Written Answers Nos. 34-50
34. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish written confirmation from the Banking and Payments Federation that homes remediated or rebuilt under the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme will be mortgageable or remortgageable once completed. [54172/23]
View answerMy Department has had a number of engagements with the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block (DCB) homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. As part of these discussions the BPFI has confirmed to my Department that, from their perspective, once a home has been certified as remediated under the DCB Scheme it will be treated by them in a similar manner as all other properties.
35. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Implementation Steering Group with respect to the defective concrete block scheme; why stakeholders, including affected homeowners, the banking industry, insurance industry, engineering sector and others are not included to resolve key outstanding issues; if a commitment was ever made by the Minister or his Department to establish such an oversight group with the aforementioned stakeholders, and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54204/23]
View answer47. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Implementation Steering Group with respect to the defective concrete block scheme; if he will establish an oversight group including key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, the banking industry, insurance industry, engineering sector and others in order to resolve key outstanding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54173/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 47 together.
I established the Implementation Steering Group to work through administrative issues around the Defective Concrete Blocks (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. It has met in August, September, October and twice in November with the next meeting scheduled for later this month. This Group will report directly to me and will prepare a report on the first six months of operation of the scheme.
I am satisfied that the various channels of engagement that are currently operating ensure that the views of relevant stakeholders can, and are being heard. In particular the concerns of the homeowners come to my Department through Mr. John O'Connor the Homeowner Liaison Officer.
My Department remains fully committed to continuing to engage with as broad an array of stakeholders as possible. However, I am of the opinion that it would be more productive for all concerned to explore ways in which the current consultative structures can be further developed to accommodate deeper engagement in the coming period. I will review that in the context of the 6th month report of the Implementation Group early in the New Year.
36. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase certainty across the planning system through the introduction of statutory timelines for decision making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53976/23]
View answerThe Planning and Development Bill 2023 introduces statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including for An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will bring certainty to consent processes for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy. Timelines are being introduced for appeals as well as the various consent applications made directly to An Coimisiún, including Strategic Infrastructure Developments.
These time periods will range from 18 weeks for appeals of decisions of planning authorities, to 48 weeks for Strategic Infrastructure Developments. These will be introduced on a phased basis, starting with those for Strategic Infrastructure Developments, including renewable energy and transport projects. The varying timelines reflect the differing complexities of applications dealt with by An Coimisiún. A system of proportionately escalating measures are set out in the Bill outlining the obligations in place if An Coimisiún does not make decisions within the mandatory time limits, including mutually agreed time extensions, public notification and reporting, fines and intervention by the Minister in the form of review.
The headline period for planning authorities to make decisions to make decisions will remain at 8 weeks with an additional 4 weeks allowed for applications that require an environmental assessment.
37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the Residential Tenancies Board Rent Index Report Q2 2023, which showed that Galway City had the largest annual increase in average rents for new tenancies in any city in Ireland at 12.7%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54201/23]
View answer53. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his plans to reduce rising rents in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53471/23]
View answer59. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the significant increase in average rent in County Donegal, according to the ESRI and the Residential Tenancies Board new renters in County Donegal are paying almost 30% more each month than existing tenants; if the Government have any plans to deal with this significant increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54082/23]
View answer74. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he plans to take to constrain the exorbitant rise in private rental prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54168/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 53, 59 and 74 together.
The Government’s Housing for All plan is focused on tackling supply and affordability issues, including those in the rental market. The plan contains targets, actions and guaranteed State investment in housing aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable rental housing. Budget 2024 allocates €5.1 billion of funding to continue the vital work in progress under Housing for All and supports extra supply coming on stream. Budget 2024 also introduced further supports for those taxpayers who are paying rent on their principal private residence, with an increase of the Rent Tax Credit to €750.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Rent Index is designed to measure developments in rental prices faced by those taking up new tenancies in the private rental sector and for the first time utilising Annual Registration data, existing tenancy rent price developments. The Rent Index report is the most accurate and authoritative rent report of its kind on the private rental sector in Ireland. Compared to other market monitoring reports produced for the Irish rental sector, the RTB/ESRI Rent Index has the considerable benefit of being based on regulatory data covering all new tenancy registrations regardless of how the property was advertised for rent.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 taking account of the constitutionally protected property rights of landlords, introduced a targeted Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. Rent controls are applied on the basis of the objective evidence available via the RTB Quarterly Rent Index Report. Currently, 77% of tenancies across the country are subject to rent controls.
Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Act provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ). Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the Acts for designation as an RPZ are as follows:
• the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
• the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is –
• in the case of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow or a local electoral area (LEA) in any one of those counties, above the average rent in the State, excluding rents in the four Dublin Local Authority areas, or
• in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ. The Housing Agency and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) continually monitor rents across the country and if any area meets the Rent Pressure Zone designation criteria under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA), it will be designated as a RPZ.
My Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the private rental sector, which involved significant stakeholder engagement and a public consultation process during 2023. A draft report is now being finalised detailing the findings of the review and outlining a range of policy options.
38. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the report reviewing housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability; to provide a date by which we can expect said report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54103/23]
View answer82. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline what recent engagements his Department has had with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding income thresholds and grant limits for housing adaptations for older people and people with a disability. [54104/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 82 together.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas the review considered are the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required.
On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with the Department on the recommendations in the report. I will publish the report once this engagement has concluded.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider emergency housing measures to increase the supply of housing to those counties particularly affected by the threat of homelessness; the steps he will take to address these ever increasing housing needs in order to ensure that homelessness does not become an endemic and that families including parents and children have an option to avail of in the event of finding themselves homeless arising from eviction, or through the ongoing increasing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54105/23]
View answer80. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what immediate and urgent actions will be taken to reverse the month on month increases in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53987/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 80 together.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Record state investment of €4.5bn has been made available this year to support the largest State home building programme ever, including 9,100 new build social homes and 5,500 affordable homes.
My Department continues to prioritise measures which focus on accelerating social and affordable housing supply through a combination of new build, targeted acquisitions and leasing. Local authorities have also been sanctioned to acquire at least 1,500 social homes, mainly focused on preventing new entries to homelessness, from the private rental sector. For private tenants at risk of homelessness who are not in receipt of social housing supports, the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ scheme has also been introduced.
Budget 2023 allocated funding of over €215 million for the delivery of homelessness services. On 29 November 2023 an additional €102m was approved by Cabinet by way of a supplementary estimate for the provision of homeless services in 2023.
Housing for All includes measures to enhance family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multi-agency and coordinated response, and the dissemination of innovative practice. There is also a measure to identify and provide enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to families experiencing long-term homelessness to help them exit from homelessness and maintain their homes. These actions are being delivered in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.
I continue to work with the National Homeless Action Committee to ensure that there is a continued focus across Government to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness and to ensure that we address both prevention of entries into homelessness and exits from homelessness as a matter of urgency.
41. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any information on how many first-time buyers have purchased homes to date in 2023; how this compares to 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53938/23]
View answerData on the number of residential dwellings purchased by all buyer types, including by first-time buyers, are published by the Central Statistics Office. These data are available in table HPM02 (Residential Property Transactions) on the CSO website.
The most recent data show more than 43,700 homes were purchased at market prices by all buyer types between January and September this year. Some 12,400 or 28.5% of these were purchased by first time buyers, an increase of 6.5% (11,671) on the same period last year and an increase of 22.5% (10,165) on 2021.
42. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his target for assistance to restore properties through the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53879/23]
View answerIn July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes.
In 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.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 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.
Since the grant was launched in July 2022 over 5,500 applications have been made and some 2,700 have been approved to date.
The Housing for All target was for 2,000 homes to be delivered by 2025 under the two schemes , the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, which are both funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. However, in light of the success of, and demand for the grant, following a Government decision in November 2023, the target has now been increased to 4,000 homes to be delivered.
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.
43. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of all approved housing projects for both Cork City Council and Cork County Council from 1 January 2020 to today’s date; the number that have now been fully completed and are occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53372/23]
View answer72. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses currently under construction by each local authority in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53692/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 72 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. 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.
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 the end of Q2 2023, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: gov.ie - Overall social and affordable housing provision (www.gov.ie)
Data for Q3 2023 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
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. 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 link below: gov.ie - Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report Q2 2023 (www.gov.ie)
My Department does not hold data on the number of completed houses not yet occupied. The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation of properties, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated Regulations.
Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets 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. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing and details of land acquisition requirements. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. The Plans have been published on local authority websites.
Cork City Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 is available at the following link: www.corkcity.ie/en/media-folder/housing/cork-city-council-housing-delivery-action-plan.pdf
Cork County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 is available at the following link: www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/housing/housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026
44. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to extending the timeline for completing works under croí cónaithe scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54187/23]
View answerIn July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes.
In 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.
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 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.
The grant is paid when works are completed, following a final inspection by the local authority. Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for, and approved, and to safeguard that the grant is related to the works which have been completed.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. Currently payment of grants is issuing some 12 months from date of approval, as works are completed.
In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the Local Authority may grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. Local authorities have been communicated with regarding use of this discretion.
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 and I will ensure that the question of how long the grant approval should last is considered in that review.
45. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the HAP limits in line with rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54222/23]
View answerMaximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre.
A key principle of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned. Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where the household would not be in a position to meet the rental costs being sought.
Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to local authorities under HAP was required.
Following this analysis, from 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of discretion applied in each case.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review, including the adequacy of HAP rent limits.
46. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether it is equitable that additional measures approved under Housing for All to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs does not include people in rural Ireland on group water schemes as it only refunds Uisce Éireann water and wastewater standard connection charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54169/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, as part of a suite of measures to help reduce housing construction costs and incentivise increased housing supply, the Government introduced a temporary time-limited arrangement to waiver the local authority “section 48” development contribution and a refund scheme for water and wastewater connection charges payable to Uisce Éireann.
I can confirm that charges set by Group Water Scheme and paid by their members do not fall within the scope of the refund scheme approved by Government.
Group water schemes are community-owned and community-run organisations and accordingly I have no function in their day-to-day management or operation.
48. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the multi-annual rural water programme 2024 – 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54058/23]
View answer68. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made under the Rural Water Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53972/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 68 together.
My Department’s Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to private domestic water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no Uisce Éireann water services.
The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) is the main funding stream providing capital funding to address some of the key challenges faced by the Rural Water Sector and specifically those of the Group Water Schemes in maintaining, renewing and developing their systems and networks.
The core purpose is to provide the necessary funding to address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure drinking water supplies. Funding of €175m is committed under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 for the period from 2021-2025.
Current funding is provided through an annual subsidy which is paid, through local authorities, to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use.
I can confirm that I have approved the specific funding measures in the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 and I plan to publish it soon. Local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.
In line with my continued commitment to households in rural areas, I have made significant improvements to the septic tank grants which are available where there are risks to water quality or human health. I have approved increasing the grants available to households to €12,000 from €5,000, effective from 1 January 2024.
49. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of delays with Residential Tenancies Board issuing confirmation letters to tenants on notice of terminations submitted to them by landlords; the delays without receipt of confirmation for tenants to get their notice of termination validated by Threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54188/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA), to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants and as such the issue referred to is an operational matter for the RTB. My Department is not aware of the issue referred to.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The RTB has a dedicated email address for this purpose and may be contacted at: OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie
50. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland’s new National Biodiversity Action Plan will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54213/23]
View answerIreland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) has been the subject of significant effort over the last two years, with the support, advice and input of the interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group and independent Biodiversity Forum. Stakeholder engagement has been central to the iterative development of the Plan. Over 300 submissions were received from members of the public and interested organisations during the public consultation phase of the development of the Plan.
The 4th NBAP 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 Plan was approved by Government in October 2023. 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, following the statutory notification period to public bodies under that Act, the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan will be published and launched early in 2024.
