Written Answers Nos. 104-118
104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is no special provision to enable school children use trains instead of buses where the cost is the same and this is the more convenient option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2373/17]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
In general, children are eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest school and satisfy the requisite distance criteria.
School Transport Services are delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, and Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and LUAS where practical. Bus Éireann has confirmed that some children, who are eligible for school transport, have been issued with tickets to travel on Irish Rail services for the current school year.
The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
105. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date with the progression of a building project for a school (details supplied); when it is expected to progress this project to final design and planning; the consideration that has been given to the provision of alternative accommodation when the school is being built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2376/17]
View answerI can confirm that building projects for the two schools referred to by the Deputy were included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
My Department is currently finalising the school project briefs and, in that regard, communications are on-going with the schools Patron in respect of site issues arising. Once this process is complete, my Department will be in contact with the schools concerned regarding the progression of the projects into the Architectural Planning process.
106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce a teacher exchange scheme for primary school teachers in order that teachers in different schools could exchange positions and remain permanently employed with the consent of the two boards of management of the schools in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2378/17]
View answerThe provisions of the teacher exchange scheme are set out by my Department in Circular Letter 0017/2015 the contents of which were agreed under the auspices of the Teacher Conciliation Council. The Teacher Conciliation Council is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Teacher Exchange scheme is open to primary teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council, have completed probation and who wish to exchange their posts for educational purposes. Educational purposes would include enabling teachers in primary schools to gain experience of teaching in different types of settings. The concept is that teachers will gain a different experience, enrich their knowledge and understanding of their professional work and share this understanding with colleagues.
The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.
In 2016 the issue of this limit and the purpose of the scheme was reviewed under the auspices of Teachers Conciliation Council. Having considered the matter and taking into account all circumstances both the union and management partners considered that their preferred option is to retain the existing scheme as set out in the published circular.
However, in response to a request for consideration of a voluntary transfer scheme for Primary Teachers, I have decided to extend the maximum period for which an exchange may occur for those teachers in their fifth and sixth year of exchange for one further year.
107. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the context of an application for a home tuition grant for a person of preschool age, his Department recognises a diagnosis of ASD by way of a private assessment if that person remains on a public waiting list for an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2466/17]
View answerThe purpose of the Home tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement with provision also made for early educational intervention for children with autism. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school.
In order to meet the eligibility criteria for applications under the Early Intervention strand and those seeking an educational placement, a child must have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder based on the DSM V or ICD 10 criteria. Diagnosis can be confirmed through private assessment.
Professional reports are not required to be submitted directly to my Department in making application for Home Tuition but are submitted by the applicant to the relevant Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO). The availability of a school placement will be assessed by the SENO having regard to, although not limited to, the relevant diagnosis and relevant professional report.
108. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a location for the new primary level school at Finglas Pelletstown has been sourced; if not, if there are sites under consideration; and the location of these sites. [2476/17]
View answerOfficials in my Department are currently working to identify a suitable permanent site for the school referred to by the Deputy. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to give further details at this time.
109. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the bilateral meetings he has had with his EU counterparts outside of Council of Europe meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place, in which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each EU Government ministerial counterpart, the meeting location and the date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2516/17]
View answerAn extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. This engagement is being intensified in 2017.
I have met the following European government ministerial counterparts for discussions on Brexit since the UK Referendum to leave the EU:
|
Name of Counterpart |
Meeting Location |
Date of Meeting |
|
Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) |
Dublin Castle (North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting) |
4th July 2016 |
|
Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) |
Dublin Castle (Bi-lateral Meeting) |
4th July 2016 |
|
Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) |
Armagh (North South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral Meeting) |
21st September 2016 |
|
Witold Waszczykowski (Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs) |
Dail Eireann |
24th November 2016 |
|
Commissioner Tibor Navracsics (EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports) |
Brussels |
21 November 2016 |
|
Commissioner Phil Hogan (EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development) |
Brussels |
21 November 2016 |
|
Minister Everist Bartolo (Minister for Education and Employment, Malta) |
Brussels |
21 November 2016 |
|
Andrew McDowell (Vice President - European Investment Bank) |
Government Buildings |
9 December 2016 |
I intend to meet my UK Ministerial colleague at the earliest opportunity in the coming weeks and before the UK makes its application to leave the EU to discuss common education and research issues.
The Taoiseach and Ministers will continue to meet and engage with their EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence.
This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed. An important part of our preparations for the Brexit negotiations is ensuring that our particular concerns are heard and understood across Europe, and engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is therefore critical.
Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.
In line with the agreement at EU level, there have been and will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered.
110. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a vacant land levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2399/17]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas.
Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017, and to issue annual notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018. The levy will be applied by planning authorities, commencing on 1 January 2019, in respect of sites which were vacant and on the vacant site register during the preceding year (i.e. 2018) and will subsequently be applied on an annual basis thereafter, as long as a site remains on the vacant site register in the preceding year.
Planning authorities are empowered to apply an annual vacant site levy of 3% of the market value of vacant sites exceeding 0.05 hectares (or 500 square metres) in area - with reduced or zero rates of levy applying in specific circumstances – which, in the planning authority’s opinion, were vacant or idle in the preceding year, in areas identified by the planning authority in its development plan or local area plan for residential or regeneration development.
My Department issued general guidance in July 2016 on implementation of the vacant site levy to planning authorities by way of Circular Letter PL 7/2016, entitled Implementation of the Vacant Site Levy, as provided for in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, which is available on my Department’s website at the following link - http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/pl_07-2016_guidance_on_implementation_of_the_vacant_site_levy.pdf.
My Department will monitor the implementation of the levy provisions to ensure that it is being fully used in line with its intended purpose of incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas and promoting and implementing the concept of sustainable urban development.
111. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the proposed breakdown of the tenure type, social mix and proposals for affordable housing and starter homes in a mixed tenure development in Dublin (details supplied); if his Department has issued guidelines to local authorities for the tenure and social mix for developments of this kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2256/17]
View answerDublin City Council proposes the development of up to 640 new homes on the site referred to in the Question. The 640 new homes, will comprise a mix of private, public and affordable homes, 30% of which has been designated for social housing, with the objective of delivering a sustainable mixed tenure housing development.
It is proposed that the remaining units will be 50% private and 20% affordable. The scheme is to contain a mix of unit types, including 2/3 bedroom semi-detached, terrace houses, duplex units and apartments. Since 2007, it has been the consistent policy of my Department to promote Sustainable Communities through a balanced mixed tenure of public, private and affordable units of different sizes and values. The specific mix in any individual development would be a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Dublin City Council, to consider in the first instance.
112. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the person or body to which the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, is accountable; if the LGMA is accountable to the Minister, the details of the systems, practices and procedures in place to facilitate the accountability of the LGMA; the processes and procedures that are in place for the Minister and his Department to review the decisions of the LGMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2274/17]
View answerThe LGMA is a state body under the aegis of my Department. The oversight arrangements in relation to accountability, systems, practice and procedures for state bodies in general are set out in Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 which is available at the follow weblink: http://govacc.per.gov.ie/governance-of-state-bodies/. Related provisions are included in the Agency's Establishment Order which also provides for the Agency's Annual Reports and Accounts to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which he continues to monitor the growing housing need against the progress by the various local authorities towards meeting this need in the current year in view of the pressing circumstances of individual applicants all over the country and the need to meet their requirements in the short rather than long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2316/17]
View answerIn line with the commitment under Social Housing Strategy 2020, statutory summaries of social housing assessments will be carried out on an annual basis from 2016, rather than every three years as was done in the past. These regular summaries will provide up-to-date and comprehensive data on the numbers of households qualified for social housing support on an on-going basis. The results of the most recent Summary, carried out on 21 September 2016, were published last month and show that there were 91,600 households on local authority housing waiting lists at this date. This figure represents an increase of 1,728 households, or 1.9%, on the 89,872 households recorded in the last summary which was carried out in May 2013. The results of the 2016 Summary are available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf.
Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, sets out the Government’s approach to addressing the current challenges in the housing sector. Delivering on the ambitious targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland, including the commitment to deliver an additional 47,000 social housing units by 2021 and an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment over the same period, will address the needs of households on waiting lists. The 2016 Summary results will be used this year to inform the setting by my Department of social housing targets on a county by county basis for the period covered by the Action Plan.
Implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness is being advanced across a number of Departments, under the oversight of the Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach. Within my own Department, an Implementation Board of senior officials, chaired by the Secretary General, monitors progress on a fortnightly basis. In addition, Project Working Group structures for each of the Action Plan’s five Pillars will ensure that any operational considerations relating to the delivery of actions are identified early and resolved quickly and effectively.
Rebuilding Ireland contains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, particularly through quarterly progress reports. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions), which was published on 1 November, can be accessed at http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
Further progress reports will follow on a quarterly basis, and will focus on the actions due to be progressed or completed in the preceding quarter. The next report is due to be published in the coming weeks.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he remains satisfied that all applicants for rehousing throughout the country are fully documented by the various local authorities, in view of the fact that many applicants have received correspondence to the effect that they had failed to reply to previous correspondence due to the fact that they had changed address, in some cases multiple changes of address, between assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2317/17]
View answerThe processing of applications for social housing support is a matter for individual housing authorities and is carried out in accordance with the timescales and rules set down in current housing legislation.
Under the application process, there is an obligation on applicants to notify their housing authority of any changes in their household circumstances such as change of address, household composition, employment and medical conditions and applicants are required to sign a declaration to this effect when completing the application form. It is a matter for the relevant housing authority to maintain the information submitted by applicants.
Under Regulation 28 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, a household’s qualification for support may be reviewed at the discretion of a housing authority, to ensure that the household continue to be eligible for, and in need, of social housing support. Authorities are also required, when directed by the Minister, to undertake a statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHAs) to ensure that applicants continue to qualify for support.
As part of the most recent Summary undertaken in 2016, guidance was issued by the Housing Agency advising housing authorities to write to relevant households, including those in transitional and shared or emergency accommodation if relevant, informing them of the assessment and seeking updated information where necessary.
In the event of an initial non-response by a household, local authorities were advised to contact the household again and to use all reasonable means of communication available to them in contacting the applicant. Authorities were also advised to undertake local advertising campaigns informing households about the Summary.
Where a number of attempts to contact a household failed to elicit a response, authorities were advised that the household’s application may be closed. However, housing authorities were also advised that should the household subsequently respond with the information required within a reasonable time, the application could be re-activated.
In line with a commitment given under the Social Housing Strategy 2020, SSHAs will now be carried out on an annual basis, rather than every three years as was done in the past. This change, as well as providing more up-to-date and comprehensive data on the numbers of households qualified for social housing support, should also reduce the incidence of cases referred to by the Deputy of local authorities experiencing difficulties in contacting social housing applicants in their area.
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total number of houses allocated to families on local authority waiting lists in the course of 2016, excluding voids restored by the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2318/17]
View answerMy Department does not hold information on the allocation of social housing supports to households on the waiting list. The allocation of such support is a matter for each housing authority in accordance with its allocation scheme made under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if NAMA might be again approached with a view to the possible availability of extra housing to meet the pressing needs of local authority housing applicants throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2319/17]
View answerNAMA was established as an independent commercial body to operate under the direction of its Board of Directors, in accordance with the NAMA Act. Under Section 10 of the NAMA Act, NAMA is mandated to act in a commercial manner to obtain the best financial return for the State. As such, NAMA's dealings with its debtors, as well as the management, funding and sale of assets are all commercial decisions taken with consideration to NAMA's commercial obligations.
Following proactive engagement between NAMA, the Housing Agency and my Department, a process was established to ascertain whether residential properties made available by NAMA, through its borrowers and receivers, are suitable for social housing.
The properties under consideration are part of the security for loans that NAMA has acquired. In the majority of cases, properties remain in the ownership of the original borrowers. The remaining properties are controlled by receivers appointed by NAMA. Once a demand has been identified, NAMA makes contact with the relevant property owner/receiver to determine if the properties are still available and to discuss how these properties can be best utilised.
Properties that are deemed suitable may be leased or purchased by local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (housing associations and co-operatives) through engagement with the property owners or, on their behalf, appointed insolvency practitioners, facilitated by NAMA. This is a continuous process and additional properties have been added and offered as they become available over the last number of years. To end-2016, 2,378 properties have been secured for social housing under this initiative. A further 370 properties are at Terms Agreed/Active Negotiation/Pre-Appraisal stages. While NAMA is consistently mindful of identifying properties which may be suitable for social housing, the pool of such properties is reducing in line with the wider NAMA portfolio and at this stage it is unlikely that significant numbers of additional properties will be identified. However, the Steering Group remains active and will continue to work through any potential units that may arise.
In addition to this Social Housing initiative, NAMA is making a very substantial contribution, on a commercial basis, to the increased supply of new homes through its residential delivery programme. Against the background of major supply shortage in urban areas, NAMA has undertaken to fund the delivery of up to 20,000 residential units by 2020. Residential developments funded by NAMA are subject to the same planning and regulatory requirements as all other developments. This includes policies relating to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and as such, it is expected that a minimum of 10% of the anticipated output of this investment by NAMA, or about 2,000 units, will become available for social housing through this statutory mechanism over this period.
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when it is expected that local authority loans will become available to the extent required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2320/17]
View answerThere are currently two house purchase loan offerings available to lower income first-time buyers from local authorities. The first is a standard annuity mortgage available from all local authorities. A first-time buyer unable to get a loan from a building society or a bank, may be eligible for a mortgage from the local authority concerned to purchase a new or second hand property or build their own home. The loan can be up to 97% of the price of the house subject to a maximum loan of €200,000. A local authority mortgage is an annuity mortgage with variable interest rates, so repayments will go up and down in line with interest rate changes. The relevant terms and conditions applying to local authority housing loans are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. Key eligibility criteria provide that a loan applicant must be a first-time buyer and must be able to show their local authority that they cannot get a loan from a bank or building society. Also, the gross income (before tax) of a single-income household in the previous year must be €50,000 or less and the combined gross income (before tax) of a two-income household in the previous year must be €75,000 or less. Prospective applicants should contact their relevant local authority for further information.
The second option is the Home Choice Loan, which is available for first-time buyers to purchase a new or second-hand property or build their own home. The relevant terms and conditions applying to the Home Choice Loan are set out in the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009. Home Choice Loan provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased, subject to a maximum loan amount of €285,000. The loan is a normal capital and interest bearing mortgage which is repaid on a monthly basis. Home Choice Loan offers one variable interest rate. The rate is currently set at 3.25% variable, APR 3.30%. Further information is available at http://www.homechoiceloan.ie.
To support local authorities in operating their housing loan schemes in a consistent and efficient manner, the Housing Agency provides a central underwriting service to local authorities. The credit underwriting process considers the impact that family circumstances may have on the loan applicant’s capacity to make loan repayments. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the relevant statutory Credit Policy that underpins the scheme and aims to ensure prudent lending.
I will be reviewing the operation of both schemes by end Q1 2017.
118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if it is reasonable to expect that the income limit currently set by local authorities in respect of eligibility for local authority housing is realistic in view of the fact that a person deemed ineligible for housing based on the present income limits is unlikely to be in a position to rent or purchase a house under present conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2321/17]
View answerThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. I am satisfied that the current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this and that they provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These income limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
I am aware of the difficulties experienced by some households in purchasing their own home where they are not eligible for social housing support on income grounds. It may be possible for such households to avail of a mortgage from a local authority which is targeted at lower income first-time buyers who can demonstrate that they are unable to get a loan from a building society or bank. A loan can be up to 97% of the price of the property, subject to a maximum loan of €200,000. The relevant terms and conditions applying to local authority housing loans are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012, which prescribe a maximum annual gross income threshold of €50,000 for a single person household or a combined annual gross income of €75,000 for a two person household. The Regulations are available on my Department’s website at: Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012.
Another option is the Home Choice Loan for first time buyers. The Home Choice Loan is available through authorised mortgage brokers and can be used to provide up to 92% of the market value of the property being purchased, up to a maximum loan amount of €285,000. A new or second hand property may be purchased under the scheme. Further information is available at: www.homechoiceloan.ie.
On 13 December 2016, the Government approved the publication of a Strategy for the Rental Sector. The Strategy identifies high and rapidly rising rents as the key driver of accommodation insecurity for tenants and a factor in the termination of tenancies. To address this situation, the Rental Strategy introduced a Rent Predictability measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where the imbalance between demand and supply of rental accommodation is driving rent levels upwards.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 gave effect to, and provided for the immediate implementation of, the Rent Predictability Measure. Areas of the country where rents are high and rising will be designated as Rent Pressure Zones and rent increases in those areas will be capped at 4% per annum for a period of three years. The measure was introduced with immediate effect in the four Dublin Local Authority areas and in Cork City.
The Strategy recognises the difficulties facing households on moderate incomes in accessing affordable rental accommodation in high pressure areas and includes short-term actions by relevant local authorities to use publicly owned sites to kick-start supply of more affordable rental units for such households. In this regard Dublin City Council will be launching a call for Expressions of Interest in relation to three Dublin sites. In the longer term the strategy aims to support the development of the not-for-profit rental sectors and an Expert Group to take forward this work will be established in the near future.
