Written Answers Nos. 360-380
360. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when County Clare will be incorporated in the defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42545/21]
View answerMy Department received correspondence from Clare County Council in October 2020, requesting the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme to County Clare. A comprehensive reply was subsequently issued to the Council in November 2020.
My Department informed the Council that before any extension of the scheme could be considered, the same rigorous analysis as that put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme to the counties of Donegal and Mayo would have to be undertaken. Following further discussions between my Department and Clare County Council it was agreed that the local authority would take a lead role in determining, in accordance with the IS: 465 protocol, that issues arising in homes in County Clare are in fact due to the presence of excessive amounts of deleterious materials (mica or pyrite) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks and secondly quantify the likely extent of the problem in the county.
Subsequently a report was commissioned and finalised by Clare CoCo in July 2021 and submitted to my Department towards the end of that month. The report is currently being reviewed by officials from my Department.
Any changes to or extension of the existing scheme will require consideration in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of the Attorney General.
361. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the way the low income limits for County Tipperary under the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 is forcing family members from homes that become subject to the mortgage to rent scheme; his views on the way this is leading to situations in which families become fragmented; the way in which he plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/21]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at supporting households in mortgage arrears who are eligible for social housing support, whose mortgage has been deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselve. The property must also meet certain eligibility criteria. One of the main criteria underpinning the MTR scheme is that it is a social housing option and therefore it is only open to borrowers in arrears who qualify for social housing as prescribed by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.
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. If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household.
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.
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 affordable housing both for purchase and for cost rental.
Where MTR is not an option, it will be a matter for the borrower to discuss with their lender if there are other options available to resolve their mortgage arrears solution. The Abhaile service is a national mortgage arrears resolution service provided free of charge to the borrower and its aim is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own homes. The Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS) acts as the gateway for the service and can be contacted by telephoning (076) 1072000 or by accessing their website at: www.mabs.ie/abhaile.
362. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount collected by local authorities through commercial rates for 2019. [42575/21]
View answer363. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount collected by local authorities through non-commercial rates for 2019. [42576/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.
The funding system for local authorities is complex, with authorities deriving their income from a variety of sources.
In 2019, local authorities had total revenue income of €5.3billion. This included income collected from commercial rates totalling €1.55 billion.
In addition to commercial rates, local authorities have powers to charge for the services they provide, including housing rents, waste charges, parking charges and planning application fees. Income collected from goods and services in 2019 totalled €1.40 billion.
Income collected from other sources in 2019 are included in the Local Authority Annual Financial Statement 2019, which is published on my Department's website, at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e103b-local-authority-annual-financial-statements.
364. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a development of four units on 0.4 ha is exempt from Part V; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42586/21]
View answerIf the question refers to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, section 97(3) of that Act provides that a person may, before applying for permission in respect of a development that consists of the provision of 4 or fewer houses or relates to land of 0.1 hectares or less, apply to the planning authority for a certificate stating that the Part V requirement in section 96 shall not apply to a grant of planning permission in respect of the development concerned. If the authority grants the certificate, the Part V requirement does not apply to the development concerned.
In the period between 1 September 2015 and 2 September 2021 the specified number of houses in section 97(3) was 9 or fewer.
365. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is grant aid available to replace non-functioning domestic wastewater treatment systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42587/21]
View answerMy Department’s Rural Water Programme makes provision for grant assistance to householders in carrying out remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or replacement of, a domestic waste water treatment systems where these are located in areas specifically prioritised for environmental protection for the purposes of the grant scheme or where identified as requiring action under a national inspection programme.
Further information can be found on my Department's website, at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks, or from the local authorities who are responsible for the day to day administration of these grants.
366. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions in the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy that have been fully completed; the actions that are pending completion; the actions that have yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42618/21]
View answerThe National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy was published in July 2018. It provides a targeted, effective and coordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. The range of objectives and actions it specifies have been pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. The key drivers of these actions are: local authorities, the Housing Agency, and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), supported by schemes available within my Department specifically designed to tackle vacancy, such as the Repair and Lease Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme and the Long Term Leasing Scheme.
On 2 September, 2021, the Government published Housing for All, which has a specific pathway on addressing vacancy and ensuring the efficient use of our housing stock. This builds on the actions undertaken the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, and reflects a range of actions to tackle this aspect of housing. Therefore the following table sets out the position of all the actions in the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, with reference as appropriate to updates from Housing for All.
367. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amounts of capital assistance scheme and capital loan subsidy scheme loans issued by local authorities to approved housing bodies in the past 20 years by year and repayment period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42622/21]
View answerThrough the Capital Assistance Scheme, my Department supports local authorities to advance loans to approved housing bodies to deliver housing for priority categories of housing need, including older people, persons/families who are homeless and persons with a disability. The loans between the local authorities and the approved housing bodies are, in the main, for a 30-year term and the following table sets out this capital funding provided to local authorities in the last 20 years.
|
Year |
Capital Funding |
|
2001 |
€54,798,918 |
|
2002 |
€78,126,000 |
|
2003 |
€95,864,000 |
|
2004 |
€86,554,713 |
|
2005 |
€80,661,308 |
|
2006 |
€99,361,424 |
|
2007 |
€113,765,517 |
|
2008 |
€156,290,000 |
|
2009 |
€158,512,741 |
|
2010 |
€113,647,625 |
|
2011 |
€38,039,748 |
|
2012 |
€58,044,354 |
|
2013 |
€36,694,334 |
|
2014 |
€34,296,733 |
|
2015 |
€38,004,656 |
|
2016 |
€37,033,116 |
|
2017 |
€54,991,355 |
|
2018 |
€80,650,496 |
|
2019 |
€97,703,057 |
|
2020 |
€95,131,412 |
In relation to the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme, mortgage finance was provided by local authorities to approved housing bodies to assist then in delivering new homes for those on the local authorities’ social housing waiting list, with local authorities accessing this funding by way of loans from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The vast majority of the loans between the HFA and the local authorities are for a 30-year term and the following table sets out the value of the loans advanced to the local authorities by the HFA in the past 20 years, which were subsequently provided to the approved housing bodies.
|
Year |
Value of loans provided by HFA |
|
2001 |
€86,731,757 |
|
2002 |
€86,240,404 |
|
2003 |
€112,701,719 |
|
2004 |
€95,967,593 |
|
2005 |
€76,462,294 |
|
2006 |
€83,488,912 |
|
2007 |
€157,998,996 |
|
2008 |
€234,424,276 |
|
2009 |
€137,112,545 |
|
2010 |
€92,036,932 |
|
2011 |
€44,574,695 |
|
2012 |
€12,983,338 |
|
2013 |
€8,629,016 |
|
2014 |
€6,807,373 |
|
2015 |
€2,605,484 |
|
2016 |
€2,202,791 |
|
2017 |
€1,201,626 |
|
2018 |
€288,652 |
|
2019 |
€7,504,361 |
|
2020 |
€550,620 |
368. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the information on the governance, management, structures and occupancy of approved housing bodies that will be published by the approved housing bodies regulatory authority; the format for same; the regularity with which they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/21]
View answer369. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the approved housing bodies regulatory authority will issue reporting guidelines and standards to approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42624/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. The Act is being commenced on a phased basis to allow for the establishment of the office. Key provisions, including those relating to the drafting of standards, have commenced. Remaining provisions of the Act will be commenced by 1 January 2022 to enable the AHBRA to become operational.
The standards will cover matters relating to corporate governance; financial management and reporting; property and asset management; and tenancy management. The Regulator will monitor compliance by AHBs with the approved standards and will have the power to carry out a standards assessment to assess if an AHB is complying or failing to comply with the standards.
The Regulator has commenced the process of drafting standards and has been engaging with a range of key stakeholders as part of this process. More information on the drafting of regulatory standards is available on www.ahbregulator.ie/. Following the publication of the approved standards it is envisaged the Regulator will prepare guidance to assist AHBs in the application of these standards
Among the Regulator's other functions will be to publish such information (including statistical information) concerning AHBs as the Regulator considers appropriate. It will be a matter for the Regulator to determine the format for same and the regularity with which they will be published.
370. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if guidance has been issued to approved housing bodies on the disposal of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42625/21]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are not-for-profit organisations whose purpose is the provision and management of housing for people with a housing need.
As not-for-profit bodies, AHBs are limited in their ability to sell any property on the open market at a value which is less than the market value of the property. While subsequent to the completion of the terms and agreement of any state funding, the AHB is the sole owner of a property and may technically dispose of a property once it complies with its own Articles of Association. Any sale must be in compliance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the AHBs and it is the advisable for the AHB to consult with the Charities Regulator in this regard if it is a registered charity.
However, it is a matter of general policy that AHB homes developed for social housing purposes are retained as such. The Tenant Incremental Purchase scheme that allows for tenants to buy their Local Authority home does not apply to AHB homes.
Should an AHB wish to merge with another AHB or transfer its assets to another AHB guidance is available at the following link: www.ahbregulator.ie/information-guidance/guidance-documents/
371. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a submission will be dealt with for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [42679/21]
View answerMy Department has been in communication with Mayo County Council on a proposal they have made in respect of the person referenced by the Deputy. The Council has made two social housing development proposals that are in close proximity to each order and accordingly, they have been asked to consider the appropriate use of public funding and resources by combining both developments.
372. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review the tenant incremental purchase scheme to allow those that were tenants of part V houses prior to the introduction of the regulations to proceed with the purchase of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42685/21]
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 Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provides for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including houses provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, houses specifically designed for older persons, group Traveller housing and houses provided to facilitate people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living.
The provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure sustainable communities. Part V homes are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 to ensure that homes delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time. The continued development of mixed tenure communities remains very important in promoting social integration.
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 publish the review and finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
374. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on providing fully accessible changing places toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit operate to offer persons with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene in safety and comfort. [42741/21]
View answerThe Building Regulations 1997-2021 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. Part M of the Building Regulations deals with Access and Use. The associated Technical Guidance Document M provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD M, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part M of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
In December 2020, my Department established a Working Group to examine the provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings. A changing places toilet offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. These facilities enable people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities such as travel, shopping, family days out or attending a sporting event.
The plenary Working Group has met six times to date, in addition to a number of sub-group meetings. Draft documentation, which includes Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2021, Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2021 and a Regulatory Impact Analysis, is currently being prepared to support a public consultation in the matter later this year.
376. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address the Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland Report’s finding that the overall status of estuaries habitats are inadequate. [42789/21]
View answer377. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address the Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland Report’s finding that the overall status of lagoons are bad. [42790/21]
View answer380. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address the Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland report finding that the overall status of tidal mudflats and sandflats are inadequate. [42852/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 376, 377 and 380 together.
The EU Protected Habitats and Species Report is a key report produced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department as part of its work to protect Ireland’s biodiversity and natural heritage. The report draws on a very substantial body of scientific work led by NPWS in collaboration with external experts, working together over a period of six years. The assessments in the report help to inform important decisions around my Department’s work programme.
There are a number of priority actions that are being taken in my Department and across Government to improve the conservation status of estuaries, lagoons and tidal mudflats and sandflats, and other habitats and species that are protected by the European Union’s Birds and Habitats Directives.
The updated Prioritised Action Framework for the Implementation Birds and Habitats Directives was approved by Government in March this year and has been submitted to the European Commission in line with Article 8 of the Habitats Directive.
With regard to coastal lagoons, water quality and hydrological issues are among the main pressures on these habitats. The main conservation measures required relate to the improvement of water quality in lagoon catchments and the restoration of hydrological processes, including once-off infrastructural measures to manage water regimes as well as ongoing measures to reduce nutrient inputs. While measures to improve water quality will continue to be required and delivered through the river basin planning process, specific targeted programmes will also be required, particularly for the large sedimentary lagoons of the south-east coast.
My Department is co-funding a project with the Environmental Protection Agency called CLEAR (Coastal Lagoons: Ecology and Restoration). This project will answer critical scientific questions about the ecological dynamics of our coastal lagoons, as well as a detailed plan for the restoration of Lady’s Island Lake in Wexford, one of Ireland’s largest, and proposed restoration methods that will be applicable to other sites. This project represents a critical step in mapping out what specific actions will be required to restore our coastal lagoons. It is due to report in 2022.
With regard to estuaries and tidal mudflats and sandflats, my Department’s recent reports have also concluded that eutrophication and damage to keystone marine communities are the key issues driving their conservation status.
My Department is developing Ireland’s next River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) 2022-2027, a key tool for the implementation of the EU’s Water Framework Directive and for the improvement of water quality in Ireland. The water quality requirements of the habitats protected by the Habitats Directive, such as coastal lagoons, estuaries, and tidal mudflats and sandflats, are being considered in the prioritisation of areas and actions in the new RBMP. The next Nitrates Action Programme is also currently out for public consultation by my Department; this will be the primary policy instrument to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural land to freshwater and subsequent loads to the marine environment.
378. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a plan in place to address the backlog of housing adaptation grant, housing aid for older persons grant and mobility aids grant applications that have accumulated while pandemic restrictions have limited local authorities' ability to process them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42848/21]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of the local authorities.
My Department recommends that all valid applications should be processed within 6 weeks from the date of submission. However, in the event of a backlog, local authorities should prioritise applications on the basis of the medical needs of the applicant.
The receipt and processing of housing grant applications can and has continued throughout the pandemic and the carrying out of such works was specifically exempted from the construction restrictions under the public health regulations which were put in place. It is accepted however that the pace has been affected by the effects of wider restrictions and revised work methodologies necessary in response to the pandemic. Inevitably this has led to a backlog of applications in some local authorities. Officials from my Department are engaging with local authorities and emphasising the importance of urgently reducing any existing backlog through the provision of additional resources and ensuring that all applications are dealt with in accordance with Departmental guidelines.
379. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will identify funding streams or any grant funding available within his Department to supplement and incentivise the planning and construction of housing projects for older persons specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42851/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting older people to live in their own homes and communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this leads to the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to ensuring that, where new developments are being provided, there is an appropriate mix of housing design types, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities.
The housing needs of older people are addressed specifically in several Actions in "Housing for All-a New Housing Plan for Ireland", which was launched last week. Action 6.2 of the plan requires that that the Housing Delivery Plans of local authorities will set out how dedicated social housing provision appropriate to the needs of older people will be delivered matching the scale and extent of housing need for older people identified. The housing needs of older people will also be assessed more widely through the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment Process in accordance with National Policy Objective 37 of the National Planning Framework (NPF) allowing local authorities to plan sufficient provision of sustainable housing in optimal locations to facilitate ageing in place.
Funding in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people including supported housing/housing with care is made available through the various funding streams that support the provision of social housing by local authorities and approved housing bodies, in accordance with the principles of the Joint Policy Statement, "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population". This policy statement was published by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Health in 2019 and implementation of its 40 Actions will be supported by the provisions of Housing for All.
