Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 732 of 6 October 2015, if the information has been compiled and if the data represent value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44133/15]
View answerThe information is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy shortly.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) are key delivery programmes under the Social Housing Strategy.
In the case of RAS, the Scheme was established with the dual purpose of eliminating long-term dependence on the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rent supplementation scheme and enhancing the capacity of local authorities to respond to long-term housing need. Under the Scheme, value for money can be viewed in a number of ways and can reflect both direct and indirect financial costs and benefits. The cost of the Scheme is determined by the on-going cost of meeting contractual commitments with property owners. Local authorities, in negotiating contracts with property owners, seek to maximise a discount on market rent. The funding to support the cost of RAS is made available through the redirection of resources from the Department of Social Protection. Monies are provided on an Exchequer neutral basis to meet the cost of persons transferring from rent supplement to RAS.
In relation to the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), units provided in long-term leased arrangements are subject to formal, professional valuation procedures to agree rents payable, and for the most part require Departmental approval. In respect of proposals examined by the Department, an average discount of 20% below market rent is being achieved. In addition, regular rent reviews are specified in each agreement.
The Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP) scheme, which is currently being rolled out on a pilot basis, has been designed with the intention of providing efficiencies to both tenants and landlords, and value for money for the Exchequer. As well as removing a barrier to employment, by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment, the HAP scheme improves regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and it provides certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. Under the HAP scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, payments are made electronically directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant, and the tenancy agreement is between the HAP recipient and the private landlord. In order to test HAP processes and provide efficiencies, Limerick City and County Council are currently providing a transactional shared service on behalf of all HAP local authorities on an interim basis. This shared service structure ensures greater consistency of processes, and resource efficiencies, by managing all HAP tenants and landlords through one Financial Management System. The operation of the pilot has facilitated a better understanding of the business and operational requirements, including identifying areas where efficiencies can be gained.
While my Department keeps its housing delivery mechanisms under regular review, I am satisfied that the RAS, SHCEP and HAP schemes represent good value for money for the Exchequer.
42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce sectoral targets to reduce carbon emissions, given the discussions in Paris, France and the need for this State to meet its international obligations. [44054/15]
View answerThe extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015, expected to be enacted very shortly. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Proposed statutory authority for the plans is set out in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015.
In anticipation of enactment of the planned legislation, work is already underway on developing a low carbon plan, the National Mitigation Plan, the primary objective of which will be to track implementation of measures already underway and identify additional measures in the longer term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress the overall national low carbon transition agenda to 2050. The first iteration of the National Mitigation Plan will place particular focus on putting the necessary measures in place to address the challenge to 2020 but also in terms of planning ahead to ensure that appropriate policies and measures will be in place beyond that. In this context, key sectors in the low carbon transition process (electricity, transport, built environment and agriculture) are currently developing sectoral mitigation measures in tandem with Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes during which measures will be further developed and prioritised.
Development of the National Mitigation Plan is being guided by a long-term vision of low carbon transition, as set out in the National Policy Position based on:
- an aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors; and
- in parallel, an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.
The ultimate objective of successive National Mitigation Plans is to incrementally achieve this vision by 2050. In that context, the National Mitigation Plan now being developed will have regard to Ireland’s obligations under the current 2009 Effort Sharing Decision and any likely future EU and international obligations that may arise, including new targets to be agreed under the 2030 climate and energy package.
I have no plans at this time to introduce sectoral targets. As noted above, the National Policy Position sets out the ambition level for the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors in aggregate rather than as individual sectoral objectives. This is to ensure that it can be achieved at minimum cost. The proposed iterative process to pursue and achieve this aggregate ambition level will allow Departments and Government collectively to establish the most cost-efficient options at a point in time. Inevitably, the cost of some technologies will reduce over time and the least-cost transition advice and trajectory will evolve accordingly.
43. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will make a decision on an application by persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5 under the carer's allowance scheme. [44436/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 10 November 2015. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
44. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 10 November 2015, the steps a tenant who was under housing assistance payment should take to avail of rent supplement where a landlord declines to renew a new housing assistance payment agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44454/15]
View answer45. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of rent supplement in County Louth for in excess of 18 months; the number of these who have been transferred to the housing assistance payment scheme; and of those transferred, the number who have successfully secured accommodation within the current rent limits of this scheme by community welfare officer region in County Louth. [44455/15]
View answer46. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures that allow flexibility within the rent supplement scheme in cases where applicants cannot source property within the limits she has set in County Louth; and if the housing assistance payment scheme allows for an uplift in the same manner. [44456/15]
View answer48. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on rent supplement from 2011 to 2015 in counties Louth and Meath; the number of persons in these counties in receipt of the supplement from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44458/15]
View answer49. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures she has taken to communicate with recipients of rent supplement who are concerned at losing their homes in counties Louth and Meath; the supports available to them; and if she will roll out initiatives such as those implemented in County Dublin. [44459/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 46, inclusive, 48 and 49 together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 62,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015. The provision for 2015 represents a transfer of funding in excess of €20 million to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to support the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
A breakdown of rent supplement recipients in Louth and Meath is provided in the following tabular statement. Rent supplement expenditure from 2011 to 2015 is also provided. A breakdown of expenditure by county is not available.
The Department’s strategic direction is to transfer responsibility of persons with long term housing needs to the local authorities under HAP. There are currently over 1,500 recipients of rent supplement in Louth of which 1,240 are in receipt of the scheme for periods over 18 months. To date, approximately 240 long term rent supplement recipients in Louth have transferred to HAP. The complete transfer of all long term recipients to HAP will take place over a period of time.
In local authority areas where HAP is in place, including Louth and Meath, new applicants assessed as requiring social housing support will be considered for HAP rather than rent supplement. Rent supplement will continue to be paid to households who are already in the private rented sector but who, generally because of a loss of income through unemployment, require a short term income support to pay their rent. HAP recipients whose landlords refuse to renew their tenancy should engage with their local authority. Policy responsibility and reporting on HAP is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
In view of the current difficulties in the private rented market, rent supplement policy continues to allow for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the scheme. Under this approach each tenant’s circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis, and rents are being increased above prescribed limits as appropriate. Community Welfare Service staff have a statutory discretionary power to award or increase a supplement for rental purposes, for example, when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy or in danger of homelessness. In addition the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special Protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where the supply issues are particularly acute, with plans underway to extend this protocol to Galway City. I am keeping this matter under review including any further extension of the Protocol in place with Threshold.
Where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss, the preventative measures are implemented as appropriate. This flexible approach has supported over 5,400 rent supplement households throughout the country to retain their rented accommodation through increased rent payments, of which 71 cases refer to householders in Louth. A county breakdown of this information is provided in the following tabular statement.
The Department has undertaken a communications campaign to encourage people at risk to avail of these measures and the Tenancy Protection Service (if in Dublin or Cork city) including the issue of text messages to circa 50,000 rent supplement recipients; updating messages on the Department’s website and monthly tweeting of information; and updating the Citizens Information homepage and their micro site “keepingyourhome.ie”. A national poster campaign was also launched with posters distributed locally to Department offices, Post Offices, libraries, credit unions, etc.
I believe that these measures - and the reforms to the private rental sector announced last month - will continue to provide adequate support to rent supplement customers and will provide increased certainty for both tenants and landlords in the current market.
Table 1: Number of Rent Supplement Recipients by County, 2011 to date
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 End Nov |
|
Louth |
2,734 |
2,549 |
2,422 |
2,211 |
1,508 |
|
Meath |
2,723 |
2,143 |
1,941 |
1,726 |
1,538 |
Table 2: Rent Supplement Expenditure: 2011 to date
|
Year |
Cost €000 |
|
2011 |
502,747 |
|
2012 |
422,536 |
|
2013 |
372,909 |
|
2014 |
338,347 |
|
2015 |
298,415 1 |
1 Revised 2015 Expenditure
Table 2: Total Increased Rental Payments by County under Rent Supplement at 07/12//2015
|
County |
Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment Framework |
Awards under protocol with Threshold |
Total no. of increased payments by County |
|
Carlow |
21 |
21 |
|
|
Cavan |
13 |
13 |
|
|
Clare |
60 |
60 |
|
|
Cork |
204 |
68 |
272 |
|
Donegal |
- |
- |
|
|
Dublin |
2,058 |
1,588 |
3,646 |
|
Galway |
101 |
101 |
|
|
Kerry |
18 |
18 |
|
|
Kildare |
189 |
189 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
110 |
110 |
|
|
Laois |
97 |
97 |
|
|
Leitrim |
44 |
44 |
|
|
Limerick |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Longford |
90 |
90 |
|
|
Louth |
71 |
71 |
|
|
Mayo |
3 |
3 |
|
|
Meath |
235 |
235 |
|
|
Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Offaly |
49 |
49 |
|
|
Roscommon |
12 |
12 |
|
|
Sligo |
- |
- |
|
|
Tipperary |
165 |
165 |
|
|
Waterford |
26 |
26 |
|
|
Westmeath |
89 |
89 |
|
|
Wexford |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Wicklow |
82 |
82 |
|
|
Total |
3,752 |
1,656 |
5,408 |
47. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if community welfare offices in County Louth have the capacity to assist persons with meeting the cost of deposits for accommodation within the remit of the exceptional needs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44457/15]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €27.9m for exceptional and urgent needs payments in 2015.
An ENP is a means tested payment payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. Assistance through ENPs may be provided towards rent deposits. The Department has agreed to provide assistance for rent deposits in respect of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancies pending the introduction of a deposit protection scheme. This form of assistance is very important to those on low incomes who are at risk of, or who are homeless, or who rely on the private rented market to meet their housing needs.
The Department made over 2,300 payments of rent deposits/rent in advance to the end of November 2015, costing approximately €1.3 million. This includes the payment of 40 rent deposits in County Louth.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the SWA scheme should contact the Department.
Questions Nos. 48 and 49 answered with Question No. 44.
51. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will make a decision on a review for a person (details supplied) in County Louth under the back to education allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44486/15]
View answerFollowing a review of the individual's application for Back to Education Allowance, a decision to award this payment has now been made.
52. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review further medical evidence in support of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44497/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 26 November 2015. The Appeals Officer will consider all of the documentary evidence presented and may determine the appeal on a summary basis, 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.
53. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there is a mechanism available whereby a person who was on community employment and then signed on for credits for six months before receiving a jobseeker's allowance can receive the Christmas bonus; if there is an appeals mechanism or other options available to persons in such situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44511/15]
View answerOn Budget Day, I was pleased to announce a 75% Christmas Bonus paid to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and long-term jobseekers.
The bonus is payable to jobseekers who have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) for a duration of 15 months (390 days) in recognition of their being wholly or mostly financially dependent on their social welfare payment for income. Time in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) is included in the calculations of duration.
Normally a participant on a CE scheme has previously been in receipt of JA. When the CE scheme ceases the person may be eligible to claim either JB or JA. If JA is claimed, eligibility for the Christmas Bonus is determined by the total duration of their JA claim immediately before the CE scheme and their current claim. However, this does not apply in the case where someone has been signing for credits only for a period after the cessation of the CE scheme.
If the Deputy wishes to supply further details of an individual case, this will be examined by my officials.
54. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of the Christmas bonus (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44516/15]
View answerOn Budget Day, I was pleased to announce that a 75% Christmas Bonus would be paid to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and long-term jobseekers. The bonus has never been paid to short-term jobseekers, and this arrangement continues to apply this year.
The Live Register is made up of recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit, and people signing for credits. The bonus is paid to long-term jobseekers who have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance for a minimum of 15 months (390 days), in recognition of their being wholly or mostly financially dependent on their social welfare payment for income. It should be noted that time in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit is taken into account when calculating this duration.
57. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44563/15]
View answerNo applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, have been granted in my Department in the period since 2004.
Any applications received for reinstatement following retirement on grounds of ill-health are dealt with in accordance with section 11.4 of the Superannuation Handbook for the Civil Service, which contains two conditions which need to be fulfilled with regard to a recall for duty in cases of ill-health retirement – that a person would have to be fit for work; and would also have to be required to return.
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an increase in rent support in line with increased rent will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44588/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 194 of 29 September 2015 and No. 62 of 12 November 2015. The client concerned has not, to date, provided the required documentation outlined in response to the previous Parliamentary Questions.
59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection notwithstanding the reply to previous parliamentary questions and the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, if other options are available to meet the person's rent increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44596/15]
View answerThe Department is unable to determine eligibility to Rent Supplement prior to receipt of a complete application to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24.
60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a payment under the jobseeker's scheme will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44601/15]
View answerIn early November the person concerned advised his local office that he had commenced casual work. He was requested to provide documentation so that his means can be re-assessed having regard to his new circumstances which, to date, he has not provided. A further request for this documentation issued to the person concerned on 8 December and his claim will remain suspended pending receipt of this information.
