Written Answers Nos. 205 - 226
205. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider adding additional schools to the DEIS urban band 2 programme in view of the fact that no new schools were added to this category in 2017. [25927/17]
View answer207. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has or will be given to bringing new schools into the DEIS band 2 designation. [26001/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together.
The key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, education levels, single parent rate, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools.
Full details of the process involved in the assessment of schools is available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
Schools included in the list published by my Department on 13th February are those whose level of disadvantage has been identified as being at the same level as the current DEIS category for schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage. Schools which have not been included at this stage are those which have not been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage amongst their pupil cohort under the new model.
It is important to note that this is a first step in a process and the fact that a school has not been included now does not preclude its inclusion at a later date, should the assessment indicate a level of disadvantage that warrants additional supports. I am fully aware that there are further schools whose concentrated level of disadvantage may not be at the highest level, but may nevertheless be at a level which warrants additional supports for pupils under DEIS.
I am satisfied that the new DEIS Identification Model used to assess the level of disadvantage among the pupil cohort of a school has been applied fairly using centrally held data adopting an objective and scientific approach which has been uniformly applied for all schools in the country.
For schools who have concerns about their non-inclusion in the most recent round of DEIS, the following process applies:
- a verification process is currently ongoing in relation to all schools who contacted my Department requesting that their data be validated. This is aimed at ensuring the model was run correctly and the data supplied by the schools through the POD/PPOD systems was correctly used. This process is expected to be concluded shortly and schools will be informed of the results.
- A further process will take account of updated data as it becomes available. All schools, not just those who queried the outcome of the February 2017 process, are being contacted to request them to ensure that their POD/PPOD data is fully correct and up to date, including Eircodes. As soon as the 2016 National Census data becomes available later this summer, this data will be run through the identification model with the fully up-to-date POD/PPOD data. If this exercise reveals that any school which did not qualify for DEIS in the February 2017 round actually meets the criteria applicable to schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage based on the fully up-to-date information then it will be included, subject to resources.
My Department intends to make available to all schools information relating to the identification process and their own individual school data. Arrangements for this are in hand and schools will be advised in due course
I also wish to inform the Deputy that a communication for issue to all schools on the new DEIS identification process is currently being prepared. This will provide information on the identification model with details of how the datasets are used to determine a school's level of disadvantage, the importance of data quality to the process and the need for schools to provide detailed and up to date school information to my Department.
The implementation of the new objective central data-based model of identifying levels of disadvantage within school populations will be followed by a further programme of work to create a more dynamic model where levels of resource more accurately follow the levels of need identified by that model. The completion of this work will inform ongoing provision and consideration will be given to extending DEIS supports to a further group of schools as resources permit.
206. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in evaluating schools (details supplied) the schools were considered as being urban or rural, in view of their location on the city-county border in advance of the February 2017 announcement. [25928/17]
View answerAs both schools are within the boundaries of Cork city and suburbs as defined by the CSO, both schools were classified 'Urban' for the purposes of the DEIS Plan 2017. This designation is in line with UN criteria for Urban and Rural designation.
More information on CSO boundaries is available at http://www.cso.ie/en/census/census2011boundaryfiles/. An interactive mapping tool is available at http://census.cso.ie/sapmap/.
208. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need for additional primary school places in the Donaghmede area, Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26002/17]
View answerDefined school planning areas facilitate the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, in addition to my Department’s own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analysis at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
The latest demographic analysis did not indicate the requirement for additional primary school accommodation in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area. A review of existing primary capacity in the area indicates that existing schools can between them cater for all children seeking a school place. My Department is not aware of any issues regarding capacity in the area as no applications for additional accommodation have been received from the schools serving the area.
However, my Department is aware of proposed future residential development in the area. A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these areas, including the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 area, will be kept under ongoing review.
209. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if officials in his Department considered or read the research document, A Case of Mistaken Identity, conducted by Togher Family Centre in association with local schools, which was sent to his Department; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26028/17]
View answerAs I advised the Deputy on 1 March last, a key element of DEIS Plan 2017 is the availability of a new and objective identification process for the assessment of schools for inclusion in DEIS using centrally held national CSO and DES data.
The key data sources used in this process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, social class composition and labour market situation. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools. A key benefit of this methodology is its universal application to all schools on an equal basis.
I can again confirm to the Deputy that the document to which the Deputy refers was not used in this identification process or in its development.
I can confirm however, that the Department is aware of the document in question and of its findings, which are based on self-reported survey data from the parents of pupils enrolled in two primary schools in Cork city. As we develop policy we, of course, take into account all available information.
It is important to say that DEIS Plan 2017 provides for a further programme of work including further anlaysis to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation. The focus of this analysis will be on centrally held data which can be universally applied to all schools.
Further information on the development of the identification process is available in the DEIS Review report which can be found on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
210. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if schools (details supplied) have applied for resources under the resource allocation model; if so, if they have been successful; and, if not, whether they have appealed. [26029/17]
View answer213. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional resources which may be provided to schools under the resource allocation model. [26032/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 213 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post primary schools were published on 7 March 2017.
These Circulars set out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools.
The revised allocation model replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post primary school level for learning support and high incidence special educational needs, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocation process which provided additional resource teaching supports to schools, to support pupils assessed as having Low Incidence disabilities.
The new model provides one single allocation to every school in the country based on the profile. Schools will be frontloaded with resources to provide additional teaching support to all pupils who need such support.
Allocations based on the school profiles were issued to all schools, including the schools referred to by the Deputy on 7 March.
The aim of this new model is to deliver better outcomes for children with special educational needs. Substantial research, analysis, consultation with service users and stakeholders, and piloting have gone in to the development of this model and all of the evidence points to the fact that this new system will deliver better outcomes for children.
No school will lose supports as a result of the implementation of the new model. In addition, no school will receive an allocation, for the support of pupils with complex needs, less than the allocation they received to support such pupils during the 2016/17 school year. No allocation made for such pupils by the NCSE will be removed from schools as long as that pupil remains in the school.
An additional 900 teaching posts have been provided to support the introduction of this new allocation model. The provision of an additional 900 teaching posts is a very significant investment in the provision of additional teaching support for pupils with special educational needs in our schools. This is additional to an increase of 41% in the number of resource teachers allocated to schools annually by the NCSE since 2011.
The additional funding will provide additional supports to over 1200 schools who are identified as needing additional supports as a result of the new model. Supports for children with special educational needs is a key priority for this Government.
The NCSE has published details of the appeals process on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie.
Schools who wished to submit an appeal were asked to do so by March 31 2017.
The NCSE has confirmed that an appeal has been received from Togher Girls school but no appeal has been received from Togher Boys school.
The appeals are currently being processed and it is intended that schools will shortly be notified of the outcome.
Schools could appeal whether the data used to calculate their school profile was correct and complete and whether it was correctly applied in the calculation of their 2017/18 allocation.
DES Circulars 0013/2017 and 0014/2017 outline the basis on which the Education Research Centre determined the allocations for all schools.
In advance of any submission of an appeal, schools were asked to read carefully the DES Circulars and in particular the relevant sections, which relate to the breakdown of the allocation, which may be under consideration for appeal.
The model will also allow for some additional provision for exceptional circumstances or where a school’s enrolment levels increase very substantially prior to the next review of the model. The National Council for Special Education will support schools in managing their special education teaching allocations in the first instance. Only in very exceptional circumstances, where it can be demonstrated that the schools profile has changed very significantly since the allocation was made to the school, may an additional allocation of hours be made to the school.
Guidelines for schools on the organisation, deployment and use of their special education teachers to address the need of pupils with special educational needs have also now been published and are available on my Department's website.
The Guidelines will support schools to reflect on how they can review and manage their timetabling practices to ensure the timetable is sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of all pupils in their school who have special needs. The Guidelines encourage schools to ensure they deploy their resources appropriately to meet the needs of all of the children in their school who require additional teaching support, including pupils with emerging needs, or new entrants.
211. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider putting in place home school community liason officers for schools that were not succesful in applications for DEIS but face considerable disadvantage. [26030/17]
View answerThe Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme is a school-based intervention provided to DEIS schools to address the needs of pupils/families in disadvantaged areas through acknowledging and developing the role of the parent as prime educator. This is achieved through targeting the families of pupils at risk of educational failure and putting in place a range of appropriate support interventions. HSCL Coordinator posts are full time posts allocated to DEIS (urban primary and post primary) schools. Some HSCL posts are allocated on a shared basis between DEIS schools (in cluster groups) and can be shared across primary and post primary schools.
While operational responsibility for the HSCL scheme rests with the Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of Tusla, my Department is responsible for the allocation and funding of teachers performing the role of HSCL Coordinator in participating DEIS schools, and accordingly has an ongoing engagement with the EWS to ensure the efficacy of the scheme.
I wish to advise the Deputy that those schools included in the DEIS list published by my Department on 13 February are those whose level of disadvantage has been identified as being at the same level as the current DEIS category for schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage. Schools which have not been included at this stage are those which have not been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage amongst their pupil cohort, under the new model.
I will continue to review the DEIS programme to ensure that it is flexible and responsive to children in most need.
212. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the next round of DEIS schools will be announced; the assessment criteria which will be used; if schools that have an existing application will need to reapply; and if the existing assessment will be adequate [26031/17]
View answerThe key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, education levels, single parent rate, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools.
Full details of the process involved in the assessment of schools is available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
Schools included in the list published by my Department on 13 February are those whose level of disadvantage has been identified as being at the same level as the current DEIS category for schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage. Schools which have not been included at this stage are those, which have not been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage amongst their pupil cohort, under the new model.
It is important to note that this is a first step in a process and the fact that a school has not been included now does not preclude its inclusion at a later date, should the assessment indicate a level of disadvantage that warrants additional supports. I am fully aware that there are further schools whose concentrated level of disadvantage may not be at the highest level, but may nevertheless be at a level which warrants additional supports for pupils under DEIS.
I am satisfied that the new DEIS Identification Model used to assess the level of disadvantage among the pupil cohort of a school has been applied fairly using centrally held data adopting an objective and scientific approach which has been uniformly applied for all schools in the country.
For schools who have concerns about their non-inclusion in the most recent round of DEIS, the following process applies:
- a verification process is currently ongoing in relation to all schools who contacted my Department requesting that their data be validated. This is aimed at ensuring the model was run correctly and the data supplied by the schools through the POD/PPOD systems was correctly used. This process is expected to be concluded shortly and schools will be informed of the results.
- A further process will take account of updated data as it becomes available. All schools, not just those who queried the outcome of the February 2017 process, are being contacted to request them to ensure that their POD/PPOD data is fully correct and up to date, including Eircodes. As soon as the 2016 National Census data becomes available later this summer, this data will be run through the identification model with the fully up-to-date POD/PPOD data. If this exercise reveals that any school which did not qualify for DEIS in the February 2017 round actually meets the criteria applicable to schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage based on the fully up-to-date information then it will be included, subject to resources.
My Department intends to make available to all schools information relating to the identification process and their own individual school data. Arrangements for this are in hand and schools will be advised in due course
I also wish to inform the Deputy that a communication for issue to all schools on the new DEIS identification process is currently being prepared. This will provide information on the identification model with details of how the datasets are used to determine a school's level of disadvantage; the importance of data quality to the process and the need for schools to provide detailed and up to date school information to my Department.
The implementation of the new objective central data-based model of identifying levels of disadvantage within school populations will be followed by a further programme of work to create a more dynamic model where levels of resource more accurately follow the levels of need identified by that model. The completion of this work will inform ongoing provision and consideration will be given to extending DEIS supports to a further group of schools as resources permit.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that schools are not required to apply for inclusion in DEIS as the information required to assess schools is already available to my Department.
214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the introduction of development levies for farm buildings by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/17]
View answerDevelopment contributions provide critical resources to facilitate the provision of essential public infrastructure and facilities that support the implementation of local authority development plans. My role as Minister with regard to development contributions is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority.
Section 48(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that a development contribution scheme, applied by a planning authority in respect of its functional area, may make provision for payment of different contributions in respect of different classes or descriptions of development. The Act also requires that schemes state the basis for determining contributions and that they have regard to the actual estimated cost of providing the various classes of public infrastructure and facilities. The level of contribution, and the types of development to which development contributions should apply including any exemptions from charging in specific circumstances if that is deemed appropriate, are therefore determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members in this regard.
My Department issued statutory guidelines to planning authorities in January 2013 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act on the implementation of development contribution schemes. Adherence to a consistent cost allocation methodology outlined in the guidelines is strongly recommended. The guidelines further advise that, in deciding within the non-residential categories of development works how costs are to be attributed, the intensity of infrastructural usage by different categories of, for example, employment related activity should be taken into account.
The majority of development contribution schemes adopted by planning authorities currently provide for charges in respect of certain agricultural buildings or development within their functional areas. I understand that the draft scheme currently in preparation by Kerry County Council proposes to apply development contribution charges for new farm buildings (excluding silos, yards, silage bases and slurry pits or towers), on the basis that they are a form of commercial development, with such charges being required for the purpose of contributing towards the provision of roads and transport infrastructure and facilities.
Section 48(4) of the Act of 2000 requires planning authorities to publish a draft development contribution scheme for public consultation, while section 48(5) provides that the Minister may make recommendations in relation to a draft scheme. However, it is ultimately a matter for the elected members of a planning authority to adopt a development contribution scheme as a reserved function, having regard to any recommendations made by the Minister and the Chief Executive's report on the public consultation process.
I am satisfied that the existing statutory and policy framework in this regard strikes the right balance between ensuring a transparent and broadly consistent levying of development contributions across the country, while also affording each local authority sufficient flexibility and discretion in the application of development contributions within their own respective functional areas.
215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when guidelines governing wind turbines will be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25391/17]
View answerSince May 2016, I have been liaising closely with my colleague Minister Naughten, having regard to his responsibility for renewable energy policy, on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines relating to noise, setback distance and shadow flicker, recognising the need to bring the review to a close and provide certainty on the matter to all stakeholders, local authorities, the energy sector and the wider community.
In light of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to finalise the Guidelines and ongoing policy and legal developments in this area, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines and related matters in order to bring the various issues to a conclusion as early as possible.
Both Minister Naughten and I intend to provide a detailed update to the Government in the next few weeks, after which time I will be in a position to make a statement on the matter, outlining the proposed revisions to the Guidelines and the timelines for implementation of the various elements shortly.
It is important to mention that as part of the overall review, and having regard to the recent ECJ Judgement in a case relating to the Belgian/Wallonian wind energy guidelines, it is proposed to undertake a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the proposed revisions to the 2006 Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
In light of the SEA requirement, it is likely that while the proposals for revisions to the Guidelines will be available shortly, the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until early 2018. In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.
When finalised, revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the process and criteria for distributing the moneys from the local property tax, LPT, equalisation fund; when the fund was established; if it has been reviewed since its formation; when the next review is proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25401/17]
View answerLocal retention of Local Property Tax (LPT) began in 2015 and is now established as an alternative and essential source of funding for the local government sector, which reduces reliance on central funding. The Government decided that 80% of the estimated LPT liability in each local authority area for a given year is retained in that area to fund public services, notwithstanding any local variation decisions. The remaining 20% of LPT is re-distributed to provide equalisation funding to those local authorities that have lower property tax bases, due to the variance in property values and density across the State. This reflects the fact that local authorities vary significantly from one another in terms of size, population, public service demands, infrastructure and income sources.
In accordance with decisions taken by Government regarding the distribution of LPT funding, every local authority has a minimum level of funding available to it known as the LPT baseline. Equalisation is the process that ensures that every local authority’s LPT allocation is brought up this baseline. The LPT funding baseline in 2017 is linked to previous General Purpose Grant amounts and Pension Related Deductions retained by authorities in 2014.
Funding for equalisation purposes is provided via the Local Government Fund. The shortfall between the 20% contribution from all local authorities and the total amount required for equalisation is met by the Exchequer. LPT allocations amounts and the distribution of equalisation funding in the years 2015 to 2017 are published on my Department’s website at the following weblink: http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/sub-type/funding-allocation/type/publications?query=local%20property%20tax%20allocations.
My Department keeps the allocation mechanism under review to ensure equitable treatment of all local authorities. Matters relating to equalisation and allocation methods for future years will be reviewed as necessary and appropriate.
217. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if persons in receipt of housing assistance payments, HAP, are ineligible for social housing; and if receipt of HAP will result in removal from the social housing list. [25905/17]
View answerWith the commencement of the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is considered to be a social housing support and consequently, households in receipt of HAP are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list.
Acknowledging that households on the waiting list who avail of HAP might have expectations that they would receive an allocated form of social housing support, Ministerial Directions issued during the pilot phase of the scheme to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP tenants could avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list. With the completion of the HAP roll-out and the ending of the scheme’s pilot phase on 1 March 2017, I signed a Ministerial Direction instructing local authorities to continue to offer HAP tenants access to other forms of social housing through the transfer list. This refreshed Direction ensures that following completion of the HAP pilot phase, HAP tenants still get all the benefits of HAP and are no less likely to get a different form of social housing support.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their scheme of letting priorities. The setting of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such, is a matter for the elected members. I understand that the majority of HAP households do avail of the option to be placed on a transfer list. Since its statutory commencement in September 2014, some 356 households (at the end of Q1 2017) had transferred from the HAP scheme to other forms of social housing support.
The information on the dedicated HAP website, www.hap.ie, reflects the legislation and states that any HAP tenant who wants to access other social housing supports may do so through the transfer system as operated by their respective local authority.
218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the thresholds for inclusion on the social housing list (details supplied) in view of the fact the current thresholds are unrealistic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25276/17]
View answer219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to raise the current income limits to qualify for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25286/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda originally set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, a review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports is scheduled to commence later this year.
220. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the national taking in charge initiative; if the scheme has extended to 2017; and if so, when the funds will be allocated to local authorities. [25287/17]
View answerMy Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in an attempt to accelerate the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure such as private treatment plants. The initiative was set up by my Department on a temporary basis in order to stimulate the taking-in-charge process, due to a build-up of pending cases.
Part of the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative included a €10m funding scheme. Under the terms of the NTICI, developments subject to valid taking in charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the call for funding proposals. Of the funding allocated, €7.7 million was paid out to local authorities in respect of almost 330 developments, containing 13,400 units.
It is important to note that the NTICI was not intended to establish a rolling annual funding programme to take in charge all estates not yet taken in charge, but was instead intended to develop better knowledge and systems to support the taking in charge of further estates over time. Therefore, there is no corresponding funding line available in 2017.
My Department will prepare a report in the coming months on key lessons learned from the valuable knowledge and experience gained under the NTICI which will help to inform future taking-in-charge plans. Further information on the NTICI can be found on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=national%20taking%20in%20charge%20initiative.
221. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost in callout fees, hourly rates and wages for both full time and part time firefighters involved in gorse and forest fires for the period of 1 March 2017 to 19 May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25315/17]
View answerThe role of responding to incidents of fire is assigned to fire authorities in the Fire Services Act, 1981 to 2003. The information requested is not available in my Department but may be sought from individual fire authorities directly.
222. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the implications for building one off houses in view of a decision by a European court regarding rules (details supplied); the steps he is taking as a result of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25383/17]
View answerArising from the 2013 Judgement of the European Court of Justice referred to, my Department is currently engaged in consultations with planning authorities regarding potential modifications required to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing, with a view to ensuring that rural housing policies and objectives contained in county development plans comply with Article 43 (Freedom of Movement of People) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
A Working Group, comprising officials from planning authorities and my Department, has been established to review and revise the guidelines. The Working Group held its first meeting on 18 May last. On conclusion of this review, my Department will engage with the European Commission on proposed changes to the Guidelines, with a view to issuing updated Guidelines to planning authorities in the second half of 2017. When finalised, the revised guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Under the provisions of the Act, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
223. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding wastewater treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25393/17]
View answerMy Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in 2016 to support and accelerate overall national and local action on the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI).
A specific focus of the initiative was to expedite progress by local authorities and relevant stakeholders, including Irish Water, in addressing a build-up of pending cases relating to housing developments not yet taken in charge.
My Department will prepare a report in the coming months on key lessons learned from the valuable knowledge and experience gained under the NTICI, including in relation to the type of taking in charge situations raised by the Deputy, which will help inform future taking-in-charge plans, including housing developments served by developer-provided infrastructure.
Further information on the NTICI can be found on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=national%20taking%20in%20charge%20initiative.
224. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding a situation in which a person who has entered into a housing assistance payment, HAP, tenancy and has an increase in earnings pushing him or her over the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25455/17]
View answerThe nationwide roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme scheme was completed on 1 March 2017, meaning that eligible households in all 31 local authority areas can now avail of the HAP Scheme.
In order to be eligible for HAP support, a household must first qualify for social housing support and be placed on a housing list. A housing authority must carry out an assessment to establish whether the household meets specified statutory eligibility requirements and has a housing need. One of the eligibility criteria prescribed in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 is that the household’s income must not exceed the thresholds applicable to the housing authority of application. Decisions on whether an applicant meets the income eligibility threshold are a matter for the local authority concerned.
Once assessed as having a housing need by the local authority and in receipt of social housing support via HAP, HAP tenants are not subject to a reassessment of income or other criteria that might make them ineligible for social housing support. However, if a household’s earnings change, then so does the rent contribution to reflect the household’s increased income and ability to pay. While HAP support is not withdrawn, a household may itself, of course, decide to exit HAP at any point.
225. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the average waiting times across all four Dublin local authorities to process housing assistance payment applications, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25512/17]
View answer226. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there are delays in processing an application for housing assistance payment, if he will guarantee that arrears will be paid from the date of application to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25513/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
I am not aware of any delays in processing of applications for housing assistance payments (HAP). HAP is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP.The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provide that subject to conditions, a housing authority shall deal with such an application within a period of 12 weeks. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and average waiting times are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum in many areas.
Under the HAP scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector. The earliest date a HAP payment will issue to a landlord is the date a complete and valid HAP application has been received by the local authority. Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective transactional shared service on behalf of all HAP local authorities. This HAP Shared Service Centre (SSC) manage all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. On average, HAP applications are processed by the HAP Shared Service Centre within 1 working day of receipt. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.
More than 22,000 households are currently in receipt of HAP support, with more than 17,000 separate landlords and agents involved in providing accommodation to those households. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
