Written Answers Nos. 640-666
641. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is possible for unregistered lands to be registered and assigned a folio number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19993/22]
View answerAn application to register unregistered lands in the Land Registry can be made to the Property Registration Authority (PRA) by lodging a First Registration Application. On completion of a First Registration Application, a folio number is assigned to the property by the PRA.
There are differing types of First Registration Applications that may be lodged, including applications based on documentary title, applications based on possession and applications where title is investigated and certified by a practicing solicitor. Further information on First Registration Applications, including how such applications are to be prepared, is available from the PRA’s practice directions, which are available on its website (www.prai.ie). The PRA advises any party considering an application for First Registration to consult a solicitor.
As part of a successful First Registration clearance programme, the PRA has deployed a number of measures to improve First Registration service delivery times. These measures included the recruitment of legally qualified staff with conveyancing experience and a revision of business processes and workflows to maximise efficiencies and output levels. All First Registration Applications lodged in the PRA are guaranteed to be reviewed within three months of lodgement, with all Rulings on Title issued to the lodging solicitor.
642. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20010/22]
View answerNo interns are currently engaged by my Department. However, my Department does facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses from time to time depending on business needs and the requirement for short term specific expertise. In general such internships are unpaid but on occasion some such internships have been remunerated at the first point of the Executive Officer payscale.
The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email addresses for each agency are set out in the table below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
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 |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
643. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assistance available from his Department for specific actions for local authority tenants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20041/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme.
In response to the Programme for Government commitment, my Department launched a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 for local authority owned housing. This new programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. The upscaling of the works included in the programme sees a substantial overall increase in the funding made available for insulation, windows and doors and the installation of a Heat Pump and all associated works. The installation of gas/oil boilers or solid fuel or inset stoves are not financially supported by my Department under the energy efficiency programme. This does not however preclude local authorities from funding the provision of such heating systems from their own resources.
In 2022, the EERP will see a significant increase in funding to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER). Allocations have issued to each local authority in this regard.
645. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to ensure that persons who surrendered their home to the financial crisis but who did not enter bankruptcy or similar arrangements will be able to access the local authority loan, the Fresh Start and other appropriate schemes on the same basis as first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20091/22]
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.
The Fresh Start principle extends the supports available under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme to applicants who are divorced, legally separated, or where the relationship has ended and where they retain no beneficial interest in a home. The Fresh Start principle also applies to those who have previously purchased a residential property but have been divested of this through personal insolvency or bankruptcy arrangements, proceedings or other legal processes. The divestment of the home must have been consequent upon insolvency.
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.
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/.
648. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the support that has been provided to approved housing bodies to remedy building defects; if approved housing bodies will be included in future redress schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20155/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates these commitments.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. The required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme will include a provision for the Minister to introduce a scheme of grant assistance for local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to remediate social homes in their ownership which have been impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Separately, the 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. 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. AHBs are eligible to apply to the Pyrite Remediation Scheme. Section 3 of the Scheme outlines the eligibility criteria applicable to all applicants. A total of 3 AHBs have participated in the Scheme to date and 60 dwellings owned by AHBs have been included in the Scheme with a further 18 currently at stages 1 and 2 (validation and verification stages).
Finally, a Working Group to examine defects in housing has been meeting monthly since March 2021 (except for August). In addition, regular subgroup meetings take place to advance elements of the work. The group’s terms of reference, adopted in May 2021, are focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
As part of its deliberations, the working group is consulting with a wide range of relevant stakeholders, including the AHB sector. As part of this stakeholder engagement, the Working Group conducted a series of online surveys between 31 January and 14 March 2022 seeking the experiences of homeowners, landlords, Directors of Owners’ Management Companies and Property Management Agents. These submissions are currently being analysed.
The insights gained through engagement with stakeholders as well as the outcome of the online consultation are informing the ongoing deliberations of the Working Group and are supporting the delivery on its extensive terms of reference and finalisation of its report.
I am satisfied that the Working Group is working effectively and efficiently on this complex matter, and will require sufficient time to complete its work. In that context, I look forward to a report later this year following completion of their consultations and deliberations. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents.
649. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a new housing development currently progressing in Ennis (details supplied) is being developed with a view to having the entire estate becoming local authority housing. [20162/22]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery, as envisaged under current Government policy. My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with AHBs to construct or purchase new homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that AHBs progress projects through is the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF).
Local authorities, as the statutory housing authorities, are the decision makers in relation to the suitability of a proposed social housing project. For example, local authorities are required to ensure that any project appropriately reflects the housing need in that particular area and that there is sufficient need in the area to support the units over time; the properties comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements; and the objectives of creating and maintaining sustainable communities are being met.
With regard to the specific project referred to in the Question, I have been advised that there is a housing project comprising 25 high-quality homes, at the location mentioned, which is currently at the consultation stage between an AHB and the Local Authority. My Department has not yet received an application for CALF funding for this project.
650. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children’s playgrounds managed by each local authority in tabular form. [20206/22]
View answerI have no function in regard to the management of playgrounds. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provided grant funding for refurbishment of playgrounds, however the management of playgrounds is a matter for the local authorities directly. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The locus of responsibility or accountability at central level is determined by the nature of the particular issue or activity involved, not by the fact that it involves a local authority role per se.
651. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a project (details supplied) can be continued given its importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/22]
View answerThrough the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), my Department is currently providing €295,688 in funding to the Rivers Trust Resilience Pilot Project.
Run in collaboration with the Rivers Trust Ireland, this project provides funding to the Inishowen Rivers Trust in County Donegal and the Maigue Rivers Trust in County Limerick to each employ a Project Officer for a period of three years.
The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of professional support for the rivers trust movement in Ireland by employing a dedicated full-time project officer, who has been tasked with securing additional funding for their Trust, as well as developing strategic approaches towards greater self-sustainability within each charity.
Now in its final year, the Rivers Trust is due to complete a full report on the project in the coming weeks. On completion, further consideration will then be given to the future funding requirements for these and the other Rivers Trusts in Ireland.
In the meantime, I would advise the relevant Trust to engage directly with LAWPRO and the Rivers Trust Ireland, as the lead organisations on this project.
652. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline which the steering group NSAI Standardisation Programme - Masonry Construction that was established to oversee a review of the standard IS 465 is working to; the deadline for the completion of this review; and the international expertise it will be seeking to assist in its work. [20242/22]
View answerI brought a Memorandum on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to Government on the 30 November 2021 and it included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
Following the Government decision on the enhanced scheme, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering the program of work to address the following technical items:
1. A review of the I.S. 465 Standard and its application.
2. A review by NSAI Masonry Committee of the Irish Standard for Concrete Blocks (including aggregates).
3. A review of the impact of pumped cavity wall insulation on cavity wall construction and within homes susceptible to or impacted by defective concrete blocks.
NSAI does not operate under the auspices of my Department, it is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, and as such detail issues in relation to committees, expertise, timelines etc., are matters for the NSAI.
However, an interagency Defective Concrete Blocks – Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to support and inform the NSAI Standardisation Program in relation to technical issues. The steering group includes representatives from NSAI, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and representatives from my Department.
653. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the special measures his Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [20297/22]
View answerMy Department has undertaken numerous measures to reduce its energy usage. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recently published its Annual Report for 2021 on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance. The report notes that my Department has exceeded the baseline target of a 30% energy reduction. We currently stand at an energy savings of 39.6% and are on the glide path to meet the 50% target by 2030 as set out in the Climate Action Plan.
In addition, my Department renewed its ISO 14001:2015 Standard Accreditation on 02 Sept 2021. This accreditation certifies both the effectiveness of the Department’s Environmental Management Systems and also, that they are in compliance with international best practice. Furthermore, we are the first Government Department to achieve this accreditation on a multi-site basis. Officials in my Department work closely with colleagues in the OPW on an ongoing basis, to reduce energy usage in all Departmental locations. Some specific measures undertaken by my Department to reduce its energy usage include:
- The installation of new energy efficient heat pumps in the Custom House, Dublin.
- The retrofitting of lights in the Car Park of our Wexford offices with energy efficient LED bulbs.
- Working with the OPW on a programme to swap out old internal light fixtures with new energy efficient, motion activated bulbs throughout all main office locations.
- Significant roof insulation works were carried out in our Ballina offices in 2021. These works have improved the offices Building Energy Rating (BER) from C1 to B2. Light fixtures throughout the building were also replaced with energy efficient bulbs during this project.
- My Department commissioned feasibility studies regarding the installation of Solar Panels in our main office locations. Based on the recommendations of those studies, we are proceeding with the installation of solar panels in our Ballina Offices. Officials in my Department are working with the OPW regarding tendering for these works. After installation, which is planned for Q3 2022, it is envisaged that the Ballina Office, which is over 30 years old, will upgrade its BER to A2. It is estimated that the Solar Panels will cater for 24.3% of onsite electricity requirements.
- My Department has implemented a One Device Policy which has moved away from issuing desktops as the standard ICT equipment to now issuing laptops, which has significantly reduced power consumption.
655. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered legislation to implement a compulsory sale order policy. [20376/22]
View answerHousing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
Housing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock including plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. While the concept of a Compulsory Sales Order is not included in Housing for All, it may be considered in the context of a wider review of CPO legislation. In the meantime, the detailed arrangements for the CPO programme are currently being developed, with the aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions, for example, in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme.
656. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has instructed local authorities to include targets for tackling vacancy in their forthcoming development plans. [20377/22]
View answerHousing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The suite of measures and relevant targets under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes:
- A new local authority-led programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
- The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Initiative will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of some 2,000 serviced sites for homes by 2025, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
While it is a matter for local authorities to decide independently on specific targets in the first instance within the context of these overall targets, as these measures are advanced I will keep under consideration specific local authority targets having regard to future delivery of the overall national targets.
657. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that there are no targets for tackling vacancy in the Town Centres First policy. [20378/22]
View answer‘Town Centre First – A Policy Approach for Irish Towns’ is the Government’s overarching strategy for the renewal and regeneration of Irish Towns. The creation of this Town Centre First (TCF) policy is an objective of the Programme for Government and it was published on 4th February 2022. The policy was jointly developed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development and it supports established national policy objectives in the National Planning Framework, Housing for All and Our Rural Future. Town Centre First sets out 33 specific actions which provide a co-ordinated framework to address the decline in the health of our towns and sets out actions to regenerate and revitalise them. All these actions have either implicit targets related to delivering better outputs and outcomes for the development of town centres or explicit output unit targets where relevant.
Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary objective of the Government and there are number of measures provided for in the Town Centre First policy which support commitments in the Housing for All strategy to address vacancy and dereliction. In particular, the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund under Action 26 will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of both serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and also to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund aims to facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025 and a pathfinder programme is currently under consideration and it is expected that a call for proposals will issue to the local authorities shortly.
658. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff members that are employed full-time equivalent in the vacant homes unit in his Department and if he will update on their work [20379/22]
View answer659. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is establishing a compulsory purchase order unit in his Department. [20380/22]
View answer660. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the establishment of a dereliction team in his Department; the number of staff members that are currently employed full-time focusing on dereliction; the number he plans to employ; and the timeline for delivery of this. [20381/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658, 659 and 660 together.
Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
Work underway by my Department, across the Planning and Housing Divisions, on a suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock including:
- A new Town Centre First policy, which includes approaches to utilising existing stock and new financial incentive mechanisms.
- The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
- Funding support for the work of the Vacant Homes Office in local authorities including a vacant homes officer to ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time officers.
- A new local authority-led programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
The provision of central funding for the Vacant Homes Office in local authorities reinforces their capacity at the local level, including through the important role of vacant homes officers, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
The detailed arrangements for the CPO programme are currently being developed, with the aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme. Significantly, a central advisory service is being established in The Housing Agency to assist Local Authorities with the process. This advisory support, will be in addition to the Vacant Homes unit being established within my Department, with an Assistant Principal Officer already appointed and recruitment of a dedicated Principal Officer underway, to co-ordinate the range of measures under the Housing for All pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock.
661. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time equivalent roles he funds for the Collaborative Town Health Check initiative; and the number he intends to fund by year-end 2022. [20384/22]
View answerThe Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative of the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
662. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawn down and spent; if there has been a follow up or appraisal on the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20399/22]
View answerThe funding system that applies to local authorities in Ireland is a complex one, as those authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government including my Department but also other government departments and state agencies. Most of the funding from Central Government to local authorities must be used for specified services. These can be grouped into 5 broad programme categories: housing, transport, recreational, education and environment.
My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions, including local authority housing, voluntary housing, homeless services, estate regeneration, energy efficiency retrofitting, housing grants, rural water schemes, urban renewal/regeneration, and fire services. In order to achieve its business objectives, my Department allocates significant resources to an extensive range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies, and other bodies; some allocations, depending on the programmes concerned, are made on a national or other non-county basis in the form of grant funding.
Grant funding is provided primarily on the basis of vouched expenditure, as opposed to specific up front annual allocations, once all necessary requirements as detailed in grant assistance schemes are met by the bodies/organisations concerned and that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure the exercise of proper financial controls. Local Property Tax (LPT) allocations are an exception to this, as LPT has replaced exchequer funded general purpose grants, and, for the most part, forms part of local authority expenditure as decided by the elected members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2001.
All Departments have an individual responsibility in relation to the management and accountability for grants in accordance with Circular 13/2014. Furthermore the Local Government Audit Service has a primary function in providing an independent opinion on the Annual Financial Statements of Local Authorities, and this function provides independent scrutiny of local authorities and other local bodies.
663. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of meetings of the Housing For All secretary delivery group that have taken place since September 2021; the persons in attendance at those meetings; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings on his Department’s website. [20410/22]
View answerThe Housing for All Delivery Group of Secretaries General, which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, has met 8 times since September 2021.
The minutes of these meetings, including persons in attendance, are published by the Housing for All Secretariat in the Department of the Taoiseach on the dedicated Housing for All webpage which can be accessed here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/83186-governance-and-reporting-on-the-housing-for-all-plan/#housing-for-all-delivery-group
664. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to decide on proposed changes and recommendations on income eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20507/22]
View answer697. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Housing for All review will be completed; when any changes under the household income criteria for applicants for social housing will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 697 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 343 of 22 March 2022, which sets out the position in the matter.
665. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the procedures for those who wish to sell property to the State, the HSE or local authorities in order to house Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20510/22]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. As part of a whole-of-government response, DCEDIY, in close cooperation with local government, is securing accommodation for arrivals through:
- hotels, guest houses and B and Bs;
- accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;
- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;
- religious properties; and
- local authority community facilities.
In this context, offers of vacant accommodations which are suitable for almost immediate occupation may be directed to DCEDIY.
In the meantime, a coordinated, whole-of-Government effort is being marshalled to identify and develop potential medium and longer-term sources of accommodation and housing for displaced Ukrainians. A cross-sectoral Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce, chaired by my Department, has been established by Government for this purpose.
As part of this work, my Department has requested central and local government to identify and inventory public or private owned vacant buildings and properties that may be used or configured for multi-occupancy accommodation in the medium to long-term term, as well as sites and land that may be suitable for developing temporary or permanent accommodation or housing.
Local authorities and Government Departments are continuing to return data on foot of these requests. My Department will work through these in due course and, with a primary focus on public owned or controlled buildings and land, incorporate them into its considerations of the development of medium and longer-term accommodation and housing solutions.
If recourse to privately owned buildings is needed following this process, the Housing Taskforce will engage with the market as appropriate. In the meantime, my Department is not seeking offers of property for sale.
666. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authority tenants can offer accommodation to refugees such as Ukrainian citizens fleeing war; if they require the permission of their local authority to do so; if his Department has discussed such a policy with the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20532/22]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. As part of a whole-of-government response, DCEDIY, in close cooperation with local government, is securing accommodation for arrivals through:
- hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;
- accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;
- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;
- religious properties; and
- local authority community facilities.
Government is working to ensure local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response. In this regard, my Department has recently written to local authorities requesting they take the necessary steps to allow social housing tenants, who wish to do so, participate in the Irish Red Cross pledge scheme.
