Written Answers Nos. 576-599
576. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses in the housing stock of each local authority that have benefitted from energy efficiency retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/19]
View answerThe Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting Programme was launched in 2013 to improve the insulation standards and overall energy performance of local authority social housing stock. Phase 1 of the programme provided funding targeted at the less intrusive cavity wall/attic insulation, while Phase 2 focuses on the fabric upgrade works to dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction and includes the provision of heating upgrades.
Since the programme commenced, over 68,000 social homes have been insulation retrofitted, with a total exchequer spend of €128 million under the scheme. The following is a breakdown by local authority, of the number of social homes insulation retrofitted under the scheme between 2013 and 2018:
|
Local Authority |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total |
|
Carlow |
179 |
262 |
290 |
53 |
59 |
145 |
988 |
|
Cavan |
180 |
525 |
598 |
302 |
54 |
26 |
1,685 |
|
Clare |
366 |
333 |
298 |
175 |
116 |
116 |
1,404 |
|
Cork City |
397 |
950 |
2,329 |
2,128 |
922 |
406 |
7,132 |
|
Cork County |
510 |
819 |
1,181 |
1,622 |
220 |
1,193 |
5,545 |
|
Donegal |
235 |
526 |
453 |
380 |
480 |
0 |
2,074 |
|
Dublin City |
449 |
3303 |
2,469 |
496 |
1440 |
485 |
8,642 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
757 |
1058 |
369 |
75 |
0 |
0 |
2,259 |
|
Fingal |
2135 |
146 |
326 |
207 |
0 |
309 |
3,123 |
|
Galway City |
167 |
319 |
383 |
874 |
20 |
0 |
1,763 |
|
Galway County |
802 |
325 |
290 |
461 |
0 |
0 |
1,878 |
|
Kerry |
69 |
538 |
441 |
108 |
334 |
138 |
1,628 |
|
Kildare |
201 |
694 |
311 |
468 |
180 |
177 |
2,031 |
|
Kilkenny |
415 |
212 |
260 |
21 |
180 |
170 |
1,258 |
|
Laois |
333 |
512 |
402 |
51 |
0 |
45 |
1,343 |
|
Leitrim |
146 |
164 |
550 |
158 |
0 |
0 |
1,018 |
|
Limerick City & County |
349 |
545 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
56 |
991 |
|
Longford |
521 |
227 |
142 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
890 |
|
Louth |
194 |
430 |
502 |
761 |
120 |
274 |
2,281 |
|
Mayo |
193 |
131 |
216 |
131 |
48 |
175 |
894 |
|
Meath |
185 |
405 |
577 |
526 |
50 |
243 |
1,986 |
|
Monaghan |
213 |
240 |
336 |
0 |
25 |
0 |
814 |
|
Offaly |
269 |
217 |
694 |
287 |
0 |
0 |
1,467 |
|
Roscommon |
90 |
422 |
202 |
107 |
535 |
0 |
1,356 |
|
Sligo |
189 |
265 |
624 |
280 |
0 |
0 |
1,358 |
|
South Dublin |
223 |
601 |
390 |
346 |
391 |
0 |
1,951 |
|
Tipperary |
1220 |
689 |
0 |
223 |
172 |
305 |
2,609 |
|
Waterford City & County |
354 |
636 |
605 |
0 |
0 |
176 |
1,771 |
|
Westmeath |
753 |
968 |
200 |
131 |
55 |
6 |
2,113 |
|
Wexford |
757 |
1263 |
298 |
59 |
20 |
8 |
2,405 |
|
Wicklow |
256 |
285 |
225 |
873 |
0 |
0 |
1,639 |
|
TOTAL |
13,107 |
18,010 |
16,002 |
11,303 |
5,421 |
4,453 |
68,296 |
577. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority dwellings demolished in 2018 under Department approved schemes, by local authority. [14748/19]
View answerThe majority of demolition work in relation to local authority dwellings is carried out as part of the National Regeneration Programme. My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick with smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. Over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland, some €211 million is being made available under the National Regeneration Programme to support the direct delivery of over 1,000 new social housing homes.
Statistics in relation to the number of local authority owned dwellings and demolitions are compiled and published annually by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in its annual reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. The most recent NOAC annual report relates to 2017 and the report contains statistics for demolitions and planned demolitions on a local authority by local authority basis. 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.
I understand the statistics in relation to 2018 are currently being compiled.
578. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons and families in receipt of the housing assistance payment, by county, in tabular form; the average payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/19]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State.
Details of the number of active tenancies and the average monthly landlord payment by local authority area at the end of Quarter 4 2018, are set out in the following table:
|
Local Authority |
Average Landlord Payment € |
Active tenancies as at end December 2018 |
|
Carlow County Council |
€554 |
706 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€449 |
275 |
|
Clare County Council |
€459 |
1,335 |
|
Cork City Council |
€764 |
2,063 |
|
Cork County Council |
€727 |
3,339 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€392 |
1,729 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€1,290 |
2,219 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
€1,343 |
388 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€1,325 |
1,286 |
|
Galway City Council |
€795 |
1,351 |
|
Galway County Council |
€701 |
981 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€512 |
898 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€919 |
1,892 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€576 |
869 |
|
Laois County Council |
€573 |
657 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€414 |
208 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
€579 |
2,175 |
|
Longford County Council |
€405 |
291 |
|
Louth County Council |
€833 |
2,643 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€501 |
1,120 |
|
Meath County Council |
€936 |
1,740 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€480 |
530 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€508 |
845 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€454 |
354 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€503 |
648 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€1,213 |
2,605 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€488 |
1,767 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€509 |
1,833 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€551 |
656 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€520 |
1,020 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€998 |
908 |
|
Dublin Region Homeless Executive* |
N/A |
4,112 |
|
Average monthly landlord payment |
€801 |
43,443 |
* The average monthly landlord payment for tenancies set up by the DRHE are recorded against the individual local authority.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under Rebuilding Ireland.
579. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of exemptions issued under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018, SI No. 30 of 2018, since its introduction, by county, in tabular form [14793/19]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2018, which came into operation on 8 February 2018, provide for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant areas above ground floor premises, to residential use.
This measure is aimed at facilitating the productive re-use of qualifying vacant commercial buildings as homes, while also facilitating urban renewal and the bringing on stream of increased housing supply.
While there is no planning application required, as such works are exempted development, the Regulations contain a notification requirement whereby a person intending to avail of the exemption is required to notify the local planning authority in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the proposed change of use and related works. Such notifications must also indicate details of the number of residential units being provided under the exemption.
Planning authorities are required to maintain records of such notifications received and to report annually to my Department in respect of the notifications received in the previous calendar year. In 2018, 25 local authorities received a total of 81 notifications in respect of 158 residential units under these arrangements.
580. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an application by Westmeath County Council for adequate funding for a group sewerage scheme (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14808/19]
View answerDetails of the measures being funded under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 were notified to local authorities by my Department on 8 February 2019. Local authorities were invited to submit their bids for the funding of schemes or projects in their functional areas, with the deadline for receipt of proposals set as 14 March 2019.
Westmeath County Council has included the scheme in question in its application to my Department under the new Programme.
My Department is currently considering local authorities' bids for funding allocations. An Expert Panel has been put in place to support the evaluation process. In addition to providing an expert perspective, the Panel brings independence, openness and transparency to the bids evaluation process which is done on a national prioritised basis. The Expert Panel’s membership includes Departmental, stakeholder and independent representation.
The Expert Panel will make recommendations to my Department on the suitability of schemes and projects for funding based on objective criteria which are set out in the framework document issued to local authorities when requesting proposals. My Department will then consider the recommendations of the Panel, and based on these, will propose allocations for my consideration as Minister. I expect this process to be completed in the second quarter of 2019.
581. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of actions planned for the sunken pontoon at Kenmare Pier, County Kerry. [14884/19]
View answerMy Department is making enquiries in relation to this matter having been advised of an abandoned cruiser and sunken pontoon at Kenmare Pier, Co. Kerry. The matter may be more appropriate to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) in light of the responsibility held by that Department for all matters relating to wrecked or stranded vessels or other wrecks.
582. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of voids in Cork city and county still awaiting repair since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14901/19]
View answerUnder Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority.
My Department does not keep data on the number of vacant or void local authority houses at a particular point in time. However, statistics in relation to social housing 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 by local authority and include the percentage of total local authority dwellings that were vacant, 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.
From 2015 to end-2018, my Department provided €22.48m to Cork City and County Councils to support their work in returning vacant social housing stock to use for re-letting. The selection of the properties on which such funding is used is entirely a matter for the Councils.
583. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons waiting to be housed in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14903/19]
View answerDetails on the number of households which are qualified for social housing support in each local authority area and whose housing need has not been met, are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments.
The most recent figures available are the results of the 2018 Summary which are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2018_-_key_findings.pdf. The 2018 report shows that there were 3,118 qualified households in Cork City Council and 3,509 qualified households in Cork County Council, as at 11 June 2018.
584. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the drawdown of local authority home improvement loans; his views on whether supplementary funding should be provided for this purpose in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14907/19]
View answerIt is a matter for local authorities as lenders to administer the Local Authority Home Improvement Loan Scheme and to make the final decisions on Home Improvement Loan Scheme applications. If prospective applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria or where loan applications are declined, the option available is to seek loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.
I am satisfied that local authorities can access sufficient funding to operate this scheme.
585. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if emergency legislation will be introduced to enable Dublin City Council meet even its modest social housing targets in view of the numbers in council homeless accommodation and on housing lists in early 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14908/19]
View answerMy Department is supporting local authorities in the provision of social housing homes through a range of different initiatives and schemes. This includes the construction of social homes on the land of local authorities and construction delivery in conjunction with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Local authorities are also working in partnership with private developers to deliver social housing construction through turnkey arrangements. In addition, my Department is funding social housing delivery through acquisitions, leasing arrangements, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Accommodation Scheme (RAS). Such a blend of delivery mechanisms is essential to ensure the needs of households will be successfully met.
The social housing delivery output figures for 2018 show that the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan is working. The level of progress being made is reflected in social housing waiting lists, which have reduced by 22% between September 2016 and June 2018, from 91,600 households to 71,858. Through partnerships between local authorities, AHBs and a range of other delivery partners, over 45,000 individuals and families had their housing needs met during 2016 and 2017. A total of 27,103 households had their housing needs met in 2018, with 8,422 new social homes brought into active housing stock through, build, acquisition, voids and leasing programmes. This is 550 more homes than targeted for the year.
Local authorities now have substantial pipelines of approved new build social housing projects. Details of these projects can be seen in the Quarter 4 2018 Construction Status Report, which is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2018/
While the management of the social housing delivery programmes and the delivery of emergency accommodation is a matter for individual local authorities, my Department is working closely with all stakeholders, including Dublin Council to accelerate delivery and further expand social housing and emergency accommodation pipelines. This includes structured periodic meetings to review progress. I am confident that the actions, targets, legislative framework and resources available to all local authorities provide a strong platform for meeting our challenges in the housing sector and I am satisfied that all stakeholders are mobilised to keep delivery on track.
586. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of improvement notices issued by each local authority as a result of non-compliance with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14999/19]
View answer587. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of prohibition notices issued by each local authority pursuant to section 18B(1) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15000/19]
View answer588. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the percentage of rented units in each local authority registered with the RTB that were deemed non-compliant with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, following inspection in each of the years from 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15001/19]
View answer589. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of rented units that were deemed not compliant with minimum standards for rental accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, and which did not achieve compliance via follow-up inspection in each local authority in each of the years from 2015 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 586 to 589, inclusive, together.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, set out a series of measures to be introduced to ensure the quality of private rental accommodation by strengthening the applicable standards and improving the inspection and enforcement systems.
On 1 July 2017, updated regulatory standards, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, came into effect. These Regulations focus on tenant safety and include new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. In August 2017, my Department published a guidance document to assist and support local authorities in implementing the new Regulations.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority, previously supported by a dedicated stream of funding provided from a portion of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees, collected by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Between 2005 and 2017, over €36 million has been paid to local authorities to assist them in the performance of their functions under the Housing Acts, including the inspection of rented accommodation. Over 229,000 inspections were carried out during this period.
The Rental Strategy recognises the need for additional resources to be provided to local authorities to aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations. Provision has been made for €4.5 million of Exchequer funding to be made available to local authorities in 2019 for this purpose, with the intention of providing further increases each year in the period to 2021 to facilitate a targeted inspection coverage of 25% of rental properties annually at that stage.
Information in relation to Improvement and Prohibition Notices is set out in the following tables.
Detailed information in relation to inspections carried out by each Local Authority since 2005 can be found on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/private-housing-market-statistics.
Information in relation to 2018 is currently being collated by my Department and will be available on my Department's website shortly.
Enforcement of Statutory Regulations for Private Rented Accommodation - 2015
|
Local Authority |
Improvement Notices Served on Landlords |
Prohibition Notices Served on Landlords |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
4 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
4 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
82 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & Co |
294 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
206 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
12 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
23 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
268 |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
97 |
|
Waterford City & Co |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
|
City Councils |
||
|
Cork |
269 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
975 |
56 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
|
Total: |
2142 |
154 |
Enforcement of Statutory Regulations for Private Rented Accommodation - 2016
|
Local Authority |
Improvement Notices Served on Landlords |
Prohibition Notices Served on Landlords |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork |
7 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
351 |
4 |
|
Fingal |
3 |
0 |
|
Galway |
23 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
38 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & Co |
256 |
4 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
126 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
49 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
42 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
213 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
2 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford City & Co |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
|
City Councils |
||
|
Cork |
2 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
1292 |
28 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
|
Total: |
2414 |
42 |
Enforcement of Statutory Regulations for Private Rented Accommodation - 2017
|
Local Authority |
Improvement Notices Served on Landlords |
Prohibition Notices Served on Landlords |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
2 |
0 |
|
Cork |
10 |
7 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
11 |
3 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
0 |
|
Galway |
14 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
9 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
14 |
4 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
31 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & Co |
28 |
5 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
144 |
15 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
207 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
7 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
92 |
1 |
|
Waterford City & Co |
1 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
0 |
|
City Councils |
||
|
Cork |
1116 |
4 |
|
Dublin |
15 |
0 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
|
Total: |
1712 |
40 |
590. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing assistance payment recipients benefiting from discretionary payment increases, by county; the number of homeless housing assistance payment recipients benefiting from discretionary payments; the average increase per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15096/19]
View answerUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, tenants source their own accommodation. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis.
The information requested in relation to number of HAP recipients benefiting from discretionary increases and the average level of discretion, by local authority, at the end of Quarter 4, 2018, is set out in the following table:
|
Local Authority |
Overall number of Tenancies |
Number of Tenancies availing of discretion |
Average level of discretion % |
|
Carlow County Council |
697 |
146 |
16.3% |
|
Cavan County Council |
273 |
31 |
20.0% |
|
Clare County Council |
1,325 |
420 |
18.8% |
|
Cork City Council |
2,024 |
909 |
15.1% |
|
Cork County Council |
3,265 |
434 |
17.3% |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,715 |
42 |
20.1% |
|
Dublin City Council |
2,345 |
818 |
13.7% |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
385 |
291 |
17.3% |
|
Fingal County Council |
1,304 |
697 |
14.3% |
|
Galway City Council |
1,340 |
775 |
15.4% |
|
Galway County Council |
967 |
174 |
15.4% |
|
Kerry County Council |
894 |
350 |
17.9% |
|
Kildare County Council |
1,870 |
816 |
14.2% |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
866 |
83 |
18.6% |
|
Laois County Council |
636 |
197 |
18.5% |
|
Leitrim County Council |
205 |
4 |
20.0% |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
2,168 |
141 |
17.9% |
|
Longford County Council |
283 |
68 |
17.5% |
|
Louth County Council |
2,643 |
414 |
17.1% |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,112 |
879 |
17.6% |
|
Meath County Council |
1,726 |
953 |
15.0% |
|
Monaghan County Council |
527 |
216 |
18.7% |
|
Offaly County Council |
841 |
139 |
17.1% |
|
Roscommon County Council |
348 |
54 |
17.8% |
|
Sligo County Council |
640 |
21 |
17.6% |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,632 |
125 |
15.2% |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,758 |
372 |
18.3% |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
1,821 |
291 |
18.1% |
|
Westmeath County Council |
652 |
131 |
16.4% |
|
Wexford County Council |
963 |
205 |
16.1% |
|
Wicklow County Council |
898 |
201 |
16.3% |
|
Total |
39,123 |
10,397 |
16.2% |
Additional discretion of up to 50% above rent limits is available to assist in housing homeless households in the Dublin Region. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market.
The following table provides details on the use of discretion in the Dublin local authority areas including the DRHE tenancies:
|
Dublin Region Homeless Executive |
||||
|
Overall number of Tenancies |
Number of DRHE Tenancies |
Number in receipt of discretion |
Average Rate of discretion |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
5,028 |
2,683 |
3,501 |
31.7% |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
545 |
160 |
451 |
24.4% |
|
Fingal County Council |
1,759 |
455 |
1,152 |
23% |
|
South Dublin County Council |
3,175 |
543 |
668 |
33.7% |
At the end of Q4 2018, 33.1% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility. When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin region is removed, 26.6% of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 16.2% above rent limits provided. This increases to 21.8% when the Dublin region homeless area data is included.
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.
591. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the housing assistance discretionary payment is exempt from rent pressure zone criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15097/19]
View answerA key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector and the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord. The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. HAP supported tenancies are afforded the same protections available to all private rented tenancies.
For an area to be designated a Rent Pressure Zone, it must satisfy the criteria set out in section 24A(4) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as inserted by section 36 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016). Rent Pressure Zones are designated Local Electoral Areas or administrative areas of local authorities in which rent increases are restricted to a maximum of 4% per annum. The Rent Pressure Zone legislation applies to HAP tenancies in these designated areas.
592. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1408 and 1409 of 26 March 2019, the number of these applications for loans that have been approved and that number that have been drawn down in the same time period. [15128/19]
View answerMy Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to the end of Quarter 3 2018, including in relation to number and value of mortgage drawdowns, is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity. The Department does not collect information regarding the timelines for the drawdown of loans.
As part of the Review of the operation of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme, my Department obtained information form the local authorities on loans drawn down to the end of January. The information provided by both Cork City and Cork County Council, the 2 local authorities referred to in Parliamentary Question Numbers 1408 and 1409 of 26 March 2019, are set out in the table.
|
Local Authority |
Loans issued to end January 2019 |
Value of loans issued to end January 2019 |
|
Cork City Council |
1 |
€120,000 |
|
Cork County Council |
25 |
€4,058,900 |
593. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if full account will be taken of the submission on the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018, from an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15178/19]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2018 was published on 19 December 2018 to deliver on a number of commitments flowing from Rebuilding Ireland and commitments made subsequently to provide powers to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to investigate and sanction landlords who engage in improper conduct, including non-compliance with the rent increase restriction in Rent Pressure Zones.
This Bill is earmarked for priority passage through the Oireachtas during the current Oireachtas session and is scheduled for Dáil Committee Stage shortly.
As with those of all stakeholders, I will give due consideration to the issues raised in the submission referred to.
594. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if additional funding will be provided for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme to Cork County Council; when this will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15197/19]
View answerFollowing a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, I introduced a new loan offering, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan in February last year, to replace the existing schemes.
Since its launch in February 2018, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan has proven to be more successful than was initially anticipated. Discussions are ongoing with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance with regard to further funding for the scheme, and once these discussions have concluded my Department will be in touch with local authorities regarding their specific allocations for 2019. However, in the meantime, the scheme remains open and all local authorities should continue to receive and process applications up to and including the issuing of loans.
595. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the ranking of a person on the list will be affected when Cork City Council takes over the waiting list for approved disabled persons grant applications on local authority properties; the measures in place to ensure that persons will not be disadvantaged by virtue of the boundary change between city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15224/19]
View answerTo meet the needs of local authority tenants, under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme, my Department provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability or for extensions in cases of overcrowding. My Department is currently finalising the funding requirements for all local authorities under the scheme in 2019; in the meantime they have been advised to continue with the programme pending their 2019 allocation. It is a matter for all local authorities, to prioritise the works required under this scheme and to assess individual applications in that context.
The Cork boundary alteration is the most significant of its kind undertaken in the State. The Local Government Act 2019 came into effect on 31 January 2019 and provides primarily for the alteration of the administrative boundary between Cork County Council and Cork City Council. This alteration is planned to take place when the new Councils take office after the local elections in late May 2019. The Act provides for the establishment of a statutory Cork Boundary Alteration Implementation Oversight Committee to ensure that the challenges of implementation are addressed effectively and to oversee arrangements for the alteration of the boundary in accordance with an implementation plan.
Responsibility for the detailed planning and implementation of the reorganisation process rests primarily with the two local authorities, subject to guidance and oversight by the Oversight Committee and compliance with the Implementation Plan. The Committee has advised my Department that work is continuing in a timely fashion towards the transfer day of 31 May 2019. The statutory implementation plan was produced in February and I am satisfied with the engagement and the level of readiness in the local authorities and the implementation oversight by the Oversight Committee.
My understanding is that it has been agreed that the County Council will accept, process and finish out grant applications received until 30 May 2019, at which stage new applications in the relevant area will then be the responsibility of the City Council from 31 May 2019.
596. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce a housing loan scheme for non-first-time buyers who find themselves in changed circumstances, such as marriage separation or ill health, and had to sell their home but now deserve to be given a chance to purchase a home and are unable to obtain a housing loan from one of the commercial lending institutions; and if his attention has been drawn to the large number of persons finding themselves in this situation. [15228/19]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, where they cannot obtain sufficient mortgage finance from a commercial lender.
The Regulations under which the Scheme is established provide that the loan is available to first-time buyers only. The Regulations define a first-time buyer as having the same meaning as a first-time buyer in Section 92B of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999, which defines a first- time buyer as a person who has not individually or jointly with another person previously purchased a house or an apartment.
However, applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions as set out in Section 92B of the 1999 Act, including that:
- they are legally separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement or have been granted an annulment by a court;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it;
- they have made no financial gain from the transfer of the ownership of the family home; and
- the other party has remained in the family home.
Under the legislation, applicants wishing to avail of this exception must provide evidence that they are divorced, legally separated or an have an annulment granted by the High Court.
The loans are provided by the local authorities and the applications are assessed by the Housing Agency on their behalf. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee which makes the final decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations and having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
597. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it is planned that directly elected mayors will be afforded to other towns, particularly to towns that had former borough councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/19]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to consider the issue of directly elected mayors for Ireland's cities. In this regard, following consideration by Government, plebiscites will be held in respect of Cork City, Limerick City and County and Waterford City and County local authority areas.
The Local Government Act 2019 provides the statutory basis for the plebiscites which will be held at the same time as the European and Local Elections in May. In relation to Dublin, the issue will be referred for consideration to a Citizens' Assembly to be convened later in the year.
As regards other local authority areas, there has been consideration of governance arrangements and the office of mayor or cathaoirleach in that context. However, in the short-term, my Department is prioritising the arrangements for the plebiscites in May and further consideration will be given to arrangements in other local authority areas thereafter.
598. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding fire appliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15303/19]
View answer599. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address matters regarding an aerial appliance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15304/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises and fire appliances is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.
My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
National policy in relation to fire services is set out in “Keeping Communities Safe” (KCS), published by my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in 2013. The KCS policy document sets out the overall approach, the methods and the techniques to achieve the objective of keeping communities safe from fire and sets out national norms, standards and targets against which local authorities can benchmark their fire services.
Over the course of 2014/2015, the National Directorate’s Management Board commissioned an "External Validation Group" (EVG) to visit each of the twenty seven local authority fire services. In April 2016, the Management Board published the first EVG Report titled “Local Delivery - National Consistency” arising from this work. The report concluded, inter alia, that local authorities benchmarked their fire services against the national standards and national norms, and a strong degree of consistency, linked to area risk categorisation, now exists in fire service provision; and all local authorities are using, or are working towards, national norms as minimum standards.
Decisions regarding the number and type of fire appliances maintained is a matter for each fire authority having regard to the assessment of their individual fire cover needs and the provision and management of a fleet adequate to their requirements. As part of my Department's fire services capital programme, I announced a new national joint-procurement programme in 2017 to purchase 20 new fire appliances. Dublin City Council's Fire Service received an allocation for three new ‘Class B’ appliances. In 2015, under a similar programme, Dublin's Fire Service also received an allocation for three ‘Class B’ appliances. Dublin City Council's Fire Service requested, and received approval, to substitute the cost of one of the appliances to purchase a pre-used turntable ladder. In addition to these allocations, since 2008, my Department has also funded four ‘Class B’ appliances and one turntable ladder for Dublin.
In relation to Fire Appliance Delta 126, referenced in the question, my Department was not party to the purchase of that appliance and the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. It may be available directly from the Fire Authority, in this instance Dublin City Council in respect of Dublin Fire Brigade.
