Written Answers Nos. 467-486
467. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide data on the total amount spent on the Land Development Agency, including operational costs, land acquisition and housing development, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [15239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide data on the total funding allocated to the Land Development Agency (LDA) in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and the number of housing units delivered through LDA projects, per year. [15240/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide links to official reports, documents, and published datasets detailing the total funding allocated to the Land Development Agency (LDA) in each of the past three years; and to provide reports outlining the number of housing units delivered through LDA projects, per year. [15242/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 467, 468 and 470 together.
LDA Funding
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018 through S.I. No. 352/2018. The Land Development Agency Act 2021 was signed into law in July 2021. Following the commencement of the relevant provisions of the LDA Act, the interim LDA entity was dissolved and all functions and staff of the interim LDA entity transferred to a new LDA Designated Activity Company (DAC) on 31 March 2022. This LDA DAC was incorporated by the Company Registration Office in December 2021.
The annual cost to the Exchequer of the interim LDA entity between September 2018 and its dissolution in 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€254,000 |
€2,408,000 |
€14,100,000 |
€16,600,000 |
The commercial activities of the LDA DAC are not funded by the Exchequer. However, funding is provided to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. These functions are detailed under Section 29 of the LDA Act 2021 and include the maintenance of the Register of Relevant Public Lands, the development of a report to Government on relevant public lands and any functions associated with the development of a Strategic Development Zone as provided for under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
The annual Exchequer cost of the LDA following the dissolution of the interim LDA entity and the establishment of the LDA DAC is set out in the table below:
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
€535,000 |
€1,124,000 |
€807,645 |
Exchequer funding of €2.6 million (€2.3m Capital and €300,000 Current) is being provided to the LDA for 2025 which is to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions.
The commercial activity of the Agency is funded from the Agency's capital.
There is now legislative provision for up to €6.25 billion in capital for the LDA, split between:
• €1.25 billion from ISIF;
• €2.5 billion from the proceeds of the disposal of NTMA directed investments;
• €1.25 in borrowing; and
• €1.25 billion that can be raised by the LDA through the performance of certain functions in the LDA Act or arrangements referred to in the Affordable Housing Act 2021 as provided for by the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024.
To date, the LDA has drawn down €1.35 billion from ISIF and NTMA directed investments. These drawdowns were broken down as follows:
• €100m on establishment in March 2022;
• €250m in February 2023;
• €275m in April 2023;
• €300m in November 2023;
• €325m in May 2024; and
• €100m in January 2025
The LDA has yet to issue commercial debt.
LDA Reports
The Annual Reports of the Land Development Agency include the financial statements of the Agency. The funding provided to the Agency and the Agency's expenditure is detailed in these financial statements. The Annual Reports also include details of the housing units delivered through LDA projects.
The Annual Reports can be found on the website of the Agency at https://lda.ie/about-us/publications/annual-reports. The Annual Reports of the Agency for 2024 will be published later this year.
LDA Housing Delivery
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and the Land Development Agency.
Data up to and including the third quarter of 2024 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
LDA Expenditure
With respect to the request for information on the breakdown of LDA expenditure, the LDA's operational activities are a matter for the Agency.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
472. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or Ministers of State from his Department raised recent breaches of international law by Israel such as cutting off food, water, and electricity to civilian populations in Gaza during recent visits to EU Member States over the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the recent breaches of international law by Israel, were not raised during the visits to EU Member States over the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
474. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the refusal of transfers between county housing lists is a policy or law by the councils. [15297/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, provide that households may apply for support to one local authority only. Usually, this will be the local authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which the household has a local connection. Local authorities may also, at their discretion, assess households with no link to the area for support.
However, in the case of the three counties with more than one local authority, Dublin, Cork and Galway, the local authorities in each county co-operate in arrangements to enable applicants for social housing to apply for housing in areas in other local authority functional areas simultaneously. At least one of these choices must be in the functional area of the housing authority of application. Accordingly, under existing arrangements, a household that applies, for example, to Dublin City Council can, if qualified for support and should they choose to do so, be entered on the waiting list of three of the four local authorities in Dublin city and county.
Generally, it is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. This ensures any unfairness that might arise for households already on a waiting list in a receiving local authority is avoided.
Households are assessed against the eligibility and need criteria set down in the relevant legislation when applying to another local authority area. If deemed eligible, they qualify for the suite of social housing supports, including the Housing Assistance Payment, and are placed on the housing list to be considered for suitable tenancies in accordance with the relevant local authority’s allocation scheme. Notwithstanding this, local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time.
477. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which a young family in County Kilkenny (details supplied) can be included in the Mica redress scheme; the way in which families not living in the areas included in the Mica redress scheme can be included if needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023, which provides for the current grant scheme, and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The DCB grant scheme is open to applications from homeowners in five counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/defectiveconcreteblocks/ .
When a local authority that is not designated under the Scheme determines through the established mechanisms that homes within their functional area have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the scheme extended to include any such county or part of such county.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.
A homeowner in a local authority area that is not currently designated under the Scheme therefore should first make contact with their local authority. The local authority may then make a request to the Housing Agency. Upon a request from the local authority, officials in the Housing Agency will meet with the council to discuss the process and what is required under the Act.
479. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 to allow some families with a child or adult with disabilities to remain in their home with defective concrete blocks, while a new home is built on an adjoining site and then demolish the original home, to reflect the serious difficulty in securing a suitable home to rent during those works. [15446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damage by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The scheme facilitates the remediation of existing houses that have been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks. The construction of new separate additional houses is not grant funded.
The Act, as set down by the Oireachtas provides that exempt development status shall automatically apply to remediation works approved under the grant scheme subject to certain provisions set out in Section 28 of the Act. Importantly, remediation works shall only be exempt where on completion of remediation works the dwelling house is not inconsistent with or materially different from the appearance and character of the original dwelling house.
I have asked my Department to consider this matter further.
480. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown, by county, of the 1,200 properties which are long-term vacant and derelict residential and commercial buildings and have been acquired by local authorities and approved for funding under the urban regeneration and development funding (call 3); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was one of four funds established under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2027. Launched in 2018 with committed Exchequer funding of €2 billion, the review of the NDP in 2021 extended the URDF programme to 2030.
To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF with approximately €1.9 billion allocated. Under Call 1 and Call 2, 132 proposals comprising of some 430 individual projects were approved for funding. While Call 1 and 2 were for specific urban regeneration and development projects, in January 2023 a third round of funding to address long term vacancy and dereliction, and support the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First, was announced. A shift in focus from previous rounds of funding, Call 3 provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties in URDF eligible towns and cities.
Acquired properties are then offered by local authorities for private sale at market value to those who in return will commit to bringing the property back into residential use. Proceeds from the sale of these properties will be used to replenish the fund, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction without a requirement for borrowing and the associated financial risk.
In terms of URDF funding provided under Call 3, €142.5 million has been allocated to local authorities to date. As a signal of Government commitment to this initiative local authorities received 20% of their financial allocations by way of forward funding, so that they were well resourced to begin addressing this issue.
In Q3 2023, following a consultation process with the local authority sector, formal approval in principle was issued to each local authority for a programme of property acquisitions. The properties were submitted by local authorities, assessed by my Department, and identified as being suitable for inclusion. With further assessment and engagement by local authorities throughout 2024, properties have continued to be added to the approved acquisition programme.
The most recent (Q4 2024) report on Call 3 that was provided to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform shows that a total of 1,297 residential and commercial properties were approved by my Department for inclusion on Local Authority’s Approved Programmes. Of these, 47 properties were acquired by local authorities, with a further 70 in the process of being acquired either by agreement or by CPO.
It should be noted that properties approved for inclusion in the programme are not immediately acquired by local authorities. An initial engagement by the local authority with the property owner provides an opportunity for that owner to bring the property back into use in the first instance and without the need for further local authority intervention. Some 262 properties are being brought back into use by property owners in this manner and these properties will be monitored by local authorities to ensure follow-through.
The table attached, taken from the report, provides a breakdown of URDF Call 3 by local authority, showing the number of properties on their programmes, funding details, and the status of all properties. My Department is currently working on the Q1 2025 report.
481. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans in relation to introducing protections for students that are entering digs-style accommodation; if he will work with opposition parties to progress the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024 which lapsed with the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15521/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The RTA apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. The dwellings to which the Act does not apply are set out in section 3(2) of the RTA, and include for example, a dwelling within which the landlord also resides. Section 37 of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019, as amended, extended the application of the RTA to cover licence arrangements in student specific accommodation, where the rented property is not occupied by the owner.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the RTA to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
Where a dwelling is occupied by a person under an arrangement or agreement which is not a tenancy covered by the RTA, for example, where a bona fide licensing arrangement exists, the RTB does not have any jurisdiction or function. It is a private contractual matter between the parties as to type of agreement/arrangement to put in place. If a dispute arises as to whether a purported license is in fact a tenancy, the RTB can determine on the matter and if it is a tenancy, the RTA applies.
Traditionally, rent-a-room arrangements are entered by students and others residing in ‘digs’ or family homes where goodwill exists to ensure that both lodgers and home owners are happy with the arrangement. It is possible for rent-a-room arrangements to be formalised by way of a licence agreement between the parties to a rent-a-room arrangement, including in respect of student digs, but this is a matter of choice for the parties themselves to agree on.
Digs accommodation and licence arrangements, generally, are an integral housing solution for students and other renters as well as an important source of revenue and, in some circumstances, social interaction for homeowners. Any attempt at regulating ‘digs’ or licence arrangements could well impact negatively on the supply of this traditional and important source of accommodation for students and others.
The operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 are kept under constant review by my Department to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
482. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of any submission or correspondence received by his Department from Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and/or the University of Limerick regarding the proposed development of an economic strategic development zone at Gillogue, Clonlara, County Clare; his views on the decision by the University of Limerick and Clare County Council to withdraw a joint planning application for the said development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15587/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a written request from the Chief Executive (CE) of Clare County Council and the President of the University of Limerick on 24 January 2022 seeking designation of lands as the South Clare/University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
Further to a meeting between my Department and Clare County Council and the University of Limerick in April 2022, my Department issued a formal response to the request in August 2022, seeking further detail in relation to the proposal. A response to this request was received in March 2023, setting out some further detail.
Further to a subsequent meeting between my Department and Clare County Council and the University of Limerick in July 2023, a more comprehensive proposal for the SDZ was submitted to my Department in April 2024, in the form of a land use masterplan.
On examination of this correspondence, my Department noted that parties to the original request (or their successors) had not undersigned the submission. To clarify the matter, correspondence was sent to the parties in order to confirm in writing that the submission was made on their behalf. Subsequent correspondence received from the University of Limerick in June 2024 requested time to consider the April submission.
The President of the University of Limerick (acting) wrote to the CE of Clare County Council in November 2024 stating that following a review of the request, it was the view of the University and its Governing Authority that the application to seek SDZ designation should be withdrawn. A copy of this correspondence was also sent to my Department. On the basis of this correspondence, the request for SDZ designation has not been progressed.
My Department has not received any correspondence from Limerick City and County Council in relation to this matter.
483. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received and approved in County Clare under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and the amount of financial assistance provided to applicants from County Clare under the scheme. [15588/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The detailed operation of the Scheme is a matter for the designated local authorities with the Housing Agency acting as agents of the local authorities under the grant scheme. Applications received by a local authority are referred to the Housing Agency to review the 'Building Condition Assessment Report' and determine if the home has met the 'damage threshold' for entry to the scheme.
The table below sets out the position on the number of applications received by Clare County Council under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme as at end February 2025.
|
Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme |
Local Authority |
|
Clare |
|
|
Total Number of Applications |
134 |
|
New Applications Referred to Housing Agency under Scheme for Damage Threshold Determination |
134 |
|
New Applicants Damage Threshold met under the Scheme |
123 |
|
Total Number of Remedial Options/Grants Determined by Housing Agency |
39 |
|
Total Value of Remedial Options/Grants Determined by Housing Agency |
€12,445,053 |
I understand that €424,775.78 has been provided by Clare County Council to applicants under the grant scheme to date.
484. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes that have been or that will be built in County Clare from 2020 to 2025 under the local authority affordable purchase scheme, in tabular form; if he will provide a breakdown for each of the four municipal districts of Ennis, Killaloe, Shannon and West Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15589/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline details of new affordable housing schemes being supported by his Department; to provide details of submissions received from Clare County Council for the development of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15590/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan, puts affordability at the heart of the housing system and places priority on the supply of affordable homes to persons on moderate incomes and above the social housing income eligibility threshold. The plan commits to the delivery of 54,000 affordable homes by 2030.
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides the legislative basis for a range of affordability schemes that are now operational in line with Housing for All and are increasingly providing a range of affordable options for eligible prospective homeowners and renters. Delivery is being facilitated nationwide by local authorities, approved housing bodies, and via the First Homes scheme.
The Affordable Housing Fund enables local authorities to develop Affordable Purchase Schemes whereby homes are sold on a shared equity basis at an upfront price below the market value with an equity stake retained by the local authority commensurate with the discount from market value, redeemable by the purchaser at a future date, subject to certain conditions. Homes are advertised on each local authority’s website as they become available .
Similarly, the First Home Scheme uses an equity share model to support first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available on the scheme website: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The Revenue Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes and may be used in combination with the Affordable Purchase or First Homes schemes.
Given the profile of the county some of the other affordable options may be suitable for new households including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A further option available under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is the Ready to Build scheme whereby local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discount on the market value. The purchaser may then use the site to build their own home.
Finally, for those whose circumstances may be more suited to renting a home, the Government has introduced a new form of long-term sustainable home rental in the form of Cost Rental tenancies. This scheme aims to provide households, with a net income of up to €59,000, who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own home, with secure, affordable tenancies in sustainable, long-term homes. Under the Cost Rental model, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of delivering, managing and maintaining the homes.
These affordable options are being availed of nationally and delivery is being scaled up.
All local authorities, including Clare County Council, have prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan which sets out information on their intended social and affordable housing delivery over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All and assessed need. The Plans have been published on local authority websites and Clare's Plan can be accessed at the following link: housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026-48501.pdf.
While Clare does not have a specific affordable housing delivery target, it has identified localised affordability need in key urban locations where new households being formed would not be able to access housing for purchase or rent at prices/rents affordable to them. The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is open and available to support local authorities to address such needs identified in their area.
To date Clare County Council has made affordable purchase homes available with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund at An Gallán Nua, Lahinch Road, Ennis and at Radharc Doire Shannon and plans to make further housing available.
Statistical reports detailing affordable housing delivery within each local authority area by all delivery partners during 2022, 2023 and for the first three quarters of 2024 are available on my Department's website at the following link - https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery
My Department, and the affordable housing teams in the LGMA and Housing Agency are available to support local authorities, including Clare County Council, in developing and delivering affordable housing within the county.
486. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding provided by the Exchequer to Uisce Éireann for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the budget allocation for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15591/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding provided to Uisce Éireann from my Department's Vote (34) for the years 2022 to 2024 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Vote 34 Funding (€m) |
|
2022 |
€1,415 |
|
2023 |
€1,650 |
|
2024 |
€1,787 |
The Uisce Éireann budget allocation for 2025 from Vote 34 is €1,704m along with €514m of the €1bn equity investment announced by the Minister for Finance in the Budget 2025.
