Written Answers Nos. 271-286
271. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he proposes to encourage and support the maximum use of timber in the house-building sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9600/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 new homes per year over the next decade.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is used to describe a range of offsite manufacturing and innovative onsite techniques that provide alternatives to traditional building construction, including innovative systems such as cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT).
In general, the promotion of MMC has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland as set out in Housing for All. Indeed, the Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published on 2 November 2022, reiterated this point and includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing.
The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) has overseen the establishment of and chairs an interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group to support the coordination of initiatives to develop Modern Methods of Construction, including in relation to issues around public procurement, sustainability, housing and the education and skills agenda in the construction industry, including:
- The recently launched Construct Innovate Technology Centre, funded by DETE through Enterprise Ireland.
- The establishment of a Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction MMC at the Mount Lucas National Construction Training Centre, operated by Laois Offaly Enterprise and Training Board (LOETB), in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science D/FHERIS and SOLAS.
- Progressing a package of proposals which will further support the use and development of MMC in delivery of social housing by my Department.
My Department participates actively on this Group.
272. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the rent pressure zones to include electoral areas in County Donegal to reflect the recent sharp increases in rent in some areas of the county and the knock-on impact of the defective concrete block crisis. [9623/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. 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 and prohibit any necessary rent increase in an RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The Act also provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 31st December 2024, occur no more frequently than biannually. This provides rent certainty for tenants outside of RPZs for a minimum 2 year period at a time.
Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Act provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area should be considered as a RPZ. Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the Acts for designation as an RPZ are as follows:
- the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
- the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is –
- in the case of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow or a local electoral area (LEA) in any one of those counties, above the average rent in the State, excluding rents in the 4 Dublin Local Authority areas, or
- in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ.
The Housing Agency and the RTB continue to monitor national rents and if any LEA in county Donegal meets the designation criteria it will be designated as a RPZ.
273. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will approve the request for additional staff from Galway City Council housing unit, given the fact that council tenants in Galway are waiting months for maintenance works and retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9649/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA €5 million project management fund has been put in place to assist local authorities in the administration and management of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP). This funding, available as part of the yearly allocations, was introduced to cover consultancy costs, tendering costs, training costs to upskill staff, such as becoming qualified BER assessors, for resourcing additional staff and other necessary administration costs. The fund was set up originally to fund the EERP but it is envisaged that it will support local authorities to resource their maintenance teams more generally.
The recruitment and filling of posts in the local authority sector is undertaken both by individual local authorities and the Public Appointments Service. Following the approval of a staffing sanction request by my Department where such is required it is then a matter for the Chief Executive, who is responsible under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible, to progress the appointment as appropriate.
Staff sanction requests are considered in light of Government priorities and other requirements when received and consideration is also given to the overall staffing levels of the local authority and its ability to meet the ongoing costs involved.
Galway City Council sought formal sanction from my Department for a number of additional staff for housing maintenance programmes on 13 February 2023. My Department has been in contact with the Council in this regard and will process the sanction requests received without delay.
274. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the ineligibility of those on a widow’s pension, rather than a State pension, for the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will outline any plans he has to reform this anomaly. [9670/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum annual reckonable income and minimum time in receipt of social housing supports.
The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme is sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period. For these reasons, certain social welfare payments, including Widows, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner Pension are not currently considered when determining an applicant's reckonable income.
Changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
275. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the extension of the first-home scheme will be introduced; if the extension will be open to first-time self-builders who already own a house; and or if it will be for first-time self-builders who do not currently own a home. [9671/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, primarily supports eligible first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. It also supports certain other purchasers, who have previously owned a home, under the 'Fresh Start' principle. The scheme is administered by the First Home Scheme DAC, and further information is available on the official website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
In line with Action 1.2 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), I have requested that the First Home DAC consider the potential to expand the scheme to cover new self-build homes. This includes the governance, financial, and operational implications of such a change. I understand that this is under consideration by First Home at present.
276. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full breakdown on tenants in-situ purchases for 2022, in tabular form; if he will include a new category to log tenant in-situ purchases when publishing social housing data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9723/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 3 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/. Data for Quarter 4 is currently being collated and will be published in due course.
My Department does not hold data on the occupation status of properties acquired for social housing in 2022. For 2023, an amendment is being made to my Department's statistical returns to collate information on the number of properties acquired where a social housing tenant has received a Notice of Termination.
277. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of long-term-let houses in the past five years by Fingal County Council, by house size and average annual cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments.
Long term lease arrangements of privately owned dwellings can be entered into by either local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Under these arrangements the local authority or AHB acts as the landlord to the tenant. The terms of these agreements are set out in standard template agreements provided by my Department which must be used by all local authorities and AHBs. Agreements may be entered into for periods of between 10 to 25 years in duration.
A breakdown by year of the total number of long-term leases delivered by Fingal County Council from 2018 to Q3 2022 with the average annual cost can be found in Table 1 below. My Department does not collate data on property size.
Table 1: Fingal County Council Long-Term Leasing Delivery 2018 to Q3 2022
|
Year |
Long Term Leases Delivered |
Average Annual Cost |
|
2018 |
20 |
€11,797 |
|
2019 |
45 |
€13,062 |
|
2020 |
92 |
€12,633 |
|
2021 |
145 |
€15,478 |
|
Q1 to Q3 2022 |
107 |
€16,351 |
This data includes local authority direct leasing, enhanced leasing, and AHB private leasing. Delivery data for Q4 2022 is being collated at present. Average annual costs are based on properties claimed under SHCEP at the end of each year/period.
278. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of new build SHIP construction social housing units by local authority for 2020, 2021 and 2022. [9753/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis. As SHIP-funded construction projects by local authorities must, like all publicly-funded construction programmes, comply with the Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework, my Department periodically issues Unit Cost Ceilings (UCCs) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage.
While not a record of actual delivery costs, UCCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period and are updated based on published tender index information. To monitor tender cost trends and to inform the UCC levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the SHIP and CAS four-stage processes.
Outlined in the tables below are average construction costs per unit (incl. VAT) for each local authority, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in the years 2020 to 2022. The tables also set out the range of average unit costs across different projects. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, mix of unit types (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house); and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme, for instance site conditions, demolitions, service diversions, site access requirements, etc. Average abnormal costs are also separately identified in the below tables.
|
2020 |
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
|
|
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Costs per Unit |
Average Cost Per Unit |
|
Carlow |
160,010 |
160k - 160k |
- |
|
Cavan |
171,281 |
141k - 182k |
9,322 |
|
Clare |
211,204 |
187k - 222k |
37,939 |
|
Cork City |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork County |
212,373 |
180k - 232k |
31,732 |
|
Donegal |
211,942 |
208k - 213k |
37,394 |
|
Dublin City |
237,377 |
237k - 237k |
19,138 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
252,308 |
252k - 252k |
29,736 |
|
Fingal |
308,173 |
308k - 308k |
65,971 |
|
Galway City |
- |
- |
- |
|
Galway County |
210,668 |
190k - 244k |
32,223 |
|
Kerry |
190,458 |
175k - 226k |
23,816 |
|
Kildare |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
178,891 |
169k - 189k |
28,807 |
|
Laois |
198,769 |
169k - 227k |
23,233 |
|
Leitrim |
- |
- |
- |
|
Limerick City |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
206,282 |
139k - 274k |
14,452 |
|
Louth |
244,460 |
244k - 244k |
6,460 |
|
Mayo |
214,969 |
215k - 215k |
7,239 |
|
Meath |
190,450 |
190k - 190k |
35,442 |
|
Monaghan |
- |
- |
- |
|
Offaly |
172,719 |
173k - 173k |
18,833 |
|
Roscommon |
157,554 |
152k - 168k |
6,808 |
|
Sligo |
- |
- |
- |
|
South Dublin |
238,312 |
236k - 242k |
9,532 |
|
Tipperary |
192,071 |
142k - 213k |
28,105 |
|
Waterford City |
202,213 |
191k - 248k |
31,406 |
|
Westmeath |
227,764 |
228k - 228k |
29,858 |
|
Wexford |
198,316 |
194k - 201k |
28,668 |
|
Wicklow |
209,397 |
184k - 233k |
24,873 |
|
2021 |
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
|
|
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Costs per Unit |
Average Cost Per Unit |
|
Carlow |
173,891 |
162k - 211k |
- |
|
Cavan |
199,313 |
194k - 221k |
41,778 |
|
Clare |
208,300 |
208k - 208k |
40,241 |
|
Cork City |
267,998 |
268k - 268k |
36,482 |
|
Cork County |
204,670 |
192k - 240k |
18,826 |
|
Donegal |
189,986 |
190k - 190k |
33,572 |
|
Dublin City |
328,166 |
328k - 328k |
35,403 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
- |
- |
- |
|
Fingal |
285,599 |
286k - 286k |
35,088 |
|
Galway City |
302,336 |
302k - 302k |
40,528 |
|
Galway County |
187,313 |
177k - 205k |
24,026 |
|
Kerry |
195,565 |
186k - 206k |
21,312 |
|
Kildare |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
225,484 |
192k - 234k |
37,202 |
|
Laois |
- |
- |
- |
|
Leitrim |
223,698 |
217k - 232k |
30,103 |
|
Limerick City |
329,790 |
235k - 359k |
29,675 |
|
Longford |
- |
- |
- |
|
Louth |
- |
- |
- |
|
Mayo |
208,154 |
192k - 283k |
22,881 |
|
Meath |
218,297 |
218k - 218k |
30,350 |
|
Monaghan |
254,505 |
255k - 255k |
12,822 |
|
Offaly |
249,236 |
207k - 316k |
28,407 |
|
Roscommon |
- |
- |
- |
|
Sligo |
188,559 |
189k - 189k |
7,317 |
|
South Dublin |
- |
- |
- |
|
Tipperary |
217,399 |
177k - 248k |
33,377 |
|
Waterford City |
273,493 |
264k - 276k |
52,315 |
|
Westmeath |
232,428 |
232k - 232k |
19,366 |
|
Wexford |
254,185 |
254k - 254k |
58,247 |
|
Wicklow |
228,912 |
203k - 308k |
10,747 |
|
2022 |
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
|
|
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Costs per Unit |
Average Cost Per Unit |
|
Carlow |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cavan |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clare |
289,213 |
289k - 289k |
66,834 |
|
Cork City |
298,657 |
244k - 340k |
49,475 |
|
Cork County |
292,865 |
293k - 293k |
62,088 |
|
Donegal |
209,107 |
191k - 237k |
15,729 |
|
Dublin City |
386,391 |
381k - 390k |
46,177 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
311,235 |
257k - 325k |
26,944 |
|
Fingal |
242,003 |
242k - 242k |
18,172 |
|
Galway City |
- |
- |
- |
|
Galway County |
229,886 |
224k - 287k |
17,299 |
|
Kerry |
283,388 |
283k - 283k |
31,091 |
|
Kildare |
317,175 |
317k - 317k |
30,045 |
|
Kilkenny |
340,559 |
341k - 341k |
47,678 |
|
Laois |
- |
- |
- |
|
Leitrim |
- |
- |
- |
|
Limerick City |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
236,571 |
237k - 237k |
23,758 |
|
Louth |
315,619 |
298k - 329k |
35,794 |
|
Mayo |
267,041 |
249k - 319k |
42,355 |
|
Meath |
304,398 |
302k - 316k |
23,252 |
|
Monaghan |
248,656 |
249k - 249k |
33,894 |
|
Offaly |
263,567 |
264k - 264k |
24,589 |
|
Roscommon |
194,389 |
180k - 213k |
17,689 |
|
Sligo |
242,150 |
206k - 301k |
24,728 |
|
South Dublin |
356,789 |
327k - 365k |
35,884 |
|
Tipperary |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford City |
302,349 |
302k - 302k |
49,622 |
|
Westmeath |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wexford |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow |
320,747 |
251k - 338k |
41,475 |
While the average construction costs per unit (incl. VAT) are shown in the above tables, there are other items that make up the all-in delivery costs for such projects, including:
- Design/technical fees: Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment. As a guideline/indicator, design fee are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs;
- Land cost: Land costs can vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (e.g. land costs could vary from local authority owned land with little or no cost to land acquired at market value);
- Utilities: This includes connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit;
- Other Costs: Other items that might make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/surveys, archaeological requirements and Percent for Art contributions and they will vary from scheme to scheme.
In advancing social housing projects, a range of factors can impact on the costs for individual projects. Project-specific issues will always arise and can impact on how a project can be advanced and the costs for same. These factors are covered in the regular engagement that happens between my Department and local authorities which is focussed on facilitating the earliest possible delivery of new social homes.
279. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department chose not to follow the NPWS recommendation (details supplied) to prosecute the Office of Public Works under Regulations 51(2)(b) and 51 (2)(d) and 65 of the Birds and Habitats Regulation 2011 in his November 2020 Case Report for the Wilful disturbance to bats, and their breed and resting places, at Emo Court, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware that Emo Court House hosts an important roost for Brown Long-Eared Bats, and is further aware that complex stabilization and restorations works were undertaken by the OPW at the House over recent years.
My Department has been in ongoing contact with the OPW in regard to its obligations under the Wildlife Acts and the modalities of compliance in the context of its natural and fixed heritage obligations at the site, the complexity of the works undertaken and the matrix of dynamics connecting the fixed and fragile structure and the natural habitat and ecosystems connected to it. Concerns were raised in relation to the works. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department investigated this matter and such issues as arose were resolved with the OPW.
To assist public authorities in meeting their obligation to respect the strict protection given by EU law to bats and their roosts, the NPWS published a series of guidance documents dealing with the practical aspects of bat conservation. These are available at www.npws.ie. My Department is happy to work with public authorities in order to assist them in meeting their obligations.
280. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority social housing capital funding applications funded through the SHIP programme in 2021 and 2022, that have been approved within the 59-week timeframe. [9824/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
281. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of approved housing body capital funding applications funded through the capital assistance scheme that have been approved within the 75-week target since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9825/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the €70 million Housing Agency revolving fund; what has been agreed as terms of reference in terms of the review of this revolving fund; and the timeline for the review to be completed. [9826/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €70 million revolving Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund (HAA fund) was established with effect from the 1 January 2017 with the objective of acquiring vacant property portfolios from banks and financial institutions that could then be used for social housing. The target for the HAA fund was to acquire 1,600 units over a four year period to 2020 with this target subsequently extended out to 2021.
The HAA fund has enabled the Housing Agency to actively engage with banks and investment companies in relation to the acquisitions of properties. Through the provision of direct access to capital funding for the Housing Agency, the aim was to simplify the current acquisition process for vacant portfolio purchases; speed up the acquisition process and to encourage investors to make additional supply available. The HAA fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units primarily to the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector and the funds received are recycled back into the fund for future acquisitions.
This was intended to be a medium term initiative, targeting the vacant property portfolios of financial institutions and investment companies, in direct response to the social housing shortage that would be designed to complement, not displace, ongoing targeted acquisition activity by local authorities and AHBs.
As at Q4 2022, 903 units were acquired under the HAA fund programme. A further 52 properties were delivered under the HAA fund programme but bought directly by local authorities in 2019/2020 using capital funding through the Social Housing Capital Investment Programme. The Housing Agency also completed the acquisition of 582 properties while acting on behalf of local authorities.
Under the commitment in Housing For All, my Department completed a review of the HAA fund which investigated the challenges faced by the fund and explored opportunities that centred on potentially repurposing the fund to support other initiatives within Housing for All. My Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on these proposals. Most recently, my Department further explored the scope of the HAA fund to add to the social housing system through converting non-residential premises or larger residential units into smaller units and, as appropriate, some communal / community use, particularly for social housing applicants experiencing homelessness. My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on this proposal.
283. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review of CALF funding scheme for approved housing bodies, as promised in Housing for All, to be concluded by the 3rd quarter 2022; if he is aware of any impact of this delay on the progress of existing CALF applications; the engagement there has been with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on this; and when the changes to the scheme are likely take effect. [9827/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All (September 2021), is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 new homes per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. As part of the objective to increase social housing delivery, the plan recognises the significant role that Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have played as partners in social housing delivery and will continue to play.
Over the past decade, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding model has worked very successfully. Under the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022), a specific objective, Action 4.1 is to “review the structure and operation of CALF to assess whether any refinements to the facility are required to support delivery of social housing by the AHB sector across a wider range of Local Authority areas, and to identify resulting actions for implementation.”
My Department, in conjunction with colleagues in the Housing Agency and relevant stakeholders, prepared a number of draft recommendations and a draft report on the CALF Review. I have considered these draft recommendations and my Department is currently finalising discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
I intend to make an announcement in relation to this shortly.
284. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of homes built (details supplied) to date in 2023, broken down by local authority. [9882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Quarter 3 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/. Data for Quarter 4 is currently being collated and will be published in due course. Data for 2023 will be published for each quarter, following the end of the relevant reporting period.
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 procurement processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2022. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b4cd-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2022/.
Last year represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is being developed by local authorities, by AHBs using the Cost Rental Equity Loan and by the Land Development Agency. Furthermore, local authorities have begun collating information on the delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics in Quarter 1 2023.
285. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the body responsible for notifying the general public if there are any local water outages, local boil water notices or any other issues with public water supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9884/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann (formerly 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.
Uisce Éireann is regulated by the Health Service 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.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is responsible for the economic regulation of water which includes that Uisce Éireann provides appropriate service to its customers.
286. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with any leading proptech firms to bring about a digital revolution in the property sector; and if he will engage with Enterprise Ireland to support Irish proptech start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9885/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland engages with the property technology (or ‘proptech’) sub-sector, with some 20 or so proptech companies on its books, as well as many more that are defined as ‘construction services’ companies.
The proptech sub-sector contains many start-up companies providing services, including real estate data driven decision platforms; enterprise-ready Client Relationship Management (CRM) specifically for contractors, product suppliers and construction professionals; and, sophisticated online platforms intended to revolutionise the private treaty sales process for commercial and residential property.
Enterprise Ireland offers a combination of financial supports for start-ups in this space, such as equity investment, development grants and non-financial supports such as capability building, engaging with clients in-market via EI’s overseas offices, connecting founding teams with potential investors and with strategic partners, and identifying business opportunities for clients. Further information in this regard can be accessed on the Enterprise Ireland’s website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/
In addition, Housing for All is also marshalling cross-government efforts to drive innovation and enhance productivity in construction sector. To this end, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) chairs the inter-departmental Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Leadership and Integration Group to support the coordination of initiatives to develop MMC, which incorporate a range of offsite manufacturing and innovative onsite techniques and provide alternatives to traditional building construction. The inter-departmental group, of which my Department is a key participant, coordinates initiatives to support innovation, public procurement, sustainability, housing and the education and skills agenda in the construction industry, including:
launching the Construct Innovate Technology Centre, funded by DETE through Enterprise Ireland;
establishing a Demonstration Park for MMC at the Mount Lucas National Construction Training Centre, operated by Laois Offaly Enterprise and Training Board, in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and SOLAS; and
supporting the development and use of MMC to deliver social housing.
