Written Answers Nos. 137-158
137. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider updating civil service mileage rates for public servants who must use their car for work given the significant increase in the cost of fuel. [35185/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates.
The rates are currently being reviewed by my officials and work is ongoing on devising new rates reflecting current input costs. Proposals for revised rates will be discussed, as per existing agreements, with staff representative associations.
It is anticipated that discussions will take place shortly with staff representative associations with a view to seeking early agreement.
138. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any State or semi-State bodies that report to her are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of the cultural bodies under the aegis of my Department are registered as charities, primarily for the purpose of promotion and advancement of the practice of arts and culture, benefitting the community and advancing education, as well as for philanthropic purposes.
Where a body is registered as a charity, it is subject to regulation by the Charities Regulator as provided for in section 4 and Part 3 of the Charities Act 2009 and with respect to the application of the Charities Governance Code. The bodies must also comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and relevant legislation including any legislation relating to their establishment. Furthermore, there are a suite of governance arrangements in place between each body and my Department.
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of instances in which RTÉ has requested a derogation in respect of the requirement on it to disclose legal costs and settlements by way of a note to its accounts in the past ten years to date; and the years in which derogation was sought and granted and-or declined. [35074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out RTÉ’s statutory obligations with regard to its accounts, annual financial statements and its annual report. In addition, RTÉ is subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (the Code). To confirm compliance (or otherwise) with the key provisions of the Code and RTÉ’s annual reporting obligations, the Chair of the RTÉ Board is required to submit, on an annual basis, and in conjunction with the Annual Report, a comprehensive reporting letter to me, as Minister. This letter is intended to provide assurance that the systems of internal control, risk management and other areas of compliance are operating effectively, and addresses all of the requirements of the Code, in particular the requirements of paragraph 1.9 of the ‘Business and Financial Reporting Requirements’ Annex. This letter may be used to disclose certain information, subject to the prior written agreement of the Department, which has been deemed as commercially sensitive and unsuitable for general disclosure via the Annual Report.
The Code provides for exemptions from specific reporting provisions in certain situations, provided the objectives of those provisions can be achieved by other governance measures (Comply or Explain Section of the Code).
Upon the revised Code (2016) coming into effect, the former Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, provided guidance to RTÉ on the application of the Code. The guidance sets out an agreed approach, that where the disclosure of legal costs and settlements in the Annual Accounts is deemed by RTÉ to pose data protection issues or other risks, such costs may instead be disclosed in the Chair’s Letter to the Minister. In line with this provision, a derogation is not sought in relation to each legal case.
Accordingly, the overall amount of RTÉ legal costs and settlements have been disclosed in this manner each year since the 2016 Code was introduced.
140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when payment of a capital sports grant will be made to a club (details supplied); the reason for the delay with this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35121/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe club to which the Deputy refers was provisionally allocated a grant of €59,500 under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) for the provision of pitch floodlights. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Programme, due to the value of the grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to execute legal procedures in order to protect the public investment in the facility. These requirements were communicated to the club at provisional allocation stage and it was made clear that formal approval could not issue until the legal requirements were satisfied.
I understand that my Department’s legal advisor, the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO), first sought the requisite legal documentation from the grantee’s solicitor on 21st February 2019 and has been in regular contact with the club’s solicitor since then in relation to legal requirements outstanding regarding a Further Advance and Novation. The CSSO wrote to the grantee’s solicitor on this matter as recently as 22nd June 2022. My Department, on 24th November 2021, also agreed to extend the deadline for advancing the grant, as requested by the club, to allow it more time to finalise its legal processes.
As previously stated, it will not be possible to provide formal approval for the provisionally allocated grant until the CSSO confirms that all legal formalities have been completed. Once the CSSO confirmation is received there will be no undue delay in progressing the allocation to formal approval stage and subsequently paying the grant subject to all necessary documentation being submitted by the club.
141. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the artifacts or art pieces that were under the control of the State that have been repatriated to the country of origin in each year from 2002 to 2021 and to date in 2022; if she will provide a description of the artifact or art piece and the country to which it was returned in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with international best practice, the National Cultural Institutions have carefully developed policies in relation to the care and management of the national collections. Increasingly in recent decades, curatorial responsibilities require a constant consideration of ethics and the changing sensitivities with regard to the acquisition, holding and exhibition of historic artefacts. The exploitation of peoples abroad or the expropriation of their cultural artefacts is a profound concern, whether dating from the historic past or occurring in more recent times, and one about which the National Cultural Institutions are acutely aware.
There have not been any repatriation of artefacts or art pieces from the National Collections since 2002, nor are there currently any requests for repatriation with the National Cultural Institutions. In keeping with their remit the National Cultural Institutions regularly engage with global indigenous communities seeking information or requests for research access on collections within their care. The facilitation of these engagements enables greater provenance research, relationship building and further dialogue with these communities.
I understand that safeguarding arrangements are in place for the consideration of any future acquisitions to the national collections and I am satisfied with the integrity and commitment in the National Cultural Institutions to investigate and consider any enquiries or complaints that might be brought relating to the historic context, interpretation or provenance of the collections.
142. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the outstanding requests to the State for the repatriation of any artifacts or art pieces to another country; when the request was made; the countries that made the request in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35124/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with international best practice, the National Cultural Institutions have carefully developed policies in relation to the care and management of the national collections. Increasingly in recent decades, curatorial responsibilities require a constant consideration of ethics and the changing sensitivities with regard to the acquisition, holding and exhibition of historic artefacts. The exploitation of peoples abroad or the expropriation of their cultural artefacts is a profound concern, whether dating from the historic past or occurring in more recent times, and one about which the National Cultural Institutions are acutely aware.
There are not, however, any outstanding requests to the National Cultural Institutions for the repatriation of any artefacts or art pieces in the National Collections. In keeping with their remit the National Cultural Institutions regularly engage with global indigenous communities seeking information or requests for research access on collections within their care. The facilitation of these engagements enables greater provenance research, relationship building and further dialogue with these communities.
I understand that safeguarding arrangements are in place for the consideration of any future acquisitions to the national collections and I am satisfied with the integrity and commitment in the National Cultural Institutions to investigate and consider any enquiries or complaints that might be brought relating to the historic context, interpretation or provenance of the collections.
143. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of historical census data from 1831 to 1851 and other pre-1901 census documents; if further information from these returns is expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 1901 and 1911 censuses are the only complete surviving census records for the pre-Independence period. Fragments survive for censuses taken from 1821 to 1851 for some counties. These records are available on the National Archives census website can be searched by year, surname, forename and various address fields: www.census.nationalarchives.ie/help/pre1901.html.
The Taoiseach and I recently launched the Beyond 2022: the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, an all-island and international collaborative research project to create a virtual reconstruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland, which was destroyed in the opening engagement of the Civil War exactly one hundred years ago. This includes returns for the 1766 religious census of Ireland, are one of the richest sources available to the historical and genealogical researcher for the period prior to the commencement of the statutory census series. Over 50,000 names of individuals across all religious denominations have been transcribed from these sources. See: virtualtreasury.ie/gold-seams/1766-religious-census.
144. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNone of the state boards under the aegis of my Department currently are, or have been registered as a charity.
145. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Fáilte Ireland was tasked with the design and implementation of a short-term lettings registration system; if the basis of this decision will be outlined; if any other agencies were considered to carry out this work, including his Department or an official housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35062/22]
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.
The broader regulation of tourism activity, including the possible development of a new regulatory or licensing/registration system for commercial platforms and short-term letting agents, was recommended in the final 2016 Oireachtas Working Group report on the regulation of short-term letting. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes the specific action to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms with regard to short-term lettings. The Government's subsequent Action Plan on Housing, Housing for All, further contains a specific action (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”.
As some elements of potential regulation of the short-term letting market fall outside the remit of my Department, I engaged with my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on this matter. Meetings also took place at senior official level between our two Departments, which also involved the participation of Fáilte Ireland, to explore the possibilities of developing new proposals in relation to the regulation of the short-term letting sector which are now being progressed.
As the National Tourism Development Authority and given it's current role in the regulation and registration of other forms of tourist accommodation, Fáilte Ireland is considered to be the most appropriate agency to administer the proposed new registration system for the short term letting sector.
146. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is no provision in either the existing or in the proposed revisions of the defective concrete blocks scheme that will preclude a defective concrete block homeowner from either availing of the rent-a-room relief or renting a room in their house via a short-term letting platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.
Neither the scheme as it stands or the proposed changes include any reference to rent a room relief or the renting of a room.
The purpose of this Bill is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
147. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current proposed revisions of the defective concrete blocks scheme and pending the ISO 465 review of foundations will not penalise a defective concrete block qualified homeowner who is availing of option 1 of the scheme and who is in a position to pay separately of the defective concrete block scheme to remove their foundations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the costs of the specialised disposal of damaged blocks and material via the defective concrete blocks scheme are included in the calculation of costs that are part of the proposed caps of the revised defective concrete block scheme; the plans that the Government has to reduce these particular costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.
The Bill will allow us to progress on key decisions made by Government last November including a 100% grant, to an overall maximum grant amount payable to an applicant under the scheme in the sum of €420,000 and the removal of the financial barrier to scheme entry which is a feature of the current scheme, thereby reducing the cost for homeowners from up to €7,000 to an estimated €500/€700 which will be recoupable under the scheme by approved homeowners.
The decision made by Government last November called for a number of reviews to be completed. This included a review of the I.S. 465:2018 standard and the consideration of other potentially deleterious material e.g. pyrrhotite and the impact, if any, on foundations. I have asked NSAI to review I.S. 465 and carry out all necessary research as a matter of priority. It is currently understood that foundations are not impacted by the defective concrete blocks issue and there is currently no evidence to support claims that they are. Foundations can be left in situ and built upon and this is the approach recommended in the current I.S. 465 standard.
Under the enhanced scheme homeowners will not be precluded from carrying out works over and above those approved for funding on the understanding that no grant funding will be given in respect of those works. The only limitation within the Bill is that in the case of demolition and rebuild of a home the rebuild must be in the same position on the land of the dwelling approved for demolition and rebuild.
Once the necessary review has been concluded and any revised standard published I can confirm that the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will be reviewed at that point having regard to any amended standard.
149. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that several council-owned homes in a location (details supplied) in County Kildare remain empty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Furthermore, the allocation of social housing supports to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
In relation to the properties concerned, Kildare County Council have advised that one has been assigned to a Clerk of Works and is awaiting large scale remediation prior to tenanting, another is also vacant pending remediation works and the third has had pre-letting works completed and is with the allocation team who will facilitate tenanting.
150. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the regeneration plan for St. Patrick's Park, Rathangan, County Kildare; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35087/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is supporting Kildare County Council who are advancing the refurbishment of St. Patrick's Park, Rathangan, including an element of additional, new build social housing. The Council has advised that Phase 1 of the works, which involves the refurbishment of 34 homes, was completed in October 2019 and that plans for the next phases have been developed following public consultation workshops with residents.
Phases 2 and 3 recently received pre-planning funding approval from my Department and, I understand, will involve the demolition of 15 existing properties, construction of 7 new homes, refurbishment of 25 homes and a range of site and landscaping works.
The Council also advised that planning documentation is being finalised, with an intended launch in August 2022. A briefing will be given to local representatives and information on the proposed Part 8 process provided to local residents, in advance.
While this is a complex project, it is being advanced by Kildare County Council so that improved conditions are delivered for the residents. Further information should be available directly from Kildare County Council which is managing the implementation of the programme.
151. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to develop retirement villages for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35088/22]
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.
Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people. The actions include the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse need of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs. My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is successfully guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework.
The policy statement, together with the third and final Implementation Group report, are available on the Government's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/83781d-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/.
152. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the programme for Government commitments in regard to town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35130/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, is to consider the Institute of Public Administration's (IPA) Review of Municipal Districts with a view to strengthening local democracy and identifying local needs and initiatives needed to strengthen and grow our communities, villages and towns in a sustainable manner. We have committed to ensuring a strong voice for towns at the heart of local authority decision making. Municipal districts are a key decision-making component of local government, with specified reserved powers. Each municipal district can include several towns and their hinterlands.
On foot of this commitment, my Department has undertaken an assessment of Municipal Districts to determine the supports and improvements required to enhance their operation. A fundamental step in this process was conducting local authority surveys and workshops to obtain the views of those working in the local government sector. The reports of the findings from both my Departments surveys and workshops are available at the following link on my Department's website.
Following these findings and a detailed examination of the IPA’s Review of Municipal Districts, certain key themes have emerged that would support and further enhance the operation of Municipal Districts. As a result, Best Practice Recommendations for the operation of Municipal Districts have now been identified.
My Department will issue a Circular regarding theses Best Practice Recommendations to all local authorities in the coming months. It is intended that implementing these practices, where appropriate, will contribute to greater efficiency and effectiveness in the overall operation of Municipal Districts, boost local leadership and support the sustainable development of our communities.
153. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable purchase homes that have been delivered to date; the local authority areas in which they have been delivered; the sales price of the properties and the income limit for eligible purchasers for each size and type of home in tabular form. [35135/22]
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).
In the past 12 months, the SSF assisted in the delivery of 50 affordable homes at Enniskerry Road in South Dublin, Ireland's first secure, long term Cost Rental homes. These homes have rents of €1,200 per month, approximately 40% below open market rates in the area.
SSF/AHF funding is currently assisting in the delivery of 117 affordable purchase homes at Boherboy Road in Cork City. Sales prices for this development were quoted at €218,000 for a two bedroom home and €243,000 for a three bedroom home (priced in February 2020).
SSF/AHF is also 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 a two bedroom apartment and €258,000 for a three bed semi detached house (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 affordable purchase homes to be completed in 2022 in Kilcarbery Grange, Clondalkin, which have been offered for sale and allocated at prices for the 16 three bedroom duplex homes ranging from €335,000 - €345,000.
Further schemes being supported under AHF advance purchase and expected to deliver housing in 2022 include schemes at Tower in Cork City where affordable sales prices will range from €243,000 to €304,000, and Castleland Park in Balbriggan where affordable sales prices will range from €315,000 to €340,000. Waterford County Council has advised my Department that two of their affordable housing projects, Summerfields, Kilbarry and Deer Park, Williamstown, will deliver their first phases in 2022. Affordable sales prices for these schemes will range from €205,000 to €243,000.
Affordable homes supported by my Departments AHF will be made available to eligible buyers at reduced purchase prices through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The provisions of the scheme are detailed under Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The percentage difference between the market value of the home and the discounted purchase price is reflected in a redeemable equity stake held by the Local Authority of between a minimum of 5% and a maximum 40% of the value of the home.
The income eligibility criteria for the Local Authority scheme are detailed in the Affordable Housing Regulations 2022, which can be found online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/183/made/en/print.
Under the provisions of these Regulations, the general rule for eligibility is that an applicant's (or applicants' applying jointly) annual gross income multiplied by 3.5 times cannot exceed 85.5% of the market value of the home in question. This rule can be represented by the formula:
3.5 x A = 0.855 x B
(Where A is the annual gross income of the applicant(s), and B is the market value of the home)
This test looks at whether someone would have the capacity to meet a purchase price of more than 95% of market value using a standard mortgage of 3.5 times income and for 90% of the purchase price (i.e. the maximum mortgage they could obtain without benefiting from one of the limited exemptions from the Central Bank Mortgage Measures).
In the case of a new home with a market value of €250,000, for example, this equation produces the result that the general eligibility limit is an annual gross income of €61,071 (to the nearest euro). Altering the market value of the home will produce different income values accordingly.
As detailed in the Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022, once eligibility has been established, affordable homes will be sold to purchasers at discounted prices set according to the purchasing capacity of each applicant household and the minimum level of support which they require. This is subject, however, to minimum prices set by Local Authorities to reflect economic realities and ensure scheme viability.
154. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable cost rental homes that have been delivered to date; the local authority areas in which they have been delivered; and the rents being charged by each size and type of home in tabular form. [35136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Government's Housing for All strategy, 10,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered from 2021 to 2026 by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency (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. The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental on its own portfolio of sites or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh.
The first 65 CREL-funded Cost Rental homes were tenanted by the Clúid AHB in 2021, with 25 at Taylor Hill in Balbriggan and a further 40 at Barnhall Meadows in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. These developments have delivered cost-covering rents at least 40% below comparable open-market prices.
The first quarter of 2022 saw tenants being allocated homes in a further 50 Cost Rental dwellings at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside. These homes were delivered by the Tuath and Respond AHBs, in a collaboration with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and with €4.5 million of funding provided through the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), as the precursor to the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from my Department. The cost-covering rent for these two-bedroom apartments is €1,200 per month, which represents a very significant discount on market prices in the area (c. €2,000). A full table of Cost Rental homes delivered to date, through both the SSF/AHF and CREL funding pathways, is set out below.
|
Scheme |
Number of Units |
AHB/ LA |
Local Authority |
Weighted Average CR Rent |
Weighted Average Market Rent |
Discount |
Tenanted |
|
Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. |
25 |
AHB/Clúid |
Fingal |
€1,056.00 |
€1,802.00 |
-41% |
Q3 2021 |
|
2-bed terraces (77.8- 88.6m2) |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3-bed terraces, semi-detached and detached (102-120m2) |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4-bed detached (149.4m2) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barnhall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. |
56 |
AHB/Clúid |
Kildare |
€1,212.50 |
€2,091.00 |
-42% |
Q4 2021 and Q2 2022 |
|
2-bed house (86m2) |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3-bed house (109-121m2) |
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Co Dublin |
50 |
AHBs Respond &Tuath, LA DLRCC |
Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown |
€1,200.00 |
€1,960.00 |
-39% |
Q1 2022 |
|
2-bed apartments (66m2) |
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parklands, Citywest, |
20 |
AHB/Tuath |
South Dublin |
€1,280.00 |
€1,925.00 |
-34% |
Q2 2022 |
|
2-bed apartments (90m2) |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2-bed Duplex apartments (96m2) |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Paddocks, Newbridge |
46 |
AHB/Clúid |
Kildare |
€1,197.00 |
€1,619.00 |
-26% |
Q2 2022 |
|
1-bed apartments (50m2) |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2-bed apartments (80m2) |
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3-bed apartments (100m2) |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kilcarbery Grange, Clondalkin, |
37 |
AHB/Tuath |
South Dublin |
€1,140.78 |
€1,670.00 |
-32% |
Q2 2022 |
|
1-bed apartments (50m2) |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2-bed apartments (85m2) |
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Delivered |
234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This brings the number of Cost Rental homes delivered to date at 234 in less than 12 months since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act last July.
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.
155. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of section 254 applications that have been granted to a group (details supplied) by local authorities in the past three years; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35140/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 , as amended (the Act) provides for a licensing system for appliances and structures, placed on, above, under or along a public road, including footpaths. The Act provides that a ‘public road’ has the same meaning as the Roads Act 1993, which defines it as “a road over which a public right of way exists and the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies with a road authority”. Section 254(5A) of the Act outlines the licensing process in respect of an application for a licence to erect, construct, place or maintain overground electronic communication infrastructure and any associated physical infrastructure, including telecommunication poles. Within the statutory framework, licensing is a matter for each individual local authority and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.
Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. However, data in relation to section 254 licenses is not specifically collected and consequently is not available in my Department. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to announce changes to the household income eligibility for local authority housing before 15 July 2022 given the urgent need to do so; when these eligibility thresholds were last set; the reason for the delay in changing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Introduced in 2011, the income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. A blanket increase of €5,000 was also introduced prior to the new system coming into operation.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined, inter alia, the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, has been completed. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
157. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grounds on which a local authority may refuse families or individuals seeking emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. 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.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. This allows local authorities to provide an immediate response to ensure households are provided with the accommodation and supports required while the ultimate aim is to work with households to exit homelessness in the shortest timeframe possible. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. Local authorities also assess applications for social housing supports, ensuring housing supports are available to households unable to meet their accommodation needs from their own resources.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review of shared ownership liability in the case of a person (details supplied) can be undertaken given that an administrative change took place resulting in increased mortgage repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shared Ownership scheme was one of the measures introduced by the Department under the policy document "A Plan for Social Housing" in 1991. The Shared Ownership scheme facilitated access to home ownership in two stages for those who could not afford full ownership immediately. The applicant acquires a share of the property and rents the remainder from the local authority, with an undertaking to acquire the remaining equity within a 25 year period.
The operation of the Shared Ownership scheme, including the title deeds and interest in the freehold, is a matter for each individual local authority.
