Pauline Tully
Ceist:762. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she or her officials last directly met a person (details supplied). [35665/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (762)
Freagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that neither I, or officials from my Department, have directly met with the named individual.
Television Licence Fee
Ceisteanna (763)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:763. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the new arrangements which will apply for the setting of the charge for a TV licence; the range of equipment to which it shall apply; the changes proposed to improve collection rates during the coming year; how it will impact on those who are currently entitled to free TV licence, and on the estimated shortfall of the projected revenues from the charge in funding RTÉ’s five-year plan; and if she has factored in her plans to support other independent media into the revised arrangements. [35882/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, on 24th July, I announced that Government had agreed multi-annual public funding for RTÉ which, through a combination of an improved TV licence collection system and Exchequer support, will ensure that RTÉ is supported to deliver on its Statement of Strategy. It is important to note that a key aspect of the Government decision, was the provision of multi annual funding which will in turn provide certainty of funding for RTÉ and will enable the organisation to plan on a multi-annual basis for the delivery of its New Direction Statement of Strategy 2025-2029.
In addition, Government also agreed to the provision of increased funding for the Broadcasting and Media funds, with a further €4m in Exchequer support. This will deliver a minimum of €22.2m for the sector in 2025 through the Sound and Vision and new Media schemes, ensuring continuing support for independent producers and the wider media sector. Public service media is critical to a well-functioning democracy, but is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and wellbeing. The provision of high quality public service media content for the Irish public includes the independent broadcasters, commercial and community radio, as well as national, regional and local press. These outlets are essential to our democracy and play a vital role in our society.
As part of this decision, the current TV licence system will be retained, but underpinned by improvements in collection and compliance to maximise revenue generation. The TV licence will continue to be collected by An Post and, as such, Government has reconvened the TV licence Technical Working Group to make recommendations on the necessary administrative, technical and legislative measures to underpin and strengthen the TV licence collection system. Government also agreed to provide An Post with an Exchequer allocation of €6m over a three-year period for necessary collection system and technological improvements.
The Technical Working Group is continuing its work and will report to me by end of October. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the work of the Group and the nature of the recommendations they may bring forward.
Government has committed to €225m total public funding to be provided to RTÉ in 2025, this will rise to €240m in 2026 and €260m in 2027. Funding will then be maintained at a level to continue the implementation of the Statement of Strategy 2025-2029.This funding will consist of revenue generated by the enhanced TV licence collection system as well as direct Exchequer funding as required, the exact amount of direct Exchequer funding required being contingent on TV licence receipts. While the decline in TV licence receipts since summer 2023 is well documented, we have seen signs in recovery since the start of the year, particularly in the last number of months. For example, through July and August, there was an increase of 21.2% in TV licence sales compared to the equivalent period in 2023.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (764)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:764. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35963/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting new and upgraded sports facilities and equipment across the country. The 2023 round of the programme attracted a record number of applications and in May 2024 I was delighted to announce grants of €26 million for equipment-only projects.
Assessment of applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, for capital projects are now at an advanced stage and I expect to announce allocations in the coming weeks.
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (765)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:765. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department has taken to address the bloom of bluegreen algae in Lough Neagh as 400km2 of the lake’s catchment area and tributaries are located in the south; the extent to which his department is working with its counterpart in the North, the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, to address this issue; what scope is there to address this on an all island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Responsibility for the management of environmental pressures in the catchment area of Lough Neagh lies primarily with the authorities in Northern Ireland. Monaghan County Council, with the support of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) shared service, is the lead environmental authority in relation to catchment management in the small area of the Blackwater catchment that flows into the Bann catchment, which is predominantly within Northern Ireland.
The recent launch of the Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan, the development of an Inter-Agency Monitoring Protocol and the establishment of the joint Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs/Department of Infrastructure Water Quality Steering Group are welcome developments to help to address the situation in Lough Neagh.
On 5 September 2024, Ireland published its third-cycle River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024. A significant initiative launched under the Water Action Plan is the development of Catchment Management Work Plans by LAWPRO to address water quality at water body scale.
The rollout of a pilot Catchment Management Work Plan is being undertaken in the Newry, Fayne, Glyde and Dee cross-border catchment, the purpose of which will be to share information on catchment characteristics, current water quality issues and pressures, while also setting out the actions identified by implementing bodies required for the waterbodies in the catchment. It will improve collaboration between cross-border Local Authorities and agencies and will also provide valuable learnings and act as a blueprint to develop the research and expertise to help address water quality in all our catchments in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Cooperation at a technical level between agencies both North and South is continuing, as has engagement through various implementation bodies under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). My Department is seeking to re-establish meetings of the North South Water Framework Directive Coordination Group. My Department recognises the need for and is open to engaging with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to commence meetings of the group on a regular basis.
In addition, my Department and DAERA and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency are working together on the production of a single “Shared Waters” document to cover our International River Basin Districts under the respective River Basin Management Plans. The document will set out the actions being taken north and south to address pressures on our shared catchments.
The Government is committed to the agreement that was made during the North South Ministerial Council Plenary in April for both jurisdictions to share learning, expertise and research to help address the environmental challenges facing our shared water courses. My Department is available to coordinate whatever assistance is required from the relevant authorities in Ireland to help address the challenging situation in Lough Neagh.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (766)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:766. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the growth in population and in the housing stock from 2016 to 2022 across the regional categories identified in the National Planning Framework 2018, across Dublin and its suburbs, across each of the four other cities and their suburbs, and across each of the three regions (East and Midlands, North and Western, and Southern); and the extent to which the distribution of that growth has deviated from the midpoint target distributions for the entire period to 2040 set out in the National Planning Framework 2018, in tabular form. [35693/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A cornerstone policy of both the existing and the proposed revised National Planning Framework (NPF) is the achievement of a greater regional balance in population and employment growth. The goal is to see a roughly 50:50 distribution of growth between the Eastern and Midland region, and the respective Southern, and Northern and Western Regions, with 75% of the growth to take place outside of Dublin and its suburbs.
Specific housing targets for urban and rural areas in each local authority functional area are currently set out in the respective Core Strategies of the 31 City and County Development Plans (as may be applicable) having regard to the hierarchy of settlements of different scales in each local authority area and informed by the targets contained in the 2018 NPF and reflected in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
A breakdown of housing delivery across the three Regions from 2016 to 2022 inclusive, is set down in Table A.
Regional Targets
A key target in the NPF is more balanced regional development and this is reflected in the objective to match the level of growth in the EMRA region with the two other regions – effectively a ‘50/50 growth split’. The longer run trend has seen significantly more growth in the EMRA region, for example, the results from Census 2016 indicated a 70/30 growth split.
The recent results from Census 2022 shows a closer alignment with this NPF objective. There was a national population increase of c.390,000, and c.175,000 of this growth occurred in the two regional areas outside of the EMRA region, a proportional split of 55%/45%.
City Targets
City-based population and employment growth is an important target for the NPF. NPO2(a) of the strategy sets “A target of half (50%) of future population and employment growth will be focused in the existing five cities and their suburbs” as a means of ensuring cities deliver as ‘accessible centres of scale’. The proportion of national population growth achieved in the period to 2022 in the five cities was 124,543 persons or 32% of overall growth.
In order to achieve the overall increase in city-based population growth, the NPF sets ambitious growth targets to enable the four cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford to each grow by at least 50% to 2040. Census 2022 shows a mixed performance for the cities—only Waterford (+12%) and Limerick (+8%) had a growth rate above the national average of 8%. Both Galway and Cork grew at a rate below the national average.
Details can be found in Table B.
TABLE A
|
Region |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
East and Midlands |
18,641 |
11,979 |
11,803 |
13,755 |
11,334 |
8,928 |
5,709 |
|
Northern and Western |
3,470 |
2,740 |
2,821 |
1,970 |
2,082 |
1,824 |
1,502 |
|
Southern |
7,579 |
5,782 |
5,899 |
5,350 |
4,425 |
3,501 |
2,564 |
|
National |
29,690 |
20,501 |
20,523 |
21,075 |
17,841 |
14,253 |
9,775 |
TABLE B
|
- |
Population 2016 |
Population 2022 |
Actual Change 16-22 |
% Change 16-22 |
|
State |
4,761,865 |
5,149,139 |
387,274 |
8.1 |
|
Dublin city and suburbs |
1,173,179 |
1,263,219 |
90,040 |
7.7 |
|
Cork city and suburbs |
208,669 |
222,526 |
13,857 |
6.6 |
|
Limerick city and suburbs |
94,192 |
102,287 |
8,095 |
8.6 |
|
Galway city and suburbs |
79,934 |
85,910 |
5,976 |
7.5 |
|
Waterford city and suburbs |
53,504 |
60,079 |
6,575 |
12.3 |
|
EMRA |
2,328,517 |
2,540,307 |
211,790 |
9.1 |
|
NWRA |
847,442 |
905,439 |
57,997 |
6.8 |
|
SRA |
1,585,906 |
1,703,393 |
117,487 |
7.4 |
|
NPF Target (%) |
Growth Share 2016-2022 (%) |
|||
|
EMRA |
50 |
55 |
||
|
NWRA/SRA Combined |
50 |
45 |
||
|
Five Cities Combined |
50 |
32 |
||
|
Rest of the Country |
50 |
68 |
Budget 2025
Ceisteanna (767)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:767. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, as part of Budget 2025, he will consider increasing the rates of the mortgage allowance scheme which supports local authority tenants who surrender their homes to purchase private dwellings, as the current rates have not been updated since 1 January 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mortgage Allowance scheme provides for an allowance of up to €11,450 payable over a 5 year period, to tenants or tenant purchasers of local authority housing, to assist them to purchase or have a private house built with a mortgage. The current rates are underpinned by the Housing (Mortgage Allowance) Regulations 2001 and have been in place since 1 January 2002. New applications are still being accepted by local authorities and there are no plans to undertake a review of the scheme at present.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (768, 891)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:768. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the maximum grant for housing aid for older persons is less than it is in SI 670/2007, where the grant specified is 100% of costs up to €10,500; if he plans on changing the scheme to reflect this and the increased cost of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRichard Bruton
Ceist:891. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current caps on grant payments and the current caps on income which apply to housing aid for older people, to mobility aids, and to housing adaptation grants; when these caps were last raised; the level these caps would reach if grants had been indexed to the average cost of works undertaken under the scheme, and the income ceilings to the rise in contributory pensions over the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 891 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer 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 Department does not hold the disaggregated information required to provide projected grant limits or income thresholds based on the proposed indexation.
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. Further details on the current grant limits and income thresholds under these schemes is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
The grants were reviewed in 2013 by a review group which considered how the benefits of the grants could be spread as widely as possible and achieve fairness and value for money in the grants process. Arising from the recommendations of the review group, the income requirements, eligibility and maximum grant were revised in 2014 to focus the grants towards those with the greatest need.
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. 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.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (769, 770)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:769. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the enhanced defective concrete block scheme covers the cost if a property is damaged during the demolition of a neighbouring semi-detached or terraced property offered a different option of remediation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33775/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPearse Doherty
Ceist:770. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a semi-detached property owner in County Donegal (details supplied) was offered option 1 of the enhanced defective block scheme, while the owner of the attached property received full demolition approval; if damages to their property during the demolition of the attached property are covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 770 together.
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Housing Agency acts as agent on behalf of the local authorities under the Enhanced Grant Scheme. Once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency engage its Framework Chartered Engineers to undertake the assessment, survey, sampling, testing and categorisation of the dwelling thereafter on a priority basis in accordance with the national standard I.S. 465:2018 and thereafter determine the appropriate remediation option and grant amount in accordance with the provision of the Act.
In undertaking this work of assessing dwellings, a practical approach is taken where the Housing Agency prioritises dwellings on relative severity and impact of damage and proximity of dwellings to other affected properties.
Owners of dwellings that are conjoined may, at their own discretion, consider hiring the same building professionals as well as commencing works on conjoined properties at the same time, if approved for grant assistance for their dwellings.
The homeowner must engage a Competent Building Professional (CBP) to design the remediation works approved or being carried out and prepare a remedial works plan. The homeowner is required to retain the services of their CBP throughout the project and they will inspect the works as they progress, prepare interim valuation certificates to allow for stage payment requests to be lodged with the relevant local authority and sign off on the Certificate of Remediation on completion of the remediation works. Ultimately, as is the case with any building works being undertaken (and not just those under the DCB Scheme) it is a matter for each homeowner in conjunction with their CBP and Contractor to ensure that while works are undertaken, that these works do not damage adjoining properties.
Question No. 770 answered with Question No. 769.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (771)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:771. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the backlog of cases with the land registry; the average wait time for case decisions; if he would consider an application for adverse possession with the land registry for a period of ten years with no decision to be deemed unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33781/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tailte 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 over year, and challenges in recruitment during this time, has contributed to an accumulation of applications for registration. In 2023, a request for a planned increase in the pay-bill subhead of Tailte Éireann’s Vote was supported by my Department, and subsequently granted in the Estimates for 2024. Tailte Éireann has experienced significant challenges in recruitment which remains a key priority. To that end it is understood that Tailte Éireann has embarked on a targeted recruitment campaign and continues to engage with the Public Appointments Service to fulfill its staffing requirements.
I am assured by Tailte Éireann that every effort is being made to further reduce application processing times including implementation of the following actions:• Revised procedures for more efficient handling of applications which are not in order to proceed to registration.• A 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.• Continued promotion of digital services and the uptake of eRegistration services to reduce processing times for all service users.• An organisation-wide focus on reducing processing times with business process improvements in train or implemented. Improvements have been made in throughput times, in particular in relation to cases not requiring mapping. I am confident that as the required staff are successfully on-boarded, Tailte Éireann will be in a position to achieve its goal of significantly reducing waiting times across all registration services. Tailte Éireann has advised that applications for adverse possession are complex and there are many variables that may lead to a delay in processing, including the requirement to raise multiple requisitions and to consider objections received following the service of notice. Where an application is lodged fully in order for registration, the application will be registered without any long delay. Tailte Éireann is conscious of the fact that in registering applications based on adverse possession it is fulfilling a role previously performed solely by the Courts, which could potentially impact the registered owner's constitutional property rights. In such cases, it is extremely important that applicants satisfy all requirements before being registered.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.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (772)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:772. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a development in Carlow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33863/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The allocation of social housing, including newly constructed housing, is dealt with by individual local authorities. My Department doesn't have a role in such allocations.
I understand from Carlow County Council that the new social homes at the development referred to encountered challenges with water supply services which they now inform us, have been resolved and will allow the allocations to be completed soon.
Further information on the allocations should be available from Carlow County Council.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (773)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:773. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the 725 homes being built at Rathborne Wharf, Pelletstown, Dublin 15 in terms of cost rental, affordable purchase and social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to construct and purchase homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that local authorities and AHBs progress Social Housing projects through is the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF). CALF funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department.
With regard to the specific project mentioned, I can confirm that the project received conditional CALF funding approval in March 2024 for 326 social housing homes. My Department actively engages with the local authority and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) concerned.
The Approved Housing Body, Respond, was approved for funding under the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) to assist in the delivery of 399 cost rental homes at Rathborne Wharf.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Ceisteanna (774)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:774. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the convening of the nature advisory committee, that is, the NPWS stakeholder forum, by the NPWS; who will chair it; the frequency with which it will meet; and the organisations that are being invited to attend. [33879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has committed, in its Strategic Action Plan 2022-2024, to establish a stakeholder forum and work is ongoing at the moment to deliver on this commitment. It is envisaged that the forum will be chaired by the Director of Engagement and Corporate of the NPWS and that it will meet twice a year. Membership of the forum will be open to national level organisations that are involved in issues that are within the remit of the NPWS.
Wildlife Regulations
Ceisteanna (775)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:775. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to make any changes to the Open Seasons Order this year. [33880/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Statutory Instrument 421 of 2023 amended the Open Seasons Order (OSO) (Birds), which is the first amendment since 2012. I have no plans to amend the Open Seasons Order (Birds) in 2024.
For details of the Open Seasons Order, see the link below:
www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/open-seasons-order
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (776)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:776. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider an update to the first home scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 17 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 rules of the First Home Scheme are detailed on page 8 of the First Home Scheme brochure, and available on the First Home Scheme website at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/5gndvobr/your-guide-to-the-first-home-scheme-2024.pdf
Two of the eligibility criteria of the First Home Scheme are (1) to have mortgage approval with a Participating Lender, and (2) to avail of the maximum mortgage available from one of the Participating Lenders (within the 4x gross income limit set by the Central Bank's macro-prudential rules).
The First Home Scheme has been designed to support buyers in the private market who do have the financial capacity to obtain a mortgage from a commercial lender, but who find that the price of a suitable new home is some degree beyond their existing purchasing power. This scheme will bridge the gap between the cost of the newly constructed home and the maximum mortgage the household, the maximum deposit (optionally combined with Help-to-Buy support) that the household can obtain.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (777)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:777. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will instruct all local authorities to confirm the number that have applied under the fresh start principal; and the number that have been approved, per year, in tabular form. [33892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. Applicants who meet the Fresh Start criteria may apply to the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme.
Each local authority processes applications, makes decisions on approvals and issues funds for drawdown under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme. Information about the specific eligibility criteria under which applicants apply, such as the Fresh Start principle, are not reported by local authorities
My Department publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Information on drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals for the Local Authority Home Loan is available on my Department’s website at the following link, which is updated as soon as figures are available: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (778)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:778. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 11 July 2024, if he will revisit his response and provide direct clarification specifically on the critical barriers to the operation of the capital assistance scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is keen to support the delivery of social housing for people with disability via CAS/Capital Assistance Scheme but through other delivery channels also. The AHB sector is an important element of disability housing delivery and to assist their work in that regard, the Department’s 'Design Manual', which provides guidance and designs for new public housing construction, includes a design approach for a ‘Group Home’ which we hope that AHBs involved in this area will use. The use of such a design would minimise the engagements needed to agree on designs and costs around such disability-focussed housing projects. Other designs in the Manual are based on Universal Design principles to support housing such as for age friendly and for disability use.
Another support that has been put in place by my Department is the availability of the Housing Agency to support certain AHBs in their construction project preparation. This has been used by a range of AHBs including some in the area of housing for people with disability and we hope to see more such AHBs avail of that assistance.
Other challenges that have been highlighted by some AHBs involved with housing for disability, include a requirement to obtain advance approval from the HSE on the support services needed for specialised housing. Thankfully to date, there has been a small number only of situations where housing has been completed for people with disability, but where it has not been possible to use the housing because the care and support required has not been put in place. Where that does happen, it is obviously a cause of distress for all involved and in that context, I see it as essential that we coordinate the capital investment and the care supports for such housing projects and for that reason, we will continue to require approval for support services as part of the capital development process.
AHBs involved with housing for disability have also cited maintenance costs as a challenge. CAS provides full capital funding for housing for priority tenants including people with disability, through the provision of a 30-year non-repayable mortgage. Maintenance costs are funded through a combination of economic rents that the AHBs receive from the tenants, based on their ability to pay and in most cases, a social welfare rental assistance payment. This is paid directly to the AHB which should hold these payments in a ‘sinking fund’ to meet short and long-term maintenance costs.
At the same time, my Department recognises that in the long-term, such properties as they age will require increasing levels of maintenance and investment. This is one of several issues which we are looking at in the context of an ‘AHB Strategic Review’, in which the AHBs themselves are participating. This Forum has been established to set a vision for the sector over the next 10 years and to consider how to address a range of strategic long-term issues facing the sector in order to realise this vision.
There remain other practical challenges in the context of housing being delivered for people with disability by smaller AHBs. A model that is widely used by many such AHBs is the acquisition of second-hand bungalows which are then re-modelled into a Group Home that can accommodate up to 4 persons with disability plus a carer. It is quite common with such projects for the re-modelling costs to be significantly under-estimated, leading to notable escalations in project costs. AHBs may also seek to make agreements with developers to design and build complex accommodation for people with disability, but without providing for a competitive procurement aspect as required for any publicly-funded projects. Such situations can be minimised and avoided by, for example, obtaining advice from the Housing Agency, or by using my Department’s Design Manual.
CAS will continue to be available to support AHBs delivering housing for people with disability. As a funding programme, it is demand-led, so while funding has more than doubled in the last four years to over €200 million last year, regrettably the demand for funding from AHBs who are delivering housing for people with disability has not increased as much as we expected. CAS funding continues to support other important categories of priority housing, but we look forward to more demand and delivery coming from the disability sector.
While I appreciate and value the efforts of smaller AHBs in this area and we will continue to support their efforts, there are obviously limits on their capacity for delivery at the scale required and for that reason, I am keen to continue efforts to mobilise additional such delivery via the bigger AHBs and through our local authorities.
Departmental Legal Cases
Ceisteanna (779)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:779. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost to the State of legal representation in the case of Heneghan v the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and Heritage. [33915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On foot of the Court of Appeal Order dated 19 January, 2024 and the Supreme Court Order dated 19 September, 2023 expenditure of some €630,000 was incurred by my Department to meet the applicant’s legal costs in this case.
It should be noted that legal costs incurred by the State in defending proceedings instigated against my Department, are not met directly by my Department. In accordance with established financial procedures such costs are generally charged to the Chief State Solicitor's Office Vote, as sanctioned by the Attorney General.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (780)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:780. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when payments will be made to owner management companies via the Housing Agency under the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33930/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Interim Remediation Scheme for Fire Safety Defects in Eligible Apartments and Duplexes (‘Scheme’) provides for the funding, through Owner Management Companies (OMCs), of emergency fire safety defect works in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in affected buildings pending completion of the full remedial works.
A whole building approach is required to remediate relevant defects and to improve the safety of all occupants in the building. This means that all parts of the building (e.g. the common areas, the individual apartments etc.) must be considered together when addressing defects.
The Scheme application process is broken into eight phases, of which Phase 3 requires significant input from OMCs, involving engagement of a Competent Professional to carry out a thorough fire safety investigation, identify required works and engage with Local Authority Fire Services in the preparation of an Interim Remediation Works Plan. Once Phase 3 is completed, and with confirmation of continued eligibility, a Grant Agreement can then be issued to the OMC and funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.
To support the implementation and increase the efficiency of the Scheme, four pathfinder projects are currently underway. The projects have been selected from applications made to the Scheme, representing 595 residential units. They vary in size and complexity, and will provide valuable insights for both the interim and statutory schemes. Other applicant OMCs do not have to wait for the completion of pathfinder projects to progress their applications.
Two pathfinder projects have successfully completed their engagement with Local Authority Fire Services and one has advanced to Phase 4, awaiting confirmation of continued eligibility and the issue of a Grant Agreement. Funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.
There are currently no delays in funding being issued.
As of 31st August 2024, a total of 171 applications to the Scheme are being progressed across 27 local authority areas, representing a total of 17,206 residential units. Of these, 169 validated applications have advanced to Phase 2/3 of the application process, and one of the validated applications has successfully completed Phase 3 through a pathfinder project.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (781)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:781. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Departmental funding for local authority staff, including housing staff, remains with the local authority where there are vacancies and if local authorities have discretion on how this funding should be spent where it is not being spent on staff (i.e., for the duration of the vacancy). [33940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible.
Where my Department enters into an arrangement to fund posts directly with a local authority this funding would be predominately for the provision of staff to carry out agreed roles in line with the aims and goals of the individual projects being funded by my department. Terms and conditions of funding would be agreed on a project basis and would vary accordingly. Local authorities would administer this funding in accordance with these project terms. In broad terms, public financial procedures provide for such funding to be provided on a recoupment basis, not in advance, unless specific agreement has otherwise been provided.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (782)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:782. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments under the remit of his Department. [34012/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department’s mission is to support sustainable development and vibrant communities through strategic planning, the sustainable and efficient delivery of well-planned homes, the sustainable management of our water resources, the nurturing of Ireland’s heritage, and effective local government.
Our mission is shaped by the 178 commitment items (CIs) from the Programme for Government for which my Department has primary responsibility. Implementation of my Department’s CIs is continuing across all of our functional areas with progress kept under regular review. Accordingly the status of the CIs are subject to continuous change. Overall monitoring of the implementation all CIs contained in the Programme for Government lies with the Department of the Taoiseach.
At present, of the 178 CIs under the remit of my Department, 31 CIs are complete. A further 146 are ongoing and are expected to be completed in the specified timeframe. 3 CIs have been delayed. Please see the following link for further details.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (783)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:783. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all housing agencies, AHBs and charities that currently receive public funding. [34028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table shows the housing agencies, AHBs and registered charities that have received funding from my Department since 1 January 2024.
|
Housing Agencies |
Approved Housing Bodies |
Charities |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
· Local Government Management Agency · Residential Tenancies Board · The Housing Agency |
· ALONE · Ark Housing Association Ltd. · Arlington Novas Ireland Clg · Associated Charities Trust (ACT) · Bandon Geriatric And Community Care Council · Banner Housing Association Ltd. · Broadford Voluntary Housing & Community Childcare Facility Clg · Cabhrú Housing Association Services · Cappamore Housing Association Ltd. · Carberry Housing Association · Carriglea Cairde Services · Cena Culturally Appropriate Homes Ltd. · Charleville Care Project Ltd. · Cill Urnai Housing Association Co Ltd. · Circle Voluntary Housing Association Ltd. · Clanmil Housing Association Ireland · Claregalway And District Day Care Centre · Clúid Housing · Co-operative Housing Ireland Society Ltd. (formerly Nabco) · Co. Donegal Parents And Friends Housing Association · C.O.P.E. Foundation · Cope Galway · County Longford Housing Hub · Croom Voluntary Housing Association · Dara Voluntary Housing Association Ltd. · Depaul Housing Association · Doon Community Housing Ltd. · Dublin Central Missions · DVAS · F.H.I.S.Tvha Ltd · Focus Housing Association Ltd. · Fold Housing Association Ireland Ltd. · Foscadh Housing · Galtan Ltd. · Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny Ltd. · Habinteg H.A. (Ireland) Ltd. · Hearth and Mind · Housing Association · Housing Association of Integrated Living · iCare Housing CLG · Inagh Housing Association Ltd. · Inis Housing Association CLG · K.A.R.E. · Kilkenny Social Services Centre · Kilkenny Voluntary Housing Association · Kingsriver Housing Association · Land Development Agency · Marillac Housing Association · Mid Offaly Voluntary Housing Association · Newgrove Housing Association · North & East Housing Association CLG · Oaklee Housing Trust Ltd. · Peter McVerry Trust Ltd. · Portlaoise Community Hub · Respond · Respond Housing Association · Saint John of God Housing Association Ltd. · Simon Community: Cork · Simon Community: Dublin · Simon Community: Galway · Simon Community: Midlands · Simon Community: Mid West · Simon Community: South East · Shanbally Housing Association Ltd. · Society of St. Vincent De Paul · Sonas Domestic Violence Charity · Sophia Housing Association Ltd. · SOS Kilkenny Housing Association Ltd. · S.T.E.E.R. Housing Association · St. John of God Housing Association Ltd. · St. Killians Housing Association Ltd. · St. Vincent De Paul · The COPE Foundation · The Iveagh Trust · The Stanwix Home · Thomond Housing Association Ltd. · Thurles Lions Trust Housing Association Ltd. · Threshold Ltd. · Tintean Housing Association Ltd. · Tuath Housing Association · Upton Cork Housing Association Ltd. · Walkinstown Housing Association Ltd. (WALK) · Western Care Association · Wexford Women’s Refuge Co. Ltd. |
· Aids Fund · Ana Liffey · Anew · Associated Charities Trust (ACT) · An Taisce · ATU Galway · Banner Housing Association Ltd. · Barka · Bat Conservation Ireland · Birdwatch Ireland · Bru Na Bhfiann · BSBI Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland · Capuchin Day Centre · Castleblayney Trust · Civic Trust · Cooperation Ireland · Coastwatch · COPE · COPE Galway · Cork Foyer · Cork Nature Network CLG · Crosscare · Cuan Mhuire · De Paul Trust · Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium · Discovery Programme · Drogheda Homeless Aid · Drogheda Women's Refuge · Finiskiln Housing Association · 1st Port of Dublin Sea Scouts · Focus Ireland · Forum Connemara CLG · Glanton · Good Shepherd · Hail · ICOMOS · Irish Architecture Foundation · Irish Georgian Society · Irish Heritage Trust · Irish Traveller Movement · IWDG Irish Whale & Dolphin Group · Iveagh Hostel · Louth Nature Trust · Mary Immaculate College Limerick · Midlands Simon · Merchants Quay Ireland · NOVAS · Oasis house · Parish of Knockcroghery (Elphin Catholic Diocesan) · Peter McVerry Trust · Queen’s University Belfast · RESPOND · Salvation Army · Simon Community · Simon Community: Cork · Simon Community: Dublin Simon · Simon Community: Dundalk · Simon Community: Galway · Simon Community: Midlands · Simon Community: Mid West · Simon Community: North West · Simon Community: South East · Sons of Divine Providence · Sophia Housing · St Vincent De Paul · Tar Isteach Housing · Teach Iosa · Teach Mhuire · Team Ltd. · The Housing Agency · Threshold · Thurles Lions Trust · Tiglin · Tintean Housing Association · Tuath Housing · UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science · Vincent Wildlife Trust · Wellsprings · WestGate Foundation · White Oaks |