Written Answers Nos. 261-284
261. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the figure of €7.5 million is given under new measures as funding to national cultural institutions on page 166 of the budget 2023 expenditure report, while the press release (details supplied) on the website of 28 September 2022 lists only an additional €2.5 million for the national cultural institutions in budget 2023. [48583/22]
View answerUnder Budget 2022, once-off funding of €5 million was allocated to support the National Cultural Institutions for the implementation of a range of COVID-related initiatives including online programming and expanded digital access for the public to the National Collections. The allocation also supported the NCIs with other COVID-related costs such as additional staffing and security, enhanced ventilation, cleaning and sanitising stations.
Budget 2023 retains this once-off €5 million allocation, with a further €2.5 million secured to support the NCIs in their delivery of high quality programming, in promoting learning and engagement opportunities and in safeguarding the National Collections.
Given the designation of the funding as once-off funding, the total amount of €7.5 million is set out in the Expenditure Report prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department's press release notes the increase in funding from 2022 to 2023 which is €2.5 million.
262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will postpone the rate review for businesses given the significant increase in the cost of living (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48464/22]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole responsibility. I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Valuation Office is currently engaged in a national revaluation programme, which is to ensure that the first revaluation of commercial and industrial properties in all rating authority areas in over 160 years is conducted across the country, as soon as possible, and on a phased basis. This is a welcome and positive development which is long overdue.
The latest phase of the programme is comprised of the revaluation of rateable properties in the rating authority areas of Clare, Donegal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (second revaluation), Galway, Kerry and Mayo County Councils and Galway City Council. This phase has already been postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system and to distribute the commercial rates liability across ratepayers based on modern valuations and economic circumstances. In local authorities that have not yet been revalued, their valuations and, by extension, their rates liabilities are based on economic circumstances and property values that pertained in 1988.
Revaluation ensures equity and fairness in the rateable valuation system. Following revaluation there is a much closer and uniform relationship between contemporary rental values and the commercial rates liability of properties. In essence, the exercise aims to ensure that each ratepayer bears a fair share of the business rates burden relative to the modern rental value of the property that they occupy.
While an individual occupier’s rates liability may increase or decrease, the revaluation will not increase the overall commercial rates income of the Local Authority as the rates income of each Local Authority is capped in the year following a revaluation.
In those local authority areas revalued to date, most ratepayers post revaluation have seen their rates liability reduce. The last completed phase of revaluation comprised the revaluation of more than 30,000 rateable properties in the local authority areas of Cavan, Fingal, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow County Councils. The revaluation resulted in reduced rates for some 67% of ratepayers.
263. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the measures he is taking to provide affordable housing in counties Offaly and Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47866/22]
View answerFollowing the publication of Housing for All last year, I asked local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. In preparing these plans, local authorities were asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and plan their provision accordingly. Both Offaly and Laois County Councils submitted initial draft Plans to my Department in December last and published their final Plans in July.
18 local authorities, including Laois, with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities. Local Authorities will advertise affordable purchase schemes in accordance with legislation as they become available and individuals will be able to make applications to the local authority in the manner prescribed.
The level of affordably constrained need in Offaly is assessed at below 5%, although some localised affordability issues may arise in certain towns within both counties.
It is possible for local authorities, including Offaly County Council, to undertake HNDA analysis at sub county level to determine whether a need for affordable housing schemes is evident in specific towns/areas. The Affordable Housing Fund subsidy is available to support affordable housing purchase in schemes located in large or key towns per National Planning Framework objectives and to ensure that provision is aligned with where need is concentrated.
My Department and the Housing Agency are available to assist all local authorities in the consideration of schemes and the preparation of applications. My Department has yet to receive an AHF funding application to support affordable housing delivery from Laois or Offaly.
Furthermore, I recently announced the ‘Ready to Build’ Scheme. The scheme will be funded from the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites available in towns and villages to potential purchasers for the building by the purchaser of a principal private residence. The sites will be sold at a discounted rate of up to €30,000 from the market value. The discount will be determined by the cost of servicing the site. This will facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025 and can be availed of by both Laois County Council and Offaly County Council to help meet affordable housing need.
Finally, the First Home Scheme, launched in July this year, 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. The scheme is available nationwide.
264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47917/22]
View answerNo domestic flights for work purposes were taken by me, my Junior Ministers and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022.
265. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the vacant property refurbishment grant will be extended to the local authorities in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47954/22]
View answer307. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the schemes targeted at providing support for derelict and vacant homes will be extended, given the announcement schemes would be made more widely available in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48505/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 307 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All. Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes. On the 14 July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant will benefit those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000. On 21 September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing review of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme to date has been overwhelmingly positive, with 169 applications submitted by the start of September. Given that a key objective of Pathway 4 of Housing for All is to ensure that the houses we already have are being fully used, I have decided to extend the eligibility for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to vacant properties in both our cities and rural areas.
Both schemes under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will continue to be only for those who intend to occupy the property as their principal private residence. Officials in my Department will work with the Vacant Homes Officers (VHO) in each local authority in the coming weeks to update the details of the Grant, with a view to the expanded scheme being available in November.
Vacant Homes Officers in each local authority will be available to provide advice and information on the schemes and the application process.
266. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the formula that will be used to calculate the self-fund element for local property tax; if the final adjustment to the allocations made to local authorities will be impacted by the decision to reduce the local property tax by up to 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47990/22]
View answerAs committed to in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, the move to 100% retention of Local Property Tax (LPT) will take place in 2023. A move to this model will lead to an increased surplus for those authorities with LPT income above their funding baseline.
These authorities shall now retain a greater proportion of that surplus for their own use in 2023; an increase from 20% of the overall yield this year to 22.5% next year. The remainder of the increased surplus will be used to self-fund housing, roads or other services in the local area. The self-funding requirement will be based on the total expected level of LPT in each local authority area before any application of a local variation decision and will not be adjusted if the basic rate of LPT is varied.
Every local authority has the power to vary the basic rate of LPT by up to 15% and the decision to vary the rate is a matter for the local authority itself. If a Local Authority decides to vary the LPT basic rate downwards (by up to 15%), the resultant loss in LPT income is reflected in a proportionate reduction in discretionary income for the Council. Likewise, if a local authority decides to vary the rate upwards, there will be a proportionate increase in such income.
267. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process that will be used to consider the amendments needed to the local property tax baselines; if it will include consultation; the timeframe being worked to; if it is intended in the interim to recognise new needs that have arisen as a consequence of population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48002/22]
View answerEach local authority’s situation is complex and it is important that sufficient time is taken to analyse and assess potential options in that respect. A comprehensive review of the baselines could not commence in time for the 2023 Local Property Tax (LPT) allocation process without reliable and up-to-date data; such as preliminary census data and updated LPT yield data, following re-valuation.
However, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, some changes have already been made to the LPT Allocation model that will take effect from 2023, namely:
(1) 100% of the estimated yield will now be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected;
(2) Equalisation funding will now be fully met by the Exchequer, to ensure that all authorities receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their Baseline. This will be at a cost of €118m to the exchequer in 2023;
(3) Those authorities with a surplus, i.e. with LPT income above their baseline, shall now retain a greater proportion of that surplus for their own use; to a maximum of 22.5% of the pre-variation yield as opposed to 20% in 2022. The remainder of the surplus will be used to self-fund housing and/or roads services expenditure in the local area.
My Department intends to commence a comprehensive review of the LPT allocation model shortly, with a particular focus on the baseline funding of individual authorities. This review is expected to be concluded in time for the 2024 LPT allocations. It is intended to establish a working group comprising key stakeholders and, in course of this review, submissions will also be invited for consideration from other interested parties. Previous reviews and studies of local authority baseline funding will also be assessed and considered. It is intended that the updated census data, including population growth, will be taken into account in the context of this review.
It should be noted that LPT yield has remained largely unchanged following the 2021 revaluation by Revenue. Any additional funding requests for the Local Government sector must be agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, and will be considered within the parameters of the national fiscal and budgetary situation, and the competing priorities presenting themselves currently at a national level.
Finally, the Department is aware of the current financial environment in which local authorities are now operating and, in recognition of the ongoing pressures, additional support of €60m has been recently secured to assist the sector. The purpose of this additional funding will be to assist local authorities in meeting the increasing costs involved in providing a wide range of services. This funding is additional to the contribution of €333m towards LPT equalisation, payroll and other miscellaneous schemes in 2023.
268. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 14 September 2022, if he will clarify the definition of the supplement form; if it is a completely different document from the RFA1 form; if the supplement form has a specific name; and if the form can be filled in and submitted by a resident of Ireland at any time of the year, unlike the RFA1 form. [48017/22]
View answerThe maintenance and management of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local authority. Under the current legislation there are a number of ways in which a person can interact with the register at different points in the cycle.
The form RFA1 is used to submit a claim to have a correction made in the draft register published on 1 November each year, and can be submitted between the 1 and 25 November in order for changes to be reflected in the final register that will come into force on the following 15 February.
The supplement form is numbered RFA2 and can be submitted at any time of year, though in respect of a particular election or referendum, must be received before the 14th day before polling day (disregarding any excluded day). This type of application will relate to the supplement to the register then in force, rather than any draft in preparation.
While the process has served the country well for many years, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for a more responsive electoral registration process as part of a range of significant electoral reforms outlined in the Programme for Government. Among the changes to the process are the introduction of rolling (continuously updated) registration; the simplification of forms and the use of PPSNs in the registration process. These changes mean that electors and potential electors will be able to apply to the registration authority to be included or to update their registration details at any time. Many of these applications will be possible using a single online application, though a paper form will remain available for those who wish to use it.
In order to prepare for the commencement of the legislation, work to update the systems used by registration authorities is underway, and is expected to be completed shortly.
269. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (detail supplied) regarding water leaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48025/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Dáil Question No. 169 of 29 September 2022 which sets out the position on this matter.
270. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements he has had with the Office of Public Works, Kilmainham Gaol and the National Graves Association on plans to move the remains of the Invincibles from the grounds of Kilmainham Gaol (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48031/22]
View answerMy function as Minister, under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-2014 is to ensure the long-term conservation of national monuments. Kilmainham Gaol is a national monument in my ownership and I am responsible for policy to ensure its long-term conservation and for the issue of Ministerial Consent under the Acts with respect to works at or in its vicinity.
The question of exhuming the remains of the Invincibles and removing them from Kilmainham Gaol to the Republican Plot at Glasnevin was suggested a number of years ago by the late historian, Dr. Shane Kenna. It has also been the subject of a number of calls within various County Councils, including with the Motion raised in Dublin City Council. In parallel, the contrary view has also been expressed by other parties that the resting place should not be disturbed.
I do not have a direct role in relation to any decision in principle on whether the remains should be disinterred for reburial elsewhere. However, Ministerial Consent under Section 14 of the National Monuments Act would be required and there are a number of challenges that would be involved that would need to be considered before any viable proposal could proceed, including the appropriateness of such. Notwithstanding any grant of consent under Section 14, it should be anticipated that an exhumation licence under section 46 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 would also be required.
The fact that the bodies were buried in quicklime and that there may be other remains of executed prisoners potentially in the same area is a significant complicating factor, which would make accurate identification of remains difficult. The Office of Public Works (OPW) also has a specific function in the matter as the statutory authority responsible for managing Kilmainham Gaol. There have been ongoing discussions between my Department and the OPW on this issue over the last few years, however this is ultimately a matter which is outside my remit.
271. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of secondary legislation to give effect to the maritime area regulatory authority; if the establishment of the authority in quarter 1 of 2023 is still expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48032/22]
View answerThe Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which was enacted in December 2021, includes provisions to establish a new agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). It is intended that MARA will be formally established in Q1 2023.
A dedicated MARA Establishment Unit is in place within my Department to progress the establishment of the agency. Work is currently being progressed across three individual work streams - Governance, Operational Development and Corporate Development.
Secondary legislation to give effect to MARA's formal establishment and its various functions will be required. In particular, an Establishment Day Order (under section 41 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021) will be necessary to give effect to MARA's establishment. This Order will be prepared in good time in advance of MARA's establishment.
In addition, secondary legislation will also be necessary to allow MARA to commence its individual functions, on a phased basis, in line with the growth and development of its organisational and resourcing capacity.
It is envisaged that consenting operations in respect of Maritime Area Consents and Licensing will be commenced initially. This will be followed by the commencement of other functions such as those relating to enforcement and the administration of the existing foreshore consent portfolio, which will, in time, be transferred from my Department.
272. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing levels assigned to the foreshore unit in his Department; if he has plans to increase the resources of the unit to prioritise the assessment of foreshore licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48033/22]
View answerDetails on the number of staff appointed to work directly on the management and assessment of foreshore applications and the management of the estate generally within the Foreshore Unit in my Department is set out in the table below.
It is worthwhile noting that while my Department manages the assessment of a number of Foreshore licence and lease applications, it has also been leading on the preparation of significant reform of the maritime planning system in recent years.
In addition to the staffing levels outlined below my Department also has access to an established panel of independent and external specialist environmental service providers who assist in the assessment process. This input complements the work of my Department’s team of Marine Advisors and Marine License Vetting Committee.
The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, enacted in December 2021, provides for the establishment of a new state agency, to be known as the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), which will be responsible for regulating development and activity in Ireland’s maritime area.
MARA will be responsible for:
- the granting of all Maritime Area Consents, or MACs, for the maritime area
- marine licensing for specified activities
- compliance and enforcement of MACs, licences and offshore development consents
- administration of the Foreshore consent portfolio of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The new regulatory authority, which will be based in Wexford, will be responsible for assessing applications for consents in the maritime area prior to projects applying for planning permission. For example: offshore wind projects, water and waste water infrastructure, bridges, marinas, coastal protection works, flood relief works and undersea telecommunications cables and power interconnectors.
MARA’s regulatory role will also encompass granting licences for activities in the maritime area (including environmental surveys), and ensuring robust compliance through enforcement measures. MARA will operate under the aegis of my Department but will be independent of the Department in the performance of its functions.
A dedicated MARA Establishment Unit (11 staff) is in place within my Department to progress the Implementation Plan to establish MARA. The aim is to establish MARA in early 2023, with staff from the MARA Establishment Unit seconded into the new organisation at that point. Work is progressing across the various work streams in terms of MARA establishment (Corporate Governance, Operational Development and Corporate Development). It was always intended that the functions of MARA would be commenced on a phased basis in line with the growth and development of MARA’s organisational and resourcing capacity.
While it is expected that MARA will be formally established in Q1 2023, it is likely that the new body will undertake its various individual functions incrementally – with consenting operations undertaken initially, followed by the commencement of other functions such as those pertaining to enforcement and the administration of the existing foreshore consent portfolio (which will, in time, be transferred from my Department).
It is important to note that MARA’s capacity to assume the full range of its statutory functions will be dependent on it being allocated and have access to appropriate staffing and other resources. Staffing resources will be required across administrative, legal, financial, technical and environmental expertise areas.
The ultimate aim is to bring about a consolidation of the specialist skills required (e.g. marine planning and enforcement, marine environment and ecology) in one dedicated Authority to provide a centre of excellence to both consent applicants and the State, harnessing support from other relevant agencies where appropriate.
It is a priority for my Department to ensure a seamless transition and a certainty of lead-in time for applicants with regard to the timing of the commencement of MARA’s functions and the ending of the existing Foreshore consenting regime.
|
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
Technical Marine Advisors |
Total |
|
1 |
4 |
5 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
31 |
273. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reopen access to the National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme to ensure all farmers with special areas of conservation lands will be permitted to join, given that many farmers missed out on the opportunity to enter last spring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48043/22]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for the National Parks & Wildlife Service, I have increased the funding for the National Parks & Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme from approximately €500,000 in 2020 to approximately €2m in 2022.
The number of participants is expected to have risen from less than 40 at the beginning of 2020 to over 360 by the end of this year (pending the signing of farm plan contracts). It is my intention to make an open call for further applications in early 2023.
All farmers are encouraged to make applications for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. However, as with any scheme, numbers will be limited and it is not possible to guarantee every applicant will be accepted. Applications from farmers with designated lands, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, are prioritised for consideration.
274. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants available for those who have no choice but to put in a private well due to a lack of water supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48095/22]
View answer281. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports in place for those with no access to running water (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48151/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 281 together.
My Department cannot give advice on the specific individual situations outlined in the details supplied.
However, I can advise that my Department’s Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public (Irish Water) services.
Grant assistance is available, through local authorities, under the Programme for Individual Private Water Supplies (domestic wells) to a house. The grant, subject to certain conditions, assists households dependent on these supplies with the costs incurred in providing such a supply of water for domestic purposes or rectifying serious deficiencies with an existing supply. Further information on the grant scheme is available from my Department's website at the link below.
www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells.
In addition, a working group - the Rural Water Working Group - is considering the composition of the measures for inclusion for funding, including Community Water Connections, under the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme. Once I have had an opportunity to consider their report, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities and an invitation to local authorities, to submit bids will follow later this year.
Each local authority has appointed a Rural Water Liaison Officer who deals with the day to day implementation issues for the Programme. The officer can be contacted at the Rural Water Section of the relevant local authority, in this case Mayo County Council.
275. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider supporting apartment owners who need to address fire safety issues in their apartment blocks, given these property owners are not at fault in terms of the problem but are faced with huge bills to have the matter addressed and, in the meantime, lives are endangered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48105/22]
View answer278. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reply to this Deputy on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48132/22]
View answer322. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has addressed issues raised in a budget 2023 submission from an organisation (details supplied) as part of the recent budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48584/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 278 and 322 together.
The Programme for Government sets out 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. In response, in February 2021, I established a Working Group to examine the matter. The Group was chaired by former Donegal County Council CEO Seamus Neely.
I received the comprehensive report of the Working Group on 28 July titled Defects in Apartments - Report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing, and I published it straight away.
On 27 September, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform Government of the content of the report and of the next steps that I will be taking.
In that context, I will now, in consultation with Government colleagues, develop options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
Firstly, an inter–departmental/agency group will be established to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year. As such, in response to Deputy O'Donovan, there is no application system in place at present.
In addition, an advisory group to develop a Code of Practice will be established to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in line with Recommendation 8 of the Working Group’s report and in the context of the Fire Services Acts.
I also intend on liaising with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector, as matters progress.
On 27 September I wrote to the organisation referred to by Deputy Shortall to inform them of this progress. My Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advice in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
Finally, it should be noted that the Minister for Finance announced the introduction of a 10% levy on concrete blocks and other concrete products, with an expected annual yield of €80m on 27 September. This will provide a sustainable contribution from the construction sector towards the costs of dealing with construction defects over the coming years.
276. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new tenant incremental purchase scheme will be opened to new applications; the reason for the delay in finalising this scheme, which was announced in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48115/22]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments, with a number of changes subsequently coming into effect from 1 February 2022. The minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme changed from €15,000 to €12,500. The time tenants are required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years. Applications received by local authorities prior to 1 February 2022 should be assessed per the regulations and requirements in place at the time, with applications received thereafter assessed in accordance with the new requirements. While local authorities were formally advised of these changes by Department Circular on 12 January 2022, revised scheme guidelines, and a Ministerial Order giving effect to changes in the treatment of the State contributory and non-contributory pensions for reckonable income purposes issued to all local authorities on the 29 September 2022.
277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place for the long-term housing needs of Ukrainian refugees; if there are plans for local authorities to seek rental accommodation from private landlords to use for this purpose; his plans to deal with the extreme shortage of private rented accommodation in counties such as Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48131/22]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has overall responsibility for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian nationals seeking temporary protection in Ireland and a sourced a variety of accommodation types for this purpose.
My Department is focusing on the longer-term accommodation challenges where upgrading investment is required and is continuing to work with DCEDIY around the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project and supporting the specific accommodation needs particularly in respect of multi-occupancy vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation, subject to refurbishment being carried out.
My Department is also supporting the OPW in their role in leading design, development, procurement and delivery of modular accommodation units. In this regard, my Department in consultation with local authorities and other public bodies, has developed an inventory of sites that may be suitable for modular housing as part of the Governments humanitarian response. The OPW has identified a number of these for further investigation and is currently engaging with the relevant local authorities and pubic bodies regarding same.
In relation to supply issues more generally, increasing housing supply and delivering sustainable, affordable homes for people is the Government’s top priority. Housing for All is the Government’s ambitious housing strategy with annual targets to deliver 300,000 new homes between now and 2030. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion a year in housing is aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable homes to buy or rent.
Despite external global challenges – from COVID-19-related construction sector shutdowns, supply chain difficulties and rising inflation due to the war in Ukraine - there is robust housing delivery, a positive pipeline and activity in the housing market. The Government’s target of 24,600 new build homes for 2022 is on track to be met.
279. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish a code of practice for employers to encourage and facilitate workers to participate in local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48139/22]
View answerThe Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members, overseen by Ms Sara Moorhead SC, examined all aspects of the councillor role in modern society. Her final report recognised that local government structures should be reflective of the society in which we live. The ability to serve as a councillor should be one that is available to all. It should not be exclusively for those with independent means or for those who perform the role in a full-time capacity.
Ms. Moorhead's review expressed concern that placing a statutory obligation on employers to provide extra leave to employees who are councillors would place an extra burden on businesses and make councillors less attractive as employees. She considered that requiring employers to give employees who are councillors additional leave would therefore not be feasible.
I welcome the fact that some public bodies already have in place policies and procedures to facilitate employees who are serving councillors. It is questionable, however, whether such policies could be extended to the private sector by way of a code of practice as the Local Government Act 2001 does not provide any statutory basis for this.
Improved financial supports for councillors recommended by the Moorhead Report have already been given effect and this will help to better support councillors who may, for example, have to take occasional short unpaid absences from employment. A range of enhanced non-pay supports are also being developed by my Department in consultation with key stakeholders, including administrative supports, improved training, flexible meeting times, improved use of technological solutions, etc.
It is also worth noting that members of the public can also be actively involved in local government through the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) system, where membership is drawn not only from councillors but also from various sectors relevant to the work of the committees. Other structures, such as Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and Public Participation Networks (PPNs) also allow members of the public to participate through formal structures.
280. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the regeneration project at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48140/22]
View answerMy Department is supporting the local authority which is advancing the refurbishment of the housing development at the location raised by the Deputy. This work includes an element of additional, new build social housing. The local authority has advised that Phase 1 of the works was completed in October 2019, involving the refurbishment of 34 homes, and that plans for the next phases have been developed following public consultation workshops with residents.
Phases 2 and 3 have received pre-planning funding approval from my Department and, I understand, will involve the demolition of 15 existing properties, the construction of 7 new homes, refurbishment of 25 homes and a range of site and landscaping works.
In advance of launching the Part 8 planning process, the local authority held a briefing with the members of the relevant Municipal District at which it was agreed to hold further public workshop meetings with local residents in October. My Department also understands that an information leaflet will be distributed to residents prior to the workshop meetings.
While this is a complex project, it is being advanced by the local authority so that improved conditions are delivered for the residents. Further information should be available directly from the local authority which is managing the implementation of the programme.
282. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered any intervention to assist older persons with a good income who find their age confines them to a small mortgage to acquire a suitable small dwelling; and if he will consider piloting a shared equity initiative targeted at such a category. [48198/22]
View answerThe Government supports two affordability schemes which operate using a shared equity model, namely, the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home Scheme. Both schemes are open to older persons whose available mortgage financing will not meet the open market value of a new home, provided they meet the usual eligibility requirements. While applicants to both schemes must generally be first-time buyers, the Local Authority Affordable Purchase legislation contains provisions for those who previously purchased a home which is no longer of a suitable size for their accommodation needs, and this may support ‘rightsizing’ by older persons looking for smaller dwellings.
Where older persons are not first-time buyers and are seeking to rightsize, it is expected that the equity available from the sale of their existing home would be available to support their purchase of a smaller dwelling.
In addition, the Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Work is underway through my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.
283. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports landlords are demanding cash-only payments; and if any actions are in place to monitor and prevent this. [48219/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Section 16 of the Acts specifies the obligations of a tenant which include the payment of rent.
The requirement to provide a rent book is set out in the Housing (Rent Books) Regulations 1993, as amended.
The Regulations require that where:
(a) payment is handed in person by the tenant, the landlord shall on receipt, either
(i) record in the rent book the amount, purpose and date of the payment and the period to which it relates, or
(ii) provide the person making the payment with a receipt stating the amount, purpose and date of the payment and the house and period to which the payment relates, or
(b) the payment is made other than in person, the landlord shall, not more than 3 months after receipt, either—
(i) record in the rent book the amount, purpose and date of the payment and the period to which it relates, or
(ii) provide the tenant with a written statement of the amount, purpose and date of the payment, and
the landlord shall sign each record made and receipt provided in accordance with these Regulations.
284. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports student tenants are not speaking out against mistreatment by landlords due to fear of being reprimanded; and if any measures are being taken to support this vulnerable cohort. [48220/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 extended the remit of the RTB to cover student licences and tenancies in student-specific accommodation.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the RTA, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Section 12(1)(a) of the RTA obliges a landlord to “allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive occupation of the dwelling”. A landlord is only allowed to enter the property with the tenant’s permission or in an emergency. Where a landlord fails to carry out any of their obligations under the Acts, a dispute may be referred to the RTB for resolution.
Section 14 of the Act provides that a landlord of a dwelling shall not penalise a tenant for referring any dispute between the tenant and the landlord to the RTB for resolution or for giving evidence in any proceedings under Part 6 of the Act (Dispute Resolution).
I would encourage students who feel they have been mistreated by their landlords to contact the RTB. The RTB’s dispute resolution service includes a free and highly successful mediation service. Disputes can also be determined by an independent adjudicator for a small fee.
