Brian Stanley
Ceist:161. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the target number of units for affordable houses in counties Laois and Offaly, respectively in 2022 and 2023. [46316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing Provision
Ceisteanna (161)
Freagraí scríofa
Under Action 4.12 of Housing for All, in the period to December 2021 local authorities will be preparing Housing Action Delivery Plans to include social and affordable housing where necessary (affordable purchase and cost rental). This will allow each Local Authority to determine the affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment.
The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. It is the largest State-led building programme in our history, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment in excess of €4bn per annum.
At a national level, over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. These homes will be provided by Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency (LDA), as well as through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Specifically regarding middle-income families wishing to buy homes, the Housing for All strategy contains a multi-pronged approach to improving affordability.
The Local Authority Affordable Homes scheme and the First Home scheme are primarily focused on supporting first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes. Both of these schemes will be targeted at households constrained by the maximum mortgage and deposit available to them. The gap between the market value and what the household can afford (including with the assistance of the ‘Help to Buy’ incentive) will be bridged via the provision of equity support. The equity support can subsequently be redeemed at any time at the home-owners discretion, or remain outstanding until the home is sold or passed on.
In addition to these distinct shared equity schemes, the Housing for All strategy also provides for the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021. The Local Authority Home Loan is a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, and will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, thus increasing the number of people eligible. From 10 September 2021, I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate by 0.25% for new borrowers under the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL). This lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the forthcoming Local Authority Home Loan. The Help to Buy scheme is also currently available to help purchasers in accessing homes.
Further to the above, the Housing for All strategy also provides for the Croí Cónaithe initiative intended to service sites and refurbish existing vacant properties in regional towns and villages,
Collectively, these measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals wishing to purchase a home.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (162)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:162. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the State-owned lands and other sites in Dublin 6W, 8, 10, 12 and 20 which the Land Development Agency has identified or have been indicated to it by his Department as being suitable or available for future housing development; and the size of each site. [46334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The Land Development Agency Act was recently signed in law and, on enactment, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.
There is ongoing engagement between the LDA and my Department in relation to the identification of relevant public lands suitable for the delivery of substantial additional housing in locations with a significant housing need. In the table below, are sites for future housing development which the LDA are currently engaged with in the postcodes requested i.e. Dublin 6W, 8, 10, 12 and 20.
|
Site |
Location |
Site Size (hectares) |
|
Cherry Orchard |
Dublin 10 |
13.35 |
|
Meath Hospital |
Dublin 8 |
0.3 |
|
St Teresa’s Gardens |
Dublin 8 |
5.34 |
|
Digital Hub |
Dublin 8 |
3.84 |
In addition, under Housing for All, it is planned to transfer 4 additional sites in Dublin 8 to the LDA following a due diligence process. These include 3 sites in Inchicore, Dublin 8 owned currently by the OPW, CIE and ESB respectively as well as the CIE Conyngham Road Garage.
Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 138.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (164)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:164. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the future plans for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme in the context of the Housing for All plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46322/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of Housing for All, I announced that a reformed successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', will be in place later in 2021. The Local Authority Home Loan will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, thus increasing the number of people eligible for a mortgage.
I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate for new borrowers by 0.25% under the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL), as from 10 September 2021. This will result in lowering the monthly repayments and/or increasing borrowing capacity for applicants; this lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the forthcoming Local Authority Home Loan.
In addition I also announced a ‘Fresh Start’ principle for applications to State affordable housing and loan schemes. This means that people who are divorced or separated and have no interest in the family home, or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply.
I look forward to announcing further details in respect of the Local Authority Home Loan in the coming months.
The link to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme and FAQ's can be found in the link below:
rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/
Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 134.
Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 129.
Heritage Sites
Ceisteanna (167)
Martin Browne
Ceist:167. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will visit Knocklofty House, Clonmel to view the state of disrepair of the structure; and if progress has been made in identifying a way to address the damage that is occurring to this heritage-rich structure. [46418/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including particular structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). As Minister, I can make recommendations to local authorities for buildings and structures to be included on the RPS. These recommendations arise from the surveys of my Department's National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH).
Its inclusion on Tipperary County Council's RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of Knocklofty House and also gives the Council powers to deal with development proposals affecting it and to seek to safeguard its future. I understand that the legal ownership of the property is being questioned currently. As such, it may not be appropriate for me to visit the building unless at the invitation of its owners.
On 12 May last, I met with local people, along with public representatives ,to discuss their concerns about Knocklofty House and I stressed that crucial to the future of this structure is the identification of a viable use or uses with sufficient income to ensure its survival. I outlined the financial supports for owners of heritage structures available under the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage structures through the these schemes and I have awarded combined funding, this year, of €6m to 562 projects right across the country.
Details of the 2022 schemes will be made available later this year and, while I understand that the scale of investment needed for the structure mentioned may mean that the level of grant funding available under these schemes would not, on its own, be sufficient, it may provide some support to safeguard it from falling into further disrepair. My Department would welcome a grant application in respect of same.
I fully understand and appreciate the value of our built heritage, including at a local level, and I have asked officials in my Department to remain in contact with Tipperary County Council on this matter.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (168)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to the implementation of a 100% redress scheme for homeowners affected by the MICA and pyrite scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to concerns being raised by homeowners in relation to the Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, I established a time-bound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups who are tasked with reviewing the operation of the scheme and providing a report with recommendations by 31st July. Included within the terms of reference of the working group is the existing homeowner contribution and the allowable costs under the scheme.
At the request of homeowners and in order to afford them more time to consider and respond to key issues under discussion, it was agreed at the meeting held on the 27th July that the timeline for the completion of a report by the Working Group would be extended to the end of September, 2021.
Until the work of the Group is finalised it would not be appropriate for me to comment on its detailed deliberations. Once the Group has concluded it's deliberations, I will, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General, bring proposals to Government.
Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 115.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (170)
Ged Nash
Ceist:170. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of evictions arising from Residential Tenancy Board adjudications; the reasons given for these evictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46464/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not hold or collate the information referred to in the Question.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, operates a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 133.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (172)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:172. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to bring forward legislation to give effect to the key recommendations of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation with respect to Part 8 and section 183 votes in councils. [46406/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report has 32 recommendations which can be broken down into 4 categories which are aimed at:
1. addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.
The Programme Board has agreed a work programme for 2021. Projects have been set up to examine in detail the issues which need to be considered in respect of the recommendations which have been made. The Expert Group Report recommendations in respect of the Part 8 planning consent process and local authority land disposal procedures are included in the Programme Boards agreed 2021 work programme and are being worked on.
National Biodiversity Plan
Ceisteanna (173)
Brian Leddin
Ceist:173. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to enhance biodiversity measures in the Wild Nephin National Park, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is deeply committed to the development of the National Park in Mayo. In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The addition of Wild Nephin area and also, separately a private acquisition of 1,200 acres at Altnabrockey has expanded the total size of the Park to over 15,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bogs and mountainous terrain in the Barony of Erris in northwest County Mayo. The expansion adds significantly to the overall biological diversity of the National Park which will be augmented further under Park conservation management. The culmination of constructive engagement between Coillte and my Department, the expansion of the Park addresses a long standing strategy to align key environmental assets and an exceptional opportunity has been realised for the State. This transfer underlines the State’s determination in preserving our natural heritage not only for ourselves, but also for our children and our children’s children.
The Wild Nephin Area is an important area for nature conservation and public amenity and through a state – owned re-wilding project we aim to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits in Wild Nephin National Park. The Nephin Wilderness Project is designed to manage the conversion of the former commercial forestry section of the National Park over a 15-year period which will act as Phase 1 of a long-term vision to restore habitats and biodiversity within an intensively managed area.
The Project is guided by a Wild Nephin Conversion Plan 2022 – 2037 which focuses on the principles of rewilding and habitat restoration to convert an area previously managed for timber extraction of non-native conifers to an area which prioritises biodiversity, restores ecosystems and promotes sustainable interactions between people and nature. This plan will cover the conversion of the area known as the Nephin Forest and its integration into the National Park. The Wild Nephin Conversion Plan (Phase I) will facilitate the rewilding and restoration of the landscapes and habitats of Wild Nephin, allowing natural ecological processes to become the dominant drivers of the landscape, where biodiversity is enhanced, ecosystems restored, and low impact recreation opportunities will connect people with nature across generations.
The rewilding and habitat restoration of Wild Nephin aims to support a natural and biodiverse ecosystem which will provide a connection to a larger community of life by encouraging the enjoyment of nature, solitude and challenging recreation without creating a significant human impact on this area of outstanding natural beauty, where nature is the priority. The project is based on actions to be taken in the first 15 years of habitat restoration through the establishment of goals which are informed by the overall nature conservation objectives of the NPWS alongside national and international legislation, policies and agreements. These include links with the Natura 2000 Network, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Bern Convention alongside links in with strategies such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the current situation globally in regards to biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (174)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:174. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the submissions for funding, building or purchasing housing in Dublin 6W, 8, 10, 12 that have been received from Dublin City Council in the past five years; the stage of consideration the requests are at; the number of housing units involved; and in the cases of refusal to fund, the reasons that were given. [46335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides both capital and current funding to local authorities across a range of funding initiatives to assist them in providing homes for families and individuals on their social housing waiting lists. To provide transparency on the new social housing projects being advanced, each quarter my Department publishes a Social Housing Construction Status Report and updated Social Housing Delivery statistics for all years from 1999. The report for Quarter 2, 2021 is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/. These quarterly reports provide details of the social housing construction schemes completed and those in the pipeline for all local authorities including Dublin City Council.
Since 2015 Dublin City Council have also purchased 502 second hand homes and 22 new homes (under Part V legislation) in Dublin 6, 8, 10 and 12 for Social Housing use for which my Department have provided funding.
From 2015 to present only one submission for Capital Funding was refused by my Department. This application was for Turnkey approval in the Dublin 6 area and was refused due to value for money concerns.
Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 155.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (176)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:176. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the expert group set up to review the effectiveness, implementation and operation of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and the report completed by this expert group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46206/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report has 32 recommendations which can be broken down into 4 categories which are aimed at:
- addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
- removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
- increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
- strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.
A Programme Board been established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report and has agreed a work programme for 2021. Projects have set up to examine in detail the issues which need to be considered in respect of the recommendations which have been made.
Prior to the establishment of the Programme Board, my Department has been progressing a number of recommendations and consulting with and reporting on progress to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee. For example, a review has been concluded of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and refurbishment of Traveller specific accommodation and a new process implemented for the 2020 allocation of funding.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (177)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:177. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider setting up an expert panel to investigate and quantify the extent of the use of defective concrete blocks in construction to assist local authorities where relevant, in view of the fact it is viewed as a waste of time and resources if each local authority must individually put that expertise in place. [46311/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has informed councils requesting admittance to the scheme that before any extension of the scheme can be considered, the same rigorous analysis as that put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme to the counties of Donegal and Mayo would have to be undertaken.
Local authorities should endeavour to determine, using the IS: 465 protocol now in place, that issues arising in homes in their counties are in fact due to the presence of excessive amounts of deleterious materials (mica or pyrite) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks and secondly quantify the likely extent of the problem in the local authority area. Such analysis will provide the evidential basis necessary for the consideration of any extension of the scheme.
My Department is in ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of discussions on requests for an extension of the scheme and the relevant local authorities have positively engaged with this process. A submission in this regard has already been received from Clare County Council and that is under review and further submissions are expected from other local authorities with whom my Department is engaging.
In response to concerns being raised by homeowners in relation to the Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, I established a time-bound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups who are tasked with reviewing the operation of the scheme and providing a report with recommendations originally by 31st July. Included within the terms of reference of the working group is the issue of eligible homes and the extension of the scheme to other local authority areas.
At the request of homeowners and in order to afford them more time to consider and respond to key issues under discussion, it was agreed at the meeting held on the 27th July that the timeline for the submission of a report by the working group would be extended to the end of September, 2021. Once the deliberations of the Group have concluded, I will, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General, bring proposals to Government.
Question No. 178 answered with Question No. 138.
Vacant Properties
Ceisteanna (179)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:179. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the turnaround time for vacant council houses in Cork city has now reached 64 weeks; and his plans to work with the local authority to reduce same. [46403/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While my Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority, in line with Section 28 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2009.
Notwithstanding the legal obligations on local authorities to manage and maintain their housing stock, since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.
To ensure these properties are turned around as quickly as possible and to maximise the budget available local authorities were notified that only the minimum works required to comply with the Housing (Private Rented Standards) Regulations, 2019 should be carried out. My Department will continue to actively encourage local authorities to ensure all vacant properties in their stock are brought back into productive use as expeditiously as possible.
Data in relation to average turnaround times are not collated by my Department, however, statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the average time taken to re-tenant a dwelling. The most recent report, relating to 2019, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/noac_publications/noac-performance-indicators-report-2019/
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (180)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:180. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he plans to reach the targets for council-built social housing in Housing for All when the sale of public land to private developers continues most recently with the sale of the council-owned site in Killinarden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46412/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government has set out a clear commitment to ensure that everybody should have access to sustainable good quality housing to purchase or to rent at an affordable price and built to a high standard.
The recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 social homes per annum from 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4b per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5bn in funding through the Housing Finance Agency. This funding will support the acquisition of land, where required, to deliver new build social homes.
In relation to the sale of the site referred to by the Deputy, South Dublin County Council Members recently approved the disposal of lands at Killinarden to the preferred Economic Operator under Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, to build 372 affordable homes and 123 private residential units within the development site at Killinarden. The Council members agreed in March 2020 to progress the procurement process and proceed to land disposal under the relevant legislation to accelerate the delivery of much needed affordable homes in the area. In addition, 125 social homes will be delivered as part of this development. The land associated with these homes is not included in the approved disposal.