Written Answers Nos. 646-660
646. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 14 February 2024, the status of the steering group which will agree and guide the implementation of the Ministerial Action Plan to respond to capacity challenges in the planning sector; the timeline for the publication of the Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14357/24]
View answerRecognising the need for increased capacity and expertise in the public sector planning services, in addition to the staffing needs of relevant agencies, organisations as well as in the private sector, analysis is being undertaken with a view to developing a Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources incorporating a specified set of actions to respond to the capacity challenges faced.
My Department is currently working on preparing the draft Action Plan which will have a particular emphasis on the requirements of the local government sector and the public sector generally, and will be aimed at ensuring that there is a sustainable pipeline of planning and related expertise to address resourcing needs over the short, medium and longer-term.
A Steering Group is currently being established, led by my Department, for the purposes of co-ordination and oversight of the Ministerial Action Plan that will include representation from the local government sector, An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator. It is intended that the Steering Group will have its first meeting in the coming weeks.
Subject to the work of the Steering Group, my Department will seek to finalise the draft Action Plan for subsequent implementation as a matter of priority.
647. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 708 and 709 of 20 March, the percentage of the unitary payment for social housing PPP bundles 1 and 2 that is indexed or understood to be allocated towards operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/24]
View answer648. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when information on the anticipated total cost to the Exchequer of PPP bundles 3 to 7 will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14370/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together.
During the life of the PPP contract (typically 25 years after construction), a portion of the unitary payment is adjusted annually by an inflation factor to reflect changes in a general inflation index specified in the contract (the Consumer Price Index or the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices). This indexable portion represents costs incurred by the PPP company over the operational period (e.g. facilities management, maintenance and lifecycle costs); it excludes construction and finance costs.
As part of the annual indexation process, the indexable portion is adjusted by the actual inflation rate over the preceding 12-month period. The indexable portion for each project depends on the specific features of the project, i.e. the operational period costs as a proportion of the total costs will differ by project. The portion of the unitary payment that is subject to indexation is proposed by tenderers as part of the competitive bidding process. Due to the current status of Social Housing Bundle 3 and the commercially sensitive nature of procurement, it is not appropriate, at this time, to provide details of the indexable element for Social Housing Bundle 1 and Social Housing Bundle 2. Please note that for projects procured by the NDFA up to 2024 the average indexable portion is 33.7%.
Similarly, in relation to PPP bundles 3 to 7, due to the current status of the projects and the commercially sensitive nature of procurement, it is not appropriate, at this time, to provide details of anticipated costs.
649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's audit of vacant and derelict homes across the State; the number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into active use in 2023, broken down by delivery stream, that is refurbishment grant, council CPO, and so on, in tabular form. [14373/24]
View answer650. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's audit of vacant and derelict homes across the State; the number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into active use in 2023, broken down by delivery stream, that is refurbishment grant, council CPO, and so on, in tabular form. [14373/24]
View answerTackling 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. My Department will publish the Plan's 2023 Progress Report in April, setting out what has been achieved in 2023 and what further steps will be taken in 2024.
A Vacancy Survey project, supported by my Department, commenced in December 2022. The survey, to be carried out by local authorities, aims to gather data, granular and high level, on the number of vacant dwellings in each local authority area. This provides a database for the local authority which can then be updated and used to engage with property owners and work to bring those properties back into use. The initial survey work has now been completed by almost all local authorities.
The CPO Activation Programme was launched by my Department 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.
Targets were set for each local authority on the number of properties to enter the Programme in 2023, with data to be collected in relation to those properties, activity undertaken by the local authority and outcomes, including the scheme or measure used where the property was brought back into use. My Department will report on the 2023 CPO Activation Programme targets in Q2 2024.
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/
Data published includes the number of applications received, approved, rejected and paid per local authority and the total value of grants paid.
My Department also publishes data on the Repair and Leasing Scheme on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
Finally, my Department also publishes data on the number of vacant social homes (voids) which have been brought back into productive use which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
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.
651. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received correspondences from a group (details supplied); and when the group can expect a substantive response to the issues raised with his office. [14394/24]
View answerCorrespondence was received from the group in question and a further response will be issued shortly on the matters raised therein.
652. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason an applicant under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme cannot be paid a stage payment and rental support payment at the same time under the scheme; and if he is aware that this causes real distress to families as this will delay the remediation works if building contractors are delayed their stage payments. [14530/24]
View answerEach designated local authority is responsible for the detailed administration of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme within their local authority area. This includes the initial validation of applications, notifying homeowners of the Housing Agency's determinations on the damage threshold, the appropriate remediation option and grant amount, determination of the grant payable for alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works and the subsequent payment of grants to successful applicants.
My Department encourages local authorities to be as flexible as possible while remaining within the 2022 Act and 2023 Regulations regarding the payment of claims by scheme applicants.
653. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a referendum on a directly elected mayor for Dublin will take place on the same day as the 2024 local elections. [14575/24]
View answer658. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what progress has been made to have an election for a directly elected mayor for the city of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14601/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 653 and 658 together.
The 2022 Dublin Citizens’ Assembly was asked to consider the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. Its final report was presented to the Taoiseach in January 2023. In June 2023, the Houses of the Oireachtas referred the report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for consideration of its recommendations and the Committee reported back in December 2023.
The Dublin Citizens' Assembly report and recommendations, and the Committee's Report, are under consideration by my Department with a view to bringing forward a response for the Government’s consideration in due course. Pending this, no plans have been made to hold a plebiscite on a directly elected mayor for Dublin.
654. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage to list the dates on which he or any of his advisors has met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) since May 2023; to detail the issues that were raised by the organisation; and to confirm whether issues related to Wicklow County Council’s refusal of a planning application by the organisation for 98 homes in Greystones, County Wicklow in May 2023 were discussed at any of these meetings. [14578/24]
View answer655. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether he, any of his advisors or any of the officials working on the Planning and Development Bill 2023 revised written or oral submissions from an organisation (details supplied) or its representatives on the wording of Government Amendment No. 605 to the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as discussed at Select Committee on 21 February 2024. [14579/24]
View answer667. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of any meetings, correspondence, or communications between a developer (details supplied) in relation to the refused planning application;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14764/24]
View answer668. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his reasoning for choosing the wording "housing growth target” in Amendment No. 640 to the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14765/24]
View answerThe Planning and Development Bill 2023 was published in November 2023 and has been subject to intensive stakeholder engagement as part of the Planning Advisory Forum as well as an extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process in the Oireachtas. As one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation in the history of the State, the Bill has been continuously reviewed by the Department, in liaison with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to ensure it fully delivers the best possible legislative footing for the Irish planning system into the future. The change proposed by Amendment 605 is solely as a result of this ongoing process. I can confirm once again that I have not met with the company referred to in order to discuss this matter. The amendment in question is intended to support the plan-led approach whereby matters related to housing numbers, estimated capacity and zoning are determined by planning authorities at the development plan stage, but with an appropriate and proportionate element of flexibility that may be applied in line with statutory guidance. This flexibility is important to deliver the housing that the Country needs for a growing population. In other words, under the Amendment, when a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála is considering an application for planning permission for development on zoned housing land, it does not further consider housing numbers and allows it to operate in a manner that does not restrict permissible housing development on zoned land. This is necessary as there may be circumstances where there may be planned, but as yet un-commenced permissions for development – and these will not now serve to restrict the progression of other schemes that may commence within the relevant development plan period.
It is therefore an entirely appropriate Amendment to facilitate the pipeline of housing delivery. I have agreed, further to the Select Committee process, to look at the wording of the amendment to clarify that a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála cannot refuse permission solely on the basis of the housing growth target for an area has been reached. The amendment does not prevent a decision being refused for other reasons as well, such as insufficient capacity in local infrastructure or services or other environmental matters. A further amendment may be brought at report stage to clarify this point, if needed. This Amendment also permits development where efficiencies in land use may have been achieved in accordance with compact growth policies, or where a local plan may further detail what may be permissible on zoned land, in accordance with a City or County development plan.
In the interest of clarity and transparency, my special adviser as part of his core duties regularly engages with stakeholders from across the housing system. Meetings with a wide array of organisations are an important, legitimate and valid part of that role. Meetings were held with the organisation on June 21st, September 18th, October 9th of 2023 and January 30th and February 14th of 2024. As a Designated Public Official meetings were conducted in accordance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. This information and the issues raised is publicly available on www.lobbying.ie. Discussions encompassed broader housing system issues, the role of the LDA in increasing housing supply and government housing policy. It is noted that under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
Question No. 655 answered with Question No. 654.
656. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether emergency accommodation can be refused on the basis of a previous eviction from social housing; whether there is a timeframe for this impact; and whether a local authority should take into account proven efforts by a person to resolve vulnerabilities that led to the eviction. [14581/24]
View answer722. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if having rent arrears as a HAP tenant is a reason to withhold emergency accommodation for a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 722 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
657. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has implemented second chance principles for those in recovery from addiction to access social housing. [14583/24]
View answerIt is open to anyone to apply for social housing support at any stage, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria at the point at which they apply.
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. It is the responsibility of the local authority, while taking a compassionate approach, to make a decision in each individual case with regard to qualification for social housing support, the most appropriate form of any such support, and the allocation of that support.
Housing First recognises that a stable home provides the basis for recovery in other areas. With Housing First, the priority is to support a person who has experienced homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without any preconditions around addiction or mental health treatment. Then, intensive work continues on these issues once they are housed. Housing First is a key element of Government homelessness policy.
660. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how much funding was allocated by his Department in 2023 and 2024 to the communal facilities in housing projects; and how much funding was allocated to the same scheme by the National Lottery in 2023 and 2024.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14641/24]
View answerCommunity and communal facilities relating to new public housing developments can be supported via a number of funding streams. However in the case of the communal facilities scheme that is supported by National Lottery funding, this is in the main, for facilities to complement social housing developments under the Capital Assistance Scheme/CAS and is for works and facilities including communal dining and kitchen areas, sitting/activity rooms, laundries, accommodation for therapy or treatment or other facilities reasonably required to improve the residents’ living conditions.
Funding for this particular scheme has been provided from the National Lottery since 1991. Payments are made to the local authorities who in turn, advance the funding to the AHB providing the communal facilities. The annual funding allocation for the Communal Facilities scheme was €500,000 for both 2023 and for 2024.
