Written Answers Nos. 741-750
745. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new defective scheme will accept applications from beneficial owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27913/23]
View answer746. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application from a beneficial owner (details supplied) in County Donegal will meet the criteria for the new defective block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27914/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 745 and 746 together.
Designated local authorities are responsible for the administration of the Enhanced Grant Scheme, engaging directly with the relevant owner to ensure completed applications are valid in accordance with Section 13 of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ("the Act").
A homeowner must also be a ‘relevant owner’ of a ‘relevant dwelling’ in the designated local authority.
Under section 9 of the Act a relevant owner must:
• have acquired ownership of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020 (or inherited the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020);
• use the dwelling as their principle private residence or be the landlord where there was a registered tenancy on or before 1 November 2021 – except where the resident had to leave the dwelling due to damage caused by defective concrete blocks
The designated local authority determines whether the relevant dwelling, the subject of the application, is owned by the applicant and will require such evidence as deemed necessary in making such a determination, which may include the following:
• a copy of the title deed for the relevant dwelling
• a registration of title
• other legal documents proving proof of ownership.
Question No. 746 answered with Question No. 745.
747. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time the vacant property refurbishment grant will last. [27916/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use.
From 1 May 2023, 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, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place.
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.
A maximum of two grants are available to any applicant, of which one must be in respect of a home they intend to occupy as their principal private residence and the other may be in respect of a property which will be made available for rent.
The property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant approval and proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications.
The Croí Cónaithe Towns fund comprising the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme is targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025. When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
748. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when legislation will be brought forward to provide tenants facing a no-fault eviction the right of first refusal if the landlord is selling; what other provisions will be included in the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27934/23]
View answerThe Government's Legislation Programme for summer 2023, published in April, includes the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill 2023 for priority drafting in this Oireachtas session.
Policy is being developed as a matter of priority and draft legislative provisions and administrative measures are being examined to help a tenant to buy their rented home on the basis of a landlord offering their tenant first right of refusal, in accordance with the Government Decision of 7 March 2023.
It is important to note that there is currently no legal obstacle to a sitting tenant and a landlord agreeing a contract for sale of a rented home, where the tenant has the means to do so.
749. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering increasing the household income threshold for the cost-rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27935/23]
View answerThe policy intent of developing a Cost Rental sector in Ireland is to support the housing needs of those on moderate incomes who are facing high rents in the private market and who do not qualify for social housing supports. The Government’s Housing for All plan targets the delivery of 18,000 Cost Rental homes by 2030, primarily through delivery by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities, and the Land Development Agency (LDA). Funding has been allocated by my Department to AHBs through the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, and to Local Authorities through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF).
The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the open market. Rents will increase only in line with consumer inflation, remaining stable in real terms while continuing to cover ongoing costs. Cost Rental homes also come with the added advantage of long-term tenancies and certainty of rent.
All Cost Rental providers are legally obliged to make Cost Rental homes available in line with the provisions of Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated Regulations. Eligibility and income parameters are a key tool in targeting State-supported homes at those who fall within the moderate income cohort and are considered most in need of affordable housing interventions. The primary eligibility condition for accessing Cost Rental housing is a maximum net annual household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions) of €53,000. This criterion remains under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose in targeting support at those who cannot affordably access homes for rental on the private market.
750. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the towns which currently must limit housing development due to inadequate waste water treatment capacity, in tabular form; the proposed timeframe for delivery of adequate waste water treatment facilities at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27946/23]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
As set out in Housing for All, Uisce Éireann is committed to supporting the delivery of housing including under Housing for All through a number of actions including the timely delivery of new connections, Self-Lay accreditation scheme and developing a first mover disadvantage scheme. Uisce Éireann also publishes annual water supply and waste water treatment capacity registers, details of which are available on the Uisce Éireann website at www.water.ie/connections/developer-services/capacity-registers/. These registers indicate if there is enough water supply and wastewater treatment at Uisce Éireann treatment plants to support property development.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
