Seán Haughey
Ceist:124. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on the Residential Construction Cost Study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Reports
Ceisteanna (124)
Freagraí scríofa
The Residential Construction Cost Study was conducted under Action 19.1 Housing for All and is a shared Construction Sector Group (CSG)/Government initiative facilitated by my Department.
The study finds that overall construction costs using Irish specifications on a cost-per-square-metre rate for the same apartment building are broadly in line with construction costs in the four European comparator locations. However, potentially significant cost savings related to specifications, scope and size have been identified.
The cost modelling for apartments in the study found potential cost reduction opportunities on scope and specification.
While the cost modelling for housing found potential opportunities primarily linked to size, and in scope and specification to a lesser extent.
The study identifies seven proposed cost reduction actions related to the specification which related to standardisation, typologies and finishes, scope of works and size.
Arising from this report, the Government has agreed to implement a set of key actions. These will be implemented as priority actions, led by my Department, in collaboration with Government and Industry. These actions will facilitate the implementation of real and measurable cost-savings in Irish residential construction. The study’s findings will also be used to inform future policy and initiatives.
Homeless Accommodation
Ceisteanna (125)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children living in Department of Housing-funded emergency accommodation in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and currently. [23145/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department currently publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question.
The most recently published data is in respect of March 2023 and the reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ .
Children have been clearly enumerated in the monthly homeless statistics since July 2021; previously it is understood that a small number of adult dependants had been included under the 'dependants' category.
All homeless data from January 2019 to date are also published on the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal at: data.gov.ie/ .
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (126)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he is taking to consult fishing bodies regarding offshore renewable projects. [23337/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has made significant advances in the development of marine planning policy over the last number of years, including the launch of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) and the signing of the Maritime Area Planning Act in 2021. Implementation work on those continues at pace within my Department and remains ongoing.
Public consultation, including consultation with fishermen and fishing organisations, was a key element throughout the development of the NMPF. In response to concerns of both the fisheries and ORE sectors, I instructed my Department officials to establish a seafood/ORE working group to assist the managed introduction of the offshore renewables industry into the maritime area.
Chaired by Captain Robert McCabe the Group comprises some 17 separate seafood representative bodies and the 4 main ORE representative bodies. Wider group membership beyond the 2 main industries includes the 3 Government Departments and associated bodies with relevant maritime expertise in safety at sea, offshore electricity generation and maritime surveying. Substantial progress has been made on the initial objective of agreeing a basis for communications between the industries. This guidance document will provide a detailed outline of the procedures for ORE to engage with the fishing community, and the responsibilities held by both industries in terms of communications and engagements. I hope to announce further details of that in the coming weeks.
I also think it important to note that strong protections for the rights of the fishing community are enshrined in the legally binding NMPF Fisheries policies. These polices reflect the public consultation responses received from the fishing community during the development of the NMPF. Any proposal that may have a significant adverse impact must demonstrate how it will, in order of preference, (a) avoid, (b) minimise or (c) mitigate any such impact. These measures will have to be addressed in the planning application and will be assessed by the relevant planning authority, which in the case of ORE developments, will be An Bord Pleanála.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (127)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number, separately, of social and affordable homes completed by Monaghan County Council in 2022; the targeted figure for 2023; the corresponding figures for approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23144/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing 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 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.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Monaghan. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .
Monaghan County Council has a target to deliver 56 new build social homes in 2023. Data for Quarter 1 2023 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop 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. A copy of Monaghan County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on its website at the following link: monaghan.ie/monaghan-county-councils-housing-delivery-action-plan-approved-by-department-and-published-online/
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/. A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link below: opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2022 - Social Housing Construction Status Report Q4 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Plans as part of their overall Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Monaghan 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. To date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from Monaghan County Council.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie .
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.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (128)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to the new home completions figures for Q1 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in the ‘New Dwelling Completions’ series show 6,716 new homes were added to the national housing stock in Q1 2023. This is an increase of 19% on Q1 2022, when 5,669 new homes were completed, and the highest number of Q1 completions recorded since the series began in 2011. The rolling 12-month total of 30,898 completions has surpassed 30,000 for the first time since 2009.
These figures come on the back of positive recent Commencement Notices data, with record numbers for March (since the series began in 2014), with 3,244 homes commenced; record numbers for Q1, whilst 3 of the last 5 months have had record figures for those calendar months.
Supply is key to improving our housing market and this continues to increase. Increased supply will help moderate residential price inflation, increase access to affordable housing, and assist those aspiring to home-ownership to achieve this goal.
More homes were completed in 2022 than in any full year in the last decade and Government is focused on maintaining and building on this substantial uplift in delivery in 2023 and beyond. I am optimistic we will meet the Housing for All target of 29,000 this year.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (129)
David Stanton
Ceist:129. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports, if any, in place by his Department to encourage over the shop living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 provided for an exemption, up until the end of 2021, from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground-floor shops and offices, to residential use. This measure was aimed at facilitating the productive re-use of qualifying vacant commercial buildings as homes, while also facilitating urban renewal and increasing housing supply.
Under Housing for All, the planning exemptions under the 2018 Regulations were subsequently extended until the end of 2025 by way of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022. These Regulations included a new and additional class of premises eligible to avail of the planning exemption, that of public houses capable of providing up to a maximum of 9 residential units.
Since the planning exemptions for the conversion of vacant commercial premises were first introduced in 2018, local authorities have received a total of 898 notifications relating to the provision of 2,066 additional homes throughout the country, if activated.
While not specifically focused on promoting living over the shop, my Department recently completed a six week multi-channel advertising campaign highlighting the supports available to people who wish to buy, lease or sell a vacant property, or convert vacant commercial property into a home. The first phase of the campaign focused on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant while the second phase focused on some of the other supports and schemes available such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the planning exemption for the conversion of commercial premises into residential units. Further information on available schemes and supports is contained in the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ef77b-refurbishing-vacant-property/.
This work is in addition to the “Bringing Back Homes - Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings’, (www.gov.ie/en/publication/3c790-bringing-back-homes-print-version/) that was published by my Department in 2018. Created as a reference guide, the manual aims to provide property owners, members of the public, local authorities and those involved in the construction sector with clear guidance on how current regulatory requirements - including the building control requirements - apply to common, existing building types, when seeking to refurbish or convert existing buildings for residential use.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 114.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (131)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:131. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the remediation of dwellings affected by the use of defective concrete blocks legislation to ensure 100% redress for the victims of the defective concrete block scandal. [23557/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act'), as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021, is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme including increasing the current 90% maximum grant to a 100% grant for all remediation options available subject to the overall cap and grant rates.
It should be noted that the scheme, as approved by the Oireachtas in the 2022 Act, is not a compensation or redress scheme, and the State has admitted no liability in this regard. Rather, it is a Remediation Grant scheme of last resort, put in place by the Government to voluntarily assist homeowners.
The 2022 Act which contains the enhanced grant scheme will be commenced as soon as related Regulations are completed, which Regulations provide details for the enhanced scheme not included in the 2022 Act. The draft Regulations are also the subject of ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups, which consultation must be concluded before the Regulations will be finalised and adopted which I expect to conclude this month.
With respect to defective apartments, I received Government approval on 18 January 2023 to draft legislation to support the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. Work is now 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.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (132)
James Lawless
Ceist:132. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key Housing for All achievements in the first quarter of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing for All was published 2 September 2021. The first annual update of the plan's actions was published on 2 November 2022. A copy of Housing for All and the Housing for All Action Plan Update can be accessed at the following respective links: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/ www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/
Under Housing for All, the supply of new homes is increasing. A record 6,716 new homes were added to the national housing stock in the first quarter of 2023. This represents the highest number of new homes recorded in any Quarter 1 since the series began in 2011.
There has also been a strong uptick in commencements. In Quarter 1 2023, commencement notices were 5% higher than Quarter 1 2022. March 2023 saw an increase of 15.5% on the number commenced in March 2022. The 3,244 new homes received in March is the highest number of commencements of any March since the data series began in 2014.
Progress reports are published quarterly. The seventh of these reports, covering progress in Q1 2023, was published on 25 April. These reports can be accessed on www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 97.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (134)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:134. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the delivery of affordable housing in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23202/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
With 2022 representing the first full year of affordable housing delivery under the schemes introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, local authorities have submitted data returns detailing information on delivery of affordable homes in their area to my Department, in the same manner as is done for social housing. The 2022 process is now complete and statistical data on delivery across all delivery streams has been validated and published on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of each Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites. Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets.
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing significantly this year. A strong pipeline of affordable housing delivery is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan and by the Land Development Agency.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
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.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (135)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:135. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects affordable housing to come on stream in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23206/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of Clare County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available at the following link:
www.clarecoco.ie/services/housing/publications/housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026-48501.pdf
Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Plans as part of their overall Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Clare does not have a specific target as average house price levels in the county are still well below the national median, but I understand there may be some localised affordability issues in certain areas which the local authority is currently examining.
Where there are localised challenges, funding can be made available to develop a scheme in line with Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) criteria. Circular 06/2023 issued to all Local Authorities on the 21 February 2023 providing full guidance on preparing an AHF application. Further assistance with developing schemes is available from my Department, The Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie. Statistical data on delivery across all affordable housing streams during 2022 as published on my Department's website last month shows that activity has begun to take place under this scheme for Clare and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Finally, the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available in Clare and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €50,000 or €70,000 if the property is derelict. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these scheme is available directly from Clare County Council.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (136)
Seán Canney
Ceist:136. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the revised guidelines for rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing for All plan is linked to the National Planning Framework (NPF), which fully supports the sustainable development of rural areas and the need to ensure that they continue to be viable places to live, work and invest in. The NPF aims to support the overall rural pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities consistent with Our Rural Future, the National Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.
Updated Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being prepared by my Department. The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 19 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft Rural Housing Guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF. The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 19 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development.
While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft planning guidelines will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.
The draft guidelines are currently subject to legal review and Ministerial approval, following which it is intended that the draft guidelines will be published for a period of public consultation.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (137)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:137. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of meetings he has had with directors of housing to discuss their readiness for phasing out of the voids return programme. [23531/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock. The emphasis is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, local authority officials, including Directors of Services, have been notified of the policy objective, 20.6, as outlined in “Housing for All” and should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, I regularly meet with all chief executives and directors of services, including biannually at housing summits where vacancy in local authority housing stock is an agenda item. Separately officials from my Department are actively engaged in a steering group, hosted through the CCMA and attended by a number of directors, to actively progress the planned maintenance approach.
Notwithstanding the transition to Planned Maintenance, my Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in returning vacant units to productive use in 2023. This years Programme will provide funding of €31 million to Local Authorities to support the refurbishment and re-letting of a minimum of 2,300 vacant homes.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (138)
John Lahart
Ceist:138. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many social homes were delivered in 2022; how this compares to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing 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 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.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
In 2022, a total of 10,263 new social homes were delivered through Build, Acquisition and Leasing schemes. This included a total of 7,433 new build social homes. This represented a significant increase on 2021, which saw a total of 9,183 new social homes delivered, including 5,202 new build social homes.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/. A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link below: opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2022 - Social Housing Construction Status Report Q4 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (139)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the voids programme for 2023; the national allocation and the funding made available to counties Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock. The emphasis is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance. To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids-based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. The 2023 Programme will provide funding of €31 million to Local Authorities to support the refurbishment and re-letting of a minimum of vacant 2,300 homes, and continue the transition from a reactive Voids approach to stock management, to a Planned Maintenance approach. There is no upper cap on the amount that can be spent on an individual unit, providing the total amount averaged across all dwellings submitted by a local authority does not exceed €11,000. Please see the table below detailing the allocation to both Cavan and Monaghan under the 2023 Planned Maintenance/Voids programme.
|
Local Authority |
Number of units allocated in 2023 |
Funding allocation |
Planned Maintenance funding allocation |
|
Cavan |
43 |
€473,000 |
€74,179 |
|
Monaghan |
33 |
€363,000 |
€59,018 |
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (140)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:140. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider conducting a review into the administration and provision of adaptation grants for older people and those with a disability, currently under the remit of local authorities, due to the many issues being experienced with the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22890/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Awaiting reply from Department.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (141)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:141. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his engagement with the Residential Tenancies Board concerning actions to address non-compliance with the requirement to register a tenancy. [23336/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Residential Tenancies Board, (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. Registered landlords and all tenants can apply to the RTB for dispute resolution.
Section 134 of the Acts requires a landlord to apply to the RTB to register a tenancy of a dwelling within one month of its commencement date and annually thereafter, within 1 month from each anniversary of the tenancy commencement date. All private landlords, Approved Housing Bodies and providers of Student Specific Accommodation and Cost Rental Accommodation are required to register their tenancies with the RTB. Managing the registration of tenancies is a core function of the RTB. This allows the RTB to collect and provide definitive data on the rental sector and for transparency across the rental sector through the public register of tenancies; thus, enabling a better understanding of the sector.
Non-compliance with the requirement to register a tenancy is dealt with by two processes in the RTB, the Registration Enforcement Process or the Investigations and Sanctions Process.
The RTB has registration enforcement powers to pursue landlords who have not complied with their obligation to register their tenancies. Failure to register is an offence which may result in a criminal conviction, a fine of up to €4,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment. The RTB makes every effort to inform landlords of their obligations to register and legal action is taken as a last resort. The RTB, receives information from different sources regarding whether a tenancy is registered or not, including local authorities, members of the public, RTB checks and follow-ups and the Department of Social Protection.
Since 2019, the RTB also has an Investigations and Sanctions unit empowered to investigate and sanction, if appropriate, improper conduct by a landlord including failure to register a tenancy with the RTB, as legally required. The Investigations and Sanctions Unit may investigate on foot of information received from members of the public or its own information. A sanction may comprise one or all of the following: a written caution, a monetary sanction of up to €15,000 and up to €15,000 in respect of RTB investigation costs.
Following recommendations in the RTB Workforce Plan (2018 – 2021) and engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the RTB received sanction for significant additional staff over the past three years and my Department continues to work with the RTB to ensure that it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its mandate, including the enforcement of tenancy registrations requirements. To this end, additional funding of €2.352M is being provided to the RTB for 2023, bringing its total allocation to €13.37M.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 95.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (143)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:143. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on affordable housing at the glass bottle site in Ringsend, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. A condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019, is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements.
On the 24th of March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first 570 residential homes at the former glass bottle site. My Department has been working with Dublin City Council, and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress the delivery of social and affordable housing in this first phase of housing delivery, subject to agreement on the SDZ requirements and all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects. Engagement and work is ongoing in this regard.