Written Answers Nos. 408-420
408. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he is taking to end child homelessness, in view of the fact that there are more than 3,000 homeless children and one in three homeless persons is a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43758/17]
View answerAt the outset, it is important to clarify that policy responsibility for children who require safe accommodation without their parent(s) or guardian(s), referred to as children 'out of home', is a matter for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
In relation to families currently residing in emergency accommodation, with associated dependents, the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness outlines a range of actions to support such households. The long-term solution to the current homelessness issue is, of course, to increase the supply of homes and accordingly Rebuilding Ireland aims to increase and to accelerate all types of housing supply. In particular, it seeks to achieve the delivery of 50,000 social housing homes by 2021.
It should be noted that the long-term housing needs of households in emergency accommodation will be met through a range of social housing supports, including through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and through general social housing allocations. Progress is being made and, in 2016, over 3,000 sustainable exits from homelessness into independent tenancies were achieved; in the first half of 2017, over 2,000 such exits were achieved.
In addition to providing long term solutions to homeless families, housing authorities are also pursuing a range of new supported temporary accommodation initiatives. These custom-developed facilities, referred to as family hubs, offer family living arrangements with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, with the capacity to provide appropriate play-space, cooking and laundry facilities, communal recreation space, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services and appropriate family supports.
Additional support services for families in emergency accommodation are available through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. These include a special provision under the existing Community Childcare Subvention Programme of free childcare for children from homeless families; a special emphasis being placed on children from homeless families through the School Completion Programme; schools with Home School Community Liaison Coordinators are proactively engaging with the parents from homeless families to assist access to any other supports that may be of assistance; and children in homeless accommodation are being prioritised within the School Completion Programme for services such as breakfast and homework clubs.
409. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of land plots or sites that local authorities have purchased in the past 20 years that were bought with the intended use of housing provision that his Department has determined as not suitable for same by local authority, location in the local authority, initial cost at purchase and most recent market valuation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44642/17]
View answerWhile my Department does not collate the information sought, individual local authorities and the Housing Agency will have details of all lands they own, including information on costs and valuations.
Details of all local authority housing lands are available on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/. Local authorities and the Housing Agency are finalising Strategic Development and Management Plans for these sites at present. When all the plans have been reviewed and finalised, they will be made available publicly, both on the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland website as well as on the website of the relevant local authority.
Local authorities and the Housing Agency are in the first instance responsible for the active management of their land bank for housing delivery purposes. My Department continues to work with local authorities and the Agency as they bring forward proposals for social housing and mixed-tenure housing on their sites, with a view to delivering the optimum housing mix from all sites as quickly as possible. This process will be informed further by the Strategic Development and Management Plans, with projects and proposals developing and evolving over time.
410. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the locations of the sites submitted by all local authorities that were excluded due to their unsuitability to be included on the Rebuilding Ireland housing land map, by local authority and site location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44643/17]
View answerA key objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of high quality social housing and homes at more affordable price points on local authority and housing agency lands as quickly as possible, particularly in areas where demand is greatest.
To this end, on 27 April 2017, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally, were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map. The map and data can be accessed at http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
The map was prepared using data provided by local authorities and the Housing Agency which reflected the position at the time the material was collected in 2015 and 2016. Local authorities are now preparing strategic development plans for their sites. As part of this exercise, they have been requested to review, and update as appropriate, the mapping data relating to the sites owned by their authority, carry out a review of the data on a quarterly basis and to ensure an appropriate officer has been nominated to update and maintain the data.
411. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason persons are being asked to show proof of paying their water charges to allow them to complete the purchase of their council property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44665/17]
View answerUnder Section 3(A)(9) of the Water Services Act 2014 (inserted by Section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015), a person who is a tenant of a dwelling let to him/her under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2014 and who proposes to purchase the dwelling must, before completion of the sale, provide the local authority concerned with a certificate of discharge from Irish Water confirming that any charge under section 21 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 in respect of the dwelling owed to Irish Water has been paid. The sale of the dwelling cannot proceed until a certificate of discharge in respect of the dwelling has been received from Irish Water. The current position is that, pending any legislative change, arrears of water charges incurred by households remain to be discharged before the sale of a dwelling can proceed.
In line with the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, domestic water charges are suspended from 1 July 2016 to the end of 2017. However, Irish Water domestic customers remain liable for any water charges (and late payment charges) in respect of the period prior to this suspension, i.e. from 1 January 2015 to the 30 June 2016.
Following approval by the Government, the Water Services Bill 2017 was published on 22 September 2017. The Bill reflects the recommendations of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. This report, published on 12 April 2017, was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill provides for the discontinuance of domestic water charges for dwellings as set out in the Water Services Act 2014, including the repeal of section 3(A) of that Act. Pending the passage of the Bill, the current legislative framework outlined above remains in place.
412. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding drawn down to date under the local infrastructure housing activation fund; the further funds he expects to be drawn down under this fund by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44734/17]
View answerThe total cost of the 34 projects approved under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund 2017-2019 is €226 million, of which 75% (€169.5 million) will be funded by my Department, with local authorities funding 25% (€56.5 million).
This funding is ring-fenced within the overall housing budget and will be available for local authorities to draw down over the lifetime of the projects. The total allocation for 2017 is €50m but given that most projects are at design phase, there will be an underspend on LIHAF this year. However, any underspends in one year will be made good in future years and, through proactive management of the broader housing programme, any such underspends can be applied to other housing activities in the year in question, ensuring that the funding available in any given year is fully applied.
The first drawdown for LIHAF projects is likely to occur in late November and actual drawdown figures will be available by the end of the year.
413. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the schemes in each local authority that he is targeting to meet the target of 3,800 newly built social houses in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44739/17]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive status reports on a quarterly basis of all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement.
The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it contains information on the delivery of 11,000 new social homes that have been approved to date, some of which were delivered over the course of 2016 and up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. The remainder are progressing through planning, design and construction. The report can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/.
It will be these schemes that will form a significant element of the construction delivery in 2018, when we are targeting the delivery of 3,800 newly built homes by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under a range of different initiatives such as local authority and AHB construction, rapid delivery, regeneration programmes and turnkey developments.
Further projects have been added to the programme since end Q2 and additional projects continue to be added as they are developed by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, including new projects under the rapid delivery programme, some of which will also contribute to the delivery programme next year. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programme as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
414. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses built and occupied in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44740/17]
View answer415. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses built and occupied to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44741/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.
Details in relation to social housing construction completions 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.
Information is available therein for 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. Information on quarter 3 of 2017 is currently being collected and will be published as soon as possible.
In addition to statistics on completed social housing construction, my Department also publishes status reports on a quarterly basis for all social housing construction schemes that are in train, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it contains information on the delivery of 11,000 new social homes that are approved and progressing through planning, design and construction. It also contains details of the homes completed in 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. The report can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/.
416. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of rapid-build houses that have been built and occupied to date; the further schemes that are expected to be completed in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44742/17]
View answerIn addition to the 22 rapid build houses completed in Poppintree in 2016, additional houses have now been completed and occupied or are in the process of being allocated in St. Helena’s Drive, Finglas (39 social homes) and Hansfield, Dublin 15 (36 social homes). Details of other schemes due for completion in 2017 and early/mid 2018 are as follows:
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Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot |
24 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation in November 2017 |
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Mourne Road, Drimnagh |
29 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation in November 2017 |
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Belcamp, Dublin 17 |
38 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation in November 2017 |
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Wellview, Mulhuddart |
20 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation in November / December 2017 |
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Woodbank and Rathvilly, Finglas |
17 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation end 2017/early 2018 |
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Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot |
53 homes, scheduled for completion and allocation end 2017/early 2018 |
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St. Aidan’s, Brookfield, Tallaght |
71 homes, scheduled for delivery Q2 2018 and Q3 2018 |
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Pinewood, Balbriggan |
25 homes, scheduled for delivery Q1 2018 |
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George’s Place, Dun Laoghaire |
12 homes, scheduled for delivery in early 2018 |
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Avondale, Mulhuddart |
44 homes (20 units scheduled for delivery in Q2 2018 & 24 in Q 3 2018) |
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Killininny Road, Firhouse |
24 homes scheduled for delivery in Q3 2018 |
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St Cuthbert’s, Clondalkin, South Dublin |
59 homes scheduled for delivery in Q4 2018 |
My Department recently asked all local authorities to review the social housing projects in their areas and in the interest of achieving earliest delivery, they have been requested to consider their suitability for Design and Build contracts under the Rapid Build Framework set up by the Office of Government Procurement. They were asked to consider, in particular, schemes which are amenable to early commencement, particularly in terms of their approved planning status. In response, some authorities have indicated that a number of both approved schemes and additional schemes under consideration may be suitable and I expect to be in a position to announce details of these additional schemes shortly.
417. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will publish the strategic development and management plans for the use of local authority lands requested from all local authorities by the end of September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44744/17]
View answerAll local authorities are currently preparing Strategic Development and Management Plans for their housing lands, with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the most potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term. My Department has requested those local authorities that have yet to submit their plans to do so without delay.
It is my intention that, when all the plans have been reviewed and finalised, they will be made available publicly, both on the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland website as well as the website of the relevant local authority.
418. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the rents payable under the HAP scheme have been reviewed since being set in July 2016 in view of the fact that many local authorities are paying an enhanced or top-up rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44745/17]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently more than 28,000 households having their housing needs met via HAP and some 20,000 separate landlords and agents in receipt of HAP payments.
Recognising the pressures in the rental market, the Government increased the maximum rent limits available under the HAP scheme 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.
The increased rent limits introduced by the Government last year, together with the additional discretion available to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limit where necessary, are allowing HAP households to find suitable accommodation and willing landlords. On average in 2017, 348 additional tenancies are being supported by HAP each week. Particular additional targeted supports are available to homeless households in the Dublin and Cork City regions to assist them in finding accommodation in the private rental market, with the support of HAP. I recently confirmed that the Place Finder Service available in these local authorities will be rolled out to all other local authorities.
The Government has provided €152.7 million to fund the cost of HAP in 2017 and I am satisfied that this is sufficient to meet the targeted level of activity this year. Increasing the HAP rent limits in particular local authority areas could have further inflationary effects on the private rented sector, which could have a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support. From available data, at the end of Q2 2017, and excluding the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region, 12.6% of HAP households nationally were benefiting from the flexibility to exceed the rent limits.
The data available to my Department at this time indicates that the current rent limits and the flexibility to exceed those rent limits provide local authorities with sufficient capacity to assist households in securing rented accommodation that meets their needs. I am satisfied with how the scheme is currently operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland. My Department will, of course, continue to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
419. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funds available to local authorities via the social housing investment programme, social housing current expenditure programme or other relevant programmes to fund the construction of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44759/17]
View answer420. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the process whereby the funds from the social housing investment programme, social housing current expenditure programme or other relevant programmes are allocated to local authorities to fund the construction of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44760/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
In 2017, funding of almost €1.3 billion is being made available to support housing programmes, including the delivery of over 21,000 social housing supports. In Budget 2018, I secured €1.9 billion for housing programmes next year, representing a 46% increase over 2017. This investment will ensure that the housing needs of 25,500 households will be met next year, over 4,400 more than in 2017.
In addition to this significant increase for 2018, I also secured a further €500 million for investment in social housing over the period 2019 – 2021. This additional funding will allow for an increase in the overall level of social housing to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies by a further 3,000 homes, resulting in the overall target for social housing delivery under Rebuilding Ireland being increased from 47,000 to 50,000 homes, with the total funding investment increasing from €5.35 billion to over €6 billion.
As previously announced, I am placing a greater emphasis on the direct building of social housing than was originally envisaged under Rebuilding Ireland. Therefore, in 2018 we will see some 5,000 homes built; this includes 3,800 homes to be built by local authorities and approved housing bodies, an increase of 800 as a direct result of the reorientation towards increasing building activity overall.
With the increased focus on construction delivery, supported by the required funding, some 33,500 new social homes will be delivered through various construction programmes over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland.
In relation to construction activity, my Department publishes comprehensive status reports on a quarterly basis of all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it contains information on the delivery of 11,000 new social homes – currently approved and progressing through planning, design, and construction. The report also contains details of the homes delivered in 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. The report can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-schemes-2017/.
The level of funding provided to local authorities for their social housing construction activity is directly linked to the scale of delivery they achieve on these projects. Further project approvals are being added to the construction programme as they are developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programmes as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
