Written Answers Nos. 115-144
116. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will provide full details on the draft land development agency Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17506/20]
View answerIn September 2018, the Land Development Agency was established on an interim basis by statutory instrument under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, as amended.
A General Scheme of the Bill to establish the LDA as a commercial state body was approved by Government for publication, consideration for pre-legislative scrutiny and priority drafting in July 2019.
The pre-legislative scrutiny process is now complete and the Committee's report has been received by the Department and is being considered in the context of the further development of the proposed legislative provisions and the Programme for Government.
In light of these considerations, I intend to bring a revised General Scheme for the LDA Bill, focused on the corporate form and financial structure of the Agency, to Cabinet for approval for priority drafting shortly with the intention of the legislation being enacted later this year.
117. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of providing a Traveller-specific accommodation unit as funded by the local authority Traveller accommodation programme in 2019. [17714/20]
View answerTraveller-specific projects and developments are focused on group housing schemes and halting sites. This includes meeting Traveller-specific housing needs through a range of mechanisms, including the provision of mobiles and caravans; the provision and refurbishment of halting sites and bays within sites; the refurbishment and extension of existing group housing; the return to use of void group housing; and the provision of new group housing.
In 2019, €8.7 million was spent on Traveller accommodation supporting 93 housing solutions as follows:
|
- |
2019 |
|
Halting Site Bays |
1 |
|
Group housing |
9 |
|
Emergency mobiles |
17* |
|
Refurbishment/Extensions |
63 |
|
Acquisitions |
3 |
*An additional 3 mobiles were recouped through the Local Property Tax fund.
118. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to ensure that facilities such as public toilets are open at public amenities such as parks and beaches in view of the fact that this is not the case at Dollymount Strand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17717/20]
View answerWhile I have responsibility for broad oversight of the local government system and specific responsibility for certain local government functions and services, I have no function in relation to this specific matter. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions including the provision of public toilet facilities under Section 49 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878.
However, I understand that in providing services such as toilet facilities at public amenities, local authorities are following the wider public health guidance and advice from the Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in the context of the ongoing implementation and management of public health measures.
119. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17770/20]
View answerThe oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
I am aware that some allocation schemes contain a provision for mutual exchange/inter-transfers whereby the local authority will be prepared to accommodate applications for transfer of tenancies between two tenants, including exchanges from one local authority area to another, provided certain conditions are met. Such arrangements are entirely a matter for the authorities concerned. Local authorities, in managing their range of functions in the context of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, adhere closely to the direction, guidance and advice from the Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team for COVID-19 (NPHET). My Department and the local government sector are working together to ensure that all local government services are delivered to the greatest extent possible, where it is safe to do so. The allocations function in local authorities has been operating throughout the period, with a particular focus on ensuring that urgent allocations are occurring, and the various aspects of the process that can occur remotely or safely in adherence with the HSE guidelines are continuing. As we move into a less restricted phase, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are working together to ensure that any delays that may have arisen due to the COVID-19 restrictions are addressed, in line with the Roadmap and public health advice.
120. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that couples are being rejected for Rebuilding Ireland home loans due to the fact one person has to review their de facto visa once a year for five years before gaining citizenship, a policy which is not used by pillar banks; if changes will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/20]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties or self-build in a suitable price range.
Local authorities may issue Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans (RIHL) in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018 and the Credit Policy issued under the Regulations. The Housing Agency provides a central assessment service for the authorities and makes recommendations to them as to whether or not to approve loan applications.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee to make on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Credit Policy and have regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.
Under the credit policy, applicants must either be citizens of an EU or EEA country, or have a legal right to remain in the State on a long-term basis.
Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
121. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the concerns of the many housing and homelessness organisations about the level of homelessness being masked by the Covid-19 pandemic measures. [17791/20]
View answer122. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to reconvene the National Homeless Consultative Forum. [17792/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for my Department. The Programme for Government, "Our Shared Future", commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government will approach this challenge.
I have established a High Level Homelessness Taskforce, to provide a forum for engagement with key organisations working to address homelessness. The Taskforce will input on the implementation of the commitments on homelessness in the Programme for Government.
A National Homelessness Consultative Forum was also established to facilitate engagement between Government Departments and Agencies providing services to homeless households and representatives of NGO service providers. The next meeting of the Forum will be convened by my Department later this year.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he can foresee the provision of adequate private sites, affordable housing and Rebuilding Ireland loans in each local authority area nationwide commensurate with their requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17913/20]
View answer124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the degree to which he expects to be in a position to liaise with each local authority in the greater Dublin area with particular reference to the immediately adjoining counties such as County Kildare with a view to the launching of a programme of local authority house building, the development of privately serviced sites and sufficient local authority loan approvals under the Rebuilding Ireland loan scheme with the objective of making available accessible and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17914/20]
View answer126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of direct build local authority houses started or completed in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which he expects to increase this number in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17916/20]
View answer130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he has engaged with major house building firms with a view to the provision of the maximum number of local authority or affordable houses by county annually in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17920/20]
View answer132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated time by which he expects a sufficient decrease in the number of applicants on local authority waiting lists to be made based on the number of applicants on local authority housing lists in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17922/20]
View answer135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families likely to qualify for and obtain local authority houses for the remainder of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17925/20]
View answer138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority houses under construction; when they are likely to be ready for occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 124, 126, 130, 132, 135 and 138 together.
My Department is fully engaged in a programme of activities focused on the delivery of social homes throughout the country. In my first weeks as Minister I have engaged with stakeholders across local government, the approved housing bodies and other delivery partners. There are of course many challenges presented by the unprecedented halt in activity predicated by the COVID emergency but this government is delivering on targets for this year.
The new Programme for Government commits to the delivery of an additional 50,000 new social homes over the coming five years and I am working closely with my officials and stakeholders to put the final details on a package of measures to bring about innovation and acceleration of delivery of social and affordable housing.
Work has already begun to increase the provision of affordable housing through measures such as the Serviced Sites Fund and the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund and to assist buyers who wish to purchase homes through expansion of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. Incentives such as Help to Buy, will also continue to be important.
It is intended to bring forward a comprehensive Cost Rental housing policy, which will represent a very significant new housing tenure over the long term and go towards addressing affordability challenges for those who are not eligible for social housing. We will also prioritise the implementation of the Affordable Purchase Scheme, including ensuring the primary legislation reflects Government priorities, the development of regulations, guidance and support of delivery programmes relating to same. More details on further measures will be announced in the Autumn.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) scheme continues to support credit worthy first time buyers who are unable to secure commercial mortgages to purchase their own homes, with over 1,500 homes persons purchased using RIHL funding as of end-2019. Additional funding for new lending of up to €210 million has been secured to ensure the continuation of the RIHL in 2020, and details of 2020 allocations have been communicated to all 31 local authorities.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are set out in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%.
My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity under Rebuilding Ireland. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. This will provide the Deputy with detailed breakdown of activity across multiple years up to end Q4 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Q1 2020 returns have been deferred and will be collected in conjunction with Q2 2020. We will report these in due course.
In addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, a detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published which provides scheme level detail on new build activity under Rebuilding Ireland. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020. This report is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority Rebuilding Ireland loans approved in each of the past three years; the extent to which he expects such approvals to increase over the course of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17915/20]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan continues to support credit worthy first time buyers who are unable to secure commercial mortgages to purchase their own homes. Additional funding for new lending of up to €210 million has been secured to ensure the continuation of the RIHL in 2020, and details of 2020 allocations have been communicated to all 31 local authorities. The new Programme for Government contains a commitment to expand the Rebuilding Ireland Home loan, and any increase in approvals will be contingent on future levels of credit-worthy applications.
My 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).
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.
Information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan for 2018 is also available through this link and can be found under local authority loans approved and local authority loans paid; however, these figures are not detailed by loan type. My Department recently issued data requests for the first two quarters of 2020 and more up to date figures will be made available in due course, as additional data is compiled.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of private serviced sites on public land provided in each of the past three years to date; the number he expects to progress annually in the future with a view to addressing the severe affordable housing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17917/20]
View answerUnder the Sale of Sites Scheme, a local authority may make housing sites available at low cost. Households who have been approved for social housing or local authority tenants can access this scheme. Tenant purchasers or certain tenants of approved housing bodies can also apply. A total of 95 sites were made available by local authorities in 2017 under this scheme with 48 made available in 2018 and a further 21 up to Q3 2019, the most recent date for which data is available. Further statistics on the Sale of Sites Scheme are available on my Department’s website at: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses made available directly to each local authority through Part 8 or similar schemes in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17918/20]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity under Rebuilding Ireland. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
In addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, a detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report is published which provides scheme level detail on new build activity under Rebuilding Ireland. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020. This report is available at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
Construction projects listed in the Social Housing Construction Status Report include projects which are both within and outside the Part 8 process. Non-Part 8 projects include those being advanced by Approved Housing Bodies and projects by private developers that are being secured on a turn-key basis by local authorities.
In most cases local authorities use the Part 8 process for local authority own development, which is not a planning application, and data on Part 8 cases is not collated in planning statistics as these applications are a matter for each relevant local authority.
In the Construction Status Report, projects listed as LA Construction or LA Construction Rapid may be considered as direct LA Build schemes. The overall Build programme listed 8,900 such homes at end 2019, of which just under 2,700 had completed and the remainder were advancing through various stages of the programme. This listed is being added to weekly.
The publication of updated reports in relation to this year was affected by Covid restrictions and the prioritisation of Covid related housing responses. They will be made available in due course.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses made available to tenants through each approved housing body in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which he expects an increase in this activity annually in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17919/20]
View answerThe allocation of homes to households on waiting lists by either Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) or local authorities is a matter for individual local authorities in line with their scheme of housing allocations.
My Department supports local authorities to engage with AHBs in the delivery of housing through a wide range of schemes. In total, some 10,800 Department funded AHB homes have been delivered for local authority tenants through a combination of Build, Acquisition and Leasing schemes between 2016 and 2019, as outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Total AHB Delivery |
|
2016 |
1,169 |
|
2017 |
2,330 |
|
2018 |
3,219 |
|
2019 |
4,113 |
|
10,831 |
Outside of Department funded structures, AHBs may also operate their own housing activity portfolios.
Significant progress has been made by the AHB sector over the last number of years. There are a range of funding and delivery mechanisms available to local authorities to deliver social housing supports in partnership with AHBs through capital funding and social housing current expenditure funding. The funding under these programmes is provided directly to local authorities who, in turn, advance the funding to AHBs, as appropriate.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the degree to which he has examined the prospect of engaging major building firms to build on contracts for local authority houses on public lands at a specified price per unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17921/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by over 50,000 over the next five-years, with an emphasis on new builds. The construction of new social homes on local authority sites involves the design of the housing being undertaken either by the local authority itself, or by an externally recruited design team working under the local authority's direction. Once designed, the delivery of the housing is then tendered and contracted to building firms.
The process of tendering publicly funded construction projects is managed in line with public procurement arrangements. The precise type and size of the building firms that can tender and win public contracts, cannot be predetermined. Local authorities apply due diligence in selecting the winning tenderer, including being satisfied that the project can be implemented successfully.
The Programme for Government commits to working with the construction sector to ensure the number of new build homes continues to grow to deliver on the ambitious housing programme. The process of local authority-led designs and building firms being contracted via public tendering arrangements, will play a vital part in delivering on this ambition.
In addition to local authority designed projects on their own sites, local authorities and AHBs have also worked successfully with the construction sector and with major building firms in getting delivery of new social homes through turnkey solutions. In many cases, the developments being supported through these turnkey arrangements would not go ahead without the certainty of the end purchaser and they are particularly beneficial where local authorities have limited or no lands available for housing in an area.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority housing applicants whose needs were met by Kildare County Council in each of the past four years to date through direct build or Part 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17923/20]
View answerThe allocation of social housing and provision of housing supports is a matter for each individual local authority, and my Department has no role in the allocation process. My Department supports local authorities to deliver housing across a range of mechanisms and publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
In addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, a detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published which provides scheme level detail on new build activity under Rebuilding Ireland. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020. This report is available at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
Construction projects listed in the Social Housing Construction Status Report include projects which are both within and outside the Part 8 process. Non-Part 8 projects include those being advanced by Approved Housing Bodies and projects by private developers that are being secured on a turn-key basis by local authorities.
In most cases local authorities use the Part 8 process for local authority own development, which is not a planning application, and data on Part 8 cases is not collated in planning statistics as these applications are a matter for each relevant local authority.
The table below provides a breakdown of the number of homes delivered by Kildare County Council direct build for the period 2016 to 2019.
|
Kildare |
Homes |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
28 |
|
2018 |
65 |
|
2019 |
128 |
This represents only a subset of the overall new build housing delivery for Kildare over the past 4 years.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if income qualification thresholds for local authority houses are likely to be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17924/20]
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. The 2011 Regulations 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 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas. 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 underway. 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.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he will take in terms of reform to address the issue of families having to spend more than half the family income to meet rent payments; if provision will be made by which families can compete with investors in the marketplace to provide themselves with a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17926/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, commits to improving the security and affordability for renters. To achieve this, we will:
- Develop a cost rental model for the delivery of housing that creates affordability for tenants and a sustainable model for the construction and management of homes.
- Support the adequate supply of rental accommodation by ensuring equity and fairness for landlords and tenants.
- Continue the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) change programme, transforming it into an independent and strong regulator for tenants and landlords.
- Reform the Fair Deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties.
- Improve the security of tenure for tenants, through legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, increasing RTB enforcement and examining incentives for long-term leasing.
- Instruct local authorities as part of their housing strategies to undertake and publish a rental needs assessment.
- Examine the measures that may be needed to support tenants as a result of COVID-19, informed by the forthcoming research from my Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Subject to Cabinet approval, I aim 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 COVID-19 pandemic.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons registered as homeless by local authorities throughout the greater Dublin area; the number who have been successfully housed in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17928/20]
View answerMy Department publishes a monthly report on homelessness. The monthly report is based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), and captures details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.
The most recent report for May 2020 showed that in the Dublin region, there were 4,164 adults and 2,065 associated dependents accessing emergency accommodation. The monthly reports are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
The administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis. As part of the funding arrangements in place, each region provides my Department with a quarterly performance report which includes details of the number of adults exiting homelessness in that quarter. The exits from homelessness for the Dublin Region for each year from 2015 to 2019 are set out in the table below.
Exits from Homelessness - Dublin Region
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
1,059 |
1,833 |
3,225 |
3,572 |
4,138 |
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the degree to which particular attention can be given to ensure that the rural indigenous population can obtain planning permission in their own area within reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/20]
View answerUnder the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing, particularly in those areas near cities and towns that are under pressure from urban generated development.
The Guidelines identify four rural area types in respect of which planning authorities may formulate policies for ‘urban generated’ and ‘rural generated’ rural housing. Section 3.2.3 of the Guidelines suggests that in areas “under major urban influence”, planning authorities may define “rural generated” housing need for “Persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community” and for “Persons working full-time or part-time in rural areas”.
The National Planning Framework (the NPF) and in particular National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage the development of certain areas around cities and towns that are under strong urban influence, in order to avoid over-development of those areas.
National Policy Objective 15 is supplemented by National Policy Objective 19, which aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and other remoter and weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other. NPF Policy NPO19 is aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines are framed in the context of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002. Given changes in policy since then, as well as other factors, there is merit in reviewing aspects of the 2009 Ministerial Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing, which I am considering in the context of broader rural development and settlement. In the meantime, the NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to draft and adopt county development plan policies that enable planning applications to be considered and planning permission to be granted for houses in rural areas.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of emergency housing units available for use by each local authority to meet the growing housing requirements by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17931/20]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level.
My Department does not provide funding for services directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of providing emergency accommodation and related services. Details in relation to the number of emergency housing units available for use by each local authority, which includes private emergency accommodation, are not available in my Department, and are a matter for the individual housing authorities.
141. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to address the deficit caused by the reduction of funding which is usually obtained from commercial rates and non-rates sources in local councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17938/20]
View answer142. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has sought predicted deficits due to loss of rates from local councils for 2020; if so, the amount each council has stated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17939/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes.
In order to support the local government sector, my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues arising.
The County and City Management Association (CCMA) has estimated the loss of non-rates income for 2020 to be in the region of €91 million. This is under consideration by my Department, as part of the revised estimates under preparation.
It is not possible to accurately calculate the loss of income from commercial rates in 2020 at this stage in the year, due to the range of payment plans available to ratepayers and the variety of payment patterns from different sectors of ratepayers. This is coupled with the fact that the second moiety has only been due since 1 July and is payable until the end of the year. Accordingly, the information sought in the question in relation to reduction of rates income for 2020 is not available in my Department. In order to support the local government sector generally, I will ensure that my Department will continue to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review.
On 2 May 2020, a waiver of commercial rates was announced to all businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a three-month period. The costs involved to be met by the Exchequer.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, commits to reviewing the treatment of commercial rates for the remainder of the year, as a priority action. This process is underway in my Department in the context of the forthcoming July stimulus. The previously announced waiver forms part of this consideration, as does enhancement of the supports available for enterprise. In that context it is recognised that not only have many ratepayers been forced to close due to the public health requirements, but many others who remained open have suffered significant reductions in turnover.
I 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.
143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a process will be initiated with Dublin City Council to build affordable homes on the 33 ha of mainly public land identified in the Ballymun local area plan. [17955/20]
View answerThis Government is 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. We will 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.
Under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), €310 million has been allocated to provide infrastructure to support the delivery of more affordable homes on local authority lands. With a maximum of €50,000 funding available per home, at least 6,200 more affordable homes, to buy or rent, can be facilitated. To date, Serviced Sites Funding of €127 million has been approved in principle in support of 35 projects in 14 local authority areas, which will assist in the delivery of some 3,200 affordable homes.
In the first instance, it is the responsibility of local authorities to identify affordability issues and bring forward sites where the provision of more affordable housing is viable. I can confirm that Dublin City Council received approval in principle under the SSF for two projects in Ballymun at Balbutcher and Sillogue which will, cumulatively, assist in the delivery of 157 affordable homes.
Dublin City Council has provided details of other planned and potential projects in the Ballymun area, their associated timelines and the number of homes that will be delivered in the table below:
|
Location |
Project Proposal |
Timeline |
Homes |
|
Cranogue Road |
Affordable housing units |
Immediate pipeline:10 units already completed and occupied and the remaining 27 to be completed and occupied by the end of 2020. |
37 |
|
Poppintree |
Affordable housing units |
Immediate pipeline: commencement date in September 2020 |
12 |
|
Coultry, Main Street, Ballymun |
Cost rental by a consortium of AHBs |
Current proposal stage |
280 |
|
Parkview, Poppintree, Ballymun |
Potential affordable scheme by , to include element of older persons’ units |
Current proposal stage |
100 |
In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of progress to date under the SSF, other measures and the input of key delivery partners.
144. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the roll-out of the family-orientated Housing First scheme to Louth County Council; and the details of the resources to be allocated. [17956/20]
View answerHousing First enables individuals who have been rough sleeping or have been long term users of emergency accommodation, with high levels of complex needs, to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to assist them to maintain their tenancies.
The National Implementation Plan for Housing First was published in September 2018. The Plan includes an overall target of 663 tenancies in the period to 2018-2021, including 23 in Louth County Council. The Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and the local authorities. A copy of the National Implementation Plan is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/housing_first_implementation_plan_2018.pdf
Local authorities also provide tenancy sustainment measures for families with support requirements. The delivery of these services is matter for the housing authorities. My Department does not fund homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
