Eoin Ó Broin
Question:65. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg SDZ. [24291/24]
View answerHousing Provision
Questions (65)
Written answers
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. A condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone, or SDZ, as modified by An Bord Pleanála, is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% standard statutory social housing requirement under Part V.
In March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first phase of 570 homes at the site. My Department has been working with Dublin City Council and the developers of the SDZ to progress the delivery of social and affordable housing in this first phase. The SDZ requirement necessitates an agreement which must be subject to all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money.
The developers are engaging with Dublin City Council regarding the provision of the 10% Part V social homes in this first phase. Tripartite engagement is also ongoing with regard to delivery of the additional social and affordable housing in accordance with the terms of the SDZ condition. Drafting of an agreement is advanced and the parties are not in a position to comment further until it is finalised.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 63.
Housing Schemes
Questions (67)
Brendan Griffin
Question:67. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase housing assistance payment rent limits in Kerry, in line with Cork and Limerick rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24415/24]
View answerWritten answers
A key principle of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Since July 2022 this discretion level was increased to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Up to 50% discretion can be provided in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted.
At end Q4 2023 the number of households being supported by HAP in Kerry County Council was 1,618 and 66% of these households were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment was almost 25% above the rent limits.
I am very conscious of the pressures in the private rental market and my Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
Housing Schemes
Questions (68)
Brendan Smith
Question:68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will increase the income eligibility limits for social housing for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/24]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing.
From this review, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department recently received this detailed research, commissioned by The Housing Agency. The scope of this research, included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department will now undertake a detailed examination of the report, in order to develop a new social housing income eligibility model by Q4 2024 in line with the Housing for All Action Plan update. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
Housing Provision
Questions (69, 131)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:69. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact of Housing for All in Carlow to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24421/24]
View answerJennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:131. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he is taking on social and affordable housing in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 131 together.
Housing for All, the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State, was published in September 2021. The Plan details a comprehensive suite of actions that has and will continue to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens, including those in Carlow.
Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis. In Carlow, 625 homes have completed between Q4 2021 and Q1 2024 inclusive. In relation to housing commencements in Carlow, building began on 919 homes between September 2021 and April 2024 inclusive, with 556 of these commencing since the start of 2023.
Following the publication of?Housing for All, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans to address social and affordable housing needs in their areas over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set in Housing for All. A copy of Carlow County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their website.
My Department publishes comprehensive social and affordable housing statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas. The social housing delivery and pipeline for County Carlow is strong.?From 2021 to 2023, Housing for All has delivered 536 social homes in Carlow through build, acquisition and lease. The Construction Status Report shows there were 14 schemes of 163 homes on site in Carlow at the end of Quarter 4 2023, with a further 4 schemes of 37 homes at various stages of design and procurement. Additionally, to end 2023, 32 affordable housing solutions have been delivered in Carlow with 44 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications approved.?
Under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, a preliminary allocation of €17.1 million has been approved to fund the Public Realm and Pedestrian Linkage Proposal for Carlow Town. This proposal, comprising of 6 individual projects, is a continuation from the Carlow Town project under Call 1 which seeks to provide Carlow Town with plentiful, accessible and exciting public spaces. This will improve town centre linkages and increase pedestrian mobility from Potato Market through to Barrack Street with wider connectivity to Carlow College and the Railway Station.
Housing for All is having a tangible impact across the country. The Plan will continue to deliver nationally for years to come including for the people of Carlow.
Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 61.
Housing Provision
Questions (71)
Richard Bruton
Question:71. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the pipeline of projects under Project Tosaigh and under the croí cónaithe cities fund and their capacity to deliver affordable homes for purchase. [24416/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Land Development Agency was established with a focus on managing the State’s lands to develop new homes and regenerate under-utilised sites. It has also been tasked with unlocking stalled, private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through Project Tosaigh, its market engagement initiative.
The LDA are projecting that Project Tosaigh will deliver 5,000 new homes to eligible households by the end of 2026. Close to 2,500 social, affordable purchase or cost rental homes are already either delivered, contracted or approved to proceed within the LDA to date under Project Tosaigh's first phase.
A procurement process to establish framework agreements with a panel of developers under Phase 2 of Project Tosaigh is also underway, with the sites of the first tranche of homes to be delivered to be confirmed once that process concludes, providing additional delivery under Tosaigh.
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports the provision of apartments for sale to owner occupiers in the heart of our cities. It also supports the government’s aim of compact growth and tackling climate change by providing housing in our urban cores.
Government has allocated some €450m to deliver up to 5,000 apartments for sale to owner occupiers by activating uncommenced planning applications in our cities. To date, five contracts have been signed to deliver 582 apartments. The scheme is now gaining momentum and further agreements are in progress under the initial calls and another call under the scheme will be announced over the Summer.
Fire Service
Questions (72)
John Brady
Question:72. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline any progress he has made in getting an increase in the retainer paid to retained firefighters; if he has brought any proposals to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Implementation and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24306/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and the procurement of essential frontline fire appliances, ancillary vehicles and equipment.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 local authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures.
My Department continues to support the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) who are leading engagement with staff representatives on the implementation of recommendations contained within the Retained Review published in December 2022 and the WRC Agreement. I am monitoring the efforts of the LGMA and Fire Services Management to ensure that the implementation of the WRC agreement and while addressing the Chief Fire Officers annual conference in May I reiterated that implementation of the WRC agreement is my top priority for fire services in 2024.
When the WRC agreement was concluded, I committed to advocate for a further increase in the Retainer payment. During the most recent public service agreement negotiations, I engaged directly with Minister Paschal Donohoe at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, supporting his Department's direct talks with SIPTU on the issue of the Retainer payment. The outcome of the that agreement reflects an agreed position with SIPTU as follows,
• "The parties commit to remain in process with a view to concluding the current retainer and associated attendance commitments for Retained Firefighters”.
In this context, it is important to reflect on the substantive uplift in income that have been delivered through the new WRC agreement. These went beyond recommendation 2 of the Retained Review, which only mandated re-balancing of the payment structure that was in place. The current improvements in pay are in addition to a much lower level of commitment to attend incidents with more flexibility for individual firefighters.
Following the ratification by all stakeholders of the Public Service agreement 2024 – 2026, official engagement on the issue of the Retainer payment for Retained firefighters will shortly commence. This is a highly sensitive, deliberative industrial relations negotiation, led by the LGMA, which I will continue to monitor. I remain fully committed to the completion of a process on the Retainer payment.
Housing Schemes
Questions (73)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:73. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider the criteria and thresholds of the affordable housing scheme, given that Louth County Council cited these issues as the reasons that only half of the houses offered under the scheme at Cois Farraige in Dundalk, County Louth, were successfully bought by scheme applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24305/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to note that funding approvals are now in place for the delivery of over 4,000 affordable purchase and cost rental homes by 21 local authorities with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund to secure affordable upfront purchase prices and cost rents.
This is a significant level of activity. Despite well-documented affordability and viability challenges, the arrangements in place to support local authority affordable purchase schemes are proving effective. I am also confident that delivery programmes across all delivery partners will continue to scale up in line with identified affordable housing demand and Housing for All targets.
I have of course asked my Department to engage with Louth County Council to review their recent experience in administering the scheme at Cois Farraige. This is important to ensure that any learning can be applied as further affordable purchase schemes are developed in Louth and elsewhere.
My Department, in conjunction with the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association and the Housing Agency, is continuing to advise and support Louth in developing further affordable housing schemes that are well-aligned with the local housing market context and that deliver on Louth's Housing Delivery Action Plan and affordable delivery targets.
Fire Safety
Questions (74)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:74. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the Stardust acknowledgement when the remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24298/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since I received Government approval in January 2023 to draft legislation to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013, my Department has been advancing the steps to put the remediation scheme on a statutory footing as a matter of priority.
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 payer’s 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. This 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, and can be accessed on their website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023.
In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 30 April 2024, 141 applications for fire safety remediation work have been validated by the Housing Agency are being progressed across 27 local authority areas, representing a total of 14,018 residential units.
Housing Provision
Questions (75)
Catherine Connolly
Question:75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 11 April 2024, the details of his and his Department’s engagement with the Galway Social Housing Task Force to date in 2024; if he has requested a final report from the outgoing chair; if he has received a final report from the outgoing chair to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24280/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has continual engagement with Galway City Council regarding their delivery of new social housing against their targets. In addition to the Galway Social Housing Task force meetings, quarterly technical meetings are held between my Department and the Council housing team to cover a range of issues relating to the Council's social housing programme, including reviewing progress in advancing individual projects and to seek to resolve any challenges arising.
The Galway Social Housing Task Force had its first meeting of 2024 on the 9th of April under the new Chairperson, John McCarthy. Further meetings have been planned for 11th of June, 6th of September and 28th of November.
I anticipate receiving the 2023 report from the previous Chairperson in the coming weeks. This will not be a final report as the Galway Social Housing Task force is continuing to operate.
Housing Schemes
Questions (76, 83)
Thomas Gould
Question:76. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that there are only 27 cost-rental homes in the pipeline for Cork city in 2024. [24431/24]
View answer
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:83. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing commencements in Cork city and Cork county for 2023 and 2024 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 83 together.
Housing for All sets out a range of actions to increase the supply of housing out to 2030, including providing 54,000 affordable homes for purchase and rent. These homes will be delivered by Local Authorities, AHBs, the LDA, through the First Home Scheme, and by bringing vacant homes back into use. Significant public funding is being made available to support all of these delivery streams.
Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing. The data up to end 2023 is available on my Department's website. Local Authorities are collating information on affordable purchase and Cost Rental delivery, including through AHBs and the LDA, for Quarter 1 2024, and I expect that we will be in a position to report confirmed social and affordable delivery shortly.
Cork City and Cork County Councils have set out in their Housing Delivery Action Plans their intention to deliver 378 and 189 affordable homes respectively out to 2026. This delivery does not include additional affordable homes through the LDA, AHBs, and the First Home Scheme, and via the higher Part V requirements for new private developments. The Housing Delivery Action Plans for Cork City and County can be found on the respective Council websites.
Delivery of affordable housing in Cork City and County has been notably strong even at the start of the programme of delivery and there is a very strong pipeline being built up across all of the delivery streams. Up to the end of 2023, there have been nearly 300 Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes and 105 Cost Rental homes delivered in Cork City and County. In terms of pipeline in the coming years, I have approved funding for more than 50 AHB Cost Rental homes for Cork City, and more than 130 Local Authority Cost Rental homes in Cork County. The Land Development Agency is also now advancing the delivery of over 300 homes in Cork City that are scheduled for completion next year, and consideration is being given to the appropriate mix of cost rental and affordable purchase homes.
In addition, the First Home Scheme has seen over 500 approvals issue to applicants looking to buy a home in Cork with equity support.
The momentum created by this initial delivery will continue this year and into 2025. The Housing For All strategy and the unprecedented investment of public funds are already delivering affordable homes for purchasers and renters, in Cork City and County and elsewhere. My Department continues to work closely with Local Authorities, AHBs, and the LDA to build on this and deliver increasing numbers of affordable homes across the country.
Housing Schemes
Questions (77, 124)
Robert Troy
Question:77. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing statutory timeframes for the implementation of housing schemes under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24309/24]
View answerRobert Troy
Question:124. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will convene a forum between senior officials in his Department and senior officials from across the local authorities to examine where housing schemes are not working or need to be amended to ensure Government policy is being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24308/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 124 together.
In 2023, nearly 12,000 new social homes were delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, including 8,110 new-build homes. This represents the highest level of delivery of new-build social housing in half a century. Over 4,000 affordable housing supports were also delivered. This is an increase of 128% on 2022 activity, which highlights the significant progress achieved to date in relation to affordable housing from a standing start.
Timeframes can be impacted by a number of factors including construction material costs, supply chain issues and the impacts of interest rate movements. At a local level, complexities such as legal issues, retendering projects, reviewing the viability of projects, infrastructure challenges and judicial review of planning permissions can also have an impact.
My Department engages continually with local authorities individually and collectively via the Housing Delivery Co-ordination office (HDCO) to drive delivery of social and affordable housing and ensure ongoing oversight of delivery versus targets. The social housing pipeline is constantly updated and monitored as projects go through the various design, procurement, approvals and construction processes so that blockages can be identified and appropriate action taken as needed.
My Department organises the Housing Summit twice yearly. These day-long summits are attended by myself, the Secretary General, Assistant Secretaries and other senior officials from my Department and by the Chief Executives and relevant Directors of Services from all the local authorities. The Housing Summit provides a forum for collaborative engagement between my Department and the local authorities with a focus on discussions around accelerating the delivery of social and affordable housing.
Oversight of Housing for All involves concerted whole-of-government policy implementation with political buy-in, oversight and direction at the highest level accompanied by a rigorous monitoring system to enable delivery. The implementation process for the Housing for All Plan includes political oversight provided by the Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by the Taoiseach and a Delivery Group of Secretaries General, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which is responsible for delivery of all aspects of the Plan and ensuring genuine whole-of-government engagement.
Quarterly Progress Reports are submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Housing and to Government, and are published, setting out performance against the targets and actions set out in the Plan in a clear and comprehensible way. These progress updates provide a transparent overview of performance metrics, covering all major aspects of the Plan. The reports are published on my Department's website.
Housing Schemes
Questions (78)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities will be provided with additional funding this year for housing adaptation grants; when the review into the report on the grants will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24304/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs.
These important grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People. The grants are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The Exchequer funding provision of €74.5 million for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme has been increased by €8 million for 2024, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing 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. Among the areas which the review has considered are the current income thresholds and grant limits.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with the aim of bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible. I also intend to publish the final report at that time.
Housing Provision
Questions (79)
Cormac Devlin
Question:79. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how the delivery of affordable housing in 2023 compared to 2022; his expectations for same in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/24]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 including 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through the First Home Scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In 2022, which was the first full year of delivery of affordable housing under Housing for All, we saw delivery of over 1,700 affordable housing supports across our delivery partners from a standing start.
In 2023, over 4,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered via our delivery partners, an output which has more than doubled since the previous year, and representing an increase of 128% on 2022 activity, which highlights the significant progress achieved to date.
Data for affordable housing delivery is published on my Department's website up to Quarter 4 2023 with data currently being verified for Quarter 1 2024, which I expect my Department will be in a position to report on shortly.
We have securely laid the foundation that will allow us to continue to ramp up delivery for the coming years, as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded.
In addition, I have asked my Department to prepare a revised Affordable Housing Strategy to take account of the new housing targets later this year and to bring forward additional affordable delivery as quickly as possible.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 60.