Written Answers Nos. 418-437
420. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has given consideration to granting eligibility under the Fresh Start principle to the local authority home loan scheme to applicants in cases in which a relationship had existed and has ended but who had not been married and in cases on which they no longer retain a beneficial interest in a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37580/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
A ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to the Local Authority Home Loan to the following categories of persons:
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is divorced/separated or otherwise and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the property are eligible. Where a couple was in a relationship but not married, and the relationship has ended, the Fresh Start Principle can apply.
- 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 www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie.
421. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station for Ballymahon, County Longford (details supplied) [37598/22]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new fire services capital programme for the period 2021 to 2025, with a funding allocation of €61 million. My Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021 - 2025 allows for continued investment at an appropriate level in our Fire Services, infrastructure, fleet and equipment. The new programme will see six replacement fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments, as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines.
Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (this may be impacted by population or fire risks within the area)
- established Health and Safety needs,
- state of development of the project (for example, if the selected site had been acquired) , and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
In recognition of the current economic situation faced by the State because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speed and extent to which proposed expenditure can stimulate local economies will also be a key consideration in the first few years of the new programme.
Longford County Council has indicated that the replacement of Ballymahon Fire Station, at an estimated cost of €1.7 million (revised in August 2021), would be their priority. The Council has submitted a preliminary appraisal and outline plans to the Department, and I understand that a site has been identified.
Project consideration stages in my Department include, submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages. Each step is subject to approval from my Department.
While a new fire station at Ballymahon is not currently included in the Department’s 2021 – 2025 Fire Services Capital Programme, it has been included in a list for review. Projects in the capital programme are to be reassessed in Q3 2022, in order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding. This includes consideration of additional fire station projects from fire authorities which fit the normal fire station project criteria and where an appropriate business case is presented. An additional consideration of the review will be the inflation in construction costs related to materials, energy and the added uncertainty of supply chains. Priority can be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
422. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide assurances that County Longford and other affected local authorities will be appropriately compensated as a result of the new local property tax brackets (details supplied). [37601/22]
View answerLocal Property Tax (LPT) allocations for 2022 are based on information regarding the 2021 liability yield provided by the Revenue Commissioners last June. All other elements are also based on 2021 figures, including the LPT baselines, the 80:20 local retention model, the equalisation contribution and self-funding of housing and roads from surplus LPT. LPT allocations to local authorities for 2022 amount to €523.9m.
The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', commits to bringing forward LPT reforms including providing for all money collected locally to be retained within the county. The Government has signalled its intention that the move to 100% local retention of LPT will be introduced over the 2023 and 2024 budgetary cycles. It is expected that the LPT yield will change following revaluation last November and the distribution model will be reviewed when new yield per local authority is fully quantified; final figures are not yet available.
Given the need for timely information to be provided to local authorities for their budgetary process and the need for final LPT figures to inform that, I do not expect that baselines will be reviewed in advance of the 2023 local authority budget process. Each local authority situation is complex and it is important that sufficient time is taken to analyse and assess potential options in that respect. Preliminary census data will also form an important input to that deliberation. My Department will, however, be considering, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the potential for a move towards 100% retention for 2023. LPT allocations for 2023 have, therefore, yet to be decided.
424. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current €30,000 upper limit on the amount payable under the essential works grant scheme for the elderly will be reviewed upwardly; and if so, when this will occur given the current inflationary costs affecting construction. [37603/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is now underway within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these in relation to the review of the suite of grants.
Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
425. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to revisit the new ten-year tenancy requirement before a tenancy can apply for the tenant purchase scheme and to reduce the wait time for the many households that felt that they could have been approved in 2022. [37604/22]
View answerThe Tenant Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. Applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports, to be eligible.
The Government has recently reduced the minimum reckonable income required under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. Similarly, the length of time an applicant must be in receipt of social housing supports to qualify under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years. These changes came into effect on 1 February 2022.
Applications received by local authorities prior to 1 February 2022 should be assessed with reference to the regulations and requirements in place at the time, with applications received after this date assessed in accordance with the new requirements.
426. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give an assurance that Longford County Council will be compensated in respect of the significant, unavoidable and unbudgeted over-spend for the housing retrofit scheme (details supplied). [37608/22]
View answerSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's 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 funding being made available for insulation, windows and doors and heating upgrades, specifically the installation of a Heat Pump and associated works.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme (MRP) in 2020-2022, the details of which are found below. A further 146 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
gov.ie - Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme - Expenditure and Units (www.gov.ie)
Earlier this year, my Department announced that funding of €85 million will be provided for the upgrade of approximately 2,400 social homes in 2022. Each local authority received an individual allocation along with a minimum target of homes they are required to retrofit.
Under the 2022 EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850, plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER but can be as low as €16,350 in some cases. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the new programme calls for local authorities to undertake retrofitting on a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,000, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofit with the available budget and limit the exposure of the LA to additional costs.
An official from my Department met with the relevant local authority last week to consider the issues which have arisen. My Department is also currently reviewing claims submitted from the local authority in relation to their 2021 works programme with a view to recouping the cost of all eligible works carried out.
427. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times that the discretionary top-up for housing assistance payments was used in County Wicklow in 2021 as at end of Q4 2021 and to date in 2022 by municipal district; the average percentage amount of this top-up per district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37656/22]
View answer428. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons from each municipal district in County Wicklow that are currently in receipt of a housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37657/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q4 2021, over 100,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 62,000 households actively in receipt of HAP support, including 1,711 households in Wicklow.
At the end of Q1 2022, over 102,500 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 61,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support, including 1,694 households in Wicklow. Local authorities have had discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.
I have now introduced an increase in the HAP discretion rate to 35% and, for new tenancies, expanded the couple’s rate to single persons. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.
I have signed the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 342 of 2022) providing for these changes, which took effect from Monday, 11 July 2022.
A breakdown of the number of HAP tenancies at end Q4 2021and Q1 2022 with the average discretionary increase paid for each of the municipal districts in Wicklow is detailed in the table below:-
Wicklow Q4 2021 Discretion Rate
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @ end Q4 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Arklow |
682 |
190 |
16% |
|
Baltinglass |
163 |
48 |
16% |
|
Bray |
227 |
90 |
17% |
|
Greystones |
170 |
82 |
19% |
|
Wicklow |
375 |
128 |
17% |
|
Other* |
93 |
64 |
18% |
Wicklow Q1 2022 Discretion Rate
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @ end Q1 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Arklow |
673 |
191 |
16% |
|
Baltinglass |
159 |
48 |
16% |
|
Bray |
226 |
94 |
17% |
|
Greystones |
160 |
78 |
19% |
|
Wicklow |
378 |
130 |
17% |
|
Other* |
98 |
68 |
18% |
*Inter-authority movements, whilst the tenant is registered with Wicklow County Council, the tenancy is located outside of the county.
I am committed to decreasing our reliance on the HAP scheme and we will only do that through significantly scaling up our social housing supply. ‘Housing for all’ sets us on a pathway to delivering 90,000 social homes between now and the end of 2030 including 9,000 this year.
429. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided under the energy efficiency retrofit programme to Wicklow County Council in each year from 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/22]
View answer430. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority owned housing stock that have been brought to a B2 BER rating level or above in each year from 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [37659/22]
View answer431. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority owned housing stock in County Wicklow that currently have a BER rating level below B2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 429 to 431, inclusive, together.
My Department introduced an Energy Efficiency Programme that commenced in 2013, with the ambition to fund retrofit on all social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works, this programme has seen improved energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 75,000 Local Authority homes over the period 2013 to the end of 2021 at a total cost to the exchequer of some €183 million.
For the period 2013 – 2020 Energy Efficiency Works were carried out in two phases:
Phase 1 aimed to ensure that the entire social housing stock would have, as a minimum, wall insulation and attic insulation (300mm). To this end, funding was initially targeted at the less intrusive cavity wall insulation as well as attic/roof insulation.
Phase 2 focused on the fabric upgrade works to those remaining dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction and includes the provision of heating upgrades.
The previous programme was withdrawn in 2021 with the introduction of a new holistic Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme that focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. The programme will see a significant upscaling on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years.
This new enhanced ten year energy efficiency programme was launched in response to a commitment made under the Programme for Government, which called for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent BER standard by 2030, of which approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
The 2022 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme has seen a significant increase in funding support to local authorities to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or Cost Optimal Equivalent Standard.
A breakdown of the funding provided and the output per local authority since 2013 can be found on the Department website below: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020-2022, the details of which are found below. A further 146 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
gov.ie - Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme - Expenditure and Units (www.gov.ie)
Work in relation to the 2022 programme is underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme will be available early in 2023.
Separately details in relation to those properties that fall below the B2 BER rating should be available directly upon request from the local authority themselves.
432. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to Wicklow County Council for mobility aid grants, housing adaptation grants and housing aid for older persons for social housing for each year from 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [37661/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme to carry out works on local authority owned social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or relieve overcrowding. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department's approach every year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan, prioritise and implement the programme to carry out the varying works necessary to meet the needs of their tenants. The programme is 90% funded by the Department with a 10% contribution from the Local Authority.
The allocation and drawdown of funding for each local authority for the period 2011-2021 for the Disabled Persons Grant, which incorporates Improvement Works in Lieu, is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020.
Exchequer funding to the value of €23.6 million has been allocated for the 2022 schemes. Wicklow County Council's allocation this year under this programme is €818,793.
Work in relation to the 2022 programme is underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 output will be available early in 2023.
433. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37674/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June 2022.
The purpose of this Bill is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme.
This Government is committed to exploring all options in pursuing potentially liable wrongdoers and I will continue to work with the Attorney General in this regard. We are also committed to ensuring it never happens again. I intend to appoint a Senior Counsel to review the causes of the defective concrete blocks issue and the options available to Government to pursue wrongdoers and make recommendations in that regard. I expect to finalise terms of reference and appoint an experienced Senior Counsel in the coming months.
It is expected that the Department of Finance will seek to progress the issue of a levy on the Construction/Quarry Industry through the 2022 Finance Bill.
434. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether an approval for a local authority home loan should be valid for purchasing a home in any local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/22]
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 (RIHL).
Applicants can apply for a Local Authority Home Loan to more than one local authority. However, a separate application form must be completed for each local authority applicants apply to and go through their application process. Applicants may only borrow one Local Authority Home Loan for the purchase of a home or a self-build within the local authority area where they are purchasing or building the property.
The final decision on Local Authority Home Loan applications is a matter for the relevant local authority. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authority.
Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated website www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
435. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans that were approved and drawn down in each local authority to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37719/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. Prior to that, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was the mortgage available from local authorities. As of 4 January 2022, no new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications will be accepted, although applications/approvals already in process will be honoured
The Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, and its successor the Local Authority Home Loan scheme, on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications.
Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the Credit Policy that under pins the scheme, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures provided by the Housing Agency on the number of Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval from local authorities for 2022 up to the end of June are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
RIHL Applications Assessed |
RIHL Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
6 |
5 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2 |
1 |
|
Clare County Council |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork City Council |
16 |
4 |
|
Cork County Council |
14 |
6 |
|
Donegal County Council |
3 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Council |
21 |
12 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal County Council |
22 |
15 |
|
Galway City Council |
2 |
0 |
|
Galway County Council |
24 |
6 |
|
Kerry County Council |
12 |
3 |
|
Kildare County Council |
14 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
5 |
3 |
|
Laois County Council |
4 |
2 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
12 |
3 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth County Council |
23 |
10 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
0 |
|
Meath County Council |
5 |
3 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo County Council |
3 |
1 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
11 |
8 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
2 |
1 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
7 |
2 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
4 |
3 |
|
Wexford County Council |
2 |
2 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
12 |
5 |
|
Totals |
228 |
101 |
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Information on Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q1 2022 is available at the following link, under the folder name 'Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan' which will be updated as soon as figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
436. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration that he has explored to extend and review the septic tank grant to ensure upgrades can be availed of for defective tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37720/22]
View answerUnder the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012, the owner of a domestic waste water treatment system is responsible for its maintenance and renewal and should ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate, kept in good order and repair so as to prevent a risk to human health or the environment.
My Department provides financial assistance towards the remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or the replacement of a domestic waste water treatment system under new and revised grant schemes which launched in June 2020. The schemes are focused on areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application. This is in line with Government Policy which is framed in the context of meeting relevant obligations under legislation. The grant schemes are administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department.
In June 2020 the maximum percentage of approved costs was increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total maximum grant paid of €5,000 for upgrades and replacements of domestic waste water treatment systems.
Further details can be found on my Department’s website at the link below, or from each local authority.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#capital-funding-for-group-schemes-and-community-water-and-waste-water-connections
In implementing the revised arrangements, my Department has undertaken to conduct a review of these grant schemes, to ensure their continued alignment with policy objectives. The review is ongoing and is expected to be completed by year end.
437. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the information that is provided by local authorities using the choice-based letting system to his Department on the performance of the system in a tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37721/22]
View answerMy Department does not collect quantitative data on the performance of Choice Based Letting in local authority areas.
The Department reviews the uptake of Choice Based Letting from time-to-time with a view to supporting its roll-out and standardisation across local authorities. Feedback from local authorities, to date, shows more than half operating a Choice Based Letting system, which they report as having a positive effect on how they allocate houses and facilitating a drop in the rate of refusals.
My Department is working with local government to progress the roll-out of a standardised approach across all local authorities.
