Written Answers Nos. 112-132
112. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school in Swords; when it will open; if the patronage has been decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18949/17]
View answerThe new post-primary school for Swords is due to open in 2017 under the patronage of Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB. As the Deputy may be aware, the building project for this new post-primary school is included on my Department’s six year construction programme.
My Department has worked closely with Fingal County Council in respect of this and conveyancing is currently underway in respect of a site for the permanent school accommodation.
Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions generally, I am unfortunately not in a position to provide further details regarding the permanent location at this time. I can, however, assure the Deputy that the site acquisition process for this school is being advanced by my Department as a priority.
The school will open as scheduled in September 2017 in suitable interim accommodation.
113. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protocol for selection of suitable candidates for superintending State exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18951/17]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
114. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a sensory processing disorder is not recognised as an assessed disability or medical condition that qualifies for access to SNA support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18962/17]
View answerSpecial Needs Assistant (SNA) support is provided specifically to assist recognised primary, post primary and special schools to cater for the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context, where the nature of these care needs have been outlined in professional reports as being so significant that a pupil will require adult assistance in order to be able to attend school and to participate in education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. The Circular provides details of the primary care needs for which SNA support will usually be provided and details the types of secondary care associated tasks which SNAs may often perform.
The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually, taking into account the additional care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of all the children concerned. The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Where a school wishes to appeal the SNA allocation which has been made to them, they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie.
115. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the additional accommodation application from a school (details supplied); when decisions on applications for the summer works scheme will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18964/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the position relating to the application for additional accommodation from the school in question is as outlined to him in my response to Parliamentary Question 6530/17. My Department considers that the school has sufficient essential accommodation to meet its current needs and has written to the school authority to clarify the position.
With regard to the Summer Works Scheme (SWS), details of successful school applications under the SWS (2016-2017) in categories 1 and 2 were announced last April and are published on my Department's website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid applications in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. The application from the school referred to is available to be considered in this context.
116. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed new school development for a school (details supplied); the precise stage it is at; when it will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18965/17]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. The Disability Access Certificate has been secured. The Fire Safety Certificate was granted in October 2016 following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála which was upheld.
The school and its Design Team have been authorised to apply for an extension to the planning permission which was previously secured in 2012 and an extension to that effect was lodged with the Local Authority at the end of March.
When all Statutory Approvals are secured the Design Team will finalise the Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design submission which will be submitted to the Department for review. Following receipt and consideration of that report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
117. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has been paid at the wrong scale since 2014; the reason the person's qualifications have not been recognised on the pay scale; if his Department will recognise the qualifications of the person and rectify the anomaly retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18972/17]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy registered with the Teaching Council for the Primary sector with effect from the 3rd October 2016 and as a result he will be paid at the qualified rate of pay from that date. The qualified rate of pay and arrears will be paid in the pay issue of 20 April, 2017.
Prior to the 3rd October 2016 he was registered with the Teaching Council to teach in the Further Education sector which does not receive a qualified rate of pay in the Primary sector. Accordingly, no retrospective arrears of pay are due to him during his period of registration as a Further Education teacher.
118. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve the provision of an Educate Together secondary school in Galway in view of the growing demand for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18981/17]
View answerMy Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review by the Department. Galway City is one of these areas. This review takes account of updated enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the area. Notwithstanding that the Galway City area, including environs, is an area defined as a demographic growth area, it is also an area where certain schools are experiencing a decline in pupil numbers.
With regard to demand for particular models of school provision, it should be noted that the patronage process for new schools is a separate process. This process is run after it has been decided that a new school is required. Parental preferences are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular school model and medium of instruction. These expressions of interest are required to be from parents of primary school children eligible for enrolment in the first five years of the establishment of a proposed new post-primary school. The process is fair, transparent and open to all patrons, patron bodies and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of any planned new school under this process.
119. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18989/17]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to my Department for improved accommodation.
The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure under the national training fund divided between funding allocated to those in employment and funding for those unemployed on an annual basis over the period 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; the percentage breakdown of the same funding between training for those currently in employment and those unemployed; the number of participants under this programme annually according to this same breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19034/17]
View answer121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount collected from the national training levy in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; if he will provide a breakdown of the use of this funding by types of course or programme, apprenticeship, traineeship, further education, third level, research and so on; the purpose of the fund; the evolution of its use over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19035/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
The National Training Fund (NTF) was established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000 to raise the skills of those in employment, provide training to those who wish to acquire skills for the purposes of taking up employment, and provide information in relation to existing, or likely future, requirements for skills in the economy.
In May 2010, responsibility for the NTF was transferred from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Minister for Education and Skills.
There has been a shift recently in the focus of investment with more funding allocated to training those in employment and less allocated to training jobseekers, due to the upturn in our economy and growing numbers of people in employment.
I am reviewing the allocation of funding to programmes in the Further Education and Training and Higher Education sectors as between NTF and Exchequer sources in terms both of the appropriate emphasis required on training for employment and training persons in employment and of satisfying the needs of enterprise to meet strategic skills requirements.
The following table outlines the income and expenditure of the NTF during the period 2011 – 2016 and the estimated income and expenditure for 2017.
The information on participants is not readily available. My Department will collate this information and forwarded it directly to the Deputy.
NATIONAL TRAINING FUND: Income and Expenditure 2011-2017
|
INCOME |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Estimate |
|
National Training Fund Levy |
316,000,000 |
299,000,000 |
317,000,000 |
338,000,000 |
364,000,000 |
390,000,000 |
405,130,000 |
|
EXPENDITURE |
|||||||
|
Training Programmes for those in Employment |
|||||||
|
Training Programmes in Employment |
54,236,000 |
52,467,000 |
39,600,000 |
39,600,000 |
42,600,000 |
55,100,000 |
80,400,000 |
|
Training Networks Programme - Skillnets |
11,600,000 |
11,470,600 |
11,020,000 |
11,924,000 |
12,636,000 |
12,636,000 |
16,380,000 |
|
Training Grants to Industry |
6,175,231 |
5,755,532 |
5,802,935 |
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
|
Workplace Basic Education Fund |
2,800,000 |
2,170,203 |
2,549,707 |
2,800,000 |
2,800,000 |
2,799,000 |
2,800,000 |
|
Community & Voluntary Organisations |
375,087 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
375,000 |
|
Continuing Professional Development |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
75,000 |
|
Total Training Programmes for those IN Employment |
75,261,318 |
72,313,335 |
59,422,642 |
61,274,000 |
64,986,000 |
77,485,000 |
106,530,000 |
|
Percentage Breakdown for those IN Employment |
23% |
21% |
17% |
18% |
20% |
23% |
29% |
|
Training Programmes for Employment |
|||||||
|
Training Programmes for the Unemployed |
235,091,000 |
243,719,400 |
237,960,000 |
222,625,000 |
212,008,000 |
216,266,000 |
220,702,000 |
|
Springboard |
- |
10,165,550 |
18,353,026 |
23,688,000 |
22,438,000 |
20,438,000 |
27,438,000 |
|
ICT Skills Programme |
- |
2,600,000 |
3,346,754 |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
7,380,000 |
- |
|
Labour Market Education & Training Fund (LMETF) |
- |
1,144,000 |
10,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
11,800,000 |
5,100,000 |
1,000,000 |
|
Training Networks Programme (Skillnets) |
- |
3,029,000 |
3,480,000 |
3,766,000 |
3,564,000 |
3,564,000 |
1,820,000 |
|
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) |
- |
- |
7,500,000 |
13,441,000 |
6,000,000 |
6,000,000 |
- |
|
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) |
1,721,159 |
861,044 |
429,130 |
889,146 |
- |
184,475 |
300,000 |
|
Technical Employment Support Grant |
- |
4,344,077 |
3,810,241 |
3,668,776 |
3,200,000 |
2,900,396 |
3,200,000 |
|
Community Employment Training |
- |
1,575,261 |
3,589,760 |
3,731,224 |
4,200,000 |
4,200,000 |
4,200,000 |
|
Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF) |
12,818,592 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Training Programmes FOR Employed |
249,630,751 |
267,438,332 |
288,468,910 |
284,809,146 |
268,210,000 |
266,032,871 |
258,660,000 |
|
Percentage Breakdown for those FOR Employment |
77% |
79% |
83% |
82% |
80% |
77% |
71% |
|
Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
1,376,000 |
1,138,000 |
906,000 |
816,000 |
706,000 |
648,000 |
860,000 |
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions Reference Nos. 19034/17 and 19035/17 in which you inquired about the number of participants of the NTF programmes from 2011 to date.
In my reply, I had stated that the information sought was not available at the time but would be forwarded to you separately.
The information is set out in the following table.
Number of Participants of NTF Programmes 2011-2016
|
- |
Programme Title |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 to date |
Training for those in Employment
|
SOLAS |
Apprenticeship |
8,094 |
5,593 |
4,061 |
4,876 |
5,598 |
8,028 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Skills for Work |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
3,155 |
2,958 |
Not Available |
|
Skillnets |
Training Networks Programme |
36,238 |
37,293 |
38,572 |
39,591 |
42,228 |
44,413 |
9,851 |
|
IDA |
Training Grants to Industry |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
7,401 |
8,643 |
9,627 |
1,224 |
|
The Wheel |
Community & Voluntary Organisations |
5,500 |
5,631 |
5,835 |
2,183 |
2,323 |
2,897 |
Not Available |
Training for Employment
|
SOLAS |
Bridging/Foundation |
3,379 |
2,292 |
1,926 |
2,633 |
2,231 |
1,281 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Community Training Centres |
4,543 |
3,239 |
3,168 |
3,633 |
2,646 |
3,167 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Local Training Initiatives |
5,593 |
5,057 |
4,734 |
5,147 |
4,071 |
4,292 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Specialist Training Providers |
3,655 |
2,996 |
2,996 |
3,889 |
3,124 |
3,687 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Specific Skills Training |
18,683 |
18,541 |
14,419 |
15,227 |
13,693 |
14,310 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
Traineeship |
4,937 |
5,234 |
3,863 |
4,366 |
4,079 |
4,151 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
VTOS |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
8,590 |
9,285 |
8,235 |
Not Available |
|
SOLAS |
LMETF - MOMENTUM |
N/A |
N/A |
6,179 |
3,574 |
5,553 |
735 |
Not Available |
|
HEA |
Springboard |
4,767 |
5,425 |
5,320 |
4,321 |
7,016 |
8,926 |
2,445 |
|
HEA |
ICT Skills |
N/A |
694 |
643 |
781 |
1,168 |
2,070 |
1,316 |
|
Skillnets |
Training Networks Programme |
5,875 |
7,012 |
7,306 |
6,858 |
6,695 |
5,915 |
551 |
|
DSP |
EGF |
836 |
103 |
276 |
137 |
15 |
66 |
10 |
|
DSP |
Training Support Grant |
9,855 |
12,613 |
13,416 |
16,551 |
10,580 |
9,557 |
1,522 |
|
DSP |
Community Employment |
N/A |
21,081 |
22,575 |
23,249 |
22,813 |
22,356 |
22,121 |
122. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total expenditure on apprenticeship training; the number of male and female apprentices in training by each employment sector and sub sector in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19036/17]
View answerThe requested information is contained at this link:
The table below provides an overview of the craft apprenticeship programme costs from 2010 - 2016
Table: Apprenticeship Costs/Funded
|
Year |
€’000* |
|
2010 |
68.400 |
|
2011 |
43.353 |
|
2012 |
32.166 |
|
2013 |
27.942 |
|
2014 |
25.900 |
|
2015 |
34.800 |
|
2016 |
43.000 |
*Direct provision costs in ETB training centres plus training allowances at all off the job phases excludes certain salary and support costs and provision costs in Institutes of Technology
123. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices, including traineeships, projected to be in training by employment sector and subsector, in each of the years 2017 to 2020 in tabular form; the budget allocation in 2017 for State funded apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19037/17]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.
At this stage, it is not possible to give an accurate breakdown of the forecast population in new apprenticeships on a sectorial basis. The Apprenticeship Council is continuing to work with consortia in developing a wide variety of proposals in various sectors of the economy made through the first call for proposals. In addition, the Council will issue a new call for proposals in 2017 which, when proposals are received, will also shape the sectorial breakdown of these new apprenticeships. The recently published Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeships and Traineeships sets out annual target registrations for the period to 2020. A forecast population for new apprenticeships is set out on Table 2 based on these forecast registrations and an average duration of programmes. A clearer picture with regard to the population of new apprenticeships will only become evident when these programmes are operational for a number of years and accurate statistical data can be interrogated to produce a formal forecasting tool.
SOLAS do not yet have projected numbers in traineeship by employment sector for 2017. Set out in Table 3 is forecast enrolments for traineeships for the period 2017 to 2020 as set out in the action plan.
The 2017 budget allocation for apprenticeships is €98.7m.
Table 1 - Craft Apprenticeships Population by Industrial Sector
|
Year |
Construction |
Electrical |
Motor |
Engineering |
Printing |
Overall Total |
|
Population December 2017 |
3,324 |
5,400 |
2,684 |
2,162 |
12 |
13,582 |
|
Population December 2018 |
4,557 |
6,271 |
2,991 |
2,420 |
4 |
16,243 |
|
Population December 2019 |
5,969 |
7,092 |
3,186 |
2,709 |
- |
18,956 |
|
Population December 2020 |
7,643 |
7,643 |
3,414 |
3,029 |
- |
21,729 |
Table 2 – Forecast population for new apprenticeships
|
No. |
|
|
Population December 2017 |
882 |
|
Population December 2018 |
2,370 |
|
Population December 2019 |
3,994 |
|
Population December 2020 |
6,069 |
Table 3 - Forecast enrolments for traineeships
|
Existing traineeships |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Number of new enrolments per annum |
2,400 |
3,000 |
3,500 |
3,500 |
|
New/reactivated traineeships |
||||
|
Planned new enrolments per annum |
200 |
900 |
1,500 |
1,500 |
|
Total target trainee enrolments p.a. |
2,600 |
3,900 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19038/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a major building project for the school to which he refers is included on the 6 year Construction Programme (2019-21). In that regard my Department are working closely with Kerry County Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable permanent location for the school.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently reviewing the demographic demand in the area serviced by the school. This review will inform on the appropriate level of accommodation to be provided for the proposed building project.
125. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if expenses related to nursing home costs for a parent can be taken into consideration by SUSI in its assessment for the higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19048/17]
View answerThe means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to all applicants.
The reckonable income of an applicant is calculated based on gross income before the deduction of income tax or the universal social charge, and with certain specified social welfare and HSE payments excluded. Nursing home costs are not excluded from the calculation of reckonable income.
The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of publicly funded primary and secondary schools; and the proportion they represent respectively of the total number of schools. [19072/17]
View answerThe following table sets out the number of publicly funded primary and post-primary schools; and the proportion they represent of the total number of schools.
|
|
Department Aided Schools* |
Department Aided Schools as % of Total |
|
Primary Schools |
3115 |
98.83% |
|
Post-Primary Schools |
711 |
97.93% |
*Department-Aided Post Primary schools include 52 fee-paying post-primary schools, who receive public funding in the form of teacher salaries
127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19094/17]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 10 application, external environment project, under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers.
Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced last April and are published on my Department's website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on the Department's website. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.
128. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the information technology infrastructure across his Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19286/17]
View answerMy Department’s capital expenditure on information and communications technology (ICT)infrastructure is determined on an annual basis, guided by my Department's ICT Strategy and the Public Service ICT Strategy. Capital expenditure on ICT infrastructure across my Department's offices amounted to €240,000 approx for 2016. This amount covered capital expenditure on internet connectivity, hardware, licensing etc. It is anticipated that approx €250,000 will be spent in 2017 in respect of ICT infrastructure across my Department's office network.
Under the Digital Strategy for Schools, Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Assessment, €210m is committed for the upgrading of school ICT infrastructure including equipment over the period to 2020. The first tranche of grants amounting to €30m was paid earlier this year.
129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the Constituency Commission will report following the publication of the census returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19089/17]
View answerSection 9 of the Electoral Act 1997 provides that the Constituency Commission must present its report to the Chairperson of the Dáil no later than 3 months after the publication of final census results. These results were published on 6 April 2017 and, therefore, the Constituency Commission must present its report to the Chairperson of the Dáil no later than 6 July 2017.
130. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason his Department is opposed to local authorities introducing wind energy guidelines which are appropriate to their own geographical areas and which take cognisance of topography heritage views distance to cohabited houses and residential communities and agricultural industries including horse breeding, rearing and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19137/17]
View answerI fully support local authorities taking local conditions into account in considering and implementing national policy in relation to planning matters, including wind energy development. However, there is also a clear statutory obligation on local government to not only reflect but also to support the implementation of national government policy in their various functions, including planning.
To meet Ireland's legally binding obligations under international and EU level agreements in relation to tackling the drivers of climate change, which is the biggest global environmental challenge, central and local government must work together in diversifying our energy mix, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and moving towards a low-carbon economy and society.
Government policy is clear, that Ireland's best short- to medium-term prospects to significantly expand renewable energy production is from on-shore wind energy and that while other sources are emerging, they will take time, technological development and investment to emerge at the scale needed to meet our present and emerging targets.
The 2006 Planning Guidelines on Wind Energy Developments, issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended), are very clear that planning authorities must prepare and adopt policies that will maximise the contribution that wind energy can make in meeting overall binding EU commitments in relation to renewable energy generation, commensurate with reasonable local requirements such as protecting sensitive habitats or landscapes. However, where local authorities adopt policies such that they would effectively frustrate the achievement of national policy objectives or breach statutory requirements, the Oireachtas has provided me with powers to direct a planning authority to amend development plans under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
Section 31 is essentially a safeguarding mechanism that follows on from statutory consultation by planning authorities with me in my Ministerial role in drawing up or amending their statutory development or local area plans. Where directions have issued, they have related to a broad range of planning issues, including excessive or inappropriate land use zoning objectives and failure to take account of flood risk assessment in preparing development plans and local area plans. With regard to directions that have issued in relation to wind energy policy content of development plans, they reflect the concerns in relation to the manner in which development plan objectives are increasingly being constructed in such a way as to effectively represent a ban on wind energy developments which would have grave consequences for the delivery of Ireland's agreed actions on climate change.
Mindful of the considerable focus on planning policy aspects of wind energy developments in relation to location, set-back, height and related aspects that underscore much of the development plan debates that have taken place across the country, my Department is continuing to advance work on a focused review of the statutory guidelines on wind energy development, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and in line with the relevant commitments under the Programme for a Partnership Government. When finalised, the updated Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, to which planning authorities and, where applicable An Bord Pleanála, must have regard in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts. I will continue to keep under review the translation of Government policy by planning authorities to local planning policies and use the powers available to me, in line with the legislation passed by the Oireachtas.
131. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the 35,000 additional social housing units; the amount spent to date; the number of houses completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18782/17]
View answer132. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the 75,000 available, leasing and renting in the private rental sector to 2021; the amount spent to date; the number of houses rented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18783/17]
View answer135. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the areas €2.2 billion in extra capital funding is to be spent on; if it will be spent on infrastructure or directly on houses; the number of houses expected to be delivered from this investment; when these houses are expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18787/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 135 together.
The targets set out for social housing and the funding provided to support their delivery, are set out in Rebuilding Ireland, the Government’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which was published in July 2016 and is available at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Rebuilding-Ireland_Action-Plan.pdf.
Rebuilding Ireland provides for a significantly increased level of ambition over the previous Social Housing Strategy 2020 and it will see the delivery of 47,000 social housing units, through build, refurbishment, acquisitions and leasing over the period 2016 to 2021. In addition, the schedule of rollout of the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as envisaged under the original Strategy was accelerated in Rebuilding Ireland. This increased ambition sees the targeted number of new households to be supported by the scheme increase to over 83,000 by 2021, with a Government commitment to the current expenditure required to meet the cost of this support over the period.
To support the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland, I have secured €5.35 billion in investment, comprising €4.5 billion in capital funding and €844 million in support of programmes funded from current expenditure. A further €200 million is provided for the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund for investment in key enabling infrastructure to open up lands for early development.
While still at an early stage of implementation, there is already strong evidence that the focus on increasing and accelerating housing supply in Rebuilding Ireland is succeeding. In 2016, the housing needs of over 19,000 households were met through a range of housing programmes, supported by expenditure of over €935 million. Under the Plan, an additional €1.3 billion in funding has been provided for 2017, of which some €0.326 billion has been expended to date on both capital and current housing programmes. This funding will support the accelerated delivery of social housing and ensure that the 2017 target to meet the needs of over 21,000 households will be achieved.
Details on the number of properties constructed, purchased and leased by all local authorities for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision .
Information on quarter 4 of 2016 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
Providing affordable, quality and accessible housing is a top priority for the Government. Under the aegis of the Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach, the Government and I will be keeping the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland under careful review. The Second Quarterly Progress Report, for Quarter 4 2016, was published in February 2017, and is available at:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Second_Quarterly_Progress_Report_-RBI-Final-1.pdf .
The Third Quarterly Progress Report, for Quarter 1 of 2017, will be published next month.
