Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the unit size of social leased housing units by county in tabular form; the number delivered that were directly built by local authorities and approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

309. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of the way in which the social leased programme will address the family size numbers and single person units who are on the list; the criteria for accepting single, two bedroomed and three bedroomed units as social leased units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.

While the Government’s objective is to focus strongly on local authority led build activity, long term leasing is an important option available to local authorities to supplement delivery and secure high quality social housing on a long term basis.

The social housing long term leasing programme allows local authorities and approved housing bodies to lease suitable properties from private owners for periods of between 10 to 25 years. The leasing programme does not fund properties built by local authorities or an approved housing body.

Local authorities lease dwellings taking account of local need, the suitability of dwellings, sustainable communities considerations and value for money. These properties are allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. As such, the type and size of dwelling leased, and the allocation of those dwellings, is a matter for the relevant local authority having regard to its most recent housing needs assessment.

Data relating to property size is not recorded by my Department. Generally, one, two and three bedroom houses and apartments are leased. A smaller number of four bedroom houses are leased.

Data on social housing leasing, funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities to end 2020 is published on my Department’s website at the following link: .

Data in respect of Q1 2021 is currently being collated and will be published when available.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to negotiate leased units as social housing units for 2022 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government has committed to increasing social housing stock by more than 50,000 over the coming five years, with an emphasis on delivering new build homes. However, leasing is an important option available to local authorities to supplement delivery and secure high quality social housing on a long-term basis.

Delivering the necessary supply of social homes requires a multi-faceted approach, harnessing capacity and delivery from all available channels. More homes can be provided by including leasing, than could reasonably be expected to be delivered under construction and acquisition programmes alone.

The Government's new Housing Strategy - Housing for All - is due to be published later this year and the delivery of more affordable and social homes will be a key focus in the Plan. The leasing programme for the period 2022 to 2025 is being considered in the context of Housing for All.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

311. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has conducted a review of the social leased units being advertised as a financial product online and in which the advertisement process indicates that a landlord will not have any tenant contact; the way in which he expects to do the estate management piece; if this will be funded by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under standard long term leasing arrangements, suitable properties can be leased to a local authority or an approved housing body (AHB) for periods of between 10 and 25 years. The local authority or AHB is responsible for day-to-day property maintenance. These dwellings are allocated dwellings and the social housing tenant signs a tenancy agreement with the local authority or AHB, who acts as the landlord to tenants. Responsibility for the structural maintenance of the dwelling remains with the owner of the dwelling.

A discount of 20% is applied to market rent for the property to take account of the tenant management and property maintenance responsibilities taken on by the local authority or AHB. Where a management company is in place and an annual service charge is payable, a discount of 15% is applied. In these circumstances, the owner of the property is responsible for payment of the annual service charge. The day-to-day maintenance of the properties is funded from the differential rent payable to the local authority in respect of the property. Properties entering the leasing scheme must meet all relevant statutory requirements and local authorities may set out additional requirements for properties entering into their leasing programme.

Under enhanced long term leasing arrangements, the owner of the property is required to provide day-to-day maintenance of the properties under a schedule of management services. A discount of 5% is applied to the market rent to take account of the tenant management responsibilities taken on by the local authority. Penalties are applied and deducted from the rent where services are not performed as required. Any service charges payable are paid by the owner of the property.

Maintaining the landlord tenant relationship between the local authority or AHB and the social housing tenant under the long term leasing schemes is key feature of the scheme for both local authorities and social housing tenants. This feature means that a discounted market rent is paid in respect of these dwellings.

I have no role in regulating the advertisement of financial products online.