Written Answers Nos. 180-200
180. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) was unsuccessful with their application for assistive learning technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21091/24]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
Based on the professional information provided to the SENO and in line with criteria set out in Circular 10/2013, the SENO was not in a position to recommend an assistive technology grant for the school concerned on behalf of the student.
It is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/237c68-assistive-technology-grant/. Any such appeal will be dealt with as a priority by my Department. Separately, where an appeal has been unsuccessful, but new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.
It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. Assistive technology can be seen as a critical enabler for those with special educational needs to gain the maximum benefit from a modern technologically focused education system. Where children with more complex disabilities require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the schools' existing provisions, schools may make an application for such equipment to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) under the terms of this scheme.
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology Scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
The type of equipment provided under the Assistive Technology Scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme, however. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
While the qualifying criteria for Assistive Technology support are set out in the Department’s Circular 0010/2013, the Report of the Special Education Review Committee - also known as the SERC Report - and the Department’s Circular 08/02 provide the basis on which the Department sets the criteria for special education supports for children with special educational needs.
Circular 08/02 has been superseded by more recent circulars with regard to the allocation of Special Education Teaching support, but the criteria in relation to the categorisation of pupils with a Specific Learning Disability, contained in Appendix II, remain unchanged, and are as follows:
“Such children have been assessed by a psychologist as:
Being of average intelligence or higher; and
Having a degree of learning disability specific to basic skills in reading, writing or mathematics which places them at or below the 2nd percentile on suitable, standardised, norm-referenced tests.
Children who do not meet these criteria and, who in the opinion of the psychologist, have a specific learning disability are more properly the responsibility of the remedial teacher and/or the class teacher.”
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents are encouraged to contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on https://ncse.ie/seno-contact-information.
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when the tender for the permanent building will be approved and published in the case of a school (details supplied) given the urgent need for its construction and the serious capacity issue to accommodate additional classes after September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21098/24]
View answerSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I recently announced that close to 90 school building projects currently at tender stage will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
This level of construction rollout recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education, including responding to the increased requirement for special education provision.
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects with planning permission, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from my Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is now progressing through design development stages.
The School referred to by the Deputy is currently located in interim accommodation on the Moyglare Campus Site, Maynooth. The school has sufficient accommodation for September 2024.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation requirements and provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.
182. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the extent to which July provision will be available (details supplied); if she will ensure that persons that require it will have access to it. [21112/24]
View answerDetails of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. The Department of Education also recently announced that funding of €40m has been secured again to ensure that a comprehensive summer programme will be available in 2024. This builds on the successful summer programmes of the last three years. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools, once again, have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. However, the Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2024 programme.
A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the use of the Summer Programme budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. Consequently, the Department has seen a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in primary schools and we are anxious for this to continue.
Schools have also been given the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A staff portal is now available on www.educationposts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme in a Special School. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
This year also continues with the pilot programme which was developed specifically for special school in 2023. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools. As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme.
A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
A Department helpline is available for schools and parents at 09064 84292 to address any specific queries regarding year’s scheme or queries can be directed to schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie. Participating schools can also request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, a Home-based programme will be available for pupils with complex special educational needs. Details of this year’s Home-based programme will shortly be published and will include full details on eligibility criteria.
183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will review SNA hours for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21119/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs, this includes the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs), as such I will arrange to have your query referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year have been published on the NCSE's website. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type. Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is also published on the NCSE's website.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, 300 additional special school places and will increase the number of teaching and SNA posts.
An additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children.
I want to assure you that my department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
184. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total printing expenditure per annum over the past five years of all Government-sponsored reviews and reports, broken down by Department and year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20991/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
I am advised that details of my Department’s total printing expenditure per annum in the period since then of all Government-sponsored reviews and reports are set out in the table below.
I advise the Deputy that I am only in a position to answer for printing expenditure in respect of my Department and I do not have oversight of such matters relating to other government Departments.
|
Year |
Total Printing Cost |
|
2020 |
€1,158 |
|
2021 |
€1,190 |
|
2022 |
€9,936 |
185. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the current provision of artist studios and workplaces across the State; if her Department keeps record of the number being operated by State bodies, local authorities and private operators; and if so, the current number. [21006/24]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Questions 580 and 581 on 9 April 2024 in which I set out the current position in relation to the development of artists’ workspaces.
Research in this area conducted by the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and by my Department in the context of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research programme and the Night Time Economy, has informed the policy approach relating to the provision of artists’ workspaces.
While my Department does not actively collect records of the number of workspaces being operated by State authorities or private operators, that research, enumerated below, provides insights to the current position and provision:-
• Arts Council 2022 - ‘Visual Artists Workspace in Ireland’ Collation and Analysis of Data on the Provision, Demand and Availability of Visual Artists’ Workspaces in Ireland
• Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 2022 updated 2023 – Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme: Reports
• Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 2021 Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce
• Artists’ Workspace Report Turley architects (2020) commissioned by Dublin City Council
• Dublin City Cultural Infrastructure Study 2021Turley and OBFA, commissioned by Dublin City Council.
186. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of individuals working as artists across the State; and if she cannot provide a figure, whether will she liaise with the Central Statistics Office or the Revenue Commission to obtain same. [21007/24]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office collates data on the numbers of people working in different occupations, sourced from different national surveys . While there are not currently any surveys conducted that ask if an individual is working as an artist, a number of different figures are reported relating to the numbers of people working in related areas.
The Labour Force Survey publication, which is the official source for employment statistics, provides data on the following groups:
• The number of persons aged 15 years and over in Employment (ILO) in the following detailed occupation groups:
• Artistic, literary and media (21,700 in Q4 2023 )
• Design (10,200 in Q4 2023 )
• The number of persons aged 15 years and over in Employment (ILO) in the creative, arts and entertainment activities (14,300 in Q4 2023 )
The Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data Sources, provides an estimate of the number of employees using Revenue's PAYE Modernisation as the data source and contains monthly estimates of the number of employees in the “Cultural and creative industries” (including selected printing, publishing, recording, broadcasting, creative and cultural services).
The most recent figure published is of 36,900 seasonally adjusted people employed in February 2024 . However, the Monthly Estimates of Payroll Employees using Administrative Data Sources does not include self-employed individuals, which would be the case for many artists.
The Department will continue to engage with the CSO on matters relating to the measurement of artistic activity in Ireland, as the availability of relevant, accurate and timely data is important for the development and appraisal of policy in this area.
187. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 2 May 2024, if she will outline the progress that has been made by Fáilte Ireland under the just transition fund to purchase and run a hotel (details supplied); and if an application has been made by Failte Ireland to the fund. [21142/24]
View answerIn relation to the previous Parliamentary Question referenced by the Deputy, it was stated that Tipperary County Council had identified the EU Just Transition Fund as a possible funding source to progress opportunities for Roscrea.
With regard to the administration of the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) is the Managing Authority and Fáilte Ireland is an Intermediate Body tasked with the implementation of a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme in the period 2023-2026. Accordingly, I have referred this question to Failte Ireland to provide any further relevant information directly to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
188. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the timeline for publication of the national coastal change management strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21114/24]
View answerIn response to the developing risks associated with climate change - including changing weather patterns and an estimated sea level rise of up to one metre by the year 2100 - the Government established an Inter Departmental Group to prepare a scoping report for a National Coastal Change Management Strategy. The purpose of the Group was to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group was jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works and is supported by a Technical Working Group.
The report of the Interdepartmental Group was approved last year by Government and published can be found online: gov.ie - Coastal Change Management Strategy Report (www.gov.ie)
The Report sets out the Group’s initial findings and recommendations to enable the State to assess risks and develop appropriate responses, and it addresses:-
o Approaches to coastal change management in EU and other jurisdictions;
o Baseline and other data capture and research requirements to inform developing, implementing and monitoring a national coastal management strategy, to include potential damages assessment;
o Outline of the economic, environmental, cultural and social policy issues arising with approaches to coastal change management;
o The development of criteria that can help inform planning and investment decisions on future use of all coastal areas, including any guidance requirements;
o Recommendations on future structures and roles of Government Departments to deal with coastal change and to deliver a national coastal change policy, including adaptation strategies, resource implications, legislative and regulatory change requirements and a communications strategy to underpin it.
Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multi-faceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Through the 15 recommendations set out in the report, an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer terms will be put in place. The strategy set out in the scoping report involves an integrated whole of government approach, with actions across many sectors and my Department will play a key role in coordinating and driving this essential work programme.
This work is being progressed through the establishment of an interdepartmental working group which is due to meet in the coming weeks, to be led and chaired by my Department. My Department will act as the policy lead, in particular co-ordinating the work across Government with respect to responding in a co-ordinated way to the challenge of coastal change. The Office of Public Works will act as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints.
189. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanism and procedure for increasing the Housing Finance Agency’s ability to lend beyond the amount outlined in the ‘Housing for All’ plan detailing any associated Exchequer costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/24]
View answerThe Housing Finance Agency (HFA) plc is a non-commercial semi-State company under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, limited by shares under the terms of the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981.
The HFA has a statutory borrowing limit of €12bn enshrined in legislation. The HFA has committed to providing €5bn in funding to facilitate the successful delivery of social and affordable housing under the Government’s Housing for All goals. Should, in future, the Government wish to consider increasing the HFA’s ability to lend beyond the €5bn amount outlined in Housing for All and/or above the €12bn statutory borrowing limit, the mechanisms and procedures that would underpin this decision would depend on factors such as (not not limited to):
- the level of increase sought,
- the type of lending activity that would be funded by the HFA; and
- the associated timeframe within which the increase would be required.
Associated Exchequer costs would also depend on the above factors and additional considerations.
Engagement between my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform would be required on matters pertaining to the consideration of any increase, in the event of any such decision being made by Government.
190. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that expenditure for the land development agency is outside of the general Government balance; if he will provide detail on any projected expenditure of the Land Development Agency that has an Exchequer cost or any impact on the general Government balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/24]
View answerThe General Government Balance (GGB) measures the fiscal performance of all arms of government. It provides an accurate assessment of the fiscal performance of a more complete government sector. The GGB does not reflect the position of commercial State sponsored bodies as these agencies are classified as being outside the General Government sector. As to date, the LDA have been capitalised from the ISIF, this has had no effect on the General Government Balance. The commercial activities of the LDA DAC are not funded by the Exchequer. However, Exchequer funding is provided to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions.
To fund its commercial activities, the LDA currently has access to:
• €2.5bn of equity capital from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF),
• €1.25bn of borrowings as provided for under the LDA Act, as well as;
• €1.25bn that can be raised by the LDA through the performance of certain functions.
Of the €2.5bn available through ISIF, the LDA has, to date, drawn down approximately €900m of this funding - €100million on establishment, €525 million paid over two tranches in H1 2023 and a further €300m in November 2023. My Department is currently considering a request from the LDA for the drawdown of a further €325m.
Exchequer funding of €3.8 million is being provided to the LDA for 2024 which is to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. These functions are detailed under Section 29 of the LDA Act 2021 and include the maintenance of the Register of Relevant Public Lands, the development of a report to Government on relevant public lands and any functions associated with the development of a Strategic Development Zone as provided for under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide detail on all non-Exchequer expenditure related to social and affordable housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21152/24]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade and is the first multi-annual fully funded housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5 billion investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5 billion lending through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The Housing Finance Agency has provided lending of €3.24 billion to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in the period 2021 to 2023, supplemented by an estimated provision for lending of €1.5 billion for 2024.
In respect of the LDA, there has been total investment of €60 million for the period 2021 to 2022 with provisional expenditure of the order of €500 million for 2023 subject to finalisation of the year’s financial statements. The investment to date will be supplemented by an estimated provision of €978 million for 2024.
192. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit of accommodation for each of the social housing funding schemes to the Exchequer in 2023, in tabular form. [20976/24]
View answerI refer to my answers to Question No. 689 on 9 April 2024 and Question No. 290 on 8 May 2024 which set out the position in this matter.
193. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for unsuccessful/incomplete repair and lease applications since the beginning of the scheme, by year, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20977/24]
View answer194. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any analysis into the reasons for unsuccessful repair and lease applications has been commissioned/undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
Data on the repair and leasing scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q4 2023 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
While my Department issues general guidance on the scheme, it has no direct role in deciding on individual applications. Local authorities determine eligibility for the scheme by taking account of local need, the suitability of dwellings, sustainable community considerations and value for money.
With the launch of the Housing for All Action Plan and the issuing of Housing Circular 34/2021 in October 2021, local authorities were requested to provide my Department with data on proposals that do not progress. This data is collated for high level analysis with a view to increasing uptake in the scheme. It is not a detailed statistical analysis. The data collected for years 2022 and 2023 outlined the reasons for projects not proceeding. These included;
• Application not suitable
• €60,000 funding insufficient
• Proposer misunderstood the scheme
• Delivery through a different scheme
• No social housing need in the specific area
The data gathered continues to be used by my Department to assess the current scheme and inform its future. It has assisted with the introduction of measures such as the increase in maximum cost of repairs from €60,000 to €80,000 per unit (both figures VAT inclusive) in July 2023 and the removal of the requirement that a property owner be unable to access other sources of funding (for certain categories of vacant properties).
195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenant-in-situ scheme purchases that have been completed; the number that are in progress; and the number of failed purchases in 2023, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20979/24]
View answer196. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for unsuccessful/incomplete tenant-in-situ purchases. [20980/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023 and 2024, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire 1,500 social homes this year. The additional acquisitions are focused primarily on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March 2024, setting out details of the arrangements for 2024 and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy. 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 programme level 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 completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 4 2023 on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties purchased by local authorities under the compulsory purchase order activation programme; and how many of these properties have been allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. [20981/24]
View answer198. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of properties compulsorily purchased by local authorities, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20982/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
Addressing 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. Last month, I launched the Vacant Homes Action Plan, Progress Report April 2024 which sets out what has been achieved in 2023 and the further steps that will be taken in 2024.
Under the Action Plan, a new 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. Support and guidance on implementation of the Programme is being provided to local authorities by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and by the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency.
My Department set targets for each local authority on the number of properties to enter the Programme in 2023. Each local authority is to provide data in relation to these properties, activity undertaken by them 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.
199. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of HAP properties in 2023, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20983/24]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on social housing delivery activity in all local authority areas on the statistics page of its website. The data requested in relation to funding provided by the State for HAP tenancies in 2023 broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department’s website at this link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment.
This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme. The monthly gross average cost per HAP tenancy at the end of Q4 2023 was €972. The monthly average cost per HAP tenancy funded by the Exchequer i.e. net of average differential rent, at the end of Q4 2023 was €754.
The following table sets out the average HAP monthly Landlord Payment and the average monthly cost funded by the exchequer for 2023 by local authority.
|
LA |
Average HAP Monthly Landlord Payment by LA |
Average monthly cost funded by the Exchequer |
|
Carlow County Council |
€607.20 |
€371.92 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€504.27 |
€287.67 |
|
Clare County Council |
€559.93 |
€435.13 |
|
Cork City Council |
€856.96 |
€653.92 |
|
Cork County Council |
€801.14 |
€585.18 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€451.89 |
€275.01 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€1,358.72 |
€1,142.64 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CoCo |
€1,396.03 |
€1,156.23 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€1,397.27 |
€1,165.55 |
|
Galway City Council |
€887.15 |
€628.55 |
|
Galway County Council |
€866.90 |
€610.34 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€556.37 |
€354.25 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€981.27 |
€709.87 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€629.70 |
€366.78 |
|
Laois County Council |
€669.06 |
€446.98 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€459.96 |
€253.56 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€659.30 |
€434.94 |
|
Longford County Council |
€479.78 |
€316.66 |
|
Louth County Council |
€979.54 |
€749.70 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€549.13 |
€352.53 |
|
Meath County Council |
€1,029.84 |
€709.88 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€554.81 |
€297.85 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€570.32 |
€361.04 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€532.43 |
€304.95 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€557.00 |
€373.40 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€1,403.78 |
€1,224.62 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€533.76 |
€360.72 |
|
Waterford City & Council |
€559.03 |
€349.99 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€613.99 |
€386.83 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€586.28 |
€389.80 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€1,063.34 |
€825.50 |
|
Overall average monthly Payment |
€971.92 |
€754.04 |
200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of spending on homelessness by his Department in 2023, in tabular form; and the amount spent on prevention. [20984/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by local authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services including the cost of homeless prevention measures are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to local authorities on a regional basis. The funding provided to each of the homeless regions in 2023 is set out below;
|
Exchequer funding provided to homeless regions in 2023 |
|
|
Dublin |
238,681,935 |
|
Mid East |
12,169,538 |
|
Midlands |
5,092,456 |
|
Mid West |
12,588,008 |
|
North East |
4,525,437 |
|
North West |
2,364,974 |
|
South East |
6,855,045 |
|
South West |
21,575,750 |
|
West |
13,138,214 |
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions including Dublin, are available on my Department's website at the link below. These financial reports include details of prevention, tenancy sustainment and resettlement supports in each region and the expenditure incurred on these services.
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
