Tuesday, 15 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 584-604

Local Authorities

Questions (584)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

584. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the income limit for social housing by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Applications 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 Additional Superannuation Contribution. 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.

A table setting out the details of the three bands and the limits currently applicable in each local authority area is available on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/04c69-social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/

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 separately, an allowance of 2.5% for each child.

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 in 2011 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 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.

Vacant Properties

Questions (585)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

585. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant residential properties in County Wexford on the vacant homes register in tabular form. [30768/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The innovative website vacanthomes.ie was developed by Mayo County Council in July 2017 on behalf of the local government sector to serve as a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant homes and to alert local authorities so that they can then follow up with the registered owners. It is a key tool in the effort to identify and bring long-term vacant homes back into use.

This source of locally generated information is proving useful in supplementing the country-wide analysis on vacancy and in mobilising communities to assist local authorities in developing and implementing a targeted approach to deal with vacancy. The website also provides useful information for property owners on how to bring their vacant properties back into use and on available financial supports.

The latest available data on vacanthomes.ie shows that 115 properties have been logged on the website in Wexford.

Housing Schemes

Questions (586)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

586. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the approved housing bodies involved in the mortgage-to-rent initiative; the banks that are involved in the initiative; the way households are identified as suitable for inclusion in the initiative; the number of households nationally that are provided for by this scheme; the terms for tenants; the duration of the lease; the provisions for tenants to purchase back the property; the parameters by which tenants can remain in the home beyond the term of the lease; the provisions made for families of the chief earner in the event of their death or serious illness; the person that is financially responsible for the upkeep of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The 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.

To the end of March 2021, 1179 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR scheme since its introduction nationally in 2013. The 1179 households in the scheme represent 1970 adults and 1699 children who have remained living in their homes and communities. There are currently 1079 active cases being progressed under the scheme.

At present there are 12 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), 1 private company and 23 lenders participating in the MTR scheme. The Housing Agency publishes a full range of statistics on the MTR scheme including a status report by lender and by purchaser and is available at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics

The scheme relies on the lender making the scheme available to the borrower where the lender has deemed their mortgage to be unsustainable under the MARP process and has assessed the borrower as being eligible for the MTR scheme. Under the MTR scheme, a household with mortgage arrears goes from being a homeowner to becoming a social housing tenant of an AHB or where Home for Life buys the property a social housing tenant of a local authority. The tenants pay a differential rent based on their income that is designed to be affordable and which is subject to periodic review. Where a change of circumstances in an individual household occurs, the rent level will be reviewed.

A review of the MTR scheme in 2017 taking account of capacity within the AHB sector given that sector's role in delivering ambitious targets around new social housing supply, also recommended that alternative funding options, including the off-balance sheet potential of private institutional investment, be explored in order to allow the MTR scheme to deliver at scale. An Expressions of Interest (EOI) Request issued in 2017 inviting parties from the private sector to express their interest in participating in a new alternatively funded long-term MTR lease model. The outcome from the EOI process is that a new MTR alternatively funded lease model was announced in 2018 with Home for Life Ltd. as the participant from the private sector.

Under this alternatively funded model, Home for Life purchases properties from lenders subsequent to their voluntary surrender by borrowers that meet the MTR eligibility criteria and then enters into a long-term 25 year lease arrangement with the local authority in whose area the property is situated for a defined term at an agreed rent, thereby enabling the borrower to remain living in their own home under a tenancy agreement with the local authority. Home for Life is also responsible for managing and maintaining the property on behalf of the local authority in accordance with the lease requirements.

The provision to allow the borrower to buyback the property has been a feature of the MTR scheme since its inception. A borrower has the option of buying back the property after 5 years or at the discretion of the property owner before the 5 years has expired. Where an AHB or Home for Life buys the property from the lender at a non-discounted price, the borrower has the option of buying back the property at the open market value on the date of the buyback but the property cannot cost less than what the property owner paid for it. Alternatively, where the property was purchased from the lender at a discounted price, the borrower may opt to buy back the property at the price the property owner paid for it plus all costs incurred by the property owner on the property including repairs, cost of finance and legal costs. A clawback will also apply to this option where the borrower sells the property within 20 years of buying back the property. To date, there had been only 1 case where a borrower has bought back their home.

Regardless of who the property owner is under the MTR scheme, AHB or Home for Life, the local authority is obliged to meet the housing needs of social housing tenants indefinitely and beyond the term of the applicable lease arrangement.

AHBs are an integral part of the MTR scheme and their participation in the scheme has enabled and continues to enable a significant number of borrowers to remain in their homes as social housing tenants. AHBs, as landlords, are responsible for managing and maintaining the properties they acquire under the MTR scheme.

The inclusion of an MTR provider from the private sector has facilitated more individuals and families staying in their homes. Given the sizeable cohort of borrowers still in long-term mortgage arrears, all the MTR providers participating in the scheme are needed in order to meet the demand for the scheme. In all scenarios, my Department and the Housing Agency are focused on meeting the long-term housing needs of the greatest number of households in unsustainable mortgage arrears.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the Mortgage to Rent 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.

Local Authorities

Questions (587)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

587. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the local authority decarbonisation zones; and the list of zones selected. [30814/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan sets out an ambitious whole-of-society approach designed to enable Ireland to meet its EU targets of reducing carbon emissions by 51% between 2021 and 2030, and thereafter to achieve a climate neutral economy by 2050. Action 165 of the Plan sets local authorities the challenge of identifying and developing Decarbonising Zones in each local authority in Ireland and implementation of this action is being led by my Department, in close cooperation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the local authorities supported by the Climate Action Regional Offices.

My Department issued a circular to local authorities on 10 February 2021 asking each local authority to identify a decarbonising zone and to provide a broad outline of the main projects that could be implementable in the decarbonising zone plus an indication as to the potential outcomes deliverable in terms of reductions in carbon emissions. Each local authority will then be tasked with developing implementation plans for their decarbonisation zones.

At this point, 27 local authorities have submitted their proposals and it is anticipated that the remaining proposals will be submitted in the coming weeks. My Department is currently examining the proposals and it is intended to publish them when all have been submitted. My officials will also engage with the sector to ensure that the proposals will provide a good range of scalable and replicable learning opportunities that will enable the sector, in the longer term, to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate needs in order to contribute to national climate action targets.

Local Authorities

Questions (588)

Patrick Costello

Question:

588. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the upcoming fourth anniversary of the authorship of the report A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council by a person (details supplied) will be published. [30824/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I am considering 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.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (589)

Carol Nolan

Question:

589. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the expenditure incurred by staff in his Department under the heading of travel and subsistence from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30868/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by my Department in the years 2020 and 2021 to date are set out in the following table:

Year- 2020	Amount	Year- 2021	Amount
Home	€1,368,190.62	Home	€231,339.00
EU	€74,611.23	EU	Nil
Non-EU	€24,391.14	Non- EU	Nil
Total	€1,467,192.99	Total	€231,339.00

Departmental Reviews

Questions (590)

Carol Nolan

Question:

590. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30885/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Government Departments regularly review expenditure programmes under the established system of value for money and policy reviews (VFMs). In the period under question, one such formal review was underway in relation to homeless services, on which no external costs were incurred.

The Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) of my Department carries out VFM studies on local authority operations, with a view to identifying best practice and recommending ways of improving existing procedures, practices and systems and thereby promoting efficiency and cost effectiveness. These reports are undertaken internally and no external costs arise. Reports issued from 1 January 2019 to date are listed below.

- An Overview Report of Capital Unfunded Balances in Local Authorities, published in April 2019;

- An Overview Report of Interest Only Loans in Local Authorities, published in April 2019;

- Progress Report No. 7 – Progress on the implementation of the recommendations contained in VFM Report No. 29 ‘The oversight role of the Local Authorities in the provision of social housing by Approved Housing Bodies’, published in October 2020; and

- An Overview Report of Fire Services Expenditure and Income in Local Authorities, published in December 2020.

In addition to the above, my Department reviews its schemes and programmes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are fit for purpose. For example, applications for funding of social housing are reviewed for value for money in line with requirements of the Capital Works Management Framework.

Local Authorities

Questions (591)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

591. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual local authority income and expenditure for the period 2008 to 2019 for the rental accommodation scheme, housing assistance payment, acquisition and new builds in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department provides funding to local authorities as projects and schemes are progressed and as relevant claims fall due for recoupment.

Details of housing expenditure under the build and acquisition delivery streams each year since 2016 are set out in the table below. Prior to the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland in 2016, the reporting of housing expenditure was undertaken on a subhead basis only.

	2016 €m	2017 €m	2018 €m	2019 €m	2020 €m
Build	173	337	745	836	1,032
Acquisition	233	377	418	496	281

In respect of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), details of expenditure under the scheme from 2011 onwards are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision#rental-accommodation-scheme-ras

RAS expenditure details for the period 2008 to 2010 are as follows:

	RAS €m
2008	53.03
2009	83.39
2010	100.08

In respect of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), details of expenditure under the scheme each year since 2014 are set out in the table below.

	HAP €m
2014	0.39
2015	15.64
2016	57.7
2017	152.7
2018	276.6
2019	382.41
2020	464.65

Local Authorities

Questions (592, 594)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

592. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2019 annual financial report for local authorities will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30908/21]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

594. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the costs included in housing and building in local authority financial reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30910/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 and 594 together.

Each local authority is required to prepare an Annual Financial Statement by the end of March following the year end and to publish it by the end of June. These financial statements undergo an independent audit by the Local Government Audit Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

	EXPENDITURE HOUSING AND BUILDING 2019
	DIVISION	TOTAL
		€
A01	Maintenance/Improvement of LA Housing	276,367,178
A02	Housing Assessment, Allocation and Transfer	30,565,185
A03	Housing Rent and Tenant Purchase Administration	37,342,865
A04	Housing Community Development Support	49,392,387
A05	Administration of Homeless Service	262,558,119
A06	Support to Housing Capital & Affordable Prog.	107,476,587
A07	RAS Programme	316,728,464
A08	Housing Loans	51,656,970
A09	Housing Grants	73,397,626
A11	Agency & Recoupable Services	6,274,141
A12	HAP Programme	507,634,718
	SERVICE DIVISION TOTAL INCLUDING TRANSFERS TO/FROM RESERVES	1,719,394,240
	Less Transfers to/from Reserves	88,639,856
	SERVICE DIVISION TOTAL EXCLUDING TRANSFERS TO/FROM RESERVES	1,630,754,384

The Annual Financial Statements 2019 can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e103b-local-authority-annual-financial-statements

The breakdown of the Housing and Building Costs for 2019 are attached and can be also found in Appendix 2 (page 32) of the Annual Financial Statement.

Departmental Data

Questions (593)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

593. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units provided by local authorities in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30909/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery activity on a quarterly basis. This data includes details on the number of social housing units provided by local authorities in 2020. This data 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/. The table 'Breakdown of Social Housing Activity by Local Authority 2020' provides a breakdown of social housing delivery in 2020 for each local authority.

Question No. 594 answered with Question No. 592.

Housing Policy

Questions (595)

John Lahart

Question:

595. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the working family payment is seen as temporary income which does not demonstrate ability to repay a mortgage but is not disregarded and not assessable for social housing eligibility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30923/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Applications 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 Additional Superannuation Contribution. 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. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Household Means Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including Working Family Payment, is assessable. 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 separately, an allowance of 2.5% for each child. 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 in 2011 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 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.

Local Authorities

Questions (596)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

596. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of unsold affordable homes being used for social housing by local authority; the annual cost of servicing the loans on these properties by each local authority; the cost to date of servicing these loans by local authority; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of these properties; and his plans to assist local authorities meet these debt obligations in tabular form. [30950/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

As of Q4 2020, a total of 2,039 unsold affordable units (USAs) have been identified across 19 local authorities and are available for social housing tenants.

In September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues around these units in detail. This working group comprises members of the Local Government Management Agency, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Agency, Approved Housing Bodies through the Irish Council of Social Housing and my Department.

My Department is currently consulting with all local authorities and the Housing Finance Agency to gather all USA financial data. Once completed, the next meeting of the working group will consider the options available for resolving this legacy issue.

Details of the number of USA units by local authority area is set out at Table 1 below. The 2020 annual cost of servicing these units and the total cost to end 2020 is set out at Table 2 below.

Table 1: No. of unsold affordable units to end of 2020

Local Authority	No. of Units
CARLOW	31
CORK CITY	248
CORK CO.	575
DONEGAL	15
DUBLIN CITY	271
FINGAL	274
GALWAY CITY	57
KERRY	4
KILDARE	67
LAOIS	74
LOUTH	54
MAYO	23
MEATH	51
OFFALY	6
ROSCOMMON	6
SOUTH DUBLIN CC	155
TIPPERARY	23
WATERFORD	53
WESTMEATH	52
TOTAL	2039

Table 2 - SHCEP payments by LA 2009-2020.

	Annual Cost of Servicing Unsold Affordable Units	Total Cost of servicing Unsold Affordable Units 2009-2020.
Local Authority	Cost in 2020	Total
Athlone Town Council		€39,474
Athy Town Council		€278,926
Buncrana Town Council		€7,425
Carlow County Council	€67,427	€802,421
Carlow Town Council		€214,469
Castlebar Town Council		€518,462
Cork City Council	€729,876	€3,653,963
Cork County Council	€1,378,941	€20,532,885
Cork County Council (North)		€58,626
Cork County Council (South)		€493,827
Donegal County Council	€23,260	€381,691
Dublin City Council	€1,238,496	€17,573,122
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown CC		€727,204
Dundalk Town Council		€348,580
Fingal County Council	€1,890,129	€17,599,441
Galway City Council	€140,192	€1,816,742
Kerry County Council	€8,698	€108,103
Kildare County Council	€160,524	€2,119,385
Kilkenny County Council		€116,157
Laois County Council	€142,263	€2,431,111
Louth County Council	€127,040	€1,667,449
Mayo County Council	€81,307	€641,517
Meath County Council	€181,398	€2,420,084
Nenagh Town Council		€200,107
Offaly County Council	€35,347	€659,131
Roscommon County Council	€8,700	€124,830
South Dublin County Council	€422,790	€6,176,487
Tipperary County Council	€40,626	€306,137
Waterford City & County Council	€149,864	€1,197,507
Waterford City Council		€212,292
Waterford County Council		€649,256
Westmeath County Council	€147,593	€2,420,008
Westport Town Council		€68,209
Total	€6,974,471	€86,565,030

Departmental Data

Questions (597)

Neale Richmond

Question:

597. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants on the social housing list for each local authority area by qualifying house type need, that is, 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30978/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).

The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020 shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.

Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories. In relation to the specific question posed regarding a breakdown by qualifying house type need, information of this exact type is not held by my Department.

However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 provide details on household size. It should be noted that the category “Household Composition” in the previous reports, was replaced in the 2019 report by the “Household Size” profile category which provides more granular level of detail regarding the number of persons in each household type.SSHA Report 2020 www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/

Legislative Measures

Questions (598)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

598. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if legislation in respect of strategic housing developments will not be reintroduced following the expiration of said legislation on 31 December 2021 as outlined by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport to Dáil Éireann on 20 May 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31058/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála for determination.

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to not extending the SHD arrangements beyond their legislative expiry date of end December 2021, which has now been extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related extension of duration of statutory deadlines within the planning system by 8 weeks in respect of the period March to May 2020.

Work is ongoing on the development of new legislative proposals for the wind-up of the current SHD arrangements and the submission of large-scale housing planning applications (including student accommodation) to local planning authorities. It is intended to publish a General Scheme in this regard as soon as possible.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (599)

Paul Murphy

Question:

599. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos.794 and 796 of 21 April 2021 and 342 of 11 May 2021, if he stands over the contents of the 9 February 2013 Report of the Independent Review of the Compulsory Acquisition of Land at Charlesland, County Wicklow by Wicklow County Council given further developments (details supplied). [31088/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The independent review referenced was carried out in accordance with the agreed terms of reference that addressed each of the specific concerns that had been raised by certain public representatives during 2011.

The review was carried out on a non-statutory basis and as such the reviewer did not have powers to make any binding determinations of facts. The report states that any findings or conclusions made should be viewed in that context. The report further states that the reviewer obtained the full cooperation of all parties concerned.

Subsequent to the review being completed, further correspondence was received by my Department in relation to a number of additional concerns. These additional concerns raised are being considered.

Housing Policy

Questions (600)

Sean Fleming

Question:

600. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1946 of 6 September 20219, when the internal working group to consider a long-term strategy for unsold affordable dwellings will report and an update will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31092/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

As of Q4 2020, a total of 2,039 unsold affordable units have been identified across 19 local authorities.

Whilst the original intention was that these properties would be sold on as affordable homes once demand increased to a level that would stimulate a sale, following the financial crash, developments in the housing market resulted in significantly reduced demand for affordable housing and a build-up of unsold affordable housing units in a number of local authority areas.

In April 2009, my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties as a means to meet social housing need. This was to be achieved through the social housing leasing programme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme, with the properties being leased or managed by an Approved Housing Body or private management company and allocated to tenants from the social housing waiting list.

In September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues around these units in detail. This working group comprises members of the Local Government Management Agency, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Agency, Approved Housing Bodies through the Irish Council of Social Housing and my Department.

My Department is currently consulting with all local authorities and the Housing Finance Agency to gather all unsold affordable property financial data. Once completed, the next meeting of the working group will consider the options available for resolving this legacy issue.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (601)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

601. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of NPWS works for areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31093/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The area around Liffey Head was traditionally hand cut by tenants of the Powerscourt Estate. Following the construction of the Military Road cutting by locals increased. The most significant and impactful draining and cutting of the blanket bog took place during times of crisis namely during “The Emergency” of the 1940’s and the oil crisis of the 1980’s and finally in 1986 an area of intact blanket bog was dug with drains in preparation to cut turf. This raised increased concerns for the future of the bogland habitat and the impact the degraded blanket bog could have on the water quality supplying Dublin. The area came into State ownership in 1989.

Drain blocking works to stop the degradation of the bog was started by National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1993 and continued until 1997.

From 1993 to 1995, drains at Liffey Head to the east of the Military Road were blocked by machine. In the more sensitive areas, close to bog pools, these were blocked by hand. Damming methodology, machines and tools used were all trial and error as there had been little or no similar projects carried out in Ireland at this time.

In 1995 and 1996 the drain-blocking extended across the road from Liffey Head bridge to the lower slopes of Kippure.

In 1997 handmade dams were constructed on smaller drains to the Kippure site and repairs made to the original, poorly constructed dams to the east of the road.

Rehabilition work affected approximately 100 hectares and cost circa £45,000.

The Wicklow Mountains National Park Management plan 2005-2009 listed the following as actions:

Installation of silt traps, management plans for Shranamuck to the west and for Liffey Head to the east, continuation of conservation works, the monitoring and repair of dams and liaison with remaining turf cutters.

In 2016 the last turf cutter was moved away from the area to cut turf in a less sensitive area and monitoring of the site is ongoing.

To date management plans for Shranamuck and The Liffey Head bog have not been drawn up.

Housing Schemes

Questions (602)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

602. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter in relation to the shared equity scheme (details supplied). [31183/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Affordable Housing Bill 2021, currently before the Oireachtas, provides for three schemes delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, and (3) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme.

Affordable homes on local authority lands are to be made available through the support of the €310 million Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). Information on the schemes, including those that have been approved in Cork City and County, that have received approval in principle under the Serviced Sites Fund are available at:

www.rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-gives-the-go-ahead-for-ten-local-authority-sites-for-affordable-housing-under-the-serviced-sites-fund/ , and

www.rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-approves-funding-of-e84m-to-support-delivery-of-1770-affordable-homes-under-the-ssf/ .

My Department continues to engage with local authorities to progress both current and potential projects, with the first SSF project to deliver affordable homes for purchase later this year being the Boherboy project in Cork City.

These homes will come with an initial price of between 10% and 40% below market price, with the discount provided remaining as a fully-repayable equity charge against the property. The scheme is targeted at first-time buyers, with some limited exceptions as outlined in the Affordable Housing Bill 2021. Applications for affordable housing on local authority lands, supported by the Serviced Sites Fund, will be made through the local authorities.

In addition to the affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Budget 2021 allocated €75 million for the Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme, which is aimed at first-time buyers buying a new-build home on private land. It will help first-time buyers secure their own home by providing up to 20% equity support to bridge the gap between the mortgage available to them and the price of the home they want. This would seem to be the specific scheme referred to in the question.

The Affordable Housing Bill will provide a basis for the establishment of the scheme which it is anticipated will be operated and administered by a newly established a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The Bill also provides that the Minister may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided in a memorandum of agreement with the SPV covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme, and the amount of funding that can be provided.

Determining the price caps for the Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme requires balancing the accessibility of the scheme for eligible purchasers, mitigating against potential inflationary pressure and ensuring that a range of homes can be supplied across key locations. Working price caps envisaged for the equity scheme are detailed below, and are informed by the CSO recorded median prices of new First Time Buyer homes sold by area. The equity scheme, therefore, targets homes in the lower half of recorded sales prices over the previous year. The proposed caps will be reviewed and finalised in advance of the scheme’s deployment, and will be kept under review thereafter.

Price Cap (€)	Location/Local Authority Area
Price Cap (€)	Location/Local Authority Area
450,000	Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown
400,000	Fingal, Cork City, Galway City, South Dublin, Wicklow
350,000	Cork County, Galway County, Kildare, Limerick City and County, Meath
300,000	Clare, Westmeath, Wexford
275,000	Carlow, Louth, Offaly
250,000	Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Roscommon, Waterford
225,000	Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary
Additional price caps for apartments
500,000	Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown
450,000	Fingal, Cork City, South Dublin

Required regulations for the shared equity scheme will be made following the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas, and it is anticipated that the earliest deployment of this scheme will be later in 2021. The shared equity scheme will be managed nationally, with applications to be made via the aforementioned SPV, regardless of location.

Other affordability measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme, and the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, are already available to eligible purchasers nationally to make home ownership more affordable.

The Help to Buy Scheme may return tax paid in the previous four years to eligible first-time buyers, up to a maximum amount of €30,000, for a new home. Information is available at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx .

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. There are no set minimum income limits; however, applicants do need to have sufficient borrowing and repayment capacity and must be capable of repaying the mortgage. Further information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available at www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/ .

Departmental Schemes

Questions (603)

Sean Fleming

Question:

603. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to improve the MICA redress scheme in cases in which a person with a large mortgage and whose home is damaged and uninsurable deems the scheme insufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31245/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The current maximum grant amounts payable under the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.

With regard to the scheme, the aim is to help in so far as possible to reinstate an average sized dwelling to the condition it would have been in had the original block work not been affected by pyrite/mica. Mindful that the scheme is being funded from the Exchequer the funding must be carefully managed and value for money achieved. The funding available must be used prudently to achieve the most efficient and cost effective outcomes, while benefitting as many homeowners as possible.

Engagement between my Department, the local authorities and local action groups will continue on this matter. In this regard, I have proposed a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I propose that the recommendations of this working group will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required, which I will bring forward in conjunction with my Government colleagues, and in particular in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.

Heritage Council

Questions (604)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

604. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31251/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is operated on contract under the aegis of the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is [e-mail].