Written Answers Nos. 305-326
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the property value thresholds for the mortgage-to-rent scheme; when these thresholds were introduced; when his Department will be reviewing these thresholds; the consultation with stakeholders that has taken place in respect of the review and updating of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9749/21]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at supporting households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and are deemed eligible for social housing support. The property in question must also meet certain eligibility criteria.
Up to the end of December 2020, 1,004 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR scheme since its introduction nationally in 2013. The 1,004 households in the scheme represent 1,688 adults and 1,522 children who have remained living in their homes and communities. There are currently 1,212 active cases being progressed under the scheme.
The purchase price threshold for properties under the Mortgage to Rent scheme is aligned to my Department's acquisition thresholds for social housing generally. The current thresholds, detailed in the table below, were last reviewed and updated in July 2019.
|
Property Type |
Higher Threshold Area (Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow) |
Normal Threshold Area (Rest of Country) |
|
House |
€395k |
€305k |
|
Apartment / Townhouse |
€310k |
€220k |
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the MTR scheme and ensure that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant improvements already made to the scheme since 2017, my Department is currently working closely with the Housing Agency and key stakeholders to identify any further improvements required to the scheme. My Department is currently analysing submissions that have been received to date and the review will examine all aspects of the operation of the scheme and the eligibility criteria applying to the scheme. It is intended that the review will be completed by the end of Q1.
306. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning application deadlines should be extended given the restrictions that are in place making it less likely that notices will be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9754/21]
View answerThe planning system continues to operate during the current Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions subject to appropriate safety protocols and services operating online where feasible.
For the purpose of giving legal effect to the current Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government, new Regulations have been made by the Minister for Health entitled the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 29 of 2021) which will continue in operation until 5 March 2021. These Regulations include "statutory planning system activities, insofar as they cannot be carried out remotely" as an “essential service” specified at paragraph 14, Part 2 of the Schedule to the Regulations concerning public administration, emergency services and defence. This enables the staff of planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to travel to and from their offices as may be required for the performance of their statutory functions. It also enables such staff to perform related statutory functions including site visits and inspections as well as enforcement activity subject to public health and social distancing requirements.
In addition, for the purpose of facilitating continued public participation in the planning process during the Level 5 restrictions, regulation 4(1) of the above Regulations provides that an applicable person shall not leave his or her place of residence without reasonable excuse. Regulation 4(2) in this regard provides that such reasonable excuse includes to attend the offices of a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála to engage in a statutory planning process (including making or inspecting a planning application or appeal, making an observation or submission or participating in a Development Plan process) or to inspect a site notice.
Furthermore, it should also be noted in this context that planning authorities are required under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 38) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 180 of 2020) to upload planning applications and related documentation onto their internet websites within 5 working days of receipt or, where exceptional circumstances exist, as soon as practicable thereafter. These measures enable members of the public to view documentation online and at planning offices, and facilitate planning applications, appeals or other submissions to be made during the Level 5 restrictions. These arrangements may include provision for attendance at planning offices by appointment so that public health and social distancing requirements can be observed by both staff and customers.
I do not envisage that any further actions will be required for the planning system at this time. However, I will continue to keep this matter under review.
307. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the options for social housing applicants to transfer to other local authority areas; if so, the way in which these transfers will be applied for and processed; if he is planning a new rural resettlement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9758/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides for a package of social housing reforms, including the introduction of a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority list to another.
It should be noted that the four Dublin local authorities already co-operate in arrangements that enable social housing applicants to apply for housing in one or two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities. It is also already possible for households to move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme where the household income is within the appropriate income limits.
The issue of providing for wider tenancy movements is being examined and I will look at proposals in relation to such wider movement along with the other reform package measures. I do not have current plans for a rural resettlement scheme beyond extending mobility for social housing applicants.
308. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of recruiting seven additional ecologists and wildlife inspectors at grade 3, and four district conservation officers for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, in tabular form. [9776/21]
View answerBased on current pay levels, the estimated cost of recruiting seven additional Ecologists and Wildlife Inspectors Grade 3 and four District Conservation Officers would be €439,888 per annum.
|
Ecologist/Wildlife Inspector Grade 3 - (x7) |
€251,244 |
|
District Conservation Officer - (x4) |
€188,644 |
|
€439,888 |
309. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if policy on the tenant purchase scheme prohibits a person who has the necessary finance and tenancy period and is on a disability benefit scheme from purchasing the property; if so, his plans to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9788/21]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the scheme is determined by the relevant local authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the 2014 Act. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, local authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In determining reckonable income, the income of all tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants, is included, as is the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner / cohabitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them, thus ensuring the appropriate level of discount is applied to the purchase price.
The minimum income criterion was introduced in order to ensuring the sustainability of the scheme. Applicants must demonstrate that they have an income that is long-term and sustainable in nature. This ensures that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
The financing of any house sold under the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a separate matter from the eligibility criteria for the scheme. If the tenant is deemed eligible under the scheme, he or she may fund the purchase of a house from one, or a combination, of his / her own resources or a mortgage provided by a financial institution or a local authority house purchase loan.
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme's operation has been undertaken. In addition, the Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
310. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Land Development Agency; the number of development sites in which the Land Development Agency has involvement; the locations, size, partners and number of residential units projected for each site; the projected cost of each development; the projected level of agency financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9821/21]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation i.e. the LDA Bill when it will be established as a commercial State agency. The LDA Bill was recently published and is currently going through Second Stage in Dáil Éireann.
On establishment, the LDA had access to an initial tranche of 9 sites that have near term delivery potential for 4,000 new homes.
It has secured planning permission for 597 units at Shanganagh in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and has submitted a Strategic Housing Development application for the St. Kevin's Hospital site in Cork City in December 2020.
The LDA intends to submit planning applications for other sites in 2021.
A capital allocation of €60 million has been provided for 2021, pending finalisation of future capitalisation through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund of up to €1.25 billion following enactment of primary legislation.
A comprehensive update on each of the LDA's current sites can be found in the table.
|
Size |
Projected number of units |
Stage of the process / targeted completion date |
Existing Partners (where applicable) |
|
|
Shanganagh |
17.37 acres |
597 homes, of which 200 social, 91 affordable for sale, 306 cost rental |
Part 10 application submitted to An Bord Pleanála and granted. Construction anticipated to start in second half of 2021. Stage 1 Procurement has commenced. |
Site being developed in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC). Design Team (DT) appointed by DLRCC. ABK Architects. Architect led DT. |
|
Central Mental Hospital (CMH), Dundrum |
28 acres |
1,300 homes (estimated) |
Design team appointed and pre-planning public consultation and masterplanning underway. LDA expects to lodge an application for SHD in mid-2021. Construction start is projected for mid-2022. |
|
|
Devoy Barracks, Naas |
10.08 acres |
221 homes (estimated) |
Pre-application consultation with Kildare County Council and An Bord Pleanála completed. Anticipated lodgement in March 2021 and Grant of Permission in July 2021. |
|
|
St. Kevin's Hospital, Cork |
14.5 acres |
266 homes |
SHD planning application decision due in April 2021. |
|
|
Meath Hospital, Dublin 8 |
0.75 acres |
100 homes (estimated) |
Redevelopment Options Review to be completed Q1 2021. |
|
|
Hacketstown, Skerries |
16.8 acres |
344 homes (estimated) |
Pre-application consultation with Fingal County Council and An Bord Pleanála completed. SHD application submission expected in Q2 on 2021. |
|
|
Castlelands, Balbriggan |
55 acres |
815 homes (estimated) |
Pre-application consultation with An Bord Pleanála requested and expected in March 2021. |
|
|
Columb Barracks, Mullingar |
24.7 acres |
100 Phase 1 (estimated) |
Pre-planning. Feasibility stage, advancing development framework. |
|
|
Dyke Road, Galway |
4.5 acres |
tbc |
Currently preparing a vision statement in conjunction with Galway City Council prior to preparing a scope of works and commencement of a tendering process. |
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
311. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of funding applications (details supplied) in County Mayo; if they will be included in the next multi-annual programme; if engagement is taking place to bridge the unit contributions versus the construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9836/21]
View answerDetails of the approvals and allocations under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 were announced by my Department in 2019.
Where approved schemes/projects have not been completed or commenced by the end of 2021, they will be considered as commitments for funding under the next multi-annual programme 2022-2024. This is subject to such schemes/projects being completed within the first year of the programme. Otherwise a new bid will be required.
It is a matter for the local authority to progress projects ensuring that local contributions, where applicable, are made in advance of any work commencing. My Department expects to invite bids for the 2022-2024 programme later this year.
312. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing numbers in the Office of the Planning Regulator. [9852/21]
View answerThe Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), headed up by the new Planning Regulator, was established on 3 April 2019.
The OPR is responsible for the independent assessment of all local authority and regional assembly forward planning, including development plans, local area plans, regional spatial and economic strategies.
It can review the organisation, systems and procedures used by any planning authority or An Bord Pleanála in the performance of any of their planning functions.
It is also enabled to drive national research, training, education and public information programmes to establish best practice in planning matters and highlight the role and benefit of proper planning.
The OPR have an approved complement of 26 full time staff. Twenty-one positions are currently filled, including the position of Planning Regulator and Deputy Planning Regulator, and 5 positions are currently in recruitment phase.
313. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a report (details supplied) will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9892/21]
View answerI will be examining the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course.
In this regard, the decisions of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (CEI/18/0019) of 13 February 2019 and the Information Commissioner (OIC-59426-Q8D7T8) of 27 February 2020 in relation to requests to publish this report will also be taken into account. Both decisions are publicly available on those bodies' websites.
314. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications received from persons in County Wexford to date; and the number that have been approved. [9894/21]
View answer315. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans that have been approved and have since been drawn down in full in County Wexford. [9895/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures, as at the end of January 2021, from the Agency on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval for Wexford County Council since the scheme began, are provided below:
- Applications Assessed: 260
- Recommended to Approve: 120
The next stages in the process are approval and drawdown from the local authority.
My Department regularly publishes information on the 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).
Figures for 2019 and the first two quarters of 2020 are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
317. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he plans to address community concerns regarding the deterioration in the quality of the habitat in the special area of conservation at the Burrow, Portrane, County Dublin, part of Rogerstown Estuary special area of conservation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9921/21]
View answerInvasion of sand dunes by Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) is of ecological concern and a request for proposals to investigate the national extent and future management options for Hippophae rhamnoides in sand dunes is being prepared by my Department.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) is listed on the third schedule to the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as an invasive alien species of national concern.
Under the existing legislative framework, land management and control of invasive species are matters for landowners. I have asked the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department to investigate this matter further with a view to establishing clearly where responsibility lies in this instance and, in that context, how best to mitigate impacts of the invasive species on habitats and species protected under the Habitats Directive.
319. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 110 and 111 of 13 May 2020, the status of the interdepartmental group to scope out an approach for the development of an integrated, whole-of-Government coastal strategy for managing the changing coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9966/21]
View answerThe National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Group is comprised of senior officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Met Éireann, and the County and City Management Association. The Group met for the first time on 3 September 2020.
Further to the meeting of the Steering Group in September, a technical working group has also been established under the stewardship of the OPW. The work of this group has focused on the identification and initial analysis of data sources, to underpin the work of the Steering Group.
Since the initial meeting in September, the work of the Steering Group is being progressed through a series of bilateral meetings to scope out the extent of the issues, including, inter alia, the threats and effects of coastal change as they relate to the remit of the individual Steering Group members and the wider stakeholders. At this stage of the process these bilateral engagements are considered to be the most effective approach to progressing the scoping work prior to reconvening the Group. This phase of the work is currently being finalised and I understand that the Steering Group will reconvene in the coming weeks to build further on the progress made with a view to initial reporting to Government as soon as possible.
320. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to prevent the erosion of sand dune systems at Inchydoney and Barley Cove, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9967/21]
View answerThe sand dunes at Barley Cove and Inchydoney, County Cork are not in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Any works to be done on these properties would be the responsibility of the landowners.
The Barley Cove dunes are within the boundary of the Barley Cove to Ballyrisode Point Special Area of Conservation and the Eastern part of the Inchydoney dunes is within the Clonakilty Bay Special Area of Conservation and the Clonakilty Bay Special Protection Area. The undertaking of certain specified operations and activities within these sites would require the prior written consent of the Minister or of another public authority, where applicable, in accordance with the site specific regulations.
I am advised that erosion and deposition are normal facets of the functioning of sand dunes systems.
321. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking in response to the findings in the work of the biodiversity forum monitoring the third national biodiversity action plan, National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/21]
View answerThe current National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) runs from 2017 to 2021 and captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity to be undertaken by a wide range of government, civil society and private sectors to achieve Ireland's Vision for Biodiversity.
That Plan contains 119 actions under a framework of seven strategic objectives. These encompass mainstreaming biodiversity into decision making across all sectors; strengthening the knowledge base for the conservation; increasing awareness and appreciation of biodiversity and ecosystem services; conserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services in the wider countryside; the marine environment; expanding and improving management of protected areas and species; and strengthening international governance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Plan is an all-of-Government document and progress is monitored through the inter-departmental Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) and also by an independent advisory group, the Biodiversity Forum. In 2019, the members of the BWG reported on progress with implementation of relevant actions. On the basis of their submissions, my Department prepared and published an Interim Review in 2020. In late 2020, my Department funded the Biodiversity Forum workshop to report on the progress of the Plan.
I welcome the report of the Biodiversity Forum and its findings. The report notes that although there has been an increase in public awareness and cross-sectoral engagement in biodiversity, the status of biodiversity in protected areas and beyond is in poor condition and continues to decline. Though not surprising, there are a wide range of reasons for this situation, including long term funding for nature conservation and the way we use our land. The report outlines the strategic approach that is needed to address this biodiversity crisis.
There are strong commitments in the Programme for Government for biodiversity, including a commitment to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. The Programme for Government also commits to providing more funding for local authorities for biodiversity, both in terms of grant funding for actions contained in the NBAP and to ensure that all local authorities have a sufficient number of biodiversity and heritage officers.
While my team in the NPWS works to develop the successor Plan for 2022-2026, I will consider the report's findings carefully to ensure that the next NBAP is one that delivers real impact. Biodiversity is a whole-of-Government issue and the 2022-2026 Plan, developed in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the outcomes of the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15, will reflect that, working with colleagues across Government to improve policy coordination.
323. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application for funding (details supplied) has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10047/21]
View answerThe 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, 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 equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
I recently announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021 - 2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.)
- established Health and Safety needs
- state of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.?) and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines, which includes the provision of a new fire station at New Ross and upgrade works to Gorey fire station. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that offer best value-for-money and take account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
While a new fire station at Enniscorthy is not included in the current Capital Programme, it is included in a list of projects for inclusion in an annual review. Wexford County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal, with a request for approval-in-principle to proceed to design stage, for a new fire station at Enniscorthy to my Department in October 2020 which is currently under review. My Department will continue to work with Wexford County Council to progress the Enniscorthy fire station project.
324. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding for the voids programme is planned to be wound down, as suggested in circular 5 of 2019 issued to Cork City Council; if so, the timeline for same; and the measures that will be implemented for preventative maintenance in this instance. [10103/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to a transition from the current funding programmes for stock improvement works to a planned maintenance funding approach driven by strategic and targeted local authority work programmes, informed by stock condition surveys. My Department is therefore working with the local authority sector, through the City and County Management Association, to drive a planned maintenance approach to the maintenance of local authority housing stock. This will see circa 140,000 local authority social housing properties surveyed over a 4/5 year period, commencing in late 2021. These stock condition surveys will inform future work programmes, funding requirements and allocations.
Pending the full transition to a planned maintenance approach, my Department will continue to support local authorities through the voids programme. Final details in relation to the 2021 voids programme are currently being finalised. As in previous years, local authorities will shortly be asked to make a funding application in respect of their vacant stock and funding allocations will issue to all local authorities in due course.
325. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities are limited to applying only for the number of voids as set out in Rebuilding Ireland targets. [10119/21]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the cost of pre-letting repairs to vacant properties and the carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. However since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Departments Voids programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting.
Under Rebuilding Ireland the number of voids counted against the build output were capped in respect of each local authority. However, given the demand for housing it was imperative that properties were not left vacant for long periods. My Department therefore actively encouraged all local authorities to ensure that all vacant properties were returned to productive use as expeditiously as possible and local authorities were not therefore limited to funding at the capped voids figures. Any approved voids funded by my Department that were completed in excess of the Rebuilding Ireland targets, were reported in parallel to the Rebuilding Ireland numbers.
326. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the difference between the standard refurbishment option and the homeless refurbishment option in relation to voids. [10128/21]
View answerSince 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding is increasingly targeted to support local authority's to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
In relation to the Standard Void and Homeless Void options, these were introduced in 2020 based on the level of funding made available under the July Stimulus Programme (Voids) and also to achieve the maximum impact across all local authorities.
The Standard Voids option was a fast tracked standard refurbishment programme with a maximum funding level of €12,500 per unit. These units were to be relet in 2020 to individuals and families on the social housing list.
Properties refurbished under the homeless voids category were for allocation to households deemed to be long-term homeless by the local authority. The maximum funding provision under this category was €20,000 per unit which reflected the extra works/supports required over and above the normal standard voids funding stream.
My Department is currently in discussions with the local authority sector, through the CCMA, on the detail of the 2021 voids funding programme and allocations to individual local authorities for 2021 will issue in due course.
