Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
113. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department takes a role in ensuring that private developments purchased by local authorities for the provision of social housing are of an adequate standard. [62647/22]
View answerThe design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, in order to ensure the safety of people within the built environment.
Social housing standards are set out by my Department in the Design Manual for Quality Housing.
Social housing provision via the purchase of private units can be a good source for new Social Housing delivery when appropriately located and meeting local housing need. In this regard, my Department provides local authorities with advice on the provision of new build housing through turnkey acquisition in order for them to appropriately pursue this source, alongside all the other delivery mechanisms. The latest advice for Arrangements for the Provision by Local Authorities of Social Housing through Turnkey Projects is issued in Housing Circular 31/2019.
As part of my Department’s advice, local authorities are recommended to undertake a two stage evaluation process to ensure Turnkey units are of an adequate standard. Stage 1 of the local authority’s Turnkey evaluation process involves an assessment by an evaluation panel regarding the following criteria: suitability of location, land zoning status and availability of utilities. Only those locations deemed suitable by the local authority-appointed evaluation panel move onto Stage 2.
Stage 1 of the Turnkey evaluation process requires a more detailed submission by the individual or company submitting the turnkey proposal. In order to adequately analyse the standard of the proposed units, the following material is requested by the evaluation team: details on the individual or company submitting the proposal; the site location map; proposed site layout; house types; floor plans, areas; schedule of materials and finishes; number and mix of units proposed; details of planning permission; location of local amenities and public utilities; the all-in cost (that is, offer price) of the units; and a timeframe/programme for completion of the units.
Following assessment of the Stage 2 Turnkey submissions to the local authority, only those proposals deemed suitable by the evaluation panel, advance for further discussion and possible agreement for purchase.
