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Revised funding model will facilitate AHB-provided social housing developments in all local authority areas and help deliver more social housing
Revised model addresses financial viability issues in rural areas and will help sector overcome challenges caused by construction inflation and interest rate rises The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today announced changes to the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding model, the main funding scheme used by the Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) sector to provide social housing. The changes will address the challenges faced by the sector in accessing income to build social houses, particularly in rural towns and villages. Minister O’Brien now expects funding approval applications for thousands of AHB-provided homes to follow for areas where AHB-provided schemes were heretofore less viable. Announcing the changes, Minister O’Brien said: “The changes I am making to the Capital Advance Leasing Facility will help Approved Housing Bodies to deliver more social housing in all parts of the country - in particular in rural towns and villages where projects at scale have been curtailed by the current funding model. These changes to how Approved Housing Bodies access Government funding will give them - and local authorities - a greater level of financial stability during projects. They will also help the sector overcome challenges arising from recent construction inflation and interest rate rises. “Approved Housing Bodies are key partners in delivering the ambitious level of social housing envisaged in Housing for All. These reforms will help them to do more of what they do well: delivering high-quality, energy efficient homes and creating sustainable communities. Whilst the revised CALF funding model will remove certain limitations, my Department will continue working with Approved Housing Bodies to ensure that we maintain our focus on achieving value-for-money on all social housing projects.” Among the reforms Minister O’Brien and his department will implement following completion of the CALF funding model review (published today) are:
AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations who, alongside local authorities, provide housing for people on the social housing waiting list or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people. 450 AHBs across Ireland are responsible for 53,000 homes (owned/leased and managed). At the end of Quarter 3 2022, there was an estimated 8,124 social homes in the AHB build pipeline. AHBs are expected to provide about 43% of the 9,100 new-build social homes and over 40% of Cost Rental homes targeted in 2023. The CALF review was a commitment under Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030. The Department will shortly issue a Circular and guidance document to accompany the review publication, to both local authorities and the AHB sector. In addition, this Department will hold regional information sessions for both local authorities and AHBs to give an overview of the review and the revised financial model. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, today appointed the Ordinary Members of the first Board of newly established state body, Tailte Éireann. The Minister has also notified the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage that he has selected Mr David McGarry as Prospective Chair of Tailte Éireann for a five year period. The Ordinary Board members appointed are Martin Sisk, Rowena Mulcahy, Mary Keane, Shirley Coulter, Deirdre O’Keeffe and Gerard Quinn.
Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tailte Éireann’s first Board today. This new state body will bring together a wealth of expertise and experience from the former public bodies of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland. This will facilitate the streamlining of enhanced land and geospatial services for the State and will allow Tailte Éireann to take advantage of the national geospatial data hub and efficiently combine and integrate the wealth of authoritative land information held by the three former public bodies.” “The expertise of the appointed Board members and the Prospective Chair will provide vital input to the strategic oversight of Tailte Éireann. As well as having collective responsible for the long-term sustainability of the body, these non-executive Board members will bring an independent judgement to bear on issues of performance, resources, key appointments, and standards of conduct. They will play an essential role in guiding and advising the Chief Executive in relation to the performance by Tailte Éireann of its functions. I would like to thank all of the Board Members for their agreement to serve and wish them every success in their future endeavours. I look forward to working with them and the Executive team to progress important strategic priorities in the future.” The Minister also noted that the Prospective Chair, David McGarry, who is a member of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Accountants Ireland, brings a wealth of experience to the Board, with former board roles with Bus Éireann and Indaver, and a number of years as chairperson of the Shannon Foynes Port Company and non-executive director of Avadel Ireland. He was previously CFO of Shannon Group, Finance Director of Indaver and an executive with NCB and KPMG. The Minister noted that: “David has significant experience in strategic development, change management, transformation, business planning and analysis, financial management, digitisation and governance. He will lead the provision of valuable support by the Board to the management team of Tailte Éireann as they look to integrate and exploit synergies between the various divisions of the new organisation, through the use of technology and better data management opportunities across the functional areas.” ENDS Note for Editors Role of Tailte Éireann The Tailte Éireann Act 2022 provided for the dissolution of the Property Registration Authority (PRA) and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) and the transfer of the functions of those bodies, along with the functions of the Commissioner of Valuation and the Boundary Surveyor, to Tailte Éireann. The dissolution and transfer took effect on 1st March 2023. All the functions currently carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Commissioner of Valuation, the Boundary Surveyor, and Ordnance Survey Ireland will now be performed by Tailte Éireann. Tailte Éireann will provide a comprehensive and secure property title registration system, a professional State valuation service and an authoritative national mapping and surveying infrastructure. The body will be independent in the performance of its functions and will be the primary national source of property information and geospatial data and a leader in the development and delivery of land information services. As an integrated land and property service, Tailte Eireann will help to support the planning process and professionals; providing one central body for this information and data. Appointment of the Board The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is authorised to appoint the Board under Section 9 of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022. Following completion of an independent process through an open state boards competition managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), recommendations of suitable candidates were provided to the Minister. The Ordinary Board members have been appointed by the Minister. The Joint Oireachtas Committee may choose to invite persons proposed for appointment as Chairperson of a body under the aegis of a Department to appear before them to discuss their strategic priorities for the role. The JOC has been notified of the selection of David McGarry as Prospective Chair of Tailte Éireann. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has today (7 March 2023) announced additional measures to increase the supply of social homes to coincide with the phasing out of the winter eviction ban in accordance with the terms of the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022.
This Act provided for a stay on eviction notices for the period up to 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023. Minister O’Brien also informed Cabinet of plans to give a number of new opportunities to tenants who wish to become homeowners. These include:
“Government have considered a number of courses of action in advance of the ending of the winter moratorium period and believe that a focus on new supply is the best way forward. In 2023 we have plans to deliver an additional 2,000 social homes through acquisitions and leases and these are on top of the 9,100 new builds we have targeted.” With regard to supply, the Minister pointed out that during the period of the moratorium delivery of social housing continued at pace. In the last three months of 2022, it’s estimated that approximately 4,800 new build social housing homes were delivered, along with 430-530 acquisitions and 600 lease arrangement put in place to provide further capacity. As well as that, during the period or the moratorium 1,532 local authority homes were refurbished under the voids programme and restored to use. Minister O’Brien added: “Government know that we must do more to increase supply and protect renters while trying to keep small landlords in the system. I also asked the government to note that my department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all. “Over the coming months both I and my department will work with our partners in Government to put together a comprehensive new package of effective measures for both tenants and landlords." The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has reminded people that major improvements to the Local Authority Home Loan, which sees more people being able to apply for the State-backed mortgage, have taken effect, from today (1 March 2023).
Prices of homes eligible for a Local Authority Home Loan have been increased nationwide as have the income limits of those eligible to apply for a loan. Commenting, Minister O’Brien said: “From today the improvements to the Local Authority Home Loan take effect meaning more people, across all our Local Authorities, will be eligible for a State backed mortgage. Supporting home ownership is a key objective for this government and the increase in house price limits, coupled with the increase in income limits, will result in more people buying their own home. “Importantly, building on improvements made this time last year, we have again increased the income limit for single applicants so that those earning up to €70,000 can now avail of the State-backed mortgage. “These changes reflect the reality of today’s housing market. We will continue to keep the Local Authority Home Loan under review to ensure it remains a vital and relevant support for people who want to own their own home.” Since February 2018 over 3,300 people have got on the property ladder through the Local Authority Home Loan and its predecessor the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. Minister O’Brien, along with Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Pascal Donohoe, have signed the amendment regulations to effect the changes below from today (1 March 2023). The following changes have taken effect: Increases to house price limits for all local authorities areas:
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, today published figures that showed that one-fifth of notifications received by local authorities in the last year to convert certain vacant commercial premises into homes related to former pubs. One year ago, Minister O’Brien extended and amended existing regulations exempting certain types of vacant commercial premises from planning permission - where it is intended to provide residential units - to include former pubs. The regulations aim to promote the re-use of vacant commercial buildings for much-needed housing supply and to renew urban areas. The extension of the regulations to include pubs was intended to increase housing supply through this vehicle. The regulations, a part of the government’s Housing For All plan and Town Centre First Policy, are in place to the end of 2025. In 2022, local authorities received notifications of 260 exempted developments of this type. Fifty-three of these (with the intention to provide a total of 169 homes) related to pubs. Overall, of the 260 notifications received, plans put forward were aimed at providing 665 homes. Today’s figures also show that since 2018, when the exemptions were first introduced, local authorities have received notifications relating to the provision of 2,066 homes. Commenting on the one-year anniversary of signing the new regulations, Minister O’Brien said: “These figures show that government regulations to allow former, vacant pubs be converted into homes without needing planning permission is helping to tackle the problem of vacancy. In just ten months, the owners of 53 former pubs have notified local authorities of their intention to use this exemption. In recent years towns and villages have regrettably seen pubs close their doors for the last time but these exemptions are helping to provide housing, including ‘over the shop’ living in once-vacant spaces. These conversions are also helping to revitalise our town centres, something the government is committed to achieving through our ‘Town Centre First’ policy.’" The figures have been published as the department prepares to launch today (Monday 27 February) the second phase of its national ad campaign to raise awareness of the government’s vacant property supports. The campaign’s second phase highlights these planning permission exemptions and the Repair and Leasing Scheme. Commenting on the campaign, the Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Kieran O’Donnell, said: “Right across the country the public are responding to the supports available for turning vacant property into homes. Over the next two weeks, we’re going to highlight both the planning permission exemptions for converting vacant commercial property into a home and the Repair and Leasing Scheme. The Repair and Leasing Scheme offers vacant property owners the opportunity to restore a property with the help of a local authority loan in return for guaranteed rent for a defined period of time by renting the property out for social housing. We urge anyone interested in buying, selling or leasing a vacant property that could be a home to visit gov.ie/vacancy or contact their local authority’s Vacant Homes Officer.” An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission) is formally established on a statutory footing9/2/2023
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan have welcomed the formal establishment of An Coimisiún Toghcháin (the Electoral Commission) on a statutory footing today (9 February), paving the way for the Commission to begin its work as an independent body.
Both Ministers have also welcomed the appointment of the Hon. Ms. Justice Marie Baker to the role of An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s Chairperson. Her appointment to the role of Chairperson completes An Coimisiún’s seven-person membership, following the appointment of four ordinary members in December 2022. The Clerk of the Dáil and the Ombudsman will sit as ex officio members of An Coimisiún. Minister O’Brien said: “I wish to congratulate Justice Baker on her appointment as Chairperson of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. She will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this significant role in the operation and safeguarding of our democratic processes. "I urge the public to engage with the important, upcoming work of the Commission in protecting and modernising our electoral landscape.” An Coimisiún Toghcháin is independent of Government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas and will be central to the administration, development and protection of our democratic processes and institutions. The establishment of An Coimisiún Toghcháin is a commitment in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future and follows from the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiún Toghcháin will carry out a broad range of core existing electoral functions, including explaining to the public the subject matter of referendums; reviewing Dáil Éireann and European Parliament constituencies and local electoral area boundaries and the preparation and maintenance of the Register of Political Parties. It will also carry out a number of new functions including research on electoral policy, the regulation of online political advertising and protecting the integrity of elections. Minister Noonan said: “An Coimisiún Toghcháin will be at the international cutting edge of electoral reform, particularly with respect to its significant powers and responsibilities in protecting our electoral system and processes in the online space – an area of growing concern. I’m particularly pleased that it will also have a role in researching the barriers to participation experienced by marginalised and disenfranchised groups, and in communicating impartial, reliable information to everyone, including hard to reach groups. The establishment of the Commission marks a milestone in the reform and modernisation of our electoral system. Ireland is known for the high democratic standard of its electoral processes and today’s announcement ensures that this will remain the case into the future.” NotesFunctions of An Coimisiún ToghcháinAn Coimisiún Toghcháin is independent of Government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas and will be central to the administration, development and protection of our democratic processes and institutions. It will take on a broad range of core existing electoral functions, including: (a) explaining to the public the subject matter of referendums; (b) reviewing Dáil Éireann and European Parliament constituencies and local electoral area boundaries; (c) the preparation and maintenance of the Register of Political Parties It will carry out a range of new electoral roles, including: (a) conducting research on electoral policy and procedure and making; recommendations to the Minister, thereby influencing the evolution of our electoral system; (b) providing the public with information on electoral processes (including referenda) and encouraging participation in the electoral and democratic processes of the State; (c) overseeing the management of the electoral register; (d) reporting on how electoral events are administered; (e) regulating online political advertising; and (f) protecting the integrity of elections and referendums against online disinformation, misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour |
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March 2023
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