Thursday, 23 Mar 2017

Written Answers Nos. 105-113

Bord Gáis Privatisation

Questions (105)

Dara Calleary

Question:

105. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if sale proceeds from the sale of shares in Bord Gáis were put towards social housing; the amount that has been allocated to social housing; the date the funding was first allocated; the number of social houses that have been provided by the proceeds; if he has consulted the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Finance on the possible use of proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14664/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

In Budget 2015 the Government announced that €400 million of the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy was to be made available to establish an off-balance sheet financial vehicle to provide financing to Approved Housing Bodies, with the aim of facilitating the provision of additional housing units in support of the Government's Social Housing Strategy.  Work on this activity was carried out by my Department in consultation with the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, despite a high level of engagement with a wide range of potential providers and financiers of social housing, no new model of provision and/or financing of social housing on an off-balance sheet basis could be identified.

In response to this outcome, it was decided instead to commit €10 million per annum from the Bord Gáis proceeds, over a longer period, which could be used to secure the development of a pilot affordable rental scheme.  Action 4.6 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan provided for the introduction of an affordable rental scheme to enhance the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent.  Provision was made for €10 million to be allocated through my Department’s Vote in 2017.

As set out in the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector, the commitment on affordable rental is now to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in rent pressure zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, targeting middle income households, in mixed tenure developments. The cost of providing rental units is to be permanently reduced by lowering the initial investment and development costs for providers - AHB or private - allowing the rental units to be made available at below market prices without the need for ongoing rental subsidies.

Accordingly, the provision of €10 million allocated for 2017 is being redirected to support additional activity under other housing programmes within my Department. 

Pyrite Resolution Board

Questions (106, 109)

Clare Daly

Question:

106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views regarding the latest three monthly reports received by him from the Pyrite Resolution Board regarding its assessment of the operation of the scheme; if issues or trends have emerged over the course of the various reports over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14681/17]

Clare Daly

Question:

109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of reports by the Pyrite Resolution Board laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas since the inception of the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 109 together.

In accordance with section 9(4) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, the Pyrite Resolution Board, not later than 30 June in each year, shall prepare and submit to the Minister a report on the performance by it of its functions under the Act in the immediately preceding year, and the Minister shall, as soon as may be after receiving the report, cause copies of it to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. In this regard, annual reports in respect of 2014 and 2015 have been received by my Department and have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The annual report for 2016 is due not later than 30 June 2017 and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.

With regard to the quarterly progress reports provided to my Department by the Pyrite Resolution Board, it is important to note that the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provided for the making and implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyritic damage. The scheme, which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in early February 2014, was developed having regard to the relevant provisions of the Act and, inter alia, the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012). The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme itself which is available on the Board’s website at www.pyriteboard.ie.

The latest figures available indicate that approximately 1,593 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme of which 1,197 have been approved for inclusion. The position on these 1,197 cases is as follows: -

- 235 are at remedial works planning stage,

- 47 are at tender/tender analysis,

- 90 are at decision to contract,

- 206 are under remediation, and

- 619 are complete.

A budget allocation of €22 million has been provided to fund the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme in 2017. The Board estimates that approximately 400 dwellings will be remediated or under remediation by the end of 2017, with the remaining dwellings being targeted for remediation in 2018 and thereafter if required.

Applications under the scheme continue to be received at a rate of approximately 10 per week; this rate is likely to be maintained over the course of 2017.

Pyrite Resolution Board Membership

Questions (107)

Clare Daly

Question:

107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of members of the Pyrite Resolution Board who have had their terms of office extended; the number and timescale of those who will have to be replaced having served two terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14682/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Pyrite Resolution Board, which was first established on an administrative basis in early 2013, was placed on a statutory footing on 10 January 2014 when the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 came into effect. The Board is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme and is being assisted in this regard by the Housing Agency.

The current membership of the Board is as follows:

- Sean Balfe (Acting Chairperson), (Director of Sustainability and the Built Environment, National Standards Authority of Ireland);

- Alec Flood (Practising Barrister and Chartered Engineer);

- Caroline Gill (Barrister and former Insurance Ombudsman and Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman); and

- Derek Sinnott (Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Head of Department of the Built Environment, Waterford Institute of Technology).

Both Mr. Sean Balfe and Ms. Caroline Gill, who served on the Board since its inception in early 2013, were recently re-appointed having indicated that they would be prepared to serve a second term of three years on the Pyrite Resolution Board which will conclude on 9 January 2020.

Mr Derek Sinnott was appointed to the Board on 2 September 2016 for a three year period which will conclude on 1 September 2019, following the normal process under the auspices of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) (State Boards Division) in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards (2014). Mr Alec Flood was appointed to the Board on 29 December 2016 for a three year period which will conclude on 28 December 2019, following similar arrangements.

Finally, arrangements are now at an advanced stage to fill the vacancy of chairperson through the PAS State Board appointments process.

Pyrite Resolution Board

Questions (108)

Clare Daly

Question:

108. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details and value of gifts received by the Pyrite Resolution Board since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14683/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Pyrite Resolution Board, where possible, has sought to recover from parties, with a liability, and capacity, all or part of the costs of remediating dwellings that are included in the scheme. Under Section 12 of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, such contributions can be accepted by the Board with the consent of the Minister and the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform, as gifts. The table provides the details and value of gifts received by the pyrite remediation scheme to date.

Gifts under Section 12 of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013

Name of Developer	Amount	Year
Charles Gallagher Limited	€150,000	2015
Charles Gallagher Limited	€250,000	2015
Dowdstown Developments Limited	€8,000	2016
Charles Gallagher Limited	€300,000	2016

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 106.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (110)

Jack Chambers

Question:

110. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of any payment made by his Department, its agencies or any body under his aegis to any broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016; the broadcaster to which the funds were provided; the reason for the payments; and if there are reasons for payments to broadcasters in 2017. [14722/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The information requested in relation to my Department is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders. The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the table.

Agency	Email address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Irish Water Safety	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Pobal	[e-mail]

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

My Department used the services of broadcasters on a number of occasions in the years 2014 to 2017 in respect of two issues; these were the Fire Safety Information campaigns and the promotion of the public consultation phase of the National Planning Framework. The following table sets out the amounts paid to broadcasters in respect of each.

Year	Broadcaster	Reason/Campaign	€ Costs (excl. VAT)
2014	RTE 1	Fire Safety Campaign	74,111.40
2014	RTE 2	Fire Safety Campaign	29,195.40
2014	Sky Package	Fire Safety Campaign	31,822.99
2014	TV3	Fire Safety Campaign	27,370.69
2014	3e	Fire Safety Campaign	5,305.70
2014	UTV Ireland	Fire Safety Campaign	3,593.28
2014	Channel 4	Fire Safety Campaign	2,273.87
2014	E4	Fire Safety Campaign	1,364.32
2014	More4	Fire Safety Campaign	1,819.10
2014	TG4	Fire Safety Campaign	3,087.98
2014	RTE Radio 1	Fire Safety Campaign	9,476.25
2014	Today FM/Newstalk	Fire Safety Campaign	5,739.86
2014	TXFM	Fire Safety Campaign	404.70
2014	FM104	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	Q102	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	WLR	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	C103	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	Limerick Live	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	Galway Bay	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	LMFM	Fire Safety Campaign	1,029.50
2014	Highland Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Ocean FM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	MWR	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Clare FM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Tipp FM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Radio Kerry	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	South East Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	KCLR	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	KFM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	East Coast FM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Radio Nova	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Sunshine 1068	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Midlands 103	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Shannonside FM	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2014	Northern Sound	Fire Safety Campaign	505.36
2015	RTE 1	Fire Safety Campaign	101,828.48
2015	Sky Package	Fire Safety Campaign	31,312.58
2015	TV3	Fire Safety Campaign	32,101.65
2015	UTV Ireland	Fire Safety Campaign	3,254.11
2015	Channel 4	Fire Safety Campaign	9,070.78
2015	TG4	Fire Safety Campaign	1,888.64
2015	RTE Radio 1	Fire Safety Campaign	9,450.00
2015	Today FM/Newstalk	Fire Safety Campaign	9,583.06
2015	FM104	Fire Safety Campaign	6,010.20
2015	Highland Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Ocean FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	MWR	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Clare FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Tipp FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Radio Kerry	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	South East Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	KCLR	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	KFM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	East Coast FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Radio Nova	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Sunshine 1068	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Midlands 103	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Shannonside FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2015	Northern Sound	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	RTE 1	Fire Safety Campaign	101,868.17
2016	Sky Package	Fire Safety Campaign	31,983.53
2016	TV3	Fire Safety Campaign	30,971.43
2016	UTV Ireland	Fire Safety Campaign	3,533.36
2016	Channel 4	Fire Safety Campaign	9,769.09
2016	TG4	Fire Safety Campaign	2,008.32
2016	RTE Radio 1	Fire Safety Campaign	9,450.00
2016	Today FM/Newstalk	Fire Safety Campaign	9,583.06
2016	FM104	Fire Safety Campaign	6,010.20
2016	Highland Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Ocean FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	MWR	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Clare FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Tipp FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Radio Kerry	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	South East Radio	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	KCLR	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	KFM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	East Coast FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Radio Nova	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Sunshine 1068	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Midlands 103	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Shannonside FM	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2016	Northern Sound	Fire Safety Campaign	290.30
2017	Newstalk	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	6,600.00
2017	Ocean FM	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	548.52
2017	Northern Sound	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	607.60
2017	Shannonside	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	607.60
2017	FM 104	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	3,118.92
2017	Midland Radio 103	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	659.68
2017	CORK 96/103FM	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	3,991.96
2017	Limerick Live	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	1,380.12
2017	WLR	National Planning Framework - Public Consultation	837.20

Insofar as agencies under my Department's aegis are concerned, arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out below.

Agency	Email address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Irish Water Safety	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail].
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Pobal	[e-mail]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme

Questions (111)

Robert Troy

Question:

111. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that persons (details supplied) are placed on the mortgage to rent scheme without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme for borrowers of private commercial lending institutions introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in arrears who are eligible for social housing support whose mortgage is unsustainable. To be eligible for the scheme a household must have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) and agree to the voluntary surrender of their home. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support.

I am not in a position to comment on any particular case nor would it be appropriate for me to do so. The reasons why a case has not progressed are varied and can depend on the lender, the property, the household and the ability of the Approved Housing Body to increase their involvement in the scheme. Where MTR is not an option, it will be a matter for the borrower to discuss with their lender if there are other options available to resolve their mortgage arrears situation.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (112)

James Lawless

Question:

112. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for appealing decisions on carer's allowance applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The average processing time for carer’s allowance appeals, to the end of February 2017, is 21.9 weeks for appeals requiring an oral hearing, and 19.1 weeks for appeals which were determined by means of a summary decision.

Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer and significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of time taken to finalise an appeal. This has resulted in a marked improvement in processing times.

Average processing times for carer’s allowance appeals have reduced from 57.9 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 25.9 weeks in 2015, 21.6 weeks in 2016 and 21.9 weeks to date in 2017. The average processing time for carer’s allowance appeals determined by way of a summary decision reduced from 31.3 weeks in 2011 to 20.6 weeks in 2015, 17.6 weeks in 2016 and 19.1 weeks to date in 2017.

While carer’s allowance processing times for the first two months of 2017 may appear to have increased slightly when compared with the 2016 annual figures, it should be noted that the corresponding figure for the first two months of 2016 was 22.7 weeks for an oral hearing and 18.9 weeks for a summary decision.

The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. However the system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice.

The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (113)

Dara Calleary

Question:

113. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of EO vacancies in the Sligo social welfare office at present; the panels in place to fill these vacancies; and when these vacancies will be filled. [14662/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department, like all Government departments and agencies, is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers.

Within these constraints, the Department is focusing on prioritising the filling of critical posts. The staffing needs for all areas within the Department, including the offices in Sligo, are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.

Given the ongoing need for the Department to respond to new and increasing demands in the wide range of services, vacancies which arise in one part of the Department may need to be filled in another area of the Department or in another location. Given this it is generally not possible to specify how many vacancies exist in a particular location at a particular time, although in the case of Sligo no requests to PAS for EOs are currently outstanding.

Executive Officer positions are filled from open, interdepartmental and internal panels in order of agreed sequences.