Written Answers Nos. 356-368
356. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for housing the up-to-date position with the housing aid and adaptation grants; the plans for reforming the grant; when will such reforms be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits.
On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes.
357. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any update of relief for those currently living in cost rental accommodation and paying up to 50% of their income on rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2851/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes to 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and by the Land Development Agency.
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, secure tenancies regulated by the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
The nature of the Cost Rental model means that, unlike differential rents in social housing for low-income households, the rent is not set according to the income of the tenant. Cost Rental homes are advertised and made available at a certain rent level, which is needed to cover the costs of delivery and provision and so ensure the long-term future of the homes in the sector.
The proportion of net income a particular rent represents will vary between households, but Cost Rental is offered as a more affordable option compared to the pressures of the private market. Where new Cost Rental homes receive State funding, projects are planned and managed so as to achieve starting rents which both cover costs and are also at least 25% below comparable homes in the local private rental market.
358. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full complement of emergency accommodation centres in use by local authorities, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2861/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Details on the type and operation of homeless services including details of emergency accommodation centres in use are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Financial reports from each of the regional fora, setting out total expenditure on homeless services and the type of services including emergency accommodation in each region are published on my Department’s website at the following link;www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
359. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the direct competition between his Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in securing emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2862/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), a division of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to people in the International Protection (asylum) process. While my Department has no role in this regard, my Department has engaged with DCEDIY, the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, to provide support and assistance.
My Department will continue to engage with DCEDIY and provide support where possible.
360. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the oversight applied to the third parties who manage emergency accommodation centres on behalf of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
To assist in ensuring that homeless services provided are of a high standard, a National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) was developed by the DRHE in partnership with the NGO Sector, the HSE, and other key stakeholders. The standards framework is now in place nationally for all local authority and NGO services.
Given the increase in contracting private accommodation exclusively for the use of homeless households and to ensure standards in these facilities, the DRHE adapted the NQSF standards to apply their provisions to private emergency accommodation.
The standards contained in “Quality Standards for Private Emergency Accommodation” have been developed with regard to the different service models in Private Emergency Accommodation i.e. different entities providing the facility and the supports. As was the case with the roll-out of the NQSF to NGO services, a developmental approach to the roll out of the standards is being taken.
It is a matter for local authorities to monitor standards. The ultimate aim is to ensure that standards are being applied and monitored across all facilities, irrespective of whether they are NGO or privately operated. In Dublin, an in-house standards team monitor compliance with the NQSF for NGO facilities under the service level agreements in place. These include checks on the physical standards, occupancy, supports and hygiene. The DRHE has also appointed an officer to begin the roll out of monitoring of standards in Private Emergency Accommodation (PEA) facilities.
The DRHE, following a competitive tender process, appointed an independent inspectorate to carry out inspections on DRHE services. The most recent inspection reports are available for review on the DHRE website at www.homelessdublin.ie/quality-standards/test2
361. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a summary of the defective concrete block sub-group on mortgage related matters meeting that took place in January; what actions are outstanding in relation to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra368. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an organisation (details supplied) will provide clarification on the structural reliability of a building following remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3061/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 368 together.
I established an Implementation Steering Group to work through administrative issues around the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) scheme as they arise and make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines on the Scheme are needed. The Group comprises the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. This Group met several times over the last number of months to keep the operation of the scheme under review and work through issues as they arose, and make recommendations if further changes to the regulations or guidelines are needed.
In order to ensure the views of as broad an array of stakeholders as possible a sub-group was established, within the existing group structure, to examine an emerging issue relating to financial aspects of the scheme.
Representatives from Engineers Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Insurance Ireland, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, Homeowner representatives from each of the four local authority areas and officials from the Department of Finance attended discussions on 11 January, 2024 chaired by my Department.
The Government position on this matter was set out clearly at this meeting i.e. namely that it is our understanding and expectation that once a home is certified and remediated under the DCB Scheme that it would then be treated for mortgage purposes, in the same manner as any other home.
Subsequent to the meeting of 11 January, 2024 my Department, the Housing Agency and Engineers Ireland met on 19 January, 2024 to further discuss matters relating to mortgageability. As agreed at the sub-group meeting the matter will be progressed further at the group's next meeting which is due to take place in the coming weeks.
362. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what lands are presently owned by Kerry County Council in the Corca Dhuibhne LEA, that could be used subject to planning permission to build social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2939/24]
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.
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. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing and details of land acquisition requirements, including land in the Castleisland - Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes.
The Plans have been published on local authority's own websites. Kerry County Council's Plan is available at this link: www.kerrycoco.ie/housing-delivery-programme/
363. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Departments study on Transit-oriented Development on Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Cork, its publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on using the transport-oriented development principle approach for spatial equity-proofing strategic planning in Ireland, in order to achieve true balanced regional development and alleviate pressure on the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Department of Transport (DoT) jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. The group comprises membership from my Department, DoT, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Transport Orientated Development (TOD) seeks to maximise the provision of housing, employment, public services and leisure space in close proximity to high quality transport services, including BusConnects, DART, Luas and MetroLink in Dublin.
The first report from this Working Group, which looked at Transport Oriented Development Opportunities in Dublin, was published on the 23 of June 2023 and can be found on my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0b532-opportunities-for-transport-orientated-development-tod-in-major-urban-centres-dublin-study/.
The TOD Working Group, which undertook the study, are now focussing on TOD opportunities in the Eastern Region (outside the four Dublin local authorities) and in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford in 2024. It is intended that when this assessment process is concluded, a similar report to that published in respect of the four Dublin authorities will be published in Q1 of 2024.
The outputs from this work will also help to inform Government policy and initiatives in support of the National Strategic Outcomes of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular outcomes relating to Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.
This will include consideration of legislative and policy provisions, institutional arrangements, capacity-building measures and funding and resources required to facilitate the delivery of such plan-led development in a timely manner
The outputs from this work will also support spatial equity principles promoted through the NPF by providing increased opportunities to develop new and expanded communities at scale, including in areas of greater need thereby maximising the opportunity to provide the strategic co-ordinated plan-led development of of housing (including social and affordable housing), employment, public services and leisure space facilities for communities in close proximity to frequent, high quality transport services.
Engagement with local authorities, the LDA, the NTA and infrastructure providers, such as Uisce Éireann, will also continue in order to identify further opportunities and to accelerate TOD delivery.
365. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies he is putting in place to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment; whether he supports the objectives of the Building a Zero Carbon Ireland roadmap (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports the objectives of the Building a Zero Carbon Ireland roadmap as published by the Irish Green Building Council through the delivery of the Government's Climate Action Plan 2024.
Climate Action Plan 2024 commits to:
• All new dwellings designed and constructed to Nearly Zero Energy Building standard by 2025, and Zero Emission Building standard by 2030
• Equivalent of 120,000 dwellings retrofitted to BER B2 or cost optimal equivalent by 2025, and 500,000 dwellings by 2030
• 170,000 new dwellings using heat pumps by 2025, and 280,000 by 2030
• 45,000 existing dwellings using heat pumps by 2025, and 400,000 by 2030
In addition, my Department is working hard to implement impactful measures for the decarbonisation of our Built Environment in the following areas;
• Embodied Carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings. Reduction of these emissions will be driven at EU level by an updated and strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and Construction Products Regulation, which will create a harmonised framework to assess and communicate the environmental and climate performance of construction products in the EU single market. My Department is engaging with SEAI to put in place embodied carbon frameworks for new buildings. In accordance with the draft EPBD this declaration of Global Warming Potential will be included in the Building Energy Rating Certificate. Also, under the Climate Action Plan, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are leading a working group examining how to reduce carbon in cement in which my Department is a key participant. In addition, Housing for All identifies Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland, and reducing the carbon footprint or our built environment. Methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.
• Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) regulations were introduced by my Department in 2019. These regulations ensure that all new dwellings are A2 rated and have effectively phased out fossil fuel boilers in new homes. The change has significantly improved air quality in the areas where these new homes are built relative to traditional developments, providing more comfortable and energy-efficient homes, while also helping to achieve carbon reduction targets committed to in the Climate Action Plan.
• Given the current demand on housing supply, the availability of existing vacant buildings provides significant opportunities to bring these back into use and support home ownership. Housing for All sets a clear pathway through policies such as Town Centres First, Croi Conaithe and the Urban Generation Development Fund (URDF) to ensure that houses already built are being fully used as well as resolving issues which sees habitable properties remaining vacant while people are homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation
• In 2022 , Local Authorities retrofitted 2,283 social homes and in 2023 we expect to figure to be 2400. By 2030 we will have retrofitted 36,500 local authority homes or 40% of the available housing stock to a BER of B2.
These are just some of the measures we are working on across Government to decarbonise our built environment.
366. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local suppliers of white goods can be used to furnish local authority homes; if so, how this works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2999/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authority housing is provided unfurnished including appliances and therefore this is not a matter for my Department.
When a person on the social housing waiting list is offered a local authority home and they do not have and cannot afford to buy furniture or appliances, they may be eligible for help under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme through the Department of Social Protection.
367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans to introduce right-sizing for homeowners; if this will include options for private homeowners who wish to downsize; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a policy on right-sizing. Work is being advanced in my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on right-sizing.
Question No. 368 taken with No. 361.
