Written Answers Nos. 481-500
481. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the State will reimburse 90% of the engineering costs to the family of an applicant who has passed away before the completion of stage 1 under the defective concrete block grant scheme. [63537/22]
View answerThe purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the DCB Act) is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme, as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021.
Pending commencement of the Act and the enhanced DCB grant scheme, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current DCB grant scheme, which is underpinned by Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 25 of 2020, as amended.
The current and enhanced grant schemes apply to the owners of dwellings which are damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. In order to be considered a relevant owner under the current scheme the dwelling must be the individual’s principal private residence, that is an individual owns (or co-owns) and occupies it as his or her only or main residence. If a person inherits the dwelling after 31 January 2020, that person is also eligible to apply for the grant scheme, including the reimbursement of engineers costs as provided for in Regulation 8 of S.I. 25 of 2020, as amended. However the dwelling must now be this individual’s principal private residence, and the individual must intend in good faith to reside in the dwelling as his or her principal private residence on completion of the qualifying works to the dwelling.
A Notification of Change of Applicant Form must be completed as soon as possible and submitted to the local authority for consideration per Regulation 12(1) of S.I. 25 of 2020 in relation to the current scheme.
A similar process will apply under Section 24(1) of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 in respect of the Enhanced scheme, as soon as the Act is commenced.
Regulation 3 of S.I. No. 654 of 2022, which came into effect on 13 December 2022, amends Regulation 8 (11) of S.I. No. 25 of 2020, relating to the current scheme, by waiving the requirement for a Stage 1 confirmation of eligibility to be in place prior to recoupment of 90% of the cost of the engineer’s report fees for homeowners, as per the requirements in the Regulations, whose applications were received by the local authority before the 13 December, 2022.
Requests for further details on this process with respect to the current scheme can be addressed by the administrators of the scheme, namely Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council.
482. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time vacant homes officers in County Westmeath, in tabular form. [63552/22]
View answer483. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided for a vacant homes officer in County Westmeath, in tabular form. [63553/22]
View answer484. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the vacant home schemes and policies are sufficient in addressing the vacant homes issue in County Westmeath. [63554/22]
View answer485. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he receives regular updates on the number of homes applied for through the vacant homes scheme in County Westmeath; and, if so, if he will provide figures. [63555/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 482 to 485, inclusive, together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas.
Significant progress has been made in addressing vacancy since the launch of Housing for All, including the launch of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, on 14 July 2022 for eligible vacant properties in towns and villages. On 15 November 2022, the grant was extended to include vacant properties in cities and all rural areas. A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property to €50,000.
Data is and will continue to be gathered on the operation of the initiative. The number of applications received for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as reported by Westmeath County Council up to 31 December 2022 was 15.
On 21 September 2022 the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded under the Croi Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, was launched. Under the scheme, local authorities provide serviced sites in towns and villages at discounted rates for individuals who wish to build their own home.
From January 2022, my Department increased the contribution to support the role of Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum. This was subject to transitioning the changeover of the VHO to a fulltime position by the end of Q2, 2022. I can confirm that Westmeath County Council currently has a full time VHO in place and has claimed the funding of €60,000 for 2022/23.
I expect that the extension of the grant scheme to rural properties in November 2022 will have a very positive impact on vacancy in Westmeath and, together with the other positive initiatives detailed in Pathway 4 of Housing for All will address the issue of vacant homes in Westmeath over the next number of years.
486. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money requested by those in County Westmeath under the voids programme in 2020; the number of units proposed to be refurbished in County Westmeath; the amount allocated to County Westmeath from this fund in 2020; and the number of units to be refurbished in County Westmeath in tabular form. [63556/22]
View answer491. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money requested by those in County Longford under the voids programme in 2020; the number of units proposed to be refurbished in County Longford; the amount allocated to County Longford from this fund in 2020; and the number of units to be refurbished in County Longford in tabular form. [63562/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 491 together.
The 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.
Details of the 2022 Voids Programme, in relation to the funding provided and number of units remediated, will be made available on my Department's website shortly.
Details of the 2023 Voids Programme will be issued to local authorities in early 2023.
487. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time vacant homes officers in County Longford, in tabular form. [63558/22]
View answer488. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided for a vacant homes officer in County Longford, in tabular form. [63559/22]
View answer489. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the vacant home schemes and policies are sufficient in addressing the vacant homes issue in County Longford. [63560/22]
View answer490. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he receives regular updates on the number of homes applied for through the vacant homes scheme in County Longford; and, if so, if he will provide figures. [63561/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 to 490, inclusive, together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas.
Significant progress has been made in addressing vacancy since the launch of Housing for All, including the launch of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, on 14 July 2022 for eligible vacant properties in towns and villages. On 15 November 2022, the grant was extended to include vacant properties in cities and all rural areas. A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property to €50,000.
Data is and will continue to be gathered on the operation of the Grant. The number of applications received for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as reported by Longford County Council up to 31 December 2022 was 4.
On 21 September the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded under the Croi Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, was launched. Under the scheme, local authorities provide serviced sites in towns and villages at discounted rates for individuals who wish to build their own home.
From January 2022, my Department increased the contribution to support the role of Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum. This was subject to transitioning the changeover of the VHO to a fulltime position by the end of Q2, 2022. Longford County Council currently has a full time VHO in place and has claimed the funding of €60,000 for 2022/23.
I expect that the extension of the grant scheme to rural properties in November 2022 will have a very positive impact on vacancy in Longford and together with the other positive initiatives detailed in Pathway 4 of Housing for All will address the issue of vacant homes in Longford over the next number of years.
492. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on kelp harvesting in Bantry Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63629/22]
View answerMy Department operates a consenting regime under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), managing a range of different marine activities and infrastructural developments. Section 3 of the Act provides for the granting of a licence for the removal of or the disturbance of beach material on the Foreshore.
Beach material is defined in the Act and includes in its definition “seaweed whether growing or rooted on the seashore or deposited or washed up thereon by the action of tides, winds, and waves or any of them”.
In considering an application for a foreshore consent, it must be verified that the particular activity complies with regulations that will safeguard the ecological integrity of the proposed site in view of the site's conservation objectives under the under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and also have regard to the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. The activity must also be deemed to be in the public interest.
In addition to licensed wild seaweed harvesting, there also exists the right of individuals to harvest wild seaweed, namely those who hold appurtenant rights and profite-a-prendre rights. Their rights to harvest wild seaweed may be related to a property known as a folio or appurtenant right or built up through harvesting from the same area over a period of time known as a profit-a-prendre rights. The process of registering seaweed harvesting rights on a property folio is matter for the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.
Advice provided by the Attorney General’s Office in 2018 to my Department was that these rights were to be respected. Therefore, where these rights apply, a licence under the 1933 Foreshore Act is not required by the holder of that right in order to harvest seaweed, nor can any other entity be licenced under the Foreshore Act to harvest seaweed in an area where existing formal or informal rights to harvest seaweed already exist.
Ireland's National Marine Planning Framework commits to supporting the sustainable harvesting of seaweed, having regard to the important economic and social contribution it makes to coastal communities. However, it is agreed that there is currently a need for enhanced policy development in this area that would offer strong economic supports, at a time when the sector is attempting to capitalise on the growing uses for seaweed and its by-products emerging across a number of industries.
The Marine Institute’s has also contracted a Socio-Economic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland with a view to promoting the sustainable development of our marine resources; safeguarding our marine environment through research and environmental monitoring and realising the economic potential of Ireland’s 220 million acre marine resource. My Department will consider the findings of this study and its role in supporting the development of wide ranging national policy for this sector.
It is also worth noting that in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 the disturbance, harvesting or removal of seaweed will require an appropriate licence from the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) once established and operational. This will mean that the existing regulatory arrangements for seaweed harvesting under the Foreshore Act will be replaced by a modern, fit for purpose consenting regime managed by the new consenting body. Significant progress is being made by my Department in the establishment of this agency and the implementation of these new arrangements.
In relation to kelp harvesting in Bantry Bay, I am aware of an ongoing judicial review concerning a licence granted under the Foreshore Act 1933 for such activity and therefore, I’m not in a position to provide any views as the matter remains sub judice.
493. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications from County Louth under the first home scheme that have been approved and drawn down since the inception of the scheme; when the first review of the price thresholds under the terms of the scheme will be published; if he plans to change the thresholds as they apply to properties in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63663/22]
View answerThe First Home Scheme is managed and operated by the First Home Scheme DAC, and responses to specific queries in relation to activity and spend are a matter for the Scheme. Whilst data on activity by individual area has not to date been published by First Home, the scheme has confirmed 750 approvals nationally from launch in July 2022 to the end of December 2022.
At its launch, the First Home Scheme DAC indicated that a review of price ceilings would be undertaken within 6 months. First Home has confirmed that this review was conducted towards the end of 2022 on the basis of the most up to date Residential Property Price Index data on the sales prices of new homes, as published by the CSO, as well as a study of the prices of new homes available on the market and the recent increase in construction costs.
That review resulted in revised price ceilings being put in place from 1 January 2023. This saw the price ceiling for Louth increased by the First Home DAC from €300,000 to €375,000. The revised price ceilings are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about/property-price-ceilings/
The First Home Scheme can be contacted directly via the website or email (see www.firsthomescheme.ie/get-in-touch/).
494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will consider the amendments made to the Wildlife Bill 2016 in Seanad Éireann; when he will complete his consideration of the Bill; when he will propose to Government that permission be sought to have this Bill restored to the Order Paper for Dáil Éireann’s final consideration; the reason for the more than four-year delay in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63667/22]
View answerThe Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 gives legal effect to the proposed reconfiguration of the raised bog Natural Heritage Area network arising from the 2014 review of the raised bog Natural Heritage Area network.
The Bill had completed all stages in the Dáil and the Seanad, and had been returned to the Dáil for consideration of the various amendments made by the Seanad when the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil on 14 January 2020.
The amendments made in the Seanad have been re-examined in consultation with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) from a legal and drafting perspective, and it is intended to bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval to have the Bill restored to the Order Paper very shortly.
495. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63693/22]
View answer496. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on the much-anticipated review of the first-time home scheme ceiling prices, in particular for counties Louth and Meath, further to previous calls by this Deputy, given there are few to no new homes in the Louth area for less than the current €300,000 ceiling price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63694/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together.
The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Further information is available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
At its launch, it was announced by the First Home Scheme DAC that a review of price ceilings would be undertaken within 6 months. This review was conducted on the basis of the most up to date Residential Property Price Index data on the sales prices of new homes sold as published by the CSO, as well as a study of the prices of new homes available on the market, and also factored in the increase in construction costs.
That review is now complete, and the revised price ceilings have been in place since 1 January 2023. The ceiling for Louth has increased from €300,000 to €375,000 and is now equal with Meath which increased from €350,000 to €375,000.
497. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure housing estates in non-rural areas that are not connected to the sewerage network are considered for inclusion under the review of the multi-annual rural water programme; if he intends to expand the programme beyond rural locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63706/22]
View answerI understand that the Question refers to housing estates that are dependent on developer-provided water services infrastructure for the provision of their water services.
My Department operates a multi-annual programme, the Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI), to provide funding for the progressive resolution of housing estates with legacy developer provided water services infrastructure to enable the taking in charge of these estates.
Funding of €68.5 million under the National Development Plan has been allocated for the period 2021-2025 for legacy water services issues in relation to the DPI and lead pipe remediation.
The multi-annual programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken in charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public (Uisce Éireann) network, but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers. The focus of the first tranches of funding is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks.
A study has been recently completed by Uisce Éireann to develop optimum solutions for estates with legacy developer provided water services infrastructure. This study will help my Department with developing policy solutions.
It will take a number of funding programmes to fully resolve estates with developer provided water services infrastructure, however, my Department is committed to progressing the taking in charge of these legacy estates through increased funding over the coming years.
498. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the availability of an online choice-based lettings system to counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63724/22]
View answerA survey conducted by my Department in September 2022 identified that more than half of local authorities operate a Choice Based Letting (CBL) system, with 14 of these using an online system.
I understand Laois County Council plans to introduce an online CBL system in the near future. While Offaly County Council has no immediate plans to introduce CBL, my Department continues to liaise with the Council and other local authorities to facilitate the roll-out of CBL for all counties and to explore the feasibility of a national online CBL system.
499. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the population of pine martens is controlled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63727/22]
View answerThe pine marten has lived in Ireland for thousands of years. However, following decades of persecution and habitat loss, the pine marten was almost extinct by the 1960s. The protection of the pine marten under the Wildlife Acts and then the EU’s Habitats Directive, together with the banning of strychnine and the expansion of forest habitat, has allowed the species to recover. The pine marten has slowly expanded its range and is now present again in every county in Ireland, albeit at very low densities.
A national assessment of population density and abundance was undertaken in 2016. The full report can be accessed on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM97.pdf. The study examined pine marten densities in a wide range of randomly selected forest sites across the country. A mean density estimate of less than one pine marten per square km of forest habitat was calculated. Similar densities are seen in other parts of Europe and are not unusual for small predators such as martens. Combining this density estimate with data on the distribution and area of forest habitat occupied by the species in Ireland, the total population abundance of pine marten in Ireland was estimated at just over 3,000 individuals.
This population estimate confirms that pine marten are amongst the rarest of all mammalian species in Ireland and require careful conservation management to sustain the population and to meet international obligations for protection.
On private property, landowners may apply to my Department for permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to control protected species. This facility allows a person to apply for a permit to prevent serious damage caused by pine marten at specific locations. Applications are investigated by local staff to determine if serious damage is being caused and if so, the most practical method of stopping or controlling the problem. These licences are typically issued to allow pine martens to be removed from people’s attics under supervision from NPWS’s conservation rangers. One such licence was issued in 2022.
Licences may be issued under Section 23 of the Wildlife Act (as amended), to capture or humanely kill a protected wild animal and 11 such licences were issued for pine marten in 2022. The majority of these relate to conservation projections for important ground nesting birds such as Curlew, Tern, Corncrake and Grey Partridge. In all cases, licences are only granted if the licence will result in no significant adverse impact on the conservation status of the species concerned.
Finally, it is worth noting that the NPWS of my Department has worked with the Vincent Wildlife Trust to establish a website www.pinemarten.ie, which provides practical advice and accurate information with regard to the pine marten in Ireland.
500. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes built in the Kildare County Council area in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2023; the funding allocated in each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63729/22]
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, including Kildare County Council, were asked to include assessed affordable housing need and planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set individual five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities. The Kildare plan is available at the following link: www.kildarecoco.ie/YourCouncil/Publications/Housing/Kildare%20County%20Council%20Housing%20Delivery%20Action%20Plan.pdf
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is currently being developed by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan and by the Land Development Agency.
Funding under the various streams is made available on a programme basis in support of approved affordable housing schemes, rather than by allocations to counties. “Housing for All” has the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State to transform our housing system, with in excess of €20 billion in funding through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency over the five years.
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 in Q1 2023.
Finally, the First Home Scheme, launched in July 2022, 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/.
