Written Answers Nos. 570-585
570. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding property development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18286/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 set out the means by which problems relating to the ownership and management of the common areas of both existing and new multi-unit developments can be addressed. The Act also aims to facilitate the fair and effective management of those bodies responsible for the management of such areas. The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
571. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons with specific medical needs will be provided with allowances towards their water bills (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18294/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new water charging regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges are €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households now know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs.
In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year will be available to qualifying households. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of my Department, which will be available to households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced and is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The overall cost for those who register with Irish Water, net of the €100 water conservation grant, is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.
When it comes to payment, a range of easy pay options will be in place, including direct debits, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a paypoint or payzone sign or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made. Irish Water also intends participating in the Household Budget scheme. This facility, operated by An Post on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, provides customers with a facility to have their household utility bills and social housing rents deducted directly from their weekly social welfare payment.
572. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence from the Irish Property Owners’ Association in respect of the private rental market, and the crisis situation between the shortage of supply and the current level of rents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFundamentally, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market. The implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020 Strategy will support increased housing supply. New house completions in 2014 amounted to 11,016 units nationally, up 33% on the 2013 figure.
In addition, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 published in November 2014 sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list. The total targeted provision under the Social Housing Strategy of 110,000 social housing units includes the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units through Pillar 1. The private rental sector however, through Pillar 2 of the strategy, will accommodate up to 75,000 eligible low-income households primarily through the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) published two major reports on the private rental sector in 2014, entitled Future of the Private Rented Sector and Rent Stability in the Private Rented Sector. Both reports are available on the PRTB website at http://www.prtb.ie/docs/default-source/pdf-manuals/future-of-the-private-rented-sector.pdf?sfvrsn=0 and http://www.prtb.ie/docs/default-source/pdf-manuals/rent-stability-in-the-private-rented-sector.pdf?sfvrsn=0.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to developing a national policy on the private rental sector aimed at increasing investment in and supporting the supply of, good quality, secure and affordable accommodation in the sector. The PRTB reports referred to above, together with a forthcoming National Economic and Social Council (NESC) report on Ireland’s rental sector, will be important inputs to the process of considering possible further policy and legislative initiatives.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 is currently before the Oireachtas and will amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide, inter alia, for the establishment of a custodial deposit protection scheme. This will provide protection for tenants, including those who find themselves in situations where a receiver has been appointed and the situation regarding the return of their deposit is uncertain. The Bill has passed all stages in the Dáil, together with second stage in the Seanad. It will return to the Seanad for Committee Stage in the coming weeks.
I recognise that the time-lag in terms of ramping up supply to match demand is fuelling a marked increase in rents, especially in Dublin and the other major cities, leading to difficulties, particularly for lower-income households. I am monitoring the rental market closely and am keeping potential policy options under review. My overriding objective in relation to rents is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.
573. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider adding a 29th sub-regional area to allow for an islands only region, as part of the new Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18296/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 519 of 6 May 2015, which sets out the position in relation to this matter. The position remains unchanged.
574. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a decision, or a date, on when persons who are living in local authority housing will have an opportunity to buy out their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18298/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, in the second quarter of 2015, which will set out the full details of the new scheme. It is expected that the new scheme will commence at the earliest possible date following the making of the Regulations.
575. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social houses built in County Clare between 1997 and 2015, in tabular form, by year and by location, including those built by the local authority, private developers and housing associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18299/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy. It includes data on the number of units provided by local authorities and approved housing bodies (under the voluntary and co-operative heading), broken down by year, and those data are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls, by clicking “Social Housing Outputs” under the Social Housing Supports heading.
The data does not record who builds particular social houses but it is highly likely that private developers are contracted to build the vast majority of same. For example, all direct build social housing projects by local authorities are put out to tender as part of a public procurement process.
Social housing is key priority for this Government, evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for it in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme, will address the needs of the circa 90,000 households on the housing waiting list.
The social housing targets that I recently announced for all local authorities are out to 2017 and include almost 7,500 units that will be capital-funded and 15,400 current-funded units. My announcement also contained provisional funding allocations which are sufficient to deliver the targeted units.
Following on from the target setting process, on 5 May 2015, I announced the first major direct build social housing programme under the Social Housing Strategy, with over 100 separate housing projects across all 31 local authorities. Details are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.
576. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units that will be made available and purpose-built for persons with a disability, in the recent announcement of 75 social housing units for County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18346/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social housing construction programme that I announced on 5 May 2015 was in respect of new social housing developments to meet general social housing needs in each local authority area.
The provision of housing for persons with a disability and people with special needs is supported under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme. In March 2015, all local authorities were requested to invite approved housing bodies to develop and submit proposals to meet housing need in this category. The proposals received on foot of this request have now been received by my Department, including those from Louth County Council, and they are currently being assessed. I expect to announce the approved projects as soon as the assessment process is complete.
577. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, per annum from 2015 to 2017, by county, the target and timeframe for the provision of social housing units; the number of new build; social housing leasing initiatives; local authority homes returned to use; and new rental accommodation scheme units; the total costs by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18366/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing is key priority for this Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for it in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme, will address the needs of the circa 90,000 households on the housing waiting lists.
Social housing targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017 and are available on my Department’s website, along with the provisional funding allocations, at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
A further breakdown of these targets has been provided to the local authorities, details of which are as follows:
|
Local Authority build and acquisition/ Approved Housing Body via the Capital Assistance Scheme/ Return of vacant properties |
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
|||
|
Local Authority |
2015/7 |
2015 |
2016/7 |
2015 |
2016/7 |
|
Carlow County Council |
94 |
65 |
195 |
40 |
41 |
|
Cavan County Council |
60 |
25 |
58 |
53 |
44 |
|
Clare County Council |
124 |
75 |
215 |
57 |
58 |
|
Cork City Council |
643 |
128 |
365 |
105 |
108 |
|
Cork County Council |
401 |
170 |
494 |
75 |
77 |
|
DLR County Council |
316 |
75 |
138 |
75 |
77 |
|
Donegal County Council |
170 |
65 |
179 |
46 |
47 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1498 |
425 |
1201 |
110 |
113 |
|
Fingal County Council |
396 |
200 |
557 |
110 |
113 |
|
Galway City Council |
136 |
90 |
251 |
20 |
21 |
|
Galway County Council |
144 |
80 |
230 |
80 |
74 |
|
Kerry County Council |
304 |
130 |
367 |
127 |
130 |
|
Kildare County Council |
433 |
180 |
508 |
80 |
82 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
215 |
103 |
310 |
39 |
19 |
|
Laois County Council |
158 |
35 |
145 |
15 |
13 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
20 |
20 |
38 |
20 |
21 |
|
Limerick City and County |
293 |
100 |
291 |
34 |
35 |
|
Longford County Council |
34 |
35 |
79 |
30 |
32 |
|
Louth County Council |
288 |
115 |
328 |
23 |
24 |
|
Mayo County Council |
146 |
50 |
137 |
115 |
118 |
|
Meath County Council |
134 |
75 |
209 |
50 |
51 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
55 |
30 |
79 |
20 |
21 |
|
Offaly County Council |
75 |
73 |
207 |
15 |
15 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
25 |
15 |
3 |
55 |
54 |
|
Sligo County Council |
101 |
20 |
48 |
65 |
67 |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
350 |
200 |
561 |
165 |
169 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
287 |
90 |
252 |
100 |
103 |
|
Waterford City and County |
164 |
120 |
336 |
69 |
71 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
148 |
72 |
226 |
52 |
44 |
|
Wexford County Council |
114 |
89 |
251 |
110 |
113 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
156 |
50 |
142 |
45 |
45 |
Under capital funding provided by my Department, local authorities will build and acquire social housing units, will support approved housing bodies to provide units via the Capital Assistance Scheme for special needs situations and will support the return of vacant properties to productive use. I have already announced, on 5 May 2015, the first major social housing construction programme under the Social Housing Strategy. This announcement covers some 100 separate housing projects, to provide over 1,700 new social housing units across all 31 local authorities. Details are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.
In 2015, I expect that some 7,400 new social housing units will be provided, broken down as follows:
- 3,000 units under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme;
- 2,000 new Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) units;
- 1,400 units to be built or acquired by local authorities and approved housing bodies; and
- 1,000 vacant local authority units will be returned to use.
Social Housing units under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) are delivered through:
- Local Authority units leased or rented;
- Approved Housing Body units constructed, acquired or leased; and
- NAMA special purpose vehicle owned units.
There is no specific breakdown of the individual local authority targets between these delivery mechanisms, however it is expected that 1,000 units from the 3,000 national SHCEP target will be delivered by Approved Housing Bodies in 2015. Each Local Authority is best placed to determine how best to meet their individual SHCEP targets using all the delivery mechanisms available to them and taking account of the housing circumstances in their area. Funding for the SHCEP and the Rental Accommodation Scheme is provided on a national basis without individual local authority (or approved housing body in the case of SHCEP) funding allocations.
578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant scheme to assist householders in meeting the cost of replacing lead water pipes, in view of the fact that householders may currently receive grants for home insulation works, but not for carrying out pipe replacement works required to make their drinking water safe. [18367/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra589. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a grant to assist homeowners with the cost of replacing dangerous lead pipes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18495/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 589 together.
The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system. Responsibility for replacing lead pipes from the main stopcock to the house and within the house therefore rests with the homeowner. In a joint position paper on lead published by the EPA and HSE in 2013, it is recommended that all lead pipes and plumbing in public and private ownership should be replaced over time.
In relation to the proposal for a grants scheme, my Department is developing a national strategy for lead, which it is discussing with the Department of Health, Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA, in order to map the scale of the problem and identify measures to mitigate any risks to human health posed by lead in drinking water. I briefed the Government on the matter at the Cabinet meeting today and the strategy will be completed and published next month.
Householders may qualify for relief under the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme introduced under Section 5 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013. The HRI scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements, including plumbing works. The scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and full details are published on Revenue’s website at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/reliefs/hri/hri-general-faqs.html.
579. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the €312 million for social housing announced recently is part of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 plans announced in 2014, and of the social housing targets for local authorities announced recently. [18385/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money each local authority will receive from the €312 million package announced recently. [18386/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra581. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reduction anticipated in waiting lists as a result in the recently announced funding in respect of the number of households and the percentage of those on current local authority waiting lists. [18387/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra582. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing units each local authority is expected to construct from the funding it will receive, following the announcement recently. [18388/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra583. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of the overall current waiting list for local authorities he expects will be met by the recent announcement of €312 million. [18389/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 to 583, inclusive, together.
The social housing strategy’s targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the housing assistance payment and rental accommodation scheme, will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand.
The ambitious targets for each local authority to 2017 announced on 1 April 2015, combined with provisional funding of €1.5 billion, will see local authorities and approved housing bodies use a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes, designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the housing waiting lists, over that period.
These targets to 2017 include almost 7,500 units that will be capital-funded and 15,400 current-funded units, of which 11,400 will be delivered through leasing and 4,000 delivered through the Rental Accommodation Scheme. This will also be accompanied by the targeted assistance of 28,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), to provide supported accommodation in the private rented sector.
Of the €1.5 billion funding to enable the delivery of the Social Housing Strategy targets, €312 million has now been assigned to specific housing projects, which will provide a kick start to the direct-build local authority social housing programme. It is important to recognise that direct build is just one of a suite of delivery mechanisms and this is the first announcement, with further approvals to be announced in due course.
This first phase announcement of some 100 housing projects will deliver some 1,700 units across all 31 local authorities by 2017. The specific details, including funding and the number of units to be constructed in each local authority area are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.
The impact of the projects on waiting lists varies from local authority to local authority with up to 7% of the list covered in some local authorities and 2% covered on average nationally. However, further project approvals will be announced on a phased basis throughout the year as further assessments are completed. It is my intention that all of the projects already announced will be completed by 2017, at latest. The overall social housing targets and expenditure out to 2017, that I announced on 1 April 2015, will on average nationally have a 25% impact on housing waiting lists.
Local authorities are responsible for the detailed planning and social housing provision, at a local level, based on the identified need in their areas. It is a matter for each local authority, working with my Department, to identify and bring forward appropriate proposals to respond to the local housing need including consideration of options to acquire available properties, new building developments, leasing and the provision of housing supports through the private rental sector.
584. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the forthcoming legislation planned regarding overshadowing trees, and the pruning and maintenance necessary, where it affects the amenity and light of neighbouring households. [18392/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 136 of 29 April 2015, which sets out the position on this matter.
