Written Answers Nos. 791-810
791. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the housing need and demand assessment targets set for local authority development plans and the Government's Housing Plan given the new data on population contained in Census 2022; and if so, the timeline for this review and its impacts on development plans the Housing Plan targets [41626/22]
View answerFurther to work commissioned by the Housing and Planning Divisions of my Department, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published a report into structural housing demand in Ireland to 2040, in December 2020. The ESRI research report “Regional Demographics and Structural Housing Demand at County Level” projected an annual new household demand figure for each county from 2016 to 2040, for a number of different development scenarios, including the National Planning Framework (NPF) scenario which supports balanced regional development and the consolidation our cities, towns and other urban areas.
Subsequently, a Ministerial Circular, and Ministerial Guidelines - ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ under Section 28 of the Planning & Development Act, 2000 (as amended), were issued to all local authorities. The Guidelines introduced a standardised national approach, based on the ESRI data, to be applied by each planning authority in projecting Housing Supply Targets for each specific six-year period, when reviewing city or county development plans, that are consistent with adopted national and regional growth targets in the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
The Housing Supply Target is quantified as an overall number of housing units to be planned for in the development plan process of each local authority. The guidelines issued provide a clear and consistent path for local authorities to progress county and city development plans, particularly in relation to future housing development.
The preliminary Census 2022 results indicate that the population of Ireland and consequent overall level of housing demand is broadly in line with that projected by the ESRI for the same period. There is some variation with regard to regional distribution, which means that the outcome is closer to the 'business as usual' as opposed to the NPF projection scenario, but this is unsurprising after only 4 years of a long-term strategy.
Notwithstanding population growth and distribution, the Housing Supply Target (HST) methodology remains valid for development plan purposes. The HST methodology as issued, allows for a transition from the projected 'business as usual' scenario to the NPF scenario in the years to 2027. These targets also take into account annual housing demand that hasn't been met between 2016 and the start of each development plan period, which is carried forward and together with new demand arising, averaged over the six year plan period in each case. There are therefore housing targets that need to be worked towards and achieved in each local authority area, in the years ahead.
In addition to the HST guidance, recently issued Section 28 ministerial guidelines for Development Plan preparation, provide clear advice that planning authorities may provide zoned land in excess of that required to meet identified six-year targeted housing need and that land that is zoned and serviced should not be dezoned, to ensure that there is an adequate supply of zoned housing land to meet housing demand.
As is normal further to the publication of new data, such as the preliminary population information from Census 2022, this is subject to analysis in light of the wider planning policy and housing development framework. The outcome of this review process will inform updated baseline assumptions for population and housing projections that when agreed and worked through, will be used as the basis for updated national and local policy. This work will be undertaken during 2022/23 and will be calibrated against the final Census results when available next year.
792. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of council mortgage applications, approvals and drawdowns to date in 2022, broken down by local authority and with an average amount for the applications, approvals and drawdowns; and if he will provide the same information for 2021, in tabular form. [41627/22]
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 are being accepted, although applications already in process are being 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 Local Authority 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 |
LAHL Applications Assessed |
LAHL Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
17 |
6 |
|
Cavan County Council |
5 |
4 |
|
Clare County Council |
20 |
8 |
|
Cork City Council |
33 |
12 |
|
Cork County Council |
144 |
46 |
|
Donegal County Council |
8 |
5 |
|
Dublin City Council |
117 |
71 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
28 |
12 |
|
Fingal County Council |
84 |
53 |
|
Galway City Council |
29 |
20 |
|
Galway County Council |
55 |
25 |
|
Kerry County Council |
32 |
9 |
|
Kildare County Council |
58 |
25 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
27 |
19 |
|
Laois County Council |
33 |
11 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
10 |
4 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
36 |
17 |
|
Longford County Council |
22 |
14 |
|
Louth County Council |
85 |
24 |
|
Mayo County Council |
16 |
9 |
|
Meath County Council |
75 |
53 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
24 |
9 |
|
Offaly County Council |
3 |
2 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
20 |
3 |
|
Sligo County Council |
22 |
8 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
88 |
41 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
23 |
9 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
69 |
6 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
18 |
12 |
|
Wexford County Council |
45 |
21 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
64 |
28 |
|
Total |
1310 |
586 |
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 |
|
Total |
228 |
101 |
The figures provided by the Housing Agency on the number of Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications that it assessed and recommended for approval from local authorities for 2021 are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
RIHL Applications Assessed |
RIHL Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
57 |
29 |
|
Cavan County Council |
12 |
11 |
|
Clare County Council |
41 |
19 |
|
Cork City Council |
118 |
58 |
|
Cork County Council |
240 |
106 |
|
Donegal County Council |
40 |
20 |
|
Dublin City Council |
264 |
169 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
45 |
25 |
|
Fingal County Council |
254 |
157 |
|
Galway City Council |
54 |
40 |
|
Galway County Council |
44 |
21 |
|
Kerry County Council |
104 |
36 |
|
Kildare County Council |
155 |
78 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
57 |
33 |
|
Laois County Council |
55 |
28 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
32 |
11 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
50 |
18 |
|
Longford County Council |
47 |
22 |
|
Louth County Council |
70 |
37 |
|
Mayo County Council |
30 |
15 |
|
Meath County Council |
103 |
77 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
23 |
9 |
|
Offaly County Council |
30 |
14 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
32 |
12 |
|
Sligo County Council |
37 |
20 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
126 |
60 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
80 |
39 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
94 |
38 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
40 |
25 |
|
Wexford County Council |
119 |
57 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
128 |
45 |
|
Total |
2581 |
1329 |
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 drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals for both the LAHL and RIHL up to Q1 2022 is available at the following link, which will be updated as soon as figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
793. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing output across all delivery streams in 2022 up to Q2 [41628/22]
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.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Quarter 1 2022, and 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/
Data for Quarter 2 2022 is being collated and will be available in due course.
794. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new staff approved for each local authority housing department since the announcement of up to 200 new posts at the end of 2021. [41629/22]
View answerAs part of the measures to support institutional capacity, Housing for All commits to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects and recognises that this requires the resourcing of the housing services of local authorities. Last year, my Department worked closely with local authorities, through the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office, to identify capacity constraints and additional staffing resources required to deliver the social housing delivery targets set out in Housing for All. Following this analysis, I approved over 200 new posts for local authorities.
The table below details the number of additional housing department posts, approved by my Department on foot of the announced new positions, broken down by local authority area.
|
Local authority |
Number of staff approved |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
6 |
|
Clare |
7 |
|
Cork City |
11 |
|
Cork County |
9 |
|
DLR |
9 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
|
Dublin City |
8 |
|
Fingal |
11 |
|
Galway City |
6 |
|
Galway County |
13 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
|
Kildare |
13 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
|
Laois |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
|
Longford |
7 |
|
Louth |
6 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
|
Meath |
13 |
|
Monaghan |
8 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
6 |
|
Sligo |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
|
Total |
235 |
795. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the legislation on the directly elected mayor for Limerick city; and the timeline for its introduction [41630/22]
View answerThe Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill providing for a directly elected mayor for Limerick at its meeting of 20 April 2021. Government also approved the publication of the General Scheme and its referral both to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny and to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme in November 2021.
My Department is engaging with the Parliamentary Drafter in relation to the drafting of this complex Bill and its publication has been identified as a priority as soon as practicable. Drafting is well-advanced.
The time frame for its passage through the legislative process will be a matter for the Oireachtas, having regard to the overall Government legislative programme. The timing of an election for mayor of Limerick will then be a matter for Government once the legislation is enacted.
798. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out all legislation currently pending within his Department; the current status of the legislation and the timelines for the introduction of each piece of legislation in tabular form [41633/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Title of Legislation |
Current Status |
Expected Completion Date |
|
European Union (Construction Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 |
Drafting nearing completion. |
Q3 2022 |
|
European Union (District Heating) Regulations 2022 |
Public consultation completed. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2022 |
Drafting underway. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Tailte Éireann Bill 2022 |
Publication imminent. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Amendments to the Lough Corrib Navigation Act 1945 |
Proposed to include these necessary amendments in the Limerick Mayor Bill. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. X) Regulations 2022 (re EIA transboundary public consultation procedure) |
Draft regulations prepared. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Maritime Area Consent (Application Fee) Regulations 2022 |
Regulations drafted. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (relating to planning exemptions for solar panels) |
Draft regulations prepared and undergoing a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). |
Q3 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 |
Draft regulations prepared and undergoing a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). |
Q3 2022 |
|
European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 |
Regulations signed 28 July 2022 S.I. No. 393 of 2022 |
Q3 2022 |
|
Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022 |
Public consultation completed. |
Q4 2022 |
|
European Union (In-Building Physical Infrastructure for High-Speed Electronic Communications) Regulations 2022 |
Drafting to commence in Q3 2022. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. Y) Regulations 2022 (re replacement of broadleaf high forest) |
Draft regulations prepared and undergoing a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). |
Q4 2022 |
|
Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill |
General Scheme published December 2021. |
Q4 2022 |
|
European Union (Planning and Development Act, 2000) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2022 (relating to EIA of wind energy developments and associated grid connections) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.4) Regulations 2022 (relating to certain gas infrastructure) |
Draft regulations have been prepared and are undergoing Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (relating to flexibility in planning applications) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Fees) Regulations 2022 (relating to flexibility in planning applications) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2022 (relating to prescribed bodies) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (relating to short term letting) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.5) Regulations 2022 (relating to bus stops) |
Draft regulations are currently being prepared. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.6) Regulations 2022 (relating to EV charging points) |
Stakeholder consultation ongoing. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.7) Regulations 2022 (relating to reverse vending machines) |
Stakeholder consultation ongoing. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.8) Regulations 2022 (relating to collection points for green garden waste) |
Stakeholder consultation ongoing. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Planning and Development Bill |
Initial drafting underway. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 |
Bill to be published in the coming weeks. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022 |
Publication of Bill approved by Government 27/7/2022. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 Regulations (Part 2) |
Regulations on forward planning parts of Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 are currently being drafted. |
Q1 2023 |
|
Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 Regulations (Part 8) |
Planning Act related regulations currently being drafted. |
Q1 2023 |
|
European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2022 |
Drafting underway. |
Q1 2023 |
|
European Union (Recast Drinking Water) Regulations 2022 |
Drafting underway. |
Q1 2023 |
|
Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2022 |
Public consultation to commence - Q4 2022. |
Q2 2023 |
|
Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill |
Pre-legislative scrutiny completed Q2 2022 – final drafting underway. |
Q3 2023 |
|
General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County Council) Bill 2021 |
Drafting of Bill at advanced stage. |
2023 |
|
General Scheme of Local Government (Maternity Protection and other measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022 |
General Scheme approved by Government on 27/07/22. |
2023 |
|
The Marine Protected Areas draft Bill |
Work underway on the General Scheme of the Bill. |
To be confirmed |
|
The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 |
Lapsed – pending Government approval to reinstate (Bill had passed through all stages in the Dáil and Seanad, but lapsed at cream-list stage) |
To be confirmed |
|
Housing (Domestic Lead Remediation Grant) Regulations 20XX |
Drafting underway. |
To be confirmed |
|
European Union (Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2022 |
Draft Regulations have been prepared and are being reviewed to ensure alignment with S.I. No. 293 of 2021. |
To be confirmed |
|
European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2022 |
Draft Regulations have been prepared and are being reviewed to ensure alignment with S.I. No. 293 of 2021. |
To be confirmed |
799. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out all the reviews currently underway or concluded but not yet enacted or published within his Department; and the timeline for the completion and publication of each review in tabular form [41634/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Title of Review |
Expected Publication Date |
|
Built Heritage Investment Review 2022 - A review of the delivery, funding and strategic development of the built heritage grant schemes |
Q3 2022 |
|
National Peatlands Strategy Mid-term Review |
Q3 2022 |
|
2022 Review of the CALF Funding Model |
Q3 2022 |
|
Review of the Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund |
Q3 2022 |
|
Review of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with Disabilities Schemes |
Q4 2022 |
|
Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme |
Q4 2022 |
|
Residential Construction Cost Study |
Q4 2022 |
|
Review of the Implementation of the 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan |
Q4 2022 |
|
Review of Rural Housing Planning Guidelines |
Q4 2022 |
|
Review of Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidelines |
Q2 2023 |
|
Review of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) |
Q4 2023 |
|
Review of Bird Species on the Open Seasons Order |
To be confirmed |
|
Review of Income Eligibility for Social Housing Support |
To be confirmed |
|
Review of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 |
To be confirmed |
|
Independent Review of the Retirement Age for Full-Time Firefighters |
To be confirmed |
|
Analysis of the Implications of Amending the Discretion of Local Authorities to Pay 20% Above the Rent Limits in All or Certain Local Authorities (HAP) |
To be confirmed |
|
Review of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) in preparation for Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), covering the period 2022–27 |
To be confirmed |
800. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all detailed opinions issued by the European Commission to his Department in 2021 and to date in 2022 with respect to legislation or policy initiated by his Department; and if the opinion highlighted conflicts or compliance with relevant European Union law in tabular form. [41635/22]
View answerFurther to the clarification provided, the information requested in relation to Reasoned Opinions issued by the EU Commission, in 2021 and 2022 to date, is set out in the table attached.
801. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out all of the live infringement actions that are being taken against his Department by the European Commission; the status of these infringement actions; and the cost to date for each action from the time that the action was taken in tabular form [41636/22]
View answerThe information requested in relation to live infringements cases is set out in the table attached.
802. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dividends paid by State-owned enterprises under the remit of his Department in each of the past five years; the projected dividends to be received in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41654/22]
View answerThe only State Body under the aegis of my Department to pay a dividend in the last five years is Ervia. The amount of dividends paid to the Exchequer in each of the last five years is set out in the table below. The projected dividends to be paid by Ervia in 2022 is also detailed. These dividends are inclusive of the special dividends arising from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy.
|
2017 |
2108 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
€148.4m |
€139.1m |
€139.4m |
€71.0m |
€38.4m |
€31.6m (forecast) |
803. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP tenancies in each local authority; the projected annual cost of each in 2021 and to date in 2022; the estimated cost for HAP in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41675/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. 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.
Budget 2022 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €585 million. This will allow for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enable a projected additional 14,000 households to be supported by HAP in 2022. The outturn for HAP in 2021 was €541.7m. At the end of Q1 2022, €135.6m was spent to date in 2022 on HAP.
Data in relation to funding provided by the State for HAP tenancies in 2019?2021, broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department’s website at this link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment
This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.
HAP is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord.
Details of the number of active HAP tenancies and the average monthly landlord payment by local authority area at the end of Q1 2022 are set out in the table below.
|
Local authority |
Active HAP tenancies at end of Q1 2022 |
Average HAP monthly landlord payment Q1 2022 |
|
Carlow County Council |
653 |
€578.57 |
|
Cavan County Council |
450 |
€492.52 |
|
Clare County Council |
1,322 |
€508.63 |
|
Cork City Council |
3,119 |
€820.20 |
|
Cork County Council |
3,603 |
€763.28 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,791 |
€409.89 |
|
Dublin City Council |
5,460 |
€1,335.38 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
927 |
€1,373.68 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,604 |
€1,379.43 |
|
Galway City Council |
1,919 |
€836.95 |
|
Galway County Council |
1,464 |
€781.37 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1,729 |
€533.50 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2,235 |
€949.40 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
768 |
€616.75 |
|
Laois County Council |
928 |
€627.20 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
274 |
€423.00 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
2,391 |
€624.83 |
|
Longford County Council |
369 |
€445.81 |
|
Louth County Council |
3,227 |
€921.36 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,306 |
€527.74 |
|
Meath County Council |
2,139 |
€984.23 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
561 |
€527.97 |
|
Offaly County Council |
777 |
€543.95 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
432 |
€504.05 |
|
Sligo County Council |
824 |
€525.56 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,930 |
€1,359.19 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,784 |
€509.10 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
1,969 |
€542.83 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
968 |
€586.26 |
|
Wexford County Council |
1,495 |
€560.09 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1,694 |
€1,042.27 |
|
Dublin Region Homeless Executive* |
9,320 |
N/A |
|
Total |
61,432 |
€927.35 ** |
* Average monthly landlord payments for tenancies set up by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities are recorded against the individual local authority.
** Overall average landlord payment
Projections for 2023 will be agreed as part of the normal Estimates process
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.
804. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that will be built by local authorities in 2022 and planned for 2023; if he will provide a breakdown by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41676/22]
View answer805. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that will be bought in the market by local authorities in 2022 and planned for 2023; if he will provide a breakdown by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41677/22]
View answer807. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that will be provided by Approved Housing Bodies in 2022 and planned for 2023; if he will provide a breakdown by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41679/22]
View answer808. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the overall number of social housing units that he expects to be provided in 2022 and 2023 respectively; if he will provide a breakdown by delivery mechanism; the capital and current funding allocated for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41680/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804, 805, 807 and 808 together.
Housing 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. The below table contains the targets for build, acquisition and lease for 2022 and 2023.
|
Build |
Acquisition |
Lease |
|
|
2022 |
9,000 |
200 |
1,300 |
|
2023 |
9,100 |
200 |
1,200 |
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. These Plans are available on the websites of the relevant local authorities.
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 Quarter 1 2022 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6912a-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q1-2022/
Details of the funding provided in Budget 2022 for all housing programmes, including the delivery of new social homes, is set out in the 2022 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2022
Further specific details in respect of the 2022 capital and current funding provisions for housing programmes are available in the Budget 2022 Expenditure Report which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0020e-budget-2021/
The 2023 budgetary allocations for individual Housing programmes will be determined as part of the Estimates process, which is ongoing.
809. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP tenancies that were inspected within eight months of the tenancy commencing broken down by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41681/22]
View answerThe Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under section 41 of the 2014 Act, local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling, if the dwelling was not already inspected within the previous 12 months. The majority of all private rental inspections conducted in 2021 (59%) were in respect of HAP supported tenancies.
Data in respect of the number of inspections conducted of dwellings with HAP supported tenancies within eight months of that tenancy commencing is not available. The number of HAP private rental inspections, including virtual, undertaken by each local authority in 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
Local Authority |
Total HAP Inspection 2021 |
Total Overall Inspections2021 |
|
Carlow County Council |
260 |
317 |
|
Cavan County Council |
44 |
83 |
|
Clare County Council |
102 |
173 |
|
Cork City Council |
684 |
837 |
|
Cork County Council |
518 |
557 |
|
Donegal County Council |
701 |
1621 |
|
Dublin City Council |
2468 |
3663 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
784 |
1175 |
|
Fingal County Council |
1457 |
2798 |
|
Galway City Council |
119 |
145 |
|
Galway County Council |
532 |
626 |
|
Kerry County Council |
283 |
699 |
|
Kildare County Council |
247 |
341 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
128 |
437 |
|
Laois County Council |
236 |
247 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
92 |
142 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
275 |
416 |
|
Longford County Council |
202 |
331 |
|
Louth County Council |
296 |
305 |
|
Mayo County Council |
466 |
682 |
|
Meath County Council |
664 |
664 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
70 |
89 |
|
Offaly County Council |
0 |
45 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
132 |
266 |
|
Sligo County Council |
111 |
611 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
103 |
1438 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
550 |
714 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
24 |
40 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
85 |
241 |
|
Wexford County Council |
12 |
15 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
309 |
522 |
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/
A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice. The HAP legislation provides a very structured, time bound system where serious lack of compliance exists and can result in termination of HAP payment. Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who breach the minimum standards regulations. An Improvement Notice sets out the works that the landlord must carry out to remedy a breach of the regulations. Failure to comply with a Notice can result in penalties and prosecution.
In the case of a Prohibition Notice being enforced, a local authority may provide, or continue to provide, HAP in respect of that property for a period of 13 weeks, to enable the household to find an alternative dwelling.
810. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental units to be delivered in 2022 and in 2023 respectively; the funding allocated for this; the additional cost of doubling the projected level of provision in 2023, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41682/22]
View answerThe Government has acknowledged that many families are currently facing housing affordability issues in Ireland. To address this problem and as part of its Housing for All strategy, the Government has committed to the delivery of 10,000 Cost Rental homes by 2026 and a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes by 2030, or an average of 2,000 homes per year, which will make a real difference for families experiencing affordability issues in Ireland.
Cost Rental is defined as housing in which tenants only pay rents to cover the costs of financing, managing, maintaining and delivering the property, rather than rents being subject to market driven movement.
Under Housing for All, it is planned to deliver State-supported Cost Rental primarily in three strands via Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities, and the Land Development Agency (LDA). The Government has put in place a Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme to assist AHBs with Cost Rental delivery and Local Authorities (LAs) can avail of support from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to deliver Cost Rental units.
The main delivery of Cost Rental to date has been through AHBs using the CREL. The first 65 CREL-funded Cost Rental homes were tenanted in Ireland by the Clúid AHB in 2021, with 25 at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan and a further 40 at Barnhall Meadows, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Both developments delivered cost-covering rents at least 40% below comparable open market prices.
The Government has committed €70 million in CREL funding for this year and a further €75 million in CREL funding for 2023. CREL funds 30% of the cost of acquiring Cost Rental homes, with the remaining 70% also committed by the State through loans from the Housing Finance Agency. Under the CREL scheme to date, approval has been confirmed for approximately 900 Cost Rental homes to be delivered by AHBs.
Local Authorities will play an important role in delivering Cost Rental within their areas. The central Exchequer funding through the AHF will help facilitate a Local Authority-led financing structure for Cost Rental. €60 million has been allocated to the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) in 2022. The AHF is open to applications from local authorities for applications for affordable purchase or cost rental developments.
Furthermore, the LDA has committed to the delivery of large numbers of Cost Rental homes, both directly and in conjunction with Local Authorities. Under the LDA Act, equity funding of up to €1.25 billion will be made available to the LDA for the purposes of its housing activities through transfers from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (“ISIF”). The LDA will also have the ability to borrow up to €1.25 billion to fund these activities. Housing for All recognises that additional resourcing of approximately €3 billion, likely to be in the form of borrowing, will be required to meet the increased level of activities envisaged under the plan.
Details of the work that the LDA is progressing on public lands that will deliver Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental can be found here:
lda.ie/projects-schemes/
In addition to the public lands that the LDA is working on, Project Tosaigh is a market engagement initiative to unlock land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners due to financing and other constraints, and use it to accelerate the supply of affordable housing. The target under Project Tosaigh is the delivery of 5,000 new homes by 2026 for Cost Rental or sale to eligible households under affordable purchase arrangements.
The first strand of Project Tosaigh involved an expressions of interest (EOI) process, launched in November 2021, to engage builders and landowners in forward purchase agreements, with the intention of securing stock in certain developments in the shorter term. Details of all homes that will be made available under Project Tosaigh will be confirmed when commercial agreements are finalised. Full details of the initiative can be found here:
lda.ie/home-building-partnership/
As the Cost Rental model continues to be rolled out, it will provide long-term rental accommodation, with secure tenures, for thousands of renters. Cost Rental will also add certainty to the rental market and provide more options for people. It is also expected that the development of the Cost Rental sector will have an impact on the wider rental market, reducing rents over the longer term, as people within the target cohort will have more options available to them.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the cost of doubling the provision of Cost Rental homes in 2023, as outlined above there are a range of different funding models as detailed above. The cost of each individual scheme funded in such a way is centrally dependent upon and impacted by a range of site and project specific characteristics. These factors include variables such as unit type, land cost, development and construction costs, costs of finance, ongoing maintenance and management fees, etc. As such, it is not possible to provide an accurate and universally applicable cost of delivery of a quantum of cost rental housing units.
