Written Answers Nos. 102-123
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer continued scope for recovery towards resolution of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26374/17]
View answerThe Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is focused on increasing supply, across all tenures, to achieve total housing output of at least 25,000 homes per year by 2021 and beyond, effectively doubling the output of 12,600 homes recorded in 2015.
Under Rebuilding Ireland, the target set out for social housing is to deliver 47,000 social housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisition and leasing over the period 2016 to 2021. This is supported through a significantly increased investment programme of €5.35 billion, 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. A further €1.3 billion has been provided for 2017 to support the accelerated delivery of social housing and the achievement of the 2017 target to meet the housing needs of over 21,000 households.
More broadly, housing construction trends are all showing strong positive growth, with planning permissions, housing development commencement notices and completions of new units, measured by the number of new ESB connections, all showing substantial increases on last year. Almost 15,000 new homes were made available for occupation in 2016, an 18% increase on 2015 output. The provision of new homes should continue to increase this year and beyond, driven by the combined effect of strong supply-side measures provided under Rebuilding Ireland, such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund and the State Lands mapping project and the Help-to-Buy initiative. The ESRI has forecast in its Spring Quarterly Economic Commentary that housing completions will reach 18,500 during 2017.
Looking ahead, I have recently published the latest Status Report on Social Housing Construction Projects, which is available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/. The report provides details of over 600 social housing projects, involving the construction of over 10,000 new social homes across the 31 local authority areas. The scale of the construction pipeline, as at end-Quarter 1 2017, represents a major escalation in the social housing build programme and more projects are being added on an ongoing basis, to ensure we deliver on the Rebuilding Ireland targets.
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 Third Quarterly Progress Report, for Quarter 1 2017, is being published today and is available at: www.rebuildingireland.ie.
103. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the expenses incurred by his Department relating to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; if he will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26285/17]
View answerNormal policy, as advised in the Public Financial Procedures, is that the State is its own insurer and as such covers its own costs. State indemnity for personal injury and third party property damage was legislated for in the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 where the management of personal injury and third party property damage claims against certain State authorities, and underlying risks, was delegated to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). When performing these functions, the NTMA is known as the State Claims Agency (SCA).
Under the general rule of State indemnity enacted through the statutory provisions above, certain State bodies are indemnified by the Minister for Finance for the following:
- Personal injury to employees of the State;
- Personal injury to third parties (the public);
- Third party property damage.
In that context my Department does not hold insurance policies.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Irish Water Safety |
oireachtas@iws.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
104. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if in establishing a new regulatory regime for large scale peat extraction he will ensure that this new regime is consistent with the ruling of the European Court of Justice in Commission v. Ireland C 215/06 particularly in view of the impermissibility of granting retrospective consent for a development requiring an environmental impact assessment. [26324/17]
View answerAs I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question Nos. 278 and 281 of 23 May 2017, under the proposed new consent system for large-scale peat extraction, the Environmental Protection Agency will be required to carry out an environmental impact assessment as part of its examination of applications for licences to commence peat extraction of 30 hectares or more on or after the date that the Regulations come into effect, or to continue such peat extractions from a future date to be determined in accordance with the Regulations. The licences will not include any element of retrospective consent for past large-scale peat extraction.
105. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the provisions which have been made to account for the student population in view of the current housing crisis, particularly in larger cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26467/17]
View answerIreland’s third-level student population is projected to grow by around 20,000 students (or 15%) to 193,000 students by 2024. The 2015 Report on Student Accommodation: Demand & Supply by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) estimates an existing level of unmet demand of about 25,000 student bed spaces nationally.
Measures to support greater provision of student accommodation come under Pillar 4 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Details of progress on actions set out in Rebuilding Ireland can be found in the quarterly progress reports published on the Rebuilding Ireland website, the latest of which is available at the following link http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-irelands-third-quarterly-progress-report/.
There has been a significant uptake in the provision of student accommodation during 2016/2017 by both Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and private developments and projected developments to 2019 are currently capable of meeting the student accommodation targets identified under Rebuilding Ireland.
In terms of recent progress, figures compiled by the HEA for construction activity to end Q4 2016, confirmed that there had been 1,117 additional bed spaces of purpose-built student accommodation completed since the publishing of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan in July 2016. Furthermore, an additional 8,670 student accommodation bed spaces are expected to be developed nationally by 2019, based on projects under construction and projects where planning permission has been applied for and/or already granted.
The 2015 HEA Report identified the availability of affordable finance as a key requirement to enhance student housing provision. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 includes provisions enabling the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to access finance from the Housing Finance Agency specifically for student accommodation projects.
In addition, student accommodation complexes of 200 or more bedspaces will benefit from the new direct strategic housing development application process to An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. This will have major potential to cut processing time and enhance certainty in the provision of new accommodation projects.
New planning policy guidance was also issued to local authorities and An Bord Pleanála in 2016 on the use of student accommodation complexes outside of the academic year, as their use during these periods provides a potential additional income stream, thereby aiding the overall viability of these projects. The guidance is available at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/policy/circular-aph2-2016-pl8-2016-identifying-planning-measures-enhance-housing-supply.
In order to maximise the potential for student accommodation provision on suitable sites as part of mixed developments, an inventory of publicly owned lands has been assembled by my Department. The information, including the mapping of the sites identified, was published in April 2017 and is available via the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map-2/.
In fulfilment of Action 4.7 of Rebuilding Ireland, the Department of Education & Skills is preparing a National Student Accommodation Strategy in consultation with my Department and other stakeholders in the sector. This Strategy is at an advanced stage of preparation and is scheduled to be finalised by end Q2 2017.
106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will initiate a legal or insurance investigation into the repudiation by a company (details supplied) of its liability for houses covered by an agreement which were affected by pyrite. [26481/17]
View answer107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he can take to investigate a surplus of €25 million in the pre-2008 accounts of a company (details supplied) which could be sequestered to fund pyrite remediation in view of its repudiation of liability for same. [26482/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.
Policy responsibility in relation to insurance is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, with the insurance sector being subject to regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The company referred to by the Deputy is a private limited company providing structural guarantees for new houses and is regulated by the Central Bank. As is the case for any private company, its operations are a matter for its management and Board of Directors and I, therefore, have no role or function in its operations and cannot direct it to take a particular course of action.
In the context of the pyrite remediation scheme, an agreement was reached between the Pyrite Resolution Board and the company referred to by the Deputy in June 2014, under which the company agreed to contribute technical and project management services to the Board to the value of €2 million. Such services include assisting in organising and managing the testing of dwellings and project management of remediation contracts. The company has also agreed to make available to the Pyrite Resolution Board/Housing Agency the results of testing undertaken by it prior to the operation of the scheme.
A Supplemental Agreement has been signed with the company for dealing with structural defects not related to pyritic heave, which are identified prior to or during the course of pyrite remediation works. In such cases, it will, under the Supplemental Agreement, make an appropriate contribution towards the cost of such structural works.
108. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of the homeless population that are young and LGBT, if known by his Department; his plans to obtain such data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26488/17]
View answerOfficial homeless reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. These reports are published on a monthly basis capturing details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. They include a breakdown by age category for male and female individuals but not LGBT status.
The Programme for Government committed to developing a LGBT Youth Strategy and I understand that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has already commenced work in this regard. Furthermore, the Department of Justice and Equality will shortly commence work on a national LGBT Inclusion Strategy, a process which will include identifying specific areas of Irish society and policy in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBT people. In the event of an issue emerging in that context in relation to homeless policy and management, I will consider any implications arising in respect of the PASS.
109. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to inform the Government Senators on the contents of the Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016 before the Bill’s second reading in January 2018. [26489/17]
View answerThe Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016 provides for amendments to sections 9 and 10 of the Electoral Act 1992 in order to reduce to sixteen years, the age at which a person would be entitled to register to vote at local and European elections.
A debate on this Private Members Bill was held in the Seanad on 29 March last and the Seanad passed a motion to defer the conclusion of Second Stage to 31 December 2017. The many issues raised during that debate will further inform the Government's consideration of the proposals in the Bill.
110. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review on the cost of building a home here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26505/17]
View answerUnder the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government is committed to a broad range of measures to tackle, among other things, some of the costs associated with the provision of housing. This includes undertaking a detailed analysis, in conjunction with the construction sector, to benchmark housing delivery input costs in Ireland, in order to facilitate an increased level of housing output into the future.
A working group, chaired by my Department, has been established and has met on a number of occasions since December 2016. While it is intended that the working group will concentrate on the domestic market, the Housing Agency is currently advancing an analysis of delivery costs and international comparisons. Both studies are due for completion in late June/early July 2017.
111. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who sought financial assistance from JobPath to complete a course has been informed that they need to pass examinations to qualify as an emergency medical technician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26278/17]
View answerThe JobPath companies will consider funding requests for appropriate training for jobseekers engaged with the service where a need is identified that is not otherwise provided by the company directly or state providers (such as Solas/ETBs), within a reasonable length of time or at a location convenient to the jobseeker. The intervention identified is linked to both the activation needs of the jobseeker and labour market conditions, it also must form part of the jobseeker’s agreed personal progression plan to enter/re-enter the workforce
The customer concerned has been advised by the JobPath provider that on successful completion of the course identified, they are in a position to offer him financial support up to €500 towards the costs of the course, and if the exam board require payment in advance, that the customer should request them to forward an invoice to the JobPath provider which will be paid within 30 days. This is in line with my Department’s training grants scheme.
The customer has also been advised that the JobPath provider may be able to assist him further including financial assistance in relation to gaining a position in the particular area of employment.
Should this customer be successful in commencing employment, the JobPath provider will continue to support him for at least three months and up to twelve months while in that employment.
Any individual engaged with the activation services whether provided by my Department’s staff or external contractors such as JobPath or the LES is advised to inform their local claim office as soon as they commence employment in order that their jobseekers payment may be adjusted as appropriate
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
112. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenses incurred by his Department relating to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; if he will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26292/17]
View answerThe Department does not take out insurance policies but pays out compensation where necessary. Accordingly, there are no insurance expenses incurred by my Department and no insurance policy costs. In cases where a person takes a personal injury claim against the Department, this is handled by the State Claims Agency. The Pensions Authority, Pensions Ombudsman, Pensions Council and Social Welfare Tribunal have no insurance costs.
The Citizens Information Board have no outstanding insurance claims and have provided the following information on insurance costs in tabular form since 2010:
CIB Insurance Premiums
|
2016/2017 |
2015/2016 |
2014/2015 |
2013/2014 |
2012/2013 |
2011/2012 |
2010/2011 |
|
|
Insurance provider |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
IPB Insurance |
|
Directors & officers |
16,433 |
16,433 |
16,433 |
16,984 |
16,433 |
16,433 |
n/a |
|
Public Liability |
43,020 |
36,169 |
32,881 |
29,474 |
28,919 |
28,368 |
30,601 |
|
Employment Practices Liability |
44,977 |
43,155 |
44,415 |
43,155 |
43,050 |
42,230 |
n/a |
|
Employers Liability |
23,200 |
18,344 |
17,470 |
17,576 |
15,162 |
14,873 |
16,044 |
|
Professional Indemnity |
28,574 |
24,622 |
24,622 |
25,146 |
17,228 |
15,505 |
17,862 |
|
Combined Property |
18,586 |
16,896 |
16,896 |
16,896 |
16,921 |
16,571 |
19,318 |
|
Engineering |
2,825 |
2,686 |
2,686 |
2,203 |
2,066 |
2,027 |
2,027 |
|
Motor Fleet |
2,993 |
2,993 |
2,159 |
2,159 |
2,159 |
2,118 |
2,884 |
|
Computer |
1,353 |
1,353 |
1,353 |
1,357 |
1,353 |
1,327 |
1,475 |
|
Travel Business Scheme |
132 |
132 |
132 |
132 |
131 |
131 |
258 |
|
Personal Accident Employees Scheme |
899 |
818 |
743 |
676 |
810 |
810 |
357 |
|
Personal Accident |
7,764 |
7,058 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
190,754 |
170,657 |
159,791 |
155,758 |
144,232 |
140,394 |
90,826 |
113. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason he and the Citizens Information Board are proceeding with the restructuring programme of MABS and the CIS despite the results of the Dáil Éireann motion and before the publication of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26326/17]
View answerThe Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection has, this afternoon, published its report on the Proposed Restructuring of the Money Advice and Budgeting Services and the Citizens Information Services and I thank the Committee for its engagement with this matter.
In February, the Board of Citizens Information Board (CIB) decided the new governance model for local service delivery companies would change from 93 individual company boards to sixteen regional boards, comprising eight Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 8 Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS).
CIB has clearly stated that the new governance arrangements will result in no job losses for those working in local services, no diminution of existing services, no closures of service delivery points, and no disruption to services for those who use them. The Board of CIB is committed to supporting the long term delivery of services at a local level and there may be opportunities to extend or improve existing service delivery over time. However, in so doing CIB is obliged to ensure that it and its service delivery partners comply with standards as set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and ensure that Comptroller and Auditor General requirements are met. This is the context in which the Board has made its decision to reorganise the governance arrangements of local CIS and MABS companies. I accept the bona fides of the Board in its decision.
Before making its final decision, CIB had engaged in an extensive and comprehensive consultation process, involving service delivery companies and representative organisations and groups. This process included representative groups having audiences with the CIB Board itself.
In recent months, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection held hearings and received submissions from the various stakeholders. Cognisant of the various concerns expressed to the Committee, CIB undertook a series of regional consultations with stakeholders throughout the month of May, to discuss and examine key aspects of implementing the new sixteen board model. These sessions were attended by 127 representatives of local company Boards and 223 representatives of management, staff and volunteers of local services. Each session was chaired by an independent facilitator. All who attended had an opportunity to raise any concerns they had about service delivery under the new model. CIB reports that these engagements were well received and there was considerable support for the change.
My Department understands that CIB intends to host further consultations over the summer period, on key areas such as the role of volunteers, the delivery of consistent high quality services countrywide and the preservation of the fundamentally valuable local community focus and support ethos within the new model. CIB will consider these findings in the development of its Volunteer Strategy.
CIB has established an Implementation Group, with cross-sectoral representation, to assist with the governance reorganisation. CIB has also committed to carry out a full Cost Benefit Analysis on the sixteen company model.
I am satisfied that CIB is making genuine efforts to allay the concerns of staff, boards and volunteers and is actively seeking to find ways to best embed the historically strong community ethos in the new governance structure for CIS and MABS services.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
115. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the waiting list for domiciliary care allowance applicants is 14 weeks or more; his plans to improve this waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26337/17]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claims that require medical and other supporting documentation can take some time to properly assess, particularly as the opinion of one of the department’s medical assessors is routinely required.
Increasing numbers applying for DCA have been a feature of this scheme in recent years. In the 4 year period from 2013 to 2016 the number of applications has increased by 54%, from under 5,000 to almost 7,500 per annum.
In addition to the increased volumes, there has recently also been a significant increase in the complexity and length of time required to process applications. This has been impacted by a High Court ruling, following a legal challenge by an unsuccessful applicant, which places a greater onus on the deciding officer to provide the applicant with more detail of the reasoning used in coming to their decision.
This requirement combined with increased application volumes, which show no sign of diminishing, has impacted negatively on processing times, which currently average 16 weeks. In April 2017, 53% of applications were processed within the 15 week target.
Staffing levels in the scheme are kept under continuous review to ensure the best use of available resources.
116. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public services cards that have been issued to date; the number awaiting to be issued; if he will ensure that all public services cards will be issued in a timely manner in order that there will be no delay for those applying for a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25614/17]
View answerThe number of Public Services Cards (PSC) issued to date is approx. 2.6 million.
The number of PSCs currently going through the system is approx. 10,000.
It typically takes about fifteen minutes for a person to register and authenticate their identity to get a PSC. There are 100 registration locations nationwide. For the majority of these a person can book an appointment within 24 hours or, providing they have the relevant documentation, they can be dealt with on a walk-in basis. It takes 5-7 working days for a person to receive their PSC in the post once they complete the registration process.
New adult passport applicants are already required to have a PSC. This requirement is being extended to persons renewing their passport from later this year. People who need a PSC to renew their passport should seek to register for one well in advance of their passport renewal so as to minimise the potential for delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a new social services card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who is the holder of stamp 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26361/17]
View answerFor the past number of years, the social services card has been progressively replaced by the Public Services Card (PSC). The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector including the free travel pass and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers. A PSC is issued following a registration process called SAFE, which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of identity data. Details of the registration process and information on the documents which a person should provide are available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx.
Ordinarily, the identity document required for a person, who is not an EU citizen, is in line with immigration requirements, i.e., a current valid passport. I understand that the person in question attended for a SAFE registration but to date has failed to submit the required documentation. It is suggested that she return to the Intreo Office she previously attended in order to complete the process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
118. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection when the pathways to work for jobless households strategy as committed to under the programme for Government will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26431/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobless Households has been approved by Cabinet and will be published in the next few weeks.
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26438/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 7 April 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if copies of pathways to work quarter 4 2016 published in December 2016 and the report on the analysis of the community employment programme published on 7 April 2017 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26452/17]
View answerThe Pathways to Work report and the report on An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme are readily available on my Department’s website - www.welfare.ie
The Pathways to Work Quarter 4 2016 report is available here:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/LMC-Pathways-to-Work-Publications.aspx
The Pathways to Work Quarter 1 2017 report should also be available on the website shortly.
The report on An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme, published on 7 April 2017 is available here:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/pressoffice/Pages/Press-Releases-2017.aspx
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
121. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate the student summer jobs scheme which was available to students from 1993 up to the early 2000s to facilitate students that wish to remain here for the summer break and that could provide an invaluable service to sporting and community facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26466/17]
View answerThe students’ summer jobs scheme was first introduced in 1993 to provide income support for less well-off students who were disqualified under social welfare legislation from receiving unemployment assistance during the summer months. The scheme allowed students to take up part-time work useful to their community and to receive payment for this work. The scheme required considerable administrative effort to deliver.
Take-up was initially high, but dropped significantly as unemployment fell in the late 1990s, leading to greater and wider availability of alternative summer employment. In view of declining numbers and in order to focus available resources and administrative effort in the best possible way, it was decided to discontinue the students’ summer jobs scheme in 2003.
It remains the case that there are higher priority uses for the financial and administrative resources of the Department of Social Protection than support for summer employment for students. Schemes such as Community Employment and Tus, supporting employment in the community and voluntary sector, are concentrated on the registered unemployed, and particularly those who have been out of work for longer periods. There are no plans to reintroduce a scheme of support for summer student jobs.
123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenses incurred by his Department relating to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; if he will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/17]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) operating at 80 Missions abroad and at 10 locations on the island of Ireland providing a range of services to Irish citizens and working to ensure the promotion and protection of Ireland’s interests in the world. There are no bodies under the aegis of the Department.
The Department is covered in terms of its buildings under State indemnity. Additional insurance may be taken out in overseas locations depending on local requirements. The following table details the total costs incurred by this department in relation to motor vehicle, buildings and contents insurance each year from 2012 to 2016.:
Insurance Costs 2012 to 2016
|
Year |
Motor Insurance |
Buildings/Contents Insurance |
|
|
2012 |
€113,488 |
€83,351 |
|
|
2013 |
€116,559 |
€79,912 |
|
|
2014 |
€116,882 |
€106,690 |
|
|
2015 |
€134,766 |
€130,231 |
|
|
2016 |
€130,533 |
€67,034 |
