Written Answers Nos. 80-94
80. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he will take to increase the delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15627/24]
View answerHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 comprising of 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home Scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, all local authorities were asked to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans to address affordable housing needs in their areas over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. This does not include additional affordable homes that will be delivered by the LDA, AHBs, First Home and via the higher Part V requirements introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021. A copy of each Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites.
Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing delivery. This data is published up to Quarter 4 2023 and is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
In 2023, over 4,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered via Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ (CRTiS) scheme, the First Home Scheme, and through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The delivery of affordable housing has more than doubled since last year, and the figures represent an increase of 128% on 2022 activity, which highlights the significant progress achieved to date in relation to affordable housing.
Government measures such as the increased financial support for delivery of Cost Rental homes by Approved Housing Bodies through the revised Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) and the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental scheme (STAR) have directly assisted in addressing viability challenges in the sector while activating uncommenced sites for the provision of affordable housing. These measures are kept under constant review to ensure that both the supply of cost rental and affordable housing is secured.
Affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale and this momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by local authorities, AHBs and the LDA.
81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to endorse the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action for a referendum that would acknowledge the rights of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11150/24]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question Number 352 of 20 February 2024, which sets out the position on this matter.
82. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage why Louth County Council was unable to acquire and allocate the five "surplus houses" not taken up within the affordable housing scheme for social housing, opting instead to return them to the developer for sale on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15633/24]
View answer87. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that at the heart of the housing crisis is an affordability crisis; if he is aware that only half of the houses in Louth County Council's affordable housing scheme were claimed due to stringent eligibility criteria, whether this necessitates some changes in the terms of access for support in order that no one is excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 87 together.
Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the nine year period of the plan to 2030. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes to be facilitated by Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through First Home, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to support local authorities in developing affordable housing schemes. To date, funding approvals have been given for the delivery of 4,048 affordable homes (affordable purchase and cost rental) across 21 local authorities with the support of over €327m in grant assistance from the AHF.
This is a significant level of activity and will continue to expand and develop, together with delivery programmes by all delivery partners, in line with Housing for All targets. Despite the affordability and viability challenges we face, I am satisfied that the arrangements in place are appropriate and effective and can deliver a valuable response to identified affordable housing demand.
I welcome the efforts that are being made by Louth County Council to develop its own affordable housing delivery programme to respond effectively to local needs as identified in their 5-year Housing Delivery Action Plan as published on the local authority’s website.
My Department, together with the Housing Agency, and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the Local Government Management Association, will liaise with Louth County Council, in relation to their recent experience in administering the scheme at Cois Fharraige. This will ensure that any learning can be applied as Louth County Council continues to arrange further affordable housing schemes in line with its Housing Delivery Action Plan and help to deliver an effective response to local housing market circumstances and affordability needs in its area.
83. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that the review of housing targets currently under way between his Department and the ERSI will explicitly include consideration of existing unmet housing demand including existing unmet demand for social, cost rental and affordable purchase homes. [15611/24]
View answerThe planned review of targets is underway and, once again, will be based on independent, peer reviewed research and modelling by the ESRI.
Importantly, the ESRI is not developing housing targets. Rather, it is researching and modelling a range of scenarios for future demographic housing demand at local authority level for each year to 2040. Accordingly, while some level of pent-up demand will be captured in the ESRI housing demand scenarios, an explicit consideration of pent-up demand is outside the scope of the ESRI's work.
Ultimately, it will be a matter for my Department to translate the ESRI projections into housing targets having regard to, among a range of other things, the prevailing level of unmet or existing demand. This is already provided for in the current average annual target of 33,000 per year, including both the deficit in new housing completions between 2017 and 2019, and the number of ‘concealed’ and homeless households at the time the targets were developed.
The revised targets will make similar provision, including both projected future demand and unmet or existing need across all tenures. I expect revised targets to be published in the Autumn.
84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cases of complaints of unauthorised development or breaches of planning permissions if he believes the current enforcement legislation is adequately robust to prevent such breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15657/24]
View answerUnder planning legislation, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the relevant planning authority which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met.
There are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Act, with a view to ensuring that works pertaining to permitted developments are carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted and any associated conditions and that no unauthorised development takes place.
If a person is of the view that any development works being undertaken are not in compliance with the permission granted or are unauthorised, they may make a written complaint to the relevant planning authority under section 152 of the Act. It is then a matter for the relevant planning authority to investigate the matter and take any appropriate enforcement action. This may include the issuing of a warning letter in accordance with section 152 of the Act and, where necessary, an enforcement notice under section 154 of the Act. An enforcement notice shall require that the development is carried out in conformity with the planning permission and any condition pertaining to that permission, or where no permission has been granted, require that development to cease or not to commence, as appropriate.
A planning authority may also seek a Court order under section 160 of the Act, requiring any particular action to be done or not to be done. If an enforcement notice is not complied with, the planning authority may itself take the specified steps within an enforcement notice and recover the expenses incurred in doing so. In addition, under section 157 of the Act, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by a planning authority. Where a person is convicted of an offence under Part VIII of the Act the penalties are prescribed under section 156 of the Act.
I am satisfied that planning authorities have sufficient enforcement powers at their disposal.
85. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait length for planning permission for individual houses in each of the past ten years, 2024 inclusive. [15528/24]
View answerPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, and are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. However, granular data, in terms of the average wait lengths for planning permission for individual houses, is not specifically collected and consequently is not available in my Department. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
There are a range of legislative provisions set out in relation to planning application decision timelines. When a planning application (including for an individual house) is made to a planning authority under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), section 34(8) of the Act prescribes that the planning authority must make a decision within 8 weeks of receiving a valid application where no further information is requested from the applicant. This 8 week period may be extended in accordance with section 34(8)(b) or (c) of the Act where further information is deemed to be required from the applicant and is requested within 8 weeks of receipt of the planning application.
Where a planning authority receives further information or evidence following a request under article 33 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), or revised plans, drawings or particulars following a request under article 34 of the Regulations, or otherwise receives further information, evidence, revised plans, drawings or particulars in relation to the application, and it considers that the information, evidence, revised plans, drawings or particulars received, as appropriate, contains significant additional data, including information in relation to effects on the environment, the planning authority shall - under article 35 of the Regulations - require the applicant to publish a notice in an approved newspaper advising that further information or revised plans has been received in respect of the planning application and that submissions or observations may be submitted on same within prescribed timeframes. This allows for a further period of public participation on the new information received.
A planning authority shall then make its decision within 4 weeks of such advertisement in accordance with section 34(8)(b) of the Act, except where an Environmental Impact Assessment Report or Natura Impact Statement accompanies a planning application, where the planning authority shall make its decision within 8 weeks of such advertisement in accordance with section 34(8)(c) of the Act.
In addition, section 34(8)(f) of the Act provides that where a planning authority has failed to make a decision in relation to an application within the period specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of section 34(8) of the Act as appropriate (referred to in this paragraph as the "first period") and becomes aware, whether through notification by the applicant or otherwise, that it has so failed, the authority shall proceed to make the decision notwithstanding that the first period has expired.
86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the up to date position of advancing The Gearagh, County Cork as a national park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15652/24]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my previous answers in this regard.
The site referred to is a privately owned site that has not been considered for national park status. The site already enjoys extensive legal protections as a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a designated Nature Reserve.
The site is owned largely by the ESB. I understand a management plan scoping exercise was undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB in 2016/2017. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department contributed as part of the stakeholder group to the report produced as a result of that exercise. I understand that the ESB has now completed a draft management plan which is being considered by ESB management, and that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has offered to engage with the site owners in relation to the draft plan.
The NPWS completed and published detailed site-specific conservation objectives for the Gearagh SAC (000108) in September 2016.
Under the Habitats Directive, Ireland is obliged to report to the EU on the conservation status of all habitats and species of European Community interest, as listed in Annexes to the Directive. Monitoring of SACs is carried out by the NPWS on a cyclical basis. The most recent report was submitted to the EU in 2019 and is available on the NPWS website.
The priority habitat “Alluvial forests with Alder and Ash” is one of the qualifying interests of the Gearagh SAC and a monitoring site for this habitat is located within the SAC. It was most recently surveyed during the 2017-2018 monitoring period, when the area, structure and functions, and future prospects of the habitat in SAC were all assessed as favourable. This is in contrast with the national conservation status of the Alluvial forests habitat in Ireland, which is considered to be bad, and deteriorating.
The Gearagh SAC is also listed for the habitat “Rivers with muddy banks”. In addition to the NPWS survey, results of a 2018 botanical survey were made available to the NPWS by the ESB. The habitat was assessed as favourable in the Gearagh SAC.
The NPWS continues to engage with the ESB on the monitoring of this site. The positive findings from scientific surveys are indicators of a good management regime.
89. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the scale and costs associated with new housing schemes using modular building methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/24]
View answerModern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.
MMC is the term used to describe a range of manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, including modular construction. MMC has the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. MMC techniques can speed up the delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 60%.
Social housing construction projects (as with all publicly funded construction projects), must be competitively tendered, in accordance with the public procurement guidelines, to ensure transparency as well as value for money for the tax-payer and must comply with the Government’s Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF).
The coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), through the inter-departmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group (established July 2022). This Group will ensure the integration and coordination of the various Government-supported MMC initiatives – to support innovation in the construction industry.
In promoting MMC, using new technologies, and as we seek to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment, the Government will also ensure that we can have confidence in the quality of our new systems. Compliance with high standards, including compliance with all parts of the Building Regulations, will continue to be central to the success of MMC in Ireland.
In order to demonstrate compliance with the Irish Building Regulations, innovative systems, such as modular and MMC, must comply with Agrément certification or its equivalent.
In December 2022, funding of €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. The provision of this funding was linked to the immediate development of a housing proposal, a commitment to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and for construction to start in 2023 or no later than 2024. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated delivery programme, and with some additional sites since added, my Department is overseeing a project to progress delivery of MMC projects on 36 sites which will deliver approximately 1,800 new social homes.
While my Department does not hold details on the various construction processes used in the delivery of new homes, the Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published in November 2022, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023 and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/414cd-roadmap-for-increased-adoption-of-mmc-in-public-housing-delivery/.
My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction.
90. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the regeneration of the Noonan Road and surrounding streets regeneration. [15706/24]
View answerThe management and control of social housing are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Cork City Council have informed my Department that feasibility for the redevelopment of the Noonan Road site is at an early stage.
My Department currently funds multi-year programs of large-scale regeneration projects, including projects in Cork City. These projects seek to address the causes of disadvantage through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.
Should the Council submit a funding application for the regeneration of the Noonan Road area my Department would be happy to consider any such submission.
92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the scheme for promoting the sale of apartments to owner-occupiers has been taken up; and if he would consider simplifying its terms so that higher take-up can be achieved. [15264/24]
View answerThe Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is a viability measure designed to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers that would otherwise not be built, providing a greater range of tenure in our urban centres.
To date, two calls for expressions of interest have been undertaken. Five contracts have been signed for the delivery of 582 units in total – 210 in Dublin and 372 in Cork. The Housing Agency is assessing the remaining proposals which were received under the first and second calls for expressions of interest for the Scheme. There will be a third call for expressions of interest in the Scheme later in the year.
With regard to the take-up of the scheme and any proposed amendments to its terms, it should be noted firstly that the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) is part of a suite of housing measures in Housing for All designed to increase social, affordable and private housing supply. Such measures include local authority delivered affordable housing for purchase, the new cost rental tenure, Land Development Agency delivery of affordable housing and the First Home Scheme. Secondly, the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme aims to bridge the gap between the delivery cost of building apartments and the market sale price, where the cost of building is greater. The Scheme was designed to support the delivery of such apartment blocks and to be congruent with EU State Aid requirements. In February 2023, the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission confirmed that the scheme was compatible with the internal market under Article 107 (3) (c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Any proposed adjustments to the scheme would need to be viewed within this context. My Department keeps the scheme under constant review and such changes to improve efficacy as may be feasible within the boundaries outlined above are being considered.
The First Home Shared Equity Scheme can be used by owner-occupier purchasers in conjunction with Croí Cónaithe (Cities) to bridge the affordability gap for those with an affordability challenge, which also serves to increase the pool of potential purchasers. First-time buyers may also avail of the Help-to-Buy scheme to assist them with deposits. Help-to-Buy provides a maximum benefit of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home.
93. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what is the timeline for raising the mandatory retirement age for retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/24]
View answerThe Government has recently approved an increase in the mandatory retirement age for certain members of the uniformed services.
Following this, my Department has commenced a review to explore a similar extension to the mandatory retirement age for all firefighters with a view to providing consistency in the uniformed services.
Any such change will require a legislative amendment to be brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
This review is now at an advanced stage and I expect to be able to provide an update on the situation shortly.
