Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure all public-funded housing is converted to more sustainable heating systems. [44598/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2007 it has been a requirement that all new dwellings install renewable energy systems. In 2019 SEAI introduced Building Regulations requiring all new dwellings to achieve Nearly Zero Energy building performance requirements. In 2020 the Programme for Government included a commitment to retrofit approximately 500,000 homes by 2030 to a B2/cost optimal BER standard, and it is expected that approximately 36,500 of those homes will be owned by the local authority sector.

My Department launched a newly revised Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 in response to the Programme for Government commitment for local authority owned housing. This new ten year programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. It is planned to retrofit 36,500 Local Authority homes to this performance requirement by 2030. Renewable energy heat pumps are the replacement heating system supported by this programme.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that lone parents are significantly disadvantaged in the housing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44599/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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As you will be aware, local authorities are independent in the exercise of their functions and, as such, 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. Lone parents are entitled to access all of the housing support delivery mechanisms on an equal basis with all other citizens.

As the Minister responsible for housing, I, and my Department, have ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities in relation to the advancement of social housing and I know that they are deeply committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed. In addition to these meetings, targeted sessions have been held between my Department and local authority senior management to specifically discuss all aspects of social housing delivery.

The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society by taking firm action to prevent entry into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies. Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month expresses particular concern about family homelessness, especially it's effects on children, and commits to enhancing existing supports and early intervention methods for such families through multiagency coordination. I am confident these additional supports will be of great benefit to all families including lone parents.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that ethnic minority groups had a significantly higher risk of overcrowding in housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Ethnic minorities may apply to local authorities for social housing and are assessed in like manner with other applicants 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. An assessment carried out by the local authority will take account of the accommodation in which the family is currently living, and if that accommodation is overcrowded, the household may be deemed eligible for social housing supports if they qualify in other respects.

In the context of housing for the Travelling community, in particular, in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

In 2021 my Department has continued to address the specific housing needs of Traveller communities, as follows:

- The Capital Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation for 2021 is €15.5 million, an increase of €1m on the 2020 budget and the Current Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation is €5.8 million which is an increase of €1.1 million on the 2021 budget.

- An expert review on Traveller Accommodation was published in 2019 and a Programme Board has now put a work programme to drive the implementation of the recommendations.

As the Minister responsible for housing, I, and my Department, have ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities in relation to the advancement of social housing and I know that they are deeply committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed. In addition to these meetings, targeted sessions have been held between my Department and local authority senior management to specifically discuss all aspects of social housing delivery.

The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society and continues to support the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.

Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month expresses particular concern about the effects of family homelessness which affects many travellers and other ethnic minorities. The Plan commits to enhancing existing supports and early intervention methods for such families through multiagency coordination. I am confident these additional supports will be of great benefit to all families.