Written Answers Nos. 316-341
316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing applicants currently in receipt of HAP or rent support; the extent to which progress is being made to meet their housing needs directly rather than through various support schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3543/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2021, 97,600 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 62,300 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 33,600 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is also an important contributor to social housing supply. It places responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS has provided a more structured, accommodation-based approach to the use of the private rented sector to meet long-term housing need, thereby eliminating dependence on temporary income support payments through Rent Supplement. The scheme is delivered by local authorities who source accommodation from the private market and Approved Housing Bodies. At the end of Quarter 3, 2021, there were 17,318 tenancies supported under RAS.
Legislation provides that both HAP and RAS are considered to be a form of social housing support. Households in receipt of HAP and RAS are therefore, not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households on the waiting list, who avail of HAP and RAS, have expectations that they would receive a more traditional form of social housing support, recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing through a transfer list.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all housing authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
The practical operation of transfer lists is, therefore, a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities, and the number of persons on the housing transfer list is also a matter for each individual local authority.
The 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. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. 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 (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
The projected number for new HAP tenancy set-ups in 2022 is 14,000. The projected number for new RAS tenancy set-ups in 2022 is 800. Projections for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the normal Estimates process. However, as the numbers of new build social homes increases under Housing for All, there will be a reduced reliance on HAP and RAS.
Operation of the Rent Supplement Scheme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an audit has been carried out to determine the best value for money to his Department of direct build local authority houses compared with housing assistance payment, HAP, or rent support given that neither of the latter schemes present a permanent resolution to the applicants' housing needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030.
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 (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. The Government policy is to increase the supply of social housing through build programmes and I have issued targets to local authorities for period 2022-2026 to deliver 47,600 new build social homes. However, while we will continue to support households in HAP tenancies and to support households on the social housing waiting list to obtain a HAP-supported tenancy in the private-rented sector, as the numbers of new build social homes increases under Housing for All, there will be a reduced reliance on HAP.
In October 2020, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, published a Spending Review on the Social Housing Build Programme. The Review examined the social housing build programme over the years 2016 to 2019 and considered issues such as Use of Build Delivery; Type of Units, Cost & Speed of Delivery and Cost Efficiency and Market Interaction. The Review is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/daf0c-spending-review-papers-2020/#housing
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which his Department continues to assess the extent to which the Housing for All programme continues to make serious inroads on the local authority housing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3545/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing 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. 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. The Plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years. This will provide the sector with the stability and certainty it needs.
Indications of increased construction activity are becoming evident which will help increase the supply and availability of housing. There is a strong supply pipeline, with latest Commencement Notices data showing a total number of 30,724 residential dwellings commenced in 2021. The 2021 total is almost equal to the combined totals for 2016 and 2017 (30,816).
With regard to the number of homes built, in the year to Quarter 3 2021, almost 21,000 new dwellings were completed. This represents a 6.8% year-on-year increase. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) will publish its Q4 2021 New Dwelling Completions data in the coming days. Completions for 2022 and 2023 are projected to exceed the Housing for All targets of 24,600 and 29,000 respectively. The Central Bank forecasts that some 27,000 and 31,000 homes will be completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The most recent CSO figures on planning permissions also show a strong pipeline, with 39,077 units (apartments/flats and houses) granted planning permission in the 12 months to end Q3 2021.
With regard to Local Authority housing delivery, and in line with Housing for All, each Local Authority has developed and submitted a Housing Delivery Action Plan to my Department in December 2021. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery, as appropriate, over the period 2022-2026. My Department is currently engaging with local authorities on these plans, in particular their alignment with the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans will be published in Quarter 2.
The Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) published by my Department shows the ongoing delivery of social housing across the country. The CSR provides an outlined breakdown of Local Authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) social housing new-build activity from 2016 to date. The CSR provides details of the individual projects that make up the new Build programme for each Local Authority. The most recent report for Quarter 3, shows that there were 9,746 social homes onsite with an additional 9,559 homes at design and tender stage. During Quarter 3 2021, 105 new construction schemes, (1,780 homes) were added to the pipeline.
To support Local Authorities in the delivery of affordable homes, the Affordable Housing Fund has replaced the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). The Fund has been open for applications from 1 September 2021. My Department has actively engaged with the Local Authorities to support and encourage them to develop and submit proposals. The homes that Local Authorities deliver under the Affordable Housing Fund will be sold at least 15% below open market value in respect of Affordable Purchase homes and in the order of 25% below open market value prices in respect of Cost Rental homes.
The delivery of Cost Rental homes is a key affordability measure under Housing for All, with State-backed rents that are in the order of 25% below what they would be on the private market. 65 cost rental homes have been tenanted to date, in developments in Balbriggan and Leixlip, and a further 1,580 cost rental homes are targeted for delivery in 2022.
Furthermore, the Land Development Agency (LDA) has a key role in the delivery of affordable homes, including through “Project Tosaigh” aimed at accelerating the delivery of up to 5,000 homes. The first delivery stream of this LDA initiative to bring privately developed units to market affordably and quickly was launched on 12 November 2021. The LDA issued a call for Expressions of Interest for advance purchase agreements to developers, with a target scheme scale in excess of 150 units per development, in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. The Expressions of Interest submitted are currently being assessed by the LDA with their priority focus and engagement being on schemes with potential delivery in 2022 and 2023.
Increased capacity of the public service to deliver, along with the streamlining of approval processes in relation to housing delivery are key priorities under Housing for All. Over 200 additional posts have been sanctioned and are in the process of being filled across Local Authority housing delivery teams in order to deliver on the scale of Housing for All's ambition.
Increasing the supply of housing as set out in Housing for All is the top priority for me and the Government and we have made a good start on our path towards this goal. However, I acknowledge that we are coming from a low base of supply and that it will take some time before the full benefits of the strategy are tangible to our citizens.
The housing challenge remains immense, and continues to be affected by ongoing challenges including COVID-19 related delays, supply chain difficulties and inflationary pressure. The cost of housing – for those buying or renting - will continue to be a challenge in the short-term and, while we do not underestimate the difficulties this is causing for our citizens, I am confident that the delivery of Housing for All will create a sustainable housing system into the future.
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review will be undertaken of the thresholds for qualification for local authority housing or Rebuilding Ireland housing loans with particular reference to the urgent need to remove the most regularly identified obstacles in the path of those seeking rehousing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4, 2021. I expect to make a decision on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
The introduction of the Local Authority Home Loan was announced as part of Housing For All. This is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for people on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is available for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The Local Authority Home Loan can also be used for the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme.
The Local Authority Home Loan assists borrowers in securing an affordable, long-term fixed rate mortgage to purchase a home of their own. The Scheme supports homeownership amongst lower to moderate income households by reducing the cost of mortgage finance and increasing the level of financing available, particularly for single applicants in urban areas. For clarity, the Local Authority Home Loan supports private home ownership and is separate from the qualification for social housing.
A 'Fresh Start' principle also applies to the Local Authority Home Loans scheme. This means that people who are divorced, legally separated/separated or the relationship has ended and have no interest in, or any financial obligation for any borrowings in respect of the family home are eligible to apply under this scheme. People who have undergone personal insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings will also be eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loans Scheme.
Under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme the income ceiling for a single applicant in counties where the scheme's house price limit is €320,000 (Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow) has been increased from €50,000 to €65,000. In the rest of the country, where the scheme’s house price limit is €250,000, the income ceiling for a single applicant will remain at €50,000. The income ceiling for joint applicants remains at €75,000.
Further details can be found on the following websites: //localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/00500-local-authority-home-loan-scheme/.
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which it remains possible to accelerate the local authority house building programme and the use of Rebuilding Ireland housing loans or local authority-led loans in the short term with particular reference to the need to achieve a more rapid turnover of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to increasing social housing delivery and plans to deliver more than 90,000 social homes to 2030 through our Housing for All Plan. Social Housing build and long term lease targets issued to local authorities in September 2021 for the period 2022 - 2026. 47,600 new social homes will be built between 2022 and 2026.
The focus of the social housing programme will be to increase the number of new-build homes, with a target to reach delivery of more than 9,500 new-build homes on average each year for the next five years to 2026.
The introduction of the Local Authority Home Loan was announced as part of Housing For All. This is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans Scheme. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for people on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is available for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The Local Authority Home Loan can also be used for the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme.
The Scheme supports homeownership amongst lower to moderate income households by reducing the cost of mortgage finance and increasing the level of financing available, particularly for single applicants in urban areas.
For clarity, neither the Local Authority Home Loan, nor its predecessor the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, are used to finance the local authority house building programme.
Further details can be found on the following websites: //localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/00500-local-authority-home-loan-scheme/.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he contemplates easing the housing loan deposit required by local authority housing loan applicants who are currently in private rental accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
To support prudential lending, applicants must have a deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the market value of the property. Of this deposit, cash savings should provide no less than 3% of the market value of the property and applicants must provide bank or similar statements for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. Gifts can comprise the remaining 7% of the market value of the property where their source is verified. The 10% deposit applies irrespective of previous housing tenure, and I have no plans to change this requirement.
The availability of the Help to Buy scheme for first-time buyers offers additional assistance to purchasers using the Local Authority Home Loan to buy newly built properties. This should alleviate some of the challenges faced by first-time buyers in accessing the 10% deposit of the market value of the property. The initiative has been designed to provide immediate and targeted support for first-time buyers in meeting their deposit requirements and encouraging the construction of new housing units.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various local authorities throughout the country with a view to the elimination of obstacles that tend to slow down funding towards housing by the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing projects currently available and ready to go in respect of private or public sectors by county; the specific or particular obstacles to enabling such projects to proceed immediately in the event of there being a common problem; if the issue can be addressed at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 324 together.
The recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 social homes per annum from 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4b per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn in funding through the Housing Finance Agency over a five year period.
The Department's administrative and funding measures are put in place to support and foster the development of social and affordable housing and to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. Under Housing for All, a whole of Government approach is being taken to further improve and streamline those processes which support the delivery of housing across all tenures. Increasing the overall supply of housing is at the centre of the Housing for All plan. This includes direct investment in social and affordable housing, reforms to ensure availability of land, measures to support the viability of development and ensuring there is sufficient investment and capacity to support housing construction.
The latest data on Commencement Notices shows that a total number of 30,724 residential dwellings commenced in 2021: a 42% increase compared to 2020 (21,686). Of the 30,724 new dwellings commenced in 2021, 82.7% of these were scheme developments (25,409) and 17.3% were single houses (5,315).
In the year to Quarter 3 2021, almost 21,000 new dwellings were completed. This represents a 6.8% year-on-year increase. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) will publish its Q4 2021 New Dwelling Completions data in the coming days with completions for 2022 and 2023 projected to exceed the Housing for All targets of 22,600 and 29,000 respectively. The Central Bank forecasts that some 27,000 and 31,000 homes will be completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The most recent CSO figures on planning permissions also show a strong pipeline with almost 40,000 units (apartments/flats and houses) granted planning permission in the 12 months to end Q3 2021.
A detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department. 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/.
There has been extensive engagement between my Department and local authorities, both on the preparation of Housing for All and its implementation. I held two summits with local authority chief executives in 2021, in addition to bi-lateral engagements with most local authorities. I will be holding another summit with local authority chief executives in February, focused on the implementation of Housing for All measures.
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 plan to me in December and my Department is engaging with local authorities on these plans, in particular their alignment with the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans will be published in Quarter 2. There will be ongoing engagement with my Department to support the implementation of these Plans.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can draw down extra funding for house building purposes in the remainder of 2021 and in 2022 to boost output in the public and affordable housing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3550/22]
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, including an average of 10,000 social homes per annum from 2022-2030.
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 in funding through the Housing Finance Agency, over a five year period.
Total expenditure on Housing programmes in 2021 was €2.85bn. Almost €4bn in funding is available in 2022 to deliver housing programmes. This funding will support social and affordable housing delivery, along with the implementation of a broad range of programmes providing targeted support to meet housing need.
Details of the funding for housing programmes in 2022 is available in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2022 available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2022.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he has considered additional measures to address the housing crisis with particular reference to the rapidly escalating house prices, the increasing number of persons seeking to purchase an affordable house and the number of applicants on local authority housing waiting lists; his plans to introduce radical measures to address the situation which is for many persons an emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3552/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Our annual targets include the delivery of 90,000 new social homes and 54,000 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. 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 (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In relation to increased delivery of social homes, there is a target to build 9,000 new social homes in 2022 and there is a strong pipeline in place to support this delivery. The Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) published each quarter provides scheme level detail on social housing new build activity in each local authority, including those delivered by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). The most recent report for Quarter 3 2021 shows that there were 9,746 social homes under construction onsite with an additional 9,559 homes at various stages of design and procurement.
Through Housing for All, we are also strengthening the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects. I approved over 200 new staff for local authority housing delivery teams in December 2021. These posts will increase the capacity of local authorities to initiate, manage and deliver new build housing schemes.
The Housing Agency will also act as a centre of expertise to support local authority and AHB housing delivery. Additional resources are being allocated to the Housing Agency to fulfil this role.
In relation to affordable housing, the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation, established 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.
It is anticipated that the first affordable purchase homes under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be made available in Cork in February. Cork City Council indicated the prices to be €218,000 for a 2-bedroom and €243,000 for a 3-bedroom dwelling. This will be followed by a Fingal County Council supported affordable purchase development (Dun Emer). Fingal County Council have indicated these will cost €166,000 for a 2-bed apartment and between €206,000 and €258,000 for 3-bed dwellings.
Separately, as part of Housing for All, additional funding of €1bn was committed to the Land Development Agency in order for it to deliver on its pipeline of housing. This includes Project Tosaigh under which the LDA will enter into forward purchase arrangements to kick-start stalled private developments and increase the supply of affordable housing. The LDA initiated a call on 12 November 2021 targeting a scale in excess of 150 affordable units per development and is currently assessing the proposals received.
Similarly, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office (within the Local Government Management Agency) issued a call to secure additional affordable homes across 14 local authorities with the most acute affordability constraint. This call is also focused on stalled private developments but targets smaller scale developments than the LDA initiative.
Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act provided for the establishment of a Cost Rental sector in Ireland. Despite the impacts of Covid-19, 65 Cost Rental homes were tenanted in 2021 (25 in Balbriggan Co, Dublin, and 40 in Leixlip Co. Kildare). Over 700 Cost Rental homes will be delivered by AHBs in 2022, with more to be delivered by the LDA.
The First Home shared equity scheme, under Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act, will primarily support first-time buyers purchasing newly constructed homes on the private market. This scheme will be available at a national level and will incorporate regional price caps based on median house price sales. A Designated Activity Company to operate this scheme was incorporated last December. Confirmation of the final details of this scheme is ongoing in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders and it is anticipated that the First Home scheme will be available for applications in Q2 of this year.
In addition to these schemes, several affordability measures which promote housing supply, such as the Help-to-Buy scheme continue to be made available to eligible applicants. The Help-to-Buy incentive supports first-time buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to first-time buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. The Help-to-Buy scheme has already helped over 22,000 first-time buyers achieve the deposit required for a new home. Budget 2022 confirmed an extension to the Help-to-Buy scheme up to 2022 and committed to undertake a full review of the scheme.
Finally, the new Local Authority Home Loan scheme commenced on 4 January 2022 as a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. This scheme incorporates a lower interest rate, higher income eligibility and more flexible home size requirements than previously applied.
Our multi-faceted approach to housing delivery will see greatly increased supply which we recognise is key to addressing inflationary pressures. Our measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals across society wishing to secure a home.
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average price of a house deemed to be in the affordable category; the number built, acquired or under construction at present throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Act 2021, the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation, established 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.
This Act, supported by the unprecedented levels of funding committed to in the Housing for All strategy, averaging over €4 billion annually, will underpin the delivery of affordable housing targets. Specifically, 54,000 affordable homes will be delivered between now and 2030 by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In terms of house prices, defining affordability is not simply a question of ‘how much is too much?’, and may be better answered by asking ‘how much is too much for whom and in what circumstance?’. This is why the schemes in the Affordable Housing Act provide for a household specific assessment of affordability.
Under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act, each household's capacity to purchase a modest home relative to the regional market will be considered. Where households are deemed not to be able purchase a home at its cost on the private market, support to bridge the shortfall may be made available through two separate affordable purchase schemes. More specifically, first-time buyers purchasing new homes will be supported by a bridging of the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit.
It is anticipated that the first affordable purchase homes under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be made available in Cork in February. Cork City Council indicated the prices to be €218,000 for a 2-bedroom and €243,000 for a 3-bedroom dwelling. This will be followed by a Fingal County Council supported affordable purchase development (Dun Emer). Fingal County Council have indicated these will cost €166,000 for a 2-bed apartment and between €206,000 and €258,000 for 3-bed dwellings.
Separately, as part of Housing for All, additional funding of €1bn was committed to the Land Development Agency in order for it to deliver on its pipeline of housing. This includes Project Tosaigh under which the LDA will enter into forward purchase arrangements to kick-start stalled private developments and increase the supply of affordable housing. The LDA initiated a call on 12 November 2021 targeting a scale in excess of 150 affordable units per development and is currently assessing the proposals received.
Similarly, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office (within the LGMA) issued a call to secure additional affordable homes across 14 local authorities with the most acute affordability constraint. This call is also focused on stalled private developments but targets smaller scale developments than the LDA initiative.
Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act provided for the establishment of a Cost Rental sector in Ireland. Despite the impacts of Covid-19, 65 Cost Rental homes were tenanted in 2021 (25 in Balbriggan Co, Dublin, and 40 in Leixlip Co. Kildare). Over 700 Cost Rental homes will be delivered by Approved Housing Bodies in 2022, with more to be delivered by the LDA.
The First Home shared equity scheme, under Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act, will primarily support first-time buyers purchasing newly constructed homes on the private market. This scheme will be available at a national level and will incorporate regional price caps based on median house price sales. A Designated Activity Company to operate this scheme was incorporated last December. Confirmation of the final details of this scheme is ongoing in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders and it is anticipated that the First Home scheme will be available for applications in Q2 of this year.
In addition to these schemes, several affordability measures which promote housing supply, such as the Help-to-Buy scheme continue to be made available to eligible applicants. The Help-to-Buy incentive supports first-time buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to first-time buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. The Help-to-Buy scheme has already helped over 22,000 first-time buyers achieve the deposit required for a new home. Budget 2022 confirmed an extension to the Help-to-Buy scheme up to 2022 and committed to undertake a full review of the scheme.
Finally, the new Local Authority Home Loan scheme commenced on 4 January 2022 as a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. This scheme incorporates a lower interest rate, higher income eligibility and more flexible home size requirements than previously applied.
Our multi-faceted approach to housing delivery will see greatly increased supply which we recognise is key to addressing inflationary pressures. Our measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals across society wishing to secure a home.
327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of staff employed by grade in the offshore licensing unit in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question 602 of 19 January 2022 and the information provided to the Deputy regarding the range of activity and application types made under the Foreshore Act 1933 that my Department is responsible for assessing. Given the nature of the assessment process, the data relating to staffing resources available within my Department to undertake this work is not generally disaggregated by foreshore use or application type. However, information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
Marine Advisor |
Total |
|
|
2020 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
|
2021 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
|
2022 (to date) |
1 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
3 |
3 |
26 |
328. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority units to be completed by Westmeath County Council by the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority units to be completed by Longford County Council by the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.
Under Housing for All, 47,600 new build social homes are to be delivered in the period 2022-26. In September 2021, I issued individual targets to each local authority for the delivery of new build social homes, with the following targets set out for Longford and Westmeath local authorities, including their targets for 2022 -
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
|
Longford |
75 |
74 |
76 |
82 |
83 |
391 |
|
Westmeath |
220 |
124 |
126 |
136 |
139 |
745 |
In addition, each local authority has recently provided a Housing Delivery Action Plan which is to set out details on how local authorities will deliver their housing targets. I received Action Plans from both Longford and Westmeath Councils in December 2021 and my Department is now reviewing these and where needed, will engage further with local authorities for further detail. The Plans will be published in Quarter 2, following the conclusion of the review process.
By way of tracking social housing delivery, a Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department. This provides details of the individual social housing new build projects, which make up the new build programme for each local authority, including Longford and Westmeath Councils. It will be these schemes which will form the basis for new build delivery of social homes in the local authorities during 2022 and beyond. The most recent CSR 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/.
I'm keen that all local authorities progress their social housing schemes as quickly as possible and that they receive the support of public representatives in the advancement of their programmes.
330. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being considered by his Department to assist renters in the current housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most effective way to assist renters in the medium to long term is to increase supply and accelerate delivery of housing for the private and social rental sectors.
Housing for All – a New Housing Plan for Ireland sets out the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. One of the ways the Government are trying to increase the supply of more affordable homes to rent under Housing for All is through the introduction of a new Cost Rental sector, the legislative framework for which was set out in the Affordable Housing Act last year. It is a long-term rental model, in which tenants only pay the cost of providing, managing and maintaining their homes.
We are committed to growing this sector, and through Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, and the Land Development Agency under Project Tosaigh, approximately 1,500 Cost Rental homes are targeted for completion and tenanting this year alone. Overall, some 18,000 Cost Rental homes are targeted for completion under Housing for All to 2030.
The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The Act also provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually. This provides rent certainty for tenants outside of RPZs for a minimum 2 year period at a time.
The Act also introduced measures to better protect tenants with affordability challenges by prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP (CSO data for December 2021 shows HICP inflation of 5.7% p.a.), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this will mean that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.
In all cases, section 19(1) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 prohibits the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent.
In accordance with both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments, the Government has provided for Tenancies of Unlimited Duration through the Act.
All new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited duration after 6 consecutive months in occupation under the tenancy, without a valid notice of termination having been served.
331. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of his work to tackle homelessness in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3583/22]
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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the homeless accommodation services required, the operation of such services and the funding required in each region.
Under Housing for All, the Government has committed to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030. The plan includes 18 distinct actions tailored to eliminate homelessness. These actions recognise that individuals experiencing homelessness have additional support needs and include specific measures to address these needs. These include measures to engage with and support rough sleepers into sustainable accommodation, the continued expansion of the Housing First programme, a focus on the construction and acquisition of one-bed homes, and, importantly, ensuring provision of the necessary health and mental health supports required to assist homeless people with complex needs.
The new Housing First National Implementation Plan 2022-2026 was published in December 2021. Under the plan, an additional 1,319 supported tenancies are to be delivered over the next five years, with specific annual targets for each region now set out in the plan.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes, is a key priority of this Government. Under Housing for All there are specific and costed plans to increase supply across all tenure types, including very significant commitments to social and affordable housing, with over 90,000 social homes and 36,000 affordable and 18,000 cost rental homes to be delivered by 2030. €4 billion in capital is being invested annually on social and affordable housing. This is the largest housing programme in the history of the State.
Housing for All specifically provides for the establishment of a National Homeless Action Committee. The primary objective of the Committee is to bring together key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the homeless inter-agency measures committed to under Housing for All and to ensure coherence and co-ordination of homeless related services in delivering policy measures and actions. The first meeting took place on 20 December 2021.
Additionally, new guidance was issued in December 2021 to local authorities on the preparation of local Homelessness Action Plans. This guidance is to support the implementation of Housing for All, in particular, in respect of the policy provisions and actions on homelessness.
332. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rented accommodation inspections carried out by local authorities in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3585/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
To aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations, increased Exchequer funding has been made available to local authorities since 2018 to enable them to build inspection capacity, with payments based on the number of inspections undertaken. Significant progress was made across the sector. The number of inspections more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,728 in 2019. However, given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions have greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The number of inspections undertaken in 2020 fell to 25,703.
If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate, including the issuing of an improvement letter, the serving of improvement or prohibition notices, or further legal recourse.
The number of private rental inspections undertaken, improvement letters issued and improvement and prohibition notices served in the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and to the end Q3 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Total Rental Inspections Carried Out |
Total Improvement Letters and Notices* |
Total Improvement Letters Issued |
Total Improvement Notices Served |
Total Prohibition Notices Served |
|
2018 |
28,464 |
6,644 |
- |
- |
99 |
|
2019 |
40,728 |
- |
17,701 |
1,911 |
106 |
|
2020 |
25,703 |
- |
15,033 |
1,578 |
57 |
|
to Q3 2021 |
11,731 |
- |
8,199 |
359 |
15 |
* Since 2019 local authorities have supplied the Department with separate figures for Improvement Letters and Improvement Notices
Detailed information in relation to the number of inspections and enforcement actions undertaken in Q4 2021 is currently being collated by my Department and full-year data for 2021 will be available on the Department's website in due course at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/.
333. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new sewerage scheme grant for towns and villages which are not served by Irish Water infrastructure will be rolled out to the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3620/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently examining waste water requirements of villages and similar settlements that do not have access to public waste water infrastructure. My Department is at an advanced stage of preparing a report for me on the issue which I will be in a position to consider shortly. I will make a further announcement once I have finalised my consideration of the report.
Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 84
335. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of civilian and Garda ministerial drivers in his current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently employs six civilian drivers. At this time there are no Garda Ministerial drivers assigned to my Department.
The total cost for the civilian drivers was €136,304 in 2020 and €300,028 in 2021. These figures take account of the drivers' salary costs and expenses, along with the mileage costs which are claimed by each Minister in respect of their own vehicles.
336. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 342 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants.
337. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that are being taken to ensure first-time passports can be issued in time for those parents who have booked flights. [3038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has been experiencing very high demand for passports since May 2021. Despite pandemic-related disruptions throughout last year, the Passport Service issued over 634,000 passports in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issued within one business day. The Passport Service expects a high level of demand for passports to continue throughout this year and has put several measures in place to meet this anticipated demand, including the assignment of additional staff.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing high demand for first time passports for children. These first time applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants. In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Due to the intensive analysis underpinning first time online passport applications, the processing time is 40 working days.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals
- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals
- 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
The aforementioned passport processing times are based on current average application turnaround times and relate to passport applications submitted to the Passport Service with required supporting documentation. When passport applicants do not provide all of the requisite documentation to the Passport Service, it takes much longer to process the application and issue a passport. Passport Service figures show that 45% of current applications are incomplete and the onus is on the applicant to submit the required documents to the Service. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.
There are currently 30,000 first time child applications on hand with the Passport Service. Of these, almost 13,000 or 43% are incomplete applications that require additional documentation from the applicants’ guardians in order to complete the application and ensure that the child’s passport can be issued.
I urge parents of first time applicants to apply online for their children’s passports in plenty of time, and all applicants to check the validity of passports before making flight bookings. The Emergency Passport service is available in cases of medical emergency or death of a family member abroad.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times. In addition, my Department has been actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit additional permanent and temporary staff for assignment to the Passport Service. This recruitment drive has been underway since the last quarter of 2021 and will double the number of staff in the Passport Service from June 2021 levels. Over 180 additional staff are being assigned to the Passport Service in January alone and further staff will be assigned in February. I am confident that the additional staff currently being assigned to the Passport Service will help to reduce turnaround times and to respond to the current and anticipated high demand for first time and renewal passports in 2022.
In the context of the National Development Plan, my Department is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, we will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies and a more resilient passport system.
Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.
338. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent contact with his British counterpart regarding the UK Nationality and Borders Bill 2021 which will impact on free movement in this country for persons without Irish or British citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3103/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are closely monitoring the UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill as it progresses through the legislative process in the British Parliament. The Bill was passed in the House of Commons and is now in the House of Lords, with Committee stage due to commence on 27 January.As noted previously, this Bill as currently drafted would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that specified categories of individual, to be set down in the rules, have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to travel to the UK. This may include journeys across the land border on the island of Ireland. It is understood that, while the Bill provides that such a requirement may be introduced, any such requirement would be introduced by way of future amendments to the UK’s immigration rules. In addition, the said Bill provides that the proposed ETA system will not apply to Irish or British citizens and the British Government has made clear that there will continue to be no immigration checks on the land border. The British Government has stated that the requirement will be in place by the end of 2024, although this timeframe could be subject to change.Senior officials in my Department are engaging with the British Government regarding our concerns on the proposed requirement. As the Deputy is aware, the movement of people on the island – the way lives are lived and business is conducted, particularly in areas contiguous to the land border – is uniquely fluid and dynamic. Tens of thousands of people – including many non-Irish and non-British nationals living here – cross the land border every day as they go about their lives – for business, visiting friends and family, studying, shopping, and socialising. It is a uniquely shared space. There are also important considerations to be taken into account in terms of integrated supply chains and for North-South cooperation in areas such as tourism, health, and education, among others, should this proposed legislation impact on any cross-border movements for non-Irish and non-British nationals. Further details on the proposed UK ETA scheme will emerge as the legislative process progresses and when new immigration rules are adopted. The Bill remains under consideration within the British Parliament. For our part, the Government will continue to engage with the British Government to ensure that our concerns are clearly understood.
339. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if difficulties have arisen for Irish citizens in securing visas or travel documents from the Ethiopian authorities to enter Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not been informed of Irish citizens experiencing difficulties with tourist visa applications for travel to Ethiopia, noting that operation and processing of visas for Ethiopia is of course a matter for the Ethiopian authorities.
My Department published a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory on the Department’s website (www.dfa.ie) in respect of travel to Ethiopia on 2 November last year following the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency by the Government of Ethiopia due to an escalation in the ongoing conflict. We also advised all Irish citizens in Ethiopia to leave the country in November due to the deteriorating security situation.
More recently, my Department updated the Travel Advice for Ethiopia, recommending essential travel only to Addis Ababa but advising against travel to other parts of the country. The advice also encourages Irish citizens to ensure they have the correct visa in hand before travelling and to allow sufficient time to secure a visa online, or through the Embassy of Ethiopia in London.
Against the backdrop of the current conflict, Ireland’s Embassy in Addis Ababa maintains regular ongoing contact with Irish citizens in Ethiopia.
340. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that a marriage certificate sent by a person (details supplied) was not returned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service regrets that the person's document was not returned to them as requested. The Passport Service has written to the person involved to apologise for this error and to make arrangements to reimburse them for the replacement of the document.
341. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); if the passport will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 343 together.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's guardian as to the steps they must take to progress the passport application.
