Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of hiring ten additional litter wardens. [33741/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLitter Pollution
Ceisteanna (122)
Freagraí scríofa
The estimated annual pay bill cost of hiring ten additional litter wardens is €321,090 not including employer's PRSI contributions etc.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:123. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social homes to be delivered from the €1,078,559 of capital expenditure allocated to local authorities in Vote 34 of budget 2021. [33765/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:124. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected contribution by local authorities from their own resources in 2021 for the delivery of the new social homes funded from the €1,078,559 of capital expenditure allocated to local authorities in Vote 34 of budget 2021. [33766/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:125. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social homes to be delivered from the €96,000,000 of capital expenditure allocated to the capital assistance scheme in Vote 34 budget 2021. [33767/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:126. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes to be transferred to social housing from the €23,000 of capital expenditure allocated to the mortgage-to-rent scheme allocated in Vote 34 in budget 2021. [33768/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:127. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social homes to be delivered from the €220,350 of capital expenditure allocated to the capital advance leasing facility in Vote 34 budget 2021. [33769/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:128. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new Traveller specific homes to be delivered from the €15,500 of capital expenditure allocated to the Traveller accommodation budget line in Vote 34 budget 2021. [33770/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:129. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social homes to be delivered from the €11,000 of capital expenditure allocated to the repair and leasing scheme in Vote 34 budget 2021. [33771/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEoin Ó Broin
Ceist:130. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes to be delivered from the €110,000 capital expenditure allocated to the affordable purchase scheme in Vote 34 in budget 2021. [33772/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 130, inclusive, together.
Details of the 2021 housing output targets, including the targets under the programmes requested by the Deputy, are set out in the 2021 Revised Estimates (REV) which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2021. In respect of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility the 2021 output target is 3,800 units and this is reflected in the 2021 REV as part of the key high level metrics relating to delivery through social housing capital programmes and Approved Housing Body build delivery.
Generally, it should be noted that the 2021 output targets were set in anticipation of a fully operational construction year in 2021 and may be impacted as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
In relation to Subhead A.3, the main local authority capital programme, the 2021 Estimate of €1,078,559 million is supplemented by €78 million in surplus Local Property Tax receipts where certain local authorities are required to use the surplus to fund housing services. In addition, €58 million in unspent 2020 appropriations has been applied to Subhead A.3. This arose as a result of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the construction sector in 2020. Therefore, the total budget for Subhead A.3 in 2021 is €1,214,559 million.
Homeless Persons Supports
Ceisteanna (131)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:131. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of homeless deaths currently being undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive in view of the increase in the number of deaths of persons sleeping rough or in contact with homeless services; his plans to address shortcomings in homeless provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33818/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There have been a number of deaths, in recent months, of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned. The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important that we establish the facts concerning the circumstances involved, and that we base our response on the best knowledge and evidence available.
A review of homeless deaths was undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) by Dr. Austin O’Carroll, the HSE appointed Clinical Lead for Covid-19 and Homelessness in Dublin. The review analysed the available data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020 to identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people. This ‘Interim Report on Mortality in Single Homeless Population 2020’ was submitted to me earlier this month. Owing to certain data limitations, including Covid-19 restrictions limiting access to coroner’s reports, the report will be subject to revision when these data become available. I have met with Dr. O’Carroll to discuss the report and its recommendations.
It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure that all individuals experiencing homelessness are supported to exit into permanent housing solutions and that those with complex health and mental health needs are provided with the supports they need. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in respect of these issues.
The Programme for Government includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of Housing First, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided. The provision of addiction and mental health supports has featured prominently in meetings of the High Level Homelessness Task Force that I established and in my regular interactions with the Minister for Health. The issue of deaths in homeless services has also been discussed at the Task Force.
Engaging with rough sleepers is vital. This engagement is first and foremost to encourage those rough sleeping to avail of shelter. But critically, it also allows their health needs to be assessed and provided for.
In addition to the recent report, and relevant to its recommendations in respect of improving data in this area, a separate feasibility study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. This is due to be completed by the end of 2021. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, is reviewing approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (132)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:132. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the 2021 energy efficiency retrofitting programme for social housing; the allocation received by each local authority for 2021; the minimum targets of homes each local authority is required to retrofit in 2021; the number of homes that have been retrofitted to date in 2021 in each local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33819/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Energy Efficiency Programme for 2021 is a newly revised programme designed around the Programme for Government commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard by 2030. Approximately 36,500 of those homes are expected to be local authority homes. A target of 2,400 social homes for upgrade works has been set for 2021, 750 of which relate to the Midlands Retrofit Pilot. The approved level of works under the programme have received a considerable upscaling enabling a deep retrofit to ensure that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided.
The €65 million Budget support provided in 2021 has been allocated to local authorities, with €20 million allocated under the Midlands Retrofit Pilot as part of the 'Just Transition' programme, and the balance of €45 million under the 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme. A breakdown of the latter allocation along with the minimum target number of homes each local authority is required to retrofit are outlined in the table attached.
The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, has had a negative impact on the work of the local authorities in regard to this programme causing delays in surveying, tendering and retrofitting works, as a result no requests for funding have been received to date from local authorities for retrofitting works completed under the 2021 programme.
Vacant Sites
Ceisteanna (133)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:133. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the number of sites listed on the vacant site registers of local authorities; his views on whether each site that should be on the register has been listed and are subject to the levy; if he will consider putting the onus on such sites to self-declare with appropriate penalties on those that fail to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33820/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Local authorities are responsible for the administration of the vacant site register in respect of their functional area, which includes identifying sites for inclusion on the register and applying the levy to same. I have no role in relation to this matter. The vacant site register of each local authority is available on their website.
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, my Department issued Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the collection of the levy by each local authority. A response has now been received from each of the 31 local authorities. My Department is currently assessing the responses received and intends to proactively engage with individual local authorities and identify any issues to be addressed. This is in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future to strengthen enforcement of the vacant site levy while also keeping the legislation under review.
While the legislation is kept under review, there are no current plans to amend the legislation as proposed.
Vacant Properties
Ceisteanna (134)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:134. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have developed and activated vacant homes action plans; the statistical information his Department has on the number of vacant homes in each local authority area; the action that has been advised to local authorities in relation to homes left vacant for long periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33821/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, which was published by my Department in 2018, provides a targeted, effective and coordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. The range of objectives, and actions it specifies, have been pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. In that context, each of the 31 local authorities have prepared and activated a Vacant Homes Action Plan for their administrative area. The Vacant Home Action Plan identifies the scale of vacant homes in their jurisdiction and sets ambitious but realistic targets of the number of vacant homes that can ultimately be brought back into use.
My Department does not hold the data on the number of empty or unoccupied domestic dwellings in the State.
My Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent including a targeted, effective and co-ordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. In that regard, my Department and local authorities are being proactive in dealing with vacant properties and there are a number of schemes available to incentivise reactivating suitable dwellings into the liveable housing stock such as:
- The Repair and Leasing Scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental properties. The scheme provides upfront funding to carry out the works and, in return, the property owner agrees to lease the dwelling to the local authority to be used as social housing for a period up to 25 years. The maximum loan for property repair available under the Repair and Lease scheme has been increased by my Department from €40,000 to €60,000. 247 properties have been brought back into use under the Repair and lease scheme.
- The Buy and Renew initiative allows local authorities to purchase private vacant properties for use as social housing. 670 properties have been brought back into use under the scheme.
- The Housing Acquisitions Fund is a €70 million revolving that was established in January 2017 with the objective of enabling the Housing Agency to acquire vacant units from banks and investment companies for social housing use. The fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units primarily to the AHB sector and the funds received are then recycled back into the fund for future acquisitions. To date 844 properties have been brought back into use through the fund.
My Department continues to keep the Vacant Homes Schemes and the various functions of the Vacant Homes Offices under review with ongoing feedback from our Vacant Homes Officers.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (135, 136)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:135. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made by local authority in the single stage process for social and affordable housing since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33848/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:136. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the performance of the single stage process for social and affordable housing; if not, the measures he is willing to introduce to improve uptake of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.
The table below shows the number of social housing projects being progressed by local authorities under the Single Stage review process. When first introduced in 2018, this arrangement applied to social housing projects up to the value of €2m but I increased the value of eligible projects to €6m in September 2020, to give further options to local authorities.
At the same time, I recognise that other improvements we have initiated in respect of social housing projects have improved the process through which local authorities engage with my Department as they advance their construction projects. For example, local authorities now have the benefit of standard layouts for new build social housing, as well as standard specifications and guideline costs. These supports give local authorities clear parameters within which to design and develop new social housing construction projects and reduce the issues that will arise with the approval assessments.
Notwithstanding these improvements, I am still keen to see more take-up of the single-stage process for suitable social housing projects and particularly by local authorities who have not taken this opportunity to date. My Department will continue to work proactively with local authorities to encourage further use of the single stage process and I believe there is also merit in public representatives pressing their local authorities on this.
|
Local Authority |
Projects |
Units |
|
Carlow |
14 |
40 |
|
Clare |
4 |
8 |
|
Cork County |
7 |
15 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
12 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
11 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
10 |
|
Laois |
4 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
9 |
|
Louth |
6 |
16 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
25 |
|
Meath |
4 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
6 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (137)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to regulate short-term lettings through platforms such a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33930/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes the specific action to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms with regard to short-term letting, and the ongoing approach in this regard is currently being considered. However, as some elements of potential regulation of the short-term letting market fall outside the remit of my Department, I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on this matter. Meetings have taken place at senior official level between the two Departments, which have also involved the participation of Fáilte Ireland, to explore the possibilities of developing new proposals in relation to the regulation of the short-term letting sector.
Further meetings at official level are scheduled in the coming weeks after which it is hoped to submit a Memorandum for Government on this matter in due course.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (138)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:138. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units that were provided to persons with disabilities by local authority in each of the years 2015 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33931/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not collate statistics in relation to the number of persons with disabilities that are accommodated by local authorities as the allocation of social housing is a matter for individual local authorities and, as Minister, I have no function relating thereto.
However, housing statistics supplied to the Housing Agency, as part of its remit to implement the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability, indicate that in 2019 (the first year in which such statistics were requested by the Agency) 1,206 households with a specific need based on disability were accommodated, while in 2020 the number of such households was 1,921.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (139)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:139. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons with disabilities who are on waiting lists for social housing by local authority as of 18 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33932/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has no information on the current number of households who have applied for housing with a specific need based on one or more members of the household having a disability. However, in 2020 the Summary of Social Housing Assessments recorded that 4,000 households (or 6.5% of the total number of households) had a specific accommodation requirement arising from a disability.
Each local authority has a Housing and Disability Steering Group (HDSG) to plan for and oversee the implementation of the local authority’s five-year Strategic Plan under the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2016-2021. These groups were established in 31 local authorities to enhance the existing ad hoc interagency cooperation and to bring a more co-ordinated approach to the delivery of housing and related services. They are made up of representatives from the local authority, Approved Housing Bodies, the HSE (with a representative from both Disability Services and Mental Health), and sectorial representatives’ groups from the four disability categories.
The HDSGs are also tasked with reviewing the targets in local authorities’ Strategic Plans to ensure that they are realistic yet challenging and that they result in increased delivery of appropriate/varied types of housing for people with disabilities. They also seek to ensure that while the targets are based on identified need (Housing Waiting List) that they also take cognisance of emerging need.
Since 2016, allocations of homes to people with a disability has ranged from 10-12% of all allocations.
The current NHSPWD is due to conclude this year. Development of the new Strategy is underway and the first phase of consultation has ended. A further consultation phase will commence in the Autumn and it is intended that a new strategy will be published by the end of 2021.
Election Management System
Ceisteanna (140)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that online voter registration through voter.ie is only available to residents in Dublin; if he plans to allow residents in other parts of the country avail of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33946/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to the modernisation of the electoral registration process. This includes the introduction of rolling registration; the simplification of forms and processes; the use of PPSNs in the registration process; as well as the gradual roll-out of an online option for registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline the process of registration, making it easier for people to register to vote and update their details.
Voter.ie, an initiative of the Dublin local authorities, is an on-line platform being piloted in the four Dublin local authority areas. The platform offers online registration as well as a shared database within which each local authority continues to manage its register. The system is currently being considered for suitability as a national system and my Department has established a governance structure, bringing together central and local government experts, to consider the further development of Voter.ie in this regard.
The Government has also approved the drafting of an Electoral Reform Bill to underpin the electoral registration reforms, among other things. The general scheme of the bill is currently the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/34cf6-general-scheme-of-the-electoral-reform-bill-2020/.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (141)
John Brady
Ceist:141. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the claims for justice of the families of the peaceful protesters killed in the Khartoum massacre on 3 June, 2019, in Sudan; if Ireland will support their claims for justice at the United Nations, if necessary by advocating for a mandate by the Security Council for the International Criminal Court to investigate the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33693/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland strongly supports the civilian-led political transition underway in Sudan. While Sudan has made significant headway in its reform efforts, significant challenges remain, including violence in Darfur, and an economic crisis. There are also significant delays in implementing the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) between the Transitional Government and rebel groups, including on transitional justice and accountability measures.
The events of 3 June 2019 in Khartoum were deeply alarming. Minister Coveney, at the time, issued a statement strongly condemning the use of violence and excessive force against protestors. He also condemned the use of sexual and gender based violence against protestors. The UN Security Council and the EU also denounced the violence. Senior officials from my Department met the then Sudanese Ambassador to Ireland in 2019 to express our concerns at the political situation. In 2019, officials also met with representatives of the Sudanese community in Ireland.
Ireland has taken the opportunity at several sessions of the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the violence against protestors on 3 June and to call for accountability through independent investigations.
As the two-year anniversary of the event has now passed, it is regrettable that the findings of the official investigation are still outstanding. It is imperative that all violations against protestors, including widespread reports of sexual and gender-based violence, are independently investigated and the perpetrators held accountable. Ending impunity and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice are essential steps on the road to peace in Sudan.
As a member of the UN Security Council, we are also closely monitoring events in Sudan, in particular efforts to ensure the protection of civilians. We have consistently raised the need for accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in our statements at the Council. In addition, we have encouraged the Transitional Government to prioritise the establishment and implementation of the transitional justice mechanisms and processes agreed in the JPA.
Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC). While the ICC is central to the overall framework for international criminal justice, it is a court of last resort and States bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes. Referrals by the United Nations Security Council to the ICC are pursuant to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, and must receive nine affirmative votes at the Council without one of the Five Permanent Council Members vetoing the referral.
Ireland continues to engage with our EU partners to ensure a strong and unified EU position on the situation in Sudan. Ireland is also a long-standing humanitarian donor to Sudan. Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €39 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Sudan through UN, and NGO partners. So far this year, we have provided over €4.6 million in funding.
My officials continue to actively monitor political developments and the humanitarian and human rights situation in Sudan, including through Ireland’s Embassy in Nairobi, in cooperation with the EU Delegation in Khartoum.