Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 470-491

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (470)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

470. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost for social homes delivered through turnkey developments in the past 12 months. [28972/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Cost information on the delivery of social homes through the various construction streams, is collated by my Department at development level rather than at individual housing unit level. The cost of constructing new homes is dependent on a range of variables, including location, scale of the development and the size and type of the homes involved in individual local authorities.

The table below sets out the average cost in 2021 of social housing delivery across a range of programmes. 

Funding	2021 Average Cost
CALF Turnkey	c.€277,000
CAS Turnkey	c.€231,000
SHCIP Turnkey	c.€256,000

Note 1: The information provided above is based on the financial information available to the Department. Delivery does not necessarily occur in the year of approval or spend and cost information provided may be subject to change. 

Note 2: The CALF figures are based on application details and may be subject to change as the project progresses.  

Note 3: For SHIP Construction projects the averages reflect current Department approved amounts, which may be subject to final adjustment (pending conclusion of contractor final accounts, etc.). The table reflects all-in delivery costs, which include (as applicable) construction costs, along with site / property purchase costs, fees, utilities, site investigations/surveys, local authority in-house fees, public art etc.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (471)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

471. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost for social homes delivered through the acquisitions programme in the past 12 months. [28973/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department supports local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire social housing homes through a number of funding programmes. The Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) allow local authorities and AHBs to recoup 100% of acquisition costs. The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements.

The €70 million revolving Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund (HAA Fund) was established with effect from the 1 January 2017 with the objective of acquiring vacant property portfolios from banks and financial institutions that could then be used for social housing. The fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units, primarily to AHBs, and used for future acquisitions. AHBs can utilise the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to part fund these purchases. The cost to the Department varies depending on the funding mechanisms chosen by the AHB.  The table below sets out the average acquisition cost of social housing properties under the SHIP, CAS, HAA Fund and CALF programmes in 2021. 

SHIP Acquisition Average Cost	€211,000
CAS Acquisition Average Cost 2021	€170,278
CALF Acquisition Average Cost 2021	€268,388
Housing Agency Acquisition Average Cost 2021	€243,854

Note:  The information above is calculated using the financial information available to the Department. Due to the nature of the acquisition programmes, acquisition of housing does not always arise in the same year as expenditure and programmes may cross a number of payment periods. Cost information provided may be subject to change. 

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (472)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

472. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost for affordable homes delivered through the Cost Rental Equity Loan programme in the past 12 months. [28974/22]

Reply awaited from Department.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (473)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

473. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost for affordable homes delivered through the Affordable Housing Fund in the past 12 months. [28975/22]

Reply awaited from Department.

Traveller Accommodation

Ceisteanna (474)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

474. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average unit cost for Traveller accommodation delivered through the Traveller Accommodation Programme. [28976/22]

Freagraí scríofa

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

In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

Traveller-specific accommodation is focused primarily on the provision of group housing schemes and halting sites including the acquisition of properties and the provision of mobiles and caravans in certain circumstances. The timeline for the initiation, design, planning approval, tendering and contract management of Traveller-specific accommodation can take several years with the exception of the acquisition of properties and the provision of mobiles and caravans. Therefore, payments made from the Traveller-specific accommodation budget over the last year in respect of construction projects would not give a reliable indication of average costs, as they may not include all payments from initiation to completion in respect of a sufficient quantity of projects to provide a reliable average cost.

Average costs can be provided for 2021 in respect of the acquisition of homes and the provision of mobiles and caravans. Under the provision of completed acquisitions, the average cost in 2021 was almost €280,000. Under the provision of emergency mobiles/caravans the average cost to my Department was in the region of €11,000 in 2021. This represents 50% of the actual average cost as local authorities fund 50% of the cost under the emergency replacement scheme. Under the provision of mobiles/caravans provided during the Covid emergency response, my Department funded 100% of the costs and the average cost in 2021 was in the region of €33,000.

Defective Building Materials

Ceisteanna (475)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

475. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure to date on the pyrite remediation scheme and the defective block remediation scheme; and the expenditure expected by the end of 2022. [28977/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie. To date, €158.7m has been spent on the scheme since it was established in 2014, this includes €7m in 2022. The Scheme has an allocation of €20m for 2022 and it is expected to spend the remaining €13m by year end.

I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it was estimated at that time would cost approximately €2.2Bn. I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.

Donegal and Mayo County Council have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved. The grant value of applications currently Stage 1 approved under the scheme is approximately €105 million. There is a very significant time lag before Stage 2 submissions are received by local authorities as applicants have their remediation works designed, the works costed by their chosen contractor and planning permission, if required, is secured. Approximately €8.4m has been recouped so far to local authorities.

Budget 2022 provides funding of €40m to fund the operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (476)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

476. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure to date on social housing flat complex regeneration; and the expenditure expected by the end of 2022. [28978/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I understand from clarification received that the Question is seeking information on funding drawn down by Dublin City Council from the Regeneration programme in the 2022 vote, specifically regarding the social housing flat complex regeneration.

The 2022 Vote allocated €50million for the subhead A.15 Estate Regeneration programmes which includes various regeneration programmes in Limerick, Cork City, Dublin City, Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk.

No funding has been drawn down in 2022 to date in respect of flat complex regeneration in Dublin City. However my Department is currently processing a recoupment claim in respect of the ongoing Social Regeneration of Charlemont St, Dolphin House and St Teresa’s Gardens.

There are a number of projects that are currently on site or due for completion in 2022 including O’Devaney Gardens Phase 1A, Dominick St. East, Cornamona Court, and North King Street.  As these project are on previously cleared sites funding is being used from the A.3 SHIP Vote and as such are not drawing down from the A.15 Regeneration subhead.

Following on from reviews of the conditions of their older flat complexes and based on the need to modernise and bring the living conditions up to acceptable levels and as part of their climate action plans, Dublin City Council (DCC) are developing a long term strategy for the redevelopment and/or refurbishment of many of these complexes.  I also understand that DCC have identified 96 of these older flat complexes for redevelopment and/or refurbishment in the years 2022 to 2030. 

A large number of these flat complexes will be effectively rebuilt while others will be refurbished and in some cases will need amalgamations (i.e. two in one) due to unacceptable sizes of some homes.  My Department are considering the most appropriate funding streams to enable these refurbishment/regeneration/replacement projects and will work with Dublin City Council to progress.

My Department have provided Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval for the refurbishment/replacement of Pearse House Phase 1 (April 2021), Constitution Hill (June 2020), Matt Talbot Court (July 2020), Bluebell Phase 1A (June 2021), Constitution Hill (June 2020), Liberties Cluster Phase 1 (August 2021) and Oliver Bond House (March 2022) and Stage 2 Approval for St. Mary’s Dorset St. (July 2021).  My Department are currently assessing submissions in respect of Glover’s Court and a Pilot Amalgamation Project in Ballybough House. My Department looks forward to working with DCC on these important projects.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (477)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

477. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure to date on local authority housing maintenance; and the expenditure expected by the end of 2022. [28979/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.

Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.

Notwithstanding the legal obligations on local authorities to manage and maintain their housing stock, my Department does provide annual funding to local authorities to support their work in this area across various programmes which include Voids, Energy Efficiency, Disabled Persons Grant and Regeneration. Since 2014, over €944 million of exchequer funding has been invested in these local authority housing stock improvement works which are detailed below.

Programme	2014-2021
Voids	€261 million
Energy Efficiency	€160.7 million
DPGs	€112 million
Regeneration	€411 million

Given the very significant investment into the Programmes over recent years, particularly in the Voids programme in 2020 and again in 2021, local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.

To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.

As notified in Circular 18 2022, €5 million in funding has been ring-fenced for Planned Maintenance under this years Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme to support the implementation of an ICT asset management system for the LA sector and to provide a funding contribution for the commencement of stock condition surveys.

Works under the 2022 programmes are underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to output under the various programmes in 2022 will be available early in 2023.

Energy Conservation

Ceisteanna (478)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

478. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure to date on the social housing retrofit programme; and the expenditure expected by the end of 2022 [28980/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Since 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme.

In response to the Programme for Government commitment, my Department launched a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 for local authority owned housing. This new programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. The upscaling of the works included in the programme sees a substantial overall increase in funding being made available for insulation, windows and doors and heating upgrades, specifically the installation of a Heat Pump and associated works. The installation of gas/oil boilers are no longer supported under the energy efficiency programme funded by my Department.

An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.

My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020-2022, the details of which are found below. A further 146 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.

gov.ie - Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme - Expenditure and Units (www.gov.ie).

Earlier this year, my Department announced that funding of €85 million will be provided for the upgrade of approximately 2,400 social homes in 2022. Each local authority received an individual allocation along with a minimum target of homes they are required to retrofit. The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2/Cost Optimum standard.

Work in relation to the 2022 programme is underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 EERP will be available early in 2023.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (479, 507, 514)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

479. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of social housing income limits will be published. [29010/22]

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

507. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will increase the income threshold for social housing support given the increasing cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29601/22]

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

514. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding income thresholds for those trying to avail of social housing; the discussions his Department has had on raising the threshold; his plans to have these limits raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29936/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479, 507 and 514 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 75 of 5 May 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (480, 481)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

480. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage The number of full-time equivalent vacant homes officers by local authority in tabular form. [29018/22]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

481. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 742 of 21 April 2021, the current funding provided for vacant homes officers in each local authority in tabular form; and the proposed changes from after June as referenced in the reply. [29019/22]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.

My Department understand that in 2021 there were in the region of 3 full-time and 34 part-time vacant homes officers working in local authorities. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that it is increasing the funding made available since 2018 from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum from mid-2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer to support the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of vacant homes officers, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.

Local authorities have been requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. I expect that each local authority will have at least one full-time vacant homes officer working in their local authority. Local authorities are continuing with the process of the delivery of the Vacant Homes Officer position on a full-time basis. As this process is ongoing, I will have a full position from local authorities following the delivery timeframe of the end of June. In addition, local authority claims for the increased provision of €60,000 will commence thereafter.

Question No. 481 answered with Question No. 480.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (482, 484)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

482. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the vacant homes schemes and policies are sufficient in addressing the vacant homes issue. [29020/22]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

484. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most recent update provided to him regarding the number of homes applied for through the vacant homes scheme by local authority in tabular form. [29022/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 484 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 97 of 1 June 2022.

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. I am satisfied that the suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock will prove effective in comprehensively addressing vacant homes issues.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (483)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

483. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties in counties Longford and Westmeath that are registered on vacanthomes.ie that have been returned to use. [29021/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is not available in my Department. Local authorities are best placed to identify and collate information on vacant properties returned to residential use in their administrative area. The vacanthomes.ie website has been developed by Mayo County Council on behalf of the local government sector to assist local authorities in recording levels of vacancy.  The website provides a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant properties and alert local authorities who can then follow up with the owners to see whether the property can be used for residential purposes. The information contact details on the website is through either a form on its contact page or using the email [e-mail].

Question No. 484 answered with Question No. 482.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (485)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

485. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish the independent report in relation to the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29069/22]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Strategic Action Plan for the renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the accompanying reports were published in full on 4 May 2022.

The complete documentation, including the submissions received during the Public Consultation, are available at www.gov.ie/en/publications and at www.npws.ie/news.

Departmental Bodies

Ceisteanna (486)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

486. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the divisions and units that operate within his Department; the agencies that operate under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29095/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The business of my Department is conducted through 10 Divisions. Full details of the Divisions and the units within them are available at: https://whodoeswhat.gov.ie/root/housing/.

Details of the bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached table.

Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

An Bord Pleanála

Housing Finance Agency

The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency

Ervia

- Irish Water

- Gas Networks Ireland

Local Government Management Agency

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Property Registration Authority

Residential Tenancies Board

Valuation Office

Valuation Tribunal

Land Development Agency

Office of the Planning Regulator

Pyrite Resolution Board

National Oversight and Audit Commission

Water Advisory Body

An Fóram Uisce

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

Waterways Ireland

Heritage Council

Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum

Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (487)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

487. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount in the capital budget as set out in table 11 of the Stability Programme Update 2022 that is designated for housing that is for building social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29163/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The capital expenditure provision for my Department in 2022 as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2022 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and available at https://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/ is €3,403m.

The breakdown of this capital allocation by Programme is set out below:

PROGRAMME	2022 GROSS CAPITAL PROVISION €m
Housing	2,256
Water	876
Local Government	24
Planning	155
Met Éireann	14
Heritage	78
TOTAL	3,403

These provisions will be used to advance capital investment across a range of programme areas within my Department’s remit. 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, including an annual average of 10,000 social homes from 2022 to 2030. Funding of almost €4 billion is available in 2022 to deliver capital and current 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.

In relation to capital ceilings for 2023-2025, these are outlined in the National Development Plan published by DPER. See link below:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/774e2-national-development-plan-2021-2030/.

Homeless Accommodation

Ceisteanna (488)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

488. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing family hubs for families experiencing homelessness in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29164/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My 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.   

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, including family hubs, 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 to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless families and individuals in their administrative area and the funding requirements for 2023 will be considered in this context.    

Financial reports from each of the regions, setting out expenditure incurred on homeless services in 2021 are available and published on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.

 

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (489)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

489. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of expanding the Housing First Programme to families experiencing homelessness including in that cost the provision of wraparound services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29165/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing First recognises that a stable home provides the basis for recovery in other areas. With Housing First, the priority is to support a person who has experienced homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without any preconditions around addiction or mental health treatment. Then, intensive work continues on these issues once they are housed. Housing First has been a key element of Government homelessness policy.  

The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).  

The cost of increasing the targets for Housing First would be dependent on the numbers of individuals requiring these supports, the level of support required and where the individuals are located. In this regard, it is important to note that the majority of individuals and families in emergency accommodation do not require the level of supports provided by Housing First. In terms of the costs of funding such an expansion of the Housing First programme my Department does not hold that specific data.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (490)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

490. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if rent supplement payments are a reckonable income when assessing eligibility for social housing supports given that no published guidelines give a definitive answer. [29179/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

Under the Household Means Policy, which was revised in March 2021, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

Rent Supplement is a short-term housing payment, for eligible people living in private rented accommodation, which would be discontinued where an applicant receives long-term social housing support. Accordingly, local authorities may disregard rent supplement when assessing a social housing application. 

Interest Rates

Ceisteanna (491)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

491. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in 2021 in each of the preceding years in which such charges were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29208/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The requested information is not available within my Department. However, it would be available from the State bodies under the aegis of my Department, and the dedicated e-mail addresses for members of the Oireachtas in respect of each such State body are as set out in tabular form below.

State Body	Contact E-mail Address
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]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Water Advisory Body	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]