Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:73. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for indoor vegetable growers who rely heavily on electricity and gas to grow their crops. [11800/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorticulture Sector
Ceisteanna (73)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very aware of the increased input costs and other rising costs being faced by all sub-sectors of the horticulture industry, including those in the protected crops sector and the associated challenges that this brings.
In Budget 2023, the Government introduced the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) to support businesses including farmers with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs. This is a Revenue led initiative and I understand that it has been widely welcomed by businesses.
Last year, I introduced the Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) to support Irish growers in the horticulture sectors most impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The sub-sectors at most risk and included under the Scheme were commercial growers in the glasshouse high-wire crops, field vegetable, mushroom and apple sectors. HEPS provided €2.8 million in support under the Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid measures ensuring the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of these sectors.
My Department continues to provide support to growers for investments into energy saving and renewable technology to help counteract the effect of increased energy costs through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector and the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables.
My Department continues to engage with the sector in relation to current challenges.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (74)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the adoption of rooftop solar generation on farms. [11777/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Through TAMS 3, I believe we have delivered a hugely exciting scheme that will deliver for farmers, for the entire agri-food sector and the wider rural economy over the next number of years. I have assigned €370m for TAMS between 2023 and 2027 with a strong focus on supporting this as well as subsequent generation of farmers
TAMS 3 is a hugely exciting scheme with approximately 100 new investment items available to farm families compared to TAMS 2. There are now in the region of 300 investment items in TAMS 3.
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms. There is an overall budget of €370m for the TAMs scheme over its lifetime to end-2027.
To this end, I launched the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) on 22nd February 2023.
Grant-aided investments under TAMS 3 (SCIS) includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries.
An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
As part of the last budget, I announced that the electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. This continues in TAMS 3 (SCIS).
To encourage take-up in solar applications for TAMS 3 (SCIS), I have increased the kilowatts for solar applications to 62 kilowatts for all applicants. This will bring in more high-energy intensive farms and cover their electricity usage through on-farm generation.
Furthermore, I have increased the rate to a 60% grant and a standalone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar panels on farms. In a time of rising energy costs, the scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.
It should also be remembered that there are other state supports for the installation of solar panels, including from the SEAI and all farmers should be examining all options for support. This can be installed in tandem with the TAMS investment for those farmers who wish to do this at scale and is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation.
Food Industry
Ceisteanna (75)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:75. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects Government to be in a position to appoint a agri-food independent regulator. [11797/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 was introduced to the Dáil in December 2022, followed by 2nd stage debate on the 19th January 2023. Committee stage was completed on the 15th February 2023 and I hope to bring the Bill to Report Stage shortly.
This Bill provides for the establishment of a new, independent office to enforce the EU Unfair Trading Practices Directive and to provide an independent price and market analysis reporting function. This new office is to be named An Rialálaí Agraibhia , or the Agri-Food Regulator, and shall take over its enforcement functions from the interim Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority currently located within my Department.
We are working to establish the Regulator without delay and it will commence its functions as soon as we can navigate the legislative process. The establishment of this Regulator is a key priority.
In the meantime, the interim Enforcement Authority has been assigned all the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers of agricultural and food products and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the unfair trading practices defined in the UTP Directive.
I would encourage anyone impacted by an unfair trading practice or with any concerns to access the Enforcement Authority’s website www.utp.gov.ie, where complaints can be submitted in confidence online.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (76)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on his plans to target the sale and distribution of animals through illicit puppy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11954/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for Dog Breeding Establishments lies with Department of Rural and Community Development as provided for by the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.
An establishment keeping six or more bitches of more than six months of age capable of being used for breeding purposes falls within the scope of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. Local Authorities have responsibility for registration, inspection and regulation of dog breeding establishments, including enforcement activities.
In relation to the sale of pets, concern for the safety and welfare of pet animals was one of the primary reasons behind the introduction by my Department of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019).
These Regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the minimum age for the sale of certain mammals; record-keeping; registration with the Department; and the provision of specific information about the pet in advertisements. The Regulations were welcomed by welfare organisations and are a support to those thinking of purchasing pet animals.
Under these regulations, anyone who sells or supplies six or more pet animals in a year must register with my Department. (Dog Breeding Establishments are excluded from this requirement under these regulations as they are already subject to registration).
A website that advertises dogs for sale, has in collaboration with a microchipping company, has developed a traceability and verification system for dogs advertised on their site. I would encourage all websites to adopt similar verification systems.
Any evidence of animal cruelty or neglect of an animal’s welfare should be brought to the attention of my Department by calling the animal welfare helpline on 01 6072379 or by emailing animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (77)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commission a social, economic and environmental impact assessment of factory-controlled feedlots. [11778/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is important to clarify that there is no legal definition of a feedlot herd. The Department defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme.
This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror the use of the term "feedlot" by the public and/or other institutions. CFUs are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures as part of the TB Programme and can only sell direct to slaughter.
The Department's statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to approve slaughter plants in accordance with the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020 and to ensure that the DAFM-approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards.
The Department’s remit in relation to controlled finishing units is to ensure that they operate in compliance with the EU's animal health and animal welfare standards.
I have acknowledged the importance of transparency in the market for primary producers and my Department is progressing several initiatives to increase transparency. Central to my commitment to transparency is the introduction of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022, which is currently going through the legislative process.
This Bill provides for the establishment of a new, independent statutory office, An Rialálaí Agraibhia, which will promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain by enforcing unfair trading legislation and by carrying out an independent price and market analysis reporting function.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department and Bord Bia already publish a wide range of price and comparative market data on a weekly basis.
Question No. 78 taken with No. 51
Veterinary Services
Ceisteanna (79)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:79. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had with his Ministerial colleagues regarding increased places for those intending to study veterinary medicine. [11792/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Currently University College Dublin is the only third-level institution in Ireland offering veterinary medicine. Demand for this course exceeds the number of places available annually.
Late last year, my colleague, Minister Simon Harris and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) issued a request for expressions of interest for higher educational institutions who were interested in building capacity in veterinary medicine, among other disciplines. Some institutions were subsequently asked to submit more detailed proposals for further consideration.
The Higher Education Authority recently announced the appointment of an Expert Advisory Panel to assist it in reviewing opportunities for new programmes in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine. The HEA is due to report back to Minster Harris the end of this month.
The demand for the services of veterinary practitioners across our society has been increasing and most especially in the companion animal area. This is a trend that is also seen across Europe. The number of Irish graduates from the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine has not been able to expand to match increased demands in Ireland. Notwithstanding this, the Veterinary Council of Ireland has reported that the numbers of veterinary practitioners on the veterinary register is currently at an all-time high – in excess of 3,300.
I am acutely aware of concerns being raised about the availability of veterinary practitioners to provide services to the farming sectors across the country and difficulties in the filling of positions in certain areas.
Whilst I cannot pre-empt the evaluation process currently on-going, there is significant potential benefit if additional student places could be provided in Ireland. The decision on this evaluation lies with my colleague, Minister Harris and his Department (DFHERIS). I will continue to engage with Minister Harris as proposals advance.
Ireland has produced some of the finest veterinary practitioners anywhere in the world and we have a reputation of being truly world-class in this space.
Aquaculture Industry
Ceisteanna (80)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:80. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030. [11725/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Common Fisheries Policy, Article 34, requires member states to prepare multi-annual national strategic plans for aquaculture (NSPAs). My Department's first National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development was published in 2015 and was primarily based on the Commission’s 2013 non-binding Strategic Guidelines for the Sustainable Development of EU Aquaculture which covered the period up to 2020.
The new National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development (2021 – 2030) is the second iteration of the Plan and covers the period 2021-30. The Plan has been developed over the course of 2021/22 in consultation with the main statutory bodies covering all aspects of Irish aquaculture and its supply, the aquaculture industry via the Irish Farmers Association and the Environment Pillar. The European Commission has also been consulted. The purpose of the new Plan is similar to its predecessor and is as follows:
- To align and mainstream the recently updated but again non-binding Commission Strategic Guidelines for a more Sustainable and Competitive EU Aquaculture (2021 – 2030) with national aquaculture sector planning.
- To help inform the investment priorities for aquaculture in Ireland’s new Seafood Development Programme 2021-27 (European Maritime Fisheries & Aquaculture Fund).
- To provide a framework so that strategic planning for the aquaculture sector in Ireland responds to the latest thinking in terms of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for Irish aquaculture in order to promote the development of a sustainable and forward-looking sector.
The Plan sets out a vision for Irish aquaculture in 2030 reflecting the common direction set out in the EU’s strategic guidelines I've mentioned previously. It visualises a sustainable, profitable, competitive, and market-focused aquaculture industry making the maximum long-term economic and social contribution to coastal communities and Ireland as a whole, while optimising environmental performance and supporting the natural capital upon which it depends. The sector maintains a competitive edge through low-impact production whilst building commercial resilience through technical innovation and diversification. This in turn supports a more diverse consumer and market base aligned to increased recognition of Irish aquaculture’s growing status as a key provider of sustainable, low carbon and healthy food. I have approved the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture and the relevant NIS (Natura Impact Statement) and am awaiting its final preparations for publication.
Questions Nos. 81 to 89, inclusive, answered orally.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (90)
James O'Connor
Ceist:90. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing commencements in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11966/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need, including both Cork City Council and Cork County Council, were also set affordable housing delivery targets and asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Housing Delivery Action Plans. These Plans were published on local authorities’ respective websites in July 2022.
2022 represented the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing and saw the first affordable purchase housing delivered in a decade and significant activity in Cork. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing this year. A pipeline of affordable housing is in place which is actively being further developed by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies and by the Land Development Agency. To date, I have approved over €44.5 million for 10 affordable housing projects submitted by Cork County Council under the Affordable Housing Fund which will deliver almost 600 affordable homes.
Local authorities are now submitting data returns and information on delivery of affordable homes in their area to my department in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics by the end of this quarter.
Question No. 91 answered orally.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (92)
Colm Burke
Ceist:92. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing adaption grants awarded in 2022 in Cork; the total value in euros; the number of families that benefitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11787/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, each of which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
Cork County Council received an allocation for 2022 of €4.8 million and recouped a total of €5.04 million from my Department up to 31 December 2022, which facilitated payment of 820 grants. This included an additional €244k in Exchequer funding requested by Cork County Council in December 2022 and approved by my Department. This was also matched by additional funding provided from the Council’s own resources, ensuring as many applications were approved as possible given the increased demand for these schemes.
Cork City Council received an allocation for 2022 of €2.2 million and recouped a total of €1.95 million from my Department up to 31 December 2022, which facilitated payment of 354 grants.
I am pleased to say the exchequer funding for these grants for 2023 has increased to €66.5 million and, when including the 20% local authority contribution, it will provide for a total of over €83 million in grants, continuing the year on year increases since 2014. This is projected to facilitate the provision of 12,700 grants.
Questions Nos. 93 and 94 answered orally.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (95)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:95. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the current position with regard to the future plans to build affordable purchase homes in County Louth and east Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. Local authorities with a strong affordable housing need, including both Meath and Louth County Council, were also set affordable housing delivery targets and asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Plans. Both County Councils published their final Plans last July.
We have already seen AHB delivery of cost rental homes in Trim, Co. Meath in 2022 and further cost rental delivery has been approved in Navan. In addition, I recently approved an application from Meath County Council for funding to support the delivery of affordable purchase homes in Dunshaughlin which are expected to be completed and made available to purchasers later this year.
In Louth, I have also approved funding for AHB delivery of cost rental homes in Drogheda. To date, my Department has not received any affordable purchase housing proposals from Louth County Council but my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office are available to assist with any proposals they may wish to bring forward.
The First Home Scheme, launched last July, also supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The scheme is available to purchasers in both counties and nationwide.
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (96)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the Irish Government’s response to the draft EU Nature Restoration Law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10915/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets out the general objective of reversing biodiversity loss, so that Europe's biodiversity is on the path to recovery by 2030 and that by 2050 all of the EU’s ecosystems are restored, resilient and x adequately protected.
One of the commitments in the Biodiversity Strategy is a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets. The proposed regulation, the nature restoration regulation, aims to fulfil this commitment. It will provide a real opportunity for transformative change in relation to achieving nature restoration in Ireland.
The proposed Regulation provides an opportunity for transformative change in relation to achieving nature restoration in Ireland and the EU as a whole. Nature restoration will also deliver substantial co-benefits for climate action such as carbon emissions reduction from the land use sector, as well as climate adaptation and resilience through the enhancement of natural buffers against flooding and coastal inundation. Furthermore, it will deliver significant co-benefits for the water quality and ecological health of our rivers, lakes and streams.
There will be legally binding restoration targets for a broad suite of terrestrial and marine habitats and species. They will encompass a wide range of land/sea uses including in marine, urban, agricultural and afforested environments, both in State and private ownership – with policy, legislative and sectoral implications across many Government Departments – therefore a whole of Government approach is essential, and engagement and consultation with multiple stakeholders will be necessary.
Once the Regulation is in force, each member state will develop a draft nature restoration plan within 24 months. The plan will specify how targets are to be delivered (by 2030, 2040 and 2050) for each the ecosystems.
The Government agreed last November that The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) would have a national coordination responsibility in respect of the negotiations on the draft Regulation and the development of the National Restoration Plan, assisted by experts from key Government Departments and resourced internally to deliver this function. The NPWS is an executive agency within the Heritage Division of my Department, with specific responsibility for inter alia nature conservation and the implementation of various directives relating to Nature.
Work is underway at various levels across Government, including Senior Officials Group, Interdepartmental Working Group and engagement with other Member States, both formally and informally. The involvement of stakeholders is vital to the effective implementation of the Regulation. Stakeholder engagement, including outreach and public consultation, is currently being scoped out by the NPWS.
Continued bilateral engagements with other Member States, with the Commission and with the Presidency, both formally and informally is continuing. This engagement, along with national stakeholder engagement will inform the final national position on the proposed Regulation.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (97)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:97. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce any supports, such as HAP, for households who are facing eviction or seeking accommodation but cannot afford current market rents but are above the social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government is committed to meeting the needs of everyone by increasing the supply of homes through our Housing for All Plan. Since October 2022, over 5,000 new build social homes were delivered, over 500 homes were acquired by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, and over 600 homes were delivered through leasing programmes.
In January, we increased the social housing income thresholds which brought more people in to the catchment for social housing supports such as HAP. For those who remain over the social housing income limits who face affordability issues, we are rolling out cost rental which will provide rents which are, at least, 25% below market value. We have already delivered over 500 Cost Rental homes in the last year and our target is for 18,000 Cost Rental homes to be delivered by 2030.
In terms of the phased approach to lifting the evictions moratorium, the following initiatives will help boost supply:
- Introducing an additional 1,000 targeted leasing units;
- Securing 1,500 tenant in situ purchases in 2023;
- Overhauling CALF funding to boost supply;
- Building over 9,100 Social Housing units this year;
- Introducing Short Term letting restrictions; and
- Expanding emergency accommodation by adding 2,000 new beds.
The Government is also committed to introducing new measures and protections for landlords and tenants such as:
- “Opportunity to buy” - to allow tenants to buy their home;
- cost rental backstop for tenants at risk of homelessness but above social housing limits;
- Renters tax credit will remain in place to 2025.
The challenges arising in the housing market are under constant review right across Government and we will do what needs to be done to deliver Housing for All.
Forest Fires
Ceisteanna (98)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:98. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on the number of illegal land fires recorded for 2022. [11612/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade and the assessment of fire cover needs, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support.
Detailed data on the numbers of presumed incidents of illegal land fires is not collected by, and consequently is not available in, my Department. The requested information would be available from the individual local authorities.
I wish to take this opportunity, however, to strongly condemn the illegal burning and destruction of nature seen recently. These fires can pose significant risks to the environment, property and people.
My Department works closely with the Fire Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to investigate the causes of fires in our National Parks and Reserves, protected sites and the wider countryside.
Last week the National Parks and Wildlife Service deployed increased fire patrols across sites, including aerial monitoring. Where evidence is forthcoming, appropriate enforcement under the Wildlife Acts or other legislation will be pursued. Cross compliance is also undertaken where appropriate with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
It is incumbent on all of us as custodians of nature and the land to work together to find solutions to avoid this happening in the future.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (99)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the list, per local authority, of additional personnel/housing officers requested of his Department over the past two years; the number of these requests that were sanctioned; if he will clarify where new personnel are in place in each local authority; if he will provide a breakdown of the grade and job titles in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11916/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. 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 (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Housing for All includes a commitment to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects. Significant work has been undertaken to identify the additional staff resources required by local authorities to deliver the social housing targets set out in Housing for All.
During 2021, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office (HDCO) engaged with each local authority to identify their additional staff requirements to deliver social housing. Following this engagement, my Department approved funding for over 250 (250.25) housing posts in local authorities nationally to address social housing delivery. Funding has been approved for a five-year period from 2022 to 2026 with a potential to extend the funding to 2030, subject to the availability of the capital funding as well as the delivery of targets in each local authority area.
In December 2021, 162 technical and 88.25 administrative posts were approved. I believe there have been delays in some areas but recruitment is well underway and that over 180 posts have been filled to date.
Furthermore, an initial tranche of 69 affordable housing staff posts were approved in October 2022 and communicated to each of the respective local authorities with an affordability constraint. This is a key requirement to underpin affordable housing delivery and ensuring the required structures are in place to enable affordable housing delivery as a matter of priority. The Department and the HDCO will be monitoring this programme further to a review of any additional supports being examined in 2023. Recruitment for these posts is currently underway.
I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the information requested.
(1) Social Housing Delivery – Additional posts by Local Authority area
The table below sets out details of the number of new posts approved by the Department for social housing delivery and the number of posts filled by each LA at end Q3 2022:
|
Local Authority |
Technical |
Administrative |
Total Approved |
Post Filled (as of end Q3) |
|
Carlow |
3 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
|
Clare |
4 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
|
Cork City |
8 |
3 |
11 |
10 |
|
Cork County |
6 |
3 |
9 |
7 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
5 |
4 |
9 |
5 |
|
Donegal |
10 |
2 |
12 |
9 |
|
Fingal |
4 |
7 |
11 |
10 |
|
Galway City |
4 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
|
Galway County |
10 |
3 |
13 |
9 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
4 |
10 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
3 |
13 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
|
Laois |
4 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
|
Longford |
4 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
|
Louth |
4 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
|
Mayo |
8 |
3 |
11 |
9 |
|
Meath |
8 |
5 |
13 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
2 |
7 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
|
South Dublin |
3 |
6.25 |
9.25 |
1.5 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
1 |
7 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
2 |
7 |
6 |
(1) Affordable Housing Delivery – Additional posts by Local Authority area
The table below sets out the number of new posts approved by the Department for affordable housing delivery:
|
Local Authority |
Total Staff |
Technical |
Administrative |
|
Carlow |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Cork City |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Cork County |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
DLR |
6 |
3 |
6 |
|
Dublin City |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Galway City |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Galway County |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Louth |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Meath |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
SDCC |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Total Posts |
69 |
27 |
42 |
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (100)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the housing target/cap figures for county development plans in light of the initial population results from Census 2022; the way that this will affect County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11467/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Further to work commissioned by the Department, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published a report into structural housing demand in Ireland to 2040, in December 2020. The ESRI’s research projected an annual new household demand figure for each county from 2016 to 2040, for a number of different development scenarios, including the National Planning Framework (NPF) scenario.
Subsequently, Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines entitled- ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ were issued to all local authorities and introduced a standardised national approach, based on the ESRI data, to be applied by each planning authority in projecting Housing Supply Targets for each specific six-year period, when reviewing city or county development plans.
The preliminary Census 2022 results indicated that the population of Ireland and consequent overall level of housing demand is broadly in line with that projected by the ESRI for the same period.
The final Census 2022 results are due to be published from May 2023 and will inform the update to the work of the ESRI, as part of the first revision to the National Planning Framework.