Written Answers Nos. 95-114
95. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the recently published report on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement; and the impact it will have on the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking community. [22136/23]
View answerMy Department has received a copy of the report, prepared by the Joint Committee for the Gaeltacht, Irish language and Irish Speaking Community and has noted its contents. The Deputy should, however, be aware that the lead on the CETA agreement is being taken in Government by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
96. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will supply a breakdown, by local authority, of the funding allocated and the funding drawdown under the Traveller caravan loan scheme for 2021 and 2022; the budget for 2023; if he will expand the scheme to cater for unmet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21885/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions No. 341 and 342 of 9 May 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
97. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant funding is available from the State for the removal of asbestos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21893/23]
View answerThere is no funding programme managed by my Department granting assistance for the removal of asbestos.
98. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in appendix 1 of the Laying the Foundations: Housing Action Report produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government were met in respect of Fingal County Council; if the proposed 1,376 units were delivered from 2015 to 2017; if not, how many were delivered; the final spend on the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21908/23]
View answer114. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in Appendix 1 of the Laying the Foundations: Housing Action Report produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government were met in respect of Wexford County Council; if he will confirm whether the proposed 677 units were delivered from 2015 to 2017; if not, the number that were delivered; the final spend on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22071/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 114 together.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 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 total funding provided by my Department to the relevant local authorities for the delivery of capital and current Housing programmes for the period in question is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Capital €m |
Current €m |
Total €m |
|
Fingal |
120 |
52 |
172 |
|
Wexford |
42 |
21 |
63 |
99. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to provide affordable and social housing for single people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21923/23]
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 and 54,000 affordable 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.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes and to make adequate provision for 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities.
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire up to 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property, which includes one bed properties.
The Government recognises that more needs to be done to support home buyers, including single individuals, and, as detailed in the Housing for All strategy, has introduced a multi-faceted approach to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system. This includes the provision of 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes in the period to 2030.
Under 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, including single applicants, purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes by bridging 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, including eligibility requirements. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount.
The First Home shared equity scheme, launched last July, employs a similar equity share model in order to support households and individuals unable to afford the purchase of new homes in the private market. Subject to eligibility criteria, it can provide funds up to 30% of the value of a newly constructed home (or 20% if the Help to Buy Scheme is used). Overall, this scheme is intended to support up to 8,000 affordable purchases in the period out to 2026, and the State has committed funding of €200m, to be matched by the participating mortgage lenders. Full details of the Scheme, including eligibility criteria, are available on the website: www.firsthomescheme.ie .
Separately, a new form of long-term sustainable home rental has been introduced in the form of Cost Rental tenancies. Cost Rental is targeted to deliver rents at least 25% below market levels for households and individuals with incomes above social housing limits but who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own homes on the open market. It provides tenants with secure tenancies in long-term homes. Under the Cost Rental model, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes.
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 April 2023, nearly 39,000 first-time buyers have been supported by this incentive.
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. The scheme is open to single applicants who have an annual gross income of not more than €70,000. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan can be found on the new, improved website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
100. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide his response to the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding offshore windfarm planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/23]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence referred to and I can advise that my Department is currently finalising a reply, which will issue to the organisation shortly.
101. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant-in-situ scheme will apply to mixed tenancies, joint tenancies and tenancies in common; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21925/23]
View answer102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant-in-situ scheme will apply to single unit apartments within a larger building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21926/23]
View answer103. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant-in-situ scheme will apply to a group of apartments where all tenants are served an eviction notice by the same landlord on the same grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21927/23]
View answer104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant-in-situ scheme will apply to households based on non-traditional family structures for example, friends, and cohabiting couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21928/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102, 103 and 104 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire up to 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023. This allocation will be kept under review.
There is extensive engagement between my Department and the local authorities on delivering social housing acquisitions. I have also established a Cross-Sectoral Group focused on supporting the acquisition programme and this Group is considering issues that are being encountered by local authorities. Local authorities can acquire single apartments within a larger development, or a number of apartments in a multi-unit development. The allocation of a dwelling to a household eligible for social housing supports is a matter for the relevant local authority. It will be matter for the local authority to determine the suitability of a property for acquisition on a case-by-case basis.
105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the circular with details of the changes to the vacant property grant of 1 May 2023 will issue to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21950/23]
View answerThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is being expanded from 1 May to build on the success of the scheme to date and further increase the number of vacant and derelict properties brought back into use. Details of the expansion are as follows:
The inclusion of one property which will be made available for rent, by the owner, in addition to one grant for a property which will be a principal private residence of the applicant i.e. a maximum of two applications for a grant will be available;
Changing the eligibility date, which is currently 1993 for the build date, to include vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007; and
Increase of the current maximum grant rates from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties
My Department has updated the scheme documentation, which is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/#documents. Revised guidance, including a circular, has issued to local authorities.
106. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the State will purchase an estate (details supplied) in County Meath given its significant heritage value and tourism potential for the site as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Brú na Bóinne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21971/23]
View answerThe State portfolio of heritage properties commands considerable resources in terms of both funding and personnel. Nevertheless, in the interests of ensuring the portfolio includes a representative sample of natural, built and archaeological heritage, my Department acquires certain additional heritage properties and monuments from time to time as resources and opportunities permit. These properties may come onto the open market, may be bequeathed to the State or may be offered to it free of cost.
The estate referred to by the Deputy is recognisably a significant and important heritage site, not only as part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Property and containing important Neolithic structures but is also an important 18th century designed demesne landscape, as well as being part of the Boyne and Blackwater Special Area of Conservation.
My Department is only ever in a position to make a very limited number of heritage acquisitions and, for commercial reasons, does not publicly disclose its interest in advance of any purchase negotiations.
107. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited and much-delayed Westgate vision plan for Drogheda; the expected key project timeline; the expected cost of the initial proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21997/23]
View answerIn line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects. URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €7,487,771 in URDF support for Louth County Council's successful project – St. Nicholas Quarter and Backlands Regeneration project.
This followed Louth County Council's two successful applications under the URDF’s first call for proposals in 2018 - Long Walk Quarter, Dundalk (€533,000) and Westgate Vision, Drogheda (€608,052)
In reference to the Westgate Vision Project in Drogheda, URDF support is for technical assistance, including project management, concept development, feasibility, detailed design and planning, to deliver an urban design vision for the Narrow West Street and its environs. As per the most recent update from Louth County Council, these works have a current estimated cost of €810,735, with an estimated completion date of Q2 2023.
On 30 January 2023, I announced details regarding a third round of funding under the URDF. Supporting key objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First, and the Vacant Homes Action Plan, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to address long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns.
This will be achieved through the provision of a €150m fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial) and to carry out any associated works needed to de-risk or improve the site to make it more attractive for re-use or sale. The fund would then be replenished from the proceeds received from the end use/user thereby, allowing the local authority to put in place a rolling programme of acquisitions in order to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction without recourse to borrowing and the associated financial risk.
My Department is currently in consultation with local authorities to determine these allocations, along with the final eligibility criteria and parameters for projects. I expect to be in a position to notify local authorities of their financial allocation and the final eligibility criteria and reporting requirements before the end of Q2, 2023.
Once the above work is completed, preparations will begin for the launch of a fourth round of URDF funding support later in 2023, which will see a return to the wider scope of the URDF, reflecting the complex investment proposals required to transform key areas of our cities and towns. The fourth round of funding will provide an opportunity for a number of ‘pipeline’ projects which have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Call 1 or Call 2, such as those emerging from the work developing the Westgate Vision, to be considered for funding. It will also support a number of key settlements and driver towns, such as Drogheda, that have not yet received the level of funding required to support the growth proposed for them in the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
Finally, it should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Louth County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of their URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Louth County Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.
108. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the local authority home loan; and the number of applications across each county versus the number of approvals. [22001/23]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications for the Local Authority Home Loan, on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to local authorities to approve or refuse applications.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.
The figures provided by the Housing Agency on the number of Local Authority Home Loan applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval for each local authority from 1 January 2022 to end of March 2023 are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
Applications Assessed |
Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
40 |
14 |
|
Cavan County Council |
18 |
8 |
|
Clare County Council |
45 |
20 |
|
Cork City Council |
129 |
42 |
|
Cork County Council |
263 |
86 |
|
Donegal County Council |
23 |
10 |
|
Dublin City Council |
238 |
140 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown CC |
53 |
24 |
|
Fingal County Council |
176 |
98 |
|
Galway City Council |
61 |
34 |
|
Galway County Council |
98 |
36 |
|
Kerry County Council |
83 |
20 |
|
Kildare County Council |
103 |
43 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
54 |
30 |
|
Laois County Council |
53 |
20 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
15 |
5 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
62 |
28 |
|
Longford County Council |
35 |
18 |
|
Louth County Council |
123 |
37 |
|
Mayo County Council |
41 |
20 |
|
Meath County Council |
143 |
96 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
50 |
10 |
|
Offaly County Council |
25 |
11 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
40 |
6 |
|
Sligo County Council |
29 |
7 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
140 |
58 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
67 |
30 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
108 |
15 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
36 |
20 |
|
Wexford County Council |
95 |
35 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
111 |
34 |
|
Total |
2557 |
1055 |
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Local Authority drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q3 2022 are available on my Department’s website at the following link, which will be updated as soon additional figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
109. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all organisations and individuals consulted in advance of the publication of the general scheme of the Planning and Development (Land Value sharing and Urban Development Zones) Bill 2022; and a list of all submissions received by his Department during the preparation of this general scheme. [22008/23]
View answerStakeholder engagement was undertaken during the drafting of the General Scheme for the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill, including with representatives of local authorities and State agencies. To facilitate this process, my Department established a working group consisting of representatives from South Dublin, Limerick, Cork City and Waterford local authorities as well as the Local Government Management Agency.
My Department also engaged with expert valuers within the Valuation Office and the local government sector with regard to the process, methodology and legislative definitions to ensure that the objectives of the measure could be achieved and that the process could be operated as efficiently and as fairly as possible.
In undertaking an economic appraisal of the proposed measures, Indecon International Research Economists engaged in a process of data gathering to support the evidence-based assessment. This involved information requests issued to local authorities in relation to data regarding Part V valuations and estate agents and auctioneers requesting data on land transactions as well as a survey of the potential effects of Land Value Sharing; data on transactions received from State agencies and publications; and a public call for submissions in respect of the proposals.
The General Scheme was published on 14 April 2023 on my Department’s website accompanied by an explanatory memorandum to outline the objectives and details of the proposed measures. Any submissions received by my Department in advance of the publication of the final Bill for introduction in the Houses of the Oireachtas will be taken into account, in addition to the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any recommendations contained therein.
110. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm the allocation of the affordable housing fund for the cost rental homes to be delivered by Dublin City Council in St. Michael’s estate, Inchicore; and if he will commit to meeting local and other opposition Deputies once the planning is granted to discuss how the pre-construction phase of approval for the scheme can be expedited in a timely manner. [22011/23]
View answerThe Government's Housing for All plan aims to deliver 54,000 affordable homes by 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency, and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Subvention from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) has been approved to support the delivery of cost rental homes at St Michael's Estate, Emmet Road. However, since initial funding approval was granted for the Emmet Road scheme, an amendment to the funding scheme now allows for a higher per unit AHF subsidy to be made available to support the delivery of affordable cost rental homes in cities. It will be open to Dublin City Council to submit a revised application for a higher subsidy level if needed in due course.
It is understood that the relevant planning application for the proposed scheme was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in October 2022 and a decision is awaited.
My Department, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office with the Local Government Management Agency, and The Housing Agency will continue to work closely with Dublin City Council to facilitate progress of this scheme, subject to ongoing agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
111. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the maximum level of affordable housing funding under the latest iteration of the scheme; and if he will list which projects with approval have been allocated this upper limit. [22012/23]
View answerThe maximum level of subsidy available to local authorities under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) has been raised to €150,000 per unit to support high density cost rental housing in cities. This will facilitate greater direct delivery of this tenure and type of housing where acute affordability challenges occur.
Local authorities were notified of this enhanced level of funding in December 2022 which has been welcomed given the affordability challenges and delivery targets faced by the relevant local authorities.
To date, apartments which will be for cost rental at Belgard, South Dublin County Council and at Churchfields, Mulhuddart, Fingal County Council have received approval for the enhanced level of AHF subsidy and an application by Dublin City Council is being assessed. It is also open to relevant local authorities who have been approved for funding based on the previous maximum level of subsidy available of €100,000 per home to submit a revised application for the higher subsidy level if needed in due course.
112. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the regulations for the enhanced defective block remediation scheme. [22013/23]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act'), as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021, is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme.
The 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as related Regulations are completed. The Regulations will provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act such as application forms and templates, per square metre grant rates and the definition of damage. Draft Regulations have been prepared, which are the subject of ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups. The consultation must be concluded before the Regulations will be finalised and adopted. I extended the consultation period on the draft Regulations, which commenced in February 2023, by an additional two weeks, to 14 March 2023, following receipt of requests for time extensions from Donegal County Council and Mayo County Council. The submissions received are now being reviewed and when that review is complete I will engage further with the homeowners' action groups before finalising the Regulations which I expect to conclude this month.
My Department recently published an updated “Your Questions Answered” document on the Department’s website to ensure homeowners have the most up to date information available to them which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/775c0-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-your-questions-answered/.
113. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the building defects redress scheme and the provision of funding for interim and emergency works. [22014/23]
View answerSince the receipt of Government approval in January to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013, I have been working to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the remediation scheme on a statutory footing. A key aspect of this work is developing a Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures.
The scheme will incorporate a means or methodology, based on the Code of Practice, for prioritising the allocation and nature of support and funding, including the funding of interim measures, to ensure that the highest risk buildings will be the first to be supported.
In order to ensure that important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. The details of this process are currently being worked out.
Work is underway to draft the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme. While I am working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payer’s money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
