Written Answers Nos. 224-234
224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the situation where a tenant receives a notice to quit a tenancy and the reason given by the landlord is that they intend to sell the property; can the local authority step in at this stage whilst the tenant is in place and attempt to negotiate a tenant in situ property purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45918/23]
View answerUnder 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).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. Individual property owners can contact the relevant local authority to advise a property is for sale which may be suitable for a tenant in situ acquisition
My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023. Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by my Department.
Local authorities will work with all social housing supported tenants who receive a Notice of Termination and offer the available supports, which may include a tenant in situ acquisition or support to obtain an alternative tenancy, including a HAP-supported tenancy or an allocation to local authority stock. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.
225. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received by his Department to date for the vacant property refurbishment grant; the number of applications awarded to date broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45937/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
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.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000
226. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the extension on the RZLT draft county development plan review will mean that landowners who missed the appeal deadline of 1 January 2023, can now appeal the designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45951/23]
View answerThe Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax introduced in Finance Act 2021 which seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing. The tax is an action contained in Housing for All, the Government’s plan for housing, to increase housing supply and is supported in the Programme for Government. The tax applies to land that is zoned suitable for residential development and serviced.
The tax measure is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. However, it is important that affected landowners have sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process and that a fair and transparent process is applied when local authorities consider what land should be placed on the RZLT maps. Therefore, as part of Budget 2024, it was decided to extend the liability date of the tax by one year, from February 2024 to February 2025. A final map identifying land considered in-scope for the tax will be published on 1 December 2023 by each local authority as required by legislation, however there will be no liability to the tax in 2024 due to the deferral announced in the budget. The purpose of this deferral is to allow for the first mapping cycle to complete and to afford landowners another opportunity to make submissions if their land is included on the draft maps prepared by local authorities in 2024 in advance of the liability commencing in 2025.
The deferral will provide a further opportunity for landowners whose land is included on a draft map published on 1 February 2024 to request the rezoning of such land by the local authority in whose functional area the land is situated. The consideration of these rezoning requests is solely a matter for the respective planning authorities.
In addition, landowners may make a submission regarding land identified on the draft map published on 1 February 2024, if they consider that their land is not in scope having regard to the criteria set out within the legislation. The determination on these submissions made by the planning authority may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of skeletons removed from an island (details supplied); whether it is intended to return all of them for reburial or only some; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/23]
View answerA series of ancient human remains were excavated from Omey island in 1992-93 as part of a rescue excavation. The rescue excavation was commissioned because burials were being washed away by continuing coastal erosion and the entire site with all those buried there at risk of being lost to the sea. Scientific dating of the burials indicates that these remains date to between the 7th and 13th/15th centuries AD. The excavation was carried out under licence issued under the National Monuments Acts and the ancient remains are archaeological objects under law, to be cared for on the State’s behalf by the National Museum.
In response to understandable local calls for further information I am advised that the remains have been recently transferred from UCD to the National Museum Collections Resource Centre in Swords, Co. Dublin where a process of re-cataloguing of the remains is currently being finalised by the National Monuments Service (NMS) of my Department. This includes reviewing the specialist osteoarchaeological analyses that have been carried out to date, and liaising with UCD and specialists who carried out some specialist work in the past on the remains. Focus is now on assessing what further specialist analysis of the human remains is required, so that all, in particular the modern inhabitants of Omey, may properly understand the lives and deaths of those buried at this site in the distant past. It is tentatively estimated that this forensic-level expert analysis may take 12-18 months to procure and complete.
It is acknowledged that there is a wish to return these remains to the island and the NMS has been in contact with various individuals from the local community on the matter. I understand that discussions with the National Museum on potential reburial of some of the remains will take place following the completion of necessary full analyses of the remains.
228. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new Dunleer fire station in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45970/23]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.)
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (is the site acquired, etc.); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further twelve new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of thirty-five new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
Louth County Council has indicated that Dunleer is their top priority project, and a new fire station at Dunleer is provided for in this Capital Programme. The Council submitted a preliminary appraisal to my Department in January 2021. Following examination of the proposal, approval in principle for this project issued on 25 June 2021, along with approval for the Council to appoint a design team and progress this project to full design and cost plan stage. Louth County Council have identified a preferred site for the new fire station and are working to secure its acquisition. Upon final confirmation of that sites acquisition, the council will move quickly through the necessary phases to progress the construction of a new station for Dunleer. My Department will continue to work with Louth County Council to progress the Dunleer fire station project.
229. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the efforts to protect heritage sites in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45587/23]
View answerThe vast majority of known archaeological monuments in County Meath are subject to legal protection by reason of being included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) as established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. Accordingly, it is illegal to carry out work at or in relation to them without giving the Minister two months’ notice of the proposed work. A range of monuments in County Meath are also subject to a requirement for the consent of the Minister for specified categories of work at or in proximity to them by reason of being national monuments of which the Minister or a local authority is owner or guardian or being subject to a Preservation Order made under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended).
The newly enacted Historic and Archaeological Heritage Act 2023, when commenced, will strengthen the protection afforded. For the first time, all newly discovered archaeological monument of classes set out in regulations (“prescribed monuments”) will be automatically protected. The establishment of the new Register of Monuments will facilitate inclusion of a wide range of sites discovered since the current RMP was issued. The default level of protection for entries in the Register will be similar to that for prescribed monuments, but there will be the option in appropriate cases to assign a higher level of protection under which a licence from the Minister will be needed in all cases. This higher level of protection will also be deemed assigned to Registered Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or the local authority. Entries in the Register will be able to include an area surrounding the site or structure itself.
In addition, in line with Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts, structures of built heritage interest are identified through the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (which is part of my Department), but decisions relating to the designation and management of Architectural Conservation Areas and Protected Structures are a matter for the local authority.
230. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the length of time a property must be vacant from two years down to six months to be eligible for funding under the Croí Cónaithe scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46049/23]
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 property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant application and proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications. There are no plans at present to review the duration of vacancy criteria.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
231. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection what child benefit supports are in place in 2023 for parents whose school-going children reach the age of 18 years in the upcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45809/23]
View answerThe extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024.
This is a significant change to the Child Benefit payment which will require technical and operational changes to the social welfare system before implementation.
For this reason, the change will take effect from September 2024.
Where a child in full time education turns 18 in the meantime they will be covered by the extension from September 2024 until they turn 19.
Currently families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
- the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, where the child is in second level education.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a case with regard to an application for a carer’s support grant (details supplied). [45888/23]
View answerThe Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment made to carers by my department.
It is a condition of CSG that the care recipient must have a disability that meets the full-time care and attention requirements set out in the governing legislation such that a person shall not be regarded as requiring full-time care and attention unless the person is so incapacitated that he or she requires from another person –
(a) continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or
(b) continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself or herself.
I can confirm that my department received an application for 2022 CSG from the person concerned on 17 June 2022. The claim was awarded on review and the customer was informed of the decision in a letter on 22 September 2022.
My department received an application for 2023 CSG from the person concerned on 12 July 2023. Having examined all the evidence presented in support of the claim for CSG and taking account of the disability of the care recipient, a Deciding Officer decided that they do not meet the full-time care and attention requirements. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter dated 25 August 2023.
A request for a review of this decision was received on 4 September 2023. Following this review, the person concerned was notified on 13 September 2023 that the original decision was upheld and of their right to an appeal. A request for an appeal is currently registered with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The SWAO will contact the person concerned directly.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
233. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a carer's payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45892/23]
View answerCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention; and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
The claimant must have at least 156 total qualifying contributions in order to be eligible for this scheme payment. They must also have 39 contributions paid in the Relevant Tax Year or 39 contributions paid in the 12-month period before the start of Carer's Benefit or 26 contributions paid in the Relevant Tax Year and 26 contributions paid in the year before that. The Relevant Tax Year is the second last complete tax year before the year in which the claimant makes their claim. So, for claims made in 2023, the Relevant Tax Year is 2021.
Claimants must also have worked at least 16 hours in any 8 weeks in the 26-week period prior to Carer’s Benefit scheme commencement.
Only contributions at Class A, B, C, D, H and E can be counted towards qualifying for Carer's Benefit.
The prescribed time for making a claim to Carer’s Benefit is 8 weeks before and after the first date of entitlement (Article 182 of SI 142 of 2007 as amended refers). A claim later than eight weeks may be accepted at the discretion of the Deciding Officer where s/he considers there was good cause throughout the period of delay, but payment cannot be made in respect of a period more than 6 months prior to the date of claim.
From the information supplied, it appears that the person concerned would not satisfy the PRSI contributions in the Relevant Tax year period or the employment criteria in the previous 26 weeks.
Carer’s Allowance is a means tested scheme with different qualifying conditions and criteria that the person concerned may wish to consider.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a working family payment will be processed and a decision made (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45921/23]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
An application for WFP was received for the person concerned on 28 September 2023. This claim has been examined by a deciding officer and has been awarded from 28 September 2023.
Arrears covering the period from 28 September 2023 to the date of the first payment have issued.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
