Written Answers Nos. 717-736
717. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total of new positions sanctioned by An Bord Pleanála in the past six months; the positions granted; the cost implications of each position; and the number of positions that have been filled to date. [46418/24]
View answerAn 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.
Recruitment of all staff is a matter for the Board. However, the workforce plan of the Board is subject to approval by my Department.
There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has sanctioned 117 new staffing posts in the Board. The Board has advised that as of 31 December 2024 there were 285 individuals working in the Board including Board Members.
In the six month period between 1 July and 31 December 2024 no new positions were sanctioned for An Bord Pleanála.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oíreachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
718. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that Uisce Éireann should be held accountable for the claims it is responsible for, to ensure that people are not left facing the cost of losing their no-claims bonus and being forced to pay an excess by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46487/24]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for its own arrangements in relation to insurance cover and handling claims for damages relating to its functions and activities. Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) provides a free complaint resolution service for customers who have submitted a complaint to Uisce Éireann and are unhappy with the outcome. Complaints to CRU can be made by completing an online complaint form or by downloading the form and submitting by email (customercare@cru.ie) or by post to The Customer Care Team, The Grain House, The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, D24 PXW0. A copy of the complaint form is available from CRU’s website: www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-the-cru/.
719. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Dublin Fire Brigade teams will start carrying naloxone with them; if they will replicate the training programme for Cork City Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46520/24]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
As Minister with policy and legislative responsibility for fire safety and the provision of fire services by local authorities, my key objective is to support all local authorities in meeting their statutory obligations as set out in the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.
The Department of Health has primacy in relation to public health programmes and clinical guidelines. I understand that the HSE plays a significant role in implementing naloxone programmes, training frontline workers and community volunteers in the administration of naloxone, ensuring it is used safely and effectively.
720. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the case of the Housing Finance Agency interest rate adjustments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46536/24]
View answerThe interest rate policy of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) is a matter for the management and board of that organisation. However, the HFA has advised my Department that the HFA approach to amending variable interest rates depends on the contractual arrangements with each individual customer.
The HFA advises that for some customers, the rate is linked to six-month Euribor and therefore the interest rate on those loans changes in line with the movements in Euribor, when the interest rate is set at the beginning of each six-month interest period.
They further advise that for all other HFA customers who have variable rate loans, the interest rate is determined by reference to the HFA’s cost of funds, which is the rate at which the HFA can borrow, at variable rates, under its Guaranteed Note Programme.
The HFA monitors its customers' variable interest rates on a quarterly basis against its variable rate cost of funds.
Any further information can be requested at the HFA's dedicated Oireachtas email address: oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie
721. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to reinstate the town councils to places such as Tralee, Killarney and Listowel in Kerry; if he will consider further towns for inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46599/24]
View answer808. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide further details on the proposal contained in the programme for Government to “on a regional, phased basis, establish town councils in large towns to provide a focal-point for raising concerns of towns and coordinating town-focused activities”; if this could signal the return to town and borough councils with the powers they had before the Local Government Reform Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 808 together.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 dissolved 80 town councils which represented just 14% of the population. The previous town council system also led to duplication both in administrative and electoral terms. Instead, the Act saw the introduction of 95 municipal districts in 25 of the 31 local authorities at sub-county level, including in Kerry County Council, while area committees would operate in the 3 city authorities of Cork, Dublin and Galway, and the 3 Dublin county authorities.
Each municipal district can include several towns and their hinterlands, with local matters dealt with at municipal district level and wider strategic issues decided at county level. The result is an integrated administrative structure in each county which maximises operational efficiency while ensuring devolved decision-making throughout the county.
The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future contains a commitment to convene a ‘Local Democracy Taskforce’ with the local government sector to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals, which the Government will consider, on issues including strengthening the framework and powers of municipal districts and area committees and the establishment of town councils in large towns, on a regional phased basis, to provide a focal-point for raising concerns of towns and coordinating town-focused activities.
722. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide additional funding for affordable and social housing in County Kerry; if he will introduce a scheme of low-cost sites in all towns across the county such as Killarney, Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Castleisland, Tralee, Dingle, Listowel and Kenmare as such a scheme will help address the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46635/24]
View answerAll local authorities, including Kerry County Council, have developed and published their Housing Delivery Action Plans setting out their plans to deliver social and affordable housing during the peiod from 2022-2022. This follows a comprehensive Housing Needs and Demand Assessment. A copy of Kerry County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on its website at the following link: www.kerrycoco.ie/housing-delivery-programme/.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Data up to and including the third quarter of 2024 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. All such reports up to the third quarter of 2024 are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified.
My Department met with the Housing Delivery team in Kerry County Council in December 2024 to support their work towards the identification and development of appropriate schemes which may lead to the delivery of affordable housing with the support of the AHF in response to localised needs identified by the local authority at key urban locations such as Killarney and Tralee.
The Ready to Build serviced sites scheme is already available under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund which provides grant assistance towards the provision of sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. This Fund also continues to support the refurbishment of vacant properties with grants of up to €30,000 or €50,000 if the property is derelict. Information on both scheme is available directly from Kerry County Council.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model is also available.
My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continue to be available to assist Kerry in relation to ongoing development of its social and affordable housing delivery programme.
723. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the engagement with Dublin City Council in relation to Martin Savage Park and the cessation of a Part 8 planning process to redevelop the park with an all-weather pitch, community garden, perimeter paving, play zone and public lighting, due to the presence of Brent geese; his plans to address the matter; and his views on the matter which could have consequences for parks across the city and county. [46638/24]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department met with officials from Dublin City Council on 7 October 2024, and have been in correspondence subsequently. I attended a specific meeting on 10 October with club officials, Minister O’Gorman and Cllr Feljin Jose, in relation to Martin Savage Park where the issue of sports pitches being used by light-bellied Brent geese and related proposals to convert some of these lands to all-weather surfaces was discussed.
At this meeting it was proposed that all Dublin Local Authorities would form a steering group to prepare a Strategic Plan that would be used to inform future management of areas used by the geese and also to inform scientifically-robust decisions where changes in land use are proposed. Balancing the needs of communities with international nature conservation obligations would be at the heart of this work.
I can confirm that following the meeting, Minister O'Brien and I wrote to the Chief Executives of the Dublin Local Authorities to encourage them to commence work on the Strategic Plan and determine next steps. We have received positive responses, including from Dublin City Council, and the next step is to convene the steering group in Q1 2025, ideally facilitated by one of the Local Authorities.
The NPWS is committed to supporting the Local Authorities, including Dublin City Council, through active discussion and participation in the steering group, and will have a role in establishing conservation targets for this species in Dublin city and environs. Key decisions as to how these targets can be attained will be taken by the Local Authorities and those responsible for the development and management of land.
724. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the massive increase in commercial rates whereby, in a large number of cases, they have doubled, trebled and quadrupled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46649/24]
View answer731. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request the Valuations Office to reinstate commercial rates levels for businesses that have doubled, trebled and quadrupled, to pre-Covid levels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 724 and 731 together.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.
The amount of rates liable on a property is determined by multiplying the valuation of the property set by Tailte Éireann by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) set by the local authority. The ARV is decided by the elected members of each local authority in their annual budget and its determination is a reserved function of a local authority. I have no role in this regard.
Commercial rates income makes a significant contribution to the funding of local government, providing between 13% and 45% of total funding for local services at individual local authority level, averaging 25% nationally. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, footpaths, the public realm, litter management, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces; all essential elements to create the environment in which businesses can prosper.
The Government has previously encouraged local authorities to show restraint in terms of ARV increases, in order to support local businesses, and local authority members have generally responded very positively. Data from local authority Annual Financial Statements confirms cumulative increases in ARVs have remained significantly below the cumulative Consumer Price Index inflation rate in recent years. Nevertheless, local authorities are fully aware of the challenges facing many ratepayers and work with ratepayers to agree flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay.
The national programme of revaluation undertaken by Tailte Éireann is to provide consistent, up-to-date valuations so that rates are equitably distributed. Revaluation results in a redistribution of the commercial rates liability between ratepayers. While an individual occupier’s rates liability may increase or decrease, the revaluation will not increase the overall commercial rates income of the local authority. It is not the purpose of a revaluation to increase the commercial rates collected.
Where the rates liability has increased by multiples of the original bill, my Department has been informed that, while such increases may have occurred in isolated cases, increases of this level would be a rarity. The possible reason for significant increases include valuation of some of these properties had not been revised to take account of improvements, extensions etc. for some considerable time, or where the valuations were historically low in comparison with the general level of valuations on the valuation list. Additionally, some properties may have undergone extensive refurbishment that was not reflected in the valuation before the revaluation.
After a revaluation of a local authority area, the Minister is required to make a Rates Limitation Order (RLO) to ensure that the overall rates collected in that area for the following year does not increase beyond normal inflation and buoyancy to take account of new valuations. RLOs have been made for each of the 29 local authorities that have undergone a revaluation to date.
At all stages of the process, ratepayers are consulted and informed and can bring relevant information to bear on the valuation. Ultimately, ratepayers have a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. In terms of revaluations to date, I understand that the trend is that approximately 60% of ratepayers have experienced a decrease.
The Government recognised the need to modernise the collection of commercial rates and the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 was passed by the Oireachtas and enacted on 11 July 2019. Local authorities are levying and collecting rates under the new legal rates framework since 1 January 2024.
The Act contains provisions to add to the suite of options already available to local authorities to support local businesses and ratepayers. These include new rates vacancy abatement and rates waiver schemes, to be decided by local authority members. The vacancy abatement scheme allows the local authority scope for targeted policies in respect of vacant commercial properties. Consideration can be given to the prevailing local economic environment and prevalence of commercial vacancy. Vacancy abatement schemes may be tailored to particular towns, zones within towns, types, or categories of vacant property or circumstances of the vacant property ratepayer.
The rates waiver scheme provides for local authorities to make schemes to support local and national policy objectives, by waiving the paying of commercial rates in certain circumstances. It is open for a local authority to design a waiver scheme as long as it supports county development plans, local area plans, local economic and community plans and the national planning framework.
725. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if refunds through the multi-unit development defects remediation scheme will be made available to residents who are unable to pay upfront for works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46654/24]
View answer726. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional support will be provided to those who are unable to meet the multi-unit development remediation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46655/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 725 and 726 together.
Work on providing supports for Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) who are unable to meet eligible remediation costs in relevant multi-unit developments or may seek refunds for eligible works completed is being advanced.
Legislation is currently being drafted to establish the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme on a statutory basis, which, subject to the legislative process, is expected will be in place shortly thereafter.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
Only defects that are attributable to defective design, defective or faulty workmanship, defective materials (or any combination of these) and were in contravention of the relevant Parts of the Building Regulations applicable at the time of construction will be eligible for inclusion in the Scheme. Any defects that originate from inadequate maintenance, poor management etc., will not be included within the scope of the Scheme.
The Scheme will support the remediation of relevant defects, where practicable, to the standard that applied at the time of their original construction. Where this is not practicable, alternative approaches and options will be considered that provide a reasonable level of life safety protection.
An Interim Remediation Scheme has been in place since December 2023, to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings pending introduction of the Statutory Scheme and completion of the full remedial works. The Interim Remediation Scheme is for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013. OMCs will receive funding to carry out the necessary remedial works. Four pathfinder projects within this Scheme are progressing and are facilitating the mapping of the application and remediation process into simple steps, to identify pinch points and their solutions and to provide consistency across submissions by applicants. This pathfinder exercise will also inform the drafting of the Statutory Scheme.
The Government has approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under the Statutory Scheme once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the latter. The details and mechanics of this are being addressed as the legislation is drafted. To this end, a pathfinder exercise from a representative sample of multi-unit developments has been established to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed. The exercise should identify a process that provides a streamlined approach, ease of engagement by applicants and ensures good governance regarding Exchequer funding.
727. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide further details on multi-unit development remediation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46656/24]
View answerOn 18 January 2023 Government approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under a Legacy Defects Scheme.
On 18 September 2024 the Minister received government approval for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024. This legislation will underpin the forthcoming statutory scheme which will establish supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
Head 17 of this Bill provides for retrospection, meaning the provision of financial support where a remediation project has been initiated but not completed, or where a remediation project has been completed.
However, devising a process and associated safeguards specific to grant retrospection will be challenging. In order to identify a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, the Government agreed on 22 October 2024 to establish a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise. This will inform design of the retrospective element of the scheme and will support development of a robust process around:
• Alignment with existing Interim Remediation Scheme processes;
• Supporting Documentation and Timeframes;
• Certification and Standardisation of Evidence;
• Verification and Payment processes.
The exercise should also inform the drafting of the statutory scheme.
As the current Interim Remediation Scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by The Housing Agency, my Department does not hold details of individual applications to the Scheme. The Housing Agency can be contacted directly via the email address: Oireachtas@housingagency.ie or an update on a specific application.
728. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will update the voting process to make it easier for people to register for a postal vote; if he will extend the list of those who qualify for a postal vote to include those who are overseas; if he will take into account that other countries allow their citizens to vote in parliamentary elections as overseas voters. [46679/24]
View answerUnder electoral law, postal voting is available for a number of different categories of people including the following:
• whole-time members of the Defence Forces
• members of An Garda Síochána
• Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners
• electors living at home who are unable to vote because of an illness or a disability
• electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day
• full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State,
• prisoners, and
• certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.
In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, was established in February 2023. An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function enables it to carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.
An Coimisiún’s Research Programme 2024-2026, published on 10 July 2024, includes a commitment to examine the issue of postal voting. This policy area will be reviewed by my Department once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
730. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available in 2025 to Uisce Éireann in order for the utility to provide new connections to more than 35,000 new homes per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46698/24]
View answerLast November, I approved Uisce Éireann's Strategic Funding Plan (SFP) for the years 2025 - 2029. The SFP specifies the arrangements Uisce Éireann proposes to make and measures it proposes to take to meet the policy objectives of the Water Services Policy Statement, incorporating its estimated funding requirements for investment and operating costs together with sources of funding. The SFP plan sets out Uisce Éireann's multi-annual strategic funding requirement of €16.9 billion to 2029, comprised of a €10.3 billion investment in infrastructure and assets and €6.6 billion in operating costs, which is an unprecedented level of funding in our water infrastructure.
For 2025 my Department will fund Uisce Éireann to just over €1.7 billion with the Minister for Finance providing additional capital investment as announced in the Budget 2025.
The provision of additional capital investment in Uisce Éireann to support new housing targets will be considered in the context of an NDP review in the first half of 2025.
732. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people listed as homeless in Westmeath in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [46723/24]
View answer733. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people listed homeless in Longford in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [46724/24]
View answer782. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children registered homeless in Longford and Westmeath. [1404/25]
View answer783. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of children registered homeless in the midlands. [1405/25]
View answer784. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people in Longford and Westmeath who accessed emergency accommodation in 2024. [1406/25]
View answer785. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people in Longford and Westmeath without permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1407/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 732, 733 and 782 to 785, inclusive, together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of November 2024. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal www.data.gov.ie/.
734. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict properties in Westmeath in 2023 and 2024. [46725/24]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The derelict sites returns are collected in Q2 of the following year. The information requested in relation to Westmeath County Council in respect of 2023 is provided in the Table below. Figures for 2024 are not yet available.
|
Westmeath |
No. of Sites on Register at 1 January |
No. Of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year |
No. Of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year |
No. of Sites on Register at 31 December |
|
2023 |
83 |
5 |
7 |
81 |
735. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict properties in Longford in 2023 and 2024. [46726/24]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The derelict sites returns are collected in Q2 of the following year. The information requested in relation to Longford County Council in respect of 2023 is provided in the Table below. Figures for 2024 are not yet available.
|
Longford |
No. of Sites on Register at 1 January |
No. Of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year |
No. Of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year |
No. of Sites on Register at 31 December |
|
2023 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
35 |
736. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any new programmes being implemented in Longford-Westmeath to address the level of homelessness. [46728/24]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. The Midlands region includes counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, for the purposes of homeless administration, with Westmeath County Council as lead authority.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region, and to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area and the funding requirements will be considered in this context.
An allocation of €303 million, an increase of €61m on the 2024 provision, has been made under Budget 2025 to provide homeless prevention services, emergency accommodation and other services for households experiencing homelessness. This is a 25% increase on the 2024 budget allocation. This funding will support the provision of emergency accommodation and supports that households require to exit emergency accommodation to a tenancy.
Furthermore, under Housing for All, the Government has committed to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030. The plan includes 18 distinct actions tailored to eliminate homelessness. These actions recognise that individuals experiencing homelessness have additional support needs and include specific measures to address these needs. These include measures to engage with and support rough sleepers into sustainable accommodation, the continued expansion of the Housing First programme, a focus on the construction and acquisition of one-bed homes, and, importantly, ensuring provision of the necessary health and mental health supports required to assist homeless people with complex needs.
Local authorities and their service delivery partners will work closely with all households in emergency accommodation to support them to secure an exit to a tenancy. With the significant increase in social housing stock, I have asked local authorities to ensure that sufficient homes are being allocated to exit households from emergency accommodation.
My Department continues to work closely with the National Homeless Action Committee to ensure that there is a continued focus by the various stakeholders on additional measures that we can take to eradicate homelessness and to support all those experiencing homelessness. My Department will ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
