Written Answers Nos. 462-478
462. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Croí Cónaithe grant will be applied retrospectively by a local authority to works completed on a property that was vacant for the required period under the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43224/24]
View answerPathway 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.
As part of the assessment of the grant application the local authority carries out a site visit to inspect the works being applied for under the grant. A decision on the application is made following the site visit. Works that have already commenced on the property cannot be claimed for as part of the grant, but proposed works not yet started can be included on the grant application.
A second site visit is carried out after the approved work has been completed, before the grant payment is made.
It is not possible to retrospectively apply for the grant in respect of works that have been completed.
464. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements he has had with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the extraction of horticultural peat for use in the domestic mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43233/24]
View answerI have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting of peat for use in horticulture. However, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and my Department have worked together to address matters relating to horticultural peat extraction, in particularly for use in the horticultural sector in Ireland.
Following a series of High Court decisions which determined that large-scale peat harvesting requires planning permission and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency, Malcolm Noonan TD Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform established the Working Group on the Use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The Working Group, which comprised representatives from relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Government Organisations and the industry was tasked in particular with examining the potential of alternatives to peat for the horticultural industry. The Final Report of the Working Group published in 2021 can be found at the following link: [gov.ie - Review of the use of Peat Moss in Horticulture - Final Report of the Chairman of the Working Group (www.gov.ie)]
In 2022, following engagement between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and my Department a Working Paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the Horticulture Sector was published. This set out a series of actions to support Irish horticultural growers who are dependent on peat. It can be found at the following link: [gov.ie - Working Paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the Horticulture Sector (www.gov.ie)]
In addition to this, a guidance document on the regulatory framework for peat extraction has been published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. The guide can be found at the following link: [gov.ie - The Regulatory Framework Applying to Peat Extraction - A Guidance Document (www.gov.ie)]
465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average time taken to process Rebuilding Ireland-local authority loans by each local authority in each of the past six years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43263/24]
View answer471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland loans approved and drawn down in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43270/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 471 together.
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan which commenced on 1 February 2018. New applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan closed in January 2022 with the introduction of the Local Authority Home Loan.
My Department does not collect data on the average time taken by local authorities to process Local Authority Home Loan applications.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount). Information on drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available at the following link: gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and location of heritage projects currently in hand or proposed, with particular reference to potentially at risk buildings or sites throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43264/24]
View answer472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number and location of heritage/listed buildings throughout the country currently not included in a protection/restoration programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43271/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 472 together.
With regard to the total number and location of heritage/listed buildings, a building acquires so-called ‘listed’ status through its inclusion by a local authority on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Each local authority maintains a separate RPS and at present these are not consolidated into a single national file. My Department is currently undertaking work with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to examine the possibility of consolidating all local authority RPS data into a single database in order to provide an accurate national view. Pending completion of this work, my Department's best estimate is that there are approximately 50,000 structures on local authorities' RPS files at present.
In relation to the number of relevant buildings which are 'currently not included in a protection / restoration programme', I would note that all Protected Structures are eligible for grant support for conservation works. This year my Department is funding 885 projects through the Historic Structures Fund, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, and the Community Monuments Fund, in addition to 8 towns funded through the Historic Towns Initiative, which is run by the Heritage Council.
It should be noted that these are the government schemes dedicated specifically to architectural conservation or archaeological protection works. Other schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will fund substantial restoration work through their wider programme of grants.
467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he remains satisfied that investment funds are not impeding the provision of affordable housing throughout the country; the exceptions, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43265/24]
View answerI am satisfied investment funds are not impeding the provision of affordable housing by the State.
Indeed, the latest data suggest we are on target to meet this year's target of 6,400 affordable housing supports. Almost 2,700 affordable housing supports have been delivered in the first six months to end-June 2024, more than double the quantum delivered in the same period in 2023, with a continued strong performance expected in the latter half of the year.
Moreover, some 8,500 affordable housing supports have already been provided since the launch of Housing for All to the end of Quarter 2 2024. I am confident, notwithstanding the combined challenges posed by input cost inflation, higher interest rates and supply chain issues, that we can build on this momentum and deliver on the very ambitious affordable housing programme we have put in place.
468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in the upgrading of various group water schemes throughout the country, by county; the number needs and awaiting such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43266/24]
View answerGroup Water Schemes (GWS) are community-owned and community-run organisations supplying drinking water to their local members.
My Department provides capital and operational support to GWS through funding under the Rural Water Programme Group. The responsibility for the implementation of the Programme is devolved to individual local authorities.
Each local authority has a Rural Water Liaison Officer who is best placed to provide the information requested. The officers can be contacted at the respective local authority offices.
469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the degree to which his Department continues to monitor house price inflation; the action is hand or likely to be taken to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43267/24]
View answerMy department monitors house price inflation on an on-going basis and will continue to do so.
Prices are down from a peak of 15% for the year to end-March 2022 and the medium-term outlook vis-à-vis house price growth is positive.
Prices are expected to moderate in the latter half of the year and into 2025, with mid-single digit growth forecast for next year. The latest data released by the CSO last week shows residential property price inflation has eased month-on-month, falling from 1.2% in July to 0.9% in August. Similarly, against a backdrop of significantly increased supply, the growth in new home prices has fallen over the last 12 months, decreasing for four consecutive quarters from 11% at end-June 2023 to 7.4% at end-June 2024.
Continued growth in the supply of new homes is key to stabilising prices and easing affordability challenges in the housing market. In this regard, the notable uplift in new home delivery in recent years will be sustained in 2024 and, supported by a robust pipeline of planning permissions and new home starts, is expected to increase substantially in 2025 and 2026.
The uplift is underpinned by the suite of Government measures delivered under Housing for All which seek to address barriers to supply and increase delivery by, among other things, increasing the availability of land, improving viability, and enhancing efficiency and supporting capacity in the construction sector. Government will continue to monitor these and other measures to ensure they are optimally calibrated and targeted to deliver a sustainable level of supply.
470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing starts recorded in each of the past twelve months to date in the private sector, whether affordable or otherwise; the projection for the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43268/24]
View answerData on new home commencements are published monthly on my department's website at the following link: gov.ie - Residential Commencement Notices (www.gov.ie). Data are not availability on a tenure-by-tenure basis i.e. affordable, social, private rental, etc.
Planning permission data, which are probably the best indicator of future new home starts, are published quarterly by the CSO at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/BHQ17.
The recent data suggest the pipeline of residential planning permissions remains robust, with more than 37,700 units granted permission in the year to end-June 2024. Many of these have likely already commenced, or would be expected do so in the medium-term, underpinned by the range of Government supports delivered through Housing for All.
473. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent, if any, to which further flexibility can be incorporated in the Housing For All programme, with particular reference to applicants who may be marginally excluded from qualification for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43272/24]
View answerAffordability and the opportunity to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. The Housing for All plan, supports households and individuals to purchase a home, through affordability measures and by increasing the supply of new homes.
For affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their purchasing power, calculated as outlined in Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023.
The First Home Scheme is also a shared equity scheme and makes home ownership achievable by bridging the gap for first-time buyers and other eligible home buyers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home within regional price ceiling.
In the case of Cost Rental homes, in August last year the Government increased the income thresholds for new tenancies, with net household income limits rising to €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These were introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023, replacing the former national net income limit of €53,000. The increased thresholds broadened the cohort of people eligible to avail of cost rental.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable.
These measures under Housing for All are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants and are regularly reviewed by my Department.
474. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending the hot school meals programme to all second-level schools; and the number of primary and post-primary schools presently in receipt of this funding, respectively. [42385/24]
View answerPost-primary schools are not currently eligible for hot school meals. Post-primary schools in the DEIS programme prior to 2022 can avail of the dinner option which differs from the hot school meal, in that it is generally provided by schools with onsite cooking facilities, whereas hot school meals provided to primary schools are prepared offsite.
There are some 2,200 primary schools currently eligible for hot school meals for the 2024-2025 school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children This expansion will increase the School Meals budget by just over €72m to an overall budget of €288m.
The estimated annual cost of expanding the hot school meals programme to all post-primary schools at a daily rate of €3.20 per pupil is €221 million.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
475. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people currently in receipt of the carer’s allowance; and her best estimate of the number of these availing of the opportunity to engage in other paid work or part-time employment. [42444/24]
View answerAt the end of September 2024 there were 97,257 recipients of Carer's Allowance. Employment data available for the whole of 2023 indicates that of the 97,257 persons currently in receipt of Carer's Allowance, 20,036 (21%) had PRSI Class A earnings in 2023. A total of 20,630 persons (21%) had earnings in September or October 2024.
476. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the duration of the Tús programme for people with disabilities (details supplied). [40502/24]
View answerTús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. The Department is very conscious of the need to support Tús and continues to meet regularly with representatives of these programmes.
The focus of Tús is on jobseekers that are unemployed for twelve months or more, and the targeted activation of this cohort aims to provide additional assistance and a renewed impetus to these jobseekers who could otherwise be in danger of falling into persistent long-term unemployment.
The duration of each Tús contract is for a maximum of 12 months; a time limit set to ensure that the available placements are open to as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed and to ensure that Tús complements the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies in Pathways to Work.
The existing 12 months duration on the scheme is deemed to be adequate to meet the programme's objectives and to prepare participants for a return to the open labour market. Where a participant requires further support or training on completion of a Tús placement, there is an option of transferring to a CE placement. The CE programme also provides a possibility to engage in QQI accredited training and development.
The Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they benefit all participants, and in acknowledgement of the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services. However, there are currently no plans to extend the duration of Tús placements beyond twelve months.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
477. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be expedited and approved for a person (details supplied). [42522/24]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and the habitual residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 21 March 2024. Based on the evidence supplied with the person’s application, her DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 03 May 2024 and advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). Correspondence received on 24 May 2024 from the person concerned including additional medical evidence requested both a review and appeal of the decision of 03 May 2024. On foot this correspondence a review of the decision was undertaken and a request to open an appeal was sent to the SWAO.
Following the review of all medical evidence available, the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified of the decision and advised of their entitlement to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the SWAO on 17 July 2024.
I can confirm that the claim of the person concerned is currently with the SWAO, who will notify the person concerned directly of the outcome of their appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
478. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection how her Department plans to address long-term unemployment in County Kildare, especially among younger residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42559/24]
View answerThe current unemployment rate is 4.3% and has been below 5%, which is considered full employment, since early 2022. The Long-Term Unemployment rate is now at a record low of 0.9%.
Intreo Employment Services engage with jobseekers on a mandatory basis to support them to find work. The Intreo service is a nationwide service and supports are provided to all jobseekers including those who reside in County Kildare. Jobseekers, except for those aged over 62, must engage with Intreo and avail of suitable supports offered to them. A distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process. Jobseekers on the live register engage with Intreo in the first 12 months and are then referred firstly to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service (NES) and after 24 months, to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service (LAES), which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. Therefore the jobseeker is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their jobseeking journey.
Intreo and Intreo Partners offer an individualised employment service. Employment Services Officers (ESO) engage with jobseekers on a one to one basis to develop a Personal Progression Plan (PPP), which will identify steps the jobseeker will take to support them to progress to sustainable employment. Meetings will vary in frequency depending on the circumstances of the jobseeker.
There are a wide range of supports on offer in terms of further education, training, upskilling, work placements as well as programmes like the Work Placement Experience Programme, CE and TUS to support people to obtain or retain employment.
Intreo ES also encourage employers to provide opportunities to jobseekers by way of subsidies for taking customers from the live register. The JobPlus recruitment subsidy – with a subsidy of between €7,500 and €10,000 is also available, on an earlier basis than normal, to employers when they recruit young people.
In May of 2024 the Employment and Employer Youth Engagement Charter (EYEC) was launched. Companies who sign the Charter commit to a range of activities to support young jobseekers or jobseekers from a priority cohort. By 30 September 2024, 122 companies had signed the Charter.
My Department is also currently running the second annual Intreo Work and Skills campaign with a range of employer and jobseeker focussed events scheduled nationwide to the end of October.
There is a Multi-Sectoral Recruitment and training fair taking place on Wednesday the 23rd October in Newbridge Town Hall. This fair provides jobseekers with an opportunity to explore current job vacancies, meet local employers, apply for jobs and learn more about training opportunities. Jobseekers can register to attend using Eventbrite.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
