Written Answers Nos. 258-267
261. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the review being undertaken by his Department of rent pressure zones, specifically the terms of reference of the review, the objective of the review, the persons responsible for the review, the proposed process and expected timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7082/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my reply to Question No. 217 of 13 February 2025 which sets out the position on this matter.
262. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the name of the housing provider, the number, location and size of Affordable Cost Rental units delivered since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7083/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners in each local authority area. Data for the years 2022 up to Q3 2024 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/?#affordable-housing-delivery.
Overall, since the launch of Housing for All to end Q3 2024, 2,640 Cost Rental homes have been delivered by Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency and through the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme.
Information on Cost Rental Schemes currently advertised can be found on the websites of respective delivery partners, as well as on the Affordable Homes website, www.affordablehomes.ie.
263. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the number, location and size of affordable cost rental units and the name of the housing provider in the pipeline to be delivered by 2030, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7084/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 18,000 cost rental homes by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.
Since its introduction in 2021 to end Q3 2024, 2,640 Cost Rental homes in the State have been delivered by Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency and through the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners in each local authority area. Data for the years 2022 up to Q3 2024 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/?#affordable-housing-delivery.
The continued development of Cost Rental homes is supported by my Department through a mixture of capital grants, loan financing, and State equity investment, via the Affordable Housing Fund to Local Authorities, the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme to Approved Housing Bodies, and the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme which supports delivery by private operators.
The Land Development Agency also continues to advance its delivery of Cost Rental homes through unlocking planning permissions under Project Tosaigh and by developing its own portfolio of State lands. The LDA is targeting 8,000 new homes over the course of the Project Tosaigh initiative. They are currently on track to deliver 5,000 new homes for social housing, Cost Rental and Affordable Purchase to eligible households by end 2026.
Further information on Cost Rental Schemes currently advertised can be found on the websites of respective delivery partners, as well as on the Affordable Homes website, www.affordablehomes.ie.
Affordable housing schemes, including Cost Rental, are now operating at scale and this momentum will continue as the pipeline is developed by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency in coordination with my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association.
264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant aid will be provided for group water schemes to facilitate the installation of generators, in view of the difficulties that have arisen with power outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGroup water schemes are community-owned and community-run enterprises and accordingly I have no function in their day-to-day management or operation.
However, my Department does work in partnership with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS), who are the national representative body, to support the group water scheme sector.
I can confirm that my Department worked very closely alongside the NFGWS and with local authorities and individual group water schemes to minimise the difficulties arising from the impact of Storm Éowyn on group water schemes.
A full assessment of the effect of the recent storm on group water schemes is underway, led by the NFGWS, which will include lessons learned that will inform future approaches and needs.
On completion of the assessment by the NFGWS, my Department will consider its findings and any recommendations made.
265. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress of commitments in the Programme for Government regarding expanding the first home scheme to first time buyers of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7098/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society. Housing for All, Ireland's housing plan to 2030, is the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan contains a suite of actions that have and continue to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens.
Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe.
While work is being undertaken to progress a new plan which will build on progress to date, the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.
The Housing for All plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/#view-the-plan, with updates to the plan available online, www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a8894-housing-for-all-update/.
The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home, within regional price ceilings. The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB.
The Programme for Government states it will work with the Banks to expand the First Home Scheme to first time buyers of second-hand homes. This is being examined by my Department and I have requested the First Home Scheme to undertake the required analytical and technical work to examine the potential for such an expansion as soon as possible.
266. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 15 May 2024, to provide details of the tender documentation provided; to provide the options given of considerations for reduction in waste of packaging; and to provide all schools’ budget allocation and expenditure on school meals in tabular form. [6870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school, including handling the procurement process. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations.
Under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets its needs in line with environmental standards. In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.
The Schools Procurement Unit, which is grant funded by the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. This includes guidelines to:
• Promote sustainability
• Offer healthy food choices
• Reduce plastic and non-recyclable packaging
• Support Green Public Procurement as required by the Environmental Protection Agency
• Implementing recommendations outlined in Green Tenders – Action Plan
The Department of Education is committed to supporting schools to implement the Green Procurement Strategy through its Schools Procurement Unit, tender documents and other supports.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction food waste and the use recyclable packaging.
I have attached the school's budget allocation and expenditure in tabular form per County below
|
County |
No. of pupils benefiting |
Total Allocated 2024-2025 |
No. of schools/orgs |
|
Carlow |
7,823 |
€4,360,751.25 |
43 |
|
Cavan |
9,777 |
€5,598,355.46 |
72 |
|
Clare |
9,885 |
€5,368,108.20 |
75 |
|
Cork |
43,567 |
€24,226,329.18 |
225 |
|
Donegal |
22,563 |
€12,162,267.90 |
186 |
|
Dublin |
93,536 |
€49,561,678.49 |
397 |
|
Galway |
22,052 |
€11,956,784.22 |
148 |
|
Kerry |
13,925 |
€7,549,701.47 |
105 |
|
Kildare |
13,728 |
€7,370,969.55 |
57 |
|
Kilkenny |
10,635 |
€5,485,157.99 |
65 |
|
Laois |
8,601 |
€4,889,360.60 |
50 |
|
Leitrim |
3,051 |
€1,394,286.79 |
33 |
|
Limerick |
18,146 |
€10,061,819.99 |
114 |
|
Longford |
7,837 |
€4,147,991.95 |
43 |
|
Louth |
15,430 |
€7,755,152.06 |
57 |
|
Mayo |
14,517 |
€7,930,248.81 |
133 |
|
Meath |
15,189 |
€8,374,786.75 |
65 |
|
Monaghan |
8,839 |
€4,322,540.81 |
64 |
|
Offaly |
9,682 |
€4,952,552.05 |
50 |
|
Roscommon |
7,057 |
€3,735,335.30 |
66 |
|
Sligo |
3,978 |
€2,211,773.25 |
39 |
|
Tipperary |
19,534 |
€10,575,330.43 |
140 |
|
Waterford |
10,033 |
€5,657,349.07 |
52 |
|
Westmeath |
8,839 |
€4,925,121.99 |
59 |
|
Wexford |
21,238 |
€11,849,093.95 |
110 |
|
Wicklow |
15,418 |
€7,680,865.11 |
63 |
I trust this clarifies the matter.
267. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the details of the process for quality checks of the Healthy Ireland Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. [6871/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.
All schools must submit a sample menu with their application for the School Meals Programme. Funding will not be provided for food that does not comply with these standards. All participating schools must also submit to my department a signed Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of compliance with nutritional standards.
My department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by my department.
In addition, my department participates in the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group. This provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.
My department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health and the Department Education, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including nutrition inspection and evaluation.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction food waste and the use recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
