Written Answers Nos. 334-354
334. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position for a pensioner buying out their own home under the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/22]
View answer351. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a person aged 62 years who is not working due to major disability following an accident and wishes to purchase their local authority house is being refused due to fact that they are unable to work; his views on whether this is fair; if the decision will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9255/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 351 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides that, as the Minister, I may set out a minimum income required to purchase under the scheme. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose - it ensures the scheme is sustainable and that the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period.
Government has recently reduced the minimum reckonable income required under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, are now eligible to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. These changes came into effect on 1st February 2022.
Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
335. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocations that will be made to local authorities to upgrade their housing stock under the recently announced retrofitting programme; if each local authority will have to develop and implement their own scheme; if there will be a national scheme; if any such scheme will include the replacement of windows and doors for local authority homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9115/22]
View answerMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP) in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013, over 75,000 units of local authority stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of over €183 million.
Up to 2020, the EERP was carried out in two Phases:
Phase 1 of the programme provided funding targeted at the less intrusive cavity wall/attic insulation
Phase 2 focused on fabric upgrade works to those dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction and included the provision of heating upgrades.
The Phase 1 and Phase 2 approach to retrofitting is now withdrawn with the introduction in 2021 of a new holistic approach designed around the Programme for Government commitment that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
Works eligible under the revised Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.
In 2021 a substantial funding commitment of some €65 million was made available for the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Programme and the programme will see a significant increase and ramping up of retrofitting works over the next number of years, building on the good work already undertaken by local authorities to date.
In 2022, the EERP will see a significant increase in funding support to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER).
My Department contacted all local authorities last month to establish what commitments they had coming into 2022 and what capacity they had for additional delivery this year. This information is currently being reviewed and it will help inform the funding allocations and targets for each local authority for 2022 which I will announce in the coming weeks.
336. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are schemes open to persons who are not a first-time buyer (detail supplied); if he will provide further details on such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/22]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Act 2021, the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation, established a basis for four new affordable housing measures. These measures will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) delivering affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, (3) a First Home shared equity scheme and (4) expanding Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% and to apply it to cost rental as well as social and affordable housing.
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will support purchasers of Local Authority-delivered new homes by bridging the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit. Regulations to set out the detailed criteria are at an advanced stage and will be issued in the coming weeks. The first homes delivered through the scheme will be located in Cork City in the coming weeks. Cork City Council indicated the prices to be €218,000 for a 2-bedroom and €243,000 for a 3-bedroom dwelling.
The First Home affordable purchase shared equity scheme, established under Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act, will act in a similar way to the Local Authority-led scheme, but will support purchases of newly constructed homes on the private market. This scheme will be available and in every county and will incorporate regional price caps based on median house price sales. Confirmation of the final details of this scheme is ongoing in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders and it is anticipated that the First Home scheme will be available for applications from mid year.
While affordable purchase measures are primarily targeted at first-time buyers to provide for new supply and concentrate supports in areas of highest need, the Housing for All strategy also provides for the ‘Fresh Start’ principle. Under the Fresh Start principle both affordable purchase schemes will be available to applicants who are divorced, legally separated or where the relationship has ended and where they retain no beneficial interest in a home.
To further support affordability constrained households to purchase a home, the Local Authority Home Loan scheme commenced on 4 January 2022 and incorporates a lower interest rate, higher income eligibility thresholds, and more flexibility on house size. The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used for new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. Whilst targeted at First Time Buyers, the Local Authority Home Loan scheme also applies the Fresh Start Principle.
Importantly, affordable housing measures and schemes are designed to assist purchasers in meeting the costs of newly constructed homes and increasing the overall housing supply. By significantly increasing supply we will help temper inflationary pressures on the wider housing market which will benefit all home purchasers.
Crucially, the CSO reported that housing completions amounted to 20,433 in 2021, a welcome increase over the 2015 reported levels of 7,219. The CSO also report that Commencement Notices for 30,724 new homes were issued in 2021, representing a 42% increase compared with 2020, or roughly the same as the combined reported totals from 2016 & 2017. While these reported figures represent a significant step forward in the Government’s ambition to support the supply of new housing, it remains short of the 33,000 new dwellings annual target under Housing for All. This is why the Government has committed unprecedented levels of funding, averaging €4 billion per year to improve the situation.
Our multi-faceted approach to housing delivery will see greatly increased supply which we recognise is key to addressing inflationary pressures. Our measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals across society wishing to secure a home.
337. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on extending the fresh start scheme to include persons who went through voluntary settlement processes including the Money Advice and Budgeting Service rather than availed of statutory insolvency solutions. [9164/22]
View answerA ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to State loan schemes such the Local Authority Home Loan.
The following categories of persons are eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan under the Fresh Start principle:
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is divorced and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the property are eligible.
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased a residential property, but have been divested of this through insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, are eligible to apply. The applicant must be discharged from bankruptcy proceedings. It should be noted that a return to solvency should not be interpreted as a return to creditworthiness, which is a separate assessment.
Section 10(5) of the Affordable Housing Act requires an applicant to go through an insolvency process for eligibility as a Fresh Start applicant. It does not however include persons who went through voluntary settlement processes, including the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, but rather availed of statutory insolvency solutions.
The final decision regarding the Local Authority Home Loan application is made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis.
Further details can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
338. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the circumstances in which it is permissible under law for trees to be pruned during the nesting season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/22]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 creates two prohibitions that apply between 1 March and 31 August annually.
- Subsection (1)(a) makes it an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy, during that period, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated.
- Subsection (1)(b) makes it an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy, during that period, any vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch.
Section 40 does not prohibit the pruning of trees that are not growing in hedges or ditches or on land that is “not then cultivated”.
Where a tree is growing in a hedge, it is an offence under section 40 to prune it during the nesting season unless one of the eight circumstances listed in section 40(2) apply.
One of these is where the cutting, lopping, or trimming of a tree is done pursuant to section 70 of the Roads Act 1993. Section 70(2)(a) provides that the owner or occupier of land shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tree is not a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road and that it does not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.
It should be noted that the above answer refers only to section 40 of the Wildlife Act. Other law might also be relevant in some circumstances, such as: other provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976 that relate to disturbance and injury to birds, eggs and nests; forestry law; laws applying to designated protected areas; local bye-laws, and civil law.
339. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund funding for each Dublin local authority for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9192/22]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 under the National Development plan 2018-2027 to support more compact and sustainable development in accordance with the objectives of the National Planning Framework.
To date there have been two calls for proposals under the URDF, the first in July 2018 and the second in January 2020. The table below gives the approved provisional URDF funding allocations for projects approved for each of the Dublin local authorities under both calls.
|
Applicant |
Provisional Allocation Call 1 € |
Provisional Allocation Call 2 € |
Total Provisional Allocation € |
|
Dublin City Council |
17,837,007 |
174,300,554 |
192,137,561 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
21,465,098 |
44,361,115 |
65,826,213 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,500,000 |
25,480,125 |
27,980,125 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
32,464,278 |
186,323,057 |
218,787,335 |
340. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of his Department’s review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9199/22]
View answerHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4 2021. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
341. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the proposed sewerage scheme in Broadford, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9200/22]
View answer342. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the inclusion of Carrigaholt, Cooraclare and Doolin, County Clare in the proposed pilot scheme providing funding for infrastructure in rural villages that currently are outside Irish Water’s investment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9201/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.
My Department is currently developing proposals to support the provision of waste water treatment requirements for villages and similar settlements that do not have access to public waste water infrastructure. I propose to make a further announcement on this aspect of the Programme in the coming weeks.
343. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme in each county; the number that were approved in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9202/22]
View answerThe Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures provided by the Agency on the number of Rebuilding Ireland Home loan applications that it has underwritten for each local authority, from February 2018 up to the end of January 2022 are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
Applications Underwritten |
Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
159 |
66 |
|
Cavan County Council |
45 |
24 |
|
Clare County Council |
171 |
74 |
|
Cork City Council |
466 |
205 |
|
Cork County Council |
860 |
412 |
|
Donegal County Council |
128 |
57 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1184 |
719 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
223 |
124 |
|
Fingal County Council |
1258 |
721 |
|
Galway City Council |
205 |
118 |
|
Galway County Council |
312 |
113 |
|
Kerry County Council |
365 |
136 |
|
Kildare County Council |
490 |
243 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
169 |
93 |
|
Laois County Council |
242 |
117 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
67 |
19 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
257 |
135 |
|
Longford County Council |
137 |
66 |
|
Louth County Council |
287 |
130 |
|
Mayo County Council |
151 |
61 |
|
Meath County Council |
523 |
338 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
119 |
36 |
|
Offaly County Council |
109 |
46 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
115 |
48 |
|
Sligo County Council |
139 |
60 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
635 |
321 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
276 |
123 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
282 |
103 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
120 |
70 |
|
Wexford County Council |
384 |
183 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
479 |
199 |
|
Total |
10357 |
5160 |
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Local Authority drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q2 2021 is available at the following link, which will be updated, as updated figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
The Local Authority Home Loan is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. Data is collected separately for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and the Local Authority Home Loan schemes.
344. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of group sewerage schemes that were approved funding in each county over the past two years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/22]
View answer345. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding which was allocated for the development of new group sewerage schemes in each county over the past two years; the amount which was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9204/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.
My Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 included a measure to fund Community Waste Water Connections (previously called Public Group Sewerage Schemes), Measure 6(b). This measure aims to facilitate the continued expansion of central waste water collection systems by extension off the public (Irish Water) network where it is technically and economically viable to do so.
Allocations under this scheme were announced in October 2019 and a circular issued at the time to local authorities provided details in tabular format of all projects being funded and their allocations. The circular is available on my Department's website at the link under:
www.gov.ie/en/circular/cf807-circular-l219-approval-of-schemesprojects-under-the-multi-annual-rural-water-programme-2019-2021-and-grant-allocations-to-local-authorities-for-2019/.
346. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a case (details supplied) will be reviewed; if advice will be provided on an issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9234/22]
View answerIn 2019, my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 allocated €350,000 to the group water scheme referred to in the details supplied for water treatment improvements. I understand that the local authority have sought an increase of this funding. There has been ongoing correspondence between the local authority and my Department on the matter with further information being requested and awaited.
Under the Rural Water Programme an annual subsidy is payable by local authorities to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use. An essential requirement of schemes availing of the subsidy is that they carry out water conservation including actively managing water leakage.
In addition the multi-annual programme also supports projects to make schemes more efficient in their operation (e.g. water conservation and network upgrades) thus contributing to good water quality on a consistent sustainable long-term basis. In order to avail of funding under both the annual subsidy and the multi-annual programme schemes are expected to adopt the most sustainable approach to resolution of issues.
347. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the preparatory work that is being undertaken in his Department in order to meet the commitment in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9247/22]
View answer348. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can elaborate on the use of the word feasible in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; the parameters that will be set to determine feasibility as they apply to rental units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9248/22]
View answer349. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the anticipated timeline from the 2025 commencement for landlords to comply with minimum BER standards in rental stock in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 349, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, or ‘Cost Optimal’ equivalent, for the private rental sector beginning in 2025. This will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenant’s health and improve comfort levels in rental homes. Work in this area, which will support the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is underway. The detailed parameters of the work including the scope, detailed approach to its implementation and associated timelines are under examination.
350. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the new rules pertaining to the local authority home loan scheme for those seeking to access the loan that previously owned and lost a family home due to insolvency or bankruptcy; the length of time after insolvency and bankruptcy before they can apply; and if he will provide any other criteria which may apply in such cases. [9251/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
A ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to State loan schemes such the Local Authority Home Loan. The following categories of persons are eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan under the Fresh Start principle:
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is divorced and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the property are eligible.
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased a residential property, but have been divested of this through insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, are eligible to apply. The applicant must be discharged from bankruptcy proceedings. It should be noted that a return to solvency should not be interpreted as a return to creditworthiness, which is a separate assessment.
In recognition of such instances, an exemption to the First Time Buyer eligibility criteria can be applied under the Fresh Start Principle. Therefore, once a person has exited insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings and if as a result of insolvency or bankruptcy they had to sell or had been divested of their home, they are eligible to apply for a Local Authority Home Loan. However, credit worthiness and repayment capacity must also be assessed as part of the underwriting process.
The final decision regarding the Local Authority Home Loan application is made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis.
Further details can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
352. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on Project Tosaigh; and if the closing of the judicial review window of challenge is still expected by 31 March 2022. [9269/22]
View answerProject Tosaigh aims to bring 5,000 privately developed units of affordable housing on stream over the first half of Housing for All. This is in addition to the State lands the Land Development Agency (LDA) is already working on.
The initial focus of the initiative is on projects which have been granted planning permission or for which a grant of planning is anticipated in the short term and where delivery of homes could be accelerated by entering into forward purchase transactions with the LDA. At launch, the initial expression of interest process targeted planning consented or near planning consented schemes, schemes whereby planning was anticipated to be granted by 31 March 2022 or the closing of the Judicial Review window of challenge was expected by 31 March 2022. See lda.ie/home-building-partnership/ for more.
The LDA has advised that a very encouraging level of response was achieved to the November invitation for expressions of interest and engagement meetings in respect of schemes with the potential to deliver units (to practical completion) in 2022 and 2023 have been prioritised. Engagement with developers on potential schemes is ongoing and when schemes are provisionally approved for inclusion in the initiative, technical and other due diligence will follow as part of the process.
353. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the proposed scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9340/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter.
In addition, EU Directive 2020/2184 (the Drinking Water Recast Directive) as adopted on 16 December 2020 updates the obligations on Member States in relation to the quality of water intended for human consumption. The objective of this Directive is to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and to improve access to water intended for human consumption.
In order to promote the use of tap water intended for human consumption, article 16 of the Directive requires that Member States shall ensure that outdoor and indoor equipment is set up in public spaces, where technically feasible, in a manner that is proportionate to the need for such measures and taking into account specific local conditions, such as climate and geography. Member States must transpose article 16 of the Directive by 12 January 2023.
To assist with the transposition of the Directive, and the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for Government, I have convened a Drinking Water Expert Group to provide advice on the appropriate preparations and steps necessary for the successful implementation of the Directive, including article 16, as described above.
I have made provision in my Department’s budget for 2022 to develop a Pilot Scheme on the provision of drinking water fountains in cooperation with local authorities and Irish Water. This Pilot Scheme will provide a basis for further drinking water fountains to be rolled out in coming years.
354. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a mechanism to expedite a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9394/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Due to the quasi-judicial nature of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to provide legal advice, comment on, or to intervene in the specifics of any individual case. There is a process through which all dispute cases raised must go, however a landlord or tenant can contact the RTB directly to enquire about a case they have raised at disputes@rtb.ie
