Fiona Ni Chuinn, A/Director of Services provided a report to the Members on the Service Divisions applicable to her Directorate:

Housing & Building:

·         Maintenance expenditure budget has increased by €214K to €1.447m.

·         Maintenance of traveller accommodation units has increased.

·         Increase of LPT for additional houses coming on stream

·         Budget for housing estate management has increased by €69k with 2 fulltime staff employed. A total of 600 inspections were carried out in 2022.

·         The budget for housing aid for older people has increased by €15k to €210k in 2023 and for housing adaptation/mobility aid scheme has increased by €25k to €90k. This represents 20% matched funding to the Departments €1.5m allocation.

·         A full time Place Finder staff member for the Housing Assistance Payment has been appointed for a 3-year term and works with the homeless to secure private rented accommodation. The winter eviction ban is now in place from 30^th October to 31^st March 2023.

Development Management – Ukrainian Humanitarian Response:

The Council, in collaboration with the CommunityResponse Forum continue to coordinate the delivery of services to Ukrainians in the County;

·         2023 Budget provision €750,000 for accommodation supports (€900,000 spent to date

·         Staffing resources have been allocated to the unit and up to €250,000 may be recouped

·         11 Service Providers in the County (3 in direct contract with RCC)

·         RCC continue to work in identifying beds (166 available)

·         IRC Pledges to date

·         Emergency Refurbishment Programme

·         National Call for Vacant Homes:

·         Recognition payment ?to €800 /Month, Tax Free;

Community Development

•       Public Participation Network:

–      Increased Funding for PPN support worker

–      Link to Register: www.roscommonppn.ie

•       Healthy Ireland Round 4:

–      Dedicated HI Officer appointed under a 3 year contract

–      Annual allocation from Pobal to support the outcomes of strategy

•       Grant Funding Schemes:

–      Administration of new Community Support Fund launched on the 18^th November €280,000

–      Increase of €30,000 to support the Development of plans in 2023 including Local Economic Community plan and consultation for Arts, Tourism, Age Friendly, Heritage

Recreation and Amenity:

•        Community Support & Recreational Development:

–      Provision in the Budget of €60,000 – Sports Development Officers

Housing and Building Capital Programme:

Local Authority Housing (€31M):

All projects progressing under the Housing Capital Programme continue to be dependent on Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) for project and funding approval. 

On target with adequate land holdings to deliver programme in full - 2022 = € 1.2m.

Traveller Accommodation (€2M):

The Traveller Accommodation Programme (2019-2024) was adopted in 2019 and reviewed in 2022 and has committed to the following projects: Torpan Beg, Ballyforan - As of Q4 2022 project is at tender stage for the construction of 3 extensions.  Killerney, Roscommon; Project has Part 8 planning in place.  Works expected to commence in 2023. Harristown, Castlerea – Works completed in Q3 2022.

Local Authority Home Loans (€5.5M):

Projections for 2023 are based on approved loans for 2022.

CroíCónaithe Fund (€1M):

23 Applications received to date:- 2 applications approved, 2 applications rejected.

Assistance to Persons Improving Houses (€4M):

RCC Contribution is listed in Revenue Budget and DHLGH Contribution is reflected in Capital Budget.

Energy Improvement Works to LA Dwellings (€3.75M):

52 units currently being retrofitted County wide in 2022.  It is expected that all units will be carried out within the grant funding provided by the DHLGH. Average cost per unit circa €33k. Majority of units with storage heaters now retrofitted with approx. 30 remaining. Works include window and door replacement, Insulation, installation of heat pump and ventilation.