Matt Carthy
Question:202. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his proposals to disincentivise the bulk purchase of newly built housing by institutional investors. [6914/24]
View answerHousing Policy
Questions (202)
Written answers
The Government has implemented several measures to ensure a balanced housing market across all tenures, including home ownership, social housing, and private rental.
Under Housing for All, the Government committed to an 'owner-occupier' guarantee, allowing local authorities to designate a percentage of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers.
In May 2021, measures were introduced to discourage and prohibit the bulk buying of properties. These included a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential properties, excluding apartments, within a year. This was aimed at deterring institutional investors from bulk purchasing homes.
Simultaneously, the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities were introduced, effectively providing an 'owner-occupier' guarantee. This ensured new houses and duplex units in housing developments could not be bulk-purchased by institutional investors in a way that would displace individual buyers or social and affordable housing.
The guidelines stipulate that a condition should be included in new planning permissions requiring all houses and duplex units to be available for sale and first occupation by separate, individual households for a certain period after completion.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 introduced complementary measures, mandating local authorities to ensure home ownership is provided for and estimated in their housing strategies. The Act reinforces the principle of home ownership as a specific tenure type in a local authority housing strategy, particularly for developments of houses and duplexes.
Between May 2021 and December 2023, planning permission was granted for approximately 39,900 homes with conditions prohibiting bulk purchase by, or multiple sale to, a single purchaser.
Despite suggestions that institutional investors are crowding out prospective owner-occupiers, official data indicates that institutional investors still make up an important but relatively small proportion of annual residential property purchases. While the Government will continue to keep this issue under review to ensure we protect first-time buyers and owner occupiers, there are no plans to further restrict institutional investment at this time.
Energy Conservation
Questions (203)
Matt Carthy
Question:203. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available for the refurbishment or conversion of agricultural buildings for the purpose of residential housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/24]
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.
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 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.
Agricultural buildings are not eligible for the grant. The types of buildings eligible for the grant will be considered as part of a comprehensive review and evaluation of the scheme which is being undertaken at present and is expected to be completed in mid-2024.
Further support available is the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses which is primarily a built heritage scheme, intended to support the conservation of an important and historically neglected part of our traditional building stock. I am pleased to note that it may also make a contribution to our broader efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction.
Owners of derelict and/or vacant traditional farmhouses often undertake renovation works without professional advice, and may carry out unnecessary demolition or use materials that damage the historic fabric of the building. In general this results in a loss of historic character and, in some cases, further expenditure for the owner. It is hoped that these outcomes can be avoided through the timely provision of expert advice.
I would emphasise that this is a pilot scheme intended to trial the provision of conservation grants for vacant traditional farmhouses. My Department is currently looking into options for extending the scheme beyond vernacular farmhouses, to cover a wider range of historic buildings in both urban and rural areas, subject to appropriate sanction and to the estimates process.
I would also call attention to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund, grant programmes offered by my Department which fund conservation works in a wide range of historic buildings. The Historic Structures fund in particular has a vernacular stream which is open to unprotected vernacular buildings. €9m was allocated to these schemes for 2024. Applications are made through the local authority and details may be sought from the conservation or heritage officer in the relevant local authority.
Horticulture Sector
Questions (204)
Matt Carthy
Question:204. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues in relation to the working paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6947/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Working Group referred to was established following a series of High Court decisions which determined that large-scale peat harvesting requires planning permission and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Working Group was tasked in particular with examining the potential of alternatives to peat for the horticultural industry.
Following on from the Chair’s report, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, worked to develop a series of actions to address these important issues. My Department assisted in that process.
On 17 January 2022, Minister of State Pippa Hackett published the series of actions developed to support Irish horticultural growers who are dependent on peat.
The Working Paper setting out the series of actions can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39315-working-paper-to-address-challenges-related-to-peat-supply-in-the-horticulture-sector/.
The actions are being led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is the Department with responsibility for Horticulture. The range of actions in the series are those which, in the shared view of the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Environment, Climate and Communications, inter alia, can reasonably, legally and practically be put in place to support the €469 million horticulture industry, the people employed and the many families that depend on this important sector.
Grant Payments
Questions (205)
Matt Carthy
Question:205. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants for the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant in County Monaghan in each of the years 2018 to date; the number of people who received grants, and the allocation to County Monaghan, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6948/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support 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 Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
Details of allocations, the number of grants paid and the amount spent by all local authorities, including for Monaghan County Council, for 2018 - 2023 are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
Exchequer funding of €74.5 million is available nationally for the scheme in 2024. In advance of formal notification of the 2024 funding allocations to local authorities, work in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability can continue as local authorities may commit up to 75% of their initial 2023 allocation in approving applications for 2024. This ensures seamless continuation of the grant scheme from year to year. I expect that the 2024 funding allocations will issue shortly to local authorities. Monaghan County Council have not yet submitted a claim for Exchequer funding for grants paid in 2024.
Details in relation to the number of applicants with a grant approval or awaiting grant payment from Monaghan County Council are not available in my Department. This information may be available directly from the local authority.
Rental Sector
Questions (206)
Holly Cairns
Question:206. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the practice of county councils increasing differential rent rates of those who are in receipt of disability allowance due to the €13 increase in the flat rate; and whether, given the increase in cost of living and the documented cost of disability, assessment of disability allowance under means testing for differential rent rates can be reviewed. [6994/24]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including Disability Allowance, and the carrying out of rent reviews are matters for individual local authorities.
Housing for All commits to developing proposals to review the existing differential rent system and to provide for a standardised, national local authority social housing rent model. The objective is to develop and implement a model that provides the best blend between fairness, progressivity and sustainability.
My Department has completed an initial scoping exercise to determine the focus of the review. Further work is required to consider the practical application of such a scheme in the context of other reform package measures, as well as the broader circumstances of social housing funding programmes and the cost of living issues at this time.
Proposals will be submitted for my consideration in due course and any decision to implement a standardised national rents scheme will be considered thereafter, as appropriate.
Rental Sector
Questions (207, 216, 217, 218, 219, 223)
Patricia Ryan
Question:207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with specific regard to older renters in the private rental sector, the protections/measures, if any, that are in place to protect older people who now find themselves at the mercy of ever increasing rents, no security of tenure and facing into huge income reductions, and if any consideration could be given to local authorities possibly expediting allocation of age appropriate housing, similar to Dublin City Council’s policy. [7024/24]
View answer
Colm Burke
Question:216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give due consideration to increased ring fencing of social housing for older people in light of the particular difficulties experienced by this cohort in the private rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7043/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:217. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he take the necessary steps to ensure that 25% of social housing is reserved for older renters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7044/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:218. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to take the necessary steps to increase investment and evaluation of and development of promising housing models for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7045/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:219. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will allocate funding to invest in research for the purposes of collating age related, tenure specific data to better understand and predict the needs of older renters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7046/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:223. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to invest in alternative, secure and age appropriate housing for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 216 to 219, inclusive, and 223 together.
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. My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is successfully guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework.
In the case of specific types of developments, the initiation, design, planning, development and management of housing projects is a matter for local authorities in exercise of their statutory functions. A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery, including specific plans for housing for the delivery of housing for older people. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes and to make adequate provision for 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities.
Additionally, in relation to age related, tenure specific research, each local authority carries out an assessment of the housing need in their administrative area under the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) framework. The purpose of the HNDA is to ensure long-term strategic housing needs are met across all tenures, providing a robust evidence base to support decisions about new housing supply, investment, and housing-related services. The housing needs of specialised groups, such as disabled people and older people are included in the assessment.
The HNDA uses a standardised methodology to quantify current and projected housing needs in a particular local authority area and is the central evidence base used to inform Housing Strategy preparation, which will in turn inform the housing policies of the county or city development plan.
In November 2023, the Government published its Housing for All Action Plan Update, which outlines Government’s approach to reviewing and refreshing the current targets and projections. The HNDA framework and Housing for All housing targets will be reviewed as part of this work, with the revision to be completed in 2024, providing refreshed targets for the period 2025 onwards. This work will be informed by independent, peer-reviewed research by the ESRI, an update to the ESRI’s previous research, to support the National Planning Framework revision and any change to the housing targets and their spatial distribution. The refresh of targets will take into account unmet need in previous years, population growth, including from significant inward migration in recent years, and updated assumptions regarding household sizes. The ESRI work will be finished in Q1 2024, with provisional housing targets developed and published shortly thereafter.
Final housing targets for the period 2025 onwards, including revised targets for social, affordable, private rental and private ownership, will be published in mid-2024.
Local authorities are required to make allocation schemes under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011. As Minister, I have no function in relation thereto.
The Allocation Scheme specifies, among other things, the manner of, and the order of priority for, the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists. Local authorities are free to reserve a percentage of housing for an eligible group of householders if they decide to do so in accordance with their scheme.
Where an older person is renting in the private sector, they may qualify for social housing supports or rent supplement. In addition, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are encouraged to bring forward social homes specifically designed for older people in their area and my Department funds this principally through a number of funding mechanisms including the Capital Assistance Scheme which prioritises the housing needs of vulnerable groups including older people.
Where older persons are above the income thresholds for social housing, they are protected, as are all private renters, by Rent Pressure Zones which limit rent increases already made regarding security of tenure. They may also qualify for cost rental housing and this government is working on scaling up the supply of cost rental homes to meet the needs of those who are experiencing affordability challenges in the private rental sector.
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.
Housing Schemes
Questions (208)
Patricia Ryan
Question:208. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if HAP is now only being paid to people who enter emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
At the end of Q3 2023, 114,974 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 57,617 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Additional supports are available under HAP for homeless households or households at risk of homelessness nationwide. While eligible households or individuals may source accommodation for themselves under the Homeless HAP scheme, a dedicated resource, the Place Finder Service, has been established nationwide to provide assistance.
The Place Finder service assists households in or at immediate risk of homelessness primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments. These elements are the core financial supports and are available to prospective tenants in all local authority areas. To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988.
The operation of local homeless services, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.
Local Authorities
Questions (209)
Ged Nash
Question:209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the precise function and responsibilities he has in cases where complaints are made to his Department of alleged breaches of the Local Government Act by senior local authority officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7029/24]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities are constitutionally recognised, independent statutory bodies with their own democratically elected councils, and management and governance structures. The elected council has the primary oversight role in the governance of a local authority, and the chief executive is fully accountable to the council. Elected councils have extensive powers to request information, issue directions, and oversee the work of the chief executive. Ultimately, the council is responsible for appointing the chief executive and may suspend or instigate his or her removal from their position by resolution.
As Minister, my role is to ensure a framework of policy and legislation in relation to the local government system, including its structures, human resources, financing and broad oversight, as set out in the provisions of the Local Government Act 2001. Local authorities fulfil their various functions within that framework.
While I have some limited powers to examine matters in relation to functions conferred on me as Minister or in relation to the performance of functions of local authorities, it should not be necessary or appropriate for such powers to be exerted where there are sufficient powers available to the elected council and procedures in place under the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) for a matter to be fully and appropriately considered at the local level.
Housing Policy
Questions (210, 211, 212, 213, 220)
Colm Burke
Question:210. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take the necessary steps to fully implement and fund the outstanding recommendations from the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7037/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:211. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a revised timeline for the implementation of the outstanding recommendations from the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:212. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the housing allocation model in relation to the development of any future specific housing schemes for older people; if he will take steps to ensure that a partnership approach is adopted between the HSE and the relevant local authority to identify the most suitable residents for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7039/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:213. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with other Departments and bodies to ensure that appropriate social and clinical supports programmes are put in place for older people within the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7040/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:220. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will liaise with the appropriate Departments for the purpose of establishing a distinct unit operating both within and across both the Departments of Housing Local Government and Heritage and Health to better plan for the growing needs of an ageing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 213, inclusive, and 220 together.
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 include the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse needs of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs. My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is successfully guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework.
My Department established a new Business Unit in the latter part of 2021, namely, the Social Inclusion Unit, which includes having responsibility for housing policy for older people. This Unit liaises with key Departments such as the Department of Health, the Department with responsibility for social and clinic support programmes, in the development and delivery of housing policy for older people.
My Department continues to collaborate with the Department of Health on the implementation of relevant ongoing actions, together with engagement on advancing the most appropriate framework, under the strategic framework of Housing for All, to ensure the effective integration of health and housing policies at national and local level.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 210.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 210.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 210.
Housing Policy
Questions (214)
Colm Burke
Question:214. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to take the necessary steps to ensure that eligibility for housing subsidies is based on available household income after deduction of essential household expenditure such as health expenses, energy and heating expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7041/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income threshold is the basic measure of whether a household is eligible for social housing support. The determination of whether an applicant meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of net income. Net income means income tax, universal social charge, additional superannuation contribution and PRSI are deducted from the relevant gross assessable income.
The Household Means Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
My Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.
Rental Sector
Questions (215)
Colm Burke
Question:215. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will fund a public awareness campaign to increase awareness of private residential tenancies legislation among older renters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7042/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Residential Tenancies Board, (RTB), was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy.
In line with its Statement of Strategy 2023–2025, the RTB is committed to effective and meaningful engagement with stakeholders to help their customers understand the role of the RTB and promote compliance in the sector. The RTB have a significant programme of stakeholder engagement and a comprehensive communications plan aimed at supporting tenants and landlords to better understand their rights and obligations. This includes many forms of communication; website content (guidelines, videos etc), social media campaigns as well as virtual and in-person briefings. The RTB statement of strategy further states that the RTB are aware that there are many groups which are currently outside of their reach, which can leave some tenants marginalised and, possibly, open to exploitation. The RTB commits to developing a more targeted communications approach relevant to these groups.
Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 207.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 207.
Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 207.
Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 207.
Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 210.
Housing Schemes
Questions (221)
Colm Burke
Question:221. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase investment in the housing adaption grant scheme and to provide incentives to private landlords to apply for same, similar to tax deductions granted to small scale landlords who undertake retrofitting works while tenants remain in situ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7048/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for 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 grants are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The administration of the grants scheme, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grant applications under the various measures, is the responsibility of each local authority. In respect of members of a household residing in private rented accommodation, grants are available under the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant. These schemes are applicant based and are available to people with an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability, and to older people who experience mobility issues so that can continue to live independently at home.
In 2023, an Exchequer provision of over €72 million in funding, which included a Supplementary Exchequer provision of €6 million, was made available to facilitate the payment of over 13,000 grants, which compares favourably to the target of over 12,300 grants. The Exchequer funding available for these grants in 2024 is €74.5 million or over €93 million when including the local authority contribution, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Separately, Budget 2023 provides for a doubling of the cap on deductibility for a landlord’s pre-letting expenditure for previously vacant properties to €10,000 per property. The requirement for vacancy for associated expenditure to qualify for such tax deductibility has been reduced from 12 to 6 months. The Government provided further assistance to landlords under the Finance Act 2022, via a Government Committee Stage amendment passed in Dáil Éireann on 23 November to provide a new tax deduction (of up to €10,000) for landlords who undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ.
Rental Sector
Questions (222)
Colm Burke
Question:222. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to work with the relevant bodies to ensure higher levels of compliance with accommodation quality standards in the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7050/24]
View answerWritten answers
The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target of 25% for the inspection of all private residential tenancies. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available this year by my Department to help local authorities meet their private rental inspection targets and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations.
My Department engages on an annual basis with all 31 local authority Chief Executives seeking detailed implementation plans, outlining how they intend to achieve their targets and the approach they plan to take to ensure proper and effective enforcement. If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate, including the issuing of an improvement letter, the serving of improvement or prohibition notices, or further legal recourse. My Department will work closely throughout the year with local authorities to support the achievement of these targets and ensure effective enforcement.
Local authorities conducted over 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings in 2022, up from circa 25,000 in 2020 and 20,000 in 2021, when pandemic restrictions had impacted on inspections. Provisional data indicates that all-time high of over 63,000 inspections were conducted last year.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/. Full-year data in respect of 2023 is currently being collated and will be uploaded in due course.
Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 207.