Written Answers Nos. 31-51
31. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the introduction of a derelict property tax; if any research has been carried out by his Department into this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32910/22]
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. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the 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 has been in contact with the Local Government Management Agency in relation to the nomination of relevant local authority officials to participate in this review.
There is currently no proposal to replace the derelict site levy with a tax. However, action 15.2 of Housing for All commits to the introduction of a new tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes, to replace the current Vacant Site Levy. In this connection, the new Residential Zoned Land Tax was introduced by the Minister for Finance in the Finance Act 2021. The purpose of the proposed measure is to incentivise the activation of land which is zoned and serviced for residential development, but remains undeveloped, thereby assisting in increasing housing output, rather than to raise revenue.
32. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on affordable and social housing across Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 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 include the delivery of 17,748 new build social homes, 2,488 social leased homes and 5,285 affordable and cost rental homes across the four Dublin local authorities in the period 2022-2026.
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.
33. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce regulations to promote renovation over demolition and reconstruction of buildings to ensure that embodied carbon emissions are reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmbodied Carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings. The operational carbon emissions for heating, lighting and other services have been significantly reduced in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). These NZEB regulations apply to all new buildings including social and affordable housing developments. Currently these embodied carbon emissions are addressed in the Climate Action Plan and the Construction Products Regulation.
In addition my Department has issued design guidelines for sustainable housing which includes recommendations to have due regard for the environmental impact of construction materials. These guidelines “Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities” are available on my Department’s website at the following link. www.gov.ie/en/publication/24d9e-quality-housing-for-sustainable-communities-design-guidelines/.
Under the Climate Action Plan the Office of Public Works are putting in place a roadmap to promote greater use of lower-carbon building material alternatives in construction and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are carrying out a research and development project to examine life cycle analysis and embedded energy in buildings to compare the use of sustainable materials.
Under Housing for All the following suite of measures and relevant targets under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes:
- The establishment of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund which will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way. It is proposed that this Fund will provide 2,000 home/sites by 2025.
- A new local authority-led programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
- A new Town Centre First policy which I launched on 4 February 2022 providing a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres
These are supported by the prioritisation of compact growth through the National Planning Framework (NPF).
Compact growth means targeting a greater proportion of development to take place in settlements of all sizes, through urban infill and the re-use of brownfield lands. Through compact growth, the NPF effectively sets out recycling rates for the reuse of brownfield land, by requiring 40% of new housing nationally, to be built within infill and brownfield lands and encourages reuse of existing building stock (50% of development in the five cities where 50% of future development is to take place and 30% elsewhere, where the other 50% of development is targeted).
As an action of the Climate Action Plan, my Department is currently preparing a guidance document on ‘Improving the Energy Efficiency of Traditional Buildings’. The guidance will be aimed primarily at providing advice to retrofit specifiers and installers on fabric improvements and reducing the operational energy of existing buildings of traditional solid-walled construction. However, it will also draw attention to consideration of the full environmental impact of the works, the embodied emissions of materials used and the use of Life Cycle Assessment to calculate the total carbon footprint of a building project.
As part of the implementation of the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage 2019, my Department is currently exploring the feasibility of developing a Life Cycle Assessment tool specifically for existing, traditional and historic buildings.
The review of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (known as the Constructions Products Regulations or “the CPR”) was confirmed by the European green deal in December 2019 and the circular economy action plan in March 2020. In parallel, the European Commission initiated discussion on an implementation plan for a future environmental life cycle assessment framework for construction products, looking at the impacts on the wider environment that occur during the whole life cycle of a construction product. The objective is to identify the strategic issues that need to be addressed with a view to the implementation of Basic Works Requirement 7 ‘Sustainable Use of Natural Resources’ (BWR7) in the context of the current and the future revision to the Construction Products Regulation.
Ireland will be obliged to follow this harmonised procedure via harmonised technical specifications for construction products, when a consensus of approach emerges. In that regard, it would be counter to harmonisation to develop national rules for matters covered by the Internal Market regulation.
34. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the rising number of evictions; his plans to deal with these; if he will consider a reintroduction of an outright ban as an emergency measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reinstate the eviction ban, given the month on month increase in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a rent freeze to take cost of living pressures of workers and families and to stop them entering homelessness. [32747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 40 and 78 together.
The Government needs to strike a balance between restricting the level of rents that tenants are paying and keeping ordinary landlords in the system.
A blanket rent freeze will simply not grow, or maintain, the supply of much needed accommodation in the rental market. It is highly likely that a blanket ban on rent increases for a significant duration would be the subject of a legal challenge and would almost certainly deter continued investment in the rental accommodation market.
Having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of Covid-19 and in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effect of the spread of that disease, the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided for a temporary moratorium on tenancy terminations, other than in exceptional and limited cases during the emergency period from 27 March 2020 to 1 August 2020.
I have no plans to introduce a ban on evictions, as to do so would constitute an unjust interference in landlords constitutional property rights and could discourage landlords staying in the rental market.
The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation is a serious concern. The Government, local authorities, approved housing bodies (AHBs) and others are making every effort to reduce homelessness, and while significant work has been done there is still more to do.
I have established the National Homeless Action Committee, and I have asked them to prioritise the issue of homelessness prevention and to look at all further avenues of addressing this. The Committee includes representation from the local authority and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) sector.
My Department also funds Threshold’s National Tenancy Protection Service, which has proven to be instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and supporting people to remain in their homes.
The most effective way to increase exits from homelessness in the medium to long term is to increase supply, particularly of social housing, and to accelerate supply of housing over the next decade. Under Housing for All , the Government’s national housing plan to 2030, the Government is committed to providing 47,600 new-build social homes by the end of 2026, and 90,000 social homes by 2030. In terms of social housing delivery, last year, 9,183 new social homes were provided, a 17% increase on 2020.
Housing for All provides funding and commits to delivering 36,000 affordable homes for purchase and 18,000 Cost Rental homes up to 2030. Underpinned by the Affordable Housing Act 2021, these affordable homes will be delivered through local authorities, AHBs, the Land Development Agency (LDA), the First Home shared equity scheme and the expansion of the Part V planning requirements. Over 4,000 Affordable homes are targeted for delivery in 2022, with targets increasing incrementally in subsequent years. An average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year are targeted for delivery up to 2030. These will be delivered by AHBs, supported by the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), the LDA and by local authorities supported by the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). 50 purpose-built Cost Rental homes, with cost rents of €1,200 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, have been tenanted by the Tuath and Respond AHBs at Enniskerry Road, in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The tenanting and allocation process is underway for a further 123 Cost Rental homes across 4 sites in Dublin and Kildare which are due to be tenanted by the end of June.
Following the success of the Voids Programme which delivered over 6,000 units in 2020 and 2021, there is a new Voids Programme for 2022 with an emphasis on quick turnaround and re-letting of vacant social housing stock to those on social housing waiting lists, including those in emergency accommodation.
Significant progress is already being made under Housing for All to accelerate supply and recent commencement figures are encouraging. In the past 12 months (June 2021 to May 2022), Commencement Notices for 30,233 new homes were received. On a rolling 12-month basis, the total number of homes for which Commencement Notices were received is 18.5% higher than the previous 12-month period of June 2020 to May 2021. All additional measures that we can take to address the rise in homelessness are being actively pursued.
35. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the regeneration of social housing and flat complexes in inner city of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32979/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that tenants in social housing are provided with adequate housing that meets the standards most recently laid down in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. My Department is actively engaging with the local authority sector to promote the preventative maintenance of local authority housing stock and provides significant funding for stock improvement works.
In addition to funding provided by the local authorities themselves in respect of their own housing stock, my Department provides funding across a number of programmes to support the local authority work to maintain and improve their social housing stock. In all cases, it is the local authorities that identify priorities.
Following on from reviews of the conditions of their older flat complexes and based on the need to modernise the living conditions and as part of their climate action plans, Dublin City Council are developing a long term strategy for the redevelopment and/or refurbishment of many of these complexes. I also understand the Council has 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 the sizes of some homes. My Department is considering the most appropriate funding streams to enable these refurbishment/ regeneration/replacement projects and will work with Dublin City Council to progress.
My Department has provided Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval for the refurbishment/replacement of Pearse House Phase 1, Constitution Hill, Matt Talbot Court, Bluebell Phase 1A, Liberties Cluster Phase 1 and Oliver Bond House, Glover’s Court and Stage 2 Approval for St. Mary’s Dorset St. My Department is also currently assessing a submission in respect of a Pilot Amalgamation Project in Ballybough House.
My Department looks forward to working with DCC on these important projects.
36. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to assist communities in improving wastewater infrastructure. [32967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government supports the uptake of Irish Water's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024, which will provide water and waste water growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Irish Water's capital investment plan. I understand from Irish Water that an allocation of almost €100 million for this programme was approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Irish Water is working with local authorities across the country to ensure the investment supports the growth of identified settlements, where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.
In addition, I announced funding on 28 April 2022 for a new funding measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. Details of the announcement can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f2fa6-minister-obrien-announces-50-million-in-funding-to-improve-the-waste-water-needs-of-rural-villages/.
An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the period 2021 to 2025 for the new measure. Details of the scheme, including terms and conditions and the relevant accompanying documents are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#waste-water-collection-and-treatment-needs-for-villages-and-settlements-without-access-to-public-waste-water-services. It is now open to all local authorities to submit applications for funding and I encourage them to do so. Completed applications should be submitted in advance of the deadline of 15 September, 2022.
38. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the report he requested into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures by the Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála in relation to certain Decisions of that Board and related matters is on track to be delivered on 23 June 2022; and if he will confirm the date by which he will make that report available to the public. [33092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the terms of reference (attached) for the Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures by the Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála in relation to certain Decisions of that Board on the 12th of May 2022. In accordance with the terms of reference, Remy Farrell, Senior Counsel, is requested to provide a report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage within a period of 6 weeks from the 12th of May 2022.
I have not yet received Mr. Farrell's report. I will consider the matter of publication once I have had an opportunity to review the Senior Counsel's report.
39. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable houses that will be delivered in Fingal in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority affordable housing delivery, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which prior to summer 2021 operated as the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF).
The SSF/AHF is assisting in the delivery of 39 affordable homes in Dun Emer in Lusk, Co. Dublin. Sales prices for Dun Emer range from €166,050 for two bedroom apartments and €258,000 for three bed semi-detached houses (prices at February 2021). Construction of these homes began in 2021 and all 39 units have been offered and allocated and will be delivered in 2022.
The AHF is also assisting in the delivery of 23 affordable purchase homes to be completed in 2022 in Castleland Park, Balbriggan. The price range for these homes will be between €315,000 and €340,000. Further applications for funding from the AHF will be considered as and when submitted by Fingal County Council.
Fingal County Council has advised my Department that they are anticipating a cumulative total of 281 cost reduced units across the following three schemes: Baldoyle/Stapolin; Donabate; and Oldtown/Mooretown.
In addition to the 25 Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) Cost Rental homes that were delivered at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan last year, there will be an additional 170 of these in Fingal, to be delivered both this year and next year. The full details of the funded projects, including locations, unit types and cost-covering rents will be released when the relevant Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have completed necessary financial and commercial arrangements.
41. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking in relation to Ireland’s contribution to the implementation of the New European Bauhaus initiative to connect the European Green Deal with our living spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the new National Policy on Architecture, Places for People, last month at an event in the new TU Dublin campus in Grangegorman, Dublin, hosted by the Grangegorman Development Agency. Together with its educational and healthcare partners the agency has created high-quality living environments that embody the ideals of the New European Bauhaus.
The New European Bauhaus sets the European context and ambition for our national policy and is a constant presence in the policy report. The New European Bauhaus emphasis on spanning holistically from technology and science to creativity and culture, is inspiring, to create a future which values sustainability, inclusivity and beauty. Places for People can be summarised in four objectives: Sustainability; Quality; Leadership and Culture. It will be implemented under three action categories: value and empower, set a quality agenda and generate knowledge. These approaches are a good fit with the New European Bauhaus ideals.
To start the implementation process, my Department and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland jointly commissioned photographer Ros Kavanagh to make a short film. This evocative film includes an extensive interview with cultural ambassadors Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects, who recently won the EU Mies Award for contemporary architecture. The film narrates the vision of the policy by illustrating three Grafton projects, which show how we can transform our living environments by a culture of high-quality architecture which benefits people, nature and planet. The film resonates with the values of the New European Bauhaus, showing architecture that is ‘beautiful’, ‘sustainable’ and brings people ‘together’. I am delighted this film was selected from open competition to be shown at the inaugural New European Bauhaus festival in Brussels from 10-12 June.
My Department is the national contact organisation for the NEB and is already engaged with the Commission, which is developing a fast-moving programme of funded initiatives. We have set up an Irish stakeholder group to respond to these NEB initiatives, participate in member state engagement with the NEB festival and grow the NEB network and collaborations in Ireland.
42. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that are being taken to ensure that there is adequate housing for Ukrainian refugees in the medium-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31796/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details the work of his Department with respect to the refurbishment of large vacant buildings to provide emergency accommodation of Ukrainian refugees. [33084/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 68 together.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine.
My Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways, including in respect of multi-unit vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation. As part of the initial phase of this work, my Department requested central and local government to identify such properties, including those that may require refurbishment or re-configuration.
More than 500 vacant properties were originally notified to my Department. Some 90 or so, capable of accommodating approximately 5,000 persons, were deemed suitable for almost immediate occupation and my Department has passed these over for use in DCEDIY-led response efforts. A further examination of other properties that are of an appropriate scale is underway.
The Office of Public Works is leading on the modular or volumetric accommodation solutions.
43. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm if directives have been issued to local authorities permitting them to purchase housing assistance payment, rental accommodation scheme and rent supplement properties where a notice to quit has been issued. [32408/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding allowing local authorities to purchase a house where there is a tenant in situ; if updated guidance has been issued to the local authorities; the budget that is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities are able to buy homes with HAP tenants in situ in cases in which the tenant is threatened with eviction on grounds of sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 65 and 84 together.
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 by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
In January 2022 my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focused on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;
Local authorities were also advised that acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.
In April 2022, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are: (i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter; (ii) are in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and (iii) can be completed during 2022. The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.
44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for new social and affordable housing in the Carlow area for 2022; and the progress that has been made in reaching those targets to date. [32959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. 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. Carlow County Council has a target to deliver 80 new social homes and 5 local authority affordable purchase and cost rental homes in 2022.
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.
45. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he will take to ensure that disabled children whose parents have shared custody can both apply for a housing grant for people with a disability so as to ensure access and visitation rights for the parents and that the child and one of the parents are not isolated from each other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32963/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regulations that underpin the statutory basis for the operation of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability provide that the applicant must occupy the house as his or her normal place of residence on completion of the works.
The administration of the grants scheme, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grant applications under the various measures, is the responsibility of each local authority. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility.
Separately, 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 is to be completed by the end of 2022.
46. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his considerations on taking steps to award the Gearagh Special Conservation Area in Cork national park status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a privately owned site and has not been considered for national park status. My Department does not own or manage any part of this SAC, which is owned largely by the ESB. A management plan scoping exercise was undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB in 2016/2017. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department took part in the stakeholder group that contributed to the report produced as a result of that exercise.
The NPWS completed and published detailed site-specific conservation objectives for the Gearagh SAC (000108) in September 2016.
Under the Habitats Directive, Ireland is obliged to report to the EU on the conservation status of all habitats and species of European Community interest, as listed in Annexes to the Directive. Monitoring of SACs is carried out by the NPWS on a cyclical basis. The most recent report was submitted to the EU in 2019 and is available on the NPWS website.
The priority habitat “Alluvial forests with Alder and Ash” is one of the qualifying interests of the Gearagh SAC and a monitoring site for this habitat is located within the SAC. It was most recently surveyed during the 2017-2018 monitoring period, when the area, structure and functions, and future prospects of the habitat in SAC were all assessed as favourable. This is in contrast with the national conservation status of the Alluvial forests habitat in Ireland, which is considered to be bad, and deteriorating.
The Gearagh SAC is also listed for the habitat “Rivers with muddy banks”. In addition to the NPWS survey, results of a 2018 botanical survey were made available to the NPWS by the ESB. The habitat was assessed as favourable in the Gearagh SAC.
The NPWS continues to engage with the ESB on the monitoring of this site. The positive findings from scientific surveys are indicators of a good management regime.
47. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a study to determine the current number of vacant houses in the State. [31965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 60 of 22 June 2022 which sets out the position in this matter.
My Department previously developed a survey methodology in relation to locating vacant housing and carried out a pilot field-based survey across six local authorities in order to more accurately determine the levels of long-term, vacant but recoverable dwellings that could be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock. Full roll out at national level is being kept under consideration in the context of the emerging data from Census 2022 and the wider data gathering as part of Housing for All.
48. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he was first informed about allegations of wrongdoing at An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31795/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department first became aware of allegations in relation to An Bord Pleanála in parliamentary questions submitted on 7th April 2022 concerning board members' compliance with Section 106(13)(d)(ii) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
My office was subsequently copied into correspondence to An Bord Pleanála from Mr. Michael Smith on 14th April 2022 making specific allegations in relation to the Board’s Deputy Chairperson.
Senior Counsel Remy Farrell has been appointed to provide a report to inform the consideration of this matter. Terms of reference for the report were published on the 12 May 2022, and Mr. Farrell has been requested to provide a report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in accordance with these Terms of Reference within a period of 6 weeks from the 12 May 2022. Pending the completion of the Senior Counsel’s report it would be inappropriate to comment further.
49. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the introduction of a vacant property tax; if any research has been carried out by his Department into this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32909/22]
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 work underway by the Department of Finance through the current Local Property Tax returns to assess the present vacancy situation. Once collated and analysed, this data will provide a new data set on vacant homes including for my Department and local authorities. In addition, the vacant property tax consideration is being pursued by the Department of Finance and I understand that my colleague the Minister for Finance will consider the vacant property tax in consultation with colleagues, including myself as Minister, before reverting to Government with proposals.
50. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the increased number of homeless persons in County Tipperary. [33095/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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.
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.
Local authorities are prioritising tenancy support services, prevention and the use of the Placefinder service for HAP tenancies.
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. The plans will be published by local authorities before the end of Quarter 2 2022.
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, in line with the commitment in Housing for All to support local authorities to drive take up of the enhanced Repair and Leasing scheme, the Government has recently approved a pilot expansion 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 under the Repair and Leasing scheme. These measures will increase supply of homes to those on social housing waiting lists, 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.
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.
51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to ensure adequate emergency housing supply to local authorities. [33094/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The role of my Department is to ensure that a framework of policy, legislation and funding is provided to ensure that housing authorities are in a position to address homelessness at a local level. I can assure the Deputy that resources and funding are not an obstacle to the urgent efforts required. Budget 2022 reflects this commitment by allocating €194 million for homelessness services.
While my Department sets the overall policy and legislative framework and provides the necessary resources, decisions on the range of homeless accommodation required are a matter for individual authorities. While it is acknowledged there are severe pressures on accessing emergency accommodation currently, I can assure the Deputy all local authorities continue to ensure that assistance is provided to all homeless households. My Department continues to liaise with local authorities in this regard.
