Written Answers Nos. 81-102
84. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans with respect for continued funding for the Limerick Regeneration Economic and Social Intervention Fund 2023 to be extended to 2024 and beyond. [33175/23]
View answerThe Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) sets out a programme of physical, social and economic interventions over a ten-year period from 2014-2023.
Under the LRFIP, my Department provides funding for social regeneration activities, through the Economic and Social Intervention Fund (ESIF), for the duration of each regeneration project as it is understood that regeneration goes beyond mere bricks and mortar. The ESIF is an integral part of the overall approach to regeneration, and it helps to leverage additional mainstream funding for the benefit of the relevant areas.
As the Limerick agreed programme concludes in 2023, I have asked Limerick City and County Council to develop a strategy for the future funding of these important initiatives, so that the benefits of regeneration can be built upon and carried on into the years ahead post 2023. This process involves the local authorities identifying appropriate alternative funding streams that would support the services in the future.
Furthermore, the Council is currently working with KPMG and their sub consultants O’Mahony Pike Architects and Tobin Engineers, on a Status Update for Limerick Regeneration. The resulting report on the Status Update will assess the current position and provide strategic master plan options, targets and recommendations for the post 2023 period, out to 2030. The process is well advanced and I am advised that the report will be completed shortly. Until a strategy is agreed, it would be premature to decide what form any future supports will take.
86. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress on the commitment in Housing for All to implement a minimum building energy rating requirement for rental properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33188/23]
View answerThe Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, or ‘Cost Optimal’ equivalent, for the private rental sector beginning in 2025. This action is a key plank of Government policy in regard to both improving the quality of housing stock available to rent and in meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction. It will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenants' health and improve comfort levels in rental homes.
Work in this area, which will support the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is ongoing and on schedule. It will be underpinned in the first instance by detailed research currently being undertaken by the ESRI in partnership with my Department. The primary focus of this research is the split-incentive effect with respect to energy upgrades in the rental sector. I expect this research to be completed this year.
The results of the ESRI analysis will inform the Government’s next steps in this area. The appropriate balance will need to be struck between this action point and the potential impact any intervention may have on the rental market, particularly around availability of accommodation. I expect the Government to be in a position to bring forward proposals for a minimum BER in the private rented sector in line with the target set down in Housing for All.
87. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the full details of the affordability measures put in place in Cherrywood developments in return for the LIHAF funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/23]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works as well as public amenities (parks). Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
In late 2017/early 2018, Grant Agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities.
One such project is at Cherrywood in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The infrastructure was to be provided in 3 phases and includes the Druids Glen Road, Druids Glen bridge, New N11 junction at ‘Q’ at Druids Glen Road and the Druids Glen bridge feature. The LIHAF Grant Funding agreed was for almost €15.2m with my Department funding 75% and the balance to be funded by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
This LIHAF funding has an associated housing provision requirement for the delivery of 2,000 units at Cherrywood. The agreement was intended to facilitate circa. 5% provision of affordable housing on the site in addition to the 10% Part V social housing over the build out of the site with the reduction in price to facilitate the affordable delivery being equal to the value of the funding under LIHAF.
Under the LIHAF scheme, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, like other local authorities, avail of funding to procure the relevant infrastructure. Without LIHAF funding the benefiting developers would have to pay additional development contributions to deliver the infrastructure and, therefore, agreed a LIHAF affordability dividend equivalent to the investment.
88. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on measures to address issues impacting on homeowners effected by pyrite issues. [33136/23]
View answerI understand the question refers to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
The Regulations for the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) were subject to a consultation process that began in 2022 with key stakeholders, including with homeowners’ action groups. My Department has continued to engage with a number of stakeholders in the finalisation of the Regulations and Guidelines in recent weeks.
I commenced the 2022 Act on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and the implementing guidelines were made on 29 June 2023.
The enhanced grant scheme is now open to applications with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
89. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on Housing For All delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32204/23]
View answer240. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a progress report on Housing For All. [30976/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 240 together.
Housing for All was published 2 September 2021 and the Government published its first annual update of the plan's actions on 2 November 2022. Progress reports are published quarterly. The eighth of these reports, covering progress in Q2 2023, is due for publication in the coming weeks. These reports can be accessed on www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.
Under Housing for All, the supply of new homes is increasing. Almost 30,000 homes were delivered in 2022. This is the highest annual total since the CSO series began in 2011, and an increase of more than 45% on 2021 delivery. A further 6,716 new homes were added to the national housing stock in Q1 2023. This an increase of 19% on Q1 2022, when 5,669 new homes were completed, and the highest number of Q1 completions recorded since the series began in 2011.
The strong uptick in commencements in Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 has continued into Q2 2023. 12,987 homes were commenced in the first five months of 2023, a record when compared to similar periods since the data series began in 2014. These record commencement notices follow recent publications by the CSO showing an increase of 37.8% in planning permissions granted in Q1 2023 to 11,659 homes.
A copy of Housing for All and the Housing for All Action Plan Update can be accessed at the following respective links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/.
90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail the number of purchases of properties by local authorities and approved housing bodies under the tenant-in-situ scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33068/23]
View answer97. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the roll-out of the tenant-in-situ scheme; if local authorities have resourced additional staff to manage the workload involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32203/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 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).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant 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 to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023 and these allocations are being kept under review.
Housing for All includes a commitment to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects. In December 2021 I approved an additional 250 housing posts in local authorities nationally to support social housing delivery. In recognition of the administrative work involved in acquisitions where a tenant has received a Notice of Termination, my Department is providing local authorities with a payment of €1,200 in respect of each acquisition.
Details of social housing acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 4 2022 and 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/.
While data published to date does not include a breakdown of properties acquired where a tenant has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property, from Q1 2023 an amendment has been made to my Department's statistical returns to collect information in this regard. This data is currently being collated and will be published in due course.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if some consideration can be given to the development of a subsidised sites scheme on public or private lands with a view to making affordable or local authority housing more readily accessible; if any consideration has already been given to such a proposal and how it might meet current demands and as housing continues to be a most pressing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33080/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
Last September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme. Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discounted rate to individual purchasers who will self-build their own home and live in it as their principal private residence.
It is intended that the local authority will either supply existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned. The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site but will not exceed €30,000. The amount of such discount will be reflected in the sale price of the site to the purchaser.
All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and / or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications.
Applications for the Ready to Build Scheme are to be made to the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority. They can provide further advice and information in respect of the fund and the application process.
My Department is currently engaging with local authorities in respect of the identification of potential sites to determine their suitability under the Ready to Build scheme.
Where local authorities own land and wish to provide cost rental or affordable purchase homes, they can submit an application under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) for funding to support these types of tenures. Local Authorities can seek further assistance with developing schemes on local authority owned land or on private land for affordable housing from my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Agency.
95. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the financial support to replace lead pipes in homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department provides financial support to replace leas pipes in homes. The Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme is a demand-led grant scheme to assist with the cost of replacing lead piping or related fittings located within the internal drinking water distribution system of the house.
In December 2022, my Department made some amendments to the eligibility criteria of the grant including the removal of a means test requirement and increasing the funding value available to a maximum of €5,000.
Full terms and conditions and an application form for this grant is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/leadpipes/.
I can also confirm that my Department is currently running a nationwide media campaign to promote greater awareness of the improved grant and to encourage households to replace old lead pipes.
98. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33140/23]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed in the Housing for All strategy, the Government has introduced a number of measures to support households and individuals wishing to purchase a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with an ambitious target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030.
Under Pathway 1 of this strategy, “Pathways to Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability”, two new Affordable Purchase schemes have been established (the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home shared equity scheme), and an improved Local Authority Home Loan scheme.
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme primarily supports first-time buyers purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes by bridging the gap between the market value of the home and the combined value of the buyer's mortgage and deposit. Affordable Purchase homes will be advertised on the relevant Local Authority’s website in advance of their sale, and set out eligibility requirements such as household income limits. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount.
The First Home shared equity scheme, launched last July, employs a similar equity share model in order to support households unable to afford the purchase of new homes in the private market. Subject to eligibility criteria, it can provide funds up to 30% of the value of a newly constructed home (or 20% if the Help to Buy Scheme is used). Overall, this scheme is intended to support up to 8,000 affordable purchases in the period out to 2026, and the State has committed funding of €200m, to be matched by the participating mortgage lenders.
Furthermore, the Board of First Home Scheme Designated Active Company has extended the scheme, making it available to sitting tenants who have been issued a Notice of Termination and offered first right of refusal. The same eligibility criteria will apply and this element of the Scheme has been open for qualifying applicants since 17 April.
Full details of the First Home Scheme, including eligibility criteria, details of the revised price ceilings that came into effect 1 January this year, and how to apply are available on the scheme website: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Other measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home loan are also nationally available to eligible first-time purchasers to make home ownership more affordable.
The Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to First-Time Buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. As of the end of May 2023, over 39,000 first-time buyers have been supported by this incentive. Further details of this scheme are available here: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx
The new Local Authority Home Loan commenced on 4 January 2022 and is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used by first-time buyers for both for new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available on the website: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Lastly, for those wishing to purchase and renovate vacant or derelict properties, the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available nationwide and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €50,000 or €70,000 if the property is derelict. The scheme has been extended to cover houses built up to 2007, and is available for properties intended for rental as well as owner-occupied.
I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these schemes is available directly from local authorities.
99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has concerns that the MICA defective block scheme does not cover 100% redress for affected homeowners and that many affected homeowners will be excluded from accessing the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33119/23]
View answerThe purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act'), as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021, is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the previous grant scheme including increasing the current 90% maximum grant to a 100% grant for all remediation options available subject to the overall cap and grant rates.
It should be noted that the scheme, as approved by the Oireachtas in the 2022 Act, is not a compensation or redress scheme, and the State has admitted no liability in this regard. Rather, it is a Remediation Grant scheme of last resort, put in place by the Government to voluntarily assist homeowners.
The 2022 Act provides for a maximum grant of €420,000. The grant applicable to an individual homeowner will depend on the appropriate remediation option determined by the Housing Agency and the maximum grant available for the dwelling given its size or the amount of block work to be removed and replaced.
I commenced the 2022 Act on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The enhanced grant scheme is now open to applications with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/. I am satisfied that the scheme will cover the costs of remediation for the vast majority of homeowners who qualify for the scheme.
100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what changes he intends to make to the cost-rental rules so that those eligible on income grounds are not ineligible on affordability grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33209/23]
View answerCost Rental is a new form of rental tenure designed to assist a cohort of renters who face significant affordability challenges meeting high rents in the private sector. 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).
Rents for Cost Rental homes are a direct function of the costs of constructing, financing, managing and maintaining the homes. The lower these costs, the more affordable the resulting rents are for the tenants. Cost Rental offers a more affordable form of rental tenure, with long-term security and protection from market pressures. However, the fundamental model is that rents cover costs, net of any initial capital subsidy provided by the State, to support the delivery of new homes into the sector. This means that tenants must be able to sustain a cost-covering rent, in order to secure the long-term future of these homes. Potential tenants are selected from the pool of applicants through the use of a lottery, but Cost Rental landlords must also assess these potential tenants with regard to their ability to sustain the necessary rent level. It may be that not every applicant will have the resources to meet a cost-covering rent for a particular home.
Government funding for Cost Rental has been allocated to AHBs through the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme, and to Local Authorities through the Affordable Housing Fund. Ensuring that Cost Rental properties are good quality new-build homes, with value engineering and long-term maintenance in mind, can help put downward pressure on lifetime costs and make rents more affordable for tenants. The delivery of large-scale Cost Rental developments will also bring economies of scale in ongoing management and maintenance costs.
101. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making County Cavan a rent pressure zone due to the rapid increase in rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32742/23]
View answerSection 24A of the Residential Tenancies Act provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to me, as Minister, that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ). Following receipt of such a proposal, I, as Minister, request the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to me on whether the area should be designated as a RPZ.
• The criteria to be satisfied by an area under section 24A(4) of the Acts for designation as an RPZ are as follows:
• the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
• the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is –
• in the case of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow or a local electoral area (LEA) in any one of those counties, above the average rent in the State, excluding rents in the 4 Dublin Local Authority areas, or
• in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area.
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfils the criteria for designation as a RPZ.
The data from the Rent Index Report for Q4 2022 relating to the local authority area of County Cavan is detailed in the table below:
|
Local Authority (LA) |
Quarters >7% |
2022 Q4 |
|
Cavan |
6 |
€916.12 |
The Housing Agency and the RTB continue to monitor national rents and if any LEA in County Cavan meets the designation criteria, it will be designated as a RPZ through the process outlined above.
I also would like to draw your attention to the thorough review of the private rental sector which is currently underway in my Department. This will ascertain what an improved fully functioning private rental sector should look like in the long term, and members of the public are now being invited to participate in the comprehensive review. This delivers on an undertaking given in a Housing for All Action Plan Update (www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/) from November 2022.
The review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years in the residential rental market. It will draw conclusions on how our housing system can be enhanced to provide an efficient, affordable, viable, safe, and secure framework for both landlords and tenants. The Government will act on the review’s recommendations.
A central aspect of the review is targeted engagement with various stakeholders and direct public input via a public consultation process - further details are available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/consultation/ea0ea-public-consultation-review-of-the-private-residential-rental-sector/ .
102. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the legislation to allow for directly elected mayor with executive powers for Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33189/23]
View answer244. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of legislation to provide for a directly elected mayor of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33284/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 244 together.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill, which is well advanced.
Finalisation of this complex Bill has been identified as a priority and my Department is working towards the publication of the Bill in the coming weeks. It is hoped that the Bill would then be able to progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible thereafter.
The timing of the Limerick Mayoral Election will be a matter for Government.
In advance of the election, a public information campaign about this significant change in the way in which Limerick will be governed will be very important and my Department will be working with Limerick City and County Council to ensure that information is provided to the public in Limerick.
