Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many local authority homes have been installed with solar PV to date in 2023; if there are plans to establish a dedicated stream for solar PV for the social housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48963/23]
View answerWorks eligible under my Department's revised Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER) as identified by the 2018 Cost Optimal calculations carried out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social homes with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
Notwithstanding the eligible measures funded by my Department, local authorities can install PV Panels as they deem appropriate using funding from their own resources. Details in relation to this may be available upon request from the individual local authority.
Furthermore, under the Microgeneration Support Scheme led by Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Solar PV is available for all domestic premises.
122. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what plans are in place to provide affordable housing in Cork county and specifically the Macroom LEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49048/23]
View answer125. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measure his Department is taking to ensure affordable housing is provided in Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will provide an update on same. [48129/23]
View answer127. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes that have been delivered to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48459/23]
View answer152. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of housing on public-owned sites in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11. [49070/23]
View answer165. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the provision of both social and affordable housing in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48957/23]
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 nine year period of the plan to 2030. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes 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.
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) quarterly. 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. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis of completions, locations, approvals stage etc at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/3aeae-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q2-2023/
Local authorities also now 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. Statistical reports detailing affordable housing delivery during 2022 and for the first two quarters of 2023 are available on my 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. These plans sets out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026 in line with targets set out under Housing for All. 18 local authorities, including Dublin City, Carlow County and Cork County Councils were asked to include affordable housing delivery projections in their plan, to deliver on the five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets assigned in March 2022. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. A copy of each Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites.
Circular 06/2023 was issued to all local authorities on 21 February 2023 and provides guidance on preparing an application for Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) assistance for suitable affordable purchase or cost rental schemes in circumstances where a target has not been assigned but localised need with affordability constraint has been identified. No application for AHF assistance has been submitted by Cavan or Monaghan County Councils to date. My Department has met with Monaghan County Council to provide advice and guidance and 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.
Significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the LDA and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.
123. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to include decluttering support as part of the housing aid for older people grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/23]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which helps older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Qualifying works include structural repairs or improvements, upgrading unsafe electrical wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors and the repair or replacement of heating where the existing system is broken or beyond repair. Guidance issued from my Department to local authorities also states that painting and/or contract cleaning would be eligible for grant funding as part of a wider suite of works.
The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has responded to date to the Galway Social Housing Taskforce Chairperson’s Report on Progress to end-2022; the details of any engagement between his Department, Galway City Council and Galway County Council with regard to resolving the staff retention issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/23]
View answerMy Department continues to work proactively with both Galway City and Galway County Councils. Quarterly meetings are held between representatives from my Department and the Councils housing teams to cover a range of issues relating to the Councils' social housing programme, including reviewing progress in advancing individual projects and to seek to resolve any challenges arising. In addition there are ongoing frequent project specific contacts between my Department and the local authorities.
I announced additional staffing resources across all local authorities in December 2021 to support housing delivery. Galway County Council received sanction for 13 new posts while Galway City Council received sanction for an additional 6 new posts for their housing team. Both local authorities continue to work to find a solution to retention of staff in a tight labour market.
The period covered by the Chair's latest report up to and including 2022 was particularly challenging, given the disruption to construction following the pandemic, with some temporary site closures, supply chain difficulties, construction inflation, labour and skills shortages followed by the impacts of the Ukraine war.
The task force will continue to focus on enhancing cooperation between the two Councils and other partners with a view to supporting strong delivery of social and affordable housing.
128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if recent interventions, such as the tenant-in-situ initiative, are making an impact in providing secure long-term social and affordable tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48890/23]
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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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.
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes across the build acquisition and lease delivery streams. For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department is funding local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions are 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.
In relation to affordable housing, 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 the First Home scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In addition to the affordable schemes in place, the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) was introduced on 1 April 2023, for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property. The Housing Agency may purchase the home and allow the tenant to continue residing in it, where the tenant is not in receipt of social housing supports and has a net household income within the limits set for Cost Rental housing (increased on 1 August to €66,000 for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 in the rest of Ireland). The scheme is administered by the Housing Agency and, as of the end of Q2 2023, 68 cases had been referred to the Housing Agency by 21 local authorities. It is intended that data in relation to the Scheme will be published on a quarterly basis.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed social housing acquisitions. Statistics up to the end of Quarter 2 2023 are available on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
130. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49028/23]
View answerThe Housing Act 1966 provides for the charging of rent by local authorities on social housing tenancies. Rents are based on household income levels, with those on lower incomes paying lower rents. This system is known as the ‘differential rents’ system. It is a critical piece of State’s welfare apparatus, subsidising housing costs and supporting households who can’t meet their long-term accommodation needs from their own resources.The system currently comprises 32 income-based schemes which differ across local authorities, with amounts charged and approaches to calculating rent varying considerably.
To this end, the Programme for Government and Housing for All have committed to developing proposals for a standardised, national local authority social housing rent model. The objective is to develop and implement a model that provides the best blend between fairness, progressivity and sustainability.
My Department has completed an initial scoping exercise to determine the focus of the review, with an emphasis on achieving the best blend of equity, progressivity and sustainability and on protecting those on lowest incomes. This is a complex area and requires detailed and careful analysis. My view is that further work is required to consider the practical application of such a scheme in the context of other reform package measures, as well as the broader circumstances of social housing funding programmes and the cost of living issues at this time.Proposals will be submitted for my consideration in due course and a decision to implement a standardised national rents scheme will be considered thereafter, as appropriate.
131. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what increase is being provided for the Croí Cónaithe fund in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/23]
View answerIn 2023, a budget of €24m was made available for the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. Within the progamme 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.
The forthcoming Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service (REV) will provide final detail on the allocations by subhead for the following year and will take into account both the Programme level allocations announced at Budget and any additional allocations
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider expanding the croí cónaithe scheme to include a right-sizing grant, to enable persons who are currently over-accommodated to create one or more own-door units from their current homes (details supplied); if his officials will study census data to establish the extend of over-accommodation throughout the State and consider the optimal demographic target for such a scheme to factor in potential displacement of family homes from the sale or rental market in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48523/23]
View answerIn 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 1 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. My Department has made this grant available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
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.
Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a national policy on rightsizing.
My Department is continuing to advance work on the development of this policy and exploration of the options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis with the objective of optimising the potential for more efficient use of under occupied existing private and social housing stock. The development of a national rightsizing policy is having regard to a focused stakeholder consultation and to research and data collated in relation to occupancy. My Department is working on bringing forward a draft national policy in the coming months.
133. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a report (details supplied); the steps he is taking address the findings regarding large numbers being unable to access temporary emergency provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49004/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each of the nine homeless regions in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
The Report referred to, highlights the important work undertaken by the named organisation to support those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The named organisation, and the work of the wider NGO sector, is critical to support and address the complex combination of social, health and economic needs of those experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness.
The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation is a serious concern for me and for the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply and investing in homelessness prevention.
My Department is in regular discussion with each local authority in relation to funding requirements to meet their homeless services programme, and I have continued to assure local authorities that funding for all required homeless services including in the provision of emergency accommodation will be provided this year.
134. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the regional homeless forums have been turned down for funding for homeless actions in their areas; if so, which groups; what the funding was for; whether his Department decides the type and amount of funding that they can apply for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45975/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by local authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region. Following this determination, the procurement of individual services, contractual arrangements and associated service level agreements are a matter for the local authority to agree with individual service providers.
Each region submits an annual expenditure programme to my Department and my Department approves a funding allocation. The management of the funding allocation is delegated to the lead authority in each region and is governed by a protocol between my Department and the lead authority. This protocol sets out the funding arrangements and structures to ensure adherence with statutory requirements and public financial procedures. All regional authorities are obliged to ensure compliance with the Protocol and to ensure that accounting policies are in accordance with the regulatory accounting framework in place. These are subject to oversight and scrutiny at various levels, including by the Local Government Audit Service in their annual audit.
The protocol governing delegation of Exchequer funding for homeless accommodation and related services in each of the nine regions, which is based on the provisions set out above, are available on request.
My Department is in regular contact with local authorities to discuss homeless services proposals, which may be at various stages of developments and the funding requirements to meet their homeless services programme. I continue to assure local authorities that funding for all required homeless services will be provided this year, and I would welcome new proposals for homeless services from local authorities to be submitted to my Department.
135. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing new scheme of letting priorities which would allow councils to prioritise housing applications from those who are in employment but whose employment would not be sufficient to qualify for affordable homes or council mortgages, thereby ensuring that we are not inadvertently incentivising people to give up work to qualify for housing. [49039/23]
View answerThe allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain categories of households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme which specifies, among other things, the manner of, and the order of priority for, the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists.
Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
136. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected number of units to be delivered by the end of the Government’s term, broken down by affordable purchase, cost-rental, social housing, and private homes. [48650/23]
View answer159. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing units, including affordable purchase, cost rental, social housing, and private homes, delivered by housing authorities, i.e. AHBs, local authorities or the LDA; if the housing delivery to date meets Housing for All targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48649/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 159 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 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.
The table below sets out the targets per year under Housing for All.
|
Tenure |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
Social homes |
9,000 |
9,100 |
9,300 |
10,000 |
10,200 |
10,200 |
10,200 |
10,200 |
10,200 |
|
Affordable & Cost Rental homes |
4,100 |
5,500 |
6,400 |
6,400 |
6,100 |
6,300 |
6,400 |
6,300 |
6,300 |
|
Private Rental and Private Ownership homes |
11,500 |
14,400 |
17,750 |
18,200 |
19,800 |
20,400 |
21,500 |
23,000 |
24,000 |
|
Total Homes |
24,600 |
29,000 |
33,450 |
34,600 |
36,100 |
36,900 |
38,100 |
39,500 |
40,500 |
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. Statistics up to the end of Quarter 2 2023 are available on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
137. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update in relation to reviewing the guidelines and definitions provided to city and county councils around dereliction properties; if he will send an updated circular to councils clarifying definitions and their role in utilising derelict properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48981/23]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised shortly. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.
The scope for the engagement of additional staff resources in local authorities to assist in the more effective enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored in my Department in the context of an ongoing review of the staff resourcing needs of local planning authorities generally.
In addition, under the Vacant Homes Action Plan, my Department launched a new CPO Activation Programme in April of this year. It requires a planned, systematic and proactive approach by local authorities to bringing vacant and derelict properties into use. The Programme includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners on the bringing back into use of relevant properties has been unsuccessful.
139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the voids programme for 2024 will be finalised; the national allocation; the funding that will be made available for Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/23]
View answer163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the significant investment in the voids programme over recent years will be continued in 2024, in view of the importance of this programme in bringing back vacant housing stock to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 163 together.
The 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.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The 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.
An annualised breakdown by local authority including Cavan and Monaghan, of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014 up to and including 2022 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. Funding allocations under the Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme 2024 will be announced early next year. Notwithstanding the voids funding being provided by my Department, local authorities have a responsibility to provide adequate housing maintenance budgets for 2024 and this parallel work by local authorities is essential for the development of the planned maintenance approach, which is an objective of Housing for All.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids-based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response. This process has continued this year as a further €5 million in funding has been ring-fenced for Planned Maintenance under this year's Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme to support an element of planned maintenance works, the implementation of an ICT asset management system for the local authority sector and to provide a funding contribution for the commencement of stock condition surveys.
140. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the revised defective concrete block redress scheme. [49053/23]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 which contains the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme commenced on 22 June 2023 and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023. The enhanced scheme provides very considerable enhancements over the old Scheme for eligible homeowners.
Since the commencement of the enhanced scheme in June of this year the Housing Agency have received a total of 415 applications from Donegal and Mayo which have been dealt with under transitional arrangements. Of these, 323 determinations have issued to the local authorities confirming that the damage threshold has been met. With regard to applications to the enhanced scheme, the Housing Agency have received 63 applications from the four designated local authorities, of which 17 determinations have issued to the local authorities confirming that the damage threshold has been met.
As this is a new scheme, dealing with a complex issue, I have also established an Implementation Steering Group to work through issues around the DCB scheme as they arise and 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 and 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.
