Imelda Munster
Question:15. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the need for developers and the State to prioritise housing development. [37796/18]
View answerHousing Policy
Questions (15)
Written answers
Housing is a top Government priority and there is clear evidence that the Government's comprehensive Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, is working. Under the Plan, the social housing needs of over 137,000 households will be met, supported by over €6 billion of investment, and housing supply more generally is targeted to increase to at least 25,000 new homes per year by 2020.
Nearly 26,000 social housing supports were delivered in 2017, significantly ahead of the target of 21,000. In terms of boosting the supply of housing more broadly, the Government is investing nearly €300m in enabling infrastructure to open up key residential sites for early development, has streamlined planning systems through An Bord Pleanála for large-scale housing developments and also updated guidance to provide more flexibility in the design and siting of apartments. Development finance is also to be made available under the €750m Home Building Finance Ireland initiative and policy reforms such as the vacant site levy have been introduced to deter the hoarding of land and encourage early development.
In addition, the new Land Development Agency will bring together both public and private sector interests to deliver up to 150,000 new homes over the next 20 years, and will have access to capital funding of up to €1.25 billion to assist it in fulfilling its mandate.
All housing activity indicators continue to show encouraging trends, with almost 19,500 new residential construction commencements notified in the year to end-July 2018, up 17% year-on-year, and planning permission granted for some 26,700 new homes in the year to end June 2018, up 39% year-on-year.
Progress on the different targets under Rebuilding Ireland is kept under regular review and I meet with all housing stakeholders regularly to discuss progress. While the housing system was badly damaged in the downturn and is taking time to correct, I am confident that full implementation of the comprehensive set of actions laid out in Rebuilding Ireland will result in a sustainable housing system that can meet the current and future needs of the population, with consequential wider social and economic benefits.
Legislative Process
Questions (16)
Mick Wallace
Question:16. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to the passing of Second Stage of the Urban Regeneration and Housing (Amendment) Bill 2018, if his Department will work with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government with a view to enabling the Bill to be enacted as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39098/18]
View answerWritten answers
As outlined during the 2nd Stage debate on the Urban Regeneration and Housing (Amendment) Bill 2018 introduced by Deputy Wallace which, among other things, proposes a number of amendments to the vacant site levy provisions, the Government shares the same overall objective as the Deputy regarding the need to tackle land hoarding and ensure that vacant under-utilised sites are brought back into productive use for housing and other development.
In this regard, a number of Government reforms have already been advanced that address many elements contained in that Bill. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, enacted on 19 July last, introduced amendments to the vacant site levy provisions which collectively aim to further strengthen these provisions. In line with the commitment in Budget 2018, the principal amendment was to increase the rate of levy from 3% to 7% for sites on the vacant site register for the year 2019 onwards.
With a view to further addressing the broader issue of land hoarding, the 2018 Act also amends existing provisions in the planning code relating to the extension of duration of planning permission with the aim of ensuring that planning permissions are activated earlier and that the development works are completed earlier.
However, as indicated in the debates, significant concerns remain in relation to the Deputy's Bill, primarily relating to legal and constitutional issues, which will require further detailed examination during pre-legislative scrutiny before it can advance further. I expect that these issues can be further explored during the Oireachtas pre-legislative scrutiny process pertaining to Private Member Bills.
Housing Adaptation Grant Funding
Questions (17)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:17. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to increase the housing adaptation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38949/18]
View answerWritten answers
The funding provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme to support people living in private houses, has increased year on year since 2014. From a funding level five years ago of €43m, supporting 7,000 people, this year I have made a total of €66.25m available nationally for the schemes, which will directly benefit 10,000 people. This is an increase of some 11% on the 2017 level of funding.
In line with the Programme for a Partnership Government and the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, I will give further consideration to increasing this funding over the coming years, as I am conscious of the social benefit accruing from these grants in terms of facilitating older people and people with a disability to remain living independently in their own homes.
My Department works closely with the local authorities to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding each year. There will continue to be careful scrutiny of spend over the course of the rest of this year, with any underspend redistributed to those local authorities with high levels of grant activity who seek additional funding.
Local Authority Boundaries
Questions (18)
Shane Cassells
Question:18. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has engaged with the members of Cork County Council to discuss the issues of concern expressed by it in respect of the city council boundary expansion, specifically in the areas of financial settlement arrangements, outstanding charges from the development contribution scheme and transfer of liabilities, respectively; and the way in which he plans to address same. [39010/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Cork boundary alteration is the most significant local government boundary alteration to be undertaken since the foundation of the State. The change, which will see a population increase in the city of some 83,000, will drive sustainable economic growth and strengthen Cork's position as Ireland's second city and an “economic engine” for the wider southern region, with implications for business development, population growth, housing provision and associated infrastructure.
The Local Government Bill 2018 published in July 2018 provides for the boundary alteration and also for the establishment of the Cork Oversight Implementation Committee, with general responsibility for overseeing the alteration of the boundary between the respective areas of jurisdiction of Cork City Council and Cork County Council. This will be undertaken in accordance with a detailed implementation plan and the aim will be to ensure, as far as possible, that such arrangements are progressed effectively throughout the implementation process. Responsibility for the detailed planning and implementation of the reorganisation process rests primarily with the local authorities, subject to guidance and oversight by the Oversight Committee and compliance with the implementation plan.
In the interim, the non-statutory Cork Implementation Oversight Group has been working consistently with both authorities to prepare for the transition. Both authorities have dedicated teams in place and are engaging with an independent transition Manager as part of this process.
While the boundary alteration and transfer of local authority jurisdiction will take full legal effect in mid-2019, the legislation provides appropriate flexibility in relation to operational arrangements so that transfer of practical responsibility for certain functions can proceed on a more gradual basis, as necessary, to allow time for organisational changes to be completed.
Local Authority Housing Funding
Questions (19)
Mick Wallace
Question:19. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the overall funding allocated to the 31 local authorities for void refurbishment in 2017 and to date in 2018; the conditions attached to receiving funding for a void refurbishment; if he is satisfied that this scheme has been given the necessary budget to be a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under my Department's Voids Programme, funding is provided to support local authorities in remediating those social housing homes that may require a greater level of investment than the normal level of pre-letting repairs that local authorities would ordinarily carry out, as part of their on-going repair and maintenance of local authority housing.
During 2017, my Department provided funding of almost €24.7 million to local authorities to enable them to bring some 1,757 properties back to productive use under the programme.
Local authorities are actively encouraged to ensure that all vacant properties are brought back into active use as expeditiously as possible and to assist in this regard, my Department has approved some 1,470 properties for funding under the Voids Programme this year. To the end of Q2 2018 some 387 vacant units were returned to productive use and €4.5m was drawn down by local authorities through the Voids Programme.
The works carried out focus not just on returning vacant social homes to use as quickly as possible, but also on remediation work bringing long-term benefits, including insulation retrofitting which means the home, when re-let, has high comfort levels and is more economical to heat for the incoming tenant.
Vacant Sites Data
Questions (20)
Catherine Connolly
Question:20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 10 October 2017, the status of the registers of vacant sites for Galway city and county; the number and location of vacant sites on the registers; the steps he is taking to ensure compliance by local authorities with the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39086/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy, which is a measure aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas. Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017.
While all 31 local authorities have established vacant site registers, not all registers have been populated to date as some local authorities are undertaking the necessary preparatory work in this regard, such as identifying relevant vacant sites, their registered owners and commissioning the market valuations of such sites.
My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their functional area. As provided for under the Act, the register in respect of each local authority is available for inspection at its offices and on-line on its website.
Following enquiries made by my Department with both Galway City and Galway County Councils, I understand that they are both continuing to undertake the necessary preparatory and site assessment work before entering sites on their registers.
In relation to implementation of the levy provisions generally, on foot of a review of the on-line registers, I understand a total of 16 planning authorities have populated their vacant site registers with over 280 sites, of which over 160 were on registers on 1 January 2018 and in respect of which the levy can be applied in January 2019.
My Department has actively engaged with local authorities in relation to the implementation of the vacant site levy in order to ensure a consistent application of the levy provisions across all city and county areas and to facilitate the sharing of best practice. My Department has provided guidance and advice and also organised three separate information seminars for local authorities, most recently on 1 May 2018. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure the vacant site levy achieves its full potential.
Social and Affordable Housing Funding
Questions (21)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:21. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will introduce a State-wide affordable housing scheme for local authorities; and the reason the €75 million allocated for Ó Cualann type affordable housing developments has not been made available to local authorities. [39021/18]
View answerWritten answers
In terms of affordable housing for purchase, local authority sites can be progressed in accordance with the provisions of Part V of the Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009, which are now commenced. Affordable housing for rental can be pursued under the cost rental option being piloted on two sites in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council.
€75 million of Exchequer funding is being provided under the Serviced Sites Fund to provide enabling infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of affordable homes on local authority and Housing Agency sites. The focus is on areas where increasing house prices and rents have created a significant affordability gap for first-time buyers and for those wishing to rent, those being Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Galway City, Cork City and Cork County. With the local authority contribution, €100 million will be allocated in total under the Fund. The maximum grant per site is €40,000 and, on this basis, there is scope to provide grant funding for at least 2,500 affordable homes under the Fund.
A call for proposals issued under the Fund on 29 June 2018, with a closing date for receipt of submissions of 31 August. Nine local authorities have submitted a total of fifteen proposals under this first call, and these are currently being assessed in my Department. We are working toward completing the assessments and awarding funding next month.
Local Authority Housing
Questions (22)
Mick Wallace
Question:22. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on reports that Dublin City Council approached a company (details supplied) to rent blocks of units for social housing tenants; his further views on whether this development may contribute to rent increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39099/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is provided by Dublin City Council as the lead statutory local authority in the response to homelessness in Dublin. The DRHE is responsible for the planning, co-ordination and administration of funding in relation to the provision of quality services to people who are homeless in the Dublin area, and for the development of responses to prevent homelessness.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, particularly Homeless HAP, is a significant mechanism used by the DRHE to transition qualified households from emergency accommodation into private rented tenancies. The HAP Place Finder service is a targeted support for homeless households who may it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. Between February 2015 and end June 2018, more than 3,600 households were supported by the scheme.
The operation of the DRHE and its engagement with property owners to secure appropriate accommodation is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. As part of its day-to-day operations the DRHE may engage with property owners, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, to establish whether additional units are available which could be used to successfully meet the housing need of many families who would otherwise have to enter or remain in emergency accommodation.
The HAP scheme has specific rent limits for each local authority. The DRHE, in recognition of the difficulty homeless households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market, have discretion to go 50% above the prescribed rent limits. The statistics show the DRHE do not need to use discretion in all cases, and where that discretion is used, the average rate is 33%.
Local Authority Housing Provision
Questions (23)
Eugene Murphy
Question:23. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to fund local authority house building in counties Roscommon and Galway in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39085/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is firmly focused on increasing supply to meet social housing needs under a range of programmes in all counties, including Roscommon and Galway, with the target to deliver 50,000 social homes through build, acquisition and leasing in the period to 2021, as well as meeting the housing needs of an additional 87,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme. The Action Plan is supported by €6 billion in funding, which means that local authorities have the financial support available to them to deliver on their local targets.
Earlier this year, I wrote to all local authorities, including Roscommon and the two Galway councils, setting out their individual social housing targets across all delivery streams, including build. Details of these targets are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-delivery-targets-for-local-authorities-2018-2021/.
My Department also publishes information on approved social housing construction projects in all counties via quarterly Construction Status Reports. The most recent report is available at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-latest-social-housing-construction-report/ and includes the approved projects for Roscommon and Galway. Since the period covered by this last published Construction Status Report, further construction projects have been approved for Roscommon and Galway and updated Construction Status Reports will continue to be published on a quarterly basis.
The timing and delivery of each of these projects is a matter for the local authorities and the approved housing bodies (AHBs). I am keen, however, that all local authorities, including Galway and Roscommon, further accelerate their programmes and I have assured them that the necessary funding to support their activity is available.
My Department will continue to fund social housing construction in Roscommon and Galway in 2018, 2019 and in later years, in line with the Councils' programmes to deliver on their targets.
Question No. 24 answered with Question No. 7.
Approved Housing Bodies
Questions (25)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:25. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his Department's attempt to secure the reclassification of AHBs as off-Government balance sheet. [39018/18]
View answerWritten answers
In April, the Minister for Finance published the Draft Stability Programme Update (SPU) for 2018. This included an analysis of the financial impact of the Eurostat decision to reclassify the majority of Tier 3 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) as part of the local government sector. This was an important first step in the Government's assessment as to the impact of the Eurostat decision.
Following the SPU, further work has been on-going in order to fully assess the implications of the reclassification decision. My Department is continuing to engage with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, with technical support from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the Housing Agency (HA), in order to ensure that AHBs can continue to fulfil their full potential in the delivery of the targets set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan .
My Department is also engaging with the AHB sector and constructive discussions have taken place with representative bodies from the sector on the issue. The sector itself has engaged its own research on the matter, and my Department is evaluating that research as part of its ongoing wider consideration of the issue.
The AHB representative bodies have committed to continue to undertake further research and analysis into this issue over the coming months. This will assess the options available to create the necessary conditions to allow this classification decision to be revisited in the future. An important part of this exercise will be to examine what measures could be taken to develop the AHB sector in such a way so that it could be reclassified as being off the Government’s balance sheet in the longer term.
As previously noted, the Government continues to see a central role for the voluntary housing sector in contributing to delivery of social housing under Rebuilding Ireland . It is committed to using all mechanisms and schemes, including through the AHB sector, to ensure that we maintain the momentum towards meeting the ambitious 50,000 social housing target under the Action Plan.
Housing Assistance Payment Administration
Questions (26)
Niamh Smyth
Question:26. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the inadequacies with the new housing assistance payment scheme will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38908/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) provides fast, flexible housing support to households in an area of their choice. Individuals with a housing need, who in the past were reluctant to avail of full time work as they would lose their Rent Supplement support, can now move to HAP and avail of full-time work and retain their housing support, with an adjustment in their differential rent.
HAP has been rolled out on a statutory phased basis since September 2014 and became a national scheme on 1 March 2017 when the nationwide rollout was completed. The phased nature of the HAP roll-out has allowed for significant learning, with new HAP authorities benefitting from the experience of those authorities where the scheme has been previously operational.
At the end of Quarter 2 2018, over 37,750 tenancies were being supported by the HAP scheme, including over 9,000 additional households in 2018. There are now 21,000 separate landlords and agents currently in receipt of monthly HAP payments.
As HAP is a social housing support and consequently households are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list.
In addition, guidelines on inter-authority movement were introduced in 2017, to allow for local authorities to facilitate movement of HAP households in cases where a tenant, currently on a local authority waiting list, wishes to access rented accommodation with HAP support in another local authority area, subject to conditions.
In relation to specific HAP supports available to homeless households, the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service operating in the Dublin local authorities, and in Cork City Council, is a targeted support for homeless households who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. The Place Finder Service has been successfully utilised by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) across the Dublin local authorities since February 2015, with more than 3,000 households being supported by the Homeless HAP scheme at end Q2 2018. A similar service began operating in Cork City in 2017.
In order to further assist homeless households in exiting emergency accommodation the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service is now available to each of the 31 local authorities, with the options to pay deposits and advance rental payments for any households in emergency homeless accommodation, in order to secure accommodation via the HAP Scheme.
I continue to keep the operation of HAP under review but I am currently satisfied with how the scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting current housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme set out in Rebuilding Ireland.
Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Questions (27)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:27. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the recommendation in the IGEES current and capital expenditure on social housing delivery mechanisms report from July 2018 which states that there should be a greater emphasis on construction and acquisition rather than leasing, HAP and RAS for the delivery of social housing, particularly in areas in which rents and property prices are high, in the interests of value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38898/18]
View answerWritten answers
The review of Current and Capital Expenditure on Social Housing Delivery Mechanisms, prepared by the Irish Government Economic & Evaluation Service (IGEES) and published earlier this summer, focussed on an examination of the housing supports provided through capital and current funding mechanisms, the trends and cost developments in housing expenditure and also considered broader issues relevant to overall housing policy development.
In examining the overall blend of housing delivery mechanisms, the review recognised that, in addition to cost factors, there are a range of other factors, which need to be considered in terms of housing delivery, including flexibility and speed of delivery to meet immediate housing need.
Addressing increased social housing need and delivering the greatest number of social housing supports at this time has required the development and implementation of a range of flexible and innovative mechanisms, which take account of available resources and market conditions. Harnessing private investment remains an important element in the overall delivery of social housing, including through supporting local authorities in meeting the needs of households on their waiting lists.
Notwithstanding the cost comparisons set out in the review, it remains the case that it would not be possible to deliver the same number of social housing homes in higher value rental areas exclusively through capital funded build and acquisition programmes. This will continue to be an important consideration in the context of the future availability of capital funding and the resourcing and capacity required to escalate local authority build and acquisition programmes to the level required to meet the current level of social housing need.
In relation to there being a greater emphasis on construction and acquisition, it should be noted that of the 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland out to 2021, 33,500 of these will be built and 6,500 of these will be acquired. In addition to these 40,000 social housing homes that will be built or acquired, a further 10,000 homes will be leased under long term leasing arrangements and a further 87,000 households will have their housing need met through HAP and RAS.
Clearly, it is important at this time that a blended approach to the delivery of social housing homes is pursued in order to deliver and provide immediate housing supports to those households on local authority waiting lists across the country. Earlier this week, I published the 2018 Summary of Social Housing Assessments, which shows that there are 71,858 households on local authority social housing lists, a reduction of 13,941 or 16.2% on the last assessment in June 2017. The findings of the IGEES review highlight the need for a blended approach to delivery at this time in order to meet urgent housing need and are consistent with the planned evolution of the composition of the social housing programme over the years ahead under Rebuilding Ireland.
Social and Affordable Housing Data
Questions (28)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:28. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of an affordable home under the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38901/18]
View answerWritten answers
To enable more delivery of social and affordable homes on public lands, the Government, in parallel with the establishment of the new Land Development Agency (LDA), has approved a new affordability requirement in relation to publicly owned lands, whereby a minimum of 30% of any housing developed must be reserved for affordable purposes in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, whether such development is being progressed by the LDA or any other market operator. Furthermore, public bodies, such as local authorities and the Housing Agency, engaging with the LDA in relation to their lands will also be in a position to condition their release for development to reflect their own policy requirements.
Therefore, complying with the Government's new public lands affordability requirement above, the LDA will be capable of progressing a significant level of both Affordable Purchase Scheme based and cost rental-based projects on lands forming part of its portfolio of sites, working within the broader policy framework for the delivery of affordable housing set by the Government.
In line with the general internationally accepted principle that households should not be spending more than a third of their income on housing costs, and using similar maximum gross income thresholds to the new affordable scheme (i.e. €50,000 for single-income and €75,000 for two-income households), my Department is working with the LDA to ensure that it can deliver housing for both purchase and rental purposes within such parameters.
In relation to affordable homes for purchase, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan sets a maximum value of homes that can be bought/built at €320,000 in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway cities, and €250,000 elsewhere in the country.
A maximum dual-income threshold under the new Affordable Purchase Scheme is set at €75,000 (which would enable a first-time buyer to afford repayments of around 35% of net income on a 90% LTV mortgage, using the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, of around €285,000), enabling an overall maximum house purchase price of €320,000.
Analysis of projects supported under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund indicates that, on just under three-quarters of all 30 sites funded, there will be homes available to purchase for less than €320,000 (at today’s prices).
In relation to affordable rental delivery, my Department believes that, in line with the public lands affordability requirement mentioned above, the availability of such public lands at low or no cost to underpin cost rental projects, including those progressed by the LDA, would be capable of delivering rents at around 20% below comparable market rates in the area, but this will vary, depending on the development potential of a given site, costs of providing site infrastructure, etc.
In addition, the LDA will have to demonstrate and report on how it is meeting the policy requirements under Part V and the new public lands affordability requirement, using the range of relevant affordable schemes and mechanisms.
It should also be noted that where public lands are being sold and developed by other market operators including private developers, these same affordability requirements will apply.
Repair and Leasing Scheme
Questions (29, 31)
Eugene Murphy
Question:29. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason there has been such a slow uptake in the repair and leasing scheme by local authorities throughout the country in view of the extent of the housing crisis and the ability of the scheme to help alleviate some of the problems; the applications received, delivered and tenanted by county for 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39084/18]
View answerDarragh O'Brien
Question:31. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units brought into operation through the repair and leasing scheme in 2018. [38903/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 31 together.
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) was initially piloted in Carlow and Waterford and the pilot has been rolled out nationally since 23 February 2017. The scheme is one of a suite of measures available to local authorities to bring vacant properties back into use. Since the national roll out, my Department has been working intensively with local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to develop and implement the scheme. There have been a number of national and local press advertising initiatives, as well as targeted online promotion, in an effort to ensure that property owners who can benefit from the scheme are aware of the benefits.
A detailed breakdown of the RLS data up to end Q4 2017 is set out in the following table:
|
LA |
Number of Applications Received end Q4 2017 |
Number of Agreements to Lease Signed end Q4 2017 |
Number of Properties Operational end Q4 2017 |
|
Carlow |
20 |
3 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
65 |
0 |
0 |
|
DLR |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
52 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
63 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
91 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
16 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
2 |
0 |
|
Longford |
18 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
15 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
31 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
40 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
SDCC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
45 |
1 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
106 |
14 |
6 |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
33 |
10 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
820 |
31 |
9 |
While the current figures for RLS are low, it should be remembered that this is a new scheme which was only rolled out to local authorities at the end of February last year.
It was clear from end 2017 output, that RLS has not yet delivered the level of new social housing homes envisaged. The operation of the scheme was reviewed, as part of the review of Rebuilding Ireland, and it was concluded that the scheme has significant potential but there are areas where it can be improved to make it more attractive and effective. Accordingly, from 1 February 2018, a number of key changes were being made to the scheme. These include:
- a reduction in the minimum lease term required from 10 to 5 years;
- increasing the proportion of market rent available to property owners where they take on more responsibilities under the tenancy, meaning that up to 92% of market rent will be available; and
- provision of additional funding for property owners, over and above the current €40,000 limit, where the dwelling is a bed-sit type dwelling being brought into compliance with the Standards for Rented Houses Regulations and made available for social housing.
Data up to end Q2 2018 has shown an increase in the number of applications although given the lead in time of at least 6 months for most applications, it is probable that the true impact of the recent changes to the scheme will not become apparent until later in the year. Over recent weeks, local authorities have indicated that the changes have been well received by property owners.
A detailed breakdown of the RLS activity in 2018, on a local authority basis, up to Q2 2018 is set out in the following table:
Table: RLS Q1 and Q2 2018
|
LA |
No. of applications received |
Number of Agreements to Lease Signed |
Number of Properties Operational |
|
Carlow |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
19 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
DLR |
17 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
3 |
4 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
6 |
5 |
|
Longford |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
9 |
7 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
SDCC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
33 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
45 |
2 |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
217 |
60 |
22 |
Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Questions (30)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will facilitate a meeting with Dún Laoghaire Deputies, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and officials from his Department to discuss and progress the plans for 100% social and affordable housing at the Shanganagh Castle site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38897/18]
View answerWritten answers
The development of key local authority residential sites in Dublin, where undersupply and affordability issues are being experienced most acutely, is a major priority for the Government. Shanganagh Castle is an excellent site, close to amenities and public transport and it is very positive that the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council Members have come together, on a cross-party basis, with a view to achieving the optimal housing outcome for this site which can deliver over 500 new homes on a mixed-tenure basis.
My Department has met with Council officials on a number of occasions with regard to the site and I understand that a project board is now in place to drive delivery, and that the Council is currently working with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) to financially model and compare the optimal development approaches for the site.
I recently wrote to the Council, indicating that I am anxious to hear of the progress being made and to discuss the Council’s proposal to develop Shanganagh in greater detail. In terms of timing, and to ensure the optimal outcome from any such meeting, it would be important that the financial modelling on all the options is completed and the report submitted to my Department for review before the meeting takes place.
For my part, I have made it clear to the Council that direct Exchequer funding will be provided for any social housing element of this mixed-tenure development.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 29.
Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 13.
National Development Plan Funding
Questions (33)
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:33. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines for indigenous businesses and enterprises to access the €2 billion urban regeneration and development fund and the €1 billion rural regeneration and development fund that he recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30458/18]
View answerWritten answers
I launched the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) in July as part of Project Ireland 2040 to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.
My Department has responsibility for implementing the URDF, which has an allocation of €2 billion over the 10-year period of the National Development Plan (NDP) to 2027. The first call for proposals under the URDF is currently open and will run until 28 September.
Proposals under the Fund, which will operate on a competitive, bid-based Exchequer grant basis, are required to demonstrate that they will be:
- Innovative and transformational urban regeneration projects;
- Public-sector led and with the option of community and/or private sector partners;
- Matched by at least 25% direct funding from other public and/or private sources;
- Based on a minimum bid of €2m;
- A catalyst for development that would not otherwise occur; and
- Likely to leverage significant further public and private sector investment.
My Department has encouraged participation by the business and enterprise sector in the application process, as long as proposals are public sector-led in an overall sense and in line with the stated criteria as set out in the application form.
Detailed information on the URDF and the application process, including a detailed explanatory note, is available at the following links: www.gov.ie/urdf and www.npf.ie/urdf.
Local Authority Staff Data
Questions (34)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:34. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has undertaken a review of the resources and personnel in local authorities' housing departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38902/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides the local authority housing sector with significant resources to provide necessary housing and planning supports. Local authorities generate income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. Across all schemes and funding programmes, my Department provided a total of €1.26bn to local authorities in 2015, €1.45bn in 2016 and €1.849bn in 2017. My Department works closely with all local authorities to ensure the local government sector can meet existing and emerging challenges.
In terms of local authority staffing, my Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector and has agreed and approved workforce plans with each of the individual local authorities. Since 1 January 2014, my Department has received 876 housing-related staff sanction requests from local authorities, 861 of which have been approved.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities, for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for each Chief Executive to ensure that staff are optimally deployed to ensure that appropriate service levels are provided. It is within the remit of the Chief Executive to reassign staff between programme areas to meet emerging demands and it is clear that local authorities have increased staffing numbers in their Housing Departments to deliver on increased demands.
The accelerated delivery of housing, including social housing, is of critical importance to this Government. My Department has recognised the need to support local authorities in their efforts to increase both capacity and output in this regard. In addition to substantial capital and current funding provided under Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is providing a range of staff related supports including:
Local authorities have designated Vacant Homes Officers, to act as a central point of contact and to provide information and advice for owners of vacant homes and to deal with queries from members of the public in respect of private residential vacant properties in their administrative area. My Department has provided funding for each local authority (€50,000 per annum, for a period of two years (i.e. a total of €100,000 to each local authority for 2018 & 2019) to support the work of the Vacant Homes Office. This provision of central funding will allow for focus to be given to the role of the Office in establishing a co-ordinated approach to the implementation of their Vacant Homes Action Plans and will reinforce the capacity of the Department’s Vacant Homes Unit to liaise with and seek information/statistics from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office is expected to play a key role in the co-ordination of this work within the local authority.
Earlier this year my Department advised local authorities of arrangements for the appointment (where required) of a dedicated staff member to provide assistance in seeking out potential properties; establishing relationships with local property agents and landlords; and supporting those homeless households to exit emergency accommodation and secure a tenancy. An allowance towards the staffing cost of this officer is recoupable from the Department via the homeless services (‘Section 10’) recoupment arrangements.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and a range of different leasing schemes funded by the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) all provide local authorities with administrative payments in respect of new households entering the schemes and for certain on-going monitoring and management expenses. The purpose of these payments is to recognise the resources required by local authorities in respect of the set up and management of tenancies under these programmes.
Local authority in-house professional services assigned to the delivery of new capital funded social housing build projects can be recouped from my Department at a percentage of the approved tender cost, with the actual percentage depending on the services provided. Services covered include architectural and other design team professional services, contract monitoring and management and the assigned certifier role.