Written Answers Nos. 26-40
26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if greater discretion will be provided to local authorities in regard to the construction of new social housing schemes and to remove unnecessary procedures that are causing delays. [45089/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to review the level of bureaucracy involved for local authorities to provide final approval for new social housing schemes. [45088/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 40 together.
Social housing projects funded by my Department, like all Government-funded construction projects, must comply with the Government’s Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), the objectives of which are to ensure greater cost certainty, better value for money and financial accountability during all stages of project delivery.
While my Department must comply with the CWMF, it is also determined to ensure speedy delivery of social housing construction projects. Accordingly, my Department has streamlined the nine stages of project review under the CWMF to just four stages. Where project designs and, in particular, costs are consistent, the reviews by my Department are straightforward and completed on a timely basis. This process allows local authorities to forward design proposals and costings to my Department sequentially, as they advance projects through the planning process.
My Department also has regular informal technical dialogue with all local authorities to resolve issues with projects, which allows for projects to be moved from concept to completion, as efficiently as possible. My Department's role in reviewing projects represents a very small proportion only of the time taken in advancing a social housing build project onto site. Furthermore, the time taken for approvals will always depend on the quality and completeness of the initial proposal, the scale and complexity of individual projects and on the avoidance, where possible, of cost escalations in projects.
As well as streamlining the approvals process under the CWMF and enhancing the direct technical dialogue between my Department and the local authorities, under Rebuilding Ireland a review of the project approvals process for social housing has been undertaken; this is available at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Social-Housing_Approval-Processes-Procedures-Review-1.pdf.
The recommendations of this Review are now being implemented and a working group, comprising representatives of local authorities and my Department, will soon finalise new project approval and development timelines. Additionally, my Department is working with local authorities to encourage greater take-up of the available options under both 'Design and Build contracts' through the Rapid Delivery Framework, set up by the Office of Government Procurement and, for smaller projects (less than 15 units and less than €2m), greater use of the available single-stage approval process, which may suit less complex projects.
27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the workability of the policy proposal in the strategy for the rental sector to move towards tenancies of indefinite duration in the absence of proposals to amend section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts to provide for security of tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of measures have been introduced in recent years with the objective of moving towards tenancies of indefinite duration and improving security of tenure for tenants.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, enacted on 4 December 2015, provided that notice periods for the termination of further Part 4 tenancies, i.e. tenancies that extended beyond 4 years, be extended pro rata in line with the length of the tenancy, subject to caps of 224 days for termination by landlords and 112 days for terminations by tenants (previously 112 days for landlords and 56 days for tenants).
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recognises rapidly increasing rent prices as the most significant challenge to security of tenure in the rental sector at present. Where tenants cannot afford their rents, their tenancies are not secure and evictions for non-payment of rent may ensue.
To address this, the Government introduced the Rent Predictability Measure, which was provided for through the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, introducing the concept of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to moderate the rate of rent increases in those areas of the country where rents are highest and rising quickly.
The 2016 Act also gave effect to other actions to address tenants’ security, including:
- The abolition of a landlord’s right, during the first 6 months of a further Part 4 tenancy, to end that tenancy for no stated ground; and
- The extension of the term of Part 4 tenancies from 4 to 6 years.
The so-called ‘Tyrrelstown amendment', included in the 2016 Act, already limits the ability of landlords to use the grounds of sale to terminate tenancies, provided for in section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Act. Where a landlord proposes to sell 10 or more units within a single development at the same time, that sale will now be subject to the existing tenants remaining in situ, other than in exceptional circumstances.
I have recently announced a series of further measures in relation to the rental sector, including a two- year change plan to develop and strengthen the role of the RTB as a pro-active regulator for the sector. One of the first measures will be for the RTB to provide clear guidance, for both landlords and tenants, on what constitutes the "substantial" refurbishment or renovation which can be cited as a section 34 ground for termination of a tenancy. More generally, the RTB will be given enhanced powers to ensure that section 34 grounds are properly used and that the statutory obligations on landlords who use them are fully met.
28. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the housing PPPs; the timeframe for their delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45104/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing PPP Programme involves an investment with a capital value of €300 million. It is to deliver 1,500 social housing units in total, via three bundles. The first bundle, which comprises six PPP sites, is to provide over 500 units in the Greater Dublin Area. Two of the sites are located in the Dublin City Council area with one each in the County Council areas of South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Louth.
The second bundle, comprising eight PPP sites which are to provide over 450 units, was announced in June 2016. Three of the sites are located in the Cork County Council area, with one each in the Galway City Council and Waterford City & County Council areas. There is a further one site in each of the County Council areas of Clare, Kildare and Roscommon.
The identification and selection of sites for the third project bundle is currently underway and is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
Each individual bundle of sites takes an estimated 37-48 months to deliver in total, including planning, procurement and construction. It is expected that construction would commence in 2018 on the first bundle of sites, with units becoming available from 2019.
29. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the findings of the independent review of funding for Traveller specific accommodation and the implementation of traveller accommodation programmes; and his plans to address the problems in the delivery of traveller specific accommodation identified in the report. [45347/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to establishing a special working group to audit the current delivery and implementation of local authorities' Traveller Accommodation Plans (TAPs), to consult with stakeholders on key areas of concern and to report on the delivery of safe, culturally appropriate accommodation.
To support the advancement of this commitment, the Housing Agency has undertaken a review of expenditure on, and delivery of, Traveller-specific accommodation, in order to assist and inform the work of the special working group.
The report was finalised and submitted to the National Traveller Accommodation Committee (NTACC) for consideration at its meeting on 28 August 2017. The NTACC is a statutorily appointed Committee, comprising key stakeholders, including Traveller representative groups, to advise the Minister in relation to Traveller accommodation matters. On foot of its considerations of the report, the NTACC agreed to advise me to establish an Expert Group to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. This is in keeping with the Programme for Partnership Government and I have agreed to proceed with the establishment of this Expert Group.
I have also agreed that a review of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 should be part of the work of the Expert Group. The composition, terms of reference and methodology of this Expert Group are currently being formulated with a view to it being in place as soon as possible.
30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the rules of the mortgage to rent scheme in view of the small number of persons who were able to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45101/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme, published on 8 February 2017, introduced a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the MTR scheme. The Review, available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/changes-in-mortgage-to-rent-scheme/, explored the impediments to participation in the scheme and recommended a number of actions to make the scheme work better for borrowers. Key changes include:
- Lenders are now required to formally communicate with borrowers as to why they are not suitable for the scheme.
- The property price threshold for a house in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow has been increased to €365,000 (from €350,000) while the threshold for an apartment/ townhouse in these areas has been increased to €310,000 (from €300,000). For the rest of the country, the threshold for a house has been increased to €280,000 (from €250,000) and for an apartment /townhouse to €210,000 (from €190,000).
- Flexibility has been provided in relation to the size of properties which qualify for the scheme. In practical terms, this means that an assessment of the property size suitable to a particular household now allows for a maximum of two additional bedrooms in the property above the actual needs of the household, with the property still being considered eligible.
- The administrative process has been streamlined, including certain steps of the MTR process now being required to be completed prior to the submission of a completed MTR application to the Housing Agency.
- There are a number of actions to improve knowledge and understanding of the scheme. A range of state agencies are being facilitated to assist and guide borrowers who could benefit from the scheme.
My Department and the Housing Agency are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the actions set out in the Review are being effectively implemented to benefit a greater number of households. I am providing an additional €5m for the MTR scheme in 2018, which will support at least 250 additional MTR cases to be completed by Approved Housing Bodies working together with lenders using the existing MTR scheme.
The MTR Review also concluded that the current financial model of the MTR scheme may not, in its current configuration, be capable of delivering the scale of successful cases that could benefit from the scheme over time. In order to test the operability of alternative funding models for the scheme, the Housing Agency has been working with a number of financial entities who have expressed an interest in working with the MTR scheme to progress a number of alternative long-term lease arrangements. In advance of these pilots and to establish the operability of an alternative financing approach, a targeted market testing exercise has been undertaken by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), to test the suitability of the proposed enhanced leasing arrangements to ascertain if they would be viable for a MTR cohort, taking account of the necessity to provide a long-term stable solution for eligible households.
The responses to the market testing exercise have been reviewed by the Housing Agency and my Department. A call for Expressions of Interest from bodies interested in pursuing pilot operating models has been initiated by the Housing Agency today. Once the Expressions of Interest process is concluded, the Housing Agency will make recommendations to my Department as to the make-up of the pilots, which can then be initiated.
31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the review of income eligibility limits for social housing has commenced; if so, the likely timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45087/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to improve income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45086/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 44 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports has commenced. I would expect the results of this review to be available for publication during 2018.
32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to address the social housing waiting list problems for county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding is provided to local authorities and approved housing bodies under my Department’s Social Housing Capital Investment programme and the Social Housing Current Expenditure programme, to deliver additional social housing stock through new construction projects and through the acquisition of new and previously owned houses/apartments.
My Department publishes comprehensive status reports on a quarterly basis of all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it 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/.
The level of funding provided to the local authorities for their social housing construction activity is directly linked to the scale of delivery they achieve on these projects. 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 programme as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
In Budget 2018, the total funding provision of €1.9 billion for housing next year is an increase of 46% over 2017 and it will allow us to meet the social 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 additional tenancies – and maintain existing tenancies - 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).
An allocation of €301 million (an increase of €149m on 2017) for the HAP scheme next year will enable a further 17,000 households to be accommodated, as well as supporting the 32,000 existing HAP tenancies. Funding of €134 million will support a further 600 new transfers under the RAS scheme, as well as meeting the ongoing cost of the 19,900 households supported under the scheme.
Overall, the 25,500 households' needs that will be met in 2018 through the range of social housing programmes represents an increase of over 4,400 on the level of activity in 2017.
33. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amounts paid by his Department in grants and supports for those operating private or group water schemes in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45097/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recoups funding under the Rural Water Programme to local authorities who administer the programme on behalf of my Department. This recoupment includes grants for capital works and subsidies as a contribution towards the annual operational cost of the domestic element of group water schemes and grants towards the provision or necessary improvement of individual domestic water supplies (more commonly known as private wells).
The table below sets out the amount recouped under the programme over the period 2011 to 2017 (20 October 2017) as grants and subsidies for group water schemes and grants for individual domestic water supplies. There is no subsidy towards the annual operational cost of the latter.
The amounts in the following table do not include the administration and overhead costs of local authorities in administering the rural water programme (approx. €1.8m per annum) which are also recouped to local authorities by my Department.
|
Year |
Grants paid to Group Water Schemes |
Subsidies paid to Group Water Schemes |
Grants for Individual Domestic Water Supplies (Private Wells) |
Total Amount for Year |
|
2011 |
€45,378,670 |
€22,217,841 |
€2,519,824 |
€70,116,335 |
|
2012 |
€16,880,318 |
€23,860,840 |
€2,133,331 |
€42,874,489 |
|
2013 |
€12,759,610 |
€18,652,467 |
€1,825,999 |
€33,238,076 |
|
2014 |
€11,083,589 |
€21,054,754 |
€2,059,322 |
€34,197,665 |
|
2015 |
€11,443,319 |
€18,891,449 |
€2,200,621 |
€32,535,389 |
|
2016 |
€10,233,419 |
€15,153,583 |
€2,275,019 |
€27,662,021 |
|
2017 (20/10/2017) |
€4,296,508 |
€5,738,192 |
€1,727,957 |
€11,762,657 |
34. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homeless persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45285/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department produces reports on a monthly basis capturing details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). These official homelessness reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
As reflected in the latest monthly report, for September 2017, there are 5,250 homeless adults and 3,124 dependents.
35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the work of the State lands management group announced in Rebuilding Ireland in July 2016; the number of the 500 homes due to be delivered in 2017 through this scheme that are completed; the number that will be completed in 2018 and 2019; the names of the developers engaged in the building on State land; the land the group has identified to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45289/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe active management of the publicly owned housing land bank is part of a range of actions being progressed under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, designed to accelerate and increase housing output. This is complementary to actions already undertaken to streamline the planning process, reform development contributions, and invest some €226 million in enabling infrastructure, through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), to facilitate housing delivery.
On 27 April 2017, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. The map also includes details of some 300 hectares of land in ownership of other State or semi-State bodies, with the potential to deliver a further 7,500 homes. Details in relation to these sites can be viewed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
As the vast bulk of the land bank is under the control of the housing authorities and given their broader role as planning authorities, they are crucial in operationalising social and affordable housing delivery from their sites. Therefore, in order to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach nationally, I have asked local authorities to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for housing lands in their ownership with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the most potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term, including mixed-tenure projects, where appropriate.
Importantly, local authorities are working to deliver a major social housing construction programme, encompassing 700 social housing construction projects which will provide some 11,000 new homes. Many of these projects are being advanced on local authority owned lands, and will produce a substantial quantum of new social housing in 2017 and 2018.
In the first instance, the final development model for each site, including the tenure mix, will be the subject of careful consideration by the local authority concerned, including its elected members. The procurement and tendering arrangements for the development of its sites is also matter for the local authority, who are required to publicly advertise to procure the services of interested contractors and developers.
The procurement for the development of a number of major local authority sites for mixed-tenure type housing is already underway. For example, South Dublin County Council is working 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 plans to redevelop a major site on the former O'Devaney Gardens lands off Infirmary Road. It can deliver nearly 600 homes, with a breakdown of 30% social; 20% affordable purchase; and 50% private. The Housing Agency is also in the process of finalising plans for the development for one of their sites at Enniskerry Road. It is expected that other State-owned sites will be brought forward in the near future.
In terms of broader State and semi-State lands, the CIE-owned Ceannt Station site in the centre of Galway city and lands at Connolly Station, Dublin have both been master planned and brought to market, seeking partners to develop the site for residential/commercial purposes. CIE is also working with my Department and the relevant local authorities regarding other sites in their ownership in Dublin and Limerick. I am also aware that lands owned by Galway Port are in the final stages of being master planned and Coillte are currently in the planning process in respect of land at Galway. Finally, the Department of Education is working with my Department regarding the optimal use of its surplus land bank.
My Department is continuing to work with all local authorities and State bodies to ensure that, where appropriate, housing is delivered from publicly owned sites that are strategically located, serviced and available for development.
36. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on remarks by the chief executive officer of Dublin City Council regarding the use of Dublin’s green spaces to be considered for the development of housing; if he has issued guidelines to local authorities with regard to rezoning of public green spaces and amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe zoning of lands for particular uses is a reserved function of the elected members of a planning authority, in accordance with the statutory development plan procedures under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Chapter 4 of the 2007 Development Plans Guidelines issued under section 28 of the Act provides a framework to be used when considering decisions on zoning as part of the development plan process.
I would not support the widespread development of new housing on established parks and open spaces in our cities and urban areas. These amenities are an integral part of the functioning and attractiveness of our communities and they provide a vital resource for sports and recreation activities. The Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Planning Guidelines, issued by my Department in 2009, emphasise the importance of the role of open space in achieving quality residential neighbourhoods, where a wide variety of open space and recreational amenities are provided.
However, in certain limited circumstances, there may be a case for examining the functional and amenity value of certain areas of undeveloped land that may now be inappropriately zoned as open space because of practical factors such as prevalence of anti-social behaviour in areas that suffer from poor passive surveillance. I understand that this was the main issue raised recently by the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. Such sites may be capable of use for smaller infill housing schemes which enhance local amenities without detriment to established and nearby public open spaces. Such proposals to amend local land use zoning objectives would, in any case, be considered by the elected members of the local authority as to the balance they strike in terms of securing orderly development, housing delivery and provision of local community open space facilities.
37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the terms of the incremental purchase scheme and the tenant incremental purchase scheme for local authority houses which were introduced in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45102/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum, have been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year and have been allocated a house under a local authority allocation scheme.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review in the coming weeks.
38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if instructions can be given to the local authorities to reintroduce the provision of specific isolated housing in rural areas for suitably qualified persons already on local authority housing lists or otherwise qualified; if the development of privately serviced sites can be undertaken in either urban or rural areas by the local authorities as a matter of urgency with the objective of alleviating the increasingly serious housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing our housing shortage and homelessness crisis is the Government's number one priority. The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is focused on increasing and accelerating housing delivery, across all tenures. The funding earmarked for the social housing element of the Action Plan was increased from €5.35 billion to over €6 billion in Budget 2018.
With regard to rural housing, it is a matter for each local authority to determine the nature, location and relative priority of individual social housing projects. In submitting proposals for funding to my Department in respect of new social housing projects, local authorities and approved housing bodies may include proposals for single social houses in rural areas, where they have identified and prioritised such need.
Local authorities now have substantial pipelines of new social housing projects, ranging from larger scale developments to smaller scale projects, details of which have been published and are available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/. I am keen that they advance all of these as soon as possible and have assured them that funding is available to fully support their efforts in this regard.
In terms of the development of private sites for housing, the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), which is aimed at removing infrastructural blockages that were hindering development on otherwise suitable and strategically located sites will support significant development over the coming years. As the first round of LIHAF was oversubscribed, a second round of LIHAF was announced in Budget 2018, with €50 million being made available to unlock further sites for housing.
In relation to the development of rural areas, the Deputy will be aware that the Action Plan for Rural Development, published on 23 January 2017, by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, takes a whole-of-Government approach to the economic and social development of rural Ireland and will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of rural initiatives across Government Departments and other public bodies.
39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the roll-out of a fully staffed full-time place finder service for those looking for a home; when it will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme administered by my Department plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. There are currently more than 28,500 households having their housing needs met via HAP and some 20,000 landlords or agents currently in receipt of HAP payments. A weekly average of 350 HAP tenancies have been set up during 2017.
HAP is also an essential component of our suite of homelessness prevention and supports. The Homeless Pilot of the HAP scheme has been operational since February 2015 across the four housing authorities in the Dublin Region, and is being implemented through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). The focus of this pilot scheme is to transition qualified households from emergency accommodation, including hotels, into private rented tenancies. A Place Finder service, similar to the service available in Dublin, became operational in Cork City Council earlier this year and provides a dedicated resource that operates together with the established HAP delivery team in the local authority. The Cork Placefinder Service seeks potential properties suitable for households currently identified as homeless by Cork City Council by establishing relationships with local property agents and landlords and liaising with individual households to establish their specific needs; and also supports homeless households in securing the tenancy arrangements which may include assisting with tenancy agreements and arrangements in that context. More than 2,000 formerly homeless households are currently having their housing needs met through this targeted support. On average, 33 homeless households each week in the Dublin region alone are securing rental accommodation as a result of the additional supports available through the dedicated Place Finder Service.
I announced recently that the Place Finder support is to be rolled out nationally providing homeless support staff in each of the 31 local authorities with the tools to target HAP supported rental properties for homeless households, with a particular focus of moving families out of emergency accommodation. This means that every local authority will be able to pay deposits and advance rental payment on behalf of homeless households in order to secure accommodation. The existing Place Finder service in Dublin is also being enhanced, with additional staff to be assigned to provide on the ground support in each of the relevant local authority areas. Arrangements for the provision of these supports are currently being progressed by my Department together with the local authorities and I envisage that the Place Finder service will be operational nationally by end year.
Budget 2018 has seen a doubling of the total allocation for HAP to over €300 million, which will enable an additional 17,000 households to be supported and accommodated in 2018, as well as meeting the 2018 costs of households already supported by the scheme in 2017 and in previous years, as well as supporting the roll-out of the HAP Place Finder Support Service across the country.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of HAP and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
