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Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 310-329

Housing Assistance Payment

Ceisteanna (310)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

310. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the housing assistance payment legislation in order that HAP is transformed into a short-term housing support as opposed to under the current legislation in which a recipient's social housing needs being deemed as met. [16999/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments in terms of HAP, namely to:

- ensure that Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing, and,

- reduce our reliance on the use of HAP for new social housing solutions, as the supply of social and public housing increases.

I will consider the current operation of HAP, in the broader context of social housing delivery, to ensure that these commitments are met.

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (311)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

311. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to strengthen the short-term letting regulations [17000/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Legislative changes (the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019) were introduced last year in relation to the regulation of short-term letting sector through the planning code to help address its impact on the supply of private rented accommodation, particularly in urban centres of high housing demand i.e. rent pressure zones (RPZs). The planning system facilitates the regulation of such short-term letting uses undertaken by the individual carrying out the activity, i.e. the owner/occupier of the house or apartment, rather than the online platforms.

Under this Short-Term Letting legislation applicable in RPZs:

- Short term letting is defined as the letting of a house or apartment, or part of a house or apartment, for any period not exceeding 14 days.

- Homesharing (the letting of a room or rooms in a person’s principal private residence) continues to be permissible on an unrestricted basis and is exempted from the new planning requirements.

- Homesharers are allowed to sub-let their entire principle private residence (house or apartment) on a short term basis for a cumulative period of 90 days where they are temporarily absent from their home.

- Where the 90 day threshold is exceeded, change of use planning permission is required.

If a person homeshares their principal private residence in a RPZ and wishes to avail of the new planning exemptions, they need to register this with their local planning authority and fulfil specified reporting obligations.

However, where a person owns a property in a RPZ which is not their principal private residence and intends to let it for short term letting purposes, s/he is required to apply for a change of use planning permission unless the property already has a specific planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes.

Under Budget 2020, €2.5m was made available to support planning authorities in the implementation and enforcement of the short-term letting legislation. My Department has been in contact with each of the relevant local authorities in which RPZs are located throughout the year, and has requested regular updates on the enforcement and implementation of the Short Term Letting (STL) Regulations. Notwithstanding the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the workforce and workload of local authorities over recent months, as well as on the short-term letting market itself, this enforcement and implementation has continued to the extent possible.

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes the specific action to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms with regard to short-term lettings, and the approach in this regard will be considered over the coming months.

Local Authority Expenditure

Ceisteanna (312)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

312. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeline for the lifting of the spending cap on local authorities from €2 million; and his views on whether by implementing a one stage process that too much additional risk will be placed on local authorities. [17001/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current single stage process operates for social housing projects encompassing 8 units or less and valued at less than €2m. It was reviewed in 2017 to allow, in certain circumstances, for a second application for a limited budget revision.

Social housing projects funded by my Department, like all publicly-funded construction projects, must comply with the Government’s Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), the objectives of which are to ensure greater cost certainty, better value for money and financial accountability.

My Department is working on this commitment from the Programme of Government and proposals will be developed in collaboration with local authorities to ensure they are workable and support accelerated delivery of social housing construction projects.

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Ceisteanna (313)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

313. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the changes he is making to the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17002/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support. From the scheme's introduction in 2012 to the end of June 2020, 691 families have remained in their homes under the scheme and at the end of June 2020 1,342 applications were actively being progressed.

A review of the MTR scheme undertaken in 2017 introduced a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the Scheme in order to improve its operation. Increasing awareness and understanding of the scheme has been a priority and a new website, www.mortgagetorent.ie, dedicated to guiding and advising borrowers was developed. In addition, new structures and arrangements were put in place to encourage a greater number of entities to take part in the scheme.

The implementation of the recommendations of the Review means that MTR is available to provide a long-term solution for more households in mortgage distress, where appropriate. Building on that work, and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, I am considering how the scheme could be further improved to meet the needs of more borrowers who require long-term support with their housing needs.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (314)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

314. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the changes he plans to make to modernise the planning system as stated in an interview (details supplied). [17003/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As outlined in this interview, I would like to see progress on many fronts during my tenure as Minister, including, in addition to housing, modernising the planning system.

This is in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government. The Programme for Government to a range of measures in relation to ‘Planning and Reform’, including:-

- Introduce a ‘use it or lose it’ condition for all planning applications of ten units or more;

- Review and reform the judicial review process so that such reforms come into effect upon the establishment of the Environmental and Planning Law Court, while always adhering to our EU law obligations under the Aarhus Convention;

- Examine the creation of an independent Building Standards Regulator to oversee building control nationwide and to act as custodian of the Building Control Management System, including the re-establishment of the Building Regulatory Advisory Body;

- Introduce a new scheme to expand and build on the Living Cities Initiative to encourage infill Development;

- Review how community gain can be captured through a review of the development levy process, rezoning system and planning permission conditions.

- Ensure that the Planning Regulator is adequately resourced and proactively engages with all stakeholders in the planning system, including informing and assisting the general public in inputting into local and regional development plans;

- Work to ensure our ageing population has a range of options for living independently and alternatives to long-term residential care to support ageing in place in line with the policy statement ‘Housing Options for Our Ageing Population’;

- Avoid over-concentration of particular housing types in areas by requiring local authorities to complete Housing Need and Demand Assessments to inform delivery of an appropriate mix of housing typologies to cater for the needs of disparate household types and sizes;

- Reform and consolidate Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) laws;

- Strengthen enforcement of the Vacant Site Levy and the keep the legislation under review;

- Not extend Strategic Housing Developments beyond their legislative expiry in eighteen months’ time;

- Examine ways to ensure unused or underused building stock in cities and other urban centres can be made available for upgraded and sustainable housing and further develop ‘Live Above the Shop’ measures.

In addition to the above, the Programme for Government also commits to establishing a Commission on Housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality of life issues.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (315)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

315. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the terms of reference for the review of the housing density rule as stated in an interview (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government - our shared future, commits to ensuring that policy and planning across Government in relation to the future provision of services and infrastructure will be fully aligned with the National Planning Framework (NPF) to ensure balanced and sustainable development in Ireland over the next 20 years. A vibrant, inclusive and thriving Ireland requires actions to revitalise our towns and villages, and ensure the development of our regional cities.

Against this backdrop, and to support the implementation of the NPF objective to encourage compact growth and quality urban environments, there is merit in reviewing aspects of the 2009 Ministerial Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, that may be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act. This would be an opportunity to provide updated guidance on housing density for a broader range of settlement types and contexts. I am considering in this context the development of ‘sustainable settlement guidance’ and consideration will be given to the terms of reference and timelines for this review in the coming months.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (316)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

316. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing local leisure centres in reopening (details supplied); if the stimulus promised will take deficits of the year to date into account; and if extra funding will be provided to ensure leisure centres remain open post-Covid-19. [17005/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have no direct role in this matter.

Responsibility for sports and leisure facilites at a local level rests with the local authorities and at national level, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has overall policy responsibility for such facilities. Local authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. Central Government funding of Local authorities includes transfers, both current and capital, from a range of Departments and Offices for a variety of purposes. In relation to the provision of leisure centres in their areas, local authorities may seek such central Government funding from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport.

It is recognised that additional costs are being incurred by local authorities in relation to Covid-19. Local authorities have been advised to capture all related costs in their financial systems to aid future financial analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the local government sector. In order to support the sector generally, I will ensure my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow under review and will continue to work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising.

Vacant Sites

Ceisteanna (317)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

317. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount generated from the vacant site levy for each county for each year since its implementation; the percentage of registered land that has paid the levy; the percentage kept by each county council for local expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites register from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January 2020.

My Department proactively engages with local authorities with a view to ensuring that the vacant site levy achieves its full potential in terms of bringing concerned sites into productive use. In this regard, the Department issued Circular Letter PL 08/2020 on 9 June 2020 requesting the submission of a further progress report on the implementation of the levy by each local authority.

The Department received a return from each of the 31 local authorities which indicated that as of 31 May 2020 there were 352 sites listed on local authority registers.

The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. However, the progress reports noted the following:

2018

- 89 sites valued at €139.9m were liable to the levy at a rate of 3% (€4.2m) in 2019;

- 89 demand letters in respect of sites valued at €4.2m issued in 2019/2020 in respect of 2018;

- €882k in levy payments were received in respect of 2018;

- Payments of €1.4m are outstanding in respect of 2018*.

*It should be noted that some sites were cancelled following the issuing of a demand for payment due to appeal or commencement of development etc. As a result, the amount collected plus the amount outstanding does not equal the value of the demands issued.

2019

- 211 sites valued at €2,373m are liable to the levy at a rate of 7% (€16.6m) in 2020;

- 94 demand letters in respect of sites valued at €12.2m issued in 2020 in respect of 2019;

- €245k in levy payments were received in respect of 2019;

- Payments of €14.8m are outstanding in respect of 2019*.

* Some local authorities noted delays in issuing demands for payments in 2020 due to COVID-19. As a result, the payments outstanding is currently greater than the demands issued.

The below table sets out the information available in relation to the specific request:

Planning Authority

3% Levy Liability 2019

€ payments collected 2019

7% Levy Liability 2020

€ payments collected 2020

Carlow

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Cavan

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Clare

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Cork County*

380,910.00

0.00

573,790.00

0.00

Cork City

0.00

0.00

1,120,875.00

0.00

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

0.00

0.00

2,264,500.00

0.00

Donegal

14,611.95

0.00

34,094.55

0.00

Dublin City

2,935,650.00

640,950.00

6,138,300.00

227,500.00

Fingal

14,400.00

0.00

94,080.00

0.00

Galway City

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Galway County

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Kerry

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Kildare

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Kilkenny

151,800.00

72,900.00

934,850.00

0.00

Laois

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Leitrim

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Limerick

0.00

0.00

935,200.00

0.00

Longford

2,250.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Louth

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Mayo

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Meath

0.00

0.00

730,450.00

0.00

Monaghan

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Offaly

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Roscommon

0.00

0.00

227,500.00

17,500.00

Sligo

0.00

0.00

1,596,350.00

0.00

South Dublin

132,600.00

0.00

712,250.00

0.00

Tipperary

0.00

0.00

72,893.31

0.00

Waterford

255,365.58

3,645.00

595,853.02

0.00

Westmeath

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Wexford

12,000.00

0.00

28,000.00

0.00

Wicklow

300,000.00

165,000.00

555,450.00

0.00

Total

4,199,587.53

882,495.00

16,614,435.88

245,000.00

* Following the issuing of demands, 5 sites with a levy liability of €87,960 were transferred from Cork County Council to Cork City Council as part of the Boundary re-alignment.

All levies due on an individual site will remain a charge on the land concerned until all outstanding levies due are paid. Accordingly, under the vacant site levy provisions, there will be a cumulative effect associated with not activating a site for development purposes for each year that a site remains vacant or idle and in respect of which levy liability is not paid. Local authorities are currently in the process of implementing debt recovery procedures to recoup arrears due.

The levy is not intended to be a revenue generating measure with the proceeds accruing to the relevant local authority rather than the Exchequer. The levy proceeds generated are specifically intended to be used by local authorities for the provision of housing and regeneration development in the local area in which vacant sites are located. No more than 10% of the levy monies received by planning authorities may be used on their administration costs in collecting the levy.

The progress reports received from planning authorities in response to Circular PL 08/2020 are currently being examined in greater detail by my Department to consider, amongst other things, what further implementation supports may be required. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure that all vacant site levies due are paid and that the measure can achieve its full potential.

Regional Development

Ceisteanna (318)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

318. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which regional development plans must have regard to other national policies including the NTA transport strategy; the extent to which the NTA must have regard to the Regional Development Strategy; the policy hierarchy with regard to national development policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In order to ensure coherence across the broad range of national policies generally, Section 23(7)(a) and (c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), states that Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) “shall take account of” any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government, including any national plans, policies or strategies” and that the “regional assemblies in respect of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) shall ensure that the strategy is consistent with the transport strategy of the National Transport Authority (NTA)”.

In the transport area, Section 12 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 requires the preparation and adoption of a statutory transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The making of a transport strategy for the region is a core function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). In making that transport strategy, the NTA is required, in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, to "ensure that the transport strategy is consistent with" the relevant land use strategy for the region.

Through the inter-dependent approach set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, legislative provision is made for land use planning and transport planning to operate in an integrated and coordinated basis.

Regional Assemblies

Ceisteanna (319)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

319. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria used by the regional assemblies to determine core growth towns and villages in each county cited in the development of county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17040/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Planning Framework (NPF) identified the five cities and five other large towns in Ireland as regional/cross-border drivers, in order to ensure that each Regional Assembly area could further develop the overall NPF framework on a regional basis, by identifying a more detailed growth strategy for each region to be determined taking into account regional conditions. Within this context, the three Regional Assemblies, had significant scope to determine their own settlement strategies, further to the NPF

For example, Chapter 3 (pages 28-41) of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) area, sets out a very clear and detailed growth strategy for the EMRA region. Table 3.1 of the EMRA RSES in particular, identifies a series of ‘asset-based’ criteria, on which the overall EMRA RSES settlement strategy is based.

In the same way as the NPF enabled greater detail to be determined at Regional Assembly level, the RSESs don’t address every settlement in each Region and enables each County to determine their own settlement strategy within the parameters of the RSES, through the County Development Plan process.

Further to finalisation of the three RSESs by January 2020, all city and county development plans must be reviewed or varied, to ensure consistency with both the NPF, and the relevant RSES. This process is underway and will continue into 2021, overseen by the independent Office of the Planning Regulator. When complete, this will be the first time that there has been an integrated hierarchy of statutory spatial plans, supported by the national public capital investment programme, to shape the future pattern and form of development in Ireland.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (320)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

320. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extra supports that will be provided to local authority leisure centres to allow them to reopen and operate fully without being at a financial loss as a result of the extra requirements placed on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17059/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have no function in this matter. Funding and policy responsibility at a local level rests with the local authorities and at national level with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Local authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. Central Government funding of local authorities includes transfers, both current and capital, from a range of Departments and Offices for a variety of purposes. In relation to the provision of leisure centres in their areas, local authorities would ordinarily seek such central Government funding from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, as my Department has no direct role in that policy function.

I intend to continue to support measures taken by my Department to assist local authorities with the financial challenges they are experiencing since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a short term measure €136m was made available to local authorities as cash flow support in early April, in order to ensure that vital services that local authorities deliver can be maintained. This support was comprised of the early payment of the LPT allocation ordinarily paid from the Local Government Fund in May and July. Further to these measures, my Department arranged for the payment of 50% of each local authority’s individual Payroll and PSPR allocation, amounting to €54.8m, in mid-June. This interim payment would ordinarily be paid later in July.

On 2 May 2020, a waiver of commercial rates was announced for businesses that were forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a three-month period. This issue is under active consideration in the context of the July stimulus.

It is recognised that additional costs are being incurred by local authorities in relation to Covid-19. Local authorities have been advised to capture all related costs in their financial systems to aid future financial analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the local government sector. In order to support the sector generally, I will ensure my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow under review and will continue to work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising.

Commercial Rates

Ceisteanna (321)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

321. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the details of the implementation of the commercial rates waiver have been finalised and issued to local authorities; the reason for the delay in finalising the scheme; the funding that has been provided to local authorities to offset the financial losses as a result of the waiver; if the waiver will be extended beyond three months particularly for businesses that remain closed and have suffered huge financial losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17060/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, commits to reviewing the treatment of commercial rates for the remainder of the year, as a priority action. This process is underway in my Department in the context of the forthcoming July stimulus. The previously announced waiver forms part of this consideration, with a view to a single communication with local authorities and ratepayers in the near future.

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (322, 323)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

322. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are on the housing list in County Longford. [17068/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

323. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are on the housing list in County Westmeath. [17069/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are set out in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%. The 2019 summary includes breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories for each local authority and can be found on my Department's website at the following link:

Report 2019

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2019_dec_2019_web_1.pdf

Tables 2.1 and A1.1 include details on age profile. It should be noted that the relevant age groupings contained in the report refer to 60-69 years old and 70 years old or more, therefore it is not possible to provide information of the exact type as requested by the Deputy. However, under the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, a local authority must classify any specific accommodation requirements a household may have such as a requirement for housing specifically adapted for the needs of persons aged 65 years or more. Information in this regard is detailed in tables 2.6 and A1.6 of the report.

Housing Assistance Payment

Ceisteanna (324, 325)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

324. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are availing of HAP in County Longford. [17070/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

325. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons over 65 years of age who are availing of HAP in County Westmeath. [17071/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together.

The table below provides details of the number of active HAP tenancies in Longford and Westmeath at the end of Q4 2019 and details of those households receiving HAP where the main applicant is over 65 years of age.

Local Authority

Active HAP tenancies at end 2019

Persons above 65 years of age that are availing of HAP at end 2019

Longford County Council

330

24

Westmeath County Council

901

61

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (326)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

326. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing bungalows with three bedrooms or more, built or made available to families with a member who has a disability on a local authority basis between 1 January 2016 and 1 June 2020, inclusive in tabular form. [17109/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions of which the provision and allocation of social housing support is one. My Department does not collect data from local authorities on their allocations to individual categories of applicant.

The housing needs of people with disabilities are addressed in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011-2016 which was affirmed in Rebuilding Ireland and extended to 2020 to continue to deliver on its aims. In accordance with the vision and strategic aims of the NHSPWD to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level, Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) have been established in all local authority areas. These are chaired by the Directors of Housing with membership including the HSE and disability representatives.

Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet the identified and emerging housing needs of people with disabilities in their areas with a view to developing annual targets for the delivery of housing to people with a disability on their housing waiting lists. All Plans are now operational in each local authority and, along with the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA), are key to enabling local authorities to plan more strategically for the housing needs of people with a disability, and, to support the delivery of accommodation using all appropriate housing mechanisms including the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

My Department also provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of older local authority tenants and people with a disability under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme. Allocations under this scheme are being considered by my Department and the funding will be some €15m this year which is similar to the sum available to local authorities in 2019.

The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that there is an appropriate mix of housing design types provided, including universally designed units, accommodation for older people and people with disabilities. The commitments for people with a disability in the Programme for Government will be examined in a review of the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) which is due to commence in 2020 with a view to putting a new Strategy in place in 2021.

Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 309.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (328)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

328. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason Ireland has not committed in full to article 31 of the European Social Charter; the steps he is taking to ensure that full commitment is given to the article; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17151/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I note that the Deputy raised this matter recently during a debate in the Dáil.

Ireland ratified the Revised European Social Charter on 4 November 2000. At that time, Ireland accepted 92 of the 98 paragraphs of the Revised Charter. Three of those paragraphs not accepted by Ireland make up Article 31, which relates to the right to housing.

The issue of the right to housing was debated in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann in September 2017. Arising from this, a motion to refer the Eighth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, which dealt with economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to housing, to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach was passed by the Dáil on 28 September 2017 and by the Seanad on 11 October 2017. The Oireachtas Committee engagement did not take place before the dissolution of the Committee.

The commitments in relation to Constitutional reform in the Programme for Government provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. The matter of ratifying Article 31 of the Revised European Social Charter may fall to be considered further in light of the outcome of that referendum.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ceisteanna (329)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

329. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the percentage of new social houses built during this term that will meet the universal design standards; if he will instruct local authorities to build more family size social houses that meet the needs of families in which multiple members have disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17154/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Social housing is built to the design standards set out in the guidelines 'Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities' which are available at https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C1979%2Cen.pdf.

In preparing the Guidelines, particular account was taken of the objectives of government policy on sustainability, including access for people with disabilities and meeting varied needs of occupants through their lifetime. The design approach to social housing seeks to eliminate barriers to accessibility for all users - particularly older people and those with mobility impairment or other disability. Where units are being designed for those with disabilities, the Guidelines refer to the National Disability Authority publication 'Building for Everyone: Inclusion, Access and Use'. More recently, the Housing Agency published a Roadmap titled 'Designing Housing to Meet the Needs of All' which has specific regard to the principles of universal design.

https://www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/2019-07/Designing-Housing-to-meet-the-needs-of-all.pdf

The housing needs of people with disabilities are addressed in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011-2016, which was affirmed in Rebuilding Ireland and extended to 2020 to continue to deliver on its aims. In accordance with the vision and strategic aims of the NHSPWD to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level, Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) have been established in all local authority areas. These are chaired by the Directors of Housing with membership including the HSE and disability representatives.

Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet the identified and emerging housing needs of people with disabilities in their areas with a view to developing annual targets for the delivery of housing to people with a disability on their housing waiting lists. The HDSG in each local authority is also responsible for identifying the specific needs of households with one or multiple members with special needs, in order to prioritise support for these families by the delivery of accommodation appropriately designed to meet the specific needs of the household members, using all appropriate housing mechanisms including the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

My Department also provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of older local authority tenants and people with a disability under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme. Allocations under this scheme are being considered by my Department and the funding will be some €15m this year which is similar to the sum available to local authorities in 2019.

The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that there is an appropriate mix of housing design types provided, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities.

The policy paper Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, launched jointly by my Department and the Department of Health in 2019, contained an action item to “In partnership with industry, introduce measures to ensure that over a five year period delivery is increased to ensure that 30% of all new dwellings are built to incorporate universal design principles to accommodate our ageing population.” Appropriate measures to deliver on this commitment are currently being formulated by my Department.

Under Action 97 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the National Disability Agency is tasked with preparing policy advice on ways of achieving universal design solutions for new housing so that new homes can be accessed and used by all persons, irrespective of size, age, ability or disability. Once that advice and costings are available, it will be considered alongside the other housing related commitments for people with a disability in the Programme for Government, and will be examined in a review of the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) which will commence in 2020, with a view to putting a new Strategy in place in 2021.

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