Written Answers Nos. 501-520
501. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of any pilot funding schemes offered by his Department to local authorities; the local authorities that each pilot scheme is offered to; his plans to extend these schemes to other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63730/22]
View answerDetails of the pilot funding schemes offered by my Department, including details of participating local authorities are set out in the table.
|
Scheme |
Local Authority |
Details |
|
Caravan Loan Scheme Pilot |
All Local Authorities |
The pilot Caravan Loan Scheme was introduced to support the provision of Traveller-specific accommodation through local authorities, to provide preferential loans to Travellers to purchase their own caravan or mobile home for use as their primary residence. In 2022, the pilot scheme was limited to the provision of up to 75 caravans or €3 million, whichever is the lesser, across all local authorities, until the end of 2022. Following completion of the pilot, the Department will review the operation of the pilot scheme with input from the local authorities and other stakeholders. A report will be prepared for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and options for an enduring scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process. |
|
Midlands Retrofit Pilot |
Galway County, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath. |
In 2020 funding of €20 million was made available for an energy efficiency retrofitting programme to fund upgrades to approximately 750 dwellings in the midlands, under the 'Just Transition' programme, as part of the Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan. This Midlands Retrofit Pilot was established as a pilot programme to provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation, and it centres on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas. The pilot is expected to be completed in 2023 with the retrofit of 750 dwellings over the lifetime of the pilot |
|
Pilot Conservation Advice Scheme |
All Local Authorities |
Under this pilot, owners of protected structures in any local authority area could apply directly to the Department for a grant to pay for conservation advice from a qualified architect. 370 applications were received of which 100 were chosen by lottery to participate in the scheme; 72 of these in turn availed of funding. Participants selected a conservation architect who then billed the Department directly on completion of a conservation advice report. The Department will review the success of this pilot in 2023, specifically by looking at whether owners who received expert advice were more likely to invest in appropriate conservation works. |
|
Pilot programme for Local Authorities regarding delivery methods/efficiencies for Affordable Housing and an examination of differing construction options on a live sample basis. |
Carlow County Council; Cork City Council; Cork County Council; Dublin City Council; Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; Fingal County Council; Galway City Council; Galway County Council; Kildare County Council; Kilkenny County Council; Laois County Council; Limerick City and County Council; Louth County Council; Meath County Council; South Dublin County Council; Waterford City and County Council; Westmeath County Council; and Wicklow County Council |
An open call for this one-off pilot scheme, co-ordinated by the Housing Agency, was circulated to all 18 local authorities with an affordability constraint in December 2022 and will select 3 sample projects to support on-going research into construction efficiencies and innovation in affordable housing delivery. Subject to eligible submissions being received, projects will be selected by the Housing Agency towards the end of January 2023 based on specific award criteria outlined in the Call. A concluding analysis of same will be prepared by end Q2 2023. |
|
Repair and Leasing Scheme expansion |
All Local Authorities |
A review of the Repair and Leasing Scheme is expected to be carried out mid-2023 |
|
Virtual inspections of private rental accommodation for compliance with the minimum rental standards |
All Local Authorities |
Enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 rests with the relevant local authority (LA). Given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on private rental inspections from March 2020 and saw a substantial drop in the number of inspections conducted. In response, Dublin City Council commenced trialling virtual inspections in May 2020 which entailed landlords completing a self-assessment checklist and submitting photographic/video evidence by email, and the inspector engaging with the tenant by phone about the condition of the dwelling. The Department supported this initiative by providing the same level of Exchequer subvention as that for traditional on-site inspections and encouraged other LAs to get involved. Five local authorities joined the pilot in 2020 and undertook 1,388 virtual inspections. A further 14 joined in 2021. A total of 5,109 virtual inspections were conducted that year. The County and City Management Association permitted a return to on-site inspections from July 14th 2021. In August 2021 the Department issued an online survey questionnaire to gauge LA attitudes to virtual inspections and learn from their experiences and any problems encountered. Many respondents expressed the opinion that while virtual inspection systems presented certain challenges and limitations, they offered a way of improving the standard of rental accommodation despite the pandemic. Some saw a role for virtual inspections post-pandemic alongside traditional on-site inspections. Housing for All commits to supporting the implementation of virtual inspections with the ultimate aim of them being part of the mainstream inspection regime in LAs. The Department has continued to provide a subvention for virtual inspections. With pandemic restrictions fully lifted, 2022 saw circa 36,000 inspections undertaken by the end of Q3. Of these 844 were virtual inspections and were conducted by a total of 10 LAs. |
502. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the stage at which a homeowner who has been awarded a grant under the existing and the enhanced defective block remediation scheme can draw down payment for construction works. [63741/22]
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 grant scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021.
Pending commencement of the DCB Act and the enhanced grant scheme, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current DCB grant scheme.
Under the current scheme, a scheme participant that has been approved for payment by the local authority, may apply to a relevant local authority for payment for qualifying works once they have been completed. The grant scheme facilitates the relevant local authority to pay the grant to the applicant by way of stage payments. The number of stage payments will be based on the eligible applicant’s remedial option, with stage payments not exceeding 85% of the approved cost (previously 75% but increased to 85% following amending Regulations in February 2022).
Work on drafting the necessary Regulations to facilitate the commencement of the enhanced grant scheme is ongoing and the Regulations will provide for all matters within the DCB Act which are to be prescribed, including the requirements for the payment of the remediation option grant awarded under the enhanced scheme.
503. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new-build social homes delivered to date in 2022, broken down by delivery stream (details supplied). [63742/22]
View answer526. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the 2,706 new-build social homes delivered by quarter 3 of 2022, by delivery scheme, including SHIP construction, CHIP turnkey, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CAS construction, CAS turnkey and Part V, PPP. [63996/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 526 together.
Housing 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. Data to the end of Quarter 3 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/
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Q3 2022. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b4cd-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2022/
A version of this file is available to download for analysis at data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2022?package_type=dataset.
A breakdown by the requested delivery streams to the end of Quarter 3 2022 is set out in the table below.
|
Delivery Stream |
New Build Units |
|
SHIP Construction |
603 |
|
SHIP Turnkey |
463 |
|
CALF Construction |
109 |
|
CALF Turnkey |
873 |
|
CALF Part V |
218 |
|
CAS Construction |
48 |
|
CAS Turnkey |
116 |
|
LA Part V |
276 |
|
PPP |
0 |
|
Total |
2706 |
Note: An additional 58 Part V Leased homes were delivered to Q3 2022.
504. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social housing leases delivered to date in 2022, with a breakdown by leasing scheme. [63743/22]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments.
A breakdown by delivery scheme of the total number of social homes delivered under SHCEP to end Q3 2022 can be found in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Social Housing Leases delivered to end of Q3 2022
|
Leasing Scheme |
Leasing Scheme Total |
|
LA Long Term Leasing |
434 |
|
Enhanced Leasing |
118 |
|
AHB Leasing |
87 |
|
LA Short Term Leasing |
91 |
|
Part V Leasing |
58 |
|
Repair and Leasing |
70 |
|
Mortgage To Rent |
348 |
|
Total |
1,206 |
505. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the marine protected areas legislation, including a date when he expects to publish the Bill. [63744/22]
View answerOn 13 December 2022 the Government approved the General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2022. The General Scheme was published on 16 December 2022 and is available via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/2fd71-general-scheme-of-marine-protected-areas-bill-2022/
Drafting is now commencing with a view to publishing the Bill at the earliest opportunity in 2023. With this in mind, I wrote to the Joint Oireactas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on 13 January 2023 to request the commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill as soon as possible.
506. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the legislation for a directly elected mayor in Limerick. [63745/22]
View answer542. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1307/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 542 together.
The Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill providing for a directly elected mayor for Limerick at its meeting of 20 April 2021. The Government also approved the publication of the General Scheme and its referral both to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny and to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme in November 2021.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of this complex Bill and its publication has been identified as a priority as soon as practicable. Drafting of this legislation is well advanced and the Bill will be progressed having regard to the overall government legislative programme.
507. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to release the Mulcahy report into allegations of planning malpractice in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63746/22]
View answerI am considering the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course.
The review is a scoping report and as such it does not make findings as to the truth or otherwise of allegations that have been made by an individual against named persons. The Attorney General's office has been consulted on both the content of the report and also on the issue of its potential publication and dissemination
Further, regarding the publication of the Mulcahy Report, the decisions of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (CEI/18/0019) of 13 February 2019 and the Information Commissioner (OIC-59426-Q8D7T8) of 27 February 2020 in relation to requests to publish this report will also be taken into account. Both decisions are publicly available on those bodies' websites.
It should be noted that in each of these cases, both the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Information Commissioner decided not to grant access to the report. The Office of the Information Commissioner decision stated "placing the details concerned in the public domain would significantly breach the rights to privacy of identifiable individuals." Therefore, this is a matter that requires careful consideration given that the report details unproven allegations against named persons.
508. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been delivered through the single-stage approval process, broken down by year and local authority, for each year since 2019; and the number of new social homes that are currently in the pipeline availing of the single-stage approval process, with a breakdown by local authority, in tabular form. [63747/22]
View answerThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Local Authority |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
In Pipeline |
|
Local Authority |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
In Pipeline |
|
Carlow |
12 |
8 |
0 |
24 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
0 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
3 |
10 |
2 |
14 |
|
DLR |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
|
Laois |
1 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Mayo |
12 |
0 |
12 |
16 |
|
Meath |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
2 |
43 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
509. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that were delivered through the mortgage-to-rent, buy-and-renew and repair-and-lease schemes in 2022, in tabular form. [63748/22]
View answer583. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of mortgage-to-rent applications, approvals and completions in 2022, broken down by local authority area; the number of repair-and-lease applications, broken down by local authority area, approvals and completions in 2022; and the number of buy-and-renew applications, approvals and completions in 2022, broken down by local authority area, in tabular form. [2131/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 583 together.
Housing 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. Data on the Repair and Leasing scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q3 2022 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls. This includes the number of units delivered by each local authority to end Q3 2022 and the number of applications since the launch of the scheme.
The table below shows the number of Mortgage-to-Rent applications, approvals and completions in 2022.
|
Local Authority |
Applications |
Approvals |
Completions |
|
Carlow |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
8 |
8 |
|
Clare |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
Cork City |
22 |
22 |
22 |
|
Cork County |
29 |
22 |
22 |
|
DLR |
11 |
7 |
7 |
|
Donegal |
29 |
26 |
26 |
|
Dublin City |
13 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
30 |
18 |
18 |
|
Galway City |
5 |
2 |
2 |
|
Galway County |
11 |
10 |
10 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
8 |
8 |
|
Kildare |
35 |
36 |
36 |
|
Kilkenny |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Laois |
16 |
14 |
14 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
2 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
20 |
15 |
15 |
|
Longford |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Louth |
46 |
31 |
31 |
|
Mayo |
10 |
9 |
9 |
|
Meath |
38 |
34 |
34 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
8 |
8 |
|
Offaly |
16 |
9 |
9 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
South Dublin |
31 |
23 |
23 |
|
Tipperary |
17 |
10 |
10 |
|
Waterford |
20 |
19 |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
10 |
7 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
25 |
23 |
23 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
21 |
21 |
|
TOTAL |
547 |
432 |
432 |
Under Housing for All, Buy & Renew is a key element in tackling vacancy and dereliction. The Buy & Renew scheme supports local authorities in purchasing and renewing vacant housing units in need of repair, which can then be made available for social housing use. Details of the number of Buy & Renew units acquired by each local authority in 2022 are set out below. Data on the number of applications made may be available directly from local authorities. My Department is working to support increased Buy and Renew activity in local authorities.
|
Local Authority |
No of Units |
|
Cork City |
10 |
|
Cork County |
7 |
|
Dublin City |
11 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Limerick |
17 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
6 |
|
Total |
59 |
Note: Buy & Renew figures are subject to revision as claims are received from local authorities.
510. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social and affordable homes delivered by the LDA in 2022, by location and average price. [63749/22]
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. Under Housing for All, the Government aims to deliver 54,000 affordable homes 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. 2022 represents the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing.
The LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market.
It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative - Project Tosaigh. An expressions of interest process was launched seeking proposals from the homebuilding sector for the forward purchase of unbuilt residential units at the end of 2021, and, arising from that, LDA now has a pipeline of projects anticipated to deliver affordable for sale and cost rental homes. A renewed expressions of interest process under Project Tosaigh was initiated in October last. Work is underway in assessing proposals submitted.
The LDA have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes. It is intended that information on affordable 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.
511. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of Croí Cónaithe grants issued in 2022, by county. [63750/22]
View answer582. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for Croí Cónaithe towns grants to date, broken down by local authority area and by grant type, such as vacant home, derelict home; the number of croí cónaithe towns grants approved, broken down by local authority area and by grant type; the total number of croí cónaithe towns grants drawn down, broken down by local authority area and grant type; and if he will provide a summary of the total value of applications, approvals, and draw-downs to date in tabular form. [2127/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 582 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All. In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched 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, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from November 15 2022.
On 21 September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched, also funded under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. When the Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. Feedback on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Scheme has been very positive, with 716 applications reported to 31 December 2022. 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 assess the works being applied for. In some cases this may involve the local authority reverting to the applicant for additional information. Drawdown of the grant occurs on completion of the works applied for and a second site visit by the local authority. It is intended that in future, data including a breakdown by local authority of grants received and approved, will be published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis. Information of the nature requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be published shortly.
512. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of contracts that have been signed with developers under the Croí Cónaithe cities scheme; and the total number of units to be provided through these contracts. [63751/22]
View answerThe Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The scheme is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.
The scheme launched on the 10 May 2022 with an Expressions of Interest process which is being managed and administered by The Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. The closing date for receipt of proposals was 21 June 2022.
On receipt of applications in June, The Housing Agency has been actively undertaking the various appraisal stages (3) which deal with the following:
1. Eligibility of proposals
2. Ranking of suitable proposals and
3. A detailed due diligence process leading to designation (the current stage of progress).
Alongside this, the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme is currently subject of an application in respect of State Aid to the EU’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) with a decision due shortly.
Until that live process has concluded, and due to the on-going commercial sensitivity surrounding the live assessment process, it is not possible to comment any further on specific details until then.
513. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new housing first tenancies created in 2022, by local authority area. [63752/22]
View answerHousing First recognises that a stable home provides the basis for recovery in other areas. With Housing First, the priority is to support a person who has experienced homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without any preconditions around addiction or mental health treatment. Then, intensive work continues on these issues once they are housed. Housing First has been a key element of Government homelessness policy.
The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Data on the number of Housing First tenancies created are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports. The report for Q3 2022 shows that a total of 165 Housing First tenancies had been created since the beginning of 2022. A copy of the report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/256fc-homeless-quarterly-progress-report-for-q3-2022/
Full data for 2022 is not yet available but will be published as part of the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report for Q4 2022 in due course.
The table below provides details on the number of tenancies created to end Q3 2022, by local authority area.
|
Region |
Local Authority |
Tenancies created up to Q3 2022 |
|
Dublin city |
34 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6 |
|
|
Fingal |
8 |
|
|
South Dublin |
18 |
|
|
Dublin Total |
66 |
|
|
Kildare |
13 |
|
|
Meath |
7 |
|
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
|
Mid-East Total |
22 |
|
|
Laois |
8 |
|
|
Longford |
1 |
|
|
Offaly |
4 |
|
|
Westmeath |
0 |
|
|
Midlands Total |
13 |
|
|
Clare |
1 |
|
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
|
Mid-West Total |
10 |
|
|
Louth |
5 |
|
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
|
Cavan |
0 |
|
|
North-East Total |
6 |
|
|
Donegal |
0 |
|
|
Leitrim |
0 |
|
|
Sligo |
2 |
|
|
North-West Total |
2 |
|
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
|
Tipperary |
4 |
|
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
|
South-East Total |
15 |
|
|
Cork City |
17 |
|
|
Cork County |
2 |
|
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
|
South-West Total |
21 |
|
|
Galway City |
4 |
|
|
Galway County |
4 |
|
|
Mayo |
2 |
|
|
Roscommon |
0 |
|
|
West Total |
10 |
|
|
TOTALS |
165 |
514. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends expanding the scheme immediately to cover all Traveller families living in caravans of eight years old or more, in view of the demand for the pilot caravan loan scheme from Traveller families, some of whom live in caravans and mobiles that are over 20 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63753/22]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
The pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022 and my Department will now review the operation of the pilot scheme with input from the local authorities and other stakeholders. A report will be prepared and options for an enduring scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process.
515. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the public sector benchmarking exercise used in the first bundle of the social housing public private partnerships. [63754/22]
View answer516. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on bundle 2 and bundle 3 of the social housing PPP programme. [63755/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
The Social Housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme represents an additional strand of delivery to increase the supply of social housing. The current programme has to date delivered 1,000 new homes with a further 2,700 units in the pipeline.
In terms of progress to date, in 2021 construction was completed on Bundles 1 and 2. Bundle 1 delivered 534 houses and apartments across six sites in Dublin, Kildare, Louth and Wicklow in 2020 and 2021 while Bundle 2 delivered 465 homes in 2021 across eight sites in Cork, Clare, Galway, Kildare, Roscommon and Waterford. Bundle 3 will deliver 486 new social houses and apartments across six sites in Dublin, Kildare, Sligo and Wicklow and the tender process commenced in Q4 2022.
In accordance with the commitment under Housing for All, my Department will increase the use of PPPs to deliver social housing. In June 2022, Bundles 4 and 5 of the new programme were launched, which will deliver in the region of 1,600 new homes while more recently, Bundle 6 was announced and is expected to provide almost 600 new homes. Significant progress is being made under the programme and my Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders including the National Development Finance Agency, the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office, and relevant local authorities to progress further bundles of projects.
The Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) is an essential part of any PPP project. It contains commercially sensitive information in relation to the methodology used for costing public sector projects and for the pricing of risks by public sector bodies. In accordance with guidelines from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, (Guidelines for the use of Public Private Partnerships), current policy is that the final PSB, or any elements thereof, is not made public during the tendering process on the basis that revealing the amount that the State may pay for a service may give tenderers an opportunity to increase their asking price above what they might otherwise seek. This is also relevant where it is intended to procure further similar projects in the near future (e.g. subsequent project bundles as part of an ongoing PPP programme).
However, in accordance with the Guidelines, following the completion of the construction phase, once an appropriate period of time has elapsed and the commercial sensitivity of the information on the project is no longer an issue (having regard also to any other similar PPP projects which may be in pre-procurement), the PSB should be made public. On this basis, while Bundles 1 and 2 of the programme are completed, the procurement process for Bundle 3 is in progress and there is a significant pipeline of projects approved, so it is not appropriate to publish the PSB at this time. However, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has agreed, in the interest of transparency and timing, that the PSB may be published when the tender process for Bundle 3 has been finalised and the contract is awarded.
517. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom social houses and one-, two-, and three-bedroom social apartments that were completed in 2022; and the average cost for the same set of units for tender contracts signed in 2022, in tabular form. [63756/22]
View answerThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders
|
2020 |
Construction Costs (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs per Unit € |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of costs per unit € |
|
|
1bed house |
184,435 |
139k - 237k |
24,949 |
3k - 46k |
|
2bed house |
193,665 |
129k - 263k |
24,287 |
1k - 66k |
|
3bed house |
211,518 |
152k - 342k |
24,602 |
1k - 66k |
|
4bed house |
262,311 |
205k - 321k |
40,196 |
15k - 66k |
|
1bed apartment |
198,719 |
169k - 269k |
22,875 |
24k - 54k |
|
2bed apartment |
230,691 |
198k - 306k |
16,337 |
7k - 54k |
|
3bed apartment |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
Construction Costs (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs per Unit € |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of costs per unit € |
|
|
1bed house |
180,375 |
143k - 234k |
21,499 |
7k - 41k |
|
2bed house |
235,253 |
144k - 347k |
29,893 |
6k - 64k |
|
3bed house |
248,105 |
162k - 427k |
25,860 |
4k - 68k |
|
4bed house |
302,311 |
190k - 457k |
33,302 |
11k - 44k |
|
1bed apartment |
212,765 |
179k - 276k |
40,557 |
30k - 58k |
|
2bed apartment |
244,296 |
187k - 325k |
43,113 |
34k - 64k |
|
3bed apartment |
306,096 |
302k - 312k |
50,451 |
46k - 58k |
|
2022 |
Construction Costs (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs per Unit € |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of costs per unit € |
|
|
1bed house |
251,604 |
144k - 311k |
26,924 |
14k - 67k |
|
2bed house |
265,796 |
169k - 375k |
33,581 |
8k - 67k |
|
3bed house |
317,667 |
205k - 429k |
36,646 |
12k - 70k |
|
4bed house |
339,046 |
252k - 432k |
31,360 |
21k - 50k |
|
1bed apartment |
246,302 |
198k - 363k |
28,667 |
15k - 62k |
|
2bed apartment |
304,030 |
177k - 369k |
30,073 |
9k - 62k |
|
3bed apartment |
410,417 |
268k - 451k |
43,686 |
30k - 48k |
518. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a council tenant in an AHB in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and a council tenant in a council home in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council can be paying different amounts in rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63757/22]
View answerThe majority of tenants in local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) dwellings pay a differential rent in accordance with the relevant local authority's differential rent scheme. However, in some circumstances, including in AHB dwellings funded through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), tenants will pay an economic rent rather than a differential rent.
CAS provides capital funding for housing accommodation for priority groups such as those experiencing homelessness, older people, and people with disabilities. There is a particular emphasis, though not exclusively, on moving those with a disability from a congregated setting into community-based living.
Generally, AHB's are required to set the economic rent at reasonable levels having regard to tenants’ incomes. However, in line with the funding model under the scheme, they must also take into account the cost of management, repairs and maintenance, including sinking fund, arrears, voids, insurance, and any relevant related borrowing costs. Different models may also be operated by AHBs, with varying levels of supports and services.
Accordingly, rents in CAS supported dwellings may be lower or higher than the respective differential rent for the local authority area depending on the level of supports and services provided, and the associated management costs. However, unlike households paying a differential rent, those paying an economic rent in CAS funded dwellings may also be eligible for rent supplement.
519. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that retained firefighters in Balbriggan and Skerries have been excluded from the pandemic bonus payment; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that they attended to Covid and medical calls during the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63835/22]
View answerOn 19 January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for frontline 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. Accordingly, the recognition payment is payable only to those employees of Dublin Fire Brigade who delivered such services in the period in question.
520. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has conducted any research into the proportion of the cost of new apartments or houses that is attributable to the land purchase costs; if so, if he will provide same; if not, if his attention has been drawn to any available research or data in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63913/22]
View answerMy Department undertook a Review of Delivery Costs and Viability for Affordability for Affordable Residential Developments in 2018. While the Review highlighted some of the factors that can impact the cost of land, it did not specifically consider the proportion that land costs contribute to overall cost of developing houses or apartments. A copy of the Review can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2cfffc-review-of-delivery-costs-and-viability-for-affordable-residential-de/
I understand that the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has undertaken some analysis of the development costs of houses and apartments in recent years. The SCSI Cost of Delivery Report 2020 suggests that land and acquisition costs contributed to 16% of the cost of development of a 3-bedroom semi-detached home in the Greater Dublin Area in 2020. Similarly, the SCSI Real Cost of New Apartment Delivery Report 2021 estimated such costs contribute to around 11% of the overall cost of development of a medium rise suburban two-bedroom apartment in Dublin. Both of these reports can be accessed on the SCSI website: scsi.ie/.
The proportion that land costs contribute to the overall cost of residential development depends on a number of factors, including the type, size and location of dwellings. As the SCSI notes, land cost can also be influenced by many factors, with potentially significant variance in values across and within counties. Locational factors such as access to amenities, demographics and access to public transport all impact the pricing of land. As well as locational factors, other factors can impact the price of land including density, risk, topography and demand.
