Written Answers Nos. 97 - 122
97. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the system for means assessing income for the SUSI grant to allow for net income instead of gross income to be assessed, as families are struggling to meet the rising costs of education, especially families where there are multiple children in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/16]
View answer98. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider removing the universal social charge from the means test for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33895/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income before the deduction of income tax or the universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.
The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that have been refused a SUSI grant due to the fact they could not comply with the rigid requirement for specific documentation in relation to proof of address and, more particularly, in relation to those students who live with a relative and-or a friend and do not have utility bills but notwithstanding that it is their home and their address for social protection payments; the number of appeals that have been made arising from these circumstances and the number that were successful; the number of appeals that have been made to the Student Grant Appeal Board and the number that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/16]
View answerVery significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. Confirmation that a student is living separately from his/her parents is, of itself, not sufficient to establish independent status. When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt, that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.
The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the relevant grant awarding authority. In this regard, a grant awarding authority will seek to assist students in identifying relevant documentation.
Appeals to both the awarding authority and the Student Grants Appeals Board can comprise of a number of issues in addition to student classification as independent/dependent. As such, it is not possible to provide data in respect of the particular queries requested by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy has a specific query in respect of a constituent then an enquiry can be e-mailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. This dedicated e-mail service is provided by SUSI to Oireachtas members to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
100. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied). [33916/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme (2019/21). My Department is aware of the school's accommodation needs and will liaise with the school in due course in the context of progressing the project into the architectural planning process.
101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the awarding of patronage for a school (details supplied) to the education training board without considering the huge demand in the area for an educate together ethos second level school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/16]
View answerTwo applications were received by my Department for patronage of the new post-primary school to open in 2017 to cater for the area referred to by the Deputy, one from Educate Together and the other from the relevant Education and Training Board (ETB).
The patronage assessment process is detailed and rigorous and is conducted in a careful and transparent manner. The draft assessment reports completed by my Department were forwarded to the New Schools Establishment Group, an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process, for their consideration. Following the Group's consideration, it submitted a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
As with the assessment process for the other eight new post-primary schools opening in 2017 and 2018, parental preferences, along with the extent of diversity in the area, were key considerations in my decision in relation to the patronage of the new school. In this regard, I am satisfied that both patron applicants would increase multi-denominational, co-educational provision in the area. There was a clear majority of parental interest favouring the ETB, which provided 809 valid parental preferences. This was some 29% above the number of preferences expressed for Educate Together, which provided 626 valid parental preferences. I am satisfied with my decision to award the patronage of this new school to the ETB in this instance. I do not believe that to have awarded the patronage to Educate Together, against the transparently expressed view of the majority of parents, would have been the correct decision.
The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place to support persons who have been approved onto a Springboard course as they currently do not qualify for a SUSI grant or cannot claim BTEA if not in receipt of social protection for nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33945/16]
View answerSpringboard provides free, flexible reskilling and upskilling opportunities at higher education level for unemployed and previously self-employed people in areas of emerging skills needs. Also included under the Springboard+ banner are ICT conversion courses.
To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of a range of qualifying Social Protection payments, or be signing for credits or be previously self-employed. Applicants for ICT skills conversion courses are not required to be unemployed or in receipt of any DSP payments to be eligible for the courses. The only requirements are that they already hold a relevant level 8 or equivalent qualification and are able to demonstrate the capacity and underlying aptitude to undergo an intensive programme of study and work experience to acquire honours degree level ICT programming skills. ICT Conversion Courses are available on a one year full time basis, or a two-year part time basis.
Participants on part-time Springboard courses who are in receipt of one of the eligible Department of Social Protection income support payments may be able to retain such payments under the Part Time Education Option (PTEO) payment. There is no requirement for participants to be in receipt of one of these payments for a particular period of time prior to the commencement of the part-time Springboard course, however, participation on a Springboard course does not confer any entitlement to receive an income support payment from the Department of Social Protection.
A person undertaking a full-time ICT Skills Conversion Course who is receipt of Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers Allowance for at least nine of the previous twelve months prior to commencing the course may qualify to retain their income support while participating in a full-time ICT skills conversion course. Eligible participants will transfer to a bespoke version of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Applicants in receipt of the Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist, or those who are receiving benefits as Qualified Adults of Working Age, may participate on a two-year part-time ICT skills conversion course however they are not eligible for BTEA as they are not undertaking a full-time course of study. They will also not be able to retain their payment under the Part Time Education Option (PTEO) payment. Those in receipt of other payments such as the One Parent Family Allowance or the Disability Allowance, may be eligible to participate on the part-time programmes and retain their payment.
The BTEA and the PTEO are administered by the Department of Social Protection. Queries in relation to eligibility for the PTEO and the BTEA are dealt with by that Department.
Further details on Springboard+ courses and eligibility are available at www.springboardcourses.ie.
Courses under Springboard+ are not eligible for receipt of Student Grants as they do not meet the criteria for an approved course. Under the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration, pursued in an approved institution. Section 8 (1) (b) of the Student Support Act 2011, requires a student to attend a full-time course, in order to be considered for a grant under the Student Grant Scheme.
103. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the building of a school (details supplied); when construction is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33963/16]
View answerThe building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
In September 2016, the Design Team was requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes.
Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is received and reviewed by my Department and subject to no further issues arising my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
This project was included in the 6 Year Programme announced on 17th November 2015 to progress to tender and construction.
104. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a survey by a charity (details supplied) and the findings in relation to the costs to parents in preparing children for school and their suggestions to deal with same; the way he will respond to the findings and suggestions of this survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33972/16]
View answerI am aware of the report referred to by the Deputies.
I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce costs for parents.
All schools must be sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms or books, but about any matter that has cost implications for parents.
The Action Plan for Education outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented over the 3 year period 2016 to 2019. Some of the actions as part of the plan are to strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents by:
- Restoring capitation funding over a three-year period as resources permit
- Increasing the financial support for book rental schemes, in order to reduce or eliminate school book costs for parents
- Issuing a new circular to school authorities and ETBs regarding school uniform policy and other costs and the need to put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs.
Budget 2017 represents the start of a major programme of reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
It was not possible to provide additional funding in Budget 2017 in relation to this element of the Action Plan due to the many competing demands for the available funding. However, this commitment remains a priority for me to address as soon as possible during the lifetime of the Action Plan. It is important to note that the total allocation to this Department for additional policy measures, after demographics and Industrial Relations commitments, was €130 million and of which all our commitments in higher and further education and primary and secondary schools had to be funded.
My Department’s position in relation to voluntary contributions is that they are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay. I have no plans to alter this position so long as schools ensure that the contributions are sought in a manner that makes this clear to all concerned.
Separately, the Deputy will be aware that the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published on 6th July 2016, contains a provision prohibiting the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.
I also intend to introduce a stronger complaints procedure and a charter for parents. It is important that schools should consult parents on matters relating to their children's education, including those matters which have cost implications, and schools should be responsive to the views and concerns of parents. In that regard requiring schools to have a parent charter will ensure that schools will interact better with parent associations and with individual parents.
I plan to make an announcement shortly on draft legislation that will replace Section 28 of the Education Act, 1998 and require every school to publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter in accordance with national guidelines. These guidelines will be published after consultation with the education partners.
I believe that these actions will significantly strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents.
105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to encourage post-primary mainstream schools to establish ASD special classes; his views on the reluctance of many schools to establish such classes despite requests from the NCSE through their network of SENOs; the total number of ASD classes in post-primary schools broken down by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34009/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
There are approximately 14,000 students with ASD in the school system:
- 63% are educated in mainstream classes
- 23% are educated in special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and
- 14% are educated in special schools
In respect of children with ASD who are unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
Special classes for children with ASD within mainstream post primary schools have a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1.5 and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 Ss for a class of 6 students.
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE continues to engage with schools in opening special classes where there is an identified need for special class provision.
Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are currently over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post primary level of which 762 are for children with Autism.
The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there are 1,153 special classes available, which is an increase of over 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548.
The NCSE has advised that for the current school year there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6th July 2016. The Admissions Bill provides that where a school has places available it must admit all applicants. The Bill contains a provision for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to designate a school for a child who has no school place for reasons related to the child’s special educational needs and for the Child and Family Agency to designate a school for a child who has no school place (other than a child with special educational needs).
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, and with new classes identified.
The NCSE recently launched guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools which provide information on setting up and organising special classes. These guidelines are available to download from www.ncse.ie in county order, and with new classes identified.
106. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34074/16]
View answerIn line with general accounting procedures, and in accordance with Public Financial Procedures and guidance for the preparation of Appropriation Accounts issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department does not recognise contingent assets or include them in notes in the Appropriation Accounts.
Any known amounts owed to my Department at the end of the financial year (31 December) are either recorded in the Balance Sheet or noted in my Department’s Annual Appropriation Accounts.
Agency bodies under the aegis of my Department produce their own separate accounts and the accounting treatment of any amounts owed to these bodies is a matter for the bodies concerned.
107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make resources available within his Department to support and facilitate a centre (details supplied) in view of the improving economic conditions. [34087/16]
View answerThe Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) Report, launched in 2002 was funded by Atlantic Philanthropies with additional funding from the then Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. While recognising the importance of this valuable study my Department is not, however, in a position to provide funding support for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to conduct a second SAVI Study.
108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment on addressing long-term challenges such as long-term funding models in higher education. [33805/16]
View answerThe Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium to long term. As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector.
We will require reasonable consensus to enable us to move forward with a realistic and achievable strategy for funding the system into the future. I shall work with the Education Committee as it analyses all of the options put forward by the Expert Group and hears the voice of all stakeholders.
While this process will address the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we must in the interim also consider the immediate challenges, and in that context I am pleased that in Budget 2017 I secured for the first time in nine years additional funding for the sector. In 2017 an additional €36.5 million will be made available with €160 million additional over the next three years.
It is also intended to carry out a policy review in order to implement a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. This review will be in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy and will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Expert Group report.
109. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his timetable to update the wind energy guidelines 2006 which were based on ETSU-R-97, the assessment and rating of noise from wind farms issued by the UK Department of Trade and Industry in September 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/16]
View answer110. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider issuing fresh draft guidelines in view of the time taken to date considering the draft guidelines on wind energy to take into account current international best practice as the draft guidelines have been considered for such an extensive period that they will be out of date before they come to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33894/16]
View answer111. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the publication of new guidelines for wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33964/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 111, inclusive, together.
In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day- and night-time noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
As outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to finalising the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines within the first six months of coming into office. The revisions to the Guidelines will be informed by the public consultation process and by best international practice. My Department is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in order to bring the matter to a conclusion as early as possible.
The revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to such guidelines, issued under Section 28, in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
112. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 611 of 16 September 2016, the number of the 1,170,226 vehicles taxed on the basis of engine capacity, that is, pre-2008 cars, where the engine capacity is greater than 1,200 cc and less than 1,200 cc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33886/16]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table. The reply to Question No 611 of 16 September 2016 reflects the position at 31 December 2015, but as the numbers in the engine capacity fleet are decreasing month on month, an additional column with the numbers taxed as at 30 September 2016 is also included.
|
Engine Capacity |
No. of vehicles at 31 December 2015 |
No. of vehicles at 30 September 2016 |
|
Engine capacity less than 1,200 cc |
171,845 |
156,586 |
|
Engine capacity greater than 1,200 cc |
998,381 |
906,182 |
|
Total |
1,170,226 |
1,062,768 |
113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 611 of 16 September 2016, if he will provide a breakdown of the number of the 814,904 cars taxed on the basis of CO2 emissions by emissions category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/16]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table. The reply to Question No 611 of 16 September 2016 reflects the position at 31 December 2015, but as the numbers in the CO2 fleet are increasing month on month, an additional column with the numbers taxed as at 30 September 2016 is also included.
|
Band |
CO2 emissions |
No. of vehicles at 31 December 2015 |
No. of vehicles at 30 September 2016 |
|
A0 |
0 g/km |
1,028 |
1,470 |
|
A1 |
1 - 80 g/km |
1,008 |
2,617 |
|
A2 |
81 - 1000 g/km |
56,339 |
89,283 |
|
A3 |
101 - 110 g/km |
92,024 |
135,359 |
|
A4 |
111 - 120 g/km |
206,652 |
248,791 |
|
B1 |
121 - 130 g/km |
122,651 |
144,435 |
|
B2 |
131 - 140 g/km |
189,895 |
201,861 |
|
C |
141 - 155 g/km |
91,574 |
97,292 |
|
D |
156 - 170 g/km |
33,850 |
34,780 |
|
E |
171 - 190 g/km |
13,626 |
14,139 |
|
F |
190 - 225 g/km |
5,516 |
5,507 |
|
G |
& 225 g/km |
741 |
738 |
|
Total |
- |
814,904 |
976,272 |
114. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the purchase price of a property (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [33896/16]
View answerI understand that Tipperary County Council is seeking to purchase a site for the purposes of developing a new town park and related facilities at Newport. The estimated cost of the overall development is €650,000, which includes site acquisition costs. My Department approved funding of €325,000 in August 2016, on a matching funds basis, with the balance to be provided by Tipperary County Council. The details regarding the site acquisition are a matter for the Council.
115. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will implement stricter enforcement of the protocol for the spreading of bio-solids and sludge as many residents in affected areas of County Meath are concerned regarding the strong odour which comes from fields in which bio-solids and sludge spreading takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33961/16]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014. These Regulations set requirements for all land-spreading, including the spreading of sewage sludge, and are designed to provide additional protection to waters from agricultural sources. They include measures such as set periods when the land spreading of fertilisers are prohibited; limits on the land application of fertilisers; and set distances from water bodies including boreholes, springs and wells for the abstraction of water used for human consumption and storage requirements.
In addition to the above, the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural land is subject to compliance with relevant codes of practice such as the Code of Good Practice for the Use of Bio - solids in Agriculture. This Code has been designed to ensure that the use of bio - solids in agriculture will, inter alia, not pose a risk to human, animal or plant health, avoid water and air pollution and minimise public inconvenience. In this regard, the Code includes guidelines on the minimum buffer zones to be observed when spreading bio-solids in the vicinity of particular structures or features, such as sensitive buildings, dwellings, domestic wells, lakes or small watercourses.
My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, also has responsibilities in this area under a number of waste management regulations dealing with the use of sewage sludge, including the registration of sewage sludge facilities by local authorities.
116. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason, at a time when he says priority is being given to the building of houses to meet the huge need for social and other accommodation, officials from his Department have effectively stalled the building of 55 houses by Galway City Council in the Ballymoneen Road, Knocknacarra area of Galway city by instructing the council to review the possibility of building an additional five houses in the development, the effect being to further delay a development for which the council had been given verbal indication that approval was imminent almost a year ago; when he expects this development to be given approval; when construction will begin; when the houses will be completed; the other housing projects that are in the pipeline for Galway City Council and Galway County Council, including their locations and timetables of their progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33984/16]
View answerFunding approval is already in place from my Department for the construction by Galway City Council of a total of 69 new social houses at Ballymoneen Road at an estimated cost of over €14 million. I understand that the first phase of this project to deliver 14 new houses is scheduled to commence on site shortly, while the second phase to deliver a minimum of 55 houses is at design stage. As with all social housing proposals, there is an onus on the local authority and on my Department to ensure best value for money and a reasonable density within the development to meet respond to social housing need. Accordingly, contacts between my Department and Galway City Council have included the consideration of options in relation to the density and design for this development, but such considerations should not delay advancement of the project. I have assured all local authorities that funding is available to support them in the early advancement of new social housing projects. With funding approval already in place, I am particularly keen to see the phases of the project at Ballymoneen Road advanced as quickly as possible, with the precise dates for completion being a matter for Galway City Council.
More broadly on social housing across Galway City Council and Galway County Council, both local authorities were notified of social housing targets and provisional funding allocations in April 2015; these are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/minsters-kelly-coffey-announce-eu15-billion-social-housing-targets-local .
The two Galway authorities have a combined target of 1,126 social housing units for the period out to 2017, supported by an allocation of €58.5 million, to be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes.
Following the notification of these targets, approvals for a substantial number of new social housing projects were announced in May 2015, July 2015 and January 2016. These three announcements included over 270 units of accommodation in respect of Galway, supported by investment of some € 44.3 million, details of which are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-further-1000-social-housing-units.
In addition, a project to deliver 73 new social housing units at Ballyburke in Galway is amongst over 450 new units that are part of bundle 2 of the social housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. I announced the eight sites in bundle 2 in co-operation with the local authorities in each area in July 2016 and the projects have a capital value of approximately €100 million, as part of a programme of investment totalling €300 million in social housing through the PPP model that will, overall, deliver 1,500 social housing units. All of these projects are now undergoing planning and development work by the local authorities and, as with all social housing projects. I am keen to see them advanced as soon as possible.
With the projects already in the pipeline for both Galway Councils, and given the measures set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, l anticipate a ramping up in terms of social housing construction activity over the next year. While social housing construction projects are being advanced, acquisitions of new and second-hand houses and apartments remain an effective means of meeting immediate social housing need. This year, the Galway Councils are looking to purchase around 40 housing units for social housing purposes, while they have also continued to receive substantial support from my Department to remediate vacant social homes and make them available to those on the waiting list.
Support is also provided by my Department to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) for the delivery of new social housing. This funding approach is being used to support the acquisition of 165 units by four AHBs in Galway City and County. Delivery is contingent on AHBs securing the balance of funding required from either private finance or other borrowings. If successful, it is anticipated that 69 of these units will be delivered by the end of 2016, a further 92 in 2017 and the final 4 in early 2018. Locations include Roscam, Ballinasloe, Ballymoneen Rd, Doughiska, Spiddal and Tuam.
117. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34075/16]
View answerThere are no contingent assets in my Department. All amounts owed to my Department at the end of the financial year (31 December) are recorded in the national accounts as assets under Accrued Income as per the statement of accounting policies and principles for appropriation accounts. The most recent Appropriation Account for my Department is in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015 and is available online at http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/annualreports/2015/appacc/en/vote%2034.pdf.
The accounting treatment of any amounts owed to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the bodies concerned.
118. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment on addressing long-term challenges such as housing. [33805/16]
View answerI refer to the reply given to Question No. 167 of 2 November 2016 which outlines the position in relation to this matter.
Since that reply issued, the First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November, and can be accessed through the following link:- http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason local government employees employed post January 2013 pay PRSI class K contributions and not A1 contributions; his plans to review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33960/16]
View answerAll employees of local authorities are insured for PRSI purposes, as either modified rate contributors or as class A contributors, arising from their employment in the local authority. Class K PRSI only applies to their non-local authority income.
Civil and public sector workers, including local government employees, recruited before April 1995 pay PRSI on their salary at modified or lower rates of contribution and are classified for PRSI purposes under PRSI Classes B, C or D. These “modified rate” contributors have access to a limited range of social insurance benefits, including widow/widowers’ contributory payments and guardian’s payment contributory.
Civil and public sector employees engaged after 1995 pay PRSI on their salary under PRSI Class A. It is charged at the rate of 4% for employees, with employer PRSI rates of 8.5% or 10.75%, depending on earnings. Class A PRSI contributions entitle the employee to access the full range of long term and short term social insurance benefits.
In 2013, modified rate contributors who also have earned self-employed income or unearned income became liable, for the first time, to pay PRSI on that earned income. This income is liable at the class K rate of 4%. Entitlement to social insurance benefits does not accrue from the payment of this charge.
Since 2014, all employees (in the public and private sector) and occupational pensioners under 66 years, with unearned income only, are liable to pay Class K PRSI on that unearned income where it exceeds €5,000.
Class K PRSI is charged at 4% and does not give access to social insurance entitlements based on the payment of the charge. Prior to 2014 these employees were exempt from PRSI on such unearned income, which includes rental and investment income, dividends and interest on deposits. This provision applies to all employees, regardless of the PRSI class they pay on their employment income.
All workers pay PRSI on their earnings from employment. If an employee has income from self-employment e.g. taxi driver, farmer etc. he or she also pays PRSI as a self-employed contributor on the profits from the taxi driving plus any other unearned income he or she might have e.g. rental income. The measure to charge class K PRSI on employees who have unearned income only was introduced to ensure equity by ensuring that PRSI is chargeable, regardless of the source of the employee’s additional income.
Employees paying class K PRSI on unearned income can generate entitlement to social insurance benefits based on PRSI they pay on their employment income. Class A employees with unearned income already have access to the full range of social insurance benefits, because of their PRSI class A status. Modified rate employees have access to a limited range of social insurance benefits but have entitlement to generous Exchequer-funded occupational pensions.
120. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) pending receipt of information requested by his Department in view of the fact that the request letter was issued on 28 October 2016 and the person did not have 28 days to reply to same; and the reason farming five hectares of land for therapeutic purposes would disbar the person from being in receipt of this pension when there is no substantial income and where his Department has a policy of encouraging persons in receipt of invalidity pension to remain as effective as possible. [33905/16]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A review of the gentleman’s continued eligibility has been completed and he continues to satisfy the conditions for receipt of IP. His IP payment has been reinstated and arrears due have issued.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
121. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33913/16]
View answerCarer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 3 August 2016 and the first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 13 October 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 4 August 2016 to 5 October 2016 have also issued. The person concerned was notified of these details on 5 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
122. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33914/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 4 October 2016. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance on this please contact Philip in my office.
