Written Answers Nos. 270-290
270. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons who work part-time or on a casual basis are classified as a dependant if their spouse is in receipt of a social protection payment; the impact this has in the context of their State pension entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6483/18]
View answerSocial Protection payments are comprised of a personal rate payment for the claimant with an increase payable for a qualified adult and/or qualified child/children where applicable. An increase for a qualified adult (IQA) is payable in respect of a person who is wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant. This can be the claimant’s spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant or a person over 16 years of age who is caring for a qualified child of the claimant.
Not all people who work on a part-time or casual basis can be classified as a qualified adult on their spouse’s social protection payment as this depends on the level of their income. The spouse of the claimant is only regarded as being wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant where the weekly income of the spouse is less than €100 per week. If the spouse’s income is less than €100 per week a full rate increase for a qualified adult is payable.
Where the qualified adult has earnings or income in excess of €100 and up to €310 gross per week a reduced rate is payable for a qualified adult in the case of state pension contributory. A person in receipt of a state pension non-contributory may receive a reduced rate pension where their spouse is in employment or self-employment depending on the level of the spouse’s earnings.
In some cases where a person is entitled to an IQA on their payment, it may be that that the couple would be better off if the qualified adult made a claim in their own right. For example, it may be more financially beneficial for a couple if each of them claimed their own state pension.
Where a person is employed, including on a casual or part-time basis, they will be liable to PRSI once their earnings are over €38 per week in which case there won’t be a gap in their social insurance record.
The homemaker's scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension contributory easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or caring for incapacitated people over that age, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for state pension purposes. This has the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of his or her pension.
It is difficult to assess whether periods of time spent as a qualified adult on a person’s social protection payment will impact on their own pension entitlement. This will depend upon a number of factors including:
- their PRSI record, from the time they first entered into social insurance;
- whether they qualify for the homemaker’s scheme;
- the legislation in place when they reach state pension age; and
- their future entitlements under means-tested pension options.
The fact of being a qualified adult on their spouse’s payment may or may not have any impact on a person’s eligibility for a state pension, depending on the person’s individual circumstances.
271. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons working and-or providing services in the community employment sector are eligible for grants and or funding if they are pursing a PhD level of education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6484/18]
View answerTraining on Community Employment (CE) is based on the personal and occupational needs of each individual and is identified through the tailored Individual Learning Plan (ILP), agreed between the CE Supervisor and the participant and approved by my Department. A participant training grant is allocated to each CE Scheme.
During their time on CE, participants are encouraged and supported to work towards a major award/industry-recognised standard of achievement which supports progression to employment and further training and education. In general, participants on CE engage in training leading to an award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6, or industry recognised equivalent. The award level must be appropriate to the individual's ability, prior education history and progression goals.
In a number of individual cases, having regard to the participant’s circumstances and the need to support an individual’s progression opportunities, a contribution towards the cost of a higher level award (NFQ Level 9 has been the highest award approved) may be considered by my Department, in line with the overall training budget allocation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
272. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the spouse of a person who is in receipt of a State pension from another country in the European Union is the subject of means testing if they are in receipt of a social protection payment or State pension here; if her Department is subject to EU policy and or rules on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6485/18]
View answerThe treatment of pensions from other EU Member States is covered by the EU rules on the coordination of social security systems. It provides that where, under the legislation of the competent Member State, the receipt of social security benefits and other income has certain legal effects, the relevant provisions of that legislation shall also apply to the receipt of equivalent benefits acquired under the legislation of another Member State or to income acquired in another Member State.
Therefore EU social security co-ordinating legislation in relation to contributory benefits/pensions entitlement provides for the application of national legislation rules in the processing of applications, for example the means testing of a dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant for qualified adult increases.
Where a spouse’s Irish social protection payment is an insurance-based payment such as the Irish state pension (contributory), then any other income they may receive from any source does not affect their rate of entitlement.
However, if the spouse is a beneficiary of Increase for qualified adult or another means-tested social assistance payment, then foreign pensions would be subject to the means test of the scheme. Irish social assistance schemes, such as the state pension (non-contributory) are subject to a joint means test.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
273. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the sectors and-or industries in which persons who are engaged in informal partnerships for work with their partner are recognised as being eligible for a State pension in their own right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6486/18]
View answerUnder social welfare legislation, the social insurance status of family members including spouses working in a family business can vary. Spouses and relatives who are engaged in a business partnership are treated as individual self-employed contributors who are liable to social insurance contributions, provided their annual income exceeds €5,000. These contributions enable them to build up an insurance record in their own right and receive accruing benefits.
Alternatively, where a family business is incorporated as a limited company, spouses and assisting relatives involved in the business pay PRSI contributions either as employees or as self-employed contributors depending on whether a contract of service exists, subject to their income exceeding the appropriate thresholds.
Since 2014, certain spouses and civil partners of people who are self-employed are able to access social insurance by paying Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) to build up entitlement to social insurance benefits as a self-employed worker. Prior to 2014 these categories of spouses or civil partners were excluded from social insurance.
The spouses or civil partners affected are those who:
- assist in the business of their self-employed spouse/civil partner performing the same or ancillary tasks,
- but who is not a business partner or an employee.
The Social Welfare code contains a provision excluding self-employed persons from employing their spouse/civil partner. This caters for the situation where there is an explicit or implied contract of employment between a self-employed person and their spouse/civil partner. Paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the SWCA 2005, refers to “excepted employment” as including “employment in the service of the husband, wife or civil partner of the employed person”.
The following are other specific ‘Family Employments' that are not covered by the Social Insurance system:
- A person who is employed as an employee by a 'prescribed relative' and the family employment relates to a private dwelling house or a farm in or on which both the person and the employer reside.
- A person who is not a spouse or civil partner and who assists or participates in the running of the family business but not as an employee (such as, a son/daughter who is attending full-time education and who participates in the business for example, helps out on a farm after school hours).
I hope this clarifies the matter.
274. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons from County Kerry enrolled in the JobPath scheme that have secured full-time employment since availing of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6494/18]
View answerJobPath is an employment service, designed to support people who are long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service is delivered by Turas Nua in County Kerry.
Under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work. During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months. In addition to the two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months. It will therefore take time to accumulate a sufficient number of clients (who have completed their engagement period with the service) for complete and robust outcome data to be available.
In regard to outcomes from the service, my Department does not routinely collate and process outcomes on a County basis and the information requested is currently unavailable. However it is envisaged that in the medium term the reports to be published will provide greater granularity as the statistics available become more robust.
In the interim, my Department has been publishing on a quarterly basis, cohort based reports covering those referred to the service in Q3 and Q4 2015 and Q1 and Q2 2016. The latest report was published in January of this year. The report can be accessed on the Department’s website at the following link;
http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/JobPath-Performance-Report2017.pdf
The data is encouraging as the total employment outcome at the time of publishing was 25%: 18% of Jobseekers who engaged with the service during this period obtained full time employment, in addition a further 4% of clients entered part time employment and a further 3% became self-employed.
I trust that this information is of some assistance to the Deputy.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a winter fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6503/18]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. An applicant may have a combined household income of up to €100.00 per week over and above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory). For every means limit set, there will be applicants who exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, and fail to qualify.
In addition to state pension (contributory), the person concerned is in receipt of private pensions, the assessable portion of which brings them over the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. Their application for fuel allowance was disallowed. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 1 February 2018.
Separately, according to the records of my Department the person concerned is in receipt of, and has a lifetime entitlement to, Disablement Benefit. Disablement Benefit is a non-qualifying payment for fuel allowance.
If the person concerned forwards any other information that is relevant to their application to the Department, a Deciding Officer will review their entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the illness benefit payable in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason such persons are not informed as to the most beneficial payment for claimants in their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6504/18]
View answerIllness Benefit is a payment for persons who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The rate of payment depends on the person’s level of earnings in the governing PRSI contribution year. For Illness Benefit claims made in 2017, the governing contribution year is 2015. Where the average weekly earnings are €300 or more the personal rate of payment is €193 weekly. A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.
The person concerned made a claim to Illness Benefit and this claim was registered in my Department on 1 December 2017. The person concerned qualifies for a graduated rate of Illness Benefit of €151.20 weekly based on their earnings in the governing year - 2015. They are also entitled to a graduated rate of €83 for their adult dependant.
When Illness Benefit was awarded to the person concerned a form was issued which provided details of Invalidity Pension and stated that the rate of Invalidity Pension was higher than the rate of Illness Benefit. It also stated that Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are medically assessed as being permanently incapable of work for at least the next 12 months.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is payable where a person's means are insufficient to meet their needs. Application may be made to the Community Welfare Services at the local Intreo Centre.
277. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she, her officials or advisers have had meetings with the strategic communication unit since it was set up; the issues that were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6532/18]
View answerThe Secretary General of the Department met with the head of the Strategic Communications Unit in August at the Department’s headquarters at Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1. This meeting was an introduction to and discussion on the future role of the unit. The Minister, the Secretary General, the Minister’s advisor Gerry Mullins and Assistant Secretary Helen Faughnan met with John Concannon and Eugene Farrelly from the Strategic Communications Unit on 13 December 2017, at the Department of An Taoiseach, Government Buildings. The issues that were discussed at this meeting were the role of the unit, future work plans and access to government services online.
A number of other meetings have taken place between Senior Officials of the Department and the Strategic Communications Unit at the Department of An Taoiseach since its establishment. Issues discussed include campaign planning, branding and visual identity. These include a recent group presentation on “Visual Identity” in February 2018.
The Department’s Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Communications, Helen Faughnan, attends a monthly meeting hosted by senior officials from the Strategic Communications Unit at the Department of An Taoiseach, Government Buildings. The issues discussed at this meeting are the Department’s future work plans.
278. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide illness benefit to persons who are in full-time employment and in receipt of a contributory widows pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6551/18]
View answerThe person concerned made a claim to Illness Benefit and this claim was registered in my Department on 26 January 2018.
The person concerned is in full time employment and there is no limit on the amount they are permitted to earn while also receiving a full rate Contributory Widows Pension.
Both Illness Benefit and Contributory Widows Pension are not payable together. The person concerned could choose to receive Illness Benefit instead of Contributory Widows Pension if she so wishes. However, as the Illness Benefit rate is lower than Contributory Widows Pension, it would not be financially beneficial to do so.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
279. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for free fuel by a person (details supplied). [6555/18]
View answerThe gentleman in question is in receipt of invalidity pension. An application for the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance) was received from the person concerned on 16 January 2018. He has been assessed as eligible for fuel allowance and the Deciding Officer has backdated his fuel application to 05 October 2017 - the start of the 2017/18 fuel season. He was notified on 06 February 2018 of this decision. First payment and arrears due will issue to his nominated back account on 15 February 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expand the arrangements of persons on community employment schemes of the older age bracket which is capped at 7%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6580/18]
View answerCurrently there is a provision which allows Community Employment (CE) participants aged 62 or over to apply to extend their participation on CE beyond the standard lifetime participation limits, providing the eligibility conditions of CE are met. Participants, aged 62 or over, are allowed to participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age, subject to satisfactory performance on the scheme and to annual approval by my Department. The places allocated for these participants, within each individual CE scheme, are limited to 7% of each scheme’s overall budgeted places. This provision is available nationwide. I am currently reviewing the rules governing this provision and I expect this review to be completed shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment of jobseeker's allowance or an alternative will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); the steps that will be taken to restore their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6608/18]
View answerA claim for jobseekers allowance by the person concerned was disallowed on 07/12/2017 as means could not be determined. This decision was appealed by the person concerned on 21/12/2017. Subsequently a Deciding Officer issued an Appeal Submission to the Social Welfare Appeals Officer on 5/2/2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from this Department. Upon receipt of these papers in the Social Welfare Appeals Office the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of freedom of information requests received by her Department in each of the years 2013 to 2017; the average time taken in these years to complete the requests by her Department; the number of requests to her Department for these years that ran beyond the deadline for the request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6891/18]
View answerThe number of freedom of information (FOI) requests received in the Department is set out in the table:
Number of Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests Received in the Dept 2013 - 2017
|
YEAR |
PERSONAL |
NON-PERSONAL |
MIXED |
TOTAL |
|
2013 |
2,060 |
84 |
4 |
2,148 |
|
2014 |
2,070 |
119 |
4 |
2,193 |
|
2015 |
1,932 |
223 |
1 |
2,156 |
|
2016 |
1,848 |
231 |
10 |
2,089 |
|
2017 |
2,280 |
343 |
18 |
2,641 |
Regarding the average time taken, and the number of requests met within the deadlines, I regret that this information is not collected on the Departments IT system and therefore is not available.
283. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the names and locations of the 22 unfinished estates in County Laois which appear on his Department's 2016 UFD survey; and the number of units in each estate that are complete and vacant and near complete, respectively (details supplied). [6513/18]
View answerThe information requested is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/final_2016_ufds_database_161130.xls.
The above link indicates the names of the 22 unfinished estates in County Laois as well as the number of units that are "complete and vacant" and "near complete" in the context of the 2016 Unfinished Housing Developments Reports.
Further information on the Summary Reports for 2016 on Unfinished Housing Developments is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/unfinished-housing-developments/national-housing-development-survey/unfinished-housing .
I expect to publish the results in relation to the 2017 Survey shortly.
284. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he, his officials or advisers have had meetings with the strategic communication unit since it was set up; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6530/18]
View answerLast October, I, together with my Department's Secretary General and other relevant officials, met with representatives of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU). I have also appointed an Assistant Secretary to represent my Department on the SCU Inter-Departmental Group which meets regularly.
In addition, my officials and Advisers have been engaging with the Unit on specific issues, including in relation to the National Planning Framework and the complementary 10-year Capital Investment Plan being prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and reporting and communications in relation to Rebuilding Ireland, the Government’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The Unit has provided useful and practical advice and assistance to my Department in terms of the accessibility and dissemination of information on complex policy matters, ensuring that these approaches are aligned with the Government’s broader communications policies and practices.
My Department’s Press and Communications Office has also attended briefings by the SCU on the work of the Unit and the areas of my Department's activities in which the Unit could play a role, having regard to its mandate to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and cross-Government cooperation to foster and develop a whole of Government approach to communications.
285. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Office of Government Procurement has been involved with the procurement process for a development (details supplied); if so, the date the office became involved; the stage the procurement process is at; the reason for the delay in the procurement process; when he expects the procurement process to be completed and for development to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6562/18]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement has not been involved in the procurement process for the development referred to. This development is being progressed directly by the relevant local authority and has the potential to yield over 580 mixed tenure residential units on the basis of a 30% social, 20% affordable and 50% private mix.
A portion (56 units) of the 30% social homes to be delivered as part of the development is being progressed in a first phase. The design and the tender documents for these 56 units are now complete and the tender documents will issue shortly, at which stage the statutory procurement timelines will come into play, resulting in contracts being finalised by early Quarter 2, 2018.
The procurement procedure (competitive dialogue) for the development of the rest of the site is progressing. The local authority expects that the dialogue process will last at least three months, including statutory standstill periods and clarifications, before the project agreement will be finalised. Both developments (the 56 units and the rest of the site) can then be progressed as per planning permissions, phasing and the development agreement between the parties.
286. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the procedure to put the national planning framework on a statutory footing; if the final document will be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas for a debate and vote; and if there will be an opportunity for the Houses of the Oireachtas to amend the document. [6572/18]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 will, once it is finalised and enacted, establish a legislative mechanism for preparing and adopting National Planning Frameworks (NPF) into the future, as well as placing the Framework on a formal statutory footing, much like the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) already provides a legislative process for the preparation and adoption of local authority development plans.
Enactment of the Bill also provides for oversight in the implementation of this new national element in the tier of statutory plans by an independent Office for Planning Regulation and for Oireachtas involvement in monitoring, reviewing and updating the framework.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Bill has now concluded its passage through the Dáil and is currently before the Seanad but is unlikely to advance to enactment in the near term, given that a significant number of amendments will need to be considered in the Seanad and these will then require to be approved by the Dáil.
Given that the work on the NPF and the associated 10-year Capital Investment Plan has been ongoing for some time and will be finalised in the coming weeks, the statutory process envisaged in the Bill in relation to the national planning framework will not be in place.
Notwithstanding this, the arrangements made for consultation and participation in the preparation of the NPF have taken into account the relevant provisions in the draft legislation, particularly in terms of -
- Submitting the draft Framework for consideration and approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and
- The Government having regard to any resolution or report from the Oireachtas in finalising the Framework.
Specifically, both Houses adopted a motion to refer the draft NPF to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government requesting that Committee to prepare a report on the draft document that would be considered in finalising the document. Through consideration of the report prepared by the Committee, coupled with the extensive debate in the Dáil over nine hours to which many Deputies contributed, from all sides of the House, the spirit of the legislative arrangements set out in the Bill has been respected, and we have carefully listened and taken on board many of the issues raised.
In addition, there has been an extensive wider consultation process, including formal engagement with the elected members of Regional Assemblies and Local Authorities, and the wide range of views received are being considered in finalising the NPF.
Having devoted a huge amount of effort on engagement and integrating views from across all parties into the final document, the priority now is to finalise and adopt this Framework, and the complementary 10-year Capital Plan so that there is effective strategic planning and infrastructure investment to meet the pressing needs of a resurgent economy and wider society.
A formal vote on the final NPF was never envisaged under the legislation, rather that both Houses would have a formal chance to input to the drafting process. Notwithstanding the extensive Oireachtas discussions that have already taken place on the draft NPF, I would be happy to facilitate further debate in the Houses on the final published NPF. The scheduling of Oireachtas business is, of course, ultimately a matter for both Houses themselves.
It should be noted also that there will be further opportunities to elaborate on the NPF at regional and local levels through forthcoming Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES’s), the preparation of which has begun in each of the three regions and which are due for completion by early 2019. In addition, in line with the proposed legislative framework, the NPF will be subject to periodic review and amendment, as necessary.
287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding provided to local authorities in 2017 for housing adaptation grants for persons with a disability, by local authority; the matching funding that was required; the funding unused by local authorities; if the 2018 grants have been notified to local authorities; if so, the amount by local authority; if not, when they will be notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6646/18]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, in respect of private housing. There are three separate grants available and local authorities receive an overall allocation, with responsibility for the apportionment between the schemes being a matter for each local authority.
The funding allocation in 2017 for the schemes was €60.5m, comprising €48.4m Exchequer funding and €12.1m from local authority resources. Information on the exchequer funding provided by my Department to each local authority under the three schemes is available 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.
Details of the allocations for these grant schemes in 2017 are available at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/rebuilding-ireland/older-people/minister-coveney-announces-eu598million-improve-homes-older.
Notification of the 2018 funding allocations to individual local authorities in respect of these schemes will issue shortly. Ahead of these notifications, local authorities can continue with a commitment of up to 65% of their 2017 allocation. This interim funding provision will comfortably allow local authorities to advance the work for the early part of this year, ahead of full year allocations for 2018 being confirmed shortly.
My Department also provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. This DPG (Disabled Persons’ Grants) scheme applies to adaptations to social housing necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts, grab-rails, showers, wet-rooms and ramps, etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in the case of overcrowding. It is 90% funded by my Department with 10% from each local authority's own resources.
The following is the expenditure by local authority area in respect of the DPG scheme for 2017:
DPG SCHEME 2017
|
Local Authority |
Expenditure (€) |
|
Carlow County Council |
417,351 |
|
Cavan County Council |
406,099 |
|
Clare County Council |
545,234 |
|
Cork City Council |
2,521,106 |
|
Cork County |
845,634 |
|
Donegal County Council |
304,047 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1,897,701 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
454,678.11 |
|
Fingal County Council |
255,253.7 |
|
Galway City |
38,389 |
|
Galway County Council |
346,344 |
|
Kerry County Council |
325,857 |
|
Kildare County Council |
765,384 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
314,792 |
|
Laois County Council |
100,645 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
79,447 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
602,628 |
|
Longford County Council |
26,479 |
|
Louth County Council |
0 |
|
Mayo County Council |
337,090 |
|
Meath County Council |
239,286 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
143,227 |
|
Offaly County Council |
289,365 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
11,507 |
|
Sligo County Council |
500,222 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
511,758 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
0 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
321,239 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
149,787 |
|
Wexford County Council |
404,482 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0 |
|
Total |
13,155,034 |
My Department will shortly be requesting local authorities to submit their 2018 funding requirements under the DPG scheme. As with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for private houses, works can take place under the DPG scheme to 65% of the previous year's allocation in advance of notification of the full year's allocation.
288. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in each of the years 2013 to 2017; the average time taken in these years to complete the requests by his Department; the number of requests to his Department for these years that ran beyond the deadline for the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6895/18]
View answerThe following table gives details of the number of FOI requests received in each of the past five years:
|
Year |
Number of FOI Requests |
|
2013 |
111 |
|
2014 |
180 |
|
2015 |
395 |
|
2016 |
393 |
|
2017 |
351 |
My Department does not routinely collate the information in relation to the average time taken to complete requests in a given year.
However, in respect of 2017, an analysis of requests received by my Department up to 30 November 2017 was carried out. This analysis indicated that a total of 339 Freedom of Information requests had been received up to that date. Just over 90% of those requests had been completed either within the twenty day period laid down in the Act or within an agreed extension period.
While every effort is made within my Department to respond to requests within the allocated twenty day time frame, due to the demands on the resources of my Department, or the need for third party consultation, or the volume of material to be examined, it is sometimes necessary to extend the period of reply.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if legal clarification has been agreed in relation to whether uninterrupted turf cutting by two persons (details supplied) in succession since the 1970s on a plot unassigned by the Land Commission may be combined to give a 30 year right of prescription over the plot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6502/18]
View answerOne of the individuals referred to in the Deputy's question appealed to the Peatlands Council against a decision of my Department that he does not fulfil the qualifying criteria to be eligible for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.
I understand that the Council has raised a legal issue and my Department has sought advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter.
The other individual referred to in the Deputy's question has also applied for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. I am advised that, as a similar legal question has arisen as regards both applications, my Department will take its decision on this application when the aforementioned advice has been received from the Office of the Attorney General.
290. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the salary scale of the incoming director of the National Museum of Ireland; and if she has approved the business case to increase same. [6481/18]
View answerOn 10th April 2017, the Board of the National Museum of Ireland forwarded a business case to my Department proposing a Civil Service Director level salary scale for the new Director, that is Principal Officer Higher grade with allowance. The then Minister approved this salary scale with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The post of Director of the National Museum of Ireland was subsequently advertised and the incoming Director will be appointed on this scale. I am informed that, as of 1st January 2018, the incremental salary scale is €103,867, €107,520, €111,191, €114,854, €117,978, €121,268, €124,560.
