Written Answers Nos. 101-120
101. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what funding is being provided for the affordable housing fund in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48953/23]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Fund is one of a number of funding streams the Government has made available to support the delivery of affordable housing. The AHF is specifically for the provision of affordable homes by local authorities. An allocation of €100m in capital funding will be provided for AHF for 2024.
The AHF is available to contribute towards the development costs of affordable housing for purchase by affordable housing applicants on a shared equity basis, or for rent under cost rental arrangements.
To date, funding of over €370m has been approved to assist in the delivery of over 4,300 affordable homes from 2022 to 2027 across 20 Local Authorities under the Affordable Housing Fund.
A strong pipeline of projects is being continuously assembled, building on the delivery of 373 affordable homes for purchase or rent by local authorities during 2022, the first full year of delivery since the scheme was provided for under the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
The increase in the AHF allocation in 2024 to €100m reflects the increased affordable housing activity levels now in evidence across the local government sector, which it is anticipated will continue to gather momentum.
Through funds like the AHF the Government is supporting local authorities to put effective affordable housing delivery in place. In combination with the supply of affordable homes by other delivery bodies such as Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and via First Home, the AHF assists local authorities to respond to affordable housing need and achieve the ambitious Housing For All target of 54,000 affordable homes by 2030.
102. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the growing anger and frustration amongst affected homeowners in Donegal and other counties at the serious limitations of the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme; and if he will immediately work on an actual redress scheme similar to the pyrite remediation scheme rather than this second limited grant scheme. [48828/23]
View answerThe approach taken under the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was considered in the development of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. However, due to the different scale of both schemes and the flexibility sought by homeowners the DCB Grant scheme required a different approach.
The enhanced scheme, as legislated for by the Oireachtas, is now up and running. It is a significantly improved scheme and any suggestion to change tack now would only set the clock back in terms of fixing people's homes.
So far since the first DCB Scheme opened 1,742 applications have been received from homeowners in Donegal, Mayo, Clare and Limerick- almost 75% of which have come from Donegal. More than 70% of these applications have already been approved as being eligible with a further 22% referred to the Housing Agency for additional analysis and assessment. All applicants are being kept up to date on the status of their application by their relevant local authority.
It is a complex scheme and therefore I have established an Implementation Steering Group to work through implementation issues as they arise and to make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines on the Scheme are needed. The Group comprises the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. I am satisfied that the various issues of concern affecting homeowners are reflected in the deliberations of the Group to date. It has met in August, September, October and also early November. This Group will report directly to me and will prepare a report on the first six months of operation of the scheme.
Furthermore the Act now allows me, as Minister, to increase the overall grant scheme cap of €420,000 a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act. The Act also provides for a three-year review of the operation of the Act which the Act itself mandates.
Given that the Scheme has just launched in June of this year and that structures are in place to review implementation issues, it is important our focus is on delivering now for all affected people.
103. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 10 October 2023, if he will report on the progress of the TOD Working Group in producing the report on transport-oriented development opportunities in limerick; the timetable of the assessment process and publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49058/23]
View answerMy Department and the Department of Transport (DoT) jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. The group comprises membership from my Department, DoT, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Transport Orientated Development (TOD) is a form of urban development that seeks to maximise the provision of housing, employment, public services and leisure space in close proximity to frequent, high quality transport services.
The first report from this Working Group, which looked at TOD opportunities in Dublin, was published on the 23 June 2023 on my Department’s website and I will arrange for the relevant weblink to be circulated with the official record. The report details 14 optimum locations for the phased delivery of approx. 130,000 residential units and mixed-use development. These areas are all close to existing or planned high-capacity public transport hubs.
The Working Group is now focussing on opportunities for TOD in the Eastern Region (Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Louth) and in the cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Following the completion of engagement with local authorities and key infrastructure providers, reports similar to that published in respect of the four Dublin authorities will be prepared. It is envisaged that the reports will be completed by the end of Q1 2024.
This work will help to inform Government policy and initiatives in support of the National Strategic Outcomes of the National Planning Framework, in particular relating to Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.
104. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Mayo County Council will receive the framework document to submit bids for the multi-annual rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48460/23]
View answerThe Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides an important funding stream to address the key challenges facing the Rural Water Sector. Under the upcoming programme, funding is available to support the Rural Water Sector to build on the achievements and lessons learned from previous multi-annual programmes.
Capital funding of €175m is committed to the MARWP under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 for the period from 2021-2025.
I can confirm that I have approved the measures in the framework for the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 and I plan to publish it soon. Local authorities, including Mayo County Council, will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.
105. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48893/23]
View answerTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Housing for All, sets out a suite of measures to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return as many vacant properties back into use as possible.
As part of the Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April. The Programme supports a proactive, planned and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. It also includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Overall, there is a target of 4,000 properties entering the CPO Activation Programme in 2023. Of these, a target of 400 has been set for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process, where engagement with the owner has not resulted in the vacant or derelict property being brought back into use. Individual targets have been set for each local authority for 2023.
Under the Action Plan, I announced a €150 million Urban Regeneration Development Fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties, and sites, for re-use or sale, using their compulsory purchase powers were necessary. The Fund will then be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of a site, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Local authorities, when applying for the funding, have indicated that they could identify projects generating some 4,850 residential units.
A key initiative to address vacancy and dereliction has been the introduction of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. From May 2023, up to a maximum of €50,000 in grant funding is available to support the refurbishment of a vacant property into a home. Where the property is confirmed as derelict, up to a maximum of €70,000 in grant funding is available.
Feedback on the Grant has been very positive, with over 5,015 applications reported to date and 2,369 applications having received approval.
Full-time, dedicated Vacant Homes Officers are now in place across all local authorities, ensuring a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy.
The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.
106. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the additional supports that his Department will provide for a local authority following the devastation of Storm Babet (details supplied); how quickly this funding will be made available to the same local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48226/23]
View answer111. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timelines for the additional supports his Department will provide for a local authority following the devastation of Storm Babet (details supplied); if his Department will provide funding towards further machinery to help speed up the repairs across the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48227/23]
View answer117. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Cork City Council has been in contact with him and his Department in relation to extra supports following recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48938/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 111 and 117 together.
Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006).The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked extremely well, in particular the responses led by local authorities to flooding and other severe weather emergencies. All local authorities have an established Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings, High Tide Advisories and European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) advisory warnings. Local authorities also have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies.My Department undertakes the Lead Government Department role, as set out in the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to coordination of national level response to flooding emergencies, where warranted. The Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management undertakes this role and works closely with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams.Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the unbudgeted costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works for exceptional overtime payments, the hire of plant and heavy machinery, the purchase of materials required for the clean-up and the hire of contractors associated with significant severe weather emergency events.
This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities generally cannot be met from within existing resources. This practice is considered a vital enabler of the local authority response, providing the assurance that availability of resources is not a limiting factor in providing a very effective local response.In the context of the flooding that has occurred in recent weeks and the exceptional nature of the response activities carried out by local authorities, clearly the costs of these activities were not budgeted for within existing resources. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, is exploring options available to allocate supplementary funding to contribute towards exceptional expenditure directly associated with recent flood responses and has issued a Circular to local authorities, including Cork City and Cork County Councils, requesting each affected local authority to make a submission detailing eligible unbudgeted costs related to the response, clean-up and necessary immediate works.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can identify through the various local authorities suitably developed sites on which builders can be contracted to provide extra homes in the shortest possible time and utilising variations of housing proposals to achieve these including modular homes and log cabins, as well as conventional methods to provide houses for both those on local authority waiting lists and those who have to date failed to qualify for a mortgage or an affordable house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48151/23]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026.
Modern methods of construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. All homes delivered using MMC must comply with the Building Regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings, and in addition achieve a 60-year durability for all key elements. For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The development of MMC is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has established a MMC Leadership and Integration Group and my Department is represented on this Group. This Group is ensuring the cohesive integration and coordination of the various Government supported MMC initiatives. These initiatives include:
• The establishment of a multi-location Construction Technology Centre, consortium led by the University of Galway;
• A new Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas, operated by Laois Offaly Enterprise and Training Board; and
• The National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas.
The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report, which was published on 2 November, included a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/414cd-roadmap-for-increased-adoption-of-mmc-in-public-housing-delivery/. My Department is working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing.
108. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation. [49051/23]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, published in July 2019, reviewed the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and other legislation that impacts on the provision and delivery of accommodation for Travellers. The Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across four categories which are aimed at:
1. Addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. Strengthening governance arrangements.
Delivery and implementation of the recommendations involves several areas within my Department, as well as input from other Departments, local authorities and other external stakeholders.
The Programme Board, established to drive implementation of the recommendations from the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website. The progress report, which provides an update on the work of the Programme Board, is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/37910-traveller-accommodation-expert-review-programme-board-update/.
109. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the lack of progress in utilising off-site housing construction for the delivery of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49040/23]
View answerModern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report, which was published on 2 November, included a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/414cd-roadmap-for-increased-adoption-of-mmc-in-public-housing-delivery/.
Modern Methods of Construction is used to describe a range of offsite manufacturing and innovative onsite techniques that provide alternatives to traditional house building. Modern Methods of Construction can be completed dwelling units manufactured in a factory setting and transported to site, or panelised components manufactured in a factory and assembled on site. All Modern Methods of Construction systems must be of a high quality, comply with all requirements of the Building Regulations and have a 60-year durability. My Department does not maintain records of the construction methods used for social and affordable housing developments.
Last December funding of €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. The provision of this funding was linked to the immediate development of a housing proposal, a commitment to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and for construction to start no later than 2024. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated delivery programme, and with some additional sites since added, my Department is overseeing a project to progress delivery of MMC projects on 35 sites which will deliver approximately 1,800 new social homes.
More widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is a key pillar of the Government’s approach to increasing innovation adoption and achieving productivity gains in the delivery of housing. MMC represents a significant ongoing transformation in construction, incorporating increased levels of offsite manufacturing and assembly; new technologies, products and building systems; and increased digitalisation. Though factory-based offsite construction methods are not new, ongoing technological advances, the advent of digitalisation and the environmental sustainability imperative are promoting continued evolution of the construction sector to deliver quality housing.
Furthermore, it is intended to expand the use of a Design and Build procurement approach to enable greater use of MMC in social and affordable housing delivery. Details of social housing projects using Design and Build will be reported each quarter in the Construction Status Report.
110. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on plans for a Government deposit protection scheme for renters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49027/23]
View answer138. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish a deposit protection scheme to protect renters from having their deposits unlawfully withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49016/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 138 together.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). However, significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this Act and in order to inform decisions on the commencement of this measure, work is underway in my Department to complete Action 2.10 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), which requires an examination for the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, informed by best international experience.
The Housing Agency are currently undertaking this examination which will conclude with a thorough overview of the primary issues and will be used to inform any next steps as appropriate. This examination has a revised completion date of Q4 2023.
112. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many social homes are in the pipeline, either on site or at various stages of design and procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48889/23]
View answer116. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the delivery of social and affordable housing is on track to exceed last year's gains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48888/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 116 together.
Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The 54,000 affordable home interventions that will be delivered between now and 2030 will 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. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans have been published on the local authorities own websites.
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 2 2023.The report is available at the following link: gov.ie - Social Housing Construction Projects - Status Reports (www.gov.ie).
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis of completions, locations, approvals stage etc. at the link below: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2023.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to Quarter 2 2023, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
To date, over 3,000 affordable housing solutions have been delivered through Cost Rental, the First Home Scheme and the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing delivery. This data is published up to Quarter 2 2023 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.A very ambitious programme of affordable housing is now in place and has already seen significant delivery in 2022 and to date in 2023. This momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by local authorities, by AHBs and by the LDA.
113. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress of developing sustainable and compact settlements guidelines for planning authorities; whether these will support high density and high-quality transit-oriented development; the impact these guidelines will have on the current local authority development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49057/23]
View answerI, together with Minister O’Donnell, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, published Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (SCSGs) and associated environmental reports (SEA and AA) for public consultation on the 30 August 2023. The draft guidelines are available to view on gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidelines for Planning Authorities (www.gov.ie). The consultation closed in early October.
The draft guidelines set out proposed national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of urban and rural settlements, with a focus on residential development. They build on and update previous guidance published in 2009, taking account of current Government policy and wider economic, social and environmental considerations.
The guidelines will be published as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, when finalised. They will replace the current Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines, which date from 2009.
The draft guidelines address a broader range of settlements and settlement contexts than current guidelines. They set out recommended density ranges for cities, metropolitan towns, large towns, small and medium sized towns and rural towns and villages. In addition, in each settlement the recommended density ranges for each settlement addresses central, urban, and suburban and edge locations.
The tiered approach to density seen under the 2009 guidelines is continued and expanded upon within the draft guidelines, with highest residential densities at the most central and accessible locations in all settlements. In this regard, the draft guidelines support the provision of higher densities in city and larger town centres and at public transport nodes, noting that density should respond to the capacity of the existing or planned public transport and to local character. The draft guidelines promote brownfield and infill development at scale within the built up areas of cities and large towns, and sustainable urban extension at greenfield locations served by high capacity public transport, in accordance with the principles of Transport Orientated Development (TOD).
The policy approach includes a general presumption against very high densities on an ad hoc basis, with such densities open for consideration on a plan-led basis only. In the case of larger strategic sites, including those served by high quality public transport, densities are to be plan-led.
Following a review of the submissions received in relation to the draft guidelines, and with any subsequent changes made (including changes arising from submissions made in respect of SEA and AA), I intend to issue the finalised Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines under Section 28 of the Act in the coming weeks.
Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála (ABP) shall have regard to Ministerial Guidelines, and shall apply any specific planning policy requirements of the Guidelines, notwithstanding any provisions included in the adopted development plan which are not consistent with any such specific planning policy requirements, in the performance of their functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
114. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cathain a fhoilseofar na Treoirlínte Pleanála Gaeltachta; an gcinnteoidh sé go mbeidh ionadaíocht don phobal Gaeltachta ar an bhfochoiste idir-rannach atá bunaithe le práinn ag a Roinn agus ag Roinn na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48385/23]
View answerTá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ina bhfuil oifigigh ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta; An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán; agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) ag leanúint lena chuid oibre maidir le treoir phleanála ar leith a fhorbairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tá Grúpa Oibre ar leith ann freisin atá comhdhéanta den Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha le ceantair Ghaeltachta.
Ag an gcruinniú den Ghrúpa Idir-Rannach ar an 15ú Nollaig 2022, comhaontaíodh go gcuirfeadh an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán staidéar ar bun in 2023 ar mhodheolaíocht agus formáid do Ráitis Tionchair Teangeolaíochta mar phríomheilimintí de threoirlínte pleanála amach anseo do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Cuireadh tús leis an staidéar seo ina dhiaidh sin i mí Feabhra 2023. Tá obair an chomhairleora beagnach críochnaithe agus beidh sé mar bhonn eolais do dhréacht-threoirlínte pleanála do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Bhí roinnt cruinnithe Grúpa Idir-Rannach in 2023 agus tá rannpháirtíocht dhéthaobhach leanúnach idir an dá Roinn.
Tá dréacht-treoirlínte pleanála do Limistéir Ghaeltachta atá á curtha i gcrích faoi láthair le haghaidh m’athbhreithniú agus ansin scagadh éigeantach ina dhiaidh sin faoi dhlí an AE do Mheasúnacht Straitéiseach Timpeallachta (MSC), chomh maith le Measúnacht Chuí (MC). Tá sé beartaithe, faoi réir thoradh na gcleachtaí scagtha, go bhfoilseofar dréacht-treoirlínte ansin le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí a cheadóidh do gach páirtí leasmhar lena n-áirítear grúpaí teanga tuairimí a chur isteach.
115. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position regarding the success of the Croí Cónaithe scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of applications received, applications approved, and the monies paid out to applicants, per local authority; the number of applicants in receipt of monies, per local authority; the breakdown of rental versus primary residence, per local authority, in respect of all applications and approvals; the estimated budget for the scheme for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48522/23]
View answer129. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many properties have now availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48954/23]
View answer143. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many properties in Cork city and Cork county have availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48939/23]
View answer149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money paid out under the vacant property refurbishment grant since it was established; and if he will provide details in relation to the qualification criteria for the grant. [48725/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 129, 143 and 149 together.
In July 2022 my Department launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. On the 1st May 2023, I announced a revised grant rate of up to a maximum of €50,000 available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and also for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential, all subject to the appropriate planning permission being in place.Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a further maximum top-up grant 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, this brings the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
To qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant -
• The property must have been vacant for 2 years or more and have been built up to and including 2007.
• The applicant must own the property or be in the process of buying it.
• The applicant must live in the property as their principal private residence when the work is completed, or make it available for rent. If the applicant is going to rent the property when the work is completed, they must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
• The applicant must have tax clearance from Revenue and their tax affairs must be in order.
• The applicant must have paid their Local Property Tax, if applicable.
• The applicant cannot be a registered company or developer.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The grant is processed by the local authorities with guidance support provided by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and by the Housing Agency.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, see gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie).
It is intended to include data on the total amount of grants paid out in future quarterly reports. Consideration will also be given to inclusion of data providing a breakdown of applications for properties which will be the applicants principal private residence and those which will be made available for rent.
The grant application process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and that the required documentation has been submitted before arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work that has been applied for and to assess the proposed cost.
Within the programme level allocations announced on Budget Day, a provision of €50m has been provided in 2024 for the Croí Cónaithe Fund. This provision will be reviewed in the context of the forthcoming review of NDP Capital Ceiling provisions.
118. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any study to determine what the average turnaround time is for reletting when a local authority house is vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48724/23]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for reletting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf
119. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action is being taken by Government to combat the mass decline of insects and wildlife in Ireland; and how the Government plans to prevent their extinction. [34759/23]
View answerNature is under pressure worldwide and the global trends of biodiversity loss are reflected in the Irish landscapes and waterscapes. Scientific assessments of the state of nature in Ireland have found that a significant number of our most precious EU-protected habitats are in unfavourable status, with almost half (46%) demonstrating declines. Almost a third of our EU-protected species are in unfavourable status, and over half of native Irish plant species have deteriorated. Drivers contributing to biodiversity loss in Ireland include intensive agricultural and forestry practices, overfishing, invasive species, changes in land use (particularly for residential, agricultural and commercial development) and the over-exploitation of natural resources.
National action for biodiversity has increased in recent years, with a strong emphasis on working with landowners and local communities to collectively respond to the biodiversity emergency. A wide array of initiatives, projects and funding streams are delivering positive change for a range of habitats and species all across the country. Such initiatives include the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) delivered under the CAP Strategic Plan, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme, the NPWS Local Biodiversity Action Fund and various LIFE projects. Particular emphasis has been placed on the restoration of peatlands, notably raised bogs and including post-production peatlands in the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme. Despite ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, however, Ireland’s biodiversity is in a state of crisis and urgent, impactful action is imperative to prevent the continued erosion of our natural heritage.
Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) will be published in the coming months and will set the national biodiversity agenda for the period 2024-2030. The Plan strives for a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that every citizen, community, business, local authority, semi-state and state agency has an awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and of the implications of its loss, while also understanding how they can act to address the biodiversity emergency as part of a renewed national effort to “act for nature”.
The announcement in Budget 2024 of a new Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund is a significant development relevant to the implementation of the NBAP, along with new legislation to put the NBAP on a Statutory footing under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2023. In this context, the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan will be published and launched early in 2024.
120. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a progress update on the planning measures he introduced two years ago to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of the bulk purchasing of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48955/23]
View answerIn May 2021, guidelines were issued to planning authorities advising that conditions should be imposed on planning permissions to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer. Under this measure, all houses and duplexes would have to be made available to sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period after completion of the unit.
A distinction is made in the case of mixed developments including apartments, in that the provision only applies to the houses and duplex units.
If after a period of two years the local authority is satisfied that despite reasonable efforts, a market has not emerged, the condition will lapse.
Between when the guidelines were introduced in May 2021 and the end of May 2023, a combined total of 31,004 residential units had received planning permission with conditions restricting the bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser (see table below for breakdown by decision making authority).
The guidelines are part of a range of measures designed to boost home ownership, which includes a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12-month period, and an owner-occupier guarantee in housing strategies for each local authority.
Breakdown per LA/ABP of units with condition attached, as of 26 May 2023:
|
Planning authority |
No. of units |
Planning authority |
No. of units |
|
Carlow County Council |
5 |
South Dublin County Council |
856 |
|
Cavan County Council |
148 |
Tipperary County Council |
478 |
|
Clare County Council |
409 |
Waterford City and County Council |
1374 |
|
Cork County Council |
1363 |
Westmeath County Council |
871 |
|
Cork City Council |
611 |
Wexford County Council |
918 |
|
Donegal County Council |
60 |
Wicklow County Council |
1294 |
|
Dublin City Council |
157 |
Meath County Council |
938 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown Council |
655 |
Monaghan County Council |
60 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2521 |
Offaly County Council |
281 |
|
Galway County Council |
188 |
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
|
Galway City Council |
368 |
Sligo County Council |
365 |
|
Kerry County Council |
568 |
Limerick City & County Council |
115 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1678 |
Longford County Council |
0 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
253 |
Louth County Council |
594 |
|
Laois County Council |
476 |
Mayo County Council |
486 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
21 |
An Bord Pleanála (SHDs) |
12,893 |
|
Combined Total |
31,004 |
