Written Answers Nos. 681-701
682. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the implementation of the Government agreement to extend the rent-a-room relief scheme disregard to social welfare recipients, extend the disregard into medical card criteria, and permit local authority tenancies access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed to extend the Rent-a-Room Relief scheme disregard to social welfare recipients, extend the disregard into medical card criteria, and permit local authority tenancies access the scheme. The commitment to extend the Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme was included as a supplementary action in Housing for All.
My Department provided for the extension of the scheme to local authority tenancies, and worked closely with the City and County Management Association (CCMA) to introduce the 'Room for a Student - Local Authority Scheme'. The scheme came into operation on 1 December 2023 and allows local authority tenants to rent out a room in their homes to eligible third level students. This scheme is operated on an administrative basis by the local authorities.
My Department will monitor this scheme for a period of 12 months in order to establish the take-up and impact of the scheme. In parallel, my Department will make preparations for the introduction of the scheme on a broader basis and on a fully statutory footing. The preparation of these statutory arrangements will be informed and therefore, benefit from, the operation of the initial targeting of the scheme.
In relation to the social welfare and medical card disregards, while these are matters for my Government colleagues, I understand that Regulations made by Minister for Social Protection to extended the Rent-a-Room Tax Relief disregard to local authority tenants renting a room(s) under this Scheme, came into effect on 1 December 2023. Furthermore, Government approved the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 which will disregard income received under the Revenue Commissioners Rent a Room Tax Relief Scheme for medical and GP card holders.
I am confident that these measures will remove disincentives to participation in the Scheme.
683. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the 1830 social housing acquisitions in 2023, by categories, vacant acquisitions, tenant-in-situ acquisitions, buy and renew acquisitions and mortgage-to-rent acquisitions; and to provide a breakdown of each category, by local authority. [14999/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra705. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many tenant-in-situ purchases were completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively; how many from 2023 are still outstanding; how many purchases have been completed to date in 2024; how much funding is available for 2024; how many homes it is expected will be bought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 705 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes across the build acquisition and lease delivery streams.
For 2023, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have primarily focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
For 2024, Government has again agreed to an increased provision to acquire 1,500 social homes with the primary focus on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) issued by the Department. Local authorities regularly acquire properties that require repairs, however the cost of acquiring the property and relevant refurbishment costs must fall within the ACGs. An independent valuation must also be obtained for each acquisition, in line with established practice for local authorities for social housing acquisitions. The current Acquisition Cost Guidelines were updated and issued to local authorities in April 2023. These guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department usually on a periodic basis.
Local authorities will work with all social housing supported tenants who receive a Notice of Termination and offer the available supports, which may include a tenant in situ acquisition or support to obtain an alternative tenancy, including a HAP-supported tenancy or an allocation to local authority stock.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy. Local authorities take appropriate steps to ensure that their first response will be to support households to try to prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with a notice of termination by their landlord. It is important to acknowledge that the Tenant in Situ scheme has been a key measure in preventing homelessness and as such has mitigated such impacts for many households in 2023.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 4 2023 on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
684. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the 8110 social housing new builds delivered in 2023, by delivery streams, SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Local Authority Part V, Approved Housing Body Part V and regeneration and PPP. [15000/24]
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 Q4 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 4 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: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q4 2023 - Dataset - data.gov.ie.
A breakdown by the requested delivery streams for 2023 is set out in the table below:
|
Delivery Stream |
New Build Units |
|
SHIP Construction |
1,544 |
|
SHIP Turnkey |
885 |
|
Traveller Accommodation |
29 |
|
CALF Construction |
312 |
|
CALF Turnkey |
3,196 |
|
AHB Part V |
945 |
|
CAS Construction |
161 |
|
CAS Turnkey |
44 |
|
LA Part V |
928 |
|
PPP |
0 |
|
Regeneration |
66 |
|
Total |
8,110 |
685. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of affordable homes delivered in 2023 under the Affordable Housing Fund (total cost and AHF cost), the Cost Rental Equity Loan (total cost and CREL cost) and LDA cost rental. [15001/24]
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 nine year period of the plan to 2030. This includes the delivery of 54,000 affordable homes to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through First Home, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
To date, over 5,700 affordable housing solutions have been delivered, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), the Cost Rental Equity Loan, Project Tosaigh and the First Home Scheme. This momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by our delivery partners, including local authorities, AHBs, the LDA, and First Home.
Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing delivery. This data is published up to Quarter 4 2023, including AHB and LDA cost rental delivery, and is available on my Department's website:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
A total of 521 homes were delivered by local authorities with AHF assistance during 2023 as affordable homes for purchase or for cost rental by eligible applicants.
Cost information on the delivery of affordable homes through the various construction streams, is collated at development/project level rather than at individual housing unit level.
The cost of delivering new homes is dependent on a range of variables, such as the location, the scale of the development and the size and type of the homes involved.
The level of subvention provided from the AHF towards the capital cost of an affordable purchase or cost rental home varies having regard to factors such as density of affordable homes per hectare achieved and the location of the development. Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 per home are provided, with the Exchequer cost representing 95% of the subvention and the remaining 5% coming from a Local Authority contribution. Housing delivery being supported by funding approved originally under the earlier Serviced Sites Fund is also progressing with funding comprised of 89% Exchequer contribution matched by an 11% Local Authority contribution. For the homes delivered in 2023 with AHF subsidy funding support, the average exchequer cost commitment per home is €78k.
Cost Rental homes supported by the Cost Rental Equity Loan, of which 286 were delivered in 2023 in twelve developments across five counties: Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Louth and Westmeath. The average capital cost per unit was €365,935, with average CREL funding per unit of €150,641.
The LDA is also delivering Cost Rental homes under the Project Tosaigh initiative to unlock land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners. Funding to acquire homes is sourced from LDA access to up to €2.5bn of capital funding from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and its access to borrowings up to an additional €1.25bn. Detailed information on its cost rental delivery can be found on the LDA’s website at: lda.ie/affordable-homes/lda-cost-rental.
686. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of planning appeals decided within four months which is the statutory objective under the current law; whether it is intended to provide further resources urgently to An bord Pleanála to ensure that this objective is achieved in the vast majority of all appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022, which was signed into law in December 2022, addressed certain initial matters which required immediate action on foot of the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, Phase 1 of the Office of the Planning Regulator Review of An Bord Pleanála, and other matters relating to addressing board vacancies and addressing the Board’s caseload, including:
• Increasing the limit on the maximum number of members of the Board from 10 to 15, so as to ensure that the increasing caseload can be managed, and the appropriate quorums and suitable allocation of casefiles can be assured, and
• Expanding the provision to appoint temporary ordinary board members to allow for the appointment of serving or former civil servants, public servants, or employees of the Board for a term of up to a year.
The total number of Board members in An Bord Pleanála is now 15, the maximum provided for under the legislation and the greatest number of serving Board members ever.
A full term Chairperson of the Board was appointed by the Government, and the recruitment process for the appointment of full-term Board Members is ongoing and is due to be completed in Q2 2024. Temporary board members may continue to be appointed in the interim as vacancies arise.
There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board. The Board has advised that as of 29 February 2024 there were 261 individuals working in the Board including Board Members. The Board received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date.
The Planning and Development Bill 2023 provides for the introduction of statutory mandatory timelines for all consent processes, including appeals and consent applications made to An Bord Pleanála. Timelines for the Board will be introduced on a phased basis, starting with those for Strategic Infrastructure Developments (including energy and transport projects).
The Bill also outlines the proposed new structure for the Board. The new Bill contains a number of provisions reflecting this new organisational structure and will clearly outline the separate roles of:-
• Planning Commissioners - who will be responsible for all decision making regarding appeals and applications made and they will be overseen by a newly created position of Chief Planning Commissioner.
• The Governing Board - which will be responsible for the governance and organisation.
• Corporate Spine – will provide support to all of the organisations and functions will be overseen by a Chief Executive Officer.
Details in respect of case processing timelines for large and small scale residential developments and staffing and recruitment are an operational matter for An Bord Pleanála. Accordingly, the information requested is not held by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of this Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
687. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost to the Exchequer resulting from funding the Land Development Agency either directly or indirectly through other public bodies such as the ISIF each year since 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15005/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra688. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact on the Exchequer of the Government decision in 2023 to provide the Land Development Agency with an additional €1.25 billion in funding through the ISIF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15006/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 together.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018 through S.I. No. 352/2018. The Land Development Agency Act 2021 was signed into law in July 2021. Following the commencement of the relevant provisions of the LDA Act, the interim LDA entity was dissolved and all functions and staff of the interim LDA entity transferred to a new LDA Designated Activity Company (DAC) on 31 March 2022. This LDA DAC was incorporated by the Company Registration Office in December 2021.
The annual cost to the Exchequer of the interim LDA entity between September 2018 and its dissolution in 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€ 254,000 |
€ 2,408,000 |
€14,100,000 |
€16,600,000 |
As a commercial State body, the commercial activities of the LDA DAC are not funded by the Exchequer. However, funding is provided to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. The annual Exchequer cost of the LDA following the dissolution of the interim LDA entity and the establishment of the LDA DAC is set out in the table below:
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
€ 535,000 |
€ 1,124,000 |
Exchequer funding of €3.8 million is being provided to the LDA for 2024 which is to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. These functions are detailed under Section 29 of the LDA Act 2021 and include the maintenance of the Register of Relevant Public Lands, the development of a report to Government on relevant public lands and any functions associated with the development of a Strategic Development Zone as provided for under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
The LDA currently has access to:
• €2.5bn of equity capital from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF),
• €1.25bn of borrowings as provided for under the LDA Act, as well as;
• €1.25bn that can be raised by the LDA through the performance of certain functions.
This funding is in addition to the Exchequer funding associated with their non-commercial functions referenced above.
Of the €2.5bn available through ISIF, the LDA has, to date, drawn down approximately €900m of this funding - €100million on establishment, €525 million paid over two tranches in H1 2023 and a further €300m in November 2023.
The additional funding provided will enable the LDA to advance its key work - developing social and affordable housing on vacant or underutilised state lands. Under the LDA's Business Plan 2024 – 2028, the agency will provide 12,900 - primarily affordable cost rental - homes over the lifetime of the plan. This is a significant contribution to the overall objectives within Housing for All.
689. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit of new-build social housing delivered in 2023, broken down by SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction (including full cost and CALF cost), CALF turnkey (including full cost and CALF cost), CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Local Authority Part V, AHB Part V, acquisition, Affordable Housing Fund (including full cost and AHF cost), Cost Rental Equity Loan (including full cost and CREL cost), in tabular form. [15017/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
2023 Average Cost per Unit |
|
|
SHIP construction |
€309,700* |
|
SHIP turnkey |
€301,300 |
|
LA Part V |
€294,202** |
|
CAS construction |
€149,337*** |
|
CAS turnkey |
€294,653 |
|
CAS Part V |
€332,700 |
|
Number of Units |
Average Capital Outlay Approved per unit (€) |
Average CALF Approved per unit (€) |
|
|
AHB CALF Construction |
312 |
€301,940.71 |
€70,636.71 |
|
AHB CALF Turnkey |
3,196 |
€362,011.50 |
€101,492.97 |
|
Part V |
941 |
€310,950.33 |
€79,038.58 |
690. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider awarding a built heritage investment grant to a person (details supplied); and if there is an appeal avenue for this grant scheme. [15019/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role as Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage in regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), as are the roles of local authorities.
My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).
Applications for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) are made directly to the Local Authority. There are additional documents to aid the application process such as the checklist and guidance documents for applicants. All applications are assessed by an expert panel within the Local Authority. Applications are considered based on the Significance of the Structure, Efficacy of Works and the Quality of Works Proposed. As it is the role of the Local Authority to assess and propose the projects to the Department, any queries regarding the outcome of the assessment process for specific projects should be directed to the Local Authority.
691. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on local authority housing lists aged over 65 years, by gender and by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15025/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA provides a breakdown of categories such as age, household size and basis of need.
The most recently published summary for all local authority areas was conducted in November 2023 and is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/0dad4-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2023-key-findings/.
Tables 2.1 and A1.1 include details on age profile. Age groupings contained in the report include 60-69 years old and 70 years old or more. Gender is not captured in the report.
692. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to assist a service in supplying a support (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently provides capital funding support for the construction of new Domestic Violence Refuges, via the Capital Assistance Scheme.
All other services and facilities for victims of domestic violence are matters for my colleague the Minister for Justice, working in conjunction with Cuan, the new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
694. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many homes were delivered through the repair and lease scheme in Longford for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [15070/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery under the repair and leasing scheme in respect of all local authorities, including Longford, to end 2023 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
695. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of a property (details supplied) in Cork city that has been reportedly vacant for five years and is causing issues for tenants in the property next door; and whether an application for repair of the property has ever been made by Cork City Council. [15120/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes.
Under the Action Plan, a CPO Activation Programme was launched in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties,.
It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Under the Action Plan, I announced a €150 million Urban Regeneration Development Fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties for re-use or sale, using their compulsory purchase powers were necessary. The Fund will be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of a site, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle vacancy.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites; acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily; and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.
696. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15123/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Bill was published in December 2022. Following the scrutiny of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, my Department has been working in close collaboration with parliamentary drafters to develop this Bill. While it was initially hoped to publish it in 2023, the legal and technical complexity associated with this ground breaking legislation has meant that drafting has taken longer than anticipated. However, drafting is now at an advanced stage and I expect that it will be ready for publication in the coming weeks.
697. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average duration of the lease agreement in place for properties restored under the repair and leasing scheme; the cost of the scheme in every year since 2017; how many units are targeted for 2024; the reasons the majority of homes delivered to date are concentrated in one local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits to supporting local authorities to drive expanded take-up of the ongoing enhanced repair and leasing scheme (RLS). To this end, in July 2023, I increased the maximum cost of repairs allowable under this scheme from €60,000 (including VAT) to €80,000 (including VAT) per unit delivered.
The 2024 Housing for All target for RLS is 130 units. In January 2024, my Department issued targets for 2024 RLS delivery to each local authority, with a total target issued of 228 units. These targets were set following consultation with the local authorities and demonstrate the growing ambition for this scheme across local authorities.
The cost of RLS in respect of all local authorities to end 2023 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
The average duration of lease for units operational under the scheme at end 2023 is 18.91 years.
Waterford City and County Council is the leading local authority in delivering units under RLS. It participated in the original pilot scheme, commencing in October 2016. To end 2023, Waterford has delivered 312 homes under RLS, 56% of national delivery. This includes the largest RLS project to date, St Joseph’s House, Manor Hill, where 71 homes have been created in a previously vacant convent in a city centre location. The scheme is a key source of one and two-bedroom properties, which continue to form the highest percentage of social housing need. This is reflected in Waterford, where 48% of homes provided to end 2023 by RLS are one-bed units; with a further 37% providing 2-bed homes.
698. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many units have been delivered under the buy and renew scheme in each year since it was introduced; the total cost in each year; how many units are targeted for 2024; if he will provide a breakdown, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are encouraged to acquire vacant/derelict properties to be upgraded as new, value-for-money social homes via the Buy & Renew Scheme. Since it was introduced in 2016, in excess of 900 properties have been delivered under this arrangement. The first table below shows the number of such units delivered as new social homes per annum since 2016 and the total cost. The second table shows the breakdown of such units across the local authorities. The costs as shown for delivering the units is subject to change as further renovation cost claims are received from local authorities.
Targets are not set for 2024 because alongside the acquisition and upgrade as new social homes of existing properties in need of refurbishment, in recent years an increasing number of local authorities are tackling more substantial projects involving derelict properties. This allows for local authorities to tackle dereliction where substantial construction work is involved and to produce further new social homes. This work is tackled alongside a local authority's programme of construction on green field sites. Alongside Buy & Renew acquisitions, it creates opportunities for local authorities to respond to more significant dereliction in town centres.
|
Year |
No. of SH Units |
Total Cost |
|
2016 |
5 |
€734,574 |
|
2017 |
144 |
€27,527,532 |
|
2018 |
268 |
€53,662,378 |
|
2019 |
200 |
€38,609,692 |
|
2020 |
118 |
€19,194,371 |
|
2021 |
57 |
€9,285,716 |
|
2022 |
74 |
€13,670,849 |
|
2023 |
57 |
€6,640,974 |
|
Totals |
923 |
€169,326,086 |
699. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing delivery targets for 2024; if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the projected new build targets by LA, AHB and Part V; if he will provide a breakdown of projected acquisition, by local authority, housing agency, AHB, and CALF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
The social housing new build target for 2024 is 9,300 homes and the overall leasing target for 2024 is 2,130 homes, inclusive of 130 units to be delivered under the Repair and Leasing Scheme. An LA breakdown of the build and long-term leasing targets issued under Housing for All are attached.
Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets 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. The Plans also include details of planned LA, AHB and Part V delivery for social housing schemes. The Plans have been published on the local authority’s own websites.
For 2023, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have primarily focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
For 2024, Government has again agreed to an increased provision to acquire 1,500 social homes with the primary focus on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) issued by the Department. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2024 providing each local authority with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2024.
700. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing delivery targets for 2024 under the various leasing initiatives; if he will provide a breakdown by Part V, SCHEP long- and short-term leasing, and the targeted leasing initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15174/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments.
Under the Housing for All plan, leasing delivery targets for 2024 are 800 units under Long Term Leasing and 200 units under Short Term Leasing (RAS Type agreements).
The Targeted Leasing Initiative is separate and additional to Housing for All targets and seeks to delivery up to 1,000 additional units for homeless households up to the end of 2024.
701. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the affordable housing delivery targets for 2024; if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown by affordable purchase (LA affordable purchase scheme, First Home Scheme and Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant) and by cost-rental (local authority/AHB/LDA); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15175/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 comprising of 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home Scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. The overall target for Affordable and Cost Rental Homes for 2024 is 6,400.
Local authorities have published 5 year Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAP) setting out affordable housing delivery targets up to 2026. The Housing Delivery Action Plans do not include additional affordable homes that will be delivered by the LDA, AHBs, First Home and via the higher Part V requirements introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The plan for each Council is available on their individual websites.
The Department continues to liaise with all local authorities and other delivery partners in relation to the further development of an affordable housing delivery programme that will respond effectively to all affordable housing requirements identified at a local level.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home.
The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/
Finally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, launched in July 2022, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes, with support of up to €50,000 being provided for the refurbishment of vacant properties and a further €20,000 available where the property is derelict. The grant is making the refurbishment of these properties into homes an affordable option for buyers and owners.
