Written Answers Nos. 206-229
206. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the sites under consideration by the Land Development Agency in Limerick; the projected supply of homes on those sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12012/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) has an immediate focus on managing the State’s owned lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market.
The Agency is continuing its work on progressing the renewal of the Colbert Station environs of Limerick City with the potential to deliver up to 2,800 affordable and social homes as well as a mix of city centre uses. The adopted Colbert Quarter Spatial Framework plan is available at www.colbertquarter.ie
The Framework represents a blueprint for the potential transformation of this strategically significant area of Limerick City over the next twenty years. It will guide the development of the area and aims to progress delivery of a new sustainable and mixed-use vibrant quarter for this strategically significant gateway to Limerick.In progressing the development proposals to the next phase I understand that the LDA, in partnership with partners Limerick City and County Council, CIÉ and the HSE, is working on the preparation of an Infrastructure Delivery and Phasing Plan (IDPP).
Furthermore, I am informed that work is underway to develop a Masterplan for lands to the rear of St Joseph’s Hospital. The Draft Masterplan is to be published for consultation later in the spring.
The LDA have also indicated that it is progressing feasibility for an Ervia/ Gas Networks Ireland site in Limerick Docks as well as progressing proposals for lands around Careys Road working in partnership with Limerick City and County Council.
207. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the reform of electoral laws to prevent donations from non-citizens outside the State influencing elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10262/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the measures his Department is taking to ensure that political parties’ electoral spending accounts are fully compliant, transparent and publicly accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10263/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
The Electoral Act 1997 (as amended) provides the statutory framework for dealing with political financing and sets out the regulatory regime covering a wide range of inter-related issues such as the funding of political parties; the reimbursement of election expenses; the establishment of election expenditure limits; the disclosure of election expenditure; the setting of limits on permissible donations; the prohibition of certain donations; the disclosure of donations; and the registration of third parties who accept donations given for political purposes which exceed €100.
The principal objectives of the Act are to ensure that there is openness and accountability in the relationships that exist between election candidates, elected members and political parties and those who would support them, whether by way of financial assistance or otherwise. The Act also seeks to achieve equity in the electoral process by limiting expenditure at elections and by providing a system whereby candidates at elections can recoup election expenses subject to certain criteria being met.
In the context of compliance, the Act also provides for the independent supervision of this regime by the Standards in Public Office (SIPO) Commission who have published a number of guidelines to inform election candidates, members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, members of the European Parliament, political parties, corporate donors and third parties of their obligations under the Act. Under the Act, SIPO may make such inquiries as it considers appropriate and may require any person, political party or third party to furnish any such information as it considers appropriate for the purpose of exercising its duties under the Act. Failure to comply is an offence under the Act.
Under Parts IV and VI of the Act, an election candidate, a Member of the Oireachtas, a Member of the European Parliament, a political party or a third party may not accept a range of donations, including a donation, of whatever value, from an individual other than an Irish citizen who resides outside the island of Ireland or a donation from a body corporate or unincorporated body of persons which does not keep an office in the island of Ireland from which one or more of its principal activities is directed. Accordingly, foreign donations by non-citizens of any amount are prohibited and where such donations have been made, it is incumbent upon the recipient to either return the donation to the donor or remit it to SIPO within 14 days of its receipt. In addition, the recipients of prohibited donations must comply with any direction that may be given by SIPO in the matter.
Notwithstanding the above, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 (enacted in July 2022) provides for, among other matters, the establishment of an independent statutory electoral commission – An Coimisiún Toghcháin . In addition, Part 7 of the Act provides for a number of amendments to the Electoral Act 1997 aimed at clarifying and strengthening the relevant provisions relating to our political donations and expenditure regime.
In broad terms, Part 7 strengthens a number of definitions within the 1997 Act to clarify what falls within the scope of a donation, what might constitute an exemption from a donation and the status of subsidiary organisations of political parties that have offices outside the State having regard to our donations regime. It also requires the leaders of political parties to provide a written statement and accompanying statutory declaration each year to SIPO stating that donations from outside the State have been declared and that no other donations took place in the party’s donation statement for the preceding year. Furthermore, a new definition of ‘cryptocurrency’ is inserted into the 1997 Act together with a general prohibition on the acceptance of donations in the form of a cryptocurrency.
Part 7 also amends Part IX of the 1997 Act to provide that the annual statements of accounts prepared by each political party shall also apply to subsidiary organisations and shall include all property within the ownership of the political party (including property within the ownership of each of its subsidiary organisations) as well as a breakdown of the aggregate amount of donations received by the political party (including donations received by each of its subsidiary organisations). These obligations commenced on 1 January 2023 and will apply to the annual statements of accounts due for the 2023 calendar year which must be furnished to SIPO in accordance with the deadline set out in section 87 of the 1997 Act.
As a final point. during the passage of the then Electoral Reform Bill through the Oireachtas in the summer of 2022, I committed to An Coimisiún, when established, carrying out a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 1997. With the recent establishment of An Coimisiún , it is envisaged that a review of the 1997 Act will take place with a view to making recommendations on any aspects of that Act that may require amendment.
209. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the action taken by the OPW to protect national parks. [10496/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is the Executive Agency within my Department with primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. Our six National Parks, Killarney, Connemara, Wild Nephin, Wicklow Mountains, Glenveagh and The Burren are all managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).This Government, in its Programme for Government, committed to reviewing the remit, status and funding of the NPWS. That independent, multi-phase Review was completed in Spring 2022. It culminated in a Strategic Action Plan with fifteen key recommendations to renew the NPWS, establish it as an Executive Agency within a Government Department, and made it a more resilient, more effective organisation, fit to meet the current challenges. This Action Plan was accepted by Government and is now being implemented. One of the actions arising has been the strengthening of the management of our National Parks through the appointment of a dedicated Park Manager for each Park. The Park Managers are supported by dedicated teams of regional staff.All of our National Parks are managed for nature conservation, as well as for education, and public access for the enjoyment of nature. Each of our Parks has its own unique requirements, however, there are some management challenges that are tackled across a number of sites. For example invasive species management is a long standing and ongoing practice in a number of our Parks. The culling of the deer herd is another regular and on-going management operation within our National Parks. The culling of deer is undertaken periodically when resources, weather and timing allows. The NPWS is working towards sustainable herd management, and, as such, there is, and will continue to be, a need to remove a certain percentage of animals from the herd on an on-going basis.In 2017 the partnership between the NPWS and Fáilte Ireland was created to achieve the shared goal of further developing quality experiences at our National Parks and Nature Reserves. One major output from the Strategic Partnership with Fáilte Ireland, was a Masterplan for the six National Parks. This provides a high level and integrated blueprint for the NPWS to invest in and better manage the Parks for conservation, biodiversity and visitors alike. In effect, it enables the aligning of conservation objectives of the Parks with increasing visitor appeal and numbers. The Masterplan guides the phased development of these enhanced visitor facilities and improved visitor experiences based on research into international best practice. The Department intends to produce visitor and management plans for its National Parks on an on-going basis, the availability of resources permitting.As part of the NPWS' continuing commitment and contribution to protecting our heritage and recreation product, it has been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives. In this context, it should be noted that the NPWS negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016. And in 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This creates a State–owned re-wilding project of over 11,000 hectares and aims to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits through the ‘re-wilding’ of the forest which adjoins the National Park.Given the resources available within our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am of course mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands; my focus is on conservation objectives for Natura 2000 sites in the first instance. Ireland's National Biodiversity Plan captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity to be undertaken by a wide range of stakeholders in Government, society and private sectors to achieve Ireland’s vision for biodiversity not just in our own National Parks but countrywide.
210. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of modular homes being built in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11960/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 207 of 2 March 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
211. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline measures being taken to prevent landlords fleeing the rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Housing for All Action Plan Update (published in November, 2022), my Department has commenced a comprehensive review of the private rental sector. This review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years in the residential rental market, and will report on how our housing system can be enhanced to provide an efficient, affordable, viable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants.
This review will include a thematic review of the principal and relevant elements of the rental market to ensure that Ireland has a sector which meets the needs of tenants, both short-term and long-term, while providing a supportive environment for the maintenance of the existing stock and provision of new units. The review conclusions will draw on international practice. The review is underway and will conclude as early as possible, with the benefit of public consultation and targeted engagement with various stakeholders. The Minister for Finance has indicated that he will give consideration to any review recommendations for necessary tax changes to help encourage investment in the residential rental sector. My Department will engage with the Departments of Finance; and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in carrying out the review and implementing relevant recommendations.
This review will be essential in properly planning future policy for the residential rented sector including implementing measures to support both landlords and tenants.
Budget 2023 provides for a doubling of the cap on deductibility for a landlord’s pre-letting expenditure for previously vacant properties to €10,000 per property. The requirement for vacancy for associated expenditure to qualify for such tax deductibility has been reduced from 12 to 6 months. The Government provided further assistance to landlords under the Finance Act 2022, via a Government Committee Stage amendment passed in Dáil Éireann on 23 November to provide a new tax deduction (of up to €10,000) for landlords who undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ.
The Government is committed to increasing housing supply generally, including rental accommodation, and to protect renters while retaining landlords in the system. Over the coming months, my Department and I will work with our partners in Government to put together a comprehensive new package of effective measures for both tenants and landlords.
212. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of drafting the wording for a referendum on the right to water. [12021/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to holding a referendum on water, and work on the drafting of an appropriate wording is at an advanced stage.
My planned course of action as outlined previously is to bring forward a referendum proposal on water ownership for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing once the Housing Commission has reported to me on that matter. In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including timelines, for referenda on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.
213. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review of the current designated rent pressure zones will be completed; if he will review the standardised average rent for County Tipperary to ascertain if the county now qualifies as a RPZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Housing for All Action Plan Update (published in November, 2022), my Department has commissioned a comprehensive review of the private rental sector. This review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years will report on how our housing system could provide an efficient, affordable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants.
This review will include a thematic review of the principal and relevant elements of the Rental Market and the Government will act on its recommendations. Its conclusion will be utilised to inform future policy direction for the Rental Market.
The review which is already underway and will be concluded as early as possible, will include a public consultation as well as targeted engagement of various external stakeholders.
The 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 bi-annually. 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 Tipperary meets the designation criteria it will be designated as a RPZ.
214. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing levels assigned to the foreshore unit in his Department in the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; if he has plans to increase the resources of the unit to prioritise the assessment of foreshore licence applications for the purposes of facilitating necessary works in connection with offshore wind developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12045/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average processing times for foreshore licence applications related to Phase 2 offshore wind energy developments for the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12046/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct officials in the foreshore unit to publish, on a monthly basis, a list of outstanding FLAs for offshore wind projects, including their status and the indicative timeline to a decision, similar to other agencies and Departments, in order to provide greater transparency for offshore wind operators and the general public regarding processing times for related foreshore licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12047/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 215 and 216 together.
My Department’s Foreshore Unit operates the consenting regime under the Foreshore Act 1933, managing the regulation of a range of different marine activities and infrastructural developments. Up to 2020, the Foreshore function in my Department was part of a much broader business unit that also dealt with Marine Planning policy.
The following table below sets out the staff numbers from 2016 to 2023.
|
Business Unit |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Marine Planning/Foreshore |
17 |
18 |
20 |
16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Foreshore |
- |
- |
- |
- |
11 |
26 |
25 |
26 |
The volume of applications made under the Act in recent years has grown significantly. In parallel, my Department is leading an extensive marine management reform programme. Creating a clear and transparent transition from the existing foreshore consenting process to the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) licencing and consenting regime for all types of development, most significantly Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) related activity is a priority within my Department. I am hopeful that the Agency can be established in the coming weeks with operation of the Agency's functions commencing shortly afterwards. Until such time as the MARA is formally established and operational, any further increase in the staffing complement of the Foreshore Unit will be subject to my Department's overall workforce planning requirements and available funding.
The expected time for processing and determining foreshore applications can vary considerably and is influenced by the quality of the application and supporting documents received, the nature and complexity of the application, the level of public engagement during the consultation process and up until recently, impacts from restrictions imposed as a result of Covid-19, among other matters.
Each application must be assessed in accordance with the applicable requirements of domestic and EU law including the EIA Directive, Birds and Habitats Regulations and the Foreshore Act. Several of the foreshore consents issued in recent years have been the subject of judicial review proceedings and the process for assessing such applications has been amended as a result, taking into account legal advices and evolving case law.
My Department has also recently more than doubled the staffing and technical resources available within the Foreshore Unit to address this increasing workload. This should reduce the average time taken to assess an application. In addition, a panel of external specialist environmental consultants is in operation to assist in the technical assessment of applications. I believe that these changes have combined to make the assessment process more robust, reduce the number of stages required as part of the assessment process and as a result reduced the time required to assess an application, while noting the variables which can influence the time taken to assess and determine a foreshore licence application.
My Department has been prioritising applications associated with energy projects in the maritime area in accordance with Government decision of September 2022. However, it cannot exclusively focus on these applications: applications associated with maritime health and safety projects and activities as well as safe drinking water infrastructure are also being prioritised. Consequentially, other applications that are awaiting assessment could see a delay in their applications moving forward as these applications are given priority.
Applications associated with electricity grid and port related infrastructural development are being afforded the highest level priority followed by foreshore applications associated with ORE Phase 1 projects that have been granted Maritime Area Consents (MACs) by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Applications and determinations are available on my Department's website Foreshore applications www.gov.ie and the spatial representation of these are now available to view on Activities Map (BETA) | marineplan.ie
Earlier this week the Government approved the Offshore Wind Phase 2 Policy Statement led by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Policy Statement makes it explicit that all further offshore energy development must be determined as part of a plan-led structure, underpinned by ORE Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). Government has agreed that the initial ORE DMAP under Phase 2 will be geographically aligned with existing onshore capacity identified by Eirgrid on the South Coast. Government is aiming to achieve the final designation of the first two ORE DMAPs and the required Oireachtas approval by the end of 2023.
A plan-led approach to offshore energy development will guide development into the right locations and enable consent authorities to manage activities. The move to plan-led development will provide a more rational approach to the assessment of this activity and offshore energy development generally. It is in the public interest that a robust planning framework is put in place that ensures not only the achievement of our offshore energy objectives but also the maintenance of our environmental protection obligations, the economic wellbeing of local communities and the interests of other marine users.
My Department will continue to work to establish MARA as early as possible and to finalise a Cooperation Agreement under s65(1)(b) of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 that can also be used to facilitate the transition of foreshore applications and their assessment to the new consenting authority for consideration within the new plan-led regulatory and consenting regime.
217. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a status update on a public housing scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12048/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific project mentioned, I can confirm that the project received conditional Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding approval in 2019 for 34 social housing homes. My Department actively engages with the local authority and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) concerned. I understand that following withdrawal of the preferred bidder from the procurement process, the project had to be retendered.
The AHB recently submitted a revised funding application to my Department, following the new tender process and selection of a new preferred bidder, and this application is currently under review.
My Department publishes a quarterly Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report, which sets out the continuing progress being made in advancing the national local authority and AHB new-build pipeline. The latest report, setting out the position at end Q3 2022, can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/2b4cd-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2022/
218. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when funding will reopen for regeneration sites. [12095/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Regeneration Programme targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities; those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects which seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these estates through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.
My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These projects seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.
It is the responsibility of local authorities to identify an opportunity to advance Regeneration Programmes in line with Circular N11/2007 Policy Framework for the Regeneration of Local Authority Estates in their respective administrative areas. The local authority should discuss potential projects with my Department at the earliest opportunity.
Once a proposal is considered to be appropriate and suitable as a Regeneration Programme, the local authority will then advance proposal(s) for construction of new and refurbished homes in the Regeneration area. Each project submission received is assessed on its own merits, in the context of the aims and objectives of Housing for All, the National Regeneration Programme, and value for money.
219. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage he will instruct officials in his Department to engage with Cork City Council to develop a regeneration plan for Mayfield. [12096/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regeneration of social housing is a matter in the first instance for the local authority. Cork City Council has informed my Department that it is at the early stages of examining the Tarry Path area in Mayfield with a view to development of a regeneration solution to vacant and derelict areas.
As this review is at early preliminary appraisal stage, no submission has yet been made to my Department. My Department continues to work closely with Cork City Council on all proposed and existing projects.
It is the responsibility of local authorities to identify an opportunity to advance Regeneration Programmes in line with Circular N11/2007 Policy Framework for the Regeneration of Local Authority Estates in their respective administrative areas.
If a decision is made to proceed with a regeneration programme, the proposal must be incorporated into the current master plan for the relevant area or included as part of a new master plan. This ensures that the proposed project aligns with local planning and vision, depending on the scope, scale and nature of the project. The revised or new master plan must be approved at Council level before proceeding.
Once a proposal is considered to be appropriate and suitable as a Regeneration Programme, the local authority will then advance proposal(s) for construction of new and refurbished homes in the Regeneration area.
Each project submission received is assessed on its own merits, in the context of the aims and objectives of Housing for All, the National Regeneration Programme, and value for money.
220. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the vacant property refurbishment grant can be considered where the applicant fulfils the conditions of the scheme and has an independent engineer's report confirming that the vacant property concerned is unsuitable for habitation and structurally unsafe and should be demolished to be replaced with a new dwelling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins the policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November, 2022.
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.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or if the property is on the Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
In the case of a top-up grant in respect of a derelict property not on the Derelict Sites Register, an independent report prepared by an appropriately qualified professional is required to be submitted along with the application confirming that the property is derelict.
The level of Grant is contingent on the works approved by the local authority and will be paid based on vouched expenditure following a final inspection by the local authority.
The refurbishment of a vacant property for occupation may involve development that requires planning permission. Where appropriate, an applicant under the scheme will be required to submit evidence that planning permission has been attained prior to final grant approval. In cases where a question arises in relation to whether a proposed development needs planning permission or is an exempted development, an applicant under the scheme will be required to submit a declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
The objective of the grant scheme is to bring existing properties back into use. While demolition and extension works can form part of an application for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such works must be part of a wider refurbishment of the existing dwelling in keeping with the objectives of the scheme.
It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
221. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider widening the income considered to apply for the tenant purchase scheme to include those working on community employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12126/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, including 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.
In determining a tenant’s minimum annual reckonable income, local authorities can include incomes from employment, private pensions, the contributory and non-contributory State pensions and certain social protection payments, where the social protection payment is secondary to income from employment or a pension. However, other social protection payments, including Community Employment Scheme payments, are not considered when determining an applicant's annual reckonable income.
The minimum annual reckonable 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.
That said, scheme qualifying criteria, including minimum reckonable income requirements, are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps, if any, that the Department can take to assist persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12144/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 311 of 28 February 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
223. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership or part ownership of, or under the control of, both his Department and agencies under his remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12167/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
State Body |
Contact e-mail |
|
State Body |
Contact e-mail |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
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National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@valoff.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
224. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the time spent to carry out the four-stage approval process for publicly funded capital projects for each social housing, cost rental, affordable purchase, and mixed tenure development completed in 2022, broken down by tenure type and county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12174/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
225. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing, cost rental, affordable purchase, and mixed tenure developments currently in the new one stage approval process, and the number of units of accommodation in these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12175/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen first introduced in 2018, the Single-Stage approval process applied to social housing projects up to a value of €2m. In September 2020, I increased the value for eligible projects to €6m giving local authorities greater autonomy in advancing their social housing projects. In order to foster a greater use of this process, my Department continues to monitor its use and engage with local authorities when this approach could be used but is not being availed of.
The Single Stage process applies to local authority social housing developments. Public housing delivery in respect of affordable purchase and cost rental is not assessed and approved under the single stage process.
Currently there are 33 pre-construction project proposals using the single stage arrangement, set to deliver 102 social homes. These projects are currently being advanced by the respective local authorities through design, procurement, planning, tendering and contracting. A further 15 projects that advanced through the single stage process are currently on site, to deliver 52 new social homes.
226. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has decided upon an ‘NCT-style’ system for housing, in line with advice from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12183/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supply. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target for the inspection of 25% of all registered private residential tenancies. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets.
While 2022 inspection data in respect of some local authorities is still currently being validated by my Department, circa 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings were undertaken last year- this represents the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
While Regulations and associated systems are kept under continuous review, I have no plans to change the inspection regime at this time. However, as part of the current review of the private rental market the underlying processes and structures that govern the current rental standards regime will be examined and any changes that can help to deliver high quality rental accommodation to those who live in the private rented sector will be considered.
227. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress of the Housing Commission report. [12184/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Housing Commission was established by Government in December 2021 to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland. The Commission has been tasked to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing, all of which have long-term impacts on communities. This will include efficient functioning of the markets for construction and provision. The Commission will also bring forward proposals on the wording for a referendum on housing. The Commission operates independently of my Department. The Commission is scheduled to conclude its work by the third quarter of this year.
228. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give consideration to the establishment of a statutory rent arrears fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12185/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my first year as Minister, I introduced significant tenancy protections under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 with effect from 1 August 2020. The Act provides for enhanced tenancy protections by requiring a landlord to copy the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) with any 28-day warning notice (doubled from 14 days under that Act) given in writing to their tenant seeking payment of rent arrears and any related notice of termination that might later be served. The Act provides that failure to copy the RTB would invalidate the notice of termination
Upon receipt of the warning notice, the Act requires the RTB to provide information to enable the tenant to get advice from the Money and Budgeting Advice Service (MABS), and to help the tenant to get such advice, if the tenant so wishes. The RTB is also required to provide tenancy information to both the tenant and the landlord upon receipt of a notice of termination grounded on rent arrears. The aim is to ensure that early action is taken to address rent arrears, to the benefit of both the tenant and the landlord.
Tenants are required to continue to observe the normal terms and conditions of their lease including paying rent to their landlord and, in the event of tenants having difficulty doing so, they are encouraged to engage with their landlords at the earliest opportunity. They should also engage with the MABS and the Department of Social Protection as income supports, such as Rent Supplement, are available to assist them.
Given the financial and legislative supports currently available to tenants in difficulty paying their rent, I have no plans to provide for a statutory rent arrears fund. However, the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 and the residential rental market are kept under constant review by my Department to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose. In this regard, under Housing for All, my Department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all.
229. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration he has given to a deposit protection scheme for tenants and licensees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12186/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 2.12 of Housing for All requires that, among other things an examination for the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, informed by international experience occurs. This examination has a timeline of Q2 2023. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Section 7 of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 inserted a new section 19B into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which applies to tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, to restrict the total amount that a tenant is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent (i.e. any deposit cannot exceed one month’s rent and any advance rent payment cannot exceed one month’s rent). A restriction of the equivalent of one month’s rent is also placed on the amount that a tenant is obliged to pay as a regular advance rent payment to a landlord during a tenancy. These measures are intended to greatly reduce any financial exposure to tenants, on foot of paying such restricted upfront payments.
Significant changes have taken place in the rental market since the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme to be operated by the RTB. A full review of international best practice will be needed with a view to considering whether and how to introduce a re-designed scheme that is fit for purpose and suitable for current and future rental and financial markets.
A thorough examination will occur within the agreed timeline, taking into account all key considerations.
Question No. 230 answered with No. 140.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will indicate given the increasing demand and pressure for housing; the extent, if any, to which he might look at the housing requirements on a county basis with a view to appointing professional builders on contract to the respective local authorities to provide and accelerate a housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12213/23]
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 and 54,000 affordable homes by 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 and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop a Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing and details of land acquisition requirements.
The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. The Plans have been published on local authority websites.
Under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is available to all local authorities to deliver additional social housing stock through direct construction or in partnership with developers through 'turnkey' projects. As such, housing developments are constructed by professional contractors/developers in line with those agreements.
Significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.
