Written Answers Nos. 239-257
239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the limit of the rent supplement to reflect the market increase in rents; her views on recent reports published by homelessness advocates, in terms of the homelessness crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28974/15]
View answer244. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the cap on the rent supplement in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29060/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 244 together.
Rent supplement continues to play a vital role in supporting approximately 67,000 families and individuals at a cost of €298 million. Over 10,000 new tenancies have been processed since the start of the year, including new claims, change of address and churn within the scheme. This level of activity shows that significant numbers of people are being accommodated under the scheme.
The Department carried out a review of the maximum rent limits which found that increasing rent limits could potentially add to further rental inflation in an already distressed market, affecting not alone rent supplement recipients, but lower-income workers and students. Between rent supplement, the Rental Accommodation scheme and the new Housing Assistance Payment administered by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the State accounts for a third of the private rented market and is, therefore, a very significant player in the sector. The Department’s review of rent limits points out that the main cause of difficulty for persons renting and seeking to rent is the reduced availability of affordable private rented accommodation. In this regard, the Government will deliver a significantly increased supply of social and affordable housing through the Construction 2020 Strategy and the Social Housing Strategy.
Rather than a blanket increase in rent limits at this time, the Department has implemented preventative measures to provide for flexibility in assessing customers’ accommodation needs through the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework. Under this approach, the circumstances of tenants throughout the country, including those in the Meath area, are considered on a case-by-case basis and rents are being increased above prescribed limits (for both existing and new cases). The Department also works with Threshold’s Tenancy Sustainment service in Dublin and Cork city where supply is most acute, with plans underway to extend this service to Galway city. This flexible approach has already assisted some 2,700 rent supplement households nationwide through increased rent payments.
Where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss, the preventative measures are implemented as appropriate. The Department has also undertaken a communications campaign to encourage people at risk to avail of these measures. I am continuing to keep this matter under review to ensure that the appropriate supports continue to be provided in the light of valuable feedback received from various advocates working in the area of homelessness through engagement with Department officials and publications.
240. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she supports the work of a charity (details supplied); and if she will provide State funding to the charity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29018/15]
View answerHousing is the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. This Department does not provide funds to housing associations.
241. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision will issue on an entitlement to disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, in view of the person's circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29034/15]
View answerThe person in question has been awarded a disability allowance payment with effect from 26 November 2014. First payment will be on 22 July 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly thereafter.
242. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a domiciliary care allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29035/15]
View answerThe person concerned was notified on the 9th July 2015 that her application for domiciliary care allowance was successful and that the allowance has been awarded from the 1st May 2015. The first payment of the allowance, along with arrears due, will issue on 21st July 2015.
243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to roll-out the Pathways to Work programme to include all jobseekers and lone parents who are transitioning on to the jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29047/15]
View answerIn keeping with Pathways to Work objectives, activation and case management services are delivered through Intreo centres and through the network of Departmental offices which are currently transitioning to a full Intreo service. In addition, the Local Employment Service, which the Department contracts annually, supplements its own employment service provision and provides vocational guidance, employment supports and mediation to jobseekers and other customers. All new jobseekers are activated within a short period of becoming unemployed. Engagement with long-term unemployed clients is also in place.
The Jobseeker’s Transition (JST) payment was introduced in July 2013 to assist lone parents back to work and towards financial independence. Since its introduction two years ago, customers who move into this category are activated and referred to Case Officers for engagement. The objective of this engagement is to facilitate and support exploration by the customer of options open to him/her and to agree a Personal Progression Plan (PPP) outlining appropriate steps to be taken to achieve the preferred option. Options include part-time education or training to become job ready or additional hours of employment
247. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the process and frequency of her Department's review of automated letters, which are sent to customers to ensure accuracy, both in terms of information contained within and correct delivery to recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29101/15]
View answerThe Department serves a wide and diverse group of customers including families, people in employment, unemployed people, people with disabilities, carers, and older people. The Department also provides a range of services to employers who are an important customer group. The Department administers over 65 separate schemes and services which impact on the lives of almost every person in the State.
The Department makes every effort to provide information that is clear, timely and accurate, and which meets the requirements of people with specific needs. In this regard, communications issuing from the Department are continually reviewed and updated. If the Deputy has a specific issue which prompted his inquiry my Department would be happy to address it if he provides more detail to the Department’s Information and Customer Services, Department of Social Protection, College Rd., Sligo.
248. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision will be made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the carer's allowance scheme; if she will expedite the process and approve the allowance before Dáil Éireann's summer recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29150/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 22nd June 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
249. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she will provide urgent approval of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29163/15]
View answerThe application for disability allowance (DA) by the person in question was disallowed on the grounds that his weekly means were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit allowable in his case. He was notified of this decision on 11 July 2015, the reason for it and of his rights of review and appeal.
If the person concerned believes the decision to be incorrect, he should send any additional and relevant information to the department together with a short note requesting a review or he may appeal the decision directly to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
250. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current average age of permanent staff employed within her Department; and the agencies under her Department's remit; the way this varies from the end of 2008 and the end of 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29203/15]
View answerThe table below details the average age of permanent staff in the Department and the agencies in the years 2008, 2011 and 2015.
|
Year |
DSP |
Citizens Information Board |
Pensions Authority |
|
2008 |
44.56 |
46.10 |
42.15 |
|
2011 |
45.59 |
48.54 |
43.00 |
|
2015 |
47.74 |
51.09 |
41.00 |
251. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he accepts that the Government has introduced 45 indirect taxes since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/15]
View answerI have introduced four Budgets and Finance Bills since 2011. In each Budget - 2012, 2013 and 2014 - revenue and expenditure measures were introduced in order to meet the fiscal targets in each year. In Budget 2015, I was in a position to introduce an expansionary budget for the first time.
In each budget, a range of targeted tax measures were introduced. These were designed to fix the public finances in a fair, growth-friendly manner but also to boost key sectors of the economy including tourism, agri-food, construction, SMEs and FDI.
In Budget 2015, a range of measures to reduce the income tax and USC burden were introduced.
Full details on the measures introduced can be found at www.budget.gov.ie
252. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the solvency of the Greek banks; if this was discussed at the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28386/15]
View answerI am conscious of the very difficult situation facing the Greek financial sector, and I can confirm that the euro area Heads of State and Government (HoSG) discussed the situation in Greece on 7th July.
Moreover, the HoSG on 13th July agreed that, subject to the Greek authorities implementing legislation in a number of policy areas over the next week or so, negotiations on an ESM programme of financial assistance could begin.
The HoSG have made clear that, if an ESM programme can be agreed, funding of between €10-25 billion would be needed to address Greek bank recapitalisation needs and any resolution costs. The European Central Bank/Single Supervisory Mechanism is to undertake a comprehensive assessment, while the Greek authorities are to transpose the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (with assistance from the European Commission) by 22nd July.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken at EU and member state level throughout the European Union to address any issues arising in the event of a Greek exit from the Union or the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/15]
View answerOn 13th July, euro area Heads of State and Government (HoSG) agreed that, subject to the Greek authorities implementing legislation in a number of policy areas over the next week or so, negotiations on an ESM programme of financial assistance can begin. This is a positive development and my hope is that the necessary legislation and measures can be adopted.
Having said that, my officials have contingency plans in place for a number of eventualities, including the possibility of Greece leaving the euro area.
It is important to stress that, at a euro area level, the institutional framework has been strengthened significantly in recent years, as is evident from the fact that the market reaction to recent developments has been relatively muted.
254. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance in view of recommendations by the Simon Community to alleviate the current homelessness crisis, his plans to introduce more favourable tax treatment for landlords with tenants in receipt of rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29134/15]
View answerAs with all proposals to change reliefs relating to property, there are a number of considerations which must be taken into account to correctly target the measure and ensure its success. As the Deputy will know, all tax reliefs and incentives are subject to regular review as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. Any decisions taken by the Government in this regard are usually announced on Budget Day.
As the Deputy will also appreciate, I receive numerous requests for the introduction of new tax reliefs and the extension of existing ones. I must also be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, reduce the tax base and make general reform of the tax system that much more difficult.
255. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance regarding the tax exemption threshold for the rent a room relief scheme, his plans to increase the threshold from €10,000 in the upcoming budget, given that the current housing crisis is acutely felt by third level students returning to colleges in September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29135/15]
View answerSection 216A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the rent-a-room scheme. This scheme was introduced in Finance Act 2001 as an incentive to encourage individuals to let rooms in their principal private residence in order to bring about an increase in the availability of rental accommodation, particularly for the student sector.
The scheme provides an exemption from Income Tax, PRSI and USC on rent received where a person rents out a room or rooms in his or her principal private residence and the rent received does not exceed €12,000 per year. This was increased from €10,000 in Budget 2015 in order to further encourage individuals to provide rental accommodation in their homes to students and other tenants.
In order to qualify for the exemption, it is necessary for the residential premises to be situated in the State and occupied by the individual as his or her sole or main residence during the tax year.
The relief only applies to individuals. It does not apply to companies or partnerships. In addition, an individual cannot avail of the relief in respect of payments for accommodation in the family home by a child of the individual. There is no restriction where rent is paid by other family members, for example, nieces or nephews.
256. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his position on Greek debt repayment prior to the Greek referendum, which took place on 5 July 2015; his views on the Greek crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/15]
View answerI have stated on a number of occasions in recent months that, while I am opposed to a nominal haircut on Greek public debt, I am in favour of reducing the burden of Greece's debts through, for instance, a lengthening of maturities, longer grace periods, etc. My position on this has not changed.
In Ireland, we have successfully reduced the burden of our public debt by extending maturities, replacing the promissory notes with long-dated government bonds, replacing the more costly IMF debt with market-based debt, and other policies and initiatives.
In relation to the Greek crisis, I welcome the outcome of last weekend's negotiations at which euro area Heads of State and Government have agreed that, subject to the Greek authorities implementing legislation in a number of policy areas in the coming week or so, negotiations on an ESM financial assistance programme for Greece can begin.
257. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Finance the number of sanctions that have been imposed on financial service providers by the Financial Regulator in each of the past five years; the total amount accrued in financial penalties. [28239/15]
View answerPart IIIC of the Central Bank Act 1942, as amended, provides the Central Bank of Ireland with the power to impose sanctions in respect of the commission of prescribed contraventions by regulated financial service providers and the participation in the prescribed contraventions by persons concerned in their management.
Since 2011 a total of €22,063,565 in fines has been imposed by the Central Bank of Ireland. A total of 54 cases have been taken during this period in which fines were imposed. Details of each case are available on the Central Bank website.
