Written Answers Nos. 127-148
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that adequate suitable and serviced building lands remain available in each local authority area to facilitate house building in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25148/17]
View answerMy Department, in conjunction with local authority planning departments, carried out a national survey of all lands zoned for residential development in statutory local authority development plans and local area plans across Ireland. This exercise, the Residential Land Availability Survey 2014, published in February 2015, determined the location and quantity of lands that may be regarded as being undeveloped and available for residential development purposes at 31 March 2014 in each local authority area. This survey measured the total amount of lands, whether owned privately or by the local authority, that have been identified for housing development in the various local authority development plans and that are the highest priority for development.
The area of such lands amounts to 17,434 hectares which, given a range of densities appropriate to whether the areas are in small villages or larger towns and cities and as determined by the relevant local authorities, could theoretically enable the construction of over 414,000 dwellings. I am therefore fully satisfied that adequate lands are available to facilitate residential development in line with the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
The Residential Land Availability Survey 2014 is available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.environ.ie/planning/residential-land-availability/residential-land-availability-survey.
A further Residential Land Availability Survey will be undertaken in due course.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if NAMA may again be 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. [25151/17]
View answerTo end Quarter 1 2017, the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) had identified 6,947 units, associated with the security for loans that NAMA has acquired, that could be made available for social housing. Many of these units were in unfinished housing developments or developments that required significant remediation work. All of the units identified by NAMA, regardless of their condition, location or circumstance were offered to local authorities in the first instance.
To date, demand has been confirmed by local authorities for 2,780 of the properties that NAMA has identified as potentially available. Local authorities have confirmed that 2,423 of the properties are considered unsuitable by reference to sustainable planning and housing policy, or are located in areas with no social housing demand. A further 1,744 properties have been sold or privately let by the owners or receivers since the initial offer was made to the local authority.
General information in relation to NAMA delivery for social housing is available on the website of the Housing Agency at the following link:
https://www.housingagency.ie/Our-Services/Housing-Supply-Services/NAMA-(1).aspx.
In consultation with my Department, the Housing Agency and local authorities, NAMA continues to work through its portfolio with a view to identifying units that could be made available. The local authorities and the Housing Agency have been working systematically through the units with NAMA to determine if there is a social housing demand for the properties identified as potentially suitable for social housing. However, many of these units may be in private rented use and it is not appropriate or desirable that such private tenancies would be displaced.
Where a demand is identified by a local authority, this information is provided to NAMA and efforts are made to secure as many of the suitable properties as possible for social housing. This process is ongoing, however, is unlikely to yield a significant number of further properties.
129. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to establish a rental property price register run by the Residential Tenancies Board, as recommended by a person (details supplied); and his views on whether making information publicly available on rental levels for various property types in different areas would improve market information for renters and landlords alike. [25185/17]
View answerCompiled by the ESRI and based on the RTB’s own register of over 300,000 tenancies, the RTB Rent Index is a valuable source of information and provides standardised average rent data at Local Electoral Area level based on the actual rents being paid for rented properties throughout the State. The rent index is updated quarterly and shows the percentage change in rents over the previous quarter and over the previous twelve months.
When the Rent Predictability Measure was introduced in December last year, I made a commitment that my Department would work with the RTB to ensure that more refined data was available to enable more specific targeting of the measure to smaller areas where severe pressures were being experienced. Close collaboration between the RTB and the ESRI has resulted in the revision and development of the methodology for producing the RTB's Rent Index so that RTB data can now be used to calculate and monitor changes in average rents at the level of Local Electoral Areas. On 29 March 2017, the RTB published the Rent Index Report in relation to Quarter 4 2016, which includes a summary of the data used as the criteria for designating rent pressure zones in relation to all Local Electoral Areas in the country, allowing all interested parties to see exactly where their area stands in relation to rents and possible designation.
The RTB website (www.rtb.ie) also contains an Average Monthly Rent Report which enables people to check the average rent being paid for five different categories of dwelling types throughout the country, in both urban and rural areas. This enables people to check what is the actual rent being paid for, say, a semi-detached house or a two-bed apartment in their neighbourhood, and in other parts of the country.
We have taken measures to improve transparency when rents are being determined. In Rent Pressure Zones, when the rent is being set for a new tenancy, the landlord is obliged to inform the tenant of the previous rent paid for the property and the time at which it was set. This allows the tenant concerned to see any rent increase being proposed and assess whether the rent being asked is in line with the legislation.
The suggestion being put forward for an individualised publicly available register of rent prices for all tenancies, would place significant personal information, of both landlords and tenants, in the public domain and would undoubtedly raise significant data protection concerns.
The RTB's Rent Index Report and the Average Monthly Rent Report are publicly available on the RTB website and, while the RTB is continuously seeking to strengthen its registration and data collection function, there are no plans at this time to introduce the type of register proposed.
130. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason there have been so few Part V social housing units delivered in 2016. [25186/17]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 made a number of amendments to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 following the outcome of an independent review, which included a consultation process. The amendments, effective from 1 September 2015, sought to maximise the contribution Part V can make to social housing supply and sustainable mixed-tenure communities across the country.
It is anticipated that over the lifetime of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, at least 4,700 new social homes will be delivered through the Part V mechanism. My Department will keep the position under review, through closely monitoring the supply of housing generally and the options housing providers use for delivering on their Part V obligations.
With regard to delivery of units under Part V in 2016, it should be noted that Part V applies only to developments of 10 or more houses, and therefore does not apply to one-off houses or schemes of 9 or fewer houses. It should also be noted that the provision of land rather than houses remains the default position if the developer wishes to exercise that option. In addition, some developments completed in 2016 will have been subject to older Part V agreements made before 1 September 2015, when other options - such as a financial contribution, the provision of fully or partially serviced sites or the provision of land elsewhere in the functional area of the planning authority - were available.
131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason local authorities are making it a stipulation of planning in rural areas that septic tank systems be desludged annually and be vouched in view of the fact that persons living in towns and serviced areas are receiving a free public water and sewerage service from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25255/17]
View answerWhen making decisions on planning applications or appeals, a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála, as the case may be, is restricted to considering matters relating to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and the likely effects of the development on the environment and any relevant European site, as set out in the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2016.
My Department's 2007 Development Management Guidelines, issued to planning authorities under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, state that it is inappropriate for planning authorities to attach conditions to planning permissions relating to matters that are subject to control under other legislation or regulation, unless there are particular circumstances, for example, that the matters are relevant to proper planning and sustainable development and there is good reason to believe they cannot be dealt with effectively by other means. The Guidelines give examples of cases where it may be appropriate to attach conditions relating to other codes, including conditions recommended by other Divisions within the local authority. As the Guidelines do not specifically refer to conditions that might be attached to planning permissions relating to septic tanks, the attaching of such conditions to relevant planning permissions is a matter for individual authorities to decide, in the light of the Guidelines referred to above and the individual circumstances of the case in question.
132. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of internships in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; if there is data available regarding the average internship period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25209/17]
View answerThe only internship programme that my Department has responsibility for is JobBridge. The number of people who commenced a JobBridge placement in 2015 and 2016 is listed in Table 1. JobBridge closed to new entrants in October 2016, so there were no new entrants in 2017. Over 700 participants remain on the scheme.
The duration of a JobBridge placement can 6 months (with an option to extend to 9 months) or 9 months. A robust external evaluation of the scheme conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants in 2016 found that 72% of participants completed the full duration of the placement and 28% finished early. Of those who finished early, over half (53%) indicated that they did so to take up paid employment either with the host organisation or another company.
The evaluation found JobBridge to be one of the most effective labour market programmes – increasing participants’ employment outcomes by 32%. It also found that while participants rated the scheme positively on 18 out of 20 aspects measured, most were dissatisfied with the level of payment and a sizable minority rated the scheme negatively on some aspects, for example the quality of training offered. Based on the findings, and taking account of the improvement in labour market conditions, Indecon recommended that JobBridge be discontinued in its current form and replaced with a new scheme. A copy of the full evaluation can be found at: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/JobBridge-Evaluation.aspx
The Labour Market Council welcomed the report and noted the positive employment impact of the scheme. A majority of the Council similarly recommended that JobBridge be replaced.
Having considered the evidence and the suggestions put forward by Indecon and the Labour Market Council, I announced the closure of JobBridge to new applications from 27th October 2016 and my intention to replace it later this year with a new work experience programme better suited to the much improved labour market and that addresses criticisms of the scheme.
I am very conscious that any new scheme would need the support, trust and confidence of employers, jobseeker's and the public. That is why I instructed my officials to consult with key stakeholders before making a final decision on any potential replacement scheme. That process has recently concluded and a decision will be made shortly.
Table 1. Number of JobBridge Starts
|
Year |
Number of JobBridge starts |
|
2015 |
8,708 |
|
2016 |
4,167 |
|
2017 |
N/A |
133. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for payment of compensation for unpurchased pension service for persons at a company (details supplied); the details of such compensation; the timeframe for this to be paid to the persons in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25054/17]
View answer134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of cases referred to the dispute resolution process for former workers of a company (details supplied) that subsequently made an appeal with regard to the calculation of their compensation offer vis-à-vis contract service. [25055/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
The mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers covers 1,774 members of the Waterford Crystal Pension Factory and Staff Schemes. The vast majority of former workers have agreed full and final settlements and are in receipt of their payments.
During the mediation process it was agreed by the parties that disputes in relation to individual cases would be referred to an independent dispute resolution process. The dispute resolution procedure is solely and exclusively for individual disputes concerning personal employment information particular to the individual used for the calculation of lump sums and monies in respect of pensionable service as set out in the letter of offer and/or deed of release including scheme service dates and calculations.
A number of the former workers referred to in the questions did make an appeal concerning the calculation of their offer vis. a vis. contract service. These matters raised complex legal and precedential issues. These were examined by the mediator who then made a determination in order to ensure a fair settlement.
I can confirm that my Department has written to all members who made appeals in relation to contract service to advise them of their offers under that mediator’s determination. I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working actively to bring the matter to a resolution as quickly as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for a derogation from the requirement of a 60% progression rate for participants of community employment schemes in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25059/17]
View answerWork schemes offer opportunities for the long-term unemployed to gain valuable work experience and participate in training while they are paid an equivalent to their social welfare entitlement in addition to a top-up payment. Participants work for 19½ hours per week. Work opportunities are within communities and, in the main, support the provision of valuable community services in areas of disadvantage.
The Government strongly supports the work being done through Community Employment (CE) and the other employment programmes. I have seen first-hand myself, over recent months, the vital role such schemes are playing in local communities, including supporting social services, across the entire country.
With this in mind I plan to implement a number of changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme.
It is also proposed that all CE places will be categorised into one of two strands, either activation, with a target progression rate set at 50%, or social inclusion, with a target progression rate set at 20%. This categorisation will be based primarily on the work experience element of the place. In considering the outcomes achieved by a particular scheme, consideration will be given to local labour market conditions and other factors impacting on progression opportunities.
My Department keeps all aspects of its employment programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants. As part of the implementation of these new measures, my Department is currently consulting with key stakeholders across the country.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a relaxation of the eligibility criteria will be considered for community employment schemes in rural areas that are experiencing difficulties in getting eligible participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25060/17]
View answerThe Government strongly supports the work being done through Community Employment (CE) and the other employment programmes. I have seen first-hand myself, over recent months, the vital role such schemes are playing in local communities, including supporting social services, across the entire country.
With this in mind I plan to implement a number of changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme.
The changes I am planning to introduce will see the general qualifying age for CE for those on the live register reduced from 25 to 21 years. It will also be easier for previous participants, who have exhausted their CE entitlement, to requalify as participation prior to the year 2007 will be disregarded. While participants between 21 and 55 years on CE will be entitled to one year on the programme, this can be extended by up to 2 more years if they are engaged in a recognised training or education award that is helping them progress towards employment. All CE participants age 55 and over will be able to avail of 3 consecutive years on a CE scheme. There will be an overall limit of 6 years participation from 2007 (7 years if on a disability payment).
In addition I have also agreed to review the current participation limits for older people on CE within the next three months. As the Deputy will be aware, participation limits are necessary to allow for the utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons to ensure the benefits of CE are available to the widest possible number of jobseeker's.
As part of the implementation of the new measures, my Department is currently consulting with key stakeholders across the country. If any scheme is experiencing particular difficulties, they should contact their local DSP Intreo office for assistance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an allowance for a person (details supplied). [25072/17]
View answerI confirm an application for disability allowance (DA) was received from this gentleman on 1 February 2017. He is currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance (JA).
The person concerned was advised that there is an entitlement to DA at a reduced rate. Means were derived from his spouse’s employment. As his entitlement to DA is less than his current entitlement to JA, my department issued a letter outlining the various options for his consideration. We await his response.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
138. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the method of calculation used by the Jobpath providers (details supplied) in calculating the amount of money paid to persons who claim travel costs if travelling by car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25076/17]
View answerBoth JobPath providers, Seetec and Turas Nua, provide immediate reimbursement for travel expenses upon production of a ticket / evidence of travel. This includes bus routes and where no suitable public transport is available, mileage costs will be paid. The amount payable is calculated on the basis of the most direct route from their home address to the office of the JobPath provider. Travel expenses may also be paid on the same basis by the JobPath companies for costs incurred by jobseeker's attending job interviews.
The current rates payable are in line with the AA published average running costs per kilometre for a car.
139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding clerical positions in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25087/17]
View answerStaff that are recruited on a temporary basis staff are recruited on a fixed-term or fixed purpose contract basis, neither of which carries entitlement to permanency. Once the term has elapsed, or the purpose for which the person is recruited no longer exists, my Department is obliged to end the temporary employment in order to comply with the relevant employment regulations.
Permanent Clerical Officer posts in my Department are filled either by transfer of permanent staff or recruitment of new staff. Where a post falls to be filled by recruitment, assignments are made in order of merit from panels established on foot of competitions administered by the Public Appointments Service.
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if all arrears in respect of their disability allowance have been paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/17]
View answerThis gentleman submitted an application for disability allowance on 7 November 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 19 April 2017 and of his rights of review and appeal. No request for a review or an appeal has been received to date.
If the person in question believes they may qualify, it is open to him to reapply by completing and submitting to the Department the relevant application form (DA1).
The person concerned is not in receipt of Rent Allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25131/17]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 12 January 2017.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 31 January 2017, 4 April 2017 and again on 23 May 2017.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability benefit allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25132/17]
View answerIllness Benefit is payable to persons who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.
A claim to Illness Benefit was received from the person concerned and as the applicant is originally from a non-EEA country, it was found necessary to make some further enquiries as to their permission to work in this country. These enquiries have now been completed and as it transpires that the person concerned has an Irish passport, the claim to illness benefit has been approved. Payment to the latest date of work incapacity has gone into their bank account today.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of entitlement and current payment in the case of a person (details supplied); the extent to which a previous alleged overpayment has been discharged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25133/17]
View answerThe person concerned is not currently in receipt of a payment from this department and there is no record of a claim having been recently submitted. An overpayment of €331.57 occurred in 2009 and there is currently €158.24 outstanding on this debt.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) currently on widow’s pension can qualify for a higher level of payment, such as an invalidity pension including free schemes, having particular reference to the fact they worked part time up until recently but is medically no longer in a position to do so. [25135/17]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow’s contributory pension at €198.50 per week, the maximum rate payable to a person under 66 years of age. The person is also in receipt of fuel allowance in the amount of €22.50 per week for the fuel season.
The weekly rate of invalidity pension is also €198.50. Additional benefits may be payable to qualified recipients of invalidity pension, including an increase for living alone, fuel allowance and the household benefits package, depending on the person’s circumstances.
It is open to the person concerned to have their entitlement to invalidity pension assessed by completing an application form and returning it directly to Invalidity Pension Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford. A deciding officer will examine the person’s entitlement and notify them of their decision in writing.
Full information in relation to invalidity pension, including an application form, is available on the Department’s website at https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Invalidity-Pension.aspx
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent support was restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25136/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to PQ Ref No: 34273-16 of 9/11/2016. The Rent Supplement for the person concerned was closed in 2015 as documentation requested by the Department in a review was not provided. The person concerned has not, to date, provided the Department with a new Rent Supplement application. On receipt of same, entitlement can be assessed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
147. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on their review for carer's allowance. [25152/17]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 20 January 2017. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
It is a further condition for receipt of CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that neither condition was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 10 March 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned submitted a review request on 29 March 2017.
Following a review, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 24 May 2017 and the first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 1 June 2017.
Arrears of allowance will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 24 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
