Repair and Leasing Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Ceisteanna (1810, 1830)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

1810. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of lease and repair scheme units completed in 2017. [1577/18]

John Curran

Ceist:

1830. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties that have been offered to each local authority under the repair and leasing scheme; the number that have been accepted; the number that are now occupied for each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1901/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1810 and 1830 together.

The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland.

The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property. Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs up to a maximum of €40,000 will be met upfront by the local authority or an approved housing body (AHB).

The Department is currently gathering data from local authorities in order to report detailed progress on the scheme in the final quarter of 2017. This will be published shortly. However, at the end of Q3, 292 properties had been deemed suitable and local authorities were negotiating with properties owners; a further 231 properties were being inspected for suitability by local authorities; 18 Agreements to Lease had been signed. A detailed breakdown of the RLS scheme data for Q3 2017 is 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.

I have reviewed the operation of the scheme as part on the on-going review of Rebuilding Ireland, which examined all opportunities to accelerate and improve social housing delivery as well as initiatives to bring more vacant houses back into use at a faster pace. The outcome of this review is being finalised and will be announced shortly.