Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if guidance will be provided for guide boating tours and boating wildlife watching tours on a safe reopening including details on the numbers which can safely travel on different size craft in terms of social distancing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland assists with the communication of relevant public health measures by including relevant guidance in the various sector-specific guidelines published on the Fáilte Ireland website. These guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses to operate safely in line with public health advice. With specific regard to guided boating tours and boating wildlife watching tours, relevant guidance is set out in the guidelines for activity providers.
303. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from her Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24383/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department provides funding to a wide range of sporting, cultural and community organisations, I am advised that funding is not provided to any non-governmental organisations.
If the Deputy wishes to enquire as to whether funding is provided to any particular organisation, my officials will be happy to assist upon receipt of the relevant details.
304. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider including skateboarding as a recognised sport in Ireland given that it is recognised internationally and was scheduled for debut in the Tokyo Olympics and in view of the fact that skateboarding groups do not currently have access to funding in line with other recognised sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the recognition of sports and National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland.
Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). The recognition process for achieving the status of NGB in Ireland is a matter solely for Sport Ireland, which has the legislative responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland pursuant to the Sport Ireland Act 2015. The recognition criteria establish minimum requirements for all organisations wishing to apply to Sport Ireland for recognition.
There are over 60 recognised National Governing Bodies which have each demonstrated their capacity to organise competitions in their respective codes and to implement policies for health and safety, safeguarding and other matters. These cover a broad range of sports from field sports, Olympic disciplines and minority sports. There are also a number of sporting bodies which are currently working towards recognition, with the support of Sport Ireland.
I understand that Sport Ireland has not received an application for recognition in relation to skateboarding to date.
The relevant sporting organisation should contact Sport Ireland who will provide further information on the recognition process.
305. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of persons employed by her Department; and the collective total salary received by employees of her Department. [24462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 366 persons employed in my Department.
The collective total annualised salary is €19,178,000.
306. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by her Department to deal with public relations; the names of any firms involved; and the amount spent on public relations by her Department. [24463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by officials that no funding has been allocated to or contracts entered into for public relations services by the Department.
307. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider advocating for an expansion of the current restrictions to include outdoor classes such as zumba fitness in order that they can resume in the same capacity as that of an organisation (details supplied) and athletics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24527/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Governing Bodies of Sport, working with Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on the Return to Sport, prepare guidance for their safe operation of their training sessions. Outdoor fitness classes such as zumba fitness that are not conducted or operated by a National Governing Body are not part of the recognition system that is applied by Sport Ireland. It is however the case that the current public health regulations permit the organising of outdoor events, sporting or otherwise, with up to 15 persons in attendance. This would include an outdoor fitness class.
308. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the results of the test live performances organised at the National Concert Hall and Abbey Theatre in December 2020 announced by her on 13 December 2020; the efforts that were made to ensure these tests assisted in the planning of future live events; the way these tests were examined; the follow-up that took place; the research that emerged from same; and if the Return to Live Entertainment Working Group has examined the test results. [24532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce in its Report “Life Worth Living” recommended that the treatment of cultural activities and venues under the various levels of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 Plan for Living with COVID-19 be reviewed. The Taskforce noted that many cultural centres, venues, galleries and cinemas offer large areas with ample circulation and controlled auditoria and spaces capable of facilitating large numbers of people in accordance with public health guidelines.
On 13 December the Department announced a series of performance test events comprising a performance of the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the National Concert Hall on Saturday 19 December and a production of Landmark Productions and Octopus Theatricals' innovative “Theatre for One” at the Abbey Theatre for a limited run from Friday 18 December.
These test events are informing further assessments of the potential for a wider range of locations to accommodate live performance in 2021.
The test events were subject to the following requirements:
- each event was ticketed with assigned seating;
- only the named person assigned a ticket could attend;
- all attendees were asked to have their smartphone switched on and HSE COVID app installed (for contact tracing purposes);
- the arrangements were supervised by an occupational health and safety professional who engaged with local public health/HSE; and
- venues adhered to best practice on ventilation.
SLUA Safety Consultants reviewed the safety plans for each venue prior to the Departmental approval. Covid-19 safety measures were in in place and implemented by both venues and included separate supervised points of entry/exit for attendees and performers. Conditions of ticket issue were clearly communicated to attendees in advance of each event regarding face-coverings, temperature taking, contact tracing information, social distancing and what to expect on arrival.
At the National Concert Hall, a special Christmas Celebration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, took place on 19 December. The concert ran for 45 mins without an interval. As part of their Covid-9 safety measures, Code Blue First Aid Responders completed temperature checks for all attendees on arrival before entering the auditorium. The entrance and foyer was supervised to prevent congregation and all attendees were escorted to their seats immediately. Mask wearing was obligatory for duration of concert. Tickets were restricted to 100 (capacity of the main auditorium of the National Concert Hall is 900 seats) with 64 people attending on the day. 2 meter social distancing applied with every second row vacant, with no more than 6 people per row. There was no bars or refreshments of any type provided for this event.
The Abbey Theatre hosted “Theatre for One”, comprised of six five minute plays by leading Irish playwrights with each original 5-minute play performed by one actor, for one audience member in a specially designed booth located in the foyer of the theatre. This event ran to schedule from 18-23 December. 129 tickets issued (capacity for the event was 189) with 122 attending overall.
“Theatre for One (and a Little One)", for one adult and one child aged ten or under, was originally scheduled to run on the 29-31 of December. However, following the dramatic increase in the incidence of COVID-19, the final performances were cancelled. 44 tickets issued for this run (capacity was 96), with 39 attending overall.
Both venues were asked to survey audience members to gauge audience sentiment. The survey contained questions around transport, group composition and COVID-19 protection measures along with some more site specific questions and took attendees no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The venues conducted the surveys and provided the Department with anonymised results. A total of 47 audience members responded to the survey (21% of total attendance).
Of those surveyed, almost all respondents indicated that they felt comfortable in their surroundings and safety protocols and measures where clearly communicated and implemented.
Feedback from staff, audiences and artists in relation to the events in both locations has been overwhelmingly positive. Artists and performers in both locations have indicated that they not only felt safe in their surroundings, but also very much appreciated the opportunity to perform.
I recently established a Live Entertainment Working Group in order to facilitate stakeholder consultation and develop COVID-19 Guidelines for the Live Entertainment sector. The Group will examine all pertinent information and produce a high level principles set of guidance that all venue promoters can adopt for their specific purposes. The first meeting of this group was held on the 21 April 2021.
The Government announced last week, that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to progress arrangements to hold a further limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
309. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the upgrading of outdoor facilities promised by her has been completed in advance of small organised cultural events being allowed from 10 May 2021; the amount of the budget for upgrading outdoor facilities that has been spent; the projects on which the budget has been spent; when the remainder of the budget will be spent; and the specific projects for which the budget will be spent. [24533/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll commitments in respect of allocating funding to local authorities to improve public spaces for cultural and events activity have been met. I launched the Outdoor Public Space Scheme on 11 February 2021. The scheme provides up to €250,000 for each of the 31 local authorities to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities taking account of the needs of local arts and entertainment communities. More details are available here upgrading https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/14d5d-re-imagining-our-outdoor-public-spaces/
My Department has already awarded a grant of €250,000 to Carlow County Council to develop a covered open space in the centre of Carlow Town at Potato Market, in the old Tully’s Yard, called The Carlow Exchange. Carlow County Council envisages that the space will be used for Cultural, Economic, Community, and Social Activities, providing an accessible and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy.
The rate at which the funding will be awarded and drawn down is set by local authorities as they develop plans and undertake engagement with local arts communities. For this reason, there is no closing date at present for the scheme.
311. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when details of the Fáilte Ireland capital investment programme, Platforms for Growth will be announced for 2021 (details supplied). [24597/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of the Platforms for Growth programme of capital investment is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the agency for direct response with further information regarding any forthcoming funding announcements. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
312. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a scheme will be established similar to the outdoor dining scheme for pubs that do not serve food to enable them to initiate outdoor spaces for their customers to utilise which would mirror the outdoor dining scheme currently in place for pubs and restaurants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24708/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme is being delivered in partnership with local authorities and has the specific aim of developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide. Under one strand of this scheme, grants for outdoor seating and accessories are available to a range of businesses selling food for consumption on their premises. Work is underway to examine how pubs that do not serve food can be similarly supported.
The Government remains committed to supporting tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. In this regard, the Government will soon be publishing a National Economic Recovery Plan outlining how we will help people return to work and support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Government will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.
313. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the provision of funding for the Barrow Blueway; the status of the progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24414/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning approval for development of the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy (46km) was received in March 2019.
The project objectives are to:
(1) Provide upgraded and new physical infrastructure in accordance with planning permission;
(2) Provision of infrastructure to achieve ‘Accredited Blueway’ status for the route;
(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.
The project is being delivered through the partnership of Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and Laois County Council for a total project cost of €6.75 million.
Construction work commenced in Autumn of 2020 with some delays due to COVID-19 restrictions. It is currently anticipated that all aspects of construction should be complete by the end of 2022.
Waterways Ireland was refused planning permission for the section of the proposed Barrow Blueway route between Athy and St Mullins. This decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála but the appeal was unsuccessful.
Waterways Ireland believes that the Carlow portion of the Barrow Navigation has much to offer in terms of recreational, tourism and well-being attractions and is open to engagement with the respective County Councils to review all options for the development of the Blueway extension from Athy to St Mullins.
314. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will receive their Land Registry documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24705/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.
315. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the income limit for social housing in County Tipperary is €5,000 lower than neighbouring counties; and his plans to address this situation. [23611/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will conduct a review on income limit thresholds for social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23912/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 331 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10% and separately a 2.5% allowance for each child.
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. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected 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, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
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.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
316. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on plans to raise HAP limits given the current thresholds are far below the current rental prices of housing throughout the country. [23612/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly, in the order of 60% in some cases.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The current maximum HAP rent limits are available on the Irish Statute Book website at the following link:
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/56/made/en/print?q=housing&years=2017.
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
In considering this issue, I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
My Department closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis. I am satisfied that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally sufficient to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme. However, I will continue to keep the matter under review.
317. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all strategic housing development applications since the beginning of 2017 in cases in which planning permission was granted; the number of units that were applied for; the bedroom size of each of these units; the status of building on the site; the number of units delivered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23683/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.
From the commencement of the new SHD arrangements in 2017 up until end March 2021, the Board had received 308 SHD applications and had decided 265 cases. The Board had granted permission in 192 cases in respect of a total of 49,291 housing units (comprising 12,991 houses, 27,816 apartments and 8,484 build to rent), as well as 769 shared accommodation units and 12,173 student bed spaces under the SHD arrangements. I understand that the remaining 73 cases decided have either been refused by the Board or are developments which were originally granted by the Board but set aside as a result of a judicial review.
The specific information sought in relation to the bedroom size of each unit is not maintained by my Department. The 2017 SHD Regulations provide for the publication of a weekly list of applications received and applications determined or otherwise disposed of by the Board in relation to SHD cases. These weekly lists are available to view on the Board's website at http://www.pleanala.ie/.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
Furthermore, the status of individual developments which have been granted permission under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, is not routinely maintained by my Department given that some 30,000 planning permissions are granted nationally on an annual basis. My Department has conducted periodic research on the activation rate of SHD permissions and the most recent data in this regard, from a review undertaken on 27 April 2021, would indicate that as of end March 2021, works have commenced on 62 (32%) of the SHD permissions granted since the arrangements came into operation. There can be some delay for various reasons, such as phasing of development, in the activation of housing developments post the granting of permission. In this connection, if permissions granted in 2020/2021 are excluded from the calculations, the data indicates that works have commenced on 46% of the SHD permissions granted in 2018 (when the first permissions were granted) and 2019.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to not extending the SHD arrangements beyond their legislative expiry date of end December 2021, which has now been extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related extension of duration of statutory deadlines within the planning system by 8 weeks in respect of the period March to May 2020.
Work is ongoing on the development of new legislative proposals for the wind-up of the current SHD arrangements and the submission of large-scale housing planning applications (including student accommodation) to local planning authorities. It is intended to publish a General Scheme in this regard as soon as possible.
318. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons to date on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons that have been on the social housing waiting list in County Cavan in each of the past ten years; the number of persons that have been allocated a house by Cavan County Council in each of the past ten years; the average waiting time to be allocated a house by Cavan County Council in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24015/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on the housing waiting lists in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24166/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 337 and 340 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA has been conducted on an annual basis since 2016, prior to which it was carried out once every three years, with the last Summary under this approach having taken place in 2013.
The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, including for Counties Cavan and Mayo, across a range of categories.
In relation to the number of persons that have been allocated a house by Cavan County Council and the average waiting time to be allocated a house in each of the past ten years, information of this type is not held by my Department. However, details on the length of time spent on the record of qualified households (waiting lists) can be found at tables 2.8 and A1.8 of the report. It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists.
2020 Report
www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/#:~:text=The%20Summary%20of%20Social%20Housing,is%20not%20currently%20being%20met.
It is important to note that only the results of the 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 summaries are directly comparable with each other. These summaries were carried out using a standardised methodology as specified by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. Previous summaries were not carried out under the current standardised assessment regime for social housing support which came into effect on 1 April 2011. As there were no assessments carried out in 2012, 2014 or 2015 my Department does not have data for those years.Below are links to the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for 2011 and SSHA reports for 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 which contain data broken down by local authority area.
Report 2019
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/29da7-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2019-key-findings/
Report 2018
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6fab90-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2018-key-findings/
Report 2017
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6205a6-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2017/
Report 2016
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cce84-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2016/
Report 2013
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3a099-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2013-key-findings/
HNA 2011
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d2410-housing-needs-assessment-2011/
319. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children to date in homeless accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23701/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on the homeless housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 321 together.
My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
The most recent homelessness data is in respect of March 2021 and was published by my Department on 30 April 2021. The total number of homeless individuals was 8,060. Amongst this number, there were 913 families in emergency accommodation in the March report, with 2,166 dependants associated with these families. This represents the lowest number of dependants in emergency accommodation since April 2016 and a 35.4% reduction over the past year.
320. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on HAP by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23702/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of supporting HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23704/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 322 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and those households must source their own accommodation in the private rental sector.
The table below shows the number of households at the end of 2020, broken down by local authority, who are in receipt of HAP support.
|
Local Authority |
Total Active HAP Tenancies |
|
Carlow County Council |
743 |
|
Cavan County Council |
429 |
|
Clare County Council |
1,423 |
|
Cork City Council |
3,133 |
|
Cork County Council |
3,722 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,833 |
|
Dublin City Council |
4,863 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
735 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,089 |
|
Galway City Council |
1,951 |
|
Galway County Council |
1,428 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1,623 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2,398 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
854 |
|
Laois County Council |
982 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
293 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
2,442 |
|
Longford County Council |
379 |
|
Louth County Council |
3,280 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,356 |
|
Meath County Council |
2,275 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
628 |
|
Offaly County Council |
877 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
468 |
|
Sligo County Council |
831 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,936 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,868 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
2,127 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
1,014 |
|
Wexford County Council |
1,613 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1,668 |
|
Subtotal |
52,261 |
|
Dublin Regional Homeless Executive* |
7,560 |
|
Grand Total |
59,821 |
*The DRHE is operating the HAP Homeless Place Finder Service on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.
The cost of supporting the HAP Scheme to the Exchequer is outlined in the table below
|
Year |
Additional Households supported at end of year |
No. of LAs operating HAP Scheme |
Outturn €M |
|
2014 |
485 |
7 |
0.39 |
|
2015 |
5,680 |
18 |
15.64 |
|
2016 |
12,075 |
28 |
57.69 |
|
2017 |
17,916 |
31 |
152.69 |
|
2018 |
17,926 |
31 |
276.6 |
|
2019 |
17,025 |
31 |
382.4 |
|
2020 |
15,885 |
31 |
464.6 |
Budget 2021 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €558 million. This will allow for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enable an additional 15,000 households to be supported by HAP in 2021.
