Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it might be possible to make an urgent provision to facilitate renters who have been in situ for more than twenty years in some cases, and who find themselves likely to be made homeless due to a proposal by the landlord/investor fund to sell the property; if an urgent assessment might be done as to the number of people likely to become victims of this situation; the most likely means of responding to the crisis; the most likely means of remediation in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37227/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he can take to meet the housing requirements of persons previously renting accommodation who are now under threat of homelessness for various logistical reasons; if it might be possible to make sufficient provision for such applicants in the short term with a view to obviating the possibility of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which he monitors the availability of funding for housing, with a view to making serious strides towards providing the necessary accommodation in the shortest possible time in order to alleviate the seriousness of the situation facing first-time renters and affordable house buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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196. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department might seek quotations from builders/developers for the provision of a specific number of public authority houses, aimed at filling gaps not currently being met for various reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which, given the increasing demand and pressure for housing, he might look at the housing requirements on a county basis, with a view to appointing professional builders on contract to the respective local authorities to provide and accelerate a housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37237/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 191, 195, 196 and 197 together.

Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. The Plans have been published on the local authority’s own websites.

Under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is available to all local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to deliver additional social housing stock through direct construction or in partnership with developers through 'turnkey' projects. As such, housing developments are constructed by professional contractors/developers in line with those agreements.

In relation to affordable housing, affordability is at the heart of Housing for All. Since its launch over 3,800 affordable homes have been delivered, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund, the Cost Rental Equity Loan, Project Tosaigh and the First Home Scheme. This momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by our delivery partners, including local authorities, AHBs, the LDA, and First Home.

The Government has developed the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property but who are not in receipt of social housing supports. The scheme was established on a temporary administrative basis from 1 April 2023 and is managed by the Housing Agency, pending further policy development over the longer term, with the intention of transitioning these tenants and homes to the standard Cost Rental model. I am informed that the Housing Agency are engaging with more than 190 landlords across all Local Authority areas, with a view to the purchase of those homes.

For 2023 and 2024, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes per annum. The additional acquisitions have primarily focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements.

Each local authority has been provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2024. An increase of 50%, in addition to this initial allocation, has been applied to enable local authorities to acquire homes within these parameters under delegated sanction. Acquisitions above this increased amount are subject to a sanction request. Additional guidance in this regard issued to local authorities in June.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.

MMC is the term used to describe a range of manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, including modular construction. MMC has the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. MMC techniques can speed up the delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 60%.

The coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), through the inter-departmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group (established July 2022). This Group will ensure the integration and coordination of the various Government-supported MMC initiatives – to support innovation in the construction industry.

Such initiatives include:

The Accelerated social housing delivery programme which uses MMC

Publication of the Roadmap for increased adoption of MMC in Public Housing Delivery

The Construct Innovate Technology Centre

The National Demonstration Park for MMC

The National Construction Training Centre

Training for industry, procurers and Building Control in MMC

The establishment of the Timber in Construction Working Group, which, bringing together a range of industry expertise, will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction.

Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires private developers to ensure that a specified percentage of land zoned for residential and other uses is reserved for social and affordable housing. Local authorities negotiate Part V agreements with the developer in line with a range of guidelines and supports aimed at assisting them in maximising the benefits of Part V in the context of its housing needs. Local authorities have a range of options available when negotiating with developers including the transfer of land, the building and transfer of houses, the transfer of houses off-site, granting of a lease of houses, or a combination of these. Subject to the legislative provisions, local authorities are free to decide how the 20% Part V contribution is broken down in terms of social and affordable housing (with a minimum 10% social housing) and by dwelling type. This is done in line with the local authorities housing need as identified in its Housing Strategy made as part of its Development Plan. Part V negotiations are solely a matter for the relevant local authority operating within the Guidelines.

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, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 1 2024 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 publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR 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 most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2024. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link:

A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority at the link below: .

Significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which he might consider the emergency purchase of adequately priced or affordable houses in the open market to facilitate applicants who are otherwise prevented from qualifying from a local authority loan or a local authority house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.

Since the launch of Housing for All in September 2021 to the end Q1 2024, over 6,800 affordable housing supports have been delivered via Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), through the First Home Scheme, the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

Following the launch of Housing for All, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of new housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. Each local authority's Action Plan is available on their official website.

These measures, specifically the affordable purchase schemes, are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants with incomes too high to qualify for social housing, and are regularly reviewed by my Department to ensure that the supply of affordable housing is secured.

In addition, the First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Further, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at .

Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, 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.

My Department will continue to liaise with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery programme as outlined and to ensure that each scheme responds effectively to all affordable housing needs identified at a local level.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which he might formulate a plan to meet the emergency housing requirements of persons who have been in rented accommodation now no longer available for various reasons, who cannot be accommodated through HAP for obvious reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.

Under the Housing Act 1988, it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.

Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.

Budget 2024 allocated funding of over €242 million for the delivery of homeless services. This funding will support the provision of emergency accommodation and supports that households require to exit emergency accommodation to a tenancy.

Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for Government. Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Almost 12,000 new social homes were delivered in 2023, through Build, Acquisition and Leasing, including 8,110 new build homes, the highest level of new build social homes in nearly 50 years.

Record state investment of over €5bn has been made available this year to support the largest State home building programme ever, including 9,300 new build social homes. This funding will also support the Tenant in Situ scheme, with provision to acquire 1,500 homes where a social housing tenant has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. This scheme delivered 1,830 acquisitions in 2023 and was a key prevention measure. For private tenants at risk of homelessness who are not in receipt of social housing supports, the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ scheme has also been introduced.

Local authorities and their service delivery partners will work closely with all households in emergency accommodation to support them to secure an exit to a tenancy. With the significant increase in social housing stock, I have asked local authorities to ensure that sufficient homes are being allocated to exit households from emergency accommodation.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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192. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of completed housing schemes, public and private, in the various towns and villages throughout County Kildare currently awaiting allocation, sale and affordable process; the reason there appears to be an inordinate delay in relation to such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Housing for All, the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the history of our State, was published in September 2021. The Plan contains a suite of actions that has and continues to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens, including those in Kildare.

My Department does not hold data on the number of completed houses not yet occupied. The oversight and practical management of social housing waiting lists, including the allocation of properties, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated Regulations.

All local authorities have published their Housing Delivery Action Plans on their websites, including their proposed public housing delivery for the period 2022-26. Local authorities, including Kildare County Council, are being funded to significantly increase their delivery of social housing as part of Housing for All. As a result, significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, approved housing bodies and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.

My Department publishes comprehensive social and affordable housing statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas. The social housing delivery and pipeline for County Kildare is strong.?From 2021 to Q1 2024, Housing for All has delivered 2,569 social homes in Kildare through build, acquisition and lease. The Construction Status Report shows there were 13 schemes of 240 homes on site in Kildare at the end of Quarter 1 2024, with a further 26 schemes of 680 homes at various stages of design and procurement.

Furthermore, over 970 affordable housing solutions have been delivered in Kildare by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency, and through the First Home Scheme, Cost Rental Tenant in Situ Scheme, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Full delivery statistics are published on my Department's website: .

Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis. In Kildare, 6,632 homes have completed between Q4 2021 and Q2 2024 inclusive. In relation to housing commencements in Kildare, building began on 6,907 homes between September 2021 and July 2024 inclusive, with 1,950 of these commencing since the start of 2024.

Housing for All is having a sustained, positive impact across the country. The Plan will continue to deliver nationally for years to come, including for the people of Kildare.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which young people seeking to remain resident in their native areas can be facilitated throughout rural Ireland, thereby assuring the future of schools, shops and community life while maintaining good environmental and planning practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37233/24]