Written Answers Nos. 270-289
270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the new marine planning and development Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/20]
View answerIn January 2020 my Department published the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime. The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact this legislation in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded.
In order for this legislation to be enacted within the 9 month timeframe, further policy work is continuing on the development of certain aspects of the proposed regime and intensive engagements in that regard are ongoing with the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment, who are leading the development of the provisions specific to Offshore Renewable Energy. In addition to the policy development work, engagement is also continuing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, other Departments and agencies on the drafting of the legal text.
271. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing raw sewage contamination of watercourses in Broadford, County Clare owing to lack of sewerage facilities in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17091/20]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 sets out Irish Water’s multi-annual strategic business planning funding requirement of €11bn to 2024, comprised of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets, including €1.9bn for waste water, and €4.9bn in operating costs. In regard to overall investment, the Programme for Government states that the Government will fund Irish Water's capital investment plan for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis and deliver the €8.5 billion funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040. This overall funding commitment is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and waste water infrastructure.
Additionally, Irish Water brought forward proposals for a Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme, as part of its Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 submitted to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which will support a number of the National Policy Objectives and National Strategic Outcomes under the National Planning Framework. The Small Towns & Villages Growth Programme is intended to provide water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements which would not otherwise be provided for in its Investment Plan to 2024. Irish Water will work with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment is made where it is needed most, aligned to core strategies. I understand that Irish Water is currently advancing its proposals on this programme.
In addition to the support the plan gives to sewered locations in urban and rural Ireland, Irish Water is also prepared to support local authorities who wish to seek funding for un-sewered villages through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of the National Development Plan.
Further detail in relation to the breakdown of Irish Water's capital investment should be sought from Irish Water.
Of note also is the Working Group established by my Department in April 2018 to conduct a review of rural water services. There is a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 considered the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 (which was announced last year), while Strand 2 is considering the long-term future resourcing of the rural water sector. The wastewater infrastructure needs of rural villages is an issue that the Working Group is to examine further.
272. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount paid to the equalisation fund from County Wicklow in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form [17362/20]
View answerThe current system of local retention of Local Property Tax (LPT) began in 2015 and since then 80% of the estimated LPT liability in each local authority area for a given year is retained in that area to fund public services, notwithstanding any local variation decisions. The remaining 20% of LPT is re-distributed to provide equalisation funding to those local authorities that have lower property tax bases.
The final LPT allocations to all local authorities for the years 2015 to 2020, along with details of the contributions towards equalisation funding etc., are published on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/category/housing/sub-topic/local-property-tax/sub-type/funding-allocation/topic/chargestaxes/type/publications?query.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he expects to pursue policies likely to encourage the provision of a major local authority housing building programme thereby achieving enhanced value for money through increased access to affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/20]
View answerThis Government, and I, are absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that local authorities are central to delivering housing. This Government will increase the social housing stock by over 50,000 over the next five years, with an emphasis on new builds. It will also put affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing. Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental homes will be delivered on State and public lands through a number of channels including by local authorities and the Land Development Agency. The delivery of affordable homes by local authorities will be supported via the €310m Services Sites Fund which is available within my Department. This fund targets those areas where affordability has been identified as an issue and provides facilitating infrastructure thereby sub-venting the end cost of homes on local authority sites.
Since taking up Office, I have established two High Level Taskforces involving key stakeholders to ensure that the delivery of homelessness services and social housing are prioritised this year, recognising the impact of Covid-19.
In terms of affordable housing, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of the progress made under the Serviced Site Fund and other existing measures. In this context, I am consulting with key stakeholders to examine and identify potential options for the acceleration and expansion of the delivery of affordable housing.
274. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter regarding a housing list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16491/20]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
My Department actively encourages local authorities to ensure all vacant properties in their stock are brought back into use as expeditiously as possible. Since 2014, funding has been provided for this purpose under the Voids Programme and the suite of works being funded is tailored to encourage swift turnaround. My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area.
A call for proposals for Voids funding necessary to counteract the impact of Covid-19 issued earlier this years and funding for 12 units at a cost of €84,232 was approved for Kerry County Council. In addition, a call for proposals under the normal voids programme will issue shortly and any funding submission received from Kerry County Council will be actively considered.
It is important that local authorities increasingly move toward a preventative maintenance approach to the management of their housing stock and my Department is working with local authorities to this end.
275. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding has been secured for the Arklow wastewater treatment plant (details supplied). [16507/20]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Irish Water as a single national water services authority is taking a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements.
In relation to overall funding, my Department approved Irish Water's Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 on 7 November 2018, following its consideration by Government. The Strategic Funding Plan sets out Irish Water’s multi-annual strategic business plan funding requirement of €11bn to 2024, comprised of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets and €4.9bn in operating costs. The Strategic Funding Plan is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/irish_water_strategic_funding_plan.pdf.
The funding plan in turn was developed in the context of the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, which my Department published in 2018 following its approval by Government. The Policy Statement gives clear direction to strategic planning and decision making on water and wastewater services in Ireland. The Policy Statement sets out a series of high-level policy objectives across the three thematic areas of Quality, Conservation, and Future Proofing, which must be pursued when planning capital investment and framing current spending plans. The Policy Statement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/water_services_policy_statement_2018-2025_0.pdf.
In addition to the above, Irish Water is also regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the independent economic regulator. The CRU is responsible for setting the total level of revenue which Irish Water can receive, through Government subvention and from customers, to cover its efficiently incurred costs. This CRU process involves, inter alia, reviewing submissions from Irish Water, including on its capital investment plan for the five year period from 2020 to 2024 to support Irish Water’s strategic objectives, as set out in the Water Services Strategic Plan (WSSP) and its Strategic Funding Plan, and thereafter setting appropriate revenue allowances for operating costs, capital costs and other items for given regulatory periods. The actual allowed operational expenditure and capital investment is therefore decided by the CRU as part of the economic regulatory process and the annual budgetary and estimates process in respect of domestic water services.
The prioritisation and progression of individual projects, including the one referred to in the question, is a matter for determination by Irish Water within this overall funding regime.
The CRU is due to shortly make its full determination on Irish Water's total capital allowance for the period 2020-24. Exchequer funding is provided to Irish Water for the provision of domestic water services. Irish Water's annual Exchequer funding amount is determined through the estimates and budgetary process, having regard to the forthcoming CRU revenue determination.
276. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the month in 2020 section 53 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 will be commenced; if it will be commenced before November 2020 when local authorities will be proposing their annual budgets for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16526/20]
View answerThe commencement of section 53 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 is not currently planned in 2020. The potential for future commencement of the section is being considered in the context of the differential rent regime review proposal included in the Programme for Government.
277. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if local authorities can rely upon section 9 of the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 in the absence of regulations made pursuant to section 9(3) of the Act; if he plans to make regulations pursuant to section 9(3) of the Act; and if so, if the regulations will be made before November 2020 when local authorities will be proposing their annual budgets for approval. [16527/20]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019, modernised the legislation governing commercial rates and contains provision for schemes for the abatement of rates on vacant properties. The Act provides that a local authority may provide a temporary abatement for vacant properties, subject to any maximum relief which may be specified by the Minister, to ensure that all property owners (other than those whose rates liability would be below a de minimis threshold) make some level of payment to the local authority. The Act allows the Minister to prescribe that the maximum level of relief can be further reduced by individual local authorities. No regulations in respect of section 9 have been made to date, and section 9 has not been commenced. Commencement of the various sections of the Act is under active consideration, and it had been intended that the bulk of the provisions would be operational for the 2021 local authority budget cycle, in November 2020. However, commencement will be delayed due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Notwithstanding that, there is existing legislation in place that provides for a refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. The Local Government Act 1946, provides that where a property is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for rates. However, the owner is entitled to a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes, these being if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of additions, alterations or repairs; where the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The collection of rates and the determination of eligibility for a refund in this context are matters for each individual local authority.
The Local Government Act 1946 provided that the owner was entitled to a 100% refund in most local authority areas. Separate legislation governed refunds in the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork, where the same criteria for refunds applied but only 50% of the rates paid were refundable. With effect from 1 June 2014, when the relevant provision commenced, the Local Government Reform Act 2014 gives discretion to the elected members of local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority’s administrative area. The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 provide that the decision to alter the rate of refund should be taken at the annual budget meeting and that the rate of refund decided in respect of the relevant local electoral area, shall apply to eligible persons for the year to which the budget relates. The absence of a decision to vary the refund means that the existing legislative provisions regarding the rate of refunds apply (either 100% or 50% as set out above). Guidance has been provided to local authorities and elected members in that regard. A decision to vary the level of rate refund applying is a reserved function of elected members of a local authority.
278. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing units delivered in Q1 and Q2 of 2020. [16548/20]
View answer280. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes brought into use in the first six months of 2020 via the repair and lease scheme. [16550/20]
View answer281. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes brought into use in the first six months of 2020 via the buy and renew scheme. [16551/20]
View answer282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes acquired via the Housing Agency in Q1 and Q2 of 2020; and the average cost of each unit. [16552/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 280, 281 and 282 together.
In terms of social housing delivery data to date in 2020, data gathering and collation was impacted by COVID-19, where the focus was on maintaining the essential housing services. The data collection and collation process has since resumed and social housing statistics for Q1 and Q2 2020 will be published together.
279. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans approved in principle and drawn down in each local authority area in the first two quarters of 2020, in tabular form. [16549/20]
View answerMy Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
My Department recently issued data requests for the first two quarters of 2020 and figures for these quarters will be made available in due course.
Information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan for 2019, including the number and value of mortgage approvals and drawdowns, as well as average loan amounts, are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity.
283. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Traveller accommodation allocations for each local authority for 2020; and the drawdown for Q1 and Q2 of 2020 by local authority in tabular form. [16553/20]
View answerIn 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 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.
In 2020, to facilitate ease of access to such funding, my Department is no longer allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities from the €14.5m in funding available overall. Instead, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. Details of the drawdowns by individual local authorities to date in 2020 are set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Drawdown 01-01-2020 to 30-06-2020 |
|
Carlow |
€- |
|
Cavan |
€13,110 |
|
Clare |
€136,360 |
|
Cork City |
€1,322,750 |
|
Cork County |
€- |
|
Donegal |
€14,370 |
|
Dublin City |
€376,850 |
|
DLR |
€- |
|
Fingal |
€- |
|
South Dublin |
€- |
|
Galway City |
€148,630 |
|
Galway County |
€24,030 |
|
Kerry |
€5,930 |
|
Kildare |
€- |
|
Kilkenny |
€640 |
|
Laois |
€179,800 |
|
Leitrim |
€- |
|
Limerick City & Co. |
€730,620 |
|
Longford |
€- |
|
Louth |
€- |
|
Mayo |
€- |
|
Meath |
€- |
|
Monaghan |
€197,350 |
|
Offaly |
€116,670 |
|
Roscommon |
€52,220 |
|
Sligo |
€895,560 |
|
Tipperary |
€- |
|
Waterford City & Co. |
€- |
|
Westmeath |
€- |
|
Wexford |
€- |
|
Wicklow |
€- |
|
TOTALS |
€4,214,890 |
284. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by him since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by him; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing, in tabular form. [16566/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned Ciara Shaughnessy to work with me as Special Adviser and it is anticipated that she will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
285. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if legislation will be extended on the freezing of rent increases and evictions from 20 July 2020 until the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16602/20]
View answer292. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the freeze on evictions and on rent increases beyond 20 July 2020 in view of the vulnerable position of many still out of employment. [16705/20]
View answer300. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an extension will be granted to the existing law on the freezing of rent from 20 July 2020 until at least the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 292 and 300 together.
With effect from 27 March 2020, under new emergency measures introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period, tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances. The measures also prohibit any increase to rent for the duration of the emergency period. These emergency laws initially applied for a period of 3 months from the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and were subsequently extended to 20 July by the previous Government.
On my request, having consulted with the Minister for Health and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Government has made a further Order extending the emergency period until 1 August 2020.
Subject to Cabinet approval, I intend to introduce residential tenancy legislation in the Houses of the Oireachtas before the summer recess to further protect tenants who have been economically impacted by the pandemic.
286. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to statements by an organisation in 2001 in relation to exemptions in the Planning Act 2000 concerning the erection of masts and antennae by telecommunications companies (details supplied); his views on whether the prediction has proved correct; his plans to alter the regulations to ensure there is greater accountability to the public on the part of telecommunication companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16609/20]
View answerUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.
In this regard, Class 31 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, provides that certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Where the conditions and size thresholds specified in the exemption class are not complied with or are exceeded, planning permission is required.
Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
These arrangements are considered appropriate for the purpose of supporting the roll-out of a high quality communications service while also taking account of the ongoing technological advances in this area. The legislative provisions are supplemented by planning guidelines entitled the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structure Guidelines, which originally issued to planning authorities in 1996. In 2012, my Department issued Circular Letter PL07/12 to planning authorities, updating certain sections of these Guidelines. The Guidelines provide advice on appropriate location and siting considerations for telecommunication installations and masts to be considered in the development planning and development management process. The Guidelines, and subsequent Circular Letter, are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad%2C1630%2Cen.doc
and
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/pl_07.12_-_telecommunications_antennae_and_support_structures_guidelines.pdf.
I have no current plans to amend the Regulations in this matter.
287. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when a report will be published following the review of income eligibility for social housing supports and in particular the review of the table of maximum net income limits in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16618/20]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%.
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.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is under way. The review will also 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.
288. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities will be put in place in view of the fact that local authority funding has been decimated due to Covid-19 with the waiving of rates, the absence of planning fees and other charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/20]
View answerI intend to continue supporting measures taken by my Department to assist local authorities with the financial difficulties they are experiencing since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the outset and to minimise cash flow challenges, my Department arranged for the early payment of Local Property Tax (LPT) to all local authorities. As a short term measure, €136m was made available to local authorities as cash flow support in early April, in order to ensure that vital services that local authorities deliver can be maintained. This support was comprised of the early payment of the LPT allocation ordinarily paid from the Local Government Fund in May and July. Further to these measures, my Department recently arranged for the early payment of 50% of each local authority’s individual Payroll and PSPR allocation, amounting to €54.8m.
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, commits to setting out how commercial rates will be treated for the remainder of 2020, as a priority action for Government. This process is underway in my Department in the context of the forthcoming July stimulus. The previously announced waiver forms part of this consideration, with a view to a single communication with local authorities and ratepayers in the near future.
It is recognised that some additional costs are being incurred by local authorities in relation to Covid-19 and that other fees and charges normally gathered are not being collected. Local authorities have been advised to capture all related costs in their financial systems to aid future financial analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the local government sector. In order to support the sector generally, I will ensure my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will continue to work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising.
289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy process in relation to approved housing bodies which are in engagement with the Housing Regulator; if during this process funding through the HSA or CALF can be availed of by the approved housing bodies to enable them continue with their housing construction or house purchase programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/20]
View answerIn advance of the formal establishment of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority, as provided for by the Housing (Regulation of the Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the oversight of approved housing bodies (AHBs) is conducted through the Voluntary Regulation Code (the Code), "Building for the Future, A Voluntary Regulation Code for Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland" underpinned by three standards - Financial, Governance and Performance. The Code is overseen by an Interim Regulatory Committee supported by a Regulation Office based in the Housing Agency.
When the Regulation Office receives a regulatory return for an AHB it assesses that organisation in line with their size, scope of activity and risk profile. The office assesses AHBs against the Code and standards. Following this assessment, if an AHB is not meeting key requirements under the Code they may be entered into engagement. An AHB entered into engagement will work with the Regulation Office to obtain a satisfactory assessment. This is a fluid process with AHBs entering and exiting engagement at various times.
All funding to AHBs is provided via the local authorities as the latter are the statutory housing authorities for their areas. All social housing provision in each area, including by AHBs, must be provided with the approval and oversight of the relevant local authorities. The local authority determines whether an AHB project is to be approved or not, based on housing need and suitability of the proposed development. The AHB enters into a contract with the local authority and must abide by the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme.
There are a range of funding and delivery mechanisms available to local authorities to deliver social housing supports in partnership with AHBs. In accordance with Department Circular 15/2016, only those AHBs that have signed up to the Code and have undergone a satisfactory assessment as part of the assessment process by the Regulation Office are considered eligible for new funding. Once a local authority has entered into a contract with an AHB, prior to them entering into engagement with the Regulation Office, that funding may continue.
