Written Answers Nos. 115-153
115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit delivered through modular builds in 2023; the price comparison per unit of social housing new-builds provided in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23279/23]
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 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.
While my Department does not hold details on the various construction processes used in the delivery of new homes, the Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published on 2 November 2022, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in public housing. MMC encompasses fully factory built modular units in addition to panelised systems, such as those manufactured from light gauge steel frame or timber frame. My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction.
Separately, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the OPW are delivering a programme of modular housing to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. My Department does not hold details of the cost of this housing programme.
116. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the work programme for Waterways Ireland completed on river Shannon maintenance since 2020 and scheduled for 2023. [23298/23]
View answerWaterways Ireland is a North South Body responsible for the management and maintenance of more than 1000km of Ireland's inland waterways including the river Shannon. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The information requested is not held in my Department, however arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceo@waterwaysireland.ie
117. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update regarding two applications submitted by Clare County Council to his Department for wastewater treatment facilities in Cooraclare and Broadford, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23303/23]
View answerI announced on the 28 April 2022 a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
To fund this measure, an allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan up to 2025. For 2023, my Department has a capital provision of €35m for the Rural Water Programme, including this new measure.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application and based on a report from the Panel, recommendations for funding will be made shortly.
118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will fund proposals in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23305/23]
View answerMy Department issued Stage 3 Pre-tender Approval for this project on 22 December 2022.
Kerry County Council have advised that it is being advanced under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and that they expect that a Stage 4 Approval to Proceed (to contract award) submission will be issued to the Department in June 2023.
Should the project proceed to receive Stage 4 approval, work is due to commence on site in July 2023 with completion estimated for April 2025.
119. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under his Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23321/23]
View answerMy Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions that are delivered primarily by local authorities and bodies under the aegis of my Department.
Details in relation to specific projects (which are being advanced primarily by local authorities and Uisce Éireann) under my Department's range of capital programmes as part of Project Ireland 2040: National Development Plan 2021-2030 are published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on their website. The MyProjectIreland Tracker and MyProjectIreland Interactive Map, a citizen-focused interactive map developed as part of Project Ireland 2040 in partnership with the National Mapping Division, Tailte Éireann, provide details of projects around the country. These are both available to be viewed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/f828b-myprojectireland-interactive-map/
In terms of Social Housing, the Social Housing Construction Status Report is published on a quarterly basis, and provides a breakdown of local authority and approved housing body social housing new-build activity. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2022 and is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/
With respect to water services projects, the prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Uisce Éireann (formally Irish Water). Uisce Éireann has established a team to deal with queries from Oireachtas members on issues arising in relation to its activities. The team may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578. Alternatively, Uisce Éireann provides full details of their projects and plans to improve water and wastewater services on their website at the following link: www.water.ie/projects-plans/.
120. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he intends to introduce to support tenants facing unsustainable rent increases, given that in one case in Tipperary, a tenant has been informed by their landlord that they intend to raise the rent by €400 per month. [23360/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The designation of all existing RPZs has also been extended until 31 December 2024. The Act provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than biannually. This provides rent certainty for tenants outside of RPZs for a minimum 2 year period at a time.
The Act also introduced measures to better protect tenants with affordability by prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP , the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this will mean that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.
In all cases, section 19(1) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 prohibits the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent. Where a tenant is unsure as to the validity of a Notice of Rent Review served, he or she may refer the matter to the RTB for dispute resolution under Part 6 of the Acts, with redress available to the tenant and may include a direction to pay a refund of any unlawful rent amount paid and an amount of damages.
The Government’s Housing for All plan is focused on tackling supply and affordability issues in the rental market. The plan contains targets, actions and guaranteed State investment in housing aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable rental housing. Budget 2023 allocates €4.5 billion of funding to continue the vital work in progress under Housing for All and supports extra supply coming on stream.
Tenants having difficulty paying their rent should engage with their landlords but should also engage with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Department of Social Protection as income supports, such as Rent Supplement, are available to assist them. Information on supports can be found the Department of Social Protection's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection/.
Any HAP tenant having difficulty meeting their legal obligation to pay rent can contact their local authority to assess any further assistance that might be available.
The national housing charity, Threshold, operates the Tenancy Protection Service (TPS) which is a national service supported by Government, providing advice and support to households living in private rented accommodation who are experiencing tenancy problems, including where a tenancy is at risk of termination. The TPS seeks to protect existing tenancies and keep tenants in their homes. The Tenancy Protection Service (TPS) helpline on free-phone 1800 454 454 – available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm. Further information is also available at www.threshold.ie.
121. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will legally mandate local authorities to ensure that the needs of every homeless child should be assessed, including, but not limited to, factors such as access to their school, medical and therapeutical needs, and also supporting family relationships and wider social support. [23370/23]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, with additional supports, including the provision of family supports, provided to families by Tusla.
Reducing and preventing homelessness remains a top priority for the Government. ‘Housing for All’ recognises the particular challenges of homelessness for children and their families and sets out actions to support children and their families to exit homelessness. ‘Housing for All’ also recognises the criticality of inter-agency supports to address the complex combination of social, health and economic needs of those experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness, in addition to their specific housing need.
Undoubtedly, every child experiencing homelessness needs and deserves protection, safety and security. Local authorities, in conjunction with their partners in the NGO sector, are already implementing measures to preserve the development, welfare, and protection of children within homeless families. Families are accommodated in either Family Hubs or in appropriate hotel or other commercial accommodation and are not accommodated in congregated settings. The approach to supporting families and children experiencing homelessness involves a multi-agency approach and a number of other Departments and Agencies are responsible for the delivery of supports to these families. This includes the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Tusla, the HSE, and the Department of Education.
The provision of services to families and children, in particular the welfare and protection of children and the effective functioning of families who may be experiencing homelessness is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation, including families, is a serious concern for me and for the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply and investing in homelessness prevention.
My Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure sufficient funding is made available to support all those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of external cleaning companies that provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23399/23]
View answer123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23410/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Supplier |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 to date |
Total |
|
Bidvest Noonan |
€55,292.70 |
€53,962.05 |
€26,371.08 |
€135,625.83 |
|
Choc Latte Cleaning Services |
€2,832.96 |
€2,596.88 |
€1,180.40 |
€6,610.24 |
|
Daal High Pressure Cleaners |
€136.20 |
€1,447.13 |
N/A |
€1,583.33 |
|
Excel Dry Cleaners Ltd |
€340.50 |
N/A |
N/A |
€340.50 |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services |
€74,773.78 |
N/A |
N/A |
€74,773.78 |
|
Mount Charles Group Ltd |
€155,334.76 |
€238,382.55 |
€87,080.07 |
€480,797.38 |
|
Supplier |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 to date |
Total |
|
Alpha CC |
€2,523.13 |
N/A |
€3,032.80 |
€5,555.93 |
|
Breege Leonard |
€5,416.60 |
€5,314.40 |
€2,146.20 |
€12,877.20 |
|
Initial |
N/A |
€1,392.76 |
N/A |
€1,392.76 |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services |
€40,141.75 |
N/A |
N/A |
€40,141.75 |
|
McKechnie Cleaning Services Ltd. |
€4,354.96 |
€6,698.05 |
€16,103.71 |
€27,156.72 |
|
Momentum Support |
€15,283.78 |
€12,033.16 |
N/A |
€27,316.94 |
|
Mount Charles Ireland Ltd |
€13,952.92 |
€52,653.44 |
€24,602.43 |
€91,208.79 |
|
OCS One Complete Solution Ltd |
N/A |
€2,028.81 |
€2,994.92 |
€5,023.73 |
|
Sharon Clarke |
€4,387.50 |
€900.00 |
N/A |
€5,287.50 |
|
Supplier |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 to date |
Total |
|
Precise Window Cleaning |
€300.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
€300.00 |
|
AllPro Services |
€15,833.06 |
€19,416.89 |
€12,655.00 |
€47,904.95 |
|
ISS Ireland Ltd. |
€71,810.40 |
€127,591.70 |
€35,410.03 |
€ 234,812.13 |
|
Allpro Security Service |
€66,995.07 |
€75,546.19 |
€15,327.22 |
€157,868.48 |
|
Galway Mat Supply |
€2,477.56 |
€7,129.08 |
€1,616.22 |
€11,222.86 |
|
Ann Kenna |
€2,649.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
€2,649.00 |
|
Brennan Cleaning Services |
N/A |
€737.75 |
N/A |
€737.75 |
|
Susan O'Neill |
€2,952.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
€2,952.00 |
|
Loreto Cleaning Ltd. |
€6,435.44 |
€21,757.91 |
€9,732.62 |
€37,925.97 |
|
Bidvest Noonan |
€140,800.21 |
€210,618.52 |
€127,324.48 |
€478,743.21 |
|
Malcolm Todd |
€440.00 |
€480.00 |
€160 |
€1,080.00 |
|
Evans Cleaning |
N/A |
€1,426.87 |
€407.62 |
€1,834.49 |
|
Jewel Hygiene Ltd. |
€295.10 |
€2,349.45 |
€363.20 |
€3,007.75 |
|
Peter Paul Conway |
€15,162.50 |
€13,700.00 |
€4,850.00 |
€33,712.50 |
|
Advance Cleaners |
€10,728.80 |
€17,065.26 |
€5,823.89 |
€33,617.95 |
|
Dustbuster Duo |
N/A |
N/A |
€1,610.00 |
€1,610.00 |
124. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will produce data on the number of people who have presented to local authorities as homeless in the past 12 months; if he will commit to publishing this data alongside homelessness figures each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/23]
View answerMy Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of March 2023. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal data.gov.ie/.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. The quarterly performance reports include details of the numbers of individuals prevented from entering emergency accommodation and exiting emergency accommodation into tenancies and the duration of stay in emergency accommodation. The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department. The most recent published data is in respect of Q1 2023 and the report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/. Furthermore, at this link you will find the individual regional quarterly performance reports that includes details of the number of new family/new single presentations and repeat family/repeat single presentations on a daily basis.
125. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the factors considered when determining a decision on whether to award the discretionary HAP levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
Since 11 July 2022 each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
Local authorities should ensure that HAP payments for a given household do not exceed the rents in the local area concerned, and that rent limits along with the discretion available should not have any inflationary effect on the market in the area.
Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where the household would not be in a position to meet the rental costs being sought.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with The Housing Agency.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis.
126. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the factors considered when local authorities are determining whether a person who presents as homeless is given temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23439/23]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
127. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets, if any, that exist for individual local authorities when acquiring units under the tenant-in-situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23440/23]
View answerUnder 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. These allocations will be kept under review by my Department.
Details of these acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 4 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 provisional allocations for social housing acquisitions for each local authority are set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Allocation |
|
Carlow |
10 |
|
Cavan |
10 |
|
Clare |
20 |
|
Cork City |
80 |
|
Cork County |
60 |
|
Donegal |
15 |
|
Dublin City Council |
450 |
|
DLR |
60 |
|
Fingal County Council |
125 |
|
Galway City |
50 |
|
Galway County |
25 |
|
Kerry |
30 |
|
Kildare |
55 |
|
Kilkenny |
15 |
|
Laois |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
|
Limerick |
75 |
|
Longford |
10 |
|
Louth |
30 |
|
Mayo |
15 |
|
Meath |
40 |
|
Monaghan |
10 |
|
Offaly |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
150 |
|
Tipperary |
20 |
|
Waterford |
25 |
|
Westmeath |
15 |
|
Wexford |
20 |
|
Wicklow |
30 |
|
Total |
1,500 |
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm the number of applications and approvals that were made under the croí cónaithe apartment scheme in the cities of Cork, Limerick and Galway up to 1 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/23]
View answerThe Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports building 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers up to 2026. 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 in May 2022 with an Expressions of Interest process, which is being managed and administered by The Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. Since receipt of applications in June 2022, The Housing Agency has been undertaking the various appraisal stages which deal with the following:
1. Eligibility of proposals2. Ranking of suitable proposals and3. A detailed due diligence process leading to designation (current stage).
On 6 February 2023, my Department received notification from the European Commission that the scheme has been deemed compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 107 (3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This positive decision enables The Housing Agency to actively progress matters on processing and concluding Stage 3 of the Scheme and will allow the building of designated apartments to get underway.
The appraisal stage is not yet concluded and it is not possible to provide a breakdown of applications and approvals in cities requested. However, I can confirm that at stage 1, there were 26 proposals by 16 different entities. That was just over 3,800 units. Seven of those were ineligible. At stage 2, the number of units under consideration was 2,442. The Housing Agency is now concluding appraisals of projects with the potential to deliver up to 1,750 owner occupied apartments. Letters of Intent have issued to successful applicants, with a view to entering contracts on conclusion of the last appraisal/due diligence stage. In line with the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), a second call under the scheme is expected to be announced by end of Q2 2023.
129. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of age-friendly homes delivered in each local authority, whether by the local authority, an AHB or another entity, for each year from 2016 to 2022; and the number targeted for delivery for 2023, in tabular form. [23482/23]
View answerThe initiation, design, planning, development and management of housing projects is a matter for local authorities in exercise of their statutory functions. As such, it is a matter for the local authorities to decide on the number and type of dwellings it will provide for any specific group within their overall planning for housing delivery.
In addition, an Approved Housing Body (AHB) seeking funding from my Department to provide housing must, in the first instance, apply to the local authority in their area. Funding provided to AHBs to support social housing is made available, as appropriate, by my Department through local authorities who, as the statutory housing authorities, are the decision makers in relation to the suitability of a proposed social housing project.
Social housing is delivered across a range of funding models for housing through my Department including SHCIP, CAS, and CALF and age specific housing is provided within these schemes.
However, disaggregated data is not available on the numbers provided to any specific group. The information sought is not available in my Department and may be available from the respective local authorities.
Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence.
130. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an estimated timeframe for the publication of the Planning and Development Bill 2022, and for its scheduling for second-stage debate in Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann. [23483/23]
View answerThe draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was published in January and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has undertaken a significant pre-legislative scrutiny process on it over the months of February and March. Their report, which I received at the start of May contains more than 150 recommendations, taking account of wide range of inputs from stakeholders. I am currently considering these recommendations carefully as we work closely with other Departments and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to ready the Bill for publication.
The final Bill, when published, will be accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum providing information on the provisions in the Bill and will highlight the rationale for any substantial changes made to the current Act. The Bill will then proceed before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
131. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes that have been delivered under LIHAF funding; the number of these that are cost-rental and affordable purchase respectively; and the number to be delivered in each of the years 2022-2028 respectively, in tabular form. [23500/23]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This will enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF is designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices.
The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works as well as public amenities (parks). Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
It’s important to note that LIHAF projects involve complex, large scale public infrastructure developments which pave the way for associated housing development. This requires extensive design, planning, public consultation and procurement processes in advance of the projects moving to construction.
LIHAF is not primarily intended as an affordable housing scheme, although it will enable the development of more affordable housing on sites. It is a scheme primarily designed to fund the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. This infrastructure in turn unlocks associated sites for housing development quicker than would otherwise have occurred.
Of the initial 30 approved projects, Local Authorities have confirmed that 6 will not now proceed. Projected housing delivery associated with the remaining 24 infrastructure projects anticipates the development thereafter of over 16,000 homes. Of these, it is projected that
• c. 30% would be social or affordable housing (2,595 social and 1,710 affordable);
• c. 30% would have a LIHAF-related cost reduction (more modest than compared to affordable housing referred to above); and
• 40% will be sold at normal market rates.
Construction of housing has started on foot of a number of LIHAF projects and Local Authorities have advised that 5,386 units were completed up to the end of 2022 of which 1,731 are cost reduced. Local Authorities project completion of a further 5,509 units up to end 2026 and 790 in the period beyond 2026.
Furthermore, there are an additional 5,500 homes to be delivered which are at varying stages of the design and planning process.
|
Units delivered |
Social/Part V |
Affordable |
Cost Reduced |
|
|
To end 2022 |
5386 |
625 |
16 |
1731 |
|
Projected Delivery |
Social/Part V |
Affordable |
Cost Reduced |
|
|
2023 |
1659 |
404 |
36 |
298 |
|
2024 |
1962 |
530 |
167 |
316 |
|
2025 |
1120 |
163 |
281 |
360 |
|
2026 |
768 |
122 |
295 |
295 |
|
5509 |
1219 |
779 |
1269 |
|
|
Post 2026 |
790 |
132. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish a list of schemes that have availed of LIHAF funding in Cork city in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [23501/23]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF is designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. The table below outlines the list of LIHAF projects being delivered by Cork City Council.
|
LIHAF Project |
Public Infrastructure to be delivered |
|
South Docks |
South Docks Transition Zone transport infrastructure. Eastern Gateway Bridge western approach road. Marina Park - District Park. |
|
Old Whitechurch Road |
Re-routing power lines. Road improvements.Water and drainage improvements. |
|
Glanmire |
The Glanmire Sustainable Transport Package.Upgrade of Dunkettle road (northern section).Other road improvements including new link road and junction upgrades. |
133. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of 100% redress for Mica-affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23509/23]
View answerThe 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.
It should be noted that the scheme, as approved by the Oireachtas in the 2022 Act, is not a compensation or redress scheme, and the State has admitted no liability in this regard. Rather, it is a Remediation Grant scheme of last resort, put in place by the Government to voluntarily assist homeowners.
The 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as related Regulations are completed, which Regulations provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act such as per square metre grant rates and the definition of damage. The draft Regulations are also the subject of ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups, which consultation must be concluded before the Regulations will be finalised and adopted which I expect to conclude this month.
The overall scheme cost, excluding inflation, is estimated at €2.15Bn. The 2022 Act provides for a maximum grant of €420,000. The grant applicable to an individual homeowner will depend on the appropriate remediation option determined by the Housing Agency and the maximum grant available for the dwelling given its size or the amount of blockwork to be removed and replaced and the grant rates in place at that time.
Section 11 of the Act provides for an increase or decrease in remediation and ancillary grant amounts. These amounts can be revised by Government order not more than once every 12 months. Three such orders can be made and thereafter a resolution of the Oireachtas will be required for the making a maximum of three further orders. The maximum overall increase in the overall grant cap which can be applied by the Minister in any single order is 10%.
As set out in Section 11 (6) of the Act, in making an order to increase or decrease, regard will be given to construction costs prevailing in the designated local authority areas and the economic circumstances of the State prevailing at the time of the making of the order.
134. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of 100% redress for buildings defects redress-affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23510/23]
View answerIn its report published in July 2022, the Working Group I established to examine defects in housing estimated that the overall total cost of remediating fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartments and duplexes built between 1991 and 2013 is likely to be within the range of €1.56 to €2.5 billion.
The Working Group estimated that the average cost of undertaking the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartments/duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013 is likely to be in the region of €25,000 per apartment/duplex. These represent all-in costs, including professional fees and Value Added Tax (VAT). The Working Group noted that the actual cost of remediation will vary greatly between different developments and types of apartment/duplexes and depending on the various types or combinations of defects that may be encountered.
135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes in Dublin under the buy-and-renew scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23511/23]
View answer136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes outside Dublin under the buy-and-renew scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23512/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.
Local authorities are encouraged to acquire vacant/derelict properties to be upgraded as new, value-for-money social homes via the Buy & Renew Scheme. Since it was introduced in 2016, in excess of 800 properties have been delivered under this arrangement.
The table below outlines the average cost in that time of 1/2/3/4 bed units delivered under the Buy and Renew Scheme in the 4 Dublin local authority areas and outside Dublin.
|
The 4 Dublin LA Areas |
Outside Dublin |
|
|
One Bed |
€189,298 |
€117,858 |
|
Two Bed |
€291,774 |
€161,925 |
|
Three Bed |
€311,566 |
€208,609 |
|
Four Bed |
€316,022 |
€234,695 |
137. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated per year cost of planned Part V purchases under Housing for All; the projected cost per unit for one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes; the number planned to be purchased for each year, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23513/23]
View answer138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated construction cost of building one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes on local authority land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23514/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 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 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.
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.
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. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes, including estimated Part V delivery. The Plans have been published on the local authorities own websites.
My Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis, rather than on the basis of individual unit types.
As Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) funded construction projects by local authorities must, like all publicly-funded construction programmes, comply with the Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework, my Department periodically issues Basic Unit Costs (previously referred to as Unit Cost Ceilings) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage. While not a record of actual delivery costs, BUCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform the BUCs levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the SHIP four stage approval processes for each unit type, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
Outlined in the tables below are average construction costs (incl. VAT) per unit type, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in 2022 (and 2023 to date). The tables also set out the range of costs that make up this average for each unit type. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, location and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme (e.g. existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions and site access requirements). Abnormal costs are also separately identified in the tables below.
|
2022 and 2023 to date |
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Average Cost per Unit € |
Range of Costs Per Unit € |
Average Cost per unit € |
|
|
1bed house |
254,292 |
144k - 311k |
29,751 |
11k - 67k |
|
2bed house |
277,059 |
169k - 384k |
37,975 |
8k - 67k |
|
3bed house |
323,497 |
205k - 429k |
40,312 |
12k - 70k |
|
4bed house |
346,847 |
252k - 432k |
35,384 |
21k - 50k |
|
1bed apartment |
309,950 |
198k - 384k |
36,784 |
15k - 62k |
|
2bed apartment |
304,722 |
177k - 531k |
33,711 |
9k - 64k |
|
3bed apartment |
410,417 |
268k - 451k |
43,686 |
30k - 48k |
* Construction Costs as shown, are derived from unit cost analysis and capture the construction cost element only, incl. abnormals (i.e. not all-in costs)
The above costs relate to the construction element of the all-in delivery cost. Other items that make up the all-in total include:
• Design/technical fees: Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme (and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment). As a guideline/indicator, design fee are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs.
• Land cost: Land costs will vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (i.e. land costs could vary from existing local authority land at no cost to land purchased at market value).
• Utilities: Connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit.
Other Costs: Other items that make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/surveys, archaeological requirements, Percent for Art contributions - and will vary from scheme to scheme.
It is understood by all involved in advancing social housing projects that a range of factors can impact on the costs for individual projects. Project-specific issues will always arise and will be central to how a project can be advanced and the costs for same. These factors are part of the regular engagement that happens between my Department and local authorities/AHBs which is focussed on facilitating the earliest possible delivery of new social homes that are both high quality and value for money. To that end, as well as sharing BUCs with local authorities, my Department has previously shared outline specifications for new social housing and has also recently issued a new 'Design Manual' which will guide local authorities, AHBs and their Design Teams/consultants, on the design of social housing site layouts and the internal layouts of individual social homes. These recent initiatives are important in the work to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness and pace of delivery of social homes and I look forward to continuing our work with our delivery partners to take advantage of these opportunities.
Agreement on Part V arrangements is a matter for the local authorities. Complete details of Part V arrangements to be delivered under Housing for All will be available from the individual local authorities.
139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing enough women’s refuge places to bring Ireland in line with its commitments under the Istanbul Convention. [23515/23]
View answer140. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of refuge places to 300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
Identifying the full-year operational costs for either the provision of refuge places to bring Ireland in line with the commitments of the Istanbul Convention, or for the provision of 300 refuge places, are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice.
My Department’s role with regard to Domestic Violence Refuges is the capital funding for their initial design and construction. The calculation of a ‘full-year cost’ for such capital development costs is not possible as it is dependent on the timings of individual project advancements and the costs for each of the individual developments, including cost of site, size of the development and construction costs (bearing in mind inflation).
141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23517/23]
View answer142. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in Dublin in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, including on emergency accommodation are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. The funding provided in 2022 and to date in 2023 is set out below.
|
Region |
Exchequer funding provided in 2022 |
Exchequer funding provided to date in 2023 |
|
Dublin |
180,260,459 |
56,393,262 |
|
Mid East |
11,300,500 |
2,077,288 |
|
Midlands |
3,761,655 |
434,706 |
|
Mid West |
10,067,212 |
3,910,750 |
|
North East |
2,724,653 |
864,500 |
|
North West |
1,440,000 |
477,400 |
|
South East |
5,681,957 |
1,739,305 |
|
South West |
16,806,750 |
3,219,722 |
|
West |
10,406,815 |
2,274,150 |
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions, setting out total expenditure on homeless services including on emergency accommodation are published on my Department's website at the following link;
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
I have continued to assure housing authorities that funding for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, will be provided this year.
143. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of doubling Traveller-specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23519/23]
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 capital funding available for 2023 is €20 million for the provision of Traveller-specific accommodation to be provided by Local authorities.
The information requested on the cost of doubling Traveller-specific accommodation is not available in my Department.
144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of establishing a Traveller ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23520/23]
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.
I have no plans at this point to establish an ombudsman for Travellers. I would like to highlight that Travellers are entitled to use the services of all existing Ombudsman offices for any complaint regarding the manner in which public services are provided.
145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of increasing HAP limits to the average cost of rents in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority. At the end of 2022, over 108,700 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 59,260 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
The 2023 budget allocation of €543 million will enable continued support for existing tenancies along with funding for 8,800 new households to be accommodated in HAP supported tenancies. My Department does not hold data in a format that would allow for an estimate of the cost as requested in the Question.
Projections for 2024 will be agreed as part of the normal Estimates process.
Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to local authorities under HAP is required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to local authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Since 11 July 2022 the HAP discretion rate was increased from 20% to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with The Housing Agency.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis.
I am committed to decreasing our reliance on the HAP scheme and central to that is significantly scaling up our social housing supply. Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of new homes to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. As new build supply of social and affordable housing ramps up, there will be reducing reliance on the HAP scheme.
146. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full cost of retrofitting all local authority-owned homes by 2030; the estimated average cost per home in 2024; the number to be carried out this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23522/23]
View answerMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP) in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 to the end of 2022, over 77,500 local authority social housing dwellings have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of over €251 million.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the programme, designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit, ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard. This allows local authorities to build on the work that has been completed in previous years by moving to a deeper retrofit. Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. Works are typically carried out in this order. The installation of gas/oil boilers or solid fuel/inset stoves including wood pellet stoves are not supported by the Department under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
My Department issues a full year allocation and target to local authorities with the selection of properties for inclusion in the programme and the eligible measures to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent a matter for each individual local authority.
The 2023 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support from €85 million allocated in 2022 to €87 million in 2023, with a target number of 2,400 LA homes to be retrofit. In advance of this year’s programme local authorities were advised they can complete work up to 65% of the previous year’s allocation in advance of formal approval which will issue presently. This ensures that work in relation to the 2023 programme is progressing but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to delivery under the 2023 Energy Efficiency Programme will be available early in 2024.
147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of funding local authorities in place of revenue for the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23523/23]
View answerLocal Property Tax (LPT) was introduced to provide a stable and sustainable funding base for the local authority sector. LPT is administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners and subsequently transferred into the Local Government Fund. The funds are ultimately redistributed to local authorities in accordance with the Government’s allocation policies. Approximately €500m is collected from LPT annually. The Revenue Commissioners publish detailed information on LPT collected, broken down by local authority, on its website at the following link:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/local-property-tax/index.aspx
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the LPT allocation mechanism for 2023 is changed to allow for 100% of the estimated yield to be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. The underlying principle of the current distribution model is that every local authority should have a minimum level of funding, known as the baseline, available to it to support the provision of local services. Baseline funding comes from LPT and is supplemented by the Exchequer where a local authority’s LPT income is less than their baseline level. In 2023, €118m of equalisation funding will be provided by the Exchequer to ensure that all local authorities continue to receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their baseline of €352.9m.
My Department has confirmed LPT allocations to local authorities for 2023 amounting to €609.9m, taking account of local variation decisions. For most local authorities, this income can be used for discretionary purposes. Some local authorities are required to use a portion of their LPT allocation to replace Exchequer funding for the provision of local services. Detailed information on the LPT retention system, including equalisation funding and allocations is published by my Department on an annual basis and is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/ea27d-local-property-tax-allocations/
In overall terms, LPT broadens the tax base and reduces the level of central funding required by local government, freeing up resources for expenditure in other areas. The current annual allocation to local authorities, standing at €609.9m, comprises of €118m equalisation funding from the exchequer. Without LPT income, the remainder would need to be funded by the Exchequer or other income sources.
148. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to achieve a workable solution for retained firefighters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23537/23]
View answerMy Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and the procurement of essential front-line fire appliances, ancillary vehicles and equipment.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 local authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide, with 16 of these stations staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters.
My Department is supporting the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) who are leading discussions with staff representatives on the implementation of recommendations contained within the review report of Retained fire services published in December 2022. I receive comprehensive reports of those engagements and I am fully aware of the implications of those discussions.
I am acutely aware of the significant challenges associated with recruitment and retention of retained fire service personnel. In the course of my duties, I regularly visit fire stations and take the time to meet with firefighters, senior management, and local authority figures and listen to their perspectives. In May 2021, I directed the Management Board of the NDFEM to review the delivery and sustainability of the local authority retained fire services, with a particular emphasis on recruitment and retention.
In December 2022, I approved that review report for publication, which builds on the progress made implementing the “Keeping Communities Safe” policy in setting the future strategic direction of the Retained Fire Services.
What is clear from the findings of the Retained review report is that the work-life balance of retained firefighters needs to be addressed to ensure the sustainability of retained fire services as an attractive employment option.
The report provides thirteen recommendations that aim to enhance the model of service delivery by maintaining the strengths of retained fire services, while addressing issues that act as a barrier to recruitment and retention.
Following the reports publication, I am aware that stakeholders began discussions promptly via the Fire Services National Oversight Implementation Group, chaired by Mr David Begg, on the implementation of the recommendations, meeting earlier this year on two occasions 27 January and 22 February. The group was established in 2015 was at the request of SIPTU - the union mandated to represent retained firefighters - following an agreement between the Department, local authorities, and fire service representatives to act as a consultative forum on service development and implementation.
At the meeting of 27 January, the staff representative group accepted the finding of the reports as a fair reflection of the current state of retained fire services and agreed the need to pursue the implementation of the recommendations.
At a meeting of 22 February, staff representatives proposed moving discussions on priority IR issues to a third party facilitation forum and nominated, Mr Ultan Courtney, who was subsequently appointed by the LGMA, to chair those discussions.
The key deliverable, agreed by both sides, was a revised composite agreement to standardise future employment terms and conditions across all local authorities reflecting the Retained review recommendations. Two plenary sessions of those facilitation discussions have taken place and I understand substantial progress was made on the provision of a revised model that would provide for both an effective service delivery, and a suitable work / life balance for retained firefighters, including structured time off.
While a positive conclusion to the process to the satisfaction of all parties has not yet been reached, I would encourage all parties to continue to engage constructively on resolving the outstanding IR issues within the established forum. Changes are necessary to the existing model of retained fire service provision to ensure the future sustainability of the services. Those changes are only possible when all parties work together to achieve an equitable resolution of the issues identified.
The report makes clear that there is no single ‘silver bullet’ solution to resolve the issues of recruitment and retention facing retained fire services. Those issues can only be addressed through the aggregated full implementation of each of the report’s recommendations.
149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address an issue of the cost of building in a ten-year period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23551/23]
View answerConstruction costs depend on a range of variables including inflation, location, regulations and standards, house type, energy prices, labour, and supply chain and demand. An assessment of the allocation of price increases to individual cost drivers is not currently available.
General increases in labour and material rates are available on the CSO database for various timeframes.
The CSO Wholesale Price Index shows a 12-month increase in price of construction materials of 13.5% to March 2023. The Building and Construction Index (i.e. Materials and Wages) fell by 0.1% in the month but rose by 8.5% in the 12 months to March 2023.
On 4 May, I published the Residential Construction Cost Study report. The study found that overall construction costs using Irish specifications on a cost-per-square-metre rate for the same apartment building are broadly in line with construction costs in the four European comparator locations.
Housing for All and the Residential Construction Cost Study have recommended a series of actions aimed at reducing the cost of residential construction. My Department, in collaboration with Government and Industry, is working hard to implement these measures.
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23585/23]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Date |
Amount |
Beneficiary of funds |
Purpose of funding |
|
Date |
Amount |
Beneficiary of funds |
Purpose of funding |
|
02/08/2019 |
€13,620 |
Sasha Sykes Studio |
Killarney House Reception Artwork |
|
04/02/2020 |
€13,620 |
Sasha Sykes Studio |
Killarney House Reception Artwork |
|
14/07/2020 |
€1,362 |
Sasha Sykes Studio |
Killarney House Reception Artwork |
|
17/06/2020 |
€550 |
David Beattie |
Ballycroy Visitor Centre |
|
22/06/2020 |
€550 |
Martin Lyttle |
Ballycroy Visitor Centre |
|
17/06/2020 |
€550 |
Noah Rose |
Ballycroy Visitor Centre |
|
17/06/2020 |
€550 |
Susan Mannion |
Ballycroy Visitor Centre |
|
24/11/2021 |
€7,000 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
30/11/2021 |
€1,000 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
18/05/2022 |
€9,043.52 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
06/07/2022 |
€5,914.54 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
20/09/2022 |
€4,000 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
18/10/2022 |
€5,000 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
28/10/2022 |
€5,000 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
08/12/2022 |
€5,350.22 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
14/12/2022 |
€21,500 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
|
05/05/2023 |
€4,080 |
Frank Corry Art |
Commemorative Suí project (cube seats) across the National Parks network |
151. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Implementation plan for the National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities 2022-2027 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23607/23]
View answerMy Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in January 2022. It may be accessed on the on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1c6c5-new-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027-launched/
The Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. The Strategy operates within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities and older people.
My Department has been developing the draft Implementation Plan further to ensure its up to date robustness in advance of providing it to me, having very recently assumed responsibility in this area including overseeing implementation. The finalisation of the Plan is a key priority and an urgent matter for me as Minister, and my Department is currently engaging further with the DoH and DCEDIY, with the objective of publishing it in conjunction with the launch of an awareness campaign shortly. In parallel, The Housing Agency is developing a communication strategy on the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People and its accompanying Implementation Plan and is progressing much of the work contemplated in the Implementation Plan in advance of its finalisation.
152. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what numbers have requested a tenant-in-situ application with Cork County Council and Cork City Council to date this year; how many cost rentals have been advanced for 2023 to date arriving from notice to quits with both Cork local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23650/23]
View answerUnder 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.
Cork City Council have an allocation to acquire 80 social homes in 2023, while Cork County Council have an allocation of 60 homes. This allocation will be kept under review.
Details of these acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 4 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 Government has developed the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports and have net household income of no more than €53,000. Local Authorities refer those at risk to homelessness to the Housing Agency, which may acquire these homes with tenants in place using designated capital funding. This scheme has been established on a temporary administrative basis from 1 April, pending further policy development over the longer term with the intention of transitioning these tenants and homes to the standard Cost Rental model, potentially in partnership with Local Authorities or Approved Housing Bodies.
When homes acquired by the Housing Agency under the scheme are transitioned to the standard Cost Rental framework, as planned over the longer term, they will be reported under Cost Rental delivery figures.
153. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government have a date for the proposed referendum for the transfer of the employment contracts of local authority workers, currently working for Irish Water/Uisce Éireann, from the local authorities to Irish Water. [23691/23]
View answer
