Written Answers Nos. 52-71
52. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made per local authority for the single stage process housing scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the number of social housing projects progressed by local authorities under the Single Stage review process. When first introduced in 2018, this arrangement applied to social housing projects up to the value of €2m but I increased the value for eligible projects to €6m in September 2020, to give further options to local authorities.
At the same time, I recognise that other improvements we have initiated in respect of social housing projects have improved the process through which local authorities engage with my Department as they advance their construction projects. For example, local authorities now have the benefit of standard layouts for new build social housing, as well as standard specifications and guideline costs. These supports give local authorities clear parameters within which to design and develop new social housing construction projects and reduce the issues that will arise with the approval assessments.
Notwithstanding these improvements, I am still keen to see more take-up of the single-stage process for suitable social housing projects and particularly by local authorities who have not taken this opportunity to date. My Department will continue to work proactively with local authorities to encourage further use of the single stage process and I believe there is also merit in public representatives pressing their local authorities on this.
|
Local Authority |
Schemes |
Homes |
|
Carlow |
15 |
54 |
|
Clare |
5 |
10 |
|
Cork County |
17 |
29 |
|
DLR |
1 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
13 |
|
Dublin City |
1 |
2 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
11 |
|
Galway County |
2 |
5 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
9 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
19 |
|
Laois |
4 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
6 |
|
Louth |
5 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
25 |
|
Meath |
2 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
6 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
2 |
14 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
13 |
54. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered ways of incentivising the long-term letting of properties that are currently being let as short-term rentals in an effort to create increased supply of long-term rental accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work on the implementation and enforcement of the Regulations has been undertaken by planning authorities since they came into effect.
Further to a review of the current provisions as operated by local authorities under the planning code, the Government has already agreed a specific action in Housing for All (action 20.4) to “develop new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need”.
I have engaged with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to progress this action and ongoing collaboration on the legislation and related matters is taking place between officials of our respective Departments and Fáilte Ireland.
Funding was allocated in Budget 2022 to Fáilte Ireland which has been tasked with the design and implementation of a new short-term lettings registration system. The agency is currently recruiting staff to work on this project, with the project lead in place since March 2022. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is presently scoping out the legislative provisions that will be required to robustly underpin the new registration system with a view to these provisions being enacted in 2022. The online registration system is being developed, as are the necessary processes and procedures to ensure, once launched, that the register is comprehensive, accurate and up to date.
The final details of the operational arrangements in relation to the new registration system - including its linkages to the online short-term letting platforms - are still being worked out. However, an underlying objective of the new system will be to ensure that an adequate level of private rental accommodation can be provided, particularly in urban areas of high housing demand, and that such accommodation is not overly diverted to the short term letting sector at the expense of local people seeking long-term rental accommodation.
From the long term rental perspective, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations.
In 2019, the regulations were amended to allow alternative requirements in cases where a house is let or available to let under a private residential tenancy agreement for a minimum lease period of 10 years.
This amendment removed the requirement to furnish a rental property with white goods with the aim of encouraging landlords to offer long-term leases (minimum of 10 years) and to promote a transition to a model of longer term rental options for households.
Under 'Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland', a specific action has been set for the Department of Finance to review the recommendations of the Working Group on the ‘Tax and Fiscal Treatment of Landlords’ that took place in 2017. My Department, working in collaboration with the Residential Tenancies Board, will assist the Department of Finance in carrying out this review in Q3 2022.
55. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his plans for housing provision in north-west Dublin. [33216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his plans for affordable purchase, cost rental and social housing in Dublin 9 and 11. [33217/22]
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 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.
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.
57. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to introduce new measures to help reduce rental costs across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most effective way to assist renters in the medium to long term is to increase supply and accelerate delivery of housing for the private and social rental sectors.
Housing for All – a New Housing Plan for Ireland sets out the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. One of the ways that the Government is trying to increase the supply of more affordable homes to rent under Housing for All is through the introduction of a new Cost Rental sector, the legislative framework for which was set out in the Affordable Housing Act last year. It is a long-term rental model, under which tenants only pay the cost of providing, managing and maintaining their homes.
We are committed to growing this sector, and through Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities, and the Land Development Agency (LDA) under Project Tosaigh, approximately 1,500 Cost Rental homes are targeted for completion and tenanting this year alone. Overall, some 18,000 Cost Rental homes are targeted for completion under Housing for All to 2030.
From 16 July 2021, the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 restricts any rent increase in a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of the Consumer Price (HICP). It remains the case that any rent amount set cannot exceed market rent.
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP (CSO data for May 2022 shows HICP inflation of 8.3% p.a.), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this means that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.
The operation of the rental market and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 are kept under constant review and any necessary legislation will be introduced.
58. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that he will take to expand social and affordable housing given the increase in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33193/22]
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.
In September 2021, I issued social housing delivery targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026 and in March this year, I issued local authority affordable purchase and cost rental targets. 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 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.
59. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Housing for All programme. [22301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 208 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:
Pathway to Supporting homeownership and Increasing Affordability
Pathway to Eradicating Homelessness, Increasing Social Housing Delivery And Supporting Social Inclusion
Pathway to Increasing New Housing Supply
Pathway to Addressing vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock
These pathways are underpinned by long-term actions to address systemic challenges. The Plan aims to create a housing system which has environmental, social and economic sustainability at its heart and which meets the needs of all.
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.
With regard to public housing delivery, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan, setting out details of social and housing affordable delivery in the period 2022-2026. This includes information on the locations where housing will be delivered in addition to information on the planned delivery streams. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority, setting out build and long-term leasing targets over the next five years. The main focus under Housing for All is to deliver social homes through new build. In developing the Housing Delivery Action Plans, each local authority was required to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) and plan provision accordingly. The Plans are currently being reviewed by my Department and will be published before the end of Q2 2022.
My Department published the Quarter 4 2021 Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed or were under construction in each local authority at the end of 2021. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/af746-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2021/
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.
Affordability, for those wishing to rent or buy, is at the heart of Housing for All.
The delivery of Cost Rental homes at scale is a key affordability measure under Housing for All, with State-backed rents that are in the order of 25% below what they would be on the private market. Approximately 18,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered between now and the end 2030 by Local Authorities, AHBs, and the LDA, with 1,580 such cost rental homes targeted for delivery in 2022.
To support Local Authorities in the delivery of affordable homes, the Affordable Housing Fund opened for applications from 1 September 2021. The homes that Local Authorities deliver under the Affordable Housing Fund will be sold at least 15% below open market value in respect of Affordable Purchase homes and in the order of 25% below open market value prices in respect of Cost Rental homes.
Furthermore, the Land Development Agency (LDA) has a key role in the delivery of affordable homes and has recently lodged four planning applications for projects that will, if granted planning permission, deliver over 2,300 homes. In 2022, the LDA will also see construction commence on two sites, St Kevin’s Hospital, Cork City (delivering 265 units) and Shanganagh, Shankill in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (delivering 597 units, comprising 306 cost rental and 91 affordable purchase homes). Under Housing for All, 20 additional sites were designated for transfer to the LDA. These lands have the potential to deliver up to 15,000 homes and, in many cases, form part of a major revitalisation of urban centres.
The LDA has also launched “Project Tosaigh” aimed at unlocking land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners due to financing and other constraints, to accelerate the delivery of up to 5,000 affordable homes. The first delivery stream of this LDA initiative was launched in November 2021. Details of the homes that will be made available under Project Tosaigh will be confirmed when commercial agreements are finalised.
In addition, the ‘First Home’ affordable purchase shared equity scheme will support circa 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026. Subject to the necessary final approvals process of all founders to the scheme, which will see the State operate the scheme in a strategic partnership with participating mortgage lenders, I anticipate that First Home will become operational in the coming weeks. Full information, including full eligibility criteria and regional price ceilings for homes, will be available on the First Home website upon the scheme’s launch.
Increasing the supply of housing, and delivering on our commitments in Housing for All, is the top priority for me and the Government and we have made a good start on our path towards this goal. 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/ .
60. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a progress update on the delivery of an affordable housing scheme in County Mayo. [33089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of Housing for All, I asked local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. In preparing these plans local authorities were asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and plan their provision accordingly. 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.
An identified high level of affordable housing need arises where the HNDA indicates that, of the total projected need for housing in the county, over 5% of new households will not qualify for social housing but will also be constrained in accessing housing by their ability to afford to buy or rent. The level of affordably constrained need across the county of Mayo is assessed at below 5%, although some localised affordability issues may arise in certain towns within the county.
It will be a matter for the local authority to consider whether a particular requirement for affordable housing arises and whether it will bring forward specific affordable schemes to meet this need. It is possible for local authorities, including Mayo County Council, to undertake HNDA analysis at sub county level to determine whether a need for Government funded affordable housing schemes is evident in specific towns/areas. Affordable Housing Fund subsidy is only available to support affordable housing purchase in schemes located in large or key towns to uphold National Planning Framework objectives and to ensure that provision is aligned with where need is concentrated. This Department and the Housing Agency are available to assist in this regard.
Where particular challenges arise for facilitating owner-occupation in towns, and where viable sites available for building of new homes are in short supply, there is significant potential for local authorities to support homeownership in these areas by making available serviced sites at a reduced cost or providing support towards the refurbishment of vacant properties where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high. A pathfinder programme will be initiated as part of a Croí Cónaithe (Towns) fund, to facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025.
The First Home Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders and I can confirm that all parties are working with a view to deploying the scheme in the coming weeks. It will improve access to newly-built homes, below the median price point, by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. This measure, targeted at first time or fresh start buyers, will allow purchasers to exit the rental market, help to build developer confidence in realisable consumer demand, and contribute to the recovery of our construction sector following the Covid-19 emergency. This Scheme will be available nationwide.
Engagement is ongoing with Mayo County Council and my Department regarding the potential for development of an affordable housing scheme in Mayo. My Department, together with the Housing Agency, has offered assistance to any local authority where they are considering developing a scheme.
61. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that has been allocated for affordable housing projects in Cork; the status update on these projects; the envisaged timelines for these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Cork City Council and Cork County Council, submitted their initial Plans to me last December. Both Cork City Council and Cork County Council submitted revised Delivery Action Plans to my Department in May 2022. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. I expect that all revised Plans will be ready for publication shortly. They will provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority and Approved Housing Body delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), and the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL).
The Boherboy Road SSF project in Cork City will deliver 117 affordable purchase homes. The first two phases of 37 affordable purchase homes will be delivered in 2022. To date, SSF funding of almost €5 million has been approved for this project
Cork City Council have advised that they will also assist in the delivery of 36 affordable purchase homes at Cluain Chaoin in Tower this year through an advance purchase arrangement. My Department has approved funding of €1,800,000 in respect of this project.
My Department received an AHF application earlier this year from Cork County Council for AHF subsidy to support four housing schemes with affordable housing provision, two of which are situated in Clonakilty, with one each in Kinsale and Mallow. Cork County Council has advised my Department that it is estimated that these schemes will be on site across 2023 and delivery will be in multiple phases from the end of 2023 to 2026. Cork County Council will be notified of the outcome of these applications shortly.
A number of CREL applications for cost rental developments in Cork are currently at various stages of funding application and approval.
In terms of delivery of affordable housing in Cork by the Land Development Agency (LDA), I am happy to inform the Deputy that the development of a site at St Kevin's Hospital is currently being progressed. This 14.5 acre site is expected to deliver 119 affordable purchase and 119 Cost Rental homes. The LDA have advised my Department that enabling works will commence shortly and that the first homes are expected to be available in 2023.
62. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cad í an mhoill leis na treoirlínte geallta don phleanáil Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [32497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTáthar ag leanúint leis an obair idir mo Roinnse, an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le cúrsaí pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Mar chuid den obair atá déanta go dtí seo bhí grúpa oibre a thabhairt le chéile i mBealtaine 2021 chun gnéithe éagsúla den phróiseas pleanála i ngach ceantar Gaeltachta a scrúdú. Tá sé i gceist ag oifigigh mo Roinne, i gcomhar leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus Údarás na Gaeltachta cruinniú den ghrúpa oibre seo a ghairm arís go ríghairid. Samhlaítear go gcuirfear tograí ón ngrúpa oibre seo i láthair an Aire nuair a bheidh a chuid oibre críochnaithe aige.
Ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don teachta chomh maith go bhfuil oifigigh ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta i mbun comhairle leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta faoi chúrsaí pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar mhaithe le tacú leis an obair atá ar bun agus chun dlús a chur léi.
Ceann de na príomhspriocanna atá ag an ngrúpa idir-rannach ná a chinntiú go mbeidh nósanna imeachta agus córais curtha in oiriúint, mar is cuí chun cur chuige éifeachtach agus comhsheasmhach na n-údarás áitiúil ábhartha a éascú i ndáil le saincheisteanna a bhaineann le cúrsaí pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta a bhainistiú.
Tá an grúpa idir-rannach i mbun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar mar a bhféadfaí cleachtais reatha i ndáil le cur i bhfeidhm na bhforálacha seo a láidriú chun leas iomlán na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus ar mhaithe le pleanáil cheart agus forbairt inbhuanaithe, a mbeadh beartas ina thaca aige a bhfuil an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán á fhorbairt faoi láthair. Tá sé i gceist go gcuirfeadh an beartas seo an tsoiléireacht agus treoir atá ag teastáil ar fáil d’fhonn na hathruithe atá de dhíth a chomhtháthú chun éifeacht a thabhairt do chomhsheasmhacht agus cothroime níos fearr sa chóras pleanála chomh maith le cúnamh a chur ar fáil do na hÚdaráis Áitiúla atá i gceist. Tá an beartas seo ríthábhachtach i ndáil le forbairt Threoirlínte Alt 28 don phleanáil i gCeantair Ghaeltachta a mbeidh mo Roinn féin ag cur tús leo níos déanaí i mbliana.
63. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the delivery of affordable housing across the country, and specifically Dún Laoghaire; the updated guidelines on what constitutes affordable housing for each county or constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing for All strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. It will see 54,000 affordable home interventions which includes 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes to be delivered between now and 2030 by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through ‘First Home’ a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Under this strategy, approximately 10,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered from 2021 to 2026 by AHBs, Local Authorities and the LDA. AHBs will be supported by Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding and Local Authorities will be able to avail of funding for Cost Rental delivery through the Affordable Housing Fund, formerly the Serviced Sites Fund. The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental on its own portfolio of sites or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh. As it is the first year of most of these programmes, pipeline projections are only being developed and numbers may increase over the year as schemes get approved.
To date, approval in principle has been confirmed so far for approximately 900 Cost Rental homes to be delivered by AHBs under the CREL scheme in the period to 2023. The necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to a number of these projects are being completed by the AHBs concerned. Full details of the projects, including specific locations, housing typologies and cost-covering rents, cannot be made public until these arrangements are concluded.
Specifically in relation to Cost Rental housing delivery in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, 50 Cost Rental homes were tenanted in April in Woodside, Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, with rents with approximately 40% below open-market rates for comparable homes in that area. These homes were supported through the Affordable Housing Fund and were delivered in coordination between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Tuath and Respond AHBs and the Housing Agency.
To date, I have made three sets of regulations that expand on the policy framework for this new sector as set out in Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act. On 19 August 2021 I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Designation) Regulations 2021, which came into effect that day. These Regulations govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings. The text of these Regulations is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/425/made/en/print.
In relation to affordable purchase and the Affordable Housing Fund, any funding being made available will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities submitted their initial Plans to me last December. Preparation of the Plans is allowing each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. The Plans are being revised and updated by local authorities in the light of ongoing engagement and clarifications, and I expect that they will be ready for publication by the summer.
The Affordable Housing Fund provides exchequer funding support to local authorities to allow the delivery of housing at affordable prices or rents on local authority lands or via advance purchase arrangements with developers for new housing on developer-owned land. Funding has already been approved for 6 advance purchase arrangements by local authorities to deliver almost 200 housing units in 2022.
In addition, I have signed two sets of Regulations which underpin the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, made under the provisions of Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which came into effect on 13 April 2022. The Regulations provide the basis for the making available of affordable purchase homes by local authorities and the administration of sales.
The Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022 prescribe, among other things, the notification of affordable dwelling schemes to the public, the use by Local Authorities of schemes of priority, the calculation of home purchase prices and the equity shares to be taken by the Local Authority, and the minimum payment for a homeowner redeeming the Local Authority's equity interest. The text of these Regulations is available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print
The LDA is pursuing a twin-track approach of accelerating near term construction of affordable homes on private land, whilst continuing its work on public land. It is also over the longer term, assembling large state-owned land banks capable of delivering thousands of new homes.
Details of the work that the LDA is progressing on public lands that will deliver affordable purchase and cost rental can be found here;
lda.ie/projects-schemes/.
In 2022, the LDA will see construction commencing on two of these sites, St Kevin’s Hospital, Cork city (delivering 265 units) and Shanganagh, Shankill in conjunction with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (delivering 597 units with 306 cost rental and 91 affordable homes).
Examples of further progress that has been made can be seen in the LDA’s has recent submission of planning applications which include 344 homes in Hackettstown, Skerries, 817 homes in Castlelands, Balbriggan, 219 units in Devoy Barracks, Naas, and, in relation to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, 977 homes in Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum.
In addition to the public lands that the LDA is working on, Project Tosaigh is a market engagement initiative to unlock land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners due to financing and other constraints, and use it to accelerate the supply of affordable housing. The target under Project Tosaigh is the delivery of 5,000 new homes by 2026 for affordable cost rental or sale to eligible households under affordable purchase arrangements. The first strand of Project Tosaigh involved an expressions of interest (EOI) process, launched in November 2021, to engage builders and landowners in forward purchase agreements, with the intention of securing stock in certain developments in the shorter term. Details of all homes that will be made available under Project Tosaigh will be confirmed when commercial agreements are finalised.
In addition to the schemes already mentioned, Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the ‘First Home’ affordable purchase shared equity scheme to support purchases in the private market. The Scheme aims to support c. 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026.
First Home will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme will primarily support First Time Buyers in the purchase of new homes within designated regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area.
Subject to the necessary final approvals process of all founders to the scheme, which will see the State operate the scheme in a strategic partnership with participating mortgage lenders, it is anticipated that First Home will become operational in the coming weeks. Full information, including full eligibility criteria and regional price ceilings for homes, will be available on the First Home website upon the Scheme’s launch.
Additional affordable housing delivery will be facilitated under the provisions of the expanded 20% Part V requirement as and when they arise, and subject to the planning process.
Other measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home Loan (formerly the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan), are also available to eligible purchasers nationally to make home ownership more affordable.
Housing for All introduced the Local Authority Home Loan scheme as a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The new Local Authority Home Loan commenced on 4 January 2022 and has a lower interest rate and higher income eligibility than previously applied. The Local Authority Home Loan will support First-time Buyers buying new or second-hand homes, as well as self-builds. More details on the Local Authority Home Loan scheme are available on the following link
localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
The Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to first-time buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home.
64. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on housing assistance payment and other subsidies to those renting in the private sector; if a cost benefit analysis of HAP in relation to investment in direct built social housing has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are forms of social housing support, provided by my Department, for people who have a long-term housing need.
In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and those households must source their own accommodation in the private rental sector.
RAS has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction in 2005 and has placed responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS has provided a more structured, accommodation-based approach to the use of the private rented sector to meet long-term housing need, thereby eliminating dependence on temporary income support payments through Rent Supplement. The scheme is delivered by local authorities who source accommodation from both the private market and Approved Housing Bodies.
Responsibility for the Rent Supplement Scheme falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
Exchequer funding on HAP and RAS for 2021, is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
HAP |
RAS |
|
|
€m. |
€m. |
|
2021 |
541.7 |
122.0 |
My Department continually monitors the implementation of policies and objectives in relation to social housing, as well as the costs associated with implementation, and works to ensure the best value for money for the level of resources available, taking account of the level of housing needs to be met.
This is reflected in my Department’s regular participation in Spending Reviews led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which in recent years have examined expenditure across a range of housing measures. These reviews demonstrate that, while in certain specific urban/rural scenarios it is arguable that one type of housing delivery may be more costly than another, in overall terms value for money is being achieved.
Under the Housing for All strategy, the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 new build social homes. As new build supply of social housing ramps up, there will be reducing reliance on the HAP and RAS schemes.
66. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans with respect to funding and support for the four Limerick regeneration areas post the end of the current projects in 2024. [33085/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP), launched in September 2013, provides a roadmap for the regeneration of Limerick over a 10 year period, integrating measures relating to the physical, social and economic environment.
Good progress continues to be made on the implementation of the physical programme, and Limerick City and County Council is progressing a number of projects through the approval process and on to site, while adding further projects to its delivery pipeline.
The Social Intervention Fund is an integral part of the overall approach to regeneration, and it helps to leverage additional mainstream funding for the benefit of the areas. As the regeneration programme continues to move forward, I expect that Limerick City and County Council will continue to monitor the impact of all the measures.
In addition, I have asked the Council to develop a strategy for the future funding of these important initiatives so that the benefits of regeneration can be built upon and carried on into the years ahead post 2023. Until a strategy is agreed, it would be premature to decide what form future supports will take.
My Department remains committed to working with the Council to sustain the benefits being achieved through the implementation of projects under the regeneration programme.
67. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress he has made towards launching the first home scheme. [32962/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the ‘First Home’ affordable purchase shared equity scheme to support purchases in the private market. The Scheme aims to support c. 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026.
First Home will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme will primarily support First Time Buyers in the purchase of new homes within designated regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area.
Subject to the necessary final approvals process of all founders to the scheme, which will see the State operate the scheme in a strategic partnership with participating mortgage lenders, it is anticipated that First Home will become operational in the coming weeks. Full information, including full eligibility criteria and regional price ceilings for homes, will be available on the First Home website upon the Scheme’s launch.
69. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new build social homes and new build affordable homes that were delivered year to date in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33215/22]
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. 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.
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. An identified high level of affordable housing need arises where the HNDA indicates that, of the total projected need for housing in the county, over 5% of new households will not qualify for social housing but will also be constrained in accessing housing by their ability to afford to buy or rent. The level of affordably constrained need across Mayo is assessed at below 5%, although I understand that there are some localised affordability issues arising in Westport.
Where local authorities have localised affordability challenges in key towns, such as may exist in Mayo, 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. Indeed engagement is ongoing with Mayo County Council regarding the potential for development of an affordable housing scheme in Mayo. My Department, together with the Housing Agency, has offered assistance to any local authority where they are considering developing a scheme.
70. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the work currently being undertaken to reform the local authority funding mechanism to ensure that historical differences between counties are addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', commits to bringing forward LPT reforms including providing for all money collected locally to be retained within the county. The Government has signalled its intention that the move to 100% local retention of LPT will be introduced over the 2023 and 2024 budgetary cycles. It is expected that the LPT yield will change following revaluation last November and the distribution model will be reviewed when new yield per local authority is fully quantified; final figures are not yet available.
Given the need for timely information to be provided to local authorities for their budgetary process and the need for final LPT figures to inform that, I do not expect that baselines will be reviewed in advance of the 2023 local authority budget process. Each local authority situation is complex and it is important that sufficient time is taken to analyse and assess potential options in that respect. Preliminary census data will also form an important input to that deliberation. My Department will, however, be considering, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the potential for a move towards 100% retention for 2023.
71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the planned recruitment to new posts within the National Parks and Wildlife Service; the way recruitment is progressing; if this is being planned with a view to improving enforcement on a geographical basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, sets out a commitment to “review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife”.
In March 2021 my Department launched a public consultation with a number of stakeholders as part of the Review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I am pleased to say that the resulting NPWS Review and Strategic Action Plan for the renewal were published in May 2022 at gov.ie - National Parks and Wildlife Service – Strategic Action Plan and Review.
This has been a multi-phase Review across three phases. The first, Review phase, involved extensive research, consultation, orientation and feedback work, and feeds into the remaining phases. Secondly, the Reflect phase considered the outcomes of this work and then synthesised the resourcing gains of the past 18 months with a detailed, expert analysis of governance, organisational structures, communications, data systems and future resourcing, and outlines the NPWS’ specific requirements across those areas. The final phase details the objectives and prioritised actions required to equip the NPWS to continue to deliver on the ambitious goals, objectives and targets emerging from our Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, Heritage Ireland 2030 and the new National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The NPWS Review and Strategic Action Plan set out the programme required to equip the NPWS to continue to deliver on the ambitious goals, objectives and targets. My officials are currently liaising with the senior management within NPWS to implement the recommendation as set out in the Review regarding the resource requirement of NPWS. My Department is engaged in extensive recruitment campaigns across a number of grades throughout the divisional and regional structure within NPWS.
In relation to enforcement, NPWS staff are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime and enforcement. These include District Conservation Officers and Conservation Rangers, supported by Regional Managers and Divisional Managers. There are in excess of 80 Conservation Rangers stationed across the country, and it is my intention to further increase ranger numbers up to 120. We are working towards this goal as part of the above increase in resourcing being made available to NPWS. Given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested.
