Paul Murphy
Question:247. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans for the next overseas national famine commemoration day. [38949/24]
View answerCommemorative Events
Questions (247)
Written answers
My Department works with the Department of Foreign Affairs to identify possible locations for the International Famine Commemoration. There have been twelve international commemorations of the Great Irish Famine to date. Since the first international commemoration in Toronto and Quebec in 2009, events have also been held in Australia, Canada and the UK.
As well as the International Famine Commemoration my Department works with the Department of Foreign Affairs to identify and support other opportunities for our Diaspora to remember the Great Irish Famine.
In August this year, my Department supported an event that marked one of the remarkable humanitarian efforts that occurred during the time. The Eternal Heart Sculpture was unveiled at the Choctaw Capitol in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, USA and this is a memorial marking the significant relationship between the Irish people and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. It was commissioned to mark the 175th anniversary of the gifting of $170 (a value of several thousand dollars today) by the Choctaw Nation for famine relief in Ireland in 1847.
The sculpture was officially unveiled on Friday, 30 August 2024, on the Choctaw Capitol Grounds in Tuskahoma, by Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation and Minister of State Thomas Byrne. The commission is a joint venture between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Choctaw Nation’s Chata Foundation. It will remain a permanent symbol of the enduring and meaningful friendship between our two nations.
My Department will continue to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs to identify a feasible location for the next International Famine Commemoration and to also support other interesting and engaging opportunities for our diaspora to reflect and remember one of the greatest tragedies in Irish history.
Sports Funding
Questions (248)
Mattie McGrath
Question:248. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any supports available for groups who have received sports capital funding to assist with the expensive professional services fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38988/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 25 September, Minister Martin and I announced €230 million in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
The guide to making an application under this current (2023) round, which is available on my Department's website, confirms that professional fees are not be funded.
In line with previous rounds, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund and the terms and conditions applying.
State Bodies
Questions (249)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:249. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names of the State agencies under the remit of her Department that have yet to issue her Department with their most recent audited financial accounts and annual report, in tabular form. [39042/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information in relation to to 2023 Accounts and Annual Reports for the bodies and agencies under my aegis that have yet to issue my Department with their most recent audited financial accounts or annual report is detailed in the table below.
|
State Agency |
2023 Audited Financial Accounts Issued to Department |
2023 Annual Report Issued to Department |
|
National Concert Hall |
No |
No |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
No |
No |
|
National Library of Ireland |
No |
No |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Yes |
No |
|
North-South Language Body (Foras na Gaeilge and Ulster-Scots Agency) |
No |
No |
|
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga |
No |
Yes |
|
Screen Ireland |
No |
No |
|
Sport Ireland |
No |
Yes |
|
Tourism Ireland |
No |
No |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
No |
Yes |
The timelines for the preparation and submission of annual reports and accounts of these bodies is set out in the relevant legislation relating to each body. I am advised that this work is ongoing in the usual manner and it is expected that those most recent audited financial accounts and annual reports currently outstanding will be submitted to the Department in the usual manner following completion of the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General or other appointed auditors as appropriate.
Official Engagements
Questions (250)
Matt Carthy
Question:250. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the contact she or any Minister in her Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39080/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I wish to advise the Deputy that neither I nor any Minister in my Department, in their capacities as Ministers for Sport and the Gaeltacht, have had any contact with any Minister or official in the government of Israel since the establishment of my Department.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (251)
Catherine Murphy
Question:251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she, her special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39142/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that neither I or my special advisory teams, or senior officials from my Department have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024.
Sports Funding
Questions (252)
Michael Lowry
Question:252. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a detailed response on the reasons why a grant application for a sports club (details supplied) was refused; when this GAA club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification that is required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39148/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 25 September, Minister Martin and I announced €230 million in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
The majority of invalid applications failed on the grounds that the applicant failed to provide the correct documentation when applying or when given a second chance to do so. Unsuccessful applicants will be sent an email in the coming week with details of why their application was deemed invalid or why the majority of their grant sought was rejected. Those applicants will also be given the opportunity to appeal the decision if they believe that the Department has made an error in its assessment.
Department officials will be available to assist applicants with any clarifications required if they wish to proceed with an appeal.
Housing Schemes
Questions (253)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:253. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the pricing of homes under the affordable purchase scheme is based on an open market valuation, rather than the actual costs of delivery of the home; and to explain what happens to the portion of the affordable housing fund in cases where the cost of delivery is lower than the open market valuation. [38494/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) was introduced under the Affordable Housing Act 2021. It assists first-time buyers purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount.
Section 12(2) of the Act outlines that the purchase of an affordable dwelling shall be facilitated by the means of a contribution, which is the difference between the market value of the affordable dwelling and the price paid by the eligible applicant.
Section 14(1) of the Act provides that the market value in relation to an affordable dwelling, means the price for which the affordable dwelling might reasonably be expected to be sold on the open market. By so doing, this reflects the value of the asset to the purchaser at any given time.
The Affordable Housing (No.2) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 21 of 2023) prescribes how the minimum purchase price to be paid by an eligible applicant for a dwelling under an affordable dwelling arrangement should be calculated and sets the level of affordable dwelling contribution, stating that it should not be less than 5 percent and not greater than 40 percent of the market value of the dwelling concerned. Within these parameters, the actual upfront price paid by the purchaser is determined by the household’s purchasing power.
The cost at which new homes are delivered by local authorities for affordable purchase purposes is dependent on a range of variables, such as the location, the scale of the development, the size and type of the homes involved and the level of subsidy available from the Affordable Housing Fund to offset against the all-in cost.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available through my Department to assist local authorities to make homes available at an upfront discount by way of a grant subsidy towards the cost of developing affordable purchase homes. Generally, the minimum sales price of a home offered by a local authority for affordable purchase is determined by offsetting the level of subsidy available against the development cost of the homes.
Section 20 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 outlines how certain moneys associated with an affordable dwelling arrangement including the equity and redemptions, received by housing authorities should be accounted for. Any capital receipts that accrue to a local authority from redemptions or prices paid by purchasers in excess of the minimum sales price, i.e. development cost less subsidy, must be ring-fenced and accounted for and deployed to support affordable housing delivery.
Housing Schemes
Questions (254, 266)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:254. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the rules of the tenant purchase scheme where one tenant has been a tenant for over ten years and the other tenant has not. [38508/24]
View answer
Robert Troy
Question:266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reduce the timeframe for which a person must be in receipt of housing supports in order to qualify for the tenant purchase scheme. [38763/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 266 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses which are available for sale under the scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and Housing (Sale of Local Authority House) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.
Changes to the Scheme took effect from 29 January 2024 with the introduction of the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2023. Amongst the changes were, in the case of joint tenant applications, only one tenant must now be in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years in order to qualify, as determined by the local authority in accordance with the rules of the scheme. This is a change from all tenants having to have been in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years previously. Social housing supports include HAP, RAS or 10 years tenancy of a local authority dwelling, or a combination of these supports.
My Department monitors schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, I can advise that there are no plans to further reduce the timeframe for which a person must be in receipt of social housing supports in order to qualify for the scheme at this time.
Departmental Policies
Questions (255)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:255. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to recent media comments he made in County Louth, whether the Government has now reviewed its position on the matter and now plan to provide city status for Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38516/24]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to my reply to Question No. 54 of 25 September 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.
Departmental Policies
Questions (256)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:256. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans the Government has to appoint a ‘city manager’ for Drogheda, further to recent media comments he made in County Louth; the engagement or consultation that has taken place to date on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38517/24]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to my reply to Question No. 242 of 24 September 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.
Housing Schemes
Questions (257)
Bernard Durkan
Question:257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which sufficient funds and staff are available to each local authority throughout the country, including Kildare County Council, to process all applications for housing adaptation grants and the disabled persons grant scheme early, as opposed to the current long waiting times being experienced by persons who are undergoing difficulties obtaining the necessary grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38540/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes including staffing, assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department advises local authorities annually that, as far as practicable, a percentage of the allocation under the schemes should be ring fenced in respect of any emergency applications which might arise under these schemes during the course of the year. Therefore all local authorities manage their schemes to ensure access to the grants programme is maintained to the extent possible throughout the year in the highest priority cases and further information in this regard would be available directly from the local authorities
My Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity and my Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year. My Department encourages all local authorities to ensure all applications on hand are processed to the degree possible for final payment to ensure optimal spend on their annual allocation. Where additional Exchequer funding becomes available, the Council must provide the 20% match funding from their own resources therefore the Council is also managing the scheme within the resources allocated at the local level.
On the 26 September 2024, Minister O'Brien and I published the Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Amongst the recommendations included in the Report are a proposed increase in the grant limits by over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% as well as number of other measures in relation to the means test.
The Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
gov.ie - Ministers O’Brien and Dillon announce reforms following review of the Housing Adaptation Grants (www.gov.ie)
My Department will now proceed to implement the review recommendations through bringing forward a statutory instrument, as urgently as possible, for my consideration and signature and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with the aim of introducing a revised scheme in Quarter 1 of 2025.
My Department also provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is also the responsibility of local authorities.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (258)
Michael Ring
Question:258. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed increase in the maximum grant rate under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme will be applied retrospectively to all homeowners who have engaged with the scheme to include those who have started building their homes and those who have completed them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38577/24]
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 have recommended changes to the current scheme cap for remediation options, ancillary grants and the grant. I will bring a Memo to Government shortly on the matter.
The 2022 Act provides that any change in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. Extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the 2022 Act and I will be bringing a proposal to Government to give effect to this policy intention.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (259, 269)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:259. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subheading A.16 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38599/24]
View answerDarren O'Rourke
Question:269. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subheading heading A.16 of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38819/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 269 together.
The Gross Total allocations for my Department are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services (also known as the REV) which are published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and are available at gov.ie - The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service (www.gov.ie)
In 2024 an allocation of €90 million was provided to subhead A.16. There is no further breakdown of programmes under the A.16 subhead with all the funding allocated to the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
Electoral Process
Questions (260, 261)
Michael Ring
Question:260. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of spoiled votes in each electoral area in County Mayo in the 2024 local elections, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/24]
View answerMichael Ring
Question:261. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of ballot papers that did not have the required indented perforation on them in each electoral area in County Mayo in the 2024 local elections, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38639/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
The Local Elections Regulations 1995 provide that a Local Authority Returning Officer, appointed by the Chief Executive of a local authority, is responsible for the conduct of a local election. This includes ascertaining and declaring the results of an election, and furnishing to the local authority a return of the persons elected to be members of the local authority. The returning officer is responsible for ruling on the validity of a ballot paper. The results of the 2024 local elections for Mayo County Council in each local authority area are available on the Mayo County Council website at the following link www.mayo.ie/en-ie/your-council/governance-and-democracy/local-elections/local-election-2024. The published results include the number of invalid ballot papers in each local electoral area.
My Department compiles and publishes a report after local elections which sets out the results in each local electoral area and contains a detailed statistical analysis of the results based on returns received from all local authority returning officers. This report includes a breakdown of invalid ballot papers at local authority level based on the reason for their invalidity. The report is currently being compiled by my Department and will be published in due course.
Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 260.
Housing Schemes
Questions (262)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:262. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the present closing date for the vacant house grant, the croí cónaithe scheme, in view of delays in getting work carried out due to delays due to planning issues, scarcity of architects and other professionals and builders; the discretion local authorities have in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38640/24]
View answerWritten answers
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. The review has now been completed and I am now considering its contents. The matter of the timeline for completion of works has been considered as part of the review.
Local Authorities
Questions (263)
Noel Grealish
Question:263. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a degree (BSc) in construction management, combined with an assistant engineer qualification from a body (details supplied) does not meet the educational requirements for the position of executive engineer with a local authority; the reason any type of engineering degree (BEng) such as chemical, aeronautical, or other engineering disciplines, is acceptable as the required qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38641/24]
View answerWritten answers
Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the Minister with the power to declare qualifications of such classes and descriptions as he or she thinks fit for a specified employment under a local authority or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade.
The declared qualifications for engineering posts in the local government sector specify that a candidate must hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering. The recruitment and filling of posts in the local authority sector is undertaken both by individual local authorities and the Public Appointments Service depending on the level and tenure of the post concerned. Section 160(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that a person is not to be appointed to any employment under a local authority for which qualifications are for the time being declared under section 160 unless he or she possesses those qualifications.
My Department undertakes reviews of declared qualifications as necessary and in April this year a Working Group was established for the purpose of reviewing the existing suite of engineering qualifications in the local government sector and to propose changes to those qualifications where necessary.
To date the Working Group has undertaken an in-depth analysis and review of the engineering qualifications through engagement with local authorities, key stakeholders and other interested parties. The review of the engineering qualifications is being progressed as a priority.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Questions (264)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:264. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and his officials in the National Parks and Wildlife Service will confirm that pike are an invasive fish species in Lough Corrib special area of conservation as clearly documented by Inland Fisheries Ireland in recent appropriate assessment screenings for stock management conducted under the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38665/24]
View answerWritten answers
While my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for legislation and policy around invasive alien species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s rivers and streams together with 128,000 lake hectares.
Pike has been present in Ireland for hundreds of years and is considered to be a naturalised species which is widespread across the country. There are no plans at this time to add pike to to the national list of invasive alien species.
However, the NPWS regularly liaises with IFI on matters relating to aquatic species. While it is not a listed invasive alien species, the NPWS will continue to monitor the situation.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (265, 280)
John Paul Phelan
Question:265. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the long-proposed updating of the planning guidelines for wind turbine development; if he plans to make the new rules statutory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/24]
View answer
Michael Moynihan
Question:280. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the new guidelines for wind farms to be published and enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39150/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 280 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC in respect of its environmental noise remit, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
In addition to work on the noise aspects of the Guidelines, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is expected to be enacted in the coming weeks, and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
As part of the review process, and in line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft Guidelines. As part of the SEA process, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Guidelines. Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
With regard to the finalisation of the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, the Climate Action Plan 2024 - Annex of Actions sets out a timeline of Q1 2025 for publication of the final updated Guidelines. My Department is working towards meeting this commitment, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the National Planning Framework. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended or, subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 254.
Housing Policy
Questions (267)
Ivana Bacik
Question:267. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied at the adequacy of existing tenant in situ regulations; and his plans to revise the ACG in respect of new acquisitions. [38803/24]
View answerWritten answers
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).
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes across the build acquisition and lease delivery streams.
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. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2024, setting out details of these arrangements.
Each local authority has been provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2024 with additional headroom of 50% on the allocation being available under delegated sanction. Additional guidance in this regard issued to local authorities in June.
Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to acquisitions within their allocation + 50%, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) issued by my Department. Local authorities regularly acquire properties that require repairs, however the cost of acquiring the property and relevant refurbishment costs must fall within the ACGs. An independent valuation must also be obtained for each acquisition, in line with established practice for local authorities for social housing acquisitions. The current Acquisition Cost Guidelines were updated and issued to local authorities in April 2024. These guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department on a periodic basis.
The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition by housing authorities, of second-hand properties for the provision of social housing. These guidelines reference lower and upper cost ranges, along with an average/benchmark cost, which is representative of the average range of current (at the time of issue) prices across the local authority area.
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.