Written Answers Nos. 294-315
295. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the housing delivery action plans received by his Department from local authorities to date pursuant to Housing for All in tabular form; the local authorities in respect of which housing delivery action plans are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan, setting out details of social and housing affordable delivery in the period 2022-2026. This includes information on the locations where housing will be delivered in addition to information on the planned the delivery streams.
All local authorities submitted their Plan to me in December 2021. My Department is working with the Housing Delivery Coordination Office to review the Plans, having regard to the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans will be published following the completion of the review.
296. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a progress update on the Housing for All target of acquiring at least 2,500 vacant units by 2026 for onward sale; the analysis his Department has carried out into increasing this target, particularly in view of the findings of a report (details supplied) which found that there were 90,158 vacant dwellings in Ireland at the end of 2021; the details of the targets in respect of Galway City Council and Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3371/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 508 of 19 January 2022 which sets out the current position on this matter for all local authorities including Galway City Council and Galway County Council.
297. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the commitment to ensure that vacant homes officer roles in local authorities are full-time positions; the details of the local authorities currently employing a full-time vacant homes officer; the details of the local authorities currently employing a part-time vacant homes officer in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 146 on today's Order Paper.
298. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that his Department deems appropriate for homeowners who have difficulties with huge numbers of starlings in the vicinity of their homes from November to March; the steps that can be taken to deal with the situation families find themselves in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) provides, that where protected wild animals or birds are causing serious damage, persons affected may, on application to the Minister, seek a permission to take appropriate steps to mitigate the damage.
Applications are investigated by local National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) staff to determine if serious damage is being caused and, if so, the most practical method of controlling the problem. Consideration of the license applications made under Section 42 includes reference to any conservation issues facing the protected species in question.
299. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on An Bord Pleanála’s IT transformation plan; the legislative changes that are required to see a complete roll-out of an e-Planning facility for online submissions for planning applications, appeals and associated fees; the timeline for the full implementation of promised IT facilities to be operated by An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3398/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) has informed my Department that the development and roll-out of the Board’s ICT systems to better enable e-planning remains a significant priority and the current phase of development aims to facilitate applications and appeals to be made online, linking in with the planning authorities’ own e-Planning initiative.
The Board introduced an online facility to accept observations relating to Strategic Housing Development Applications with the required fee in November 2020.
In April 2021, the Board launched its new upgraded website, which is more user-friendly, informative and will further help to improve communications and interaction between the Board and the public. To assist with the continued development and enhancement of online services, an external company obtained specific feedback from targeted user groups such as the public, agents, and local authorities which has led to additional improvements to be made to the website which will be rolled out over the coming weeks, including advanced search facilities through maps and a generally more user friendly presentation of the search facility.
Since December 2021 the Board can now accept online observations with fee payment for both Strategic Infrastructure Development Cases and Normal Planning Appeal cases. Legislative amendments required to enable the Board accept normal planning appeals online are currently being considered by my Department in the context of overall amendments required to facilitate the move to online planning systems.
The Board is also currently gathering requirements for an integrated Digital Services Hub (DSH) on its website which will consolidate the existing online facilities in one location and provide a simple and user friendly way of interacting electronically with the Board ultimately across its full range of statutory functions.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
300. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to HSE owned properties in the Portrane area of County Dublin that are currently derelict; if he has plans to work with the HSE to redevelop these much-needed houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of these properties in Portrane and my Department is in on-going discussions with Fingal County Council regarding the redevelopment of these derelict units to social housing; significant refurbishment works are necessary to bring them up to the required standard.
My Department is open to funding these works, however, as the properties are in the ownership of the HSE, funding is subject to a long term agreement between the HSE and Fingal County Council that these units will be used for social housing.
I understand the Council is engaging with the HSE to identify a practical solution. My Department will support the Council in advancing any social housing redevelopment proposal arising from these discussions, subject to a long term agreement between both parties.
301. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his plans to change the over-occupancy rule in the mortgage-to-rent scheme (details supplied); when these changes will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3410/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 December 2021, 1682 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR scheme since its introduction nationally in 2013. The 1682 households in the scheme represent 2738 adults and 2274 children who have remained living in their homes and communities. As of that date, 720 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 on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics
Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commits to strengthening the MTR scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, published on the 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While the scheme is performing well, it was assessed that some further enhancements were needed to enable more households in need of State support with their long-term housing needs to avail of this scheme. Four broad categories of actions are identified in the review, including:
a) broadening eligibility criteria;
b) improving the scheme process, structure and financing;
c) increasing communication and awareness raising; and
d) responding to developments around mortgage arrears solutions.
As part of the enhancements to broadening the eligibility criteria to ensure more households will be eligible for the scheme there is a new amendment to allow flexibility where the household concerned is over accommodated (i.e. has more than 2 spare bedrooms above the current needs of the household). Flexibility on over accommodation may be allowed where:
a. the borrower or one of the joint borrowers is aged 65 and over
b. the borrower, one of the joint borrowers or one of the borrower’s dependents has a disability and the property has been significantly and permanently adapted to their needs
c. the borrower, one of the joint borrowers or one of the borrower’s dependents has a disability and the property is specifically suitable to their needs without adaptations
In the case of (b) and (c) above, the household must also qualify for Social Housing Support on disability, medical or compassionate grounds in line with the local authority’s allocation policy. Such flexibility is subject to the local authority or AHB (as appropriate) reserving the right to accommodate the household in more appropriate accommodation, if available, in the future.
This is one of a number of changes outlined in the 2021 Review and will be implemented under the scheme from February 14, 2022.
The 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme for people who have borrowed from commercial private lending institutions is available on the Department's website under Publications: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed57b-2021-review-of-the-mortgage-to-rent-scheme-for-borrowers-of-commercial-private-lending-institutions/
302. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of short-term let properties issued with warnings in relation to required change of use permissions cross tabulated with if the notice was complied with and the enforcement case closed by local authority in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [3426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is provided in the two Tables below. Table 1 provides information in respect of the period July 2019 (when the short-term letting regulations - i.e. the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 235 of 2019) - were introduced) until the end of Q4 2020. In that initial period, local authorities were not requested to identify and report on the number of enforcement cases that were satisfactorily resolved. However, Table 2 - which provides information from 2021 onwards - includes information regarding the number of enforcement cases satisfactorily resolved; this can include a number of scenarios i.e. the registration of properties by their owners with the relevant local authority, compliance with planning permission, or ceasing of short term letting operations including returning properties to the long-term rental accommodation market.
Table 1: July 2019 to end 2020
|
No of warning letters issued |
No of enforcement notices issued |
No of injunction proceedings initiated |
No of legal/court proceedings initiated |
No of prosecutions secured |
|
|
2019 |
|||||
|
Dublin City |
156 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
2020 |
|||||
|
Carlow |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DLR |
113 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
1664 |
91 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
38 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
13 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
45 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
42 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
57 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
2198 |
124 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Table 2: 2021
|
No of warning letters issued |
No of enforcement notices issued |
No of injunction proceedings initiated |
No of legal/court proceedings initiated |
No of prosecutions secured |
No of cases satisfactorily resolved |
|
|
Carlow |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
14 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
54 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
|
DLR |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
106 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
318 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
781 |
|
Fingal |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
Galway City |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
172 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
75 |
|
Kildare |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
211 |
|
Laois |
6 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
|
Wicklow |
25 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
147 |
|
Total |
693 |
13 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1453 |
303. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new staff provided to each local authority to deliver affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3453/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new staff requested by each local authority to deliver affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, the assignment of local authority staff to a particular function, such as the delivery of affordable housing, is a matter for the Chief Executive.
However, as part of the measures to support institutional capacity, Housing for All commits to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects and recognises that this requires the resourcing of the housing services of local authorities. Last year, my Department worked closely with local authorities, through the CCMA and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office, to identify capacity constraints and additional staffing resources required to deliver the social housing targets set out in Housing for All. Following this analysis, I approved over 200 new posts for local authorities.
My Department, with the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office, is now undertaking a review of affordable housing staff resources similar to the recent review of social housing delivery of local authority capacity.
Key considerations in this review include the number of local authorities with identified affordability constraints, the type of structure (administrative/professional staff) necessary to deliver affordable housing and the degree of overlap/synergy there might be with the additional support being provided for social housing delivery.
The review of affordable housing staffing needs is dependent on finalisation of Housing Delivery Actions Plans and is intended to be initiated by mid-February.
305. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the underspend of his Department for 2021; the percentage of underspend that will be carried over to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the Gross allocation and expenditure for my Department (Vote 34) in 2021.
|
€000 |
|
|
Original REV allocation |
5,118,437 |
|
Supplementary |
198,915 |
|
Total REV allocation 2021 |
5,317,352 |
|
Deferred Surrender Capital Carryover 2020 |
214,000 |
|
Total funds 2021 |
5,531,352 |
|
Expenditure |
5,143,074 |
|
Surplus |
388,278 |
The total surplus for 2021 was therefore €388.3m which was composed of 3 parts:
- Current - €25.1m
- Capital - €289.72m (of which €275.8m to be deferred to 2022)
- Capital deferred from 2020 - €73.5m
Under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004, all or part of any unspent appropriations for capital supply services may be carried over for spend in the following year. This must be expended in the following year- i.e. it is not permissible to further defer any surplus. Therefore the total Capital surplus that could have been brought forward into 2022 was €289.72m, however, deferred surrender is limited to 10% of the total Capital allocation. This Department sought to carry the maximum permissible limit, some €275.8m. This equates to 95% of the surplus Capital which was available (€289.72m).
Construction, and consequently expenditure on construction related activities, were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the very challenging context my Department engaged proactively on a range of measures to manage, mitigate and expedite where possible throughout 2021.
In addition to deferred surrender, funding was provided towards the local government rates waiver and additional current funding to Irish Water.
306. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the over 2,500 children who are currently homeless with their families which outlines ways of supporting children living in emergency accommodation. [3467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, with additional supports, including the provision of family supports, provided to families by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland commits to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this as a priority. It includes eighteen distinct actions on homelessness. Two of these actions relate specifically to the provision of supports for families and children and in enabling their exit from homelessness. There is a commitment to enhance family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multi-agency and coordinated response, and the dissemination of innovative practice. There is also a commitment to identify and provide enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to families experiencing long-term homelessness to help them exit from homelessness and maintain their homes. These actions are being delivered with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.
In relation to the housing insecurity experienced by lone parents, in should be noted that local authorities are independent in the exercise of their functions and, as such, applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. Lone parents are entitled to access all of the housing support delivery mechanisms on an equal basis with all other citizens.
However, the Government is determined to ensure that housing policy addresses the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society by taking firm action. Housing for All contains a specific commitment to a Fresh Start principle which will be of assistance to lone parents who may wish to apply for affordable housing or a local authority home loan.
The increases in family homelessness seen in recent months are a serious concern for my Department and for the Government. We are acting to address this – in the short term and strategically over the months and years ahead. Appreciable improvements have been made on the situation we were facing two years ago when homelessness was at its highest. Over 4,000 adults and their dependant children exited homelessness in the first 9 months of 2021, with data for the full year to be available at the end of January. All of these exits were to homes with tenancies.
The Government will continue to prioritise responses for all families, including lone parents, experiencing homelessness and this is being reflected in both strategic policy and in specific actions.
307. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [3503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a budget line for schemes specifically focussed on matters around gender based violence, however, some funding is provided towards domestic violence shelters under the Homelessness programme.
The primary purpose of homeless current funding is for local authorities to provide accommodation for those who are unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. Reasons for presentations are varied and may (in a small number of instances) include those who have left their home or a domestic violence refuge or may have suffered from sexual or gender based violence. It should be noted, however, that the primary responsibility in this area is with Tusla, who I am advised provide funding for this issue.
My Department also provides capital funding to local authorities via the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), which is available to Approved Housing Bodies in the development of new refuges.
Through CAS, local organisations have had funding support for refuges in recent years in Galway City, Louth and South Dublin and proposals from a number of other areas are at various stages of advancement. CAS funding remains available to support refuges and in that regard, I expect that the publication by Tusla soon of its Review of the provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence, will assist in developing a plan to address refuge provision and related matters. The recommendations of this review are to be considered as part of the third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence that is currently being developed under the leadership of the Minister for Justice.
To date CAS funding of €3.14million has been provided to three Approved Housing Bodies for Domestic Violence Refuges which has resulted in the provision of 19 refuge spaces.
Details pertaining to same are set out underneath:
|
LA |
AHB/Service provider |
Project status |
Date delivered |
Ref No |
Address |
No Units |
Sanctioned costs |
|
Galway City |
COPE |
Delivered |
Q4 2019 |
CA15000108 |
Galway City |
10 |
€2,503,350 |
|
Louth |
Drogheda Women's and Children's Refuge Centre |
Delivered |
Q3 2018 |
CA17000151 |
Drogheda |
1 |
€151,980 |
|
South Dublin |
Saoirse Women's Refuge |
Delivered |
Q2 2019 |
CA17000143 |
Rathcoole |
8 |
€489,600 |
In addition to the above a further 3 Domestic Violence Refuges are at an early stage of advancement, which when completed will deliver a further 32 refuge spaces and CAS funding estimated at some €10million will be required to deliver same.
308. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the full year expenditure for housing assistance payment, rental accommodation scheme and leasing for 2021 will be available. [3518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full year exchequer expenditure for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and Leasing schemes for 2021 is set out in the following table:-
|
Scheme |
2021 Exchequer Expenditure (€m.) |
|
Leasing |
106.7* |
|
HAP |
541.7 |
|
RAS |
122.0 |
* includes LA Direct, AHB Leasing, Enhanced Leasing, Repair and Leasing, Mortgage to Rent, NARPS and Unsold Affordables.
309. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the reason that he chose to set aside the recommendation of the report of the Working Group on Horticultural Peat with respect to the need to gradually phase out the use of peat by 2030 and with a complete cessation date by 2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct his Minister of State to reconvene the Working Group on Horticultural Peat to in order to provide those who contributed to the Working Group consultation process an opportunity to understand the reason that the recommendations of the report have been set aside in favour of a series of ten actions outlined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3526/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Group on the Use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry was established following a series of High Court decisions which determined that large-scale peat harvesting requires planning permission and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Working Group was tasked in particular with examining the potential of alternatives to peat for the horticultural industry.
Following on from the Chair’s report, officials in my Department worked with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), to develop a series of actions to address the issues.
On 17th January, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the series of actions developed to support Irish horticultural growers who are dependent on peat. The range of actions in the series are those which, in the shared view of the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Environment, Climate and Communications, inter alia, can reasonably, legally and practically be put in place to support the €469 million horticulture industry, the people employed and the many families that depend on this important sector.
The Working Paper that includes the Series of Actions to support horticultural growers can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39315-working-paper-to-address-challenges-related-to-peat-supply-in-the-horticulture-sector/.
311. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage when a scheme (details supplied) to help persons who buy derelict properties to renovate and live in is expected to be launched. [3528/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 508 of 19 January 2022 which sets out the current position on this matter. In addition, the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Initiative will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way. It is expected that a call for proposals will issue to local authorities later this quarter.
312. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the management measures that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is putting in place to prevent further deterioration of the biodiversity at Lough Hyne, Skibbereen, west County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3530/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLough Hyne is protected as a designated Statutory Nature Reserve, and also as a designated Special Area of Conservation.
The “within site” activities identified as having the potential to negatively impact on Lough Hyne are governed by the Lough Hyne Regulations (S.I. No. 207 of 1981) and include the regulation of activities such as limited traditional fishing, removal of flora and fauna for scientific research by academic institutions and recreational scuba diving. A permit system for these activities is implemented, enforced and monitored by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) officers of my Department.
Other commercial recreational activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding operations are governed by the more recently instituted Lough Hyne Special Area of Conservation Regulations (S.I. No. 549 of 2021). Consent is given for these operations only after they have been screened for any negative impacts on the SAC designated habitats in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Regulations S.I. No. 477 of 2011. This consent system is implemented and monitored by NPWS officers.
Research carried out by both University College Cork and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that high nutrient levels have been recorded within the Lough but the EPA study (EPA Strive Report 2011) stated that “the high nutrient levels are part of a wider coastal problem, and not from localised inputs”.
The NPWS of my Department is currently supporting further scientific research on reported biodiversity loss ,particularly of the sponge fauna, and financial supports to assist in this research have been committed to for the next three years.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new housing scheme currently in hand or proposed in 2022 by each local authority by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses built by each local authority in 2021; the number proposed for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3541/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Q3 2021 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
A detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department, which provides scheme level detail on new build social housing activity. The CSR provides details of the individual social housing new build projects, that make up the new build programme for each local authority. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Quarter 3 2021, and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/feea9-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2021/.
An excel version of this file can be downloaded at the following link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2021?package_type=dataset .
The Affordable Housing Act 2021, the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation was enacted last July, establishing a basis for four new affordable housing measures. These measures will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through; (1) delivering affordable homes on local authority lands; (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental; (3) a First Home shared equity scheme; and (4) expanding Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% and to apply it to cost rental as well as social and affordable housing.
To date, 65 Cost Rental homes have been tenanted across two separate developments (25 in Balbriggan, Fingal Co. Dublin and 40 in Leixlip, Co Kildare). Over 700 Cost Rental homes are scheduled to be delivered in 2022, across the local authorities with the most acute affordability constraints. The first Affordable Purchase homes delivered by local authorities are scheduled to be delivered in Cork next month. A second development of affordable purchase homes will be delivered by Fingal County Council in Lusk later this year.
My Department is currently liaising with local authorities to finalise affordable housing targets for the period 2022-2026.
315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants for local authority housing by county; the plans to meet their requirements in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetail on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA captures the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met and helps better inform policy and plan for the delivery of the right types of social housing support. The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2020, is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/#:~:text=The%20Summary%20of%20Social%20Housing,is%20not%20currently%20being%20met.
The 2021 SSHA process is underway and I expect to publish the summary report before end Q1, 2022.
Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Under Housing for All, 47,600 new build social homes will be delivered between 2022 and 2026, and individual targets have been provided to each local authority for this period.
A key action under Housing for All required local authorities to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan, setting out details of social and affordable housing delivery over the next five years. All local authorities submitted their plans to me in December and my Department is engaging with them on these plans, in particular their alignment with the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All . Plans will be published in Quarter 2 and my Department will continue to engage with local authorities to support their implementation.
