Robert Troy
Question:803. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants available to convert a town centre premises to a residential unit. [1640/25]
View answerHousing Schemes
Questions (803)
Written answers
Addressing vacancy and dereliction and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In April 2024, I published an update on the Action Plan which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/.
A key initiative under the Action Plan to address vacancy and dereliction has been the introduction of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. From May 2023, a grant of up to €50,000 is available to support individual owner(s) refurbish a vacant property into a home. Where the property is confirmed as derelict, up to a maximum of €70,000 in grant funding is available. The grant is available for the conversion of vacant properties previously used for commercial or public use to residential use, subject to planning/evidence of planning exemption.
A Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Stream 1 of the scheme is open to owners of vacant traditional houses in villages, towns and cities where the building is a Protected Structure and/or an historic structure within an Architectural Conservation Area. Residential houses and commercial buildings qualify for the scheme where the intended use is as a single dwelling or a single dwelling over a shop. The scheme will re-open in 2025.
Planning regulations, introduced in 2018, which exempted certain vacant commercial premises, including ‘over the shop’ type spaces, from requiring planning permission to change to residential purposes were extended to the end of 2025. The scope of the exemption was also extended to include ‘public houses’. The exemptions support the reuse of vacant commercial buildings as homes, increasing housing supply and regenerating communities. From 2018 to the end of 2023, almost 1,200 notifications had been received from developers which could result in over 2,700 new homes being provided.
Funding is also available under the Repair and Leasing Scheme. This provides an interest free loan of up to €80,000, including VAT, for each individual home completed in a formerly vacant property. For example, where a vacant former shop is converted into 4 homes, a loan of up to €320,000 is available. The scheme is increasingly being used to convert vacant commercial properties into social housing units.
I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising towns across the country.
Question No. 804 answered with Question No. 765.
Local Authorities
Questions (805)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:805. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing maintenance workers that currently work for Cork County Council; the measures his Department is taking to encourage employment in local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1691/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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 strategic workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of overall 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. The relevant information would be available from Cork County Council.
The local government sector is working on a continual basis to become an employer of choice and is supported in this regard by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The jobs portal www.localgovernmentjobs.ie is a key tool utilised by the sector to advertise posts and to disseminate information on the types of roles in the sector and the benefits of working in a local authority. I understand that some of the many initiatives undertaken include social media campaigns, attendance at graduate fairs, a graduate recruitment programme and participation in the WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) work placement programme.
In addition, the LGMA, with the support of my Department, have recently developed a new Strategic Framework for Workforce Planning for the local government sector to guide the strategic workforce planning processes and deliver key HR reforms across the sector. The twenty strategic actions included in the Framework document have been developed under six themes to ensure that local authority staff have the capacity and capability to respond to shared challenges into the long term, including under the theme of further enhancement of the sector as an employer of choice. In this specific regard, the actions include promoting the sector as an employer of choice, implementing the local government recruitment communications strategy, raising awareness of the diverse, impactful, and valuable work of the local government sector as part of the wider public service and promoting career opportunities and the potential for development and progression offered by working in local government. The Strategic Framework for Workforce Planning is available to view on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/policy/61d9b3-local-government/#human-resources.
One action under the theme of enhancing the sector as an employer of choice is to develop further opportunities for apprentices in the sector. My Department has been engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to implement and deliver the agreed actions under the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan 2022-2025 and recently circulated the publication “Employing Apprentices: A Practical Guide for the Public Service”, which aims to provide information for Public Service organisations seeking to employ apprentices, to each local authority.
Local Authorities
Questions (806)
Mattie McGrath
Question:806. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a coordinated policy for local authorities in relation to the way they deal with large levels of snowfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1696/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department for co-ordinating the whole-of-Government response to severe weather and flooding emergencies, supporting local response agencies, including local authorities. The Crisis Management Team of my Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) have responsibility for co-ordination of the response to severe weather events.
With respect to severe weather events, 'A Framework for Major Emergency Management' (2006) underpins major emergency preparedness and response in Ireland. Since 2008, major emergency plans have been introduced in local authorities, the HSE and An Garda Síochána. The Framework sets out the arrangements by which the principal response agencies will work together in the management of large scale emergencies.
Each local authority has a plan in place for responding to severe weather emergencies. These plans cover the local authority response to frost/ice, heavy snow, severe winds/storms, heavy rain and/or flooding. During such events, each local authority activates its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) to monitor and support all aspects of the local authority response, to co-ordinate with the other principal response agencies and to link into the national response, as and when it is necessary.
As well as Severe Weather Plans, each local authority has a Winter Maintenance Plan, setting out how that authority provides its winter service for ice and snow conditions across transport routes. The Department of Transport co-ordinate this work with local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Question No. 807 answered with Question No. 765.
Question No. 808 answered with Question No. 721.
Question No. 809 answered with Question No. 765.
Departmental Properties
Questions (810)
James Geoghegan
Question:810. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full address and Eircode of each property that is directly occupied by his Department where that address is located in Dublin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1767/25]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
My Department directly occupies the following properties in Dublin:
|
Occupant |
Address |
|
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0 |
|
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
90 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV |
|
Met Éireann |
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22, D22 X2Y4. |
|
Met Éireann |
Dublin Airport Old Terminal Building, Terminal Complex, Dublin Airport, Swords, Co. Dublin K67 XY76 |
|
Met Éireann |
65/67 Glasnevin Hill Dublin 9 D09 Y921 |
Housing Schemes
Questions (811)
Séamus McGrath
Question:811. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the income thresholds for applicants for social housing supports (details supplied). [1793/25]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department is now undertaking a detailed examination of the report, in order to develop a new social housing income eligibility model in line with the Housing for All Action Plan update. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
National Cultural Institutions
Questions (812)
John Connolly
Question:812. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the proposal to reinter on Omey Island a number of skeletal remains removed from the island and understood currently to be stored at the National Museum of Ireland Cultural Resource Centre. [1810/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Omey remains are secure in the Cultural Resource Centre in Swords. I can confirm the skeletal remains, which are medieval in date, are very well preserved and that progress is well underway for further examination of the remains.
Good progress is being made through the various necessary stages of the assessment. The remains have now been re-catalogued and the National Monuments Service is working with the National Museum through a public procurement framework to bring in the necessary expertise to begin the osteoarchaeological analysis of the archived remains. All the archival information relating to the licensed archaeological excavation has been collated, as well as all previous expert analyses of the remains, and this is informing the next steps for finalising the assessment. This work is on-going and progress is being made.
Official Travel
Questions (813)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:813. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a schedule of all foreign travel undertaken by him and their accompanying officials in 2023 and 2024, including flight, hotel, transfers and other miscellaneous costs. [1864/25]
View answerWritten answers
The details as requested are available and regularly updated on my Department's OpenData website and are available to view under the following links:
• 2023: Ministerial Travel 2023 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data - opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-2023
• 2024: Ministerial Travel 2024 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data - opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-costs-2024.
National Monuments
Questions (814, 815)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:814. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the position in respect of Chapter 4 (188) of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. [1876/25]
View answerAidan Farrelly
Question:815. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which the schedule of national monuments has been updated; if he will provide a schedule of historic buildings of more modern times that are included on the register of national monuments; and if he will outline the relationship the national monuments service has with the OPW in respect of national monuments. [1877/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 815 together.
The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (the Act) was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and enacted on 13 October 2023.
While the Act is now law, its provisions are being brought into force on a phased basis, by way of a series of Commencement Orders. As of January 2025, two Commencement Orders have been made; (S.I. No. 252 of 2024 - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/252/made/en/print and S.I. No. 663 of 2024 - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/663/made/en/print).
Section 188 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/act/26/section/188/enacted/en/html#sec188) of the Act, which provides for “General powers of officers, servants and agents, etc., of relevant authority,” was included in the first of such Commencement Orders, and is now in operation.
In relation to a schedule of national monuments, preparations are in train for the new Register of Monuments, as provided for in the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.
The Office of Public Works has responsibility for the care and maintenance of key heritage sites in Ireland, including a range of national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. The Office of Public Works and the National Monuments Service work in tandem to preserve and protect Ireland’s built and archaeological heritage.
Further information on monuments can be found on the National Monuments website at www.archaeology.ie/national-monuments.
Question No. 815 answered with Question No. 814.
Housing Provision
Questions (816)
Pa Daly
Question:816. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the social housing waiting list in Kerry, in tabular form; how many children are on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1896/25]
View answerWritten answers
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2023, is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
The report shows that there were 2,339 households qualified for social housing in Kerry County Council whose need was unmet in 2023. In relation to the number of children on the housing list in Kerry, information of this exact type is not held by my Department. However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 provide details on household size, including a breakdown of the household composition, which provides a granular level of detail regarding the number of persons in each household type, including children.
The SSHA 2024 is currently being finalised and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1.
Housing Schemes
Questions (817)
Pa Daly
Question:817. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in receipt of the HAP payment in county Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1897/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
The latest available data covers the period to the end of Q3 2024. The table below provides a breakdown of the total number of active HAP tenancies registered in Kerry County Council in each of the years from 2019 up to end Q3 2024.
|
Local Authority |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Q3 2024 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1,236 |
1,623 |
1,708 |
1,635 |
1,622 |
1,560 |