Thursday, 15 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 63-80

Regional Development

Questions (72)

Brian Leddin

Question:

72. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the concern raised in the recent ESRI report ‘the National Development Plan in 2023: Priorities and Capacity’ that the eastern and midland region is experiencing a share of population growth beyond that envisaged in the National Planning Framework 2040 target, the need for rebalanced regional development; the steps his Department will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6985/24]

Written answers

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

The National Planning Framework is a long term national-level strategy for the planning and sustainable development of urban and rural areas, with the objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development.

The National Planning Framework recognises that continued investment in Dublin and the east is critical to support the future growth of Dublin as an international city of scale in the national interest, but that this needs to be supported by a more balanced distribution of growth across all of Ireland’s regions.  For this reason, a target was set of achieving more regionally balanced population growth, split roughly 50:50 between the Eastern and Midland Region, and the rest of the Country.

As outlined in the Report that the Deputy refers to, Census 2022 indicated that between 2016 and 2022, growth in the Eastern and Midland region accounted for approximately 56% of national population growth.

Examining the wider context for regional development and growth, data from Census 2022 shows improvement on pre-NPF trends and positive indications that the transition to the NPF 50:50 targets will occur over time. 

The National Planning Framework is currently being revised to reflect developments since 2018, with the draft revision to be approved by Government and published for public consultation in due course.

Housing Provision

Questions (73, 74, 115)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

73. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new houses completed in Longford in 2023; the number commenced; his expectations for 2024 with regard to construction activity in the residential sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6668/24]

Alan Farrell

Question:

74. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the number of commencement notices issued in January 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6376/24]

Seán Haughey

Question:

115. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new houses completed in the Dublin City Council area in 2023; the number commenced; his expectations for 2024 with regard to construction activity in the residential sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 115 together.

At its core, the Government's Housing for All plan is about significantly increasing the supply of housing of the right type, in the right place, and at an affordable price.

To this end, the plan comprises a suite of priority measures to transform our housing system, seeking to secure its sustainability into the future and support the delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by 2030. This will see an average of 33,000 new homes delivered for each year of the plan, rising to more than 40,000 per year by the end of the decade.

Securing the level of investment required to support this delivery is critical. Accordingly, the Government is making record State funding available for housing. Some €5.1 billion has been committed for 2024, the highest ever in the history of the State. 

There has been a substantial uplift in the amount of new homes delivered since the launch of Housing for All in 2021. The final quarter last year was the fourth successive quarter with rolling 12-month completions surpassing 30,000 dwellings, with some 32,695 new homes delivered over the full year. This is the highest level of new home delivery in the last 15 years, a 129% increase on the amount delivered in 2017, some 10% higher than in 2022 and 13% higher than the Housing for All target of 29,000 for 2023.

Despite the economic headwinds of the last 12 to 18 months, housing supply has gone from strength-to-strength and outlook for this year and next is equally promising. Sectoral forecasts suggest residential construction activity will grow by more than 12% in 2023 and 2024, bucking the trend expected across many countries in Europe. 

While commencement data for January is yet to be published, the commencement of some 32,800 new homes in 2023, an increase of 21% year-on-year, suggests the substantial uplift in supply over the past 24 months will be sustained into 2024 and beyond.

Initial forecasts suggest the target of 33,450 new homes will be met this year. Indeed, new home delivery this year is expected to be at its highest level for many years, with some already forecasting that the target might be surpassed by one thousand or so new homes.

And this progress is being mirrored at local level around the country.

In 2023, 117 new homes were commenced in Longford. This is an increase of 250% on the same period in 2022 and it is the second highest number of annual commencements in Longford since the data series began in 2014. Completions in Longford have increased considerably from their low of 35 in 2013 and have been at just over 120 for the past three years, with 121 completions in 2023. If the national trend of increasing supply is sustained, it likely the strong delivery of new homes will also be maintained in Longford. 

There has also been a significant increase in commencement activity in Dublin City, with some 5,000 or so new homes commenced in 2023. This is a record number for the Dublin City Council, a 63% increase on 2022 and more than one third of all new homes commenced across the four Dublin local authorities in the year. Last year also saw the delivery of 3,467 new homes in Dublin City, a significant 66% increase on the 2,087 new homes delivered in 2021, when Housing For All commenced. 

Housing for All is clearly delivering and I am confident the funding and targeted schemes committed to under the plan will continue to support an increasing supply of affordable housing across all tenures, whether social, private rented or private purchase.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 73.

Housing Schemes

Questions (75)

Thomas Gould

Question:

75. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on upcoming cost rental schemes in Cork city and county. [6891/24]

Written answers

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

Cost rental is a new form of tenure which was introduced under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, where rents are set only to cover the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. The Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030, and significant funding is being made available to support provision by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), local authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), and now also private providers under the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme.

I am pleased to announce that AHBs delivered 105 cost rental homes in Cork City. I have also approved 5 affordable housing projects in Cork County to assist with the delivery of 111 cost rental homes, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). Additionally, the LDA, via Project Tosaigh, are advancing the delivery of over 300 homes in Cork City that are scheduled for delivery in 2025.  I understand that consideration is being given to the mix of cost rental and purchase homes within the development. 

My Department and I continue to work closely with the relevant partners to further develop their pipeline for delivery of cost rental homes nationally, including Cork city and county.

Housing Schemes

Questions (76, 83, 118, 139)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

76. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants drawn down and associated money under the vacant homes grant in County Roscommon and County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6368/24]

David Stanton

Question:

83. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of vacant property refurbishment grant funding drawn down to date by each respective local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6651/24]

Michael Moynihan

Question:

118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many applications were received for the vacant property refurbishment grant in Cork in 2023; how many applications were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6982/24]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

139. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the croí cónaithe scheme; how many applications have been made for this scheme in relation to counties Cavan and Monaghan; what stage those applications are at presently; and how many of those have been granted, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 83, 118 and 139 together.

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.

Feedback on the Grant has been very positive, with over 6,500 applications reported as received to date, 3,570 applications approved and in excess of 135 grants paid out as works are completed

Currently, from the data available to my Department, works are taking some 13 months to complete, at which point the local authority will conduct a final visit to check the works have been carried out. Where the local authority is satisfied, and the necessary documentation is provided by the applicant, the grant can then be paid.

Data available to my Department shows that of the applications approved to 31st December 2023, a total of 150 were approved over 13 months previously, so the number of grants paid are tracking the levels of initial approvals as the grant got up and running.

It is anticipated that the payment of grants by Local Authorities will increase significantly during 2024 as more works are completed in line with approval timelines.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. Data published includes the number of applications received, approved, rejected and paid per local authority and the total value of grants paid. 

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.

Housing Schemes

Questions (77, 79)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many tenant-in-situ applications in 2023 to date in 2024; how many applications were successful, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/24]

Pauline Tully

Question:

79. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the lack of transparency for those who have been turned down for the tenant-in-situ scheme as to the reason they were unsuccessful in their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6967/24]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together.

For 2023, Government agreed an increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have focused particularly on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023. Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department. As such, applications are a matter for the local authorities.

My Department does not hold data, therefore, on the number of social housing acquisitions applications that have been withdrawn or rejected, nor on the reasons for such withdrawals or rejections. Further information may be available from individual local authorities.

My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions where a Notice of Termination issued. www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/

Vacant Properties

Questions (78)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

78. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the situation with respect to six houses in Annagry, County Donegal, lying vacant; if he and his Department have plans to address their vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6962/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government.

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

Under the Action Plan, a CPO Activation Programme was launched in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties,.

It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. 

Under the Action Plan, I announced a €150 million Urban Regeneration Development Fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties for re-use or sale, using their compulsory purchase powers were necessary. The Fund will be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of a site, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle vacancy. 

In relation to the properties referred to by the Deputy, I understand Donegal County Council are aware of these and are considering the options available to bring them back into use.  The Deputy will be aware that there can be complexities in relation to specific vacant properties, for example, probate issues, contested wills, identifying owners.

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.

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 77.

Referendum Campaigns

Questions (80, 104)

Joan Collins

Question:

80. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the referendums on Housing as a right and the public ownership and management of Uisce Éireann will take place. [6911/24]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

104. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the constitutional referenda on the right to housing and public ownership of water. [6821/24]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 104 together.

Public ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has committed to holding a referendum on the ownership of water services. Importantly, the establishment of Uisce Eireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022.

I have previously committed to bringing forward a referendum proposal on public ownership of water services for Government consideration in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.

In line with Programme for Government commitments, I established the Commission on Housing in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system, including issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing.

At the same time, I also tasked the Commission to advise the Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, to recommend wording for a constitutional change. While not a commitment to a referendum on a 'right to housing', this was not precluded by the Commission's terms of reference.

The Commission has recently submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution.

The timing of a referendum on housing has not yet been considered by Government. That said, the scheduling of any referendum will have take account of the need for a referendum in the first instance, as well as the scale and complexity of work required to consider implications of any agreed amendment, to develop policy proposals for Government approval, and to conclude the parliamentary process and referendum campaign.

I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, as well as the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.