Written Answers Nos. 62-81
62. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the revenue collected from fares on public transport and public service obligation-supported routes, broken down by each transport company in each of the years since 2016, in tabular form; the expected yield in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The NTA also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s specific question, in relation to the amount of revenue collected from fares on public transport and public service obligation routes per transport company per year since 2016 and the expected yield in 2022, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
63. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional funding provided for public transport in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively; the specific funding that related to Covid-19; the level of public service obligation subsidy provided to each operator in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to COVID-19, €287 million of Exchequer funding was provided for PSO services in Budget 2020; however, since 2020, additional funding has been required to continue to address the significant COVID impact on public transport provision.
All PSO providers are currently in receipt of emergency support funding to compensate for fare revenue loss arising as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, and the associated fall in passenger numbers (passenger numbers fell to below 10% of 2019 levels at the height of the restrictions). Further, on 25/06/2020 Government approved the introduction of temporary financial supports for the licensed bus sector – commercial operators (in accordance with EU and national legislation).
In Budget 2020, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of €304 million was provided for PSO and Local Link rural regular services. Due to the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in the collapse of fare revenue on public transport, a further €370 million was allocated to enable the continued operation of public transport services in 2020.
In Budget 2021, over €670m was allocated for the provision of PSO services, while in 2022, €538m was secured to support PSO services, including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). €9m of the €538m allocation has been provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector for the first three months of the year. While, over €15m was also been allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland.
In relation to the level of public service obligation subsidy provided to each operator in each of those years, the allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
64. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the multiple flight operations application issued by his Department is being used illegally at Shannon by a company (details supplied) to transport howitzer guns with ammunition on board an aircraft through Shannon Airport on 7 and 8 May 2022. [25300/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Multiple Flight Operations (MFO) authorisation issued to the air operator in question was not utilised for the flights undertaken on the 7th and 8th May. All flight authorisations issued by my Department clearly state that no munitions of war may be carried on flights covered by said authorisations unless an appropriate exemption, pursuant to Article 5 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989, has been granted.
The air operator had communicated, prior to the flight, with my department, querying if an exemption would be needed as the cargo carried consisted of basic frame armoured vehicles without weapons. It was determined that for such cargo, no exemption would be required, however a single authorisation for a technical stop was issued for this flight.
65. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the help-to-buy scheme will be extended to second-hand properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHelp to Buy (HTB) is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive offers a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
For a property to qualify for HTB, it must be new or converted for use as a dwelling, having not previously been used as a dwelling. In the circumstances where the house was previously used as a dwelling but knocked down and rebuilt, then it is considered “new”. First-time buyers may purchase a site containing a house which is derelict and which they plan to demolish, in whole or in part, with the intention of building a new house. First time buyers intending to undertake such purchases should contact Revenue via MyEnquiries outlining the specific circumstances of their case and Revenue will consider them on a case by case basis.
In relation to the specific question about extending the scheme to second-hand properties, HTB is designed to encourage an increase in demand for new build homes in order to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties. An increase in the supply of new housing is fundamental to resolving the current housing crisis and so remains a priority aim of Government policy. A move to include second-hand properties within the scope of the relief would not improve its effectiveness; on the contrary, it could serve to dilute the incentive effect of the measure in terms of encouraging additional new supply.
Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, I announced in my Budget 2022 address that a formal review of HTB would take place in 2022. Following a successful procurement competition, a contract for the review is currently being finalised.
The review will help inform decisions for Budget 2023 and Finance Bill 2022. However, without wishing to prejudice the outcome of the exercise, it is unlikely that it will lead to an extension of the HTB scheme along the lines mentioned by the Deputy.
66. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance his views on the forthcoming changes to benefit-in-kind and the subsequent impact on a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25004/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Finance Act 2019, I legislated for a CO2-based BIK regime for company cars from 1/1/2023. From that date the amount taxable as BIK remains determined by the car’s original market value (OMV) and the annual business kilometres driven, while new CO2 emissions-based bands will determine whether a standard, discounted, or surcharged rate is taxable. The number of mileage bands is reduced from five to four. EVs will benefit from a preferential rate of BIK, ranging from 9 – 22% depending on mileage. Fossil-fuel vehicles will be subject to higher BIK rates, up to 37.5%. This new structure with CO2-based discounts and surcharges will incentivise employers to provide employees with low-emission cars.
I believe that better value for money for the taxpayer is achieved by curtailing the amount of subsidies available and building an environmental rationale directly into the BIK regime. It was determined in this context that reforming the BIK system to include emissions bands provides for a more sustainable environmental rationale than the continuation of the current system with exemptions for electric vehicles (EVs). However, in light of government commitments on climate change, Budget 2022 extended the preferential BIK treatment for EVs to end 2025 with a tapering mechanism on the vehicle value threshold.
This BIK charging mechanism was legislated for in 2019 and was announced as part of Budget 2020. I am satisfied that this has provided a sufficient lead in time to adapt to this new system before its implementation in 2023.
67. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of appointments to the grade of assistant principal officer from 2015 to date by the Revenue Commissioners in County Limerick; the manner in which the appointments were filled, that is, either by open competition, inter-Departmental competition, internal competition, transfer from another geographic location, or any other means by which appointments were made; the division and office location of the appointments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that in the period from January 2015 to date, there were 44 Revenue assignments to Assistant Principal posts in County Limerick. This included 15 from Public Appointments Service or Revenue open competitions; 2 from Interdepartmental competition; 16 from Revenue internal promotion competitions; 10 on transfer from other geographic locations; and 1 on resumption following a career break.
Revenue continually adapts, realigning its structure to optimise the alignment of its resources to risk while maximising the benefit of its geographic footprint and providing diverse career opportunities across the organisation. During 2018, Revenue realigned its organisational structure, moving from a regional structure to one that is based on a nationally segmented taxpayer base. The profile of Assistant Principal assignments from January 2015 to date in Limerick county, by reference to Region/Division and office location is as follows:
|
Region/Division |
Bishop Street Newcastlewest |
River House Limerick |
Sarsfield House Limerick |
Total |
|
Accountant General’s & Strategic Planning Division |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Business Division |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Collector General’s Division |
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
|
Corporate Services Division |
2 |
2 |
||
|
Information and Communications Technology & Logistics Division |
1 |
1 |
||
|
International Tax Division |
2 |
2 |
||
|
Large Corporates Division |
5 |
5 |
||
|
Large Cases – High Wealth Individuals Division |
2 |
2 |
||
|
Medium Enterprises Division |
2 |
2 |
||
|
Personal Division |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Revenue Solicitor’s Division |
4 |
4 |
||
|
South West Region |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
Total |
1 |
14 |
29 |
44 |
68. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of coastal protection and flood relief projects in Rosslare Strand, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25054/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rosslare Coastal Erosion and Flood Relief Scheme is being led by Wexford County Council, with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. The proposed works will contain both coastal protection and flood relief elements.
Nicholas O’Dwyer were appointed as consultants for this scheme in December 2021. The Steering Group Meetings are being held on a monthly basis with attendance from the OPW, Wexford County Council and the engineering consultants.
While the consultants have commenced their work the project is still in the early stages. The Scheme is at ‘Stage 1- Option Assessment, Scheme Development and Preliminary Design’, and this is the first of a 5-Stage process. This stage comprises of data collection and review, surveying, modelling, environmental surveys and scheme analysis and development. This stage also includes public consultation events and collaborative workshops to ensure that the public/stakeholders have the opportunity to have an input and comment on the proposed works.
A scheme website is currently being developed and will be announced through Wexford County Council when available. This website will contain ongoing updates and information regarding future Public Consultation events and will provide regular updates regarding the progression of the scheme.
69. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a person (details supplied) will receive their full pension entitlements from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy understanding is that this matter relates to pensions increase policy as it applies to former employees of the National Building Agency (NBA) and members of the NBA superannuation scheme. In that regard, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has sought assistance on this matter from officials in my Department.
The current position is that my officials sought detailed clarifications on the background to this issue from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in order to inform the detailed policy advice required. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently received responses to most of these clarification requests and is reviewing the information.
This Department continues to engage with the NBA's parent Department to obtain the outstanding information necessary to resolve the policy advice request as soon as possible.
70. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will investigate the possibility of categorising turf-cutting and turf use as protected cultural practices under such instruments as the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, otherwise known as the Faro Convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is not a party to the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, otherwise known as the Faro Convention.
As part of Ireland’s implementation of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, my Department accepts applications on an ongoing basis for the inscription of cultural heritage practices to Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Applications are assessed by an independent Expert Advisory Committee, comprised of experts on ICH, who assess applications under the following three criteria:
- Does the nominated element constitute Intangible Cultural Heritage as defined in the 2003 Convention?
- Is there adequate community support & engagement for the element?
- Is the nominated element passed from generation to generation?
In reviewing applications, the Expert Advisory Committee must also take into account a number of prescribed principles including that cultural heritage practices can continue in harmony with their environment and contribute to sustainable development.
Parties interested in making an application will fund further information at nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/about/.
It may be also noted that the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage operates the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme, which accepts applications from time to time in relation to projects on the conservation and revitalisation of fens, raised and blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and other peatland areas and is aimed at promoting public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage.
71. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the Derelicts Sites Act 1990; the progress that has been made in relation to the November 2021 review in conjunction with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24963/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced by the recently published Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act with a view to improving its effectiveness. My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department is now in the process of establishing a focused working group to speedily progress this matter further and will be engaging with local authorities in this regard shortly.
72. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority to conduct a value-for-money assessment of the approved housing bodies sector, given that there were 495 approved housing bodies listed in his Department’s register as of March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. AHBRA is an independent body tasked with providing the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies.
The register of AHBs previously managed by my Department was officially transferred to the AHBRA on 1 February 2022. The 2019 Act is being commenced on a phased basis to allow for the establishment of the office.
All AHBs are required to adopt the standards for AHBs that are provided for in the 2019 Act and were developed in conjunction with the sector. I approved the standards this year and they are available on the AHBRA’s website (www.ahbregulator.ie ). The standards cover matters relating to corporate governance; financial management and reporting; property and asset management; and tenancy management. The Regulator will monitor compliance by AHBs with the approved standards and will have the power to carry out a standards assessment to assess if an AHB is complying or failing to comply with the standards.
Among the Regulator's other functions will be to publish such information (including statistical information) concerning AHBs as the Regulator considers appropriate. It will be a matter for the Regulator to determine the format for same and the regularity with which they will be published.
73. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that has been provided to each approved housing body in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a range of funding and delivery mechanisms available to local authorities to deliver social housing supports in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). The funding is provided by my Department directly to local authorities, who in turn, advance the funding to the AHBs, as appropriate.
In respect of AHB funding in 2020 and 2021, the funding provided to each individual AHB is not readily available within my Department. Overall, for 2020 and 2021, €514 million and €624 million respectively was provided by my Department to the local authorities in respect of a range of AHB funded schemes.
In respect of homeless expenditure, my Department does not fund the operational costs associated with the provision of any homeless accommodation or services directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the overall costs incurred in the provision of homeless accommodation. Housing authorities may also incur expenditure on homeless related services outside of the funding arrangements with my Department. Therefore, the amount of funding granted by housing authorities to individual homeless services is a matter for the relevant housing authority. Financial reports from each of the homeless regions, setting out expenditure on homeless services for 2016 - 2019 2021 are published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/#local-authority-regional-financial-reports.
The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021 and since 1 January 2022, the new authority is responsible for establishing and maintaining the register of AHBs and for registering organisation as AHBs. All existing 450 AHBs were automatically deemed to be registered with AHBRA as and from 1 January 2022.
74. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has responsibility for delivering a World War I commemorative memorial in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in relation to delivery of war memorials and does not have responsibility for Corkagh Park, it is a local authority Park managed by South Dublin County Council.
75. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount that has been spent on capital funding schemes for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25037/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital funding has been used to advance capital investment across a range of programme areas within my Department’s remit, local authority housing, voluntary housing, estate regeneration, energy efficiency retrofitting, housing grants, rural water schemes, urban regeneration, peatlands conservation and restoration, national parks & wildlife services and fire services.
Details of the capital expenditure for the past five years is set out in the table below:
|
- |
€m |
|
2021 |
2,112[i] |
|
2020 |
2,197[ii] |
|
2019 |
2,151 |
|
2018 |
1,774 |
|
2017 |
792 |
[i] Includes €140.5m capital carryover from 2020
[ii] Includes €33.5m capital carryover from 2019
Further information on expenditure and multi-annual capital commitments is set out in the Department's Appropriation Accounts (Vote 34) for the relevant years which are published by the Comptroller and Auditor General and are available at: www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/appropriation%20accounts/ and selecting the relevant year.
The Department's 2021 Appropriation Account will be published later this year when the audit is completed.
Details of the allocations provided by my Department in 2022 are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the respective years and are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/?referrer=http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/#2022.
76. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount that has been spent on the rental accommodation scheme in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction in 2005 and has placed 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.
The scheme is delivered by local authorities who source accommodation from the private market and Approved Housing Bodies. At the end of 2021, 17,183 households were supported by RAS and expenditure on the scheme in 2021 was just under €122m.
My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on social housing delivery, including the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), on a quarterly basis on its website. The statistics requested by the Deputy in relation to the RAS spend over each of the last five years is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision#rental-accommodation-scheme-ras.
RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support, and remains a part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support.
Under the Housing for All strategy, the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 new build social homes. As new build supply of social housing ramps up, there will be reducing reliance on the RAS scheme.
77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if measures will be introduced to help first-time buyers purchase second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting home ownership is a key objective for this Government. In Housing for All, our new Plan for housing in Ireland we committed to introducing a reformed Local Authority Home Loan scheme to further support access to home ownership for creditworthy home buyers who otherwise find it difficult to access sufficient finance. This is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The new scheme has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022.
The Home Loan Scheme is open to all First Time Buyers and to Fresh Start applicants on low or modest incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders to purchase new or second-hand properties or to build their own home. It also includes the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes.
As part of Housing For All I announced changes to local authority mortgage lending. These measures include increasing the income limits for single applicants from €50,000 to €65,000 for properties in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath or Wicklow where house prices are higher.
Another measure I introduced in 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.
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/.
78. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will be increasing funding to local authorities for housing grants and schemes (details supplied) as a result of higher building costs incurred in completing these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25042/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. The review is currently underway and the existing grant limits will be examined as part of the review.
79. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when applications for the new affordable purchase shared equity scheme can be made in the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have signed two sets of Regulations which underpin the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, made under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which came into effect on 13 April 2022. The Regulations provide the basis for the making available of affordable purchase homes by local authorities and the administration of sales.
The Affordable Housing Regulations 2022 deal with the assessment of income/means as part of eligibility for an Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangement. The text of these Regulations is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/183/made/en/print.
The Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022 prescribe, among other things, the notification of affordable dwelling schemes to the public, the use by Local Authorities of schemes of priority, the calculation of home purchase prices and the equity shares to be taken by the Local Authority, and the minimum payment for a homeowner redeeming the Local Authority's equity interest. The text of these Regulations is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print.
The relevant provisions of the Regulations require that details of homes being made available by local authorities under the Affordable Purchase Scheme will be advertised at least two weeks in advance home sales, with an application period given of at least three weeks after the initial advertised notification.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes supported by the Affordable Housing Fund will be made available shortly at Boherboy Road in Cork City, with 22 two- and three-bed dwellings to be delivered at from €218,000 to €243,000, with a further 15 units completed by year end. Cork City Council have also indicated that they will deliver 36 Affordable Purchase homes in Cluain Chaoin, Tower in two phases this year.
39 Affordable Purchase homes will also be delivered at Dun Emer in Lusk, Co Dublin by Fingal County Council in two phases this year. These two- and three-bed dwellings are expected to be delivered at an average discount of 25% on market values, ranging in price from €166,000 to €258,000.
In addition, South Dublin County Council recently advertised 16 Affordable Purchase homes in Kilcarbery Grange, Clondalkin all to be delivered this year, which will priced from between €245,600 and €285,300.
Waterford City and County Council also expect to deliver Affordable Purchase homes at a development in Mount Neil, Carrickphierish by the end of 2022. In addition, a further development at Summerfields, Kilbarry is expected to deliver its first phase in 2022. A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is being developed by local authorities with nine schemes expected to go on site in 2022.
In addition to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the First Home Scheme to support purchases in the private market. The First Home Scheme will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The scheme aims to support the purchase of c. 8,000 new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026. First Home will only support purchases of homes within regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area. It is anticipated that the scheme will be rolled out over the coming months.
As affordable housing programmes are rolled out, additional affordable housing delivery will be facilitated through the expanded 20% Part V planning requirement, and through the Land Development Agency.
80. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the programme of compulsory purchase orders to bring vacant units to the market for sale, which is provided for in Housing For All; the number properties in Galway city and county that will be brought into residential use through this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25109/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing 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.
Housing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock including plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. The objective is for all Local Authorities, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, to acquire at least 2,500 vacant units by 2026. The detailed arrangements for the CPO programme are currently being developed, with the aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme.
81. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 12 May 2022, if he will provide further details on the study into issues with insuring thatched premises; the way that owners of thatched properties can become involved in the study; the progress that has been made to date in the study; if there is a deadline by which the study must conclude and a report be furnished to his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25114/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appreciate the urgency of the situation and am committed to making progress in this area this year. Work is currently underway to draft the terms of reference for the study into the issues relating to the insurance of thatched properties and it is intended that a suitably-qualified contractor will be appointed to oversee the study within the coming weeks.
It is envisaged that owners of thatched structures will be invited to participate in the study through a general call as well as through the Architectural Conservation Officers and Heritage Officers of the local authorities.
I expect to be kept closely updated on the progress of the study and to receive its interim findings this year.
