Written Answers Nos. 32-47
33. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén fáth nár foilsíodh na dréacht-treoirlínte pleanála don Ghaeltacht roimh an Cháisc, mar a gheall sé; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [15538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ina bhfuil oifigigh ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta; ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán; agus ó Údarás na Gaeltachta) ag leanúint dá obair maidir le treoir shonrach phleanála a fhorbairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tá Grúpa Oibre eile ann freisin ina bhfuil an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha a bhfuil ceantair Ghaeltachta acu páirteach.
Ag cruinniú an Ghrúpa Idir-Rannaigh ar an 15 Nollaig 2022, cinneadh go dtionscnódh an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán staidéar in 2023 maidir leis an modheolaíocht agus leis an bhformáid do Ráitis Tionchair Teangeolaíochta mar phríomhghné treoirlínte pleanála amach anseo do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tionscnaíodh an staidéar ina dhiaidh sin i mí Feabhra 2023. Tá tograí tosaigh faighte ó na sainchomhairleoirí, agus a gcuid oibre beagnach críochnaithe, agus tá an méid sin ag déanamh eolas do dhréachtú na dtreoirlínte pleanála do na ceantair Ghaeltachta. Bhí roinnt cruinnithe an Ghrúpa Idir-Rannaigh ar siúl in 2023, agus táthar ag leanúint leis an rannpháirtíocht dhéthaobhach Roinne.
Tá na dréacht-treoirlínte pleanála do cheantair Ghaeltachta á dtabhairt chun críche faoi láthair le go ndéanfaidh mé athbhreithniú orthu ar dtús agus ansin scagadh éigeantach faoi dhlí an AE do Mheasúnacht Straitéiseach Timpeallachta (MST), agus chun críocha Measúnachta Cuí (MC) freisin. Tá sé i gceist, faoi réir thoradh na gcleachtaí scagtha, go bhfoilseofar dréacht-treoirlínte ansin le haghaidh comhairliúcháin phoiblí.
Beidh gach eagras áitiúil i gceantair Ghaeltachta agus gach duine den phobal lena n-áirítear grúpaí teanga in ann a gcuid tuairimí a chur isteach maidir leis an dréacht le linn na céime comhairliúcháin sin lena meas ag mo Roinnse.
Ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil sé ar intinn agam na Treoirlínte sin a fhoilsiú chomh luath agus is féidir, ag féachaint don ghá na cúrsaí casta atá i gceist a mheas agus i ndiaidh do thuilleadh teagmhála leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán.
34. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he anticipates that legislation to support the remediation of apartments and duplexes with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects will be passed while he is still in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15693/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the legislation for the Celtic Tiger era defective home redress scheme. [15609/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 48 together.
My Department is currently, as a matter of priority, preparing legislation to put in place on a statutory basis, a remediation scheme for owners of certain apartments affected by fire safety, water ingress and structural defects. This legislation will establish supports for the remediation of these defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures. It is expected the draft legislation will be published in 2024 and that, subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
Pending the introduction of the statutory scheme, an Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes has been in place since December 2023. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website.
In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 31st March 2024, 128 applications are being progressed across 26 local authority areas, representing a total of 13,150 residential units.
36. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress his Department has made regarding Action 9.2 of the Action Plan for Disability Services to establish along with the HSE a dedicated project implementation team to work with residents, CHOs, service providers, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to accelerate decongregation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15720/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2023, my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024 – 2026 which is available at the following link gov - Action Plan for Disability Services 2024 – 2026 (www.gov.ie).
Action 9.2 of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 outlines that the HSE will establish a dedicated Project Implementation Team to work with a range of stakeholders including my Department. Further detail on the status of the Project Implementation Team may be available directly from the HSE.
My Department is committed to working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE, and the dedicated Project Implementation Team, to support them in progressing the action to accelerate decongregation.
37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current temporary waiver of development contributions and the refund scheme for Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15719/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
I am reviewing the schemes at present.
40. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many first time-buyers have been successfully applied under the first home scheme since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14274/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many first home scheme approvals have issued since its launch in July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15668/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 73 together.
The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, or building their own home, through the use of an equity share model. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First Home DAC), on behalf of scheme founders (the State and participating mortgage lenders). This body is responsible for collating and issuing statistical information as it pertains to the scheme. The First Home DAC has published its Q4 2023 Public Update covering the period from 7 July 2022 to 31 December 2023, which can be found on its website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/.
41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the impending mandatory retirement of a retained firefighter in Louth (details supplied); if plans to raise the mandatory retirement age will be finalised in time to allow him to remain on working; if he will consider issuing a circular to local authorities about the raising of the retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the impending mandatory retirement of a retained firefighter in County Louth (details supplied); if plans to raise the mandatory retirement age will be finalised in time to allow him to remain on working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 94 together.
The Government has recently approved an increase in the mandatory retirement age for certain members of the uniformed services.
Following this, my Department has commenced a review to explore a similar extension to the mandatory retirement age for all firefighters with a view to providing consistency in the uniformed services. This review is now at an advanced stage and I expect to be able to provide an update on the situation shortly.
Any such change will require a legislative amendment to be brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and consideration of any transitional arrangements as appropriate within the existing legislative framework.
42. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what measures he has put in place to support renters seeking accommodation who are not eligible for local authority housing in the north-West. [15766/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Housing for All plan is focused on tackling supply and affordability issues in the rental market. The plan contains targets, actions and guaranteed State investment aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable rental housing.
The Government is providing a range of measures to support renters, which include:
• Budget 2024 increased the tax credit for renters to €750;
• As committed to under Housing for All, affordable Cost Rental homes are coming onto the market, some of which have been advertised at rates that are 40% to 50% lower than market rent. This form of tenure targets middle-income households, with household net annual income of less than €59,000;
• To date there are over 1,600 Cost Rental homes in the State delivered by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities and the LDA;
• Further progress is being made by the LDA providing affordable and social housing through their market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh, and through their work developing relevant public land;
• In 2023, the LDA has delivered over 560 Cost Rental homes through Project Tosaigh in four local authority areas, with over 2,500 Social, Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental homes having now either been delivered, contracted or recommended to proceed to procurement under this initiative;
• Over €675m has been approved under the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) to assist in the delivery of over 3,250 Cost Rental homes across 12 local authority areas. In addition, key changes made to the CREL scheme in 2023 are now supporting additional delivery in 2024 and onwards;
• There is a further pipeline of 1,437 local authority Cost Rental homes across thirteen projects.
• The Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental scheme (STAR) provides investment of up to €750m for the delivery of new Cost Rental homes by the private sector out to 2027. This scheme aims to address viability challenges in the housing sector & activate un-commenced sites. To date 25 applications have been received. In 2023 I approved STAR funding totalling €59.6m to support the delivery of 426 cost rental units;
• In July 2021, the Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ) were extended until to the end of 2024 and have banned any rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation; this measure significantly reduced the level of permissible rent increases for the estimated 77% of all tenancies which are in RPZs;
• In December 2021, legislation was enacted to cap rent increases at a maximum of 2% in Rent Pressure Zones where general inflation is higher; and
• Legislation enacted in 2022 provided for tenancies of unlimited duration. All new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited duration after 6 consecutive months in occupation under the tenancy, without a valid notice of termination having been served.
Increasing social and affordable housing output will relieve pressure on all parts of the housing system, none more so than the rental market, by helping first time buyers purchase their own home or getting those on the social housing list into a social home of their own, further rental supply is made available.
Social housing delivery statistics, published on 28 March 2024, show 11,939 new social homes were delivered in 2023. This is a significant increase on 2022, which in itself was the best year of delivery since the mid-1970s. The 8,110 new-build social homes represents the highest level of delivery of new-build social housing in half a century.
The delivery of affordable housing has more than doubled in 2023 when compared with the previous year with over 4,000 affordable homes delivered in 2023. This includes both affordable purchase and cost rental homes via Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency (LDA), the First Home Scheme and through the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
It is clear that affordable housing schemes are now operating at a scale that is required. The First Home Scheme in particular has proven to be a key support for first-time buyers. Over 3,100 First Home Scheme approvals have issued since its launch in July 2022, with over 2,400 of those issued in 2023. This scheme continues to support first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market. In addition, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home.
On 7 March 2023, the Government agreed to develop legislation to give tenants the opportunity to buy their home including the development of a legislative based “first right of refusal”. The General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill was approved by Government on 24 October 2023. The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage undertook Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) of the General Scheme in December 2023 and published its report on 19 December 2023. Priority legal drafting is continuing and publication of the Bill is expected in Q2 2024.
43. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the provision of incentives towards the creation of safe secure living in town centres suitable for those seeking to rightsize and to gain access to homes where assisted living within the community could be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what policy tools have been put in place to support rightsizing of accommodation for those, particularly older people to move to a smaller home or to adapt their existing home into two residential units, releasing unneeded space upgrading the energy use and comfort of the home; and if he will indicate his estimate of the number of such moves which are being made annually. [15930/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has set any target for the development of purpose-built housing for older people by the councils or Approved Housing Agencies, distinguishing the level of wrap-around service for those designated for people who require assisted living. [15932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 150 and 152 together.
Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include 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 proposed delivery of housing for older people. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities. In addition, arising from an action in Housing Options for our Ageing Population and in conjunction with Tailte Éireann, my Department developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping Decision Support Tool to support the development of housing specifically for older people on the best available sites appropriate to their needs and close to essential services. This Tool and relevant training is now in use by local authorities to decide on the best sites to develop housing for older people.
The Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Whilst some local authorities operate rightsizing schemes, housing supports and the oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the application for, and allocation of, tenancies, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Work is being advanced in my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing.
Further detail on the numbers of households who have availed of local authority rightsizing schemes may be available directly from local authorities.
44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 15 February 2024, the timeline for the publication of the draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14384/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Interdepartmental Group (comprising my Department, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is still continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas.
At the Interdepartmental Group meeting of 15 December 2022, it was agreed that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media would commence a study in 2023 on the methodology and format for Linguistic Impact Statements as a key elements of future planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas. This study was subsequently commenced in February 2023. Initial proposals have been received from consultant, whose work is nearing completion, and this is informing the draft of planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas. Several Interdepartmental Group meetings took place in 2023 and bilateral Departmental engagement is ongoing.
The draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas are currently being finalised for my review in the first instance and then mandatory screening under EU law for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), as well as for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment (AA). It is intended that, subject to the outcome of the screening exercises, that draft guidelines will then be published for public consultation.
All local organisations in Gaeltacht areas and members of the public including language groups will be able to submit their views on the draft during this consultation phase for the consideration of my Department.
It is my intention to publish these Guidelines as soon as possible, having regard to the need to consider the complex matters involved and further to engagement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
45. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an overview of the roll-out of the ‘Housing for All’ strategy in County Clare to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, has now entered its fourth year of implementation. Under the Plan, the Government is aiming to deliver an average of at least 33,000 new homes annually, including an average of 10,000 social homes and 6,000 affordable homes for purchase or for rent. 2024 will see over €5bn of capital investment in housing. This funding will ensure the Government can continue to build on the momentum achieved since the publication of the Plan in September 2021.
Supply, which is key to addressing our housing needs, is increasing. The latest Housing for All Progress Report, published on 25 January, showed that the number of new homes delivered in 2023 was the highest in fifteen years, with 32,695 new homes completed. Momentum has continued into this year. In the first two months of 2024, building commenced on 7,056 new homes. This figure has increased by 72% when compared to the same period in 2023, with the rolling 12-month commencements now above 35,750. Furthermore, nationally, planning permission was granted for 41,225 new homes in 2023, an increase of 21% on 2022.
My Department publishes comprehensive social and affordable housing statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas, including Clare County Council. This data 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
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent CSR (for Quarter 4 2023) is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a8e0d-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2023/
Data in relation to housing commencements, broken down by local authority area, is published by my Department on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/
Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link:
www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/newdwellingcompletions/
46. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his and his Department’s engagement with the Galway Social Housing Task Force to-date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Galway Social Housing Task Force had its first 2024 meeting on 9 April. My Department participates on the Taskforce and over and above that, is in ongoing contact with both Galway local authorities in respect of housing matters.
In between the final 2023 meeting in November last, and the meeting earlier this week, the previous Taskforce Chair, Ms Geraldine Tallon, stepped down from the role and has been replaced by Mr John McCarthy former Secretary General of my Department.
It is planned to have three more Galway Social Housing Task force meetings in 2024. I look forward to their continued work and also to the inputs from the two new local authority Chief Executives.
47. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of simultaneous social and affordable housing projects currently under way in Mayo; if he can provide their locations, the projected number of social and affordable homes to be completed at each site in 2024 and 2025, and the current stage of each project in the four-step approval process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social housing build targets for Mayo County Council, including delivery completed to date, are as follows -
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
|
Target |
90 |
151 |
154 |
166 |
169 |
730 |
|
Delivered |
89 |
61 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
In relation to the social housing build projects underway in Mayo, information including locations, numbers and current status is published on a quarterly basis by my Department. The Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) including information on all Mayo projects, can be seen 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 stages. etc, at the following link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2023
In addition, each local authority has prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan which sets information on their intended social and affordable housing delivery over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans have been published on local authority websites and Mayo County Council's can be accessed at the following link: www.mayo.ie/en-ie/your-council/services/housing-services/social-housing/housing-delivery-action-plan.
In terms of affordable housing, Mayo does not have a specific affordability target but has identified localised need, i.e. new households being formed unable to access housing for purchase or rent at prices/rents affordable to them and is developing an affordable housing delivery programme to respond appropriately. To date it has received approval for subsidy from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to assist in the delivery of 13 affordable homes in Springfield, Westport.
My Department continues to assist and support Mayo County Council as it develops its affordability programme and is currently liaising with them on a number of further affordable housing schemes which it intends to develop with the assistance of the Affordable Housing Fund.
Given the profile of the county, it is expected that the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund and the Ready to Build serviced sites schemes will also contribute to addressing overall affordability needs in Mayo. Both of these schemes have been advertised by Mayo County Council on its official website.
