Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:864. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated by his Department to the conservation project at a location (details supplied). [35442/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (864)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department awarded €29,993.55 for the site in question under the Community Monuments Fund. A full list of awards for 2024 can be found at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbbef-community-monuments-fund-list-of-awards-2024/
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (865)
David Stanton
Ceist:865. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way his Department is supporting local authorities to purchase and renovate closed shops and other commercial premises in town centres to make them available as social housing; the amount provided to each local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 to enable such activity to take place, in tabular form; the corresponding number of homes made available as a result in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35470/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All local authorities are fully supported by my Department to purchase and renovate former shops, other commercial premises or any suitable premises in town centres, in order to make them available as social housing. In such situations, our local authorities can utilise the capital funding programmes available from my Department for social housing and there is no cap or restriction on the number of such projects that can be undertaken, other than the individual projects being reasonable value for money. My Department covers 100% of the development costs for new social homes whether they are the renewal of existing buildings including former commercial premises, or new build projects.
A range of projects that are based on town centre vacant/derelict buildings have been completed as new social homes by the local authorities and I am happy to continue to support further such projects. As local authorities have full sanction to undertake such projects based on vacancy, my Department does not separately record the original use of the converted buildings.
To continue to support the productive re-use of vacant town centre properties across a range of uses, planning regulations introduced in 2018 which exempted certain vacant commercial premises, including ‘over the shop’ type spaces, from requiring planning permission to change to residential purposes, have been extended until 2025. The scope of the exemption was also extended to include ‘public houses’. Notifications from developers when commencing such works, are being recorded by the local authorities who will be providing annual returns to my Department.
For the years 2018-2023, notifications received by local authorities under planning permission exemptions for converting commercial property into homes, show that 1,165 such notifications were received from developers. Further information on the number of notifications received from local authorities is available at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/f3a0e-notifications-received-by-local-authorities-under-planning-permission-exemptions-for-converting-certain-vacant-commercial-property-into-homes/
Vacant Properties
Ceisteanna (866, 890, 898)
David Stanton
Ceist:866. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to amend the croí cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant; if he has considered the introduction of a phased payment process for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35471/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Brendan Smith
Ceist:890. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the timeline in relation to the issue of approval for an application under the vacant homes scheme and the completion date; if he is aware that this 13-month deadline is causing difficulties for some applicants due to the shortage of capacity in construction particularly for smaller contractors who are finding it extremely difficult in many instances to complete work on time; if he will extend the 13-month deadline, in view of the importance and value of this scheme and the potential to bring more houses back to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35863/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Bruton
Ceist:898. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the conditions under which the vacant or derelict property grants can be paid; the level of applications received to date; the level of approvals; the level of completions; if he has received proposals for the relaxation of some of the conditions; and if he is disposed to consider changes. [35879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 866, 890 and 898 together.
Pathway 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, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. 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 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 grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant. Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid.
On 5th June, following Government approval, I announced the extension of the Local Authority Home Loan to include a new Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme (LAPR). Properties eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are potentially eligible for the LAPR, subject to the additional conditions of the LAPR scheme.
From July, under the new LAPR, a first-time buyer or Fresh Start applicant who wishes to purchase and/or renovate a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant eligible home but who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders are now be able to apply to their local authority for a loan under the LAPR scheme. While the LAPR has additional conditions compared to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, such as around the eligibility and creditworthiness of the applicant, as well as their ability to fund all of the works needed to bring the home to the required standard, it has the potential to help first time buyers and fresh start applicants who are struggling to complete the purchase and renovation of a vacant or derelict property by providing an avenue to secure the necessary finance to make their project viable.
This reinforces the Government’s commitment to bring homes back into use, a key objective of Housing for All, while also providing another funding pathway for individuals to realise their goal of homeownership.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes a breakdown of the grants paid per local authority and the total amount of grants paid. This data can be accessed at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a comprehensive review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. The review has now been completed and I am considering same.
Question No. 867 answered with Question No. 791.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (868, 869)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:868. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if people in Ireland on work permits are included in the homeless figures supplied by his office; and if only those entitled to social housing are included in the homeless figures. [35522/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeadar Tóibín
Ceist:869. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the system in place for keeping track of persons seeking emergency accommodation but are not entitled to it, such as families over the threshold for social housing and persons on work permits, in tabular form. [35523/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 868 and 869 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the 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.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of July 2024. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link, www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/, and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal, data.gov.ie/.
Question No. 869 answered with Question No. 868.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (870)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:870. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if legislation will be amended in respect to the RTB whereby if the landlord has a letting agent, that agent is not subject to the RTB, and is not obliged to identify the landlord they are acting on behalf of; thus meaning tenants are unable to secure their legal tenancy rights. [35540/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 (the RTA) to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Section 134 of the RTA requires a landlord to apply to the RTB to register a tenancy of a dwelling within one month of its commencement and thereafter, within one month of the anniversary of its commencement. All private landlords, Approved Housing Bodies and providers of Student Specific Accommodation (SSA) and Cost Rental homes are required to register their tenancies/SSA licences with the RTB.
Section 136 of the RTA requires, inter alia, that when a landlord is registering a tenancy with the RTB, ‘the name, address where the landlord ordinarily resides, any other address for correspondence the landlord may wish to provide and the personal public service number (if any) of the landlord and, where the application is made by his or her authorised agent, the name, address for correspondence and personal public service number (if any) of the agent’, and ’such other matters as may be prescribed’, must be provided as part of the application process.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (Prescribed Forms) Regulations 2022 sets out the prescribed form to be completed by landlords when applying to register a tenancy in compliance with section 134 of the RTA, which includes a requirement for the landlord’s date of birth.
For data protection reasons, the names of landlords and tenants are not published on the RTB’s public register of tenancies.
A tenant can refer a dispute for resolution to the RTB under section 76 of the RTA and is fully protected, irrespective of whether or not they know the identity of their landlord including where their tenancy has not been registered with the RTB.
Section 28 of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2024, published on 24 July 2024, provides for enhanced data sharing between the Revenue Commissioners and the RTB to further assist, inter alia, in identifying parties to tenancies.
Question No. 871 answered with Question No. 791.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (872)
Seán Canney
Ceist:872. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding is available to local authorities to construct homes suitable for elderly persons who are living in rural areas in houses which are unsuitable for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35562/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population' policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people.
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities developed Housing Delivery Action Plans. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022 - 2026, including details of the delivery programme to be utilised. The Plans also contain details on the provision of age-friendly housing. It is a matter for each local authority to ensure that it delivers the right mix of housing to meet the housing needs in its area. The Plans have been published on local authority websites.
My Department provides capital funding to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to support the delivery of social homes in their area including for older people . Under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP), where local authorities build or acquire, houses/apartment for social housing use, my Department provides 100% of these costs to local authorities.
Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) my Department provides up to 100% Capital funding to Approved Housing Bodies to provide new social homes for priority categories to include homeless, disability and age friendly housing.
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. This loan facility can support from 25% to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (873)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:873. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason landlords are obliged to provide the Residential Tenancies Board with a copy of a termination of tenancy notice, if the Residential Tenancies Board cannot adjudicate the validity of the notice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35598/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 94 of the Regulation of Building Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (the RTA), to require all Notices of Termination (NoTs) to be copied to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Upon receipt, the RTB is required, inter alia, to provide to the tenant and landlord a statement summarising their rights and obligations under the RTA, including recourse to the RTB.
The aim is to ensure that both parties are aware of their rights and obligations at the earliest stage of a tenancy termination notice period. The information provided is intended to serve as an early alert to the parties of any error that might have been made in serving the NoT and guide parties to resolving any issues without the need for any formal dispute resolution by the RTB at a later date. In most cases, a dispute is not referred to the RTB for resolution and validation of an NoT is not required. The RTB also regularly publishes data with regard to the NoTs copied to it and this informs the sector, including housing and homelessness services, with regard to activity in the sector and likely future demand for accommodation.
An NoT is invalid if it is not copied to the RTB and the requirement for copying NoTs to the RTB can identify tenancies that were not registered, as required, with the RTB. Accordingly, the requirement to copy the RTB with NoTs also improves compliance with landlords' requirement to register tenancies. The RTB can sanction or prosecute a landlord who does not register a tenancy and can apply late registration fees.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (874)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:874. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will move immediately to strengthen the provisions of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 on provision of rights of way, removing the word ‘may’ and replacing it with the obligation of ‘shall’ (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35634/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Planning and Development Bill 2023 (the Bill) has a number of provisions relating to public rights of way.
Section 51(2) of the administrative reprint version of the Bill as amended at Seanad Committee Stage provides that a development management statement may include objectives for a range of matters including “preserving a specific public right of way, including a public right of way which gives access to any seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank, monument or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility;”.
Section 51(4) provides that nothing in section 51 shall “affect the existence or validity of any public right of way" and section 51(5) provides that “An objective included in a development plan under this section shall not be construed as affecting the power of a local authority to extinguish a public right of way under section 73 of the Roads Act 1993.”.
Section 60 of the Bill further goes on to set out the procedure for including a provision in a development plan relating to the preservation of a specific public right of way which include providing notice with a map of the right of way. Section 60(11) provides that nothing in section 60 “shall affect the existence or validity of any public right of way which is not included in a development plan.”.
It is important to note that the creation of public rights of way, either by agreement or compulsorily, are matters already provided for under sections 264 and 265 of the Bill. Section 266 further provides for a right of way to be maintained by the planning authority.
I am satisfied that there are adequate provisions in the Bill to provide for the creation, preservation and maintenance of rights of way.
Solar Energy Guidelines
Ceisteanna (875)
David Stanton
Ceist:875. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 25 July 2023, if he has reflected on the possible need to develop specific planning guidelines for solar farms; if he plans to make any decisions in this regard in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35639/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It remains the case that, as with the large majority of development types, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy developments. Proposals for individual solar energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority and with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Within the wider national and local planning context, planning authorities must make their decisions based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications. In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan including any zoning objectives, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
While my Department is satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning applications for solar energy developments, the matter is being kept under review. Where the need for specific planning guidance for solar farms is identified, my Department will develop such guidance as appropriate.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (876)
David Stanton
Ceist:876. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to develop agricultural land classifications for solar and battery storage such as in place in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The planning systems plays an important role in the delivery of renewable energy development and related development, from both a legislative and a policy perspective.
The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides the basis for plan-making and decision-making within the planning system in respect of solar energy development and battery storage. This legislative framework will be enhanced by the proposals set out within the Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is expected to be signed into law shortly, which will enhance the plan-led approach and give greater certainty for stakeholders.
From a planning policy perspective, the National Planning Framework (NPF) 2018 is the long-term strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040. The current NPF provides support for renewable energy development. The NPF informs a spatial hierarchy of plans that cascade to regional and local levels, through the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the 3 regional assembly areas and the city and county development plans for each of the 31 local authorities. The majority of city and county development plans have now been reviewed and adopted by local authorities, providing for alignment with national and regional policy.
The draft First Revision to the NPF was published by Government for public consultation on 10 July 2024, which will run until 12 September 2024. The draft Revised NPF includes enhanced policy support for renewable energy development, including in particular the introduction of regional renewable electricity capacity allocations in order to facilitate the accelerated roll-out and implementation of renewable electricity infrastructure for onshore wind and solar generation development and to achieve the national targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024.
These allocations are proposed, subject to final approval, to be integrated into the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the associated Regional Renewable Energy Strategies and in addition are to be translated to county-level targets that will inform city and county development plans. Having regard to this evaluation, each Region will be required to plan for sufficient wind and solar energy development in order to achieve the regional renewable electricity capacity allocations in order to facilitate the national renewable electricity generation targets. This will involve the identification of areas where commercial scale wind and solar energy development will be directed towards, and areas which may not be appropriate for such development.
National Policy Objective 74 of the draft First Revision of the NPF supports the co-location of renewable technologies with other supporting technologies and complementary land uses, including agriculture, amenity, forestry and opportunities to enhance biodiversity and promote heritage assets, at appropriate locations which are determined based upon the best available scientific evidence in line with EU and national legislative frameworks.
In addition, the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2023/2413) – also referred to as ‘REDIII’, introduces ambitious targets and measures seeking to boost renewable energy development, including the central target to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU's overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, supplemented by an additional indicative target of 2.5%.
The REDIII Directive requires that Member States may adopt one or more plans to designate renewable acceleration areas. The transposition of provisions in RED III is underway, with an initial transposition date of 1 July 2024, with other provisions having a transposition date of 18 months after entry into force of the Directive. This will involve, in part, the need to introduce legislation to facilitate the designation of Renewable Acceleration Areas.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (877)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:877. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the supply of social housing to support the decongregation of over 260 people living in congregated settings and address the unmet housing needs of individuals living at home with elderly parents or carers, as highlighted by an organisation (details supplied) in its pre-Budget 2025 submission; will the Minister take this matter into consideration when finalising his Budget 2025 plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35685/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) 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 Implementation Plan sets out 107 Actions to achieve the vision of the joint Strategy for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people to 2027. It supports the primary objective of the Strategy which is ‘to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community’. Accessibility is a key feature running through all of the Actions in the Plan, each of which is assigned to one or more stakeholders.
Housing for All is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including disabled people. My Department continues to seek increased funding under Housing for All as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process including for the funding streams which also provide for housing for disabled people.
In December 2023, my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024 – 2026 which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/70871-disability-action-plan-2024-2026/
My Department is committed to working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the HSE within the framework of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 to support them in the advancement of the housing related actions in the Action Plan for Disability services 2024-2026.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (878, 879, 880, 881, 882)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:878. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of heat pumps installed with regard to the retrofitting of social housing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the average cost of these installations per year; the breakdown of the pre-and post-BER assessments following heat pump installation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35699/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:879. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes retrofitted with regard to the retrofitting of social housing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the average cost of these retrofits per year; the breakdown of the pre- and post-BER assessments of these retrofits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35700/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:880. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses that were retrofitted in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 per county; their post-BER rating, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35701/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:881. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the number of social authority homes that have been retrofitted with solar PV panels in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the average cost of these retrofits per year; the breakdown of the pre- and post-BER assessments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35702/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:882. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the BER rating of social housing stock, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 878 to 882, inclusive, together.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Local Authority Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent level. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social housing with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted under both the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme and Midlands Retrofit Programme, is available on my Department's website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
The breakdown of heat pumps installed is identified in the table below:
|
Year |
Heat Pumps Funded |
|
2021 |
750 |
|
2022 |
1,898 |
|
2023 |
2,215 |
Since the inception of the scheme in 2021 funding has been provided for the installation of 41 PVs however this figure does not include PVs installed from a local authorities own resources.
In 2024, my Department announced that funding of €90 million is available under the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme for the retrofit of approximately 2,500 social homes.
Under the 2024 EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850 plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the new programme calls for local authorities to undertake a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget.
Work in relation to the 2024 programme is ongoing and current indicators show that the original target of 2,500 retrofits is expected to be completed this year. Full details in relation to delivery under the 2024 Energy Efficiency Programme will be available early in 2025.
Separately details in relation to the BER rating should be available directly upon request from the local authorities themselves.
Question No. 879 answered with Question No. 878.
Question No. 880 answered with Question No. 878.
Question No. 881 answered with Question No. 878.
Question No. 882 answered with Question No. 878.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (883)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:883. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has allocated funds to any local authority specifically to assist with the acquisition and delivery of modular housing units to accommodate persons on the social housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35713/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.
In December 2022, funding of €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. The provision of this funding was linked to the immediate development of a housing proposal, a commitment to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and for construction to start in 2023 or no later than 2024. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated delivery programme, and with some additional sites since added, my Department is overseeing a project to progress delivery of MMC projects on 36 sites which will deliver more than 1,500 new social homes across 13 local authorities.
A Roadmap for MMC has been developed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and my Department. The Roadmap was published on the 11 July, 2023. Both Departments worked with the interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group, which reflects the cross-cutting nature of this work. My Department is working closely with DETE on measures to increase the use of MMC in social housing delivery.
In line with Milestone 3 of the Roadmap; “Pilot project initiated to deliver social, or affordable, housing using a 3D volumetric system (MMC Category 1)” and Action 62 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update & Q3 2023 Progress Report, two pilot projects, utilising offsite three dimensional construction methods, have been initiated. Both are local authority led social housing projects with one in Carlow and the other in Wexford. My Department has facilitated meetings with Wexford County Council, Carlow County Council, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office, and the Housing Agency to promote collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing and identify items of concern
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. This includes details of which local authority or AHB delivered or is delivering the development. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2024. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (884)
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:884. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the accommodation recognition payment is taken into account when calculating the differential rent of a tenant in receipt of the housing assistance payment from a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP.
Under the HAP scheme, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned. The tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a tax-free payment of €800 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The ARP is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Due to the nature of the HAP Scheme, where the rent limits are based on household size, there should not generally be unused rooms available in HAP properties. Therefore, these properties are not considered appropriate for pledges of accommodation to refugees from Ukraine.
The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is laid down in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is an executive function and is subject to broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved function of administering rent schemes. Decisions regarding how the rent charged is calculated and any increase or decrease in the amount of rent charged and the type of household income that is reckonable or disregarded for rent purposes under each rent scheme is a matter solely for the respective local authorities.