Peter Burke
Question:395. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her Department's procedure regarding the allocation of permanent positions (details supplied). [44835/17]
View answerDepartmental Staff
Questions (395)
Written answers
My Department, like all Government Departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new demands across a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
In accordance with relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars and guidelines, when a permanent post is approved to be filled, the assignment will be made from either a panel created through a Public Service competition or from an internal Departmental promotion panel or from the relevant transfer list.
Since the beginning of May 2017, 29 permanent posts have been filled in Longford.
Temporary clerical staff (TCO) are recruited to provide cover for permanent staff who are absent on maternity leave, long term sick leave, the shorter working year scheme and other statutory leave. They are also recruited from time to time to clear backlogs and to assist in the delivery of key projects.
There are currently 18 TCOs serving in the Department’s offices in Longford.
These temporary staff are appointed on a fixed-term or fixed purpose contract basis, neither of which carries entitlement to permanency. Once the purpose for which the person is recruited no longer exists the contract is terminated.
Back to Work Family Dividend Scheme
Questions (396)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:396. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is an anomaly that the back to work enterprise allowance is not included in the qualifying schemes for the back to work family dividend as of October 2017; her plans to amend this in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44873/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) scheme is specifically targeted at long-term unemployed persons with qualifying children, and those parenting alone, to assist them in the transition from welfare to work. Claimants (and if applicable, their adult dependant) must sign off their primary social welfare payment and will then receive a weekly payment for up to 2 years. They are paid the equivalent of any Increases for Qualified Children that were being paid on their jobseeker or one-parent family payment (up to a maximum of 4 children) for the first year in employment. Half that amount will be paid weekly for the second year.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme is aimed at persons in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments wishing to set up as self-employed in a business that has been approved in advance by a Case Officer of the Department, and recommended by a Local Development Company. This scheme provides a percentage of the person’s original social welfare payment for up to 2 years, inclusive of any adult/child dependant increases (100% for the 1st year, 75% for the 2nd year).
Both BTWFD and BTWEA provide targeted support for people to re-enter the workforce, either through employment or self-employment. Consequently, there is no anomaly with regard to the qualifying schemes for BTWFD. There are no plans to revise the eligibility criteria for the BTWFD scheme to include BTWEA recipients. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
Questions (397)
James Lawless
Question:397. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 31 May 2016, the position regarding extending this allowance to the European Patent Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44912/17]
View answerWritten answers
The position remains as set out in the reply provided by my predecessor in response to your previous question. The complexity of the Court of Justice ruling on the impact of employments with an international organisation when calculating entitlement to social security old age pensions, requires extensive examination.
My Department is discussing issues arising from this case with other EU member states. It is not possible at this stage to determine the outcome of these discussions. As previously indicated I will be in contact with the Deputy on resolution of this matter.
Carer's Allowance Payments
Questions (398)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding claims arrears in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44956/17]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that arrears of carers allowance due from 08 December 2016 to 16 August 2017, issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 04 October 2017.
This equates to thirty six weeks payments. Fourteen weeks at a rate of €102.00 and twenty two weeks at a rate of €104.50.
Arrears of carers allowance due from 17 August 2017 to 23 August 2017 issued to the nominated post office of the person concerned on 24 August 2017.
The person concerned was notified of this on 22 August 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (399)
Dessie Ellis
Question:399. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the entitlement to invalidity pension for the self-employed will become operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44966/17]
View answerWritten answers
Self-employed workers will be eligible to apply for invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as self-employed people could have access to income support without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability.
Legislation for this measure has already been enacted through the Social Welfare Act, 2016. Commencement of the relevant section of this act is intended to take place in the near future, thereby allowing self-employed workers to be eligible for invalidity pension from December 2017. Details for self-employed persons including the person concerned of how to apply will be made public by my Department before then.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
Questions (400)
Lisa Chambers
Question:400. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding a back to school allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44985/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. The conditions include progressing in the level of education held by the client, with reference to the national framework of qualifications.
Applicants holding a qualification at tertiary education level (certificate, diploma, primary degree or post graduate qualification) are not approved under the BTEA to pursue a course at a similar or lower qualification level. However, there are a small number of situations where the progression rule is not applied. For instance, where a person holds a Level 5 or Level 6, the progression rule can be waived if their previous qualification was obtained three years prior to re-entry into education. The course must also be deemed to enhance a person’s job prospects and the participant must satisfy all other eligibility criteria. This does not apply to someone educated to a level 7 qualification.
The person to whom the Deputy refers already holds a qualification at QQ1 level 7. Her application for the BTEA relates to a level 5 course of study and was refused by her local Intreo Centre, in accordance with the BTEA guidelines.
Overall, it is important to note that the purpose of the BTEA is to raise educational and skill levels so as to improve a welfare recipient’s employment prospects. Progression in education is a condition which is not unique to BTEA. State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Irish Water Funding
Questions (401)
John Curran
Question:401. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of current and capital funding being made available for Irish Water in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44743/17]
View answerWritten answers
The report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services was published on 12 April 2017 and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government recently approved the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, which, consistent with the recommendations of report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, primarily involve, inter alia, all State funding to Irish Water in respect of domestic water services as determined through the regulatory process being channeled in future through my Department's Vote. The future funding of Irish Water in respect of domestic water services will therefore be from general taxation, in the form of a payment for domestic water services, based on the purchase of water covering the entirety of domestic water consumption other than excessive use and a contribution to replace the financing of the domestic component of capital investment previously funded by debt and a capital contribution from Central Funds.
A current funding provision of €114m for the revenue shortfall from the suspension/abolition of domestic water charges is being provided through my Department’s Vote in 2018 as part of the Abridged Estimates process with the balance already reflected in the subvention provided through the Local Government Fund (some €239m is required on an annual basis to meet the abolition of water charges). The overall funding of Irish Water in 2018 in respect of domestic water services is being finalised as part of the consequential reform of the Local Government Fund and the Revised Estimates process. In overall terms, some €1.1 billion will be required by Irish Water to meet the cost of domestic water services in 2018, of which €500m relates to capital investment, the latter representing the major component of the overall planned capital investment of over €600m in cash terms by Irish Water in 2018.
Credit Unions
Questions (402)
Joan Burton
Question:402. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress his Department has made with EUROSTAT in respect of allowing credit union investment of surplus funds in social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44753/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the potential role that credit unions can play in housing finance and supports the efforts of the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank to gradually lift current lending restrictions as appropriate, including for housing. The Programme further provides for consideration, with all stakeholders, as to how credit unions can support the delivery of social housing.
Credit Union bodies have set out proposed means by which funding could be provided by credit unions to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the development of social housing. My Department and the Department of Finance have met with the credit union representative bodies on a number of occasions to examine how their sector can assist in the area of financing social housing delivery.
Conscious of the independence of the Central Bank in its regulatory role in respect of credit unions, bilateral engagement has taken place between my Department and the Department of Finance to consider the potential regulatory and legislative implications of credit union involvement in the social housing sector. Both Departments have also met with the Central Bank to provide information of a technical nature in relation to social housing funding arrangements. This was with a view to assisting the Central Bank in understanding how these arrangements operate, as it deals with issues arising from proposals put forward for credit union investment in social housing.
I note the publication in May 2017 by the Central Bank of the Consultation on Potential Changes for the Investment Framework for Credit Unions. The potential changes that are provided for would allow for investment by credit unions in the delivery of social housing by the larger Approved Housing Bodies which are categorised as ‘Tier 3’ under the voluntary regulation framework for the AHB sector.
The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme provides a means whereby properties can be built or bought by AHBs with the combined use of State and private funding, and leased by AHBs and Local Authorities from private providers, for the provision of social housing. This scheme which is underpinned by a lease and other legal agreements, provides that rental payments are made by the State over an agreed long-term period, typically 20 years. In return, the housing unit is made available for social housing purposes.
Changes are now being proposed to this scheme in order to facilitate larger institutional private investors to become involved in the financing of social housing. Subject to other regulatory requirements being met, this could include credit unions.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is acting as financial advisor to my Department in this work and has undertaken market engagement in the development of the scheme. The new arrangements arising from this process are being tested to ensure that there is no negative impact arising from how they are viewed and treated in respect of the State’s General Government Balance. As part of this process, the proposed changes have been examined by Eurostat. Work on the scheme is well advanced, with details expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness emphasises the need to look at new ways of funding social housing delivery, in particular the need to provide structural, funding and policy supports to increase delivery of social housing by Approved Housing Bodies. In that context, it provides for support to be made available to an Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH)/sector-led new special purpose vehicle, involving investors which could potentially include the credit union movement.
In May 2017, my Department announced funding of €49,000 for the ICSH to support this initiative, with the aim of establishing a sector-led financial vehicle to allow AHBs to expand and to facilitate the delivery of additional housing units. Ultimately, the funding structure required to facilitate credit union involvement in the financing of social housing will have a neutral impact on General Government Debt, or be “off balance sheet” using the more commonly applied term.
The mechanisms to be used in the deployment of investment funds will have to be agreed by credit unions, with the support of their members and with the agreement of the Central Bank. My Department remains available to provide any necessary technical advice and support.
Planning Issues
Questions (403)
John Brassil
Question:403. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of wind turbines that have been granted planning permission throughout the country but are not yet installed (details supplied); the generating capacity of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/17]
View answerWritten answers
Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website. The statistics collected relate to the total numbers of:
- Invalid applications received,
- Applications received for outline permission and full permission,
- Decisions to grant/refuse permission,
- Decisions issued within the statutory eight-week period,
- Decisions deferred, and
- Percentages for grants/refusals, decisions made within eight weeks and decisions deferred.
The statistics collected relate to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority.
However, the statistics are not broken down by development type, nor do they include information on planning permissions granted which have not been activated. Accordingly, the specific information requested in relation to planning permissions granted for wind farms which have not been built and the energy generating capacity of these is not collated or available within my Department's statistics.
Local Authority Housing Data
Questions (404, 405)
Mick Wallace
Question:404. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of capital funded local authority housing units approved in May 2015 and January 2016, by local authority, in tabular form; the number of these units that have been completed; the average cost per completed unit, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44602/17]
View answerMick Wallace
Question:405. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of capital funded housing association units approved in May 2015 and January 2016, by local authority, in tabular form; the number of these units that have been completed; the average cost per completed unit, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44603/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
Announcements of new social housing approvals that were made in May 2015 and January 2016 followed the publication of the Social Housing Strategy. These announcements covered the delivery of new social housing construction schemes under both the local authority construction programme and the Capital Assistance Scheme, which provides funding to approved housing bodies to provide sheltered housing for people with disabilities, people who are homeless and elderly people. Up to date information in relation to the projects in the May 2015 and January 2016 announcements is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
Over the course of 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017, in the context of Rebuilding Ireland's increased social housing targets, further project approvals have been added to the construction programme as projects were developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies. Other initiatives have also been introduced to advance social housing, in particular the rapid delivery programme which, in the time since the announcements made in May 2015 and January 2016, has seen new social homes completed or nearing completion in Dublin at Poppintree (22), Finglas (39), Drimnagh (29), Ballyfermot (24), Belcamp (38), Mulhuddart (20) and Rathvilly (17).
My Department now publishes status reports on a quarterly basis for all social housing construction schemes, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it contains information on the delivery of 11,000 approved new social homes, some of which were delivered during 2016 and up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017, with the remainder progressing through planning, design and construction. The report can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/.
My Department is continuing to approve new social housing schemes to add to the construction programme as they are developed by the local authorities and approved housing bodies. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programmes as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A :
I propose to take PQs 404 and 405 together.
Announcements of new social housing approvals that were made in May 2015 and January 2016 followed the publication of the Social Housing Strategy. These announcements covered the delivery of new social housing construction schemes under both the local authority construction programme and the Capital Assistance Scheme, which provides funding to approved housing bodies to provide sheltered housing for people with disabilities, people who are homeless and elderly people. Up to date information in relation to the projects in the May 2015 and January 2016 announcements is set out in the tables.
Over the course of 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017, in the context of Rebuilding Ireland's increased social housing targets, further project approvals have been added to the construction programme as projects were developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies. This has resulted in a much broader construction programme and, in certain cases, projects approved more recently are being prioritised where they provide opportunities for earlier delivery. This is particularly the case with the rapid delivery programme which, in the time since the announcements made in May 2015 and January 2016, has seen new social homes completed or nearing completion in Dublin at Poppintree (22), Finglas (39), Drimnagh (29), Ballyfermot (24), Belcamp (38), Mulhuddart (20) and Rathvilly (17).
While details of these additional projects are not captured in the Tables, in order to provide an up to date and comprehensive picture of all projects in the overall social housing build programme, my Department now publishes status reports on a quarterly basis for all social housing construction schemes, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017; it contains information on the delivery of 11,000 approved new social homes, some of which were delivered during 2016 and up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017, with the remainder progressing through planning, design and construction. The report can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/. A further update setting out the position at end of Quarter 3 2017 will be published shortly.
My Department is continuing to approve new social housing schemes to add to the construction programme as they are developed by the local authorities and approved housing bodies. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programmes as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
The following Tables set out information in relation to the May 2015 and January 2016 social housing construction announcements.
Local Authority Construction
|
LA |
Homes Approved |
Completed |
Currently on Site or will be by year end |
Average Cost of completed Units |
|
Carlow |
68 |
40 |
24 |
€154,000 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
0 |
14 |
|
|
Clare |
39 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Cork |
77 |
28 |
49 |
€212,000 |
|
Cork City |
108 |
0 |
108 |
|
|
DLR |
103 |
32 |
71 |
€229,000 |
|
Donegal |
68 |
8 |
15 |
€161,000 |
|
Dublin City |
182 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Fingal |
88 |
0 |
32 |
|
|
Galway City |
55 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Galway Co |
95 |
0 |
72 |
|
|
Kerry |
89 |
0 |
75 |
|
|
Kildare |
110 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
97 |
7 |
38 |
€160,000 |
|
Laois |
18 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Leitrim |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
Limerick |
106 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Longford |
17 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Louth |
73 |
4 |
0 |
€57,000 |
|
Mayo |
33 |
0 |
33 |
|
|
Meath |
91 |
0 |
51 |
|
|
Monaghan |
51 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
Offaly |
51 |
0 |
33 |
|
|
Sligo |
49 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
South Dublin |
187 |
0 |
148 |
|
|
Tipperary |
68 |
3 |
0 |
€149,000 |
|
Waterford |
87 |
4 |
70 |
€148,000 |
|
Westmeath |
71 |
0 |
43 |
|
|
Wexford |
44 |
0 |
17 |
|
|
2,146 |
126 |
913 |
Capital Assistance Scheme / AHB Construction
|
LA /AHBs |
Homes Approved |
Completed |
Currently on Site or will be by year end |
Average Cost |
|
Carlow -Respond |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Cork Co -Respond |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Galway City -Cope Galway |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Kildare – KARE and Homeless Care Ltd |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Leitrim – SVdeP |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
Limerick -Cappamore Housing Assoc |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Louth – Simon, Cluid and North&East Housing Assoc |
26 |
1 |
7 |
€140,000 |
|
Waterford – Respond and Focus |
13 |
0 |
13 |
|
|
Westmeath - Túath |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
95 |
1 |
22 |
Local Authority Housing Data
Questions (406)
Mick Wallace
Question:406. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of capital funded local authority housing units approved from February 2016 to date in 2017, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44604/17]
View answerWritten answers
A total of 3,379 new local authority social homes have been approved for construction from February 2016 to date, under my Department’s capital funding programmes. The breakdown by local authority is set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Number of homes |
|
Carlow County Council |
133 |
|
Cavan County Council |
8 |
|
Clare County Council |
30 |
|
Cork County Council |
461 |
|
Cork City Council |
291 |
|
DLR County Council |
39 |
|
Donegal County Council |
101 |
|
Dublin City Council |
225 |
|
Fingal County Council |
189 |
|
Galway City Council |
23 |
|
Galway County Council |
16 |
|
Kerry County Council |
176 |
|
Kildare County Council |
106 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
151 |
|
Laois County Council |
36 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
44 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
117 |
|
Longford County Council |
16 |
|
Louth County Council |
56 |
|
Mayo County Council |
142 |
|
Meath County Council |
136 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
55 |
|
Offaly County Council |
25 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
12 |
|
Sligo County Council |
29 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
196 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
112 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
96 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
43 |
|
Wexford County Council |
151 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
164 |
|
|
3,379 |
All of these schemes are progressing through planning, design and construction. Further project approvals are being added to the construction programme on an ongoing basis, as they are developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing construction programme as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
Local Government Reform
Questions (407)
Brendan Smith
Question:407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the introduction of planned changes in the payment of allowances in respect of expenses incurred by members of local authorities as announced in January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to review the supports provided to councillors, in consultation with representative bodies, to enable them to continue their important work.
In January this year, taking account of the considerable additional workload councillors have experienced since the 2014 local government reforms were introduced, the former Minister announced important changes to support councillors in their role as public representatives.
While it was intended that these new measures would be implemented with effect from 1 July, the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) requested that further consideration be given to the terms and conditions that would apply, I subsequently met with a delegation from the AILG to listen to their views on the matter. A particular concern raised, which has been acknowledged, was to ensure appropriate recognition of the workload of all councillors at sub-county level across the country.
Changes of the kind involved are brought into effect through an amendment of regulations made under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, which require the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Draft amending regulations have been prepared and are currently under consideration between the two Departments.
While the finalisation of the matter is taking longer than intended, it is important that the measures are implemented from the outset in a manner that is fair to all councillors. I will be continuing to work to bring the matter to finality as soon as possible.