Jim O'Callaghan
Question:636. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the regulations restricting short-term lets in rent pressure zones. [12097/24]
View answerRental Sector
Questions (636)
Written answers
Legislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 ("the Regulations") - S.I. 235 of 2019 - which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
In summary, the Regulations require home-sharers letting rooms in their principal private residence located within a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ), or letting the entire property subject to a maximum of 90 days per annum within such an area, to register with their local authority. Persons letting properties in an RPZ which are not their principal private residence are required to apply for change of use planning permission unless the property already has a specific planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes.
Student Accommodation
Questions (637, 638, 639)
Alan Dillon
Question:637. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of certain private student accommodation providers (details supplied) increasing rents by more than the 2% limit by renovating rooms; if he will provide details on whether the RTB will perform a proper investigation; if this accommodation provider can increase rents by more than the 2% maximum increase that is allowed in the RPZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12122/24]
View answerAlan Dillon
Question:638. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide information on what measures are being taken to prevent private accommodation providers from being allowed to increase rents by significant amounts by refurbishing their apartments, particularly given the recent rent increases announced by a company (details supplied) for the 2024-2025 academic year. [12123/24]
View answerAlan Dillon
Question:639. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if accommodation undergoing refurbishment at a location (details supplied) is eligible for exemptions from the 2% maximum increase that is allowed in rent pressure zones; and if so, what measures are in place to ensure that these exemptions are not exploited. [12125/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 to 639, inclusive, together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial, independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
All RTB mediators, adjudicators and tribunal members have independent decision-making powers in the performance of its dispute resolution service. I have no function in the operational matters of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which is an independent quasi-judicial body, however it is open to a member of the public, including or tenants, to raise a case with the RTB.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 provides for relevant rights and obligations to apply to tenancy and licence agreements in student-specific accommodation, provided by public educational institutions and private accommodation providers. For example, the rent increase restriction that applies in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) applies to student-specific accommodation and recourse is available to the RTB where disputes arise.
Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019, the RTB was given additional functions in the form of investigation and sanctioning powers. Part 7A of the Residential Tenancies Acts empowers the RTB to investigate improper conduct by landlords and to impose sanctions, if warranted. Significantly, an investigation can be initiated by the RTB without a complaint having to be made. The RTB's Investigations and Sanctions Unit can start an investigation either as a result of information received from members of the public or on foot of information gathered from records that the RTB has access to under the Residential Tenancies Acts. That unit investigates certain potential breaches of rental law by a landlord referred to as ‘improper conduct’ under Schedule 2 to the Acts, including the contravention of the rent increase restrictions in RPZs and exemptions thereto and the seeking of payments in contravention of section 19B of the Acts.
Section 19B applies to tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, to restrict the total amount that a tenant is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent (i.e. any deposit cannot exceed one month’s rent and any advance rent payment cannot exceed one month’s rent). A restriction of the equivalent of one month’s rent is also placed on the amount that a tenant is obliged to pay as a regular advance rent payment to a landlord during a tenancy. These measures are intended to greatly reduce any financial exposure to tenants.
If a landlord is found to have engaged in improper conduct, an independent RTB decision maker may impose a sanction comprising one or all of the following: a written caution; a financial penalty of up to €15,000; and up to €15,000 in RTB investigation costs.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 legally tightened the exemptions from rent controls in RPZs. The rent controls operate within and across tenancies. Since 2019, an exemption applies to the first rent setting only in respect of a tenancy of a dwelling where:
• no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling during the two years immediately prior to this current tenancy beginning;
• no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling where the dwelling is a protected structure, or is in a protected structure or is a proposed protected structure during the 12 months immediately prior to the current tenancy beginning (a protected structure is defined in the Planning and Development Act 2000); or
• there has been a substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation.
The 2019 Act also provides a legal definition of ‘substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation’ to illustrate the type of works to be carried out to a rental property to qualify for a once-off exemption from RPZ rent controls in respect of the first rent setting after such works.
Such works shall result in:
• a permanent extension increasing the floor area by 25%;
• an improvement in the Building Energy Rating (BER) by at least 7 ratings; or
• at least 3 of the following:
1. a permanent alteration of the internal layout;
2. adaptations for a person with a disability;
3. a permanent increase in the number of rooms;
4. an improvement in the BER by 3 or more ratings where the original BER was D1 or lower; or
5. an improvement in the BER by 2 or more ratings where the original BER was C3 or higher.
Landlords are legally required to notify the RTB that they are relying on an exemption to the RPZ rent cap within one month of the setting of the new rent under the tenancy, and to provide supporting information setting out why the landlord is of the opinion that the exemption applies to the dwelling in question. Failing to notify the RTB, could result in a sanction being imposed on the landlord or prosecution.
Question No. 638 answered with Question No. 637.
Question No. 639 answered with Question No. 637.
Housing Schemes
Questions (640)
Mattie McGrath
Question:640. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of first home scheme approvals since it was introduced; and if he can provide a breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/24]
View answerWritten answers
The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, or building their own home, through the use of an equity share model. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First Home DAC), on behalf of scheme founders (the State and participating mortgage lenders). This body is responsible for collating and issuing statistical information as it pertains to the scheme. The First Home DAC has published its Q4 2023 Public Update covering the period from 7 July 2022 to 31 December 2023, which can be found on its website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/.
Vacant Properties
Questions (641, 642, 665)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:641. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant property refurbishment grants which have been paid in each county. [12135/24]
View answerPaul McAuliffe
Question:642. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time taken to process the vacant property refurbishment grant by each local authority. [12136/24]
View answerAlan Dillon
Question:665. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the number of applications received for the vacant property refurbishment grant by a county council (details supplied) since its inception; the number approved, rejected and pending a decision; and the total amount of grants that have been paid out to date under this scheme in Mayo. [12650/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 641, 642 and 665 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 6,900 applications reported as received to date, 3,945 applications approved and in excess of 195 grants paid out as works are completed. The total grants paid to date total €9,856,033.
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.
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, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000. 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.
Question No. 642 answered with Question No. 641.
Question No. 643 answered with Question No. 619.
Question No. 644 answered with Question No. 619.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (645)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:645. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines and the targeted publication of the final updated guidelines, if a windfarm planning application is before the local planning authority or An Bord Pleanála, if the new guidelines supersede the old 2006 guidelines and the planning application would then be determined/reassessed on the new guidelines in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12272/24]
View answerWritten answers
In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála (the Board) as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area having regard to, inter alia, the provisions of the local development plan, any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, any submissions or observations received from the public and any planning guidelines issued by my Department.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The revised Guidelines, when published, will replace the pre-existing 2006 Guidelines and planning authorities and the Board will be required to have immediate regard to the revised Guidelines in carrying out their functions from the time they are published, including in relation to making decisions on wind farm planning applications on hand at the time they are published.
Housing Schemes
Questions (646)
Cathal Crowe
Question:646. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if individuals who have fully or partially demolished an old derelict property are also eligible to apply for funding under the croí cónaithe scheme; if so, what percentage of demolition is allowable under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12281/24]
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.
The objective of the grant scheme is to refurbish and bring existing vacant and derelict properties back into use. While demolition and extension works can form part of an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such works must be part of a refurbishment of an existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme.
While the Department provides guidance on the scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to assess and decide on the individual applications.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Questions (647)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:647. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; the number of staff employed at each grade; and to outline the average wage and entry wage for each grade, in tabular form. [12301/24]
View answerWritten answers
At the end of February 2024 there were 528 staff (512.69 FTE) serving in the National Parks and Wildlife Service which is part of the Heritage Division of my Department. The table below sets out the staff numbers by grade.
Details of the salaries for each of the grades are available on the civil service payscales website at:civilservicepayscales.per.gov.ie/.
|
Grade Stream |
Generic Grade |
Headcount |
FTE |
|
General Service |
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
10 |
10.00 |
|
General Service |
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
25 |
24.40 |
|
General Service |
CLERICAL OFFICER |
29 |
27.20 |
|
General Service |
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
48 |
45.73 |
|
General Service |
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
40 |
38.60 |
|
General Service |
PRINCIPAL |
7 |
7.00 |
|
Industrial |
CRAFT CHARGEHAND |
3 |
3.00 |
|
Industrial |
CRAFT FOREPERSON |
5 |
5.00 |
|
Industrial |
CRAFT WORKER |
7 |
6.40 |
|
Industrial |
FOREPERSON GRADE 1 |
1 |
1.00 |
|
Industrial |
FOREPERSON GRADE 3 |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Industrial |
GENERAL OPERATIVE GRADE 2 |
43 |
42.80 |
|
Industrial |
GENERAL OPERATIVE GRADE 3 |
18 |
13.03 |
|
Industrial |
GUIDE |
69 |
66.60 |
|
Industrial |
GUIDE SUPERVISOR |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Industrial |
STOREKEEPER CLERK GRADE 1 |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Industrial |
STOREKEEPER CLERK IN CHARGE |
4 |
4.00 |
|
Industrial |
STORES/OFFICE SUPERVISOR |
1 |
1.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
ARCHITECT |
1 |
1.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT GR 1 |
1 |
1.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
CONSERVATION RANGER |
99 |
98.63 |
|
Professional & Technical |
DISTRICT CONSERVATION OFFICER |
25 |
25.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
ENGINEER GRADE 2 CIVIL |
1 |
1.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
21 |
21.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
37 |
37.00 |
|
Professional & Technical |
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 3 |
21 |
20.30 |
|
Grand Total |
528 |
512.69 |
Local Authorities
Questions (648)
Steven Matthews
Question:648. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of the qualifying criteria for well-water grants administered through local authorities; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides grant funding to assist households in rural areas that are dependent on a private water supply (individual well) for their household use. The objective of the grant is to provide financial assistance to households dependent on these supplies where capital expenditure is incurred.
The grant scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department. An applicant may be eligible for a well grant if, in the opinion of the local authority, the house is occupied by the applicant as their normal place of residence.
Each local authority has a Rural Water Liaison Officer who is responsible for the administration of the grant schemes in their area and can be contacted at the Rural Water Section of the relevant local authority to clarify the position in relation to an individual application.
I can confirm that my Department is currently carrying out a review of all matters relating to the grant scheme, including consultation with key stakeholders which will inform the outcome of the review. I expect to receive recommendations for my consideration shortly.
Electoral Process
Questions (649)
John Lahart
Question:649. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason postal votes cannot be arranged in advance of election day to accommodate people who are abroad/cannot make it to their local polling station on election day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12320/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under electoral law, in order to be able to vote at electoral events in Ireland, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. With some exceptions (mainly postal and special voters) all persons must attend in person to vote at their local polling station and Irish citizens resident outside the State do not have the right to vote at elections or at referendums held in the State.
Electoral law provides for postal voting for a number of different categories of people:
• whole-time members of the Defence Forces
• members of An Garda Síochána
• Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners
• electors living at home who are unable to vote because of an illness or a disability
• electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day
• full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State,
• prisoners, and
• certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.
In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.
The Electoral Reform Act 2022 included provisions for the establishment of an independent, statutory electoral commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin. An Coimisiún has been given a new research, advisory and public information function, which involves the commission conducting research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a commitment to examine the use of postal voting, with a view to expanding its provision. In support of this commitment I wrote to An Coimisiún in July 2023, and outlined a number of issues that An Coimisiún might include in its initial research programme. This included the commitment in the Programme for Government relating to postal voting. An Coimisiún’s draft research programme, published on 10 November 2023, included a proposal to examine the issue of postal voting. I will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
Rental Sector
Questions (650, 711)
Matt Shanahan
Question:650. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his Department's policy regarding the registration through the planning process of short-term letting properties often used as short-term summer accommodation (details supplied); his Department's position with respect to validating registrations of short-term accommodation through the planning process; if such a requirement is beyond what the compilation of a register requires; the cognisance his Department is taking with respect to its advocating rent pressure zone status to counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick with the obvious impacts to future reduction of short-term letting accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12337/24]
View answer
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:711. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish a new category of planning permission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13324/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 711 together.
On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill providing for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment in this regard under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The work on the Bill is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).
The proposed STTL Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2015/1535 on the Technical Regulation of Information Society services (the TRIS Directive)
As part of this engagement, officials from DTCAGSM and Fáilte Ireland met with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 11 December 2023 and subsequently, on 15 December, provided a formal response to the Commission’s previous communication of 22 March 2023 on the STTL Bill setting out Ireland’s proposed approach to achieve alignment between the STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the recently adopted EU Regulation on Short Term accommodation Rental services (the EU STR).
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response on the STTL Bill and suggested that further consideration was required to ensure complete alignment with the EU STR. DTCAGSM officials met again with the Commission on 21 February and provided further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a positive engagement and the officials have provided a further written response to the Commission via the TRIS Directive notification process.
It is expected that the TRIS process will conclude shortly and that the STTL Bill will be published in the period thereafter with a view to progression to enactment in the Oireachtas.
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. This includes a material change of use of a property such as for short term letting. Where a person owns a second property which is not their principal private residence and lets it, or intends to let it, for short-term letting purposes, they will require the appropriate planning permission to do so unless the property concerned already has planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes, or is otherwise exempted under legislation.
My Department is currently developing Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STTL Bill. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties. It is intended that a draft of the guidelines will be published simultaneously with the publication of the STTL Bill by DTCAGSM in order that property owners can have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STTL Bill. It is not proposed to establish a new category of planning permission in respect of short-term letting properties.
Under the STTL Bill, it is proposed that property owners operating within the sector will be allowed a period of six months from the establishment of the proposed STTL register to check the planning status of their property and/or apply for change of use planning permission. During this period, they can continue to offer their accommodation as tourist accommodation while their planning permission status is being clarified.
Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended (the RTA), provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area be considered for designation as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ). Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the RTA for designation as an RPZ are that the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, with further specific requirements applying in relation to the last quarter before designation.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each the area fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ. The Housing Agency and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) continually monitor rents across the country and if any area meets the Rent Pressure Zone designation criteria under the RTA, it will be designated as a RPZ.
To date, 62 Local Electoral Areas throughout the country have been designated as RPZs under the RTA, including Waterford, Limerick and Kilkenny.
Departmental Staff
Questions (651)
Catherine Murphy
Question:651. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12353/24]
View answerWritten answers
Exit packages are not something which have been paid to serving civil servants in my Department from 2019 to date. Any staff member who retired from my Department during this period received pensions and lump sum payments in line with the terms and conditions of the pensions schemes of which they were members.
In relation to the State bodies under the aegis of my Department, all severance scheme proposals (voluntary redundancy and voluntary early retirement schemes) are now required to be submitted to both my Department and subsequently to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for Ministerial approval prior to the circulation of terms to staff or representatives following the update of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in June 2021. The Code also requires that State bodies, in their financial statements, ‘should disclose details of payments and agreements with an aggregate value in excess of €10,000 made in the reporting period. This includes severance/ termination payments, granting of added years for pension purposes or early retirement without normal actuarial reductions’.
During the period in question, there was one severance payment made in respect of An Bord Pleanála (ABP). The severance terms were in compliance with the relevant circular (i.e. DPENDR Circular 09/2018) and were sanctioned by DPENDR.
ABP are currently finalising their 2023 accounts and annual report which are due for submission by 30 June 2024.
Any disclosures required to be made for the year 2023 will be made within that reporting framework in the first instance and after the 2023 accounts have been audited and certified by the Auditor and Comptroller General.
In respect of Ervia-GNI, in accordance with section 16 of the Gas Act 1976 (as amended), the remuneration and allowances for expenses payable to Ervia's staff and Gas Networks Ireland's staff is an operational matter for Ervia and Gas Networks Ireland, respectively, with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In respect of Uisce Éireann, in accordance with section 27 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (as amended), the remuneration and allowances for expenses payable to Uisce Éireann's staff is an operational matter for Uisce Éireann, with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer.
In respect of the other bodies under the aegis of my Department, it is my understanding that there were no other severance and or redundancy packages during the period in question.
Housing Schemes
Questions (652, 653)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:652. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the authority to make a decision to approve a local authority home loan application even after rejection by the Housing Agency for not meeting non-EU/EEA applicant residency criteria of the credit policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12382/24]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:653. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or the Housing Agency ever reviewed any actuarial and statistical data in regard to the residence criteria for difference in treatment for non-EU/EEA applicants; if so, if he can provide a copy of the data along with the source of the data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12383/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.
Further to Parliamentary Questions No. 341 of 20 February 2024 and No. 475 of 5th March 2024, to qualify for a Local Authority Home Loan an applicant must currently have a legal right to reside and work in the State. As previously advised the Credit Policy requires that applicants from outside the EEA/EU must be legally resident in Ireland for a period of 5 years or have leave to remain extending to permit 5 years reckonable residence or have indefinite leave to remain in the state.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications by its underwriting team for the Local Authority Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications.
The final decision regarding the Local Authority Home Loan application is made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis. 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. Further details on residency criteria and eligibility for the home loan can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/eligibility/
My Department does not collect statistical data in relation to the residence criteria for non-EU/EEA applicants or any other category of applicant.
Question No. 653 answered with Question No. 652.
Housing Schemes
Questions (654)
Noel Grealish
Question:654. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of the 7 March 2024, if there is an appeals process for the vacant home refurbishment grant when the local authority has refused the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/24]
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.
Where an application is not successful, the applicant can lodge an appeal with the local authority to whom the application was made. A senior local authority official who was not involved with the original decision will assess the appeal and contact the applicant with the outcome.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. That review is currently underway.
Housing Provision
Questions (655)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:655. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the composition of housing units (details supplied) that is, one bed, two bed and so on; the overall monthly cost to the State; and the average rental cost per unit. [12438/24]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
Housing Provision
Questions (656)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:656. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many of the allocations from the social housing list in Ireland are currently leased units; the average rent per unit, per month, per composition; and the amount this costs the State on a monthly basis. [12439/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities (LAs) and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the leasing of houses and apartments. LAs and AHBs may enter into lease agreements and subsequently house social housing tenants into properties secured under various leasing schemes, including LA and AHB Long Term Leasing, LA Short Term Leasing, Enhanced Leasing, NARPS leasing, the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS), AHB and Private Mortgage to Rent (MTR), and Part V Leasing.
At the end of Q3 2023, a total of 12,398 leased properties were supported under SHCEP. The cost of supporting these leased properties at the end of Q3 2023 was €13,551,241 per month. The breakdown of monthly average cost per property type can be found in table 1 below.
Table 1: Average Leased Property Cost based on Type
|
Property Type |
Average Monthly Cost |
|
Apartment |
€1,306.18 |
|
Bungalow |
€931.30 |
|
Detached |
€972.90 |
|
Duplex |
€1,466.28 |
|
House |
€1,249.88 |
|
Semi-Detached |
€1,169.84 |
|
Terraced |
€1,203.71 |
|
Unspecified* |
€967.85 |
|
Overall Average |
€1,093.02 |
Collection of information on the specific property type started recently, meaning this information is not available for units secured in the early stages of leasing.
Data on allocations is a matter for the individual LAs as they utilise the available stock of social housing to best suits their needs.
National Oversight and Audit Commission
Questions (657)
Imelda Munster
Question:657. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider commissioning the National Oversight and Audit Commission to carry out a piece of work, as per section 126D of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in respect of a matter (details supplied). [12456/24]
View answerWritten answers
My response to Dáil Question No. 343 of 20 February 2024 sets out the position in relation to the matter raised. In that context, it would not be appropriate for me to make a request to the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) under Section 126D of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) in relation to this issue.
Electoral Process
Questions (658)
Ivana Bacik
Question:658. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a circular issued to staff at polling centres which would, in certain circumstances, prevent some disabled people from accessing assistance in casting their ballot in the final two hours of voting; if he will end the practice of such advice issuing; his plans to ensure that voting in referendums or elections is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12457/24]
View answerWritten answers
Recognising that people with disabilities have particular needs, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. My Department produces a Memorandum for the Guidance of Returning Officers in advance of all electoral events. These memoranda advise that the selection of polling stations should have regard to the needs of voters with disabilities.
The provision relating to Presiding Officers’ discretion when asked to mark a voter’s ballot paper within two hours before the close of poll is a long standing feature of electoral law. The relevant provision in electoral law is set out in section 103(6) of the Electoral Act 1992, as applied at referendums by section 32 of the Referendum Act 1994. Advice set out in my Department's guidance for Presiding Officers reflects the legislative provision.
Presiding Officers are encouraged to accommodate requests to mark voters’ ballot papers where assistance is required insofar as possible. Guidance issued by my Department emphasises that a decision by a Presiding Officer not to do so within two hours of the close of poll should only be made where absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, companion voting (where a voter is accompanied by a companion who marks their ballot paper, as directed by the voter) and the use of a Ballot Paper Template (a plastic device that allows visually impaired voters to vote independently) can be availed of up to the close of poll.
The Electoral Acts also provide for a range of measures to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, including:
• the requirement on local authorities, in making polling schemes, to appoint as polling places areas where at least one polling station will be accessible to wheelchair users;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to put in place arrangements to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by wheelchair users. In guidance to Returning Officers, my Department has suggested the provision at each polling station of an appropriately located table and chair to facilitate this requirement;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to ensure, where practicable, that the place appointed for the counting of votes is accessible to wheelchair users.
Under the Electoral Reform Act 2022, An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission) is responsible for a range of electoral functions. Section 68 of the Act makes provision for An Coimisiún to prepare ex-post reports on the administration of electoral events. The legislation requires that such reports will have a particular focus on the assistance given by Returning Officers and Presiding Officers to people with disabilities.