Written Answers Nos. 320-344
320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has availed of services and or consultancy from a list of related companies (details supplied) in the past five years to date; if so, if he will provide a schedule of costs and the purpose for which the company was engaged; and if he continued to use services provided by it. [3784/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
321. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the new build social housing delivered in the first three quarters of 2023, by scheme type (details supplied) in tabular form. [3794/24]
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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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 Q3 2023 and is published on the statistics' page of my Department’s website at the following link: gov.ie - Overall social and affordable housing provision (www.gov.ie)
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 3 2023. 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 of completions, locations, approvals stage etc. at this link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2023
322. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of a new build social home delivered via turnkey in 2023, broken down by local authority, in tabular form. [3795/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of a new build social home delivered via SHIP construction in 2023, broken down by local authority, in tabular form. [3796/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide in tabular form the average cost of a new build social home delivered via CALF construction in 2023 broken down by local authority. [3798/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide in tabular form the average cost of a new build social home delivered via Part V in 2023 broken down by local authority. [3799/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 323, 324 and 325 together.
The relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
326. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an individual can apply for the vacant home refurbishment grant if they have already started renovation works prior to applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/24]
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 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, 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 where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
Works that have already commenced on the property cannot be claimed for as part of the grant, but proposed works not yet started can be included on the grant application. As part of the assessment of the grant application the local authority carries out a site visit to inspect the works being applied for under the grant. A decision on the application is made following the site visit. A second site visit is carried out after the work has been completed, before the grant payment is made.
327. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department maintain figures of the amount of short-term rental properties and private rooms that have come onto the long-term rental market since the introduction of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and supplementary regulation Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 235 of 2019); if so, the amount of properties and private rooms; the amount of properties that were sold following the introduction of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3835/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) were aimed at addressing the impact on the private rental market by the use of residential homes for short term tourism type letting in areas of high housing demand. The provisions aimed to return much needed housing supply from the short-term letting sector back to the long-term rental market and apply in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs) under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended.
Local planning authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the short-term letting planning arrangements and submit quarterly data returns to my Department. However, these returns do not include the numbers of short-term rental properties and private rooms that have come onto the long-term rental market since the introduction of the Regulations or the number of short-term rental properties that have been sold since the introduction of the Regulations.
328. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the rules for strategic housing developments as they apply to purpose built student accommodation, the minimum room size, in square meters for a single occupancy room; the minimum and maximum period of duration of stay; what restrictions apply to these rooms being rented to non-students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to section 13(d)(b) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, as per the definition of student accommodation (details supplied); what oversight is conducted to ensure compliance with this; who is the relevant authority with responsibility for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 360 together.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination. Section 13(d) of the Act of 2016 defines student accommodation for the purpose of that Act to mean a building or part thereof used or to be used to accommodate students whether or not provided by a relevant provider (within the meaning of Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 ), and that is not for use -
(i) as permanent residential accommodation, or
(ii) subject to paragraph (b), as a hotel, hostel, apart-hotel or similar type accommodation,
and includes residential accommodation that is used as tourist or visitor accommodation but only if it is so used outside of academic term times.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future and Housing for All committed to not extending the SHD arrangements beyond their legislative expiry date of end December 2021, which was subsequently extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related extension of statutory timelines within the planning system by eight weeks in respect of the period March to May 2020 due to the shutdown of the construction sector during that period. The SHD arrangements have since been replaced by new planning arrangements in respect of large-scale residential developments (LRD), including student accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, as provided for in the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 (the 2021 Act) which was signed into law by the President on 14 December 2021.
Neither the 2016 Act or the 2021 Act provide for minimum room sizes in respect of student accommodation developments. However, guidance in relation to the provision of student accommodation is available in the Department of Education’s Guidelines on Residential Developments for 3rd Level Students.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authority – the Board in respect of SHD applications and the local planning authority in respect of LRD applications – to consider each application for planning permission on a case-by-case basis and to decide to grant permission, subject to or without condition(s) relating to use, or to refuse permission. Enforcement of planning legislation, including in respect of any condition relating to use or exempted development, is a matter for the relevant local planning authority.
329. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expedite the regulations and instructions to local authorities to give effect to the announcement last October of extending the local authority home loan scheme to renovations; if he will ensure that maximum discretion is allowed to local authorities to deal with the many and varied circumstances that they encounter in this regard; and if he will give a timeline for the introduction of these regulations. [3926/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14 November 2023, I brought a proposal to Cabinet to broaden the Local Authority Home Loan, namely to make finance available to purchase and/or renovate derelict or non-habitable properties for the first time, which was agreed. This is evidence of the Government’s continued focus on bringing vacant and derelict homes back into use, which is a major objective of Housing for All.
Applicants purchasing properties that qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG) may also be able to avail of financing under the Local Authority Home Loan to purchase and/or renovate their non-habitable property and bring it back into use. Regulations are currently being prepared to give effect to this decision. My Department, working closely with local authorities and other stakeholders are presently finalising the the extension of the Local Authority Home Loan with the intention it will be ready for qualifying VPRG applicants in Q2 of this year.
It is important to note that while the scheme rules will endeavour to provide flexibility for Local Authorities, who make the final determination on loan applications, the Local Authority Home Loan is a significant financial obligation for both the the local authority issuing the loan and the borrower taking out the loan. Therefore, in the interests of prudent lending it is vital that careful assessments of the borrower's ability to repay and the viability of the renovation project are conducted. Therefore, not all applicants will be successful in obtaining the Local Authority Home Loan, for example due to the cost or complexity of the project, which is normal for mortgage applications of this type.
330. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he intends to appoint any new members to the LDA board including representatives from his Department or Finance or Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. [3934/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernance of the Land Development Agency (LDA) is overseen by its Board, which sets its strategic objectives and informs strategic decisions on all key business issues. All Board members are appointed by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. To ensure the effective governance of the LDA, it is my intention to appoint new members in the coming year to replace members who have completed their terms and to ensure the board has the skills and experience necessary to provide effective oversight of the activities of the Agency.
Furthermore, as part of the recent agreement with respect to the future funding of the Land Development Agency with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, it was agreed that a Ministerial representation would be added to the Board of the LDA. The Departments which may be represented on the Board of the LDA have yet to be determined.
331. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time qualified quantity surveyors employed by his Department as of 17 January 2024; if he will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form. [4052/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not generally keep a record of qualifications held by staff members, and accordingly there may be staff working in various roles in the Department who have a qualification in quantity surveying but applied for different positions.
However, we do currently have seven full-time quantity surveyors employed in the Department in roles where this is a requirement. There were five full-time quantity surveyors employed in such roles in the Department at the end of January 2022.
332. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposed changes to the septic tank grant will be available (details supplied). [4065/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have been issued with guidelines to enable them to implement the new and increased grant for replacement or update of septic tanks to the value of €15k. [4260/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 358 together.
In November 2023, I announced substantial improvements to the terms and conditions of all three Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS) grants available to households. At the time my Department also advised all local authorities of the changes made which are an increase of the grant amount available to €12,000 from €5,000 and the removal of the requirement, for the purposes of the grants, on households to have registered their DWWTS with their local authority.
Full details are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/.
Each local authority has a dedicated Rural Water Liaison Officer who is responsible for the day to day implementation of the grant schemes in their area. The Rural Water Liaison Officer can be contacted at the relevant local authority for further information.
333. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE staff with biodiversity expertise employed by his Department as of 23 January 2024. [4083/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an Executive Agency within my Department with responsibility for, inter alia, the protection of nature and the management of our National Parks. Whilst the NPWS employ very many staff with biodiversity expertise it is a broad and extensive field and not encapsulated with one specific grade within the organisation.
334. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the draft revised wind energy development guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the draft revised wind energy guidelines on the significant work that has been undertaken on the noise elements; if he will provide details on the discussions his Department has had with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on new developments in this regard, including consideration of the impact of the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of Ireland electricity from renewable sources and the need to ensure that proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines are fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the discussions his Department has had with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on new developments on the noise elements, have included any multidisciplinary consultations with health professionals or noise experts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4099/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 334, 335 and 336 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature.
The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC in respect of its environmental noise remit, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
As part of the review process, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft Guidelines. In this connection, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation in the coming months whereby individuals and organisations - health professionals and noise experts - will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Guidelines.
With regard to the finalisation of the review process, the Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out a timeline of Q4 2024 for publication of the final, updated Guidelines and my Department is working towards meeting this commitment. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
337. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that the Local and European Elections will indeed take place on the 7 June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4107/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe polls for European Parliament and Local elections in Ireland are typically taken on the same day.
Under section 26 of the Local Government Act 2000, an election of members of every local authority shall be held in the year 2004 and every fifth year thereafter. The poll at local elections shall be held in the month of May or June, as may be fixed by Ministerial Order.
The procedure for fixing the election period in respect of elections to the European Parliament is set out in the European Union's Electoral Act of 1976 (i.e. the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Decision 76/787/ECSE, EEC, Euratom). In accordance with that Act, the 2024 European Parliament elections will be held during the period of 6-9 June 2024.
I intend making an announcement in relation to the date of the local and European Parliament elections in due course.
338. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to voter registration being facilitated through schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4110/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register, and each one is now required to prepare and maintain a pending electors list. This enables the pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds, who are then transferred to the electoral register automatically when they turn 18
A series of national and local awareness campaigns were run in 2022 and 2023 encouraging the public to visit www.checktheregister.ie to register to vote or to update their details. As part of the rollout of the campaign, assets specifically aimed at generating interest from young people were developed and circulated across youth organisations, including students’ unions and other representative groups throughout the country. The assets included fliers, posters and social/digital media adverts informing young people about pre-registration options.
Separately, local authorities engaged locally with their communities through a variety of media to generate engagement, including for some, visits to secondary schools and local groups working with young people.
Www.checktheregister.ie and voter.ie portals both offer simple and quick online application options allowing young people to easily submit requests to pre-register.
The Electoral Commission, an Coimisiún Toghcháin, is an independent statutory body which has a research, advisory and public information function. It is open to an an Coimisiún Toghcháin to engage with schools and local authorities in relation to the provision of educational and information programmes.
339. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the third cycle River Basin Management Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4147/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with a key commitment in the Programme for Government, a new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan will outline the national policies and high-level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters and will advance Ireland’s implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
My Department is currently finalising the third River Basin Management Plan for Ireland. The process has entailed intensive consultation with Government Departments and other stakeholders in order to determine the measures that are appropriate to both protect and restore our water quality. The Plan will be published in the coming months following the completion of an Appropriate Assessment in accordance with the Habitats Directive.
340. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict property grant applications that have been submitted to Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils; the number that each council approved; the actual amount of funding granted in each case; and the response nationally to both grant schemes in the context of the number of approved applications for each county. [4178/24]
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 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, 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 where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: Vacancy grant statistics
341. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will acknowledge that the 10% stamp duty on investment funds purchasing homes in bulk has not deterred investment funds; if he will take immediate action to implement a ban on property purchases by investment funds, which is exacerbating the housing crisis; if not, why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe government has implemented several measures to ensure a balanced housing market across all tenures, including home ownership, social housing, and private rental.
Under the 'Housing for All', the Government committed to an 'owner-occupier' guarantee, allowing local authorities to designate a percentage of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers.
In May 2021, the government introduced measures to discourage and prohibit the bulk buying of properties. These included a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential properties, excluding apartments, within a year. This was aimed at deterring institutional investors from bulk purchasing homes.
Simultaneously, the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities were introduced, effectively providing an 'owner-occupier' guarantee. This ensured that new houses and duplex units in housing developments could not be bulk-purchased by institutional investors in a way that would displace individual buyers or social and affordable housing.
The guidelines stipulate that a condition should be included in new planning permissions requiring all houses and duplex units to be available for sale and first occupation by separate, individual households for a certain period after completion.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 introduced complementary measures, mandating local authorities to ensure home ownership is provided for and estimated in their housing strategies. This Act reinforces the principle of home ownership as a specific tenure type in a local authority housing strategy, particularly for developments of houses and duplexes.
Between May 2021 and December 2023, planning permission was granted for approximately 39,900 homes with conditions prohibiting bulk purchase by, or multiple sale to, a single purchaser.
Despite suggestions that institutional investors are crowding out prospective owner-occupiers, official data indicates that institutional investors still make up an important but relatively small proportion of annual residential property purchases. The Government will continue to keep this issue under review to ensure we protect first time buyers and owner occupiers.
342. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will instruct his Department to intervene in the case of the 28 houses completed in an estate (details supplied) to ensure the properties are not sold to investment funds. [4180/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn adequate supply and mix of housing across all tenures is critical to balancing supply and demand in the housing market, including for home ownership, social housing and private rental.
Under Housing Policy Objective 1.10 of Housing for All, Government committed to introducing an ‘owner-occupier' guarantee to enable local authorities specify the proportion of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers. To this end, measures were introduced by Government in May 2021 to disincentivise and prohibit the bulk buying of such properties.
The measures included a higher 10% stamp duty levy on cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential properties, excluding apartments, in a 12-month period to disincentivise the bulk purchase of homes by institutional investors.
At the same time, Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities 'Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing' effectively introduced an ‘owner-occupier’ guarantee by ensuring new ‘own-door’ houses and duplex units in housing developments could no longer be bulk-purchased by institutional investors in a manner that displaces individual purchasers or social and affordable housing.
The guidelines provide for a form of condition to be inserted in applicable new planning permissions requiring all houses to be made available for sale and first occupation by separate, individual households for a period of years after completion (only applicable to houses and duplex units in mixed developments and not apartments).
Complementary measures were also introduced via the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021, which provides that local authorities must ensure home ownership as a tenure type is provided for and estimated in their respective housing strategies. To this end, the Act introduces the principle of home ownership as a specific tenure type in a local authority housing strategy, with particular regard to developments of houses and duplexes, and gives further legislative effect to the Section 28 Guidelines issued in 2021.
Some 39,900 homes have been granted planning permission with conditions prohibiting the bulk purchase by, or multiple sale to, a single purchaser between May 2021 and December 2023.
The suggestion that institutional investors are crowding out prospective owner-occupiers are not borne out by official data, which show institutional investors still comprise a relatively small proportion of residential properties purchased annually. In this context, and given the scale of new residential properties ring-fenced for owner-occupiers, I am satisfied that the actions which this Government have put in place have been effective and further intervention is not necessary at this time.
Planning permission for this development was granted by Fingal County Council on 30 November 2018. Permission was subsequently granted by An Bord Pleanála on 8 May 2019 following a third party appeal. Therefore, the restrictions introduced in May 2021 on bulk purchasing through the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities “Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing” would not apply in this case.
