Written Answers Nos. 561-582
561. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 who were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44306/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44379/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 566 together.
I am satisfied that my Department properly implements the provisions of Circular 4/2013 in respect of staff returning from career breaks. Staff returning from career breaks are included in workforce planning considerations with a view to filling any appropriate existing or forthcoming vacancies in my Department.
The information requested in respect of staff on career breaks in 2023 and 2024 is set out in tabular form below. One staff member was on a career break for longer than 5 years in 2023 but subsequently resigned in 2024.
|
Grade |
At end 2023 |
At 1st November 2024 |
|
HEO |
2 |
0 |
|
AO |
3 |
3 |
|
EO |
3 |
6 |
|
CO |
3 |
3 |
|
Meteorological Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Conservation Ranger |
0 |
1 |
|
Meteorologist |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
15 |
562. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the critical situation faced by six families in the Burrow, Portrane given their homes are at imminent risk due to the effects of coastal erosion, with the winter season almost upon Ireland, with increasing storms and high tides; if a funding application for interim coastal protection measures has been submitted by the planning authority to the OPW to safeguard the SPA, SAC and the homes at imminent risk; what compensation is available to householders whose homes are lost to coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44318/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with and visited the residents in the Burrow, Portrane on a number of occasions, most recently in the Summer of this year. I remain in contact with them directly.
Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multi-faceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Ireland’s coast faces many challenges associated with climate change, for example, due, not only to projected sea level rise but also from increased storm frequency and intensity. These challenges have complex and multi-faceted effects and there is a need for a framework to inform key decisions as to how the State should best manage its changing coast having regard to such future risks.
My Department is leading the Government’s cross departmental steering group responsible for developing policy and technical responses to coastal erosion. This requires an assessment of potential interventions to gain a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness and an assessment of potential risks and potential technical options to inform a wider rollout of such interventions.
In this regard, the cross departmental steering group is developing a pilot programme to allow for consideration of a range of scenarios, with criteria for selection of pilot/pathfinder proposals in known vulnerable locations across the country. Arising from these interventions there will be a need to incorporate learning from outcomes in order to improve the scope, capacity and timing of future responses. Government will also be required as part of this process of agreeing the programme, to consider arrangements for any associated funding that may be required.
With respect to responding to coastal change local authorities are, generally, responsible for the management of matters associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective administrative areas. Fingal County Council has been engaged in developing solutions to respond to the coastal erosion issues in Portrane for a number of years. Other coastal risks such as related to transport, agricultural, business, are addressed locally and through sectoral responses.
The OPW is responsible for the technical aspects of assessing coastal change impacts, including co-ordinating the monitoring of physical coastal change, assessing and mapping areas at risk from coastal erosion, the development of a coastal change research programme and assessing technical options to inform decisions on the management of coastal change for communities at risk, which may include the use of nature-based solutions. The OPW also has a role in funding local authorities to carry out minor works for coastal protection.
There are a number of ongoing programmes to assess the potential risks from coastal change. For example, the OPW commenced a Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme in 2020, which included Portrane, and a coastal erosion hazard mapping pilot project is now commencing.
The information derived from these programmes and projects will inform and support the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and decisions on the management of coastal change risks in relevant areas and the long-term planning for the management of potential future change.
563. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Multi Annual Rural Water Programme Expert Panel review will be complete; when funding will be available to the group water schemes and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44329/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, I launched the next cycle of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme for the period 2024 to 2026 and invited local authorities to submit applications for funding.
I am pleased to say that I have now approved funding of some €47.1 million for 256 individual capital projects, which will improve water services in rural areas across the country. Details in this regard can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/da4df-minister-obrien-announces-capital-investment-funding-for-rural-water-services/ .
564. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the apartment defects legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44348/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received Government approval on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024. The purpose of this legislation is to place the apartment defects scheme on a statutory footing. The scheme will establish supports for the remediation of relevant and eligible fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
Given the complexity of the issues, and the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time for drafting the legislation is required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for taxpayers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
It is expected the legislation will be published later this year and that, subject to the legislative process, the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
565. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the public sector sick leave scheme has been extended to cover those employed in the retained fire service; if the details of the scheme have been circulated to all authorities for implementation; if his Department has received any queries on its implementation from the LGMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44355/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Authority Fire services management and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) have continued to engage with SIPTU representatives following on from a Labour Court hearing and Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in 2023 with regard to the application of a range of policies and the implementation of fortnightly pay to retained firefighters.
The implementation of all elements of the Public Service sick pay scheme is included in these discussions.
567. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered any assistance for those qualifying for the croí cónaithe grant who cannot manage the upfront building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44404/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a key support, introduced by this Government, to 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. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €70,000. The Grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built prior to 2008, 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 the 5th June the Government approved a Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR), which is expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, to support the purchase and renovation of homes which are eligible for the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
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 able to apply to their local authority for a loan under the LAPR scheme. While the LAPR has some additional conditions compared to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, 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 vacant and derelict 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.
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 now considering its contents.
568. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many home loan grants have been awarded by each local authority to those that qualified for the croí cónaithe grant and applied for the home loan grant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44405/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5 June 2024 , I received Government approval to introduce the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR). The Statutory Instrument underlying the scheme came into effect on 22 July 2024.
The LAPR is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, and supports the purchase and/or renovation of homes which are eligible for the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. It is for creditworthy first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase and/or renovate a derelict or vacant property. The introduction of the LAPR loan supports the Government's policy of bring vacant homes back into use. Eligibility for the loan is subject to applicants meeting existing local authority mortgage eligibility criteria, as well as the renovation project meeting the scheme's lending criteria.
Information on LAPR drawdowns will be compiled as part of the normal local authority quarterly reporting process. As the scheme only opened in July 2024, these quarterly reports are not yet available.
569. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the diseases of Crohn's and colitis as qualifying conditions for housing adaptation grants provided for by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44407/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for 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 the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and budgetary apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, it can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts or extensions. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility.
570. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence by a person in County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44477/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 160 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the Minister with the power to declare qualifications of such classes and descriptions as he or she thinks fit for a specified employment under a local authority or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade. The declared qualifications for engineering posts in the local government sector specify that a candidate must hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering. Section 160(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that a person is not to be appointed to any employment under a local authority for which qualifications are for the time being declared under section 160 unless he or she possesses those qualifications.
The recruitment and filling of posts in the local government sector at Senior Executive Engineer and above is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service. The Public Appointments Service operates under a licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments and is independent in its operations.
My Department undertakes reviews of declared qualifications as necessary and in April this year a Working Group was established for the purpose of reviewing the existing suite of engineering qualifications in the local government sector and to propose changes to those qualifications where necessary. To date, the Working Group has undertaken an in-depth analysis and review of the engineering qualifications through engagement with local authorities, key stakeholders and other interested parties. The review of the engineering qualifications is being progressed as a priority.
571. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any concerns about the quantum of cost estimated by the European Commission for implementation of quaternary treatment of urban waste water in the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; if he has concerns about the allocation of those costs to just two economic sectors, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; his views on whether this allocation is fully compliant with the polluter pays principle; if he will join with the concerns expressed by 16 other Member States in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been actively engaging in the negotiation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive since the Commission published its proposed recast Directive in Q4 2022, and the detailed discussions began in January 2023. Alongside the proposal, the Commission issued a detailed impact assessment.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) established an expert group in Q1 2023 to support the work on the proposed Directive. This group included representatives from the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive. Stakeholder input was also gathered from colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment while engagement with IBEC ensured that wider stakeholders' views were considered during the negotiation process.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme is a significant component of the proposed recast Directive, which reflects the Polluter Pays Principle. According to the Commission’s impact assessment, pharmaceuticals and personal care products contribute the most significant proportion of harmful substances in wastewater. The EPR Scheme requires producers placing products on the Union market to take financial responsibility for at least 80% of the costs associated with additional treatment needed for micro-pollutants. However, smaller producers can be exempted from this responsibility if they demonstrate low use of certain substances or if those substances are biodegradable. The proposed Directive also includes provisions for future assessment of the EPR Scheme in December, 2033 and December, 2040.
Any implications of funding for Uisce Éireann will be determined when the approach to implementing the Directive in Ireland has been settled. Funding will be considered as part of the Uisce Éireann’s future Capital Investment Plan.
In the recent vote of Member States as part of the process of final adoption of the Directive on 23 October, 24 Member States voted in favour of the Directive. While 16 Member States issued statements on their voting position these consisted of a range of issues including some concerns but also supportive statements. Final adoption of the recast Directive is now expected to take place shortly at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.
572. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of targets for Meath for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and for each year out to 2030, in tabular form; if and when these targets have been revised over the lifetime of this Government; to provide an update with regard to any proposed revisions upward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44509/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Meath County Council Housing Delivery Action Plan, which sets out the Council’s annual social and affordable housing targets to 2027, can be accessed at the following link:
www.meath.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2022-08/Meath%20County%20Council%20Housing%20Delivery%20Action%20Plan%202022-2026.pdf
Government has recently approved new national housing targets up to the year 2030. 303,000 homes will be delivered in the period from 2025 to 2030, equating to an annual average of 50,500 homes, building up to 60,000 in 2030. The revised targets were informed by research and modelling by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on population projections and long-run housing demand, which was published during the summer.
The revised national housing targets will inform the revision to existing social and affordable housing targets in County Meath. Work is ongoing in this regard.
573. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of LIHAF applications received for Meath since its inception; the number that were approved and not approved, respectively; the status of all approved applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44536/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 373 of 15 October 2024, which sets out the position in this matter.
574. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who are homeless in County Meath; to provide a breakdown of the number of homeless people in County Meath in the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/24]
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 role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
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 September 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 https://data.gov.ie/ .
575. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people on the social housing lists in County Meath in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; to provide a breakdown of the average time spent on a waiting lists in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/
The SSHA 2024 is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1 2025.
In relation to the average time spent on the housing list in Meath, information of this exact type is not held by my Department. However, details on the length of time spent on the record of qualified households (waiting lists), can be found in the aforementioned reports.
576. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the project development board will be established for the retendering of the Cork event centre; and the persons that will be on such a board. [44543/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cork Event Centre was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. This underlines the Government’s support for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.
The Government decision of 22 October re-affirms its commitment to and ongoing Exchequer funding support for an Events Centre in Cork City, given its strategic alignment with the growth ambition for Cork City, as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. The decision requires that the procurement process begins afresh and that a project development board, led by Cork City Council, be established to expedite the process.
My Department wrote to Cork City Council on the 31 October outlining details of the Government decision and the next steps required of the Council in order to begin formation of the project development board, including identification of potential board members and drafting the terms of reference for the board. These initial steps are expected to be completed and the board established within a matter of weeks.
577. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the invasive/non-native freshwater fish of pike (esox lucius) and zander (sander lucioperca) were not added to the invasive species list contained within the third schedule of S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, considering the unequivocal recommendations of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the responsible public authority, in a submission they made to his Department during an interdepartmental consultation on the Draft European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations in September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44556/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for legislation and policy around invasive alien species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s rivers and streams together with 128,000 lake hectares.
Pike has been present in Ireland for hundreds of years and is considered to be a naturalised species which is widespread across the country. There are no plans at this time to add pike to to the national list of invasive alien species.
Zander is not known to occur in Ireland although the species is considered a potential invader.
The NPWS regularly liaises with IFI on matters relating to aquatic species. While they are not listed invasive alien species, the NPWS will continue to monitor the situation for these two species.
578. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the Questions on Promised Legislation debate of 19 September 2024, if he has made any decisions with regard to the possible compensation of those under boil water notices as part of his review of the Uisce Éireann plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44593/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s priority is to ensure that people’s health is protected and that adequate water is available for all consumers. I am keen to see this Boil Water Notice lifted without undue delay – but only when the HSE and EPA have confirmed the water supply is safe. As the public health authority, it is the HSE’s decision regarding issuing a Boil Water Notice or Do Not Consume Notice.
Uisce Éireann commenced a €22 million upgrade at Whitegate Water Treatment Plant in July 2024. The upgrade will ensure a safe, secure, and reliable supply of drinking water to the homes and businesses served by the Whitegate Regional Water Supply. The new state-of-the-art treatment plant will address the frequent Boil Water Notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years.
Uisce Éireann has a strong customer service focus through its Water Charges Plan and Customer Charter, which outlines the standard of service customers should expect to receive. The Water Charges Plan sets out a compensation mechanism for Business Customers when water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption such as when Drinking Water Restriction Notices apply. Such customers who pay charges are entitled to a rebate under the Customer Handbook as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). However, implementation of the Water Charges Plan is a matter in the first instance for Uisce Éireann. Any issues, which cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the CRU.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
580. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent by Galway City and Council on HAP and RAS in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level data on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery and spend activity including information in relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) which can be found on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
581. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of planning applications related to Galway that are currently waiting on a decision from An Board Pleanála; and to provide a breakdown of those waiting more than 6 month, more than 12 months and more than 2 years. [44641/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
The information requested is not held by my Department. Determination of planning appeals and applications is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie .
582. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to address dereliction in urban and rural areas of Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44694/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In April this year, I published an update on the Action Plan which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie).
A key initiative under the Action Plan to address vacancy and dereliction has been the introduction of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. From May 2023, up to a maximum of €50,000 in grant funding is available to support the refurbishment of a vacant property into a home. Where the property is confirmed as derelict, up to a maximum of €70,000 in grant funding is available.
My Department publishes data on number of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis and these publications include local authority breakdowns. The Quarter 3 2024 statistics were published on Monday, 21 October and can be accessed at the following link:
gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics (www.gov.ie)
In April 2023, I launched the CPO Activation Programme requiring a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use. This includes the active use of compulsory purchase powers by local authorities.
In January 2023, I announced details regarding Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). Supporting key objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First, and the Vacant Homes Action Plan, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to address long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns. Under Call 3, Kildare County Council have been awarded €7 million in URDF funding for an approved acquisitions programme of 56 properties.
The Social Housing Capital Funding Programmes (Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS)) support local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to tackle vacancy and dereliction through the purchase and renewal of vacant buildings and blocks as new social homes. The funding for local authorities to purchase and renew vacant buildings as new social homes is drawn from the €1.4 billion capital funding available under the Social Housing Capital Funding Programmes and is demand-led.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites; acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily; and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.
