Catherine Murphy
Question:411. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of the funding currently remaining under the fire services 2021-2025 capital programme. [36822/24]
View answerFire Service
Questions (411)
Written answers
The Fire Services Capital Programme forms part of my Department’s strategy to support local authorities in the development and maintenance of quality firefighting and rescue services. The Department provides capital funding for the construction and upgrading of priority fire service infrastructure and the procurement of fire appliances and specialised front-line emergency equipment.
I take a strong interest in the allocation of funding and development of fire service resourcing. That is why in December 2020 I announced a €61 million investment programme for our fire services.
The Fire Services Capital Programme provides local authorities the certainty that the priority projects identified, subject to final agreement on scope and design, will be brought to tender and construction stage, on a phased basis within the lifetime of the programme.
Covid-19 slowed progress in both the infrastructural and fleet support activities of the Fire Services Capital Programme. Significant supply chain issues and cost inflation in the construction sector has led to an increase in funding required to meet the costs of the intended Fire services Capital Programme of renewal and refurbishment.
Supply chain issues also affected the delivery of new fire appliance chassis with wait times extending to 24 months. Maintenance of a reliable front-line response fleet in optimal condition is a key national priority measure and a commitment to strengthening emergency response capacities. To mitigate against any deterioration in the front-line emergency fleet, I established a new Joint Procurement Framework agreement with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) for the supply of fire appliances. This second allocation of an additional 40 new fire appliances across our 27 fire authorities was announced in October 2023, at a total estimated cost of €20.8m.
To date, the Fire Services Programme 2021 – 2025 has supported fire services with €63.9 million in funding with profiling of an additional €16.3 million in funding to year end 2024, exceeding the initially announced level of investment support.
National Parks
Questions (412)
Catherine Murphy
Question:412. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the capital works scheduled to be carried out in national parks under the remit of his Department between now and the end of 2025, in tabular form. [36823/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is funded as part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Vote – Vote 34. Capital allocations for 2025 are therefore generally not available in advance of the Budget and the confirmation of funding availability for 2025 for the entire Department.
The attached table sets out a list of capital works projects to which funding was allocated in 2024. The majority of these projects are expected to complete in 2024. However, it should be noted that some projects may ultimately be deferred or delayed until 2025 for reasons not related to funding, for example, weather-related conditions. It is expected that additional works will be scheduled as the year progresses.
Derelict Sites
Questions (413)
Catherine Murphy
Question:413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated yield from an increase in derelict site levy to 33% in a full year. [36824/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
Based on the current legislative provisions under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, the derelict site levy due nationally to local authorities in 2023 at a rate of 7% of the market valuation of the properties listed on local authority derelict site registers was €5,619,898. Applying a rate of 33% in that year would have increased the amount due under the measure to €26,493,804.
Housing Schemes
Questions (414)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:414. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure by his Department on the first-home scheme in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total number of first home scheme equity loans drawn down each year, to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36832/24]
View answerWritten answers
The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible home buyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
In 2022, the Exchequer expenditure by my Department related to the Scheme was €40m, a further €40m in 2023 and €50m is allocated for the First Home Scheme for 2024.
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 and, as such, is responsible for First Home Scheme reporting.
Quarterly and annual updates are made available on the First Home Scheme website. The most recent report, that of Q2 2024, is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/aopbvmy5/fhs-q2-2024-update.pdf .
Furthermore, the First Home 2023 Annual Report, including information in relation to the number of homes in each local authority area supported under the scheme, is available here: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/annual-reports/ .
My Department also publishes quarterly data on overall affordable housing provision, with the delivery figures for First Home broken down by Local Authority area, available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery .
Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 367.
Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 386.
Wildlife Protection
Questions (417)
John Paul Phelan
Question:417. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to develop a new red grouse species action plan, noting the last plan was developed in 2013 and is now out of date; and to outline the process to be adopted by his Department in consulting on, and developing, new action plans for this or any other bird species. [36863/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Red Grouse Species Action Plan was published in 2013, on foot of the decline in the distribution/range of over 50% identified in the Red Grouse Survey (2006-08). The Plan involved the collaboration of several stakeholders, including the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, and set out the status of the red grouse in Ireland; habitat management options to support grouse across its range; relevant policies and legislation applicable to management of grouse at that time and pressures and threats to the population including from habitat losses and changes; recreation; predation and climate change.
The 2013 Plan had ambitions over the following decade with respect to goals and objectives to support red grouse. Since then, various local grouse projects supported by gun clubs and other stakeholders and wider Agri-environment Schemes (e.g. GLAS and ACRES) have implemented both targeted and more general habitat and predation management measures to support red grouse across a range of peatland habitats (e.g. blanket bog, raised bog, heath). Many of the actions set out in the Plan with respect to management of red grouse habitats are still relevant today.
The 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was published in January of this year and sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, that by 2050 “Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”. The 4th NBAP has an objective to act on the most urgent national conservation and restoration challenges and includes a commitment by the NPWS to publish and implement Species Action or Threat Response Plans for threatened or endangered species that are in unfavourable status or have declining trends.
Article 12 of the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) requires Member States to report periodically on the status and trends of bird species. The next Article 12 reports are due in July 2025. The Article 12 assessments will be used by the NPWS to help inform its priorities for species and habitats protection and restoration in the years following, including the potential for further Species Action Plans.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (418)
Patrick Costello
Question:418. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by his Department; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [36901/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Details of the studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department and currently underway, are set out in the table below, together with the scheduled completion date. All Island Research Observatory
[1] The review was completed by the scheduled date. The report of this review will include reference to recommendations in the C&AG report. The report of the Section 10 Review is expected to be published in Q4 after the publication of the C&AG Report.
[2] The study will continue to monitor the site to assess changes, post treatment.
Coastal Protection
Questions (419)
Cathal Crowe
Question:419. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is implementing the recommendations of the report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy; the estimated cost of implementation of the recommendations; and to provide a timeline for implementation. [36910/24]
View answerWritten answers
Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multifaceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Through the 15 recommendations set out in the scoping report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer terms will be put in place.
The strategy set out in the scoping report involves an integrated whole of government approach, with actions across many sectors and my Department is playing a key role in coordinating and driving this essential work programme. These recommendations can be categorised under three overarching headings, as follows:
Strategic Pillar 1 – Enhancing Governance and Capacity Building
Given the nature of the risks arising, the broad range of stakeholders with responsibilities to manage these risks, and the complex legal and regulatory framework within which this must be achieved, there is clearly a requirement for an integrated and co-ordinated response. Investment in capacity building across all key stakeholders is also necessary in order to ensure that the requisite skills and knowledge are available as required. This work is being progressed through the interdepartmental steering group which has met on three occasions since May 2024 and will meet again in October 2024, chaired by my Department. My Department is the policy lead, in particular co-ordinating the work across Government in responding to the challenge of coastal change.
Under this pillar, the steering group will consider the recommendations relating to the establishment of an advisory group of national and international experts, engagement at an EU and bilateral level with neighbouring jurisdictions to examine best practice and lessons learned and to update knowledge, how best to carry out an analysis of the relevant skills and resources available and required to implement the adopted policies and strategies for coastal change management, and how best to develop the programmes necessary to develop the required skill sets and resources nationally for coastal change management in the long-term.
Strategic Pillar 2 - Understanding the Risk and Identifying Potential Technical Risk Management Options The Office of Public Works (OPW) is acting as the national lead co-ordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints under this Pillar.
The scoping report recommends that a co-ordinated programme of monitoring and research, drawing from and contributing to EU and international research, is developed in order to ensure that the best available estimates of potential coastal change and associated hazards and risks are identified, refined and updated on an ongoing basis. Over the coming years, this expanding knowledge base will further inform the identification of possible technical options to manage such risks. The work undertaken further to the recommendations under this pillar will be led primarily by the OPW. Strategic Pillar 3 – Developing Management Responses to Coastal Change
At the heart of the challenge of coastal change risk management there is a need to develop a strategic coastal change management framework underpinned by policy direction and supports and informed by engagement with local communities. With respect to responding to coastal change local authorities are, generally, responsible for the management of matters associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective administrative areas. Other coastal risks such as to transport, agricultural, business, are addressed locally and through sectoral responses.
Under Pillar 2, the OPW is responsible for the technical aspects of assessing coastal change impacts, including co-ordinating the monitoring of physical coastal change, assessing and mapping areas at risk from coastal erosion, the development of a coastal change research programme and assessing potential coastal protection works for communities at risk, including the use of nature-based solutions. The OPW also has a role in funding local authorities to carry out minor works for coastal protection.
A number of the recommendations relating to coastal change management delivery, will result in the need to consider financial implications, and the steering group will be informed by the emerging evidence base in this regard, which will allow for recommendations to be made. My Department will report on the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Environment and Climate Change and to Government as it progresses, noting that the recommendations cover a range of short, medium and longer term actions.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (420)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:420. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure the 10% increase in the cap for the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme is available to all homeowners who have already been granted support under the scheme, in line with the established principle of retrospective payments and fairness to all. [36937/24]
View answerWritten answers
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
A review mechanism is provided within the 2022 Act, which provides for an increase or decrease the overall grant scheme cap (currently €420,000) a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act.
My Department received updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) that have been considered by the Expert Group I established. The Expert Group has recommended increases under the 2022 Act and I will bring a Memo to Government shortly to increase the current scheme cap for remediation options, ancillary grants and the grant rates.
I have engaged with Minister McConalogue on this matter and aim to bring a proposal to Cabinet soon.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (421)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:421. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the engagement between his Department officials and an organisation (details supplied) to establish further financial supports, zero-interest loans, and upfront payments to homeowners availing of the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme. [36938/24]
View answerWritten answers
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
I set up an Implementation Steering Group for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant scheme, comprising officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowner's Liaison Officer. This Group meets every 4-6 weeks and keeps the operation of the DCB Scheme under continuous review. The most recent engagement took place on 12 September 2024.
A possible issue whereby certain DCB homeowners might be having difficulties to access finance to begin works on their home - prior to receiving their grant payments - was brought to my Department’s attention late last year. The BPFI put forward an interim funding proposal which they believed could assist homeowners facing this type of funding challenge. It was effectively a low or zero interest rate loan product jointly administered by the banks and local authorities but 100% guaranteed by the State. Given the nature of the proposal (i.e. the request for a Sovereign Guarantee from the Government, and the requirement that Local Authorities refund the bank the full amount of the loan from a home owner’s approved grant payment before the grant is paid to the home owner), my Department has since had a number of discussions with both the BPFI and the Department of Finance on this matter.
The complex nature of the proposed loan product raises potential State Aid issues and would also require primary legislation to implement. The establishment of a proposed joint administrative infrastructure between the various banks and local authorities would also needs detailed consideration and would likely take some time to put in place.
In order to try to progress the proposal and to assist more generally with financial issues facing homeowners, my Department established a subgroup of the Implementation Group. Meetings were held in January and April this year with all key stakeholders present including representatives from Engineers Ireland, Insurance Ireland, the Department of Finance, local authorities and Homeowner Action Groups. The BPFI also attended these meetings and were active contributors to the discussions held.
Further engagement has since taken place between my officials and the BPFI to discuss financial issues affecting homeowners in July and most recently on 16 September. These meetings were informative and productive and my Department has asked the BPFI at that meeting to bring forward revised proposals with a view to removing some complexity from the proposed scheme, most notably the requirement for a Sovereign Guarantee. A further meeting is planned in the coming weeks.
Separately, working with the subgroup, my Department made changes to the DCB Scheme’s administration to allow the earlier release of funds to homeowners so as to address the specific concerns that homeowners expressed at the sub-group meetings with regard to the facility to draw down an earlier grant payment in respect of professional fees so that they can be paid by homeowners. These changes were notified to local authorities on 24 May 2024 and are now operational.
Community Development Projects
Questions (422)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:422. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 13 June 2024, for an update on the publication date for a guide to the provision of allotments and community gardens by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36945/24]
View answerWritten answers
In terms of planning, providing, enabling and supporting allotments, legislation is in place in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities.
Identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority when considering and making the plan, while the provision of allotments or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.
The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines, which I issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) in January 2024 refer to Community Gardens and Allotments as ‘plots of land which are made available (usually by a local authority) to community groups or individuals for the cultivation of vegetables and plants. Section 4.4 (iv) of the Guidelines - Public Open Space - states that all statutory development plans should include a strategy for the provision of an integrated hierarchy of multifunctional public open spaces and corridors across the plan area that meet the needs of the planned population, are accessible, provide for the recreational needs of the planned population and create space for nature and ecosystem services.
The Guidelines also state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context) and to conserve and restore nature and biodiversity.
Policy and Objective 5.1 - Public Open Space – of the Guidelines provides that statutory development include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments with a requirement in the development plan for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances.
Further guidance for local authorities on the provision of allotments and community gardens will be progressed subject to the priorities, work programme and commitments of the Department, in addition to resource availability.
Following engagement with members of the Oireachtas at both pre-legislative scrutiny and Dáil Committee Stage, the Planning and Development Bill 2023 has been expanded to cater for both allotments and community gardens. This was achieved by including reference to ‘community gardens’ as well as allotments in the appropriate sections as well as adding, for the first time, a definition of Community Garden which reads as follows: “community garden” means an area of land that—(a) is let or available for letting from a local authority to members of the local community for collective gardening purposes, and(b) is used or intended for use—(i) wholly or mainly for either or both of the following: (I) the production of vegetables or fruit mainly for consumption by members of the local community; (II) the propagation of plants for environmental or decorative purposes in the local community,and (ii) otherwise than for profit.”
Housing Schemes
Questions (423)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:423. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on the cost-rental tenant-in-situ and the tenant-in-situ programmes, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36958/24]
View answerWritten answers
Both the Tenant in-Situ and Cost Rental Tenant in-Situ schemes support households who are at risk of homelessness.
For 2023 and 2024, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for Local Authorities to acquire 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have primarily focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy. Local authorities take appropriate steps to ensure that their first response will be to support households to try to prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with a notice of termination by their landlord. It is important to acknowledge that the Tenant in Situ scheme has been a key measure in preventing homelessness and as such has mitigated such impacts for many households.
The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) scheme was introduced on 1 April 2023 for tenants in private rental homes who are not in receipt of social housing supports but are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property.
The Local Authority conducts the initial assessment for eligibility of the tenant for this scheme and refers potential cases to the Housing Agency, which is responsible for administering and managing the scheme on behalf of my Department, pending further policy development over the longer term, with the intention of transitioning these homes to the standard Cost Rental model over time and to move it to being an Approved Housing Body led scheme. I am informed that the Housing Agency have engaged with more than 190 landlords across all Local Authority areas, with a view to the purchase of those homes.
Comprehensive data on social and affordable housing is published on my Department's website up to Quarter 1 2024, including completed acquisitions: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .
Housing Schemes
Questions (424, 425)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:424. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on the retrofit programme, broken down by local authority, with details of the numbers completed and the plan to retrofit all homes in State stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36959/24]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:425. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will put in place a solar panel support scheme for local authority tenants, administered by councils where the council takes on the upfront costs and tenants pay back over a period of time while their bills reduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36964/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together.
The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) aims to retrofit a local authority home to a BER of B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme out to 2030.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2023 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020, the details of which are found below. A further 674 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/#
Each year the target number of units and funding provided under the EERP are subject to the funding availability as part of the National Development Plan and annual Estimates process. The 2024 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support to €90 million to retrofit 2,500 properties. Local authorities have received their individual allocations and work is underway in that regard.
The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit, ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard. Works eligible under my Department's revised Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. These funded measures achieve B2 or Cost Optimal equivalent (BER) as identified by the 2018 Cost Optimal calculations carried out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1 kWp solar PV for small social homes with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings. Furthermore, under the Microgeneration Support Scheme led by Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Solar PV is available for all domestic premises.
Work in relation to the 2024 programme is ongoing. Full details in relation to the 2024 Energy Efficiency Programme will be published on my Department’s website early in 2025.
Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 424.
Fire Safety
Questions (426)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:426. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action being taken to ensure that owner management companies are fulfilling their duty with regard to their responsibility to have fire safety defects addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36991/24]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibilities of Owners’ Management Companies (OMC) to their members are set out in the Multi-Unit Developments (MUDS) Act 2011.
In relation to developments where concerns over fire safety issues arise, when a building is constructed and occupied, statutory responsibility for safety is assigned under section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003, to the ‘person having control’ of the building. The person having control is required to take reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons in the event of fire. In multi-unit developments, the "person having control" is most often the OMC. Consequently, the OMC has responsibility to be transparent and active about any fire safety concerns or defects.
The Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of eligible emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes has been in place since December 2023. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment OMCs via the Housing Agency’s website. In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 31 August 2024, applications from 171 OMCs have been received and validated, representing a total of 17,206 residential units spread across 27 local authority areas.
The Interim Remediation Scheme is the result of a significant period of consultation with homeowners' representatives. I have engaged with them regularly on this issue throughout the last 18 months.
This week I am seeking government approval for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 to support the remediation of apartments and duplexes with relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes with such defects that occurred during construction.
This will complement the interim measures that the Government has already put in place.
The way in which the interim and future statutory schemes for construction defects in apartments and duplexes have, and are being designed, takes account of the evolving nature of the MUD sector and of the challenges being faced by OMCs. I am satisfied that the schemes are and will continue to be practicable within the provisions of the MUDS Act 2011.
Housing Policy
Questions (427)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:427. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the housing assistance payments are in respect of three kids and more; the reason it does not increase for any child after the third; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37029/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The limits applicable are related to the specific household and the rental market in the area and so vary significantly across each local authority.? Section 43 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, gives the Minister the power to determine the appropriate amount of rent for qualified households, where the household class is not already prescribed for in the HAP regulations. Where the household composition is not covered by the regulations, housing authorities can apply to my Department for a Section 43 determination. This is mainly used for larger families.
Additionally, 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.
Rental Sector
Questions (428)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:428. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of rental inspections completed by local authorities, by county, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37031/24]
View answerWritten answers
The standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies.
These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations, with few exemptions. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection obligations. The number of private rental inspections undertaken by local authorities rose to circa 49,000 in 2022 and an all-time-high of over 63,500 in 2023.
Data for 2023 in respect of the level of inspection and enforcement activity by each local authority is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/#private-rented-inspections
Inspection data is submitted to my Department on a quarterly basis. Provisional data in respect of quarters 1 and 2 in 2024, is as set out in the following table:
|
Local Authorities |
Total Inspections Q1 – Q2 2024 |
|
Carlow County Council |
250 |
|
Cavan County Council |
169 |
|
Clare County Council |
542 |
|
Cork City Council |
8,759 |
|
Cork County Council |
1,636 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,001 |
|
Dublin City Council |
3,985 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
2,579 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,756 |
|
Galway City Council |
263 |
|
Galway County Council |
870 |
|
Kerry County Council |
667 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1,065 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
813 |
|
Laois County Council |
490 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
303 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
872 |
|
Longford County Council |
170 |
|
Louth County Council |
818 |
|
Mayo County Council |
756 |
|
Meath County Council |
2,638 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
108 |
|
Offaly County Council |
72 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
489 |
|
Sligo County Council |
544 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,411 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
605 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
2,463 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
319 |
|
Wexford County Council |
442 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
223 |
|
TOTALS |
39,078 |
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (429)
Niamh Smyth
Question:429. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a visa application in relation to their PPS number (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36370/24]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a Personal Public Service Number from the person concerned has not yet been received by my Department.
Information on the requirements to apply for a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is available on www.gov.ie . Over 18s, residing in Ireland must complete an online application, after which they will be called for an in-person interview at one of my department' offices. They will need to provide identity documents and evidence of their need for a PPSN and address.
Queries relating to visas are a matter for the Department of Justice.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (430)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:430. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plan to address the significant difference in earnings between those involved in the JI participation scheme and their section 39 community worker colleagues, who carry out the same duties, due to the latter’s higher starting rate of pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36000/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, Job Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme which was designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities.
The Department provides wage grant funding for JI team leaders and JI participants along with a grant contribution towards the running costs of the scheme in respect of administration, materials, overheads, training, and development. Recruitment to the JI scheme closed in November 2004, with participants who were on the scheme at that time having a right to remain on the scheme until they reach the State pension age of 66.
Participants on JI are employed full time by JI managing agents for 39 hours per week. Budget 2024 increased the JI weekly participant rate from €495 to €519 from January 2024. The JI rate benefits from any budgetary increase in the relevant social welfare payments along with any increase in the top up payment for participants on employment support schemes. JI participants can avail of other benefits afforded to Social Welfare recipients, such as the retention of their medical card and payment of the annual Christmas Bonus. In this context, JI participants received the annual Christmas Bonus in December 2023 and a Cost-of-Living double week payment in January 2024.
While some participants on JI are employed in organisations that also have a contract with the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, their JI employment is not subject to regulation under this section. Service agreements under Section 39 are in place between the HSE and all service providers, which clearly set out the obligations of the organisation, the services for which they are engaged by the HSE, and the funding that has been agreed. Any JI participant employed by the organisations are on a separate contract and subject to the wage grant funding arrangements as set out above.
JI currently caters for around 308 participants who work in 37 JI schemes.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.