Written Answers Nos. 778-797
778. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the regeneration of Pearse House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1310/25]
View answerMy Department is working closely with Dublin City Council (DCC) to realise the progression of the regeneration of Pearse House. Stage 1 funding approval was provided by my Department in April 2021.
DCC have advanced this project to an outline design with costing and my Department is currently working with DCC on that submission.
779. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide assurances that the issues impacting the Oscar Traynor Woods developments will not be mirrored in housing developments currently under construction in the Fingal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1340/25]
View answer780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to open an investigation to ensure that no housing developments currently under construction by a developer (details supplied) in the Fingal area have any underlying issues as seen at the Oscar Traynor Woods development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1341/25]
View answerA range of building control reforms which focus on ensuring strong and effective regulation in the building control system and of the construction industry and on improving compliance with Building Regulations have been implemented over the last decade. These include:
1. The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which empower competence and professionalism in construction projects and establish a chain of responsibility that begins with the owner. If issues arise, whether pre, during or post construction, it is clear who has held the designated roles and who is responsible for addressing the issues. This facilitates and simplifies the inspection, implementation and enforcement role of Building Control Authority.
2. The creation of the National Building Control Management Project and the establishment of the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office. This office in Dublin City Council provides centralised oversight, support and direction for the development, standardisation and implementation of Building Control, across the 31 local authorities/building control authorities.
3. The enactment of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 which develops and promotes a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. The Act puts the Construction Industry Register Ireland on a statutory footing and aims to benefit consumers and the general public by giving those who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. The requirement to register will apply to builders of both residential and non-residential buildings that are subject to the Building Regulations. It is expected that registration for the initial categories will commence this year. The first categories who will be required to register will likely be builders of housing schemes and apartments. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently.
Enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 each Chief Executive is responsible for the organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
Furthermore, in July 2024, the Government gave approval to draft Heads of Bill to establish a Building Standards Regulatory Authority as an independent central competent authority, with the powers of a national Building Control Authority, and national Market Surveillance Authority for construction products. It is intended that this Authority will act as a centre of best practice driving, promoting and fostering compliance, competency and consistency in building control and market surveillance systems and throughout the construction industry. My Department is working in collaboration with the local authority sector to progress the establishment of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority.
781. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties acquired under the cost rental and tenant-in-situ schemes, in each local authority; the number of properties in each local authority that are currently being considered under these schemes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1389/25]
View answerBoth the Social Housing Tenant in-Situ and Cost Rental Tenant in-Situ schemes support households who are at risk of homelessness.
Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions in 2023 and 2024 and the Department funded local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have been focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.
Consideration of, and a decision in relation to, a further extension of the social housing acquisitions and Tenant in-Situ programme into 2025 above Housing for All targets will be a matter for the new Government.
The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) scheme was introduced on 1 April 2023 for tenants in private rental homes who are not in receipt of social housing supports but are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property.
The Local Authority conducts the initial assessment for eligibility of the tenant for this scheme and refers potential cases to the Housing Agency, which is responsible for administering and managing the scheme on behalf of my Department, pending further policy development over the longer term. I am informed that the Housing Agency has engaged with more than 220 landlords across all Local Authority areas, with a view to the purchase of those homes.
Comprehensive data on social and affordable housing is published on my Department's website up to Quarter 3 2024, including completed acquisitions: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
786. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish one agency to manage the river Shannon. [1428/25]
View answer787. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish an ongoing river Shannon maintenance programme. [1431/25]
View answerWaterways Ireland is the North South Body responsible for the management and maintenance of more than 1000km of Ireland's inland waterways including the river Shannon. Waterways Ireland also manages and maintains the Shannon Erne Waterway, Erne System, the Barrow, the Royal and Grand Canals and the Lower Bann Navigation.
Waterways Ireland is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The Shannon Flood Relief State Agencies Co-ordination Working Group chaired by the Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for co-ordination and implementation of Government policy in relation to the management of flood risk in Ireland. This Group has the lead role in developing policy on national flood risk management and co-ordinating the actions and activities of Government Departments, the local authorities and other key stakeholders in relation to the management of flood risk, including Waterways Ireland who are members of the Group.
Detailed information in respect Waterways Ireland’s maintenance programme, plans and ongoing work on the River Shannon navigation is not held in my Department, however arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is: oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org.
788. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of plans to deliver a national park in County Meath; the progress made in this regard since lands were purchased at Dowth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1505/25]
View answerThe lands purchased at Dowth in December 2023 form the new National Park, Brú na Boinne National Park, which made it the seventh national park in Ireland at the time. Subsequently Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí became our eighth national park.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in partnership with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are working together to prepare a Masterplan for the entire property, which comprises a suite of important archaeological monuments, Dowth House, Netterville Manor and other outbuildings, an important designed landscape and a range of habitats including mixed woodland, scrub, riparian wetland and grassland with an extensive complement of flora and fauna.
A new Park Manager was appointed by the NPWS in 2024 to oversee the operations of Brú na Boinne National Park as well as the development of the Masterplan This Masterplan will seek to provide a conceptual overview and strategic thinking on how to develop the National Park, within the World Heritage Property, and promote an understanding of the Park’s significance as one of Ireland’s foremost important cultural and natural heritage sites. The draft will be issued for public consultation and stakeholder engagement. One of the requirements is to ensure community involvement in the development of the Masterplan including community consultation throughout the process. The Masterplan will guide decision-making for the sensitive conservation, development and management of Brú na Bóinne National Park into the future.
789. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of new windfarm development guidelines; the reason for the ongoing delay in publishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1532/25]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise and setback distance as well as shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is now substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
In addition to work on the noise aspects of the Guidelines, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024, which was signed by the President on 17 October last, and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 - Annex of Actions sets out a timeline of Q1 2025 for publication of the final updated Guidelines. My Department is working towards meeting this commitment, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the National Planning Framework. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
792. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing units delivered under the affordable purchase scheme in each county in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1609/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy.
A strong pipeline of affordable purchase housing opportunities is now in place, and under continuous development, across all partners and delivery streams, including local authorities, the Land Development Agency and the First Home Scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Statistical reports detailing affordable housing delivery within each local authority area by all delivery partners during 2022, 2023 and for the first three quarters of 2024 are available on my Department's website at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
793. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who availed of the first home scheme in each county in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1610/25]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home, within regional price ceilings.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB and, as such, is responsible for First Home Scheme reporting.
Quarterly and annual updates are made available on the First Home Scheme website. The most recent report, that of Q4 2024, is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/.
Furthermore, the First Home 2023 and 2022 Annual Reports, including information in relation to the number of homes in each local authority area supported under the scheme, is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/annual-reports/
My Department also publishes quarterly data on overall affordable housing provision, with the delivery figures for First Home broken down by Local Authority area to Q3 2024, available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
794. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who have applied for the local authority purchase and renovation loan in each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1611/25]
View answer795. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who have successfully availed of the local authority purchase and renovation loan in each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1612/25]
View answer796. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of rejected applications for the local authority purchase and renovation loan in each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1613/25]
View answerThe Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR) came into effect on 22 July 2024. The LAPR is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, and supports the purchase and/or renovation of vacant or derelict homes which are eligible for the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The LAPR is for creditworthy first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase and/or renovate a vacant or derelict property. The introduction of the LAPR loan supports the Government's policy of bringing vacant or derelict homes back into use. Eligibility for the loan is subject to applicants meeting existing local authority mortgage eligibility criteria, as well as the renovation project meeting the scheme's lending criteria. Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated website www.purchaseandrenovationloan.ie.
Information on LAPR drawdowns will be compiled as part of the normal local authority quarterly reporting process. As the scheme only commenced in Q3 2024, information is not yet available on drawdowns or applications.
797. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who have applied for the vacant property refurbishment grant in each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [1617/25]
View answer798. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of persons who have successfully availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant in each local authority in the past five years, in tabular form. [1618/25]
View answer799. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of rejected applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant in each local authority in the past five years, in tabular form. [1619/25]
View answer800. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average timeframe for processing applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant. [1620/25]
View answer801. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time it takes an applicant to draw down funds, that is, the timeframe in which an applicant is successful and monies are transferred from local authority to applicant under the vacant property refurbishment grant. [1621/25]
View answerThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, is a key support to bring 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 level of interest in and take-up of the Grant has been significant since it was launched. To date over 11,400 grant applications have been received across local authorities and over 7,700 approved. Payment of grants by local authorities commenced at the end of 2023, as refurbishment works started to be completed, and this has steadily increased. I expect this trend to continue, with the number of grants paid significantly increasing over the coming months as more refurbishment works are completed.
The average application processing time, i.e. the time from receipt of the application to a decision being made by local authorities, varies across local authorities, with a current average of some 15 weeks. The processing of applications includes a site visit being undertaken by the local authority. However this time period is significantly reduced in cases where a completed application with all required documentation is submitted to the local authority.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.
Since its introduction in 2022, my Department publishes data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This includes a breakdown per local authority of the total number of grant applications received, the number approved, rejected and the number of grants paid. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000. The Q4 2024 statistics are currently being verified and will be published in due course.
