Tuesday, 27 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 339-355

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (339)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

339. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a charge is levied by Ireland on undersea telecommunications operators for the use of the Irish marine EEZ as a pass-through location for undersea telecommunications cables that do not land in Ireland or connect Ireland to other states and-or to networks outside this jurisdiction; if so, to outline the annual charge levied on operators for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30516/23]

Written answers

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

Currently, no charge is levied on undersea telecommunications operators in respect of subsea cables located in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).  The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides for the establishment of a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) which I recently announced will be formally established on 17 July 2023.  MARA will be the regulatory authority for Ireland’s maritime area which extends to the outer limit of the continental shelf and includes the EEZ.

The 2021 Act has not yet been fully commenced and I have made no regulations in relation to fees to be charged by MARA.  My Department is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that MARA is accorded the appropriate powers to regulate and protect our maritime area, including with respect to subsea cables, while ensuring compliance with relevant EU and international law.

Departmental Funding

Questions (340)

Carol Nolan

Question:

340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all registered charities that received funding by way of grant-in-aid or through schemes administered by his Department in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30533/23]

Written answers

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

A list of registered charities which received funding by way of grant in aid or through schemes administered by my Department are set out in table at the link.

Approved Housing Bodies are not included in this reply on the basis that they have been granted approved status, under S. 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, to assist Local Authorities in the provision of housing.

My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. The exact amounts spent by local authorities on homeless services, as well as the types of accommodation and the service providers engaged, are a matter for local authorities.  Financial reports are published on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/

My Department also provides funds to local authorities under the Affordable Housing Fund (formerly the Site Services Fund) to deliver affordable housing units for purchase or for rent. Approved projects may involve cooperation with registered charities and details would also be available from the relevant local authorities.

Registered Charities

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (341, 342)

Carol Nolan

Question:

341. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all registered charities working in the area of housing or homelessness his Department has engaged with from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30534/23]

Carol Nolan

Question:

342. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the overall number of registered charities operating in the area of housing and homelessness, and whether there are too many such bodies operating at present; whether the sector would benefit from some mergers to achieve economies of scale and to avoid duplication of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30535/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.

As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. AHBRA is an independent body tasked with providing the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies.

The register of AHBs previously managed by my Department was officially transferred to AHBRA on 1 January 2022. On this date there were 450 AHBs that were deemed registered and are subject to all provisions in the Act. AHBRA is responsible for maintaining the register and for registering organisations as AHBs. The register is published on AHBRA's website, available here: www.ahbregulator.ie/registration/the-register/. Currently, 450 organisations remain registered as AHBs.

The vast majority of AHBs are registered charities, however my Department does not keep a record of the number of these AHBs which are also registered charities.

Some AHBs provide a range of housing and broader care and supports for a wide range of our citizens. A number of AHBs (particularly smaller and voluntary AHBs) are considering their future viability and examining options which are available, including the concept of mergers and stock transfers, in terms of collaborating with other like-minded organisations.

Under Housing for All, my Department has committed to supporting the AHB sector as it innovates to implement new models of organisation, collaboration and management. Housing for All Action 24.6 commits to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the AHB sector is positioned to best contribute to the Government’s objectives for public housing supply and management. An AHB Collaboration Fund has been established by my Department to ensure that sufficient targeted resources and expertise are in place to directly support the AHB sector to consolidate the number of registered AHBs and to build greater capacity in the sector.

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 a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.

The operation and management of homeless services provided through Non-governmental Organisations (NGO’s) is matter for individual local authorities. However, my Department has engaged with a number of NGO’s working in the homeless sector through the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC). The NHAC was established in Q4 2021 and is a cross-governmental and inter-agency oversight group with membership drawn from key Departments, agencies and stakeholders.

I chair the Committee which meets on a quarterly basis. Full membership as well as previous minutes of meetings of the NHAC are published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/958d1-national-homeless-action-committee-nhac-meetings/

Question No. 342 answered with Question No. 341.

Housing Schemes

Questions (343)

Niall Collins

Question:

343. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person returning to Ireland, having worked for three years overseas, can avail of the help-to-buy scheme and-or the first home scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30551/23]

Written answers

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

The First Home Scheme is operated and managed by First Home Scheme DAC on behalf of all scheme participants, including my Department. All information in relation to the First Home Scheme is available on its website at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie.

Specific information on eligibility is available in the FAQs, available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/faqs/rules-and-eligibility/, as well as the First Home Scheme brochure, available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/3fidiubp/first-homes-brochure-2023.pdf

Queries may be addressed by e-mail and phone, details of which can be found at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/get-in-touch/

The Help to Buy incentive comes under the remit of Revenue and the Department of Finance. Full details of the incentive, including eligibility criteria, is available at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx

Heritage Schemes

Questions (344)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

344. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any heritage recognition that can be availed of for the last remaining weaver facility in the Liberties (details supplied), an area which was famous for its weaving for centuries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30564/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not administer any general heritage recognition scheme or register that would seem appropriate in this instance. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media operates a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage which may be relevant to the body referred to. 

The preservation of traditional heritage skills is a policy priority for Government. This is being facilitated through the work of the Heritage Council, which supports schemes such as the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme.

I note that the theme for National Heritage Week 2023 is "Living Heritage". This theme is centered around the practices, knowledge and skills that have been passed from one generation to the next, and are still in use today. Participation in National Heritage Week may be something that the body referred to may wish to consider, in order to showcase their craft to a wider audience. Further information on how to register an event is available at www.heritageweek.ie/

Tax Code

Questions (345)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

345. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a number of viable businesses (details supplied) that may struggle to continue to trade and could close and have to lay off staff due to an additional tax being imposed on them in the shape of the RTZL; if his Department has any role in explaining or certifying that they are not a derelict building but in fact are trading as a going concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30567/23]

Written answers

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

The Finance Act 2021 introduced Part, 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by landowners, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced. The residential and mixed use including residential zonings are considered to reflect the housing need set out within the core strategy for the relevant local authority area. The measure does not relate to derelict sites, which are considered under the Derelict Sites Act.

Where the land is zoned for residential purposes and occupied by existing uses, such uses may be excluded from the tax where they provide services to the existing or future residential community; are authorised uses with regard to planning; are in use by a trade of profession; and are liable to commercial rates.

The mapping of lands considered liable to the tax is undertaken by each local authority based on the legislation contained in the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, with the opportunity for landowners to make submissions to the local authority where they consider that their land should does not fall within the scope of the tax as set out within the legislation. Landowners who are not satisfied within the determination of the local authority have the opportunity to appeal to An Bord Pleanala. Landowners also had the opportunity to seek a rezoning of their land to remove it from scope. This variation procedure, and the local authority’s decision on whether or not to commence one, is part of the normal zoning process undertaken by the planning authority.

The zoning of land for particular purposes such as residential or mixed uses within a development plan is solely a matter for each local authority, including where there is a building on such land that is currently in industrial or commercial use. Decisions on whether to amend zonings as a result of submissions made under Section 653I of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 or at any other time in order to remove land from the scope of the tax are a matter for each relevant local authority, taking into account the need to ensure that housing supply targets across the city or county can be met. Provision is made in the Planning and Development Act 2000 for elected members to request the Chief Executive, in certain circumstances, to commence a process to amend a development plan zoning.

It is acknowledged that the tax will impact on landowners, however if the land in question is zoned for a particular purpose under a plan adopted by the local authority and has been subject to investment by the local authority and the State in the services necessary to enable development for housing to accommodate increased population, it is intended that the land should be used for housing.

Housing Provision

Questions (346)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

346. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the revised social housing construction and acquisition caps for local authorities and AHBs under the social housing investment programme; and if he will set out the methodology and time period used in determining the caps and revised caps. [30602/23]

Written answers

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

My Department issued updated Basic Unit Costs (BUCs - previously referred to as Unit Cost Ceilings) and Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) in April of this year for each local authority area.  Both BUCs and ACGs are updated by my Department on an annual basis.

The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition by housing authorities, of second-hand properties for the provision of social housing. These guidelines reference lower and upper cost ranges along with an average/benchmark cost, which is representative of the average range of current (at the time of issue) prices across the local authority area.

The BUCs specifically relate to social housing build projects developed directly by local authorities or AHBs on LA/AHB owned lands, using the Public Works forms of contract.  While not a record of actual delivery costs, BUCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes.

My Department monitors the tender cost trends and analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the SHIP four stage approval processes across 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. This analysis and data in turn informs the BUC levels.

The BUCs and ACGs reflect anticipated benchmark levels at the time released, most recently Q2 of 2023. My Department continues to monitor tender price trends on an ongoing basis and all incoming funding applications are considered with such trends in mind.

The BUCs and ACGs are not applied as absolute ceiling/limits, but instead act as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage.  Similarly we will continue to consider acquisition proposals where the cost of acquiring the property may exceed the guidelines provided, having regard to appropriate value for money considerations.

Housing Provision

Questions (347)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

347. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of buy-and-renew social homes delivered in Dublin city and county in 2022 and to date in 2023. [30603/23]

Written answers

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

The average costs for Buy and Renew units delivered in 2022 and 2023 across the four Dublin local authorities with funding recouped by my Department to date is €362k per unit. The costs are inclusive of acquisition cost, refurbishment costs and any associated fees.

Housing Provision

Questions (348, 350)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

348. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of tenant in situ purchases in Dublin city and county in 2022 and to date in 2023. [30604/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

350. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost of social housing acquisitions acquired in 2022 and separately to date in 2023; and to provide a breakdown of average costs, by size of unit, and by vacant unit versus tenant in situ acquisitions. [30612/23]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 350 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). My Department also supports local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire social housing homes through a number of funding programmes, including the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP), the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).

The table below sets out the average costs of social housing acquisitions in 2022 under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility and Social Housing Investment Programme:

Average Cost Per Unit € Acquisitions 2022	CALF Average Total Capital Cost	Average CALF Approved	SHIP
1-bed house	N/A	N/A	-
2-bed house	N/A	N/A	€202,367
3-bed house	€281,343	€39,388	€255,508
4-bed house	€260,624	€52,128	€306,334
5-bed+ house	€280,000	€84,000	-
1-bed apartment	€247,384	€51,951	€143,436
2-bed apartment (inc. Duplex)	€331,704	€36,487	€185,172
3-bed apartment (inc. Duplex)	€438,276	€118,335	-

Note 1: The information above is calculated using the financial information available to the Department.

Note 2: The CALF Average Total Capital Cost figures are based on application details and may be subject to change as the project progresses. These amounts include cost of works/repairs.

Note 3: The Average CALF Amount represents the average amount of CALF funding provided. (A maximum of 30%).

The Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), provides that funding of up to 100% of project costs may be advanced by local authorities to Approved Housing Bodies to provide accommodation for priority categories on the housing waiting list including elderly, persons/families who are homeless and people with a disability.

The table below sets out the average cost of social housing acquisitions under the Capital Assistance Scheme:

Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) Acquisitions 2022
Average Cost for 1-Bed CAS Unit	€201,916
Average Cost for 2-Bed CAS Unit	€192,083
Average Cost for 3-Bed CAS Unit	€244,497

Data published to date does not include a breakdown of properties acquired where a tenant has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property, so a breakdown of average cost of tenant-in-situ purchases in Dublin city and county in 2022 is not available. From Q1 2023 an amendment has been made to my Department's statistical returns to collect information in this regard and will enable the extrapolation of average costs for Tenant in Situ acquisitions.

My Department does not provide funding in advance to local authorities to purchase homes under the tenant-in-situ scheme – funding is provided based on the acquisitions that have been completed by the local authorities, and the Department recoups local authorities for their expenditure. Local authorities have delegated sanction to deliver these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by my Department. Revised Cost Guidelines were issued to local authorities in April this year.

Data is currently being collated for Q1 2023 and will be published in due course.

Housing Provision

Questions (349)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

349. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total capitalisation provided to the LDA to date; the LDA's total borrowing capacity; and the plans the Government intends to make regarding these arrangements. [30611/23]

Written answers

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

The Land Development Agency Act 2021 (the Act) was signed into law in July 2021. Following commencement of the provisions of the Act, the LDA was established as a wholly commercial Designated Activity Company (DAC).

Under section 30 of the Act, the LDA have access to equity funding of up to €1.25bn from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The LDA have to date been capitalised by a total of €625million from ISIF having received funding totalling €100m on its establishment as a commercial DAC, and having accessed a further €525m, paid over two tranches, in H1 2023.

As provided for under section 28 of the Act, the LDA have the ability to borrow a further €1.25bn.

Housing for All recognises that additional resourcing will be required to meet the increased level of activities envisaged under the plan to assist in funding the pipeline of housing, including on additional State lands, and accelerated housing through Project Tosaigh. This additional funding will be subject to an amendment being made to the LDA Act which will be brought forward as required.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 348.

Housing Provision

Questions (351)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

351. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in appendix 1 of Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report, produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, were met in respect of Dublin City Council; and the final spend on same. [30653/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

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

The total funding provided by my Department to Dublin City Council for the delivery of capital and current housing programmes for the period 2015 to 2017 is set out in the table below.

Local Authority	Capital  €m	Current €m	Total €m
Dublin City Council	376	347	723

Housing Provision

Questions (352)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

352. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 62 local authority housing units approved for construction in 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. [30654/23]

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 withdrawn by the Council and a reconfigured design to provide 78 units was granted Stage 1 approval in 2018 and is currently under construction.

Housing Provision

Questions (353)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

353. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 35 local authority housing units approved for construction in 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. [30655/23]

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 withdrawn by the Council and a reconfigured design was granted Stage 1 approval in 2018 for the delivery of 61 units. This project was completed in April 2023 and has not yet been officially opened by the Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (354)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

354. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin 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. [30656/23]

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 withdrawn by the Council and a reconfigured design for the delivery of 38 units was granted Stage 1 approval in 2019. The project is currently Stage 3 Pre-Tender Approved.

Housing Provision

Questions (355)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

355. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin 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. [30657/23]

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 2022. The project delivered 30 units at a cost of €12.9m. I officially opened this development in December 2022.