Written Answers Nos. 164-183
164. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an estimated completion date for the review of income eligibility for social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49217/21]
View answerAs part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway.
As set out in "Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland", the efficiency of the banding model and its application to local authorities will be considered. Equivalisation as between singles and families will also be considered. The review will also have regard to new initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and Cost Rental housing and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
I intend that the review will be completed this year.
165. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application by Galway County Council for funding in respect of the provision of single rural social houses is currently under consideration; when a decision will be made in relation to this application; when notification will be issued to Galway County Council in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49227/21]
View answerA number of pre-tender (Stage 3) proposals were received by my Department in September from Galway County Council for the construction under the Social Housing Investment Programme of single rural dwellings at a number of locations.
Approval to proceed to tender has now issued to the Council from my Department in respect of these proposals.
To further speed up all such project proposals, I would encourage all local authorities including Galway County Council, to make greater use of the single stage approval arrangement. The projects on which Stage 3 approval has now issued, would all be eligible under the single stage arrangement.
166. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there are no interpretation facilities for the Tailteann Games at Tailteann, Downpatrick, County Meath. [49229/21]
View answerThere is no national monument in State care at Tailteann. Should any private owner of a national monument wish to carry out work to conserve a monument or to provide on-site interpretation material, they would be advised to consult with Local Authority Heritage officials regarding funding possibilities for conservation projects under various heritage grant schemes, including the Community Monuments Fund. The Community Monuments Fund is an initiative of my Department, which since 2020 has provided over 5.3 million euro to owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of local communities and the visiting public. The core aims of the fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. It should be noted that all owners are required to comply with the National Monuments Acts.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of his Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49257/21]
View answerMy Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions that are delivered primarily by local authorities and bodies under the aegis of my Department
Details in relation to specific projects (which are being advanced primarily by local authorities and Irish Water) under my Department's range of capital programmes as part of Project Ireland 2040: National Development Plan 2021-2030 are set out in the Investments Projects and Programmes Tracker published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on their website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/580a9d-project-2040-documents/
In addition, MyProjectIreland, a citizen-focused interactive map developed as part of Project Ireland 2040 in partnership with Ordnance Survey Ireland, provides details of projects around the country. This is available to be viewed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f828b-myprojectireland-interactive-map/
In terms of Social Housing, the Social Housing Construction Status Report is published on a quarterly basis, and contains detailed information new build social housing activity. This is sorted by local authority, and gives a list of the status of individual projects that make up the new Build programme for that local authority. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q2 2021 and is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7709-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q2-2021/
With respect to water services projects, the prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water. Irish Water has established a team to deal with queries from Oireachtas members on issues arising in relation to its activities. The team may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578. Alternatively, Irish Water provides full details of their projects and plans to improve water and wastewater services on their website at the following link: www.water.ie/projects-plans/ .
171. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a study into the age profiles of those in receipt of the housing assistance payment. [49294/21]
View answer172. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in the State in receipt of the housing assistance payment by county. [49295/21]
View answer173. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has conducted a review of the housing assistance payment scheme; if he plans to make changes to the scheme; and when the scheme was last reviewed by his Department. [49296/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171, 172 and 173 together.
Increased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly, in the order of 60% in some cases.
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case. I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Under Housing for All, my Department will undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.
The table below shows the number of active HAP tenancies at the end of Q2 2021, by local authority:
|
Local Authority |
Active HAP tenancies at end Q2 2021 |
|
Carlow County Council |
723 |
|
Cavan County Council |
462 |
|
Clare County Council |
1,420 |
|
Cork City Council |
3,211 |
|
Cork County Council |
3,773 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,828 |
|
Dublin City Council |
5,294 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
841 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,429 |
|
Galway City Council |
1,994 |
|
Galway County Council |
1,491 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1,693 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2,383 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
826 |
|
Laois County Council |
968 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
308 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
2,502 |
|
Longford County Council |
382 |
|
Louth County Council |
3,322 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,376 |
|
Meath County Council |
2,265 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
582 |
|
Offaly County Council |
844 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
472 |
|
Sligo County Council |
851 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,983 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,882 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
2,139 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
1,008 |
|
Wexford County Council |
1,577 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1,710 |
|
Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE)* |
8,558 |
|
TOTAL |
62,097 |
*DRHE is operating Homeless HAP on behalf of the four Dublin Local Authorities
174. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses built in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the cost of the social housing by unit. [49324/21]
View answerDetails on social housing delivery for each local authority, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
Cost information on the delivery of social homes through the various construction streams, is collated by my Department at development level rather than at individual housing unit level. Disaggregating such development level information into individual unit costs, across all of the various types of units, would require significant analysis on unit characteristics such as size, type, number of bedrooms, site costs, abnormal costs, fees, etc. to derive an accurate reflection of unit cost.
In October 2020, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, published an ‘Analysis of Social Housing Build Programme’ which examined the social housing build programme over the years 2016 to 2019 and considered issues such as Use of Build Delivery; Type of Units, Cost & Speed of Delivery and Cost Efficiency and Market Interaction. The IGEES analysis noted the range of average costs which highlighted the diversity of costs for delivery of new build units across different developments and locations. The paper is available at the following link: www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Spending%20Review%202020%20-%20Analysis%20of%20Social%20Housing%20Build%20Programme.pdf
175. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on emergency accommodation in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and the criteria for qualification as emergency accommodation for the purposes of this spending. [49325/21]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation services rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
My Department does not fund homeless services directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards these costs. Under these arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of these funding arrangements with my Department. Therefore, the exact spend by housing authorities on homeless services is a matter for individual housing authorities.
Exchequer funding is provided by my Department on a regional basis. The table below sets out the funding recouped from 2015 to 2020, including funding recouped towards expenditure incurred in implementing exceptional Covid-19 measures in 2020.
|
Region |
2015 €m |
2016 €m |
2017 €m |
2018 €m |
2019 €m |
2020 €m |
|
Dublin |
48.2 |
68.6 |
83.6 |
106.2 |
120.7 |
217.6 |
|
Mid East |
1.7 |
2.7 |
3.1 |
3.8 |
5.5 |
8.5 |
|
Midlands |
0.8 |
1.1 |
1.5 |
2.2 |
2.8 |
2.5 |
|
Mid West |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
5.0 |
7.6 |
9.2 |
|
North East |
1.0 |
1.5 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
3.7 |
2.9 |
|
North West |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.45 |
0.5 |
0.67 |
0.8 |
|
South East |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.5 |
3.9 |
|
South West |
5.0 |
5.4 |
6.7 |
9.7 |
12.0 |
16.2 |
|
West |
1.7 |
2.4 |
3.8 |
4.7 |
7.4 |
9.2 |
|
Totals |
€64.7m |
€88.6m |
€109.2m |
€138.9m |
€164.9m |
€270.8m |
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions, setting out expenditure on homeless services are published on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/#local-authority-regional-financial-reports
176. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to deal with the growing problem of persons on HAP receiving rent increases in cases in which their HAP payments remain fixed and they are required to make top-up payments but cannot afford them, particularly social welfare recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49399/21]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. 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, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine, on a case by case basis, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted.
While there is no legislative provision precluding HAP supported households contributing towards the monthly rent required by the landlord, local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and that households in HAP are in a position to meet the rental costs involved.
My Department closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis. It is considered that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally adequate to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. Under Housing for All, my Department will undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.
Finally, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced a targeted rent increase restriction of 4% per annum in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), having regard to the constitutionally protected property rights of landlords and local rental market factors. The aim was to provide rent certainty to tenants and landlords by moderating medium-term rent levels.
The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to better protect tenants with affordability challenges by extending the operation of RPZs until the end of 2024 and prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). This measure significantly reduces the level of permissible rent increases for the estimated 74% of all tenancies which are in RPZs. The linkage with HICP aims to safeguard continued investment in the sector by existing and new landlords to deliver the much needed supply of high-quality rental accommodation while protecting against a significant increase in rental inflation in the coming years.
When introducing these measures, I was very clear on the need to carefully monitor inflation. At that time, HICP inflation averaged 0.73% p.a. over the previous 3 years but had risen to 1.6% p.a. in the year ending June 2021. I needed to revise the RPZ rent control relatively quickly in July, on a basis that could be independently verified. The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 also provides that an index, other than HICP, may be prescribed for the purposes of restricting rent increases in RPZs. Given the continuing rise in HICP inflation, up to 3% p.a. in August, I will consider all the legal options available to me to ensure that effective rent controls are legally in force in RPZs to cap the rate of any rent increase where the general inflation rate is too high. Any necessary provision relating to rent control in RPZs will be considered in the context of the impending Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill 2021. My Department is currently examining this matter and the advices of the Office of the Attorney General will inform any changes in this area.
The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 also provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually. It remains the position that rent reviews in RPZs can occur no more frequently than annually. The most vulnerable tenants, impacted by Covid-19, also continue to be legally protected from rent increases and eviction under the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020.
177. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to concerns with the construction of windfarms on sandbanks on the east coast of Ireland and the impact on the wildlife in the areas; if he will seek to protect existing wildlife with the construction of windfarms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49432/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government has committed to achieving 5GW capacity in offshore wind by 2030 off Ireland’s Eastern and Southern coasts and commits production of a longer term plan setting out how we will harness the potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our deeper waters in the Atlantic. This level of ambition and pace of development is vital to achieve a reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy to facilitate the increased electrification of heat and transport. I recognise that this must be planned and delivered in a way that is in step with measures to protect our Marine Environment. In this regard, my attention has been drawn to possible concerns with the construction of windfarms on sandbanks on the east coast of Ireland and the potential impact on the wildlife in these areas.
Importantly, earlier this year Ireland’s first national marine spatial plan, the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), was established (www.gov.ie/en/publication/60e57-national-marine-planning-framework/ ). This statutory plan includes objectives and policies that must be considered in relation to all programmes, plan or policies, as well as consenting, approval or regulation in the maritime area, for example Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE). The NMPF includes several chapters concerning environmental matters, where appropriate these are aligned with and support Ireland’s work under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Building on existing requirements where relevant, implementation of the NMPF will enhance consideration of environment-related matters in decision making in Ireland’s maritime area, including in relation to wildlife.
Specifically the NMPF contains considerable and significant robust protections of our Marine Environment, including Protected Marine Sites such as the Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. Individual marine sectors such as ORE and other Marine industry activities are also subject to similar Environmental protection policies throughout the NMPF. For example, ORE Policy 1 states;
''Proposals that assist the State in meeting the Government’s offshore renewable energy targets, including the target of achieving 5GW of capacity in offshore wind by 2030 and proposals that maximise the long-term shift from use of fossil fuels to renewable electricity energy, in line with decarbonisation targets, should be supported.All proposals will be rigorously assessed to ensure compliance with environmental standards and seek to minimise impacts on the marine environment, marine ecology and other maritime users. ’’
Further environmental protections for Ireland’s marine area are in the immediate pipeline, with policy work that increases our Marine Protected Areas ongoing. The final report of the MPA Advisory Group - established in 2019 to provide independent expert advice and recommendations on potential processes and requirements for expanding Ireland’s marine protected areas network - has recently undergone an extensive public consultation. The consultation encouraged all stakeholders and the wider public to get involved by sharing their views on the process by which Ireland’s network of MPAs is to be expanded. Informed by the Expert Advisory report and consultation responses, my Department intends to begin developing legislation on MPAs later in 2021. This work is likely to continue into 2022 so that, in accordance with the Programme for Government, Ireland can realise our outstanding target of 10% MPA coverage of our maritime area as soon as is practicable and also facilitate the achievement of our aim for 30% coverage by 2030.
While the NMPF and future MPAs set the strategic context, my Department currently regulates marine-based activities under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, through a system of leasing and licencing. Prior to the submission of a formal application for a foreshore consent, my Department conducts pre-application engagement with applicants to ensure familiarity with the requirements on applicants to provide comprehensive and robust environmental reports with their application for consideration. Any application for a Foreshore consent is subject to assessment under the relevant legislation such as S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU). The proposed development or activity is the subject of public consultation and consultation with a number of prescribed bodies, as outlined in S.I. 353/2011 – Foreshore Regulations 2011, to provide expert observations and to propose conditions that should attach to any foreshore consent granted. The submissions of the public and prescribed bodies are fully considered as part of the overall application assessment process. The Marine Licence Vetting Committee also undertakes a comprehensive independent technical review of each application and makes a recommendation to me as to whether or not a foreshore consent should be granted in each case.
In August 2021, my Department published the full text of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill 2021 and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum. The MAP Bill focuses on updating the legislation underpinning our marine decision making, and will replace the 1933 Foreshore Act, once enacted. Further information on the MAP Bill 2021 can be found at the following link; www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1e103-publication-of-maritime-area-planning-bill-2021/
The MAP Bill seeks to establish in law a new regime for the maritime area which will replace existing State and development consent regimes and streamline arrangements on the basis of a single consent principle i.e. one state consent (Maritime Area Consent) to enable occupation of the Maritime Area and one development consent (planning permission), with a single environmental assessment.
The MAP Bill will establish a new agency to regulate development in the Maritime Area – the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). MARA’s functions will include assessing and granting all Maritime Area Consents, granting licences for a number of activities in the Maritime Area (including environmental surveys), ensuring robust compliance through enforcement measures, and managing the existing State Foreshore portfolio of leases and licences. In the interim, arrangements are in place to deal with the existing cases being examined under the Foreshore Acts, and to deal with the transition to the new regime.
To support implementation of the NMPF and MAP Bill, my Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and other stakeholders to develop statutory marine planning guidelines that will support best practice throughout the planning process for offshore renewable energy.
178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a series of queries raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of businesses that did not qualify for rates waivers but that are adversely affected by the pandemic in terms of their revenue levels will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49445/21]
View answerIn recognition of the impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government put in place a targeted commercial rates waiver for the first nine months of 2021. It applied to businesses most seriously affected by the restrictions. Automatic eligibility extended to hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment, personal services such as hairdressers and barbers, and various other sectors. Categories of commercial property, such as offices, industrial premises and banks were not automatically eligible, but may qualify if they can provide proof of serious impact to their local authority.
Such proof of serious financial impact includes evidence that the ratepayer is receiving support under the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners or evidence that turnover from the relevant business activity in the claim period does not exceed 25% of the average weekly turnover in 2019 (or 2020 for new businesses).
As provision has been made for businesses that do not automatically qualify to apply, there are no plans to broaden the scope of automatic eligibility nor are there plans to amend the conditions under which the waiver can be applied to ratepayers not automatically eligible. The 2021 waiver was necessarily more targeted than that which applied in 2020, reflecting the need to ensure public resources are directed where most needed. Ratepayers that did not qualify for the 2021 waiver should engage directly with the relevant local authority regarding payment options.
179. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the performance of each local authority with respect to their housing supply targets in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [49447/21]
View answerDetails on social housing delivery for each local authority for the period 2017-2021, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
Under Rebuilding Ireland social housing delivery targets were set for the period 2018 - 2021. The table below sets out the build, acquisition and lease targets issued to local authorities.
|
Target 2018-2021 Build, Acquisition & Leasing |
2021 Local Authority SH Build & Lease Targets* |
|
|
CARLOW |
309 |
261 |
|
CAVAN |
335 |
138 |
|
CLARE |
923 |
227 |
|
CORK CITY |
2067 |
612 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
2154 |
740 |
|
DLR |
1563 |
518 |
|
DONEGAL |
441 |
210 |
|
DUBLIN CITY |
9094 |
1759 |
|
FINGAL |
3415 |
561 |
|
GALWAY CITY |
1089 |
378 |
|
GALWAY COUNTY |
926 |
370 |
|
KERRY |
1544 |
330 |
|
KILDARE |
2426 |
711 |
|
KILKENNY |
599 |
268 |
|
LAOIS |
627 |
235 |
|
LEITRIM |
156 |
62 |
|
LIMERICK |
1365 |
525 |
|
LONGFORD |
309 |
130 |
|
LOUTH |
1074 |
562 |
|
MAYO |
576 |
156 |
|
MEATH |
1190 |
431 |
|
MONAGHAN |
226 |
182 |
|
OFFALY |
437 |
128 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
255 |
137 |
|
SLIGO |
296 |
70 |
|
SOUTH DUBLIN |
2758 |
598 |
|
TIPPERARY |
625 |
263 |
|
WATERFORD |
687 |
351 |
|
WESTMEATH |
801 |
253 |
|
WEXFORD |
1222 |
339 |
|
WICKLOW |
1225 |
445 |
|
2021 Acquisition Target |
800 |
|
|
Totals |
40714 |
12750 |
*Targets for 2021 were recalibrated in 2020 and local authorities were issues with revised targets in December 2020. The social housing targets for 2021 included provision for 800 acquisitions.
180. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the incorporation of the serviced sites fund into the affordable housing fund; his further views on the distinction between the responsibilities the latter has as compared to the Croí Cónaithe towns fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49448/21]
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.
These changes include expanding the scope of costs covered to subvent the all-in development cost of delivering the housing; accepting applications as they are developed on a rolling basis as opposed to time constrained funding calls; and, allowing funding support to now exceed the current maximum of €50,000 per affordable dwelling on a stepped scale to €100,000, based on location and density.
My Department is currently engaging with the 14 local authorities with SSF schemes approved in principle to clarify whether they now wish to continue with their SSF application as agreed or re-submit their application to be considered under the new terms of the AHF.
Separately and as announced in Housing for All, a Croí Cónaithe (Towns) scheme is in development and is expected to support homeownership in towns around the country by making available serviced sites in towns for housing construction or providing support towards the refurbishment of vacant properties where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high. A pathfinder programme will be initiated later this year, to facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025.
181. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are supports for retirees in receipt of the State pension whose homes may be affected by pyrite but do not have the means to pay to have their home tested for pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49494/21]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency.
The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie .
The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave, established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2017 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave.
Under the scheme, the homeowner is liable for the cost of the Building Condition Assessment. The payment of costs will normally occur when the remediation works are completed and certified. However, earlier payment of vouched costs, in part or in whole may be approved by the Housing Agency where it is demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Agency, that payment of these costs on completion of the works would cause financial hardship.
182. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby individuals and couples who wish to purchase a second-hand home but earn above the limit for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan; the supports available to persons in this situation in the context of the Housing for All strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49504/21]
View answer183. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if second-hand homes are to be included in a Housing for All initiative or related schemes other than the Rebuilding Ireland home loan in cases in which an individual or couple purchasing earn more than the income threshold for this scheme but still require support. [49505/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
Housing for All is a radical plan that sets out four pathways to a sustainable housing system. Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of this Government’s housing policy. It recognises that significant new supports are needed so that those who want to own their own home can do so, and that those who wish to rent are able to do so at an affordable rate. Pathway 1 ‘Supporting homeownership and increasing affordability ' addresses this issue and sets out a number of key actions in this regard.
The objective is to supply 300,000 new homes by 2030, meaning an annual average of at least 33,000 homes per year. This includes an average of 10,000 social homes and 6,000 affordable homes made available each year for purchase or rent up to 2030. This will have a dramatic impact on the provision of housing and will significantly help facilitate house buyers.
Specifically, regarding middle-income families wishing to buy homes, Housing for All contains a multi-pronged approach to supply and improving affordability.
The Local Authority Affordable Homes scheme and the First Home scheme are primarily focused on supporting first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes. Both of these schemes will be targeted at households constrained by the maximum mortgage and deposit available to them. The gap between the market value and what the household can afford (including with the assistance of the ‘Help to Buy’ incentive) will be bridged via the provision of equity support. The equity support can subsequently be redeemed at any time at the home-owners discretion, or remain outstanding until the home is sold or passed on.
In addition, new higher-rate stamp duty measures and planning permission restrictions have been introduced that will minimise the bulk buying of traditional family homes. I also plan to introduce a new form of ‘Owner-Occupier Guarantee’ which will enable Local Authorities to specify a minimum proportion of the houses in a new development for owner occupiers.
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Fund will stimulate the activation of some apartment developments for sale to individual purchasers. The Land Development Agency (LDA), through Project Tosaigh, will intervene in slow or stalled developments with landowners in order to unlock and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes.
Housing for All is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the LDA and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years. There is a targeted approach right across the country to supply housing where it is needed most. This is supported by updated planning guidance, additional State land provided for housing, and an increase in funding for Local authorities to acquire new land so that they can deliver social and affordable homes at scale. Collectively, these measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals wishing to purchase a home, including first-time buyers wishing to purchase an existing home.
