Written Answers Nos. 104-123
105. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on social housing provision in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23603/23]
View answerCork County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan, which sets out details of social and affordable housing delivery in the period 2022-2026, is available on the Council’s website at www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/housing/housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026. The Council has a social housing delivery target of 3,198 units over the period 2022 to 2026. In 2022, Cork County Council delivered a total of 558 social housing units (build and leasing).
The Housing Delivery Action Plan identifies a social housing delivery target of 596 units in the Municipal District of West Cork, out to 2026, with a total of 272 units identified as approved delivery. The Action Plan will be subject to ongoing review to ensure that it reflects changing social housing pipelines and needs as they arise.
106. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to launch a pilot scheme to provide sewage infrastructure in rural villages which are currently unsewered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23205/23]
View answer121. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progression of applications for funding by local authorities for the installation of wastewater treatment facilities; when he expects to approve the submissions received; if he intends to increase the budget to meet the demand from local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 121 together.
On 28 April 2022 I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, 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 from my Department has been committed up to 2025 under the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application and based on a report from the Panel, recommendations for funding will be made shortly.
107. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many buyers have now been approved under the first home scheme; how many of these approved applications are from Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23657/23]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie
The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First Home Scheme DAC), on behalf of scheme founders (the State and participating mortgage lenders). This body is responsible for collating and issuing statistical information as it pertains to the scheme. The First Home DAC has published its Q1 2023 Public Update covering the period from 7 July to 31 March, which can be found on its website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/.
108. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties approved by both Cork City Council and Cork County Council for the tenant in-situ-scheme; the number of properties actually handed over, and those still in train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23220/23]
View answer145. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the tenant-in-situ scheme for both social and cost rental tenants, including information on the total number of applications for the scheme, applications rejected and applications being processed; and number of homes bought or with offers made. [23334/23]
View answer151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will introduce legislation or regulations to ensure that the tenant-in-situ and cost rental tenant-in-situ-schemes will include first refusal for the tenant, the council or approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/23]
View answer155. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can clarify the measures that he intends to take in situations where a landlord or property owner is refusing to engage with councils or approved housing bodies on the sale of a property with in-situ tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 145, 151 and 155 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. Cork City have a provisional allocation to acquire 80 social homes in 2023, while Cork County Council have a provisional allocation to acquire 60 homes. These allocations will be kept under review.
Feedback from the local authorities indicates that the target of 1,500 acquisitions will be met, with significant activity ongoing in this area. Details of social housing 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/ .
My Department is liaising closely with local authorities and has set up a Cross-Sectoral Steering Group on Acquisitions to identify those elements of the current process, if any, which are proving challenging. The question of landlord’s refusing to engage with a local authority or an Approved Housing Body is not believed to be a significant barrier. Legislative and administrative measures are being examined to help a tenant to buy their rented home on the basis of a landlord offering their tenant first refusal to buy. I will bring forward any necessary and justifiable legislative changes in a timely manner.
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 statistics.
110. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the move by Dublin City Council with regard to the regeneration of an estate (details supplied); and the reason the contract ended. [20782/23]
View answerThe regeneration of St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore includes the development of 578 units on the Emmet Road site to include 117 Social Housing and 461 Cost Rental units. I am pleased to say that this important Mixed Tenure project is advancing and is currently at Stage 3 My Department provided Stage 2 Approval-in-Principle on 23 Sep 2022. This approval allowed Dublin City Council (DCC) to commence the procurement of an Integrated Design Team (IDT) and develop outline design to advance a planning application. My Department understands that Part 10 planning was lodged with An Bord Pleanala on 6 Oct 2022 with the case due to be decided imminently. The next step for DCC will be to advance a procurement process for the construction of these much needed homes.
Procurement and contractual issues are strictly a matter for Dublin City Council as the contracting authority.
111. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas mar gheall ar na treoirlínte geallta don tithíocht agus don phleanáil Ghaeltachta, agus an dáta faoina mbeidh siad foilsithe. [23715/23]
View answerTá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ar a bhfuil oifigigh ó mo Roinnse; ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Meán; agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) i bhfeidhm chun tacú leis an obair atá ar bun agus dlús a chur leis an bpleanáil i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Is é ceann de phríomhaidhmeanna an ghrúpa seo ná a chinntiú go ndéanfar nósanna imeachta agus córais a shaincheapadh, de réir mar is cuí chun cur chuige éifeachtach comhsheasmhach a éascú ag na húdaráis áitiúla cuí maidir le saincheisteanna a bhaineann le pleanáil i gceantair Ghaeltachta a bhainistiú.
Tá scrúdú á dhéanamh ag an nGrúpa Idir-Rannach ar an gcaoi a bhféadfaí cleachtais reatha i bhfeidhmiú na bhforálacha seo a neartú ar mhaithe le leas iomlán na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus ar mhaithe le pleanáil chuí agus forbairt inbhuanaithe. Tá mo Roinnse, i gcomhar leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán ag forbairt Treoirlínte Alt 28 maidir le pleanáil i Limistéir Ghaeltachta, atá beartaithe a fhoilsiú le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí go luath.
Tháinig an Grúpa Idir-Rannach le chéile go deireanach ar an 15ú Nollaig 2022 nuair a comhaontaíodh tús a chur le staidéar in 2023 ar mhodheolaíocht agus formáid an Ráitis Tionchair Teanga a úsáidtear i dtograí forbartha. Choimisiúnaigh an dá Roinn an staidéar seo agus tá sé ar siúl faoi láthair. Reáchtáladh cruinniú déthaobhach níos déanaí idir an dá roinn ar 2ú Márta 2023 chun an tréimhse ama d’obair an chomhairleora a chomhordú ionas gur féidir leis na dréacht-treoirlínte a threorú. Tá sé beartaithe leanúint ar aghaidh le rannpháirtíocht dhéthaobhach sna seachtainí atá romhainn de réir mar a bheidh an staidéar críochnaithe.
Nuair a bheidh dréacht-treoirlínte tugtha chun críche caithfidh siad a bheith faoi réir scagadh ansin le haghaidh Mheasúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil (MSC), agus chun críocha an Mheasúnaithe Iomchuí (MI). Faoi réir na measúnuithe scagthástála a bheith críochnaithe agus nuair nach bhfuil measúnú iomlán ag teastáil, tá sé beartaithe dréacht de na treoirlínte a fhoilsiú le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí go luath.
112. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the provision of affordable housing in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23204/23]
View answerFollowing the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. 18 local authorities, including Carlow, were asked to include their affordable housing delivery projections in those Plans, in line with the five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets assigned in March 2022. A copy of Carlow County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available at the following link - www.carlow.ie/housing-for-all/
My Department has met with Carlow County Council to discuss their affordable housing need and understands that an applications for AHF assistance is currently being prepared by the local authority with the assistance of the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association. I have also sanctioned two additional staff to support the delivery of affordable housing in Carlow which I expect will assist Carlow County Council to develop their affordable housing pipeline.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie. Statistical data on delivery across all affordable housing streams during 2022, as published on my Department's website last month, shows that activity has begun to take place under this scheme for Carlow and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Finally, the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available in Carlow and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €50,000 or €70,000 if the property is derelict. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these schemes is available directly from Carlow County Council.
113. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many homes commenced building during the first quarter of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/23]
View answerCommencement Notices for 7,349 new homes were received by Building Control Authorities in the first quarter of 2023. This is the highest number of Q1 commencements recorded since the series began in 2014 and some 5% higher than the previous record high in Q1 2022 (6,997).
Two of the three months in Q1 (January and March) have also seen the highest levels of commencements for these months since 2014. This is on the back of a strong uptick in commencements in Q4 2022 (6,038). Supply, which is key to improving our housing market, is increasing. The number of completions in 2022 was greater than the total for any full year since the Central Statistics Office (CSO) completions series began. We are focused on maintaining and building on last year’s substantial uplift in delivery and we are optimistic we will meet the Housing for All target of 29,000 this year, if not possibly exceed it.
114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities 2022-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23660/23]
View answer130. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 - 2027 Implementation Plan will be published; the reason for delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/23]
View answer175. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the publication date for the Implementation Plan of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23539/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 130 and 175 together.
My 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.
115. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government will consider the 13 amendments to the Draft Defective Concrete Block Regulations put forward by the Mica Action Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23464/23]
View answerI understand the question refers to the 13 amendments I have agreed in the draft Defective Concrete Blocks Regulations, based on submissions received from key stakeholders, including the homeowners’ action groups following the consultation period on the draft Regulations, which commenced in February 2023, and I extended 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 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as these Regulations are completed. The Regulations will provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act. I met with the Chairs of the Homeowner Action Groups on 10 May 2023 and set out these 13 amendments, proposed by stakeholders through the consultation process, and agreed a further week for the representatives to consider the draft Regulations.
I am keen to ensure that the significant enhancements contained in the new scheme are made available to homeowners who have not yet applied under the current grant scheme, and that those enhancements can also be retrospectively applied to existing applicants to the current grant scheme, as soon as possible. In this regard I expect to finalise the Regulations shortly, following commencement of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 and adoption of the Regulations.
116. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a proposal from an organisation to reform homeless legislation so that local authorities and public servants delivering services are required to put the rights and best interest of the child first when helping families presenting as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23562/23]
View answer325. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views that local authorities and public servants delivering services should be required to put the rights and best interest of the child first when helping families presenting as homeless, including factors such as access to their school, medical and therapeutic needs, and also supporting family relationships and wider social support; if he agrees that every child who needs it should have timely access to a child support worker; if he will ensure that these supports for children facing homelessness are enacted immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/23]
View answer335. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to progress the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017; his plans to impose an obligation on housing authorities to recognise homeless families as a family unit, and to have specific regard to the best interests of the children of homeless families in crisis-accommodation situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 325 and 335 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 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.
In line with Action 3.18 in ‘Housing for All’, work is underway to identify families experiencing long-term homelessness that have complex support needs to provide them with enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to help them exit homelessness and maintain their homes.
Furthermore, in line with a commitment in ‘Housing for All’, the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) was established in December 2021 to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in ‘Housing for All’, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness. In Q2 2022, a number of subgroups were established under NHAC to specifically examine particular issues relating to homelessness prevention. One of these subgroups was tasked with considering ‘Housing for All’ action 3.16 “enhance family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multi-agency and coordinated approach”. Membership of this subgroup consisted of representatives from Tusla, the HSE, the DRHE, the Department of Education, the National Travellers Women’s Forum and NGOs working in the area of homelessness. This subgroup made their final recommendations at the Q4 NHAC meeting. These recommendations have been reviewed by the Department and are at varying stages of progression in collaboration with key stakeholders.
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.
In 2019, the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning & Local Government published a scrutiny report on the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill, which is the focus of this campaign. The scrutiny report identified a number of ambiguities and possible unintended legal consequences arising from the current iteration of the Bill. My Department is currently reviewing legislation relating to homelessness and a policy paper is now being developed.
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.
117. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding for housing adaptation grants for older and disabled people for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/23]
View answer118. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on funding being provided to local authorities to cover the anticipated costs of moving to a single water utility. [23332/23]
View answerOn 1 January 2023 Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) was established as the standalone national authority for water services and is currently operating through a series of service level agreements with local authorities. A funding model was previously agreed which sees water services funded from an appropriate mix of Exchequer funding, for domestic services and capital investment, and user charges, for services provided to the non-domestic sector, which includes industry and business.
The transformation of water services under a single utility gives rise to significant challenges for the local government sector. It is necessary to ensure that local authorities remain properly resourced to continue to deliver on other important key functions and services. Local authorities cannot be left with stranded costs arising from the transfer of responsibilities to Uisce Éireann, where there are expenditure commitments without a corresponding income stream.
To address this a Higher Level Working Group on Stranded costs has been established. The Group is tasked with the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and City Management Association (CCMA), representing local authorities, and my Department. The MOU, when agreed, will set out an appropriate methodology for dealing with each legacy issue and stranded cost. This will identify and apportion those costs which are to be borne by Uisce Éireann and costs to be funded by my Department with funding mechanisms for delivery of same.
The work of the Group is ongoing at present and a draft MOU will be submitted for my consideration in due course.
119. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied), where potential residents have been delayed from moving into the houses while they await the submission of certification documents required by approved housing bodies before new units can be occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23669/23]
View answerThe allocation of a home to a household eligible for social housing supports is a matter for the local authority and the relevant Approved Housing Body (AHB) in the first instance and my Department has no role in this matter.
I understand that the particular delay in this case relates to the provision of certification documents by the AHB to the Council as required under the Building Control Regulations. It is hoped that this matter will be resolved shortly and that the units can then be occupied.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities, who are independent in the exercise of this function.
120. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of difficulties experienced by people purchasing their first home who are availing for more than one of the affordable options available and meeting the 70% rule on the help-to buy-scheme; what engagement has he had with the Minister for Finance to clarify what is currently gauged by Revenue as the purchase price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23652/23]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Act 2021 equips Local Authorities in delivering Affordable Housing in response to local needs and market conditions. The Act provides the legislative basis for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme which sees local authorities make new homes available for purchase by eligible applicants at reduced prices. In return, the local authority takes a percentage equity stake in the Affordable Purchase home equal to the discount of the purchase price from the full market value of the home.
The price to be paid for a new Affordable Purchase home by a particular purchaser, and the percentage equity stake to be taken by the local authority, are calculated by the local authority in accordance with the governing regulations. The price is calculated from an applicant’s maximum mortgage capacity (without any exemption from the Central Bank of Ireland Mortgage Measures), subject to a minimum price set by the local authority for the home.
The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the scheme. In order to claim Help to Buy (HTB), an applicant must take out a mortgage on the property with a qualifying lender, with the mortgage being at least 70% of the purchase value of the property or approved valuation in the case of a self-build. Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 defines “purchase value” of the property. It defines purchase value in relation to the open market value of the home. The HTB scheme is administered by the Department of Finance and Revenue.
My Department has had engagement with the Department of Finance in relation to the above definition and this engagement is on-going.
122. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a study to determine the impact the lifting of the eviction ban has had on homelessness numbers. [22657/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 was a time limited enactment which provided for a stay on eviction notices up to 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June.
No specific study has been undertaken to determine the impact of the ending of the winter emergency period on homelessness numbers. However, my 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/ .
The Department carefully monitors the data contained in the reports to identify trends and drivers of homelessness and to allow for informed policies and measures to address.
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, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) publishes data on the number of Notices of Termination (NoTs) received on a quarterly basis and includes the details of the reason for termination. The most recent data, for Q3 – Q4 2022, was published in April 2023. This data is available on the RTB website at the following link: www.rtb.ie/data-hub/notices-of-termination-received-by-the-rtb-from-q3-2022 .
Under Housing for All, the Government is committed to increasing supply and protecting renters while trying to keep small landlords in the system. In this regard my Department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector for all stakeholders.
My Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
123. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initiatives he is taking to support the provision of rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23604/23]
View answerThe Housing for All plan is linked to the National Planning Framework (NPF), which fully supports the sustainable development of rural areas and the need to ensure that they continue to be viable places to live, work and invest in. The NPF aims to support the overall rural pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities consistent with Our Rural Future, the National Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.
Updated Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being prepared by my Department. The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 19 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft Rural Housing Guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF. The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 19 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development.
The draft guidelines are currently subject to legal review and Ministerial approval, following which it is intended that the draft guidelines will be published for a period of public consultation.
In the interim period, NPF objectives together with the previous 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to prepare and adopt development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas. The majority of the 31 local authority development plans have recently been reviewed and are consistent with the NPF. This is reflected in the fact that rural housing continues to be an important component of overall new housing delivery in Ireland, with strong output in 2022 with 4,743 new dwellings built in rural areas, up 16.6% from 4,069 in 2021.
Housing for All contains a suite of actions to comprehensively address the housing crisis and to increase housing supply, including in rural areas. Central to the Plan are measures to accelerate the delivery of new homes whilst also continuing to deliver on the fundamental reforms set out in the Plan including the review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act to include statutory timelines for decision making.
The recent increase in resourcing of An Bord Pleanála, as well as a significant increase in the allocation of resource to the planning functions of local authorities, will enable the tackling of the backlog of decisions and ensure that resources are in place to meet the statutory decision making timelines set out in planning legislation. This is intended to deliver more, and more timely, issuing of permissions in future which will support further increases in new residential development.
More widely, the Government is also providing significant investment in rural Ireland including 215 projects worth a total of €542 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and over €149 million through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) since 2016. These investment programmes and others aligned with Our Rural Future, the National Rural Development Policy, are transforming rural communities with new infrastructure and public amenities for our citizens.
In addition, the Croi Conaithe (Towns) Fund, Help to Buy Scheme and Temporary Waiver in respect of Development Contributions for new housing are financially assisting those seeking to build new homes in rural Ireland. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is supporting the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties through Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the provision of serviced sites for people to build their own homes through the Ready to Build Scheme. On 1 May, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was expanded and further increase the number of vacant and derelict properties brought back into use. Details of the expansion are as follows:
(i). 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;
(ii). 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
(iii). 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
In order to activate planning permissions for new homes the Government has provided for a Temporary Time-Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions to local authorities as well as Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges. This applies to all permitted residential development that commences on site within one year of 25 April 2023 (i.e. not later than 24 April 2024) and is completed not later than 31 December 2025. It is estimated that the combined average benefit of introducing the development contribution waiver and Uisce Éireann connection charge refund arrangements would be of the order of circa €12,651 per housing unit based on a national average.
