Written Answers Nos. 581-600
581. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the way in which the working family payment is treated as income when registering for social housing supports while council mortgage applicants cannot include the working family payment as an income. [27547/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Support Household Means Policy sets out the manner in which housing authorities will assess the means of applicant households for the purpose of determining the household’s ability to provide accommodation from its own means and by extension its eligibility, or otherwise, for social housing support.
The determination of whether an applicant household meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of net income. Net income means that income tax, Universal Social Charge, pension-related deduction within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009, and PRSI are deducted from the relevant assessable gross income. The income of all persons aged 18 years and over included in a social housing application is assessed for the purposes of determining whether an applicant household meets the income requirements.
In general, all income is assessable including all social welfare payments received except a specific list of payments that include for example child benefit, education grants, carer's allowance, payments under FAS schemes and fuel allowance. The Means Policy specifically states that Family Income Supplement (now known as Working Family Payment or WFP) is deemed to be income for the purposes of assessing eligibility for social housing. This is appropriate for assessing the level of social housing support that may be given, as such support is based on the means of the household seeking the support and may be subject to review if the circumstances of the household change. The Social Housing Support Household Means Policy was developed in 2011 and is currently under review by my Department, with a view to assessing whether the approach taken is still appropriate in the current housing context and to ensure that household income is treated in a consistent manner across the social housing system.
With regard to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme, it is not, as a general rule, available to those in receipt of unemployment or other social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a waged or salaried nature, long-term State benefit payments may be considered. State benefit payments allowable are:
- State Pension (Contributory);
- State pension (Non-Contributory);
- Widow’s/Widower’s Pension;
- Blind Pension;
- Invalidity Pension; and
- Disability Allowance.
The reason that these payment are considered as assessable income for the scheme is that they are long-term payments. The inclusion of other social welfare payments, which are more short-term, would not be appropriate in determining a capacity of applicants to repay a loan over a period of up to 30 years, as is the case with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
The long-term nature of the social welfare payment must be confirmed by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are referred to the relevant local authority's Credit Committee for a final decision.
584. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the mortgage allowance per annum since its inception until its disestablishment; the number of units provided per annum through that period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage Allowance scheme provides for an allowance of up to €11,450 payable over a 5 year period to tenants or tenant purchasers of local authority housing, to assist them to purchase or have a private house built with a mortgage. New applications are still being accepted by local authorities under the scheme.
The amount spent on the scheme, and the number of housing units supported, are as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
Houses |
|
2018 (to 22 June) |
€177,677 |
16 |
|
2017 |
€436,609 |
38 |
|
2016 |
€470,478 |
41 |
|
2015 |
€518,628 |
49 |
|
2014 |
€623,585 |
64 |
|
2013 |
€998,403 |
107 |
|
2012 |
€1,344,078 |
142 |
|
2011 |
€2,016,535 |
196 |
|
2010 |
€2,640,408 |
246 |
|
2009 |
€3,189,733 |
284 |
|
2008 |
€3,177,887 |
279 |
|
2007 |
€3,336,791 |
284 |
|
2006 |
€3,133,177 |
253 |
|
2005 |
€2,606,355 |
207 |
|
2004 |
€2,275,896 |
14 |
|
2003 |
€1,722,879 |
153 |
|
2002 |
€1,090,482 |
128 |
|
2001 |
€822,266 |
141 |
|
2000 |
€1,007,983 |
186 |
|
1999 |
€1,136,812 |
198 |
|
1998 |
€1,291,404 |
209 |
|
1997 |
€1,365,592 |
245 |
|
1996 |
€1,087,797 |
214 |
|
1995 |
€759,334 |
163 |
|
1994 |
€569,773 |
114 |
|
1993 |
€129,069 |
24 |
|
Totals |
€37,929,631 |
3,996 |
586. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an official from the foreshore licence unit will visit a house (details supplied) in County Kerry to inspect the flood prevention works carried out on the foreshore and confirm it is the primary residence of the occupants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27594/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe property referred to is one of four still advertised as available for holiday rental. The particular area in question is State-owned foreshore reclaimed without appropriate consent and without payment of rent which, except in exceptional circumstances, foreshore leases/licences attract.
The persons named have made an offer to purchase the area. However, my Department has informed them that the nature of the offer made could not be recommended for approval to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. To date, no agreement has yet been reached to sell this area of foreshore. My Department last corresponded with the legal advisor to the persons named in March 2018, outlining this position.
587. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an official from the foreshore licence unit will visit a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27595/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is an ongoing legal case involving the club concerned. This matter is therefore sub-judice. In that context, it would be inappropriate for an official of my Department to visit the club or for me to comment further.
588. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeline for the review of the European Parliament seat and boundary review; if there is further consideration or amendment of the recently published review of the local government boundaries; and if the publication of that report constitutes the official enactment of the new local electoral area boundaries. [27612/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe composition of the current 2014-2019 European Parliament was established by European Council Decision 2013/312/EU of 28 June 2013, which, in the case of Ireland, provided for the election of 11 MEPs. The current number of MEPs in the European Parliament is 750 plus the President with each Member State having between 6 and 96 Members.
Council Decision 2013/312/EU provided that it would be revised again in advance of the 2019-2024 parliamentary term upon an initiative of the European Parliament to be presented to the European Council before the end of 2016. The launch of this process was, however, postponed by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (i.e. the AFCO Committee) until after the referendum in the United Kingdom on its withdrawal from the European Union.
Following a report on the matter by the AFCO Committee, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 7 February 2018 which contains a Proposal for a Decision of the European Council establishing the composition of the European Parliament. In broad terms, the proposal provides, among other things, that:
- when the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union becomes legally effective, 27 of the United Kingdom’s 73 seats would be re-distributed among 14 Member States, of which 2 would go to Ireland, increasing Ireland’s MEPs from 11 to 13 in number. This would mean a reduction in the overall size of the European Parliament from 751 to 705 members;
- however, as set out in the Parliament's resolution, if the date on which the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union becomes legally effective takes place after the European Parliament elections are held in mid-2019, the number of MEPs to be elected from each Member State for the 2019-2024 parliamentary term would remain the same as that of the current parliament. The additional seats would only be filled on the date after which the United Kingdom's withdrawal becomes legally effective.
The proposal, which will require unanimity, is now under consideration within the European Council. My Department is aware that the consent of the Parliament was sought by the Council by way of written procedure and that MEPs gave their consent to the proposal on 13 June 2018. I understand that it is anticipated that the proposal will be adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 28-29 June 2018.
In the event that Ireland’s total number of seats in the European Parliament is changed in respect of the 2019-2024 parliamentary term, it will be necessary to review our European constituency arrangements. Under section 5(1A) of the Electoral Act 1997, provision is made for the establishment of a Constituency Commission in such circumstances to review, and report with recommendations on, European Parliament constituencies. This was done in 2013 prior to the last elections to the European Parliament.
On the matter of local electoral areas, I established two independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees on 13 December 2017 to review and make recommendations on local electoral areas having regard to, among other things, the results of Census 2016 as well as the commitment to consider reducing the size of territorially large local electoral areas as set out in A Programme for a Partnership Government (May 2016). The two Committees reported to me on 12 June 2018 and now stand dissolved.
The publication of the two Boundary Committee Reports does not constitute the official enactment of the new local electoral area boundaries. Orders will need to be prepared in accordance with section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001. In this regard, work will now commence within my Department on the preparation of the necessary orders to give effect to the Committees' recommendations in relation to local electoral areas.
It is anticipated that these orders will be made in the Autumn of this year. The local electoral areas to be specified in these orders, and the number of members to be elected for each electoral area, will apply at the next local elections, which are due to be held in late May 2019 in tandem with the elections for the 2019-2024 European Parliament.
589. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the report on the future of the tenant purchase scheme will be published; the reason for the delay in publishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 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 and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the 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 took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations.
In finalising the report some further consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
590. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his commitment to bring student residences under the rules of the Residential Tenancies Board in respect of rent pressure zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27632/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent Pressure Zones have their legal basis under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016, which regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector. Pursuant to section 3(1) of the 2004 Act, the Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy. The provisions of the Acts, including those provisions providing for the rent pressure zone measure, do not apply where the dwelling is occupied by a person under an agreement which is not a tenancy agreement.
Licensing agreements, such as those that apply in respect of some types of student accommodation, are not covered by the legislative protections of the Residential Tenancies Acts because they are not deemed to be tenancy agreements for the purposes of the Acts. Consequently, the restrictions on rental increases in Rent Pressure Zones, provided for in the Acts, do not apply to accommodation types that are not subject to a tenancy agreement.
However, if there is any doubt as to the type of agreement in place in respect of individual dwellings, for example whether it is a tenancy or licence, the matter should be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for a determination.
In addition, the Department of Education and Skills (DES) is liaising with my Department, including through the forum of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Student Accommodation which is convened by the DES, to examine the wide range of student accommodation types (and ancillary services) available with a view to considering how best to regulate pricing arrangements, including, if appropriate, new regulatory or legislative proposals. I have asked that both Departments consider further action in this area in the context of the forthcoming Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018.
591. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he plans to take in circumstances in which individuals have been refused a loan under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme due to the fact that they were marginally over the threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt continues to be the case under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which was introduced on 1 February 2018, as with the previous local authority House Purchase Loan, that single applicants applying for the loan must not be earning more than €50,000 gross per annum and the combined income of joint applicants must not be greater than €75,000 gross per annum. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.
I have no plans to review these income limits at present.
592. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the publication of the review of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27649/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the initial launch and roll-out of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) in February, I met with the Chief Executives of the two main agencies involved in the implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, the Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency, in April as part of my Department's ongoing oversight and monitoring of the new loan scheme and I requested that they address a number of issues to improve the operation of the scheme.
On foot of this engagement, some minor clarifying amendments have been made to the application form, while a number of additional FAQs have been added to the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan website in order to further clarify issues for potential applicants. The online calculator on this website has also been amended in order to take the cost of mortgage protection insurance into account. This will therefore give potential applicants a clearer indication of the amount that they could be eligible to borrow under the scheme.
My Department will continue to monitor the uptake and responses to the loan scheme, clarifying any issues that arise, as necessary. I have not asked for a formal review of the scheme at this stage, nor do I believe that one is necessary, given the positive response to it to date. This is evident from the almost 1,500 loan applications submitted by local authorities to the Housing Agency, for assessment, as of the end of May.
593. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of county councils that have received in full their 2018 allocations for the provision of the housing adaptation grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27669/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants scheme for Older People and People with a Disability in private houses. Information on the 2018 allocations under this scheme, already notified to each of the local authorities, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/special-housing-needs/minister-english-announces-eu6625-million-funding-improve-homes-older. Funding is drawn down by the local authorities as they complete projects over the course of the year.
In respect of adaptations and extensions to existing social homes to meet the needs of local authority tenants, the proposals for such works from each of the local authorities have recently been evaluated and funding allocations for the full year will be confirmed shortly to all local authorities. Ahead of that, they have been advancing work under the scheme based on a funding provision of up to 65% of their 2017 allocation. This has allowed them to plan and progress works under the scheme and allows for the full utilisation of the 2018 allocation throughout the year.
594. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the gross voted capital expenditure for his Department in 2017 and 2018 by function, that is, housing, water, local government, planning and Met Éireann, in tabular form. [27676/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the table.
|
- |
2017 Gross Voted DHPLG Capital Expenditure (Outturn) - €000 |
2018 Gross Voted DHPLG Capital Expenditure (Estimate) - €000 |
|
A - HOUSING |
759,762 |
1,065,419 |
|
B - WATER SERVICES |
18,888 |
531,918 |
|
C - LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
11,091 |
9,942 |
|
D - PLANNING |
1,240 |
17,956 |
|
E - MET ÉIREANN |
1,315 |
5,750 |
|
TOTAL |
792,296 |
1,630,985 |
595. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the disparate systems of differential rents for social housing will be completed; if his attention has been drawn to the disparity between differential rents in County Wexford and south County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent policy has varied across housing authorities since 1986 with the result that households in similar circumstances may be charged different amounts of rent depending on the city/county they are living in. There are currently 36 differential rent schemes in operation nationwide, which vary both in the amount of rent charged and in what is deemed to be income as well as other administrative matters.
At present the making of rent schemes and the setting of rent levels is a matter for each local authority under the provisions of the Housing Act 1966. Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft national differential rents framework under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Such a framework had as its main aim the facilitation of a significant harmonisation in local authority rents, whilst retaining the general principle of rents related to household income.
The introduction of a rent framework could mean that the amount of rent payable by households may be subject to change in some cases. This work is now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness to review the disparate systems of differential rent for social housing in place across local authorities. The overall objective is to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on the lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market.
I expect that the review will be completed shortly.
596. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria for a person to be reclassified as a first-time buyer for the purpose of applying for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the way in which this applies if the person previously purchased a house with another person and no longer retains an interest in the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27765/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra597. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person that previously owned a property and was not married can be reclassified as a first-time buyer under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; if the same rules that apply to persons that were married and are now separated also apply to couples that were not married; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27766/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, where they cannot obtain sufficient mortgage finance from a commercial lender.
The Regulations under which the Scheme is established provide that the loan is available to first-time buyers only. The Regulations define a first-time buyer as having the same meaning as a first-time buyer in Section 92B of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999, which defines a first-time buyer as a person who has not individually or jointly with another person previously purchased a house or an apartment.
However, applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions as set out in Section 92B of the 1999 Act, including that:
- they are legally separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement or have been granted an annulment by a court;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it;
- they have made no financial gain from the transfer of the ownership of the family home; and
- the other party has remained in the family home.
Under the legislation, applicants wishing to avail of this exception must provide evidence that they are divorced, legally separated or have an annulment granted by the High Court.
The loans are provided by the local authorities and the applications are assessed by the Housing Agency on their behalf. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee which makes the final decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations and having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
598. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27810/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar chuid dá Phleanáil d’Fhórsa Saothair, déanann mo Roinn monatóireacht ar líon na bpost ina bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil. Tá sé arna chinneadh nach bhfuil poist sórt sin ag teastáil sa Roinn, faoi láthair, agus mar sin níor earcaigh an Roinn Oifigeach Gaeilge ar leith. Déantar athbhreithniú ar an gcás ar bhonn rialta.
Tá roinnt ball foirne faoi láthair i mo Roinn atá cumasach a gcuid dualgas a chomhlíonadh trí mheán na Gaeilge agus is féidir na baill seo a dhíriú i dtreo réimsí oibre faoi leith ina bhfuil gá le Gaeilge agus/nó Béarla nuair is gá. Leanfaidh mo Roinn ag soláthar deiseanna do bhaill foirne a gcuid scileanna Gaeilge a fheabhsú trí oiliúint teanga ag leibhéil éagsúla a chur ar fáil.
599. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if new community-based housing bodies are eligible for capital funding for the construction of voluntary houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27847/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to be eligible for funding for the construction of social housing, housing bodies must be registered as Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.
To become an AHB, the body must comply with a range of criteria including that it is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. Details on how to apply for approved status can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/voluntary-and-cooperative-housing/approved-housing-bodies-AHBs.
AHBs may avail of funding of up to 100% under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme to assist them in providing housing for the elderly, homeless and people with disabilities. Details of the scheme and of how to apply for funding under it are available from the local authorities, who are responsible for its administration.
In addition, Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) is available as a low-interest loan provided by local authorities (and recouped by my Department) to AHBs to allow them access to early working capital (up to 30% of the relevant costs) for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of units that will then be made available for social housing purposes under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). Low interest rate borrowings are available to AHBs from the Housing Finance Agency to support the financing of the balance.
The oversight of AHBs is currently conducted through the Voluntary Regulation Code (VRC), Building for the Future, A Voluntary Regulation Code for Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland. The VRC is overseen by the Interim Regulation Committee (IRC), based in the Housing Agency.
Since the Code was put in place, any AHB applying for housing funding from my Department and local authorities must furnish proof of compliance with the Voluntary Code. Only those AHBs that have undergone a satisfactory assessment as part of the annual assessment process by the Regulation Office are considered eligible for funding for the provision of social housing.
600. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of loans that have been applied for and approved, respectively, under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme by local authority in tabular form; the number of council officials in each local authority area who are dealing with the applications for these loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with the previous local authority home loan offerings, loan applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department does not directly collect information on the number of enquiries to local authorities regarding the loan or the number of loan applications received by local authorities.
However, as is currently the case, my Department will continue to publish information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q3 2017 is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses valid loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants.
I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures of the numbers of applications that it has assessed, and the most recent figures, as at the end of May, indicate that the Agency had received a total of 1,499 applications for assessment from local authorities. This was made up of 540 applications from Cork, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and 619 applications from Dublin. There were 340 applications received from counties outside those listed.
Of the 1,499 applications received, 1,150 were deemed to be valid. Of these valid applications, 876 had been assessed and 52% of these had been recommended for approval.
Each local authority must have in place a credit committee whose responsibility it is to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
In relation the number of council officials in each local authority area dealing with applications, it is a matter for each local authority to determine the level of staffing assigned to administering the Scheme, having regard to its resources, its staffing priorities and the volume of applications it anticipates in respect of the new Loan Scheme.
