agreements will be available on my Department's website shortly.

Property Tax Administration

Questions (762)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

762. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the data which was used in arriving at the baseline for the local property tax, LPT, in 2014; when the 2014 baseline was amended in 2017; the way in which the changes were calculated; the further calculation being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39320/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The local government funding model changed considerably in 2014, primarily due to the establishment of Irish Water. Its financial relationship with the local government sector had a considerable impact on local authority financing at that time. In allocating General Purpose Grants (GPG) from the Local Government Fund for 2014, my Department took account of the movement of certain water related activities from Local Authorities to Irish Water.  In this context, it was necessary to defer defining a certain proportion of the proceeds of the Local Property Tax (LPT) to be retained in each local authority and the setting of LPT baselines until 2015.

As set out above, local retention of LPT began in 2015 and is now established as an essential source of funding for the local government sector, which reduces reliance on central funding. In accordance with decisions taken by Government regarding the distribution of LPT funding, every local authority has a minimum level of funding available to it known as the LPT baseline. The LPT funding baselines of all local authorities in 2015 and 2016 were at least matched to 2014 GPG funding from the Local Government Fund.  

For 2017 onwards, an upward adjustment was made to the LPT baseline of each local authority, to include an additional amount equivalent to the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) income retained by local authorities in 2014. The inclusion of PRD in increased LPT funding baselines helps protect local authority income in the future. It means that, from 2017 onwards, local authorities will no longer retain PRD locally, thus reversing the previous approach. This was designed to negate the effects of declining PRD income being retained by local authorities from 2016 onwards as a consequence of the implementation of National pay agreements.  

My Department works with all local authorities to ensure the local government sector can meet existing and emerging challenges. Matters relating to LPT allocation methods and baselines for future years will be reviewed as necessary and appropriate. All such funding issues have to be considered within the parameters of the national fiscal and budgetary situation and the competing priorities presenting themselves at wider Governmental level.

Residential Tenancies Board Data

Questions (763)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

763. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of cases undertaken by the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, in each of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016; the number of those cases resolved by mediation; the number resolved by tribunals; the number of enforcement actions; the number of cases which were referred to the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39362/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Details of the numbers and types of cases undertaken by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), their enforcement actions and numbers of cases referred to the courts, are available in the RTB Annual Reports which are available on the Board's website at

http://www.rtb.ie/media-research/publications/annual-reports.

The Clerk of the Dáil has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB has set up a dedicated email address for this purpose at [e-mail].

Local Authority Funding

Questions (764)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

764. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the specific allocation of funding for homelessness services by local authority; the amount self-funded by each local authority; the personnel dedicated to homelessness services by local authority; the changes which have occurred in each year since 2014; the councils which are grouped in regional bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39367/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.  My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to lead housing authorities on a regional basis. 

Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.  The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.  Under Section 10 funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources; however authorities may incur additional expenditure outside of the Section 10 funding arrangements.  Consequently, the information sought in the Question regarding the specific amounts allocated for homeless services by local authority and the amount self-funded by each local authority is not available in my Department.

The Section 10 Exchequer funding for the years 2014 - 2016 provided through my Department to housing authorities is set out on a regional basis in the table.  A total amount of €97.8 million has been provided for in 2017. 

Funding under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988 

Region	2014	2015	2016
Dublin	€35,322,223	€48,270,201	€68,627,075
Mid-East	€928,489	€1,716,245	€2,746,651
Midland	€649,707	€805,995	€1,109,748
Mid-West	€3,405,060	€3,499,898	€3,500,000
North-East	€879,963	€996,849	€1,493,336
North-West	€348,879	€387,643	€411,946
South-East	€1,818,969	€2,394,619	€3,041,840
South-West	€4,307,772	€5,000,686	€5,375,609
West	€1,544,712	€1,698,834	€2,370,295

With regard to staffing in housing authorities, while my Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities this does not provide the detail sought in relation to homelessness staffing. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 it is a matter for each Chief Executive to make the organisational arrangements, including with regard to staffing, necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities; in this regard it is a matter for each individual Chief Executive to assign staff to specific functional areas.

Finally, for the purpose of homeless administration there are nine regions, and those regions along with their constituent housing authorities are as follows:

DUBLIN

- Dublin City Council

- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

- Fingal County Council

- South Dublin County Council

MID-EAST

- Kildare County Council

- Meath County Council

- Wicklow County Council

MIDLANDS

- Laois County Council

- Longford County Council

- Offaly County Council

- Westmeath County Council

MID-WEST

- Clare County Council

- Limerick City and County Council

NORTH-EAST

- Cavan County Council

- Louth County Council

- Monaghan County Council

NORTH-WEST

- Donegal County Council

- Leitrim County Council

- Sligo County Council

SOUTH-EAST

- Carlow County Council

- Kilkenny County Council

- Tipperary County Council

- Waterford City and County Council

- Wexford County Council

SOUTH-WEST

- Cork City

- Cork County Council

- Kerry County Council

WEST

- Galway City Council

- Galway County Council

- Mayo County Council

- Roscommon County Council

Residential Tenancies Board Data

Questions (765)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

765. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff directly employed by the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB; the way in which this compares to each of the years 2014 to 2016; the additional functions which have been added; the resources which were provided with additional functions; the additional resources the RTB sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39373/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The RTB currently has 49 staff which include a number of secondees from other civil/public service bodies.  The following table sets out staffing numbers from 2014 up to the current position i.e. September 2017:

2014	2015	2016	2017 (September)
31	34	40	49

Demand for the RTB’s services has increased significantly due to the increasing size of the rental sector and also because of the changing regulatory structure.  Furthermore, a number of additional functions have been added to the remit of the RTB since 2014, including:

- implementation of new Rent Certainty Measures, such as the introduction of Rent Pressure Zones and associated on-going analysis,

- increased engagement with the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Sector,

- integration of Rent Tribunal functions into the RTB,

- introduction of Free Mediation Services,

- operation of a voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme,

- establishment of one-person Tribunals,

- increased Education/Awareness and research role, and

- consideration and analysis in respect of a Deposit Protection Scheme.

In relation to its requests for additional resources, the following table sets out recent requests made by the RTB:

Year	Additional Resources Sought	Additional Resources Sanctioned
2014	Sanction requested for 9 additional posts, 5 of which were temporary contract positions.	9 additional posts
2015	Sanction requested for 8 additional posts and to make 5 temporary contract positions permanent positions.	8 additional posts, 5 temporary contract positions were made permanent
2016	Sanction requested for 1 additional post.	1 additional post
2017	Sanction requested for 10.5 additional posts.	10.5 additional posts

The RTB has 13 vacancies at present and recruitment is ongoing in order to fill these vacancies as quickly as possible.

In 2012, the RTB awarded a contract, outsourcing its call-centre activities and the processing of paper registrations.  This has allowed the Board to focus on its dispute resolution functions.  There are currently 35 people employed on the RTB account by the outsourced service provider. 

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Questions (766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772)

John Lahart

Question:

766. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in the south Dublin county area by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39386/17]

John Lahart

Question:

767. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in the Dublin City Council area by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39388/17]

John Lahart

Question:

768. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in the Fingal County Council area by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39387/17]

John Lahart

Question:

769. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39389/17]

John Lahart

Question:

770. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in County Wicklow by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39383/17]

John Lahart

Question:

771. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in County Meath by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39390/17]

John Lahart

Question:

772. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes that will be completed and ready to be occupied in County Kildare by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39382/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 to 772, inclusive, together.

Rebuilding Ireland has put in place the funding resources to accelerate the delivery of social housing for all local authorities. Critically, €5.35 billion in exchequer investment has been secured to support its implementation and to deliver 47,000 social housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisitions and leasing, over the period to 2021. This level of national funding to implement Rebuilding Ireland's targets means that funding is available to all local authorities to advance their housing delivery. Within the overall 21,000 social housing solutions targeted for delivery this year, some 4,500 of these will be delivered through new builds/acquisitions/refurbishments and a significant proportion of these will involve new construction.

A comprehensive status report 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, delivering 10,000 units, 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. The precise timing for the advancement of each of these projects, including completion dates and tenanting, is a matter for the relevant local authority and approved housing body concerned, in the first instance.

Further project approvals are being added to the construction programme as they are developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies, 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.

In addition there are also a range of other social housing delivery methods that are being utilised alongside traditional construction, including harnessing vacant properties, purchasing suitable units from the market, and securing new properties under long-term lease agreements, the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Housing Assistance Payment, all of which will be used to meet the 21,000 social housing solutions targeted for delivery this year.

Details on the number of social housing properties constructed, purchased and leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies, for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists, are published on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.

Information is currently being finalised in respect of quarter one of 2017 and will be published shortly, with information on quarter two 2017 to follow thereafter.

Vacant Properties Data

Questions (773)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

773. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacant properties offered by the Housing Agency to the local authorities for purchase, by local authority; the number purchased by each local authority; the number rejected by each local authority; the number under consideration by each local authority; and the reason these properties have been refused, in tabular form. [39400/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (774)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

774. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 8,657 Dublin City Council homes are awaiting insulation as part of the phase 2 of the insulation programme (details supplied); when it will be confirmed that this funding is available to Dublin #City Council; and if it is not available in 2017, if he will include it in his budget for 2018. [39401/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Local authorities are currently undertaking an ambitious programme of insulation retrofitting, with the support of my Department, on the least energy efficient social homes. Funding of some €107 million has been provided from 2013 to end-2016 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in more than 58,000 local authority homes, benefitting those at risk of fuel poverty and making a significant contribution to Ireland’s carbon emissions reduction targets and energy reduction targets for 2020. 

The insulation retrofitting programme is being implemented in a number of phases: Phase 1 commenced in 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and the less intrusive cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties while Phase 2 of the programme, which has been piloted in both Fingal and Westmeath County Councils, will focus on the external fabric upgrade of those social housing units with solid/hollow block wall construction.

Dublin City Council has completed all Phase 1 works under the Programme, retrofitting over 6,700 units of its social housing stock at a cost of over €12.5m.

Based on the most recent information from local authorities, it is estimated that there are some 18,000 and 19,000 homes requiring Phase 1 and 2 works, respectively.  The main focus of the funding available in 2017 is on making significant progress on the completion of the remaining Phase 1 works, with a view to having all Phase 1 works completed by the end of 2018.  My Department will consider whether some Phase 2 works can be funded in 2018 for those authorities which have completed Phase 1.

Rental Sector Strategy

Questions (775, 776, 777)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

775. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce an affordable housing model which will ensure Dublin City Council will be in a position to proceed with the construction of affordable homes on agreed sites in Dublin city. [39402/17]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

776. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress which has been made with the introduction of an affordable or cost rental model of housing. [39403/17]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

777. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a group was established to explore the introduction of an affordable or cost rental model of housing; and if so, if the group has met and made progress on the matter. [39404/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 775 to 777, inclusive, together.

As signalled previously, the issue of housing affordability is being examined by my Department, in consultation with Dublin City Council, other local authorities and the Housing Agency, in the context of the ongoing review of Rebuilding Ireland. I expect this work to be concluded in the coming weeks and I will be considering the role of new initiatives in that context.

The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, reflecting the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to develop a "cost rental" model for Ireland, taking into account the work already completed in this area, including by the National Economic and Social Council and others, commits my Department to establish and lead an Expert Group to develop a viable cost rental model for the Irish rental sector.  This Group will address issues such as funding mechanisms, the need to grow the necessary institutional capacity, particularly within the AHB and not-for-profit sector (whether through mergers, new entrants or strategic partnerships), rent levels, the households to be targeted and the appropriate regulation mechanisms.

The Expert Group will assess the benefits that a larger and more developed not-for-profit segment would bring to the rental sector and the housing system, by increasing supply of rental accommodation for low to middle-income households and ensuring new capacity is developed. Following the conclusion of the focused review of Rebuilding Ireland, it is my intention to establish this Expert Group in the coming weeks. A proposal regarding its membership and terms of reference is currently being finalised in my Department.