Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
259. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27965/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, is the foundation for my Department's main policy initiatives. My Department has commitments across 10 of the 12 Missions in the Programme. My Department's 2021 Statement of Strategy was published in April 2021 and set out our strategic goals, objectives and actions. It is available on my Department's website at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/9a047-statement-of-strategy-2021-2025/. A new Statement of Strategy for the period 2023-2025 was published in August 2023 and is available on my Department's website at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/3be76-statement-of-strategy-2023-2025/.
My Department's website, www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage, is a good source of information about activities and initiatives undertaken, but by way of illustration, some of the key actions delivered since 27 June 2020 include:
• the publication of 'Housing for All - a new Housing Plan for Ireland' and the continued progression of initiatives covered under this policy;
• the launching of the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme and subsequent amendment regulations increasing the number of eligible applicants;
• the enactment of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 which established the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, introduced Cost Rental tenancies, established the First Home Shared Equity Scheme and expanded Part V of the planning requirements;
• provision of €59.6m of Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) funding to the Housing Agency in relation to four LDA proposals for the delivery of 426 cost rental units in 2023;
• the establishment of the Regulatory Authority for Approved Housing Bodies;
• the launch of a new Vacant Homes Action Plan, including a fund of €150 million for local authorities, outlining measures introduced to address vacancy and dereliction;
• new iteration of the Mortgage to Rent scheme launched;
• increased funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older and Disabled people;
• an increased budget to support local authority homeless programmes and Covid-19 enhanced services;
• the establishment of the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) and subsequent publication of the Youth Homelessness Strategy;
• the establishment of the Emergency Refurbishment programme;
• the establishment of the Offer a Home scheme;
• the establishment, with the Department of Rural and Community Development, of a Town Centre First Inter-Departmental Group on the regeneration of towns and villages;
• the introduction of a Ready to Build scheme, funded through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund;
• approval of five developments of owner occupier apartments under the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme;
• the enactment of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022;
• the publication of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 which will ensure that the planning system meets the needs of the people of Ireland;
• commencement of the process to revise the National Planning Framework;
• publication of the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities set out national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of urban and rural settlements, with a focus on sustainable residential development and the creation of compact settlements;
• the preparation of legislation for a Zoned Land Tax;
• the enactment of the Land Development Agency Act 2021;
• the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021;
• the development of the Marine Spatial Plan;
• the development of the National Marine Planning Framework;
• the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA);
• the establishment of Tailte Éireann;
• the enactment of the Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2022 to separate Uisce Éireann from the Ervia Group;
• the signing of new Drinking Water Regulations;
• publication of a new Water Services Policy Statement;
• enactment of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024;
• establishment of the Electoral Commission following the enactment of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, in order to modernise the electoral registration process and introduce regulation of online political advertising;
• regulations for a revised and improved retirement gratuity scheme for councillors (S.I. No. 276 of 2024) in place;
• agreement of a new Local Government Code of Governance;
• publication of a review of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs), and revised guidelines for the operation of SPCs issued;
• the publication of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Plan 2023-2025;
• the enactment of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023 which will require all public service bodies to integrate biodiversity into plans, policies and programmes;
• enactment of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023;
• increased funding for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, the Historic Structures Fund and the Community Monuments Fund;
• the publication of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme;
• publication of 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan;
• launch of Breeding Wader European Innovation Partnership (EIP);
• increased funding for National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme;
• increased funding for the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
My Department’s high level activity, with respect to the Statement of Strategy, is documented in its Annual Reports, which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/collection/f9a38-annual-reports/.
Regular updates, in the form of press releases, are also issued by my Department, particularly when outcomes are achieved, and these can be found at www.gov.ie/en/search/?type=press_releases&organisation=department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage.
As a whole-of-government approach has been adopted to the implementation of Housing for All, Housing for All updates and progress reports are being coordinated and overseen by the Department of the Taoiseach, in close cooperation with my Department. These can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/dfc50-housing-for-all/.
