Written Answers Nos. 1950-1969
1950. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 21 June 2016, the status of a landholding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38542/17]
View answerThe area in question appears to be State Owned Foreshore. However, there is no record of consent being granted to carry out any reclamation works. It has been used and occupied for many years without consent and without the payment of rent which, except in exceptional circumstances, foreshore leases or licences attract.
My Department is in on-going communication with the legal advisor to the person named seeking to clarify when the reclamation of foreshore took place and who carried out the reclamation. Once this has been clarified the next necessary steps will be taken in consultation with the State's legal advisors.
1951. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the annual capital investment spend on domestic water and sanitation services in each of the years 2000 to 2021, in tabular form. [36809/17]
View answerThe total annual capital investment by my Department on water services from 2000 to 2013 is outlined in the following table. This represents the expenditure by the Department on the provision of water and waste water infrastructure through the Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) and the Rural Water Programme (RWP). The Department only funded the component of infrastructure relating to the domestic sector in these years, with the local authorities or group water schemes as appropriate meeting the costs of the non-domestic sector on a cost recovery basis. In the case of local authority schemes, this was calculated on a project by project basis but on average would have been 20%-25% of total costs. In some years, a small proportion of the funding below was in support of the investment programme rather than direct asset investment, e.g. through funding actions on river basin management plans and water sector reform. If these are excluded in 2013, the total cost of public water and waste water investment for the domestic sector was €237m.
Exchequer Capital Expenditure on Water and Wastewater Services 2000-2013 (€m)
|
Year |
WSIP |
RWP |
TOTAL |
|
2000 |
380 |
45 |
425 |
|
2001 |
453 |
53 |
506 |
|
2002 |
435 |
57 |
492 |
|
2003 |
375 |
75 |
450 |
|
2004 |
314 |
86 |
400 |
|
2005 |
299 |
119 |
418 |
|
2006 |
335 |
129 |
464 |
|
2007 |
367 |
130 |
497 |
|
2008 |
391 |
105 |
496 |
|
2009 |
412 |
100 |
512 |
|
2010 |
407 |
88 |
495 |
|
2011 |
350 |
79 |
429 |
|
2012 |
268 |
40 |
308 |
|
2013 |
241 |
34 |
275 |
Since January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of public water and waste water services and the direct Exchequer provision through the Departmental Vote has funded only the rural water programme (group water schemes, private wells and septic tanks). Exchequer Expenditure between 2014 and 2017 for this programme is set out as follows.
|
Year |
Rural Water Programme (€m) |
|
2014 |
16 |
|
2015 |
17 |
|
2016 |
15 |
|
2017 (Estimate) |
17.8 |
Funding for 2018 and beyond is under consideration as part of the Estimates process and the Review of the Capital Plan.
Total capital expenditure by Irish Water on public water services infrastructure from 2014 to 2017 is set out in the following table. The expenditure also includes the funding of the metering programme, establishment costs and outstanding local authority balances. Some €110m was expended by Irish Water in 2013 on metering and establishment costs.
Capital Expenditure on Water and Wastewater Infrastructure by Irish Water (2014-2017)
|
Year |
Total Expenditure (accruals basis) €m |
|
2014 |
740 |
|
2015 |
544 |
|
2016 |
459 |
|
2017 (Forecast) |
625 |
|
Total |
2,368 |
The total capital programme in these years has been funded by Debt, Equity from the Minister for Finance, and customer revenue (including the subvention provided by the Department from the Local Government Fund in place of some elements of domestic costs). The €2.4 billion in forecast expenditure to end 2017 forms part of the €5.5 billion capital programme set out in the Irish Water Business Plan 2014-2021. The Commission for Energy Regulation has approved the capital spending for the current regulatory period to end 2018 and the 2019-2021 is being re-profiled in the light of investment to date.
Arising from recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, a new funding model is being put in place for Irish Water. This will involve the State funding the cost of domestic water services. The requirements for 2018 to 2021 are being finalised in the context of the 2018 Estimates and the Capital Plan. The Commission for Energy Regulation in examining costs of Irish Water, both operational and capital, applies a spilt of 80:20 between domestic and non-domestic costs. The non-domestic costs will continue to be met on a cost recovery basis from non-domestic customers.
1952. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 13 July 2017, the estimated percentage of the population paying more than a third of their income for housing. [36833/17]
View answer2006. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce an affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37744/17]
View answer2018. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress his Department has made on the reintroduction of the affordable housing scheme that was suspended during the recession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38083/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1952, 2006 and 2018 together.
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 social and affordable homes, to buy or rent, as quickly as possible, in areas where demand is greatest.
As signalled, the issue of housing affordability is being examined by my Department, including consideration of the latest data on household incomes, observed rents and house purchase prices, in the context of the ongoing focused review of Rebuilding Ireland. I expect this work to be concluded in the coming weeks and I will be considering the potential role of new initiatives in that context.
1953. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 213 of 28 March 2017 and 2143 of 20 June 2017, if the report in the case of a person (details supplied) has been submitted to his Department; if he is satisfied with the length of time it is taking to finalise this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36872/17]
View answerMy Department received a report from Galway City Council in relation to the matter in question on 1 June 2017.
The matters referred to in the report are of a serious nature and are being treated accordingly. While my Department's consideration of the matter is taking somewhat longer to complete than initially envisaged, it will be completed as quickly as possible, subject to the imperative of giving full consideration to the matter.
1954. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a scheme for affordable sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36923/17]
View answerHousing authorities have powers to make low-cost sites available to persons who are qualified for social housing support and to voluntary or co-operative not-for-profit housing associations. I have no plans at present to amend the conditions under which such sites are made available.
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 social and affordable homes, to buy or rent, as quickly as possible, in areas where demand is greatest.
The issue of affordability is being examined by my Department, in the context of the ongoing review of Rebuilding Ireland, with an emphasis on identifying new initiatives that add value and raise ambition with regard to increasing the supply of housing, including affordable homes, where they are needed. I expect this work to be concluded in the coming weeks.
1955. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work in his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36952/17]
View answerAll political appointments to my Department in the period referred to have been made in accordance with the relevant Guidelines and Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st and 32nd Dáil.
Under the terms of the Guidelines, the role of Personal Assistants and Personal Secretaries is to provide assistance to or for the office holder who selected them for appointment.
With effect from the 32nd Dáil, Parliamentary Assistants and Secretarial Assistants are no longer employed by specific Government Departments but instead are directly employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Seconded staff have generally acted as clerical and administrative support in Minister or Ministers of State constituency offices with the exception of two individuals who acted as Private Secretaries (to Minister Kelly and Minister of State English) and who were seconded from other Government Departments. Otherwise, staff working in the Ministers' departmental offices have been departmental staff and not on secondment.
In the case of Special Advisers the duties are set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The information requested as regards numbers and salary is set out in the following tables.
31st Dail (2015/2016)
Minister Alan Kelly – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) Non PPC Scale |
€75,647 – €92,550 |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC Scale |
€79,401 – €97,194 |
|
Personal/Parliamentary Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale (PPC) |
€46,016 – €59,011 |
|
Personal Secretary/Secretarial Assistant |
Personal Secretary Scale (Non PPC) |
€23,820 - €47,755 |
|
Civilian Driver X 2* |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 €665.00 |
|
Seconded Staff |
EO Standard – Private Secretary** |
€29,314 - €45,616 |
|
EO Standard x 3 – Constituency Office |
€29,314 - €45,616 |
* The salary for Civilian Drivers was €631.75 per week. Drivers who became members of the new Single Pension Scheme were paid a rate of €665.00 per week.
**This post also carries an allowance of €19,653 per annum in respect of extra attendance etc.
In addition to the above, Minister Kelly appointed a temporary replacement in situ for one Special Adviser who was absent on unpaid long term sick leave toward the end of his term.
Minister of State Paudie Coffey – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Personal/Parliamentary Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale (PPC) |
€46,016 - €59,011 |
|
Personal Secretary/Secretarial Assistant |
Personal Secretary Scale (PPC) |
€25,074 - €50,268 |
|
Civilian Driver X 2* |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 €665.00 |
|
Seconded Staff |
CO Constituency Office |
€21,879 - €37,341 |
* The salary for Civilian Drivers was €631.75 per week. Drivers who became members of the new Single Pension Scheme were paid a rate of €665.00 per week.
32nd Dail (2016/2017)
Minister Simon Coveney – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) Non PPC Scale |
€75,647 – €92,550 Post 1st April 2017 €77,849 - €95,487 |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC Scale |
€79,401 – €97,194 Post 1st April 2017 € 81,767 - €100,333 |
|
Civilian Driver X 2* |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 €665.00 Post April 2017 €650.92 €684.17 |
|
Seconded Staff |
HEO Standard (PPC) Constituency Office |
€46,081 - €58,294 Post April 2017 €47,081 - €59,294 |
|
EO – Constituency Office |
€29,314 - €45,616 Post April 2017 €30,314 - € 46,616 |
* The salary for Civilian Drivers was €631.75 per week. Drivers who became members of the new Single Pension Scheme were paid a rate of €665.00 per week.
Minister of State Damien English – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Civilian Driver X 2* |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€631.75 €665.00 Post April 2017 €650.92 €684.17 |
|
Seconded Staff |
HEO Standard - Private Secretary** |
€43,816 - € 55,415 Post April 2017 €44,816 - €56,415 |
|
EO – Constituency Office |
€29,314 - €45,616 Post April 2017 €30,314 - € 46,616 |
|
|
CO Constituency Office |
€21,879 - €37,341 Post April 2017 €22,879 - €38,341 |
*The salary for Civilian Drivers was €631.75 per week. Drivers who became members of the new Single Pension Scheme were paid a rate of €665.00 per week.
**This post also carries an allowance of €19,653 per annum in respect of extra attendance etc
Minister Eoghan Murphy – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC Scale |
€81,767 - €100,333 |
|
Civilian Driver X 2 |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€684.17 |
|
Seconded Staff |
OGP Category Specialist PPC - Constituency Office |
€39,235 - €52,958 |
Minister of State John Paul Phelan – Political Appointments
|
Job Title |
Grade |
Salary Scale |
|
Civilian Driver X 2 |
Civilian Driver Rate |
€684.15 |
1956. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will request that the statistical data relating to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive's, DRHE, protocol (details supplied) be published on a monthly and timely basis, specifically the data relating to families and children involved. [37153/17]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities. Therefore, my Department has no function in relation to the issue raised as it is a matter for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, which operates a shared homeless service on behalf of the four Dublin housing authorities.
1957. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will review the purchase scheme for persons (details supplied) in local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37238/17]
View answerSection 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister’s power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions shall not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. Therefore, I am specifically precluded by law from intervening in this or any other individual case.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least 1 year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the Scheme is determined by the relevant housing authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, housing authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
1958. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress which has been made to establish an appropriate redress scheme for home owners in counties Donegal and Mayo in circumstances in which defective block work has been found to have compromised the structural integrity of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/17]
View answerThe Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
The panel had the following terms of reference:
(i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties of Donegal and Mayo;
(ii) To carry out a desktop study, which would include a consultation process with affected homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, testing laboratories, industry stakeholders and other relevant parties, to establish the nature of the problem in the affected dwellings;
(iii) To outline a range of technical options for remediation and the means by which those technical options could be applied; and
(iv) To submit a report within six months.
On 13 June 2017, the report of the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was published and included eight recommendations, which my Department are now advancing.
My Department has already taken action to implement recommendations 1 and 2 as priorities.
With regard to Recommendation 1, the Department has conducted several meetings with the NSAI recently to advance the establishment of a Technical Committee to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol.
With regard to Recommendation 2, my Department has been in contact with Engineers Ireland in regard to the establishment of a register of competent engineers for homeowner/affected parties’ reference. Engineers Ireland provided assurance that they will collaborate with the Department, the NSAI and others on measures to establish such a register.
On 19 July 2017, I visited Donegal and met with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, the elected members of Donegal County Council, local authority officials, and other interested parties on the issue of the publication of the Report of the Expert Group on Concrete Blocks.
On 27 July 2017, I visited Mayo and held similar meetings with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, some elected members of Mayo County Council, and other interested parties on the issue of the publication of the Report of the Expert Group on Concrete Blocks.
In addition and in light of the information contained in the report, I am currently considering what further actions may be required to assist the parties directly involved in reaching a satisfactory resolution to the problems that have emerged in the two counties.
1959. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the incremental tenant purchase scheme will conclude; if his attention has been drawn to concerns that the existing scheme discriminates against tenants living in areas with inflated house prices, older tenants and working tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37241/17]
View answerThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum, have been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year and have been allocated a house under a local authority allocation scheme.
In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
1960. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of women and men respectively employed in his Department, in tabular form. [37242/17]
View answer1961. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of men and women respectively in his Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37243/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1960 and 1961 together.
The information requested is set out in the following tables based on the most recent figures available at the end of June 2017 for the then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Along with normal day-to-day staff changes in the intervening time, the Department has also transferred responsibility for the Community function to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
|
Women |
Men |
Total |
|
319 |
374 |
693 |
|
Grade |
Women |
Men |
Total |
|
Secretary General |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Second Secretary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Principal |
8 |
24 |
32 |
|
Assistant Principal |
37 |
41 |
78 |
1962. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the total cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/17]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Total |
|
Credit Cards |
||||||
|
Government Stamp Duty |
€120.00 |
€326.98 |
€180.00 |
€180.00 |
€120.00 |
€926.98 |
|
Allied Irish Bank - Annual Fees |
€338.10 |
€412.07 |
€214.32 |
€246.25 |
€40.32 |
€1,251.06 |
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Total |
|
Credit Cards |
||||||
|
Government Stamp Duty |
€120.00 |
€326.98 |
€180.00 |
€180.00 |
€120.00 |
€926.98 |
|
Allied Irish Bank - Annual Fees |
€338.10 |
€412.07 |
€214.32 |
€246.25 |
€40.32 |
€1,251.06 |
|
Bank Charges |
||||||
|
Allied Irish Bank |
€1,535.15 |
€1,350.20 |
€5,167.19 |
€2,026.29 |
€0.00 |
€10,078.83 |
|
Ulster Bank |
€0.00 |
€65.38 |
€85.00 |
€60.00 |
€61.52 |
€271.90 |
|
Bank of Ireland |
€6,508.06 |
€3,440.63 |
€1,986.05 |
€1,434.00 |
€1,625.68 |
€14,994.42 |
The bank charges shown above comprise charges on current accounts for making payments and taking in receipts and do not relate to credit cards. My Department does not operate any debit cards.
1963. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of a review being undertaken by his Department of the social housing assessment guidelines; if the applications process and income thresholds will be reviewed as part of the process; the timeframe for this review and the likely date for publication of the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37245/17]
View answerThe 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, a review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports is scheduled to commence later this year. I would expect the results of this review to be available for publication in early 2018.
1964. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding homeless children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/17]
View answerAt the outset, it is important to clarify that policy responsibility for children who require safe accommodation without their parent(s) or guardian(s), referred to as children 'out of home', rests with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
With regard to families residing in emergency accommodation, with associated dependents, the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness outlines a number of actions to assist such households. The long-term solution to the current homeless issue is to increase the supply of homes and accordingly Rebuilding Ireland is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply. In particular, it seeks to achieve the delivery of increased volumes of social housing over the coming years (47,000 units by 2021). It is intended that the long-term housing needs of households in emergency accommodation will be met through a range of social housing supports, such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, and general social housing allocations. Successes are being achieved in this regard; in 2016, over 3,000 sustainable exits from homelessness into independent tenancies were achieved; in the first quarter of 2017 over 900 such exits were achieved and, while I am awaiting full confirmation from authorities, I expect a similar level for the subsequent quarter.
To mitigate the issues associated with the volume of homeless families currently accommodated in inappropriate temporary arrangements, in addition to the actions outlined above, housing authorities are pursuing a range of new supported temporary accommodation initiatives. These custom-developed facilities, referred to as family hubs, will offer family living arrangements with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, with the capacity to provide appropriate play-space, cooking and laundry facilities, communal recreation space, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services and appropriate family supports.
Additional support services for families in emergency accommodation are available through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. These include: a special provision under the existing Community Childcare Subvention Programme of free childcare for children from homeless families; a special emphasis being placed on children from homeless families through the School Completion Programme; schools with Home School Community Liaison Coordinators are proactively engaging with the parents from homeless families to assist access to any other supports that may be of assistance; and children in homeless accommodation are being prioritised within the School Completion Programme for services such as breakfast and homework clubs.
Also, as signalled, a targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, with an emphasis on identifying new initiatives that add value and raise ambition with regard to increasing the supply of social and affordable homes, is well underway. In that context, a number of new initiatives in relation to homelessness were announced on 8 September 2017, details of which are available at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/statement-minister-eoghan-murphy-following-housing-summit.
1965. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homeless children in County Kerry to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37247/17]
View answerOfficial homeless reports are published on my Department's website on a monthly basis 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 are produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). These reports capture details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.
As details on dependants are only collected by my Department on a regional basis, the specific data sought by the Deputy is not available from my Department and is a matter for the relevant housing authority.
1966. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason income from the rural social scheme is not included as income in calculating reckonable income under the tenant purchase scheme 2016 in view of the fact that persons in the rural social scheme are allowed remain on the scheme until retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37249/17]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least 1 year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the Scheme is determined by the relevant housing authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, housing authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant. Therefore in the determining of reckonable income housing authorities shall disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and that is outside the regular pattern of a person's annual income.
In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
1967. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses purchased under the tenant purchase scheme in 2016 and to date in 2017 by local authority; the reason for the low uptake of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37250/17]
View answerThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. This includes data on sales and applications to purchase during the calendar year 2016. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
Relevant data for 2017 is not yet available. However, information on sale of local authority houses in previous years can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
1968. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Travellers in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37251/17]
View answer1969. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason homelessness data do not provide details on the number of Travellers in emergency accommodation; his plans to put a mechanism in place to ensure such data is collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37252/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1968 and 1969 together.
Official homeless reports are published by my Department on a monthly basis capturing details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. These reports are available through my Department’s website 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 do not provide a breakdown by nationality or ethnic background and it is not proposed to commence the collection of such data at this time.
It should be noted that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published a special report in August 2017, which provides a comprehensive enumeration of homeless persons, including a breakdown by nationality and ethnic background. This report, which is available on the CSO’s website www.cso.ie identifies over 500 adults and children as ‘Irish Traveller’ in temporary accommodation on Census night.
