Written Answers Nos. 78-93
78. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was not increased in line with construction inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57434/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a grant of up to €50,000 to support 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 confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
The maximum grant amounts were increased in May 2023 from €30,000 to €50,000 for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and from €50,000 to €70,000 for homes confirmed to be derelict.
In conjunction with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, other supports and grants may be used to bring vacant and derelict properties into use as homes.
The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
A Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Home Scheme Grant may also be used alongside the VPRG. Further information on the SEAI grants available can be found here: Energy Efficient Homes - Home Energy Upgrades And Grants | SEAI www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants.
A comprehensive review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024 , which considered all aspects of the scheme.
The review of the grant and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government are being considered as part of the next Housing plan which will be launched over in the coming weeks.
79. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that have been realised by local authorities from 1 January 2020 to date in 2025 from the refurbishment/regeneration of vacant and derelict residential buildings and from the adaptive reuse of vacant and derelict non-residential buildings i.e. commercial, industrial or heritage buildings, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57435/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social homes at scale and to continue accelerating social housing supply.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. Information and statistics relating to schemes involving refurbishment and repair of vacant and/or derelict properties, such as the Repair & Leasing Scheme, Regeneration Scheme and SHIP & CAS renewal properties, are available within these publications. Data on local authorities Voids Programme is also published.
This data is available to the end of Q2 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which 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. The current and previous CSRs have details on Regeneration, SHIP Renewal and CAS Renewal properties that have been delivered on a quarterly basis. The most recent publication was for Quarter 2 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
My Department does not collate data on the adaptive reuse of non residential buildings, however further information may be available from individual local authorities.
Below is a breakdown of the various social housing refurbishment and regeneration schemes and their delivery each year from 2020 to Q2 2025.
|
Year |
Buy and Renew |
Repair & Leasing |
Regeneration |
SHIP Renewal |
CAS Renewal |
TOTAL |
|
2020 |
84 |
69 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
153 |
|
2021 |
51 |
45 |
2 |
2 |
28 |
128 |
|
2022 |
46 |
101 |
23 |
64 |
45 |
279 |
|
2023 |
51 |
174 |
66 |
90 |
67 |
448 |
|
2024 |
33 |
86 |
47 |
92 |
65 |
323 |
|
To end Q2 2025* |
3 |
41 |
5 |
19 |
3 |
71 |
|
TOTAL |
268 |
516 |
143 |
267 |
208 |
1402 |
80. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the mortgage-to-rent scheme and the use of private companies in light of the failure of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57443/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All committed to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme to ensure that it is helping those households who need it. In 2021, a review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was undertaken and the resulting report was published in January 2022. In February 2022, on foot of this review, a number of key recommendations were undertaken to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
The latest amendments to the MTR scheme were made in November 2024. These changes updated two critical elements of the eligibility criteria of the scheme to reflect current market conditions in the residential housing sector, and to ensure that the scheme continues to help those households to whom it is targeted.
These reviews and amendments to the MTR scheme are indicative of the ongoing commitment to keeping the eligibility criteria of the scheme under appraisal and to ensuring the scheme operates as effectively as possible.
My Department sits on the long-term mortgage arrears group, along with representatives from the Department of Finance, Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection and other stakeholders. The Report of the Mortgage Arrears Review Group, published on the 3 September 2024, set out a series of recommendations concerning mortgage arrears, particularly longer term arrears. One of the actions arising from this report was that the MTR scheme would be subject to a high level review in 2026.
The high level review of the MTR scheme high that will be undertaken in 2026 will assess the performance of all aspects of the scheme in the context of an evolving mortgage arrears environment.
Three new private large-scale MTR providers and two large-scale AHB MTR providers were appointed by my Department on foot of an Expressions of Interest process which was undertaken by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department in 2023.
Each provider is subject to an Annual Review of Performance. The Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, undertook the Annual Reviews of all three of the private MTR providers in Q1 and Q2 2025. These reviews are retrospective as they are based on the performance of the company over the previous 12 months.
My Department and the Housing Agency deemed the performance of all three companies as large-scale providers of the MTR scheme to be satisfactory over the course of the review period.
The next annual review of performance of all 5 large-scale providers will be undertaken in Q1 and Q2 2026.
My Department is aware that one of the private large-scale providers has been sold as a going concern. The Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, is currently undertaking the necessary due diligence regarding this change of ownership.
81. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of home for life mortgage-to-rent properties inspected by the relevant local authority; the percentage of homes deemed non-compliant and requiring remedial works to meet minimum housing standards, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57444/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme, the borrower surrenders their property to their lender and it will be then sold to a MTR provider, which can be either an Approved Housing Body (AHB) or to one of the private companies approved to participate in the scheme. The AHB or, in the case where the property is sold to a private company, the local authority through a leasing arrangement, becomes the landlord and the borrower remains in the property as a tenant paying a differential rent to the landlord based on his or her income.
There are Protocols in place which AHBs and private companies must adhere to when operating as MTR providers. These Protocols state that an AHB, or private company, must ensure that all essential repairs, required to bring the property up to compliance with all Statutory Requirements and the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 (as amended), are carried out.
The AHB / private company must complete the works at the very latest within three months of acquiring the property. In the event that the completion of the works requires an extension beyond three months, this must be agreed in writing between the LA and AHB /private company. This timeline does not apply to fire safety issues, which shall be addressed immediately upon acquisition of the property.
The inspection of MTR properties is work undertaken by local authorities. The Department does not hold information on the number of inspections undertaken or on the outcome of these inspections.
82. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the future of the mortgage-to-rent scheme given the latest published figures show the lowest number of active cases since the scheme was established and if he has any plans to amend the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department keeps the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme under close review and this reflects the commitment in Housing for All, to ensure that the scheme is helping those households who need it. The latest amendments to the MTR scheme were made in November 2024. These changes updated two critical elements of the eligibility criteria of the scheme to reflect current market conditions in the residential housing sector, and to ensure that the scheme continues to help those households to whom it is targeted.
The Central Bank statistics from the end of June 2025 show that the proportion of mortgage accounts of principal dwelling houses in arrears over 90 days is at the lowest it has been since 2009. This is very welcome news and it is only to be expected that this is reflected in the number of active MTR cases.
In total, 2,848 MTR cases have been completed since the start of the scheme. Of these, 265 were completed to date in 2025, with a further 333 cases actively progressing.
In this context, it is important to note that the MTR scheme is not exclusively target driven and a downward trend in active numbers is not necessarily something that needs to be corrected. The scheme is a very last resort for those households in mortgage arrears that have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), and who have few options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs. Under the MTR scheme the borrower loses ownership of their home and becomes a social housing tenant. In light of this, all other possible outcomes should be fully explored by both the lender and the borrower before the MTR scheme is deemed appropriate.
83. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a timeline for the transfer of functions, regarding responsibility for the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57458/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and his Department continue to have responsibility for the oversight of Owner Management Companies (OMCs) and related regulations.
Under Housing for All, to ensure that OMCs are financially sustainable, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) in collaboration with my Department is committed to making regulations under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act), with regard to both sinking funds and service charges. I understand that these Regulations are now at an advanced stage of preparation within that Department.
Under the Programme for Government, my Department will take responsibility for the Multi-Unit Development Acts to streamline support for owners’ management companies and improve oversight. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the DJHAM is being advanced and engagement between our Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
84. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in respect of local authority home loans, he will consider increasing the upper limit of the loan from €360,000 to €500,000 for homes in Dublin, where the average property price is higher than the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57484/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It is available nationwide from local authorities for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The Programme for Government 2025 provided for a review of the maximum property values for the Local Authority Home Loan to ensure that the scheme remains accessible with regard to current house prices. I am currently considering the review's recommendations.
85. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in respect of the first homes scheme to assist persons in purchasing new private homes with a market value no greater than €500,000, he will consider increasing that limit for homes in Dublin, where the average property price is higher than that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57486/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country).
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price-ceiling reviews. At its launch, First Home Scheme announced it would review all price ceilings at six-month intervals. The DAC takes into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area.
At the end of June 2025, the First Home Scheme DAC published the outcome of its sixth scheduled review of the price-ceilings that apply to qualifying homes. New price-ceilings were agreed for 16 local authority areas, including for all four Dublin local authorities where the price ceilings increased to €500,000, and came into effect on 1 July 2025. The next six monthly review of price ceilings is scheduled to take place by the end of the year.
In October, the First Home Scheme published its Quarter 3 2025 report. The report showed continued strong interest in the Scheme, with 8,400 buyers approved and more than 4,100 homes already bought or built, supporting individuals and families across all 31 local authority areas. 24% of all live approvals are across the four Dublin local authorities.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available on the First Home Scheme website.
86. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider providing for a process of direct election to regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57489/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of members to regional assemblies is set out in in S.I. No. 573/2014 – Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, as amended by S.I. No. 264/2024.
Article 5 of the S.I. provides, inter alia, that every member of a regional assembly shall be appointed by the constituent local authority of which that person is a member. The number of persons to be appointed to be members of a regional assembly by a constituent local authority differs by local authority and is set out in the Regulation as follows:
(a) in the case of the council of the city of Dublin, 7,
(b) in the case of the council of the county of Cork, 5
(c) in the case of the council of the city and county of Limerick, 4, one of whom will be the Mayor,
(d) in the case of the councils of the counties of Donegal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Mayo, Meath, South Dublin, Tipperary and Wexford, 3 each, and
(e) in every other case, 2 each.
Article 32 of the Regulation further provides, inter alia, that where a member of a constituent local authority is appointed as a member of the Committee of the Regions but is not a member of the relevant regional assembly then that person shall become a member of the relevant regional assembly and shall hold that office for as long as they remain a member of the Committee of the Regions. The membership of the relevant regional assembly shall be increased temporarily for as long as that person remains a member.
It is not currently intended to amend the above provisions in order to provide for a process of direct election to the regional assemblies.
87. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to reintroduce the development contribution fees waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The Government recognised that measures needed to be put in place to help address cost and viability with a view to incentivising the activation of a pipeline of new housing commencements, and assisting in the delivery of supply as quickly as possible. The waiver scheme applied to all permitted residential development including multi-unit developments, self-build houses and one-off houses, student accommodation and sheltered housing.
The schemes initially applied for one year to all permitted residential development that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and that are completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced not later than 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced not later than 30 September 2024.
In April 2024, the final date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes was extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
There are no plans to extend or re-introduce the waiver scheme.
88. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the additional funding for a CPO of vacant properties will be eligible for use for properties outside of URDF areas; and if not, the measures that will be in place to alleviate vacancy and dereliction in smaller towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57530/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, set out the various actions being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In March, I published the 2025 Progress Report 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) www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/.
The CPO Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme encourages a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to address vacancy and dereliction. As part of the Programme, guidance and supports are provided for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers under the Housing Act and the Derelict Sites Act to compulsorily acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Implementation of the Programme requires cross team co-operation and co-ordination in each local authority to support a focused approach to addressing vacancy and dereliction. This is occurring in local authorities with reorganisation of staff resources and establishment of other structures to support co-ordination.
There are a range of funding options in place to support local authorities in using their compulsory purchase powers to acquire vacant and dereliction properties and bring them back into use:
• The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, with €150 million being provided under Call 3. This is available for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties and sites for re-use or sale. The number of properties approved for the URDF acquisition programme is now over 1,370;
• Under the Social Housing Investment Programme local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are being supported to acquire and re-develop vacant and derelict buildings and sites, from single properties to more extensive buildings or blocks for social housing;
• Loan funding is also available from the Housing Finance Agency; and
• Local authorities can use their own resources to finance the compulsory purchase and acquisition of vacant and derelict properties.
My Department, along with the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency, will continue to support local authorities in taking a proactive and systematic approach to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use, including through the use of their compulsory purchase powers.
I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
89. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's review of social housing income eligibility guidelines including the treatment and possible disregard of payments or part of payments such as child maintenance and family income supplement. [57545/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All included a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties.
Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. This €5,000 increase broadened the eligibility base, increasing the number of households eligible for support and lessening the impact on disadvantaged and vulnerable households of the significant increase in the cost of accommodation and cost of living generally in recent years.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
My Department is currently in the process of reviewing assessable and non assessable income under the Policy in order to ensure it continues to be appropriate.
90. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to address the planning laws on land fronting on to “N” roads given under current legislation, farming families are unable to secure permission to build on family farmland or other available sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRural Housing Guidelines were last issued in 2005 as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These Guidelines provide that people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, on the basis of an economic or social need, should be facilitated in all rural areas. In areas under strong urban influence, the policy is to direct urban generated housing into cities, towns and villages. In a rural area suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the National Planning Framework) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.
Updated policy direction and guidance in respect of rural housing, initially in the form of a section 28 Guideline which will now be reviewed and prepared as a National Planning Statement, is currently being considered by my Department. The updated policy approach will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft National Planning Statement will set out relevant and consistent planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high-level policy framework set by the NPF.
While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the draft National Planning Statement will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft National Planning Statement will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.
National policy in relation to the provision of access to national roads is set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) which were issued by the Minister under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Guidelines seek to protect the capacity, efficiency and safety of national roads and their strategic transport function through both the plan-making and development management processes. The Guidelines are clear that the planning system must ensure that the strategic function of national roads is maintained by limiting the extent of development that would give rise to the generation of short trip traffic on national roads or alternatively by ensuring that the trip demand from future development will primarily be catered for on the non-national network.
Section 1.5 of the Guidelines indicates that the creation of new accesses and the intensification of existing accesses to national roads gives rise to the generation of additional turning movements that introduce additional safety risks to road users. Therefore, planning authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) must guard against a proliferation of roadside developments accessing national roads to which speed limits greater than 50-60 km/h apply as part of the overall effort to reduce road fatalities and injuries.
Section 2.6 of the Guidelines includes provisions governing exceptional circumstances where planning authorities may identify stretches of national roads where a less restrictive approach to development may be applied. This may occur as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan and having consulted and having regard to the advice of TII.
The Guidelines indicate that a less restrictive approach may be adopted in the case of developments of national and regional strategic importance, which by their nature are most appropriately located outside urban areas, and where the locations concerned have specific characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the developments proposed. The Guidelines set out ten matters to be taken into account by planning authorities and TII when considering whether a proposal relates to a development of national and regional strategic importance.
In addition, a less restrictive approach may also apply to areas where development may require new accesses to certain lightly-trafficked sections of national secondary routes serving structurally weak and remote communities where a balance needs to be struck between the important transport functions of such roads and supporting the social and economic development of these areas.
The Programme for Government (2025) includes an objective to review planning and transport guidelines for national secondary roads to facilitate housing, community and industrial development. Under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024, Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be reviewed and replaced, as appropriate, with National Planning Statements. This programme of transition from section 28 Ministerial Planning Guidelines to National Planning Statements under the Planning and Development Act 2024 will include a review of the Rural Housing Guidelines and the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
91. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the merits of providing grant funding to encourage the use of water butts; if he will consider this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57558/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans at this time to introduce grant funding in relation to water harvesting or the use of water butts. The Government's main objectives and priorities in relation to water services delivery are as set out in the Water Services Policy Statement (WSPS) 2024 – 2030, published 23 February 2024, which is available at the link below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/443cc-water-services-policy-statement-2024-2030/.
The WSPS supports the promotion of water conservation and water resource management as an important element of water services policy that is to be reflected in strategic investment planning by Uisce Éireann. For the period of the Policy Statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leak detection and repair, network improvements, metering, public awareness campaigns and funding for addressing domestic customer leaks.
The concentration on leakage reduction first and foremost will ensure the greatest return on capital investment in terms of the overall impact on conserving water supplies and reducing the overall demand for treated water.
While water sustainability systems(e.g. rain water recovery systems, grey water usage, etc.) are not mandatory, they are being used increasingly in homes and buildings, and the Department has ensured that appropriate standards are referenced under Part H – Drainage and Waste Water Disposal – of the Building Regulations and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document H 2016. The Department also publishes design guidance for local authorities - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities – which emphasises environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. The influence of this guidance extends beyond social housing provision to provide an important reference point in promoting sustainability issues generally.
92. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has projects, contracts, or pilots currently being undertaken or in development that make use of agentic AI; if the use of these technologies is internal only or public facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57628/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies including agentic AI. My Department recently completed a proof of concept with EY on the viability of using AI, using Microsoft Co-Pilot on housing data. This was completed at no cost to the Department. The lessons learned from this pilot project will be utilised in the future. This pilot was available internally only. At present, my Department is finalising the AI policy that outlines the framework for the legal, secure and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Department.
93. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the case of a person outlined in correspondence (details supplied); if a person in such circumstances qualifies for the affordable housing scheme or any other form of Government support with purchasing their first home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57635/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA household has the option to apply for social housing support at any stage, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria at the point at which they apply. This ensures households experiencing changed circumstances prior to or since a previous assessment, including material changes in income, can be reassessed in light of such changes. However, such reassessments must also take account of the household income for the 12-month period prior to reassessment.
The 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority and the local authority should be contacted in the first instance for specific details on local requirements.
To note, the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 came into operation on 1 January 2016 and allows tenants of local authority houses to apply to purchase their home. The scheme is governed by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015, as amended, and is open to eligible tenants of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
In order to be eligible to purchase a house under the Scheme, tenants must have a reckonable annual income of €11,000 and have been in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years, as determined by the local authority in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Social housing supports include HAP, RAS or 10 years tenancy of a local authority dwelling, or a combination of these supports. In the case of joint applications, only one tenant is required to have been in receipt of social housing supports for a period of 10 years.
There are also a number of affordable housing options available for eligible applicants to purchase homes. A number of these supports can be combined to provide greater affordability subject to eligibility requirements.
Information on the various affordable housing supports available can be found here: https://affordablehomes.ie/. The website includes application details for specific developments available for purchase or rent that are open for applications or coming soon.
For affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their purchasing power, calculated as outlined in Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023. The affordable homes will be made available at a reduced purchase price, by having the local authority take an equity share in the property, with the purchaser contributing through a combination of their deposit, mortgage and/or savings.
The First Home Scheme is also a shared equity scheme and makes home ownership achievable by bridging the gap for first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home within regional price ceiling. Customers using the scheme must obtain a mortgage from one of the three participating lenders – Bank of Ireland, AIB or PTSB.
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage through a regular mortgage lender. The scheme is for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties and for self-builds. It also includes the purchase of homes through Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme. The Local Authority Home Loan is available nationwide from all local authorities. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available at the following link: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable. These measures are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants.
