Written Answers Nos. 150-159
150. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when housing assistance payments were last reviewed; if he has considered reviewing and increasing the rate of housing assistance payments to reflect market rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single person households. This additional measure recognises the challenges experienced by single person households, and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
My Department has reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review has highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. My Department is now undertaking a review of existing HAP rent limits to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector.
It is intended that the review process will conclude before the end of Q2 this year.
151. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether S.I. No. 166/2007 - Local Government (Business Improvement Districts Ratepayer Plebiscite) Regulations 2007 remains in force and applicable within the areas that were previously under the jurisdiction of those bodies; and if the Regulations continue to apply, if he will outline the body of elected members that now holds decision making authority in relation to any proposed Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) plebiscite (details supplied) [22760/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Business Improvement District Scheme is an organisational and financing mechanism, (provided for under the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006), through which businesses can, on a self-help basis, develop and implement initiatives, in defined areas, to improve those areas for the betterment of the trading environment in which they operate.
In a Business Improvement District (BID) Scheme, a group of businesses are empowered, where a majority of those businesses agree, to raise a special charge which is payable by all the businesses in the defined area to pay for the carrying out of complementary local services and improvements, within that defined area. The boundary and the range of the local services and improvements to be carried out in the defined area of a Business Improvement District Scheme are determined by the proposing business community in association with the local authority.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014, reduced the number of rating authorities from 88 to 31. The BID legislation provides that a rating authority may by resolution specify the area for the establishment of a BID and approve a BID scheme following the majority agreement of ratepayers in a plebiscite. A condition of the resolution is that the members of the rating authority consider the scheme does not conflict in any material way with the interest of the local community. At least one-third of the members of the rating authority need to vote in favour of the resolution for the establishment of a business improvement district. While the proposing business community in association with the local authority agree the boundary or area to which the BID applies, under the BID legislation and the current local authority structure, one-third of the full plenary council need to vote in favour of a scheme proposed for any sub-district of the county.
The Local Government (Business Improvement Districts Ratepayer Plebiscite) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 166/2007) which specify the arrangements for holding the relevant plebiscite, remain in force. References to rating authorities in the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 and in the associated regulations, now mean the current local and rating authority structure, in place since 2014.
152. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a social housing passport can be considered; to outline the options for a person who has over 10 years on one local authority list but has settled into the community of a different local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22784/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe concept of a Housing Passport, intended to facilitate eligible social housing applicants to access social housing in any local authority of their preference has been considered by my Department in consultation with local authorities.
An initial scoping exercise was carried out by my Department which identified a range of practical and administrative issues, including those related to the income eligibility differences across local authority areas, maintenance of seniority on housing waiting lists, local connection requirements, the efficient allocation of existing housing stock, and resource implications for local authorities including the absence of a technology to support such an approach. Due to the complexity of the range of issues identified and the difficulties inherent in the practical application of such a scheme, further work in this area is not being considered at the present time.
It should be noted however, there is already a degree of flexibility regarding housing waiting lists. The four Dublin local authorities have arrangements allowing social housing applicants apply for housing in up to two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.
153. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the number of employees that were employed in his Department at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were 1,881 (1841.02 FTE) staff employed in my Department as of the 31st December 2025, the details of which are broken down as follows:
154. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of employees in each of the agencies under his Department's remit at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22899/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraState bodies under the aegis of my Department are independent in the performance of their functions and my Department does not collate or hold the specific information requested.
The Deputy may wish to contact the State bodies directly for details of the employee data being sought. Arrangements have been put in place by each State body to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Contact email addresses for each body are set out in the table below.
155. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exact date by which the new vacant above the shop grant will be operational; when local authorities will begin accepting applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when updated guidance, circulars and operational instructions will issue to local authorities regarding the administration of the vacant above the shop grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22910/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will consider extending the vacant above the shop grant to include conversion or refurbishment of vacant rear-of-property or back-of-site areas, where such spaces are structurally connected to commercial premises but not physically located above the shop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22911/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether properties that include both above-the-shop areas and rear can qualify for full grant support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual uptake targets he has set for the vacant above the shop grant; the way in which progress will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156, 157, 158 and 159 together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, provides a grant of up to €50,000 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 confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is currently available for conversion or refurbishment of vacant above the shop space.
The new housing plan Delivering Homes Supporting Communities reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issue of vacancy and dereliction.
The Plan includes provision of additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. This will include vacant space outside of the commercial element in a single storey building. The Government has approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.
My Department is currently progressing work to introduce the Vacant Above the Shop Grant. I expect that it and the Expert Advice Grant will be made available, for delivery by local authorities, by end Q1 2026. My Department has been is engaging with local authorities regarding introduction of the schemes.
