Written Answers Nos. 59-69
59. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or any of his departmental officials were involved with discussions with the Department of Finance regarding rent certainty and increases to the rent supplement allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37144/15]
View answerThe most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for Q2 2015 show that on an annual basis, nationally, rents were 7.1% higher than in Q2 2014. Rents for houses were 6.4% higher, while apartment rents were 7.6% higher than in the same quarter of 2014.
These annual rates of increase were driven mainly by the Dublin market. Overall, in the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 9.2% in Dublin. Annual growth in rents for the market outside Dublin was more subdued where, in the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 5.8%.
A shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed.
Social housing has been prioritised by this Government and over €1.7 billion in Exchequer and self-funding was allocated to the Social Housing Strategy 2020 between the 2015 and 2016 budgets, to support the provision of over 33,000 units. The Government’s Capital Plan goes beyond 2016 and commits €2.9 billion in capital funding towards social housing out to 2021.
Ultimately, the key to addressing upward pressure on rents is through increasing the supply of housing. In 2014 the number of house completions was 11,016 units nationally, an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure. The latest figures for new house completions show that 8,914 units were completed to the end of September 2015, up 14% on the corresponding figure for 2014. NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020, with 90% of these units to be in the greater Dublin area.
In addition to these measures, I am continuing to work on proposals to address the issue of rising rents. The level of rent increases, particularly in the greater Dublin area, presents a serious challenge. The regulation of rent, however, raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to this issue is a matter for Government and, in that context, I have had discussions with the Minister for Finance and other Cabinet colleagues on this issue, and my Department has engaged in discussions with other relevant Departments. It is my intention to bring final proposals to Government for decision as soon as possible.
Matters in relation to rent supplement fall within the remit of my colleague, the Tanaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
60. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his departmental officials or advisers have any role in the Government's response to housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37149/15]
View answerGiven my Department’s remit, particularly in terms of housing and planning, I, along with Advisors and relevant officials, are centrally involved in supporting the Government’s efforts to address issues in the housing market and in relation to social housing. The key areas of activity which are either led by my Department or where my Department plays a supporting role are outlined in the Government’s Construction 2020 Strategy, and the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which are available at the following weblinks:http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Publications/Publications_2014/Construction_Strategy_14th_May_2014.html.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,39622,en.pdf.
61. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if officials or representatives from his office attend the weekly meeting held in Government Buildings on Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/15]
View answerMy Department has held regular briefing and update meetings on water sector reform issues involving senior officials and Ministerial advisors from my own Department and other relevant Government Departments. These meetings, chaired and serviced by senior officials from my Department, have also been attended by Irish Water and are usually held in Government Buildings.
Water sector reform is also discussed under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Infrastructure and Climate Change.
63. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a recipient of rent supplement may continue to receive the payment where that person owns a property in another area that is not of habitable condition; if so, the evidence the recipient needs to provide to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38703/15]
View answerRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 63,000 people at a cost of over €298 million in 2015.
Rent supplement is a statutory means tested scheme which is payable at differentiated rates of payment taking into account the applicant’s means and their family’s accommodation requirements. The means assessment for rent supplement includes a capital assessment of any properties owned outside the family home. The condition of the property would be taken into account in its valuation.
The combination of the means test and awarding differentiated rates of payment is premised on ensuring that social welfare payments are paid to those most in need.
64. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer in 2016 of extending the wage subsidy scheme to those in receipt of partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38705/15]
View answerThe partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme is designed for people who are on illness benefit, for at least six months, or on invalidity pension and who have retained some capacity for work and wish to work. If awarded, PCB will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working.
The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.
Assuming that all PCB recipients would meet the hours worked threshold and based on current number of recipients, the cost of extending the WSS to those participating on the PCB scheme would be around €11 million.
Budgetary considerations would be a key factor in relation to extending eligibility for the WSS to employers who employ people in receipt of PCB.
65. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [38706/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 17 August 2015 in respect of two care recipients. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
66. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the free travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38718/15]
View answerThe current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by almost 80 private transport operators. People resident in Ireland who are over 66 and persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments (including disability allowance, invalidity pension and carer’s allowance) are eligible for the scheme. There are currently approximately 836,000 customers with direct eligibility to free travel.
While the privatisation of public transport services is a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I believe that any tendering process will include a requirement for successful bidders to accept the free travel pass. As with the private transport operators who already accept the free travel pass, any new private operators can apply to be accepted into the scheme. I am fully committed to the full retention of the scheme and to ensure this I was pleased to announce in Budget 2016 an increase of €3 million in its annual allocation.
67. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding a carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [38735/15]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) in respect of one care recipient. The department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 11 August 2015 in respect of a second care recipient. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
68. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not received a fuel allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38738/15]
View answerThe National Fuel Scheme (fuel allowance) applies to persons in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
On 25 August 2011, the department received a claim for fuel allowance from the person concerned. The weekly household means were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person concerned was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 08 November 2011. If there has been any change in circumstances since the date of decision, he should contact invalidity pension section and an application form will issue to him.
69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants awaiting transfer in her Department to locations other than their present location; the number of applications, by location; the rules that apply for such transfers; if an applicant has a defined position on the list for transfer; the grounds that apply to applicants being moved up or down on the list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38762/15]
View answerIn accordance with formal protocols agreed between the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the names of Clerical Officers and Staff Officers applying for a transfer to an alternative location are entered on the relevant transfer list. The lists include locations that were part of the former Decentralisation Programmes for which Central Applications Facility (CAF) lists apply. All applications are recorded strictly in order of date of application and the Department has no discretion to deviate from the order of the transfer lists. It is open to staff in any Department to apply to be included on the Department’s Clerical Officer and Staff Officer transfer lists.
The Department also maintains lists of Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer grades who have expressed an interest in transferring to another location. However, with the exception of CAF locations, these lists are informal and the assignment of staff is a matter for management.
Where a position is to be filled by way of transfer, the relevant list is considered in order of date of application. A number of factors are considered e.g. is the person suitable in terms of sick leave, attendance and performance, are they tied to their current location for a defined period of time, are they willing to resume full-time duty if necessary.
A person may move up a list where those ahead of them refuse a transfer or withdraw their interest in a particular location. A person who avails of a career break may move down the list as their date of application would be amended to take account of the period on career break.
The attached tables show the number of names recorded on each of the Department’s lists for the grades of Higher Executive Officer, Executive Officer, Staff Officer and Clerical Officer. It should be noted that a person may appear on a number of lists.
Number of names recorded on Department of Social Protection transfer lists for Higher Executive Officer grade
|
Abbeyleix |
6 |
Cashel |
3 |
Gort |
18 |
Naas |
33 |
|||
|
Achill |
6 |
Castlebar |
6 |
Graiguecullen |
3 |
Navan |
16 |
|||
|
Ardee |
21 |
Castleblayney |
13 |
Granard |
2 |
Nenagh |
6 |
|||
|
Arklow |
5 |
Castelrea |
18 |
Greystones |
7 |
New Ross |
12 |
|||
|
Athenry |
10 |
Cavan |
12 |
Headford |
7 |
Newbridge |
35 |
|||
|
Athlone |
28 |
Celbridge |
23 |
Kells |
25 |
Newcastlewest |
7 |
|||
|
Athy |
8 |
Clane |
23 |
Kenmare |
4 |
Newmarket |
4 |
|||
|
Bailieboro |
4 |
Claremorris |
4 |
Kildare |
20 |
Oranmore |
6 |
|||
|
Balbriggan |
36 |
Clifden |
3 |
Kilkenny |
7 |
Portarlington |
18 |
|||
|
Ballaghadereen |
6 |
Clonakilty |
13 |
Killarney |
8 |
Portlaoise |
12 |
|||
|
Ballina |
32 |
Clones |
7 |
Killybegs |
3 |
Portumna |
10 |
|||
|
Ballinamore |
7 |
Clonmel |
1 |
Kilmallock |
4 |
Rathdowney |
6 |
|||
|
Ballinasloe |
19 |
Cobh |
7 |
Kilrush |
11 |
Roscommon |
31 |
|||
|
Ballinrobe |
4 |
Cork |
9 |
Kinsale |
9 |
Scariff |
8 |
|||
|
Ballybofey |
13 |
Damastown |
3 |
Leitrim Town |
14 |
Shannon |
27 |
|||
|
Ballyhaunis |
9 |
Dingle |
5 |
Leixlip |
8 |
Skibbereen |
10 |
|||
|
Ballymote |
8 |
Donegal Town |
17 |
Letterkenny |
19 |
Slane |
4 |
|||
|
Ballyshannon |
9 |
Drogheda |
20 |
Lifford |
3 |
Sligo |
8 |
|||
|
Baltinglass |
7 |
Dromahair |
8 |
Limerick |
15 |
Strokestown |
13 |
|||
|
Bandon |
6 |
Dun Laoghaire |
11 |
Listowel |
8 |
Swinford |
7 |
|||
|
Bantry |
12 |
Dundalk |
15 |
Longford |
10 |
Thurles |
4 |
|||
|
Belmullet |
5 |
Dunfanaghy |
5 |
Loughrea |
21 |
Tipperary |
11 |
|||
|
Birr |
19 |
Dungarvan |
7 |
Macroom |
7 |
Tralee |
9 |
|||
|
Blessington |
7 |
Dungloe |
4 |
Mallow |
7 |
Tramore |
3 |
|||
|
Boyle |
17 |
Dunleer |
4 |
Manorhamilton |
19 |
Trim |
42 |
|||
|
Bray |
6 |
Dunmanway |
4 |
Maynooth |
34 |
Tuam |
20 |
|||
|
Cahirviceen |
4 |
Easkey |
5 |
Millstreet |
5 |
Tubbercurry |
13 |
|||
|
Cahir |
4 |
Edenderry |
6 |
Mohill |
12 |
Tullamore |
14 |
|||
|
Carlow |
4 |
Edenmore |
10 |
Monaghan |
17 |
Waterford |
3 |
|||
|
Carndonagh |
1 |
Ennis |
19 |
Mountbellew |
6 |
Westport |
7 |
|||
|
Carraroe |
4 |
Enniscorthy |
11 |
Mountmellick |
6 |
Wexford |
6 |
|||
|
Carrickmacross |
19 |
Falcarragh |
5 |
Mountrath |
6 |
Wicklow |
7 |
|||
|
Ck-on-Shannon |
15 |
Fermoy |
17 |
Moville |
3 |
Youghal |
10 |
|||
|
Carrick-on-Suir |
7 |
Galway |
23 |
Mullinahone |
3 |
|||||
|
Carrigaline |
10 |
Gorey |
4 |
Mullingar |
28 |
Note: Dublin is regarded as one location for transfer purposes. There are some 546 names recorded on informal lists for various locations in Dublin.
Number of names recorded on Department of Social Protection transfer lists for Executive Officer grade
|
Ardee |
1 |
Cobh |
5 |
Mallow |
4 |
|
Arklow |
2 |
Cork |
6 |
Manorhamilton |
10 |
|
Athlone |
5 |
Donegal Town |
6 |
Maynooth |
1 |
|
Athy |
3 |
Drogheda |
26 |
Monaghan |
10 |
|
Bailieboro |
1 |
Dundalk |
12 |
Mullingar |
13 |
|
Balbriggan |
22 |
Dunfanaghy |
3 |
Naas |
12 |
|
Ballina |
10 |
Dungarvan |
1 |
Navan |
23 |
|
Ballinasloe |
1 |
Dungloe |
3 |
Nenagh |
2 |
|
Ballybofey |
9 |
Dunmanway |
4 |
New Ross |
3 |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
Edenderry |
1 |
Newbridge |
2 |
|
Bandon |
5 |
Ennis |
3 |
Newmarke |
2 |
|
Bantry |
2 |
Enniscorthy |
5 |
Portlaoise |
5 |
|
Belmullet |
3 |
Falcarragh |
1 |
Roscommon |
11 |
|
Birr |
2 |
Fermoy |
2 |
Sligo |
3 |
|
Caherciveen |
1 |
Galway |
4 |
Thurles |
6 |
|
Carlow |
4 |
Gorey |
1 |
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Carrickmacross |
15 |
Kells |
1 |
Tralee |
2 |
|
Carrick-On-Shannon |
21 |
Kenmare |
2 |
Trim |
10 |
|
Carrigaline |
7 |
Kilkenny |
6 |
Tuam |
2 |
|
Castlebar |
10 |
Killybegs |
1 |
Tubbercurry |
2 |
|
Castleblaney |
1 |
Letterkenny |
18 |
Tullamore |
3 |
|
Castlerea |
1 |
Limerick |
1 |
Waterford |
1 |
|
Cavan |
6 |
Listowel |
1 |
Westport |
4 |
|
Celbridge |
1 |
Longford |
10 |
Wexford |
4 |
|
Clonakilty |
3 |
Loughrea |
5 |
Wicklow |
6 |
|
Clonmel |
3 |
Macroom |
2 |
Youghal |
2 |
Note: Dublin is regarded as one location for transfer purposes. There are some 352 names recorded on informal lists for various locations in Dublin.
Number of names recorded on Department of Social Protection transfer lists for Staff Officer grade
|
Achill |
2 |
Roscommon |
8 |
|
Arklow |
4 |
Kells |
1 |
|
Athlone |
6 |
Kenmare |
7 |
|
Balbriggan |
11 |
Kilkenny |
20 |
|
Ballina |
12 |
Killarney |
7 |
|
Ballinasloe |
8 |
Letterkenny |
2 |
|
Bantry |
10 |
Limerick |
4 |
|
Belmullet |
3 |
Listowel |
4 |
|
Bray |
5 |
Longford |
3 |
|
Buncrana |
3 |
Loughrea |
4 |
|
Cahirciveen |
4 |
Mallow |
20 |
|
Carlow |
18 |
Manorhamilton |
9 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
6 |
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Carrigline |
2 |
Mullingar |
11 |
|
Castlebar |
8 |
Navan |
10 |
|
Cavan |
20 |
Nenagh |
15 |
|
Clifden |
6 |
Newbridge |
12 |
|
Clonmel |
4 |
Newcastle West |
3 |
|
Cobh |
17 |
Portlaoise |
6 |
|
Cork |
2 |
Sligo |
11 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
Skibbereen |
1 |
|
Drogheda |
8 |
Thurles |
11 |
|
Dunfanaghy |
4 |
Tralee |
9 |
|
Dungloe |
8 |
Tullamore |
5 |
|
Edenderry |
1 |
Waterford |
2 |
|
Ennis |
4 |
Westport |
3 |
|
Enniscorthy |
11 |
Wexford |
3 |
|
Galway |
12 |
Note: Dublin is regarded as one location for transfer purposes. There are some 388 names recorded on informal lists for various locations in Dublin.
Number of names recorded on Department of Social Protection transfer lists for Clerical Officer grade
|
Athy |
1 |
Cobh |
50 |
Monaghan |
88 |
|
Achill |
164 |
Cork |
7 |
Mullingar |
139 |
|
Arklow |
32 |
Donegal |
94 |
Naas |
8 |
|
Athlone |
82 |
Drogheda |
52 |
Navan |
53 |
|
Balbriggan |
32 |
Dundalk |
30 |
Nenagh |
112 |
|
Ballina |
248 |
Dunfanaghy |
103 |
Newbridge |
63 |
|
Ballinamore |
1 |
Dungarvan |
3 |
Newcastlewest |
38 |
|
Ballinasloe |
229 |
Dungloe |
107 |
New Ross |
1 |
|
Bandon |
5 |
Edenderry |
13 |
Portlaoise |
131 |
|
Bantry |
16 |
Ennis |
130 |
Roscommon |
190 |
|
Belmullet |
153 |
Fermoy |
3 |
Sligo |
18 |
|
Birr |
3 |
Enniscorthy |
126 |
Skibbereen |
4 |
|
Bray |
5 |
Galway |
41 |
Templemore |
2 |
|
Buncranna |
17 |
Kells |
1 |
Thurles |
63 |
|
Cahirciveen |
20 |
Kenmare |
51 |
Tipperary |
6 |
|
Carlow |
69 |
Kilkenny |
46 |
Tralee |
47 |
|
Carrigaline |
9 |
Killarney |
23 |
Trim |
2 |
|
Castlebar |
259 |
Kilrush |
1 |
Tuam |
6 |
|
Cavan |
36 |
Letterkenny |
33 |
Tubbercurry |
5 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
60 |
Limerick |
10 |
Tullamore |
107 |
|
Carrick-on-Suir |
2 |
Listowel |
15 |
Waterford |
8 |
|
Claremorris |
4 |
Longford |
12 |
Westport |
151 |
|
Clifden |
26 |
Loughrea |
31 |
Wexford |
27 |
|
Clonakilty |
4 |
Mallow |
141 |
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Clonmel |
33 |
Manorhamilton |
72 |
Youghal |
2 |
Note: Dublin is regarded as one location for transfer purposes. There are some 1,659 names recorded on informal lists for various locations in Dublin.
