Wednesday, 7 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 264-287

Official Travel

Questions (264)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5245/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The details requested, since June 2020, are available and regularly updated on my Department's OpenData website and are available to view under the following links.

• 2020: No foreign travel undertaken

• 2021: data.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-2021

• 2022: data.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-foreign-travel-costs-2022

• 2023: data.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-2023.

Housing Provision

Questions (265)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

265. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure in 2023 on social and affordable housing funded through SHIP, CALF, CAS, AHF, CREL, AHB borrowing and LDA expenditure. [5257/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

2023 Housing expenditure, including for the delivery of social and affordable homes, is currently being finalised and will be published in due course.

Legislative Measures

Questions (266)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

266. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is preparing legislation to address issues of habitual residency and social housing support eligibility; and if so, the purpose and potential scope of the legislation. [5258/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

Social housing support is intended to address a household’s long-term housing need it is expected that any household applying for such support should have a long-term right to reside in the State. 

In this context, the Government has recently approved the drafting of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 which includes provisions to introduce a requirement for legal and habitual residence as an eligibility criterion for social housing support. I recently wrote to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enclosing the general scheme and advising my Department is happy to assist the Committee in the course of its deliberations as part of the pre-legislate scrutiny process.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (267)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

267. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of owners' management companies that have applied for the interim emergency funding for buildings with defects that was open for application in December 2023. [5259/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I announced on 11 December 2023 the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from Apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023.

In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 31 January 2024, 79 applications are being progressed across 22 local authority areas, representing a total of 7,412 residential units.

Rental Sector

Questions (268)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

268. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what subvention is available to the Land Development Agency to help it ensure that its rents are at least 25% below market rent; the number of applications received by the LDA for any such subvention; and the amount committed to date for this subvention. [5260/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Direct subvention is not available to the Land Development Agency (LDA) for the purposes of ensuring their rents are below market rents, however, the LDA can participate in schemes that are open to the whole market.

My Department provides funding to the LDA in respect of programme expenditure associated with the functions that are detailed under Section 29 of the LDA Act 2021. These functions include the development of a Register of Relevant Public Lands, the development of a report to Government on relevant public lands and any functions associated with the development of a Strategic Development Zone as provided for under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

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 [e-mail].

Water Services

Questions (269)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

269. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has received any reports or briefings from Uisce Éireann with regard to the timeframe for water connections to new housing developments and one-off houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5263/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Action 43 under the 2023 Housing for All Action Plan Update, which can be accessed at this link: 2023 Housing for All Update., includes the commitment "to convene a working group that includes the major utility and infrastructure providers to align delivery programmes to ensure the timely delivery of utilities and infrastructure required to support housing development, with updates to be reported to the Public Service Delivery Group on a quarterly basis."    

Uisce Éireann provides quarterly updates to my Department in relation to connections activity through the Housing for All reporting structures. Uisce Éireann remains committed to playing its part in the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water service infrastructure.

Uisce Éireann connection-related activity for the full year of 2023 can be found at: www.water.ie/connections/  

Urban Development

Questions (270)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

270. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 414 and 415 of 12 December 2023, for an update in respect of his consideration of the business case; if it has passed decision gate 1; and the amount that has been drawn down to date in respect of the progression of the project. [5272/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In 2021, as one of the successful applications under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund's (URDF) second call for proposals, I announced a preliminary allocation of €7,140,000 towards Wicklow County Council's proposal for the regeneration of the Bray Harbour Area. The proposal, made up of 6 individual projects, includes amenity and public realm works, promenade boardwalk linking the promenade with the harbour, a cycle bridge, and a feasibility study to examine options to enhance the amenities of the existing harbour, such as a harbour wall extension. 

In line with URDF policy, the preliminary allocation of €7,140,000 represents the maximum  75% URDF grant funding available for an approved project. Wicklow County Council propose to fund, from its own resources, the remaining 25% of the overall estimated project costs of €9,520,000. 

On the 27 November 2023, Wicklow County Council submitted a Preliminary Business Case for the Bray Harbour proposal to my Department for consideration and approval as part of Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. At present the submission is still under consideration by my Department, with a response expected to issue to the Council shortly.

As the Bray Harbour proposal is at a very early stage in its advancement, no funding has been drawn down to date from my Department.

Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 260.

Departmental Advertising

Questions (272)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

272. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5352/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

Press and public relations functions are generally undertaken by my Department's Press Office and my Department undertakes public information campaigns where there is important information to be brought to the public’s attention. The advertising campaigns generally comprise traditional advertising methods including TV, radio, online and print as well as social media. The ad expenditure for last year includes:

• the “Doors Open”; a significant print, broadcast, digital and outdoors campaign to communicate the number of supports available for people to rent or buy a home;

• an information campaign to highlight financial support to replace lead pipes in homes;

• the ‘Check the Register’ campaign and;

• the ‘Check Before You Dig’ campaign urging landowners to avoid damaging or disturbing archaeological monuments during any groundworks (including land clearance or reclamation)

In addition, my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management runs regular, very important public health and safety campaigns such as National Fire Safety Week.

The figures for expenditure also include money spent on recruitment as well as both Met Éireann and our National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) advertising spends. The NPWS advertises information on its National Parks for visitors throughout the year.

Spending to date this year includes the “Your Council” campaign which was launched to provide members of the public with more information about local government and the role of the Councillor. The advertising initiative gives an overview of the different responsibilities of local government and the key role played by Councillors in shaping communities.

Details of the expenditure by my Department on various public relations, promotions and advertising activities since 1 January 2014 to date are set out in the following table.

Year	Total
2014	€559,844
2015	€461,408
2016	€456,753
2017	€485,425
2018	€381,302
2019	€476,495
2020	€391,790
2021	€641,552
2022	€989,680
2023	€1,647,848
2024 (to date)	€309, 163

Departmental Contracts

Questions (273)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

273. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with departmental or ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5370/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

Press and public relations functions are generally undertaken by my Department's Press Office and Communications Unit. I understand my Department has not had any contracts with public relations agencies or consultants to assist with Department or Ministerial public relations over the time period specified.

The engagement of external expertise is only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.

Separately, Met Éireann, which is a line division of my Department, hired MKC Communications, last year on a 12 month contract (worth € 68,000) to advise the Irish Meteorological Service on communication issues. The company is supporting Met Éireann with the development of a public communications strategy and yearly implementation plans.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (274)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5388/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal costs and avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the State Claims Agency in terms of the provision of legal advice and representation of the Department in Court cases.

The below table sets out details in relation to external legal services provided directly to my Department by legal firms from 2014 to 2024 (to date). The table does not include costs associated with the Planning Tribunal.   

Legal Fees 2012-2024

Year	Total (€)
2024	0
2023	€1,101,286
2022	€11,847
2021	€91,262
2020	€546,789
2019	€488,864
2018	€397,656
2017	€224,265
2016	€22,407
2015	€20,767
2014	€42,032

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (275)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

275. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5406/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

The table below outlines the amount spent by my Department on office space, furniture and office IT equipment for the past ten years to date.

Year	Office Furniture	ICT	Office Space
2013	€40,647	€138,260.50	Nil
2014	€15,997	€63,292.06	Nil
2015	€5,155	€261,401.01	Nil
2016	€24,560	€247,429.40	Nil
2017	€42,407	€113,337.72	Nil
2018	€54,008	€235,499.53	Nil
2019	€215,158	€238,346.18	Nil
2020	€80,889.30	€1,045,468.18	Nil
2021	€623,800.20	€1,195,908.71	Nil
2022	€530,647	€656,606.59	€3,592*
2023	€566,818.50	€361,080.09	€7,685*
2024	€1,844	€3,858.05	€1,281*

*Wild Atlantic Nature Project Office Space & LIFE on Machair Project Office Space.

Housing Schemes

Questions (276)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

276. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a series of issues in relation to council tenants (details supplied) who were not allowed a discount on the price of their house under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme 2016 for the material improvements carried out on same; if he will consider modifying the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5429/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority houses which are available for sale under the scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the associated regulations. 

The Act includes provision for a local authority to take into consideration any material improvements made to the house by tenants, where written permission has been obtained in advance of these material improvements taking place. Local authorities have been issued with detailed written guidance regarding the operation of the Scheme.

Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. The operation of and any decisions made in respect of the Scheme is, therefore, entirely a matter for the local authority and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case.

My Department monitors schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, no changes to the method by which local authorities determine a purchase price or determine the allowance for material improvements are being considered at this time.

Planning Issues

Questions (277)

Seán Canney

Question:

277. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make changes (details supplied) to exempted development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5486/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.

Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

Class 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the the Regulations) sets out the planning exemption provisions for house extensions, referred to as "development within the curtilage of a house", as follows:

“The extension of a house, by the construction or erection of an extension (including a conservatory) to the rear of the house or by the conversion for use as part of the house of any garage, store, shed or other similar structure attached to the rear or to the side of the house.”.

The use of the exemption is available to all houses whether occupied, vacant or derelict. However, the exemption is subject to a range of conditions and limitations set out in further detail in Class 1, which include factors such as:

- where the house has not been previously extended, the floor area of the extension shall not exceed 40sq;

- where the house is terraced, semi-detached or detached, the floor area of any such extension above ground level shall not exceed 12sq m;

- where the house is detached, the floor area of any such extension above ground level shall not exceed 20sq m;

- minimum requirements for the retention of private open space within the curtilage of the house;

- the proximity of the proposed extension, including windows, to adjoining boundaries etc.

Any development of this nature which falls outside of the Class 1 exemption and the conditions and limitations attached to it are subject to planning permission. 

With regard to the minimum open space requirements referred to, the construction or erection of any such extension to the rear of the house must not reduce the area of private open space, reserved exclusively for the use of the occupants of the house, to the rear of the house to less than 25 square metres and this is not based on a percentage calculation.

There is a balance in providing for exemptions from planning permission, between streamlining the consent process for minor works and supporting proper planning and sustainable development, including the need to ensure adequate third party participation rights. The exemptions provided for in the Regulations are kept under regular review and I have no plans to amend the Class 1 exemption provisions in this regard at this time.

Planning Issues

Questions (278)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

278. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of possible instances where the Sustainable Residential and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities policy may be in conflict for local authority development plans; if there are such conflicts, how can they be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5491/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department issued the ‘Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ on 15 January 2024 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).   The provisions of the Guidelines apply to all planning decisions made after the Guidelines came into force. 

The Guidelines set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the development of urban and rural settlements, with a focus on sustainable residential development and the creation of compact settlements.  The Guidelines build on and update previous guidance to take account of current Government policy and economic, social and environmental considerations. 

Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála shall have regard to the policies and objectives of the Guidelines and shall apply any specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs), in the performance of their functions. 

The Guidelines include policies and objectives in relation to density, design and placemaking and public open space provision.  They also contain national housing standards in the form of SPPRs in relation to separation between dwellings, privacy, private open space and car and cycle parking. 

When making a decision in relation to a planning application, the Act requires a planning authority to have regard to the policies and objectives of the Guidelines.  In cases where a policy and objective differs from the provisions of the development plan in force, the planning authority can decide to apply the ‘policies and objectives’, but will need to consider whether this would contravene materially an objective of the development plan.  The planning authority is required to apply SPPRs even in cases where it would differ from the provisions of the development plan.  

It is likely that a significant number of current adopted development plans allow for the application of the Guidelines, either in full or in part.   In support of a plan-led system and to ensure consistency, planning authorities have been requested by Circular Letter (Circular Letter: NRUP 02/2024) to review their statutory development plans as soon as possible and to form a view as to whether the plan(s) is materially consistent with the policies and objectives of the Guidelines.  Where a planning authority is of the view that there is a material inconsistency, the Circular Letter recommends that steps are taken to vary the statutory development plan to remove the inconsistency(s).

Rental Sector

Questions (279)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

279. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is providing supports for older renters who are unable to retire due to the high cost of their rent, particularly those whose incomes put them over the threshold for social housing support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5498/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people. 

The actions included the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse need of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs. Both the policy statement and Housing for All commit to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence.

The Housing for All Action Plan Update in November 2022 included an action to review the operation of the private rental sector and report on policy. My Department has commenced this review which will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years and the Government will consider and act on its recommendations. The review will draw conclusions on how our housing system could provide an efficient, viable, affordable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants and will be finalised as early as possible.

Urban Development

Questions (280, 281)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is envisaged that the urban development zones proposed in the Planning and Development Bill 2023 could be used to support areas designated for developments of strategic national economic, social or environmental importance which do not consist of dwellings, where such developments are in line with objectives set out within the national planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5537/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to indicate if the new focused area plans proposed in the Planning and Development Bill 2023 could extend to areas of non-residential activity, which previously could have had a local area plan prepared for them under the Planning and Development Act 2000; whether the new focused areas plans, such as a priority area plan are to be prepared in respect of ‘settlements’, thereby preventing their preparation for certain strategic areas which do not consist of dwellings, which may not qualify as a ‘settlements’ as set out in the Bill; if this is to be the case, whether such strategic areas are to form part of development plans only in future under the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5538/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.

The legislative provisions to establish Urban Development Zones (UDZ) are set out in Part 22 of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 and provide for the identification of suitable sites which in the opinion of the Minister or relevant authority, would be of ‘significant economic, social or environmental benefit to the State and be in the common good’.  There is no requirement that a UDZ must contain housing.

UDZs will provide local authorities with the ability to identify strategic lands for which development would be of significant economic, social and environmental benefit to the State, which may include housing if that meets the strategic objectives for the land, in a manner consistent with national, regional and local spatial planning policy.

Under the Bill, local authorities will also choose from a range of new area based plans that are tailored and responsive to particular contexts and housing and other development needs and will empower more agile local implementation of national policy.  The three types of area plans are:

• Urban area plans for regional growth centres and key towns that have been designated at regional level and where the scale of planned growth requires an integrated approach to land use and transportation planning for the entire urban area.

• Priority area plans for parts of towns and cities that have the capacity to deliver significant housing or other development  or have a particular need for a plan for regeneration and renewal.

• Coordinated Area Plans for towns and locations that straddle more than one local authority area.

Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 280.

Housing Schemes

Questions (282)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

282. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address issues raised in a case (details supplied); and if the situation referred to is consistent with Government policy on the tenant purchase scheme. [5567/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to my reply to Question No. 123 of 13 December 2023 regarding this matter. 

Approval to purchase under the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a separate matter to obtaining finance. An applicant must pay the purchase money at the time the sale of the house is completed. Finance can be sought from a variety of sources including commercial lenders, or the Local Authority Home Loan, or through an applicant’s own resources. 

In general, the Local Authority Home Loan can be used to finance the purchase of a property under the Tenant Purchase Scheme. As I set out in my previous response, there is no deposit requirement for Tenant Purchase. However, all other criteria for eligibility for the Local Authority Home Loan will apply to applicants availing of the Tenant Purchase Scheme.

As part of the assessment process and to ensure prudent lending for both the borrower and the Local Authority, an applicant(s) repayment capacity and creditworthiness is assessed, which would include evidence of their savings record.  

Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and lending Local Authority.  

Details of the Local Authority Home Loan can be found on the dedicated website: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.

Vacant Properties

Questions (283)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

283. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the number of vacant and derelict properties to enter the compulsory purchase order activation programme in each local authority area in tabular form including the number of compulsory purchase orders or acquisitions to commence in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5634/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. While the reasons for vacancy are often complex, the re-use and regeneration of vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural areas can provide much needed housing while also transforming areas and the communities living in them.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which was launched in January 2023, outlines the progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return as many vacant properties back into use as possible.

Under this Action Plan, my Department launched the CPO Activation Programme in April 2023, which provides for a planned, proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. Targets have been set for each local authority for the number of identified vacant and derelict properties to enter the Programme. Overall, there is a target of 4,000 properties entering the Activation Programme in 2023.  These are based on levels of vacancy in the local authority area. Of these, a target of 400 has been set for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process, where engagement with the owner has not resulted in the vacant or derelict property being brought back into use, to be subsequently used for social housing or made available for sale on the open market. This Programme includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to compulsorily acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.

The 2023 Activation Programme and targets for each local authority are available on my Department's website here:  assets.gov.ie/261571/63028ee9-1259-4abc-98fb-c953a4aecba4.pdf.

Each local authority will be required, to provide data in relation to the properties entering the Programme, activity undertaken and progress made, along with outcomes. My Department will report on the 2023 targets in Q2 2024.

The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.

Housing Provision

Questions (284)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

284. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase and cost-rental homes, respectively, that will be delivered through LDA investment in 2024; and the estimated amount of expenditure it has allocated to deliver same. [5681/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under Housing for All the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030. The Land Development Agency (LDA) represents a crucial lever in the Government’s delivery of affordable and social homes, coordinating relevant public lands within State control and activating key underutilised sites to maximise housing delivery.

The LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market. It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through Project Tosaigh, its market engagement initiative.

Under the first phase of Project Tosaigh the LDA delivered its first cost rental homes in 2022 and over 2,500 social, affordable purchase and cost rental homes have since either been delivered, contracted or approved by the LDA Investment Committee.  A process to establish a panel of delivery partners with the intention of scaling up and accelerating delivery through a second phase of Project Tosaigh has also commenced. It is anticipated that the panel will be established and the first set of sites agreed in the coming months.

The LDA currently has access to €1.25bn of equity capital from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and a further €1.25bn of borrowings as provided for under the LDA Act.  Of the €1.25bn available through ISIF, the LDA has to date drawn down €625m of this funding - €100million on establishment, and a further €525million paid over two tranches in H1 2023.  Approval was granted for the drawdown of a further €300m in early November 2023. The LDA has sufficient funding at present and has so far not availed of its borrowing powers. 

Government has agreed to the further investment of up to €1.25 billion in equity capital in the LDA from ISIF and is currently making legislative provision for this.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (285)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

285. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an itemised breakdown of his Department’s voted capital and current expenditure for 2023 and 2024; and if he will itemise the actual expenditure for each of these programmes for 2023. [5682/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department’s Vote 34 REV provisions and total gross expenditure outturn by subhead in 2023 and 2024 subhead provisions are provided in tabular form in the attached PDFs. 

In 2023, the provisions provided in the tables reflect the final REV for the Department in that year i.e. post any Supplementary Estimates.

In 2024, the provisions provided reflect subhead allocations set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Service 2024, published and presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas in December 2023 by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

For both 2023 and 2024 capital carryover subhead provisions and outturn are reported separately.

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Housing Provision

Questions (286)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

286. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable cost rental homes delivered by AHBs and the LDA in 2023; the breakdown, by local authority area; the number of units in each scheme; and the average rent being charged. [5683/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

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 and through First Home, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.

To date, over 3,800 affordable housing solutions have been delivered, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund, the Cost Rental Equity Loan, Project Tosaigh and the First Home Scheme. This momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by our delivery partners, including local authorities, AHBs, the LDA, and First Home. 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, including AHB and LDA cost rental delivery, and is available on my Department's website:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .

Local Authorities are in the process of systematically collating information on delivery of social, affordable purchase and cost rental homes in their administrative areas, including returns for AHBs and the LDA, for Quarter 4 2023. This data is currently being verified. I expect that the Department will be in a position to report on delivery of affordable and social housing for 2023 by end Q1 2024, in line with the usual publication timelines for previous quarters.

In relation to average rents where new Cost Rental homes receive State funding, projects are planned and managed so as to achieve starting rents which both cover costs and are also at least 25% below rents for comparable homes in the local private rental market.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (287)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

287. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the application process for the housing adaptation grant, if he will consider simplifying the application process to make it more user friendly for older people. [5705/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People. The detailed administration of these schemes including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment between the three schemes is the responsibility of local authorities.

My Department issued a revised single application form covering the three grants, which was tested for plain English, to all local authorities in December 2019 together with revised guidelines for implementation by end January 2020. This was as a result of my Department’s proactive engagement with local authorities and key stakeholders including Alone and Age Friendly Ireland. My Department continues to engage with all local authorities in order to ensure full implementation of the streamlined application process, resulting in a more user friendly and accessible application process for all applicants including older people making the grants more accessible overall.

Arising from a commitment in Housing for All, my Department conducted a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and subsequently prepared a report. 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 that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes.