Sorca Clarke
Question:737. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes built in Westmeath in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [46730/24]
View answerHousing Provision
Questions (737, 738)
Sorca Clarke
Question:738. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes built in Longford in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [46731/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 738 together.
Data on 'New Dwelling Completions' by local authority are published quarterly on the Central Statistics Office website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/NDQ06
The data show a substantial uplift in new homes delivered since Housing for All was launched in 2021, with 29,662 and 32,548 completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Indeed, new home delivery in 2023 was at its highest level in 15 years, some 10% higher than in 2022 and 13% higher than the Housing for All target of 29,000 for 2023.
Progress continued in 2024, with rolling 12-month completions at 31,857 to end Q3 2024, up 1.5% year-on-year and the seventh consecutive quarter 12-month rolling completions exceeded 30,000.
This progress is mirrored locally, with 405 and 504 new homes completed in Westmeath in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and rolling 12-month completions at 664 to end Q3 2024, more than double the same period last year.
Similarly in Longford, 123 and 121 new homes were completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively, with rolling 12-month completions at 165 to end Q3 2024, up 79% on the same period last year.
New home completions data for Q4 2024 will be published by the CSO later this month.
Question No. 738 answered with Question No. 737.
Housing Policy
Questions (739)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:739. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is currently a limit on the amount of surplus funds housing cooperatives may have at the end of a financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46738/24]
View answerWritten answers
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are not-for-profit housing organisations that provide both social and cost rental housing on behalf of the State.
As independent organisations, AHBs are required to adopt the standards for AHBs provided for by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA). The regulatory standards, which include financial management and reporting, property and asset management, and tenancy management, are available on the AHBRA website at www.ahbregulator.ie/.
As per the financial requirements set out by AHBRA, AHBs are required to have (1) sufficient income to meet operational payments and debt commitments as they fall due, while maintaining service levels, (2) sustainable cash flows and sufficient liquidity to meet expected future obligations, and (3) adequate financial resources to meet investment requirements of maintenance and capital expenditure obligations as they fall due.
Specifically, financial advice is provided in the ‘Financial Standard - Guidance for AHBs’ document available at www.ahbregulator.ie/app/uploads/2022/08/Financial-Standard-Guidance-FINAL.pdf.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Questions (740)
Cathal Crowe
Question:740. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on plans that the National Parks and Wildlife Service have to open new offices in Corofin, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46757/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department received planning permission to construct a new visitor centre for the Burren National Park, at No. 1-2 Riverview, Corofin, on 11 January 2024. The NPWS is continuing to work with Clare County Council to deliver on this proposal, as well as other proposals regarding the public realm in Corofin and hope that the new Burren National Park Visitor Centre at Corofin can be delivered in the near future.
Rental Sector
Questions (741, 758, 790, 829)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:741. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the ending of tenant in situ scheme funding to local authorities, like Galway City Council; if he will immediately address this to support local authorities in preventing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46772/24]
View answer
John Connolly
Question:758. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has suspended the tenant-in-situ scheme pending the formation of a new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/24]
View answer
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:790. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the acquisitions allocation will be provided to each local authority for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1546/25]
View answer
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:829. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the tenant-in-situ purchase scheme operated by county councils where tenants are facing eviction; if it has been suspended in some or all local authorities; when it will be operational again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2083/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 741, 758, 790 and 829 together.
The Tenant in Situ Acquisitions Programme was introduced by way of Government decision in 2023. It was originally intended as a short term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes which were within the HAP and RAS schemes in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the affected tenants.
A further Government decision extended the programme into 2024 with approval granted for 1,300 Tenant in Situ acquisitions in addition to the 200 priority acquisitions target for 2024 contained in Housing for All. Any decision in relation to a further extension of the Tenant in Situ scheme into 2025 will be a matter for the new Government.
Local authorities are asked to take appropriate steps to ensure that their first response will be to support households to prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with a notice of termination by their landlord. A local authority will assess the options available in each case and decide the appropriate action. Local authorities should explore all available options to prevent homeless before proceeding with an acquisition.
These options include securing the continuation of the tenancy with the landlord, securing alternative accommodation through the Housing Assistance Payment Placefinder, allocating another Rental Accommodation Scheme property, or allocating a social housing tenancy, including voids, untenanted properties or properties available with an Approved Housing Body.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy and, as such, tenants in receipt of a Notice of Termination from their landlord should contact their local County Council directly.
In discussions with individual local authorities in the closing weeks of 2024 every effort was made to ensure that each authority was facilitated in completing and recouping the costs of their 2024 acquisitions in line with the Government decision and their individual allocations which were notified to them in March, 2024. My Department has also been updating local authorities on the current position regarding the 2025 acquisitions programme in individual engagements and also in plenary discussions with the CCMA Housing Committee and Executive.
Local Authorities will be updated by way of Circular on any changes to the 2025 acquisitions programme above Housing for All targets consequent upon any Government decision in that regard.
International Agreements
Questions (742)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:742. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his position with regard to Ireland’s membership of the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46784/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Antarctic Treaty System consists of several different international legal instruments. These are the 1959 Antarctic Treaty; the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources; the 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals; and the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection 1991. Each of these has a different focus and set of requirements on participating States.
An inter-departmental group will determine what level of participation is appropriate for Ireland in terms of the which parts of the treaty system we should accede to and to identify the structures and associated resource requirements necessary for such participation.
To date, my Department's focus has been on ensuring that threatened species, habitats, and ecosystem services in our own maritime area and the wider North-East Atlantic Region are protected. With this in mind, the priority has been the drafting of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Bill.
Work on the MPA Bill complements our continued work on a national and transboundary basis under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive; the OSPAR Regional Sea Convention for the Protection of the Environment of the North-East Atlantic; and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's Global Biodiversity Framework Targets.
Vacant Sites
Questions (743)
Thomas Gould
Question:743. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant sites on registers, by local authority, in 2023; the amount levied; the amount collected; and the amount cumulatively owed. [46808/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January of the following year.
The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) will come into effect on 1 February 2025 to replace the Vacant Site Levy. The Vacant Site Levy will remain payable for previous calendar years up to the end of 2024.
The most recent data available in relation to the collection of the levy is based on returns submitted to my Department further to the issuing of Circular Letter PL 05/2024 requesting the submission of a progress report by each local authority. This information is provided in the attached Table.
It should be noted that under section 19 of the Act, unpaid levies due remain a charge on the land in question until they are paid. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure that all vacant site levies due are paid and that the measure can achieve its full potential.”
Homeless Accommodation
Questions (744)
Thomas Gould
Question:744. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children who entered homeless accommodation in Cork in 2024. [46811/24]
View answerWritten answers
My 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 accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of November 2024. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal data.gov.ie/.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. These quarterly performance reports include information on presentations to homeless services by single adult and family households who entered emergency accommodation. The most recent published data is in respect of Q3 2024 and the report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
Departmental Data
Questions (745)
Thomas Gould
Question:745. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people who passed away while rough sleeping in 2024, by county. [46812/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not collate information relating to deaths of homeless individuals in emergency accommodation, funded and overseen by local authorities, or individuals rough sleeping.
On 16 January 2024, the Health Research Board published its report on deaths among people who were homeless based on 2020 data. The research applied the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The study was commissioned by the Department of Health in order to improve understanding of premature mortality among people who are homeless and to inform healthcare policy and services for this vulnerable cohort. The study is the second time this data has been published, the first report was published last year based on 2019 data.
The report published in January 2024 found that a total of 121 deaths, that were sudden and unexpected, occurred nationally in 2020 in people who were homeless at the time of their death. This is an increase on the (revised) figure of 92 deaths reported in 2019. Of the 121 deaths, 48% died in emergency accommodation and 36% in a public space, public building or derelict building. Of those who died, 91% had a history of substance use or dependency. I extend my sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased and also acknowledge the important work carried out by those on the frontline.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities to continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness including those with complex needs.
Housing Provision
Questions (746)
Thomas Gould
Question:746. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of homes at St. Kevin’s Hospital. [46818/24]
View answerWritten answers
The development of housing by the Land Development Agency on the site at St Kevin's Hospital is currently underway. This 14.5 acre site is expected to deliver approximately 266 homes (46 houses and 220 apartments), with a tenure mix of cost rental, affordable purchase and social homes.
The Vesting Order to transfer the land at St. Kevin's is complete, and the LDA has advised my Department that construction of the first phase comprising of 97 homes is underway at the site in Cork, with delivery expected in Q4 2025. The remaining homes are estimated to be delivered across 2026 and 2027.
More details on this development are available at the following link: lda.ie/projects/st-kevins-hospital-cork/.
Referendum Campaigns
Questions (747, 756)
Thomas Gould
Question:747. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the referendum on water. [46820/24]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:756. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a commitment to holding a water referendum within the first one hundred days of the new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46873/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 756 together.
Establishment of Uisce Éireann in public ownership is already firmly secured in legislation under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022. These Acts additionally confirm Uisce Éireann as the national authority for water services and detail its functions and responsibilities.
The government is committed in its aim to deliver a world-class public water services utility which brings best practice, cost effective water services and supports economic development and job creation in local communities.
The published (Draft) Programme for Government does not make any commitment regarding a referendum on the public ownership of water services. The focus going forward is on supporting Uisce Éireann in its plans for delivery of key strategic projects in our cities and regions.
Housing Schemes
Questions (748)
Niamh Smyth
Question:748. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a Croí Cónaithe grant application (details supplied) and provide clarity or direction in relation to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46832/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a key support, introduced by this Government, to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes.
A grant of up to €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. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built prior to 2008, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. The objective of the grant is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes.
The grant is available to an individual / individuals who currently own or are in the process of acquiring a vacant or derelict property that meet the scheme criteria. The grant is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings or entities.
The Vacant Homes Unit in my Department offers ongoing support and guidance to local authorities in their administration of the scheme. I have no function in respect of individual cases as the scheme is administered and managed by local authorities who assess and decide on applications in line with the scheme qualifying criteria. Information on the scheme and application process is available at www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/ and from the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority.
Housing Policy
Questions (749)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:749. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to increase the targets for affordable housing for Cork city and Cork County Council. [46844/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has recently revised its housing targets for 2025 to 2030, targeting delivery of some 303,000 new homes over the period, with an average of over 50,000 homes per year by 2030 and a pathway to delivering 60,000 homes annually in 2030 and thereafter.
Tenure specific targets for social, affordable, and private rental and private ownership homes will fall to be considered by the Government in the near future, with the breakdown of individual targets for local authorities following on from that and likely in tandem with the development of a new Housing Plan as referenced in the Programme for Government.
The revised housing targets reflect Ireland’s growing housing needs driven by increases in population and employment, and latent and ongoing demand for housing.
It is important to note that the Affordable Housing Fund is open to all local authorities, to assist in the ongoing development and delivery of suitable affordable purchase and cost rental housing schemes in response to identified local needs.
Cork City and Cork County councils both continue to work proactively, in conjunction with all delivery partners, to expand and develop their affordable housing delivery programmes and to ensure an effective response to the affordable housing needs identified across their functional areas.
Housing Provision
Questions (750)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:750. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider funding the regeneration of the flats at Togher (Cherry Tree Road, Clashduv Road, Maple Place, Sycamore Place, Hazel Road) and at Desmond Square, Cork. [46845/24]
View answerWritten answers
Cork City Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of the apartment complexes in their ownership, including flats at Togher and at Desmond Square, which are now in excess of 50 years old.
Notwithstanding, funding is available from my Department for refurbishment projects though various schemes including the Estate Regeneration Programme. My Department has been informed by Cork City Council that it is currently undertaking a review of all such complexes in Cork City, to explore options for their long-term regeneration. This review will take time to complete but will seek to identify the most effective strategies to modernise the buildings, incorporating energy-efficient technologies, and put in place planned preventative maintenance strategies for their future management.
My Department has been advised that the Council intends to engage with the Department at an early stage once appropriate solutions are identified. Once received, my Department will liaise with and review any proposals submitted by Cork City Council in this regard.
Housing Provision
Questions (751)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:751. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the funding available for regeneration of city council flats. [46846/24]
View answerWritten answers
Local Authorities are responsible for the maintenance of their social housing stock. Notwithstanding, funding is available from my Department for local authority refurbishment projects through various funding schemes including the Estate Regeneration Programme.
It is strictly a matter for the Local Authorities to bring forward submissions for funding approval to the Department. These submissions will be considered on their own merit.
Housing Provision
Questions (752)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:752. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the regeneration of the flats at Noonan’s Road, St Finbarr’s Road, Fort Street and Dean Street, Cork. [46847/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has been informed by Cork City Council that they are assessing the potential for redevelopment and regeneration of social housing at Noonan's Road. Feasibility is at an early stage and is connected with the planned relocation of residents from their existing accommodation. We have been advised that the Council is currently progressing with the decant process to move existing residents to new homes.
The Council has also advised that in due course, when initial feasibility is concluded and a procurement and design route chosen, a submission will be made to the Department. Once received, my Department will liaise with and review the proposal submitted by Cork City Council in this regard.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (753)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:753. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the per unit cost provided to local authorities for retrofitting of local authority housing. [46848/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the 2024 EERP programme, my Department funded costs of up to €48,850 plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the programme calls for local authorities to undertake a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget.
Works in relation to the 2024 programme are complete and full details in relation to delivery will be available early in 2025.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (754)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:754. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case for reissue of a remediation grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46861/24]
View answerWritten answers
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
As set out in my letter of 18 October 2024, the detailed operation of the Scheme is a matter for the designated local authorities in the first instance and their role is set out clearly in the 2022 Act. Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the initial validation of applications, notifying homeowners of the Housing Agency's determinations on 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. Any query a homeowner has relating to an application to the scheme should be addressed to their local authority, Mayo County Council in this instance.
My Department has been in contact with the Council who have confirmed they are currently reviewing the request from the applicant and will provide a response in due course.
Local Area Plans
Questions (755)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:755. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the documents he has personally reviewed regarding the Cork Event Centre in relation to potential land acquisition of same; and the timeline for making decisions relating to the retendering and development board engagement. [46862/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Cork Event Centre was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. This underlines the Government’s support for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.
The Government decision of 22 October 2024 re-affirms its commitment to and ongoing Exchequer funding support for an Events Centre in Cork City, given its strategic alignment with the growth ambition for Cork City, as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. The decision requires that the procurement process begins afresh and that a project development board, led by Cork City Council, be established to expedite the process.
My Department wrote to Cork City Council on the 31 October 2024 outlining details of the Government decision and the next steps required of the Council in order to begin formation of the Project Development Board, including identification of potential Board members and drafting the terms of reference for the Board. These initial steps are well advanced and the first board meeting is scheduled to take place imminently.
The Government decision of 22 October notes that every effort will be made by the Project Development Board to ensure that the new procurement process, State Aid clearance and planning compliance are completed within a 12 to 18 month period.
The development of the Cork Events Centre project has not included proposals for land acquisition to date, and so there are no documents to be reviewed in this regard.
Question No. 756 answered with Question No. 747.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (757)
John Connolly
Question:757. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made in relation to an NPWS farm plan scheme application submitted by a person in County Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46876/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has reached a decision regarding the application in question.
A letter was issued, by post, on 20 December 2024, informing the applicant of the specifics of the decision.