Written Answers Nos. 77-96
77. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a reformed 100% redress scheme for homes affected by defective blocks with mica and pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to implement the motion passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 15 June 2021, calling on the Government to deliver 100% redress for the families that have been devastated by mica and pyrite in the concrete blocks in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54431/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 87 together.
In response to concerns expressed by homeowners and a unanimous Dáil motion on the issue of Defective Concrete Blocks, culminating in the June protest march, I established a time bound working group to consider the issues being raised. The first meeting of the group was held on Wednesday 30 June 2021, with the terms of reference agreed. In total 8 meetings took place over the lifetime of the group and numerous breakout sessions were also facilitated.
At the request of the homeowner representatives it was agreed to extend the timeframe of the working group from the end of July to the end of September. Throughout August my Department facilitated the Homeowners intensive engagement with the Housing Agency to discuss the issues involved in greater detail.
The last meeting of the working group took place on Wednesday, 29 September, which allowed homeowner’s representatives to present their final position paper and I was in attendance. I received the Report of the Working Group on Defective Concrete Blocks in early October and have engaged in consultations with Government colleagues.
I intend, in the immediate term, bringing a memorandum to Government which will set out proposals for improvements to the existing scheme, it’s future administration and various other matters raised in the Report of the Working Group.
78. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the delivery of housing by the Land Development Agency in Cork. [55193/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.
The LDA are currently progressing the development of a HSE site at St Kevin's Hospital in Cork. The site is 14.5 acres and is expected to deliver 265 homes. In April this year the LDA was granted planning permission for this site and the LDA have advised my Department that the first homes are expected to be available in 2023.
A Cork Docklands Delivery Office was also established by Cork City Council in partnership with the LDA. The partnership will seek to promote a regeneration project of international scale and significance in Cork City. Cork City Docklands is Ireland’s largest regeneration project with a total area of 146ha of land. The new office will lead the development of thousands of homes and the creation of a new urban centre for international investment into Cork City.
The delivery office will be tasked with creating partnerships and removing obstacles to development as well as co-ordinating stakeholder engagement and consultation. It is intended that it will review all existing plans, meet key landowners and stakeholders and develop a deliverable but ambitious five- year strategy for the Docklands and will identify early deliverables to build momentum.
79. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress in addressing the difficulties in retaining part-time firefighters and improving their terms and conditions. [54361/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide. 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country. It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.
In 2013, my Department published 'Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland'. The adoption of KCS as national policy saw national norms/ standards being established for fire services in Ireland for the first time, against which local authority fire services could benchmark themselves. The report of the Fire Service Validation Group, ' Fire Services in Ireland, Local Delivery - National Consistency', published in 2016, noted the staffing arrangements in place in fire services across Ireland to achieve these standards and that fire services manage staffing levels in fire stations to achieve the national standards of fire service response.
The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for management in each of the fire services, based on their assessment of local risk, needs and resources. In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, under the Local Government Act, 2001 it is the responsibility of each Chief Executive to employ such staff and to make such staffing, funding, recruitment and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of their local authority.The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires which occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. There has been a welcome downward trend in the incidence of fire, with the fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three-year average, currently at 4.3 deaths per million of population. While each death is one too many, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population and positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates.
In relation to issues regarding recruitment and retention within the retained fire service; the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has approved a proposal for undertaking a review of the model of local authority ‘retained’ fire services delivery, with particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff. The objective is to explore and understand the issues which are impacting on service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options which will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority fire services into the future.
80. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made in ensuring that the homes in an estate (details supplied) are removed from their current red zone demolition category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54746/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) provides a roadmap for the regeneration of Limerick across the four main areas identified in the plan. Limerick City and County Council are the lead agency in the regeneration programme and are best placed to review and determine the approach to deliver on the overall objectives of the LRFIP.
My Department remains fully committed to the delivery of the programme. I understand that my Department has not yet received a new proposal in relation to the homes in the estate referred to by the Deputy in the details provided. My Department will consider any such proposal from the local authority on its merits.
81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when persons will be able to submit applications for affordable housing in north County Dublin. [54213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing.
Measures to deliver this housing are supported by over €4 billion in funding annually, representing the highest ever level of Government investment in building social and affordable housing. 54,000 affordable homes interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Fingal County Council, will be submitting their Plans to me, to include social and affordable housing before the end of December 2021. This will allow each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly.
Funding to support local authority delivery of affordable housing was made available through the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). Following the Programme for Government commitment to extend the SSF, a progress review of SSF projects was undertaken. Considering feedback from local authorities, significant improvements to the scheme, now named the Affordable Housing Fund, have been agreed and communicated to local authorities by Circular in June 2021.
In relation to the scheme governing the affordable purchase of local authority provided or arranged affordable housing, it is intended that regulations regarding income eligibility in respect of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be in place shortly.
83. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that persons who have been through a separation or divorce and or have been denied a mortgage on medical grounds have adequate access to the Rebuilding Ireland home loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is currently available to first-time buyers only. This is set out in the regulations governing the Scheme and ensures effective targeting.
However, applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions, including:
- they are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or
- the other party has remained in the family home.
In meeting the conditions as set out above, in particular that the other party has remained in the family home and that the potential applicant has relinquished any rights they had over that property, no financial gain should have been made by the potential applicant in exchange for relinquishing their rights to the property in this manner. Were the individual to have made a financial gain in releasing their rights to the property, such as being bought out by the other party who remains resident in it, they would be deemed to have been compensated for their interest in the property, and therefore not be eligible as a first-time buyer.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.
As part of Housing for All, a ‘Fresh start’ principle will apply to applications to State-run affordable housing and loan schemes in future. This means that people who are divorced/separated and no longer have a financial interest in the family home, or who have undergone bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply for State loan schemes.
Therefore, the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', will apply this 'Fresh start' principle.
Local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan introduced on 1 February 2018.
One of the conditions of the MPI scheme, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the scheme. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the cost for all existing borrowers. A local authority housing loan applicant, who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme, must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market.
I look forward to announcing further details in respect of the Local Authority Home Loan in the coming months.
84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which those in receipt of the housing assistance payment who enter residential rehabilitation or detox treatment must inform the local authority they will not be staying there for a period of over three weeks and are often at risk of losing their HAP payment and thus becoming homeless. [55075/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. The HAP scheme is legislated for under Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Consistent with the provisions in section 46 of the 2014 Act, once approved for HAP, the local authority will expect the HAP tenant to stay in the same property for at least two years.
Under the scheme, HAP tenants are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.
The rent contribution agreement states that “The HAP Claimant agrees to notify the local authority if the property will be vacant for a period of more than two weeks”. Local authorities should consider such notifications on a case by case basis, including where there is a need for the HAP tenant to go into hospital or into a treatment facility for addiction issues.
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter for the relevant local authority, and ultimately, it is the responsibility of the local authority, while taking a compassionate approach, to make a decision in each individual case.
85. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the milestones for measuring progress which he has set for the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55166/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the milestones for measuring progress which he has set for the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55051/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 101 together.
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 commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.
The LDA will be subject to various provisions under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, as well as its statutory provisions under the Land Development Agency Act 2021. Oversight of the LDA, as a commercial state body, will be by way of a Shareholder Letter of Expectation (SLE). The SLE will include the objectives to be met by the LDA, the expected achievements of the Agency and the return expected by the shareholders, which will be the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The LDA will also be required to produce a five year business and financial plan which will outline the LDA's strategy, its planned investments and appropriate financial targets.
Under Section 9 of the LDA Act, the LDA will also be required to report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on its progress with regards to the achievement of the purposes of the Act on 31 March 2024, and every five years thereafter, as committed to under the Programme for Government. This will be in addition to the Annual Report on the performance of its functions to be published each year by the Agency under Section 48 of the Act.
Additionally, under Section 52 of the LDA Act, the LDA shall furnish a report to Government every 2 years detailing how public lands are being utilised and identifying any lands which may be appropriate for the LDAs objectives. The first report to be provided by the LDA to Government is required to be submitted within 12 months of the coming into operation of Section 52 of the Act.
In relation to housing delivery, the Housing for All strategy allocated €1 billion to the LDA through Project Tosaigh to unlock stalled developments and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes, with a specific target of 5,000 affordable homes to 2026, the majority being cost rental. Consistent with other Housing for All stakeholders and targets, the Cabinet Committee on Housing (chaired by the Taoiseach) and the Delivery Group of Secretary Generals will monitor the progress of the LDA in delivering this target.
Furthermore, the LDA participates on the High Level Affordable Housing Delivery Group, which was established by Department to draw together the key stakeholders responsible for delivering on the affordable housing interventions as detailed in the Housing for All strategy.
86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress to date on establishing and implementing maternity leave for councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncillors, like members of the Oireachtas, are office holders rather than employees. As such, they are not covered by the statutory framework for employees on issues such as maternity leave, sick leave and annual leave.
As matters stand, however, under the provisions of Section 18 of the Local Government Act 2001, councillors may be absent from the role for maternity purposes. Under Section 18, a councillor shall be deemed to have automatically resigned from membership of a local authority if he or she is absent from meetings for a continuous period of 6 consecutive months. Where the absence is due to illness or “in good faith for another reason”, then the period of absence may be extended first to 12 months and then to up to 18 months by resolution of the Council.
A councillor who is absent for 6 months will continue to receive the full amount of his or her Representational Payment, currently worth €25,788 per annum. Thereafter this payment is reduced by 50% for absences of 6 to 12 months duration. A councillor who is absent for more than 12 months will not receive any further payments regardless of the reason for the absence.
With effect from January 2017, the Social Welfare Acts were amended so that councillors gained access to the same benefits as self-employed contributors. Accordingly, councillors are now reckonable for the purposes of accessing Class S benefits, including Maternity Benefit.
Following the publication of Ms Sara Moorhead S.C.’s Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members, I approved the establishment of a working group of key local government stakeholders, including councillor representative organisations. The working group was tasked with drawing up an Action Plan for examination and implementation of the non-pay related recommendations in the Moorhead Report. Addressing these non-pay issues, together with the significant pay reforms for elected members that were approved by Government and brought into effect on 1st July 2021, will facilitate the retention of existing councillors, while also maximising the accessibility of local government to future candidates.
As I believe that the issue of maternity leave warrants urgent attention and includes wider matters and supports other than maternity leave, I asked the local government stakeholder working group to establish a subgroup specifically to examine all maternity-related matters for councillors. This group, which is a representative and cross political party group of women councillors, has met a number of times to date, and has given my officials and I greater understanding of the needs of women councillors in this regard.
My officials are working closely with the Office of the Attorney General on the legal issues identified. My intention, over the coming months, is to bring forward a package of maternity-related measures, including proposals for legislative change, which councillors will be able to avail of. I am determined to address as a matter of urgency, in a progressive and comprehensive manner. This will help to ensure that councillors are more fully representative of the constituents they serve, but also that the role of the councillor is accessible, manageable and sustainable for all.
89. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Traveller accommodation expert review 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55130/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Prior to the establishment of a Programme Board to drive implementation of recommendations from the Expert Group Report, my Department has been progressing a number of recommendations and consulting with and reporting on progress to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.
The Programme Board has agreed a work programme for 2021. Projects have been established to examine in detail the issues which need to be considered in respect of the 18 recommendations included in the current work programme. To date 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. I also approved a 50% increase in funding for the Management and Maintenance of halting sites and group housing schemes earlier this year. Regulations are to be implemented shortly to provide for a Traveller identifier on the Social Housing Support application form. My Department has liaised with the CSO in relation to the upcoming census to ensure that all Travellers are facilitated to participate in Census 2022.
The Programme Board has recently agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations contained in the report on my Department’s website. It is expected that this information will be available shortly.
90. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his work with Dublin City Council to deliver affordable homes on the Poolbeg Strategic Development Zone site. [55104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Glass Bottle Site, Ringsend, Dublin 4; and his plans for affordable housing on the site. [55142/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 98 together.
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is the next important step in transforming the Docklands area, given its strategic location east of Grand Canal Dock, with close proximity to important bridge connections to Dublin Port and North Lotts. The residential potential within the available lands is for a maximum of 3,500 additional residential units.
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) is the responsible agency for the progression of this site in line with the requirements of the NAMA Act. In June 2021, following a comprehensive international open market campaign, a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate, Oaktree Capital Management, and Lioncor Developments (“the Consortium”) acquired a controlling 80% shareholding in the company which owns the glass bottle site for €200m. NAMA maintains a 20% minority interest. The development of the site) will be undertaken by the Consortium.
A condition of the planning scheme, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019 is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory under Part V arrangements.
On 21 July 2021 the consortium submitted a planning application to Dublin City Council (DCC) for Phase 1 to construct 600 apartment units including 90 affordable housing apartments and 62 social housing apartments. The social and affordable housing is provided in accordance with Objective H7 of the Planning Scheme. DCC issued a decision on 16 September 2021 requiring the applicant to revert to the planning authority with further information on nine matters outstanding.
Using all the delivery tools available to it, my Department remains committed to working with DCC, any relevant Approved Housing Bodies and the receiver and/or developers of the SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
91. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the Departmental working group that was set up to investigate potential amendments to building regulations to require changing places (details supplied) in suitable public buildings; the number of times the group has met; if he proposes to meet with the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54830/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations 1997-2019 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. Part M of the Building Regulations deals with Access and Use. The associated Technical Guidance Document M provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD M, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part M of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
In December 2020, my Department established a Working Group to examine the provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings. A changing places toilet offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. These facilities enable people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities such as travel, shopping, family days out or attending a sporting event.
The plenary Working Group has met six times to date, in addition to a number of sub-group meetings. Draft documentation, which includes Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2021, Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2021 and a Regulatory Impact Analysis, is currently being prepared to support a public consultation in the matter later this year.
93. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households that currently live in cost-rental homes; the average cost of rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54970/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUsing State support, a range of work is already ongoing to deliver Cost Rental housing. My Department is utilising the expertise of Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), to deliver initial Cost Rental projects.
Under Budget 2021, €35 million was allocated to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, designed to facilitate Government loans to Approved Housing Bodies, to finance up to 30% of the capital costs of new homes for Cost Rental. A further €75 million was allocated for the delivery of Cost Rental homes in Budget 2022.
A total of 390 Cost Rental homes were approved under this first tranche of CREL funding in early 2021. Twenty five of these homes, being the first Cost Rental homes to be designated in Ireland, were acquired by the Clúid AHB at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan. The first tenants moved in to Taylor Hill from 28 August 2021. The cost-covering rents for these homes is approximately 40% below comparable open-market prices in the area, ranging from €935 per month for a two-bed terraced house to €1,150 for a four-bed detached house. Clúid has also commenced their tenant selection for a further 56 Cost Rental homes at Barnhall in Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
In addition to these 390 homes, another 50 Cost Rental apartments are currently being constructed at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, by the Respond and Tuath AHBs, alongside 105 social housing units. Construction of these purpose-built Cost Rental homes is due to be completed before the end of the year and the tenant selection process is underway.
Delivery of CREL homes is subject to construction schedules, which, together with housing projects more generally, were impacted by COVID delays at the beginning of this year. The initial timeframes submitted by AHBs were based on all efforts being made to deliver the homes as soon as possible. As AHBs sought to use CREL funding to allow developers to construct homes that may otherwise not have been delivered, the commencement of construction on these specific units was, in most instances, not possible until the lifting of relevant COVID restrictions.
Under the Housing for All Strategy, the Government recently confirmed it is intended that approximately 18,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered by Local Authorities, AHBs and the LDA by 2030. In building to this scale and with an average of 2,000 Cost Rental Units per year, the State will provide certain focused funding supports to help delivery partners to provide rental homes targeting affordable rents, at levels in the order of 25% below market rents.
95. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the remuneration elements of the Moorhead Report have been implemented; if county and city councillors received their increased renumeration; the work that has been carried out on the non-pay elements of the Moorhead Report in relation to retention of local councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55194/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 July 2021, with the agreement of Mr Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I gave effect to new regulations made under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended. These new regulations implemented proposals approved by Government to reform the remuneration payable to local councillors, which rebalanced financial supports away from expenses allowances in favour of more normal, taxable salaried income. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to implement the Moorhead Report within 12 months.
A circular was issued by my Department to local authorities on 30 June 2021 to notify them of the new regulations and the main provisions therein, including direction that local authorities could proceed to implement the new salary type payment from 1 July 2021.
In addition, a working group of key local government stakeholders, including councillor representative organisations, was established earlier this year tasked with drawing up an Action Plan for examination and implementation of the non-pay related recommendations in the Moorhead Report. An Action Plan was approved by the working group before the summer and the group has now turned its attention to the implementation of the actions agreed.
Addressing these non-pay issues, together with the significant pay reforms that were approved by Government and brought into effect on 1 July 2021, will facilitate the retention of existing councillors, while also maximising the accessibility of local government to future candidates.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which precise housing targets can be or are being met in each local authority by county; the degree to which progress is being made towards meeting the needs of those on local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55074/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 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.
Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Individual targets for the delivery of social housing have been provided to each local authority for the period 2022 - 2026 and under Housing for All, each local authority is required to develop a Housing Delivery Action Plan by December 2021. These plans will set out details on how and when local authorities will deliver their social housing targets.
Details on social housing delivery for each local authority, across the various delivery mechanisms, are included in the social housing statistics published by my Department. This data allows for monitoring the progress of each local authority and is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). 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%. It should also 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.
