Thomas Gould
Question:317. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has issued a circular detailing the formula to be used for assessing social housing means policy. [55944/23]
View answerHousing Policy
Questions (317)
Written answers
The revised Household Means Policy (HMP) and accompanying guidance, which sets out the manner in which local authorities will assess household means was issued to all local authorities as part of Housing Circular 10/2021 in March 2021. The HMP is published at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/
State Bodies
Questions (318)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:318. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual cost of operating the Land Development Agency since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55975/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018 through S.I. No. 352/2018. The Land Development Agency Act 2021 was signed into law in July 2021. Following the commencement of the relevant provisions of the LDA Act, the interim LDA entity was dissolved and all functions and staff of the interim LDA entity transferred to a new LDA Designated Activity Company (DAC) on 31 March 2022. This LDA DAC was incorporated by the Company Registration Office in December 2021.
The annual cost to the Exchequer of the LDA between 2018 and 2021 is set out in the table below.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
254 |
2,408 |
14,100 |
16,600 |
As a commercial State body, the commercial activities of the LDA are not funded by the Exchequer. However, funding is provided to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. In 2022, this funding was €535,000. Details of funding for 2023 will be available in early 2024.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
Housing Provision
Questions (319)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:319. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units provided by the Land Development Agency to date, in tabular form, in each local authority area, broken down between those provided on local authority lands and those built on lands considered to be surplus to their needs by public bodies other than local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55976/23]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable homes will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through First Home, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing delivery. This data is published up to Quarter 3 2023 and is available on my Department's website, at www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Real progress is being made on transferring relevant public land to the LDA to deliver social and affordable housing. The sites identified under Housing for All can deliver up to 15,000 homes in the near to medium term.
Construction work is underway in Cork at the site of the former St Kevin’s Hospital, which will deliver 265 new homes, of which the first 45 homes are expected to be delivered in early 2025.
The land transfer process in respect of Devoy Barracks in Naas, Co. Kildare is also complete. 219 homes are expected to be delivered on the site. Delivery of the first phase of homes is expected in mid 2025.
A number of other sites are in the transfer process, planning is secured on key sites and procurement processes to build housing are underway.
The LDA are also actively partnering with local authorities to deliver affordable and social housing.
Almost 600 new homes at Shanganagh, Co. Dublin are being delivered in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and will be devoted 100% to affordable and social homes, with the first units expected to be completed in 2024.
The LDA have received planning permission for 543 units for the Donore project at the site of the former St Teresa’s Gardens, Dublin 8, which is a partnership with Dublin City Council.
The LDA is also partnering with Dublin City Council in planning for the development of approximately 148 affordable homes at Cromcastle, Dublin 5.
The LDA and Dublin City Council have announced a proposed new development of over 1,100 homes at Cherry Orchard in Dublin with a proposed mix of affordable purchase, cost rental, social and affordable purchase homes, along with retail and community space, to be developed on greenfield lands owned by Dublin City Council. Approximately 900 cost rental and affordable purchase homes and 225 social homes are envisaged.
The LDA also have planned partnership projects with Dublin City Council at Bluebell in Dublin and with Galway City Council at Dyke Road in Galway, which are expected to yield approximately 240 and 200 homes respectively. These projects are currently at planning and design stages, with planning applications expected to be submitted in 2024.
The Land Development Agency is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh, from which the LDA is targeting delivery of 5,000 affordable homes by 2026. Project Tosaigh has already delivered 242 homes in 2022.
Housing Provision
Questions (320)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:320. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses the Land Development Agency intends to make available for occupation in each local authority area in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55977/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
In respect of the Land Development Agency's (LDA) work on strategic housing delivery on public land, it is anticipated that the first homes of the Shanganagh development will be delivered in 2024 in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Progress will also be made in advancing housing delivery on other local authority partnership sites at the Donore Project (St Teresa’s Gardens); Cromcastle and Cherry Orchard in Dublin City.
Furthermore, in respect of the LDA’s work on housing delivery on vacant or underutilised public land, construction is underway at two sites transferred to the LDA in Cork and Naas and in 2024 it is expected that further progress will be made towards housing delivery on key sites in Galway, Dublin and Cork.
The LDA is also tasked with delivering social and affordable homes both in the shorter-term, through Project Tosaigh, its market engagement initiative to unlock stalled private planning-consented developments, and in the longer-term, assembling strategic land-banks from a mix of State and private lands.
Through Project Tosaigh the LDA is working with local authorities to deliver 5,000 homes by 2026. 2022 saw the first ever affordable housing delivery by the LDA in Dublin, Wicklow, Cork and Waterford, sourced via Project Tosaigh, and further affordable homes are coming on stream this year. I anticipate that the momentum generated by this initial and welcome delivery will be ramped up over 2024 and beyond.
Local Authorities
Questions (321)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:321. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities will be granted extra funding for the cost of clearing and cleaning in public spaces after storms and for the reinstatement of badly damaged public infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55982/23]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for coordinating the response to flooding emergencies and severe weather as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006).
The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked very 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 the coordination of national level responses 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 of over €95 million available to assist local authorities in meeting the unbudgeted costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works, including 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 the activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities could not be foreseen in annual expenditure planning. This practice is considered a vital enabler of the local authority action, 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 occurred recently 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. I, in consultation with my colleague Pascal Donohoe the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform, have allocated supplementary funding of €12 million to contribute towards exceptional expenditure directly associated with the recent flood responses.
A Circular has issued to every Chief Executive in the country, inviting them to make an application with relevant details of the exceptional costs and current expenditure incurred by the local authority in respect of costs related to severe weather/flood response activities. Eligible costs are envisaged to include; hire of plant and contractors for necessary immediate works, purchase of materials required for response and clean-up, staff overtime payments specific to the event and immediate clean-up. A business case may be made for any other costs considered exceptional. As always, my Department will continue to work with local authorities to support them over the coming months, as they co-ordinate recovery and restoration works.
The closing date for receipt of cost recoupment applications was initially envisaged to be 6 December, however given the most recent severe weather events related to Storms Elin and Fergus, most notably the high impact sudden onset Tornado event experienced by Leitrim Village, that deadline for costs submissions has been extended until 13 December after which my Department will prioritise the processing and payment of applications received.
It should be noted that funding of repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Department in line with its sectoral responsibility. Capital costs associated with infrastructural damage, for example damage to the roads network and coastal protection infrastructure (where relevant), are funded under relevant sectoral arrangements.
Housing Policy
Questions (322)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:322. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what discussions his Department has had with disability organisations in relation to agreeing a special specification and costings for accommodation for people with significant disabilities, who need staff in attendance with them at all time to cater for their care needs and safety; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55987/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in January 2022 and the Implementation Plan for the Strategy on 22 June 2023. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/
The Implementation Plan provides for the detailed implementation of the joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022–2027 developed by the Housing Agency, my Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which sets out the Government’s vision for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people to 2027.
A National Implementation Steering Group, established in February 2023 and chaired by the Housing Agency, has responsibility to oversee and support uniform implementation and monitoring at national and local level of the actions and outcomes of the Strategy. The Group includes broad representation from the disability sector and is the primary input mechanism for the sector in advancing the implementation of the Strategy.
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla
Questions (323, 325)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:323. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56001/23]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:325. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56037/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 325 together.
Ó tugadh isteach Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, tá mo Roinn tiomanta do na bearta a bhaineann le spriocanna fógraíochta a chur i bhfeidhm.
I ngach feachtas a rinneadh ó tugadh isteach na rialacha nua, tá iarracht déanta againn a chinntiú go bhfuil 20% dár n-ábhar fógraíochta á reáchtáil i nGaeilge agus go bhfuil 5% de bhuiséad gach feachtais caite ar fhógraíocht sna meáin Ghaeilge.
Tiomsófar tuilleadh faisnéise faoinár gcomhlíontacht leis na spriocanna Fógraíochta Gaeilge de réir na ndualgas tuairiscithe don Choimisinéir Teanga i R1 2024.
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla
Questions (324, 326)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:324. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56019/23]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:326. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56055/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 326 together.
Is ceist do na comhlachtaí aonair lena mbaineann an t-eolas a iarrtar maidir le comhlachtaí atá faoi choimirce mo Roinne. Tá socruithe curtha i bhfeidhm ag gach Gníomhaireacht chun soláthar faisnéise go díreach do chomhaltaí an Oireachtais a éascú. Tá seoladh ríomhphoist teagmhála gach gníomhaireachta leagtha amach sa tábla seo a leanas:
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Údarás Rialála Comhlachtaí Tithíochta Ceadaithe |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Fóram Formhaoirseachta agus Comhchomhairleach Cheantar na nDugaí |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Líonraí Gáis Éireann |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
An Chomhairle Oidhreachta |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
An Ghníomhaireacht um Thithíocht agus Pobail Inbhuanaithe |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
An Ghníomhaireacht Airgeadais do Thithe |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
An Ghníomhaireacht Forbartha Talún |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Gníomhaireacht Bainistíochta an Rialtais Áitiúil |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Údarás Rialála Limistéir Mhuirí |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
|
An Coimisiún Náisiúnta Maoirseachta agus Iniúchóireachta |
info@noac.ie |
|
An Coiste Comhairleach Náisiúnta um Chóiríocht don Lucht Siúil |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Oifig an Rialálaí Pleanála |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
An Bord um Réiteach Piríte |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
An Bord um Thionóntachtaí Cónaithe |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
reps@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Binse Luachála |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Uiscebhealaí Éireann |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 323.
Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 324.
Housing Schemes
Questions (327)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:327. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of successful cases completed under the mortgage to rent scheme in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of the scheme in each year; the steps being taken to ensure more householders can avail of this scheme in order to reduce potential homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56064/23]
View answerWritten answers
Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it can help those who need it. The 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme was published on 24 January 2022.
Building on the significant changes already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While the scheme is performing well, it was assessed that some further enhancements were needed to enable more households in need of support with their long-term housing needs to avail of this scheme.
One key priority action was to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme and this was implemented in February 2022. These include changes to the positive equity and property acquisition limits and more flexibility on over-accommodation where a member of the household is aged 65 or over, or has a disability. More recently, the increase in the income threshold for social housing has also opened the MTR scheme to more borrowers because households entering MTR must qualify for social housing support. These changes have enabled borrowers to apply for the scheme, who wouldn't have been eligible previously.
An advertising campaign on urban and regional buses was conducted in Q4 2022 under the 'Communication and awareness raising' action and further initiatives to increase awareness of the scheme will be undertaken. There is continued engagement with Abhaile, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to disseminate information on the MTR scheme.
The table below sets out the number of completed Mortgage to Rent (MTR) cases from 2019 up to Q3 2023.
|
Year |
Completed MTR Cases |
|
2019 |
196 |
|
2020 |
363 |
|
2021 |
678 |
|
2022 |
432 |
|
Q3 2023 |
144 |
The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme including a breakdown of the number of cases by MTR provider. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics.
The spend on Mortgage to Rent cases, broke down by quarter, is available at: assets.gov.ie/99984/d10e5f7c-a0f5-40ab-9ccf-0559e22f3afa.xlsx. My Department is currently compiling spend data for Q3 2023 and this information will be available in the coming weeks at this location.
My Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency is currently running an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process which invited participants from both the private and Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector to put forward their interest in becoming MTR providers who can deliver the scheme at scale. This EOI process is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the scheme and will offer lenders more providers with whom they can engage and process cases with. The results of this process will be announced shortly.
Full details of the recommendations and associated actions are outlined within the 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme for people who have borrowed from commercial private lending institutions and this review is available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed57b-2021-review-of-the-mortgage-to-rent-scheme-for-borrowers-of-commercial-private-lending-institutions/
My Department is also represented on the newly established long-term mortgage arrears group, along with representatives from the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance and other stakeholders. The objective of this group is to examine the full suite of measures in place to reduce the number of people in long-term mortgage arrears and to recommend changes to increase the efficacy of these measures where necessary.
Special Areas of Conservation
Questions (328)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:328. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether farmers have been constrained by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in using the Roundstone Bog Commonage; if this is the case, whether compensation is available for said farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56066/23]
View answerWritten answers
The European Union’s Habitats Directive requires Member States to designate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in order to create a coherent European ecological network. Roundstone Bog Commonage forms part of the Connemara Bog Complex SAC.
This SAC was proposed in August 1997, while the Statutory Instrument formally designating Connemara Bog Complex SAC was passed in November 2023 (SI 549 of 2023) specifying the exact boundaries of the SAC, listing the natural habitats and animal and plant species and listing activities with these boundaries that require the consent of the Minister (ARCs).
There are a range of activities requiring the consent of the Minister on this SAC, but these do not include grazing, cultivating crops or planting crops on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land. Landowners or occupiers should contact the local National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department before undertaking any of the works listed at Schedule 4 of SI 549 of 2023.
I have, to date, received no applications for consent on this SAC.
Where such an application for the consent of the Minister has been made I may make a decision to refuse, modify, revoke or to give consent for the activity or give consent subject to conditions.
In circumstances, where the consent is not granted the applicant may be entitled to apply for compensation for the loss arising from a depreciation of the value of the land or an interest in the land the subject of the application for consent, subject to certain conditions.
In addition, farmers with a legal entitlement to a designated area are supported under the Basic Payment Scheme and Areas of Natural Constraint, which are administered by my colleague Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Housing Schemes
Questions (329, 330)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:329. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average HAP payment per recipient funded by the Exchequer; the average cost to the State, per recipient, net of differential rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56088/23]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:330. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the gross and net average cost to the State per HAP recipient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56089/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2023, 112,909 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 58,234 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Budget 2023 allocated €543 million for the Scheme and this enables continued support for existing HAP households along with funding new households to be accommodated in HAP supported tenancies. This funding is provided to cover the total cost of the HAP Scheme, including administration costs, after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority.
The monthly gross average cost per HAP tenancy at the end of Q2 2023 was €959. The monthly average cost per HAP tenancy funded by the Exchequer i.e. net of average differential rent, at the end of Q2 2023 was €747.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The limits applicable are related to the specific household and the rental market in the area and so vary significantly across each local authority.
Question No. 330 answered with Question No. 329.
Housing Policy
Questions (331)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:331. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his Department's examination of the creation of a system of holding rental deposits as set out in housing policy objective 2.12 of Housing for All; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56091/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Housing Provision
Questions (332)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:332. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of homes delivered though the Croí Cónaithe (cities) scheme to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56092/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports building 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers up to 2026. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The Scheme is managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department and is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.
To date, two calls for expressions of interest have been undertaken under the Scheme.
I can confirm that 4 proposals have been approved in 2023 for the delivery of 425 units under the first call. As the scheme concerns apartments which typically take between 18 months to 2 years to build, delivery is expected to begin in 2025. Further proposals from this initial call remain under consideration by the Housing Agency and are being progressed.
The closing date for the second call for expressions of interest was in September of this year and nine eligible proposals, with the potential to deliver more than 1,000 units, were received under this call. These are presently being assessed by the Housing Agency.
Housing Schemes
Questions (333)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:333. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications for the Croí Cónaithe towns grant; the number approved and the number of drawdowns, broken down by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56093/23]
View answerWritten answers
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000
State Bodies
Questions (334)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:334. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of job vacancies that are currently yet to be filled at An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56094/23]
View answerWritten answers
An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board, as detailed below:
• In October 2021, my Department approved an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the setting up of a new Marine and Climate Unit.
• In December 2022, 34 additional posts were sanctioned, and the Board is in the process of filling these positions.
• In April 2023, the Board submitted sanction requests for a total of 59 new posts, all of which were approved by my Department.
Staffing details are an operational matter for the Board. 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 contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
Programme for Government
Questions (335)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:335. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments in relation to local government; the other initiatives that have been undertaken with regard to local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56095/23]
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An update on delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future in respect of the local government sector is set out herewith:
In relation to the Directly Elected Mayor of Limerick, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was published in August and is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, with a view to enactment early in 2024. Government has decided that the election for the Mayor for Limerick will be held on the same date as the Local and European Elections in 2024, which will be held in early June. In advance of the election, a public information campaign about this significant change in the way in which Limerick will be governed will be very important and my Department will be working with Limerick City and County Council to ensure that information is provided to the public in Limerick.
The 2022 Dublin Citizens’ Assembly was asked to consider the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin”. Its final report was presented to the Taoiseach in January 2023, and contains 18 recommendations. This report has been referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for consideration of its recommendations. The Committee has also been asked to provide advice on the requirement for the holding of a plebiscite to determine if Dublin should have a directly elected Mayor, and to propose draft wording for such a plebiscite if appropriate. The Committee has been asked to report by the end of 2023. The Report is also under consideration by officials in my Department with a view to bringing forward a comprehensive response to the Report for Government’s consideration in early 2024. The outcome of the Joint Oireachtas Committee process will inform Government’s final deliberations.
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant and unprecedented support was provided to ratepayers by local government, underwritten by Exchequer funding. The commercial rates waiver schemes provided support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities. Commercial rates waivers, in various guises, applied from April 2020 to March 2022. In total the Exchequer underwrote commercial rates waivers amounting to €1.27bn in the period.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 was passed by the Oireachtas and enacted on 11 July 2019. Amendments were required to address key technical issues in the Act before commencing the remaining provisions. Commencement of the provisions of the 2019 Act is an important element in a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine ways to further streamline the commercial rates system post Covid-19. Plans to address the required amendments and commence the legislation were delayed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In April 2023, the Government approved the drafting of Heads to address key technical issues in the Act prior to the commencement of the rest of the Act. The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was identified as the vehicle for carrying Rates Act amendments. That Act was signed into law by the President on 13 October 2023. Certain sections of the Rates Act (and consequential amendments to the Valuation Acts 2001-2020) were commenced by Order on 6 November 2023 in order to be in place when local authorities were making their 2024 budgets. The bulk of the remainder of the sections are to be commenced from 1 January 2024 to allow local authorities to levy and collect rates under the new legal framework in 2024.
Until 2022, 80% of the estimated LPT liability in each local authority area for a given year was retained in that area to fund public services, notwithstanding any local variation decisions. The remaining 20% of LPT was re-distributed to provide equalisation funding to those local authorities that have lower property tax bases. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the LPT allocation mechanism for 2023 is changed to allow for 100% of the estimated yield to be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. Furthermore, a review of the LPT baselines for each local authority (which is the minimum level of funding available to each local authority, regardless of its LPT yield) took place in 2023 and, as a result of this review, the overall baseline level of funding for the sector will increase by €75.4m in 2024.
To support the operation of municipal districts in strengthening local democracy, communities, villages and towns in a sustainable manner, my Department undertook a process of consultation with the local government sector on how this could best be achieved. The results of these findings, together with the Institute of Public Administration’s review of municipal districts were used to inform Best Practice Recommendations for Local Authorities on the operation of Municipal Districts, which was issued to the Chief Executives of the 31 local authorities in November 2022.
My Department worked with the Department of Community and Rural Development on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the development of the economic elements of Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). These guidelines were launched in November 2021. Under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, local authorities themselves are charged with responsibility for promoting and supporting economic development of their local areas.
My Department has engaged the Institute of Public Administration to carry out a review of local authority Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs). The review is being carried out in the context of the commitment to ‘mandate the establishment of climate action SPCs in each local authority.‘ The review will examine how the SPC system is operating on the ground in terms of its objectives and to propose any changes for consideration to enhance its operation, role and impact. A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been established to oversee, advise on and steer this review of SPCs, further information about which may be found on my Department’s website. It is expected that the review will be completed in Q1 2024.
The pay related recommendations of the “Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Elected Members”, overseen by Sara Moorhead SC, have been implemented and a significant reform of the remuneration package available to councillors introduced with effect from 1 July 2021. In addition, a new gratuity scheme will be introduced from June 2024 which will link the gratuity to the new annual remuneration, allow retiring councillors to claim a maximum gratuity of €86,172 after 20 years’ reckonable service and having reached 50 years of age. A new security allowance of up to €2,500 or 50% of cost was been introduced this year to help councillors offset certain costs incurred in enhancing their personal security arrangements.
Acting on recommendations arising from the Moorhead Review, a Training and Professional Development stakeholder working group, chaired by the Department and including representatives of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and the County and City Management Association (CCMA), was established in 2021 to review training delivered to elected members. It is intended that this review will identify gaps in training provision and explore how a structured programme of training can be developed to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach, particularly for newly elected members. It is also intended that the working group’s review will identify training that could be delivered by local authorities, including the participation of elected members in local authority staff training and workshops on topical matters, e.g. the county development plan process. The group is currently examining the delivery of both induction and refresher induction, as well as localised customised training.
The Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 was enacted in December 2022. Under this legislation, councillors are now subject to many of the same protections as afforded to employees under the Maternity Protection Act 1994 (as amended). This legislation also allows the option for a councillor to appoint an individual as a temporary substitute in their place if absent on maternity leave or due to illness.
In parallel to this legislation, as part of a wider package of maternity-related supports for local authority elected members, Regulations signed in August provide for an allowance for councillors who are availing of maternity leave or who have recently given birth and have chosen not to avail of maternity leave to engage additional administrative support to assist them in their role. The allowance, payable on a vouched basis, is intended to cover expenses incurred by female councillors in engaging an individual to maintain basic office duties and provide other secretarial or administrative duties, for a period of up to 42 consecutive weeks.
In relation to commitments for more family friendly councils, my Department has funded a number of resources aimed at providing guidance to local authorities in the area of flexible work practices, including the National Women’s Council of Toolkit for Local Authorities on Supporting Family-Friendly Local Government.
In recognition of the potential for the use of technology to strengthen local democracy, particularly to increase accessibility and transparency of local government in action, the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning has approved funding for a pilot programme aimed at local authorities where the infrastructure in the main council chamber/s is inadequate for hybrid meetings. This initiative will provide part funding of €160,674 to four local authorities this year to allow them to proceed with the installation of equipment to facilitate hybrid meetings.
In relation to the commitment to empower local authorities to encourage improved gender and ethnic mix in local elections, my Department has:
• In 2021, provided €62,000 in funding to 15 local authorities, and one inter-county group supported by the AILG and See Her Elected, for the establishment of women's councillor caucuses. In 2022, the caucus funding scheme, was amalgamated with the previously separate Call for Funding to local authorities, in order to streamline the process for applicants.
• Since 2019, issued an annual Call for Funding to local authorities for projects, which aim to build general awareness of local government and encourage participation in local decision-making structures, particularly among women, minority and diverse communities, with funding totalling €205,568 awarded to twenty-seven local authorities and one regional caucus in 2023.
My Department also operates a funding scheme to incentivise political parties to increase the number of women candidates in local elections. This scheme is open to all registered political parties and in the interests of inclusivity, to official representative groups of independents. In December 2023, €230,372 was allocated across nine political parties and one independent group, for a variety of initiatives, including the appointment of equality and diversity officers within parties, the running of a number of women’s conferences, as well as training and capacity building for potential candidates.