Written Answers Nos. 125-146
125. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is guidance on the proof of income documents that are acceptable for social housing applicants who are employed in the North; if this guidance can be printed on local authorities’ social housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe documentation required as proof of income is set out in the social housing application form. There is no distinction made in this regard vis-à-vis applicants employed in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Local authorities have discretion as to the extent of documentation it deems necessary as proof of income for the preceding 12 months. In certain situations, for example, where a particular document cannot be provided or is not available, the local authority may request alternative documentation to satisfy itself in relation to the specific information being sought.
126. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the commercial banks are fully informed, through the Central Bank, of the subordinate nature of the charge against the property that is part of the vacant property refurbishment grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9097/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the conditions associated with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, there is a requirement that the applicant(s) will live in the qualifying property for a period of at least five years from the date of payment of the Grant. If at any time they sell the property or it ceases to be their principal private residence within ten years, they must reimburse the local authority an element of the full value of the Grant, as follows:
- Up to 5 Years – 100% of the monetary amount of the Grant
- Over 5 Years and less than or equal to 10 years – 75% of the monetary amount of the Grant
- Over 10 Years – No Clawback
In the event of a fall in the value of the property, the full monetary amount, subject to the percentage clawback above will be repayable to the local authority. An agreement must be concluded between the local authority and the applicant which contains the clawback agreement, including a charge on the property, which shall be binding on the applicant upon drawdown of the grant. The charge secures the local authority’s interest in the property.
If the applicant has taken a mortgage to purchase the property, the bank’s charge will rank in priority.
My Department has engaged with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland in order to ensure that the banks are aware of the charge and its subordinate nature and there are no issues for applicants who are applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
127. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will regularise the funding to support Galway County Council to bring their local government fund in line with comparable counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11922/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAcross all schemes and funding sources, my Department provided €82.9 million in 2020, €85.9 million in 2021 and €83.3 million in 2022 to Galway County Council. Included in this is the unprecedented level of support provided by central Government to local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Allocations to Galway also included additional one-off allocations to assist with funding pressures; that is €1 million in 2020 and €600,000 in 2021. There is also a similar allocation for 2023, provisionally in the sum of €2.75 million.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Local Property Tax (LPT) allocation mechanism for 2023 is changed to allow for 100% of the estimated yield to be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. This is being done on the basis that those counties with a LPT yield lower than their baseline, which includes Galway County, will continue to be supported via annual equalisation funding. Local authorities will continue to receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their baseline. All equalisation funding will now be met by the Exchequer, which requires an increase in such funding from €34.3 million in 2022 to €118 million in 2023, a significant level of support for the local government sector from Government.
As previously indicated, a review of the baseline funding of local authorities is now underway. A working group has been established that includes key stakeholders from the local government sector, and I am committed to completing this review in time for 2024 LPT allocations. It is acknowledged that the circumstances of local authorities vary considerably from one another in terms of geographic area, population, population density, service needs, and indeed the ability to raise their own income locally. It is also acknowledged that factors such as population have shifted considerably in recent years and that a review of the funding baselines is now required. The process will include consultation with representatives of our locally elected council members and other relevant stakeholders.
Finally, it should be also be noted that any funding requests for the sector in the context of the baseline review must be agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and will only be considered within the parameters of the national fiscal and budgetary situation, and the competing priorities at a national level. That said, while working within these constraints, it is intended that this review will be comprehensive, and take into account the overall funding position of Galway County Council, and all other local authorities equally across the sector.
128. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an overview of the application of Housing for All in County Clare. [11544/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland is Ireland’s housing plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year to 2030. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The Plan is backed by investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency to 2026.
Housing for All provides for an optimal mix of social, affordable and private housing for sale and rent. The plan is underpinned by measures to support availability of land, workforce, funding and capacity to enable both the public and private sectors to meet the targets. Progress Reports are published on a quarterly basis, setting out performance against the targets and actions set out in the plan, and can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/
Data in relation to housing commencements, broken down by local authority area, including Clare County Council, is published by my Department on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/
The delivery of social and affordable housing is underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans 2022 – 2026. A copy of Clare County Council’s plan can be accessed on their website at the following link:
www.clarecoco.ie/services/housing/publications/housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026-48501.pdf
My Department publishes comprehensive social housing programme level statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas, including Clare County Council. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (for Quarter 3 2022) is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b4cd-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2022/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link:
data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2022
Regarding affordable housing, Clare does not have a specific target as average house price levels in the county are still well below the national median. Where there are localised challenges, funding can be made available to develop a scheme in line with Affordable Housing Fund criteria. While to date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from Clare, my Department met with Clare County Council in July and then again on 17 November 2022 to discuss affordable housing need in the county and plans to provide affordable housing.
The First Home Scheme, launched in July, provides affordable housing options nationally via an equity support of up to 30% for First Time Buyers of new homes. The price ceiling for eligible properties under the scheme has recently increased from €300,000 to €325,000 in County Clare.
The Local Authority Home Loan has also been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. I recently announced changes to the house prices and income limits for the Local Authority Home Loan effective from 1 March 2023. House price limits for this scheme increased from €250,000 to €300,000 in Clare. Income limits have also increase from €50,000 in Clare to €70,000 for all single applicants and from €75,000 to €85,000 for all joint applicants nationwide.
Local authority drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q3 2022 are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
With regard to addressing vacancy, 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. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential.
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, including Clare County Council, 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: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/
129. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an overview of the application of Housing for All in County Carlow. [11865/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland is Ireland’s housing plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year to 2030. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The Plan is backed by investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency to 2026. Housing for All provides for an optimal mix of social, affordable and private housing for sale and rent. The plan is underpinned by measures to support availability of the land, workforce, funding and capacity to enable both the public and private sectors to meet the targets. Progress Reports are published on a quarterly basis, setting out performance against the targets and actions set out in the plan, and can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/Data in relation to housing commencements, broken down by local authority area, including Carlow County Council, is published by my Department on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/The delivery of social and affordable housing is underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans 2022 – 2026. A copy of Carlow County Council’s plan can be accessed via the following link:www.carlow.ie/housing-for-all/My Department publishes comprehensive social housing programme level statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas, including Carlow County Council. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (for Quarter 3 2022) is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b4cd-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2022/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2022Funding is available from my Department to assist in the delivery of affordable housing in Carlow. While to date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund from Carlow, my Department met with Carlow County Council to discuss their affordable housing need. I also discussed affordable housing with them at the most recent Housing Summit last week. Assistance has been offered by both my Department and via the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office. Additionally, I have sanctioned two additional staff to support the delivery of affordable housing in the county which I expect will assist Carlow County Council to develop their affordable housing pipeline.
The First Home Scheme, launched in July 2022, now provides affordable housing options nationally via an equity support of up to 30% for First Time Buyers of new homes. The price ceiling for eligible properties under the scheme has recently increased from €250,000 to €325,000 in County Carlow. The Local Authority Home Loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. I recently announced changes to the house prices and income limits for the Local Authority Home Loan effective from 1 March 2023. House price limits for this scheme increased from €250,000 to €275,000 in Carlow. Income limits have also increased from €50,000 in Carlow to €70,000 for all single applicants and from €75,000 to €85,000 for all joint applicants.
Local authority loan drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals to Q3 2022 are available on my Department’s website at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
With regard to addressing vacancy, 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. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. 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, including Carlow County Council, 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: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/
130. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered taking any action to alleviate the "genuine difficulties" being experienced by users in registering/re-registering properties on the Residential Tenancies Board website; and if he proposes taking any action in providing resource support/additional staff to the RTB to assist in clearing the backlog being experienced due to a change in registration system and general workload which is clearly evident to all who find it necessary to contact the board. [11046/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy). The remit of the RTB covers the private rental sector, the not-for-profit housing providers commonly known as Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and Student-specific Accommodation providers (SSA).
Following the passing of legislation in 2019, with effect from 4 April 2022, landlords are required to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
To facilitate Annual Registration the RTB implemented a new tenancy Management system which is an operational matter for the RTB. Although many landlords and agents have successfully registered their tenancies on the system, I have been made aware that some landlord and agent customers are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy registration system. The RTB has assured my Department that it is working collaboratively and constructively with the sector to assist anyone experiencing difficulties.
Following recommendations in the RTB Workforce Plan (2018 – 2021) and engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform (DPER), the RTB received sanction for significant additional staff over the past three years. The RTB has a sanctioned staffing compliment of 110. It currently has 100 permanent staff and is carrying 10 vacancies. The RTB is actively recruiting to fill the remaining vacancies and to date this year, the RTB has appointed 15 new recruits to permanent positions. Separately, on 18 January 2023 DPER sanctioned an additional Principal Officer post, who will have responsibility for Digital and Data Services, within the RTB Executive Management Team Structure which is now advertised on the RTB website. Additional funding of €2m will be provide to the RTB for 2023, bringing its total allocation to €13.37m.
The RTB is also supported by a third party outsourced service provider who carries out the RTB’s call centre, document management and data entry functions. This contract gives the RTB the flexibility to increase resources as and when required. The outsourcer’s staff are not RTB employees. The RTB has recently almost doubled the staffing in its outsourced call centre to deal with the issues that have arisen following the introduction of annual registration and it has been working hard to find the right balance between ensuring contracted staff are adequately trained and capable of assisting customers with their queries, ranging from linking tenancies, verifying accounts, and data-inputting paper applications. My Department will continue to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its expanded mandate, including any specific requests with regard to annual registration.
131. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to help persons who are over the threshold financially for social housing but cannot secure mortgage approval; if there are any schemes for this cohort of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11790/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that more needs to be done to support home buyers and, as detailed in the Housing for All strategy, has introduced a multi-faceted approach to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system. This includes the provision of 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes in the period to 2030.
For those with incomes too high to qualify for social housing, under pathway 1 of Housing For All, “Pathways to Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability”, I have introduced the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme to assist first-time buyers purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes by bridging the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit. Affordable Purchase homes will be advertised on the relevant Local Authority’s website in advance of their sale, as well as eligibility requirements such as household income limits. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount.
The First Home shared equity scheme, launched last July, employs a similar equity share model in order to support households unable to afford the purchase of new homes in the private market. Subject to eligibility criteria, it can provide funds up to 30% of the value of a newly constructed home (or 20% if the Help to Buy Scheme is used). Overall, this scheme is intended to support up to 8,000 affordable purchases in the period out to 2026, and the State has committed funding of €200m, to be matched by the participating mortgage lenders. Full details of the Scheme, including eligibility criteria, are available on the website: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Separately, a new form of long-term sustainable home rental has been introduced in the form of Cost Rental tenancies. Cost Rental is targeted to deliver rents at least 25% below market levels for households with incomes above social housing limits but who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own homes on the open market. It provides tenants with secure tenancies in long-term homes. Under the Cost Rental model, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes.
Other measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home loan are also nationally available to eligible first-time purchasers to make home ownership more affordable.
The Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to First-Time Buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. As of the end of December 2022, nearly 38,000 first-time buyers have been supported by this incentive.
The new Local Authority Home Loan commenced on 4 January 2022 and is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used by first-time buyers for both for new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. I have recently, along with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister Pascal Donohoe TD, signed amendment regulations to increase the house price limits in all local authority areas, as well as increasing the income limits for all applicants, with these changes effective from 1st March 2023. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan can be found on the new, improved website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Question No. 132 taken with No. 113.
133. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that homeowners with properties affected by Mica are continuing to pay full mortgage costs on their homes, some of which are uninhabitable or now demolished; if he recognises the additional financial strain this is putting on homeowners; if he has engaged with the Central Bank and lenders regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11941/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOversight of financial institutions is outside the scope and remit of my Department but I confirm that I have engaged with my colleague, the Minister for Finance on these matters.
The Minister for Finance advised that neither he nor his Department have any role in relation to the commercial decisions of individual regulated entities, such as decisions they may make on applications for credit, or in respect of individual actions they may take to assist households with a mortgage which is secured on a residence affected by mica or pyrite.
Notwithstanding this, engagement is on-going with the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. In this regard I met with the BPFI on 2 February 2023 and, in the meeting, I stressed the need for a fair and consistent approach to be taken by the banking sector with customers with distressed mortgage issues arising from the effects of defective concrete blocks on their houses. I asked the BPFI to engage with their members in this regard.
134. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that residents associations have the right to appeal planning decisions, and that successful appellants will have their fees covered, under the new Consolidated Planning and Development Act. [11845/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was approved by Government in December 2022 and is the culmination of the comprehensive review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) undertaken by the Office of the Attorney General.
The key aim of the review was to put plan-making at the centre of the planning system by bringing increased clarity and streamlining to the legislation and improving the functioning of the planning system for both practitioners and the general public, whilst protecting public participation, which is a hallmark of the current planning system.
Individuals or groups, such as Residents Associations, can appeal a planning decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála (currently An Bord Pleanála) under the draft Bill. In relation to Judicial Review, and taking account of Ireland's obligations under the Aarhus convention, clarity is being brought to the role of different parties in accessing justice. The provisions require an applicant for Judicial Review to have sufficient interest by being directly or immaterially affected by the matters to which the applicant relates.
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) or an association seeking to take a Judicial Review must be incorporated as a company, with at least 10 members, and have a constitution that has protection of the environment as an object and has been pursuing these objects for at least one year. Residents Associations can take Judicial Review proceedings but they must comply with these requirements. If they do not comply, the individual residents can either sue individually or collectively as the provisions in the draft Bill do not prevent this.
Costs protection will also be introduced for those taking Judicial Reviews, further removing a potential costs barrier in access to justice. There will not be any order for costs in any such proceedings unless the Court considers that the proceedings are frivolous or vexatious or an abuse of process. The precise form of the costs scheme will be finalised over the coming months but it will be regulated by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
137. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the defects scheme for apartments and duplexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11720/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received Government approval on 18 January 2023 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.
The scheme will support the remediation of relevant defects, where practicable, to the standard that applied at the time of their original construction. Where this is not practicable, alternative approaches and options will be considered that provide a reasonable level of life safety protection. In this regard, a Code of Practice in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures, is currently being developed.
The scheme will be administered by The Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and an effective advice and information service within the Housing Agency is being established to support Owners' Management Companies and homeowners (who are also members of the Owners' Management Companies).
Work is 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.
Given that the overall potential scale and estimated cost of fixing the problem is so considerable, it will take many years to remediate all buildings affected. While I am working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payer’s money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
138. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that Tathony House is acquired for social and affordable housing despite the fact that some of the tenants are not currently eligible for either social or affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and I are focussed on ensuring that all measures possible are taken to ensure that no person enters homelessness and to increase the supply of homes for those most in need. In the last Quarter of 2022, approximately 4,800 new build social housing homes were delivered, along with some 500 acquisitions. 600 lease arrangements were put in place to provide further capacity. In addition, some 1,500 local authority homes were refurbished under the voids programme and restored to use, as well as the provision of 500 emergency beds and 150 cold weather beds.
The acquisition of second hand properties for social housing falls under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes. As housing authorities, local authorities are responsible for the identification of the social housing need in their area. It is a matter for the respective local authority, Dublin City Council in this case, to determine the most appropriate response to the need for social housing supports in their area.
While acknowledging the call from tenants and political representatives for Dublin City Council to acquire the building and keep the tenants in situ, it should be understood that the complexities of the situation limit options available to Dublin City Council and my Department due to the current tenants not being eligible for social housing supports.
That said, on 7 March I informed Government of plans for a measure to give new opportunities to tenants that are above the threshold for entitlement to social housing. These include requiring a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale, and working with AHBs and local authorities to develop a bespoke cost rental model for tenants at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports to continue to rent their homes at existing or market rates.
I have also approved measures to further augment the strong social housing delivery pipeline. These include:
- An increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness.
- An additional 1,000 homes through a Targeted Leasing initiative with more than 600 of those to be delivered in 2023.
- The amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the National Housing Building programme in both the public and private sector can be augmented to produce at least double the number of houses anticipated in the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11927/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the further steps that can be taken to dramatically increase the housing output to meet the requirements of both the public and private housing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12212/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 230 together.
Housing for All was published 2 September 2021. The first annual update of the plan's actions was published on 2 November 2022.
Under Housing for All, the supply of new homes is increasing:
- In 2022, nearly 30,000 homes were completed. That is an increase of 45% from 2021 and 41% from 2019, pre-pandemic. The 2022 total exceeds the Housing for All target by 21%;
- Planning permission has been approved for over 40,000 homes in the year ending Q3 2022. This is a 2.4% increase when compared to the same time period to Q3 2021;
- Commencement Notices for over 27,000 new homes were received in the 12 months to end of January 2023. In January alone, 2,108 Commencement Notices were received, the highest number received in the month of January since the data series began in 2014.
The plan is delivering increased housing supply through a range of affordable purchase and rental measures; new initiatives to tackle homelessness; and ongoing, long-term reforms of the housing and planning systems.
This week, I announced further measures to increase the supply of social homes including:
- an increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness;
- an additional 1,000 homes through Targeted Leasing initiatives in 2023 and 2024; and
- the amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes.
I have also informed Government of plans to give a number of new opportunities to tenants who wish to become homeowners. These include:
- requiring a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale;
- working with AHBs and local authorities to develop a bespoke ‘cost rental’ model for tenants at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports to continue to rent their homes at existing or market rates.
The Government recognises, however, that there are challenges. Price inflation, rising interest rates and other inter-related factors arising from the war in Ukraine have increased the cost of construction, leading to a very uncertain and unstable environment. The first annual update of Housing for All sets out how the Government is responding to these changed circumstances and ensuring focus remains on delivery. The stability provided by a clear and comprehensive plan is now more important than ever. The Housing for All Action Plan Update prioritises measures to activate and accelerate the delivery of housing supply, whilst also continuing to deliver on the fundamental reforms set out in the Plan.
Acting now, with measures like the extension of the LDA’s Project Tosaigh; the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) initiative; increasing the subvention to local authorities under the Affordable Housing Fund; and the recent increase in the Cost Rental Equity Loan for AHBs, will further improve viability, and get sites activated that might not otherwise be developed.
In parallel, we will continue to deliver on the fundamental reforms set out in the Plan, such as addressing the cost of construction; accelerating the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction, particularly in the delivery of public housing; and reforming the planning system to ensure a simpler, more streamlined process for all stakeholders.
A record €4.5 billion in State housing investment has been made available for 2023. This will underpin the ambitious Housing for All plan and deliver the largest state home building programme ever with 9,100 direct build social homes, and 5,500 affordable homes. Over €1 billion will be spent on affordability measures, supporting homeownership in 2023.
The challenges arising in the housing market are under constant review right across Government and the Government and I continue to explore options to ensure that housing policy can and is being modified to deliver at an accelerated pace.
A copy of the Housing for All Action Plan Update can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/
142. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new commencements across the Cork east constituency; the number of completions in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11967/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes commencement notice data, broken down by local authority area, on a monthly basis which can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
Similarly, the Central Statistics Office publishes quarterly data on dwelling completions, which is available on a Local Electoral Area Basis, at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/
144. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant social homes returned to active use in 2022 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11592/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the tenant purchase scheme; his plans to reform the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10644/23]
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. It seeks to incentivise purchasers to remain in their homes and support sustainable communities.
The scheme was reviewed in 2021, with a number of amendments coming into effect from 1 February 2022.
The amendments included a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required from €15,000 to €12,500, facilitating older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to qualify under the scheme was also revised - this has been increased from one to ten years.
Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined by my Department as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
