Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2612. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of targeted sites to be acquired under the serviced sites fund in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; the estimated average subsidy per site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2640. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of serviced sites completed to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33112/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2645. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 945 of 10 July 2018 and 733 and 744 of 12 July 2018, the financial year in which the €75 million in Exchequer funding to the fund will be available; if the amount available in Exchequer funding in 2018 is €15 million or €25 million as separately outlined in replies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2680. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications for funding under the serviced sites fund; the number being assessed; the number approved for this funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33662/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2681. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been drawn down from the serviced sites fund in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33663/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2612, 2640, 2645, 2680 and 2681 together.
I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 945 of 10 July 2018 and 773 and 774 of 12 July 2018 which broadly sets out the position in relation to the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF).
As I outlined in these replies, I am providing €75 million of Exchequer funding under the SSF to provide enabling infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of affordable homes on local authority and Housing Agency sites, in or near centres where increasing house prices and rents have created a significant affordability gap for first-time buyers and for those wishing to rent. The funding is not being provided for the acquisition of sites.
The €75 million represents an increase of €50 million in Exchequer funding from the previously announced €25 million, which was due to be spent over the two year period 2018-19. The provision of matching local authority funding of at least 25% of the cost of the infrastructure bid is a qualifying pre-requisite for all proposals, meaning that there will be a minimum spend of €100 million under the SSF.
The annual profiled allocations in each of the years to 2021, comprising Exchequer and local authority contributions, is set out in the following table.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
|
Exchequer |
€15m |
€20m |
€20m |
€20m |
€75m |
|
LA contribution |
€5 |
€6.7m |
€6.7m |
€6.7m |
€25m |
|
Total Investment |
€20m |
€26.7m |
€26.7m |
€26.7m |
€100m |
As noted previously, funding will be capped at €30,000 Exchequer contribution per affordable home to be delivered. When combined with the local authority contribution of at least 25% of the cost of the infrastructure bid, this will bring the per-unit grant to €40,000 maximum. On the basis of a simple calculation, there is scope to provide grant funding to at least 2,500 affordable homes facilitated under the Fund.
I have recently issued a call for proposals and I expect to be in a position to award funding in the Autumn.
