Written Answers Nos. 339-355
339. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise on the availability of financial supports for homeowners with asbestos in their roof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2450/24]
View answerThere is no funding programme managed by my Department granting assistance for the removal of asbestos.
340. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/24]
View answerHousing for All commits to expanding the housing options available for Older Persons, building on the work done under the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population, which has the objective of providing housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place, in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services, in an integrated and sustainable manner. My Department provides capital funding to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to support the delivery of social homes specifically designed for older people in their area.
Arising from an action in Housing Options for our Ageing Population and in conjunction with Ordinance Survey Ireland, my Department developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping Decision Support Tool to support the development of housing specifically for older people on the best available sites appropriate to their needs and close to essential services. This Tool and relevant training is now in use by local authorities to decide on the best sites to develop housing for older people.
Planning for future development for all categories, including older people, is carried out through the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) being undertaken in each local authority area (as development plans come up for statutory review) to ensure that the long-term strategic housing needs are met. The HDNA framework allows local authorities to correlate and accurately align overall future housing requirements based on the needs identified in an evidence-based targeted and responsive way. The framework will be reviewed in 2024 to take account of the results from Census 2022.
The National Planning Framework (NPF) supports continued progress of supporting our citizen’s basic human rights and assists in helping people to gain access to a better quality of life. In particular, National Policy Objective 30, sets out a clear purpose for policies to be developed to enhance the lives and needs of our ageing population life for all citizens, through improved integration and greater accessibility in the delivery of sustainable communities and the provision of associated services.
My Department recently issued Section 28 guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements (SRDCSGs). These Guidelines set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of urban and rural settlements, with a focus on residential development.
The SRDSGs seek to ensure that new communities are designed to enhance accessibility to services, community facilities and amenities, optimise mobility for vulnerable users (with reference to the principles of Universal Design) and provide greater housing choice with a focus on the delivery of innovative housing types that can facilitate compact growth and provide greater housing choice that respond to the needs of single people, families, older people and people with disabilities, informed by a Housing Need and Demand Assessment, where possible.
341. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of the backlog of applications within the Land Registry Office; whether he can engage with Tailte Éireann to ensure staffing is increased to improve efficiency of service delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2488/24]
View answerTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provide a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
In common with many other public service organisations, Tailte Éireann experienced significant knock on effects of the COVID restrictions put in place over the last number of years. In addition, an increase in staff exits through retirements and mobility transfers during this time has contributed to an accumulation of applications for registration.
In 2023, a request for an increase in the provision for staff pay in Tailte Éireann’s Vote was supported by my Department, and subsequently provided for in their Estimate for 2024.
I understand from Tailte Éireann that, while alleviating somewhat, they have experienced significant challenges in recruitment and continues to engage with the Public Appointments Service to fulfil its staffing requirements for replacement and additional staff.
Tailte Éireann has indicated that the level of property transactions has remained strong and there has a continued increase in applications received year on year.
In 2023, the number of applications lodged for registrations increased by 5%. 239,287 legal dealings were lodged to register the legal effect of 320,895 transactions.
240,365 dealings were completed, matching intake. This is an increase of 9.2% on 2022 completions (219,982), and 25% higher than in 2021 (191,393).
In addition, the number of applications which were lodged for registration but were not in order to proceed rose by 19% in 2023 over 2022. 33,840 applications contained errors with grounds for rejection and were returned to the lodging party, creating a substantial administrative burden for Tailte Éireann.
Notwithstanding this level of output and the robust nature of the property market, the ongoing challenges to fill remaining staffing gaps has resulted in a stabilisation, rather than reduction, of applications on hand, in particular for certain application types.
I am assured by Tailte Éireann that every effort is being made to further reduce application processing times including implementation of the following actions:
• Implementation of revised procedures for more efficient handling of applications which are not in order to proceed to registration.
• Targeted approach to reduce the age profile of applications pending registration.
• Revised internal processes aimed at reducing the volume of applications on hand which are not in order to proceed and remain under query.
• Continued promotion of digital services and uptake of eRegistration services to reduce processing times for all service users.
• An organisation-wide focus on reducing processing times with business process improvements implemented.
Improvements have been made in throughput times, in particular in relation to cases not requiring mapping. I am confident that as the required staff are successfully on-boarded, Tailte Éireann will be in a position to achieve its goal of reducing waiting times across all registration services.
Tailte Éireann is always willing to expedite cases where valid grounds exist. Lodging parties may contact Tailte Éireann in relation to a specific case by email at info@tailte.ie
Further information in relation to specific cases may be obtained by Oireachtas members by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at reps@tailte.ie.
344. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what provision is made for divorced or separated couples in the Fresh Start initiative. [2516/24]
View answerThe 'Fresh Start' principle forms a key element in 'Housing for All' and is applied across a number of affordable and mortgage schemes run by the Department such as the Local Authority Home Loan and the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The ‘Fresh Start’ principle is also applied by the independently-governed First Home Scheme.
‘Fresh Start’ means that people who are divorced or separated and have no interest in the family home, or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply for such schemes. The specific eligibility criteria for each scheme must also be met.
The Fresh Start principle, as defined in Section 10 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, allows people who are divorced or separated, or who have been through insolvency or bankruptcy, and who are divested of any interest in the previous home, to be eligible to apply for an affordable home under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS).
Amendments are currently being proposed to widen the Fresh Start principle in Sections 10(3) and 10(5) of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, to allow for the previous ownership of more than the one dwelling in cases were an individual no longer has an interest in such dwellings and they have been the subject of a fresh start event such as divorce/separation.
345. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out in tabular form the number of new applications to the enhanced defective block redress scheme; the number of transfers from the old scheme; where these applications are at in terms of the stages of the process; the number who have drawn down funds to date; and the number who have drawn down their full grant, broken down by local authority area and year. [2523/24]
View answerI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023, which provides for the enhanced grant scheme, and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The tables under provide details in respect of the Defective Concrete Block Grant (DCB) schemes up until and including 31 December 2023.
|
Clare |
Donegal |
Limerick |
Mayo |
Total |
|
|
Total Number of Applications (Old and Enhanced Schemes) |
49 |
1456 |
18 |
357 |
1880 |
|
New Applications Received for Enhanced Scheme |
49 |
160 |
18 |
9 |
236 |
|
Applications from the Enhanced Scheme validated by LA and referred to HA |
48 |
39 |
15 |
4 |
106 |
|
Position Regarding Applications from Previous Scheme |
|||||
|
Applications Received for Previous Scheme |
N/A |
1296 |
N/A |
348 |
1644 |
|
Applications Approved to Stage 1 from Previous Scheme |
N/A |
849 |
N/A |
332 |
1181 |
|
Applications Referred under Previous Scheme to Housing Agency for Damage Threshold Determination |
N/A |
434 |
N/A |
13 |
447 |
|
Applicants who have submitted Remedial Works Plans |
N/A |
127 |
N/A |
140 |
267 |
|
Applicants who have Commenced Works |
N/A |
96 |
N/A |
132 |
228 |
|
Applicants who have completed remediation works |
N/A |
43 |
N/A |
11 |
54 |
|
Local Authority |
Number who have drawn funds to date |
Number who have drawn down the full grant |
|
2023 |
||
|
Donegal |
1071 |
43 |
|
Mayo |
330 |
11 |
|
Total |
1401 |
54 |
|
Local Authority |
Number who have drawn funds to date |
Number who have drawn down the full grant |
|
2022 |
||
|
Donegal |
667 |
22 |
|
Mayo |
264 |
3 |
|
Total |
931 |
25 |
|
Local Authority |
Number who have drawn funds to date |
Number who have drawn down the full grant |
|
2021 |
||
|
Donegal |
340 |
3 |
|
Mayo |
79 |
0 |
|
Total |
419 |
3 |
|
Local Authority |
Number who have drawn funds to date |
Number who have drawn down the full grant |
|
2020 |
||
|
Donegal |
22 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
12 |
0 |
|
Total |
34 |
0 |
346. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the NSAI review of IS 465. [2524/24]
View answerArising from the Government Decision of 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) grant scheme, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering a programme of work to address a number of technical items. An interagency DCB Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to inform and guide the NSAI review of a number of relevant standards including I.S. 465:2018, and the impact, if any on foundations and the effect, if any, of full cavity fill insulation on homes susceptible to defective blockwork.
Research proposals developed by the relevant NSAI Technical Committees, including research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks and the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations, have been commissioned and are making good progress.
I am advised that preliminary findings from primary research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks and the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations, has been received by the NSAI and the relevant Technical Committee, and that they are currently analysing this data in advance of the completion of the research project later this year. This project is part of a substantial program of research and analysis that is underway at present as part of the NSAI review of standards.
Following the publication of any revised standard published by the NSAI, the enhanced DCB scheme will be reviewed at that point, in the event that such amendments are required.
347. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of the qualifying criteria for well-water grants administered through local authorities; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/24]
View answer348. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the existing qualifying criteria for the septic tank grant; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2581/24]
View answer349. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the existing qualifying criteria for the domestic lead remediation grant scheme; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 348 and 349 together.
My Department provides funding, administered through local authorities, for the grants referred to in the questions.
Each local authority has appointed a Rural Water Liaison Officer who deals with the day to day implementation issues for the grant schemes. The officer can be contacted at the Rural Water Section of the relevant local authority.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of all matters relating to the private wells grant scheme, including consultation with key stakeholders, which will inform the outcome of the review. I expect to receive recommendations on the grant scheme for my consideration shortly.
350. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of official flights and costs of same taken by him in 2023; if a schedule will be provided of all hotels he stayed in in 2023, including hotel name and cost per night while on official State business; and if the same information will be provided in respect of all accompanying staff and advisors. [2647/24]
View answerThe details requested are outlined in the following table. The full costs related to flights and hotels for each instance of my foreign travel in 2023 are also available and regularly updated on my Departments OpenData website opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-2023
|
Minister |
Date of travel from |
Date of return |
Destination |
Purpose |
Total costs of Flights (€) |
Total costs of Hotel (€) |
Hotel Name |
Number of accompanying staff and advisors |
|
Darragh O'Brien |
10/03/2023 |
19/03/2023 |
Atlanta & Savannah |
St Patrick's Day programme. |
7,794.27 |
7,417.08 |
Kimpton Shane in Atlanta & Kimpton Brice in Savannah |
3 |
|
Darragh O'Brien |
08/06/2023 |
09/06/2023 |
Barcelona |
Housing Europe Conference. |
1191.44 |
824.70 |
Hotel Concordia |
2 |
|
Darragh O'Brien |
15/10/2023 |
20/10/2023 |
Atlanta & Charlotte |
Representing the Government at a Commemorative Ceremony in Andersonville and trade events in North Carolina. |
6,081.87 |
TBC- DFA responsible for booking |
TBC - DFA responsible for booking |
2 |
|
Darragh O'Brien |
24/09/2023 |
28/09/2023 |
Boston & London |
Representing the Government at a Good Friday Agreement Commemorative Event in Boston and opening the YPO Conference in the Embassy in London. |
1,0224.41 |
3,104.58 |
The Clermont Victoria Hotel & Fairmont Copley Plaza |
2 |
|
Darragh O'Brien |
03/12/2023 |
04/12/2023 |
Brussels |
Meeting with Commissioners. |
1,960.64 |
524.00 |
Martins Brussels EU |
3 |
351. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a planning permission application is required where a windfarm owner seeks to renew wind turbines and extend the life of the windfarm through the installation of new generators or turbine propellor blades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/24]
View answerIn accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application for planning permission, including an application in respect of a wind energy development, on a case-by-case basis and to decide whether to grant permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.
When granting planning permission for a wind farm development, in most cases planning authorities attach a condition to the permission that limits the operational lifespan of the development. In such a case, a new planning application would be required where it is proposed to extend the operational lifespan of an existing wind farm development for a further specified period of time.
In addition to conditions regarding the operational lifespan of a development, the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2006) advise that wind energy developments may also be subject to conditions requiring that future re-equipping be agreed in writing with the planning authority or be the subject of a separate planning application. In this context, re-equipping is generally understood to mean the replacement of existing turbines with new, more efficient models.
352. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the grant scheme for refurbishment of houses to include voluntary organisations such as GAA clubs, where they are the owners of such derelict houses. [2661/24]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. 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.
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 to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The grant is available to individuals or households for which the property will be their principal private residence or who will make the property available to rent. It is not available to organisations, clubs or registered companies.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
353. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide grants to refurbish houses which are not vacant, for the purposes of the vacant homes grant, but which require substantial repair in order to be habitable and energy efficient, given that in many cases the current SEAI better homes grant are not sufficient to cover the costs of this refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2668/24]
View answerThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. 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.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. The property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant application and proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
Homeowners and private landlords can apply for home energy upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland . The schemes allows the carrying out of different upgrades over time and to suit budgets. Further information can be found on the SEAI website linked Individual Energy Upgrade Grants | Home Energy Grants | SEAI .
354. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an approved housing body (details supplied) or Dublin City Council has been in communication with his Department regarding a proposed social housing development in Dublin 5; if grant assistance will be provided for a residential development at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2682/24]
View answerMy Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to construct and purchase homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that local authorities and AHBs progress Social Housing projects through is the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF). CALF funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department.
To date, my Department has not received any application under the CALF social housing funding model for the residential development referred to.
