Written Answers Nos. 95-113
96. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way his Department plans to accommodate Pay by Weight for domestic refuse for families with family members with special needs who will have to dispose of waste products due to medical incontinence. [8522/16]
View answerMy Department has met with groups who represent persons with special needs and have been in contact with the HSE and the waste management industry to discuss the issue and to try to find a workable and fair solution to this important matter.
Notwithstanding the complexity of the issues involved, I am satisfied that a number of possible solutions are being explored as a matter of urgency.
97. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the housing assistance payment limit will be raised to an extra €125 per month for a person (details supplied). [8555/16]
View answer99. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 20 April 2016, the reason only 19 authorities are rolling out housing assistance payment for all households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8557/16]
View answer102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the limits for housing assistance payment in each of the local authorities for each different family size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8560/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 99 and 102 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is being rolled out across the country on a phased basis and is currently operational in 19 local authority areas. 7 local authorities were included in the first phase of roll out for the statutory scheme in late 2014, with a further 11 authorities being added in 2015, and the scheme being rolled out to one additional local authority to date in 2016. The phased roll out of the HAP pilot scheme has proved to be an effective approach and my Department maintains regular contact with the pilot local authorities in order to learn from their experience of the scheme, and to address operational issues as they arise.
I believe the HAP scheme is operating well, with more than 8,700 households currently in receipt of housing support under the scheme. I am committed to the continued rollout of HAP and in that regard, I expect some 10,000 additional households to be accommodated through HAP in 2016. Plans for the roll out of the scheme to the remaining local authority areas are currently being considered. Until such time as HAP becomes operational in the remaining local authority areas, Rent Supplement will continue to be available to those households requiring support in meeting their housing needs in the rental market.
The maximum rent limits for different household classes that apply in each local authority where HAP has been commenced are set out in Regulations and are generally based on the Rent Supplement limits as set out by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In prescribing these limits, household size and prevailing rents in the relevant areas are taken into consideration. The Department works closely with DSP and monitors data which it gathers, along with PRTB data, and data gathered through HAP pilot authorities, in relation to the rent limits applying.
The current table of maximum monthly rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment is set out in the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2016. These regulations are available online on the electronic Irish Statute Book website at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2016/si/40/made/en/print.
In recognition of the need for additional discretion in areas of high rental demand, the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment)(No.4) Regulations 2015 provide for an additional 20% flexibility above the maximum rent limits that apply for the purposes of HAP in the administrative areas of Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Galway County Council, Kildare County Council and Meath County Council. Levels of support provided under the pilot scheme for Homeless Households, which operates across the four housing authorities in the Dublin Region, were also increased from 20% above to 50% above the current Rent Supplement levels by these regulations. The additional 20% flexibility was also provided to Galway City Council under the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2016 when they commenced the scheme in February 2016. This additional flexibility facilitates a greater number of qualifying households to source suitable accommodation in these local authority areas. This approach mirrors the approach already taken by the Department of Social Protection in the operation of the discretion available in the context of the Rent Supplement scheme. My Department has provided the relevant local authorities with guidance on the appropriate use of this increased flexibility.
I will continue to keep HAP rent limits under review.
98. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, further to his letter to a person (details supplied), his Department reached the 2015 targets including the 2,000 rental accommodation scheme tenancies; if these tenancies were new tenancies or renewed tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8556/16]
View answerThe number of households that transferred from Rent Supplement to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in 2015 was 1,836, representing almost 92% of the target delivery of 2,000 new RAS transfers. Further information in relation to social housing output in 2015 is available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_housing_output_in_2015_-_addendum_to_main_report.pdf .
100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, with regard to the housing assistance payment for homeless pilot in the four Dublin local authorities, he will put in place the resources within each local authority to assist homeless persons and families and those in immediate risk of homelessness to find a housing assistance payment tenancy instead of the current practice of leaving it entirely up to the vulnerable housing applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8558/16]
View answer101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, with regard to the housing assistance payment for homeless pilot in the four Dublin local authorities, he will provide the resources necessary to establish a housing assistance payment landlord recruitment team considering the very low take-up of housing assistance payment in Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8559/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards operational costs under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level; statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
The Homelessness Pilot of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme has been operational since February 2015 across the four housing authorities in the Dublin Region, including Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, and is being implemented through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. The focus of the Pilot is to transition qualified households from emergency accommodation into private rented tenancies. While eligible households may source accommodation for themselves with support of the pilot scheme, a dedicated placement team, the Dublin Place-Finder Service, is also in place which engages directly with property-owners and supports qualified households to find suitable tenancies and to ensure that any additional supports that may be needed are put in place. A publicity campaign is in place on an ongoing basis in order to raise the profile of the scheme and to attract landlords to the initiative.
While securing accommodation under the HAP scheme can be challenging in areas where there is a shortage of supply, the numbers of households securing accommodation under HAP continues to rise. Levels of support available under the pilot scheme for Homeless Households were increased following Budget 2016 to 50% above the current Rent Supplement levels. This increased level of support has improved the capacity of the Pilot which has been securing, on average, more than 20 tenancies a month since the enhancement, with more than 200 households currently supported by the scheme.
I am satisfied with the increased number of households being accommodated with the support of the homeless HAP pilot scheme, particularly given the current constrained supply in the private rented market in the Dublin region. I and my Department continue to monitor the performance of the scheme.
103. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of all the National Assets Management Agency's properties and land portfolios in County Wicklow, by addresses, by occupancy status, and by usage type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8571/16]
View answerThe National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) does not own or manage properties. NAMA’s role in relation to properties is that of a secured lender. Properties securing NAMA’s loans continue to be managed by their legal owners, or in the case of enforcement, on their behalf by duly appointed insolvency practitioners. While my Department is working closely with NAMA to ensure that all opportunities to identify and secure housing units for social housing use are maximised, it does not have access to the information requested by the Deputy.
Information on social housing activity supported through engagement with NAMA is available on the website of the Housing Agency at www.housing.ie /NAMA.
104. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/16]
View answerThe LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under the programme, funding will be distributed by Local Action Groups to rural communities in line with the local development strategies that are currently being developed within each sub-regional area in Ireland. As the value of the LEADER element of 2014-2020 Programme is less than the LEADER element of the 2007-2013 Programme, the allocations made on a county basis under the new Programme have inevitably reduced.
In determining the county allocations for the 2014-2020 LEADER programme, three objective criteria were used, namely, minimum allocation, population density and a Resource Allocation Model (RAM). Each county was given a minimum allocation of €3 million to ensure that each received a viable level of funding. However, Cork County was allocated €6 million as a minimum in order to ensure a viable allocation to each of the three administrative districts within the county, as the overall population outside of the city is almost twice that of any other county.
The methodology used to calculate the allocations was designed to ensure that the available funding was weighted towards the most rural populations and those experiencing most rural disadvantage. Using this methodology, which I am satisfied is fair and consistent, each county was allocated a proportionate share of the funding available through the LEADER elements of the RDP 2014-2020.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific queries, my Department has introduced a number of additional measures to support rural Ireland, including the Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) pilot scheme currently underway and the Town and Village Enhancement scheme, which is due to be rolled out in the near future, and which will see an investment package of €30 million to support the revitalisation of towns and villages with a view to improving the living and working environment in communities and enhancing their potential to support increased economic activity into the future.
These measures, coupled with increased coordination at a local level, will ensure that the impact of all available funding will be maximised to support the sustainable development of our rural communities.
In relation to the CLÁR programme, the majority of CLÁR measures were closed to new applications in 2008. While some measures accepted applications in 2009 and 2010, all were subsequently closed to new funding requests. There are no plans to reopen the CLÁR programme or to establish a Rural Development Fund at this time.
105. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the ongoing industrial relations dispute between 999 emergency call staff and a company (details supplied), the companies refusal to pay a living wage, the companies refusal to engage with the Communication Workers' Union, and allegations from employees of punitive suspensions and a harsh disciplinary regime at the company; the steps he intends to take to support the workers in improving their terms and conditions of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/16]
View answerBT was awarded a contract in 2009 to operate the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) following a public procurement process. I understand that BT has a contractual arrangement with Conduit Global Ltd. to assist in the delivery of the service. The issues in question are a matter for Conduit Global in the first instance and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.
My officials have remained in close contact with BT throughout the industrial relations dispute to ensure service to the public is not affected in any way.
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his progress in upgrading the M7 road including the Newhall and Sallins bypass; the schedule and timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8622/16]
View answerAs I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 7731/16 of 20 April 2016, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the M7) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kildare County Council. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
As you are aware the transport element of the Capital Plan provides that work will commence on several roads projects which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road, including the M7 widening and the Sallins Bypass. Kildare County Council is responsible for the construction of the Osberstown Interchange.
In this context, TII is assessing how best to progress national projects included in the 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan taking into account annual budget allocations. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once that process is completed.
107. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, In view of the serious moves and threats recently made by Irish Rail to seek an court injunction against both NBRU and SIPTU over the introduction of new rosters and schedules he or his officials were aware prior to this threat being issued that Irish Rail would proceed in this manner; if he or his officials met with or discussed this threatened legal action with Irish Rail management; if he is aware that this move is viewed most seriously by a wide spectrum of the trade union movement as a fundamental breach with normal industrial relations procedures which has the potential to lead to a very serious dispute and is seen as another attempt to use the courts to discipline workers engaged in legitimate and legal action; and if he will assure Dáil Éireann that he has neither encouraged Irish Rail in this drastic action nor supports moves which seek to criminalise or hamper the workings of trade unions in rightfully seeking to represent their members interests. [8521/16]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that industrial relations issues are a matter for the relevant employer and its employees and it is not an area in which I have a direct function.
My Department receives regular updates from the various State companies under its aegis, including Iarnród Éireann. In this context, Iarnród Éireann informed the Department of emerging issues in respect of the operation of in-cab training for certain drivers and of its intended approach in relation to alleged unofficial industrial action. Correspondence from the company to two unions about alleged unofficial industrial action was copied to the Department after it was issued. I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that industrial relations should always be conducted within the framework of the Industrial Relations legislation. It is my view that industrial relations issues are best resolved through on-going dialogue and the State's industrial relations bodies are available to the parties if required.
108. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite funding of the Royal Canal walkway cycle way from Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon, in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8552/16]
View answerOfficials from my Department met with officials from Longford County Council (LCC) last year to inspect the route of the proposed 15.2km cycleway/walkway along the Royal Canal from Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon. I understand, from visiting the area myself last year, that the route connects with the Mullingar to Coolnahay Harbour Greenway in County Westmeath and, thanks to the investment by Longford County Council, into Abbeyshrule itself. It will also connect to the recently opened Mullingar to Athlone greenway, the Old Rail Trail, which is attracting significant numbers. It is proposed that the route would will also, eventually, provide a link to the Centre Parc facility outside Ballymahon should planning be granted. As the Deputy will appreciate all current Department funding for the purpose of cycling infrastructure is committed up until 2016. However, should funding become available outside of the structured competitive funding programmes this project will be among those considered.
109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will designate Drogheda, County Louth as a driving test centre; the location of driving test centres nationally and the cost per annum of running each such centre; if such centres are owned or leased or rented by the Road Safety Authority and from whom; if so, the length of such lease or rental agreement and when they come up for review; the number and designation of staff for each such centre; the annual number of tests carried out for each of the past three years by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8562/16]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
110. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure required for foreign nationals who need to be able to drive as part off their work but who do not hold an Irish driving licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8601/16]
View answerThe requirements for foreign nations to drive in Ireland are essentially divided into three main groups, depending on the licence that they hold at the time. Holders of a licence issued by another EU Member State may drive here on that licence and, if they take up residence here, may exchange it for the Irish equivalent. With some non-EU countries, we have agreements on mutual exchange of driving licences. People in this situation can drive here for up to a year on a visitor basis on their own licence. If they take up residence, they will be able to apply to exchange their licence for the Irish equivalent.
In cases where people come from a country with which we do not have an exchange relationship - and this includes the USA - once again, people may drive here for up to a year on their own licence on a visitor basis. If they stay for longer, they will need to acquire an Irish licence. This involves - taking a theory test; applying for a learner permit; completing the mandatory 'Essential Driver Training' course of 12 lessons; and passing the driving test. Normally before taking the driving test, a learner must hold a learner permit for 6 months, but this is waived in the case of qualified drivers from non-exchange countries.
It is not correct that a person is required to have a 2-year learning period, or a further 2 years before applying for the driving test.
111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a road junction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8604/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects such as the N71 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans and arrangements for bridge realignments and replacements in County Kildare including Celbridge, which is experiencing acute traffic congestion; if he has examined all options and audited the requests in the County, with a view to early action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8623/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993-2015. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
In recent years, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair, certain regional and local road improvement grant programmes funded by my Department have had to be been curtailed but funding for bridge rehabilitation has been maintained. Local authorities are aware that it is a matter for each Council to determine its regional and local road priorities and its work programme each year and to allocate funding accordingly. I have also been emphasising to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating own resources, including revenue from Local Property Tax receipts.
In January this year, I announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations, of which Kildare County Council was allocated €9.9m including €203,000 in respect of bridge rehabilitation works at four bridges.
113. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to upgrade the N20 Cork-Limerick Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8635/16]
View answerThe transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 provided for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in Cork including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballybourney to Macroom schemes. In addition, a number of other schemes targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access, will commence subject to development consent. These include the Mallow Relief Road, Adare By-Pass and the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road. It was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it as originally proposed was not affordable.
However, as part of its work on the proposed Mallow Relief Road, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is examining whether the Mallow project can be progressed in such a way that it facilitates the development of the M20 in phases. If work on that project and additional studies show that a phased approach is feasible, it could be considered as part of the planned mid-term review of the Capital Plan. In the meantime, TII will be funding a feasibility study on a phased development this year.
