Written Answers Nos. 177-189
177. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the details of the new tenant purchase scheme will be released to the local authorities in order that applications can be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21751/22]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments.
The amendments, which came into effect on 1st February 2022, include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years.
While local authorities have already been formally advised of these changes, the Department also intends to issue revised guidelines shortly.
178. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the scheme undertaken on a pilot basis to carry out a cull of seagulls has been assessed; and if there are plans to consider extending that approach elsewhere. [21771/22]
View answerI am unsure as to what scheme the Deputy may be referring to as no such scheme exists in my Department to cull seagulls - national culls are not carried out, even on a pilot basis.
If an individual wishes to apply for a licence to deal with gulls causing serious damage, then they can do so under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts by applying to the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Further information can be found on the following link: www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/disturbance/stop-damage-flora-and-fauna-wild-animals.
In addition, three species of gull are also mentioned on the National Wild Birds Declaration and this allows individuals in a particular area to remove nests and/or eggs of those gull species without applying for a specific licence. Further information can be found on the following link: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-directives/birds-directive/eu-birds-directive-article-9-derogations.
179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21775/22]
View answerMy Department has received a Stage 3 (Pre-tender Approval) submission on this project under the Capital Assistance Scheme, which is currently being examined and a response is expected to issue to Limerick City and County Council imminently.
180. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been achieved regarding the issue of Irish Water refusing to take on housing developments in which the wastewater treatment system has been provided by the developer. [21804/22]
View answerFunding of €68.5 million under the National Development Plan has been allocated for the period 2021-2025 for legacy water services issues in relation to lead pipe remediation and the Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI).
My Department is operating a Multi-annual DPI Programme to provide funding for the progressive resolution of housing estates with legacy developer provided water services infrastructure to enable the taking in charge of these estates.
The programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken in charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public (Irish Water) network, but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers. The focus of the first tranches of funding is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks.
A study is being carried out by Irish Water to develop optimum solutions for estates with legacy developer provided water services infrastructure. The study will help my Department with developing policy solutions, including issues around funding, for estates that, due to distance, are not viable to connect to the public network. This is by considering sustainable treatment technologies either on the same site or another suitable alternative site. I understand the study is expected to be completed in Q2, 2022.
It will take a number of funding programmes to fully resolve estates with developer provided water services infrastructure, however, my Department is committed to progressing the taking in charge of these legacy estates through increased funding over the coming years.
181. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed listing of each section of the Local Government Act 2001, that has not been commenced by him since the enactment of this legislation. [21827/22]
View answer182. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed listing of each section of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, that has not been commenced by him since the enactment of this legislation. [21828/22]
View answer183. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed listing of each section if any of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Government Reform Act, 2014 that he intends to implement within the lifetime of this Government. [21829/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182 and 183 together.
Details of the sections of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Government Reform Act 2014 which have yet to be commenced are set out in the following table.
|
Title of Act |
Sections not yet commenced |
|
Local Government Act 2001 |
Section 22 Sections 212-214 Section 223 |
|
Local Government Reform Act 2014 |
All sections commenced |
There are no current plans to commence the provisions of the 2001 Act not yet commenced.
184. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a ruling (details supplied) apply to each County Council and City Council in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/22]
View answerThe 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 (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the scheme apply to all local authorities and provide inter alia that the sale of a property to the purchaser does not imply any warranty on the part of the housing authority in relation to the state of repair or condition of the dwelling or its fitness for human habitation. The purchaser is also solely responsible for the maintenance and repair of a house sold under the scheme.
185. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social housing projects currently in his Department’s approval process; the average length of time these projects have been in that process by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/22]
View answerMy Department administers a number of funding schemes to support local authority delivery of social housing. Each scheme, depending on its objectives and delivery mechanism, has a process in place whereby local authorities secure approval for funding for social housing projects.
The overall pre-construction process for local authority capital-funded, social housing build projects involves local authorities undertaking a range of work including site investigations, needs assessment, planning under Part 8 including community and local elected members’ consultations, project design and procurement of design teams and contractors under the Capital Works Management Framework. The majority of local authority projects are assessed and approved by my Department via a 4-stage process and this assessment of projects by my Department within that process over the last 12 months averaged 24 weeks.
Local authorities also have the option of using a single stage approval process for social housing projects up to €6 million in value and the pre-construction process in such cases can be reduced by approximately eight weeks. Local authorities also deliver social housing via turnkey contracts with developers and the approval process for such projects would ordinarily be from two to six weeks as the proposals ordinarily have planning approval, have an agreed design and have a contractor in place.
Specific challenges can arise with individual projects that will impact on the average time for particular local authorities in the pre-construction process, such as challenges within the planning process, difficulties with sites, etc. To support the capacity of local authorities to develop and deliver social housing build projects, I have approved funding for an additional 250 posts in local authority housing teams. Furthermore, in January 2022, I published a new Design Manual for Quality Housing and a Review of the Pre-Construction Processes undertaken in cooperation with the local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) sectors. These initiatives are important to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness and pace of delivery of social homes.
The table below outlines the social housing capital projects by local authority which are currently in the pre-construction process including assessment/approval by my Department.
|
Local Authority |
Number of Projects |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Cork City |
6 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
DLR |
2 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
5 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
|
Galway City |
2 |
|
Galway County |
3 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Longford |
4 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Total |
64 |
The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements (P&A). The table below sets
out details of projects with my Department for approval. The average time for the approval of a CALF project is six weeks.
|
Local Authority |
Number of Projects |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
DLR |
1 |
|
Dublin City |
3 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
South Dublin |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
22 |
186. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent on HAP, RAS, rent supplement and leasing programmes in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21852/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) are forms of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need.
Exchequer expenditure on the schemes in 2021, is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
SHCEP |
HAP |
RAS |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2021 |
271.9* |
541.7 |
122.0 |
*This spend includes funding provided for payment and availability arrangments under the CALF Scheme, AHB leasing, local authority leasing, Mortgage to Rent, NARPS, Repair and Leasing and unsold affordable units.
Under Housing for All, the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 new build social homes. As new build supply of social housing ramps up, there will be reducing reliance on the HAP and RAS schemes. Long term leasing will be phased out by 2025 and my Department is continuing to engage with local authorities in this regard.
Responsibility for the Rent Supplement Scheme falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
187. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of households with HAP tenancies; the number of these households that have requested flexibility to breech HAP rental limits; the number of these households to which flexibility has been approved to breech HAP rental limits for the local authority area of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21871/22]
View answerAt the end of 2021, 100,077 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 61,907 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 33,400 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
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. At the end of 2021, 57% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility, at an average rate of discretion of 24.2% above the relevant limit.
When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region is removed, 51.2%, of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 17.3% above the relevant limit.
At end 2021, there were 1,792 households actively in receipt of HAP support in Donegal. 12% of the total number of households being supported by HAP in Donegal were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 19.9% above rent limits provided.
Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of the 20% discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department. The review was submitted on 20 December 2021. It is undergoing analysis by my Department and I expect to receive recommendations following that analysis.
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a Rebuilding Ireland home loan application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if the decision will be reconsidered given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage 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. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister's power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions should not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. I am, therefore, precluded from intervening in relation to individual cases.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of outstanding development contributions and levies across all four Dublin local authorities; and the breakdown by the year in which these levies were first payable. [21946/22]
View answerDevelopment contribution charges to be applied on developers are set at the planning permission stage but are not collectable by the relevant local authority until after the development work commences. Commencement notices are issued by the developer to the local authority and these generally trigger the raising of the charge. The normal practice is for the developer to issue a commencement notice for all units in the development at the construction start date which could mean that the full development charges are due immediately. Alternatively, a phased payment plan is agreed between the planning authority and the developer and in other cases, commencement notices are issued for blocks of units on a piecemeal basis.
When a commencement notice is received, contributions collectable within the next 12 months are usually treated as income by the relevant local authority and a short-term debtor is raised. Income from development contributions not due to be paid within the current year is deferred and is not separately disclosed in the Annual Financial Statement (AFS).
The most recent audited data available in respect of development contributions is in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2020. Appendix 5 of the amalgamated AFS indicates a total development contribution income nationally of €205.5 million for the end of that financial year. The development contribution income for the four Dublin local authorities for 2019 and 2020 is set out in the first table below.
Note 5 of the AFS indicates that development contribution short term current debtors amounted to €286.5m nationally at the end of 2020, gross of any bad debt provisions. Short term debtors are classified as development contributions that are owed in respect of the current year and previous years. The second table below sets out the aggregate development contribution short term debtors for the four Dublin local authorities for 2019 and 2020. Audited figures for 2021 are not yet available.
Development Contribution Income 2020 and 2019
|
Local authority |
2020 Development Contribution Income |
2019 Development Contribution Income |
|
Dublin City Council |
€31,509,969 |
€45,336,912 |
|
Dun Laoire/Rathdown County Council |
€31,708,243 |
€25,666,031 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€38,205,155 |
€50,128,785 |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
€25,456,551 |
€25,074,794 |
Development Contribution Debtors 2020 and 2019
|
Local authority |
2020 Development Contribution Debtor |
2019 Development Contribution Debtor |
|
Dublin City Council |
€46,407,384 |
€39,390,531 |
|
Dun Laoire/Rathdown County Council |
€20,425,672 |
€17,918,723 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€65,943,484 |
€65,501,048 |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
€20,455,478 |
€15,927,595 |
In essence, the Development Contribution Debtor figure for 2020 in the second table indicates the aggregate amount of development contributions payable to the four Dublin local authorities that had invoices issued in 2020 and previous years and where payment remains outstanding.
