David Cullinane
Ceist:8. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for addressing rising homelessness figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHomeless Persons Supports
Ceisteanna (8, 13)
Mark Ward
Ceist:13. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to homelessness and, in particular, the rising levels of family homelessness and the lack of homeless temporary accommodation in the past 12 months. [32748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 13 together.
The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation throughout the country is a serious concern. The Government, local authorities and others are making every effort to reduce homelessness. Key to this is the delivery of new social housing and boosting overall supply.
The Government is investing significantly in social and affordable housing, with record funding allocated for current and capital investment in housing this year alone. This year funding is in place to deliver 11,800 social homes, including 9,000 new build homes, thus building on the progress made last year when 9,183 new social homes were provided, a 17% increase on 2020.
More specifically, I have established the National Homeless Action Committee with initial key priorities being the advancement of additional measures to prevent Homelessness and the Youth Homelessness Strategy. The Committee will meet again in early July to further advance these measures.
I am working with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide for an increase in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discretion rate to 35% and to expand the couple’s rate to single persons for new tenancies. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.
My Department has undertaken a review of Housing Delivery Action Plans which were submitted by local authorities. These have included specific provision for one-bed units which are critical for exits for single homeless people, and for the delivery of 4-bed units, which are key in supporting exits from homelessness for larger families.
There will be a new Voids programme for 2022 with an emphasis on quick turnaround and re-letting of vacant social housing stock. In addition, the Government has recently approved a pilot expansion of the Repair and Leasing scheme which will open the scheme to a wider range of owners, by removing the criteria that a property owner must be unable to fund or access funding to bring former vacant commercial and institutional buildings back into use. These measures will make more properties available to be allocated to people on the social housing waiting list, including those in emergency accommodation.
Recently, I also reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions that meet certain criteria. This will allow local authorities more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness.
It is acknowledged that there are currently severe pressures on access to emergency accommodation in certain areas of the country, which local authorities are working to address. My Department are liaising with Regional Homeless Leads and local authorities, and resources will not be an obstacle to the urgent efforts required.
We are providing more social homes, we are completing more homes in general and we have a strong pipeline of homes commenced. This supply activity, as well as targeted measures specifically centred on homelessness, will allow us to meet the challenge of eradicating homelessness.
Questions Nos. 9 and 10 answered orally.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (11)
Colm Burke
Ceist:11. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding to local authorities for the adaptation of homes for older persons and persons with disabilities will be reviewed given the rising costs of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32889/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My 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 reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is now underway within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these this week in relation to the review of the suite of grants. I have met a number of these groups and understand the issues that people with a disability are experiencing when trying to find suitable accommodation options in the current market.
Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022. Once the review is completed full consideration will be given to its contents. Following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, proposals for any recommended revisions to the existing scheme will be brought to Government.
Question No. 12 answered orally.
Question No. 13 answered with Question No. 8.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (14)
David Cullinane
Ceist:14. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to deliver public and affordable housing in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026.
In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026 and in March I issued local authority targets for affordable purchase and cost-rental. The targets for Waterford County Council include the delivery of 1,057 new build social homes, 46 social homes through long-term leasing and 76 affordable homes between 2022 and 2026. Waterford City and County Council have already funding approved to support the delivery of 119 affordable purchase homes under advance purchase arrangements, exceeding their targeted level of affordable delivery.
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022 - 2026. All local authorities submitted their Housing Delivery Action Plans to me in December and my Department is now working closely with the local authorities to review and finalise the Plans, having regard to the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans will be published by local authorities before the end of Quarter 2.
The First Home Scheme to support affordable purchases of new homes in the private market will operate nationwide. Targeted at First Time Buyers or those eligible under the Government’s ‘Fresh Start’ principle, the Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders, and will be launched in the coming weeks. It will improve access to newly-built homes by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. The homes must be priced within regional price ceilings which will reflect the median prices paid by First Time Buyers for new homes in each area, so this is an intervention to support homeownership in the lower region of the market.
Question No. 15 answered orally.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (16)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:16. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for new social and affordable housing in the Cavan and Monaghan areas for 2022; and the progress that has been made in reaching those targets to date. [32961/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026. For 2022, Cavan has a target to deliver 150 new build social homes and Monaghan has a target to deliver 125 new build social homes.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by all local authorities. This data is available to the end of 2021, and is published on the Local Authority Housing Scheme Statistics page of my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/). Data for Q1 2022 social housing delivery is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
Local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Action Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. In counties without affordable delivery targets, including Cavan and Monaghan, where localised affordability challenges in key towns arise they can still apply to my Department for funding to develop affordable housing schemes where they can demonstrate that an affordable scheme is needed to address those localised affordability challenges and they can meet the criteria for the Affordable Housing Fund.
The First Home Scheme to support affordable purchases of new homes in the private market will operate nationwide and so will encompass Cavan and Monaghan. Targeted at First Time Buyers or those eligible under the Government’s ‘Fresh Start’ principle, the Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders, and will be launched in the coming weeks. It will improve access to newly-built homes by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. The homes must be priced within regional price ceilings which will reflect the median prices paid by First Time Buyers for new homes in each area, so this is an intervention to support homeownership in the lower region of the market.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (17)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:17. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding progress on the appointment of biodiversity officers at a local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure that each local authority has a sufficient number of biodiversity officers and heritage officers among their staff complement. The role of a biodiversity officer is prescribed at local level by the employing local authority. Biodiversity officers are the public face of biodiversity-related activities within the local authority, commissioning biodiversity surveys, implementing community related projects to improve the status of biodiversity in the local authority area, and organising relevant public events. Biodiversity officers advise local authorities in relation to their obligations with regard to national and local biodiversity policies, programmes and priorities.
There are currently five biodiversity officers employed in the following local authorities:
Fingal County Council;
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Dublin City Council
Galway City Council
Kerry County Council.
My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in the important role they play in the implementation of actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. In that context, €600k has been allocated in 2022 towards the programme, with six officers to be recruited this year and a further roll out in 2023/24. The programme is currently under development and will be delivered by the Heritage Council and County and City Management Association, with the support of my Department. Expressions of interest for participation in the pilot will be advertised by the Heritage Council in early July and it is expected that participating Local Authorities will begin recruiting in August.
Wastewater Treatment
Ceisteanna (18)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:18. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to address cases of untreated wastewater entering streams and rivers. [32968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in waste water treatment plants and returning treated waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.
The EPA is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Irish Water and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.
The direct discharge of untreated sewage to the environment is clearly not a tenable situation, and one which I earnestly wish to see addressed as soon as possible. When Irish Water was established in 2014, they inherited a system in need of very significant improvement.
In this regard, the National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits to almost €6 billion in capital investment by Irish Water in the period from 2021-2025, of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services. As part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of over €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water.
In April 2022 I announced €50 million in funding from the NDP to provide waste water facilities in areas not serviced with waste water collection and treatment systems. The EU funded National Recovery and Resilience Programme includes the €20m River Basin Management Plan Enhanced Ambition Programme which aims to complete 10 small waste water treatment plants.
This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (19)
David Stanton
Ceist:19. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if community buildings will be included in proposed changes to planning rules to facilitate the easier installation of solar photovoltaic panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32887/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, in the context of the Climate Action Plan and in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has undertaken a review of the solar planning exemptions set out in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. This review is now complete. Included in the exemptions set out in the Regulations are those applying to the installation of solar infrastructure on a variety of building types, including houses, businesses, industrial and agricultural to which specific conditions are attached. Substantial changes to the current planning exemption thresholds for solar are proposed, as well as the introduction of new classes of solar panel planning exemptions for apartments and educational/community/religious buildings.
A public consultation on the draft solar regulations as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process was launched on 15 June 2022. The consultation will run until 13 July 2022. Further information in relation to the consultation, including the full suite of documentation such as the SEA Environmental Report and details regarding how to make a submission, is available on my Department’s website. Written submissions or observations will be taken into consideration before the finalisation of the draft regulations.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (20)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:20. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new sites identified by the Land Development Agency. [33218/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In addition to the initial and active strategic sites the Land Development Agency (LDA) are working on, Housing for All identified a further 20 sites for transfer to the LDA with the potential to deliver up to 15,000 homes.
The sites include CIE lands at Inchicore Works, the Broadstone Garage, Conyngham Road Garage and Colbert Station Environs in Limerick. There are also sites identified at Dublin Port, Cork Port and Limerick Docklands.
A number of these sites are deemed suitable to progress to design and planning and transfer, subject to achieving statutory consents and agreement on lands transfer. Others are large and complex and/or in operational use. These require further inputs such as master planning, enabling works and relocation of existing operations before the LDA can make applications for statutory consents or before development on all or part of a site area. All the relevant land-owning Departments and Agencies have been requested to engage fully with the LDA.
To expedite the increased supply of housing and ensure that every effort is made to identify state lands which can be utilised to increase the supply of housing over the long-term, it is vital that those Departments that manage large property portfolios engage with the LDA without delay.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (21)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:21. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has details in relation to the progress update announced by him on 9 June 2022 in relation to planning measures introduced a year ago by county, or by constituency of where the 15,883 homes are located; the sort of builds they are for example apartments and houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One year after the introduction of the Section 28 Guidelines measure, my Department has undertaken a review of the planning measures introduced.
In summary by 18 May 2022, this condition had been applied to a combined total of 15,883 residential units. This included a total of 7,988 house and duplex units across 23 Strategic Housing Development planning permissions approved by An Bord Pleanála’s and 7,895 residential units in applications approved by 23 local authorities. The condition was not applied by the remaining eight local authorities.
I will arrange for details of the number of houses and duplex units covered by planning approvals to which the planning condition prohibiting multiple sales applied to be circulated with the official record.
My Department will undertake a further review of the application of the conditions in Q4 of this year.
|
Planning Authority
|
Number of Units to which planning condition attached |
|
An Bord Pleanála (SHDs) |
7,988 |
|
Fingal County Council |
1,417 |
|
Cork County Council |
1,318 |
|
Cork City Council |
547 |
|
Kildare County Council |
752 |
|
Meath County Council |
740 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
559 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
356 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown Council |
350 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
301 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
253 |
|
Kerry County Council |
210 |
|
Galway City Council |
204 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
188 |
|
Sligo County Council |
157 |
|
Galway County Council |
125 |
|
Offaly County Council |
120 |
|
Clare County Council |
98 |
|
Dublin City Council |
91 |
|
Laois County Council |
62 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
62 |
|
Louth County Council |
55 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
30 |
|
Donegal County Council |
25 |
|
Carlow County Council |
0 |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
|
Mayo County Council |
0 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
0 |
|
Wexford County Council |
0 |
Urban Development
Ceisteanna (22)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:22. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to maximise public greenspace in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The identification and implementation of greenbelts and green spaces at a regional and city scale is a matter for regional assemblies and local authorities, through the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (including Metropolitan Area Spatial Plans) and City/County Development Plans. Guidance in relation to provision and design of open space at the local level is set out in the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas – Guidelines for Planning Authorities published by my Department in 2009 (and supplemented by the Urban Design Manual also published by my Department in 2009).
My Department is currently working towards developing detailed guidelines in relation to sustainable settlement and best practice urban design, which will incorporate the 2009 Guidelines and Manual. The proposed sustainable settlement guidance will seek to address key issues in relation to the creation of an accessible and interconnected network of open space which responds to natural features and provides a range of active and passive spaces to support the development of sustainable and amenable neighbourhoods that promote a high quality of life for its residents.
The Guidelines will further underpin and support the preparation of statutory development plans by planning authority undertaken in accordance with sections 9-13 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). Specifically Section 10(2) of the Act and the First Schedule thereto provides that a development plan shall include objectives for wide range of issues that will support the achievement of NPO 62 which is a critical Objective of the National Planning Framework. NPO 62 directs that we, "Identify and strengthen the value of greenbelts and green spaces at a regional and city scale, to enable enhanced connectivity to wider strategic networks, prevent coalescence of settlements and to allow for the long-term strategic expansion of urban areas."
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (23)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:23. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether there are enough safeguards in place to prevent mass eviction of tenants from private rental accommodation; if the Tyrrellstown Amendment which provides that a landlord may not sell more than ten properties in a single development except with the tenants remaining in situ, other than in exceptional circumstances, is sufficient and being adequately enforced to ensure that such mass evictions do not take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to re-affirm that a tenant can refer a dispute to the RTB as to the validity of a notice of termination. A tenant, or the RTB itself, can also instigate an RTB investigation into possible improper conduct by a landlord, including in respect of a contravention of tenancy termination procedures, and impose a sanction of up to €30,000, if warranted.
Section 35A of the Residential Tenancies Acts (known as the ‘Tyrrelstown amendment’) provides that where a landlord proposes to sell 10 or more units within a single development at the same time, that sale is subject to the existing tenants remaining in situ, other than in exceptional circumstances. The ‘Tyrrelstown amendment’ was carefully drafted to promote security of tenure in the interest of the common social good.
The provision strikes a balance, between a landlord’s right to sell their property and achieve fair return on their investment, and a tenant’s right to security of tenure. The commercial reality is that there is generally a lower market value for a property sold with tenants in situ.
Any proposal to remove the landlord’s right to terminate a tenancy in the case of every rental property being sold would carry with it a risk of a constitutional challenge.
Furthermore, in May 2021 the Government introduced a series of measures designed to prohibit the bulk buying of houses and duplexes. This included the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities “Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing” to planning authorities which aimed to prevent multiple units being sold to a single buyer. In addition a 10% stamp duty levy was introduced for the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12 month period.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (24, 85, 211)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm the new HAP rates, the new uplifts and the new homeless HAP rates given his recent announcement to raise the rates by 35%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pa Daly
Ceist:85. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views in relation to the recent changes to homeless housing assistance payment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32409/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Paul Murphy
Ceist:211. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the level of housing assistance payments given the findings of the latest EU survey on income and living conditions on household poverty among those dependent on housing supports. [24511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 85 and 211 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of 2021, over 100,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 61,900 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Local authorities have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.
Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked to undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of the 20% discretion available to local authorities under the HAP scheme is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.
Following this analysis, I am working with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide for an increase in the HAP discretion rate to 35% and, for new tenancies, to expand the couple’s rate to single persons where required. Further details will be available when the engagement process is complete. These changes will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (25, 77)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will indicate given the increasing demand and pressure for housing, the extent, if any, to which he might look at the housing requirements on a county basis with a view to appointing professional builders on contract to the respective local authorities to provide and accelerate a housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent, if any, to which he might accelerate the Housing for All programme in such a way as to reflect the increased demand from the indigenous population as well as asylum seekers and the necessity to ensure that the requirements of all are reflected in a rapid response which might involve identification of limitations imposed through lack of infrastructure such as wastewater, electricity, potable water or other infrastructure including procurement which might be holding up any such programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 77 together.
Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of homes to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The Plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years. This will provide the sector with the stability and certainty it needs.
Housing for All is set out across four pathways to addressing the most pressing housing challenges facing the State:
1. Pathway to Supporting homeownership and Increasing Affordability
2. Pathway to Eradicating Homelessness, Increasing Social Housing Delivery and Supporting Social Inclusion
3. Pathway to Increasing New Housing Supply
4. Pathway to Addressing vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock
These pathways are underpinned by long-term actions to address systemic challenges. It is a whole-of-Government Plan which aims to create a housing system which has environmental, social and economic sustainability at its heart and which meets the needs of all.
Importantly, a comprehensive implementation and reporting framework is well established to assess how the actions under the Plan are progressing. These structures include political oversight, via the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Housing, the Housing for All Secretary General Delivery Group, and dedicated Workstreams, all of which monitor delivery of the Plan and recommend any adjustments to priorities, as required, on an ongoing basis.
Progress reports are published quarterly. The fourth of these reports, covering progress in Q2 2022 is due for publication in July. These reports can be accessed on www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
I acknowledge that the capacity of Local Authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects requires the resourcing of their housing services. In this regard, I have sanctioned over 250 additional Local Authority posts, which are in the process of being filled across housing delivery teams in order to deliver on Housing for All's ambition. Key supports are also being provided through the Housing Delivery Co-Ordination Office (HDCO), which has been established within the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), to provide co-ordination of Local Authority housing activities. In addition, The Housing Agency’s Procurement and Delivery Unit is also being expanded to provide technical services and supports to Local Authorities, including in procurement, design and modern methods of construction.
Housing cannot be delivered unless we have the supporting critical infrastructure, including transport, communication services and utility connections. A sustainable housing system requires strong integration between housing developments and the surrounding infrastructure and the move to plan-led development in this Plan will support this integrated system.
Transport infrastructure and access to public transport services are a critical enablers of new housing supply. A well-functioning housing system should be supported by transport routes. Together, my Department and the Department of Transport, along with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the LDA, aim to bring public transport to as many people as possible through better land-use and transport planning, to meet the National Planning Framework objective of ‘compact growth’. In this regard, a working group has been established to consider opportunities for transport-led development in major urban centres.
For their part, Irish Water are supporting the delivery of Housing for All through a number of actions, including the timely delivery of housing connections. Irish Water’s Connections and Developer Services team is responsible for the end-to-end customer management of all connections to the Irish Water network. The team partners with industry and supports Government housing and planning policies to provide an efficient national connection service to all those developing property. Early engagement with the Irish Water Pre-Connection Enquiry service by those seeking connection to the Irish Water network is critical to ascertaining the capacity of the public water services to facilitate the proposed network connection.
Increasing housing supply is at the core of Housing for All. Indications of increased construction activity are becoming evident which will help increase the availability of homes across all tenures.
This year, the Government’s target under Housing for All is 24,600 new homes. In the 12 months to the end of March 2022, a total of 22,219 new homes were completed. In the past 12 months (June 2021 to May 2022), Commencement Notices for 30,233 new homes were received. In addition, latest CSO figures show planning permissions for all residential dwellings are up 22.7% in the year ending Q1 2022 (44,491) when compared to the same time period to Q1 2021 (36,252). Together, the figures point to a substantial uplift in new housing supply in the coming years, as we increase output to average of at least 33,000 new homes per year. This increase in supply will be key to meeting demand, moderating price inflation, and addressing affordability for those wishing to rent or buy their own home.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (26)
James O'Connor
Ceist:26. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for new social and affordable housing in the east Cork area for 2022; and the progress that has been made in reaching those targets to date. [32960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026 and in March I issued local authority targets for affordable purchase and cost-rental. Cork County Council has a target to deliver 560 social homes and 10 affordable purchase or cost rental homes in 2022.
It is a matter for each local authority to determine the location of social and affordable housing projects, having regard to the identified need. A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022 - 2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. All local authorities submitted their Housing Delivery Action Plans to me in December and my Department is now working closely with the local authorities to review and finalise the Plans, having regard to the targets and policy objectives set out in Housing for All. The Plans will be published by local authorities before the end of Quarter 2.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by all local authorities. This data is available to the end of 2021, and is published on the Local Authority Housing Scheme Statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Data for Quarter 1 2022 social housing delivery is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
I would also mention that the First Home Scheme to support affordable purchases of new homes in the private market will operate nationwide. Targeted at First Time Buyers or those eligible under the Government’s ‘Fresh Start’ principle, the Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders, and will be launched in the coming weeks. It will improve access to newly-built homes by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. The homes must be priced within regional price ceilings which will reflect the median prices paid by First Time Buyers for new homes in each area, so this is an intervention to support homeownership in the lower region of the market.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (27, 37, 79)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:27. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he aims for the proposed revisions to the existing planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses to be implemented. [32958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:37. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with his Cabinet colleagues to ensure schools can erect solar panels without the need for planning permission. [28008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Matt Carthy
Ceist:79. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe in which he intends to introduce new regulations to provide exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission with regard to the installation of solar panels on farms; and the intended timeframe with regard to supplementary regulations intended to reduce proposed restriction zones. [33081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 37 and 79 together.
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. Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Included in the planning exemptions set out in the Regulations are those applying to the installation of solar infrastructure on a variety of building types, including houses, businesses, industrial and agricultural to which specific conditions are attached.
My Department, in the context of the Climate Action Plan and in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has undertaken a review of the solar panel planning exemptions set out in the Regulations, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. This review is now complete. Substantial changes to the current planning exemption thresholds for solar panels are proposed, including those relating to the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses and agricultural structures, as well as the introduction of new classes of solar panel planning exemptions for apartments and educational/community/religious buildings.
The draft regulations have been reviewed under the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive and it has been determined that they are likely to have significant effects on the environment, necessitating the undertaking of a full SEA on the draft proposals. The draft regulations have also been screened for Appropriate Assessment (AA) under the Habitats Directive by my Department’s Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) and the need for AA has been screened out.
A public consultation on the draft solar regulations as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process was launched on 15 June 2022. The consultation will run until 13 July 2022. Further information in relation to the consultation, including the full suite of documentation such as the SEA Environmental Report and details regarding how to make a submission, is available on my Department’s website at the following: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/3813e-public-consultation-on-the-draft-planning-and-development-act-2000-exempted-development-no-3-regulations-2022-and-the-draft-planning-and-development-solar-safeguarding-zone-regulations-2022-solar-exemptions/. Written submissions or observations will be taken into consideration before the finalisation of the draft regulations.
As required under planning legislation, the proposed exempted development regulations must be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas and receive a positive resolution from both Houses before they can be made and the SEA process concluded. Accordingly, the process for finalising the solar panel planning exemptions will be completed in the coming months.
While these regulations are out for public consultation, my Department is concurrently examining the scope to draft supplementary regulations to further expand the exemptions by way of reducing the proposed solar safeguarding zones around airports.
Gaeltacht Policy
Ceisteanna (28)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised guidelines on planning matters in the Gaeltacht; the status of the working group established to examine planning policy in the Gaeltacht; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the dates of all meetings of the group to date; when the next meeting is scheduled for; if the group will produce a final report; the expected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department convened a working group in May 2021 of last year to examine various aspects of the planning process in all Gaeltacht areas.
Membership of this group is made up of representatives from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the eight relevant local authorities.
The Group’s Terms of Reference specify that the Group shall:
- Provide a forum for the discussion of identified issues related to the operation of the planning system within Gaeltacht areas. This shall initially focus on:
1. Examining the system of referrals of planning applications for development, received by the local authorities, to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Údarás na Gaeltachta for comment;
2. The use of agreed and consistent language standards in the planning process
- The Group shall also formulate proposals to address items (i) and (ii) above in order to ensure the more effective and efficient operation of the development management process.
- Finally, it also states that it shall consider additional further issues, as may be identified, to be examined by the Group subsequent to the above, by agreement between the Group members.
In conjunction with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Údarás na Gaeltachta, my Department officials intend to reconvene this group in the near future. While the Terms of Reference do not envisage the publication of a report or conclusion of the work by a specific timeline, proposals from this working group will be presented to the Minister upon the conclusion of its work.
I would also like to advise that to support and accelerate this work, a separate Interdepartmental Group is in place with officials from my Department engaging with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Údarás na Gaeltachta in relation to planning in Gaeltacht areas as it relates to the implementation of the above provisions in particular.
One of the key aims of this interdepartmental group is to ensure that procedures and systems will be tailored, as appropriate to facilitate an effective and consistent approach by the relevant local authorities in managing planning related issues in Gaeltacht areas.
The interdepartmental group has been examining how current practices in the application of these provisions could be strengthened in the overall interest of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development, underpinned by a policy which the Department Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is current developing. It is intended that this policy will provide the clarity and guidance needed in order to integrate the required changes to effect greater consistency and fairness in the planning system as well as providing assistance to the Local Authorities concerned. This policy is critical to the development of the Section 28 Guidelines for planning in Gaeltacht Areas which my Department will be commencing later this year.
The most recent meeting of the interdepartmental group was held on 24th May 2022 in the offices of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in Na Forbacha. In total, the Departments have met 6 times since February 2021.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (29)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the cap of €30,000 on the Housing Adaptation Grants given of the increased costs in building and supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My 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 reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is now underway within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these this week in relation to the review of the suite of grants.
Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022. Once I receive the completed review I will give full consideration to its contents and, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I will bring proposals for any recommended revisions to the existing scheme to Government.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (30, 53)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:30. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will include members of an organisation (details supplied) in the consultative group which regularly meets with advisors from his Department to discuss proposals for a new defective concrete block redress scheme. [32867/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:53. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposed defective concrete block redress scheme will be operational. [32866/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 53 together.
I received Government approval for the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June 2022.
The purpose of this Bill is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Key features of the General Scheme can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
A meeting took place on Monday 20 June, 2022 between representatives from my Department and the Clare Pyrite Action Committee to discuss the enhanced scheme, the forthcoming Bill and the inclusion of County Clare under the enhanced scheme effective from its commencement date. To operationalise the scheme Regulations will be required along with the establishment of a 10 person Appeal Panel and various prescribed documents and forms which will be required by the Housing Agency and designated local authorities who act as administrators of the scheme. I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.