Tuesday, 21 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 507-517

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (508)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

508. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if businesses or local authorities can qualify for the vacant property refurbishment grant. [13937/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 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 to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant does not apply to businesses or local authority housing stock. It is available to those buying or owning a vacant or derelict property, which will be their principal private residence, when refurbished. The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties and responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.

Since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review and it is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.

Traveller Accommodation

Ceisteanna (509)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

509. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding drawn down by each local authority for Traveller accommodation in each of the past five years per local authority, in tabular form. [13938/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities and implemented a new allocation process following a review of arrangements for the disbursement of funding provision and related supports for Traveller-specific accommodation. Since 2020, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. Full spend of the Traveller accommodation budget has been achieved for the past 3 years - 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The drawdown for Traveller specific accommodation for each local authority in each of the years 2018-2022 is set out in the following table.

	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown
	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
	€	€	€	€	€
Carlow	0	381,898	206,986	0	43,723
Cavan	0	94,500	13,114	518	117,616
Clare	13,250	669,389	174,032	954,403	423,644
Cork City	180,250	42,319	1,504,850	520,881	1,751,577
Cork County	0	184,745	133,684	55,496	355,809
Donegal	52,775	0	245,498	89,531	531,711
Dublin City	744,400	895,197	2,066,977	351,661	1,560,112
DLR	1,099,940	32,834	747,750	371,077	568,397
Fingal	886,957	848,957	486,858	3,423,575	814,257
Galway City	0	0	861,334	2,005,132	647,735
Galway County	267,032	670,440	1,107,714	284,443	697,261
Kerry	62,538	75,131	15,773	80,165	2,733,143
Kildare	29,510	360,231	261,110	32,588	219,305
Kilkenny	60,067	408,856	125,638	145,184	635,088
Laois	0	0	192,520	129,826	1,207,103
Leitrim	54,306	0	375,635	0	379,689
Limerick City	470,997	1,424,782	2,370,922	2,284,555	133,949
Longford	0	0	0	406,014	201,468
Louth	3,810	341,863	287,087	15,000	270,661
Mayo	0	0	215,951	591,614	387,204
Meath	0	91,790	58,845	927,111	965,435
Monaghan	54,745	0	423,201	413,028	558,271
Offaly	10,999	692,329	499,833	246,126	361,604
Roscommon	102,274	73,843	148,168	96,829	1,108,296
Sligo	282,883	1,131,397	1,193,489	86,345	561,328
South Dublin	1,284,101	106,719	284,390	358,873	407,616
Tipperary	42,003	0	156,731	873,547	2,051,098
Waterford City	472,726	77,562	14,549	173,817	200,039
Westmeath	0	0	114,326	0	0
Wexford	0	52,870	30,382	113,610	217,399
Wicklow	88,783	0	180,305	469,014	489,107
TOTAL	6,264,346	8,657,652	14,497,652	15,499,963	20,599,645

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (510, 517)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

510. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money provided by his Department to local authorities for the purpose of refurbishing vacant properties; and the amount drawn down by each local authority in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [13939/23]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

517. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the total funding allocated under the voids programme to each local authority in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the total number of units completed by each individual local authority under the voids programme in the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14023/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 517 together.

The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.

Since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.

An annualised breakdown by local authority of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014 up to and including 2022 is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme.

My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. Funding allocations under the 2023 Programme will be announced shortly. Notwithstanding the voids funding being provided by my Department, local authorities have a responsibility to provide adequate housing maintenance budgets for 2023 and this parallel work by local authorities is essential for the development of the planned maintenance approach, which is an objective of Housing for All.

Question No. 511 answered with Question No. 434.

Homeless Persons Supports

Ceisteanna (512)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

512. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what course of action is available to an individual if they do not qualify for social housing and find themselves homeless due to lack of private rentals available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14012/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.

Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.

I understand some local authorities use the social housing application form as a tool to assist them reach an opinion on the applicant’s ability to provide accommodation from their own resources. Notwithstanding this, it remains the case that households need not be eligible for social housing to access homeless supports and homeless households can be provided with temporary emergency accommodation without undergoing a social housing assessment. This ensures local authorities can respond effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.

The Government has recently agreed on a number of new measures to give tenants the opportunity to buy their home. This includes developing a legislative provision which may require that a landlord selling a property to offer “First Right of Refusal” to a tenant. Furthermore, I have issued a request to the First Home scheme Designated Activity Company to expand its eligibility to encompass such instances as where tenants who have received such a notice would be eligible for support under that scheme. In addition, I am developing proposals for a bespoke cost rental model which would see a provider avail of this First Right of Refusal to allow tenants who have received such a notice and who are at risk of homelessness, but not on social housing supports, continue to reside in the property.

The details of these schemes are in the process of being advanced and information will be available in due course.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (513)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

513. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with self-catering accommodation providers in rural areas concerning the impact of the Short-term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14013/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (514, 515)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

514. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address badger baiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14014/23]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

515. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of recorded badger baiting incidents for the years 2021 and 2022; the number of prosecutions and convictions of persons for badger baiting since 1 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14015/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff of my Department are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime. Staff in NPWS are designated as Authorised Persons under the Wildlife Acts and Authorised Officers under the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and in that context they have powers of enforcement to deal with wildlife crime, including badger baiting.

The Strategic Action Plan for NPWS will equip it with the organisational capability and supporting structures to enable it to deliver its mandate in protecting our natural heritage. Additional resources are being recruited across all grades and specialisms in NPWS and I have secured agreement to increase the number of conservation rangers to 120 with recruitment already underway to achieve this.

On an ongoing basis NPWS staff conduct patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation, as required. They also investigate reports of breaches of legislation, including in relation to badger baiting. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the same legislation to investigate alleged wildlife crime offences and to prosecute if they see fit. An Garda Síochána are also authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 where the activity of badger baiting can come under. My officers will work closely with Gardai on badger baiting investigations.

It is normal process that suspected breaches of the law are investigated. Consideration must be and is given to a range of issues, including whether it is considered that the evidence of a crime is sufficient before a decision is taken whether or not to proceed with seeking a prosecution. For the period 2021 to 2022 NPWS have records of 9 suspected badger baiting incidences reported to it. For the period 2013 to 2022, for when records are readily available, there were 4 prosecutions taken by NPWS for interference, disturbance or destruction of badger setts with one further case with summons currently being prepared.

My Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and An Garda Síochána and Irish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) in relation to this type of activity. A joint protocol is already in place between NPWS and An Garda Síochána on tackling wildlife crime and to establish closer working relationships between both organisations. This protocol provides for formal liaison arrangements for sharing of information and the carrying out of joint operations in relation to wildlife crime. NPWS are initiating a series of practical training sessions for NPWS staff in collaboration with An Garda Síochána and other relevant enforcement organisations for various wildlife crimes. Investigating badger digging and baiting are one of the modules scheduled.

The NPWS is also working to review, consolidate and modernise the Wildlife Acts and the Birds and Habitats Regulations. The updates to this legislation will be wide-ranging but will have a particular focus on deterrence and on improving the enforceability of wildlife laws.

Question No. 515 answered with Question No. 514.

eGovernment Services

Ceisteanna (516)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

516. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with and assist a public body under his remit (details supplied) with a view to improving their online platform, including the restoration of an online chat query service and a review of the online registration process carried in consultation with the services users [14016/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Board, or RTB, was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 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 Board covers the private rental sector, the not-for-profit housing providers commonly known as Approved Housing Bodies and Student-specific Accommodation providers. The day-to-day operations of the RTB are a matter for the Board.

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. 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. The RTB has further assured officials that it is very conscious of the need to ensure that any landlord or letting agent renewing a tenancy during Cycle 2 of Annual Registration has a much-improved experience of the system than they may have had during Cycle 1. During Q1 and Q2 2023, progressive improvements will be implemented in the registration system addressing key areas of functionality and addressing known issues causing difficulty for landlords and agents. The RTB is also implementing incremental improvements and bug fixes within the registration system via regular service patches. These are being released on an ongoing basis.

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 staffing level at the outsourced call centre has been doubled in size to deal with the issues that have arisen following the introduction of annual registration. 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.

Question No. 517 answered with Question No. 510.