Robert Troy
Question:375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the social housing income limits for County Westmeath will be reviewed. [36982/22]
View answerHousing Policy
Questions (375, 382, 423, 438)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:382. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37105/22]
View answer
Joe Flaherty
Question:423. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the income thresholds for social housing supports will be updated. [37602/22]
View answer
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:438. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his considerations to increase the income criteria for social housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37723/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 375, 382, 423 and 438 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 6 of 23 June 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.
Housing Policy
Questions (376, 377)
Pat Buckley
Question:376. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some local authority areas including Cork County Council, recipients of the increased disability allowance payment will have this included in their means testing if they are also in receipt of HAP and will lose out on this increase through their rent contribution; the steps that he is taking to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37026/22]
View answerPat Buckley
Question:377. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work that he is undertaking to ensure that HAP recipients benefit from increases in other social protection payments that they are entitled to and that means testing of income in relation to HAP does not cancel out such increases in future. [37027/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.
Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Decisions regarding the sources of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including disability allowance, are a matter for individual local authorities. There is no requirement for standardised treatment of such allowances.
That said, local authority differential rent schemes are income-based. Those who earn more pay more. Accordingly, an increase in income, including an increase in an assessable allowance, may result in increased rent. However, differential rent schemes are also progressive meaning only a proportion of increased income can be charged in rent.
While all tenants, whether HAP or local authority tenants, pay a differential rent on the same basis, rents charged must reflect a tenant's ability to pay. Accordingly, local authority rent schemes generally make allowances for specific hardship cases. In such cases, they may accept lesser amounts for a specified period if they consider the amount of rent due would cause undue hardship for the tenant.
Question No. 377 answered with Question No. 376.
Youth Services
Questions (378, 379)
Alan Dillon
Question:378. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a project (details supplied); when the tendering process will conclude and construction works commencing. [37042/22]
View answerAlan Dillon
Question:379. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an assessment of the business case received from the local authority for a project (details supplied); when the tendering process will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37043/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for applicant-led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted integrated support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities.
In March 2021, I announced a provisional URDF allocation of €8,527,500 in respect of Mayo County Council’s proposal for a project, the two projects referred to in the details supplied are subprojects of this proposal.
The Preliminary Business Case for the main project is currently being reviewed by my Department.
In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Mayo County Council, in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Mayo County Council.
Question No. 379 answered with Question No. 378.
Defence Forces
Questions (380)
Alan Dillon
Question:380. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of project works associated with a project (details supplied) following funding of €2.5 million awarded in March 2021 to finance detailed design, planning and essential enabling works to existing buildings. [37044/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for applicant-led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted integrated support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities.
With regard to the proposal in question, in March 2021, I announced a provisional URDF allocation of €2,500,000 in respect of Mayo County Council’s proposal for the Project.
This is in addition to the €141,391 allocated to Mayo County Council under Call 1 for the now completed project master planning and design works required for this multi-phase project.
The Preliminary Business Case for the Project is currently being reviewed by my Department.
In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Mayo County Council, in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Mayo County Council.
Water Services
Questions (381)
Alan Dillon
Question:381. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a report from Irish Water to confirm that all remediation works involved to rectify the capacity issue on the Achill Island water treatment plant have been completed to avoid a repeat of elevated levels of aluminium and turbidity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37045/22]
View answerWritten answers
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The monitoring, scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects and services is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
Question No. 382 answered with Question No. 375.
Tax Collection
Questions (383)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:383. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider allowing commercial rates to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners to improve efficiency. [37107/22]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority, as are the costs of collection.
Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. The Government recognised the need to modernise the collection of rates and the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 was passed by the Oireachtas and enacted on 11 July 2019.
It had been intended that the bulk of the provisions of the Act would be operational for the 2021 local authority budget cycle, in November 2020. However, preparations have been delayed due to the impact of the COVID crisis and work on the government funded rates waivers. While plans to commence the legislation were delayed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is intended to advance this work this year.
The Debt Management Project Implementation Board, on which my Department was represented, was established by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in February 2015, to progress the recommendations of the Debt Management Review, which was published in 2014. The Project Implementation Board concluded its work in 2016 and recommended that a Central Collection Agency was not justified at that time. This was due to the fact that the improvements which had been made by the Public Sector Bodies (PSBs) and the targets set for those PSBs for the period to 2018 were close to those that might be expected of a Central Collection Agency.
Local authorities have made significant strides in recent years to improve efficiency in rates collection. The average national rates collection percentage increased each year from 2013 to 2019. The percentage of rates collected in 2019 was 89%. Rates collection figures for 2020, at 79%, are impacted by COVID-19. Following the conclusion of the rates waiver schemes in 2020, 2021 and Q1 2022 rates collection is being monitored by local authorities to assess the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
My Department also continues to monitor the collection of rates by the Local Government sector. There are no current plans to significantly alter the nature of rates collection.
Derelict Sites
Questions (384)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:384. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered reviewing the definition of a site to reduce the minimum size of a site which is currently a site greater than 500 square metres to allow more sites to be included in the Derelict Sites Act 1990. [37108/22]
View answerWritten answers
Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced by the recently published Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department has now established a focused working group to speedily progress this matter further.
It should be noted that there is no minimum size provision for derelict sites contained in the Act. Accordingly, derelict sites can technically be listed on local authority derelict sites registers once they are deemed to satisfy the criteria specified in the Act i.e. the land detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of -
(a) the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition;
(b) the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question; or
(c) the presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law.
Departmental Functions
Questions (385)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:385. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the progress of establishing a dedicated vacant housing unit in his Department; the number of staff employed in this unit; the work that they have completed to date; and the work that is planned. [37110/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Vacant Homes Unit, established in my Department, was responsible for the preparation of the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy published in 2018. This set out the high level objectives of the Vacant Homes Unit including the establishment and provision of funding to local authorities in order to establish a vacant homes office in each local authority area and also for Vacant Homes Officers who are responsible for driving implementation of the actions identified in the Reuse Strategy at local level. Due to staff changes and other priorities within the planning area (such as the development of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund), the role of this Unit changed over the period. Its role was reviewed last year in the context of Housing for All.
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.
In light of these priorities, my Department decided that work on this pathway merits a dedicated Principal Officer-led Vacant Homes Unit. As part of this process, the Unit moved from the Planning Division to one of the Housing Divisions. At present, the Unit contains a full time Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer and Executive Officer with further staffing planned as work advances. The Unit will play a key part in delivering on the Government commitments under Housing for All, pathway four designed to tackle vacancy and ensure the more efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Unit is working on a suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock including:
- The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund which 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 to ensure their use as homes.
Local Authorities
Questions (386, 412)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:386. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made with each local authority in ensuring that each authority has a full-time permanent vacant homes officer; if the role requires them to fully undertake the work that is required to lease, buy and place a compulsory purchase order on vacant properties and the finance to bring them back into use. [37111/22]
View answer
David Stanton
Question:412. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount made available by his Department to each local authority respectively to support vacant housing officer posts; the amount drawn down by each of the local authorities; the number of full-time vacant housing officers currently in position in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 412 together.
In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that it is increasing the funding made available since 2018 from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum from mid-2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer to support the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, 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.
Local authorities were requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. My Department understands that a total of 17 local authorities have confirmed that at least 1 full-time VHO is now in place and the Department is continuing the ongoing engagement with the remaining local authorities on the process underway to put in place full-time VHOs.
A total of 30 local authorities each drew down funding of €50,000 for the 2021/2022 period (July to June) with a total of €1.5 million funding provided. Each local authority which has a full time VHO in place will now be eligible to draw down €60,000 per annum for the 2022/2023 period.
The enhanced programme of work for the Vacant Homes Officer, aligned and integrated with the roll out of Housing for All and the Town Centre First Policy, includes:
- Overseeing a coordinated approach to Housing for All pathways to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock through working closely with the multidisciplinary technical team in the relevant local authority, to support implementation of Towns Centre First policy
- Actively leading uptake within the local authority of various Departmental schemes such as:
a. Social Housing Capital Delivery Schemes e.g. Buy and Renew Scheme;
b. Repair and Leasing Scheme;
c. New programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to secure for sale on the open market; and
d. Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund focused on towns and villages
- Actively monitor and assess vacancy data locally to support development of associated targets for vacancy reduction, including in specific urban areas and neighbourhoods
- Advisory role both internally for local authority teams and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties to assist, inform, provide and promote expert up to date advice on bringing vacant properties back into use.
State Bodies
Questions (387)
Catherine Murphy
Question:387. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount collected by the Land Registry in respect of fees chargeable for searches and urgent searches in the past two years to date in 2022. [37123/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Property Registration Authority (PRA), which is under the aegis of my Department, continued to maintain a high level of service to support a robust property market throughout the period of COVID-19 restrictions.
Landdirect.ie is an online service, provided by the PRA, to enable the public to search a map and identify a property with corresponding folio numbers from the National Land Registry. There is no charge to search online and view a limited amount of information relating to a property, such as the folio number and any pending applications for registration. As reported in the PRA Annual Report 2021, activity on landdirect.ie amounted to approximately 12.5 million events in 2021, an increase of 16.6% over 2020.
|
NO. OF ACTIONS |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Plan selected on map and details displayed |
7,549,997 |
8,774,336 |
|
Property searches |
2,184,715 |
2,587,840 |
|
Folios viewed |
876,162 |
1,001,804 |
|
Number of Copy Folios/Copy Folios and Title Plans ordered |
102,996 |
131,647 |
|
TOTAL ACTIVITY |
10,713,870 |
12,495,627 |
A Copy of a Folio is open to the public to view for a fee of €5, or to request a certified copy of the Folio / Title Plans for a fee of €40. Any person entitled to inspect a copy of an Instrument can request a copy for a fee of €40.
Fees collected for applications for Copy Folio and Copy Instruments combined are detailed below, broken out by online applications using the paperless ‘P’ process or postal (paper) applications using the ‘C’ application process. Please note that the PRA cannot provide a further breakdown of fees collected based on whether the search was considered urgent or otherwise.
Members of the public can search records at the Registry of Deeds in a number of ways: Official Search (by a Registry Officer), Hand Search (by an individual), or Online. In line with Government restrictions, the Registry of Deeds building was closed to public access for a period of time over the past 2 years. However, all copying and official search services remained available to customers.
The fees collected for all types of searches combined at the Registry of Deeds are outlined by year below.
|
APPLICATION TYPE |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 YTD |
|
|
C Applications |
€806,035 |
€876,000 |
€250,970 |
|
|
P Applications (Online) |
€4,185,040 |
€5,413,945 |
€3,040,845 |
|
|
Registry of Deeds Searches |
€649,476 |
€842,910 |
€481,692 |
|
|
TOTAL FEES |
€5,640,551 |
€7,132,855 |
€3,773,507 |
State Bodies
Questions (388)
Catherine Murphy
Question:388. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount on an annual basis that the Land Registry has expended in respect of rental space for off-site file and document storage; if his attention has been drawn to delays in retrieving documents requested; and his plans to address this issue. [37124/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Property Registration Authority (PRA) which is under the aegis of my Department continued to provide essential services to support the property market throughout Covid-19 restrictions.
The procurement and payment of rent for off-site file and document storage space is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW).
In 2021, overall completions of applications had recovered to 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Notwithstanding this level of activity, there has been an accumulation of arrears in the period and currently ‘C’ applications for Copy Instrument requests, which are lodged by post with the PRA, are taking a number of weeks to complete.
It is recommend that the paperless 'P' process be used by Solicitors in all applicable cases, to ensure timely receipt of Copy Instruments. Under the paperless ‘P’ application process a copy of the Instrument is issued within 7 working days when the Instrument is readily available.
The PRA is always willing to act on requests from lodging parties to expedite an application pending in the Land Registry and every effort is made to expedite cases where valid grounds for urgency exist. Any ‘C’ application for Copy Instrument that is not eligible to be requested online using the ‘P’ application process can be expedited by way of a letter from the lodging party.
An Arrears Clearance Programme has been set in train by the PRA Management Board, and cross-organisational multidisciplinary teams have been established to focus on the elimination of delays across all business units. This programme, underpinned by project management discipline, envisages a radical, structured approach to implementation, with an emphasis on data analysis, innovation and business process improvement. The PRA intends to communicate this intent, and ongoing progress achieved, to both internal and external stakeholders.
Planning Issues
Questions (389)
Noel Grealish
Question:389. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the lack of uniformity in the application of planning policy pertaining to the extension of planning permissions, in circumstances in which delays were encountered by developers of residential construction sites over the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37180/22]
View answerWritten answers
Section 40 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended ('the Act') specifies that the appropriate period for the completion of a planning permission shall generally be 5 years, unless otherwise specified by the planning authority pursuant to Section 41.
Section 42 of the Act enables the holder of a planning permission to apply to a planning authority for up to two extensions to the initial appropriate period of the permission, provided the combined duration of both extensions does not exceed 5 years.
The granting of such an extension is subject to the Planning Authority being satisfied that the development has been commenced, substantial works have been carried out, the development will be completed in a reasonable time and that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment (AA) are not required for the proposed extension.
There is a circumstance where the holder of a permission may apply for a further extension to the appropriate period of a planning permission, beyond the initial appropriate period and the extension of duration period or periods under Section 42, and this is explained as follows:
Section 7 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2021 ('the 2021 Act'), which was commenced on the 9 September 2021 provides a temporary provision allowing for applications for further extensions of planning permissions which have already availed of an extension under section 42, or otherwise under section 42(1A) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This provision seeks to ensure the timely delivery of housing and the completion of construction projects, in the context of delays and disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It provides for the further extension of the appropriate period of a planning permission by an additional period of up to 2 years or until 31 December 2023 whichever first occurs, subject to the planning authority being satisfied of a number of matters set out in section 42(1B). These matters include that the relevant planning authority shall be satisfied that: the development has commenced; that substantial works have been carried out; that the extension is required to enable the development to be completed; and that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment (AA) are not required for the proposed extension. The provision applies to extant permissions due to expire and as well as to permissions which expired between 8 January 2021 and 8 September 2021.
This further extension period takes into account the restrictions on construction and disruptions in logistics, supply chains as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and applies equally to all development types. Each application must be assessed on a case by case basis by the relevant planning authority, having regard to the criteria set out in section 42(1B). Accordingly, I have no plans to provide for further legislation for extensions to planning permissions.
Housing Provision
Questions (390)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:390. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the context of the National Student Accommodation Strategy, and Housing for All, the preparations that are being made to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation provision for international students and English language students ahead of the new academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter [37187/22]
View answerWritten answers
I first of all wish to advise that I have no direct function with regard to the provision of accommodation specifically for international students and/or English language students.
Increasing the supply of all types of housing is key to relieving the pressure on the existing rental stock, which will benefit all renters, including English language and international students. The Government’s plan, Housing for All, sets us on a path of delivering 300,000 new homes between now and the end of 2030 including:
- 90,000 social homes
- 36,000 affordable purchase homes
- 18,000 cost rental homes
Housing for All is backed by €20 billion in State investment in housing to the end of 2026. It gives certainty and stability for those who want to finance and build homes. In order to deliver housing at the substantial scale we need across the country, capital from all sources, including private investment is required.
Housing for All is focused on tackling supply and affordability issues in the rental market. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion per year in housing is aimed at increasing supply. An increased supply of all properties, including cost rental and other purpose built rental accommodation, will relieve the pressure on existing rental market stock and rent prices.
On-campus purpose-built student accommodation can also alleviate pressure on the private rental market and may also be available to international students and/or English language students during the summer months. Universities have developed significant numbers of student accommodation units in recent years, through borrowing from the European Investment Bank via the Housing Finance Agency. Borrowing for student accommodation by traditional universities is off-balance sheet, but such borrowing by Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology is on-balance sheet and subject to Government approval. Section 21 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 provides for borrowing by Technological Universities.
I will continue to work closely with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on this matter.
Housing Provision
Questions (391)
Thomas Gould
Question:391. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the first homes will be available for purchase, rent and allocation on a site (details supplied) in Cork. [37191/22]
View answerWritten answers
The development of the site at St Kevin's Hospital is currently being progressed by the Land Development Agency (LDA). This 14.5 acre site is expected to deliver 265 social and affordable homes, those being a mix of cost rental and affordable purchase.
The LDA have advised my Department that a contractor has been appointed to undertake enabling works and they are currently completing pre-construction surveys and will commence works on site in August. I am informed that the first homes are expected to be available in early 2024.
Housing Schemes
Questions (392)
Steven Matthews
Question:392. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has given any consideration to further extending the buy and repair scheme to allow local authorities to provide cost rental homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37199/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Buy and Renew Scheme supports Local Authorities in purchasing and renewing housing units in need of repair, which can then be made available for social housing use. Local Authorities have already purchased c.750 homes for social housing use. I have asked Local Authorities to increasingly target vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use as part of new public housing delivery, particularly where good value for money can be obtained and there is no impact on the local property market and I have assured them of my Department's support in this regard.
Local Authorities will continue to tackle such vacancy and dereliction through an increasingly construction-led approach to deliver new social homes on existing sites and to support town centre and urban improvements. The Buy and Renew Scheme will remain a social housing delivery mechanism and given the current demand for social housing across all local authorities, the principal aim of the scheme remains the provision of social housing.
Cost Rental is a new form of private rental tenure the conditions for which are set out in Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2022. Any owner of a property can apply to the Minister for its designation as a Cost Rental dwelling under the provisions of section 29 of the Act. More broadly, funding for the provision of Cost Rental homes by local authorities is already available through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), with funding to Approved Housing Bodies via the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL). The AHF provides a direct Exchequer subvention of up to €100,000 per unit to a Local Authority, with the remaining funds being generally provided through Housing Finance Agency provided competitive rates of borrowing. The tenant rent is utilised to repay these loans and cover the ongoing costs of provision, rather than requiring the full amount from Exchequer sources.
This AHF grant funding for affordable homes, including Cost Rental homes, is being targeted at new build properties in order to increase the overall housing stock. Cost Rental also works best when undertaken on projects which deliver a significant number of homes, where the economies of providing, managing and maintaining groups of properties can reduce the overall costs of provision when modelled over the 40-year cost calculation period.
At present, there are no plans to extend the buy and renew scheme to include of Cost Rental homes.
Housing Schemes
Questions (393)
Steven Matthews
Question:393. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that local authorities set targets to provide social housing through the repair and lease scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37200/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) brings vacant properties in need of repair back into use for social housing. The scheme is a crucial initiative in tackling vacancy under Housing for All because in addition to providing social housing, it also has additional benefits in terms of regeneration, employment and investment in local areas. It assists private property owners, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in utilising existing vacant housing stock throughout the country.
RLS is a demand led scheme, with a delivery target of 120 units for 2022, and all local authorities are encouraged and supported to maximise delivery under the scheme. My Department will however shortly commence work with the vacant homes officers in each local authority to set targets that are both ambitious and achievable.
Commercial Rates
Questions (394)
Steven Matthews
Question:394. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to ensure standardisation across all local authorities regarding commercial rate rebates for vacant commercial units; if he is concerned that such rebates act as a disincentive to returning these units to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37201/22]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities have a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
Legislative provision is made for the refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 allows local authorities to offer less than 100% refund and to vary the level of refund for vacant properties at its annual budget meeting. Since the introduction of the Act, a number of local authorities have taken the decision to reduce the percentage refund of rates available. In agreeing budgets for 2022, 19 local authorities made the decision to offer less than 100% refund to vacant properties, ensuring in those local authorities that some rates are paid on vacant commercial properties, helping discourage prolonged vacancy.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 modernised the legislation governing commercial rates and contains provision for schemes for the abatement of rates on vacant properties. Section 9 of the Act provides that the Minister may specify the maximum vacancy relief to be applied and that schemes can be made to provide abatement to a specific class or classes of vacant property. The main objective of section 9 of the Act is to discourage commercial vacancy and incentivise occupancy. This marries with the main objectives in “Town Centres First”, "Housing for All" and "Our Rural Future".
Amendments are required to address key issues in the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019. The remaining provisions of the Act, including section 9, cannot be commenced until these issues are addressed. Plans to achieve necessary amendments, commence the legislation and introduce associated regulations were delayed due to the COVID crisis but it is intended to advance this work this year.
Action 19.13 of Housing For All commits to commencing section 9 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019. Guidance for elected members on the making of schemes under section 9, and on the flexibility and potential provided by the provision, will be key to empowering them to make schemes that will affect improvements locally to commercial vacancy. It is expected that guidance in this regard will issue to local authorities concurrently with the commencement of the legislation and taking effect of associated regulations.