Written Answers Nos. 46-61
46. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the safeguards that are in place to ensure that a company experienced a reduction in turnover of 30% and that this reduction was solely caused by Covid-19 in relation to the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is legislated for under the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020, as amended. As an economy-wide support, the EWSS has played a central role in supporting businesses, encouraging employment and helping to maintain the link between employers and employees since July 2020. The EWSS provides a subsidy to qualifying employers, based on the number of qualifying employees on the payroll. To date (2 December 2021), payments of over €5.68 billion and PRSI credit of over €893 million have been granted to 51,700 employers in respect of some 694,600 workers.
The Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No.2) Act 2020 places the administration of the EWSS under the care and management of Revenue, which includes ensuring that this very significant investment of public funds is properly allocated to eligible employers. In the exercise of this important role, Revenue is, and will be, undertaking assurance checks in relation to the scheme to ensure its conditions have been met.
The eligibility criteria for EWSS are based on self-assessment principles and the legislation provides that an employer must be able to demonstrate that his or her business will experience a 30% reduction in turnover or customer orders between 1 January and 31 December 2021, by reference to the corresponding period in 2019, as a result of business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Revenue, having regard to risk indicators, may examine closely the evidence/basis for entering the scheme of certain EWSS applications.
If a reduction in customer orders is being considered as the basis for eligibility for the scheme, the following are examples of how it will apply –
- In the case of a retail business, a pub, a fast-food outlet and similar type businesses, at least a 30% reduction in the value of overall sales (cash, credit and orders, including on-line and telephone orders).
- In the case of a businesses which operates largely by way of “bookings” such as a restaurant, hotel, B&B, hostel, camp site, caravan park: at least a 30% reduction in the value of bookings for the relevant period.
- In the case of public and private transport service providers: at least a 30% reduction in the volume of online bookings for passenger journeys or a 30% reduction in the number of passenger journeys or a 30% reduction in the value of passenger ticket sales.
Further details on the EWSS eligibility criteria are contained in guidelines published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/documents/ewss/guidelines-on-eligibility-for-ewss.pdf.
It has been a key requirement of the EWSS since its introduction that employers undertake a review of their trading situation on the last day of every month to ensure they continue to meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria. This became more important as more ‘normal’ trading activities resumed across many sectors of the economy from mid-2021. In that context, the EWSS Eligibility Review Form (ERF) was developed to assist employers in conducting the required monthly review of their continuing eligibility for the scheme, thereby eliminating potential overpayments. This has acted as an effective deterrent since the introduction of the control from 1 July 2021.
To address the Deputy’s specific question regarding the safeguards that are in place to ensure that a business experienced a reduction in turnover of 30% and that this reduction was solely caused by Covid-19, in most instances, it will be very clear from the nature of the EWSS applicant’s trade how such a reduction in turnover has come about. However, in parallel with self-assessment principles, Revenue has also been conducting a range of compliance checks to ensure that employers satisfy all the conditions for the EWSS.
Underpinning these compliance checks is the use of data analytics to interrogate data on Revenue’s systems, identifying employers who may not meet the eligibility criteria, and undertaking an intervention in accordance with the Code of Practice for Revenue Audit and Other Compliance Interventions. Pre-emptive analysis using ERF data and other sources of returned data is actively being used and showing to be effective in improving Revenue’s ability to identify and better target EWSS fraud risk In most instances, agreement is reached and EWSS overpaid is recouped or the liability is ‘warehoused’. Where issues are identified and agreement is not reached, Revenue will raise an EWSS notice of assessment and employers have the option to submit an appeal to the Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) within 30 days of the assessment. There are currently 56 assessments raised in the amount of about € 4.8m of which 4 have been appealed in the amount of almost €1.1m.
I am advised that 3,363 interventions have been finalised on 3,087 employers yielding in excess of €13.6m which equates to 0.2% of EWSS claimed to date. A further 2,020 checks are ongoing on an additional 2,005 employers meaning almost 10% of employers who have claimed to date have had an intervention reviewing their compliance with the scheme.
The EWSS legislation also provides for anti-abuse measures which also feature as part of Revenue’s overall compliance programme. These anti-abuse measures provide that where a Revenue officer determines that it is reasonable to conclude that an employer, at any time over the term of the EWSS, has attempted to manipulate normal payroll runs and normal payment of wages with a view to securing that a wage subsidy amount, or an increased wage subsidy amount, is paid in relation to an employee, the employer concerned will be deemed never to have been an eligible employer for the EWSS and will be required to repay wage subsidies and PRSI credit received, and may also face the imposition of interest, penalties and potential prosecution.
I am satisfied that Revenue is rigorous in its structured programme of checks to ensure the eligibility of businesses for subsidy payments under EWSS and will pursue any instances where a business fails to qualify for the scheme for whatever reason. However, if the Deputy has a particular employer or instance in mind where she believes a business may have received EWSS payments to which they were not entitled to, she should contact Revenue directly in relation to the matter.
47. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the way the consumer price index has changed annually in Ireland from 2008 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the annual rate of inflation in Ireland has surged this year, inflation has been relatively subdued over the past two decades (see Table 1). Indeed, in 2020 the actual price level, as indicated by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), was almost 20 per cent below the price level had inflation grown at 2 per cent over the 2008-2020 period.
Low inflation over the last decade can in part be explained by the impacts of the global financial crisis. The recovery from the crisis was slow, with considerable labour market slack likely weighing on demand and in turn inflation over the past decade. Additionally, a number of structural factors have been identified as potential drivers of the disinflationary trends seen across advanced economies more generally in recent decades. These include globalisation, in particular China’s membership of the World Trade Organisation, the integration of global supply chains and demographic change.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the low inflation trends seen in recent years. While the pandemic was both a demand- and supply-side shock, in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak, the decline in demand outstripped the fall in supply such that the net impact on prices was deflationary. While inflation remained subdued in Ireland in the first quarter of 2021, inflation has since picked up, with the annual rate of inflation reaching 5.4 per cent in November – the highest rate in over two decades. Similar trends have been recorded across advanced economies, with inflation in the euro area hitting an all-time high of 4.9 per cent in November.
The recent rise in inflation however is partly explained by global factors, many of which are expected to prove temporary in nature. These include ‘base effects’ associated with normalisation of oil prices, recent commodity price developments, disruptions to global supply chains triggered by the pandemic as well as more general imbalances between supply and demand that have emerged across advanced economies following re-opening. Looking ahead, inflation is expected to moderate over the course of next year as temporary factors fade, demand stabilises and supply pressures ease. However, the recent emergence of the Omicron variant means there is now increased uncertainty about the inflation outlook.
Table 1 below shows the annual percentage change in both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) over the period 2008-2020. The full year data for 2021 will only be available when the December figures are published. Both the CPI and HICP indices measure the average price level of a fixed basket of goods and services. The primary difference between the two measures is the basket of goods and services covered, for instance mortgage interest is not included in the HICP. Additionally, the HICP, as a harmonised measure, is very useful for cross-country comparison. In general, however, the two measures move closely together.
Table 1: Annual rate of inflation
|
Annual % change |
Consumer Price Index (CPI) |
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) |
|
2008 |
4.1 |
3.1 |
|
2009 |
-4.5 |
-1.7 |
|
2010 |
-1 |
-1.6 |
|
2011 |
2.6 |
1.2 |
|
2012 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
|
2013 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
2014 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
|
2015 |
-0.3 |
0.0 |
|
2016 |
0.0 |
-0.2 |
|
2017 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
|
2018 |
0.5 |
0.7 |
|
2019 |
0.9 |
0.9 |
|
2020 |
-0.3 |
-0.5 |
48. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if he will reverse the decision to cut the employment wage subsidy scheme given the crisis being faced by the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will restore the employment wage subsidy scheme to its original rate given that the reintroduction of Covid-19 restrictions will have major consequences for an array of sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60658/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if he will restore the employment wage subsidy scheme to the full amount and extend its operation to February 2022 at least in order to support business and preserve jobs given the current circumstances of Covid-19 infection rates and the advice to the public to reduce their socialising with the attendant major impact on the still recovering hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60697/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if discussions are expected to reinstate the employment wage subsidy scheme for the businesses that are being hit with cancellations which is causing loss of revenue due to new restrictions been introduced owing to the increase in Covid-19 numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60872/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 50, inclusive, and 52 together.
The objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is an economy-wide scheme that operates across all sectors.
In money terms, the overall support provided to-date (2nd December) by EWSS is over €6.5 billion comprising direct subsidy payments of €5.684 billion and PRSI forgone of €893 million to 51,700 employers in respect of over 694,600 employees.
It is estimated that almost €1.5 billion in EWSS subsidy payments has been paid to the hospitality sector since the introduction of the scheme. Broadly, that is the largest share of payments to any sector and accounts for approximately 26% of all payments made to date.
The consistent approach of Government policy has been that there will be no cliff edge to the support under this scheme. At the same time, we have been clear that the EWSS cannot run indefinitely, nor is it sustainable to continue with the enhanced rates for a prolonged period of time given the very substantial cost to the Exchequer. It is also worth noting that, within the scheme, more than half of those that benefit from EWSS are in sectors outside of the hospitality sector and would not be impacted by the latest public health measures.
Last Friday, the Government decided that a targeted support in response to the further public health restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector would be introduced. The Deputies will be aware of the associated announcements that have been made. This targeted scheme will be modelled on the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) which operated effectively in the earlier phases of the pandemic when businesses were most heavily impacted by public health restrictions. The scheme will provide targeted and timely support to the hospitality sector to supplement the support they are receiving under the EWSS. Work is continuing at present to finalise all the various elements of this more focussed support measure which it is proposed will be paid weekly in arrears.
In the circumstances, the EWSS as an economy wide scheme will continue on the path laid out for it on Budget day with the necessary legislation for this currently being debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Deputies may also wish to note that businesses affected by the recent public health restrictions may continue to benefit from EWSS alongside the more targeted scheme mentioned above.
Finally, as has been the case throughout the pandemic, the Government will continue to monitor developments closely and to respond appropriately as circumstances require.
51. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he or his Department can assist with this; if he can provide advice on this matter to the local authority or a contact in the bank to explore this matter further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60745/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Finance, I have no role in the commercial decisions made by any bank in the State. This includes banks in which the State has a shareholding.
Decisions in this regard, including the management of branch networks, are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The independence of banks in which the State has a shareholding is protected by Relationship Frameworks which are legally binding documents that cannot be changed unilaterally. These frameworks, which are publicly available, were insisted upon by the European Commission to protect competition in the Irish market. The Bank of Ireland Relationship Framework can be found on my department's website.
Accordingly, the use of the bank branch you refer to is a matter for Bank of Ireland. A Department of Finance official will contact you directly with the details of the appropriate person in Bank of Ireland to liaise with in relation to this matter.
53. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will revise circular E103/3/83 in order that persons representing Irish sporting teams in World Cup qualifier games are also entitled to avail of special leave from work with full pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60763/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCircular E103/3/83 – Special leave for Sporting Purposes, provides that special leave with pay may be granted to officers representing Ireland at:
(1) The Olympic Games
(2) World Championship Events
(3) European Championship Events
(4) Pre-Olympic Qualifying Competitions
Written confirmation from the National Governing Body of the Sport is required in order to be eligible for leave under the scheme. There are currently no plans to update the circular referred to by the Deputy. Any revisions to the circular would require consultation with both Civil Service employers and trade unions.
54. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on the sports capital programme application made by a club (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60719/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August. The associated letter of provisional allocation encouraged all grantees to draw down this funding before year-end if possible and in recent weeks my Department has been prioritising the payments of all existing grants. Ensuring that as many older grants as possible are paid before year-end will maximise the funding available to allocate to the 2020 capital SCEP applications.
In relation to these 2020 capital SCEP applications, which include one submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy, assessment work is continuing and every effort is being made to complete it as quickly as possible. Given the record number of applications received however, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have these assessments fully complete with final recommended allocations expected early in the New Year.
55. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time and retained firefighters, respectively by firehouse in tabular form. [60588/21]
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 Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. Fire services issues are managed in my Department by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).
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, with 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.
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. In respect of crewing levels, KCS establishes a national norm of 5 personnel on the first pump mobilised from a station to include a designated Incident Commander, with 4 personnel on the second or subsequent pumps mobilised from the same station. The report of the Fire Service Validation Group, ' Fire Services in Ireland, Local Delivery - National Consistency', published in 2016, noted the varied 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.
While my Department does not routinely collect the data in the format requested by the Deputy, a breakdown of the number of firefighters in each fire service as of October 2021, based on data supplied by local authorities, is set out in the table below. Information in relation to staffing in individual fire stations is not available at this time.
|
Fire Service |
Total no. of operational staff in stations |
|
Carlow |
45 |
|
Cavan |
93 |
|
Clare |
76 |
|
Cork City |
152 |
|
Cork County |
204 |
|
Donegal |
154 |
|
Dublin |
963 |
|
Galway |
154 |
|
Kerry |
104 |
|
Kildare |
63 |
|
Kilkenny |
65 |
|
Laois |
66 |
|
Leitrim |
42 |
|
Limerick |
140 |
|
Longford |
44 |
|
Louth |
100 |
|
Mayo |
119 |
|
Meath |
72 |
|
Monaghan |
51 |
|
Offaly |
52 |
|
Roscommon |
45 |
|
Sligo |
47 |
|
Tipperary |
127 |
|
Waterford |
124 |
|
Westmeath |
46 |
|
Wexford |
63 |
|
Wicklow |
94 |
|
Total |
3305 |
56. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén t-eolas atá aige faoin obair a bhí ar siúl le déanaí i bPáirc Náisiúnta Chonamara i mbaile fearainn an Mhaoilinn ar shuíomh a bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis ó thaobh na seandálaíochta de; cé a bhí i mbun na hoibre sin; cé hiad na céimeanna a glacadh sular tugadh faoin obair; an gcuirfear fiosrúchán ar bun sa chás seo chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na próisis chuí i bhfeidhm maidir le haon obair eile a dhéanfar ar an suíomh nó ar shuímh dá leithéid d'fhonn dochar d'iarsmaí seandálaíochta a sheachaint; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [60589/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBa iad na hoibreacha a bhfuil an teachta ag tagairt dóibh ná fál fianna atá ann cheana a athsholáthar i bPáirc Náisiúnta Chonamara. Rinne conraitheoir na hoibreacha don NPWS. Rinne ball den phobal gearán leis na Gardaí maidir leis na hoibreacha – ag líomhain go raibh siad ag déanamh damáiste do shéadchomhartha in aice láimhe. Tá An tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra sásta nach bhfuil an fál athsholáthair ag cur isteach ar aon séadchomhartha seandálaíochta. Baineann an obair atá faoi bhun le fál atá ann cheana a athsholáthar agus a chothabháil agus níl cead pleanála ag teastáil chuige. Tá an fál á athsholáthar de láimh. Is cuadrothar an t-innealra atá á úsáid, a úsáideadh chun cuaillí a iompar feadh líne an fháil. Tá tarracóir agus leantóir á n-úsáid chun sean-ábhar fálaithe a bhaint, ach tá siad teoranta do na bóithre rochtana atá ann cheana.
Tharraing an conraitheoir salachar leis an gcuadrothar trasna cosáin atá ann cheana ag suíomh na reilige. Nuair a d’aimsigh foireann NPWS é seo, tugadh treoir don chonraitheoir bealach eile a úsáid, sular thug an AGS cuairt air. Ní raibh aon fhianaise infheicthe de chur isteach suntasach ag an suíomh, cé go mb’fhéidir gur díláithríodh roinnt cloch páirce a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag feidhmiú mar mharcálacha uaighe. Cé nach bhfuil sé soiléir an bhfuil baint aige seo leis an gcuadrothar ag trasnú an chosáin atá ann cheana, d’aontaigh NPWS mar sin féin go ndéanfar tuilleadh oibre chun suíomh bunaidh na gcloch a aithint agus iad a chur ar ais faoi mhaoirseacht seandálaíochta.
57. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding the provision of a fire appliance to Tallaght fire station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60640/21]
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 Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Dublin City Council provides fire prevention and fire and rescue services for the four Dublin local authorities: Dublin City, South Dublin, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Councils. The management of resources, equipment and the number and type of fire appliances is a matter for the City Council based on their assessment of local needs and requirements. Continued investment in the national fleet is one of the key priorities for my Department's Fire Services Capital Programme.
Dublin City Council was allocated four new “Class B” fire appliances in the latest Appliance Procurement Programme at an approximate cost of €1.9m. Dublin City Council was also grant-aided to procure three new “Class B” fire appliances in both the 2015 and 2017 Programmes.
My Department works with fire services in Dublin in relation to their priority projects. In July 2019, Dublin City Council was approved to purchase a new turntable ladder/ aerial appliance at a cost of €800,000 plus VAT, delivery of which is due later this year. In September 2021, the Council requested approval for the purchase of a new turntable ladder at a cost of €850,000. This application has recently been approved. Fire appliances are acquired through a competitive tendering process.
The management, disposition and deployment of its appliance fleet is a matter for the officers of Dublin Fire Brigade. I understand that Dublin Fire Brigade's fleet of aerial appliances consists of two turntable ladders based at Dublin Fire Brigade Headquarters in Tara Street, and a hydraulic platform based at Dún Laoghaire Fire Station, all of which can be deployed rapidly to anywhere in the functional area of the four local authorities.
The appropriate fire safety measures, including facilities to assist fire service response, in any building are based on the scale, density and height of the building and are set out in national Building Regulations and associated Technical Guidance and Codes of Practice. The Fire Safety Task Force established in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, in its report of May 2018, states “The key to life safety in all apartment buildings is a proper two-stage fire detection and alarm system, together with an evacuation strategy…”. The primary statutory responsibility for ensuring the safety of persons using any building rests with the persons having control of those buildings. The design and construction of buildings in the first instance, including inbuilt fire safety features such as building layout, means of escape and fire resistance are critical for protecting persons from fire. Safety features, such as fire detection and alarm systems, support safe evacuation of occupants and the containment of fires.
In relation to fighting fires in high-rise buildings, my Department has issued guidance entitled “Fighting Fires in High-Rise Buildings”. This was part of a suite of 47 Standard Operational Guidance (SOG) documents developed between 2010 and 2012 by fire service personnel and issued by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.
58. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of leases between local authorities and an organisation (details supplied) by county. [60703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below outlines the average annual leasing cost for new dwellings delivered in Q1 to Q3 2021 by Home for Life Ltd. under the Mortgage to Rent scheme, broken down by each Local Authority.
|
Local Authority |
Average Annual Leasing Cost (New Dwelling Delivered Q1-Q3 2021) |
|
Carlow |
€10,203 |
|
Cavan |
€9,120 |
|
Clare |
€9,462 |
|
Cork City |
€14,991 |
|
Cork County |
€11,789 |
|
DLR |
€18,525 |
|
Donegal |
€6,733 |
|
Dublin City |
€20,997 |
|
Fingal |
€20,151 |
|
Galway City |
€14,250 |
|
Galway County |
€11,115 |
|
Kerry |
€9,527 |
|
Kildare |
€14,820 |
|
Kilkenny |
€10,046 |
|
Laois |
€11,329 |
|
Leitrim |
€5,890 |
|
Limerick |
€9,975 |
|
Longford |
€8,645 |
|
Louth |
€13,937 |
|
Mayo |
€8,420 |
|
Meath |
€15,390 |
|
Monaghan |
€9,548 |
|
Offaly |
€10,128 |
|
Roscommon |
€8,322 |
|
Sligo |
€8,233 |
|
South Dublin |
€21,816 |
|
Tipperary |
€8,678 |
|
Waterford |
€10,871 |
|
Westmeath |
€11,575 |
|
Wexford |
€9,904 |
|
Wicklow |
€15,893 |
|
Average Annual Leasing Cost across all Local Authorities |
€12,828 |
59. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of mortgage-to-rent schemes approved through approved housing bodies or local authorities since 2018. [60704/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a decision was taken to allow an organisation (details supplied) to engage in the mortgage-to-rent scheme; and if the reports and evidence this was based on will be published. [60705/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at supporting households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP); agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and are deemed eligible for social housing support. The property in question must also meet certain eligibility criteria. The concept of the scheme is that a household with an unsustainable mortgage goes from being a homeowner to being a social housing tenant. The borrower surrenders their property to their lender who sells it to a MTR provider which can be either an Approved Housing Body (AHB) or since 2018 a private company, Home for Life Ltd. The AHB or local authority (in the case where the property is sold to a private company) becomes the landlord and the borrower remains in the property as a tenant paying a differential rent to the landlord based on his or her income.
To the end of September 2021, 1497 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR scheme since its introduction nationally in 2013. The 1497 households in the scheme represent 2460 adults and 2091 children who have remained living in their homes and communities. As of that date, 850 active cases were being progressed under the scheme. The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme including a local authority or purchaser status report which shows a breakdown of the number of active, completed, ineligible and terminated cases per local authority or purchaser. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics
A MTR scheme was also introduced for local authority borrowers initially as a pilot in 2013, and has been in place nationally since 2014. Under the scheme, a local authority can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as social housing tenants. From its inception in 2013 to end 2020, the Local Authority Mortgage To Rent scheme has benefited a total of 532 households. Details and statistical information in relation to the Local Authority MTR scheme and broken down by local authority area is available on my Department's website under the heading Local Authority Mortgage to Rent at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-mortgage-to-rent-scheme
Both MTR schemes are established parts of the overall suite of social housing options and are important parts of the mortgage arrears resolution process.
A review of the MTR scheme took place in 2017 and explored the avenues and impediments to participation in the scheme. This review was published in February 2017 and a copy is attached. Along with introducing a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the MTR scheme, the review concluded that the financial model of the scheme at the time may not have been capable of delivering the scale of successful cases that could benefit from the scheme. The review, taking account of capacity within the AHB sector given that sector's role in delivering ambitious targets around new social housing supply, recommended that alternative funding options, including the off-balance sheet potential of private institutional investment, be explored in order to allow the MTR scheme to deliver at scale. An Expressions of Interest (EOI) Request was initiated by the Housing Agency in October 2017 inviting parties from the private sector to express their interest in participating in a new alternatively funded long-term MTR lease model. The outcome from the EOI process is that a new MTR alternatively funded lease model was announced in 2018 with Home for Life Ltd. as the participant from the private sector.
Under this alternatively funded model, Home for Life Ltd. purchases properties from lenders subsequent to their voluntary surrender by borrowers that meet the MTR eligibility criteria and then enters into a long-term 25 year lease arrangement with the local authority in whose area the property is situated for a defined term at an agreed rent, thereby enabling the borrower to remain living in their own home under a tenancy agreement with the local authority. Home for Life Ltd. is also responsible for managing and maintaining the property on behalf of the local authority in accordance with the lease requirements.
The inclusion of an MTR provider from the private sector has facilitated more individuals and families staying in their homes. Given the sizeable cohort of borrowers still in long-term mortgage arrears, all the MTR providers participating in the scheme are needed in order to meet the demand for the scheme. In all scenarios, my Department and the Housing Agency are focused on meeting the long-term housing needs of the greatest number of households in unsustainable mortgage arrears.
The Programme for Government and Housing for All includes a commitment to strengthen the Mortgage to Rent Scheme and ensure that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant improvements already made to the scheme since 2017, my Department is currently working closely with the Housing Agency and key stakeholders to identify any further improvements required to the scheme. As set out in Housing For All, the review of the MTR scheme is scheduled to be delivered in Q4 of this year and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
61. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the levies applied, collected and outstanding in respect of the vacant sites levy by local authority in 2020, in tabular form. [60706/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requested information is outlined in the attached spreadsheet.
The information contained therein was collected by my Department further to the issuing of 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.
It should be noted that the vacant site levy is collected in arrears. Accordingly, demands for levy payment in respect of 2020 were issued in 2021. The difference in the attached table between the amount of the initial levy demands issued for 2020 and the amount indicated as outstanding at the end of the year for 2020 can largely be explained by delays in the issuing of payment demands by local authorities, some of which can be attributed to Covid-19.
|
VSL Payments (in respect of 2020- 7% rate) |
||||||
|
Demands Issued |
€ payments collected |
€ outstanding |
||||
|
Planning Authority |
No. |
Value |
No. |
Value |
No. |
Value |
|
Carlow |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Clare |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
4 |
€34,094.55 |
|
Dublin City |
37 |
€10,611,300.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
37 |
€10,611,300.00 |
|
DLR |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
5 |
€264,845.00 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
6 |
€322,000.00 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
10 |
€456,750.00 |
|
Laois |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
12 |
€803,845.00 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
€481,950.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
5 |
€481,950.00 |
|
Longford |
3 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
1 |
€6,750.00 |
|
Louth |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Meath |
9 |
€647,850.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
16 |
€647,850.00 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Roscommon |
22 |
€100,100.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
17 |
€100,100.00 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
€21,000.00 |
1 |
€21,000.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
€21,000.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
2 |
€21,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
€0.00 |
0 |
€0.00 |
18 |
€621,250.00 |
|
Total |
79 |
€11,883,200.00 |
1 |
€21,000.00 |
133 |
€14,371,734.55 |
