Written Answers Nos. 205-232
205. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a response will issue to a query raised by a person (details supplied) regarding access to an artefact in the National Museum of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60604/22]
View answerThe National Museum of Ireland plays a valuable role as one of the custodians of Ireland’s National Collections. This work encompasses not only the collection, preservation and display of heritage objects and artworks, but also educational activities that facilitate the public’s understanding of items in the collections and the broader context in which they were produced.
A key value of the National Museum of Ireland is accessibility and, as such, the Museum aims to respond and fulfil access requests to the collection as a priority of its work. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the condition of the object and the Museum's collection care policies. My Department has referred the detail of this question to the Museum and the Museum has advised that it has noted the request and will engage in correspondence with the individual and aim to find a satisfactory resolution to the request within its collection care policy and operational arrangements.
206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans regarding financial supports to the Irish magazine sector in view of the fact that VAT was abolished for Irish newspapers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60637/22]
View answerA diverse, vibrant and independent media sector is essential for our society, democracy and cultural development. However, it is a sector that is undergoing profound change. Government recognised this, and established the Future of Media Commission to examine how media should serve Irish society, how well the current system meets these goals and what changes ought to be made to improve media in Ireland in the future.
The Commission’s comprehensive and timely report details both the challenges and opportunities for media companies in Ireland. The recommendations contained in the report are a blueprint for the Government to now build a framework to support the media sector to face the challenges ahead, and to continue its vital role in educating, informing and entertaining the public.
The Government accepted, in principle, 49 of the 50 Commission’s recommendations, including its recommendation in relation to VAT on newspapers, and this measure was announced in Budget 2023. The issue of VAT in respect of magazines is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
Other recommendations arising from the Commission's report include the conversion of the Broadcasting Fund into a platform neutral Media Fund to provide funding to the wider media sector. This Fund will be open to all media, including the print sector. Funding of €6m has been secured for the first two Schemes under the Media Fund, namely the Courts Reporting and Local Democracy Schemes, and these will be put in place in 2023 by Coimisiún na Meán.
The Government established an Implementation Group to devise an action plan to give effect to the Report’s recommendations and to oversee their implementation. This will be brought to Government shortly and will then be published.
While there are currently no specific financial supports available to the magazine sector, the Government has made a range of supports available to business such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
I will continue to closely monitor the wider media sector and respond appropriately to issues that arise.
207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of the categories of public sector workers and civil servants under her Department whose contracts fall under the Croke Park Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60740/22]
View answerThe Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was formed in September 2020 Staff in the Department are civil servants.
The Croke Park Agreement encompassed all civil and public servants and no distinction was made between categories of civil servants under the Agreement. The link to the Croke Park agreement which references the Civil Service and Non-Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies sectoral agreement for the Deputy’s information follows:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/89ddb8-croke-park-agreement/
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she intends providing Exchequer or licence funding to commercial radio stations that provide a designated amount of national and local news, current affairs coverage and live sport to help them fulfil their vital public service broadcasting role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60954/22]
View answerFunding through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), is available to commercial radio stations for the production of programming on Irish culture, heritage and experience. The purpose of the Scheme is to support eligible content across the broadcasting sector as a whole, ensuring a balanced and fair approach.
The Sound and Vision Scheme is funded primarily by 7% of television licence revenues, but can also be augmented by Exchequer funding. Since taking office, I have secured significant additional resources for the Scheme, which has enabled increased and targeted investment in the wider broadcasting sector, including funding rounds specifically for radio content. Over that period the Scheme has delivered €5m in ring-fenced rounds for the commercial radio sector and has also received almost €2m additional funding through other rounds.
In light of the concerns for the sector which Deputies have raised with me, during the Report Stage of the OSMR Bill in the Dáil last week I announced my intention to provide a further €2.5m in Exchequer funding to the Scheme. This will support another specific round of Sound and Vision for commercial radio, which will be rolled out through the BAI in 2023.
While the funding of local and national news and current affairs programming is not permitted under the Broadcasting Act, in Budget 2023 I secured €6m for the establishment of the new Media Fund. This will initially fund two schemes, a Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and a Court Reporting Scheme. They are to be administered on a platform-neutral basis and I expect that local radio will be well-placed to benefit significantly under these schemes. My intention is that these will be in play before the end of 2023, with the other schemes recommended by the Future of Media Commission to come on stream at later dates.
Finally, as I also signalled at Report Stage last week, I have written to the BAI asking that they engage with the sector with a view to understanding the dynamics of the current economic environment and its impacts on them. I have asked them to report back to me within 100 days. It is important that we have robust and independent data to underpin decisions on supports for the sector.
209. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding and or grant assistance that may be available for the restoration, renovation and or refurbishments of churches and cathedrals; if he will outline the qualifying criteria and application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60764/22]
View answer245. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if restoration of diocesan cathedral projects is eligible for application to the build heritage scheme and or the heritage investment scheme; if he will outline the application criteria and process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60765/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 245 together.
My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).
The HSF is for conservation and enhancement of eligible heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public. The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. Further details of both schemes, including guidance material and application forms, can be found on the website of all local authorities and on my Department’s website.
I announced both schemes for 2023 on 16 November and the application process is now open. All applications should be made to the local authority. It should be noted that the deadline for applications to my Department is the 31 January 2023, however the local authority deadline will be in advance of this date.
Generally speaking, many historic churches and cathedrals are eligible to apply to these schemes. However, it is advised to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in the relevant local authority for more information on the schemes in relation to the context of a particular building or historic structure, as they would be best placed to advise.
210. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that each local authority along the River Shannon has in place to prepare for flooding along the course of the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61042/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is the body responsible for flood risk assessment and mitigation of flood risk. OPW work directly with local authorities in relation to flood risk management projects.
When flooding occurs, the Government approved Framework for Major Emergency Management (2006) designates responsibility for coordination of the local response to the relevant local authorities.
The Government decision, which approved the Framework, also mandated the creation of an Inter-Department National Steering Group for Major Emergency Management. My Department chairs and supports this Group, while the Principal Response Agencies (PRAs), the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, An Garda Síochána, the HSE and local authorities, are all represented on this National Steering Group.
The National Steering Group for Major Emergency Management prepared and approved a guidance document entitled “A Guide to Flood Emergencies”, which includes a template for a Flood Emergency Plan to assist local authorities and the other PRAs in their preparedness for responding to flooding emergencies.
The objective of a Flood Emergency Plan is to ensure effective and early response to any flooding emergency and co-ordination among the PRAs when flooding emergencies occur. This template was compiled with input and collaboration from OPW, Met Éireann, and the PRAs, drawing from international good practice and experience of flooding events.
Each local authority creates a Flood Plan relevant to its local flood risk and response capabilities.
211. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will increase the funding allocation for Tipperary County Council housing adaptation grants to allow the council to proceed with the upgrading of double-glazing windows and doors that are in poor condition under the HOP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60233/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities receive an overall allocation, with the responsibility for the apportionment between the three schemes being a matter for each authority given their knowledge of local need.
My Department's approach every year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan and implement the grants programme. Over the course of the year, my Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. This means that if underspends arise on the part of some local authorities, they can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity. If Tipperary County Council is in a position to allocate additional own resources to the grant scheme in 2022, further additional funding can be requested from my Department and every effort will be made to accede to any such request.
Exchequer funding of €65 million is available nationally for the scheme in 2022, and the funding provision for 2023 has been increased by €2 million to a total of €67 million, continuing the year-on-year increases since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to increasing this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/
212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the incomplete and missing records of asset declaration for county councillors on a number of local authority websites; if he will instruct local authorities to publish, as soon as practicable, all asset declarations which they have on file, noting where files are missing where appropriate; if he will commit to ensuring that all local authorities make complete versions of these records available online for the public to inspect in an accessible manner; if he will consider setting up a centralised database for same on his Department’s website to ensure consistency in reporting and transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60269/22]
View answerEthical conduct in public office continues to be governed by the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (‘the Ethics Acts’), and, at local level, by Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended.
Part 15 of the 2001 Act provides an ethical framework for local government, which imposes a statutory duty on all in the service to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. This includes the completion of annual declarations by councillors and the maintaining of a public register of interests by each local authority.
Regulations were given effect in 2015 setting out the prescribed form to be used for annual declarations. My Department issues directions at the beginning of each year to remind councillors and local authorities of their statutory obligations, as well as providing guidance on the completion of annual declarations. We will ensure the matter of timely publication of the register is reinforced in the directions that will issue early in 2023.
Each local authority appoints an Ethics Registrar to issue annual declaration forms and maintain public registers. If a person considers that a member of a local authority may have breached their obligations under the Acts or the Code, they should bring their complaint to the attention of the Ethics Registrar in the relevant local authority in the first instance. If a person is not satisfied with the outcome of any examination by the local authority then the complaint may be referred to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) after local avenues have been exhausted.
SIPO has the authority to examine complaints about councillors and local authorities regarding non-compliance with statutory requirements set out under Part 15 of the 2001 Act. SIPO is independent in the performance of its functions. My Department has no function in relation to examining such complaints.
The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future includes a commitment to reform and consolidate ethics legislation. As part of this process the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been carrying out a review of ethics legislation in consultation with other Government Departments and key stakeholders, including examination of requirements in relation to annual declarations by office holders and prescribed employees.
My Department has been informed that a report of the findings of this review is now being finalised for consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who will then bring this report to Government for its approval and publication. It is intended that Government approval will also be sought to prepare a General Scheme of a Bill, to be drafted during 2023.
My Department is awaiting the outcome of this review process and will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding any specific issues that are identified in relation to the local government sector.
213. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will reply to a letter from persons (details supplied) considering matters within his ministerial remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60271/22]
View answerI can confirm that officials from the National Monuments Service of my Department are aware of the issues raised by this letter and have acknowledged same and are currently investigating the matters within.
214. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of commencement notices for new residential homes received; number of new housing completions and new planning permissions granted by county since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60292/22]
View answerA Commencement Notice is a notification to a Building Control Authority that a person intends to carry out either works or a Material Change of Use to which the Building Regulations apply. The notice must be given to the authority not more than 28 days and not less than 14 days before the commencement of works or the change of use. Once validated by the building control authority, works must commence on site within the 28 day period. The total number of commencement notices for new residential homes that have been received since the formation of the Government on a county-by-county basis in tabular form can be found on my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
My Department does not compile data on the number of new housing completions and on new planning permissions granted on a monthly basis. Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/ .
However, the data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority but are not broken down by development type, including the number of planning permissions for residential homes. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed data on a number of planning related issues including permissions granted and completions by development type and county. Data is available at the following link on the CSO website: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/planningpermissions/.
The number of new housing completions granted can also be found on the CSO website, at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq32022/
215. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new local authority homes added to the social housing stock by county since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60293/22]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities. 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/ .
The below table shows the Social Housing Delivery by local authority from Q3 2020 to end Q2 2022.
|
Local Authority |
New Build |
Acquisition |
Leasing |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
318 |
55 |
84 |
457 |
|
Cavan County Council |
102 |
23 |
26 |
151 |
|
Clare County Council |
296 |
122 |
84 |
502 |
|
Cork City Council |
407 |
140 |
217 |
764 |
|
Cork County Council |
932 |
75 |
99 |
1,106 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
393 |
48 |
106 |
547 |
|
Donegal County Council |
190 |
38 |
56 |
284 |
|
Dublin City Council |
828 |
611 |
946 |
2,385 |
|
Fingal County Council |
648 |
128 |
371 |
1,147 |
|
Galway City Council |
333 |
94 |
25 |
452 |
|
Galway County Council |
250 |
30 |
50 |
330 |
|
Kerry County Council |
467 |
21 |
103 |
591 |
|
Kildare County Council |
821 |
148 |
390 |
1,359 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
329 |
91 |
56 |
476 |
|
Laois County Council |
239 |
56 |
54 |
349 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
57 |
21 |
11 |
89 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
401 |
45 |
151 |
597 |
|
Longford County Council |
110 |
63 |
38 |
211 |
|
Louth County Council |
511 |
54 |
155 |
720 |
|
Mayo County Council |
107 |
27 |
195 |
329 |
|
Meath County Council |
564 |
71 |
171 |
806 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
162 |
66 |
22 |
250 |
|
Offaly County Council |
140 |
23 |
84 |
247 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
105 |
23 |
50 |
178 |
|
Sligo County Council |
65 |
18 |
20 |
103 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
649 |
65 |
345 |
1,059 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
250 |
54 |
82 |
386 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
365 |
58 |
280 |
703 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
165 |
37 |
128 |
330 |
|
Wexford County Council |
463 |
53 |
106 |
622 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
631 |
74 |
152 |
857 |
|
TOTALS |
11,298 |
2,432 |
4,657 |
18,387 |
216. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of local authority homes that have been brought back into use under the Voids programme by county since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60294/22]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.
An annualised breakdown by local authority of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
Under the 2022 Voids Programme, funding of €25 million has been made available across the local authorities for the remediation of 2,273 properties. Full details of the 2022 Voids outturn will be published early in 2023.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response. My Department will support these work programmes by ensuring that the funding available under the various stock improvement programmes is aligned with this approach.
In this regard, a further €5 million in funding has been ring-fenced for Planned Maintenance under this years Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme to support the implementation of an ICT asset management system for the local authority sector and to provide a funding contribution for the commencement of stock condition surveys.
217. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of funding allocated to local authorities for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; the list of towns in each county that have been allocated funding and the project title by county since 27 June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60295/22]
View answerEstablished under the National Development Plan and a key element of Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework, the URDF is making a significant contribution to the regeneration and rejuvenation of these areas with a view to ensuring that more parts of our urban areas become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
Following calls for proposals in 2018 and 2020, the URDF is currently providing assistance for 132 projects. To date, €314m has been allocated in respect of the 87 projects approved under Call 1. A further €1.325 billion of URDF funding support has been provisionally allocated to an additional 45 proposals approved under Call 2.
The table below lists the 132 projects approved under Call 1 and Call 2, together with the up-to-date provisional URDF funding allocations per project. This list also includes the 7 Non-Local Authority Sponsoring Authorities who received funding under Call 1.
218. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the sites on the derelict register in County Clare; the levies collected on same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60341/22]
View answer219. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a full list of all available supports for first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60342/22]
View answerUnder Pathway 1 of Housing For All, “Pathways to Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability”, I have introduced the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme to assist first-time buyers purchasing new homes delivered by Local Authorities. The scheme operates by providing an equity support to bridge the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit. Affordable Purchase homes will be advertised on the relevant Local Authority’s website in advance of their sale, as well as eligibility requirements such as household income limits. This delivery of affordable housing is supported by the Affordable Housing Fund, with €60 million being made available in 2022, increasing to €90 million in 2023. This scheme will support 28,000 First Time Buyer households in the period to 2030.
The First Home shared equity scheme, launched on 7 July this year, acts in a similar way to the Local Authority-led scheme, though it applies to homes purchased through the private market through the use of an equity share model. Subject to eligibility criteria, it can provide funds up to 30% of the value of a newly constructed home (or 20% if you use the Help to Buy Scheme). Overall, this Scheme is intended to support up to 8,000 affordable purchases in the period out to 2026. The State has committed an overall funding envelope of €200m over the lifetime of the scheme to be matched by the participating lenders. Full details of the Scheme, including eligibility criteria, are available on the website:
www.firsthomescheme.ie
Other measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home loan are also nationally available to eligible first-time purchasers to make home ownership more affordable.
The Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to First-Time Buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. As of the end of September 2022, over 35,000 first-time buyers have been supported by the incentive. As part of Budget 2023, the Minister for Finance confirmed the extension of the scheme until the end of 2024. More details are available on the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx
The new Local Authority Home Loan commenced on 4 January 2022 and is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used by first-time buyers for both for new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. €250 million will be available in 2023 for lending under the expanded scheme. More details on the Local Authority Home Loan scheme are available on the following link:
localauthorityhomeloan.ie
Additionally, 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. Details of the scheme can be found here www.gov.ie/en/publication/c2183-croi-conaithe-towns-fund
Schemes under the Fund, which is delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant of up to €30,000 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.
In July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). Further information is available on the following link:www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas.
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.
In 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. Details of this scheme can be found at; www.gov.ie/en/publication/33209-ready-to-build-scheme-serviced-sites-for-new-homes/.
Taken together, these scheme represent a comprehensive suite of measures aimed at increasing the supply of new homes and the capacity of First Time Buyers to purchase a new home.
220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the marine and commercial activities prohibited or restricted in marine special areas of conservation. [60373/22]
View answerThere are a variety of protections in Ireland which apply to marine habitats and species.
Regarding marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in particular, a large number of SAC sites with a marine component are designated in Irish law. Some of these sites are entirely marine, and some have a marine element, but also take in terrestrial area.
All SAC sites with a marine component have a defined list of activities (over and above any more general protections which may apply to the marine generally) which cannot be carried out at the site without the consent of the Minister. These activities are generally known as ARCs (Activities Requiring Consent) and can vary depending on the particular habitats and or species for which the site is designated.
Comprehensive information about the ARCs that apply at all designated marine SACs is available at the following link: www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac
My officials would be happy to assist in providing specific information about the ARCs which apply at a particular SAC site.
221. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on the number of foreshore licences granted monthly between the period 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2022 including the average waiting time for applications. [60374/22]
View answerThe Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained for any activity on State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest. Details of applications and determinations made by the Minister under the Act are on my Department's website gov.ie - Foreshore applications (www.gov.ie)
The expected time for processing and determining these lease and licence applications can vary considerably and is influenced by the quality of the application and supporting documents received, the nature and complexity of the application, the level of public engagement during the consultation process, the timeliness of the applicant's responses to request, as well the number of applications on hand of the same priority. There are multiple milestones in the assessment process starting from receipt of an application, and a range of reasons why an application could take longer to conclude the assessment process than another.
Each application must be assessed appropriately in accordance with the applicable requirements of domestic and EU law including the EIA Directive, Birds and Habitats Regulations and the Foreshore Act. In addition, the provisions of the Public Participation Directive are applied to consent applications under the Foreshore Acts which require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement by the European Communities (Foreshore) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 404 of 2009) and the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Foreshore) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 433 of 2012). Several of the foreshore licences issued during the period in question have been the subject of judicial review proceedings and the process for assessing such applications has been amended as a result, taking into account legal advices received. My Department, in the same period has more than doubled the staffing resources available within the Foreshore Section to address this increasing workload. Additional internal and external specialist environmental expertise has been secured to assist in the technical assessment of applications.
Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 provides the Minister with the authority to grant a license. A licence is generally issued for an activity or development that does not require exclusive occupation of the foreshore. Examples would include repair work, some coastal protection work, undersea pipelines, cables, site investigation works and dredging works. Once the Minister has determined and granted an application under this section, the Chief State's Solicitors Office (CSSO) is then instructed by my Department to prepare the relevant legal instrument or licence and liaise with the applicant's own legal representatives. Arrangements are also made for the payment of the relevant licence fee. Once these matters are complete the licence is then signed by both parties and executed as a Deed.
The table below identifies the number of licences executed in each of the years specified.
|
Month |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
January |
|
|
3 |
2 |
|
February |
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
March |
|
|
1 |
2 |
|
April |
|
|
2 |
1 |
|
May |
2 |
|
1 |
4 |
|
June |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
July |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
August |
|
|
4 |
5 |
|
September |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
October |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
November |
|
|
1 |
|
|
December |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Totals |
7 |
6 |
26 |
23 |
222. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time staff vacancies by job title in the Office of the Planning Regulator as of 29 November 2022; and when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [60394/22]
View answerBased on information provided by the Office of the Planning Regulator to my Department there are currently two full-time staff vacancies. A detailed breakdown as requested is included in the table below.
|
Grade / Role |
Positions filled |
Vacancies |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
Recruitment campaign currently ongoing |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
To be filled in January 2023 |
It should be noted that arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Office of the Planning Regulator is oireachtas@opr.ie.
223. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s total current spend on schemes (details supplied) in 2021 and 2022 (to date), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60429/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Programme |
2021 €m |
2022 (To end Nov) €m |
|
SHCEP |
271.9 |
362.65 |
|
RAS |
122 |
98.07 |
|
CLSS |
67.09 |
67.29 |
|
Accommodation for Homeless |
223.5 |
164.97 |
224. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Croí Cónaithe applications received as of 31 October 2022, by county. [60433/22]
View answerPathway 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, 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.
In July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). Further information is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/
In 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. All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and / or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications. As the scheme has recently launched, each local authority has been asked to assess suitable sites for the scheme.
When the Fund was launched, I committed to ongoing reviews of the schemes under it. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme has been very positive, with 419 applications reported to start November. Details of these applications by local authority are set out in the table below. In order for applications to be assessed and a decision made, specified supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and a site visit carried out by the local authority to asses the works being applied for. In some cases this may involve the local authority reverting to the applicant for additional information.
|
Local Authority |
Applications Received for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant |
Approved |
|
Carlow |
4 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
12 |
0 |
|
Clare |
18 |
1 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork county |
50 |
10 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
27 |
7 |
|
Kerry |
36 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
11 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
0 |
|
Laois |
7 |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
9 |
|
Longford |
2 |
0 |
|
Louth |
14 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
27 |
8 |
|
Meath |
2 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
13 |
8 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
2 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
3 |
|
Totals |
419 |
66 |
It is intended that in future, data on the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be published on the Department's website on a quarterly basis.
225. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing schemes launched as of 31 October 2022. [60434/22]
View answerHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared and published a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include their planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set individual five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities.
2022 represents the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is being developed by local authorities, by approved housing bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan and by the Land Development Agency. Furthermore, local authorities have been begun collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics shortly.
Furthermore, 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 and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/.
226. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide funding for a municipal wastewater treatment plant for Abbeyknockmoy, County Galway to allow the proper development of the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60446/22]
View answerI understand the Question is referring to the new funding measure which I announced on the 28 April 2022, as an advance stage of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for up to 2025 for the measure, which will focus on areas of most need based on housing and environmental criteria.
The measure was open to all rural local authorities to submit, on a priority basis, up to two applications for funding by the deadline of 15 September 2022. Galway County Council have submitted applications for Clarinbridge and Craughwell.
The first round of funding will follow a demonstration project model approach and will allow for the development of appropriate longer-term strategies, protocols and better inform future funding needs for the progressive development of public waste water collection and treatment infrastructure in villages/settlements that are currently without these services.
227. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when meetings will resume between his Department and FACE Ireland which previously occurred every quarter. [60469/22]
View answerThe last meeting that I and officials of the National Parks & Wildlife Service held with FACE was on 10th February 2022. All requests for meetings from stakeholders are dealt with on an individual basis and facilitated as efficiently as my diary permits.
228. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the inspector’s report into (details supplied), its finances and structures which found amongst other discrepancies that funding was not ring-fenced for its intended purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60470/22]
View answerThe organisation referred to is an environmental non-governmental organisation and my Department does not fund or review its operational costs. It would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the report of the Charity Regulator.
229. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has engaged with (details supplied) following the publication of the report by the inspector on behalf of the charity's regulator; if he is satisfied that the correct processes, procedures and financial plans are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60471/22]
View answerThe organisation referred to is an environmental non-governmental organisation and my Department does not fund or review its operational costs. It would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the report of the Charity Regulator.
230. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional gross and net annual cost to the state of every €1,000 increase to the social housing eligibility income thresholds up to €10,000 in tabular form. [60520/22]
View answer231. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional annual expenditure that would be required from the Exchequer on the housing assistance payment by increases to the income eligibility thresholds for social housing in €1,000 increments from €1,000 to €10,000 respectively; and the number of additional households that it is estimated would become eligible for HAP as a consequence of the same increases in tabular form. [60521/22]
View answer235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional persons that became eligible for HAP in counties Carlow, Clare, Laois, Westmeath and Galway as a result of the decision in September 2022 to increase the social housing eligibility income thresholds by €5,000; and the percentage increase to the number of HAP recipients prior to the move that this equates to in tabular form. [60525/22]
View answer236. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional annual gross and net cost to the State of the decision in September 2022 to increase the social housing eligibility income thresholds by €5,000 in counties Carlow, Clare, Laois, Westmeath and Galway. [60529/22]
View answer240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of additional households that would become eligible for social housing supports if the band 3 threshold was further revised from €30,000 to €35,000; and the estimated cost of supports for them. [60722/22]
View answer241. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional gross and net cost of social housing supports for the 16,000 additional households that will become eligible as a result of the decision announced on 29 November 2022 to increase the baseline thresholds; the breakdown of the cost estimate; and the estimated projected number of these 16,000 households that will be eligible for HAP due to shortage of social housing. [60723/22]
View answer242. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the review of social housing income eligibility or his Department otherwise considered changes to the treatment of family income supplement or the income of adult children who are unable to leave the family home due to the housing crisis; if so, the changes considered; the estimated numbers impacted by; and the estimated cost of the changes. [60724/22]
View answerThe Government recently agreed proposals to increase the baseline social housing income eligibility thresholds for all local authorities by €5,000. The changes come into effect from 1 January 2023.
An analysis by my Department suggests some 16,000 additional households may be eligible for social housing support, including HAP, as a result of the changes. Previous analysis by the Housing Agency suggested around 25% of qualified households may apply for HAP. On this basis, and all things equal, up to 4,000 households could be expected to apply for HAP at a full year cost of circa €38 million.
The Review of Income Eligibility for Social Housing Support, carried out by the Housing Agency in 2021, estimated some 200 or so additional households would apply for HAP on foot of a €5,000 increase to the income thresholds for Carlow, Clare, Galway, Laois and Westmeath County Councils. The Housing Agency analysis in this regard is available on my Department's website at gov.ie - Review of Income Eligibility for Social Housing Support (www.gov.ie) My Department estimates the full year HAP cost for these additional households would be around €1m.
An analysis of the longer-term impact of increasing thresholds will be carried out in the context of the broader examination of the social housing income eligibility model recently commenced by my Department.
Recent analysis carried out by my Department was limited to the impact - in terms of eligible households and resulting HAP costs - of the uplift in the income thresholds by €5,000 across all local authorities. It did not examine the impact of other stepped changes.
Changes to the income eligibility model, beyond those to the income thresholds, have not been considered by my Department. Accordingly, the data requested by the Deputy regarding changes to the treatment of income family supplement or the income of adult family members are not available.
232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average HAP payment per recipient funded by the Exchequer; and the average cost to the State per recipient net of differential rents. [60522/22]
View answer233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the gross and net average cost to the State per HAP recipient. [60523/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
Data in relation to funding provided by the State for Housing Assistance Payment (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.
The monthly gross average cost per HAP tenancy at end Q2 2022 is €932.81.
The monthly average cost per HAP tenancy funded by the Exchequer i.e. net of average differential rent, is €728.61.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The limits applicable are related to the specific household and the rental market in the area and so vary significantly across each local authority.
