Written Answers Nos. 1-22
9. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether the reduction in numbers on the housing list in Cork following the recent social housing needs assessment reflects the provision of permanent secure council housing to large numbers of households on the list; if not, the other factors that account for the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Summary of Social Housing Assessments recorded 91,600 households as being qualified for social housing support as at 21 September 2016, an increase of 1,728 households or 1.9% over the 89,872 total recorded by the previous summary in 2013. Within this overall figure, both Cork housing authorities recorded a significant decrease in their figures, with a reduction of 2,000 in the City Council and a reduction of 563 in the County Council area . The decreases in the Cork figures cannot be attributed to any one factor. The reduction of 2,000 households on the Cork City council list was due to the interaction of a number of factors. A significant factor would have been the work by the City Council to bring vacant council properties back into use and on the acquisition of new social housing units. Across all the build, voids and regeneration and acquisition programmes, over 730 social housing units were delivered by the City Council over 2015/16. In addition, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) was introduced in the City Council area in June 2015. Furthermore, Choice-Based Letting was introduced in the city in 2015 and, as part of the roll-out of this programme, households on the housing list were asked to confirm whether or not they were still seeking housing support.
Similarly, no one single factor can fully explain the reduction of 563 households in the figures for the County area. However, given that HAP was introduced in the County Council area in September 2014, it has made a significant contribution to meeting the housing needs of applicants. In addition, a total of 296 vacant social housing units were brought back into use by Cork County Council during the 2015-16 period, with 112 other properties being delivered for social housing use over the same timeframe.
As part of the process, households which were found to no longer qualify for social housing support were removed from housing lists. For example, a large number of households in Cork and elsewhere have had their housing need met through the provision of a housing support such as RAS or HAP. Another smaller number (approximately 5-7%) were found to have incomes that exceeded the eligibility thresholds. Where a number of attempts had been made to contact a household (comprising at least two letters and other measures at the discretion of the authority) without success, then the household’s application could be closed by the housing authority. However, as has been the practice on previous occasions, where a household subsequently contacts the authority with the required information within a reasonable timeframe, then the application may be re-activated without affecting the original date of qualification.
11. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his Department's involvement in reforming or designing a successor to the mortgage to rent scheme with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8836/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I recently published the Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme. The Review represents the completion of an early action in the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. It involved broad consultation, including with the Department of Finance, on the operation of the current scheme, which was originally developed in 2011. Arising from the Review and its recommendations, a more formal communication protocol between the lenders and borrowers is being developed; several changes to the eligibility criteria of the scheme are being made which will mean more households in rural areas, in particular, will be eligible; conveyancing, valuation and repairs process are all being refined; and a significant borrower, lender and local authority awareness raising and training programme is being initiated.
Furthermore, the key role of the ’Abhaile’ Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service, the Insolvency Service and the Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS) are all being harnessed as critical contributors to the successful delivery of the scheme.
I and my Department will continue to work across Government to ensure the early implementation of these actions, including the development of the pilot financing projects that look to harness alternative financing arrangements so that the scheme has increased capacity to meet the needs of more borrowers in the most serious situations of mortgage distress.
14. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that a large proportion of the social housing solutions promised in the Rebuilding Ireland plan will come under housing support schemes, rather than consisting of new builds; if his Department has carried out any analysis on the longer term implications of this on the housing sector and on security of tenure for tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9021/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra16. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether the Rebuilding Ireland plan relies too heavily on the private sector for the delivery of social housing; his plans to empower local authorities to significantly increase their capacity for building social housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9022/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 16 together.
As pointed out in response to earlier Questions, Rebuilding Ireland is fundamentally based on blended delivery of social housing and harnessing the highest quality social housing possible given the capacity of local authorities, the private market and the financial resources available to Government.
A range of delivery mechanisms are operating in parallel. I recently published the first Status Report on Social Housing Construction Projects which shows a strong pipeline of direct construction projects that will contribute to the delivery of 26,000 new homes by 2021, and the 11,000 existing units that will bought directly from the market either at scale, using the Housing Agency’s purchase of property portfolios, or at local level by local authorities and approved housing bodies. It is the intention to update progress on the schemes on a quarterly basis.
The capacity of the private market is also being harnessed by maximising the Part V requirements on new residential developments; bringing privately owned vacant units back into productive use for social housing using the new Repair and Leasing and Buy and Renew Schemes; and harnessing the private investment interest in long-term leases or other contractual arrangements with local authorities for the supply of high quality social housing.
Rebuilding Ireland also sets out an ambitious set of targets for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which supports households who wish to live in high quality rented accommodation with the security of knowing that their HAP support will continue even if their household income increases. While the level of supply in the rental market is challenging, 300 new tenancies per week have been supported by HAP so far this year and 18,250 households in total are currently supported under the scheme.
A number of financial and economic studies carried out either during the development of the original schemes or subsequently have supported the rationale for the provision of social housing through mechanisms such as the leasing and renting of privately owned accommodation.
I continue to keep all of the social housing delivery mechanisms under review to ensure that they remain relevant and are responding effectively to housing needs while also ensuring value for money.
17. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 8 February 2017, if he will not be setting up any sort of hostel type accommodation for families experiencing homelessness in order to meet his target of ending the use of commercial hotels to accommodate homeless families by July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8833/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is fully recognised that the period of time that homeless families spend in hotel accommodation should be minimised. This is reflected in the commitment in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness that by mid-2017, hotels should only be used in exceptional circumstances as emergency accommodation for families. It is intended that the long-term housing needs of homeless families will be met through a range of social housing supports, such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, and general social housing allocations. The increases in Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payment levels from 1 July 2016, along with the recent rent predictability measures which include designated rent pressure zones, are playing an important role in terms of supporting families to remain in rented accommodation. The Dublin Region homeless pilot of HAP saw over 800 independent tenancies created for homeless households in 2016. A further 1,200 tenancies are targeted for 2017 across the Dublin Region and this is on track for delivery, with over 300 tenancies for homeless households having been put in place since 1 January 2017. In addition to the usual local authority delivery channels, it is also expected that the Housing Agency programme to acquire 1,600 units will make a significant contribution.
To mitigate the issues associated with the volume of homeless families currently accommodated in inappropriate commercial hotel arrangements, in addition to the actions outlined above, housing authorities are pursuing a range of supported temporary accommodation initiatives. These supported temporary accommodation arrangements will provide accommodation for homeless families with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning for access to all required services, including welfare, health and housing services.
18. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the latest figures that suggests the number of social houses built in 2016 were among the lowest in the State's history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe breakdown of the delivery for social housing in 2016 , including the number of built units, was set out in the Second Quarterly Progress Report under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness. At 640, the number of built social housing units indicated for 2016 is provisional , while final statistics are gathered from local authorities, for publication by my Department in the usual manner. Notwithstanding the suggestion in the Deputy’s Question, the factual position is that the 2016 delivery of newly built social housing units represents very significant progress compared to recent years. However, I recognise that we still need to grow this number substantially and this is a key focus with in the overall strategy and ambition of Rebuilding Ireland. To boost the supply of new social housing, project approvals have continued apace in 2016, adding to the sizeable pipeline already in place to deliver significant additional social housing.
The strength of this pipeline can be seen in the Status Report for Social Housing Construction Projects, which I published on Monday last, and which is now available on my Department’s website. The relevant weblink will be circulated with the official report.
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/rebuilding-ireland/construction/rebuilding-ireland-social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2016.
The report lists all approved projects up to end - 2016, including those completed in 2016 and those at various stages of advancement through planning, design and construction. It comprises over 500 construction schemes to deliver almost 8,500 units right across the country.
Further construction project approvals are continuing and the reforms mapped out in Rebuilding Ireland, along with additional resources that have been made available over the last two years, are restoring local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to a central position in new social housing build and delivery for the years ahead.
19. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the scheme details of the 350 rapid build homes which were advancing through various stages of delivery at the end of 2016; the specific locations and number of units in each scheme; when each scheme will be ready for occupation. [9039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working closely with all local authorities in relation to increasing and accelerating the delivery of a range of social housing programmes and supports, including rapid build homes.
At the end of 2016, a total of 350 rapid build homes were advancing through various stages of delivery, including construction, with 22 rapid build homes being delivered and occupied in 2016. A further 650 rapid build homes will be advanced in 2017, with another 500 units to be delivered in 2018.
There has been significant pressure to ramp-up rapid build delivery, which local authorities have been responding to positively. Of particular note has been the establishment of a framework of rapid build contractors by the Office of Government Procurement, which means that local authorities across the country can now run quicker procurement competitions and advance rapid build projects to site more efficiently and effectively.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query regarding the 350 rapid build homes that were advancing through various stages of delivery at the end of the 2016, the following are the projects concerned:
- Georges Place, Dun Laoghaire - 12 homes
- St. Aidans, Brookfield - 71 homes
- Poppintree, Ballymun - 22 homes
- Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot - 24 homes
- Mourne Road, Drimnagh - 29 homes
- St. Helena’s, Finglas - 40 homes
- Belcamp, Dublin 17 - 38 homes
- Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot - 52 homes
- Woodbank, Rathvilly - 18 homes
- Wellview, Mulhuddart - 20 homes
- Pinewood, Balbriggan - 24 homes
In relation to the timeframe over the course of 2017 for when each of the projects listed above will be ready for occupation, other than the Poppintree project which is already complete and tenanted, this will be dependent on the completion of procurement and construction. The local authorities involved are working hard to ensure that each project is completed and occupied by tenants at the earliest possible date.
20. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which his Department proposes to review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, towns and villages, including vacant or underutilised areas over ground floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process as outlined in point 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4245/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLead responsibility for the Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23 January 2017, rest with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. However, as the proposal listed at Action 6 therein relates to a planning matter, its delivery falls to my Department. The proposed action, which was also reflected in the Government's Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Rebuilding Ireland, published in July 2016, is indicative of the ambitious priority attached to urban regeneration by the Government, grounded in the Programme for a Partnership Government. It is one of a series of specific actions to facilitate the regeneration of our urban centres, many of which were adversely impacted by the economic downturn.
To drive forward consideration and implementation of these actions, a Working Group, which I chair and which also involves senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and other relevant actors, has been established to bring forward proposals for new urban regeneration measures as early as possible. It is intended that the new measures will complement the existing regeneration activities under my Department's Social Housing Capital Programme, as well as other social regeneration initiatives already underway.
As part of its deliberations, the Working Group is presently reviewing planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial premises in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process. I expect the Working Group to be in a position to report in Q2 2017.
21. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which he and his Department will ensure that the Departments of Health, Education and Skills, Transport, Tourism and Sport and Finance comply with and work within the national planning framework. [9024/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the role his Department will have in the roll out of the national planning framework. [8779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 73 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently leading the preparation of the National Planning Framework, Our Plan - Ireland 2040 , although responsibility for the ultimate implementation of the Framework will rest with a range of stakeholders such as relevant Government Departments, including those referred to, other public bodies and agencies, including local authorities, and regional assemblies, and private sector and community interests.
I have established a cross-Departmental steering group, which I Chair and which is made up of high-level representatives of relevant Government Departments, to lead the preparation of the NPF. This will help ensure effective alignment and joined-up thinking across Government.
I have also established a NPF Advisory Group to ensure the participation of relevant non-governmental organisations, professional bodies and technical experts in the process – this Advisory Group met in December. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to harness the inputs and leadership of a broad range of interests, including the business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors.
Building on the initial Roadmap document in 2015 and stakeholder consultation events in 2016, I recently launched a preliminary public consultation process which runs until mid-March, to inform the drafting of the NPF and I expect to publish a draft for public consultation before the Summer.
My Department is liaising closely with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in co-ordinating the preparations for both the National Planning Framework and the mid-term review of the Government’s Capital Plan to 2021. On the basis of the initial public consultation, a draft NPF will be prepared and it is my Department’s intention to develop this draft in sufficient time that it will be available to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to input into the Capital Plan review process.
I am confident that the ongoing work in developing the Framework, coupled to the proposals to give it a strong legislative underpinning, as set out under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, and its progression in tandem with the mid-term review of the Capital Plan will ensure that all Departments, other public bodies and stakeholders more generally will work within and drive forward the NPF’s implementation.
22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which the planned construction of 14 social housing units in County Galway will address the housing crisis there (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday last, I published a Status Report for Social Housing Construction Projects, which lists all approved projects, including those delivered in 2016 and those at various stages of advancement through planning, design and construction. This report, which includes 10 projects for the Galway City Council area, can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/rebuilding_ireland_-_social_housing_construction_status_report_-_q4_2016.pdf .
In addition to the Galway City Council projects listed within the Status Report for Social Housing Construction Projects, a scheme to deliver 73 new units is earmarked for Ballyburke as part of the €300 million public private partnership (PPP) model for new social housing.
As well as these construction projects, under Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is also working to meet the needs of those on the housing waiting list through a range of other programmes. These include funding to support the return of vacant social homes, through which funding Galway City Council has remediated around 70 social homes between 2014 and end-2016, and the acquisition of second-hand houses and apartments, where suitable opportunities arise. Details on the number of properties purchased to end quarter three of 2016, as well as those leased and constructed by all local authorities, including Galway City Council, are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
Information on quarter four of 2016 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
The blended approach to delivering social housing includes also the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and a variety of leasing arrangements under my Department’s Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). Information on delivery in 2016 under each of these programmes is available on my Department’s website at the weblink above.
