Written Answers Nos. 72-92
72. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the commitments made to tackle vacant housing in the Housing for All Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33088/22]
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.
The suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes:
- A new Town Centre First policy (launched on 4 February 2022) which is a major new policy initiative that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
- 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.
- 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 which will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
- Engagement with local authorities on the operation of both the Vacant Site Levy (pending its replacement by the Residential Zoned Land Tax) and, particularly, the Derelict Site Levy to identify issues and challenges that have arisen in the operation of the two levies to date with the objective of improving their effectiveness. The introduction of the Residential Zoned Land Tax was included in the Finance Act 2021, and will come into effect in 2024 for lands zoned and serviced for residential development.
- Reform of the Fair Deal Scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting unused homes.
- The Historic Towns Initiative has now been adjusted to encourage private owners and occupiers to bring vacant floor area in historic buildings back into use and encourage projects that address dereliction and vacancy in particular.
- The re-use of vacant properties will be a key criteria in future funding rounds of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds.
73. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage her plans to fasttrack the deliver of affordable purchase homes in the Merlin area of County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of Housing for All, I asked local authorities to prepare Local 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 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 local authorities shortly. They will provide a comprehensive overview of projected delivery of affordable housing in Galway.
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 SSF is supporting affordable housing development at Merlin Woods in Galway City, which will assist in the delivery of approximately 85 affordable purchase homes. Galway City Council has advised my Department that these homes will be completed by 2024.
74. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with his colleagues in Government regarding housing Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 national response in a number of ways, which have arisen from the Housing Taskforce that was established shortly after the conflict arose. Firstly, my Department, in partnership with the local government sector, is reviewing multi-unit vacant buildings notified to it which may be suitable for use as temporary accommodation by Ukrainian refugees and has already passed a number of these buildings to DCEDIY for immediate use. Secondly, my Department is supporting the work of the Office of Public Works which is leading with regard to the potential for modular accommodation. Finally, my Department has announced the establishment a dedicated Housing Supply Clearing House aimed at unlocking barriers to the delivery of residential accommodation which has the benefit of planning permission, with the aim of meeting the housing needs of people seeking temporary protection from Ukraine and advancing housing supply more generally.
I attend the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees and my Department is in regular contact with the other Departments involved with the response.
75. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans with respect to the Mulcahy Report into planning matters in County Donegal; if he intends to take action on the matter; and if he intends to publish the report. [33083/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am considering the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course.
With regard to the question of the publication of the Mulcahy Report, the decisions of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (CEI/18/0019) of 13 February 2019 and the Information Commissioner (OIC-59426-Q8D7T8) of 27 February 2020 in relation to requests to publish this report will also be taken into account. Both decisions are publicly available on those bodies' websites.
It should be noted that in each of these cases, both the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Information Commissioner decided not to grant access to the report. The Office of the Information Commissioner decision stated "placing the details concerned in the public domain would significantly breach the rights to privacy of identifiable individuals." Therefore, this is a matter that requires careful consideration given that the report details unproven allegations against named individuals.
76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 5 May 2022, the status of the Galway social housing taskforce sub-group on homelessness; the number of times the sub-group has met to date; if he has received correspondence to date from the subgroup; if the sub-group will produce a final report; the terms of reference of the sub-group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33209/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the meeting of the Galway Social Housing Taskforce on 15 February , it was proposed by my Department that a subgroup on Homelessness, with a particular focus on Traveller Homelessness, be established and report back to the Taskforce. This subgroup, which is chaired by officials in my Department, with members also including representatives of both local authorities, held its first meeting on 3 May, prior to the meeting of the Galway Social Housing Taskforce on 10 May.
I understand that the draft Terms of Reference were circulated and discussed at this meeting, along with the need for cooperation between Galway City and Galway County Councils on the issues of Homelessness and Traveller Homelessness. Also discussed were the reasons for increased homeless presentations and the barriers impeding exits from homelessness.
The sub-group will meet quarterly in advance of the Galway Social Housing Taskforce Meetings and report progress to the Taskforce.
80. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail his engagement with the banks on the issue of mortgage provision for households purchasing local authority affordable homes; and if his attention has been drawn to pillar banks refusing mortgages to potential buyers on the grounds that the property is funded via the Affordable Housing Fund. [33086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme makes the purchase of new homes via Local Authorities more affordable through the use of an equity share model. The scheme has been designed so that eligible purchasers will only receive the equity support that they need on top of their purchasing capacity with a traditional mortgage. The provision of mortgage finance and in particular the precise qualifying criteria for loans are internal matters for mortgage providers, being entirely independent of Government.
However, on the basis that a buyer under the Local Authority scheme may require a mortgage via a commercial bank (as opposed to the Local Authority Homeloan), officials in my Department have proactively engaged with the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland and constituent mortgage lenders in establishing the required Priorities Agreements and Customer Contracts. This has formed part of wide-ranging engagement during the policy development process with bodies such as the Property Registration Authority and the Law Society. While discreet arrangements may have been put in place on a local basis to allow projects move forward, this pro forma approach to the conveyancing of affordable homes will be used on a national basis for both First Home and the local authority affordable purchase scheme.
82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any study seeking to quantify the death rate among persons who are homeless in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of deaths of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services over the last number of years. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned. The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important that we establish the facts concerning the circumstances involved, and that we base our response on the best knowledge and evidence available.
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 housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level.
My Department has not undertaken any study seeking to quantify the death rate among persons who are homeless in the State. However, a pilot study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board (HRB) on behalf of the Department of Health. It is hoped that the HRB will be in a position to publish the study shortly. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, involves the review of approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts. My Department will engage with the Department of Health on completion of this study.
It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in doing this.
83. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social homes provided in County Cork in 2021; the way that the figure compares with the totals for each of the previous seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32890/22]
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. 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.
This data provides a detailed breakdown of Social Housing Activity for all local authorities, including Cork City and Cork County Councils, since 2015.
86. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the steps his Department is taking with the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Reform to deliver affordable student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33214/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to working collaboratively with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to improve student accommodation provision through a dedicated working group set up for that purpose.
The Government plan, Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland will transform every aspect of our housing including the area of student accommodation. Housing For All contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities (TU) to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency. I can confirm that this borrowing capability is in place.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, is also engaging with all the universities, including the technological universities, to explore further options which may be available to increase the availability of student accommodation, and they are being supported where necessary by officials in my Department.
Much progress has been made in recent years in reforming protections for tenants in student specific accommodation. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 provides for relevant obligations and rights under residential tenancies legislation to apply to tenancy and licence agreements in student-specific accommodation, provided by public educational institutions or by private accommodation providers.
The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 was signed into law on 9 July 2021 and limits, in respect of tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, the amount of rent in advance (maximum of 1 month’s rent) and/or a deposit (maximum of 1 month’s rent) that a landlord can ask anyone, including a student, to pay to secure a tenancy. Accordingly, the maximum upfront payment can be no more than 2 months’ rent and any ongoing advance rent payment during a tenancy can only cover 1 month’s rent. The Act greatly reduces the financial exposure to tenants, including students, on foot of paying much restricted upfront payments.
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.
87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when grant aid will be made available for first-time buyers to do up old derelict properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33090/22]
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. This strategy provides for a broad suite of measures including for first-time buyers.
The suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock includes 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.
Details in relation to the operation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund are at an advanced stage of development, including the scope and appropriate timeframes, and it will be launched in the coming months.
88. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition concluded its investigation into the Croí Cónaithe cities scheme following the pre-notification; if so, the outcome of the investigation; if not, when the outcome is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing the current housing shortage requires short, medium and long-term action to stimulate housing supply. The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is one measure within Housing for All that will help to kick-start apartment developments that might not otherwise be developed.
In developing the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme, my Department engaged in consultation with the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission (DG COMP), following which, a pre-notification of the scheme as State Aid compatible with the TFEU has been prepared and submitted to DG COMP. The process is still on-going.
89. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing completions annually since 2016; and the number in the 12 months between Q2 2021 and Q1 2022. [33211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraData in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/newdwellingcompletions/
5,669 new homes were added to the national housing stock in Q1 2022. This represents a 44.5% increase from 3,923 completions in Q1 2021 (when there were COVID-19 restrictions in place) and is 15.1% higher than the 4,926 completions in the last pre-pandemic quarter of Q1 2020. This is the most completions seen in any first quarter since this data series began in 2011. In the 12 months to the end of March 2022, a total of 22,219 new homes were completed. This year, the Government’s target under Housing for All is 24,600 new homes.
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). In the past 12 months (June 2021 to May 2022), Commencement Notices for 30,233 new homes were received.
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.
90. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with the local authority in Limerick city regarding the lack of emergency accommodation in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/22]
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.
It is acknowledged that there are currently severe pressures on access to emergency accommodation in Limerick City due to a variety of reasons, and I understand that Limerick City and County Council is doing everything in its power to address this. My Department has liaised and continues to liaise with Limerick City and County Council in this regard.
While my Department sets the overall policy and legislative framework and provides the necessary resources, decisions on the range of homeless accommodation required, and the funding of such services are a matter for individual authorities. The administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. Limerick City and County Council is the regional lead authority for the Mid-West region, which also includes Clare County Council.
Some €8.2m was provided in Exchequer funding to the Mid-West Region in 2021 with over €3.8m in funding recouped to date in 2022, with further payments to be made. I can assure the Deputy again that resources will not be an obstacle to the urgent efforts required.
Homelessness is a complex issue, in which causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably, as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge. This is how we are working and will continue to do so.
These resources facilitate local authorities to provide emergency accommodation and other essential support services to households experiencing homelessness, while also ensuring that pathways out of homelessness for those households in emergency accommodation are secured as quickly as possible.
Services are also in place to assist households exiting homelessness into a home and work will continue to build upon the good work already being done in this area.
91. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will receive a copy of the internal An Bord Pleanála report identified in An Bord Pleanála statement dated 27 May 2022; and if he will confirm the date by which he will make that report available to the public. [33093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála ('the Board') is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
I understand this is an internal review which has been initiated by the Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála. I understand the Chairperson has assigned an internal team of senior management personnel to examine a number of decided cases where public commentary has raised issues and concerns around the procedures and processes applied in those cases.
I understand this process of internal examination of certain files is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of June, when the internal team is due to report back to the Chairperson. As noted by the Deputy, An Bord Pleanála has made a public statement about this ongoing process on its website.
92. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address rising homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33223/22]
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.
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.
My Department has approved the re-introduction of the Place Finder fee incentive by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. This will be payable where suitable properties are made exclusively available to homeless families through the DRHE Place Finders team and not advertised on letting websites or elsewhere.
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.
