Written Answers Nos. 257-280
257. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of the additional maternity leave and benefit for mothers of premature babies who are currently on maternity leave but the children of which were born before 1 October 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection does not collect data on the number of mothers with premature babies born before 1 October 2017 who are currently on maternity leave as this information was not necessary to make a decision on an application for maternity benefit prior to 1 October 2017. In this context the cost associated with allowing mothers of premature babies born before 1 October 2017 who are currently on maternity leave additional maternity leave and benefit, as outlined by the Deputy, is not available.
258. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide a pension scheme to supervisors and assistant supervisors in community employment schemes as recommended by the Labour Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector. The State is not responsible for funding pension arrangements for such employees even where the companies in question are reliant on State funding. It is open to individuals to make provision for a pension by way of PRSA which all employers are obliged to facilitate. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the issue of CE supervisors’ pension provision is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is represented on this group, as are IMPACT, SIPTU, Pobal and other relevant Government Departments. I understand their work is ongoing and that the Forum is due to meet again in early November 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
259. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is eligible to receive fuel allowance. [45446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware Section 1.6.5 Employment Support Schemes, of the Fuel Allowance Scheme Guidelines for the 2017/2018 Fuel Season Onwards, provides that “Participants on the following Department of Social Protection Employment Support Schemes and Revenue Job Assist can be paid Fuel Allowance where they had applied for or were awarded fuel allowance prior to commencing on the scheme and where they satisfy or continue to satisfy the conditions.
- Back to Education Allowance
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance/Short-term Enterprise Allowance
- Community Employment
- Gateway - the local authority social employment scheme
- National Internship Scheme (JobBridge)
- Rural Social Scheme
- Tús Community Work Placement Scheme
Section 1.6.5 further provides that “Claimants moving to an Employment Support Scheme cannot accrue entitlement to Fuel Allowance while on the scheme.”
The person concerned was not recently granted fuel allowance. He commenced on a community employment scheme on 02-05-2015 and has not previously received fuel allowance whilst on the scheme. Nor did he prior to his commencement whilst on jobseekers allowance, therefore he does not have an entitlement to fuel allowance per guidelines.
However, a letter issued to the person concerned, from their local Intreo Centre, which incorrectly stated that they did have an entitlement to fuel allowance. This error was noticed by the Community Services manager and the relevant staff notified. The Intreo Centre manager wishes to apologise for the error that was made and any inconvenience this may have caused the person concerned. This error does not, however, bestow an entitlement where none exists.
The Department are satisfied that the correct decision was made in this instance.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
260. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the rules governing the fuel allowance scheme to allow persons on a rural social scheme who hold an underlying entitlement to fuel allowance to apply for this payment after they have commenced on a RSS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a means tested payment, targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Participants on the rural social scheme (RSS) can be paid Fuel Allowance where they had applied for - or were awarded the payment - prior to commencing on the scheme and where they continue to satisfy the conditions.
For the 2016/17 fuel season, the eligibility criteria for the allowance was changed. As a result, a participant in an employment support scheme (which includes the RSS), who had an underlying entitlement to fuel allowance prior to participation on the scheme but was not in receipt of the allowance because another member of the household was receiving it, could apply if these circumstances change (e.g. a social welfare fuel recipient is no longer residing at the address). The fuel allowance can be reviewed and awarded provided the employment support scheme participant satisfies all conditions for receipt of fuel allowance.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance to allow persons on the RSS to accrue entitlement to the allowance while on the scheme would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 10 October 2017. The application was processed without delay and the person concerned was notified directly of the outcome on 25 October 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a disability allowance payment will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) whose payment has been terminated on the basis of nominal savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45571/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the entitlement of this lady’s disability allowance (DA), it was disallowed with effect from 25 October 2017 as she was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances. The person in question has been advised of her right to appeal this decision to the social welfare appeals office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
263. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of extending social protection supports to the self-employed in a full calendar year and permitting such persons to opt into the existing class A structure broken down by costs of extending, invalidity, illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefit based on the 2015 actuarial review of the social insurance fund. [45589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed workers who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory) and widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, paternity benefit, treatment benefit (from March 2017). Entitlement to invalidity pension will be extended to the self-employed from December 2017.
This compares favourably with employees who, in general, are liable to the Class A rate of 4%. In addition their employers are liable to PRSI at the rate of 8.5% on weekly earnings up to and including €376 or at the rate of 10.75% where weekly earnings exceed €376. Accordingly the combined rate of PRSI rate paid in respect of Class A employees is 12.5% or 14.75%, depending on the level of weekly earnings. These Class A employees are entitled to the full range of social insurance benefits.
The issue of extending additional social insurance benefits to the self-employed paying Class S PRSI was considered in the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance fund (SIF) as at 31 December, 2015, which I published on the 18th October 2017. The review, required by legislation, was carried out by independent consultants, KPMG. It examines the projected income and expenditure of the SIF over the course of the 55 year period from 2016 to 2071.
The review found that the fund currently has a modest surplus of income over expenditure. In 2016 there was a surplus of €0.4 billion on expenditure of €8.8 billion and receipts of €9.2 billion. However, this will reduce over the next two years and will return to a small shortfall in 2020. The annual shortfalls are projected to increase from 2021 onwards as the ageing of the population impacts. Projections indicate that, in the absence of further action to tackle the shortfall, the excess of expenditure over income of the fund will increase significantly over the medium to long term. The shortfall in expenditure over income is projected to increase from €0.2 billion in 2020 to €3.3 billion by 2030 and to €22.2 billion by 2071. It should be noted that as self-employed workers will be eligible to apply for invalidity pension from December 2017, the cost of this introduction has been factored into the actuarial review.
As part of the review the independent consultants were required to project the additional PRSI expenditure if invalidity pension and illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits were extended to Class S self-employed workers and the PRSI contribution rates required to provide these benefits on a revenue neutral basis.
The review found that the combined cost of introducing the invalidity, illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits for class S contributions is estimated to be €118 million in 2018, rising steadily to €223 million in 2020. By 2025 the projected cost is €413 million and, over the period of the review the cost would rise to €1.3 billion in 2071. These costs assume that the cost of extending invalidity pension to the self-employed builds up steeply for the first 10 years after introduction after which time the scheme is almost at maturity or a steady state.
For the shorter term schemes, illness and jobseeker’s benefits, it is estimated that they will reach maturity after 2 years. Projected expenditure on jobseeker’s benefit assume the same incidence rate as prevail in the employed (PRSI Class A) population.
The review indicates that, where these benefits are extended to the self-employed, the class S rate of PRSI contribution would need to increase substantially in order to ensure that the benefits are delivered in a revenue neutral manner. It estimates that when expenditure on the additional benefits is considered over the entire projection period, PRSI rates would need to increase by 94% under a scenario of no subvention from the exchequer. This is equivalent to an increase of the Class S contribution rate from the current 4% rate to 7.8%.
This increased contribution is attributable to the costs of extending these additional benefits to PRSI Class S contributors. It does not take account of the value to PRSI Class S contributors of access to the range of existing benefits, and in particular state pension contributory.
The consultants estimated that the typical cost of state pension (contributory) on its own is of the order of 10% to 15%, depending on other factors including rate of average earnings and date of commencing paying PRSI. Adding in the other benefits referenced the total Class S rate of contribution to ensure revenue neutrality would be of the order of 20% per annum.
The projections provided in the 2015 actuarial review are based on the system of social insurance, currently in legislation. It therefore reflects the fact that social insurance applies on a compulsory basis and not on the basis of allowing contributors to opt in at their own discretion.
The issue of whether social insurance cover for the self-employed should be made on a compulsory or voluntary basis was addressed in the third report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare published in 2013. The then Advisory Group was charged with examining extending social insurance coverage for self-employed people in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable. The group considered that allowing people a facility to opt in or out at their own discretion could lead to the selection of bad risks.
The fundamental principle of social insurance is social solidarity. Everybody contributes and, if needed, cover for contingencies is available. Allowing people to opt in or opt out could result in a negation of the social solidary contributory principles which underline the system. In addition, it would be likely to mean that a higher contribution would be required from those who opt in on a voluntary basis.
264. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address concerns regarding aspects of the national framework plan that are creating uncertainty for local authority funding streams particularly in rural areas. [45540/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any aspects of the recently published final consultation draft of the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 – Our Plan, that would have any adverse implications for the funding streams of local authorities, particularly in rural areas.
On the contrary, through alignment with the forthcoming 10-year Capital Investment Plan, I believe that the NPF will be of considerable benefit to local authorities, both urban and rural, in setting out a co-ordinated strategic development framework for the development of the country as a whole, and within which Government Departments and Agencies, the Regional Assemblies and local authorities, as well as wider private sector and community interests, will work together to ensure proper planning and sustainable development.
Moreover, the draft Framework includes practical planning, development and investment policies which will benefit rural Ireland by driving planned and community-led regeneration initiatives, aimed at re-purposing rural economies to benefit from new technology, driving economic activities and improved quality of life.
Submissions on the final consultation draft of the NPF are invited until Friday 3rd November, after which the Government intends to address such submissions and finalise the Framework along with the 10-year capital investment plan by year-end. I would encourage all interested parties to engage in this consultative process and share their views on any relevant issues.
265. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the review of local government constituencies and a review of local government structures as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45569/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of requirements in relation to local government reform. This involves the submission of a report to Government and the Oireachtas on potential measures to boost local government leadership and accountability, and to ensure that local government funding, structures and responsibilities strengthen local democracy. The Programme also references some specific issues to be considered such as the concept of directly elected mayors in cities, devolution of new powers to local authorities, reducing the size of local electoral areas, and town council status.
Work on the report is at an advanced stage. The process of consultation with relevant stakeholders, as required by the Programme for Partnership Government, is under way and I hope to be in a position to have a report available for consideration by Government in the coming weeks. It is intended that the review of local electoral areas will commence very shortly and will be completed in good time before the 2019 local elections.
266. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the level of commercial property vacancies in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 182 on 12 October 2017. I understand that Tipperary County Council has a number of local initiatives in place to address commercial property vacancies. Further details in this regard can be obtained directly from the Council.
267. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the regulations regarding slurry spreading to introduce greater flexibility as to when this practice is permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Nitrates Directive, Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is due for review this year. Negotiations with the European Commission are ongoing with a view to having a revised Nitrates Action Programme in place by the end of 2017.
As part of the review, a full public consultation process was undertaken and this closed on 3 May 2017. All submissions received on foot of this consultation have been given full consideration by an expert group comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc and the Environmental Protection Agency. The report of the expert group, together with the group's recommendations, was recently published on my Department's website.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any specific aspects of the review process, or to anticipate any final outcomes, in advance of the conclusion of negotiations with the European Commission.
268. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when invitations will be extended from local authorities for the second tranche of LIHAF following the allocation of a further €100 million to the scheme between exchequer and local authority funding; if existing applications under the first tranche will suffice; if not, if local authorities will have to submit fresh applications under the second tranche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45383/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2018, I announced an additional €50 million funding which will be available for a second call under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and which will again be subject to matching funding of 25% by local authorities. This capital funding will facilitate the provision of more infrastructure to unlock further sites and activate more housing supply.
A further call for proposals under LIHAF is likely early in 2018 and it will be open to all local authorities to submit new projects or resubmit previous projects for consideration at that time.
269. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of unoccupied houses awaiting acceptance of offer that each county council has on its stock book in tabular form. [45419/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. Therefore, my Department does not hold the information requested.
270. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of additional public Traveller accommodation units provided in 2016 and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form; the Traveller accommodation budget allocations in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and if his Department's target for Traveller accommodation units to be delivered in 2018 will meet its projected demand. [45453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The current round of TAPs were adopted in 2014, with the five-year rolling programmes running from 2014 to 2018. The allocations and recoupment profiles for capital Traveller accommodation projects can vary across local authorities given the local priorities, circumstances and project timelines as set out in the TAPs.
Local authorities submit funding proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments (such as group housing schemes and halting sites) on an annual basis, which are assessed on a case-by-case basis in my Department. These proposals and assessments inform the capital allocation process. Provision of €12m has been made in Budget 2018 toward Traveller-specific accommodation. On receipt of all proposals, allocations for 2018 and the number of units to be delivered in all local authority areas will be finalised early next year. In addition, further funding allocations may be considered by my Department throughout the year, also on a case by case basis, in the light of progress across the programme generally and to ensure maximum drawdown of total funding allocated.
The allocations for 2016 and 2017 along with the number of units provided in 2016 and to date in 2017 are set out in the following tables
|
Council |
Allocation 2016 € |
Allocation 2017 € |
|
Carlow |
130,000 |
207,905.41 |
|
Cavan |
8,600 |
13,729.31 |
|
Clare |
200,000 |
169,194.00 |
|
Cork City |
400,000 |
1,108,344.00 |
|
Cork County |
30,000 |
110,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
82,000 |
147,612.81 |
|
Dublin City |
1,405,198 |
414,829.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
419,095 |
1,500,000.00 |
|
Fingal |
26,842 |
26,847.00 |
|
South Dublin |
63,000 |
1,024,289.00 |
|
Galway City |
40,000 |
209,000.00 |
|
Galway County |
117,000 |
625,000.00 |
|
Kerry |
57,000 |
28,566.13 |
|
Kildare |
200,000 |
80,000.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
377,500 |
582,162.00 |
|
Laois |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Leitrim |
18,800 |
98,875.00 |
|
Limerick City & County |
81,000 |
69,576.00 |
|
Longford |
2,900 |
2,922.00 |
|
Louth |
Nil |
237,087.00 |
|
Mayo |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Meath |
120,000 |
129,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Offaly |
73,000 |
847,917.00 |
|
Roscommon |
50,000 |
52,617.00 |
|
Sligo |
Nil |
161,249.00 |
|
Tipperary |
900,000 |
327,492.00 |
|
Waterford City & County |
263,000 |
545,000.00 |
|
Westmeath |
208,000 |
Nil |
|
Wexford |
96,000 |
6,880.00 |
|
Wicklow |
46,000 |
52,648.00 |
|
TOTAL |
5,414,935 |
8,778,742 |
|
Council |
2016 Total Units |
2017 Total Units (to date) |
|
Carlow |
0 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
20 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
3 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
9 |
8 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
1 |
4 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
3 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
1 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
4 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
26 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
1 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
2 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
10 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
0 |
|
Waterford City & County |
1 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
59 |
66 |
271. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has instructed Galway City Council as a relevant housing authority under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 to amend or replace its accommodation programme for the purpose of addressing the Traveller accommodation crisis in the city. [45454/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action his Department will take in circumstances in which a local authority does not meet its responsibilities as set out in the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. [45455/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. These are five-year rolling programmes, with the current programme running from 2014 to 2018, which provide a road map for housing authority investment priorities over the period. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act also requires housing authorities to review their TAPs at least once in each three-year period, and to make any amendment to the programme following this review within seven months. Housing authorities were therefore required to carry out a review of the current round of TAPs no later than 31 December 2016, and all authorities did so. Following their review, Galway City Council has informed my Department that they adopted an amended TAP in September 2017.
273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of house loans approved by local authorities, by county, in the past three years; the number drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45459/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently two house purchase loan offerings available to lower income first-time buyers from local authorities.
The first is a standard annuity mortgage available from all local authorities. A first-time buyer unable to get adequate loan finance from a building society or a bank, may be eligible for a mortgage from the local authority concerned to purchase a new or second hand property or build their own home in cases where the gross income (before tax) is €50,000 or less for a single income household or €75,000 or less in the case of a double income household. The loan can be up to 97% of the price of the house subject to a maximum loan of €200,000. The second option for first-time buyers unable to secure adequate loan finance from a bank or building society to purchase a new or second-hand property or build their own home is the Home Choice Loan. Home Choice Loan provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased, subject to a maximum loan amount of €285,000.
Information on the number of local authority loans approved and issued from 2014 to end Q2 2017 by county is available on my Department's website at:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity .
I am currently examining the Home Choice Loan Scheme and am also considering how local authority mortgages can be better publicised to ensure that credit worthy households who may be unable to source adequate loan finance from commercial lenders but could be eligible for one of the local authority mortgages, are made aware of the opportunity.
274. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the affordable housing scheme will be introduced; if work is being done on a cost rental model in order that mixed tenure housing can be realised in developments on publicly owned land and homes that are not provided under Part V in these developments can be genuinely affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing affordability has been examined by my Department, in consultation with the Housing Agency, local authorities and other stakeholders, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland. The examination was carried out under the generally accepted premise that housing is deemed affordable where households, particularly low or moderate income households, are paying no more than a third of their disposable income on meeting their accommodation needs.
The work took account of the measures already taken to make housing more affordable. These include the streamlined planning system for large-scale housing developments; reduced development contributions; the €226 million LIHAF funding, the impact of Rent Pressure Zones and changes to apartment guidelines in 2015.
It also took account of the additional housing affordability measures contained in Budget 2018. As announced, there will be a second phase of the LIHAF infrastructure fund with an Exchequer contribution of €50 million to unlock additional lands for housing. I also secured funding to put in place a new serviced sites fund of €25 million specifically to deliver affordable housing on local authority sites. The new Home Building Finance Ireland fund is also of importance in terms of addressing the costs of delivering housing as it will provide finance at commercially competitive rates to developers.
Cognisant of the crucial role land plays in the delivery of affordable housing, my Department is taking a very active role in State land management. At this point over 2,000 hectares of public land has been mapped and all local authorities and the Housing Agency have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for residential lands in their ownership. My Department facilitated a workshop for local authorities in July 2017 to commence this process. Once all the plans have been finalised and reviewed, they will be published.
Already, a number of major publicly owned sites have been brought forward for mixed-tenure development. For example, South Dublin County Council is advancing procurement to deliver approximately 900 social and affordable homes at Kilcarbery, Clondalkin on a 70:30 private and social housing proportional basis. In addition, Dublin City Council is advancing procurement to redevelop O'Devaney Gardens off Infirmary Road. That site can accommodate 600 homes and is being advanced on the basis of 30% social, 20% affordable purchase and 50% private. In relation to cost rental initiatives, the Housing Agency and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are jointly progressing a pilot scheme for cost rental housing on a site at the Enniskerry Road, encompassing 50 cost rental and 100 social rental homes.
As part of the examination of housing affordability and the optimal use of publicly owned lands for housing, and recognising that delivering cost rental is a key part of the solution to the affordability challenge, work is underway to identify potential local authority sites for cost rental projects in areas of high housing demand and high accommodation costs.
The examination of housing affordability is now at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to outline the outcome, including any additional measures, in the coming weeks.
275. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an examination of the effect of short-term lettings on the availability of housing for rent is being carried out under the auspices of his Department or under that of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, my Department has established, and chairs a Working Group of all the major public stakeholders with a policy interest in Short-Term Letting, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications and changes of use relating to short term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is a member of the Working Group.
The proposals under consideration by the Working Group are aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, known as home-sharing, while protecting existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand, safeguarding neighbourhood amenity and consumer protection and generating revenue to address any negative externalities of short-term letting.
The Working Group has met four times to date and the work is progressing well. The Group has recently completed the guidance for local authorities to assist them, when considering planning applications relating to short-term lettings. My Department has issued a circular in this regard to all Local Authorities earlier this week, a copy of which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/circular_pl10_aph3_2017.pdf .
I have requested the Working Group to report to me before the end of the year on the appropriate regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings, including consideration of the scope for a licensing regime, and the identification of any necessary amendments to existing legislation required.
Dublin City Council, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, are in the process of commissioning research to assess the extent, expectations and effect of short-term letting in Dublin. This study will inform the Working Group in developing its proposals.
The report prepared by the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government on the Impact of Short-Term Lettings on Ireland's Housing and Rental Market will also be considered by the Working Group in its deliberations.
276. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the empty homes strategy as committed to under Rebuilding Ireland will be published; if consideration is being given to improving current schemes to open up empty homes that are privately owned; his plans to provide for the use of CPOs more widely in cases in which homes are vacant for long periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45470/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently engaging in consultations with a number of other Government Departments and agencies in relation to vacancy issues and I am keeping the range of schemes in place to address vacancy, particularly the Repair and Leasing and Buy and Renew schemes, under review in that context. Ahead of the conclusion of this work shortly, a range of vacancy related actions have been initiated, details of which are set out in my reply to Question No. 278 of 19 October 2017.
In relation to compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers, it should be noted that a large number of State bodies and authorities already have CPO powers, many of which are underpinned by different statutes. Considering the number of statutes involved, the complexity of the various pieces of legislation, and the 2015 judgment by Supreme Court in respect of a case in Co. Kildare, any review of CPO powers will be a significant task and will require detailed legal input to appropriately balance the constitutional property rights against the wider public interest.
In addition, the complexity of current statute law governing CPOs has been acknowledged by the Law Reform Commission which has begun a project on reform of the law of compulsory acquisition of land, as part of the Commission’s current Fourth Programme of Law Reform. This project will explore the consolidation, clarification and reform of the rules and principles on compulsory acquisition of land, with the aim of putting in place a fair, effective and efficient system. Among the matters included in the project will be:
- simplification, consolidation and codification of the law;
- the principles for the assessment of compensation on the acquisition of land or interests in land;
- time limits for implementation of a CPO; and
- submissions from third parties whose land is not being acquired.
The Commission intends to publish a consultative Issues Paper, which will describe the current law and seek views from interested parties through targeted questions around how the law might be reformed, in the coming months. In this context, the outcomes of this LRC project will inform the assessment in my Department as to whether and what further review of CPO provisions is warranted.
Further to the above work being conducted by the LRC, and taking account of advice from the Attorney General, I also intend to engage directly with local authorities, who have practical, on-the-ground, operational knowledge and expertise on the CPO process within their own areas, and who may be able to identify practical measures or immediate legal reforms that could be taken in the short term to improve the existing processes.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority housing starts recorded on a monthly basis over the course of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which the local authority housing stock has increased by way of purchase of extra houses or new builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45475/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.
Details in relation to social housing construction completions and acquisitions 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 is available therein for 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. Information on quarter 3 of 2017 is currently being collected and will be published as soon as possible.
While my Department does not publish statistics on the number of social housing construction starts on a monthly basis, a comprehensive status report is published on a quarterly basis in relation to of all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas. The most recent of these reports, which covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017, contains information on the delivery of 11,000 new social homes – currently approved and progressing through planning, design, and construction, as well as homes delivered in 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. The report can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-schemes-2017/.
Further project approvals are being added to the construction programme as projects are developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programmes as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties repossessed by financial institutions that have come into public ownership on a mortgage-to-rent basis, excluding those acquired by approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the existing Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme for borrowers of commercial private lending institutions that was introduced in 2012, an eligible household with an unsustainable mortgage voluntarily surrenders their property to their lender who in turns sells it to an Approved Housing Body (AHB). The AHB becomes the landlord and the household gets to remain in the family home as social housing tenants. The MTR scheme is solely concerned with eligible borrowers with unsustainable mortgages who voluntarily surrender their homes to an AHB. Repossessed properties do not fall within the remit of the scheme. In all MTR cases, the decision whether or not to take up the scheme rests with the borrower.
The MTR scheme is an established part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process.
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he expects extra local authority houses to become available in the course of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to address the acute problem of the local authority housing shortage in the short-term with particular reference to the need to identify more ambitious targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45481/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he entered into dialogue with the local authorities with a view to ensuring the immediate implementation of a local authority housing programme sufficient to address the problem of homelessness and to reduce the existing local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 284 and 287 together.
To support and accelerate the delivery of social housing, as set out in Rebuilding Ireland, the necessary funding is in place, with a greater emphasis now being placed on direct build activity for local authorities and approved housing bodies. In 2017, funding of almost €1.3 billion is being made available to support housing programmes, including the delivery of over 21,000 social housing supports.
In Budget 2018, I secured €1.9 billion for housing programmes next year. This is a 46% increase over 2017 and will support the housing needs of 25,500 households. A large element, €1.14 billion, is for the delivery of almost 5,900 social homes through a range of construction (5,000) and acquisition (900) programmes. The balance of the funding will add new tenancies and maintain existing ones through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and long-term leasing. It will also fund other important housing supports and services in relation to homelessness, regeneration and programmes to upgrade existing housing (energy efficiency improvements, adaptation grants, housing for Travellers, pyrite, etc).
Additionally, I secured a further €500 million for investment in social housing over the period 2019–2021, which will increase the overall level of social housing to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies by a further 3,000 homes. The overall target for social housing delivery under Rebuilding Ireland, therefore, has increased from 47,000 to 50,000 homes, with the total funding investment increasing from €5.35 billion to over €6 billion.
The following table sets out the targets in respect of social housing under the main programme areas for each year of Rebuilding Ireland. It also includes targets for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) under which, in addition to the 50,000 homes referred to above, a further 88,000 housing solutions will be provided -
|
Year |
Build |
Acquisition |
Leasing |
RAS |
HAP |
|
|
2016 |
Target |
2,260 |
1,755 |
225 |
1,000 |
12,000 |
|
2017 |
Target |
3,200 |
1,250 |
600 |
1,000 |
15,000 |
|
2018 |
Target |
4,969 |
900 |
2,000 |
600 |
17,000 |
|
2019 |
Target |
6,385 |
1,025 |
2,130 |
600 |
16,760 |
|
2020 |
Target |
7,716 |
800 |
2,631 |
600 |
13,000 |
|
2021 |
Target |
8,907 |
800 |
2,450 |
- |
10,000 |
The level of social housing construction activity can be seen in the status reports now published on a quarterly basis in relation to all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas. These reports show details such as project locations and scale, as well as information relating to their advancement. The most recent report covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017 and contains information on the delivery of 11,000 new social homes, currently approved and progressing through planning, design and construction. It also contains details of the homes delivered in 2016 and to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. The report can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/ .
I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing programmes as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
