Written Answers Nos. 573-608
573. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if bog and other land that is being re-wetted for ecological reasons will be required to be fully fenced to ensure that neighbouring stock cannot enter it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42877/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently restoring raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas as set out under the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan. Where my Department has undertaken restoration measures on raised bogs it has consulted with neighbouring landowners regarding any proposed works. The requirements regarding fencing and signage on each bog are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The work undertaken by my Department is only one of many peatland restoration or rehabilitation projects being undertaken across the country by various bodies such as Farmpeat operated by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, the Enhanced Decommissioning Restoration and Rehabilitation Scheme operated by Bord an Móna and Care-Peat an Interreg North-West Europe project.
It is the responsibility of landowners to ensure that their lands are maintained in a manner appropriate to the nature of the agricultural activity being undertaken within those lands. Therefore, fencing and stock proofing of an individual’s lands is considered a matter for each individual landowner.
574. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review into housing adaptation grant limits. [42908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is continuing within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these in relation to the review of the suite of grants.
Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
575. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a policy issue raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the current price limit for first home scheme applicants in County Louth; his plans, if any, for an adjustment in the house price threshold for the Drogheda urban and rural LEAs in line with the price limit for County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme uses regional price ceilings based primarily on the median prices of new-build homes purchased by first-time buyers. This is to temper any inflationary pressures, to target support at the lower part of the price distribution in each area, and to encourage additional housing supply at this price level. All price ceilings for the First Home Scheme are available on the scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The setting of these initial First Home Scheme price ceilings has been informed primarily by an analysis of published data from the Central Statistics Office, specifically the Residential Property Price Index (RPPI), together with a review of current market data and sales prices for new homes marketed at first-time buyers.
The First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company now holds responsibility for maintaining, reviewing, and updating the price ceilings. The scheme has confirmed that a review of ceilings will be undertaken after six months of operation and periodically thereafter, which will ensure that the ceilings allow the scheme to deliver on its underlying objectives. The price ceiling for Louth will be covered by this review process, so the Scheme will assess the suitability of the initial ceiling in light of the trends shown in more recent data. The First Home Scheme can be contacted directly at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/get-in-touch/.
576. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of boil water notices that are in effect at present; and the engagement, if any, that he has had with Irish Water on these boil water notices. [42927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. My Department has no operational function in this matter.
As a result, my Department does not compile the information requested but it may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
Irish Water is closely regulated by the Health Services Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of public health protection and environmental compliance.
The Environmental Protection Agency as environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU Directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water.
My Department maintains an ongoing engagement with Irish Water regarding strategic, financial and general operational matters.
577. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant homes where homeowners availed of the repair and lease scheme in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42940/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on the repair and leasing scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q1 2022 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
This includes the number of units delivered by each local authority in 2021 and in Q1 2022. My Department does not hold details of the property owners.
578. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 623 of 26 July 2022, when the full-time vacancy officer will be in place in Galway City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities regarding the increase in funding, from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, being made available to support the work of the Vacant Homes Office, including a vacant homes officer (VHO) in each local authority. This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the vacant homes officer role is full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
Local authorities were requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. My Department understands that Galway City Council appointed a fulltime VHO on 22 August 2022.
579. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on expanding the capacity for telephone support at the Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to some landlords being unable to register their tenancies and that they cannot contact the Residential Tenancies Board to resolve the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43020/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra625. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out any assessment to determine or estimate the number of properties in the State that are currently on the rental market but are not registered with the Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43342/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that his Department is taking to ensure that landlords register their properties with the Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra689. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the RTB Board property registration process will be improved. [44314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 580, 625, 626 and 689 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the implementation of the new tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.
Following the passing of legislation in 2019, with effect from 4 April 2022, landlords are required to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
I am aware that some landlord and agent customers are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy registration system but the RTB has assured my Department that it is working collaboratively and constructively with the sector to assist anyone experiencing difficulties.
The RTB is experiencing significantly high volumes of calls and action is underway to reduce these waiting times, with the recruitment of a large number of additional staff in its customer service centre and the implementation of some technical changes to the online registration system. The RTB has advised my Department that their customer service teams are spending considerable time with landlords supporting their transition over to the new system and have been engaging directly with landlord stakeholder groups over recent months to support landlords, AHBs and property professionals understand the requirements to register annually.
Given the genuine difficulties among its user community, for a period of time the RTB will be refunding all late fees paid to the RTB for new tenancy registrations with a tenancy commencement date on or after the 4 April 2022, and annual registrations of existing tenancies which became due on or after 4 April 2022. The RTB is hard at work to operationalise this new process over the coming weeks and will provide its customers with an update once the detail is finalised via its regular website customer service announcements. This will not apply to any late fees which have accumulated prior to the introduction of annual registration on 4 April 2022 and does not apply to providers of Student Specific Accommodation.
With regard to an estimate of the number of properties in the State that are currently on the rental market but are not registered with the RTB, my Department does not collect the data sought. However, the RTB has a dedicated email address for oireachtas members’ queries and may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
584. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications per local authority area that have been rejected for the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund in cases in which the location of the vacant property was deemed ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43078/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 14 July, my Department launched the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The fund is initially focused on supporting refurbishment of vacant homes in regional towns and villages. The Fund is being delivered by local authorities, and will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
My Department does not currently have data from each local authority in respect of applications. Information has been requested from the date of the scheme launch and will be made available. This will inform the operation, delivery and development of the scheme.
587. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the public consultation on the referendum on housing is published on the European Commission website instead of the official gov.ie website; if his Department has considered the implications that this could have on the results of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43097/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that this public consultation is being managed by the Housing Commission, who are independent from my Department. The Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland committed to establishing a Housing Commission.
The Commission has been tasked to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing, all of which have long-term impacts on communities. The Commission has also been mandated to bring forward proposals on the wording for a referendum on housing.
The Housing Commission launched a public consultation seeking views on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland. The consultation asks submissions to consider whether there should be a constitutional amendment and if so what form it should take.
The Commission has heard from a range of domestic and international housing experts at its conference on a Referendum on Housing in Ireland on 10 and 11 May. This public consultation formed a further important aspect of the consultation stage the Housing Commission’s work.
Members of the public, public representatives, organisations involved in housing, people working in related policy and legal areas were invited to send in submissions.
The public consultation remained open until Friday 2 September.
The submissions will provide invaluable input from the public and stakeholders to assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the government.
EUSurvey is the on line mechanism that was utilised by the Commission on Housing for this consultation process. EUSurvey is an online survey management system for creating and publishing forms available to the public. The surveys that are created with the tool are not advertised by the European Commission and there is no webpage where all the created surveys are available. It is the survey owners and organizer`s role to advertise their surveys as required. The consultation process was advertised across both print and social media, as well as on the Commission on Housing and Department of Housing’s website.
There were 3 ways that respondents could provide their views:
- through responding to the consultation, ‘Public Consultation on a Referendum on Housing’ at this link: ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/ReferendumonHousing22
- by emailing a submission to: ConsultHC@housingcommission.gov.ie
- by posting a submission to: Housing Commission, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0
These submissions will inform the Housing Commission’s consideration as it deliberates on the critical factors and makes its recommendation as to appropriate wording to be put to the people in a referendum.
588. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expenses paid to Ministerial advisers in his Department in each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43157/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenses paid to Ministerial advisers in my Department for years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, are outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
Minister’s name |
Minister’s adviser name |
Amount paid |
|
2020 |
Minister Eoghan Murphy |
O’Donnell- Jack |
€5,496.44 |
|
2020 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€1,042.02 |
|
2020 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€1,024.65 |
|
2021 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€419.04 |
|
2021 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€2,142.50 |
|
2021 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€6,351.05 |
|
2022 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Dillon- Kevin |
€1,188.56 |
|
2022 |
Minister Darragh O’Brien |
Shaughnessy- Ciara |
€3,879.30 |
|
2022 |
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hamilton- Hannah |
€1,923.20 |
589. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the current review that his Department is conducting regarding domestic wastewater treatment systems grant schemes; the considerations that are being made regarding the extension of the prescribed date of registration in order to allow all householders to register their systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides financial assistance towards the remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or the replacement of a domestic waste water treatment system under new and revised grant schemes, which launched in June 2020. The schemes are focused on areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application. This is in line with Government Policy which is framed in the context of meeting relevant obligations under legislation.
The Water Services Act 2007, as amended, required all owners of premises served by an individual domestic waste water treatment system to have the system entered into a register maintained by local authorities. The prescribed date of 1 February 2013 was appointed by the Water Services Act 2007 and 2012 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012, as amended. New houses with domestic treatment systems continue to be required to register.
In implementing the revised arrangements in 2020, my Department committed to conducting a review of the four grant schemes under Measure 8 of the current Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, examining all issues to ensure their continued alignment with policy objectives. The review is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed by year end.
590. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to legislate or alter current regulations on subletting of a tenancy without the consent of a landlord given the increase in such practices and the impact on living conditions and tenant rights of those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43214/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 16(k) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 obliges a tenant not to sub-let his or her tenancy without the written consent of his or her landlord (which consent the landlord may, in his or her discretion, withhold).
Section 16(n) of the Acts obliges a tenant to notify in writing the landlord of the identity of each person (other than a multiple tenant) who for the time being, resides ordinarily in the dwelling.
The provisions are designed to respect the constitutionally protected property rights of the landlord and I have no plans to alter them at this time. I will continue to keep the operation of the Acts under constant review and make any necessary and justifiable amendments in a timely manner.
591. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant purchase scheme can take into account home improvements made by the purchaser during their time as a tenant in a local authority property and have this investment reflected in a lower purchase price for the property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43229/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaterial improvements by tenants to local authority social houses may be factored into the purchase price of properties under the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme.
It is generally a matter for local authorities to decide how the purchase price of such properties is determined. That said, it is typically the greater of –
- the ‘relevant market value’ (where appropriate, the market value of a house less the market value of material improvements); or
- half the estimated cost to a local authority of replacing the house.
A purchase price based on half the replacement cost, ensures a minimum financial contribution to replacing a house where its market value is too low to meaningfully compensate for its loss from the social housing stock. While the value of improvements would not be factored into this calculation, the purchase price would still be low because the discount, whether 40%, 50% or 60%, is applied to only half the replacement cost.
592. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of the directors of a scheme (details supplied); if this is a State-owned company; if so, if the company’s annual returns and accounts will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43231/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme is not a fully State-owned company. The First Home Scheme is operated by a Designated Activity Company (DAC), overseen by a Board of Directors comprising representatives of the scheme funders, i.e. the State, AIB (which includes EBS and Haven), Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB. The scheme will facilitate the participation of further commercial lenders in the Irish market over its lifetime.
The current Directors of First Home Scheme Ireland DAC are as follows:
|
Name |
Organisation |
|
Pat O’Sullivan |
AIB |
|
Rosi Meehan |
AIB |
|
Brian Coffey |
BOI |
|
Aoife Leonard |
BOI |
|
Jeff Harbourne |
PTSB |
|
Nicola O’Brien |
PTSB |
|
Caroline Timmons |
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
|
Robert Nicholson |
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
As a Designated Activity Company, the First Home Scheme Ireland holds responsibility for making all necessary statutory returns, including the preparation of financial statements and accounts and I am confident that the Board of First Home will ensure the scheme complies with all statutory obligations.
593. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that executive planners and assistant town planners cannot carry increments from previous public service posts, unlike other positions in local government; and if he will indicate whether there are plans to change this arrangement. [43302/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the specifics of each individual case will vary, in February 2016, my Department issued circular EL 05/2016 to all Chief Executives in the Local Government sector. Circular EL 05/2016 provides with effect from 1 February 2016 for existing public servants, who were serving in analogous grades and pay scales to local authority grades and who are moving without break to the local authority sector, to retain their increments from other public sector employments following appointment from open competition to the local authority sector. Since 1 February 2016, such appointees may be assimilated on their current pay point from their previous public sector employment. This circular continues to apply to appointees, including those appointed to posts in the planning area of a local authority. Appointees may be required to mark time where their current public service salary is not an exact match in respect of incremental points.
594. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rented accommodation inspections that were carried out by all local authorities in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken in tabular form; the procedure for deeming that a property is unfit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43303/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 installations. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate. Under sections 18A and 18B of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, a housing authority may serve an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice, respectively, where a property is found to be non-compliant.
Under Section 34 of that Act, any person who by act or omission contravenes the Regulations, fails to comply with an improvement notice, or re-lets a house in breach of a prohibition notice, will be guilty of an offence and will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both. If the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting is continued after conviction, the person will be guilty of a further offence on every day on which the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting continues and for each such offence will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €400 per day.
To aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations, increased Exchequer funding has been made available to local authorities since 2018 to enable them to build inspection capacity, with payments based on the number of inspections undertaken. Significant progress was made across the sector. The number of inspections more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,728 in 2019. However, given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The number of inspections undertaken in 2020 fell to 25,703 and 20,240 in 2021.
Statistics relating to Private Rental Inspections for the period 2005 to 2021 are available on my Department's website at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/#private-rented-inspections
The data requested in relation to 2022 (up to and including Q2 2022 which is the latest available) is is set out below:
|
Year |
Total Rental Inspections Carried Out |
Total Improvement Letters and Notices |
Total Improvement Letters issued |
Total Improvement Notices served |
Total Prohibition Notices Served |
|
Q1 and Q2 2022 |
23,437 |
- |
15,936 |
871 |
50 |
595. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on supporting an unprecedented 4,000 affordable purchase homes on average every year under Housing for All. [43307/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All 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. Affordable purchase homes will be delivered by local authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through ‘First Home’ a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The First Home Scheme was launched on 7 July last, and primarily supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. Since the scheme was launched, almost 500 full applications have been submitted, with 288 already receiving Certificates of Eligibility. Full details of the scheme can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme has also commenced and in April I signed two sets of Regulations which underpin the Scheme and provide the basis for making available affordable purchase homes and the administration of sales. These Regulations are available online at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/183/made/en/print
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print
The Department supports local authorities in their development of affordable homes for purchase through the Affordable Housing Fund. The Fund provides exchequer funding 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. To date, the Department has received 16 applications from local authorities for local authority built projects and the initial affordable purchase homes are already being delivered, with Cork City Council advising that the first 37 affordable purchase homes of the Boherboy Road project have been advertised and are expected to be occupied by year’s end.
A further 39 Local Authority-delivered affordable purchase homes have been made available by Fingal County Council this year in Dun Emer in Lusk, with indicated costs from €166,000 for a 2-bed apartment and from €206,000 for a 3-bed duplex and from €258,000 for a 3-bed semi-detached home.
In addition projects on local authority-owned land, a further 12 advance purchase applications for AHF support have been submitted in by local authorities including including in Cork. Funding has already been approved for 6 advance purchase arrangements by local authorities to deliver almost 200 housing units in 2022, with South Dublin County Council advising my Department that successful applicants have been notified in relation to 16 Affordable Purchase homes it has made available in Kilcarbery Grange in Clondalkin. The purchase prices for these homes will be from €237,000, a reduction on market values of c. 20%.
Separately, the LDA it is pursuing a twin-track approach of accelerating near term construction of affordable homes on both State and private land, while also working over the longer term to assemble large State-owned land banks capable of delivering thousands of new homes. The LDA is actively developing 12 sites, capable of delivering about 6,000 homes and has recently submitted planning applications for 2,358 social and affordable homes. Under Housing for All, 20 further sites (additional to the initial tranche of State lands identified) were designated for transfer to the LDA. Details of the work that the LDA is progressing on public lands that will deliver affordable purchase and cost rental can be found at lda.ie/projects-schemes/
In addition, the LDA’s 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 Cost Rental or affordable sale to eligible households.Details of all homes that will be made available under Project Tosaigh will be confirmed when commercial agreements are finalised. Full details of the initiative can be found at the following link;
lda.ie/home-building-partnership/
Additional affordable housing delivery will also 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.
596. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a new local authority-led affordable purchase scheme under Housing for All, targeting average prices of €250,000. [43308/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority affordable purchase scheme, the legislative basis for which is set out in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, allows local authorities to make homes available to qualified purchasers at a discount from market values. 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. 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 prices at which affordable homes are made available are determined by local authorities for each scheme having regard to a range of factors including, the cost of construction, cost of land, scheme density which impacts on the subsidy available, and local market values.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), open for applications from local authorities since 1st September 2021. Before making an application a local authority must satisfy itself that a strong demand for affordable housing is evidenced by a Housing Need and Demands Assessment (HNDA) or other verifiable data indicating a strong evidence-based affordable housing need.
The planned delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, is set out in local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. 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. They provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
597. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a new first home shared equity scheme for private developments under Housing for All. [43309/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra638. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of shared-equity loan applications to date, the value of those applications, the number of approvals, the value of those approvals and the number of drawdowns; and the value of those drawdowns to date in tabular form. [43635/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 597 and 638 together.
The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new-build homes in private developments through an equity share model, similar to that employed in Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The equity share will 'bridge the gap' between the financial means available to the purchaser, comprising mortgage and deposit, and the cost of a new home within a set regional price ceiling. The scheme is being operated by a dedicated body, the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company. Full details of the scheme are available on the website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
In the weeks since the scheme was launched on 7 July and to , I can confirm the latest statistics as follows:
- Over 175,000 visits have been made to the firsthomescheme.ie website.
- Almost 1,500 households so far have established accounts with a view to making applications.
- Almost 500 full applications were made to the scheme.
- 288 Eligibility Certificates have been issued to First Home applicants, equipping these households to purchase their first home.
It is my understanding that the First Home Scheme Ireland, as a Designated Activity Company, intends to issue quarterly reports commencing from the end of this month. First Home Scheme can be contacted directly at info@firsthomescheme.ie for further information.
598. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a reformed local authority home loan under Housing for All. [43310/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra616. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a fresh start principle for applications to State affordable housing and loan schemes under Housing for All. [43329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 616 together.
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. As of 4 January 2022, no new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications are being accepted, although applications already in process are being honoured.
The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It also includes the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme.
The loan is a normal Capital and Interest-bearing mortgage which is repaid by direct debit on a monthly basis. You can borrow up to 90% of the market value of the property.
Maximum market values of the property that can be purchased or self-built are:
- €320,000 in the counties of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, and
- €250,000 in the rest of the country.
A ‘Fresh Start’ principle applies for applications to the Local Authority Home Loan. The following categories of persons are eligible to apply for the Local Authority Home Loan under the Fresh Start principle:
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is divorced/separated or otherwise and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the property are eligible.
- Applicant(s) that previously purchased a residential property, but have been divested of this through insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, are eligible to apply. The applicant must be discharged from bankruptcy proceedings. It should be noted that a return to solvency should not be interpreted as a return to creditworthiness, which is a separate assessment.
In recognition of such instances, an exemption to the First Time Buyer eligibility criteria can be applied under the Fresh Start Principle.
The final decision regarding the Local Authority Home Loan application is made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis.
Further details can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Information on drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals for both the Local Authority Home Loan and Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan up to Q1 2022 is available at the following link, which will be updated as soon as figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
The Fresh Start Principle also applies to other Affordable Housing Schemes including the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home Scheme (Shared Equity).
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme sees local authorities make new homes available for purchase by eligible applicants at reduced prices. In return, the local authority takes a percentage equity stake in the Affordable Purchase home equal to the discount of the purchase price from the full market value of the home. If an eligible applicant purchases a home at a 20% discount, for example, the local authority takes a 20% equity interest in the home.
An additional exception for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme is those who previously purchased or built a home which is now no longer of an appropriate size for their household.
More information on the scheme can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4ea9a-local-authority-affordable-purchase-scheme/
The First Home Scheme is available nationally on a demand-led basis, and will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme will support purchases of homes within regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area.
Full information is available on the dedicated website: www.firsthomescheme.ie
599. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on an owner-occupier guarantee in housing developments to secure homes exclusively for first-time buyers and other owner-occupiers under Housing for All. [43311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing for All strategy, the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 new homes per year over the next decade.
Under Housing Policy Objective 1.10, of the “Supporting Homeownership and Increasing Affordability” pillar of “Housing for All”, the Government committed to introducing a form of ‘owner-occupier guarantee’, which would enable Local Authorities to specify the proportion of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers.
In support of this commitment the Government introduced a series of measures in May 2021 designed to prohibit the bulk buying of houses and duplexes. This included the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities “Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing” to planning authorities which aimed to prevent multiple units being sold to a single buyer.
The Section 28 Guidelines aim to provide an ‘owner-occupier’ guarantee by ensuring that new ‘own-door’ houses and duplex units in housing developments can no longer be bulk-purchased by institutional investors in a manner that causes the displacement of individual purchasers or social and affordable housing, including cost-rental. The Guidelines included requirements that a new form of condition be inserted in applicable new planning permissions, to the effect that:
(1) all houses would have to be made available for sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period of years after completion of the home. (In the case of mixed developments, the provision only applies to the houses and duplex units and not apartments.);
(2) exempts housing to be provided for social or affordable purposes from this requirement; and
(3) if, after a period of two years, the local authority is satisfied that despite reasonable efforts, a market has not emerged, the condition will lapse.
On 9 June 2022, Minister O’Brien published a progress update on the Section 28 planning measures introduced in May 2021 to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of bulk purchasing by institutional investors. It demonstrates that almost 16,000 residential units have been ring-fenced for individual buyers and restricted from bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser. My Department will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures and will provide a further update at the end of Q4 2022.
Further complementary measures have also been taken in addition to these guidelines. The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 (No. 40 of 2021) came into effect on 17th December 2021. Section 7 of this Act provides that the housing strategy prepared by a local authority shall take into account the need to ensure that home ownership as a tenure type is provided for and estimated in its housing strategy.
This amendment supports the implementation of Housing Policy Objective 1.10 and introduces the principle of home ownership, as a specific tenure type within a local authority’s housing strategy, with particular regard to developments comprising houses and duplexes and gives further legislative effect to the provisions of the Section 28 Guidelines issued in May 2021.
In addition to the above, a 10% stamp duty levy was introduced by the Government for the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12 month period. This policy was aimed at ensuring a level playing field for traditional family home buyers, including but not limited to first-time buyers, while facilitating vital investment in high density apartments.
600. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a figure of 20% of all developments set aside for affordable and social housing under Housing for All. [43312/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on providing over 90,000 social homes by 2030, including an average annual new-build component of over 9,500 social housing homes to 2026 under Housing for All, the highest number in the history of the State. [43319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 606 together.
Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. 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. This data is available until the end of Quarter 1 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2022 and showed that at the end of Quarter 1, there were 8,776 social homes onsite with an additional 11,551 homes at various stages of the design and tender processes. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6912a-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q1-2022/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded at the link below: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q1 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 expanded the requirement in Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to provide 10% of the uplift in value of zoned residential land for social housing, to a mandatory 20% for social, affordable and cost rental housing requirements, of which at least half must be applied to social housing provision. As detailed in Housing for All, current planning permissions will be unaffected, and land purchased between 2015 and 2021 will also continue at the 10% requirement for social housing. Near term supply of affordable housing will not be significantly affected by these changes, however, this will change in 2026 when the 20% will apply to all land regardless of when purchased.
601. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on an average of 2,000 new cost rental homes every year with rents targeted at least 25% below market level under Housing for All. [43313/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the period to 2030, the Government's Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes. Delivery will increase incrementally, to an average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year. 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. Both developments 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, the precursor to the Affordable Housing Fund, 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).
Quarter 2 of 2022 saw a further 119 Cost Rental homes tenanted at Barnhall in Leixlip (16), Parklands in Citywest (20), The Paddocks in Newbridge (46) and Kilcarbery Grange in Clondalkin (37). These developments delivered cost-covering rents averaging 33% below comparable open market prices.
59 Cost Rental units were recently tenanted at the Kilcarbery Grange (remaining 37 units) and Parklands (further 22 units) developments, bringing the total number of Cost Rental homes in Ireland to 293 since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act last year.
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.
In addition to homes funded through the CREL, additional Cost Rental properties are in development by Local Authorities through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and by the Land Development Agency.
The central Exchequer funding through the AHF will help to facilitate a Local Authority-led financing structure for Cost Rental. Dublin City Council has submitted an application for funding under the AHF scheme, for their site at Emmet Road, which is an important project for the development of the Cost Rental sector in Ireland. Current projections will see 582 homes delivered on this city centre site, 376 of which will be Cost Rental homes. It is anticipated that a Part 10 planning application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in the 3rd quarter of 2022.
In respect of the LDA, it is committed to delivering a large proportion of the homes it will be developing through the Cost Rental model. It is pursuing a twin-track approach of accelerating near term construction of affordable homes on both State and private land, while also working over the longer term to assemble large State-owned land banks capable of delivering thousands of new homes.
For example, the LDA is collaborating with Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to deliver over 300 Cost Rental homes on a site at Shanganagh, Shankill. Furthermore, it is working on the former HSE Site at St Kevin’s Hospital in Cork City. The LDA has secured planning permission for 265 social and affordable homes for this development and this includes over 100 Cost Rental units. The first homes are expected at the end of 2023/Q1 2024.
The LDA is actively developing 12 sites, capable of delivering about 6,000 homes and has recently submitted planning applications for 2,358 social and affordable homes. Under Housing for All, 20 further sites (additional to the initial tranche of State lands identified) were designated for transfer to the LDA. The establishment of the LDA allows proactive management of the State’s extensive land bank. A State Lands and Property Group monitors progress on the transfer of State lands to the LDA and considers further potential State sites suitable to support housing delivery by the LDA and Local Authorities. All relevant land-owning Departments and Agencies have been requested to engage fully with the LDA.
In the longer term, the LDA will assemble strategic land banks from a mix of public and private lands, making these available for housing in a controlled manner, helping to provide essential long-term stability to the Irish housing market.
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 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 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. Full details of the initiative can be found here:
lda.ie/home-building-partnership/
602. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on an extension of rent pressure zones to 2024 and rents linked to the harmonised index of consumer prices under Housing for All. [43314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides quarterly progress reports on all actions under Housing for All which are available on: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
As committed to under Housing for All, the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The designation of all existing RPZs has also been extended until 31 December 2024.
The Act also introduced measures to better protect tenants with affordability issues by prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP (CSO data for July 2022 shows HICP inflation of 9.6 % p.a.), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, for 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.
In all cases, section 19(1) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 prohibit the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent.
603. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on indefinite tenancies to strengthen security for renters under Housing for All. [43316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides quarterly progress reports on all actions under Housing for All which are available on: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
In accordance with both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments, the Government has provided for Tenancies of Unlimited Duration through the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act was signed into law on 11 December 2021.
All new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited duration once the tenancy has lasted more than 6 months and no notice of termination has been validly served on the tenant. The aim is to enhance security of tenure for tenants and to simplify the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022.
As existing Part 4/further Part 4 tenancies terminate/expire over time or are renewed, it will involve the creation of a new tenancy of unlimited duration in respect of any such a rented dwelling. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 also provides that a landlord may grant his or her consent to any existing tenancy being treated as a tenancy of unlimited duration.
604. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a minimum building energy rating standard for private rental dwellings under Housing for All. [43317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, or ‘Cost Optimal’ equivalent, for the private rental sector beginning in 2025. This will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenant’s health and improve comfort levels in rental homes. Work in this area, which will support the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is underway. The detailed parameters of the work including the scope, detailed approach to its implementation and associated timelines are already under examination within my Department.
605. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update for an upfront deposit and rent payments capped at two months-value under Housing for All. [43318/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides quarterly progress reports on all actions under Housing for All which are available on: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
As committed to under Housing for All, section 7 of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 inserts a new section 19B into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which applies to tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, to restrict the total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent (i.e. any deposit cannot exceed 1 month’s rent and any advance rent payment cannot exceed 1 month’s rent). A restriction of the equivalent of 1 month’s rent is also placed on the amount that a tenant is obliged to pay as a regular advance rent payment to a landlord during a tenancy.
607. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on ending long-term leasing by local authorities and approved housing bodies through phasing out new entrants and focus on new-build to provide social housing homes under Housing for All. [43320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes 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.
This includes the delivery of 47,600 new build social homes in the period 2022-2026. 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.
Housing for All envisages that 3,500 units are to be delivered through long term leasing over the lifetime of the plan, tapering down from 1,300 units in 2022 to 200 units in 2025. As such, annual Housing for All targets were allocated to 13 Local Authorities out to 2025.
Leasing delivery figures are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
As a necessary measure to accelerate the provision of social homes and to alleviate pressure on the wider housing system this year; the Housing Agency in conjunction with my Department is exploring the introduction of an emergency new targeted leasing initiative.
On 15 July, a without prejudice call for expressions of interest was published on www.etenders.gov.ie, to test the market’s ability to deliver up to an additional 1,000 social homes between 2022 and 2025.
The purpose of this expression of interest is to drive engagement with property providers and approved housing bodies to assess whether 1,000 new social homes can be delivered in the areas of greatest social housing need, given current challenging market conditions. The Housing Agency is currently reviewing the 58 submissions received against the criteria of the initiative.
The outputs from the project submissions will enable an accurate cost analysis to be completed to determine the exact funds required to progress this initiative, which will then be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for funding approval.
Housing for All commits to ending long term leasing by the end of 2025 . This policy remains unchanged, however leasing continues to be an important mechanism for expedited delivery to meet social housing needs as build supply ramps up to meet demand.
608. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on strengthening the mortgage to rent scheme under Housing for All to ensure that it meets the needs of those in long-term mortgage arrears. [43321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth the Programme for Government and Housing for All commits to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme (MTR) and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, which was published on the 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While the scheme is performing well, it was assessed that some further enhancements were needed to enable more households in need of State support with their long-term housing needs to avail of this scheme. Four broad categories of actions are identified in the review, including:
broadening eligibility criteria;
improving the scheme process, structure and financing;
increasing communication and awareness raising; and
responding to developments around mortgage arrears solutions.
Full details of the recommendations and associated actions are outlined within the 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent scheme for people who have borrowed from commercial private lending institutions and this review is available on the Department's website under Publications: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed57b-2021-review-of-the-mortgage-to-rent-scheme-for-borrowers-of-commercial-private-lending-institutions/
One key priority action was to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme. This was implemented under the scheme on 14 February 2022. These include changes to the following aspects of the scheme, which will enable more borrowers to apply:
Positive Equity: Three new limits varying from €25,000 to €35,000 apply depending on the location of the property.
Property Acquisition Limits: Increases of up to 14% on the previous limits have been implemented across two threshold areas. These limits take account of current market conditions and the recent research by the Central Bank.
Flexibility on over accommodation: The scheme now allows flexibility on the over accommodation rule where a member of the household is aged 65 or over, or has a disability.
Progress is also ongoing around the other actions outlined within the review.
