Written Answers Nos. 256-280
256. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by his Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on his Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40217/24]
View answerThe information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Consultant |
Purpose of Consultancy |
Expenditure 2023 |
Expenditure 2024 |
|
Irish Centre for Diversity |
Diversity Policy Development |
15,990 |
|
|
Risk and Resilience |
Audit Support Services for Business Continuity Management Audit |
19,500 |
|
|
Waystone Compliance Solutions |
Audit Support for cyber reviews |
46,068 |
|
|
AECOM Ireland Ltd |
Cost Optimal Study for Energy Performance of Buildings Directive |
127,549 |
44,659 |
|
MITCHELL MCDERMOTT CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS LTD |
Residential Cost Study conducted under Action 19.1 of Housing for All. |
68,434 |
|
|
WS Atkins |
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) |
30,627 |
|
|
ESRI |
River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) - Research on behaviour, Water |
46,947 |
13,053 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Nitrates Action Programme: NIS (AA) and SEA |
104,231 |
|
|
UCC |
Policy development and guidance for 'out of season' bathing |
22,718 |
5680 |
|
OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LTD ( CONSULTING ENGINEERS) |
Evaluation of the applicability of the Water Reuse Regulations in Ireland and Reporting to the EU Commission under the Water Reuse Regulations |
30,651 |
|
|
McCarthy Keville O'Sullivan Ltd T/A MKO |
Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Coastal and Transitional Waters in Ireland |
49,200 |
|
|
Institute of Public Administration |
Research and report on local authority strategic policy committees |
62,900 |
|
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Guidelines on Offshore Wind Energy Marine Planning Guideline and Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAP) Guidelines - effects of a plan or project (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. These sites are protected by National and European Law. |
33,748 |
|
|
OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LTD ( CONSULTING ENGINEERS) |
AA Sustainable Compact Settlement Guidelines |
42,553 |
|
|
Land Use Consultants Ltd |
Strategic Environmental Assessment on Sustainable Compact Settlement Guidelines |
41,804 |
5,872 |
|
ROUGHAN & O'DONOVAN LTD |
Water Framework Directive guidance SEA |
25,443 |
|
|
Land Use Consultants Ltd |
SEA Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines |
8,940 |
|
|
RPS Consultancy Engineers Ltd. |
Environmental Assessment re National Planning Framework First Revision |
34,185 |
82,939 |
|
Version 1 |
Development of business case and plan for the Observations Processing and Storage Project |
59,170 |
|
|
Dr. Carol Westrik, Westrik Consultancy |
World Heritage Tentative List Review |
2,300 |
700 |
|
Jane Jackson |
World Heritage Tentative List Review |
1,598 |
|
|
Dr. William P Megarry |
World Heritage Tentative List Review |
1,300 |
|
|
Dr. Jill Alison Sheridan Skinner |
World Heritage Tentative List Review |
1,560 |
|
|
University College Dublin |
Expertise relating to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |
51,014 |
|
|
KRC Ecological Ltd. |
Public Consultation Engagement process for proposed UNESCO Biosphere for Lough Ree & environs. |
42,172 |
|
|
Atlantic Technological University Galway (ATU) |
Develop HS catchments RBAP scheme (and guidance) |
18,696 |
|
|
Dr. Brendan Dunford |
Develop HS catchments RBAP scheme (and guidance) |
2,500 |
|
|
JBA CONSULTING ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS LTD |
Land potential assessment mapping |
14,968 |
23,079 |
|
CBEC ECO ENGINEERING UK LTD |
Hydromorological assessment and restoration plan. |
16,297 |
32,594 |
|
Donal Daly |
Development of catchment strategic plans |
1,170 |
|
|
Crowe |
Internal financial control framework. |
38,745 |
|
|
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Advise on the feasibility of using an SPV to alleviate high debt levels in the AHB Sector |
49,200 |
|
|
MITCHELL MCDERMOTT CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS LTD |
Examination of overall development costs across the four building types identified in the Residential Construction Cost report. |
69,126 |
|
|
HAWKINS BROWN IRELAND LTD |
Standardised Design Approaches Study |
98,390 |
|
|
OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LTD ( CONSULTING ENGINEERS) |
Develop recommendations to promote the use of Mass Engineered Timber (MET). |
38,130 |
|
|
HavElan |
Develop and draft OSPAR Guidance on the interpretation of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) |
34,440 |
|
|
AQUAFACT INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED |
Environmental guidelines to support the implementation of environmental targets under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the OSPAR Convention for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) |
36,014 |
|
|
Expleo Technology Ireland Ltd |
Development of a Quality Management System (QMS) in the organisation. |
46,740 |
|
|
Dr Mona O'Rourke |
Provision of Community Heritage Facilitator Services for Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Property |
29,804 |
|
|
University College Dublin |
Expertise relating to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |
26,260 |
|
|
Crowe Advisory Ireland Ltd |
Report on Audit processes as regulator of Enhanced Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS). |
29,520 |
|
|
Peter Stafford |
Review of implementation of Local Authority and Regional Assembly Corporate Plans 2019-2024 |
28,782 |
257. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will intervene to ensure that the application made by an organisation (details supplied) under the multi-annual rural water programme 2024-2026 is prioritised on the basis that it has grown far beyond the scale it was initially established for and now also includes a medical centre and sewage treatment plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40227/24]
View answerIn January this year, I launched the next cycle of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) for the period 2024 to 2026.
The MARWP is the main funding stream providing capital funding to address the challenges faced by Group Water Schemes in maintaining, renewing and developing their systems and networks.
The overall purpose of the MARWP, and other grants available under the Rural Water Programme, is to provide the necessary funding to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services relied upon by rural dwellers, where public water services are not available.
An Expert Panel is currently looking at the specifics of each funding request received under the MARWP and is tasked with making recommendations on the suitability of individual projects for funding. Under an independent Chairperson, the Panel’s membership includes experts from the key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector.
I expect to receive the recommendations of the Panel and approve funding in the coming weeks.
258. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline policy and define clear planning guidelines with regard to future planning applications that may be submitted on national routes. [40245/24]
View answerNational policy in relation to the provision of access to national roads is set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) which were issued by the Minister under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Section 28 requires that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Act.
The Guidelines seek to protect the capacity, efficiency and safety of national roads and their strategic transport function through both the plan-making and development management processes. This approach is also reflected in the National Planning Framework, and the three Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, as well as at county development plan level, across the Country.
Section 1.5 of the Guidelines indicates that the creation of new accesses and the intensification of existing accesses to national roads gives rise to the generation of additional turning movements that introduce additional safety risks to road users. Therefore, planning authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) must guard against a proliferation of roadside developments accessing national roads to which speed limits greater than 50-60 km/h apply as part of the overall effort to reduce road fatalities and injuries.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, section 2.6 of the Guidelines includes provisions governing exceptional circumstances where planning authorities may identify stretches of national roads where a less restrictive approach to development may be applied. This should occur as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan and having consulted and having regard to the advice of TII.
The Guidelines indicate that a less restrictive approach may be adopted in the case of developments of national and regional strategic importance which by their nature are most appropriately located outside urban areas, and where the locations concerned have specific characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the developments proposed. The Guidelines set out ten matters to be taken into account by planning authorities and TII when considering whether a proposal relates to a development of national and regional strategic importance.
In addition, a less restrictive approach may also apply to areas where development may require new accesses to certain lightly-trafficked sections of national secondary routes serving structurally weak and remote communities where a balance needs to be struck between the important transport functions of such roads and supporting the social and economic development of these areas.
Where planning authorities wish to identify an area / national road where the foregoing less restrictive approaches could apply in a development plan they must:
(a) Consult with TII at the earliest practicable stage in reviewing the development plan on the identification of areas and developments that the planning authority considers represent exceptional circumstances, taking the criteria specified in the guidelines into account; and
(b) Ensure that any submissions from TII have been fully and properly considered within the process of preparing the plan.
Planning authorities should adopt a collaborative and evidence-based approach to this work, mindful of their separate statutory obligation to notify TII of all planning applications to which Article 28(1)(k) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 relates.
In considering this matter, planning authorities should be mindful that the criteria specified in the Guidelines are informed by road safety considerations and protecting the strategic transport function of the national roads network, which is essential for interurban and inter-regional traffic, tourism, the movement of freight, public transport and the emergency services.
The Guidelines are clear that the planning system must ensure that the strategic function of national roads is maintained by limiting the extent of development that would give rise to the generation of short trip traffic on national roads or alternatively by ensuring that the trip demand from future development will primarily be catered for on the non-national network.
Accordingly, the Guidelines provide clear policy direction to planning authorities in relation to development proposed to be accessed from national roads, and the process to be followed before an exemption in relation to access to national roads is included in a development plan.
259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding that will be allocated for the capital assistance scheme in Budget 2025. [40253/24]
View answerThe Abridged Estimates for Public Services (AEV) are published as part of the Expenditure Report with the expenditure allocations for Votes limited to programme level only. As such the subhead allocations are draft only and may be subject to change.
The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services (REV) will be published by the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and & Reform later this year. The REV provides considerably more detail than the AEV including complete subhead level allocations and performance metrics. The REV also forms the basis for parliamentary scrutiny of allocated expenditure.
The finalised subhead allocations will be provided at that point.
260. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding that will be allocated for the capital advance leasing facility in Budget 2025. [40254/24]
View answerThe Abridged Estimates for Public Services (AEV) are published as part of the Expenditure Report with the expenditure allocations for Votes limited to programme level only. As such the subhead allocations are draft only and may be subject to change.
The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services (REV) will be published by the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and & Reform later this year. The REV provides considerably more detail than the AEV including complete subhead level allocations and performance metrics. The REV also forms the basis for parliamentary scrutiny of allocated expenditure.
The finalised subhead allocations will be provided at that point.
261. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing new build social housing delivery above current targets per 250-unit increments based on current delivery composition per assisted housing body and local authorities, in tabular form. [40267/24]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period to 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. Increased delivery of social housing is a key Housing for All objective and is supported through a range of funding streams delivered via local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). The number of completed new build social homes, and the number in the pipeline, continues to grow year-on-year, with new construction projects added to the pipeline regularly.
My Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis. In order to provide an appropriate benchmark to use as tool to inform the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage, my Department periodically issues Basic Unit Costs (BUCs), for each local authority area.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform BUC levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the four stage approval processes for each unit type, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
The figures below are based on the BUCs and set out the estimated cost of new build social homes delivered via the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) in increments of 250 homes. Data from the Capital Assistance Scheme or Capital Advance Lease Facility, or Part V delivery is not included.
|
No. Units |
Estimated Cost New Build SHIP Construction |
Estimated Cost New Build SHIP Turnkey |
|
250 |
€107,831,315 |
€79,344,665 |
|
500 |
€215,662,630 |
€158,689,330 |
|
750 |
€323,493,945 |
€238,033,994 |
|
1,000 |
€431,325,260 |
€317,378,659 |
262. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing cost rental delivery through the cost rental equity loan above current targets per 250-unit increments, in tabular form. [40268/24]
View answerThe Government has targeted delivery of 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and via the First Home scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding is available to Approved Housing Bodies who provide cost rental homes. Overall State funding under CREL provides up 55% of capital costs, of which up to 20% can be equity, on a sliding scale as necessary for viability at appropriate rent levels.
The cost of delivering new homes is dependent on a range of variables, such as the location, the scale of the development and the size and type of the homes involved, together with the cost of labour, financing and materials applied to the project in question and ongoing maintenance and management fees.
Using the average cost to the Exchequer for delivery of CREL units in 2023 and based on CREL funding of 55% of capital costs, the estimated cost is set out in the following table:
|
Cost per Unit to the Exchequer |
Cost to deliver 250 |
|
€209,000 |
€52,250,000 |
To note these are estimated figures and the actual site- and project-specific costings for a particular number of additional units would need to be provided to give an accurate cost of increasing delivery above current targets.
263. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing first home scheme delivery above current targets per 250-unit increments, in tabular form. [40269/24]
View answerThe 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 homebuyers, 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.
The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall commitment of €680m. However, as the First Home Scheme is demand driven, funds will be drawn down as and when required.
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. Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
On 6 October, the First Home Scheme published its Q3 2024 report, stating that over 5,560 First Home Shared Equity Scheme approvals have issued since its launch in July 2022 across all local authorities, with 74% of all approvals issued in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. The pipeline of applications continues to grow, with the number of new applicants in Q3 2024 6% higher than the same period last year (823 in Q3 2023 versus 775 Q3 2024).
The report also stated the average purchase price for purchases and the average support being provided by the First Home Scheme per home. Based on this, the estimated cost for increasing delivery by 250 homes is set out in the following table:
|
Average Purchase Price for purchases |
Average Support provided by First Home Scheme |
% Equity of average purchase price |
Effect of supporting an additional 250 homes |
|
€381,634 |
€66,000 |
17% |
€16.5m |
Any additional funding would need to be provided collectively from the State and participating mortgage lenders, i.e. a 50:50 division of funding.
264. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing local authority affordable purchase scheme delivery above current targets per 250-unit increments, in tabular form. [40270/24]
View answerThe Government has targeted delivery of 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and via the First Home scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In the case of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme, the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to local authorities as a direct subvention towards the development costs of providing affordable houses. Subsidy of €50k, €75k or €100k per affordable home is available to affordable purchase schemes, depending on the scheme density and its location. A higher funding threshold of €150k applies to higher density cost rental schemes in city areas only.
The subsidy enables the Local Authority to contribute to the development costs, thus allowing the homes to be made available eligible applicants at a discounted affordable purchase price at least 15% below the market sale price. The local authority retains an equity share in the home, equal to the percentage discount of the affordable purchase price from the market value of the home, which is redeemable by the purchaser at a future date.
A sizeable portion of the delivery costs are thus met from purchaser’s funds with the only Exchequer outlay representing 95% of the AHF subsidy amount to which a 5% local authority contribution applies.
The cost of delivering new homes is dependent on a range of variables, such as the location, the scale of the development and the size and type of the homes involved, together with the cost of labour and materials applied to the project in question. The average Exchequer cost commitment per unit was €78,000 in 2023.
Having regard to the differing levels of AHF subsidy available in the circumstances described above, the Exchequer cost of grant aiding the delivering of 250 affordable purchase homes with AHF support will fall within the range set out in the following table:
|
AHF Subsidy per affordable home |
Exchequer contribution per affordable home |
Exchequer contribution for 250 affordable purchase homes |
Remarks |
|
€50k |
€47,500 |
€11.875m |
Low density schemes |
|
€75k |
€71,250 |
€17.813m |
Medium density schemes |
|
€100k |
€95,000 |
€23.75m |
High density schemes |
Depending on the density and location, the Exchequer cost of grant aiding the delivery of 250 affordable purchase homes by local authorities with AHF support will range from €11.875m to €23.75m.
All costs are once-off Exchequer payments which, generally, arise for payment once contract for sale has closed.
265. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing planning staff in local authorities and An Bord Pleanála by 400 net, in tabular form. [40271/24]
View answerA total in excess of €279m is being provided in 2025 for my Department’s planning programme, of which €63 million relates to current services and €216 million for capital expenditure. This current allocation allows for investment in the resourcing of the planning system, including staffing levels for An Bord Pleanála, as well as enhancing sanctioned staffing levels for local authorities. This is crucial in anticipation of the impending introduction of the landmark Planning and Development Bill 2023 which will significantly reform planning in this country for the better.
My Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels in the local government planning sector. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) submitted a report entitled Business Case for Resources for the Planning Function of Local Authorities in 2022 . Further to the submission of the report, the Department is working in conjunction with the LGMA on a programme of support to provide planning authorities, on a phased basis, with the requisite level of staffing resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions.
In this regard, my Department wrote to planning authorities in October 2023 conveying approval to the filling of an initial 100 posts, subsequently increased to 101 posts, in the local authority planning service under the first tranche of the program. The estimated cost of the 101 positions in the first tranche, calculated at the mid-point of the respective pay scales of the grades concerned, was €7 million. Engagement is ongoing with the local government sector on the scope of further tranches.
An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in An Bord Pleanála to provide for the efficient processing of cases before the Board. It is intended that when all the approved posts are filled, over 300 people will be employed by the Board. In order to be of assistance, the Board has provided the below information which details the current sanctioned planning staffing levels which currently stands at 115, and the costs associated with doubling this contingent to 230 posts.
|
Grade |
Sanctioned to date |
Sanctioned Staff Doubled |
Cost of Sanctioned Staff Doubled |
|
Planners |
105 |
210 |
€17,680,425 |
|
Assistant Director of Planning |
8 |
16 |
€1,680,912 |
|
Director of Planning |
2 |
4 |
€450,800 |
|
Total |
115 |
230 |
€19,812,137 |
266. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing Housing First targets by 100 above current targets, in tabular from. [40272/24]
View answerThe Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Housing for All committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. These targets are based on an analysis of need, which involved all key stakeholders and was supported by The Housing Agency. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the criminal justice sector (the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service) and Local Authorities, in conjunction with NGO partners. Each partner is committing the necessary resources and supports to implement the programme.
The cost of increasing the targets for Housing First would be dependent on the numbers of individuals requiring these supports, the level of support required and where the individuals are located. In this regard, it is important to note that the majority of individuals in emergency accommodation do not require the level of supports provided by Housing First. My Department does not hold the specific details requested.
267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of extending the development levy and Uisce Éireann connection fee waiver and rebate for a full year, in tabular form. [40273/24]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes initially applied for 1 year to all permitted residential development that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced not later than 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced not later than 30 September 2024.
The date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes has been extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
The estimated cost of extending the Scheme for an additional year, based on a potential 35,000 further housing units availing of the scheme, would be in the order of €360 million.
268. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of extending the tenant-in-situ scheme on a full year basis per target of 250 units, in tabular form. [40274/24]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. For 2023 and 2024, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and the Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes.
The additional 1,300 acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
While it’s not possible to accurately predict future property price movements, the CSO Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) shows that nationally, property prices increased by c. 9.6% in the 12 months to July 2024. Analysis of the most up to date social housing acquisition cost information available, coupled with the RPPI figures indicate that additional acquisitions will cost in the region of €301K per unit.
The table below sets out the estimated cost for tenant in situ social housing acquisitions.
|
No of Units |
Estimated Cost |
|
250 |
€75,300,000 |
|
500 |
€150,600,000 |
|
750 |
€225,900,000 |
|
1,000 |
€301,200,000 |
269. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the estimated cost of increasing the vacant property grant amount by €5,000 increments, in tabular form. [40275/24]
View answerThe 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 attached table provides the estimated cost of increasing the maximum Grant payments under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant by €5,000 increments.
Estimated cost of increasing current maximum Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Levels.
270. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing local authority planning enforcement staff by increments of 25 additional staff, in tabular form. [40276/24]
View answerUnder Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.
However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the numbers and grades of staff allocated to specific work areas within local authorities is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. Planning enforcement staff could potentially be at a number of different grade levels depending on the specific local authority needs identified by the Chief Executive. For information, the salary scales applicable to administrative staff, professional planners and technical staff in the local government sector from 1 October 2024 are attached.
In terms of building capacity generally in the local government planning sector, my Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) submitted a report entitled Business Case for Resources for the Planning Function of Local Authorities in 2022 which identified a shortfall of 541 staff in local authority planning services at that time. Further to the submission of the report, my Department is working in conjunction with the LGMA on a programme of support to provide planning authorities, on a phased basis, with the requisite level of staffing resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions. The estimated cost in a full year of the 541 full-time equivalents staff in local authority planning departments, as set out in the LGMA Business Case for Resources for the Planning Function of Local Authorities completed in Q2 2022, was projected at €40 million.
In this regard, my Department wrote to planning authorities in October 2023 conveying approval to the filling of an initial 100 posts, subsequently increased to 101 posts, in the local authority planning service under the first tranche of the programme. The estimated cost of the 101 positions in the first tranche, calculated at the mid-point of the respective pay scales of the grades concerned, was €7 million. Engagement is ongoing with the local government sector on the scope of further tranches.
271. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of maintaining the HAP landlord payment guarantee to 2030. [40277/24]
View answerFrom 1 May 2023, when a HAP tenant defaults on their differential rent payment to the local authority they will be offered the option of a payment plan to assist them in maintaining their tenancy and allow the HAP payment to the landlord to continue. If the tenant defaults on payment of differential rent or the payment plan, under the Landlord Payment Guarantee, the HAP payment to the landlord will be guaranteed for a maximum 12-month period.
The Landlord Guarantee is activated when a tenant in arrears has not rectified their situation within three months. The HAP SSC will contact the landlord in month three to confirm that the tenant remains in the property. Once this confirmation is received this landlord will be paid monthly for up to nine months. The initial three months will be paid retrospectively at the end of the 12-month period, or earlier if the tenancy ends. After its first year in operation, at the end of April 2024, there were 116 tenancies active under the Landlord Guarantee, with these landlords having received a total of €484,191 in reinstated payments. In addition, €1,464,780 was held under the Landlord Guarantee at that time, either under the initial three- month suspension, or awaiting potential confirmation that the tenant was still residing in the property. In the event that the tenancy is not confirmed to be ongoing the cost is recouped to the Department after the 12-month period.
The Guarantee was initially approved for a 12-month period to end April 2024, which was extended earlier this year to end April 2025. The amount paid to landlords under the guarantee for the first 12 months of the scheme was approximately €484,000. The maximum potential cost of the scheme in that year was approximately €2 million. My Department does not hold the details requested and projections for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the annual Estimates process.
272. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the form a petition should take requesting the holding of a plebiscite under section 47 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024; in particular with regards to a petition in electronic format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40281/24]
View answerUnder section 47 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, there are three mechanisms by which a proposal may be submitted to a plebiscite of the electorate of a local authority as to whether they wish to have a directly elected mayor.
The first is where the corporate policy group of a local authority submits a report to the elected council of the local authority recommending a proposal and that elected council approves that proposal by resolution.
The second is where the Minister receives, from the chief executive of a local authority, a petition signed by more than 15 per cent of the electors of the administrative area of the local authority, requesting the holding of a plebiscite in relation to a proposal, and also a certificate signed by that chief executive stating that he or she is satisfied that the petition is valid.
The third is that the Minister directs that a proposal shall be submitted to a plebiscite of the electors of the administrative area to which the proposal relates.
In addition, under section 49 of the 2024 Act, the Minister may make regulations for the purposes of Part 6 relating to plebiscites on the direct election of Mayors. No regulations have been made under this provision to date.
273. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to ensure landlords retrofit homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40332/24]
View answerThe Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, where feasible, for the private rental sector. This action is aimed at both improving the quality of housing stock available to rent and contributing to meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction. It will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenants' health and improve comfort levels in rental homes.Work in this area, which will support the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is ongoing. It will be underpinned in the first instance by detailed research undertaken under the joint research programme my Department operates with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The primary focus of this research is an exploration of the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector, including an analysis of the financial capacity of landlords to invest in retrofitting energy efficiency measures. It is expected that this research will be published shortly.The results of the ESRI analysis will be examined to inform the Government’s next steps in this area. The appropriate balance will need to be struck between improving the energy efficiency of the rental stock and the potential impact any intervention may have on the rental market, particularly around availability of accommodation. Following the completion of the ESRI analysis, my Department will progress proposals to introduce the implementation of minimum BER ratings in the private rented sector in line with the target set down in Housing for All.
274. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to include Travellers living in trailers, caravans and/or mobile homes in retrofitting schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40333/24]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
From 2021, my Department rolled out pilot caravan loan schemes aimed at improving the quality of Traveller-specific accommodation through local authorities which have provided preferential loans to Travellers for the purchase of newer, higher quality caravans and mobile homes for use as their primary residence.
My Department completed a comprehensive review of the nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme in 2024. Options for a national scheme are currently under consideration with the intention that a proposal for a further scheme will be brought forward later this year. Improving the energy efficiency of caravans will be addressed through ongoing replacement of older caravans.
275. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason section 59 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 on the registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity has not yet been commenced; when she intends to commence it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39782/24]
View answerOfficials from the General Registers Office, which operates under the aegis of my Department, have engaged with the Department of Justice on this matter. A number of issues have been identified which require further examination prior to the commencement of this section of the Act.
Engagement between officials will continue on these issues.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
276. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures, if any, in Budget 2025 which are aimed at decreasing the rate of unemployment among disabled people; and if funding for these measures are for additional services or for the continuation of existing services. [40236/24]
View answerMy Department offers a wide range of supports aimed at decreasing the rate of unemployment among disabled people. Through our nationwide network of Intreo centres we provide a case managed employment service for jobseekers with disabilities. The person works with an Employment Personal Advisor with a view to agreeing a suitable personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available.The Department contracts specialist employment services, called EmployAbility, to provide both pre-employment and in-employment support and assistance for disabled people and a recruitment and job matching service for employers. There are 23 of these contracted providers across the country.Early Engagement is targeted at recipients of a disability payment. It involves the Public Employment Service actively engaging with people with disabilities at the earliest opportunity, on a voluntary basis, offering supports to assist them in achieving their employment ambitions.In December 2023, I announced the establishment of the new WorkAbility programme to support the employment of people with disabilities under the European Social Fund Plus. The programme has an overall budget of up to €36.29million and will run from January 2024 to December 2028. It aims to support over 13,000 disabled people progress their training and employment ambitions over its lifetime and will be delivered by 56 local and community organisations nationwide.On 30 July 2024, I launched the Work and Access Scheme. The scheme offers seven supports to help reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for people with a disability to allow them to get a job or stay in work. The supports include funding for a workplace needs assessment, communication supports and equipment. Funding is also available to employers for workplace adaptations and disability awareness training. Work and Access is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the Community and Voluntary sector. Supports are available for both business premises and remote workplaces. I have allocated an additional €1 million a year for this scheme.The Wage Subsidy Scheme is an employment support to private sector employers to encourage employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market. The employment must be between 15 and 39 hours per week. In August 2024, I published a review of this scheme with six recommendations to increase take-up and to make the scheme more accessible and flexible for people with disabilities and their employers. In anticipation of recommendations in the review, I made provision in Budget 2024 to decrease the minimum hours from 21 to 15 hours as this was a key issue raised by stakeholders in the consultation and allocated an additional €3.7 million to the scheme. I introduced this change from 1 April this year. The recommendations will be implemented by January 2025.Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are structured to support recipients to avail of their own employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. An income disregard of €165 per week is applied with tapering of earnings between €165 and €375. A person can earn up to €505.10 per week and still keep a portion of their disability payment.People in receipt of Invalidity Pension can transfer to Partial Capacity Benefit to return or take up employment. The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work. A person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound. Partial Capacity Benefit has been designed so there are no restrictions/limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work under the scheme.
I am increasing payment rates for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension are being increased by €12 from January 2025 under Budget 2025.
People with disabilities are also able to access mainstream schemes which Intreo offers, including Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Tús, Rural Social Scheme and the Work Placement Experience Programme. As part of Budget 2025, I am increasing the payment for those participating in the Community Employment Programme, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme by €12 per week from January 2025. The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a work experience programme that aims to provide jobseekers who have never had a job or who have lost employment with an opportunity to gain meaningful work experience. Under Budget 2025, I am increasing the rate of payment for this programme by €24 from €335 to €359 a week.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
277. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of the 4,500 employer inspections in 2023 and the 2,300 employer inspections to date in 2024 identified wrongly classified as self-employed employees; if there are sectoral differences between misclassification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39632/24]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is responsible for ensuring the correct class of PRSI is being returned for individuals to protect their PRSI contribution record and future welfare entitlements. Employer Inspections are carried out by Social Welfare Inspectors, for a variety of reasons, including to validate and/or ensure that the PRSI scheme is being operated correctly and that the employer is complying with the legislation. Outcomes in respect of the overall number of Employer Inspections are not recorded in the manner requested by the Deputy.
Employer Inspections carried out by the Inspectors in the Employment Status Investigation Unit (ESIU) deal exclusively with PRSI misclassification. During 2023 & to end of September 2024, approximately 1,000 of the Employer Inspections were carried out by ESIU encompassing over 4,000 workers. Only, 3.5% of the individual cases from these inspections were considered to need referral for a formal decision to determine the correct PRSI classification. Of the cases referred for decision, 43% were re-classified as class A. No sectoral trends have been identified.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
278. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department still issues letters to all free travel pass holders a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration of the free travel pass to remind holders to ensure that they get their card renewed before expiry date. [39712/24]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are under 66 years. From 29th July 2024, Free Travel is also available to persons from age 17 to 66 who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. Free Travel recipients must be permanently resident in the State.
The scheme provides free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas, Local Link and some 74 private commercial operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys and, for those aged 66 or over, within Northern Ireland.
At the end of August 2024, there were 1.11 million recipients; and the total number of beneficiaries increases to over 1.83 million when spouse and companion passes are included.
Prior to the Covid 19 pandemic, letters issued to customers 90 days in advance of the expiration of the Free Travel Public Services Card (FT PSC), to advise them to get their card renewed before it expired. This letter was stopped during the pandemic due to the closure of my Department's offices at the time. An agreement was put in place at the time with the National Transport Authority and the private operators, which remains in place, to accept expired FT PSC's on their services.
My Department is working to restart issuing this letter advising free travel customers of the expiration for their FT PSC, as soon as possible. It should also be noted that the expiry date is printed on the front of every FT PSC. In the interim, it is open to any free travel customer with a FT PSC which is already expired, or is due to expire within the next 3 months, to have their FT PSC renewed.
The easiest way to renew a FT PSC is online at www.mywelfare.ie . For any person who is unable to avail of the online service and wishes to renew their FT PSC in person, they should contact their nearest Intreo/PSC Centre.
I hope this clarifies the position for you.
279. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the way an individual can get their birth certificate amended when it has the wrong date of birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39727/24]
View answerThe Civil Registration Act 2004 (CRA) sets out the mechanisms to be used by an individual to amend any error of fact in the register of births.
Under section 63 of the CRA, a person can apply directly to the Superintendent Registrar of the Area the birth was registered and provide such evidence as is considered adequate together with a statutory declaration from two credible persons who have knowledge of the facts of the birth.
The Superintendent Registrar will engage with the person to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to support the application, and if there is, they will correct the error in the register of births and an amended birth certificate can be obtained.
In addition under section 65 of the CRA, an tArd-Chláratheoir can conduct an enquiry into the information recorded in the register of births around the birth of a person born in the State, and if there is sufficient evidence provided, an tArd-Chláraitheoir can amend the birth record.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of carer’s allowance; how many of these are full-time (24/7) carers; how many are not full-time as they have other jobs (noting this is permitted up to 19 hours a week); and if she had considered a higher payment for full-time (24/7) carers relative to those who have other jobs in addition to being on carer’s allowance. [39729/24]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a financial support to people who cannot earn, or can only earn a limited income, due to their caring responsibilities. In 2024 the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.1 billion and there are currently 97,366 people receiving this payment.
The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. The time spent providing care must not be less than 35 hours per week.
For eligibility purposes, my department defines all those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance as full-time carers, i.e. providing full time care and attention for not less than 35 hours per week. In this regard I am unable to advise the Deputy how many of these carers are providing care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In order to support connectivity with the workforce and broader social inclusion the carer payments provide flexibility in terms of allowing carers to engage in training, education or work of up to 18.5 hours per week. In effect, a carer can engage in these activities for half of a full-time working week and still be regarded as providing full-time care and attention by my department. During this time, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. Both the full-time care and attention requirement and the 18.5 hour limitation are contained in the respective legislative provisions of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant schemes.
As part of Budget 2025, I was pleased to announce a further €12 increase to the full rate of both Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit. This is the fourth successive rise in weekly welfare rates under this Government and rates have increased by €41 over the last 4 years. Higher rates are available for those over 66 and those caring for more than 1 person.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
