Tuesday, 27 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 356-371

Housing Provision

Questions (356)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

356. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 19 AHB housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30658/23]

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/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

The project referred to was withdrawn by Dublin City Council. However, a revised project was subsequently completed in December 2022 with 21 new homes delivered. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (357)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

357. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 23 AHB housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30659/23]

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 23 new homes at a cost of €11.4m. I officially opened this project in December 2022.

Housing Provision

Questions (358)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

358. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 20 AHB housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30660/23]

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 2018. The project delivered 19 new homes at a cost of €3m. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (359)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

359. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the eight AHB housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30661/23]

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 2018. The project delivered 8 units at a cost of €2.3m. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (360)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

360. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 15 AHB housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30662/23]

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 2019. The project delivered 15 units at a cost of €3.4m. I understand that the development was not officially opened by a Minister.

Housing Provision

Questions (361)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

361. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 12 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30663/23]

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. I understand the Council is considering alternative options.

Housing Provision

Questions (362)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

362. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 16 local authority housing units approved for construction at a location (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. [30664/23]

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. I understand the Council is considering alternative options.

Building Regulations

Questions (363)

Robert Troy

Question:

363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [30756/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Building Regulations 1997 to 2022 provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings and apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations.

They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.

Earlier this year I held a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the Building Regulations relating to fire safety and the associated Technical Guidance Document. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the re-use of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying and rationalising fire safety requirements and guidance.

Work is now underway in my Department to examine each submission made and to consider if an amendment to the proposed Part B of the Building Regulations relating to fire safety and/or the associated draft Technical Guidance Document is warranted or required. The issues raised will also be considered in this context.  In line with Action 21.1 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update, the review of Part B of the Building Regulations (Fire Safety) is due to be completed and published in Q4 2023. 

Housing Schemes

Questions (364)

Holly Cairns

Question:

364. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure carer's allowance is not included in the assessment of means testing for social housing rents. [30772/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.

Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including the Carer's Allowance, are a matter for individual local authorities. My Department has no role in this regard.

The Housing for All Action Plan Update, published in November 2022, commits to developing proposals for a standardised national rents scheme that provides the best blend of equity, progressivity and sustainability, and protects those households on the lowest incomes. Proposals will be submitted for my consideration in the autumn.

Departmental Properties

Questions (365)

Holly Cairns

Question:

365. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether his Department owns a site (details supplied). [30774/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to Question No. 328 on 9 May. I can confirm that my Department does not own the site at Rosscarbery Playground, Rosscarbery Co. Cork 51.57909834945283, -9.028955329525367.

Housing Provision

Questions (366)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

366. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of all housing developments currently in the pipeline of the Land Development Agency; the number of units in each development; the current stage in the contracting process, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30778/23]

Written answers

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

Under Housing for All, the Government aims to deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home Scheme.

The LDA is tasked with managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands, which is expected to bring essential long-term stability to the Irish housing market.

It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh, from which the LDA is targeting delivery of 5,000 affordable homes by 2026. The LDA has contracted or agreed commercial terms for the delivery of c.2,000 homes through its Project Tosaigh delivery channel. It remains on target to achieve its 5,000-unit target through the initiative by the end of 2026.

Following two calls for proposals and ongoing engagement with proposers, a delivery pipeline is being advanced. Project Tosaigh sourced homes are now being delivered and many homes have been sold to purchasers. 164 new homes were offered in 2022 for cost rental tenanting by eligible households in Wicklow and Dublin. 78 affordable purchase homes in Cork and Waterford were also delivered in 2022. Homes are being steadily completed and delivered so far for 2023 and delivery will be increasing as the year progresses.

While keeping the momentum of that call for proposals engagement going, the LDA is proceeding in tandem with the more structured phase of Project Tosaigh engagement, procuring framework agreements with preferred delivery partners.

The LDA continues its work developing housing on strategic state lands. Planning applications have now been approved on several sites including the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum (852 units), Castlelands in Balbriggan (817 units), Hackettstown in Skerries (345 units) and Devoy Barracks in Kildare (219 units). Separately, enabling works have commenced and the main construction contract has been awarded on the site of the former St Kevin’s Hospital in Cork City where approximately 265 homes are expected to be delivered from 2024.

The LDA is also actively working with local authorities to deliver homes in partnership on key sites. At the Shanganagh Castle site in Shankill, where work is underway, the LDA is working with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to deliver over 590 affordable homes, commencing in 2024. Working with Dublin City Council, the LDA is planning to deliver an affordable scheme at the Donore project in Dublin 8 (former St Teresa’s Gardens site) with a projected yield of over 540 homes, and over 140 affordable homes at Cromcastle, Dublin 5.

Housing Provision

Questions (367)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

367. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the costs to date to both his Department and the Housing Agency of developing and establishing the Croí Cónaithe (cities) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30779/23]

Written answers

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

The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports building 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers up to 2026. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The Scheme is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.

To date, a total of €146,332.09 has been expended by my Department on legal expenses and research related to establishing the scheme.

Housing Provision

Questions (368)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

368. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of unsold affordable housing units, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30780/23]

Written answers

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

In 2009, my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties (USAs) to provide social housing. The original intention was that these properties would be sold on as affordable homes once demand increased to a level that would stimulate a sale. However, in the years following the financial crash, developments in the housing market resulted in a reduction in demand for affordable housing and a resulting build-up of unsold affordable housing units in a number of local authority areas.

There are currently in the region of 1,368 such properties providing housing for social housing tenants, funded through my Department's Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme.  A breakdown by local authority is in the table below.

Local Authority	Unsold Affordable Properties
CARLOW	11
CORK CITY	188
CORK COUNTY	490
DUBLIN CITY	192
FINGAL	172
KILDARE	40
LAOIS	44
LOUTH	26
MAYO	16
MEATH	16
SDCC	93
TIPPERARY	14
WATERFORD	36
WESTMEATH	30

Vacant Sites

Questions (369)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

369. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown, by local authority, of the most up-to-date amounts collected under the vacant site levy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January of the following year.

My Department issued Circular Letter PL 03/2023 on 4 April 2023 requesting the submission of a progress report on the implementation and collection of the levy by each local authority. This information is provided in the attached Table.

It should be noted that under section 19 of the Act, unpaid levies due remain a charge on the land in question until they are paid. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure that all vacant site levies due are paid.

Vacant Site Levy

Housing Provision

Questions (370)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

370. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out each of the bundles of PPP social housing, including a list of locations and number of units in each scheme in each bundle; the stage each scheme and each bundle is at in the delivery pipeline; the total cost of the lifetime of the contract for each bundle; the list of organisations involved in each PPP consortium for each bundle; and the details of the public sector benchmark used in each of the bundles to date, in tabular form. [30901/23]

Written answers

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

The Social Housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme represents an additional strand of delivery to increase the supply of social housing. Housing for All includes a specific objective to increase the use of PPPs to deliver social housing and significant progress is being made under the new programme. My Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders including the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office, and relevant local authorities to progress further bundles of projects. The programme currently consists of 6 bundles of sites.

Bundles 1 and 2 delivered almost 1,000 units in 2020 and 2021, while there are in excess of 2,500 units in the pipeline. 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, including the PPP projects. The most recent CSR (Quarter 4 2022) provides details of the sites in Bundles 1 - 5 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022/

Details of the Bundle 6 sites will be included in the CSR for Quarter 1 2023, which will be published shortly. A Design Team is currently being procured for this bundle to bring the projects forward through design development.

Details in relation to the PPP consortia for the completed Bundles 1 and 2 can be found at the following links:

www.ndfa.ie/projects/social-housing-ppp-bundle-1

www.ndfa.ie/projects/social-housing-ppp-bundle-2

The construction capital cost for bundle 1 amounted to €119 million (excluding VAT) while the construction capital cost for bundle 2 amounted to €129 million (excluding VAT). Further information on the total contract values and project payments for each project is available at: ppp.gov.ie/ppp-projects/. The duration of both contracts is the construction period plus a 25-year operating period. Payment is made by the State only once construction of the buildings is complete and the units are ready for occupation. The payment comprises a monthly ‘availability’ and performance-based payment (or unitary charge) made over the term of the 25-year contract, which incorporates all costs under the contract, including construction, the upkeep and maintenance of the developments, tenancy management services, financing costs and inflation.

The Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) is an essential part of any PPP project. It contains commercially sensitive information in relation to the methodology used for costing public sector projects and for the pricing of risks by public sector bodies. In accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (Guidelines for the use of Public Private Partnerships), the final PSB, or any element thereof, is not made public during the tendering process nor where it is intended to procure further similar projects in the near future (e.g. subsequent project bundles as part of an ongoing PPP programme).

As Bundle 3, which is currently progressing through the tender process, will follow the same structure as Bundles 1 and 2 and given the potential impact on value for money for the State, it is not appropriate to release the PSB for Bundles 1 and 2 at this time.  However, the Department of Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has agreed, in the interest of transparency and timing, that the PSB may be published when the tender process for Bundle 3 has been finalised and the contract is awarded.

Control of Firearms

Questions (371, 372)

Paul Murphy

Question:

371. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outlaw all night-time shooting, following a past recommendation from the NPWS that hunting be prohibited from midnight to 6 a.m. and in view of an incident at a Dublin golf course in which a person was seriously injured after reportedly being shot by a hunter (details supplied). [30910/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

372. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will move to ban all night-time shooting, following an incident at a golf course in Dublin in which a person suffered serious injuries and was treated in the intensive care unit of the Mater Hospital after reportedly being shot by a hunter (details supplied). [30911/23]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has commenced a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project. It will examine closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

The issue raised by the Deputy, in so far as it relates to the Wildlife Act, will be considered as part of that review.