Written Answers Nos. 320-337
320. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of council mortgage applications, approvals and drawdowns in 2022, broken down by local authority; the average amount for the applications, approvals and drawdowns, in tabular form. [3978/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service that assesses applications for the Local Authority Home Loan, on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to local authorities to approve or refuse applications.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.
The figures provided by the Agency on the combined number of Local Authority Home Loan and its predecessor the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval for each local authority in 2022 are set out in the below table:
|
Local Authority |
Applications Assessed |
Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
38 |
16 |
|
Cavan County Council |
20 |
9 |
|
Clare County Council |
40 |
19 |
|
Cork City Council |
130 |
43 |
|
Cork County Council |
228 |
77 |
|
Donegal County Council |
21 |
10 |
|
Dublin City Council |
219 |
129 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown CC |
45 |
21 |
|
Fingal County Council |
162 |
99 |
|
Galway City Council |
47 |
30 |
|
Galway County Council |
107 |
39 |
|
Kerry County Council |
78 |
19 |
|
Kildare County Council |
100 |
40 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
51 |
30 |
|
Laois County Council |
54 |
20 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
14 |
5 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
71 |
30 |
|
Longford County Council |
34 |
18 |
|
Louth County Council |
108 |
34 |
|
Mayo County Council |
37 |
17 |
|
Meath County Council |
132 |
88 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
44 |
9 |
|
Offaly County Council |
21 |
10 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
35 |
6 |
|
Sligo County Council |
31 |
8 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
126 |
53 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
58 |
26 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
96 |
14 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
34 |
19 |
|
Wexford County Council |
79 |
36 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
111 |
36 |
|
Total |
2371 |
1010 |
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).
Local Authority drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q2 2022 are available on my Department’s website at the following link, which will be updated as soon additional figures are available:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
321. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied with the mortgage to rent scheme; if it is working as designed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact a bank (details suppled) is withdrawing from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3985/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme allows an Approved Housing Body (AHB) or since 2018 a private company, Home for Life, acquire ownership of a property with an unsustainable private mortgage from a lender and enables the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant. The scheme is an established part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Along with other eligibility criteria, the household must qualify for social housing.
To the end of December 2022, a total of 2,114 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR process and 534 cases are being actively progressed. A total of 6,078 individuals are benefitting from the scheme, comprising 3,350 adults and 2,728 children.
A review of the scheme was conducted in 2021. The review concluded that the scheme is performing well overall and identified some additional enhancements to further strengthen its operation and accessibility. Progress on a number of actions within the review are underway. The review is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed57b-2021-review-of-the-mortgage-to-rent-scheme-for-borrowers-of-commercial-private-lending-institutions/
My Department is not aware of a particular lender withdrawing from the MTR scheme and understands that they continue to be an active stakeholder within the scheme. The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme including a breakdown of the number of cases by lender and that lender has a number of active cases presently. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics
The decision to purchase a property under the MTR scheme is a matter for the MTR provider, which can be either an AHB or Home for Life. My Department cannot compel a lender to sell a particular property or an MTR provider to purchase a particular property. There is an onus on lenders to advise borrowers in writing as to why MTR may not be an option in a particular case. Where MTR is not an option, it is a matter for the borrower to discuss with their lender if there are other options available to resolve their mortgage arrears situation. For any borrower in in danger of losing their home and are not successful under the MTR scheme, they should engage as early as possible with their local authority regarding their housing needs.
My Department also encourages any borrower in mortgage arrears, if they have not already done so, to engage with the Abhaile scheme. The Abhaile scheme is available to borrowers in mortgage arrears and provides a range of services free of charge to borrowers including access to independent expert financial advice, legal advice and insolvency advice. A dedicated adviser will work with the borrower and lender to find the best solution. Abhaile is operated by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) who can be reached by telephoning 0761 07 2000 (9am - 8pm, Monday - Friday) or by contacting the local MABS office.
322. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of an application currently with his Department to sanction an up-to-date sewerage scheme in the Broadford area of County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Question is referring to the new funding measure which I announced on the 28 April 2022, as an advance stage of the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
I can confirm that €50 million has been allocated under the National Development Plan, up to 2025, to fund this measure. I can further confirm that all local rural authorities were asked to submit a maximum of two suitable priority applications each, for this funding, with 15 September 2022 being the deadline for their receipt.
Two applications were received from Clare County Council, one for Broadford and the other for Cooraclare.
An independent Expert Panel is currently evaluating all valid applications. The Panel will provide a report on the applications and, upon receipt of this, recommendations for funding will be made.
323. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to make an announcement on the allocated 2023 budget for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities and housing aid for older people to local authorities for private dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4034/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with the review group into the housing aid and housing adaption grants as administered by each local authority; if he has received the recommendations; if he is planning changes to these grants; if so, when such changes are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 348 together.
The funding provision for 2023 for the Private House Grants, which includes the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability and other schemes such as the Thatching grant, is €67 million, an increase of €2 million on the 2022 provision of €65 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014. The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability facilitates older people and disabled people to remain living independently in their own homes.
In advance of formal notification of the 2023 funding allocations to local authorities, work in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability can continue as local authorities may commit up to 65% of their 2022 allocation in approving applications for 2023. This ensures seamless continuation of the grant scheme from year to year. I expect that the 2023 funding allocations will issue shortly to local authorities.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. A report on the review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability has been prepared by my Department. I will be giving careful consideration to the review report and expect to make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.
324. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons who carried out remediation works but no longer own a unit affected by construction defects will be eligible for compensation under the proposed construction defects redress scheme. [4067/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the timeframe of construction was decided in relation to building defects; and if support should be extended to older housing stock in which defects have been identified. [4321/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 344 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. These include a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report Safe as Houses? Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates these commitments.
In this regard, in advance of the establishment of the working group to examine defects in housing, my Department actively engaged with key stakeholders on the proposed remit of the group. The working group to examine defects in housing held its first meeting in March 2021. The group’s terms of reference, which were agreed and adopted in May 2021, focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The report of the working group Defects in Apartments was published at the end of July 2022.
In general terms, the Building Control Act 1990 which provides for the establishment of building control authorities and the making of building regulations and building control regulations came into effect commencing from 4 December 1991. In addition, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which empower competence and professionalism in construction projects and establish a chain of responsibility that begins with the owner came into effect on 1 March 2014.
I received Government approval on 18 January 2023 to draft legislation to support the remediation of such apartments and duplexes. This legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes with such defects that occurred during construction.
Government has approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under this scheme once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the scheme. The details and mechanics of this will be worked out as the legislation is drafted.
326. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports that those who have been approved to offer their homes to Ukrainian families through the Government scheme under current guidelines are not guaranteed that the Government and/or local authority will take responsibility for the gas and electric utility bills if the family are unable to meet this financial commitment; if he will update these guidelines to allow for this guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4078/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe launch of the unoccupied homes call 'Offer a Home', which is being led by local authorities with oversight from my Department, took place on 24 November 2022.
Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which their property is located. Properties offered need to be habitable and must meet certain health and safety standards, developed by the Local Government sector and agreed by my Department.
Local authorities managing the programme recommend that property owners and beneficiaries sign a temporary accommodation licence agreement to protect the rights of the property owner, the beneficiary, and the property itself. The relevant local authority can provide home owners with a template licence agreement.
This licence agreement should also include the payment of utilities which should be agreed by the property owner and the beneficiary at the outset of the arrangement. Should the beneficiaries require assistance in transferring bills to their names, they may contact Citizens Information, Community Response Fora or the relevant local authority.
Property owners are entitled to claim the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP), which is a tax-free, monthly payment per month from the Department of Social Protection for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The payment increased to €800 per month from 1 December 2022.
More information can be found on www.offerahome.ie.
327. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if submissions have been received from Clare County Council under the local authority affordable purchase scheme since July 2022; if so, if he will provide details of same; if his Department is examining any schemes for County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4112/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist all local authorities in bringing forward affordable housing schemes. Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of Clare County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on its website at the following link: www.clarecoco.ie/services/housing/housingdap/.
Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Plans as part of their overall Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Clare does not have a specific target as average house price levels in the county are still well below the national median, but I understand that there may be some localised affordability issues in certain areas which the local authority is examining.
Where there are localised challenges, funding can be made available to develop a scheme in line with Affordable Housing Fund criteria. While to date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from Clare, my Department met with Clare County Council last July and November to discuss affordable housing need in the county and plans to provide affordable housing.
In addition, the First Home Scheme which was launched in 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 aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide, including Co. Clare. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Finally, the new Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is also available in Clare and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €30,000 or €50,000 if the property is derelict. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these scheme is available directly from Clare County Council.
328. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of any advisers who have taken up employment in his Department since the Government rotation in December 2022; the annual salary they are being paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4127/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to the appointment of Special Advisers is set out in the tables below. All three advisers were reappointed following the Government rotation in 2022. The formal process in relation to these appointments is currently under way and should be complete in the coming weeks.
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€73,236 - €85,370 |
329. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he anticipates the review of the boundaries for elections on foot of the most recent census. [4152/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electoral Reform Act 2022 ('the Act') provides for, among other matters, the establishment of the Electoral Commission - which will be titled An Coimisiún Toghcháin. In addition, the Act provides for the review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies to be undertaken by the new Coimisiún following its establishment.
Under the provisions of the Act, the Report of An Coimisiún Toghcháin on the review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies will be published within three months of the publication of final Census results. This mirrors previous arrangements whereby a Constituency Commission was required to complete its work within three months of the publication of final Census results. While the publication of final Census results is a matter for the Central Statistics Office, final results are anticipated for publication in Spring 2023.
This would indicate that a final report from An Coimisiún Toghcháin on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies would be expected in Summer 2023. The final determination of the constituencies for Dáil Éireann and the European Parliament will be a matter for the Oireachtas to prescribe in legislation.
The establishment of An Coimisiún is anticipated very shortly and it will carry out its Dáil and European Parliament constituency review work once it has been established.
330. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if housing aid for older persons to repair damaged external plastering will be considered by local authorities (details supplied). [4158/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (max grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (max grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (max grant €8,000). A means test applies to each grant scheme.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant qualifying works comprise essential works which make a property habitable including structural repairs or improvements, upgrade to electrical wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors, provision of heating (where there is no central heating or it is broken beyond repair), etc. The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
Further details on these schemes are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
331. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 368 of 18 October 2022 the status of the progress of the focused working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4178/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established.
The group met on three occasions during 2022 and remains active. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised shortly. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.
332. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 18 October 2022, what happens in an instance in which a woman who can avail of the rent supplement cannot source a rental property by the time she has to leave refuge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4179/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department does provide support through the Capital Assistance Scheme for accommodation for victims of domestic violence, responsibility for the development and provision of accommodation and related services to support victims of domestic violence rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. My colleague the Minister for Justice leads the overall policy coordination of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) which was published 28 June 2022.
In terms of housing services, in 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to housing authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence. The guidance is a reference for service providers, highlighting where they can best assist their clients. It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports. These include provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support. The support available will depend on the circumstances of the case.
The guidance also highlights how victims of domestic violence are recognised as an 'at risk' target group in relation to homelessness. A housing authority may provide short-term emergency housing to persons who are unable to return to their homes because of domestic violence. When domestic violence victims enter housing authority overseen emergency accommodation the authority should engage the domestic violence service providers to ensure that any ongoing support requirements are provided on an outreach basis.
The guidance was introduced to support a partnership approach by statutory agencies in respect of the delivery of domestic violence services. This is particularly the case in relation to helping prevent and reduce the occurrence of domestic violence related homelessness and facilitating provision of long-term accommodation for victims of domestic violence. Under the DSGBV Strategy my Department has committed to keep this policy and procedural guidance under review for updating and strengthening under action 1.6.4.
Action 2.3.3 of the DSGBV strategy, led by the Department of Justice, aims to develop clear pathways into longer term accommodation out of refuge and other forms of emergency accommodation which is linked to the Housing for All Strategy and an update and review of the 2017 guidance, outlined above, for housing authorities for assisting victims from a DSGBV perspective. One of the key actions under the strategy is to establish a new statutory DSGBV agency. The new agency will develop an inter-departmental plan setting out a framework for the development and delivery of additional safe accommodation, including step down facilities, for victims of domestic violence and for pathways into longer-term accommodation. My Department will participate in the design of the plan.
333. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of beds made available and accessed in County Clare under the cold weather initiative in winter 2022-2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4181/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region.
The cold weather arrangements are typically introduced in November and additional funding is provided by my Department to meet the costs associated with these measures where necessary. These arrangements involve the introduction of additional bed capacity to ensure that there is shelter available for individuals experiencing homelessness who may be at risk of rough sleeping. Depending on the particular local requirements, local authorities may also introduce additional measures such as extended opening hours of homeless facilities and extended outreach services.
The information requested in the Question will be available directly from Clare County Council.
334. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 27 September 2022, the percentage of the €6.5 million Exchequer funding that has been spent in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4182/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
The management of an annual funding allocation is delegated to the lead authority in each homeless region and is governed by a protocol between my Department and the lead authority. This protocol sets out the funding arrangements and structures to ensure adherence with statutory requirements and public financial procedures. The Protocol agreement also sets out reporting requirements in respect of expenditure incurred on the provision of services and includes a requirement to ensure that certified expenditure is reported to my Department. The drawdown of Exchequer funding is in accordance with the reporting arrangements set out in the Protocol. In 2022, the total Exchequer funding provided by my Department to the Mid West Region, which includes Clare County Council was €10 million. Certified expenditure reports from all regional lead authorities are published on my Department's website at:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data. Financial reports for 2022 are currently being examined and will be published shortly.
The detail sought in the question is an operational matter and is a matter for the individual housing authority.
335. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 1 December 2022, the instances in which the discretionary HAP rate can be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4184/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP was required. The Housing Agency carried out this analytical exercise, on behalf of my Department, to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness. Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
Each local authority, therefore, has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
The review identified that the household type with the largest proportion of tenancies in receipt of discretion are single person households. In addition, these households are, on average, among those requiring the highest levels of discretion. To further assist this cohort, local authorities may apply a couple rate to a new single person tenancy, where required. This additional measure specifically addresses the challenges experienced by single person households and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
Recognising that newer tenancies are at a higher cost than those tenancies already in place, this measure will apply to new tenancies only. Single person tenancies already in place may request a rent review, with local authorities now in a position to amend the level of discretion up to 35%.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency.
336. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 10 November 2021, the number of local authorities that have ceased tenancies with tenants due to anti-social behaviour, by type, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4187/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 10 November 2021, the number of local authority tenancies that have been terminated, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4188/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.
As part of their day-to-day management of the social housing system, local authorities are responsible for taking appropriate measures to counter anti-social behaviour. Local authorities are empowered under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 to apply to apply to the District Court to terminate a tenancy and recover possession of their dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Data on the numbers of possession applications granted is available from each individual local authority.
