Written Answers Nos. 441-461
443. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is flexibility within the sports capital grant scheme (details supplied) to amend allocations based on actual needs and to allow for modifications to better reflect the needs of the grant recipients; and if his Department will review the allocation to ensure the granted funding aligns with the organisation's requirement. [15390/25]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy applied for funding under the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) for dugouts, training and playing equipment and received a provisional allocation of €8,000 which included funding for mobile dugouts. Subsequently the club received formal approval having submitted the necessary documentation.
CSFF applicants who own the relevant land or have a registered lease with at least 15 years remaining at application stage (and such title is registered in the Property Registration Authority) can apply for up to €200,000 in funding for capital works which can include precast concrete dugouts. The club was advised of this requirement and were afforded opportunities to provide the necessary evidence of title but did not provide any additional documents to the Department. Without evidence of title, the application has been dealt with as an equipment-only application including funding for the mobile dugouts.
444. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any public body or publicly funded body under his Department's aegis are not compliant with Part V of the Disability Act 2005; if Part V applies to all subsidiaries of such bodies; if, in cases where it does not, he has the power to extend such a requirement, either through Ministerial order or through funding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15491/25]
View answerAll public bodies under the aegis of this Department are deemed compliant with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 by the National Disability Authority (NDA).
The NDA, under the aegis of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has a statutory role to monitor compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 in the public sector. Each public body under the aegis of this Department is responsible for ensuring they meet the annual statutory disability target and comply with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. The legal obligations and duties are set out in the Disability Act 2005 and a Minister cannot extend them beyond what the primary legislation has provided. There is no power to issue an order.
This Department collates and provides information in the format required by the NDA on behalf of public bodies. My Department’s Monitoring Committee, established under the Act, submitted the statistics to the NDA in respect of the 2023 Part 5 Returns for public bodies under the aegis by the required deadline of 30th June 2024. These statistics will shortly be published by the NDA in their Annual Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. NDA published Annual Reports for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 are available on the National Disability Authority website: https://nda.ie/publications/nda-annual-reports-on-compliance-with-part-5-of-the-disability-act.
The process of collating statistics from public bodies under the aegis for the 2024 Part 5 returns will commence shortly.
445. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether he intends to continue the basic income for artists when the pilot programme comes to an end in August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15558/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for Artists pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme will conclude in August 2025 and the data from the pilot will feed into Government consideration of the next steps. Recipients have been receiving payment and responding to surveys under the scheme since August 2022.
In Budget 2025, Government made an allocation of €35 million for the Basic Income for the Arts in 2025. It is important to note that the pilot is a research programme and that no decision has been taken as to the continuation of BIA, and that the research evaluating the impact of the pilot scheme is ongoing.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. The latest data is available through published reports on the Basic Income for the Arts website on Gov.ie.
This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and the future of the BIA will be decided when the final results of the research are available which will provide the Government with the evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts.
446. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps being taken to examine ways to enforce age verification obligations on online service providers and hold them to account for failure to do so, as per the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/25]
View answerCoimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s new online safety and media regulator and is at the heart of Ireland’s online safety framework. It was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act and is independent in its functions under section 10 of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts, 2009 and 2022.
As provided for under the OSMR, in October 2024, An Coimisiún adopted Ireland’s Online Safety Code for designated video-sharing platforms established in Ireland, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. The Code sets out what they must do to protect users: in particular, they are obliged to put measures in place to protect children from harmful content online, have age assurance measures where appropriate, provide parental controls and user-friendly, transparent reporting and flagging mechanisms. Part A of the Code, which has applied since November 2024, provides that designated services shall establish and operate age verification systems with respect to content which may impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors. Part B of the Code, which will apply from July 2025, contains specific obligations, including that designated services shall implement effective age assurance measures to ensure that, for example, adult-only video content cannot normally be seen by children. An Coimisiún is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Code.
Additionally, An Coimisiún is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator for the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and as such, works with the European Commission to ensure platforms put in place the systems and processes required to minimise the availability of illegal content. Among other things, under the DSA, the obligations applying to very large online platforms and search engines include requirements to complete risk assessments in relation to the exposure of children and young people to illegal and harmful online content. These services must then address this risk of exposure, including by means of age-verification or age-assurance.
A failure to comply with any of these measures can lead to significant financial sanctions, and under the OSMR, continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management.
447. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports his Department has provided towards the establishment of community hotels in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15811/25]
View answerThe role of this Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
I am acutely aware of the importance of local hotels for communities throughout Ireland. I understand the economic and societal roles played by local hotels in regional towns, however I can confirm that my Department has no role in providing supports towards the establishment of community hotels.
448. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media his plans to place the basic income for the arts allowance on a permanent basis; if he will introduce a more expansive basic income for the arts; and if he will make a statement on precarity for artists. [15832/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme will conclude in August 2025 and the data from the pilot will feed into Government consideration of the next steps. Recipients have been receiving payment and responding to surveys under the scheme since August 2022.
In Budget 2025, Government made an allocation of €35 million for the Basic Income for the Arts in 2025. It is important to note that the pilot is a research programme and that no decision has been taken as to the continuation of BIA, and that the research evaluating the impact of the pilot scheme is ongoing.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. The latest data is available through published reports on the Basic Income for the Arts website on Gov.ie.
This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and the future of the BIA will be decided when the final results of the research are available which will provide the Government with the evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts.
449. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the current situation with the section 179A planning exemption that replaced the part 8 process for social housing approvals, if this planning process for local authorities has been or will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14982/25]
View answerSection 179A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act of 2000) was inserted by the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022. The effect of Section 179A of the Act of 2000 is to exempt qualifying local authority housing development from the ‘Part 8’ process and to enable notification and determination procedures for such development.
Section 179A of the Act of 2000 was subject to housing development by local authorities commencing prior to 31 December 2024. This provision has not been extended, therefore local authorities may not commence any new housing developments under section 179A of the Act of 2000. Any housing developments commenced prior to 31 December 2024 under section 179A of the Act of 2000, may be completed under that section.
It should be noted that the Planning and Development Act 2024 (the Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024 but is not yet fully commenced. The Act of 2024 includes a provision under section 161 of the Act of 2024 to mirror section 179A of the Act of 2000 and will require that local authority developments must have commenced prior to 31 December 2025.
As set out in the recently published Implementation Plan, Part 4 of the Act of 2024, that includes Section 161, is scheduled to be brought into effect towards the latter half of this year.
As the provision of section 179A cannot be utilised by local authorities for the commencement of any new housing developments, local authorities revert to using the provisions under section 179 of the Act of 2000, commonly referred to the 'Part 8 ' process which is a reserved function of the elected members of the relevant local authority.
450. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Development Plan Review is scheduled to be completed; to confirm that the towns and cities infrastructure investment fund will be implemented arising from the review; the expected funding allocation for the fund and the timeline for the implementation of the recommendations of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14984/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next 5 years.
To support these goals, the Government, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, has commenced work on setting the parameters, priorities and critical milestones for Review of the National Development Plan.
Also set out in the Programme for Government, it is my intention to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to replace the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). With this new fund it is the aim of my Department to continue and expand URDF-type investment in projects. This will allow for investment in infrastructure, the acquisition of land, assembly of sites and the de-risking of sites in existing towns and cities to maximise their potential growth.
The detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams will be clarified further following completion of the National Development Plan Review, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, and which will enable the level of additional capital funding for infrastructure investment to be determined. It is planned that the Review will be completed in line with the Summer 2025 timeline set out in the Programme for Government.
451. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants or financial support schemes available via local authorities to householders to specifically provide a sensory room or area in their homes for a family member with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14989/25]
View answer475. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing adaptation grants, mobility grants and housing for older people grants approved and drawn down by Kilkenny County Council in 2021 to date in 2025 and regarding volume and value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15324/25]
View answer476. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing adaptation grants, mobility grants and housing for older people grants that have been approved and drawn down by Carlow County Council in 2021 to date, broken down regarding volume and value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15325/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 475 and 476 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People and the Mobility Aids Grant is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, these grant schemes can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts, fixed track hoists or extensions. These grant schemes do not include the provision of funding to develop a sensory room or area. Further details on these schemes is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability
Details of the number of claims paid and the amount spent by each local authority, including by Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils, from 2021 to 2023 are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
Details of the number of claims submitted to my Department by Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils for 2024 are set out in the following table:
|
Carlow |
Kilkenny |
|||
|
Grant Scheme |
Number of claims 2024 |
Value of claims 2024 |
Number of claims 2024 |
Value of claims 2024 |
|
Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People |
104 |
€874,589 |
90 |
€743,410 |
|
Mobility Aids Grant |
6 |
€17,498 |
7 |
€21,037 |
|
Housing Aid for Older People Grant |
300 |
€1,431,432 |
221 |
€853,018 |
|
Total |
410 |
€2,323,519 |
318 |
€1,617,465 |
Carlow County Council claimed a total of €135,430 in Exchequer funding facilitating the payment of 24 claims to date in 2025, the detail of which is set out in the following table:
|
Grant Scheme |
Number of claims 2025 (to date) |
Value of claims 2025 (to date) |
|
Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People |
5 |
€45,346 |
|
Mobility Aids Grant |
0 |
€0 |
|
Housing Aid for Older People Grant |
19 |
€90,085 |
|
Total |
24 |
€135,431 |
My Department has not yet received claims in respect of 2025 grant expenditure from Kilkenny County Council.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. Details in relation to the number of applications approved or completed and paid (but not yet claimed from my Department) by Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils to date in 2025 are not available in my Department. This information may be available directly from the local authority.
452. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the build cost and delivery cost per unit at development (details supplied). [15011/25]
View answerIn October 2023 My Department provided funding approval for the Turnkey delivery of 32 Social Housing units that are being developed by O’Chualain for Tuath Housing Association. I am advised by DCC that these units are expected to deliver in June 2026.
I am also advised by DCC that this scheme is specifically aimed at older persons listed on the DCC social housing waiting list. This project will deliver 32 wheelchair accessible units within a five story block of apartments with passenger lift access, open space areas for residents and a community room for residents to gather and socialise.
This scheme has been designed with older persons independent living in mind, giving an option for residents to engage with other residents at the provided community area or enjoy their own independent living space.
My Department is not in a position, at this time, to release costs in relation to this development as they are commercially sensitive
453. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit of new-build social housing delivered in 2024, by SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction (including full cost and CALF cost), CALF turnkey (including full cost and CALF cost), CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Local Authority Part V, AHB Part V, acquisition, Affordable Housing Fund (including full cost and AHF cost), Cost Rental Equity Loan (including full cost and CREL cost), and the costs for social housing acquisition, in tabular form. [15020/25]
View answer454. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has requested the transboundary screening for the main mine application, mine waste facility, water abstraction and discharge applications, and the habitats regulations assessment from his Northern Ireland counterpart in respect of the Sperrins mine transboundary consultation; and if not, if he will do so and make it available through his Department or Donegal County Council. [15022/25]
View answerMy Department contacted the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland by email on Wednesday 12 March 2025 to request the documents referenced in the question. As a response has not been received to date, an email reminder issued on Monday 24 March 2025.
455. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on delays at the land registry. [15025/25]
View answerTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provide a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
It is understood from Tailte Éireann that the continued increase in applications received for registration by Tailte Éireann year-on-year, and challenges in recruitment for some time now, have unfortunately contributed to an accumulation of applications for registration. To address this, Tailte Éireann has embarked on a targeted recruitment campaign where a significant number of new staff have now been on-boarded which, when fully trained, will allow Tailte Éireann to reduce waiting times for registration services.
Tailte Éireann has advised that improvements have been made to date in throughput times, particularly in relation to cases that do not require mapping. I am confident that as the full complement of staff are successfully on-boarded, it will be in a position to reduce waiting times across all application types.
Outside of recruitment, every effort is being made by Tailte Éireann to reduce application processing times including implementation of the following efficiency driving measures:
• Revised procedures for more efficient handling of the large volume of applications which are lodged that are not in order to proceed to registration.
• Targeted approach to reduce the age profile of applications pending registration.
• Revised internal processes aimed at reducing the volume of applications on hand which are not in order to proceed and remain under query.
• An organisation-wide focus on reducing processing times with business process improvements now implemented across the organisation.
Tailte Éireann also continues to promote its digital services and uptake of eRegistration services, where paperless application types are available to legal practitioners and financial institutions which help to reduce processing times for all service users.
It is understood from Tailte Éireann that where an application is lodged fully in order for registration, the application will be registered without any long delay. Applications involving transfer of registered land, where no change to the registry map is required, are in the main processed within 15 working days. Processing times for transfers which do require a change to the map, and those requiring first registration of property, are improving. In cases where any delay in registration could have a potential impact, Tailte Éireann makes every effort to expedite applications.
Lodging parties may contact Tailte Éireann in relation to a specific case by email at info@tailte.ie. Further information in relation to specific cases may be obtained by Oireachtas members by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at oireachtas@tailte.ie.
456. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide data on the number of short term lets which have been granted planning permission in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the number that applied and were refused planning, per local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15055/25]
View answerLegislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
Local planning authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the short-term letting planning arrangements and submit quarterly data returns to my Department. The information requested in relation to the number of planning applications received and planning permissions granted and refused for change of use to short term letting has been taken from these returns and is provided in the table attached. The figures for 2024 do not include the Returns for December 2024 which will be available in due course.
457. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures planned to regulate short term lets in areas outside of rent pressure zones, given that short term lets are not required to get planning permission in such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15056/25]
View answerThe EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules on the collection and exchange of data on short-term rental services for member states, hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services, and online platforms that offer services to hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services within the EU.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) has drafted the Short-Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. The proposed STLT Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Lets in Ireland and for the implementation of the new EU STR.
In parallel, my Department is currently considering options which will help inform a clear direction on what the policy approach to regulating short-term lets will be. It is important that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for Short Term Lets. This considers numerous complex factors, such as existing planning legislation, the long-term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed Short-Term Let and balancing housing need with the potential impact on tourism and economic development.
My Department will develop Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement and support the introduction of the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill, based on an approach that clarifies the balance of need between housing and short-term tourist accommodation, which may be considered on a geographic basis, and will provide clarity in respect of planning requirements regarding short-term letting properties.
458. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposed plan for Castlerea fire station; if there are any intentions to reopen the station in light of the clear and urgent need for fire services in Castlerea and the surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15104/25]
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 Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through general policy-setting and preparing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2017, my Department was informed by Roscommon County Council that Castlerea fire brigade was to be stood down. A formal decision not to re-open Castlerea Fire station was made, at the appropriate local level, by Roscommon County Council in 2020 based on an independently peer reviewed report “Roscommon County Council Fire Services – Operations Risk Management Review and Area Risk Assessment” presented to the Council at their July 2020 meeting.
It is important to note that the non-availability of any particular fire station does not mean that fire risk management, including fire service response, is diminished. The systemic approach to fire risk management, which has been the policy underpinning the delivery of fire services in this country for more than a decade, has seen a welcome and steady downward trend in fire losses in Ireland.
Roscommon County Council provides fire services from fire stations at Roscommon town, Elphin, Boyle, Ballaghadereen and Strokestown. Significant areas of the county are also served from fire stations located in adjacent counties including Athlone, Ballinasloe, Ballyhaunis, Carrick-on-Shannon and Lanesboro. The response is codified in a formal Pre-Determined Attendance profile that is validated by the Chief Fire Officer.
Fire cover for Castlerea has continued to be provided from the adjacent fire stations and my Department has been assured that fire cover in the area continues to be managed and delivered in an efficient and safe manner by adjacent fire brigades. Roscommon Fire and Rescue Service is equipped to deal appropriately with the level of fire risk in the community and, while Castlerea Fire Brigade was stood down more than six years ago, the fire service to residents, business owners, institutions and schools has continued to be delivered in a safe and appropriate manner in line with the Operations Risk Management Review presented to Roscommon County Council.
459. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if plans are in place to review the current tenant purchase scheme and reduce the period of time tenants are required to be in receipt of social housing support to be considered eligible under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15129/25]
View answerThe Tenant Purchase Schemes are open to eligible tenants of local authority homes that are available for sale under the schemes.
Schemes such as these are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, an appropriate balance must be struck between increasing access for those in receipt of long-term housing support to purchase their local authority home, and ensuring, at a time of unprecedented demand, that local authority housing stock is not unduly diminished. As such, there are no immediate plans to conduct a review of the schemes or further expand on the eligibility criteria, such as reducing the time tenants are required to be in receipt of social housing supports in to be considered eligible.
Information regarding the schemes may be found on my Department’s website via this link: gov.ie - Tenant Purchase Schemes for Local Authority Tenants
460. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the capital allocations for social housing acquisitions for 2025, in tabular form. [15139/25]
View answer473. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is scope for a person (detailed supplied) to qualify for the tenant-in-situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15283/25]
View answer478. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if sufficient funding has been provided to Wicklow and Wexford County Councils for refurbishment of properties that are purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme; if so, the amount allocated to each local authority, in tabular form; where no funding has been provided the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15370/25]
View answer494. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 25 March 2025, the funding allocated to local authorities by his Department in order to meet the tenant-in-situ scheme acquisition targets in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of housing units purchased via the local authority scheme specifically in 2023 and 2024, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15755/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 473, 478 and 494 together.
Tenant in Situ Acquisitions were introduced by way of Government decision in 2023 as a short term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes which were within the HAP and RAS schemes in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the affected tenants.
A further Government decision extended such acquisitions into 2024 with approval granted for 1,300 Tenant in Situ acquisitions in addition to the 200 priority acquisitions target for 2024 contained in Housing for All.
Tenant in Situ acquisitions have been an important measure in the prevention of homelessness since their introduction in 2023. Government has therefore agreed to continue such acquisitions in 2025. My Department has notified local authorities on the extension of the programme and a circular setting out the arrangements and capital funding allocations has issued. The allocation of capital funding will enable local authorities to assess all available options and to decide on the most appropriate action in each case. As such, local authorities can identify suitable acquisitions in line with the local circumstances.
Acquisition targets were set for each local authority in 2023 and 2024 rather than capital funding allocations. For 2025 capital funding allocations are being provided with the €325m being made available to local authorities.
In relation to the details supplied, I understand that Dublin City Council have committed to reviewing this case under the new criteria for 2025.
With regard to refurbishment costs, funding for these costs will not be available under the second hand acquisitions programme for Tenant in Situ acquisitions. Such properties are the beneficiaries of significant Exchequer funded rent supports every week, are legally required to meet the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and are subject to inspection by local authorities to ensure they meet the said standards. Therefore, immediate essential repairs should not be required.
Some refurbishment works may be required in the short to medium term but these should be noted as part of the condition survey and programmed for future planned maintenance works such that the capital funding available for Tenant in Situ acquisitions is dedicated to maximising the number of acquisitions.
Local authorities take appropriate steps to ensure that their first response will be to support households to prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with a notice of termination by their landlord. A local authority will assess the options available in each case and decide the appropriate action.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. Comprehensive data on social and affordable housing is published on my Department's website up to Quarter 3 2024, including completed acquisitions: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
Data for all of these schemes up to Q4 2024 is being collected and collated.
461. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated to Cork county projects as part of the urban regeneration and development fund from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; if the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/25]
View answerA flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF, with approximately €1.9 billion allocated so far. Under Call 1 and Call 2, 132 proposals comprised of some 428 individual projects, were approved for funding. URDF supported projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
While Call 1 and 2 funding was provided for specific urban regeneration and development projects, Call 3 funding is supporting an approved programme of acquisitions in each local authority to address long term vacancy and dereliction in URDF towns and cities, and support the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First.
The table attached shows the URDF support allocated to Cork County Council for projects approved under Call 1 and 2 by year from 2020 to 2024 and drawdown of URDF support to date. For completeness, URDF allocations in 2019 have also been included.
Under URDF Call 3, Cork County Council was allocated €5m in 2023. As part of the Government decision on the third round of funding under the URDF, Government approved the inclusion of additional towns to the URDF programme where, following publication of the 2022 Census results, they meet the eligibility criteria. Following analysis of the published results it was determined that Bandon, Clonakilty and Carrigtwohill met the eligibility criteria for URDF status. Cork County Council’s Call 3 URDF allocation increased accordingly with an additional €3m in URDF support allocated in 2024 bringing the Council’s total Call 3 URDF allocation to €8m.
As a signal of Government commitment to the Call 3 initiative, Cork County Council received €1m of their Call 3 allocation by way of forward funding, so that they were well resourced to begin tackling this issue.
