Written Answers Nos. 450-470
450. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the public consultation on the National Planning Framework will take place; how the issue of climate change will be addressed as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34934/23]
View answerFurther to my response to Question No. 383 of 27 June, the Roadmap to the National Planning Framework (NPF) provides an outline of the indicative timelines and process for the revision process.
A core objective of the preparation of the first revision to the NPF will be to ensure that all relevant stakeholders and the wider public are consulted and encouraged to contribute to the process of this revision at appropriate stages in the process. Consequently, there are a number of consultation processes and structures for engagement that my Department has established to enable detailed consideration of this important issues.
I appointed an Expert Group in March 2023 to undertake a high-level review of the NPF and I expect that the work of the Group will conclude with the submission of their report to me over the summer.
As part of the commitment given in Housing for All to improve the functioning of the planning process and review the planning legislative code, a Planning Advisory Forum was established to input into the evolving policy and legislative agenda. This forum is chaired by my colleague, Minister O’Donnell. Its current purpose is to ensure the participation of relevant organisations, professional bodies and technical experts in the revision process and the inception meeting was held on 6 July 2023.
Furthermore, a high-level level Inter-Departmental Steering Group will be established shortly to lead and oversee this revision of the NPF. This group will be made up of high-level representatives of government departments whose policies and functions are relevant to the revision.
Finally, an environmental steering group is also being established to oversee the iterative and interactive processes in relation to the environmental assessments of Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, as appropriate.
I anticipate that the public consultation on the draft NPF strategy will take place in Q4 of 2023.
The matter of climate change and the alignment of the NPF with Climate Action Plan 2023 as well as other relevant policy and legislation is specifically identified in the roadmap as being a critical consideration for this first revision to the NPF. My Department has commenced bi-lateral engagement with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the revision and will continue to engage during the revision process with key stakeholders in order to address this matter.
451. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can in certain cases classify an individual in receipt of HAP as a couple and then add the 35% discretionary increase to their rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34936/23]
View answerUnder the Government's Housing Plan, Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) was required. The Housing Agency carried out this analytical exercise, on behalf of my Department, to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Review and Reform, approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness. Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
Each local authority, therefore, has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
The review identified that the household type with the largest proportion of tenancies in receipt of discretion are single person households. In addition, these households are, on average, among those requiring the highest levels of discretion. To further assist this cohort, local authorities may apply a couple rate to a new single person tenancy, where required. This additional measure specifically addresses the challenges experienced by single person households and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
Recognising that newer tenancies are at a higher cost than those tenancies already in place, this measure will apply to new tenancies only. Single person tenancies already in place may request a rent review, with local authorities now in a position to amend the level of discretion up to 35%.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency.
452. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the current rate of grant for thatching a cottage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/23]
View answerMy Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof, provides funding of up to €6,350 or up to 80% of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland where the private owner holds a medical card. A higher level of assistance of up to €8,252 is available for houses on specified offshore islands, where the owner holds a medical card. In the case of private owners without a medical card, funding of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland, rising to €5,714 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island.
My Department also oversees a number of schemes to assist in the conservation of protected structures, which may include repairs to historic roofing. These schemes are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund, under which a combined total of €9 million is available for 2023. This year, for the first time, a dedicated €500,000 has been ring-fenced under the BHIS for conservation repairs to historic thatched structures. This aims to maximise the availability of financial assistance to owners of such properties, helping them offset other costs. These schemes are administered through the local authorities and details are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/32ae3-financial-assistance-for-architectural-heritage/
My Department has begun the process of consolidating the funding streams for the repair and renewal of thatched roofing, with this work expected to be completed in 2024. Separately, Minister Noonan, launched A Living Tradition, the new vernacular architectural heritage strategy, in December 2021. Action 6 of the strategy sets out to ‘enhance the protection and conservation of historic thatched roofs’. Under Action 6, my Department will examine all issues relevant to thatched buildings, including thatching standards, fire prevention guidance, and the availability of suitable thatching materials, and any other relevant matters. My Department established a specific steering group, the Built Vernacular Heritage (Thatch) Steering Group, to oversee and assist with the implementation of this particular part of the strategy.
454. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the level of funding provided to local authorities to fund cleaning and maintenance crews to support Tidy Towns groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34943/23]
View answerI have no function in the matter raised in the question. The voluntary effort and dedication of each TidyTown group is typically supported by the local authority in which a given group operates. My Department does not allocate specific funding for cleaning and maintenance purposes as outlined in the question, as these are operational matters for each individual local authority.
The democratically elected Councillors are responsible for running the local authority in conjunction with the Chief Executive and his/her team. Under Section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Chief Executive of a local authority is responsible for the executive functions of the local authority, and for that purpose to manage and control generally, the administration and business of the authority, subject to law.
Local authorities receive income from a variety of sources, including grants from Central Government, Local Property Tax (LPT), commercial rates and other locally-raised charges. Each local authority is mandated to determine its own spending priorities, while having regard to locally identified needs and available resources.
456. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities for hedgerow work; how much was awarded to each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023 to date, in tabular form. [34953/23]
View answer457. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities for hedgerow work; the detail of the work carried out by each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34954/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.
The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) provides funding to assist local authorities with the implementation of projects that promote actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Projects supported through this fund cover a range of biodiversity related activities, including hedgerows, invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness.
The table at the link provides details of hedgerow-related projects supported by the LBAF from 2018 to 2023.
458. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities via the local biodiversity action fund; how much was awarded to each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023 to date, in tabular form. [34955/23]
View answerThe Local Biodiversity Action Fund operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) provides funding to assist local authorities with the implementation of projects that promote actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Local authorities play a vital role in addressing the biodiversity emergency and over €6m has been awarded to local authorities through this fund to date. See the table below for details.
|
Local Authority |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Carlow County Council |
|
€16,000 |
€7,081 |
€58,545 |
- |
|
Cavan County Council |
|
€7,873 |
€12,000 |
€37,732 |
€44,608 |
|
Clare County Council |
€22,000 |
€16,000 |
€30,000 |
€82,965 |
€87,474 |
|
Cork City Council |
€5,225 |
€7,910 |
€11,008 |
€19,683 |
€40,668 |
|
Cork County Council |
€13,100 |
€16,000 |
€18,899 |
€21,000 |
€54,310 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€6,930 |
€15,888 |
€15,671 |
€31,998 |
€43,750 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€22,900 |
€16,000 |
€33,500 |
€61,317 |
€17,768 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
€13,400 |
€16,000 |
€30,650 |
€59,400 |
€44,400 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€8,600 |
|
€18,000 |
€37,000 |
€30,500 |
|
Galway City Council |
|
|
€16,039 |
€24,275 |
€37,073 |
|
Galway County Council |
€13,400 |
€16,000 |
€37,587 |
€48,182 |
€68,187 |
|
Kerry County Council |
|
|
€17,140 |
€42,925 |
€41,024 |
|
Kildare County Council |
|
€16,000 |
€16,000 |
€47,845 |
€46,639 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€8,500 |
€16,000 |
€16,000 |
€47,505 |
€40,738 |
|
Laois County Council |
€8,600 |
€14,220 |
€16,000 |
€27,370 |
€69,576 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
|
€14,594 |
€20,283 |
€29,954 |
€47,104 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€10,300 |
€13,452 |
€39,164 |
€35,509 |
€14,539 |
|
Longford County Council |
|
€7,530 |
€11,921 |
€13,826 |
- |
|
Louth County Council |
|
€4,729 |
€8,826 |
€9,368 |
€57,547 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€22,000 |
€16,000 |
€29,700 |
€57,876 |
€64,350 |
|
Meath County Council |
€8,000 |
€16,550 |
€18,500 |
€42,160 |
€49,734 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
€6,273 |
€15,725 |
€39,946 |
€14,164 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€18,400 |
€16,000 |
€24,000 |
€40,001 |
€53,905 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€8,600 |
€16,000 |
€22,400 |
€34,640 |
€36,686 |
|
Sligo County Council |
|
€8,934 |
|
€49,000 |
- |
|
South Dublin County Council |
|
|
€19,130 |
€19,803 |
€10,873 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€8,000 |
€15,161 |
€21,464 |
€26,906 |
€38,985 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
€8,600 |
€7,254 |
€28,606 |
€26,724 |
€10,671 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€7,650 |
€16,000 |
€16,000 |
€45,325 |
€59,614 |
|
Wexford County Council |
|
€8,011 |
€25,198 |
€42,533 |
€66,948 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€8,600 |
€32,540 |
€14,300 |
€29,514 |
€32,700 |
|
Total |
€222,805 |
€372,919 |
€610,792 |
€1,190,828 |
€1,224,534 |
459. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to give an update on the scheme targeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services; to provide a list of all applications received from local authorities under that scheme; to provide a list of the applications that were approved for funding; if he will provide a provide a summary of the status of each of those approved projects; the timelines for works to be commenced and completed for those applications that were not approved for funding at this time; the timeline for further funding announcements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34987/23]
View answerIn April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of funding is intended to follow a demonstration project model approach to inform future funding needs that will provide appropriate longer-term solutions.
All rural local authorities were asked to submit a maximum of two suitable priority applications each, for this funding measure. A total of 23 individual applications from 13 local authorities (listed below) were received before the closing date of 15 September 2022.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application received and I will confirm approval of funding for specific projects shortly.
|
Local Authority |
Name of village |
|
Cavan |
Milltown |
|
Clare |
Broadford |
|
Clare |
Cooraclare |
|
Cork |
Glantane |
|
Cork |
Graball Bay |
|
Donegal |
Bonagee |
|
Galway |
Clarinbridge |
|
Galway |
Craughwell |
|
Kerry |
Beaufort |
|
Kerry |
Spa |
|
Kilkenny |
Cloone Mullinabro |
|
Kilkenny |
Shellumsrath |
|
Laois |
Cullohill |
|
Laois |
Vicarstown |
|
Leitrim |
Rossinver |
|
Limerick |
Athlacca |
|
Limerick |
Kildimo |
|
Sligo |
Ballygawley |
|
Sligo |
Rathcormac |
|
Westmeath |
Baylin |
|
Westmeath |
Mount Temple |
|
Wexford |
Glynn |
|
Wexford |
Ramsgrange |
461. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new-build social homes that were delivered in 2022 and to date in 2023 in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35017/23]
View answerMy Department publishes statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery across the local authorities. These statistics are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .
This provides information for various categories of social housing delivery including constructed social homes delivered in Mayo in 2022. Data to the end of Quarter 1 of 2023 will also be available at this link shortly.
Further information on social housing delivery for Mayo County Council is available on the Construction Status Report which my Department also publishes quarterly. It is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/14f82-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2022 .
Mayo County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan sets out details of their proposed social housing delivery for the period 2022-26 and is available on the Council’s website at www.mayo.ie/en-ie/your-council/services/housing-services/social-housing/housing-delivery-action-plan .
462. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of recipients of HAP and RAS support in County Mayo in 2022 and 2023. [35024/23]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery and spend activity, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), in all local authority areas, on the statistics page of its website.
The data requested in relation to the number of households in Mayo in 2022 that are in receipt of HAP can be found at the following link - assets.gov.ie/126035/413e7beb-7ac1-4cb6-b2e7-d17723b824e5.xlsx
The data requested in relation to the number of households in Mayo in 2022 that are in receipt of RAS can be found at the following link - assets.gov.ie/236005/078ede62-c0cd-4fee-9e59-f8deab8ad4d3.xlsx
Q 1 2023 data is currently being collated and will be published in due course.
463. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in receipt of the housing assistance payment that transferred to rental accommodation scheme and vice versa for each county, per annum, since 2016, in tabular form [35025/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are effective and secure forms of social housing support, and remain a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support. Both schemes are separate from each other and are reported on in different ways.
The following table details the number of RAS tenancies that transferred to HAP by local authority in the period 2019 - 2022. My Department does not hold this information for transfers prior to 2019.
|
Local Authority |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
Clare County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cork County Council |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Council |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Fingal County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath County Council |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sligo County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
Wexford County Council |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
8 |
|
Total |
37 |
6 |
11 |
3 |
57 |
The following table details the number of HAP tenancies that transferred to other forms of social housing (this can include RAS), by local authority in the period 2016 – 2022. The Department does not have a further breakdown of this data.
|
Transfers from HAP to Other forms of Social Housing |
|
|||||||
|
LA Name |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
9 |
27 |
25 |
113 |
80 |
101 |
100 |
455 |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
1 |
10 |
27 |
20 |
51 |
73 |
182 |
|
Clare County Council |
17 |
74 |
76 |
75 |
95 |
106 |
129 |
572 |
|
Cork City Council |
14 |
32 |
20 |
66 |
130 |
185 |
149 |
596 |
|
Cork County Council |
32 |
73 |
119 |
119 |
252 |
360 |
265 |
1220 |
|
Donegal County Council |
24 |
75 |
137 |
147 |
130 |
139 |
117 |
769 |
|
Dublin City Council |
0 |
4 |
64 |
145 |
131 |
384 |
351 |
1079 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
0 |
0 |
12 |
39 |
23 |
40 |
85 |
199 |
|
Fingal County Council |
1 |
2 |
21 |
31 |
117 |
117 |
176 |
465 |
|
Galway City Council |
0 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
37 |
148 |
47 |
267 |
|
Galway County Council |
1 |
8 |
15 |
45 |
45 |
89 |
70 |
273 |
|
Kerry County Council |
0 |
0 |
13 |
39 |
67 |
142 |
129 |
390 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1 |
26 |
67 |
114 |
269 |
320 |
362 |
1159 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
20 |
26 |
51 |
76 |
103 |
130 |
86 |
492 |
|
Laois County Council |
0 |
1 |
29 |
18 |
56 |
101 |
68 |
273 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
21 |
24 |
26 |
86 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
35 |
41 |
72 |
57 |
91 |
131 |
129 |
556 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
16 |
35 |
30 |
98 |
|
Louth County Council |
16 |
47 |
115 |
209 |
275 |
339 |
270 |
1271 |
|
Mayo County Council |
2 |
14 |
23 |
38 |
65 |
47 |
75 |
264 |
|
Meath County Council |
3 |
28 |
115 |
185 |
302 |
290 |
247 |
1170 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
16 |
32 |
43 |
71 |
88 |
95 |
77 |
422 |
|
Offaly County Council |
3 |
6 |
24 |
50 |
58 |
86 |
102 |
329 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
1 |
12 |
38 |
35 |
69 |
44 |
199 |
|
Sligo County Council |
1 |
11 |
29 |
42 |
44 |
48 |
28 |
203 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0 |
2 |
18 |
100 |
139 |
197 |
166 |
622 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
12 |
42 |
86 |
103 |
116 |
139 |
71 |
569 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
33 |
37 |
83 |
217 |
211 |
260 |
233 |
1074 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
41 |
70 |
38 |
162 |
|
Wexford County Council |
0 |
0 |
21 |
75 |
77 |
199 |
165 |
537 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0 |
1 |
4 |
29 |
119 |
145 |
150 |
448 |
|
Total |
240 |
627 |
1322 |
2314 |
3253 |
4587 |
4058 |
16401 |
464. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason tenants who have the resources to buy out their local authority house are not facilitated to do so irrespective of income under the present tenant purchase incremental scheme; whether he intends on changing the rules of the scheme to facilitate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35045/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including a minimum annual reckonable income of €12,500. In determining a tenant’s minimum annual reckonable income, local authorities can include incomes from employment, private pensions, the contributory and non-contributory State pensions and certain social protection payments, where the social protection payment is secondary to income from employment or a pension. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme remains sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charging period.
That said, changes in relation to reckonable income are being considered by my Department, together with other potential changes to the scheme, as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
466. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the guidance on improving energy efficiency on traditional buildings to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35111/23]
View answerMy Department is preparing a guidance document on Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings. A Project Steering Group was established to oversee the preparation of the guidance and includes representatives from:
- The Built Heritage Policy and Climate Action Policy sections of my Department
- The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- The Department of Education and Skills
- The Heritage Council
- SEAI
- The Office of Public Works
The Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings guidance document is well-advanced and the final document is being prepared for formatting and graphic design input ensuring publication in Q4, 2023.
467. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the past five years; the total amount planned for 2023; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35211/23]
View answer476. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes delivered to date in 2023, broken down by funding stream and local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35257/23]
View answer482. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the delivery of affordable homes under the affordable housing fund, cost rental equity loan and LDA project Tosaigh stating the number of affordable homes delivered under these schemes to date in 2023 with a breakdown by location and cost/price. [35356/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467, 476 and 482 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will 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 a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
With 2022 representing the first full year of affordable housing delivery under the schemes introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, local authorities have begun to complete and submit data returns to my Department on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is done for social housing. The 2022 statistical data is published on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. 18 Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Each local authority published its Housing Delivery Action Plan on its own website on 12 July 2022.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist all local authorities to respond effectively wherever localised affordability constraints at scale are identified.
Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 (in respect of cost rental developments in the five city areas) are available to support local authorities to bring forward suitable schemes whereby homes can be offered for purchase or rent to eligible applicants at an affordable price. An Exchequer contribution represents 95% of the subvention with the remaining 5% coming from a Local Authority contribution.
Housing delivery being supported by funding approved originally under the earlier Serviced Sites Fund is also progressing with funding comprised of 89% Exchequer contribution matched by an 11% Local Authority contribution.
Cavan and Monaghan county councils do not have a specific affordable housing delivery target and have not applied for AHF assistance to date. Circular 06/2023 provides guidance on preparing an application for AHF assistance in situations where a local authority does not have an affordable delivery target but has identified localised affordability constraints. Further assistance with developing schemes is available from my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full information on the scheme, which is available nationwide, may be found on the dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie .
Finally, the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available nationwide and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these schemes is available directly from local authorities.
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing significantly this year, and and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the LDA and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of and affordable housing.
468. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the plans to reduce these times; the total number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35212/23]
View answerMy Department does not hold data in relation to the average length of time spent on the social housing list. However, details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2022, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/
There were 460 households on the social housing waiting list in Cavan and 306 households on the social housing waiting list in Monaghan.
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).
Earlier this year, I announced further measures to increase the supply of social homes including:
• an increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness;
• an additional 1,000 homes through Targeted Leasing initiatives in 2023 and 2024; and
• the amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data 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/ . This provides information for a number of categories of social housing delivery in terms of the various delivery streams and also contains the targets for each local authority during each year of the programme.
In addition, the Housing Delivery Action Plan for Cavan County Council, which sets out details of social and affordable housing delivery in the period 2022-2026, is available on the Council’s website at www.cavancoco.ie/services/housing/housing-for-all/. The Housing Delivery Action Plan for Monaghan County Council is available at monaghan.ie/monaghan-county-councils-housing-delivery-action-plan-approved-by-department-and-published-online/
While the oversight and management of the housing waiting list, including the allocation of tenancies, is a matter solely for the local authority, I expect the delivery of these homes to contribute significantly to meeting the accommodation needs of households on the Council's waiting list.
470. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has invited Cavan and Monaghan local authorities to make an application for the vacant properties (voids) programme; if such an application has been submitted; the total amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to each authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35214/23]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Notwithstanding this, my Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
I have approved €31 million in funding to support the return of 2,300 vacant local authority homes this year. Of this, €473,000 has been allocated to Cavan County Council to remediate 43 vacant properties and €74,179 has been allocated for Planned Maintenance. €363,000 has been allocated to Monaghan County Council to remediate 33 vacant properties and €59,018 has been allocated for Planned Maintenance. A programme of works has been submitted by both local authorities under this Programme, with the selection of these properties a matter for each individual local authority.
Work in relation to the 2023 Programme is ongoing, however, it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to 2023 output under this programme will be published on my Department’s website early in 2024.
