Written Answers Nos. 233-253
233. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his Department’s current policy with respect to the tenants of part V local authority housing purchasing the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/22]
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 scheme is governed by the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. These regulations provide for specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including those provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.
234. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the salary of four roles within his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38299/22]
View answerFollowing the application of the 1 July 2022 FEMPI pay restoration for certain civil service grades, the salary of the Secretary General of my Department is €235,294.
The pay scales for the Assistant Secretaries in my Department, effective from 1 February 2022, are set out in Circular 4-2022, a copy of which is available on the Gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/circular/ef515-application-of-1st-february-2022-pay-adjustments/
Arising from the 1 February 2022 adjustments to civil service pay in accordance with the Public Service Agreement Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022, the salary of the Minister in my Department is €82,730, and that of the Ministers of State is €40,464. These officeholder salaries are in addition to the TD salary paid separately by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out his social and affordable housing targets for each year from 2022 to 2026, in tabular form; the breakdown for each year by social housing new build, social housing acquisition, cost rental equity loan, Affordable Housing Fund purchase, Land Development Agency cost rental and Land Development Agency affordable purchase. [38322/22]
View answerThe Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 47,600 new build social homes and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026.
Targets for social housing new build homes and acquisitions are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
Social Housing New Build |
9,000 |
9,100 |
9,300 |
10,000 |
10,200 |
47,600 |
|
Social Housing Acquisitions |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
1,000 |
National affordable housing delivery targets were published in Housing for All for 2022 – 2030. Overall targets to 2030 include 54,000 affordable housing units; 36,000 of which will be affordable purchase homes, with the remaining 18,000 to be cost rental units.
From 2022 to 2026, over 28,000 affordable homes are targeted for delivery across all local authority areas. Housing for All confirms that, broadly speaking, affordable homes will be delivered on a 2:1 affordable purchase to cost rental basis. In terms of delivery numbers, flexibility is being maintain across programmes to enable the range of affordable schemes and providers react to market changes and opportunities as well as changing affordability patterns.
Within the above figures, significant levels of delivery will be via the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Additional delivery is also projected through Part V and by local authorities delivering on their own lands or via advance purchase. The First Home Scheme is also projected to deliver approximately 8,000 affordable interventions in the period to 2026.
Specific delivery targets, for local authority arranged delivery only, have been allocated to 18 local authorities to bring forward delivery in addition to LDA, AHB or Part V delivery in their area. These local authorities are those where the need for affordable housing is a significant proportion of overall housing need.
236. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities make a percentage contribution to all social housing delivery streams including SHIP construction, turnkey construction and acquisitions; and if so, the percentage amount for each delivery stream. [38323/22]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes in the period 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Budget 2022 provided €2.6bn in capital funding to support housing programmes in 2022. This includes €1.56bn for local authority housing, which supports local authorities to delivery new build social homes and social housing acquisitions. Under the funding arrangements in place, local authorities are fully recouped for expenditure incurred in the delivery of new build social homes and acquisitions.
237. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new build social homes and acquisitions delivered in Q1 2022 broken down by local authority in tabular form; and if he will provide a separate table with the information broken down by delivery stream including SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, SHIP Part V, CAS construction, CAS turnkey, CAS Part V, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CALF Part V, Regeneration and PPP; if he will clarify whether any of the Part Vs are long terms leases or if such leases are counted separately; and if so, the number of such leases that were delivered in Q1 2022. [38324/22]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. Data for Quarter 1 2022 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Q1 2022. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6912a-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q1-2022/
A breakdown by the requested delivery steams is out in the table below.
|
Delivery Stream |
New Build Units |
|
SHIP Construction |
114 |
|
SHIP Turnkey |
137 |
|
LA Part V |
23 |
|
CAS Construction |
14 |
|
CAS Turnkey |
6 |
|
CALF Construction |
78 |
|
CALF Turnkey |
196 |
|
CALF Part V |
71 |
|
Total |
639 |
There were no social homes delivered through Part V leasing in Quarter 1 2022. Social homes delivered through Part V leasing are categorised separately on the statistics page of my Department's website above).
238. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of long-term leases delivered in Q1 2022 broken down by local authority area and providing an average annual lease cost per local authority in tabular form. [38325/22]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments.
Long term lease arrangements can be entered into by either local authorities or approved housing bodies (AHBs) for periods of between 10 and 25 years.
The number of social homes delivered under long term leasing arrangements for Q1 2022 was 218. The average annual cost of all long-term leases approved in 2021 for a 25 year term was €16,500. My Department does not release specific cost information due to commercial sensitivity that may impact on the competitiveness of the local authority sector.
The average lease cost is calculated based on claims for operational new units submitted by local authorities and recorded on my Department’s SHCEP financial management system and does not necessarily represent the amount delivered in that period.
A breakdown by local authority of the total number of long-term leases delivered in Q1 2022 can be found in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Total Long-term Leasing Delivery by Local Authority – Q1 2022
|
Local Authority |
No. Long Term Leases |
|
Cork City |
3 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
DLR |
1 |
|
Dublin City |
68 |
|
Fingal |
13 |
|
Galway City |
3 |
|
Galway County |
11 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Louth |
10 |
|
Mayo |
14 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
|
South Dublin |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
64 |
|
Grand Total |
218 |
This data includes local authority direct leasing, enhanced leasing, and AHB private leasing.
239. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action that he and his Department have taken in the past two years to address the issue of quarries producing defective material or block manufacturers producing defective blocks; the engagements he or his Department have had with the National Building Control Office and local building control authorities; the level of inspections, enforcements and prosecutions he is aware of in each local authority area; and the number of block manufacturers and quarries that have been shut down in the past two years arising from such enforcement action and or prosecution. [38326/22]
View answerThe Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR) sets out rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Where a construction product covered by a harmonised standard (includes concrete blocks, aggregates for concrete, hardcore etc.), is being placed on the EU market, the CPR requires the manufacturer to draw up a ‘declaration of performance’ and affix a ‘CE’ marking to the product. In order to do so, manufacturers must test and declare the performance of their construction products using a common technical language prescribed in the harmonised standard.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), has produced additional guidance to some harmonised standards, under the CPR, in the form of Standard Recommendations (SRs) which set out appropriate minimum performance levels for specific intended uses of certain construction products in Ireland.
SRs outline the precautions to be taken in the quarry to reduce the risk of harmful impurities in aggregate production, manufacture of concrete blocks and require third party oversight of the manufacturing process by a Notified Body (a designated body that carries out third-party tasks). A full list of designated Notified Bodies for construction products may be found on the New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations (NANDO) Information System hosted by the European Commission.
Following the Government decision on the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme on 30 November 2011, NSAI was tasked with delivering the programme of work which includes a technical review by NSAI Masonry Committee of the Irish Standard for Concrete Blocks (including aggregates). This review by NSAI will adopt an evidence-based approach to enable technical advancement of the SRs. To this end, since 2021, I have commissioned further research to support NSAI in their task and gain a greater understanding of the effects of deleterious materials in aggregates and concrete blocks in order to avoid future adverse effects in buildings.
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.
Ultimately, the manufacturer is responsible for compliance with the CPR and in particular for the Declaration of Performance/CE marking of the construction product he or she is placing on the market, having full knowledge of the raw material (as is legally required by the CPR via the relevant harmonised European Standards) and having regard to the end product’s suitability for use in construction works in accordance with the relevant SRs published by NSAI.
My Department recently published ‘A Guide to the marketing and use of Aggregate Concrete Blocks to EN 771-3 in Ireland’ on its website. This Guide provides guidance to economic operators (manufacturers, importers and distributors) on the marketing of aggregate concrete blocks to EN 771-3 standard, the harmonised European standard under the Construction Products Regulation. It also outlines the responsibilities of specifiers, designers, builders, certifiers and end users for compliance with the Building Regulations 1997 to 2021. This Guide was disseminated to all building control authorities, NBCMSO and industry stakeholders and interested parties.
While the CPR came into force and has direct legal application across the entire European Union since 1 July 2013, each Member State is responsible for regulating for its own market surveillance activities in accordance with the specific requirements of the CPR and the broader overarching requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on market surveillance and compliance of products and amending Directive 2004/42/EC and Regulations (EC) No 765/2008 and (EU) No 305/2011 . Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 establishes an EU wide framework for market surveillance, and came into full effect in July 2021. This strengthens the existing provisions in the CPR (and other Union harmonisation legislation), relating to the compliance of products, the framework for cooperation with organisations representing economic operators or end users, the market surveillance of products and controls on products entering the EU market.
Under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 225 of 2013), each of the building control authorities (local authorities) have been designated as the principal market surveillance authorities for construction products that fall within the scope of the CPR, within their administrative areas.
In 2019, my Department issued ‘Guidelines for local authorities in the preparation of their Corporate Plans 2019-2024’. The corporate plan serves as the local authority’s strategic framework for action over the duration of the plan. These guidelines emphasise the importance of the Building Control function to ensure safe and sustainable buildings in urban and rural areas and highlights the key responsibilities for Building Control, including monitoring compliance with Building Regulations, Building Control Regulations, Construction Products Regulation and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
The National Building Control Management Project (NBCMP) is managed by the National Building Control Office & Market Surveillance Office (NBCMSO) within Dublin City Council to provide oversight, support and direction for the development, standardisation and implementation of Building Control as an effective shared service in the 31 Building Control Authorities, through the five pillars of Training, Inspections, Compliance Support, Information System - BCMS and Market Surveillance.
The National Building Control Management Project (NBCMP) is delivered through a three-tier management structure which includes:
- The National Building Control Advisory Board, which advises on the strategic direction and guidance of the NBCMP.
- The NBCMSO, which implements the NBCMP and manages the working groups under each of the five pillars.
- Three Regional Building Control Committees (Eastern & Midlands, Northern & Western, and Southern), which provide a network for building control officers to exchange views and share good practice, leading to a uniform high level of enforcement in the discharge of the building control function. The Committees also contribute to and participate in the working groups established under each of the five pillars.
Officials from my Department participate throughout this structure at Board level, working group level and committee level.
In 2020, in order to strengthen the market surveillance function, I appointed Dublin City Council as a competent authority, under the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Construction Products – Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020, for the carrying out of market surveillance functions under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 for all related construction products on a nationwide basis.
NBCMSO has been established for this purpose and may be contacted at: support@nbco.gov.ie. Building control authorities liaise with NBCMSO to support compliance with the CPR and to determine appropriate action on enforcement matters, as they arise.
In 2020, my Department provided a budget allocation of €500,000 to support the development of the Market Surveillance Office. €147,000 of the budget was expended as the project was at the early development set up phase. In 2021, my Department provided €564,000 to continue to support the development, and resourcing of the Market Surveillance Office which included a budget allocation of €100,000 to Geological Survey Ireland to support NBCMSO with specific geotechnical expertise in the extractive and manufacturing sectors to further support more effective enforcement nationwide of construction products legislation. Funding of €564,000 is being provided by local authorities to the NBCMSO in 2022. In addition, my Department is providing €100,000 to Geological Survey Ireland to continue the work funded in 2021.
Market surveillance activity should enable non-compliant products to be identified and kept or taken off the market with unscrupulous and/or criminal economic operators prosecuted and penalised for their actions. In this context, it is important to note that the overarching objective of a market surveillance authority is to ensure that compliant products are placed on the market. Where non-compliance is identified, market surveillance activities should be designed to encourage economic operators to take appropriate corrective actions to redress the position within a reasonable period of time.
Market surveillance authorities have significant powers including to obtain access to the place of manufacture or storage, request technical information, select samples of the construction product and carry out evaluations, examination or tests on such samples. Where construction products are placed on the market which do not comply with the requirements set out in the CPR, market surveillance authorities have powers to direct the relevant economic operator to take the necessary corrective actions to bring the product into compliance. Where this does not work, there are further procedures that may result in the product being withdrawn or recalled from the market, its use subject to special conditions, or the products availability on the market being prohibited or restricted.
Ireland’s National market surveillance programme 2021 is published on the website of the European Commission. Section 2.5 provides specific details with the market surveillance of construction products and outlines a market surveillance campaign led by NBCMSO, to perform risk assessments of selected quarrying and pit operations, follow-up inspections, sampling and testing as appropriate to ensure compliance with the CPR. The 2022 programme is currently being finalised and is expected to continue to focus on the extractive industries sector and expand upon the programme commenced in 2021.
In October of last year I requested a Market Surveillance Audit of all quarries in Donegal which was carried out by the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office in partnership with Donegal County Council and Geological Survey Ireland. I received a report of this audit at the end of June 2022 and I am currently examining its contents.
Finally, building control authorities and NBCMSO are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
240. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to videos of illegal hare coursing on social media (details supplied), if he will arrange for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to investigate and take action; and if monitoring of social media and video sharing websites forms are part of his Department's strategy to detect wildlife crime. [38327/22]
View answerThe activity shown in the video supplied appears to show illegal coursing of hares in the wider countryside and not in our National Parks. This practice, along with being unlawful under the Wildlife Acts, has also been linked to other criminal activity. Staff in my Department along with An Garda Síochána have carried out a number of joint operations in order to combat this practice and we have had six successful cases for illegal hare coursing in recent years. I would also like to confirm that NPWS enforcement staff monitor social media in order to build up intelligence as, often, the social media clips in themselves are not sufficient to sustain a prosecution through the courts.
In relation to enforcement generally, NPWS staff are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime and enforcement. These include Conservation Rangers and District Conservation Officers, supported by Regional Managers and Divisional Managers. There are in excess of 80 Conservation Rangers stationed right across the country at present, and I am committed to further increasing ranger numbers up to 120. This will greatly assist us in combatting this and other types of Wildlife Crime.
241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38412/22]
View answerIn line with broader Government policy my Department continues its work to become an employer of choice. Accordingly diversity is encouraged and facilitated in my Department to ensure its composition is reflective of Irish society as a whole.
The vast majority of recruitment for my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service. However, my Department is strongly committed to the Government’s National LGBTQ+ Inclusion Strategy and to supporting staff who are members of LGBTQIA+ communities.
My Department’s LGBTQIA+ and Allies Staff Network is a resource for all staff, regardless of sexual orientation, and aims to ensure a mutual understanding of LGBTQIA+ matters and concerns. It is supported by the Department's HR Strategy through its goal of ‘enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. ’ Initiatives such as the Network align with and reflect the core values of my Department and aim to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace.
My Department is strongly committed to promoting equality and the Management Board has reiterated this through regular attendance of many of the its members at meetings of the LGBTQIA+ and Allies Network. The continued support of the Management Board for the Department’s Network helps to enure a culture of dignity and respect for all staff in the Department.
My Department hosts regular events round LGBTQIA+ issues and in recent weeks facilitated staff members and their families to attend the Dublin Pride parade and flew the Pride flag at all Headquarters buildings and several of the larger National Parks across the country.
242. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the permissions that are needed for the removal of natural waste for example overgrown trees and shrubs from a waterway on a person's land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38427/22]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has no role in waste management. Landowners with waste management questions should, in the first instance, consult their Local Authority.
It may be appropriate in some circumstances to refer to the Wildlife Act 1976, since it regulates the cutting of vegetation growing on uncultivated land and in hedges and ditches during the bird nesting season. It also provides legal protection to wild birds from wilful disturbance at this time. Where the land in question is part of a designated site such as a Special Area of Conservation, other requirements may apply. Enquiries about these could be made to local NPWS offices. For completeness, before any works are undertaken that could impact rivers or lakes, Inland Fisheries Ireland should be consulted.
243. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the report of the Independent Working Group on defective apartments will be completed by the end of July 2022; if the report will be published immediately; if he will be recommending to the Minister for Finance that tax credits should be awarded to the owners of the affected apartments and duplex units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38441/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. These include a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report "Safe as Houses?" and to assist owners of latent defect properties, by identifying options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance. Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates these commitments.
In this regard, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. This working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021 (except for August). In addition, regular subgroup meetings have taken 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. The full terms of reference of the Working Group are to:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’.
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as:
- Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
- In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
5. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach,
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation,
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
6. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
7. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
8. Report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
The working group is currently concluding its deliberations in support of the delivery on its extensive terms of reference and working towards finalisation of its report. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents.
244. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total Government expenditure allocated for the first home shared equity scheme for 2022; the number of home purchases that the Government expects this total funding to facilitate in 2022; and the funding that has been approved for the scheme from the Government in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. [38447/22]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme.
The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. Of this amount, €200 million has been committed by the State through a multi-annual capital commitment by the Department, and €200 million by the participating mortgage lenders. The Department’s allocation for First Home Scheme under Budget 2022 is €44 million, with a target of 1,750 equity supports for purchases being made available during this calendar year.
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the shared equity scheme house price cap in County Kerry given the significant increase in house prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/22]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme uses regional price ceilings based on the median prices of new build first time buyer homes. This is to temper any inflationary pressures and to target support at the lower part of the price distribution in each area.
The setting of the initial First Home Scheme price ceilings has been informed primarily by an analysis of the most recent published CSO data, specifically the national Residential Property Price Index (RPPI), together with a review of current market data and sales prices for new homes by first-time buyers. The price ceilings for the First Home Scheme are available on the dedicated website www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company holds responsibility for maintaining and any review or updating of price ceilings nationally. First Home has confirmed a review of ceilings will be undertaken after 6 months of operation of the scheme and periodically thereafter. This is to ensure any ceilings allow the scheme to deliver on its underlying objectives.
246. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that will be delivered in counties Longford and Westmeath in 2022 [38703/22]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026. For 2022, Longford has a target to deliver 75 new build social homes and Westmeath has a target to deliver 220 new build social homes.
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) on a quarterly basis. The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2022. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6912a-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q1-2022/.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded at the link below: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q1 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
247. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38722/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) owns and/or leases the buildings that my Department currently occupies. My Department is a tenant of these buildings. We share a number of these buildings with other Government Departments and Public Bodies. Any change in the level of access to these buildings, as suggested in the question would be a matter for the OPW.
My Department is committed to accessibility and this is evidenced by the Universal Design and Access policy adopted within my Department in 2020. This policy will ensure the accessibility of our sites and services for all Departmental staff and visitors.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
State Body |
Contact e-Mail |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.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 |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
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248. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38740/22]
View answerThe Disability Consultative Committee (DCC) of my Department was established in 2017 to monitor and review the implementation of actions relating to my Department that are included in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021. Its members include representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), the National Disability Authority (NDA), Inclusion Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the City and County Management Agency (CCMA), local authorities, the Disability Stakeholder’s Group (DSG) under NDIS, the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the Department of Transport. The Committee's Terms of Reference specify that it is a forum for engagement of the stakeholders to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 and that it will review progress and discuss issues relating thereto.The members of the Disability Consultative Committee (DCC), including my Department, are also represented on the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG) under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
249. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount ringfenced for retrofitting of local authority homes in 2022; the number projected to be carried out in 2022; the projections for 2023; the amount of funding that will be required to achieve that target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/22]
View answerA new enhanced ten year energy efficiency programme was launched in 2021 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.
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. The installation of gas/oil boilers are no longer supported under the energy efficiency programme funded by my Department.
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. The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2/Cost Optimum standard.
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 Programme will be available early in 2023.
Discussions are ongoing in relation to the target number of units to be retrofit per local authority and appropriate budget to implement the 2023 Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
250. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding is available from his Department to erect a monument at a location in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38781/22]
View answerFunding for the provision or maintenance of memorials, erection of monuments, plaques, busts or statues is not provided for under my Department's heritage allocation.
Local communities seeking support for the erection of monuments and other memorials are advised to contact their relevant local authority to see if such funding is available.
251. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated full-year cost in relation to current and capital expenditure of opening up a new Passport Office in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38425/22]
View answerOver 90% of all passport applications, including first time applications, are now being made through Passport Online which is available to 97% of all applicants across the world. 87% of applications from Northern Ireland are submitted online.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Having a centralised passport system allows us to maintain the integrity of this vitally important document. It ensures that applications are processed by highly skilled staff who are expertly trained. The Irish passport ranks fifth in the world in terms of its security. It is critical that this high standard is maintained.
Passport Service figures show a very small number of applicants, less than 1%, use the in-person Urgent Appointment Service available at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork for those renewing their passport. This is mainly due to the efficiencies of the online system through which over 40% of adults using the service to renew their passport received it within 2 days.
In terms of any proposed additional passport office, there are considerable financial implications to consider.
The number of new passport applications is now, in fact, decreasing. For this and other reasons such as those cited above, the Department is not currently actively considering the opening of another passport office anywhere in Ireland. I have asked for this matter to be kept under review.
252. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38146/22]
View answer253. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38147/22]
View answer261. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38328/22]
View answer263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38330/22]
View answer266. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport for a child (details supplied). [38375/22]
View answer269. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38554/22]
View answer289. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport of a person (details supplied) will be issued given that they are due to fly soon. [38748/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 253, 261, 263, 266, 269 and 289 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.
