Written Answers Nos. 263-290
263. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person (detailed supplied) is included in the national defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44601/21]
View answerThe regulations for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme came into operation on 31 January 2020. The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo only, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. The Scheme opened for applications at the end of June 2020.
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is not a national scheme and is currently limited to the counties of Donegal and Mayo. My Department is in ongoing engagement with a number of local authorities and local action groups on requests for an extension of the scheme to their counties. The county referred to has not sought from my Department admittance to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme. In consequence the person named is not an applicant or eligible to apply under the current scheme.
Separately, I have established a time bound working group with representatives from the 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. The terms of reference for this group include issues such as grant caps, eligible homes and the role of responsible parties and financial institutions etc. I expect this review to be completed by the end of September, and it will help inform any proposed improvements to the Scheme which I will bring forward to Government in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General.
264. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the local authorities by county from 2017 to date that have used the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in tabular form. [44626/21]
View answerMy Department collects statistics relating to the Derelicts Sites Act 1990 on an annual basis in Q3 of the following year. Therefore the information requested in respect of 2020 and 2021 is not yet available.
Below is a list of the local authorities which have used the Derelict Sites Act 1990 between 2017 and 2019:
|
Local Authority |
Have used the Derelict Sites Act 1990 from 2017 to 2019 |
|
Carlow |
Yes |
|
Cavan |
Yes |
|
Clare |
Yes |
|
Cork County |
Yes |
|
Cork City |
Yes |
|
Donegal |
No |
|
Dublin City |
Yes |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Yes |
|
Fingal |
Yes |
|
Galway City |
Yes |
|
Galway County |
No |
|
Kerry |
Yes |
|
Kildare |
Yes |
|
Kilkenny |
Yes |
|
Laois |
Yes |
|
Leitrim |
No |
|
Limerick City & County |
Yes |
|
Longford |
Yes |
|
Louth |
Yes |
|
Mayo |
Yes |
|
Meath |
Yes |
|
Monaghan |
Yes |
|
Offaly |
Yes |
|
Roscommon |
Yes |
|
Sligo |
Yes |
|
South Dublin |
Yes |
|
Tipperary |
Yes |
|
Waterford City & County |
No |
|
Westmeath |
Yes |
|
Wexford |
Yes |
|
Wicklow |
Yes |
265. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant residential units in Waterford city and county; and the number as a percentage of all residential units in the city and county. [44633/21]
View answer266. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the housing vacancy rate by local authority area and small areas for Waterford city and county. [44634/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
My Department does not hold the data on the amount of vacant residential units in the State, however, Housing Policy Objective 19 in the recently published Housing for All Plan provides for the collection of data on vacant residential units with a view to introducing a vacant property tax. The Local Property Tax returns in November 2021 will provide a new source of information in this regard.
Local authorities are well placed to identify and collate information on vacant properties based on a number of sources of information. As part of Housing for All the Government has committed to a range of actions as part of the pathway to address vacancy and ensure the efficient use of housing stock and this includes ensuring that the Vacant Home Officers based in local authorities are all full-time posts.
To further assist in recording levels of vacancy, the vacanthomes.ie website has been developed by Mayo County Council on behalf of the local government sector. This provides a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant properties and alert local authorities who can then follow up with the owners to see whether the house can be re-used quickly. The total of properties logged on the website nationally currently stands at 6,263. The number of properties logged in Waterford City and County currently stands at 217.
267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses in Waterford City and County returned to market through the repair and lease scheme in each of the past five years. [44635/21]
View answerData on delivery under the repair and lease scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q1 2021 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
The figures for Waterford are as follows:
|
LA |
Dwellings Delivered - 2017 |
Dwellings Delivered - 2018 |
Dwellings Delivered - 2019 |
Dwellings Delivered - 2020 |
Dwellings Delivered - End Q1 2021 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
35 |
41 |
31 |
3 |
268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private homes purchased by local authorities and added to the social housing stock through the buy and renew scheme for Waterford city and county in each of the past five years and each quarter in 2020 and to date in 2021. [44636/21]
View answerThe Buy & Renew Scheme makes capital funding available to local authorities to facilitate them in acquiring and remediating vacant properties that may be suitable for social housing.
Housing for All has a strong emphasis on tackling vacancy and I have asked local authorities to increasingly target vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use as part of new public housing delivery, particularly where good value for money can be obtained and I have assured them of my Department's support in this regard. Waterford City and County Council is actively pursuing opportunities to deliver new social housing through acquiring and remediating vacant properties and utilises the Buy & Renew Scheme for this purpose, as well as the Repair & Lease Scheme.
Below is a breakdown of the number of properties brought back into use under the Buy & Renew Scheme by Waterford City and County Council in each of the past five years and for each quarter in 2020 and to date in 2021. Approved Housing Bodies also use the Buy & Renew Scheme with funding through the Capital Assistance Scheme, to purchase and remediate vacant properties and such delivery carried out in collaboration with the Council, is also included in the breakdown below.
|
Year |
LA |
AHBs |
|
2016 |
2 |
0 |
|
2017 |
31 |
0 |
|
2018 |
5 |
0 |
|
2019 |
3 |
14 |
|
Q1 2020 |
3 |
0 |
|
Q2 2020 |
1 |
0 |
|
Q3 2020 |
1 |
0 |
|
Q4 2020 |
1 |
6 |
|
Q1 2021 |
4 |
0 |
|
Total |
51 |
20 |
269. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average time it takes Waterford City and County Council to turn around voids; the number and rate of voids in the Waterford City and Council social housing stock; and the number of voids returned in each of the past five years in Waterford city and county. [44637/21]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority, in line with Section 28 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2009.
Notwithstanding the legal obligations on local authorities to manage and maintain their housing stock, since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.
The table below provides information on the number of properties funded by my Department under the Voids Programme over the period 2016-2020. These figures do not include vacant local authority homes returned to productive use by local authorities using funding from their own resources.
|
- |
Units Returned in 2016 |
Units Returned in 2017 |
Units Returned in 2018 |
Units Returned in 2019 |
Units Returned in 2020 |
Units Returned 2016 - 2020 |
|
Waterford City & County |
90 |
52 |
20 |
55 |
93 |
310 |
Data in relation to the number and location of vacant local authority units and average turnaround times are not collated by my Department. However, statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the average time taken to re-tenant a dwelling. The most recent report, relating to 2019, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/noac_publications/noac-performance-indicators-report-2019/
270. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of active rental accommodation scheme tenancies currently in place. [44643/21]
View answerThe latest data available reflects the position at end of March 2021, at which point there were 17,608 active tenancies supported under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
271. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the actions being taken to clean up and improve the quality of the water in the Tolka river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44646/21]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Environmental Enforcement, exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local authorities.
In terms of overall national policy, the River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021 outlines what Ireland is doing to protect and improve our waters. This is supported, amongst other measures, by a new local authority shared service known as the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO); by Irish Water’s Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024; and by new capital investment for rural water services.
My Department is currently preparing the third River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, to cover the period 2022 – 2027. A key commitment in the new Programme for Government, the publication of a new strengthened River Basin Management Plan in 2022 will help deliver a robust and effective policy regarding water services and water quality, along with advancing Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
Building on the work of the second-cycle, this plan will again describe the main pressures and activities affecting water status. The plan will also set out the environmental objectives to be achieved up to 2027 and identify the measures needed to achieve these objectives, including those highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Draft Plan will include a number of proposed Areas for Action, including the Tolka in the Fingal County Council area and the Lower Tolka in the Dublin City Council area. These proposed areas were selected through a collaborative workshop process at each Regional Operational Committee, the membership of which includes key stakeholders such as local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
The draft plan is due to be published shortly for a 6 month public consultation, and the Deputy may wish to engage in this consultation process.
272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Westgate Vision plan to regenerate the Westgate area in Drogheda, County Louth through the urban regeneration and development fund; the expected dates for progression of the project to a category A application; if other relevant details will be provided following the recent appointment of consultants and subsequent public consultation on the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44658/21]
View answer€476,000 was allocated to Louth County Council in respect of the Westgate Vision Project under Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). This project will provide technical assistance including project management, concept development, feasibility and detailed design and planning associated with “Westgate Vision”.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Louth County Council. In that context I am advised by Louth County Council that the Westgate Vision Project is progressing to Part 8 planning in line with the project timeframe.
It should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
273. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered implementing a waiver of commercial rates for the early years sector as is in place for the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44670/21]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.
In general, the Valuation Acts maintain the longstanding position that commercial properties, including constructions affixed thereto, are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the 2001 Act. Exempt buildings principally include domestic premises, farm buildings, buildings used for public worship, education and health care provided on a not-for-profit basis, as well as buildings used exclusively for charitable purposes and other than for private profit. The Valuation Office implemented the new provisions of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, which came into effect on 8 June 2015, in connection with Community Childcare facilities. The Act amended Schedule 4, paragraph 22 of the Valuation Act 2001, and provided a new exemption from commercial rates. Under this provision, early learning facilities occupied by a charitable organisation and where the facilities are used for charitable, not-for profit purposes are exempt from commercial rates.
A review was initiated in 2019 to examine the underlying policy rationale relating to the inclusion of categories of relevant property in Schedule 3 and Schedule 4 of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020. The purpose of the review was to examine the underlying policy rationale and to assess the likely effects, costs and benefits of any proposed changes in categorisation. My Department has an overarching objective to ensure the sustainable funding of local authorities. As commercial rates are a critical source of funding for local services, any recommendations arising from the review must support that sustainability requirement. The work of the group is ongoing.
274. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding first-time buyers who wish to purchase second-hand homes; the initiatives that will be made available to them through the Housing for All strategy or related initiatives from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/21]
View answerMy Department operates the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home.
The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range or to self-build.
The link to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme and FAQ's can be found at rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/
As part of Housing for All, I announced that a reformed successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', will be in place later in 2021. The Local Authority Home Loan will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, thus increasing the number of people eligible. In addition, I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate for new borrowers by 0.25% under the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL), as from 10 September 2021; this lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the forthcoming Local Authority Home Loan.
275. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding given to each local authority for retrofitting houses and apartments, respectively; and the number of units this is expected to cover over the past five years in tabular form. [44699/21]
View answerMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 73,500 units of social housing stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €161 million under the scheme.
The Energy Efficiency Programme has been revised in 2021 with an increased Budget of €65 million, to include the Midlands Retrofit Programme, and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. This revised programme will see a significant upscaling to ‘deeper retrofit’ on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years and will target 2,400 social homes for upgrade works in 2021, 750 of which relate to the Midlands Retrofit Pilot.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2020, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
276. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if farmers with land on or surrounding Shass mountain will be eligible to apply for funding under the blanket bog agri-environment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44713/21]
View answerThe LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature Project aims to improve Ireland’s performance in conserving important habitats, and in particular to improve the conservation status in the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) network of blanket bog. Central to the project is an agri-environment Results Based Payment Scheme (RBPS) which will reward participating farmers for environmental services – including biodiversity, water quality and carbon storage and sequestration – by linking payments to habitat quality. The primary focus of the project is on blanket bog Natura 2000 sites in the northwest of Ireland.
The project recently launched a pilot RBPS in the Owenduff/Nephin SAC area. Applications to the project are closed for 2021 and will open for additional farmers in selected areas in the North West in 2022. SACs for inclusion in the 2022 scheme will be based on a number of factors, including overall size, number of Qualifying Interests for which the SAC is designated and location of previous EU-funded INTERREG projects. The project will also seek to establish a good geographical spread of participation in results based programmes, such as European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs), to ensure that a wide range of farmers and advisors have received training and experience in this approach in advance of the next CAP Strategic Plan.
277. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a general prohibition on local authorities purchasing vacant second hand homes and second hand homes occupied by tenants in receipt of social housing support, other than derelict homes purchased under the derelict sites act CPO process and other than one bed and four bed vacant units under the Call for Housing initiative launched in August 2020; when this general prohibition was introduced; and if he will review this policy to allow greater flexibility for local authorities to purchase second hand properties, either tenanted or vacant, as needs arise. [44767/21]
View answerMy Department has not placed a general prohibition on local authorities purchasing second hand homes other than derelict homes or one-bed or four-bed vacant properties.
Given the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on many of the social housing construction sites, I announced additional measures to support the delivery of social housing in April 2021 including a programme of targeted acquisitions by local authorities – see www.gov.ie/en/press-release/30a86-minister-obrien-announces-plans-to-boost-social-housing-delivery/ . In that, I particularly asked for a focus on one and four-bedroom properties which are in short supply (including properties that allow persons/families to move from homelessness), on vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use and on specific properties for people with disabilities or other particular priority needs. My overriding emphasis was that local authorities avoid acquisitions that compete with private buyers (owner occupiers) and that continues to be the case.
In situations where landlords are selling a property rented to a person or a family in receipt of social housing supports, it is expected that local authorities deploy their tenancy sustainment officer in the first place, to seek a resolution to the situation if possible.
In the context of the priority acquisition areas and the emphasis on avoiding competition with private buyers, I also asked local authorities to identify their own strategic priorities in relation to other categories of housing acquisitions they might propose to undertake. This recognises that there are different challenges and priorities in different local authority areas. Officials of my Department are in ongoing contact with local authority colleagues regarding areas such as acquisitions so the overall approach to acquisitions should be well understood. Within the strategic priorities a local authority has set for itself, the decision on individual acquisitions is a matter for each individual local authority.
278. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the final proposed shared equity local scheme proposal will be submitted by his Department to the Central Bank; and the precise matter on which his Department is seeking approval from the Central Bank with respect to this scheme. [44768/21]
View answerThe development of the "First Home" scheme itself has been approved by Government and involved legislative change as part of the Affordable Housing Bill 2021, which was enacted before the summer recess. It will be a short-term, finance-limited measure to get first-time buyers into new homes by bridging an affordability gap faced by many. It will boost housing supply and instill confidence into the residential construction sector.
The preparations for the Scheme has included ongoing engagement with the Central Bank in relation to the interaction between the mortgage measures – the macro prudential rules - and the First Home shared equity scheme. Informed by this, the First Home Shared Equity Scheme is being designed as an equity product rather than being a debt on the purchaser. The Central Bank has confirmed that it will consider the interaction of the scheme with the mortgage measures as part of the regular annual review later this year, well in advance of the planned launch of the scheme in early 2022.
279. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all persons and organisation who lobbied him, his predecessors or his officials seeking an exemption from the 20% Part V provision of social and affordable homes for landowners who purchased their land between 2015 and 2021. [44769/21]
View answerAmendments to Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 were introduced via the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2021. These amendments were made on foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore expanding Part V to encompass affordable purchase and cost rental units.
In the course of determining what amendments should be made, the Housing Agency was asked to review the feasibility of increasing the Part V obligation and that Review was received at the end of December 2020.
The advice of the Agency and of my Department was taken on board in the formulation of the final legislative amendments to Part V which were contained in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, passed in July 2021.
As the decision was based on the above advice, there is no list that applies. Subsequent representations made through submissions on Housing for All were received after the decision on the amendments had already been made and these are available on my Departments website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/58d90-housing-for-all-submissions/.
280. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental equity loan, CREL, funded cost rental homes that will be purchased and made available for tenanting in 2021; and the details of the location, unit size and costs of same. [44770/21]
View answerBudget 2021 allocated €35m for a new Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, under which Government is making loans to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) on favourable terms for up to 30% of the capital cost of new homes for Cost Rental. Following a Call for Proposals from AHBs in December 2020, a rigorous assessment process was undertaken by my Department and the Housing Agency.
In February 2021 I announced approval-in-principle for the CREL financing this year of 390 new homes at eight sites across Ireland, to be owned, managed and maintained by the Clúid, Respond, and Tuath AHBs. These projects are located in Dublin, the surrounding Greater Dublin Area, and Cork City, with each development delivering cost-covering rents for homes on average at least 25% below comparable open market prices.
The first of these CREL-financed homes, have been delivered by the Clúid AHB at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, where tenants moved in to their new homes at the end of August. The 25 homes are owned, managed and maintained by the Clúid AHB, which they acquired with the assistance of a €2.4m CREL loan.
The cost-covering rents for these Taylor Hill homes are averaging 38% below comparable open-market prices in the area, ranging from €935 per month for a two-bed terraced house to €1,150 for a four-bed detached house, as per table below.
|
Average Comparable Market Rent |
Cost-covering Rent |
% Discount from Market Rent |
|
|
2-bed terraces (x7) (77.8- 88.6m2) |
€1,467 |
€935 |
36.26% |
|
3-bed terraces, semi-detached and detached (x17) (102-120m2) |
€1,729 |
€1,100 |
36.38% |
|
4-bed detached (x1) (149.4m2) |
€2,050 |
€1,150 |
43.9% |
Clúid will also deliver 73 apartments next year at Lancaster Gate, Western Road, Cork City Centre, under the CREL scheme. The necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to this and the other CREL-financed projects are being completed by the AHBs concerned. When these arrangements are concluded, details of the other projects, including specific locations, housing typologies, and cost-covering rents, will be made public.
Delivery of CREL homes is subject to construction schedules which, together with housing projects more generally, were impacted by Covid delays at the start of this year. The initial timeframes submitted by AHBs were based on all efforts being made to deliver the homes as soon as possible. As AHBs sought to use CREL funding to allow developers to construct homes that may otherwise not have been delivered, the commencement of construction on these specific units was in most instances not possible until the lifting of relevant Covid restrictions.
Based on updated delivery timeframes from the relevant AHBs, the estimated additional Cost Rental homes over the next 6 months will be c. 170. These homes will be in addition to the 25 CREL-funded homes already occupied at Taylor Hill and the 50 Cost Rental apartments due for completion shortly at Enniskerry Road, and for which tenancy applications have already been accepted. The remaining homes will come on stream during 2022.
Just one year after coming in to office, this Government had introduced what is a brand new form of tenure in Cost Rental. It has placed Cost Rental on a statutory basis through the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the first ever stand-alone affordable housing legislation in the State. It has established administrative provisions and provided the funds which has seen the first tenants already in long term and secure homes at up to 50% of the comparable market cost.
The Government recently confirmed plans to drastically increase delivery and the Housing for All Strategy is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of the State, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment in excess of €4bn per annum. Over the period 2021 to 2030, it is intended that approximately 18,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered by Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency. In building to this scale and an average of 2,000 Cost Rental Units per year, the State will provide certain focused funding supports to help delivery partners provide rental homes that target affordable rents at levels in the order of 25% below market rents.
281. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites fund, SSF, and affordable housing funding, AHF, affordable purchase homes that will be completed and offered for sale in 2021; and the details of their location, unit size and sale price. [44771/21]
View answerFollowing two broad-based Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) calls for proposals to local authorities, funding of almost €200 million was approved in principle in support of 40 infrastructure projects in 14 local authority areas across 9 counties to assist in the delivery of almost 4,200 affordable homes for purchase or for rent.
Since then and arising from the Programme for Government commitment to extend the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), a review of SSF progress and projects to date was undertaken. Having regard to feedback from local authorities, a number of significant improvements to the funding scheme, now named the Affordable Housing Funding (AHF) scheme, have been agreed and communicated to local authorities by way of Circular in June 2021.
For those SSF schemes under construction, the Covid pandemic has had an impact on the projected timelines for delivery of housing, due to the closure of the construction sector earlier this year. Accordingly, the first projects to be delivered in 2021 will be the pilot Cost Rental project at Enniskerry Road and the first affordable purchase homes will be the first phase of the Boherboy Road scheme in Cork City. There will be 8 affordable purchase homes delivered in this first phase and Cork City Council has advised my Department that two bedroom homes will be €218,000 and three bedroom homes will be €243,000.
Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing targeting the building of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. The measures to deliver this housing are supported by over €4 billion in guaranteed State funding every year, the highest ever level of Government investment in building social and affordable housing.
The AHF will be a key lever in delivering many of the 54,000 affordable homes targeted between now and 2030, with other key funding mechanisms such as the Cost Rental Equity Loan, LDA investment and First Home equity investment also playing their part.
282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the social housing programme output to date in 2021; the number of units completed under each category to date; and the publication date for the second and third quarter social housing output report. [44772/21]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Quarter 1 2021, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6d316-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/
Data for Quarter 2 will be published shortly. The Quarter 3 data collection and collation process will begin after the end of September and will be published in due course.
283. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when approval will be given to Galway County Council for the proposed new fire station at Loughrea, County Galway. [44823/21]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.?); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
A new fire station at Loughrea, as well as one at Athenry, is included in my Department’s 2021 – 2025 Fire Services Capital Programme. Galway County Council has indicated that the replacement of Loughrea Fire Station, at an estimated cost of €1.26 million, is their fourth fire station priority. The Council submitted a preliminary appraisal and outline cost plan to my Department. My Department recently requested a design brief from the Council; this information has been received and is under consideration. My Department will continue to work with Galway County Council to progress the Loughrea fire station project.
Project consideration stages in my Department include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
Projects in the Capital Programme will be reassessed on an annual basis in order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding. This includes consideration of additional fire station projects from fire authorities which fit the normal fire station project criteria and where an appropriate business case is presented. Priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
284. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that 29% of persons living with a disability experience housing quality issues when compared with those without a disability (details supplied). [44904/21]
View answerThe housing needs of people with disabilities are addressed in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD). A review of the Strategy is underway with a view to preparation of a successor NHSPWD and consultations are ongoing.
The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy addresses the needs of those who experience exclusion in our society. There is ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities and I know that they are committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month targets delivery of more homes of all types for people with different housing needs, including delivery of over 10,000 new social homes per year to 2030.
Specifically in relation to housing quality, social housing is built to the design standards set out in the guidelines 'Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities' which are available at www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C1979%2Cen.pdf.
In preparing the Guidelines, particular account was taken of the objectives of government policy on sustainability, including access for people with disabilities and meeting varied needs of occupants through their lifetime. The design approach to social housing seeks to eliminate barriers to accessibility for all users - particularly older people and those with mobility impairment or other disability. Where units are being designed for those with disabilities, the Guidelines refer to the National Disability Authority publication 'Building for Everyone: Inclusion, Access and Use'. More recently, the Housing Agency published a Roadmap titled 'Designing Housing to Meet the Needs of All' which has specific regard to the principles of universal design. www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/2019-07/Designing-Housing-to-meet-the-needs-of-all.pdf
In repect of rented properties the minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties including those under HAP, comply with the regulations governing the minimum standards for rented accommodation. Under section 41 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, local authorities are required to commence this inspection process within 8 months of HAP being paid in relation to a particular dwelling if not already inspected within the previous 12 months.
The Programme for Government also commits to the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent BER standard by 2030, of which it is expected that approximately 36,500 will be local authority owned homes. A new ten year Energy Efficiency Programme was launched in 2021 with a significant increase in funding support to €65 million. The newly revised programme will see a significant upscaling (from a ‘shallow’ to ‘deeper retrofit’) on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided.
285. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a grant-aided wastewater scheme for community groups similar to the group water grant to assist those who wish to upgrade faulty or malfunctioning systems. [44905/21]
View answerMy Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the National Planning Framework 2018-2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Investment is primarily delivered through Irish Water while my Department operates the Rural Water Programme directly.
My Department provides funding, through the Rural Water Programme, to deliver improvements to private water services in areas of rural Ireland where there is no access to public infrastructure. The strategic objective of the Rural Water Programme is to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of water services for rural dwellers in these areas. Private water services in Ireland include:
- Individual water supplies, typically a bored well.
- Group Water Schemes.
- Domestic waste water treatment systems, typically septic tanks.
- Collection networks, typically developer provided water services infrastructure.
My Department has recently appointed an external consultant to prepare a report on the provision of research and information, to support a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The complete report, which will be delivered by the end of 2021, will focus on the governance, supervision, funding and wider investment needs relating to the Rural Water Sector. The report will be used by the Working Group on Rural Water in its considerations of the wider long term objectives and needs of the Sector.
Complementary to Irish Water’s Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024 , my Department is also currently examining waste water requirements in the context of villages and similar settlements that do not have access to public waste water infrastructure.
I have instructed the relevant officials in my Department to prepare a report on this topic at a national level. This report will include the analysis of a baseline survey of all rural local authorities, to quantify and qualify the number of villages and similar settlements concerned. This process is at an advanced stage, and I will be in a position to consider the matter further in relation to these villages and similar settlements, as identified in the survey, once I have received the final report.
286. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the locations of all offices and buildings either owned or used by his Department or by public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit which are usually open to the public to access services. [44916/21]
View answerThe Department’s main offices are at the following locations;
Dublin - Head Office, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0;
Met Éireann - Met Éireann headquarters, 65/67 Glasnevin Hill, Dublin, D09 Y921;
King Street North - 90 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV
Wexford - Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90
Ballina - Government Offices, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 E8N6
The only location open to the public to access services is at the Ballina office, where my Department is lead tenant and where the Department of Social Protection operates an INTREO Office (public employment service) on the ground floor.
The following Heritage locations are open to public:
Burren National Park
Glengarriff Nature Reserve
Glenveagh National Park
Connemara National Park
Coole Park Nature Reserve, Gort
Dromore Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
Killarney National Park
Ballycroy National Park, Mayo
Clara Bog Nature Reserve
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
Wicklow Mountains National Park.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
State Body |
Contact E-mails |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
