Written Answers Nos. 62-99
72. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of publicly owned lands suitable for residential units; the number of residential units built on publicly owned land in each of the past five years; the steps he has taken to enhance the construction of residential units on public land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43921/18]
View answerWhile the development of residential land in local authority ownership is a matter for the individual authority concerned, including its elected members, in the first instance, I am determine to ensure that new social and affordable homes are delivered from the public land bank without delay, with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the greatest potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term.
The Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map sets out details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership, with a potential housing yield in excess of 40,000 homes. The active management of these lands and the wider publicly owned land bank is one of a range of complementary actions being progressed under the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan and the recently established Land Development Agency will play an important role in this regard.
To date, State-led residential construction has focused primarily on helping to meet the needs of households in the lowest income brackets, through the social housing programme. With increased investment to deliver over 50,000 new social homes over the period 2016 to 2021, some 33,500 of which will be delivered through build programmes, the social housing construction programme has increased significantly in recent years. This is reflected in the social housing construction status report at end Q2 this year, which included 1,067 schemes delivering over 16,351 homes, a 48% increase on the position a year earlier. This includes turnkey developments on private lands which can also play an important part in social housing delivery, particularly in areas where local authorities may have limited access to lands.
A targeted approach is now also being pursued to support local authorities to open up lands for affordable housing. To this end, I have provided additional funding for enabling infrastructure via the Serviced Sites Fund. As of Budget 2019, a total of €310 million will be provided for this purpose over the course of 2019 to 2021. The combination of this Fund and the significantly increased funding for the social housing programme will open up more significant opportunities for larger mixed-tenure developments and my Department will be continuing to engage proactively with local authorities to accelerate the delivery of these projects.
73. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of Irish Water moving towards a single utility; the reason for the separation of Irish Water from a company (details supplied); and the further status of the plan to enshrine public ownership of water services in the Constitution. [47149/18]
View answerThe Government’s Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 sets the broad policy context for the development of water services, including the position of Irish Water as the single, publicly owned water services authority.
In July 2018, the Government decided that Irish Water would become a standalone publicly owned, commercial, regulated utility separated from the Ervia Group during 2023. This was considered to be in the best strategic interests of the water services and gas networks businesses and would enhance the heightened level of transparency and accountability required for Irish Water, given the level of Exchequer funding being provided to it. This decision was based on Departmental analysis, supported by input from NewERA. It is important to note that in establishing Irish Water within the Bord Gáis (now Ervia) Group initially, this was on the basis that flexibility be maintained from the outset to allow for the potential separation of Irish Water at a future date.
On 19 September 2018, I received a report from the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in respect of a process of engagement that was undertaken at my request with the parties involved in the transformation programme for Irish Water, those being the utility itself, ICTU and relevant affiliated unions, Local Government management and my Department. In this context, Irish Water has proposed fully integrating its operations and ending the current operational arrangements for the delivery of water services through service level agreements (SLAs) with local authorities. The discussions with the parties have advanced on the basis that the current SLAs remain in place until such time as an alternative is agreed.
In considering the report in consultation with my Government colleagues, I am particularly mindful of the WRC’s comments that uncertainty about the next phase of transformation appears to be causing staffing difficulties at Local Government level and that further delay in providing the necessary clarity could exacerbate this situation and increase risks to the safe and effective delivery of water and wastewater services.
Therefore, in the interests of clarity, I am asking the parties to now engage in a process to work towards the development of a stable structural and operational framework for the future. I am grateful for the commitment of the WRC to facilitate this process. My Department is currently communicating with the parties in this regard.
In relation to the question of a constitutional amendment on the public ownership of water services, the position is that I undertook to endeavour to bring forward wording capable of being tabled as an amendment to the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016. I will shortly update the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the latest progress in this regard.
74. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to bring forward the legislative changes to the rental sector as indicated in budget 2019; the additional resources that will be provided to the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, to operate these new powers; and if a review will be conducted of the rent pressure zone measures. [47150/18]
View answerEarlier this year, the Government approved the priority drafting of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to publication during the current Oireachtas session. The Bill intends to strengthen further the effectiveness of the rent setting and rent review laws by empowering the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to:
- investigate any contravention of the law regarding the 4% rent increase limits in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) and to take enforcement action, if necessary, including the imposition of sanctions on landlords in breach; and
- initiate an investigation without the need for a complaint to be made.
Last year, my Department conducted a review of the Rent Predictability Measure on the basis of RTB rent data and a public consultation on the operation of the Rent Pressure Zones. The review findings have informed the framing of the Bill and the implementation of a change plan to develop and strengthen the role of the RTB, particularly with regard to enforcement.
Budget 2019 provides an additional provision of €4.6 million, an increase of 67%, in funding to further resource and develop the RTB's capacity to implement tenancy law, expanding its overall role and function as part of a multiannual change management programme, and to expand the rental inspections programme by local authorities. A Project Board has been established to drive the development and implementation of the change management plan.
My Department works closely with the RTB on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so in order to ensure that it is sufficiently resourced throughout this change process.
76. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress he has made in tackling the issue of derelict sites in cities and towns, which halt progressive development of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47163/18]
View answerMy Department oversees a number of legislative provisions aimed at addressing dereliction and vacancy in our cities and towns, including the Derelict Sites Levy and the Vacant Sites Levy.
In this connection, the Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. To this end, local authorities have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require that owners or occupiers take appropriate measures on derelict sites, to acquire derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and to apply a derelict sites levy on the registered owners of derelict sites.
It is open to any person to contact a local authority in relation to a particular site which may be considered a derelict site for the purposes of the Act. Under the Act, local authorities are required to maintain a register of any land which, in the opinion of the local authority, is a derelict site. Under section 8(5) of the Act, a copy of the register for any local authority area can be inspected at the offices of the relevant authority. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
Under the recently introduced provisions of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 both the Derelict Sites Levy and the Vacant Sites Levy will increase from 3% to 7% of the market valuation of relevant sites with effect from January 2020, in respect of sites included on the respective local authority derelict and vacant site registers in 2019. This change in the rate of the levies is intended to ensure that the levies have more meaningful impact and that the powers of local authorities in tackling dereliction and vacancy are strengthened for the purpose of bringing relevant sites into productive use, thereby facilitating urban regeneration and development while also combatting land hoarding.
77. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the recent announcement of the mica redress scheme; the date in 2019 from which homes will begin to be repaired under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47169/18]
View answer122. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the establishment of a mica redress scheme; the proposed commencement date of same; if homeowners previously unaware of mica contamination in their homes will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47009/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 122 together.
The Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
On 13 June 2017, the report of the Expert Panel was published and included eight recommendations, which my Department is actively progressing with the relevant stakeholders, prioritising the implementation of Recommendations 1 and 2.
With regard to Recommendation 1, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Technical Committee, established to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol, has met on several occasions. The standardised protocol will inform the course of action in relation to remedial works for all affected householders. The draft standard was published on 6 June 2018 for public consultation and ran for a period of six weeks to 18 July 2018. The Technical Committee have finalised the review of the submissions received and it is expected that the standardised protocol will be published in the coming weeks.
The draft standard will be used to assess and categorise the damage in properties where the concrete blocks are suspected to contain the minerals mica or pyrite. Previously, there was no common way for engineers or homeowners to assess the damage caused by defective concrete blocks to help decide what, if any, remedial work could be carried out.
With regard to Recommendation 2, my Department has been in contact with Engineers Ireland in relation to the establishment of a register of competent engineers for homeowners/affected parties’ reference. Engineers Ireland has provided assurance that they will collaborate with the Department, the NSAI and others on measures to establish such a register once the standardised protocol is in place.
Last year, I visited Donegal and Mayo and met with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, elected members and officials of the local authorities and other interested parties. I made similar visits to both counties this year and continue to monitor the situation and to update affected parties on progress. I will be in a position to provide a further update following the publication of the standardised protocol in the coming weeks.
Under Budget 2019, the Government approved in principle the development of a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the two counties to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks.
The putting in place of such a scheme is now a key priority for my Department and work is well underway on the development of such a scheme, including discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to funding. It is intended to revert to Government with proposals for the scheme by the end of the year, with a view to publishing details of the scheme as soon as possible thereafter.
78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress being made on reducing the social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47175/18]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments, which has been carried out on an annual basis since 2016.
The 2018 assessment shows that 71,858 households were assessed as qualified and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 13,941 households or 16.2% on the last assessment in June 2017. Indeed, since the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan was launched in 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 71,858, a reduction of 22%.
In terms of meeting the need of households on waiting lists, Rebuilding Ireland provides for a total of 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered through build, acquisition and leasing programmes and 87,000 additional households to be supported through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme, over the 6 year period 2016 to 2021. At end June 2018, over 57,000 households had their social housing need met, representing over 40% of the overall Rebuilding Ireland target.
In 2019, funding of €2.4 billion is being provided for the delivery of housing programmes, which will allow for the housing needs of almost 27,400 households to be met next year. 10,000 of these homes will be delivered through build, acquisition and long term leasing programmes.
My Department engages with all local authorities on a regular basis regarding the delivery of social housing. I am confident that the actions, targets and resources available to all local authorities under Rebuilding Ireland provide a strong platform for meeting our challenges in the housing sector and continuing to reduce the number of households on waiting lists.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration will be given to the setting up of housing co-operatives under the aegis of the local authorities with a view to making a serious effort to address the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47115/18]
View answerThe approved housing body sector includes a number of housing co-operatives whose objectives are to provide social and affordable housing. These bodies are supported through a range of schemes for both social and affordable housing which are funded by the State through the local authorities. As part of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, approved housing bodies have been given the task of delivering up to a third of the 50,000 social housing homes targeted in the Plan over the period 2016 to 2021 and are being supported in their work in this regard by a range of actions by local authorities, including the provision of public land for housing developments.
There have been instances where local authorities have facilitated housing developments through supporting co-operatives to deliver housing under the low cost sites scheme.
In the future the main method of delivery of affordable housing will be directly by local authorities and through approved housing bodies. With the introduction of a new affordable purchase housing scheme, coupled with the Serviced Sites Fund, there will be further opportunities for approved housing bodies, including co-operatives to provide affordable housing, provided they can demonstrate the capacity to deliver housing, and are in compliance with the priorities for affordable housing set out by the relevant local authority.
80. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the spending of local authority Traveller accommodation budgets for 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47162/18]
View answer87. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the fact that up to nine local authorities have not drawn down allocated funds for Traveller accommodation in the past year; if he will consider directing local authorities to make use of these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/18]
View answer89. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to taking action against local authorities that do not spend their allocated funding for Traveller specific accommodation in a given year in order to address the substandard accommodation in which many Traveller families are living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46900/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 87 and 89 together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
As part of the allocation process, local authorities submit a programme of capital works for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments, which are assessed in my Department, in advance of allocations being made. Further funding is considered by my Department throughout the year, on a case by case basis. In 2017, the allocation for Traveller specific accommodation was €9 million. The actual outturn was €4.835 million or 54% of the total allocation. The 2018 exchequer provision for Traveller specific accommodation is €12 million, an increase of 33% on the 2017 allocation.
In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, and reflecting the disappointing level of overall funding drawdown in recent years, the Housing Agency, in 2017, commissioned a review of funding for traveller-specific accommodation to date. This review had regard to targets contained in local authority TAPs and actual delivery, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and other supports.
Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee recommended that an Independent Expert Group be established to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. That Expert Group has now been established and has been tasked with reviewing the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and all other legislation that impacts the delivery of Traveller Accommodation. I have asked the Expert Group to bring forward recommendations that will improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally.
My Department will consider any recommendations made by the Expert Group that improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally and help to ensure that full use is made of the increasing level of funding available for investment in Traveller accommodation.
81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he plans to take to address the fact that the Pyrite Resolution Board has not heard appeals regarding persons who have presented cases outlining the way in which they did not and could not have known of the presence of pyrite in advance of purchasing their homes. [46920/18]
View answer109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to accommodate appeals to the Pyrite Resolution Board by persons whose attention was not drawn to the presence of pyrite in advance of purchasing their homes; and if he will review the relevant legislation in this regard. [47153/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 109 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The Act also sets out the broad parameters which the Board must have regard to when establishing the eligibility criteria for the pyrite remediation scheme.
The restriction in Section 15(3) of the Act preventing applications being made under the scheme by a person who purchases a dwelling on or after 12 December 2013 (the publication date of the Bill) applies where that person knew or ought to have known that the dwelling was constructed using hardcore containing reactive pyrite.
Following a number of requests for clarification in the matter, my Department sought legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the Board’s interpretation of Section 15(3). It is my Department’s view, informed by the legal advice received on the matter, that Section 15(3) does not represent a blanket exclusion preventing applications being made under the scheme by a person who purchases a dwelling on or after 12 December 2013 and that it is a matter for the Board to determine based on facts and evidence in each individual case whether an applicant is or is not entitled to apply for inclusion into the Pyrite Remediation Scheme.
The Board was notified of the Department’s view in the matter. However, it is important to note that in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters (including appeals) relating to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted directly by phone at Locall 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or alternatively at oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie.
82. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites on the register of each local authority that will be subject to the vacant sites levy due to be applied in January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/18]
View answerThe 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. Planning authorities have issued notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 November this year in respect of vacant sites included on their respective registers on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
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.
On foot of a review of the on-line registers, I understand a total of 17 planning authorities have populated their vacant site registers with 298 sites, of which over 140 were on registers on 1 January 2018 and in respect of which the levy can be applied in January 2019, unless development works are activated in the interim.
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, the most recent of which, in May 2018, was attended by officials from every local authority.
My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the levy to ensure that it is being effectively applied, in line with its intended purpose of incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas. To support this work, my Department issued Circular PL 06/2018 on 3 October 2018. Part 3 of this Circular requested a progress report on implementation of the Vacant Site Levy to be completed by the Director of Planning in each Local Authority and returned to the Department by 31 October 2018. My Department has received the majority of the progress reports, is currently following up on any outstanding returns and is also collating and reviewing the information received.
83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider ordering a stay on all sales of public land by local authorities or State agencies that could provide public and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47177/18]
View answerAlong with my colleague the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I signed the Establishment Order for the new Land Development Agency (LDA) on 13 September 2018. 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.
The LDA is in the process of advancing agreements with various State bodies in relation to a range of sites, with the Housing Agency, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Defence participating in the first tranche of land agreements. A detailed business plan for the LDA is currently in development and will provide additional information on its delivery programme.
Departments were requested in September 2018, in respect of lands owned directly and by agencies under their aegis, to identify additional lands over and above the initial pre-launch tranche of 8 sites published when the Agency was launched. The LDA will be reverting to me with a more in-depth analysis of the information that has been provided in response to this request, with a view to building a longer term pipeline of sites, which the Agency has indicated is capable of the delivery of 10,000 new homes, at least 10% of which must be provided for social housing purposes and a further 30% for affordable housing.
Development of LDA managed lands will make a substantial contribution to the achievement of wider Government targets for housing delivery in general and social housing specifically, as set out in Rebuilding Ireland, enhancing supply, aiding the moderation in increases in housing costs and enabling new sources of affordable housing supply, including for cost rental.
With regard to sales of public land, in the case of local authority lands, such sales are a matter for the members of the relevant local authorities to approve under Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 and I have no role in such transactions. A clear picture of what is an extensive quantum of largely local authority owned lands earmarked for housing has been established and is mapped on the Rebuilding Ireland land map, which is available to view at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
With regard to the sale of other public lands, a comprehensive protocol is in place for the disposal of surplus public lands under the Office of Public Works Property Management Development Plan, which is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is understood that, under the protocol, prior to the disposal of vacant property, steps are taken to establish if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector, including local authorities, for housing or other purposes.
84. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the roll-out of the serviced sites fund for affordable housing; the number of affordable units that will be delivered in 2019; when an affordable housing scheme statutory instrument will be provided to councils; and when local authorities will be in a position to accept applications for affordable housing. [47147/18]
View answer102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the affordable housing scheme outlined in budget 2019 will be rolled out; the number of affordable homes that will be provided in 2019 as a result of this scheme; if it is within the power of an individual local authority to fund and provide its own scheme; if so, if there are regulations that the local authorities would have to comply with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47176/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 102 together.
A multi-stranded approach is being taken to the targeted delivery of affordable housing. In order to support the affordable housing programmes of local authorities, the Government has committed €310 million, over the three years 2019 to 2021, under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) announced as part of Budget 2019. The funding is available for key facilitating infrastructure, on public lands, to support the provision of affordable homes to purchase or rent. I envisage a maximum amount of SSF funding of €50,000 per affordable home and on this basis at least 6,200 affordable homes could be facilitated.
A first call for proposals under the Fund issued to the four Dublin local authorities; Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth and Cork County Councils, and Cork and Galway City Councils. Fifteen proposals were received, from nine of the local authorities targeted under this first call and I expect to announce funding decisions in relation to these applications shortly. I expect infrastructure works on approved projects to begin as soon as possible thereafter and delivery of affordable homes from late 2019/early 2020 onwards.
More broadly, all local authorities are carrying out economic assessments of the requirement for affordable housing in their areas and the viability to deliver such affordable housing from their sites. My Department hosted a workshop for local authorities last week to discuss these issues.
A second call for proposals under the Fund will be made shortly. The scope of that call will be influenced by the information received from local authorities, as part of the aforementioned assessments, which they have been requested to submit by 30 November.
In terms of the type of affordable housing that will be delivered on local authority sites it may be affordable housing for purchase, for example, under the recently commenced provisions of Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, or cost rental, which is being advanced on a number of pilot sites before being rolled out further. The Regulations to support the operation of Part 5 will be finalised shortly.
85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce amendments to the tenant purchase scheme; if tenants who were allocated council houses that were provided under Part V regulations can avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47078/18]
View answer96. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the tenant purchase scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47099/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 96 together.
The provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure sustainable communities. Part V units are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 to ensure that units delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time. The continued development of mixed tenure communities remains very important in promoting social integration.
Local authorities may also, within the provisions of the Regulations, exclude certain houses which, in the opinion of the authority, should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. It is a matter for each individual local authority to administer the Scheme in its operational area in line with the over-arching provisions of the governing legislation for the scheme, and in a manner appropriate to its housing requirements.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation, including the issues referred to, has been undertaken. The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. I hope to be in a position to publish the review shortly, following completion of consideration of a number of implementation issues arising.
86. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to accelerate the opening up of vacant council properties to address the acute homelessness problem in cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46927/18]
View answerLocal authorities are actively encouraged to ensure that all vacant properties are brought back into active use as expeditiously as possible. While my Department provides exchequer funding to local authorities to support eligible capital improvements to local authority housing, including through the voids and energy efficiency programmes, section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority in the first instance.
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 1,757 properties back to productive use under the programme. To date this year, approval has been given to local authorities to progress 1,853 properties under the voids programme. It is a matter for each local authority to actively manage their housing stock and to progress the quick turnaround and allocation of vacant properties.
The Government's commitment to addressing homelessness is evident in the range of actions that have been initiated under Rebuilding Ireland. Budget 2019 reflects this commitment by allocating €60 million extra in capital funding for additional emergency accommodation this year, an additional €30 million for homelessness services in 2019, bringing the total to €146 million next year, and €1.25 billion for the delivery of new social homes generally in 2019.
88. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a comprehensive list of all unoccupied local authority properties in the Dublin city area is available; and if the time in which a local authority property stays with the maintenance section before being allocated will be expedited. [47107/18]
View answerStatistics in relation to vacant social housing homes are compiled by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in its annual reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These statistics are set out on a local authority basis and include the percentage of total local authority dwellings that were vacant at the time of the review by NOAC, with the most recent report relating to 2017. This report is available on the NOAC website at the following link: http://noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NOAC-Performance-Indicators-Report-2017.pdf.
It should be noted that my Department does not hold information on the number of vacant or void local authority houses at any point in time. Local authorities, however, are actively encouraged to ensure that all vacant properties are brought back into active use as expeditiously as possible. While my Department provides exchequer funding to local authorities to support eligible capital improvements to local authority housing, including through the Voids and Energy Efficiency Programmes, section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority in the first instance. This includes the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive and pre-letting repairs. It is a matter for the local authority, in this case Dublin City Council, to manage the maintenance and subsequent allocation of their properties.
In relation to Dublin City Council, I understand that it maintains a list of unoccupied local authority properties and provides specific information on these properties to Elected Representatives and on a regular basis at its monthly meetings and Area Committee meetings.
90. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the work of the Land Development Agency and the use of public land for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47160/18]
View answerAlong with my colleague the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I signed the Establishment Order for the new Land Development Agency (LDA) on 13 September 2018. 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.
To enable more delivery of social and affordable homes on public lands, the Government has, in parallel with the establishment of the LDA, 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 2000, 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 the release of such lands 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 affordable housing, both for purchase and for rent, 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.
Significant preparatory work is required in relation to the initial portfolio of eight sites and as part of this process, funding structures will be devised on a case by case basis, taking account of the scale of each project, value for money for the State, risk and pace of delivery.
The LDA is in the process of commencing feasibility, planning and other preparatory works on its sites, with construction envisaged to commence on the first homes in 2019 for delivery in 2020, with progress ramping up in line with an overall business plan which is also being advanced as a matter of urgency.
91. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the taking in charge initiative measure 2 will be published; the level of funding that will be available in measure 2; when it will reopen for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47179/18]
View answerMy Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the process for taking-in-charge housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI). Under the terms of the NTICI, which was underpinned by €10 million in funding, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals. Ultimately, €7.5 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 14,930 homes.
Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that it is intended to publish shortly. The publication of the NTICI report will be of value to local authorities and other stakeholders in applying the lessons from the pilot programme in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge, including through coordination with capital works by Irish Water.
In addition, the National Development Plan includes a provision of €31 million for DPI in the period 2018-2021, demonstrating the Government's commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase.
My Department intends to write to local authorities to advise them of the future funding arrangements for DPI-type housing estates that are not taken in charge, following the publication, shortly, of the review report on the 2016 NTICI.
92. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department issued a circular (details supplied) independent of him; and if his attention has been drawn to the industrial relations consequences in response to this circular. [47104/18]
View answer126. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department issued correspondence (details supplied) under his direction; and if his attention was drawn to same. [47105/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 126 together.
The version of the Circular referred to was a draft which issued inadvertently, which was immediately withdrawn at the instigation of my Department. The final Circular L4/18 was subsequently issued on 28 September 2018. This is an administrative circular from my Department concerning the ongoing process of transfer of water services assets from local authorities to Irish Water. The reference cited by the Deputy only appeared in the original uncleared and withdrawn draft and does not represent my position or that of my Department in respect of the proposed transformation programme for Irish Water. Clarification on this point has been provided where sought by Union representatives.
My Department provides funding to local authorities to facilitate the asset transfer process and the purpose of this administrative circular is to provide advice to local authorities in order to minimise the fees, to the extent possible, in respect of legal and Property Registration Authority costs for the first registration of water services asset property folios. The water services assets are transferred by Ministerial Orders, with Irish Water registering the water services assets with the Property Registration Authority.
I have set out the position in relation to the transformation process in my reply to Question No. 73 on today's Order Paper.
93. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his commitment to bring students living in student-specific accommodation under the protection of the Residential Tenancies Acts; and the status of his work with the Department of Education and Skills on this matter. [47148/18]
View answerMy Department is working with the Department of Education and Skills (DES), including through the forum of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Student Accommodation which is convened by the DES, to examine the wide range of student accommodation types (and ancillary services) available with a view to considering how best to regulate pricing arrangements, including, if appropriate, new regulatory or legislative proposals. My Department is engaged in consultations with the Office of the Attorney General to scope out, with the benefit of information provided by DES on the purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) sector, the legal feasibility of introducing related amendments in the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018 as it passes through the legislative process in the Oireachtas.
It is worth noting that certain PBSA, provided by the private sector, let rooms on the basis of tenancy agreements that are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board. Others let their student rooms on the basis of licensing agreements which are not classified as a tenancy and, therefore, are not within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016.
If there is any doubt as to the type of agreement in place in respect of individual dwellings, for example whether it is a tenancy or licence, the matter should be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for a determination.
It is important that the design of any new regulatory system to be introduced is mindful of the pressing need to secure the delivery of the pipe-line of PBSA development in train and does not deter future necessary investment in the sector. Increasing the supply of rental accommodation for students is a priority for both my Department and for the Department of Education and Skills.
94. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to initiating a review into one-off builds prevalent in rural areas; his views on the issue that the prevalence of one-off builds in rural Ireland is having a detrimental effect on towns and villages; if he has considered examining town planning schemes used in European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47117/18]
View answerProject Ireland 2040, within which the National Planning Framework (NPF) sits, aims to maintain the fabric of our rural communities, support the growth of rural towns and villages while recognising the need for the countryside to continue to be a living and lived-in landscape, and invest to support job creation. The NPF is a national plan, with a high-level ambition of creating a single vision, a shared set of goals for every community across the country, and to deliver on these in a way that makes sense for our communities, rural and urban alike.
The NPF recognises the need for sustainable and co-ordinated development of our towns, villages and rural communities. To this end, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are also being developed, which will link strategic national planning and investment with regional-scale planning and the statutory development plan and local economic and community development planning functions of local authorities.
In addition, the Action Plan for Rural Development, published on 23 January 2017 and led by my colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, takes a whole-of-Government approach to the economic and social development of rural Ireland and acts as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of rural initiatives across Government Departments and other public bodies.
Steps are being taken under both Project Ireland 2040 and the Action Plan for Rural Development to enable more proactive action on unlocking the development potential of rural towns and villages. These include the €1bn Rural Regeneration and Development Fund under which local authorities and other public bodies and stakeholders were invited to make applications earlier this year and on which an initial tranche of decisions will be announced before the end of the year.
On this basis, I am satisfied that a sufficiently flexible and robust policy and investment framework is in place to ensure that local authorities and other relevant stakeholders can take the necessary proactive steps in ensuring that redevelopment opportunities in rural towns and villages are maximised and that a sustainable alternative is available to the building of individual houses in wider rural and countryside areas. Accordingly, I have no plans at present to carry out a review of the kind referred to.
95. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has reviewed the approved housing body component of housing targets for 2019 due to the reclassification of such bodies by EUROSTAT in March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47102/18]
View answerThe Government is committed to using all mechanisms set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan to ensure that we maintain full momentum towards meeting the ambitious 50,000 social housing target set out in the Plan over the period 2016 - 2021. Notwithstanding the decision by Eurostat to confirm the reclassification of the majority of the Tier 3 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Government continues to see a central role for the voluntary housing sector in contributing to delivery of social housing under Rebuilding Ireland.
The cost of enabling the AHBs to meet their delivery targets as set out in Rebuilding Ireland is already factored into the State's financial projections for the coming years, so the Eurostat decision will not impact on the planned social housing delivery.
97. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the recategorisation of persons on the PASS system and the statistics on homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47159/18]
View answer134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of recent changes in the calculation of homeless numbers; the rationale behind all such changes; and his additional plans and schemes to deal with vulnerable homeless persons during the winter months. [47157/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 134 together.
My Department publishes a monthly homelessness report, which includes details of the numbers of individuals, families and their associated dependents accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by the housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The reports are collated on a regional basis and are published on my Department's website.
Earlier this year a number of categorisation errors were identified in the reports for March and April. This had involved the classification of individuals who were being accommodated in houses and apartments owned or leased by the local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies as being in emergency accommodation. I requested a report on the full extent of this practice which was completed in September. The report identified some further instances of local authority owned or leased houses and apartments being classified as emergency accommodation. The categorisation of these properties as emergency accommodation have been amended by the relevant local authorities.
In relation to plans for the winter, all local authorities have been asked to put in place cold weather arrangements for rough sleepers. Over 200 new permanent beds will be introduced across Dublin before the end of the year. In addition, 100 temporary emergency beds will be available in the Dublin region as part of the cold weather arrangements.
The implementation plan for Housing First, published in September, will deliver permanent housing solutions for rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation. The Plan contains targets for each local authority, with an overall national target of 660 tenancies to be delivered by 2021.
98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing many families on low incomes that are ineligible for social housing due to the low income eligibility limits; his plans to improve the income thresholds in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47079/18]
View answer111. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of eligibility criteria for social housing will be completed; the criteria that will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47178/18]
View answer130. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the review of the income eligibility limits for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47100/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 111 and 130 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area, including Cavan and Monaghan, is underway. The Housing Agency is continuing to carry out the detailed statistical work, which will underpin this review on behalf of my Department.
The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
