Written Answers Nos. 291-314
291. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department maintains data on the number of landlords who approach local authorities attempting to sell their property to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of units purchased by each local authority as part of the tenant-in-situ scheme in each month since September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8508/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 310 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 236 of 16 February 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
292. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8243/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of its obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, to ensure that interpretation into Irish Sign Language is provided by a competent Interpreter; for persons who are competent in that language; and at no cost to them.
My Department has clear procedures in place to source and engage accredited interpreters through the Irish Deaf Society and has previously provided interpretation services when requested.
Correspondence from the National Disability Authority is disseminated to all public bodies under the aegis of my Department when required.
A Monitoring Committee has been established to collect and collate the relevant data on my Department and for all the public bodies under its aegis. The Monitoring Committee will report this information directly to the National Disability Authority on an ongoing basis.
293. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants for Carlow County Council's croí cónaithe scheme; the number of approved applicants; if they are vacant or derelict properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8269/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All. In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from November 15 2022.
On 21 September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This data includes numbers of applications received by local authority, applications approved and rejected and application type. Data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Statistics (www.gov.ie).
294. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress in addressing the difficulties in retaining part-time firefighters and improving their terms and conditions. [8272/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) manages fire service issues in my Department.
Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide deliver local authority fire services, 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country. It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.
In May 2021, I directed the Management Board of the NDFEM to review the delivery and sustainability of the local authority ‘Retained’ Fire Services, with particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of personnel.
Following the recommendation of the NDFEM Management Board, I approved the review report for publication by my Department in December 2022. The report can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/242869/d04df987-07f5-40d5-8121-e9767141de49.pdf#page=null.
Publication of this review builds on the progress made implementing the “Keeping Communities Safe” policy, setting the future strategic direction of the Retained Fire Service.
The review report is the culmination of:
- the comprehensive engagement of retained firefighters with an independent research survey conducted during 2021. (Over 900 members of the retained firefighting service both serving and those recently retired/ resigned took part)
- the comprehensive engagement of senior fire service management with an independent research survey during 2021
- a comparative analysis of service delivery models with other EU fire services
- further direct engagement with staff representatives throughout the process via the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group (Retained), facilitated by the Local Government Management Association (LGMA).
It is clear from the findings of the review that the work/life balance for retained firefighters needs to be addressed to make the retained fire service an attractive employment option. It is important that as we move to improve recruitment and retention, we also endeavour to prioritise inclusion and diversity within the Fire Service. The significant challenge in delivering change is balancing the organisational requirement and ability to respond with the life needs of the individual retained firefighters.
With a view to progressing implementation of all recommendations, engagement is proceeding via the established forums for the relevant stakeholder representative bodies. The most recent engagement of the Fire Service National Oversight and Implementation Group took place on 27 January 2023 with a further meeting scheduled to take place on 22 February 2023.
295. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an itemised breakdown of his Department’s voted capital and current expenditure for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will itemise the actual expenditure for each of these programmes for 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [8276/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total capital expenditure on the following housing programmes for 2022: all Departmental capital funding for programmes for local authorities and approved housing bodies to deliver social and affordable homes, per delivery stream and with totals; the total volume of AHB borrowing for the delivery of social and affordable homes; and the total capital expenditure by the LDA on the delivery of social and affordable homes. [8277/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2022 provided for record capital investment in Housing with total funding of over €4 billion available through exchequer resources, Land Development Agency (LDA) investment and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) lending.
In respect of capital expenditure on Housing in 2022, my Department will shortly submit its Capital Expenditure Management Report End Quarter 4 2022 to Government.
The analysis and breakdown of 2022 capital expenditure to support local authority and Approved Housing Body social and affordable housing delivery, across the range of funding streams, is currently being finalised.
297. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has reviewed the relationship between HAP rent limits and rents being quoted in postal districts across Dublin; and if the ceilings now need to be adjusted. [8281/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaximum rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) were set for each housing authority area in 2016, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. In prescribing these limits, household size and prevailing rents in the relevant areas are taken into consideration. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly in July 2016, in the order of 60% in some cases. Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017.
Under 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 is required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of the Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to local authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Since 11 July 2022 each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. 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.
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.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis.
298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the claim by an organisation (details supplied) that the 2022 CSO new home completion data is incorrect and that rather than 2,9851 completions being recorded in 2022, the figure was just 23,751; and if he will provide the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a detailed report on this issue, setting out his Department's analysis of the issue, either confirming the accuracy of the CSO data or outlining the action that will be taken to correct the CSO data if the analysis by the organisation is correct. [8297/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out its functions independent of government, and any other body, in accordance with the Statistics Act 1993.
That said, I understand the CSO clarified the matter early last week, outlining its consideration of the approach taken by the organisation named in the Question. The clarification is available on the CSO website at CSO Statement on New Dwelling Completions - CSO - Central Statistics Office.
299. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people awaiting a HAP review in Q1 of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8325/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case. The information sought in relation to the number of HAP tenancies awaiting review is not held by my Department.
300. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the continued pursuit of homeowners affected by apartment defects for payment of levies by management companies (details supplied); if he will expedite the rollout of 100% redress; if he will provide a timeline and details of the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8370/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to reports that owners of defective apartments and duplexes continue to be unable to sell their properties due to the delay and lack of detail on the scheme; if he will expedite the rollout of 100% redress; if he will provide a timeline and details of the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.
I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue.
In this regard, on 18 January 2023 I received Government approval to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. 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.
It is intended that a whole building approach will be taken to remediate relevant defects and to improve the safety of all occupants in the building. This means that all parts of the building (e.g. the common areas, the individual apartments etc.) must be considered together when addressing defects. In light of their existing legal responsibilities and ownership of common areas, it is envisaged that Owners’ Management Companies will be funded to carry out the necessary remediation works, with specific limitations or exemptions on certain commercial owners.
In order to ensure that important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. Such works will need to be agreed with local authority Fire Services. The details of this process will be worked out. In this regard, it would not be appropriate for those in charge of affected buildings to delay the undertaking of any remediation work that is considered necessary from a life safety point of view.
I have listened to calls from homeowner representative bodies and 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.
Work is now underway to draft the required legislation which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme which will become operational following implementation of the required legislation. Subject to the legislative process, it is intended that a scheme would be in place in 2024.
302. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail national policy on promoting and supporting community gardens and allotments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8381/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the draft Planning and Development Bill will delete section 13 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 that provides protection for allotments through definitions; if such protections will be provided for in a different new section of the proposed Bill; if he will further clarify the way the proposed new Bill will protect allotments, and community gardens provided by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8385/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
Schedule 1 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as inserted through the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 allows for “Reserving land for use and cultivation as allotments and regulating, promoting, facilitating or controlling the provision of land for that use.”
The identification and implementation of recreational and amenity spaces is a matter for local authorities, primarily through City/County Development Plans and identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members in considering and making the plan. The provision of allotment or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority including their elected members and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.
The draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was published in January and a final Bill will be published once pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill has been finalised. It is intended that the final Bill will then commence in the Houses of the Oireachtas with the intention that it will be enacted by this summer, subject to the Oireachtas schedule. There are some further changes to be made to the draft Bill before the final Bill is published and I can confirm that allotments will be provided for in the final Bill, in line with existing provisions.
304. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline whether there is a funding stream available to local authorities to enable them to fund additional staff resources; and the amount of funding on a local authority-basis of the funds allocated in 2022. [8435/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that the local government sector remains vibrant and sustainable and is well equipped and properly resourced to deliver the key functions within its remit. My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions including local authority housing, voluntary housing, homeless services, estate regeneration, energy efficiency retrofitting, housing grants, rural water schemes, urban renewal/regeneration, fire services, and natural and built heritage, each of which includes a number of funding schemes. Furthermore, the local government sector is embarking on a significant expansion of activities across a range of areas. Across all schemes and funding programmes, my Department provided a total of €4,193 million to local authorities in 2022.
The funding system for local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services, Local Property Tax (LPT) as well as funding from Government Departments and other bodies. Elected members have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget. Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.
On the broader question of the funding for the provision of additional staff resources; under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. My Department engages regularly and constructively with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on their financial situations and additional staffing requirements. Should the need arise for additional staff, a Chief Executive must ensure that there are adequate resources available to his or her local authority prior to sanction being sought from my Department.
In addition to local authorities funding staffing from existing resources, for certain programme initiatives, central funding may be provided to fund the costs of additional staff. In the case of Housing for All for example, my Department has approved funding for over 250 additional housing posts in local authorities nationally to deliver social housing. In general, where a new programme initiative is proposed that requires implementation at local authority level, the initiative will be brought by the relevant Department to the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) for discussion and agreement, particularly with regard to the number, grade, length of time and funding of staff required to deliver the programme. The relevant Department will then need to seek funding approval as part of their annual estimates process if they agree to fund the additional staff.
305. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expand the way in which the urban regeneration and development fund can be utilised for use on public realm and community developments. [8439/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country providing very significant grant support for extensive public realm and community development projects.
On 30 January, I announced details regarding a third round of funding under the URDF. Supporting key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to addresses long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and town.
It is proposed that a revolving fund of up to €150m of URDF support will be made available for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial) and to carry out any associated works needed to de-risk or improve the site to make it more attractive for re-use or sale.
The intention is that the fund would be replenished from the proceeds received from the end use/user thereby allowing the local authority to put in place a rolling programme to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction without recourse to borrowing and the associated financial risk.
My Department is currently engaging with the local authority sector on finalising individual allocations, project criteria and reporting arrangements, the details of which will be announced in due course.
While the third round of funding is specifically tailored to help deliver specific objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First and the new Vacant Homes Action Plan, a fourth round of funding support will be made available later in 2023.
This further Call for proposals will revert to the heretofore wider scope of URDF projects, such as improved public realm and community development projects, which reflect the complex investment proposals required to transform key areas of our cities and towns. It will also provide an opportunity for a number of the ‘pipeline’ projects which have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Calls 1 and 2 to be considered for funding. Support for a number of key settlements that have not yet received the level of funding required to support the growth proposed for them in the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, will also be considered.
My Department will engage further with the local government sector on the nature and timing of a future Call after the third round of funding support has been finalised.
306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 547 of 18 January 2023, to outline on the basis which the person concerned was appointed to the board of Irish Water; and the qualifications they have for that position. [8442/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to section 6A(11) of the Water Services Act 2013 (as amended), the person concerned was nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for appointment to the Board of Uisce Éireann. I, with the consent of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform made the appointment to the Board of Uisce Éireann in accordance with sections 6A(2), (4) and (5) of the Water Services Act 2013 (as amended).
307. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding or schemes available for first-time builders who qualified for a mortgage but, due to the increased costs of building, are unable to complete their home with the mortgage allocated and now find they have an incomplete house and no access to further funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth my Department's Local Authority Home Loan and the Help to Buy tax rebate managed by the Revenue Commissioners are currently available to eligible applicants for the purpose of constructing a self-build home.
The lending ceilings and underwriting practices for self-build projects are a matter for individual commercial mortgage providers within the wider regulatory framework of the Central Bank macro-prudential rules.
In relation to the Local Authority Home Loan, this Government-backed mortgage is available for self-build projects. If cost overruns do occur on a build financed by the Home Loan, there is scope for a Local Authority to re-assess the project and potentially advance more funding to complete the build. This further funding is subject to the maximum loan amounts and the limit of 90% of home value set by the Housing Loans Regulations 2021.
308. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 14 February 2023, if he has drafted new regulations on this matter to take account of remuneration changes; if he has consulted with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform; his plans to introduce such regulations in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8470/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is engaging with councillor representatives associations in relation to the current terms of the gratuity payable to councillors, which I acknowledge is a matter of considerable interest to them. I understand that an analysis of councillors' views and needs in this regard has been undertaken by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), which will be of assistance to my Department when completed.
As previously mentioned, the existing gratuity scheme provides for a maximum gratuity of €75,160 to a retiring member after 20 years in local government service. It is a non-contributory scheme which sets a minimum retirement age at 50 years.
The maximum gratuity is due to be increased by 2% from 1 March 2023 to match an increase due to the Senator’s salary, with which the Representational Payment is linked, from that same date as a result of the revised national pay agreement. Regulations are not needed to give effect to this increase, which will be notified by circular to local authorities.
On 1 July 2021 new regulations were given effect following a Government decision to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Elected Members, overseen by Sara Moorhead SC. This provided for the introduction of a new salary-type annual remuneration payment for councillors linked to a local authority employee payscale. The annual remuneration payment is currently worth €27,593 per annum. This is not linked to the calculation of the gratuity as the Government decision did not provide for this nor was any increase to the gratuity recommended by the Moorhead Report.
Any adjustment to the existing terms of the gratuity scheme would require new Regulations made with the consent of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. New regulations have not been drafted for my consideration.
It would be reasonable to expect that any proposal to further improve councillor retirement benefits would bring scrutiny of the existing terms.
309. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) who wrote to his Department on 11 January 2023 can expect a substantive report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence referred to in the question concerns the need to bring vacant buildings and homes back into use. My Department is leading a number of initiatives in this area, both in general terms and as part of the Government response to the invasion of Ukraine and the consequential humanitarian situation.
On 30 January, I launched the Vacant Homes Action Plan. The Plan outlines the progress that has been made in implementing actions to address vacancy and make efficient use of existing stock, contained in Housing for All. It also identifies the actions to be pursued in order to continue to return as many vacant properties back to viable use as possible, increase the supply of housing available, and revitalise the vibrancy of local communities. A copy of the Vacant Homes Action Plan can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/
With regard to grant assistance, in July 2022, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November 2022. A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €50,000.
As part of the whole of Government humanitarian response to the invasion of Ukraine, my Department has taken responsibility for two specific elements targeting vacant properties. One of these measures is the Offer a Home scheme, a call for unoccupied homes, which is being led by local authorities, with oversight from my Department. The campaign is part of an initiative to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to house Ukrainian people and families. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which their property is located.
As well as this, my Department is leading the Emergency Refurbishment Programme, which seeks to bring vacant multi-occupancy buildings back into use. Some months ago, local authorities were asked by government to identify vacant multi-occupancy properties within their areas that had the potential to be used for accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine. These units were to include units in good or bad condition and were not limited to local authority owned buildings; privately owned buildings such as disused banks, holiday homes, disused hotels, defence force buildings, religious order buildings etc. were to be considered. Any building identified as part of this process which did not require refurbishment was notified to the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth in its capacity as lead Department for the provision of accommodation and related supports to beneficiaries of temporary protection. Buildings requiring refurbishment, once suitable and available, are considered, in conjunction with local authorities and building owners, for inclusion in the refurbishment programme.
311. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the practice of developers not commencing construction after they have received planning permission; and his plans to ensure that approved planning permissions result in the timely construction of homes. [8509/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreasing housing supply and delivering sustainable, affordable homes for people is the Government’s top priority. Housing for All is a plan with real ambition, guaranteed investment and fresh ideas to deliver housing for real people and create a long-term sustainable housing system. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion a year in housing is aimed at increasing supply. This increase in supply will be key to meeting demand, moderating price inflation, and addressing affordability for those wishing to rent or buy their own home.
Two key measures delivered since Housing for All was launched in September 2021 will facilitate the activation of planning permissions, with the aim of contributing significantly to housing supply.
Firstly, the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), a key commitment under Housing for All, is a new tax which was established in Finance Act 2021. It is designed to activate suitably zoned and serviced land for housing and is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. The primary aim of the tax is as an active land management measure, to incentivise landowners to activate existing planning permissions for housing on identified lands, or to engage with planning authorities and seek planning permission on land which is suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. Landowners will be liable for the tax even if they have planning permission, until such time as the permission commences development on site.
The Department of Finance leads on its implementation with the involvement of my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the 31 local authorities. In this regard, my Department published section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Residential Zoned Land Tax on 29 June 2022, which provided guidance on identifying the land which is in scope for the tax. A copy of the Guidelines can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbc41-residential-zoned-land-tax-guidelines-for-planning-authorities/
The implementation of RZLT consists of two phases as set out below.
Phase 1: the preparation and publication of maps by the 31 local authorities identifying land within the scope of the measure. All 31 local authorities published draft maps on 1 November 2022. This is being followed by a period of consultation during which landowners can make submissions to the relevant local authority. The initial mapping process will conclude with the preparation and publication of final maps on 1 December 2023. From 2025 onwards, local authorities will update the maps on an annual basis.
Phase 2: the administration of the tax by the Revenue Commissioners. This will commence in 2024, with the initial liability date for the tax arising on 1 February 2024 and the first pay and file date following on 23 May 2024.
Further details with regard to the RZLT, including a full description of the submission process and milestones, can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbad0-residential-zoned-land-tax/
Secondly, The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. The scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The scheme is targeted principally at activating planning permissions already in place for such homes.
The scheme launched in May 2022 with an Expressions of Interest process which is being managed and administered by The Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. Since receipt of applications in June 2022, The Housing Agency has been undertaking the various appraisal stages which deal with the following:
1. Eligibility of proposals
2. Ranking of suitable proposals and
3. A detailed due diligence process leading to designation (current stage).
On 6 February 2023, my Department received notification from the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission (DG COMP) that the scheme has been deemed compatible with the internal market. This positive decision enables The Housing Agency to actively progress matters on processing and concluding Stage 3 of the Scheme and will allow the building of designated apartments to get underway.
Per the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), a second call under the scheme is expected to be announced by end Q2 2023.
312. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a homeowner (details supplied), whose property is rented to a local authority with a HAP tenant and who now wishes to sell the property and is willing to sell to the local authority concerned, has been told that the council cannot purchase the home; if this is in contradiction to the Government’s stated policy; and if his Department will contact the authority concerned to ascertain the reason it will not purchase the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8539/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on plans for a facility (details supplied) under A8, wastewater collection and treatment needs for villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 322 of 31 January 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of NGOs that he and bodies under the aegis of his Department suspended funding and or grant aid to due to their failure to file accounts and or concerns arose in respect of their governance in the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount of funding per NGO that was suspended. [8661/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.End of Take
|
Year |
NGO |
Details |
|
2021 |
An Taisce |
Due to the delay in submission of An Taisce’s 2019 audited accounts, 2021 funding for the Blue Flags programme; the Clean Coasts range of programmes; and the Green Schools Marine Environment module was not granted until the accounts were received and certain clarifications made. |
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
