Written Answers Nos. 1405-1424
1405. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority homes that have been brought back into use by each local authority in each year since the scheme commenced in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36684/18]
View answerSince the introduction of the Voids Programme in 2014, some 9,227 vacant units were returned to productive use. Details on the number of voids, derelicts and 2 into 1s brought back into use are set out in the following table. The purpose of the voids programme is to ensure that vacant units are actively targeted and returned to productive use as quickly as possible. Without substantial refurbishment under construction contracts, these social homes would have been left vacant and not part of the active social housing stock.
Voids Data 2014 to 2017: incorporating Voids, Derelicts and 2 into 1 Programmes
|
Area |
Units Returned in 2014 |
Funding 2014 |
Units Returned in 2015 |
Funding 2015 |
Units Returned in 2016 |
|
Carlow |
42 |
€325,111 |
28 |
€300,650 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
23 |
€349,137 |
28 |
€307,018 |
32 |
|
Clare |
65 |
€995,831 |
96 |
€1,472,533 |
79 |
|
Cork City |
212 |
€2,872,028 |
281 |
€4,522,819 |
263 |
|
Cork County |
155 |
€1,539,363 |
199 |
€2,091,578 |
98 |
|
Donegal |
167 |
€919,797 |
146 |
€1,003,576 |
89 |
|
Dublin City |
499 |
€6,163,465 |
808 |
€11,635,088 |
575 |
|
Fingal |
163 |
€1,938,780 |
139 |
€1,624,632 |
147 |
|
South Dublin |
87 |
€627,407 |
27 |
€216,838 |
81 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
5 |
€89,896 |
24 |
€262,768 |
19 |
|
Galway City |
26 |
€474,050 |
25 |
€222,025 |
29 |
|
Galway County |
76 |
€958,263 |
59 |
€705,347 |
37 |
|
Kerry |
79 |
€718,938 |
127 |
€884,736 |
90 |
|
Kildare |
49 |
€503,463 |
20 |
€359,808 |
24 |
|
Kilkenny |
25 |
€484,430 |
23 |
€381,639 |
14 |
|
Laois |
43 |
€257,014 |
12 |
€61,228 |
12 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
€229,072 |
9 |
€177,473 |
51 |
|
Limerick |
94 |
€915,969 |
52 |
€500,689 |
18 |
|
Longford |
16 |
€313,250 |
22 |
€426,535 |
23 |
|
Louth |
14 |
€113,620 |
21 |
€292,279 |
8 |
|
Mayo |
79 |
€464,508 |
174 |
€292,100 |
25 |
|
Meath |
59 |
€1,037,501 |
54 |
€855,565 |
76 |
|
Monaghan |
21 |
€92,751 |
13 |
€100,502 |
47 |
|
Offaly |
30 |
€514,000 |
55 |
€551,532 |
53 |
|
Roscommon |
34 |
€224,028 |
36 |
€258,773 |
80 |
|
Sligo |
29 |
€311,648 |
39 |
€439,924 |
68 |
|
Tipperary |
86 |
€935,801 |
115 |
€1,299,180 |
102 |
|
Waterford |
32 |
€605,428 |
56 |
€488,724 |
90 |
|
Westmeath |
56 |
€369,518 |
74 |
€650,813 |
43 |
|
Wexford |
20 |
€316,307 |
24 |
€294,811 |
17 |
|
Wicklow |
32 |
€650,204 |
43 |
€857,499 |
10 |
|
2,333 |
€26,310,579 |
2,829 |
€33,538,679 |
2,308 |
table cont.
|
Area |
Funding 2016 |
Units Returned in 2017 |
Funding 2017 |
Units Returned 2014 - 2017 |
Funding 2014 - 2017 |
|
Carlow |
€69,450 |
8 |
€91,750 |
86 |
€786,961 |
|
Cavan |
€307,530 |
31 |
€303,112 |
114 |
€1,266,797 |
|
Clare |
€1,329,700 |
47 |
€966,203 |
287 |
€4,764,267 |
|
Cork City |
€6,812,333 |
81 |
€1,485,357 |
837 |
€15,692,538 |
|
Cork County |
€1,270,488 |
48 |
€1,130,977 |
500 |
€6,032,406 |
|
Donegal |
€986,690 |
168 |
€1,866,898 |
570 |
€4,776,961 |
|
Dublin City |
€8,757,848 |
543 |
€8,520,549 |
2425 |
€35,076,950 |
|
Fingal |
€1,725,774 |
121 |
€1,329,300 |
570 |
€6,618,486 |
|
South Dublin |
€703,736 |
87 |
€718,446 |
282 |
€2,266,427 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€183,092 |
31 |
€283,531 |
79 |
€819,287 |
|
Galway City |
€346,650 |
11 |
€124,150 |
91 |
€1,166,875 |
|
Galway County |
€472,552 |
37 |
€401,159 |
209 |
€2,537,321 |
|
Kerry |
€917,549 |
90 |
€1,101,143 |
386 |
€3,622,366 |
|
Kildare |
€485,130 |
8 |
€205,960 |
101 |
€1,554,361 |
|
Kilkenny |
€351,278 |
16 |
€307,749 |
78 |
€1,525,096 |
|
Laois |
€97,053 |
4 |
€33,170 |
71 |
€448,464 |
|
Leitrim |
€712,404 |
0 |
€0 |
75 |
€1,118,949 |
|
Limerick |
€384,250 |
13 |
€215,520 |
177 |
€2,016,427 |
|
Longford |
€506,705 |
0 |
€0 |
61 |
€1,246,490 |
|
Louth |
€91,523 |
7 |
€83,518 |
50 |
€580,940 |
|
Mayo |
€233,089 |
22 |
€261,986 |
300 |
€1,251,682 |
|
Meath |
€1,435,700 |
52 |
€768,005 |
241 |
€4,096,771 |
|
Monaghan |
€667,944 |
38 |
€505,254 |
119 |
€1,366,451 |
|
Offaly |
€846,198 |
7 |
€107,792 |
145 |
€2,019,522 |
|
Roscommon |
€808,612 |
3 |
€44,324 |
153 |
€1,335,737 |
|
Sligo |
€1,097,909 |
40 |
€909,395 |
176 |
€2,758,876 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,204,318 |
107 |
€1,324,604 |
410 |
€4,763,904 |
|
Waterford |
€1,135,973 |
52 |
€574,309 |
230 |
€2,804,434 |
|
Westmeath |
€436,062 |
40 |
€329,113 |
213 |
€1,785,506 |
|
Wexford |
€167,007 |
34 |
€428,015 |
95 |
€1,206,140 |
|
Wicklow |
€245,887 |
11 |
€276,778 |
96 |
€2,030,368 |
|
€34,790,434 |
1,757 |
€24,698,067 |
9,227 |
€119,337,760 |
1406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the annual cost, number and location of social housing units in respect of which local authorities pay property management fees by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/18]
View answerThe payment of property management fees by local authorities is an operational matter for each individual local authority and my Department does not hold such information.
My Department does not allocate specific funding for property management purposes. Local authorities receive income from a variety of sources, including grants from Central Government, Local Property Tax, commercial rates and other locally-raised charges. Each authority is mandated to determine its own spending priorities, including the level of funding to be provided for property management, while having regard to locally identified needs and available resources.
1407. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a shortfall in the funding allocated to Limerick City and County Council for the purpose of making adjustments to council owned houses for disabled persons; if an extra allocation will be allowed in 2018 to help reduce the backlog that has built up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36754/18]
View answerMy Department provides capital funding to all Local Authorities to undertake adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock under the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) Scheme. The scheme applies to extensions that are needed to address over-crowding and the needs of older people or people with a disability, who may require stair lifts or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
The total Exchequer funding allocated under the DPG scheme has increased by over 15% to €14 million in 2018 in comparison with €12 million in 2017 and my Department issued indicative allocations in respect of this scheme to all Local Authorities in July 2018.
It is open to local authorities to seek additional funding over and above this initial allocation and such requests will be facilitated, where funding availability allows.
1408. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to reduce the 10% deposit required to avail of a local authority housing loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36763/18]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme is designed to enable creditworthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first-time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not otherwise have been able to afford at a higher interest rate.
To support prudential lending and consistency of treatment for borrowers, a Loan to Value ratio of 90% applies to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan as per the Central Bank's prudential lending guidelines. Therefore, in order to avail of the loan, applicants must have a deposit equivalent to 10% of the market value of the property, and I have no plans to change what I believe is a financially prudent measure.
Applicants must provide bank or similar statements (such as post office, credit union etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application, clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The cash savings should be no less than 3% of the market value of the property. Gifts are permissible up to 7% of the market value of the property, where their source is verified.
For prospective purchasers of newly-built properties, the availability, through the Revenue Commissioners, of the Help to Buy Initiative for first-time buyers may provide additional assistance to prospective applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
Further information, including a Frequently Asked Questions section, is available on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan website at http://rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie.
1409. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the population growth targets under the national development plan will be implemented in each local authority; the impact of same on the capacity of local authorities such as in County Wicklow to make provision for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36772/18]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF), published together with the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 earlier this year, is intended by Government to provide the strategic context for future planning, development and investment over the next two decades. In addition, the NPF represents a long-term strategy for Government Departments, State agencies, State-owned enterprises, local authorities and others to support communities to achieve their potential for economic, social and infrastructural development through a shared set of strategic objectives and key principles.
As a strategic document, the NPF is currently being given further and more detailed expression at the regional level through preparation, by the local government sector, of statutory Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) for the three Regional Assembly areas. The RSES process formally commenced earlier this year and draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are currently in preparation for public consultation later in the Autumn. The finalisation of these regional strategies in the first half of 2019 will in turn prompt reviews and updates of individual county and city development plans to ensure strategic co-ordination and consistency between national, regional and local levels.
To assist in the preparation of these important plans, my Department published the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework in July 2018. Appendix 2 of this document provides details on transitional regional and county population projections for 2026 and 2031. These projections take account of the fact that, cumulatively, current city and county plans are based on post-2006 population projections and provide for a quantum of significantly greater population growth than previously occurred and that also exceeds any likely scenario identified as part of the NPF/NDP preparation process. The transitional regional and county population projections provided in the Roadmap set a growth trajectory approximately mid-way between what is currently proposed for in statutory development plans and a more evidence-based nationally coherent scenario to 2031 and 2040.
The Implementation Roadmap is available to view on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=Circular+FPS+04%2F2018 .
The RSES process, and the subsequent individual county/city development plan reviews, must address the growth of each region in accordance with the overall parameters set out in the NPF. The transitional population projections provided in the Roadmap are part of these parameters. The review process is intended to strengthen the settlement strategy within counties in light of more relevant and updated population projections whereby towns with capacity will be enabled to continue their logical planned growth within a co-ordinated county-wide strategy.
Regional and local decision-making at the appropriate level is also provided for through the approach above to shape how the development of all parts of the country, including County Wicklow, can be assured and guided through to 2040, including in the matter of ensuring that housing is provided at appropriate locations across the country and in line with infrastructural and service availability in place and planned for those places.
1412. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to amend the conditions applicable to the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36858/18]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations.
In finalising the report some further consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
1413. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if additional funding will be allocated in 2018 to Cavan County Council for house improvement schemes such as the housing adaptation scheme in view of the importance of these schemes, particularly for elderly persons and persons in ill-health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/18]
View answerI announced funding of €66.25 million nationally in 2018 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. This included €1,457,964 for Cavan County Council, comprising exchequer funding of €1,166,371 and €291,593 from the local authority. It represents an increase of €42,395 for the grants for Cavan County Council in 2018 over 2017.
However, if the Council require additional funding in 2018, they can submit details to my Department in order to be considered for increased funding. My Department works closely with the local Authorities to achieve a full drawdown of their allocations and there is careful scrutiny of spend, with any underspend redistributed to those local authorities with high levels of grant activity who seek additional funding.
1414. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes approved under the affordable purchase scheme to date in 2018; the number anticipated in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36872/18]
View answer1419. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units to be provided per annum under the affordable housing scheme from 2018 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36878/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1414 and 1419 together.
I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 736 and 755 of 12 July 2018, which sets out the general position in relation to the affordable purchase scheme.
Based on initial estimates, the local authorities in Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway, have lands with the potential to deliver some 4,000 new affordable homes. My Department is continuing to work with the key local authorities and the Housing Agency to identify sites for at least 10,000 new affordable homes, and that analysis is progressing well.
1415. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the serviced sites fund is included under current or capital allocations under Vote 34; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36874/18]
View answerAs is the case with the Local Infrastructure for Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), funding for the Serviced Sites Fund will be provided from my Department's Capital Exchequer allocation, under subhead A.9 "Infrastructure Fund", as set out in the 2018 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which can be accessed, on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, at the following link: http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/REV-2018-compressed.pdf.
1416. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the annual expenditure on the homeless housing assistance payment since its inception to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36875/18]
View answerHomeless HAP is a targeted support for homeless households who may find it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. The scheme has been successfully utilised by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) across the four Dublin local authorities since February 2015, with more than 2,000 households currently being supported by the Homeless HAP scheme.
Homeless HAP assists households by providing the local authorities with the following options:
- the option to provide a deposit to secure property;
- the option to pay up to two months advance rent; and
- in the case of the Dublin local authorities only, an increase in the discretion ceiling from 20% to 50% to exceed the maximum rent limits, where necessary, allowing households to find suitable accommodation.
Aggregate recoupment of costs to the DRHE for rent in advance, deposits and HAP administrative payments, in respect of Homeless HAP and payments to landlords, in respect of homeless HAP households are as follows:
Landlord Payments 2015-2018 in respect of Homeless HAP (euro millions rounded)
|
LA |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to date |
|
DRHE (Dublin City Council) |
€0.25 |
€4.49 |
€33.61 |
€28.74 |
In addition to the financial options set out above, another significant dimension to Homeless HAP was the establishment of the Placefinder Service, whereby local authorities can appoint dedicated staff to assist individuals in emergency accommodation to find appropriate exit options. The service has been in operation in the Dublin region since 2015 and the option to establish same was also made available to all local authorities from January 2018.
1417. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the report of the working group on short-term lets submitted to his Department; and when a targeted public consultation will be initiated on its proposals. [36876/18]
View answerArising from the detailed analysis provided by the Working Group referred to, which informed development of a range of proposals to establish an appropriate regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings as well as identifying amendments to relevant legislation to give effect to such a regulatory regime, I am reviewing the Group's report and also examining the recommendations in the Oireachtas Committee's report on short-term lettings, and have been engaging with other relevant Ministers, in relation to the appropriate next steps in taking forward the proposed recommendations. Appropriate measures will be brought forward once that process is concluded.
1418. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the affordable dwellings fund will be established under Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/18]
View answerAs I outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 2642 of 24 July 2018, I commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the effect of which was to place the new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing.
Among the provisions commenced, Section 94 provides for the establishment of an Affordable Dwellings Fund to finance the operation of the affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Housing authorities will pay into the fund monies received from affordable dwelling purchasers in the form of payments made during the charged period, on expiration of the charged period, on resale of the dwelling within the charged period, and monies received, before the coming into operation of this Part, under clawback arrangements for dwellings sold under previous affordable purchase schemes.
The section also provides that the Fund will be managed by the Housing Finance Agency, who may advance monies from the Fund to housing authorities for housing support purposes under this Act.
My Department has met with the Housing Finance Agency with regard to the establishment and operation of the Fund, and is continuing to consider the optimal arrangements in advance of the Fund needing to be operational.
1420. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the anticipated launch date of the national regeneration and development agency; the per annum budget for the agency and its anticipated timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/18]
View answer1423. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proposed location of the headquarters of the regeneration and development agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1420 and 1423 together.
Project Ireland 2040 signals a significant policy shift towards securing more compact and sustainable urban and rural development, which requires significantly more effective land management in key development areas. Against that background, it is proposed to establish a National Regeneration and Development Agency to assist in ensuring a more effective approach to strategic land management, particularly in terms of publicly owned land.
The Agency will act as a national centre of expertise, working with and supporting local authorities, public bodies and other interests, to harness public lands as catalysts to stimulate regeneration and wider investment and to achieve compact, sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on complex regeneration projects and the provision of affordable housing.
Detailed arrangements in relation to the location, functions, powers and mechanisms and legislative arrangements for the establishment and operations of the Agency are currently being developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with a view to their early finalisation.
1421. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the per annum target for the repair and lease scheme in 2018; the number delivered to date; the anticipated expenditure per annum from 2019 to 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36880/18]
View answerThe Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant dwellings across Ireland.
The RLS is targeted at owners of vacant dwellings, who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their dwellings up to the required standard for rental property. Subject to the suitability of the dwelling for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs will be met upfront by the local authority or an AHB.
At the end of Q1 2018, a total of 942 applications had been received under the scheme. Local authorities were engaging with the property owners in relation to 684 properties, 52 agreements for lease had been signed and 15 homes had been delivered and tenanted. A detailed breakdown of the RLS scheme data up to end Q1 2018 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.
I have made €32 million available for the scheme in 2018 and a total of €140 million over the period of Rebuilding Ireland 2016-2021.
Over the period 2016 to 2021, the national target is for the delivery of an additional 50,000 social housing homes through Build, Acquisition and Leasing Schemes. The ambition is for 33,500 of these homes to be delivered through new build programmes including Part V; for 6,500 to be delivered through Acquisition programmes including the Housing Agency Acquisition Programme; and for the remaining 10,000 homes to be delivered under a range of leasing initiatives including the RLS. Out of the total 10,000 homes to be delivered under Leasing, it is expected that 2,000 will be leased by local authorities in 2018 under a range of initiatives, including the Repair and Leasing Scheme (800), long term leasing and the new Enhanced Lease.
I wrote to all Local Authorities on 18 April 2018 setting out their social housing delivery targets for build, acquisition and leasing for 2018, and for the period 2018-2021. The targets are published at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-delivery-targets-for-local-authorities-2018-2021/ .
The RLS data for end Q2 2018 are currently being collated and will be published shortly.
1424. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of units to be delivered in each of the pilot projects for a new cost rental scheme; the timeframe for their delivery; the criteria for their allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/18]
View answerIn light of the ongoing affordability challenge faced by renters in Dublin and other urban centres, it is a major Government priority that cost rental becomes a significant part of our rental sector. Together with delivering much more affordable and predictable rents, cost rental will make a sustainable impact on national competitiveness and the attractiveness of our main urban centres as places to live as well as work.
There are two pilot cost rental schemes currently being advanced; one at Enniskerry Road, in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, and the other one at St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore, Dublin 8. It is expected that 50 affordable units and 100 social homes will be made available on the Enniskerry Road site. It is estimated that the site at St. Michael's Estate will accommodate over 470 homes. While the final tenure mix will be decided by Dublin City Council and informed by the detailed site development process, it will likely include 140 social housing homes, with the remaining 330 homes predominantly provided under cost rental.
In relation to Enniskerry Road, it is anticipated that construction will commence in the first quarter of 2019. With regard to St. Michael's Estate, Dublin City Council has appointed a dedicated project manager and a project team to drive this key project. In addition to pre-existing consultative arrangements, the City Council is also facilitating the establishment of a special Inchicore Regeneration Consultative Forum to focus directly on the development of this key project.
Once these pilot projects have progressed further, it is my intention to roll out cost rental projects across other suitable sites.
