Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 268-281

Housing Issues

Questions (268, 269)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

268. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of capital investment allocated to social housing over the past ten-year period, 2011 to 2021, in tabular form. [27659/21]

View answer

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

269. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses affordable or council built over the past ten-year period 2011 to 2021, in tabular form. [27660/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery activity. This data includes details on the number of social houses built between 2010 - 2020 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.

Information on the number of affordable houses delivered between 2010 – 2020 can also be found on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/

In relation to funding, my Department provides both capital and current funding for a wide range of programmes and supports to assist households with their housing needs. This includes funding for the delivery of new social homes through build, acquisition and leasing mechanisms, targeted supports to meet the housing needs of specific groups and programmes to support households within their existing housing through a range of improvement, upgrading and adaptation works.

In relation to capital investment, the capital expenditure by my Department for the delivery of housing programmes in each of the years 2011 to 2020 and the capital budget for 2021 is set out in the table below.

Year

Capital Funding€m

2011

485

2012

397

2013

295

2014

300

2015

430

2016

542

2017

836

2018

1,309

2019

1,523

2020

1,469

2021 Budget

2,031

It should be noted that unit delivery and expenditure do not always occur in the same year and units delivered under phased programmes may span more than one year.

Question No. 269 answered with Question No. 268.

Housing Provision

Questions (270, 271)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

270. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of acquisitions or takeovers of private rentals that have been repurposed as social and or council houses over the past ten year period 2011 to 2021, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27661/21]

View answer

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

271. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding acquisition funding for 2021; when the local authorities will be in receipt of these funds; if there is a possibility of emergency acquisition funding as there are many persons in County Clare that are facing evictions due to their landlords wanting to sell the property and the county does not have funding to acquire properties at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27662/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

My Department does not provide a set amount of funding to local authorities to pursue acquisitions of second-hand properties for new social homes; funding is provided by my Department based on the number of such acquisitions that each individual local authority undertakes. All local authorities including, Clare County Council, are aware of this process.

On 21 April last, I announced a number of measures to further support the delivery of additional social homes following from the construction sector shut-down over the first months of 2021. These measures can be seen at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/30a86-minister-obrien-announces-plans-to-boost-social-housing-delivery/ and include a programme of targeted acquisitions by local authorities to deliver new social homes. While I am keen that local authorities use these opportunities to boost social housing supply in the short term, I have also asked them to be particularly conscious of the impact on private supply of housing when they are undertaking acquisitions.

In relation to situations where landlords are considering selling a property which is currently rented to a person or a family in receipt of social housing supports, all local authorities are asked to deploy their tenancy sustainment officer in the first place, to seek a resolution to the situation if possible. The option to acquire properties is available to the local authority following the intervention of the tenancy sustainment officer.

Because the identification and selection of properties to be acquired as new social homes is delegated to local authorities, my Department does not record the number of such acquisitions that the 31 authorities undertake that were previously rented privately, but this information may be available from the local authorities themselves.

Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 270.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (272)

Seán Canney

Question:

272. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of housing assistance payment paid to investment corporations since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27695/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department does not hold data on the amount of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) paid to investment corporations.

At end Q4 2020 there were nearly 60,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,520 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

The overall cost to the Exchequer of supporting the HAP Scheme, for the period since the scheme's inception in 2014 to 2020, is outlined in the table below:

Year

Additional Households supported at end of year

No. of LAs operating HAP Scheme

Outturn €M

2014

485

7

0.39

2015

5,680

18

15.64

2016

12,075

28

57.69

2017

17,916

31

152.69

2018

17,926

31

276.6

2019

17,025

31

382.4

2020

15,885

31

464.6

Local Authorities

Questions (273)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

273. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports his Department is providing to Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council in its master planning of the Ballymount industrial estate site between the Red Cow and Bluebell. [27731/21]

View answer

Written answers

Under Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), both Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council were each allocated €200,000 in respect of a range of studies to develop a plan led approach for the development of these lands into a sustainable, vibrant mixed use urban quarter.

While my Department works closely with successful applicants, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through their various stages of development is, in the first instance, a matter for the sponsoring agencies, in this case Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council.

Departmental Data

Questions (274, 275)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

274. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide statistical information (details supplied) in tabular form. [27732/21]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

275. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if statistical information in relation to the allocation of funding will be provided (details supplied). [27734/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data provides a breakdown of social housing delivery across a range of mechanisms to the end of 2020 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-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 each quarter which provides scheme level detail on new build activity. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2020 and is available at the following link: rebuildingireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Final-Report.pdf. This is sorted by local authority, and gives a list of the individual projects that make up the new Build programme for that local authority.

A version of this file can be downloaded at the following link and used for various analysis in terms of stage of activity, location, quarter of completion, number of homes etc. data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2020.

Total expenditure on the delivery of housing programmes in 2020 was €2.63 billion with funding of €3.3 billion available in 2021. This investment will ensure that the housing needs of over 28,500 households are met in 2021, including, subject to the impact of COVID, the delivery of 12,750 new social homes. A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build homes, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes. The Government will be publishing a new housing strategy this year, which will set out details of social housing delivery for 2021-2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards.

Specific details in respect of the 2021 capital and current funding provisions for housing programmes and associated outputs are set out in the Budget 2021 Expenditure Report which is available at the following link: budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Part%20II%20-%20Expenditure%20Allocations%202021.pdf.

In addition, details of the 2021 housing output targets are available as part of the 2021 Revised Estimates at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2021.

Finally, details of 2020 housing outputs and activity impacts are available in the Public Service 2020 Performance Report which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/61d3f-public-service-performance-reports/.

Specifically in relation to the capital funding for people with a disability and older people, this is a new funding stream in 2021 for a pilot project under the Housing Options for our Ageing Population Joint Policy Statement. The project will allow a house owned by an older person to be extended or reconfigured to allow them to take in a relative who is on the housing list or, alternatively, to allow a family member to take in an older relative. The pilot scheme is currently under development with an expected commencement date in 2022.

Question No. 275 answered with Question No. 274.

Departmental Data

Questions (276)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

276. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 705 of 21 April 2021, the estimated cost of upgrading all developer provided water infrastructure in the 566 residential developments. [27735/21]

View answer

Written answers

On 21 September 2020, I announced allocations under the new multi-annual capital investment programme - the Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021 - for the progressive resolution of housing estates with developer provided water services infrastructure, to enable the taking in charge of these estates. This, the first funding cycle of a new multi-annual programme, runs to the end of 2021.

The focus of the first multi-annual programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study currently being undertaken by Irish Water, will inform future policy considerations on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions.

The Irish Water study, which is scheduled to be completed at the end of this year, will also allow my Department to, working with Irish Water, determine detailed costings on site specific solutions which can then be used to develop an overall estimated cost to fully resolve estates with developer provided water services infrastructure.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (277)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

277. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when applicants for the position of appointments to the National Oversight and Audit Commission will be notified as to the outcome of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27770/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) had notified all candidates of the outcome of the selection process for positions on the National Oversight and Audit Commission as of 10 May 2021.

Departmental Funding

Questions (278)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

278. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants or assistance available for those that need to adapt their home for medical needs but are over the income threshold to apply through the local authority. [27811/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides funding to local authorities so as to enable them administer the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.

The grants available operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The schemes are means tested. Grant assistance is not available to applicants whose household income, after disregards and deductions, exceeds €60,000 per annum. A review is being undertaken this year by officials of my Department in relation to the means test criteria.

Local authorities, in administering the scheme, should always work with qualifying applicants to ensure they get the most beneficial outcome possible in line with their financial circumstances.

Further detail on these schemes is available at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/

Housing Provision

Questions (279)

Martin Browne

Question:

279. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the impact the 2040 planning framework will have on house building in rural Ireland; his further views on whether this is appropriate to home building in rural communities given the rising house prices and the worsening housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/21]

View answer

Written answers

The National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland. The NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas and the need to ensure their continued function as places to live, work and invest in. The NPF seeks to encourage their growth and to arrest the decline of areas that have experienced low population growth in recent years. Chapter 5.3 ‘Planning for the Future Growth and Development of Rural Areas’ of the NPF features several specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that aim to support the overall rural and small town pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities.

Importantly, National Planning Objective (NPO) 19 of the NPF 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. NPO 19 is also 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.

Further, under National Policy Objective 18b my Department is committed to developing a programme with local authorities, public infrastructure agencies such as Irish Water and local communities for the provision of serviced sites for housing to attract people to build their own homes and live in small towns and villages.

It is noteworthy that there is strong delivery of new homes in rural areas nationally in recent years, with almost 26,000 rural house planning permissions granted in last 5 years. During that time, more than 90% of the number of rural homes permitted were built, comprising around one in three houses completed in Ireland between 2016 and 2020.

Updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being prepared that will continue to allow for the development of homes in rural areas while also highlighting the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns in order to avoid over-development of those areas. I expect to receive an initial draft guidelines document in the coming weeks. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, I expect final updated guidelines to be available later in 2021.

Legislative Programme

Questions (280)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if right of way legislation due to come into place on 30 November 2021 will be delayed due to extended closures of the Land Registry and solicitors’ offices due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27900/21]

View answer

Written answers

There appears to be a misapprehension regarding the dates for registering rights of ways acquired by prescription on foot of amendments made by Parts 12 and 13 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 to the provisions relating to acquisition of easements and profits by prescription contained in Part 8 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009.

I understand from the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that the following is the position:

1. The extension of the transitional period originally prescribed by Section 38(b) of the 2009 Act (3 years) by the aforementioned 2011 Act (extending the period to 12 years) relates simply to the period when a claim to a prescriptive right can be made by reliance on the 'old' law replaced by the 2009 Act. From 2021, reliance must be made on the 'new' law introduced by the 2009 Act; in particular, reliance must be made on the new single and shorter period of 12 years. There is no question of a cut-off point occurring in 2021 when a claim to a prescriptive right can no longer be made. All that changes in 2021 is the basis on which the prescriptive right can be claimed.

2. The new procedure for registration of a prescriptive right introduced by Section 41 of the 2011 Act is not subject to a time limit. It is a permanent procedure and, in particular, does not cease to be available in 2021. The only change which occurs in 2021 is the basis on which an application must be made to the PRA. As pointed out in (1) above, from 2021, the application will have to be grounded on the 'new' law introduced by the 2009 Act and reliance on the 'old' law repealed by that Act will cease to be possible.

This procedure is only for easements (including rights of way) acquired by prescription. If all parties agree to the registration of an easement, an application should be made by lodging the appropriate Deed of Grant.

Finally, a Practice Direction Easements and Profits à Prendre Acquired by Prescription under Section 49 A and an informational video are available on the PRA’s website (www.prai.ie) that cover the process relating to the registration of prescriptive easements.

Wild Fires

Questions (281)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 328 of 5 May 2021, the number of the 60 new conservation rangers being recruited presently that will be assigned to Killarney National Park; if a timeframe for the recruitment process will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/21]

View answer

Written answers

The national recruitment process for conservation rangers was advertised late last year and is being managed by the Public Appointments Service. The recruitment is at an advanced stage and candidates are currently being interviewed.

Frontline conservation rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities. A calibrated proportion of the expansion of the ranger cohort will be assigned to Killarney National Park as with all our other national parks and nature reserves in the ownership and care of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

While it is too early to be specific as to the exact number of additional rangers to be assigned to the Southern Region and Killarney National Park, the proportion of rangers to be assigned to Killarney National Park will be pitched at a level commensurate to meet the conservation needs of this internationally recognised natural habitat based on the outcome of the recruitment process.

Top
Share