Written Answers Nos. 86-105
86. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make provision for the direct assignment of a national educational psychological service (NEPS) psychologist to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin which currently does not have access to a NEPS psychologist. [39242/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases through by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
NEPS psychologists are recruited via regional panels formed from national recruitment competitions administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The school to which the Deputy refers lost its assigned NEPS psychologist to an internal transfer to another Region and while attempts were made to fill the vacancy in the NEPS Navan office from the existing PAS panel they were ultimately unsuccessful.
A new national recruitment competition was has been put in place by PAS to fill vacancies within all NEPS Regions, the closing date for applications is now passed and work is currently ongoing in relation to the vetting of same preparatory to the staging of interviews in this connection. It is envisaged following this that recruitment panels will be formed and active filling of vacancies will commence early in the new-year.
In the interim, schools whose service from NEPS are the subject of such vacancies have been advised that they may access assessment services via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments described above and that they will continue to be able to access advice and assistance, in the event of a critical incident, from their local NEPS office.
My Department’s NEPS service will continue to communicate developments in this regard to the schools involved.
87. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budgetary process for the allocation of ASD special classes in mainstream schools; if additional funding is provided to schools for such classes; if the funding for these classes is included in the schools' budget or the budget of the NCSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39272/16]
View answerThis 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.
The NCSE is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including S support and resource teachers to support students with Special Educational Needs including Autism.
It is also the role of the NCSE to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in various geographical areas as required.
On approval of a special class in a school, my Department provides lump sum grant aid (€6,500 per class) towards the purchase of educational aids and equipment for special needs pupils enrolled in that class. My Department also provides lump sum grant aid (€7,000 per room) towards the purchase of equipment for schools with approval for a multi-sensory room.
Grant aid may also be made available to schools under the Loose Furniture and Equipment Scheme to fund the purchase of special items of furniture for special needs pupils.
All of this additional funding is provided directly to schools and is not provided to the NCSE.
Furthermore, it is general practice to include a Special Needs Unit in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. In addition, my Department may also provide capital funding to schools to establish special needs provision e.g. re-configure existing accommodation to provide a special class where this has been approved by the National Council for Special Education through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers.
Approximately 150 new Special Classes opened for the 2016/17 school year, which means there are now over 1,150 special classes in place, compared to 548 special classes in 2011. 889 of these classes are for children with autism.
88. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); the stage at which it is at; the timetable of construction; when groundworks will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39279/16]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers was tendered recently and my Department is currently awaiting the tender report. Subject to no issues arising it is envisaged construction will commence in the first quarter of 2017 and take approximately 28 months to complete.
89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); the stage at which it is at; the timetable of construction; when groundworks will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/16]
View answerThe building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals have been secured and the Stage 2b submission has been approved by my Department.
However, following the appointment of a replacement Mechanical & Electrical Engineer the Design Team, in association with the newly appointed Engineer are working on a revised M&E report, which will be submitted to my Department for review.
Also arising from significant changes to the Public Works Contract (PWC) introduced earlier this year, the Board of Management and their Design Team have been advised of the need to carry out further work in relation to the tender documents to bring them into line with those changes.
When this work is complete and the M & E report reviewed and subject to no further issues arising my Department will revert to the Board of Management 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.
90. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has had discussion with Fingal County Council regarding the location of the new second level school for the Carpenterstown and Castleknock school planning area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a building project for the new post primary school to serve Carpenterstown/Castleknock was included in the 6 year construction programme that was announced last November.
Officials in my Department are liaising with officials in Fingal County Council in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable location for the school.
Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions generally I am not in a position to provide further details at this time.
91. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a teacher who teaches in a Catholic school in the US for 13 years is only entitled to seven years incremental criteria under the provisions of circular 10 of 2001 while a teacher teaching in a comparable school in the UK for a comparable period of time is awarded credits on a year for year basis; his views on whether this practice is fair; and if he will undertake a review of this policy as outlined in circular 10 of 2001 to ensure that all teachers who have taught abroad are treated fairly. [39326/16]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised primary teachers under Circular 10/2001 was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education and Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. Therefore the issue of teaching service given outside the EU would need to be considered at the Teachers Conciliation Council, in the first instance.
92. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to the Second Stage debate on school admission legislation, if he will provide a progress report on the new school building programme for schools (details supplied). [39332/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that building projects for the schools in question are included in my Department's 6-Year Construction Programme (2019/21). My Department is aware of the schools accommodation needs and will be liaising with both schools in the context of progressing the projects into the architectural planning process. A suitable site has been identified for the first named school referred to by the Deputy and the acquisition process is underway. A proposed site has also been identified for the second named school.
93. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on relinquishing a long-term lease held on a property (details supplied) considering that his Department has had no need of the building since 2007/2008 when a new purpose-built primary school was constructed at a different location and considering that the property owners have requested this on several occasions. [39335/16]
View answerThis building referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership, and in common with other buildings of its kind, where significant grant aid is provided by the Department for the development of school premises, investment is secured by way of a long-term legal agreement known as a charging lease.
In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received to release the State's interest secured under a charging lease, such requests are considered in the context of the specific circumstances which pertain to the individual property.
Officials from my Department are currently considering the request received in respect of the property referred to by the Deputy and will be in contact with the relevant property owners shortly.
94. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39343/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of State agencies under the remit of my Department, in conjunction with the details of the overall numbers of board members, is provided in the table.
Comprehensive information in relation to the composition of the non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department is publically available on the Department's website at www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/. This information is updated as appointments are made.
|
STATE BOARDS UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS |
||
|
|
NAME OF BODY |
MAXIMUM NUMBERS PERMITTED |
|
1 |
An Chomhairle Um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoláiochta |
12 |
|
2 |
Caranua |
9 |
|
3 |
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse1 |
5 |
|
4 |
Grangegorman Development Agency |
15 |
|
5 |
Higher Education Authority2 |
19 |
|
6 |
Irish Research Council |
11 |
|
7 |
Leargas - The Exchange Bureau |
9 |
|
8 |
National Centre for Guidance in Education |
13 |
|
9 |
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
25 |
|
10 |
National Council for Special Education |
13 Of whom at least 6 must be men and 6 must be women |
|
11 |
Residential Institutions Redress Board1 |
11 |
|
12 |
Residential Institutions Review Committee1 |
6 |
|
13 |
SOLAS |
13 |
|
14 |
Skillnets Ltd |
13 |
|
15 |
State Examinations Commission |
5 |
|
16 |
The Teaching Council |
37 |
|
17 |
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
10 |
|
18 |
Educational Research Centre |
5 |
Note 1: In regard to the numbers of members serving on boards the legislation underpinning the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA), the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Review Committee, do not specify maximum numbers of Board/Commission members - the numbers of ordinary members are determined by the Minister or Government in the case of CICA.
Note 2: The Schedule to the HEA Act, 1971 states that the members of an tÚdaras shall be a chairman and not more than 18 ordinary members of whom at least seven shall be academic members and at least seven shall be non-academic members.
95. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has made on establishing the proposed new schools excellence fund; and the aims and purpose of the proposed fund. [39358/16]
View answerThe development of proposals for a School Excellence Fund (SEF), to promote excellence and innovation in the context of available resources, is a key action under the draft Action Plan for Education 2016-2020, currently being finalised within my Department. Work on the development of proposals for a SEF is underway. The primary aim of the SEF will be to encourage schools to work innovatively and creatively in their pursuit of improved learning outcomes for their students. Within the context of targeting resources at our most disadvantaged students, it is intended that the SEF will enable schools to apply for funding to implement innovative programmes which are context-specific and aimed at improving learning outcomes. Access to the SEF is being designed to ensure that some of the barriers frequently cited by school personnel as being impediments to improvements can be removed.
96. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has made establishing a pool of experts such as educators, employers, accountants, business leaders, IT specialists and so on, to assist school initiatives, promote innovation and enterprise engagement especially at second level; and the aims and purpose of the proposed advisory group. [39359/16]
View answerThe Action Plan for Education contains an action to prepare guidelines on Entrepreneurial Education. These guidelines will examine linkages that can promote enterprise engagement and innovation with schools. The guidelines will be available by end of Quarter 2 in 2017.
97. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed by him and each Minister of State, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, press secretaries and other positions, in tabular form; the pay rate for each assistant and the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39552/16]
View answerThe table contains details of the ministerial appointees at my Department, their grade and salary as provided for in accordance with the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In addition to this I have included staff that are employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and are assigned to the Minister of State and I. As my Department is not the direct employer I am not in a position to give their precise salary details. However, I have included the pay scales for the positions concerned.
Mr. Richard Bruton, T.D.
Minister for Education & Skills
|
Member of Staff |
Grade |
Remuneration |
|
Conor Quinn |
Special Adviser |
€87,258 pa |
|
Patrick Cluskey |
Special Adviser |
€75,647 pa |
|
Sean Divilly |
Civilian Driver |
€631.75 pw |
|
John Murray |
Civilian Driver |
€631.75 pw |
Oireachtas Staff
|
Member of Staff |
Grade |
Remuneration |
|
Sarah O Neill |
Parliamentary Asst |
See Scale |
|
Bernadette Lee |
Secretarial Asst |
See Scale |
Mr. John Halligan, T.D.
Minister of State,
Department of Education & Skills and
Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.
|
Member of Staff |
Grade |
Remuneration |
|
Michelle Clancy |
Special Adviser |
€65,000 pa |
|
Edward Cunningham |
Civilian Driver |
€631.75 pw |
|
Gerard O Brien |
Civilian Driver |
€631.75 pw |
Oireachtas Staff
|
Member of Staff |
Grade |
Remuneration |
|
Emer O Neill |
Parliamentary Asst |
See scale |
|
Aoife Marks |
Secretarial Asst |
See scale |
Secretarial Assistants
Weekly Annual
1 €444.26 €23,180.97
2 €469.25 €24,485.47
3 €498.84 €26,029.47
4 €539.59 €28,155.81
5 €580.33 €30,281.62
6 €623.30 €32,523.79
7 €665.65 €34,733.62
8 €705.23 €36,798.90
9 €745.62 €38,906.45
10 €783.94 €40,905.99
11 €812.40 €42,391.03
MAX €825.89 €43,094.94
LSI1 €843.03 €43,989.31
LSI2 €857.16 €44,726.61
Parliamentary Assistant
Weekly Annual
1 €787.50 €41,092.00
2 €818.01 €42,684.00
3 €849.43 €44,323.00
4 €870.37 €45,416.00
5 €892.26 €46,558.00
6 €919.38 €47,973.00
MAX €946.32 €49,379.00
LSI1 €973.34 €50,789.00
LSI2 €1,000.38 €52,200.00
98. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any staff employed in the public and Civil Service are seconded to work with him or any Minister of State in their constituencies; and the number of same and cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39566/16]
View answerThere are no public or civil service officials engaged by the Minister of State or I on a secondment basis to assist with constituency matters.
99. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that his Department is not aware of the number of social housing tenancy offers refused by approved applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39167/16]
View answerMy Department does not routinely collate information on the number of refusals by households of offers of social housing tenancies. Choice-based letting is a method that can be used for allocating social housing in a manner that offers more choice and involvement for applicant households and thereby reduces the likelihood of a refusal. In the context of progressing the introduction of Choice–Based Lettings (CBL) as an allocation system for local authorities, in line with commitments in the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, my Department sought feedback from local authorities on two occasions in recent years on the level of refusals of offers of social housing across the local authority system.
The data received as part of this process only covered limited time-periods. In addition, it was incomplete and was not directly comparable across local authorities. Nevertheless, it did give a general indication of the level of refusals around the country and assisted my Department in the deliberative process. For example, it clearly showed that those local authorities that had introduced CBL had seen a significant reduction in their refusal rates.
100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the derelict housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39173/16]
View answerPillar Five of the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness is focussed on the utilisation of existing housing stock and the recognition that a highly effective way to meet housing needs is to achieve optimum occupancy of that existing housing stock, whether social or private housing.
One of the most important actions being taken in this context is the development of a National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy, informed by Census 2016 data, to compile a register of vacant units across the country, identify the number, location and reasons for longer-term vacancies (i.e. over 6 months) in high demand areas, and set out a range of actions to bring these vacant units back into use. This is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2017 with all key stakeholders highly engaged and will underpin many of the ongoing and future actions taken to address vacant homes across the country.
My Department supports a number of schemes that help to address the issues of vacant and derelict housing while also provide new social housing for those on waiting lists around the country. Earlier this year I introduced a programme to provide additional support to local authorities in remediating more seriously derelict social houses which require a greater level of remediation than is possible either through the current programme for the return of vacant social houses, or through the normal pre-letting works carried out by the local authorities. I expect this programme to deliver around 280 remediated social houses in 2016 and further work will continue into 2017.
In October this year, I announced two specific new schemes - the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the Buy and Repair Scheme - which are intended to assist private property owners, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland.
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) is currently being piloted in Waterford and Carlow, and it is my intention that the scheme will be rolled out nationally in Q2 2017.
The basic principle behind the scheme is to assist a property owner to bring a suitable vacant property in need of repairs up to the standard required for social housing leasing by providing a mechanism of upfront funding for the repairs in exchange in return for the property being made available for social housing through a lease for a period of at least 10 years. The cost of the repairs will be offset against the rental income over the duration of the lease. Given the complexity of operating a new scheme such as this, it was agreed that a pilot phase would be appropriate to work through processes at an operational level before expanding nationally. Over the period 2016 to 2021, it is anticipated that up to 3,500 units will be secured for social housing under this scheme and I will be making up to €140m available.
In parallel to the Repair and Leasing Scheme I also announced a new ‘Buy and Renew’ funding scheme to support local authorities and AHBs to purchase and renew housing units in need of remediation, and make them available for social housing use. This scheme will commence in 2017 when I will be making €25 million available and I am proposing to increase this to as much as €50 million in 2018, which should result in at least 400 - 500 renewed houses – or a greater number if costs per unit prove reasonable.
101. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the level of engagement that exists between State agencies for rough sleepers in County Kildare some of whom are begging on the streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39250/16]
View answerMy 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 accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. The matter raised in the Question is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and is a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance.
Homeless services are administered at the regional level and in each region a Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum exists which includes representation from the relevant State and non-governmental organisations involved in the delivery of homeless services in a particular region. A statutory Management Group exists for each regional forum, comprised of representative s from the relevant housing authorities and the Health Service Executive, and it is the responsibility of the Management Group to consider issues around the need for homeless services and to plan for the implementation, funding and co-ordination of such services.
In the Kildare County Council administrative area, a housing authority funded Homeless Support Team engages with every homeless person who presents seeking services, while the Homeless Outreach Team investigates all reports of rough sleeping and provides assistance as appropriate. Furthermore, the local Homeless Action Team meets on a regular basis and includes participants from the Department of Social Protection, the Probation Services, the Health Service Executive’s mental health service and addiction service, service providers and housing authority staff.
Incidence of public begging is a matter for the Garda Síochána to consider and there is no automatic direct link between public begging and homelessness.
102. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the locations for the 650 rapid build social housing units to be completed in 2017 and the 500 to be delivered in 2018, in tabular form. [39298/16]
View answerAs set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a total of 1,500 rapid build units will be delivered by 2018. Rapid-build housing offers a more stable environment than the use of hotels for families in need of emergency accommodation.
My Department is working closely with the four Dublin local authorities in relation to the Rapid Delivery Programme. 22 rapid build units have already been delivered and are occupied. Enabling works on sites for 131 of the units in Ballyfermot, Drimnagh, Belcamp and Finglas in Dublin have been completed and construction commenced during November. These homes will be handed over to Dublin City Council, on a phased basis, from the end of the year and delivery will be completed early in 2017. My Department is working closely with the Council to expedite delivery.
In addition to the four projects set out above, further work is underway across the four local authorities. The additional sites in question are in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire, Cherry Orchard, Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Balbriggan. Construction dates will be finalised in the context of completion of procurement and award of contracts.
By the end of 2016, 350 units will be advancing through the various stages of delivery, including construction. Sites are being identified and planning requirements advanced for a further 650 rapid build homes in 2017, across the 4 Dublin local authority areas and also in Louth, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Cork, Waterford, Galway and Limerick. This will ensure that the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland to deliver 1,000 rapid build homes over 2016 and 2017 is met. Further sites will be identified for the delivery of an additional 500 units in 2018.
103. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the estimated percentage of housing stock here that is at the different BER ratings, for example, the percentage of the housing stock that is A1, A3, B1 and so on. [39299/16]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is the statutory agency responsible for the implementation and management of the Building Energy Rating (BER) Scheme in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Recast). In accordance with these Regulations every new building is required to have a BER Certificate since 1 January 2007 and furthermore any existing dwelling, offered for sale or letting on or after 1 January 2009, also requires a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate. Information and reporting in relation to the administration of the BER scheme is available on the SEAI website; the latest report, from 1 December 2016, is available at the following link: www.seai.ie/Your_Building/BER/BER_FAQ/FAQ_BER/General/NAS-DB2016.pdf.
Furthermore, the SEAI also provides BER statistics to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which, in turn publishes comprehensive quarterly bulletins which provide a more detailed breakdown of BER ratings according to the location of the property and the period that it was constructed. My Department understands that the CSO has published statistics that estimate the percentage of the housing stock that falls into different BER categories. Table 15 “BER Ratings Weighted to National Level”, which is accessible at the following link, sets out this information.
www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/dber/domesticbuildingenergyratingsquarter32016/.
104. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding provided to each local authority for emergency homeless services in 2015 and 2016 to date, in tabular form. [39300/16]
View answerMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services are a matter for those authorities. ‘Section 10’ Exchequer funding is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. Drawdown for 2015 and to date in 2016 is set out on a regional basis in the table.
|
Funding under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988 |
||
|
Region |
2015 |
2016 to date- € |
|
Dublin |
€48,270,201 |
€ 44,662,925 |
|
Mid-East |
€1,716,245 |
€ 1,620,628 |
|
Midland |
€805,995 |
€ 801,028 |
|
Mid-West |
€3,499,898 |
€ 3,150,000 |
|
North-East |
€996,849 |
€ 925,639 |
|
North-West |
€387,643 |
€ 369,446 |
|
South-East |
€2,394,619 |
€ 2,423,997 |
|
South-West |
€5,000,686 |
€ 4,450,084 |
|
West |
€1,698,834 |
€ 1,800,000 |
105. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will publish the membership of the rental strategy working group; the number of times it has met; and the persons or bodies it has met and received submissions from. [39327/16]
View answerPillar 4 of the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan commits to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector in Q4 2016. In order to progress the preparation of the strategy, an expert working group was established bringing together key personnel from across my Department and from relevant agencies - the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), the Housing Agency, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and Local Authorities. The working group is chaired by the Head of the Social Housing and Rental Policy Division of my Department. Additional members were co-opted on to the group to address specific issues as the need arose. Public consultation is an important element of the development of the Rental Strategy. A stakeholder consultation event, which I chaired myself, took place on 20 October 2016 attracting over 100 attendees. In addition, a public consultation process, with an open call for submissions, attracted 498 replies from a wide range of stakeholders.
The expert working group has met on 6 occasions since its establishment in mid- September 2016. A number of sub-group meetings on specific issues were also held. The advice of the expert group, together with outcome of the consultation process, has been central to the preparation of the strategy for the rental sector which is expected to be published very shortly.
