Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 310-332

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (310)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

310. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to reform the tenant purchase scheme. [17539/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.

The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments on foot of the review and these came into effect on 1st February 2022.

The amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, may qualify to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years.

Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (311, 336, 379)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

311. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to revise and reform income eligibility for social housing. [17540/22]

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

336. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering changing the income limits for social housing to reflect the reality faced by many persons who cannot afford housing from their own means but are over the income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17907/22]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

379. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of social housing income limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18192/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 336 and 379 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 343 of 22 March 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (312, 313, 314, 315, 348, 349)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

312. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All to objective to work towards eradicating homelessness by 2030. [17541/22]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

313. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to increase Housing First targets to 1,200 tenancies over five years for homeless people. [17542/22]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

314. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to establish a new national homeless action committee. [17543/22]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

315. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to expand street outreach teams for rough sleepers nationwide. [17544/22]

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

348. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the development of a youth homelessness strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18006/22]

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

349. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress of the expansion of street outreach services to engage with rough sleepers in key urban areas outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 to 315, inclusive, 348 and 349 together.

Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Through Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, the Government is committed to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies. It also includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of the Housing First programme, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided for homeless persons.

Under Housing for All, my Department has committed to actively participate through the newly established European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH) to advance the Lisbon Declaration on Combatting Homelessness signed in June 2021. Under EPOCH, Ireland has committed to “promote the prevention of homelessness, access to permanent housing and the provision of enabling support services to the homeless”. Housing for All outlines how the Government will work towards ending homelessness by 2030, detailing 18 distinct actions tailored to achieve this target. This includes increasing access to supports for both individuals and families.

Ireland has committed to support EPOCH policy measures with adequate funding and, when appropriate, make use of EU funding as a lever to improve the way the EU address homelessness. Budget 2022 made provision for €194 million in funding for homeless services. This funding in 2022 reflects the priority the Government is giving to homelessness.

Under EPOCH, Ireland has committed to share good practices in combatting homelessness. I recently attended a ministerial level meeting of EPOCH, whereby I discussed the most pressing issues in homelessness today with my European colleagues, and where the work programme of the Platform was adopted.

As provided for in Housing for All, the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) was established in Q4 2021. The first meeting took place in December 2021 and the second took place in February of this year. The work of NHAC is informed by Housing for All. The overarching objective of NHAC is to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in the Plan, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness. It is intended that meetings of NHAC will take place quarterly, with the third meeting due to be held in April. Details in respect of NHAC and a note of its meetings are published on my Department’s website on an ongoing basis

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a Youth Homelessness Strategy and this is articulated in Housing for All. It was agreed at the first meeting of the NHAC that the development of this Strategy would be one of the first priorities of NHAC.

The aim of this Strategy is to help young people who are aged 18 – 24 and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

A 3-week Public Consultation ran from 22 February and further consultations will take place in the next month. My Department, with the support of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is also consulting directly with a number of key stakeholders. The Strategy is currently being developed and is intended for publication later this year.

Housing for All also committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. The new Plan outlines the targets for each region and in each year.

The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the criminal justice sector (the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service) and Local Authorities, in conjunction with NGO partners. Each partner is committing the necessary resources and supports to implement the programme. A new Housing First Directorate has been established, and is based in the Housing Agency. The newly appointed Director is responsible for managing the implementation of the new Plan.

To aid in the further expansion of the Housing First approach, and in line with commitments made in Housing for All, it is planned to extend outreach and intensive engagement services to every region in the country ensuring that those most in need of the intense supports provided by Housing First will be able to avail of them.

To support this commitment The Housing Agency, in partnership with the HSE and in consultation with key Departments and agencies, is developing a good practice manual for the operation of assertive outreach services. This manual will assist regions in expanding outreach services into those urban areas in which rough sleeping is understood to be a concern. This manual is to be published by mid-2022.

Resources are being made available to expand outreach services. As part of their homelessness expenditure programmes for 2022, which are supported by Exchequer funding, local authorities were invited in November 2021 to submit proposals to my Department for additional outreach services in their annual expenditure programme for 2022.

Question No. 313 answered with Question No. 312.

Question No. 314 answered with Question No. 312.

Question No. 315 answered with Question No. 312.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (316, 360)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

316. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective to introduce a new national policy on rightsizing to highlight the potential of rightsizing for households that no longer fully occupy their current privately owned accommodation and exploration of options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. [17545/22]

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

360. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the development of a national policy on rightsizing; his plans to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18018/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 360 together.

Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.

The Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Work is underway through my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (317)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

317. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All objective for a fresh start principle for applications to State affordable housing and loan schemes. [17546/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

While most affordable housing measures are primarily targeted at first-time buyers, the Housing for All strategy explicitly provides for the Fresh Start principle. The Fresh Start principle extends the supports available under both Affordable Purchase schemes and the Local Authority Home Loan scheme to applicants who are divorced, legally separated, or where the relationship has ended and where they retain no beneficial interest in a home. The Fresh Start principle will also apply to those who have previously purchased a residential property but have been divested of this through personal insolvency or bankruptcy arrangements, proceedings or other legal processes.

Specifically in relation to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme, the Fresh Start principle has already been accommodated under Part 2, Section 10 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021. This scheme assists first-time buyers (as well as those eligible under the Fresh Start principle) purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes by bridging the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit. Regulations setting out the detailed eligibility criteria for the scheme are at an advanced stage and will be issued in the coming weeks.

Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the First Home scheme, which will act in a similar way to the Local Authority-led scheme, though it will apply to homes purchased through the private market. Under both schemes, an equity stake corresponding to the level of support provided is taken in the market value of the home. The supported home-owner will have an option to achieve full ownership by buying-out the equity stake in the purchased property at a timing of their own discretion. An equity buy-out will be required in circumstances where the home is sold or passed on, or ceases to the primary residential residence.

The First Home scheme will be available at a national level and will incorporate regional price caps reflecting median house price sales. 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, including those eligible under the Fresh Start principle, in the second half of this year. This initiative is being designed to ensure support is provided to those that, because of the current income levels, cannot secure a sufficient mortgage to meet the cost of a modest newly constructed home in their preferred location.

The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme 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 both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.

The ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to State loan schemes such as the Local Authority Home Loan. The following categories of persons are eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan under the Fresh Start principle:

- Applicant(s) that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is divorced and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the property are eligible.

- Applicant(s) that previously purchased a residential property, but have been divested of this through insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, are eligible to apply. The applicant must be discharged from bankruptcy proceedings. It should be noted that a return to solvency should not be interpreted as a return to creditworthiness, which is a separate assessment.

The final decision regarding the Local Authority Home Loan application is made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis.

Further details can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (318)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

318. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All plan to introduce radical new modern Kenny report style powers to ensure sharing of the increase in land values from re-zoning decisions and greater community gain. [17547/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Report to which the Question refers is that of the Committee on the Price of Building Land presented to the Minister for Local Government in 1973. The Report considered what measures could be undertaken to ensure that a substantial portion of the increase in land value attributable to the decisions of public authorities, could be secured for the benefit of the community.

A commitment was included in the Programme for Government to review how such community gain proposals could be captured and the principle of Land Value Sharing was subsequently adopted in Housing for All. Land Value Sharing involves securing a share of the difference in land value before zoning or designation and the point at which planning permission is granted. Land Value Sharing will apply in the first instance to all newly-zoned residential land, and to Urban Development Zones which are also proposed in Housing for All. Urban Development Zones will provide for a coordinated plan-led approach to the development of areas with significant potential for residential and urban growth, where Land Value Sharing will also apply and will involve land assembly provisions to ensure that land critical to the provision of infrastructure can be secured.

In line with Housing Policy Objective 12.1 contained in Housing for All, my officials are now in the process of developing Land Value Sharing Mechanisms.

A General Scheme for a Heads of Bill was approved by Government in December 2021 outlining the general provisions for the establishment of Land Value Sharing obligations. Work is now progressing on the more detailed aspects of how this legislation may be implemented, including all necessary due diligence and scrutiny. A detailed economic appraisal of the proposed measures, involving an assessment of the potential implications in different locations and circumstances, is being undertaken to determine what uplift in value would be reasonable for the State to secure. This includes independent expert advice. This research and expert advice will provide the basis for the detail of these measures.

A key aspect of this work will include stakeholder engagement, including with representatives of Local Authorities and State agencies, through a working group to ensure a workable set of measures is progressed. Proposals for engagement are currently being finalised in parallel with the economic appraisal, with detailed drafting of the Bill to commence in Q3 2022 and the enactment of the legislation proposed for Q4 2022.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (319)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

319. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All plan for ending strategic housing developments, returning planning decisions to local authorities and reforming the judicial review process. [17548/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future committed to not extending the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) arrangements beyond their legislative expiry date of end December 2021, which was subsequently extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related extension of statutory timelines within the planning system by eight weeks in respect of the period March to May 2020 due to the shutdown of the construction sector.

The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 (Act of 2021) was signed into law by the President on 14 December 2021. Furthermore, the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021 which brings the provisions of the Act into effect was signed with an effective date of 17 December 2021.

The main purpose of the Act of 2021 is to restore the two-stage planning process, with decision making for Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) type applications returning to the local planning authority in the first instance, with the subsequent right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála (the Board), thereby delivering on the commitments in the Programme for Government as well as Housing for All.

The Act of 2021 also includes a number of transitional arrangements in relation to the expiry of the SHD arrangements and their replacement by the new LRD arrangements. Under the Act:

- SHD prospective applicants/developers already in receipt of an SHD opinion under the SHD arrangements on the commencement of the Act (17 December 2021) have 16 weeks to submit an SHD application to the Board from that date.

- SHD prospective applicants/developers who had formally commenced consultations with the Board and were awaiting an SHD opinion on the commencement of the Act (17 December 2021) will have 16 weeks to submit an SHD application to the Board from the date of receipt of the SHD opinion.

On the matter of judicial review reform, it is intended that the substantive legislative changes will be enacted by end 2022 in the context of the overall Planning Review and in tandem with the establishment of the Environmental and Planning Court which is being progressed by my colleague the Minister for Justice. The Minister is considering some minor technical amendments before the Summer in this regard, mainly to align provisions with EU law.

Vacant Sites

Ceisteanna (320)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

320. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All plan to introduce a new tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes. [17549/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Action 15.2 of Housing for All requires the introduction of a new tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes (to replace the current Vacant Site Levy) by Q4 2021. The Residential Zoned Land Tax was introduced by the Minister for Finance in the Finance Act 2021. The purpose of the proposed measure is to incentivise the activation of land which is zoned and serviced for residential development, but remains undeveloped. It is primarily intended to influence behaviour towards increased housing output, rather than to raise revenue. The tax will replace the Vacant Site Levy.

The significant benefit of the tax is to incentivise the development of suitably zoned land across the State which has been the beneficiary of costly investment in servicing for housing construction. This includes lands in cities, towns and village centres which are vacant or idle where zoned for mixed use including residential. The tax measure, in conjunction with the ongoing review of development plans throughout the state to identify and zone housing land needed to meet statutory Housing Supply Targets will ensure that delivery of housing on zoned and serviced land is progressed. The tax will, when it comes into effect in 2024, be applied at an annual taxation rate of 3% of market value of the land to encourage use for appropriate development.

The tax will apply to all land zoned for residential or a mix of uses including residential and which are serviced throughout all 31 local authorities, with certain lands excluded from scope, as set out within the legislation. The role of the local authorities is to identify the lands in scope via a mapping process commencing November 2022, which includes appeal provisions where the relevant landowner considers that a parcel of land does not meet the criteria for falling within the scope of the tax.

The tax will be managed by the Revenue Commissioners. After the publication of the final maps in December 2023, the maps will be reviewed annually by local authorities to ensure they are up to date. The tax will remain as a charge on the land, will be applied annually and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners, incentivising the development of the land-bank by the owners, or the sale of the land to those who will undertake development.

Existing dwellings and their gardens, while they will be included in the maps, are not included in the scope of the tax.

Landowners may also make submissions to local authorities during the public consultation periods on the maps in 2022/23 only to amend zonings to remove their lands from the scope of the tax. In considering these submissions and the potential for varying the adopted development plan as a result, the local authorities must take into account the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and the need to zone sufficient land to meet the statutory Housing Supply Targets.

My Department notified all local authorities of the introduction of the tax measure on signing of the Finance Act 2021. My Department is preparing guidance on the mapping process and the management of rezoning requests and will liaise with stakeholders through a working group. Financial support and assistance to the local authorities will also be provided on this matter to ensure that the maps will be published as required by the legislation. My Department will bring forward separate transitionary legislation to repeal the vacant site levy arrangements and this will take account of lands that might otherwise fall out of the full scope of the Vacant Site Levy, that are currently subject to the Vacant Site Levy.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (321)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

321. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All for a new croí cónaithe fund to increase owner-occupier apartment development in city centres. [17552/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The national housing policy Housing for All, as launched in September 2021, provides a new pathway to a sustainable housing system, by clearly setting out how we plan to address the short, medium and long-term challenges ahead. The overall aim of this new housing plan for Ireland is that everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life.

Aligned with the overall objective for compact growth, vibrant, liveable cities must offer options for both owner occupiers and renters in cities, at all income levels. A key focus of Housing for All is to ensure that those who wish to purchase a home, have sufficient location choice. This is particularly the case for the core of our cities, towns and villages.

The new Croí Cónaithe fund as outlined in Housing for All, is intended to ensure that aligned with the objectives of the National Planning Framework, additional choices are made available to home buyers in our urban cores, and town centres. It will do this by expanding home ownership options, where the choice is currently limited:

- In urban areas, for apartment living over a certain height/density threshold

- In towns, where options for building new private dwellings has been constrained by the lack of serviced sites.

It is clear that in higher density locations, there is insufficient apartments being built for sale. To overcome this viability challenge, and given the high level of unactivated permissions particularly for apartments in our urban areas, a Croí Cónaithe (Cities) fund is being established, which will ensure that these developments can be built more viably for sale to owner occupiers. This measure is based on activating the planning permissions already in place for such homes over the coming five years.

It will be managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of the Department, and will be operated on an open book accounting basis, to ensure that financial support provided feeds through in reduced costs to the home-buyers. It is also envisaged that measures in Housing for All to support greater construction productivity and reducing the cost of land through changes to planning legislation, will also encourage a more sustainable market for such housing thereafter.

My Department is currently working with the Housing Agency on finalizing the operational basis for the new fund and expect to engage prospective proposers in a call for proposals in Q2 2022.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (322)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All plan for increased funding capacity for the Land Development Agency for strategic development of public lands for affordable and social housing in city and town centres. [17553/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The LandDevelopment Agency (LDA) are at the heart of this plan, advancing their remit to develop land, including public lands, for housing or other purposes.

The enactment of the Land Development Agency Act, 2021, providing for the establishment of the LDA as a commercial State Agency, marked an historic move to use State lands to provide for housing supply and affordability needs.

The Act provided for the establishment of a new LDA Designated Activity Company (DAC) and the initial capitalisation of the LDA DAC by the National Treasury Management Agency from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.

Housing for All recognised that additional resourcing, likely to be in the form of borrowing will be required to meet the increased level of activities envisaged under the plan. Approximately €1 billion will be required to assist in funding the pipeline of housing, including on additional State lands, and accelerated housing through Project Tosaigh.

This additional funding will bring the total capital available to €3.5bn, positioning the LDA as a very significant State-owned participant in this sector.

Regeneration Projects

Ceisteanna (323)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All plan for targeted funding via the urban regeneration and development fund and rural regeneration and development fund to support the town centre first approach as part of the wider objectives for the regeneration of cities, towns and rural areas. [17554/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Town Centre First, jointly developed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development, sets out 33 actions which will provide a co-ordinated framework across established national policy objectives (in particular the National Planning Framework, Housing for All and Our Rural Future), to address the decline in the health of our towns and sets out actions to regenerate and revitalise them.

A key elements of the Town Centre First policy will be the development of Town Centre First (TCF) Plans. These non-statutory plans will be produced by a local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives. The TCF Plans will identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes (business/commercial; community/cultural; housing; built environment; heritage). The TCF Plans will be action and project orientated in nature and will assist towns in accessing a range of potential funding programmes available for town regeneration across a number of government departments and agencies.

The development and delivery of TCF Plans will be supported by a network of Local Authority Town Regeneration Officers and also a National Town Centre First Office, which will be established within the Local Government Management Agency.

The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is already providing funding for projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential development to be delivered within the existing built footprints of both our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit. To this end, the fund has already provided €323m in funding to town regeneration projects since its inception in 2018 as well as committing over €1 billion to the cities and and the five regional growth centres identified in the NPF. It is intended that a third call for URDF project proposals will be issued later in 2022, to include a focus on supporting the delivery of Town Centre First.

In addition, the RRDF, which is the responsiblity of the Minister for Rural and Community Development seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities and achieve the objectives of Our Rural Future. In total, the RRDF has now provided over €278m with a further €60m allocated for investment in 2022. A fourth call for Category 1 RRDF applications is now open and the closing date for applications is the 29th April 2022. This call has a strong focus on supporting projects that will assist in revitalising rural towns and villages through planned, sustainable regeneration and development including addressing vacancy and the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings in alignment with the Town Centre First approach.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (324)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All planning exemptions for above-shop conversions and guidance relating to protected structures. [17555/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for, when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. These exemptions provided for in the Planning and Development Regulations are kept under regular review.

The Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022 - which extend the operation of the previous 2018 Regulations in this regard until end 2025 - provide for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises to residential use, including the conversion of vacant areas above ground floor commercial premises to residential use. This measure is aimed at facilitating the productive re-use of qualifying vacant commercial buildings as homes, while also facilitating urban renewal and the bringing on stream of increased housing supply.

The conditions and limitations that applied to the 2018 exempted development provisions continue to apply under the new regulations which includes provision that works to protected structures shall not be allowed under the exemptions save where the relevant planning authority has issued a declaration under section 57 of the Act to the effect that the proposed works would not materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure which contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.

Furthermore works shall not be permitted in a number of limited areas, such as areas of special planning control and areas to which special amenity area orders relate. Under section 82 of the Act, works to the exterior of a structure located in an architectural conservation area shall be exempted development only if those works would not materially affect the character of the area. Where a person wishes to seek advice in relation to whether proposed works might materially affect the character of an architectural conservation area, they should contact the local Heritage Officer or the local planning office.

My Department recently issued Circular Letter PL 02/2022 to planning authorities advising them of the newly extended exempted development regulations. The Circular references the conditions and limitations that continue to apply under these regulations and makes explicit reference to those conditions mentioned above.

If a person wishes to establish whether or not planning permission is required for a particular development proposal, they can seek a declaration from their local planning authority under Section 5 of the Act.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (325)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

325. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All nationwide and local-authority-led compulsory purchase order scheme to purchase vacant homes. [17556/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock such as plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. Such a new programme for CPO of vacant properties is expected to support a broader programme of affordable housing in order to maximise opportunities to return vacant properties to productive use.

The CPO programme is to be supported by a bridging finance facility from the Housing Finance Agency for property acquisitions. In addition, a central advisory service is to be established in The Housing Agency to assist Local Authorities with the process. The objective is for Local Authorities to acquire at least 2,500 vacant units by 2026.

The detailed arrangements for this CPO programme are currently being developed, with aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions, for example, in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (326, 327, 328)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

326. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current salary scale for each chief executive officer in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17572/22]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

327. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of programme managers who have been approved for each local authority in the State, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17589/22]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

328. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the salary scale for programme managers in each local authority in the State, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17590/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 328, inclusive, together.

The annual salary of the Chief Executive in each local authority is detailed in the table below.

Local Authority	Category	Chief Executive Remuneration @ 1 February 2022
Dublin City	1	€204,443
	Category
Cork County	2	€175,027
Fingal	2	€175,027
South Dublin	2	€175,027
	Category
Cork City	3	€165,519
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown	3	€165,519
Kildare	3	€165,519
Limerick City & County	3	€165,519
Meath	3	€165,519
	Category
Clare	4	€153,864
Donegal	4	€153,864
Galway County	4	€153,864
Kerry	4	€153,864
Kilkenny	4	€153,864
Louth	4	€153,864
Mayo	4	€153,864
Tipperary	4	€153,864
Westmeath	4	€153,864
Wexford	4	€153,864
Wicklow	4	€153,864
Waterford City & County	4	€153,864
	Category
Carlow	5	€143,111
Cavan	5	€143,111
Laois	5	€143,111
Leitrim	5	€143,111
Longford	5	€143,111
Monaghan	5	€143,111
Offaly	5	€143,111
Roscommon	5	€143,111
Sligo	5	€143,111
Galway City	5	€143,111

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. My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.

However, granular data, in terms of the number of Director of Services in each local authority, is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information should be available from each local authority.

The salary scale for the Director of Service grade in the local government sector is detailed in the table below.

Director of Service Salary Scale Points	Salary @ 1 February 2022
1	€97,690
2	€102,129
3	€106,571
4	€111,009
5	€115,451

Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 326.

Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 326.

Public Sector Staff

Ceisteanna (329)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

329. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in his Department and in agencies and public bodies within his area of responsibility; the number who have been absent from work for up to three, three to six, six to 12 and over 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17602/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department complies with all central policy and guidance in relation to suspension or workplace disputes.

As requested please see set out below the numbers of staff absent from work on fullpay due to suspension or workplace disputes.

Period of Absence	No. of staff absent on fullpay due to suspension or workplace disputes
Up to 3 months	0
3-6 months	0
6-12 months	0
Over 12 months	1

The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email addresses for each agency are set out in the table below.

State Body	Contact E-mails
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum)	[e-mail]
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Office	[e-mail]
Water Advisory Body	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (330)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

330. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 10 March 2022, the reason the report for the provision of research and information on the rural water sector to support the rural water working group in carrying out its work has been categorised as not for publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17632/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In April 2018, the Rural Water Working Group was established to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The Group's aim is to recommend measures to ensure an equality of outcome for those who receive water services from Irish Water and non-Irish Water customers. The establishment of the Working Group was also undertaken in response to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services.

The outcomes and reports of the Working Group will inform future policy and investment decisions, by myself as Minister and the Government, on rural water services. While not intended for publication in isolation, the report for the provision of research and information on the rural water sector to support the Rural Water Working Group, will of course be publically available when the report is completed and fully considered by the Rural Water Working Group.

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (331, 352)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

331. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of plans to change the differential rent scheme to align all local authorities in respect of the way rent is calculated; the timeline for the introduction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17633/22]

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

352. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the reform of the differential rents scheme and the planned introduction of a national scheme to standardise differential rents across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18010/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 352 together.

My Department is considering proposals for a standardised national differential rents scheme as an alternative to the current devolved schemes operating across the 31 Local Authorities.

However, given the emerging cost of living challenges in recent months, it is appropriate to defer implementation of any changes pending a full review of Housing for All.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (332)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

332. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed demolition of a number of houses at a location (details supplied) puts the Housing Agency in breach of its mortgage agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17695/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to the reply to Question No. 327 of 22 March 2022 in which I provided an update on this project. My Department understands from Donegal County Council that it is not proposed to demolish social housing at the location referred to and that local authority officials have updated Councillors on this matter.

Further specific information on the future plans for this housing development will continue to be available directly from the local authority. I understand that they met recently with Clúid Housing Association to discuss the options for the redevelopment of the apartment block to make it fit for purpose as long term social housing accommodation.

I look forward to the local authority and Clúid Housing Association agreeing the approach to the renewal of this housing as soon as possible so that the necessary works can be undertaken and the housing units fully tenanted.