Written Answers Nos. 356-369
356. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number of vacant homes officers currently in place in each local authority; the number of local authorities that have applied for funding for additional vacant homes officers to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32296/23]
View answerAddressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022.
This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that VHOs are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place.
The role of the VHO in each local authority is:
• To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;
• To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;
• To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and
• Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department. The Vacant Homes Unit supports the VHOs and the VHO network, providing information and advice, facilitating dissemination of information and best practice.
While my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
The Department has received submissions in respect of funding for additional resources from two local authorities to date. However, given the level of work ongoing, the Department is examining the resources needed across the sector to further support the activation of vacant and derelict properties in order to enable local authorities continue to carry out this important work.
357. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost to recruit two additional WTE senior assistant fire advisors for his Department, in tabular form. [32313/23]
View answerBased on the pay scales at 1 March 2023 and using the first point of the scale, the estimated full-year cost to recruit two additional WTE senior assistant fire advisors for my Department is €212,808 including Employer's PRSI.
358. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most up-to-date separate capital cost ceilings and averages for each local authority for the Social Housing Investment Programme, part V, turnkey and acquisitions in tabular form; and if these ceilings have been reviewed recently or are in the process of being reviewed. [32327/23]
View answerThe current Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) and Basic Unit Cost Ceilings (BUCs) were updated and issued to local authorities in April of this year. These guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department usually 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 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 and act as useful guide for local authorities and AHBs to benchmark their projects against.
The BUCs and ACGs are not applied as absolute ceilings/limits, but instead act as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage.
I will arrange to share a copy of both the ACGs and BUCs with the Deputy.
359. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned with the operating deficit at An Bord Pleanála; if he or his officials have had any discussions with the Bord on this deficit and if additional funding is being sought by the Bord to clear this deficit. [32328/23]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
An Bord Pleanála has received an Exchequer allocation of €26.9 million for 2023, which is an increase of €4.7million on the 2022 allocation.
My Department has engaged with An Bord Pleanála regarding the financial deficit. The Board has advised that their accounts are completed on an accrual accounting basis and this accounting process requires that all financial liabilities which arise in a particular year are included in its accounts for that year, even where those identified and recorded liabilities are not cash discharged in that financial year. At this point in time the Board has advised my Department that it is not requesting supplemental funding on the basis that existing cash reserves are sufficient to discharge all anticipated liabilities that will present for cash discharge in 2023.
The Board has agreed to keep my Department informed of significant issues around funding, including legal costs, and advised that, should the cash reserves become depleted to a level that suggests additional funding may be required, a request will be made for supplementary funding.
360. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the BER which rating that is acceptable in the terms of the new croí cónaithe scheme to refurbish derelict and vacant rural houses, given that a number of local authorities are insisting on a BER 1 certification on completion but others are satisfied with a BER 2 rating. [32340/23]
View answerIn July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The administration of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, including the application, assessment, approval and payment to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The refurbishment of a property to a BER standard is not a condition of the grant application process. The Department has issued guidance to local authorities in respect of the administration of the grant.
361. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the cause of the ongoing delays with respect to the croí cónaithe refurbishment grants given that a number of mortgage lenders are refusing to allow borrowers to draw down their mortgages due what the mortgage lenders say is delays at his Department, and regarding the conclusion of the detail of the terms of the scheme on foot of agreement reached between the Department and BPFI last month. [32370/23]
View answer381. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have had any negotiations or consultations with banks or mortgage providers with respect to difficulties in the operation of the vacant home refurbishment grant; if so, the name of these banks and providers; what these difficulties were; if they have been resolved; when the meetings took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32785/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 381 together.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
As part of the conditions associated with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, there is a requirement that the applicant(s) will live in the qualifying property or rent it for a period of at least five years from the date of payment of the Grant. If at any time they sell the property, it ceases to be their principal private residence or if the property is no longer available to rent within ten years, they must reimburse the local authority an element of the full value of the Grant, as follows:
• Up to 5 Years – 100% of the monetary amount of the Grant
• Over 5 Years and less than or equal to 10 years – 75% of the monetary amount of the Grant
• Over 10 Years – No Clawback On completion of works and prior to the issuing of the Grant, an agreement must be concluded between the local authority and the applicant. This contains the clawback agreement, including a charge on the property, which shall be binding on the applicant upon drawdown of the grant. The charge secures the local authority’s interest in the property.
In cases where an applicant has a mortgage on the property for which the grant has been applied for, this will be a second charge on the property. Where the applicant has a mortgage, it will always be the first or priority charge on the property.
Due to issues in respect of banks providing consent to a second charge relating to the grant, for properties with mortgages, my Department has been engaging with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) on behalf of its members since February of this year. This engagement has been ongoing and resulted in an agreement being reached with the main lending banks (AIB and subsidiaries EBS and Haven, Bank of Ireland, PTSB and Finance Ireland) to providing consent to a second charge on properties with mortgages, in respect of the grant. This agreement is being communicated by these banks across across their branch network and by my Department across local authorities.
Question No. 362 answered with No. 351.
363. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to strengthen the legislation around planning enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32395/23]
View answerThe draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was published in January 2023. The draft Bill is the culmination is a fifteen month review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), led by the Office of the Attorney General.
The structures of planning have been reviewed to ensure greater alignment and consistency throughout, both with our European and environmental obligations and in relation to the various tiers of national, regional and local plan making. The draft Bill streamlines more than two decades of planning legislation into a piece of legislation which is ‘user friendly’ for the public and practitioners alike and brings greater clarity, consistency and certainty to how planning decisions are made.Enforcement notices will be amended to provide that such notices will include an order to immediately cease work (where relevant to the particular case), unless there are extenuating circumstances where the development should continue. This could arise where an immediate cessation of the development would have particular environmental consequences.
In the draft Bill, applications for retention can then only be submitted where the owner/developer is in compliance with the order to cease work. These revised arrangements will apply in respect of all enforcement cases, both in relation to activities and development.The Review also identified the merit in dealing with enforcement of activities on a regional or shared services basis across a number of local authorities and the draft Bill will enable regulations to provide for the management of certain enforcement cases to be undertaken on a regional or shared services basis over time.
364. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if given the biodiversity crisis, the pressure on the Irish hare and due to animal welfare issues if he will refuse to issue 2023-2024 hare coursing licences and a remove of the species from the Open Season Order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32404/23]
View answer366. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to issue the annual licence for hare coursing. [32463/23]
View answerI am considering the application from the Irish Coursing Club in relation to the 2023/24 open season and a decision will issue in due course.
The Irish hare is listed on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) and this listing requires member states to manage the species’ sustainably. The Habitats Directive also requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the Irish hare. Ireland’s most recent report in 2019 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be viewed here: www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports/article-17-reports-2019.
The 2019 report notes that the hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche; it is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. While the report does highlight some concerns about the loss of habitat quality due to agricultural intensification and afforestation, overall the species is considered to be in favourable conservation status. In addition, the most recent Red Data List for Mammals in Ireland (2019) confirmed that the species is not threatened; it assessed the Irish hare as “Least concern". Further details are available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Red%20List%20No.%2012%20Mammals.pdf”.
There are no plans at present to review the Mammals Open Seasons Order.
365. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ask local councils to ensure that those who receive a child dependency payment do not have this included in their means test for rent, like those who receive the living alone allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32418/23]
View answerLocal 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 any social welfare payments in relation to dependent children, 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 later this year.
Question No. 366 taken with No. 364.
367. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will adopt a suggestion by a council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32510/23]
View answerMy Department is aware of the issue raised in the details supplied and is currently carrying out a review of all matters relating to it.
Extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders on this issue has been completed and options are being actively considered, with a view to taking steps to resolve this issue as a priority.
368. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if subsidies or grant supports are available from his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department for the conservation or protection of bats and their breeding and resting places in private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32560/23]
View answerThere are nine bat species resident in Ireland. Three of these commonly occur in private residences – soprano pipistrelle, common pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat. The other six species are less common and less widespread and are more likely to roost in farm buildings or in empty or derelict houses.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme supports individuals to conserve nature and there are farm plans in place for securing the suitability of outbuildings and enhancing the wider environment for lesser horseshoe bats (e.g. through hedgerows, field margins, orchards, farming practices). There are no extant farm plans pertaining to private residences.
The Heritage Council runs the Traditional Farm Building scheme which provides grants towards the renovation of farm buildings. Where bats are present in such buildings, as they often are, additional measures are implemented to ensure the bats’ requirements are built into the renovation plan.
NPWS regional staff provide an advisory service to members of the public with bats on their properties. These staff regularly visit bat roosts in houses to provide support and advice to members of the public with queries and concerns about bats.
Additional advice for householders is provided in the NPWS leaflet on bats in houses, available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NPWS%20Bat%20Leaflet%202015.pdf
369. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the number of new operatives and new trades apprentices hired into each of the 31 local authorities for each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32586/23]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis. However, granular data, in terms of the specific role and function of each individual staff member is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.
I am aware that the local government sector participates in the employer-led national apprenticeship programme which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
