Written Answers Nos. 356-375
356. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes bought by local authorities by county with tenants in situ to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54193/22]
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.
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. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes.
On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focussed on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.
On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are:
(i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter;
(ii) in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and
(iii) can be completed during 2022.
The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 2 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/.
My Department does not hold data on the occupation status of properties acquired for social housing. This information may be available from individual local authorities.
357. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made in each county with Reval 2021. [54194/22]
View answerThe making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner of Valuation and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The information requested in the question can therefore be best be provided directly by the Valuation Office. To facilitate rapid responses to queries from members of the Oireachtas, in accordance with Circular 25/2016, Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas, arrangements have been put in place to provide members of the Oireachtas with a dedicated email address for all State bodies under the aegis of my Department; the email address for the Valuation Office is oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie
358. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made with the Programme for Government commitment to require local authorities to be more flexible with meeting times and to use remote working technologies and flexible work practices to support councillors with parental or caring responsibilities, including childcare, and reduced travel times and absences from work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54200/22]
View answerMy Department has undertaken a wide variety of initiatives aimed at making the role of the councillor as flexible and inclusive as possible.
Through funding research, providing supports to organisations that deliver capacity building and training, and annual calls for funding for both local authorities and political parties, my Department is working to make the role of the councillor more accessible to all.
Our annual calls for funding provide investment for innovative and forward-thinking projects which support wider inclusivity and diversity in local government decision-making structures. These have included, for example, a feasibility study in one local authority to examine and improve existing physical infrastructure available to councillors with childcare responsibilities, technology to facilitate remote meetings, and the provision of childcare and parenting facilities.
I have also approved funding for resources providing guidance to local authorities in the area of family friendly supports. For example, in September, I launched the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) Toolkit for Local Authorities on Supporting Family-Friendly Local Government. This toolkit offers recommendations geared towards assisting both officials and councillors in making the role of local council members more manageable and sustainable for members with caring responsibilities. The toolkit recognises that, while the issue of care disproportionately affects women, it also impacts all people who have caring responsibilities.
Since October 2020, and the signing into effect by Minister O’Brien of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 (Section 29) (Local Authorities) (Designation) Order 2020, local authorities have been able to hold meetings remotely, if the Council chooses to do so. Any decisions made or votes taken at such meetings are the same as decisions made or votes taken by the members if such meetings had been held in person.
Recognising the obstacle posed by the lack of a statutory framework in relation to maternity leave for councillors, I have developed a comprehensive package of maternity related benefits for councillors. On 27 July last, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022. The Bill will be published once approved by Government and thereafter progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas having regard to the overall Government legislative programme. This legislation will eliminate a significant barrier to the participation of women who choose to have children in local government.
Finally, it is important to recognise that the approval of standing orders for council meetings, including the timing of meetings, is a reserved function of the elected Council itself.
359. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and type of unused and or unoccupied buildings in his Department’s estates’ portfolio and all bodies under his Department’s aegis. [54238/22]
View answerOne of the roles of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is to provide office accommodation to all Government Departments. The OPW owns or leases the buildings which my Department occupies. These buildings are generally occupied by numerous Government Departments. As such, my Department would not have the information which the Deputy is seeking.
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 |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
360. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it has been drawn to his attention that his office was requested on 6 October 2022 to forward a copy of the revised tenant (incremental) purchase scheme guidelines and Ministerial Order giving effect to changes in the treatment of the State (contributory) and (non-contributory) pensions for reckonable income purposes, which was issued to local authorities on 29 September 2022 (details supplied); when it is expected that his Department will respond to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54259/22]
View answerWhile my Department has no record of receiving the request, the Ministerial Direction and 'Incremental Tenant Purchase Scheme 2016 Existing Local Authority Houses Guidance for Housing Authorities' (September 2022), issued by email to the Councillor on 28 October 2022.
361. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service will provide a rowing club in County Kerry (details supplied) with permission to proceed with the next phase of their efforts to carry out upgrade works to their existing boat house, slipway and pontoon in Killarney National Park and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54313/22]
View answerMy Department is assessing the situation in terms in terms of the significant works that will be required and the potential requirement for a planning application to be submitted. My officials will liaise with the club concerned in that regard.
362. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora certificates that were issued in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number currently awaiting processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54340/22]
View answerThe number of applications received by my Department for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificates and permits in 2021 and, so far, in 2022 is set out in the Table below.
Table: Data on Irish CITES applications 2021 & 2022
|
2021 |
2022 (to end of October) |
Total |
|
|
CITES Certificates issued |
368 |
284 |
652 |
|
CITES Permits (Import / Export) issued |
1,086 |
968 |
2,054 |
|
CITES Permits issued under Art 19 simplified procedures |
1,535 |
N/A |
1,535 |
|
Total |
2,989 |
1,252 |
4,241 |
At the end of October, there were eight applications open. Several of these applications have been deemed incomplete and the Department has requested further information from the applicants. The remaining open applications are under review by the Irish CITES Scientific Authority. Applications are being dealt with by my Department on a continuing basis and their status is subject to change.
Figures for Permits issued under Article 19 for 2022 have not been audited yet by the Department and will be available as normal at the beginning of next year.
CITES trade data are publicly available and accessible on the CITES trade database on the CITES website at the following link: trade.cites.org/
363. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be a rebate for landlords who registered their property with the Residential Tenancies Board in 2021 and paid €90 and who now have to re-register the property in 2022 and pay another €40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54369/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Accordingly, the implementation of the new tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.
From 4 April 2022, landlords are required under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began. This applies to both new and existing tenancies. As before, landlords continue to be required to register a tenancy within one month of its commencement. The annual fee is €40 to register a private residential tenancy with the RTB. No fee applies to the 2nd or any subsequent registration in a 12-month period in respect of the same dwelling, providing the applications are made to the RTB within one month of the tenancy commencement date of the new tenancy.
There is no rebate of previous registration fees paid before annual registration began. However, a temporary waiver applies from the annual fee when registering existing further Part 4 tenancies in certain circumstances. A further Part 4 tenancy would have come into being when a tenancy has lasted 6 years.
Where a landlord has applied to register a ‘further Part 4 tenancy’ before 4 April 2022 and that tenancy still exists on 4 April 2022, no annual registration fee shall apply in respect of annual applications to register that ‘further Part 4 tenancy’, as required, for so long as it exists (i.e. until it is terminated by the tenant or landlord or until the expiry of its 6 year term).
364. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that tenants who fail to pay their HAP payment can be evicted from their tenancy during the eviction ban period as proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54374/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 was signed into law on 29 October 2022. The Act makes emergency provision to defer the termination dates of certain residential tenancies that fall, or would fall, during the period beginning on 30 October 2022 and ending on 31 March 2023 in order to mitigate the risk that persons whose tenancies would otherwise be terminated during that period would be unable to obtain alternative accommodation.
Section 2 provides for the deferral of a notice of termination where it has been served by a landlord on or before the date of the passing of the Act which specifies a termination date that falls during the winter emergency period, or where a dispute in relation to the termination of a tenancy is referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) under Part 6 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and a determination order issued in relation to the dispute, specifies a termination date that falls during the winter emergency period.
The deferral would not apply to a notice of termination served before or during such a winter emergency period where:
- the termination is grounded on the tenant’s failure to meet his or her obligations under section 16 of the Act of 2004, or
- the landlord states that the reason for the termination is
- on the ground of a breach of tenant obligations (other than to pay rent);
- on the ground of a breach of a tenant’s obligation to pay rent;
- on the ground that the accommodation no longer suits the tenant’s accommodation needs having regard to the number of bed spaces and the size of the household.
Tenants in the HAP scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme. Where a person has a change of circumstances, such as a loss of income, they should notify the relevant local authority. The local authority can reassess those tenants and adjust their differential rent accordingly.
The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme. The HAP SSC follows a clear communication policy if rental arrears issues arise. This policy includes regular and early written communication with tenants, landlords and the relevant local authority.
The approach taken by the HAP SSC has been very effective with minimal levels of rent arrears arising for HAP tenants. At end Q2 2022, the scheme had a 97% differential rent collection rate with minimal arrears arising for tenants or local authorities. Therefore, only a very small number of tenants have fallen into difficulty with their differential rent.
However, to assist households who may fall into difficulties with the payment of their differential rent, I have introduced an extension to the current debt management process for the duration of the emergency provision. It is expected that this extension will assist in preventing exits from HAP for the non-payment of rent.
365. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all-in cost of social housing units approved by local authorities for the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54387/22]
View answerSocial Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) funded construction projects by local authorities must, like all publicly-funded construction programmes, comply with the Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework and accordingly, my Department periodically issues Unit Cost Ceilings (UCCs) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage. UCCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform the UCCs levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the SHIP, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
Outlined in the tables below are average construction costs (incl. VAT) per unit type, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in each of the years 2017 to 2021. The costs vary, depending on design, location and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme, for instance existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions and site access requirements. Abnormal costs are also separately identified in the tables below.
The construction costs as shown, are derived from unit cost analysis and capture the construction cost element only including any abnormals (i.e. not all-in costs)
Over and above the construction costs, the all-in delivery costs include:
- Design/technical fees: Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme (and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment). As a guideline/indicator, design fees are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs.
- Land cost: Land costs will vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (i.e. land costs could vary from existing local authority land at no cost to land purchased at market value).
- Utilities: Connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit.
- Other Costs: Other items that make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/surveys, archaeological requirements, Percent for Art contributions - and will vary from scheme to scheme.
|
|
2017 |
2017 |
2018 |
2018 |
|
|
Average Construction Cost Per Unit € |
2017 Average Abnormal Costs per unit € |
Average Construction Cost Per Unit € |
Average Abnormal Costs per unit € |
|
1bed house |
155,177 |
11,479 |
169,184 |
23,507 |
|
2bed house |
178,411 |
14,381 |
190,521 |
21,412 |
|
3bed house |
190,887 |
7,905 |
218,039 |
24,063 |
|
4bed house |
223,309 |
10,909 |
219,574 |
16,358 |
|
1bed apartment |
178,523 |
18,811 |
258,057 |
46,978 |
|
2bed apartment |
225,260 |
12,760 |
292,581 |
58,999 |
|
3bed apartment |
330,376 |
41,056 |
302,579 |
50,334 |
|
|
2019 |
2019 |
2020 |
2020 |
|
|
Average Construction Cost Per Unit € |
Average Abnormal Costs per unit € |
Average Construction Cost Per Unit € |
Average Abnormal Costs per unit € |
|
1bed house |
189,320 |
26,699 |
184,435 |
24,949 |
|
2bed house |
198,174 |
20,022 |
193,665 |
24,287 |
|
3bed house |
226,455 |
19,227 |
211,518 |
24,602 |
|
4bed house |
234,794 |
19,510 |
262,311 |
40,196 |
|
1bed apartment |
291,762 |
32,609 |
198,719 |
22,875 |
|
2bed apartment |
290,902 |
26,249 |
230,691 |
16,337 |
|
3bed apartment |
323,407 |
27,379 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
2021 |
|
|
|
Average Construction Cost Per Unit € |
Average Abnormal Costs per unit € |
|
1bed house |
176,385 |
21,432 |
|
2bed house |
228,470 |
29,755 |
|
3bed house |
236,096 |
24,887 |
|
4bed house |
283,656 |
32,131 |
|
1bed apartment |
212,765 |
40,557 |
|
2bed apartment |
244,296 |
43,113 |
|
3bed apartment |
306,096 |
50,451 |
A range of factors can impact on the costs for individual social housing construction projects. Project-specific issues can always arise and will be central to how a project can be advanced and the costs for same. Addressing these design, construction and cost factors are part of the regular engagement that happens between my Department and local authorities, which is focussed on facilitating the earliest possible delivery of new social homes that are both high quality and value for money. To that end, as well as sharing UCCs with local authorities, my Department has provided a 'Design Manual' which will guide local authorities and their Design Teams/consultants, on the design of social housing site layouts and the internal layouts of individual social homes. These initiatives are important in the work to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness and pace of delivery of social homes and I look forward to continuing our work with our delivery partners to take advantage of these opportunities.
366. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all vacant properties identified by the local authorities, an organisation (details supplied) and his Department, to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for conversion into multi-unit emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in tabular form. [54409/22]
View answerMy Department is working closely with local authorities and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to identify, and bring into use, multi-unit vacant properties that may be suitable and available for accommodation purposes for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine.
In cases where vacant buildings identified as part of the initial request to local authorities do not require, or are not suitable for refurbishment, they have been notified to DCEDIY for appropriate follow-up.
Noting that many of these buildings are privately owned, it would be inappropriate to publish the details of individual buildings. The ultimate decision on whether such properties progress for use, including whether they are to be converted into multi-unit emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees is a matter for DCEDIY.
367. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons working in the Land Registry Office in a specific location (details supplied) at the present time; the number who were working in the Land Registry Office in this location from January 2017 to date on a monthly basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54429/22]
View answer368. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any vacancies in an office (details supplied); if so, if these vacancies have been advertised; the steps that have been taken to fill these positions; when the positions are expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54430/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
Section 9(3) of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006 states that "Subject to this Act, the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions". The matter of appointment of staff to specific roles and locations is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Property Registration Authority. I have no function in this matter.
The information requested in the question can therefore be best provided directly by the Property Registration Authority. To facilitate responses to queries, arrangements have been put in place to provide members of the Oireachtas with a dedicated email address for all State bodies under the aegis of my Department. The email address for the Property Registration Authority is reps@prai.ie.
369. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with insurance companies and the Fire Service to delay any evacuations from an apartment block (details supplied) pending the introduction of a support scheme by his Department and the procurement of remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54447/22]
View answer370. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that owners of defective apartments in Dublin south central should take given that they have each recently received a bill for €8,500 to be paid within 30 days as the first payment for remedial work on their apartment complex; if he will acknowledge that this is an unacceptable financial imposition on these homeowners, which will cause untold distress, with many unable to pay during a cost-of-living crisis; if he will clearly outline the steps that they should take under these circumstances; if he will confirm when there will be a redress scheme in place for those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54462/22]
View answer415. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports that many owners of defective apartments are facing immediate demands for substantial payments from management companies for remedial work, and in one case in Dublin, face the loss of basement car park spaces as a result of the enforcement of safety notices; when the residents of such apartments can expect State aid; if he has any plans to provide emergency funding to such residents before Christmas 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55306/22]
View answer423. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the course of action that owners of apartments with fire defects should take now that they have been presented with bills to fix the issue while they await the announcement of a remedial scheme from his Department. [55533/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 370, 415 and 423 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.
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. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings.
In that context, 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. I am currently, in consultation with Government colleagues, in the process of developing options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
In this regard, I have established an inter–departmental/agency group to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year. Membership of this group includes local authority fire services.
In addition, an advisory group is being established to develop a Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures. It is expected that membership of this advisory group will also include officers of local authority fire services.
As this work progresses, I am committed to continuing to liaise with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector. My Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advice in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
Given that the overall potential scale and estimated cost of fixing the problem is so considerable, the Working Group recognised that it will take many years to address all buildings affected, and resources and works will therefore need to be prioritised. In this regard, it would not be appropriate for those in charge of affected buildings to delay the undertaking of any remediation work that is considered necessary from a life safety point of view.
371. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority houses that have a BER rating below B2; his Department’s target for retrofitting local authority housing; the number of retrofitting projects that were started in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54479/22]
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.
In 2021 €65 million of Exchequer funding was made available to local authorities for the retrofit of 2400 dwellings to BER B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020-2022, the details of which are found below. A further 146 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
The 2022 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme has seen a significant increase in funding support to local authorities to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or Cost Optimal Equivalent Standard.
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. Full details in relation to the 2022 Energy Efficiency Programme will be available early in 2023.
Separately details in relation to those properties that fall below the B2 BER rating should be available directly upon request from the local authority themselves.
372. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a timeframe for the roll-out of the pandemic special recognition payment to Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics; the reason for the lengthy delay that the paramedics have been forced to endure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54489/22]
View answer388. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 29 September 2022, when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54804/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 388 together.
On 19 January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for front-line healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. This once-off payment is ring fenced to staff who were ordinarily onsite in Covid-19-exposed healthcare environments within the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021. It applies to eligible staff in the public health service and six other specific cohorts, one of which is staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver paramedic services on behalf of the Health Service Executive.
My Department, in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency, have been liaising with the Department of Health to finalise the modalities of how this recognition payment was to be made to eligible Dublin Fire Brigade staff.
I understand that the Department of Health has now transferred funds directly to Dublin City Council for payment. The disbursement of this funding is a matter for that local authority, according to local payroll time frames.
373. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing assistance applications received and processed by each local authority from January to June 2022; the number of staff dedicated in each local authority to the processing of HAP applications during the same period; the turnaround time from receipt of HAP applications to their completion in each local authority during the same six-month period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54490/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2022, over 104,700 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were over 60,700 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Administration of the HAP scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority. To support local authorities in the implementation of the HAP scheme my Department provides a quarterly administrative payment based on the number of active HAP tenancies in each local authority. This administrative payment recognises the resources required to manage the HAP process. The payment is made directly to local authorities on a quarterly basis, to offset HAP staffing and administrative costs.
HAP application processing times within local authorities may vary. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is entered on the system by the local authority and then submitted for processing and payment by the HAP Shared Service Centre (HAP SSC). If there are delays at the processing stage within a local authority, payment to the landlord will be backdated to the date on which a complete and valid application form was received by the local authority. The landlord is therefore not penalised for any delay.
Data on HAP tenancy set-ups, and processing times is set out below:
|
Q1 2022 |
Q2 2022 |
|
|
Average processing time |
36 |
36 |
|
Number of HAP tenancies processed (per quarter) |
2,488 |
2,137 |
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter for the relevant local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. My Department and the local authorities are aware of the importance of minimising HAP processing times and the critical need to keep this under review at a local level.
374. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the cross-departmental working group on building defects; its terms of reference; the number of times that it has met to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54497/22]
View answerFollowing receipt and consideration of the report of the working group I established to examine defects in housing, I have established an inter-Departmental and agency group to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year with a view to providing support to homeowners of purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 with defects and who find themselves in a difficult financial situation.
The terms of reference of this group are to:
1. Consider the recommendations contained in the Report of Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing.
2. Elaborate on the options for the potential sources of financial support and the potential channels for deployment contained in the Report of Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing.
3. Propose delivery mechanisms for the deployment of funding and develop an options paper with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
Membership of the inter-departmental and agency group comprises officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, the Housing Agency, the Office of the Attorney General and the Local Authority Fire Services.
The group held its first meeting on October 18th and its second meeting took place today, November 8th.
375. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes delivered under various schemes (details supplied) for each of the years 2020 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [54498/22]
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 including figures on the Repair and Leasing Scheme and on Mortgage to Rent delivery. Data to the end of Quarter 2 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/
Since the Buy and Renew Scheme was introduced in 2016, local authorities have purchased over 750 homes to be refurbished for social housing use. A breakdown for 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date is set out in the table below.
|
Buy & Renew Units delivered by Year |
|
|
2020 |
90 |
|
2021 |
60 |
|
2022 (to end Quarter 2) |
20 |
|
Total |
190 |
