Written Answers Nos. 197-206
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of the legal underpinning for the setting of local authority and approved housing body rents; the role elected members of local authorities have in the setting of differential rent schemes; and his plans to change the current arrangements for the setting of differential rents in social housing. [10709/17]
View answerSection 58(3) of the Housing Act 1966 provides that subject to such Regulations as may be made by the Minister under the section, a housing authority may charge such rent or other payment, as they may determine from time to time, in respect of a dwelling of which they are the owner. The making and amending of rent schemes is accordingly the responsibility of housing authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions; broad principles in relation to this matter were laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. The making of a rent scheme is an executive function.
Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 allows the Minister to make regulations in respect of various matters to be included in a rent scheme. These can include the sources of household income that may be assessed for the purpose of determining rent levels. Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft framework for a harmonisation of the approach to be taken by local authorities in regard to various aspects of rent schemes. This includes providing for a common set of income disregards to be applied by all housing authorities in determining a household’s assessable income for rent calculation purposes.
These proposals are now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, to review the disparate systems of differential rents for social housing in place across local authorities. The overall aim is to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market, while also recognising the fact that a range of approaches to differential rents have become established in different local authority areas. This review is scheduled to be completed before the end of Quarter 2 2017.
In relation to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), three new sections - sections 19A, 20A and 22A - were inserted into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 Act by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 to provide for the setting of rents and rent reviews in AHB tenancies. Section 19A provides for the setting of rent in AHB tenancies and provides, in general terms, that AHB rents are determined by the funding agreements with local authorities.
Where social housing units are provided by AHBs under Payment and Availability (P&A) arrangements with local authorities, it is a condition of such funding that rents be determined in accordance with the differential rents scheme of the housing authority in which the house is situated. Where sheltered housing is provided by AHBs under the Capital Assistance Scheme, my Department’s guidance states that rents should be at levels which are reasonable having regard to tenant’s incomes and the outlay of the AHB on the accommodation.
198. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the necessary capital funding will be made available for the building of the approved two new stations in line with Department approval in 2009 for the provision of a new fire station at both Ballyshannon and Bundoran in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10729/17]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
Donegal County Council, in partnership with my Department, has made substantial progress in modernising fire stations in Co Donegal and has replaced 12 of the 15 fire stations following investment of some €11 million by my Department over the last decade or so. The following towns in County Donegal are now served by modern fire stations with full facilities: Milford (1998); Buncrana (2000); Letterkenny (HQ) and An Fál Carrach (both in 2003); Carndonagh and Donegal Town (both in 2004); Killybegs (2005); An Clochán Liath, Glenties and Moville (all in 2007); and most recently Gaoth Dobhair and Stranorlar (2009). My Department has channelled significant investment to fire authorities over the last number of years and as a consequence, the high quality of Ireland’s fire service infrastructure is now widely acknowledged.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
The provision of a new fire station in South Donegal has been the subject of discussions for a number of years. While a station is not included in the five year programme referred to above, my Department is liaising with Donegal County Council and has indicated clearly that it will consider a proposal for advancing a fire station project in the south of the county to finalise the fire station programme in Donegal. I understand that the Council is currently undertaking a process to inform a fire station proposal by end March 2017, with a view to its submission to my Department thereafter.
In further considering any proposal, my Department will have regard to established national priorities for funding in this area and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide, as well as the value for money offered by the proposal.
199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the maintenance subsidy for group water schemes for 2017 to its previous level, prior to the introduction of water and sewerage charges, in view of their temporary suspension; the existing level of subvention available per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10734/17]
View answerTo ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies the subsidy rates for group water schemes were adjusted down in 2015 to reflect the new domestic water charging regime introduced on 1 January 2015.
In line with the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months from 1 July 2016, as set out in the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, and to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies, my Department advised local authorities in August 2016 that, for the duration of the suspension period, the subsidy rates were adjusted up to pre-2015 levels to reflect the suspension of domestic water charges for households connected to the public water supply.
My Department will give further consideration to the subsidies available for the operation of group water schemes in light of the Oireachtas decision on the enduring funding model for public domestic water services.
Details of the level of subsidies are available on my Department’s website at: http://housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
200. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 137 of 29 September 2016, 135 of 6 October 2016 and 277 and 292 of 18 October 2016, the exact data on which the awarding of tenders for a project will be made (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10756/17]
View answerProvision has been made for an investment with a capital value of €300 million in social housing through the public private partnership or PPP model. In total, the programme is expected to deliver 1,500 social housing units.
The first bundle, comprising six PPP sites which is to provide over 500 units in the greater Dublin area, is being developed at these sites in co-operation with the local authorities in each area. Two of the sites are located in Dublin City with one each in South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Louth. Dublin City Council has been appointed to act as the lead local authority for the delivery of the social housing PPP Programme in respect of this first bundle.
The National Development Finance Agency is acting as the procuring authority on behalf of the Department and relevant local authorities.
The winning tender for the project comprising the first bundle of sites will be selected via an advertised tender competition in accordance with EU and national procurement regulations.
Tenders will be evaluated against pre-defined award criteria which will be a combination of price and qualitative factors such as the quality of design, construction and facilities management services. The criteria will be published with the tender documents. These documents are currently being finalised and are expected to be published in the coming months.
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 August 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 February 2017 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10508/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 August 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 February 2017 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
203. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the fuel allowance by €2.50, €5, €6, €7, €8, €9 and €10, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10537/17]
View answer204. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the fuel allowance by one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks and six weeks, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10538/17]
View answer205. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the State pension by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/17]
View answer210. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing disability allowance by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/17]
View answer211. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the carer's allowance by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10545/17]
View answer212. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the blind pension by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/17]
View answer213. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of increasing the invalidity pension by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10547/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, and 210 to 213, inclusive, together.
The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following series of tables.
Table 1: Cost of increasing the Fuel Allowance by varying amounts
|
Amount |
Cost in 2018 - €m |
|
€2.50 |
25.45 |
|
€5.00 |
50.9 |
|
€6.00 |
61.1 |
|
€7.00 |
71.25 |
|
€8.00 |
81.4 |
|
€9.00 |
91.6 |
|
€10.00 |
101.8 |
Table 2: Cost of increasing the duration of the Fuel Allowance by varying numbers of weeks
|
Number of weeks |
Cost in 2018 - €m |
|
1 week |
8.80 |
|
2 weeks |
17.60 |
|
3 weeks |
26.40 |
|
4 weeks |
35.20 |
|
5 weeks |
44.00 |
|
6 weeks |
52.85 |
Table 3: Cost of increasing all payments for those aged 66 and over by varying amounts
|
Scheme |
Full year cost of a €5 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €10 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €15 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €20 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €25 increase - €m |
|
State Pension Contributory |
98.1 |
196.2 |
294.3 |
392.4 |
490.5 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension – aged 66 and over |
22.1 |
44.2 |
66.3 |
88.4 |
110.5 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit – aged 66 and over |
0.6 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
2.4 |
3.0 |
|
Death Benefit Pension – aged 66 and over |
0.1 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
25.3 |
50.6 |
75.9 |
101.2 |
126.5 |
|
Carer's Allowance – aged 66 and over |
0.5 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance – aged 66 and over |
1.3 |
2.6 |
3.9 |
5.2 |
6.5 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
148.0 |
296.0 |
444.0 |
592.0 |
740.0 |
Table 4: Cost of increasing Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension by varying amounts
|
Scheme |
Full year cost of a €5 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €10 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €15 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €20 increase - €m |
Full year cost of a €25 increase - €m |
|
Disability Allowance |
35.1 |
70.1 |
105.2 |
140.2 |
175.3 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
13.5 |
27.0 |
40.5 |
54.0 |
67.5 |
|
Blind Pension |
0.35 |
0.7 |
1.05 |
1.4 |
1.75 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
16.1 |
32.1 |
48.2 |
64.2 |
80.3 |
It should be noted that the costings listed above include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. It should also be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
206. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2018 of reinstating the telephone allowance, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10540/17]
View answerThe savings arising from the initial reduction and subsequent discontinuance of the telephone allowance meant that my Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. My Department will spend approximately €232 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 425,000 customers. The cost of the telephone allowance scheme had risen significantly each year, as the number of eligible customers grew. At the end of September 2013 there were almost 396,000 receiving the telephone allowance compared to approximately 316,000 people in 2007. This was an increase of 25%, or an average increase of nearly 4% per annum.
In 2013 the value of the telephone allowance was €114.00 per annum. The cost of restoring the allowance at 2013 levels in 2017 was estimated to be in the region of €48 million per annum. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients that would be eligible, were such a measure to be introduced for 2018.
|
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Telephone Allowance |
€48m approximately |
€50m approximately |
The Government is keenly aware of the impact of Budget decisions on the Department’s clients, and strives to ensure that the money available is targeted in the most effective way. In Budget 2016, the first increase in the basic rate of the State pension in seven years was given. This has increased the personal rate of the non-contributory pension to €222, and that of the contributory pension to €233.30. There was also a €2.50 increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance, from €20 to €22.50 per week.
In Budget 2017, it was announced that there will be a further increase in the rate of State pensions, by €5, which will increase the maximum personal rate of the State pension (contributory) to €238.30 later this month.
Therefore, over the past two Budgets, the maximum weekly rate for State Pensions has increased by €8 per week, which is the equivalent of over €34 per month. The value of these increases is in excess of the value of the telephone allowance previously provided.
Any decision to restore the telephone allowance would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations. On this occasion, the Government has concentrated resources on increasing the rate of the pension, rather than on the Household Benefits package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
