Written Answers Nos. 1319-1341
1319. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total spend on homeless services by his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2013; and the estimated spend for 2017 and 2018. [34561/17]
View answerMy Department provides current funding to housing authorities towards the cost of providing accommodation and related services for homeless persons under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
Under ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of any service they are funding, from within their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Section 10 funding arrangements. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities are a matter for those authorities.
Details of the Section 10 Exchequer funding provided to housing authorities by my Department for the years 2013 to 2017 are set out in the table. Budget 2017 confirmed a national budget of €98 million in Exchequer funding under Section 10 arrangements; recoupments exceeding €28 million have been made to housing authorities to date. 2018 funding requirements will be considered in due course.
Exchequer Funding provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988
|
Year |
€ |
|
2013 |
45,000,000 |
|
2014 |
49,205,774 |
|
2015 |
64,770,970 |
|
2016 |
88,676,500 |
|
To date - 2017 |
28,778,298 |
1320. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the current average construction cost of a new social housing unit; and the average construction costs of 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed and 4-bed social housing units. [34562/17]
View answerThe average costs for the range of differently sized social housing units in terms of both construction costs and ‘all-in’ costs are set out in the following table. These are based on the analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period. Construction cost is reflective of building costs (including VAT) and also includes normal site works and site development. All-in cost includes cost of construction, land cost, professional fees, utility connections, site investigations/surveys, archaeology where appropriate, VAT and contribution to public art. Abnormal costs are excluded from these figures.
|
1 bed |
2 bed (1 storey) |
2 bed (2 storey) |
3 bed |
4 bed |
|
|
Construction |
€137,709 |
€143,371 |
€151,376 |
€160,521 |
€169,682 |
|
All-in |
€175,271 |
€181,771 |
€190,456 |
€200,726 |
€211,062 |
My Department will continue to maintain a clear focus on delivering overall value for money on both the construction and all-in costs of social housing projects.
1321. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason he has still not published a review commissioned by his Department in September 2015 to develop a framework for general application in homes in which concerns had been raised regarding fire safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34631/17]
View answerIn July 2015, the then Minister directed that a review be undertaken by an independent fire expert to develop a framework for general application, in the interest of supporting owners and residents living in developments where concerns regarding non-compliance with fire safety requirements arise. A Steering Group was convened to oversee the review.
The independent fire safety expert has completed his review and a report on the matter has been received by my Department from the Steering Group. Legal clarification was required in relation to a number of issues and these are currently being addressed. I intend to make arrangements for the publication of the framework as soon as these have been resolved.
1322. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the successful launch of an affordable housing scheme in Ballymun (details supplied); his plans to support local authorities in replicating this scheme elsewhere; the details of the €10 million that was set aside from the sale of Bord Gáis for an affordable housing pilot scheme in budget 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34679/17]
View answerOn 10 July 2017, I was delighted to attend the “hand-over ceremony” at the Ó Cualann Co-Housing Alliance in Ballymun, and I was very impressed by this project. Working with Dublin City Council, AIB and industry professionals, Ó Cualann are delivering new 2-, 3- and 4-bed, A2 rated, top quality homes in Dublin with sales prices ranging from €140,000 to €220,000. The Ó Cualann project demonstrates what can be achieved when Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, industry professionals and banks are prepared to work together in a co-ordinated, collaborative and proactive way.
Given the housing affordability pressures faced by many households, particularly in certain parts of the country, the supply of affordable housing is a top priority for the Government. It is for this reason that the overarching objective of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes to 25,000 per annum by 2020, with a particular emphasis on homes at more affordable price points, in areas where demand is greatest.
On 27 April, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map. This land bank has the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. All local authorities have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for their lands and my Department has highlighted this project to local authorities in that context.
As set out in the Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, the commitment to develop an affordable rental model is now to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in such zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, and in particular targeting middle-income households, in mixed-tenure developments. This is intended to allow the rental units to be made available at below market prices without the need for ongoing rental subsidies. Accordingly, the provision of €10 million earmarked for the affordable rental scheme is being redirected to support additional activity under other housing programmes within my Department.
In this regard, Dublin City Council and the Housing Agency, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, have developed detailed proposals for specific sites they control in Dublin. My Department is currently working through those proposals with the project sponsors. The final model for bringing forward public lands for housing, including an affordable rental element where appropriate, will be informed by the outcome of the consideration of the initial pathfinder sites.
In parallel, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is examining the broader issue of housing affordability. Again, the outcome of the consideration of the specific proposals referred to above will be factored into that review process and my Department will also be consulting more broadly with local authorities generally.
1323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of full-time staff within his Department with specific responsibility for social housing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34684/17]
View answerA single Division in my Department has full responsibility for all social housing matters both policy and operational. On 31 May 2017, there were 121.65 full time equivalent staff members working in the Division. It is not possible to disaggregate the staff into precise numbers dealing with policy and operational matters as, in the case of many staff, their roles involve them in both areas of activity.
1324. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 675 of 4 July 2017, if his Department has projected the number of affordable units on each site; the number of affordable units as requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34685/17]
View answerThe aim of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages in order to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas with high demand for housing. It is expected that the 34 LIHAF projects will deliver 23,000 housing units over the next 4 years, with a longer-term projection of up to 70,000 units as the associated sites are fully built out.
My Department is not in a position to project the number of affordable units on each site or to require a number of affordable units, as the affordability dividend in relation to the associated private housing will be in the form of a cost reduction proportionate to the LIHAF contribution. The developer may apply a higher cost reduction to a percentage of the houses or spread it out over all of the associated housing to be provided by 2021.
Details regarding how the affordability dimension will be met in relation to each LIHAF project are not yet available as local authorities are currently engaged in negotiations with developers with regard to cost reductions. It is expected that these negotiations will be concluded this month.
In addition, under Part V provisions, some 10% of the housing to be delivered will be for social housing purposes. Where sites are in public ownership, it is possible that up to 30% of the homes provided may be for either social housing or potentially housing for older people or those with special needs, having regard to the particular needs of individual local authority areas.
1325. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the operation of the RAPID scheme; the projects awarded funding under this scheme, by amount awarded and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34694/17]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to launch a recast RAPID programme. My Department is currently finalising the necessary arrangements, with the intention of launching the new programme shortly.
1326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce an affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34700/17]
View answerIn 2011, the Government announced the standing down of the provision of Affordable Housing (the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme, affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and the Affordable Housing Initiative). In relation to Part V, planning authorities have been informed that they should prioritise the acquisition of social houses on site when making Part V agreements. Funding to support the delivery of Part V units is available from my Department.
The Government recognises the housing affordability pressures faced by many households, particularly in certain parts of the country. It is for this reason that the overarching objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes to 25,000 per annum by 2020. In particular, the aim is to increase the supply of high quality homes at more affordable price points as quickly as possible, in areas where demand is greatest.
As set out in the Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, the commitment to develop an affordable rental model, originally contained in Rebuilding Ireland, is now being progressed by local authorities in Rent Pressure Zones. In this regard, Dublin City Council and the Housing Agency, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, have developed detailed proposals for specific sites they control in Dublin. My Department is currently working through those proposals with the project sponsors.
On 27 April, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. All local authorities have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for their lands by 30 September 2017. The final model for bringing forward public lands for housing, including an affordable rental element where appropriate, will be informed by the outcome of the consideration of the initial pathfinder sites.
In parallel, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is examining the broader issue of housing affordability. Again, the outcome of the consideration of the specific proposals referred to above will be factored into that review process and my Department will also be consulting more broadly with local authorities generally.
1327. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that the cost of housing is neither affordable nor sustainable; and the steps he is taking to drive down the cost of housing. [34701/17]
View answerThe Government has made housing a top priority, bringing forward the range of measures under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness in July 2016.
Under this plan, 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. 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 of these reports are being finalised at present and I will consider both without delay once submitted.
1328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide specific funding to Dublin City Council to build sheltered accommodation for senior citizens in order that it can operate the financial contribution scheme in view of its success in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34702/17]
View answerUsing funding available from my Department, Dublin City Council makes its own decisions on the types of housing they wish to develop, in line with their housing needs and priorities. Equally, social housing allocations are a matter for the Council in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
Substantial support is available to Dublin City Council for the development of new social housing, which can include housing for older people delivered by the local authority itself or on their behalf by Approved Housing Bodies, using the Capital Assistance Scheme. I will continue to make substantial funding available to the Council for social housing provision, while the types of housing and the allocations of housing will continue to be matters for the Council itself.
1329. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the funding available in 2017 for group sewerage schemes; and his further plans to approve the Marlinstown group sewerage scheme in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [34738/17]
View answerMy Department's new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 provides for the funding of demonstration group sewerage schemes, through Measure 4(d), where clustering of households on individual septic tanks is not a viable option, particularly from an environmental perspective.
Local authorities were invited in January 2016 to submit bids under the programme. The invitation envisaged no more than two demonstration group sewerage schemes being brought forward under the measure in any one year of the three year programme. The demonstrations will allow, over the course of the programme, my Department to determine the appropriate enduring funding levels and relationship with the current grant scheme. In total, 83 bids were received from 17 local authorities requesting funding under this measure including a proposed Group Sewerage Scheme for Marlinstown which was included by Westmeath County Council in its bids.
An Expert Panel was convened by my Department to examine the 2016 bids from local authorities for projects under a number of the programme's measures, including measure 4(d) and to make recommendations to the Department on funding. The Panel recommended a priority list of demonstration schemes under this measure to my Department which accepted the recommendations in full when approving the rural water allocations for 2016. The priority list recommended by the Panel did not include the proposed Marlinstown scheme.
As only two demonstration projects can be advanced in any given year and a priority list of new demonstration group sewerage schemes has already been identified for the duration of the programme, there is currently no scope for any additional schemes. A copy of the Expert Panel's report and consideration of all proposals under the programme is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie.water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-issues.
1330. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will produce guidelines for the assessment of the climate impact of renewable energy developments on peatlands, including degraded peatlands, as requested by Friends of the Irish Environment. [34825/17]
View answerThere are no specific planning guidelines issued by my Department in relation to the assessment of the climate impact of renewable energy developments on peatlands, including degraded peatlands, as referred to by the Deputy.
It should be noted that policy matters in relation to climate change and renewable energy generally are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a body under the aegis of that Department, provides guidance on assessment of potential climate change impacts of a development as part of its Guidelines on Information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and associated Advice Notes on Current Practice in the Preparation of EIS (2003). I understand that the EPA has issued updated draft Guidelines in this regard to take account of changes arising from Directive 2014/52/EU relating to environmental impact assessment of certain public and private projects.
In relation to planning matters, proposals for individual renewable energy development projects may be subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) as part of the planning process, whereby the applicant must prepare an EIS, examining the impact that the particular development will have on the receiving and surrounding environment. An EIA is then carried out by the appropriate competent planning authority on a project specific basis.
Projects requiring an EIA by a planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála as appropriate, in respect of an application for planning consent are listed in Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. For example, Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Regulations includes such projects as peat extraction which would involve a new or extended area of 30 hectares or more (para 2(a)) and installations for the harnessing of wind power for energy production (wind farms) with more than 5 turbines, or having a total output greater than 5 megawatts (para 3(i)). These thresholds also apply in the case where a change or extension to a project listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 would result in an increase in size greater than 25 per cent of the appropriate threshold.
In this regard, my Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála on carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment in March 2013, the purpose of which was to provide practical guidance on procedural issues, arising from the requirement to carry out an EIA in relevant cases. These Guidelines will be updated as soon as the transposing legislation relating to Directive 2014/52/EU is in place.
1331. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the provisions within national planning legislation to ensure developers of large residential developments have to contribute towards the development of new school place and school amenities that are required as the result of the new population in an area; and his views on whether there should be provision under Part V or section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to ensure a development contribution is made to local school facilities. [34830/17]
View answerIt is important to ensure that the planning process supports the provision of necessary community facilities in parallel with housing developments.
In this context, under section 48(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, there is provision for the attaching of conditions to planning permissions, requiring the payment of a development contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities, provided by or on behalf of a local authority, which benefit development in the area of the planning authority, including the provision of open spaces, recreational and community facilities and amenities and landscaping works. Furthermore, subsection (17)(g) of section 48 of the 2000 Act specifically allows local authorities to levy development contributions to fund infrastructure such as the provision of school sites. Section 49(1) and subsection (7)(d) of section 48 of the Act of 2000 also provide for the adoption of supplementary development contribution schemes by a local authority, whereby contributions can be levied, if necessary, to fund the provision of new schools and ancillary infrastructure.
The purpose of Part V is that developers should contribute a portion of the “planning gain” associated with the zoning of the land and the grant of planning permission towards the provision of social and/or affordable housing, in the interests primarily of greater social integration. Planning authorities have been advised that they should prioritise the provision of social houses on individual development sites when making Part V agreements. The provision of schools is a separate issue, which is not in my view appropriate to the specific Part V provisions.
I have no plans at present to amend the legislation in this regard. I consider there is sufficient flexibility provided under the 2000 Act as outlined above for the levying of development contributions towards school sites, schools and ancillary infrastructure, and this is a matter for each planning authority to consider in the context of their statutory planning functions.
1332. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether amendments are required to planning legislation to enable schools in conjunction with local planning authorities to introduce no fry zones or healthy eating zones in the vicinity of their schools; and his further views on fry zones around schools. [34831/17]
View answerMy Department published statutory guidelines for planning authorities in June 2013 on Local Area Plans under Section 28 of the Planning Act 2000 (as amended). Section 5 of these Guidelines offer advice as regards the structure and content of local area plans and sets out a range of policies that can be put in place to promote and facilitate active and healthy living patterns for local communities.
These include:
- promoting walking, cycling as modes of transport;
- accessibility to public open spaces, recreational and sports facilities;
- proximity of new development to sustainable travel modes;
- provision of play areas; and
- careful consideration of the appropriateness of the location of fast food outlets in the vicinity of schools and parks.
A practical effect of these Guidelines with regard to fast-food outlets is that consideration can be given to the appropriateness of their location in the vicinity of schools and parks, for example in newly developing areas, while at the same time taking into account wider land use considerations. However, with regard to the many schools located in or near town centres, restriction of fast-food outlets in these kinds of situations needs to be carefully considered on a case by case basis, in view of the mix of existing uses typically found in central areas.In addition, planning policy with regard to the location of fast-food outlets needs to be considered also within the wider policy context of practical steps that can be taken to more widely promote and facilitate active and healthy living patterns by enhancing scope for activities such as walking, cycling and sports and active leisure pursuits and their associated facilities.
At present, I have no plans to introduce any specific legislation in relation to fast food restaurants near schools. It is ultimately a matter for local authorities to address through their own planning functions.
1334. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the guidelines for the definition of "affordable housing"; the way in which he came to the conclusion that housing is affordable; the ratio of affordable to social housing under Part V; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34839/17]
View answerUnder the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme, which is no longer in operation, eligibility was determined on the basis that applicants were in need of housing and could not afford to purchase a house outright on the open market. The income limits under the 1999 Scheme were revised on a number of occasions and in 2010 the annual income limit for a single income household was €40,000, while the annual limit for a two income household was €100,000.
Applicants for affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 satisfied the income eligibility requirement if the mortgage repayments for suitable accommodation available in the market would exceed 35% of their net income.
In 2011, the Government announced the standing down of Affordable Housing schemes. In relation to Part V, planning authorities have been informed that they should prioritise the acquisition of social houses on-site when making Part V agreements.
The Government recognises the housing affordability pressures in certain areas. Fundamentally, it is the under-supply, across all tenures of housing, that is widely accepted as being primarily responsible for driving the high levels of house price and rental inflation we have seen in recent years. The Government has made housing a top priority and, through the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, has a framework in place to deliver an increase and acceleration in the supply of high quality social and affordable homes, to buy or rent, particularly in the major urban areas where demand is greatest.
The overarching objective of Rebuilding Ireland is to increase overall housing supply to 25,000 homes per year by 2020. In order to directly influence and generate supply of new homes, Rebuilding Ireland contains a suite of actions that will increase housing construction and refurbishment. Under Pillar 2 of the Action Plan, 47,000 new social housing units will be delivered by 2021, supported by €5.35 billion in Exchequer funding. Of these, 26,000 units will be provided through direct construction and refurbishment. Significant progress has been made in increasing the build programmes of local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies and there are now over 10,000 new homes in the social housing construction pipeline.
Pillar 3 of Rebuilding Ireland contains a set of actions targeted at increasing private housing supply. The €226m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund has now been fully allocated and will fund key enabling infrastructure to open up 34 sites across 15 local authorities. The LIHAF funding has the capacity to encourage the supply of 23,000 new homes by 2021.
Also under Pillar 3, the State land bank is being actively targeted for the provision of new homes in the immediate term. In April, the Rebuilding Ireland Map was published, containing details of over 2,000 hectares of land in public ownership, with the potential to deliver some 50,000 new homes nationally. In practical terms, the development of these public lands will involve accelerating social housing delivery and securing more homes for sale and rent at lower and more affordable price points.
Rebuilding Ireland also commits to the introduction of an affordable rental scheme to enhance the provision of affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent. As set out in the Strategy for the Rental Sector, this commitment is now to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in such zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, and in particular targeting middle-income households, in mixed-tenure developments.
As the Deputy will be aware, a focussed review of Rebuilding Ireland is now underway, with an emphasis on strengthening the measures already in place and identifying new initiatives that add value and raise ambition. As part of the review process, my Department will focus in particular on the broad issues of housing supply and affordability for different market segments, building on the measures already being advanced.
1336. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way his Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities during 2017; [34029/17]
View answerPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies:
- to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities
- to comply with any statutory Code of Practice
- to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities
- to report every year on achievement of these obligations.
The NDA reports on compliance with this 3% target. In its latest published report for the calendar year 2015, the NDA noted that in the Department of Defence, 3.1% of civil servants and 4.6% of civilian employees indicated that they had disabilities. The equivalent returns for 2016 were 5.39% and 4.3% respectively.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES) was launched by the Government on 2 October 2015.
The Government have already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy:
- the public service employment target for people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6%.
- special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and we will open up alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities.
These and other recommendations of the Strategy are being considered by a cross-party group chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay.
The Department has appointed a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who is available to provide advice and assistance to employees with disabilities if required. Disability awareness is promoted within the Department and workplace accommodation is provided to staff with disabilities on request.
1337. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the investment by his Department since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34064/17]
View answerExpenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances and the operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces. My Department does not provide funding on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding provided from the Defence Vote in respect of Civil Defence and for the upgrade and development of military installations. The relevant information in relation to County Meath and County Louth for the requested periods in 2016 and 2017 is presented in the following table:
|
March 2016 – July 2017 |
Amount |
|
Meath |
|
|
Civil Defence Payments (Operational and Equipment Grants) |
€203,419 |
|
Upgrade of Military Installations (Gormanston Camp) |
€371,567 |
|
Louth |
|
|
Civil Defence Payments (Operational and Equipment Grants) |
€94,700 |
|
Upgrade of Military Installations (Aiken Barracks) |
€178,161 |
1338. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of introducing a minimum wage of €15 an hour for all employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34585/17]
View answerThe Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel and civilian employees attached to military installations.
The annual cost, including Employer’s PRSI, of introducing a minimum wage of €15.00 per hour in respect of Civil Service Staff and Civilian Employees employed by my Department is estimated at €395,148.42. The costs in relation to Civilians do not include those employees who are undergoing apprenticeship training.
The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force contain professional and technical remuneration elements in addition to allowances in the nature of pay which reflect the unique aspects of military life both at home and abroad. As such, the non-standard time and attendance patterns of military personnel and the rates of remuneration associated with a wide spectrum of duties undertaken by such military personnel can vary across the different branches of the Defence Forces and, consequently, does not facilitate the general application of a threshold rate of pay.
1339. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of introducing a minimum weekly gross wage of €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34586/17]
View answerThe Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel and civilian employees attached to military installations.
The annual cost, including Employer’s PRSI, of introducing a minimum weekly gross wage of €600 in respect of Civil Service Staff and Civilian Employees employed by my Department is estimated at €344,554.82. The costs in relation to Civilians do not include those employees who are undergoing apprenticeship training.
The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force contain professional and technical remuneration elements in addition to allowances in the nature of pay which reflect the unique aspects of military life both at home and abroad. As such, the non-standard time and attendance patterns of military personnel and the rates of remuneration associated with a wide spectrum of duties undertaken by such military personnel can vary across the different branches of the Defence Forces and, consequently, does not facilitate the general application of a threshold rate of pay.
1340. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the provisions available to a person of the Defence Forces under (details supplied); the way in which a promotion under this guideline should be made in accordance with the operational guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34815/17]
View answerProvision for meritorious promotion to the rank of Corporal is set out in paragraph 304, ‘A’ Administration Instructions, Part 10 (Chapter 3 – Promotions, Section 1, Promotion to Corporal). It states that promotion to the rank of Corporal may be authorised by the Adjutant General when the individual concerned has given long and loyal service and is considered unsuitable because of age to undergo a Potential NCOs course (members who are over 50 years of age will be considered). It further states that all cases should be kept under review and arrangements should be made to recommend the promotion to the Adjutant General in sufficient time to allow the member to avail of the higher rate of pension and gratuity appropriate to the rank of Corporal.
Whilst this provision still remains in place, there is no basic criteria specified for such meritorious promotions. With the advent of modern, competency based promotion systems now implemented in the Defence Forces which take account of a person’s previous performance, meritorious based promotion seems at odds with this fair and equitable system. To that end, the issue of personnel continuing to be promoted outside of the recognised and objective promotion schemes in place is currently under review by officials in my Department.
1341. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 2289 of 20 June 2017, the number of former TDs that applied for board positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34857/17]
View answerThe only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. In the period since I was first appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Defence in February 2011 there have been no applications submitted to my Department from former TDs for board positions on the Army Pensions Board.
