Wednesday, 21 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 117-132

Housing Provision

Questions (117)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

117. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 50 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29994/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

The project referred to delivered 50 units at this location with delivery of 33 units in December 2018 and 17 units in March 2019.  A final budget allocation of €6.6m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (118)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

118. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 44 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in July 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29995/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

The project referred to delivered 44 units in December 2018.  A final budget allocation of €11.9m was approved for this project. These units were officially opened by Minister Eoghan Murphy in December 2018.

Housing Provision

Questions (119)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

119. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 21 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29996/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

The project referred to was completed in November 2021 with 21 new homes delivered.  A final budget allocation of €5.8m was approved for this project.  I officially opened this development in June 2022.

Housing Provision

Questions (120)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

120. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 14 local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29997/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

The project referred to was completed in September 2018 with 14 new homes delivered.  A final budget allocation of €3.1m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (121)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

121. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29998/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

The project referred to was completed in September 2017 with 4 new homes delivered.  A final budget allocation of €1.2m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (122)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

122. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the local authority housing unit approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in July 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29999/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

My Department issued Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval in 2016 for the project referred to, however in 2018 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council advised that this project is no longer proceeding.

Housing Provision

Questions (123)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

123. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30000/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

The project referred to was completed in December 2017 with 4 new homes delivered.  A final allocation of €1.1m was approved for this project. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (124)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

124. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the ten local authority housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30001/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

The project referred to was completed in June 2018 with 10 new homes delivered.  A final allocation of €2.3m was approved for this project.  I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (125)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

125. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four AHB housing units approved for construction in an area (details supplied) in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30002/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) and previous reports are available at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/#

My Department issued Stage 1 approval in 2016 for the project referred to.  However, in 2018 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council advised that the AHB involved were no longer proceeding with this project.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (126)

Paul Murphy

Question:

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will remove all the threatened birds from the open season shooting list; and, if not, the reason therefor. [30004/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

In response to concerns at the national and EU level on the status of Birds Directive Annex II bird species, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) recently conducted a public consultation on the Open Seasons Order. The public consultation will inform any review of the Open Seasons Order and the bird species listed on it. Consideration will also be given to the actions needed to improve the management of the Open Seasons Order, with a view to ensuring that hunting of these species is on a sustainable footing. Following recently reported declines in populations at the EU level, an EU Taskforce on the Recovery of Bird Species has been established to consider actions to reverse the decline in bird species, and to review the sustainability of their hunting in the Member States. The NPWS are engaging with this forum.

The results of the public consultation are currently being analysed and no decisions have been taken with regard to any potential changes in the Open Seasons Order.

Housing Policy

Questions (127)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to help people who bought properties to operate as short-term lets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30092/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy and action plan. This work is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).

Updated Planning Guidelines on short-term letting, which are aimed at providing clarity on the planning permission and exemption requirements for properties operating in this area in both rent pressure zones and more rural areas are currently being prepared by my Department to supplement the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill. It is intended that the updated guidelines, which will also take account of the recent communication from the EU Commission on this matter, will be published on the enactment of the Bill.

Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 106.

Housing Provision

Questions (129)

Duncan Smith

Question:

129. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 39 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30106/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.  The full set of published CSRs can be found at the followinlink: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

This social housing construction project was reported as completed by Meath County Council in Q4 of 2020, with 40 new social homes delivered at a cost of €9,983,500. I officially opened the project in April 2022. 

Housing Provision

Questions (130)

Duncan Smith

Question:

130. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 30 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30107/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.  The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

This social housing construction project was reported as completed by Meath County Council in Q2 2018, with 32 new social homes delivered at a cost of €8,524,328.  There was an official opening of the project in August 2018 by Damien English TD, then Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. 

Housing Provision

Questions (131)

Duncan Smith

Question:

131. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 14 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reasons for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30108/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Project Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.   The full set of published CSRs can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

This social housing construction project was reported as completed by Meath County Council in Q1 of 2019, with 19 new social homes delivered at a cost of €4,328,878.  There was no official opening for this particular project involving my Department.

Approved Housing Bodies

Questions (132)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

132. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide, in tabular form, the numbers of social housing units allocated to approved housing bodies in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the methodology used for such allocation; and what measures could be taken to ensure smaller approved housing bodies with specific remits, such as (details supplied) and other such smaller AHBs, have an equal chance of being allocated properties in Part V developments. [30215/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

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.

In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026.  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 also set out details of the proposed delivery streams for housing projects proposed, including delivery by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). It is a matter for each individual local authority to agree what projects will be delivered by its AHB delivery partners.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Further details on Part V social housing delivery can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/

My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2022?package_type=dataset