Written Answers Nos. 247-283
247. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects to fill the chairperson post at the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI re-appointed Ms. Maura McGrath to a second term as Chairperson of the Board of the National Concert Hall with effect from 24 June 2021, as provided for in section 9.1.5 of the Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards. The term of appointment was for five years.
I recently appointed Ms. McGrath as Chairperson of the Board of the Arts Council. At the time of that appointment it was noted that a new Chair of the Board of the National Concert Hall will be appointed in due course. Arrangements for the selection of a new Chair of the National Concert Hall are being finalised at present.
248. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application for funding by an organisation (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2023 round of the SCEP has seen a record number of applications received including the application referred to by the Deputy.
On 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment-only grants under the latest round of the SCEP. The grants have been provisionally allocated to organisations across the country and to over fifty sports and activities. Further allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced by Autumn.
On 29 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced that at least €250 million in funding will be available under the latest round of the SCEP. This record level of funding should mean a positive outcome for all valid applications.
249. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of any concerns regarding the way athletes are treated in the rowing programme at the National Rowing Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has received contact from Sport Ireland or any involved party expressing concerns about the welfare of athletes under high-performance programmes at Rowing Ireland; if so, if she will outline the details and how the matter was followed up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28332/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of current legal cases involving athletes who have been traumatised by their experience at Rowing Ireland; if she has raised the matter with Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28333/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department, or Sport Ireland, have received the findings of a review into the culture at the high-performance programme at Rowing Ireland, which was initiated in 2021; if so, if she will outline the details of the review ; the action that was taken in response to the findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28334/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 250, 251 and 252 together.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes high performance sport.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
253. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made under the first-home scheme by tenants with a notice to quit; and the number approved. [27828/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home. The Scheme was expanded on 17th April 2023 to include the Tenant Home Purchase Product, enabling tenants who have received a notice of termination to buy the home they were renting, subject to the other terms and conditions of the First Home Scheme.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB and, as such, is responsible for First Home Scheme reporting.
The First Home Scheme Q1 2024 quarterly report, including information in relation to the Tenant Home Purchase Product, is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/.
254. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider reviewing the impact of roads policies brought in by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on local authority policy planning in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27852/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational policy in relation to the provision of access to national roads is set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) which were issued by the Minister under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Section 28 requires that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Act.
The Guidelines seek to protect the capacity, efficiency and safety of national roads and their strategic transport function through both the plan-making and development management processes. This approach is also reflected in the National Planning Framework and the respective Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
The Guidelines are clear that the planning system must ensure that the strategic function of national roads is maintained by limiting the extent of development that would give rise to the generation of short trip traffic on national roads or alternatively by ensuring that the trip demand from future development will primarily be catered for on the non-national network.
The Guidelines provide clear policy direction to planning authorities in relation to the process to be followed before a proposed exemption in relation to access to national roads is included in a development plan. Consultation with TII is central to this process, and a collaborative and evidence-based approach is required by virtue of that authority’s role as a prescribed body in the plan-making process pursuant to Article 13 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2024.
The necessity for a collaborative approach is reaffirmed by virtue of the statutory obligation on planning authorities under Article 28 of the Regulations to notify TII of any planning application received involving development that consists of or comprises the formation, laying out or material widening of an access to a national road, not being within a built-up area. This obligation also separately applies in cases where the proposed development might give rise to a significant increase in the volume of traffic using a national road.
With regard to the current Guidelines and any potential review, it should be noted that the Planning and Development Bill 2023 includes provisions which propose to replace Section 28 Ministerial Planning Guidelines with ‘National Planning Statements’. Following enactment of the legislation, it is proposed to undertake a programme of review of existing Section 28 guidelines with the intention of replacing them with National Planning Statements, noting that this programme of work will be sequenced over time. It is envisaged that public consultation will be undertaken as part of this process.
255. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that electricity reconnections are causing delays in the return to use of vacant council-owned homes. [27869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
The detailed administration of the schemes including assessment, approval and prioritisation of works is a matter for each local authority.
256. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position of consultation with NPWS and the ESB on an area in Cork (details supplied) in finalising the management plan for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gearagh site is owned largely by the ESB.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department contributed as part of the stakeholder group to the management plan scoping exercise for the site undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB in 2016/2017.
Arising from that exercise, the NPWS received a Draft Gearagh Site Environmental Management Plan 2024 -2029 from the ESB in April 2024. It was reviewed by the NPWS who provided comments on the draft plan to the ESB for its consideration. The ESB has indicated that a follow up meeting between NPWS and the ESB will be arranged when it has fully considered the NPWS response.
The NPWS continues to engage with the ESB on the monitoring of this site.
257. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, where a person obtains a housing aid for older people or SEAI grant, they can still apply and qualify for croí cónaithe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27918/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
The objective of the grant scheme is to refurbish and bring existing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. The grant is available to individuals for the purpose of refurbishing vacant or derelict properties for use as their principal private residence or to be made available for rent.
A Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Home Scheme Grant or a housing aid for older people may be available in combination with this grant and it would be for the SEAI or the local authority in question to advise on this in individual situations.
Works that are covered by another grant will not be covered under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The local authority must satisfy themselves that proposed works applied for under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are not claimed for under any other grant funding stream.
258. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a pension-aged person can apply for an insulation grant, new fuse box and other works through any grants available through local government. [27954/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which helps older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Qualifying works include structural repairs or improvements, upgrading unsafe electrical wiring, drylining, repair or replacement of windows and doors and the repair or replacement of heating (where no central heating exists or the existing system is broken or beyond repair).
The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
Grant funding for insulation works are more appropriate to the schemes available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Further information in relation to these schemes can be found on the SEAI website at the following link: Home Energy Upgrades | Home Energy | SEAI.
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/.
260. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent on HAP, RAS and leasing programmes in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level data on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery and spend activity. This data includes information relating to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) and the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) and can be found on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
261. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that are available for persons with disabilities or significant medical conditions (details supplied) whose income exceeds the threshold for social housing in order that they can access affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 including 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through the First Home Scheme.
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) was introduced to assist first-time buyers purchasing local authority-delivered new homes. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/.
The issue of mortgage protection in relation to an affordable purchase or any private home is one for the relevant mortgage provider and the banks insurance requirement and is not under the remit of my Department.
262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the review of the rental accommodation scheme will be published ahead of Budget 2025. [27990/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has completed a review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). The review was carried out in consultation with the general public, key stakeholders (including all local authorities) and includes 23 recommendations for the future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
The review underscores the important role of RAS in Ireland’s social housing landscape and suggests modifications to ensure its effectiveness and expansion. It is the intention that this reinvigoration and refocusing of RAS will aim to encourage the retention of private landlords in RAS, to continue to ensure housing quality, and provide more immediate access to housing for vulnerable households.
The Implementation phase of the review has begun and my Department is engaging with each of the 31 local authorities regarding the recommendations contained in the review. The review is being prepared for publication and will be published in the coming weeks.
263. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered ensuring all cost-rental developments have organic waste facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes in the period out to 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by Local Authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), by the Land Development Agency, and now also by private providers under the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) scheme.
The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the profit-driven open market. Rents will increase only in line with general consumer inflation, remaining stable in real terms while continuing to cover ongoing costs. Cost Rental homes also come with the added advantage of long-term, secure tenancies regulated by the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
Cost Rental homes currently being delivered into the sector are new-build homes constructed to the appropriate current building standards, including energy efficiency requirements.
My Department has not considered requiring that all cost-rental developments have organic waste facilities. Such a requirement would need to be considered carefully in the context of the overall effect on costs and increased rents.
264. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets set and actual numbers realised for the local authority energy efficiency retrofit scheme from 2020 to 2024, for each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28006/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) aims to retrofit a local authority home to a BER of B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme out to 2030.
Each year the target number of units and funding provided under the EERP are subject to the funding availability as part of the National Development Plan and annual Estimates process. The 2024 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support to €90 million to retrofit 2,500 properties. Local authorities have received their individual allocations and work is underway in that regard.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2023 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020, the details of which are found below. A further 674 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/# .
265. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options available to a landowner whose land was designated as SAC without notification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28032/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland, like all Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive.
When a site is first proposed for inclusion within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a public notice of the proposed designation is published in national and local newspapers and on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. Adverts are broadcast on radio and displayed in local Garda stations, local authority offices, public libraries, local offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and offices of Teagasc.
In addition, landowners known to my Department are directly notified in writing of the proposed designation, and are sent a detailed information pack on the relevant site that includes information on how to object to the proposed designation.
A three-month period from the date of notification is provided for lodging an objection to the inclusion of land in a proposed SAC. Once the statutory period for lodging an objection has passed and any objections have been dealt with, the formal designation of the site is completed by the making of a Statutory Instrument.
The designation of SACs in Ireland is a statutory process and all such designations are publicly notified in this way. There are no instances where a public notification along the lines above was not undertaken for an SAC site.
266. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has examined the possibility of allowing mortgage to-rent-tenants buy back their home using incremental payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28062/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced in 2012. It offers households with acute, unsustainable mortgage arrears who have little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances, the chance to surrender a property to a lender and in turn become a social housing tenant whilst staying in their own home and community.
The MTR scheme is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves.
The MARP is a framework that sets out rules for how lenders must deal with borrowers when they fall into mortgage arrears or are in pre-arrears. It forms a major part of the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which is a statutory code set out by the Central Bank of Ireland. The CCMA and the MARP can be found in full on the Central Bank’s website www.centralbank.ie/consumer-hub/explainers/how-does-the-central-bank-protect-me-if-i-cant-pay-my-mortgage.
Within the MARP framework there are many potential resolutions for borrowers in mortgage arrears, once they are engaging with their lender. The appropriate solution for each borrower will depend on their personal financial circumstances. If it has been determined that a borrower has no other possible resolution to their mortgage arrears situation once they have worked through the MARP process with their lender, they can then turn to the MTR scheme to see if they meet the eligibility criteria.
If an individual who has successfully gone through the MTR scheme can subsequently obtain the finance for the purchase, they can buy the property back after 5 years. The price the individual will pay for the property at this time, will be the open market value at the time the purchase back is being undertaken or the price the buyer paid for the property, including costs with a clawback applied (the value of which relates to time between the buyer purchasing it and the individual buying it back).
The two buyback options available for MTR properties are set out in full in the document 'A Guide to the Mortgage to Rent Scheme' which is available at the following link: mortgagetorent.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MTR-Guide-04_01_2023-PDF-Updated-for-VAT-02.05.24.pdf.
267. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the provision of funding to local authorities and approved housing bodies to fund remediation of defective concrete blocks in their housing stock. [28166/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Act also provides for the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Social Homes Scheme. This is a scheme for the purpose of enabling a designated local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB) with dwellings located in a designated local authority area to remedy damage caused to dwellings, owned by the local authority/AHB, by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.
Section 36 of the Act provides that social homes will receive the same remediation options as those covered under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme for private housing, and the same grant cap, grant rates and damage threshold requirements, along with access to ancillary grants.
A draft Scheme has been prepared by my Department. In terms of content, it is based on the current Enhanced Scheme with appropriate amendments where necessary to reflect the slightly different nature of social housing. The fundamental terms and conditions regarding eligibility and grant rates are the same as the private scheme. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Act.
The draft DCB Social Homes Scheme constitutes the framework for the application of the provisions contained in the Act. It is informed by feedback my Department has received from The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) regarding AHB units where there are concerns about the impact of defective concrete blocks. My Department has also had extensive engagement with the four designated counties under the Act - Donegal, Mayo, Limerick and Clare - regarding their affected housing stock.
I expect to be in a position to finalise the Scheme shortly.
268. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress of Actions 7.1 to 7.6 of Housing for All, to date, and other actions his Department is taking to increase the supply of housing for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28167/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in January 2022 and the Implementation Plan for the Strategy on 22 June 2023. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/
The Strategy and Implementation Plan operate under the framework of Housing for All. Under Housing for All, each local authority is required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan, setting out details of social and affordable housing delivery for the period 2022-2026 in accordance with the housing need in their area. This includes details of proposed delivery of housing for people with a disability.
Disability Friendly Technical Advisers are in place in each local authority and local authority Housing and Disability Steering Groups are reporting quarterly to their Chief Executive Officer and the Strategic Policy Committee on the implementation of their Strategic Plans for disabled people.
My Department reviewed the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability grants scheme. The review considered the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible with a view to also publishing the final report.
Actions 7.1 to 7.6 of Housing for All on increasing and improving housing options and supports for disabled people are substantially advanced and my Department will continue to focus on ensuring implementation of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 Implementation Plan under the framework of Housing for All.
269. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority housing allocations for people with disabilities in the years 2023-2024, broken down by physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or other classification of disability, in tabular form. [28168/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in January 2022 and the Implementation Plan for the Strategy on 22 June 2023. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/.
Disabled people are allocated social housing support through all of the available routes, namely, standard local authority housing, Rental Assistance Scheme, Approved Housing Bodies and the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. Since 2017, The Housing Agency has collated figures from each local authority on their allocation in the previous year to disabled people under each of the four categories and as a percentage of their overall allocations. The allocations to disabled people have increased year-on-year. Data from local authorities indicate increased allocations of social housing to households with disability as a primary basis of need. In 2022, 2,472 households with a disability as a primary basis of need were accommodated across local authorities representing 15% of total allocations for 2022. A breakdown of the allocations to disabled people by physical, sensory, mental, intellectual for the period 2016 to 2022 is contained in the Implementation Plan available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/#implementation-plan.
Data collation in relation to allocations of accommodation to disabled people for 2023 is currently being finalised by the Housing Agency.
270. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if child benefit is disregarded in the income assessment for social housing eligibility. [28170/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy (HMP).
Under the HMP, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The HMP provides for a range of income disregards, which includes child benefit and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The HMP is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/
271. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with Uisce Éireann and Cork County Council to date in 2024 in advancing a water scheme (details supplied); if any meetings are scheduled to take place in July; if the approved funding has been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28262/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of housing estates across the country that rely on developer provided infrastructure for their water services. These estates have not been taken-in-charge and their water services networks are not, currently, connected to the public (Uisce Éireann) system. The water services infrastructure, provided by the developer of such estates, is more commonly called DPI.
My Department's Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI Programme) has provided funding to assist in progressively resolving issues with DPI in a number of locations across the country. I can confirm that in June 2023 I approved over €3.3 million of funding, under the DPI Programme, to Cork County Council to resolve the DPI issue in the area referenced.
My Department met Uisce Éireann in June 2024 in relation to the progressive resolution of DPI estates nationally. A multi-stakeholder group will be established during 2024 to oversee progress with representation from Uisce Éireann, local authorities, planning authorities and the Department. Separately, the Department will work with Uisce Éireann on the funding arrangements to underpin the process.
272. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 25 June 2024, if he will confirm that access to homeless services is permitted to those Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection who reach the 90-day cut off for State-provided accommodation and who have no alternative accommodation in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) are the lead Department with responsibility for the provision of accommodation and related supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. The responsibility for providing accommodation to Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection does not rest with my Department; this responsibility rests with DCEDIY.
273. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the application process for housing aid and housing adaptation grants (details supplied). [28284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
The schemes are means tested and operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The Regulations underpinning the scheme states that evidence of household income for the previous tax year must be submitted to local authorities with all applications under the scheme. I understand that in the case of self-assessed individuals, it is possible to obtain this documentation from Revenue after 1 January in the current year subject to returns being made in a timely manner.
The household income approach is intended to spread the benefits of the grant scheme as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in operation of the scheme towards those with the greatest needs. Local authorities, in administering the scheme, work with qualifying applicants to secure the most beneficial outcome possible in line with the applicants' financial circumstances and within the parameters of the Grant Scheme.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas the review considered are the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible with a view to also publishing the final report.
274. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason staged payments via SHIP and SALF are possible for local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) to make staged payments for social housing delivery, while such staged payments are not available to local authorities and AHBs/cooperatives under the affordable housing fund for the delivery of affordable purchase homes. [28285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities with the development costs associated with the provision of affordable homes.
In the case of affordable purchase homes, grant subsidies ranging from €50,000 to €100,000 per affordable home are available to assist local authorities to bring forward suitable schemes whereby homes may be offered to eligible persons at an affordable price which must be at least 15% below the market price of the property concerned. 95% of the subsidy is met by the Exchequer with the remaining 5% coming from a local authority contribution.
Grant payments are made to local authorities in line with Circular 13/2014, Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds, as issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Plan Delivery and Reform. In line with the Circular, the default arrangement is that grants are paid on a vouched expenditure basis.
275. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions in place for community and voluntary organisations to support them financially when the auto-enrolment into pensions comes into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27871/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of an automatic enrolment retirement savings system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.Implementation of the AE system has been gathering pace, with the intention to commence the scheme in early 2025. Its implementation will represent the single biggest reform of the pension system in the history of the State.
Employees who are not already in an occupational pension scheme or an equivalent pension savings scheme like a PRSA, and who are aged between 23 and 60 years old, and earning over €20,000 across all of their employments, will be automatically enrolled. Employee contributions will be matched by employer contributions and topped up by the State.
My Department has been engaging with employers, including those in the community and voluntary sector, since the release of the AE 'strawman' public consultation in 2018. Its impending implementation has also been well flagged since the publication of the Programme for Government in 2020. Employers have been given a substantial lead-in period to budget appropriately for its introduction, including through budget negotiation with a sponsor where appropriate.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the design of the AE system provides for phasing in of the contribution rates over a decade, starting at a very low 1.5% of gross earnings for the first three years. For community and voluntary organisations (and employers more generally), this approach gives very clear certainty as to the rates that will be applicable so as to facilitate the gradual absorption of these labour costs.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27823/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22 June 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
277. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address an issue in respect of participants on CE schemes being levied with a higher PRSI contribution (details supplied). [27846/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Community Employment scheme is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. Community Employment projects are sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community and participants are employed for 19.5 hours per week with the sponsor group.
Employment under Community Employment is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Participants joining Community Employment are returned at Class A8/A9 PRSI, which provides them with a paid contribution for each week, as with other Class A employees. These contributions provide entitlement for the full range of social welfare benefits, both during Community Employment employment and when that employment has ceased.
Similar to other Class A employees, Community Employment workers earning up to €352 per week are not liable for PRSI. Those earning over €352 per week are liable for PRSI at a rate of 4%. However, for those earning between €352.01 and €424 per week, there is a PRSI credit of €12 to mitigate the “step effect” employees experience when their earnings exceed €352 per week and they become liable for PRSI.
If the Deputy has additional detail on the case he refers to, my Department is happy to examine the matter to ensure the correct rate of PRSI is being applied for the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27847/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended, provides for the making of payments by employers to employees in respect of redundancy. The purpose of the Redundancy Payments Scheme is to compensate employees for the loss of their job by reason of redundancy in cases where the employer can prove to the satisfaction of my Department that they are unable to make the payment.
It is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy payments to all eligible employees. In the event that an employer is unable to pay due to financial difficulties, an application from the employer on behalf of an employee may be submitted to the Department for payment from the Social Insurance Fund.
I can confirm that an application was submitted to my Department under the Redundancy Payment Scheme on the 15 May 2024 for the workers impacted.
Processing of this application is currently underway. Officials from my Department are engaging with the employer representative to resolve outstanding queries, required to determine the full entitlements.
The employer representative will be notified directly once a decision on the application is completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
279. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to detail the process for jobseeker's payment claims (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27880/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person may apply for Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) and must satisfy all the conditions to qualify for a payment, including parenting alone and having the main care of a child/children who are aged between 7 and 13 years inclusive. When a person makes an application for JST they complete the JST application form and provide all the information requested including details of their spouse, civil partner, former cohabitant or other parent of their child. The applicant then signs a Declaration that they satisfy all the conditions for the payment. A person must notify the Department if there are any change of circumstances which may affect their continued entitlement.
When a JST application form is submitted to the Department, the applicant’s declaration that they have the main care and charge of the child/children is accepted. However if the other parent contacts the Department to state otherwise, the claim may be investigated further.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on the time limit for carer’s benefit; if changes to this time limit are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role played by family carers and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Carer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce, or reduce their working hours, to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. A person may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have sufficient PRSI contributions. Projected expenditure on Carer’s Benefit in 2024 is estimated at €57.9 million.
The payment is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
It is also worth noting that the payment is aligned with Carer's Leave. While Carer's Leave is unpaid, a person maybe eligible for Carer's Benefit (or Carer's Allowance) and their job is kept open for when they return. In line with the statutory provisions Carer's Leave is payable for a maximum period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for and can be taken in one block or in separate periods as long as the combined total does not exceed 104 weeks. As the Carer's Benefit payment is aligned with the period for Carer's Leave, any proposals for change would also have to be considered by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
It should be noted that not all those claiming Carer’s Benefit opt to remain in payment for the full 104 weeks. The average total number of weeks used by recipients per year from 2020 to 2023 was 71 weeks.
Where care is provided beyond the period of entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, the means tested Carer’s Allowance is available for those who are in need of income support.
I believe that the current arrangements ensure an efficient use of public funds while assisting those who need to take time out for caring and are in need of an income support.
Any increase to the current time limit would involve additional expenditure and could only be considered within a wider budgetary and policy context.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
281. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the decision on an application for carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27935/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 25 January 2024.
It is a condition for the receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision, and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and be likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a Department Medical Assessor (MA). The claim was disallowed as the Deciding Officer, having regard to the opinion of the MA, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 12 February. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27969/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has delivered significant improvements since June 2020. At that time, the country was in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic and this Department introduced the Pandemic Unemployment Payment a few months previously in response to the unprecedented disruption to the labour market caused by Covid-19. Some 29.7 million PUP payments issued at a value of over €9.2 billion while 880,000 people received payment under the scheme. PUP recipients transitioned to standard jobseeker terms and the scheme was closed on 31st May 2022.
In February 2021, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, a Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds was introduced. This provides a benefit payment, based on an individual’s PRSI record, for employed or self-employed people who retire aged 65.
At the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis in 2022, my Department was at the forefront in providing support to those Ukrainians fleeing from the conflict. By the end of May 2024, PPSNs issued to some 107,337 Ukrainian people, while income supports are currently being paid to 39,000 adults. It is estimated that about 20,000 Ukrainians are in employment and that a further 20,000 have left the country.
Legislation came into effect on 4th June 2024 which provides that child maintenance payments will be disregarded in the means test for social welfare payments; the "efforts to seek maintenance" requirement is removed from One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. These are significant policy changes which will be of great benefit to lone parents.
Pay-Related Benefit legislation is currently going through the Oireachtas. It will link a person’s jobseeker’s payment to their previous earnings and is the norm in European countries.
Auto-enrolment will transform the occupational pension landscape. This legislation is almost enacted and will be an important milestone as people reach their retirement years.
Successive Social Protection Budgets in 2022 and 2023 were significantly larger than previous years and introduced increases and additional supports across all core social welfare payments.
The Social Protection budget for 2024 was the largest in the history of the State. Budget 2024 provided almost €2.3 billion in measures to assist households with the cost of living. This includes across-the-board increases of €12 per week in all core payments and was combined with a series of lump sum payments for carers, people with disabilities, working families as well as those living alone on low incomes.
In December 2023, a Christmas Bonus was paid to 1.3 million welfare recipients and for the first time, this was followed by a January Cost of Living Bonus.
I also introduced changes to the State Pension (Contributory) from January 2024. These changes included improved access to PRSI-based pensions provision for long-term carers and will see carers receive the equivalent of paid contributions for caring periods of over 20 years to cover gaps in their contribution record needed to obtain the State Pension (Contributory). This acknowledges the important role family carers play in Irish society.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
283. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on rent supplement in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27977/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2023 provisional expenditure on Rent Supplement is €62.9 million.
