Thursday, 20 Sep 2018

Written Answers Nos. 213-237

Departmental Properties

Questions (213)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

213. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the land her Department or agencies under its remit own in County Meath; the location of same; the use to which the land is put; the location of the land that is vacant, not in use or being used for agricultural purposes; the land which has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building; and the amount of this land that could be made available for housing. [38056/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

There is no land owned by my Department or agencies under its remit in County Meath.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Employment Support Services

Questions (214)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons actively engaged with social welfare job employment services such as Seetec and other similar schemes, by county, in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38079/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

JobPath is an employment service which helps long-term unemployed people and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service was introduced in 2015 on a "soft launch" basis and was fully operational by mid 2016.

In this time, just over 181,000 jobseekers have engaged with the JobPath employment service to date. All customers have received or are receiving activation support from our activation support contractors Seetec business Technology Centre Ltd and Turas Nua Ltd.

The figures in the following table are shown by year and by county.

-	2015	2016	2017	2018 to date	Total
Carlow	220	1475	1606	849	4150
Cavan	301	1419	1419	879	4018
Clare	183	1628	1672	852	4335
Cork	942	5954	6560	2901	16357
Donegal	267	3300	3753	1917	9237
Dublin	310	12092	15865	7754	36021
Galway	599	2856	3047	1579	8081
Kerry	112	2463	2659	1094	6328
Kildare	374	2943	3117	1148	7582
Kilkenny	200	1238	1507	624	3569
Laois	8	1421	1887	829	4145
Leitrim	4	629	691	350	1674
Limerick	398	3347	3440	1700	8885
Longford	501	1192	1353	641	3687
Louth	327	2931	2971	1347	7576
Mayo	202	1838	2175	1242	5457
Meath	135	1254	1610	804	3803
Monaghan	1	905	1080	454	2440
Offaly	105	2104	1837	902	4948
Roscommon	4	494	721	385	1604
Sligo	1	1014	1132	618	2765
Tipperary	173	2756	3415	1551	7895
Waterford	437	2450	2544	1093	6524
Westmeath	134	2286	2406	1203	6029
Wexford	237	3674	3747	1290	8948
Wicklow	413	1717	2055	1190	5375
Total	6588	65380	74269	35196	181433

I trust this is of assistance to the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Payments

Questions (215)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

215. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an invalidity claim by a person (details supplied) will go into payment. [38099/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 30 August 2018. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 20 September 2018. Any arrears due from 30 August 2018 to 19 September 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 17 September 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Overpayments

Questions (216)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person's estate will be pursued for an overpayment in cases in which the recipient of the overpayment has entered into an agreement with her Department for a number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38122/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Where an overpayment is raised, the Department is obligated to make every effort to recover sums overpaid.

Overpayments which have not been recovered in full at the time of death may be recovered from the deceased debtor’s estate, regardless of whether or not the debtor had been making repayments prior to their death. The personal representative of a deceased person is obliged to notify the Department of the death and to seek the Department’s clearance for the distribution of that person’s estate. Where there are no remaining assets in an estate, the outstanding balance will be written-off.

The outstanding balance does not transfer to the surviving spouse or family member.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure

Questions (217, 219)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of raising each weekly welfare and pension payment for every 1% increase. [38127/18]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

219. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of each percentage and €1 increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 years of age and over. [38158/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 219 together.

The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in weekly working age payments (to recipients under the age of 66) is €74.26 million. The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in weekly payments to pensioners aged 66 and over is €79.39 million. The total cost of a 1% increase in all weekly schemes is €153.66 million in 2019 and a full year. This cost includes proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on a reduced rate of payment, where applicable.

The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 and over is €1.82 million. The estimated full year cost of a €1 increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 and over is €6.07 million.

It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.

The appropriate rates of weekly social welfare payments, including the rate of the qualified child increase, will be considered by Government in the context of the Budget, in light of available resources and other priorities.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Expenditure

Questions (218)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost for each €1 increase in the rate of the back to school allowance. [38155/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €49.5 million for the scheme in 2018 which operates from June to September.

The rate of payment in 2017 was increased by 25% to €125 in respect of children aged 4 to 11 and €250 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education. These rates are payable in 2018 for eligible children. End of year records show that under the 2017 BSCFA scheme, payments were made to 151,000 families in respect of over 275,000 children at a cost of €49 million.

Using the total number of children covered by the scheme in 2017 as a basis, the additional cost of each one Euro increase in the BSCFA rates would be an additional €275,000. Changes to the rate of payment of any scheme administered by my Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 217.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (220)

Willie Penrose

Question:

220. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) for disability allowance; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38214/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

A claim for IP was received from the gentleman concerned on the 22 August 2018. In order to establish medical suitability, two medical report forms for completion issued to him on the 31 August 2018. On receipt of the completed forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Questions (221)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a back to education allowance will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38252/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned submitted an application for a back to education allowance (BTEA) on 6/9/18 as he wished to pursue the leaving certificate commencing 17/9/18. Current scheme guidelines stipulate that a jobseeker between the ages of 18 and 21 must be out of formal education for at least two years before commencement of the proposed course of study. Unfortunately the person concerned does not satisfy this qualifying condition as he terminated his last studies in October 2016.

A formal decision issued to the person concerned on 11/9/18 and also advised him of his right to seek a review of the decision. To date no request for a review has been received.

It is open to the person concerned to submit a request for a review of his case and include all relevant information/mitigating circumstances in support of his review request. A decision will issue on completion of the review process.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Questions (222)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if immediate steps can be taken to restore a travel pass in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38256/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently more than 900,000 customers with direct eligibility at an annual cost of €90 million.

The scheme is available to all individuals aged over 66 living permanently in the State. Applicants who are under age 66, must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in order to qualify for the scheme.

In this particular instance, the person concerned qualified for a free travel pass when they became eligible for carer's allowance. When their entitlement to carer's allowance ceased on the 11th July 2018 their entitlement to free travel also ceased.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payments

Questions (223)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38257/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An exceptional needs payment is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

According to the records of the Department the person concerned has not submitted an application for an exceptional needs payment.

As a result of this representation an appointment has been scheduled for the person concerned to meet with a designated officer on 26/9/18 in order to discuss her circumstances and assess entitlement to an exceptional needs payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Questions (224)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) has made adequate contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38260/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Entitlement to state pension (contributory) is assessed on the basis of an applicant’s full social insurance record and the eligibility conditions applicable on the date the applicant reaches pension age. Eligibility is examined by a Deciding Officer following receipt of a completed application.

Applicants are advised to submit an application form for pension at least 3 months before reaching 66 years of age. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned will reach pension age on 1 November 2018. An application form has been issued to the person concerned for completion and return.

It is also open to any individual approaching pension age to apply for state pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment and not reliant on a social insurance contribution record. On receipt of a completed state pension (non-contributory) application, the person’s entitlement will be assessed and they will be notified of the outcome. Where an individual qualifies for both pensions, the more financially beneficial rate will be paid.

The customer may also seek a statement of their contribution record from the Department and this can now be provided in real-time online at www.mywelfare.ie. I have separately asked that a contribution statement be issued in writing to the customer

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Questions (225)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the degree to which regulations are in place to ensure the protection of children who themselves or whose parents may be in emergency housing accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38269/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My 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. The provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. This includes operational issues such as ensuring that contracted services are delivered and that arrangements are in place to ensure the welfare of families and their children staying in emergency accommodation.

My Department is currently working with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to finalise a quality standards framework to be adopted by all housing authorities. The framework is already in operation in the Dublin region.

I liaise on a regular basis with my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to ensure that robust child protection measures, inspection arrangements and health supports are in place in emergency accommodation for families. I have also met both the Ombudsman for Children and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commissioner to discuss issues in relation to homeless families. I will continue to work with these stakeholders to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for the protection of families and children who are experiencing homelessness.

Departmental Properties

Questions (226)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the land his Department or agencies under its remit own in County Meath; the location of same; the use to which the land is put; the location of the land that is vacant, not in use or being used for agricultural purposes; the land which has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building; and the amount of this land that could be made available for housing. [38060/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My Department is not the registered owner of any land in County Meath. The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are generally the registered owners of any property in state ownership that is occupied by my Department.

The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.

Agency	Email address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Office	[e-mail]

In order to support the development of social and affordable housing, the State residential land-bank, incorporating lands in the ownership of the Housing Agency and local authorities, has been detailed and mapped and is available at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.

Local Authority Expenditure

Questions (227)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

227. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount paid out by each local authority with respect to compensation and insurance claims since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38066/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

The information requested is not available in my Department. Local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions and the elected members are democratically accountable for all expenditure. Details of compensation amounts and insurance claims paid by local authorities are a matter for each local authority. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to the matters raised in the Question.

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Questions (228)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

228. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to increase the net income limits for social housing assessments for County Louth to account for the increasing cost of living and the rental demands on persons bordering on the current limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38073/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local 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. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected 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, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports is underway. The Housing Agency is carrying out the detailed statistical work which will underpin this review on behalf of my Department. The review will obviously have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.

Electoral Commission Establishment

Questions (229, 233)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

229. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the establishment of a permanent electoral commission as committed to in the programme for partnership Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38092/18]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to collate or mandate a public body to collate voter turnout statistics by demographic particularly by age to improve voter accessibility and information as collated by the CSO until 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38096/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 233 together.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht undertook a public consultation process on the establishment of an electoral commission on the basis of a consultation paper prepared by my Department in 2015. The Committee published a report on the consultation in January 2016. This report contains a series of recommendations regarding the establishment of an electoral commission, including functions which should be assigned to it; independence, membership and accountability mechanisms; and the establishment process.

In the report, voter turnout and voter education are identified as matters in need of attention. The Committee also recommended that the development and implementation of policy on voter facilitation measures and the development and implementation of innovative ways to enhance voter education and engagement (including obstacles to registration) be assigned as functions to the electoral commission.

These, along with the other recommendations in the report, are informing the implementation of the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government on establishing an electoral commission, including the preparation of an Electoral Commission Bill to give effect to that commitment. My Department is, in the first instance, preparing a Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Bill, which is expected to be completed later in the Autumn.

I have no immediate plans to collate or mandate a public body to collate voter turnout statistics by demographic. These are matters that will be considered in the assignment of functions to the electoral commission in due course.

Rental Sector

Questions (230)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

230. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of rental properties nationally that have been sanctioned for overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38093/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Enforcement of Part IV of the Housing Act 1966, which deals with overcrowding, is a matter for each local authority in its role as housing authority for its relevant functional area. Under that Act, a housing authority may request information from the owner or occupier of a house such as will allow that authority to determine if a house can be deemed to be overcrowded, having regard to section 63 of the Act.

The housing authority may serve notice on the owner of a house, specifying the maximum number of persons that may occupy a house without causing overcrowding and, where the owner of a house is causing or permitting the house to be overcrowded, may require the owner to desist from causing or permitting such overcrowding within a period not exceeding 21 days.  Any person who neglects or refuses to comply with these requirements is guilty of an offence.  

Information specifically related to the number of rental properties sanctioned for overcrowding is not collected by my Department.

Electoral Register

Questions (231)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

231. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of scoping exercises by his Department on reform of the voter registration process including online voter registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

In March 2017 the Government determined that work should commence on modernisation of the voter registration process in the context of the possible need to register voters resident outside the State in the event that the referendum on extending the franchise in Presidential elections is passed.

The project, which it is estimated will take some 2-3 years to complete, will also include consideration of wider policy and legislative changes, including initiatives such as online registration. There will be an initial focus on a series of proposals including those made by the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in its report on the consultation it carried out on the proposed Electoral Commission in 2016.

Conscious of the importance of the register and its role in our democracy and the need to ensure security and integrity are key priorities for any changes being considered, significant consultation is planned to engage all stakeholders, including registration authorities, the political system at all levels and the public. An initial technical consultation with franchise teams in local authorities is currently underway and will inform the further development of proposals. A public consultation, currently anticipated to be launched in Q4 2018, will offer an opportunity to all relevant stakeholders and the public to contribute.

Local Authority Members

Questions (232)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to facilitate councillors to take six months maternity leave without a sanction for non-attendance by their local authority; his further plans to amend section 18(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 2001 in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38095/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Section 18(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that a councillor shall be deemed to have resigned from membership of their local authority where he or she is absent from attendance at local authority meetings for a continuous period of 6 consecutive months.

However, sections 18(4)(b) and 18(4)(c) state that this provision does not apply in cases where an absence was due to illness or in good faith for another reason provided this is accepted by the local authority and approved by a resolution of the other elected members before the end of the relevant period. This allows the continuous period of allowable absence to be extended to 12 months and then to 18 months upon the passing of a second resolution.

Furthermore, regulation 5(3) of the Local Government (Representational Payment for Members) Regulations 2001 provides that a councillor will continue to receive the full amount of the Representational Payment while absent from meetings of their local authority for a continuous period of 6 months. On the expiration of that period, payments continue to be made at half the applicable annual rate for the next succeeding 6 months but are not made subsequent to the expiry of that period, for so long as the uninterrupted absence continues.

Notwithstanding the existing position, and acknowledging my Department's commitment under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020, my Department is examining potential supports to promote the participation of women in the 2019 local elections. Having consulted with key stakeholders in recent months, my Department will in the coming weeks submit a report setting out a range of possible practical measures, including in relation to section 18(4) of the 2001 Act, which could be taken to meet the commitment of the National Strategy for the 2019 local elections and beyond.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 229.

Student Accommodation

Questions (234)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

234. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of all purpose-built student accommodation complexes opened in the past 12 months nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38097/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

In July 2016, the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness identified the under-supply of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Ireland and the significant related adverse impact that this deficit was having on the wider private rental sector. The increased provision of PBSA was established as a key priority in addressing the current wider housing crisis.

My Department is continuing to support the Department of Education and Skills, through the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Student Accommodation, in examining the issue of student housing and potential policy measures to increase accommodation supply. This Group which includes stakeholders from the Higher Education Institutes, Union of Students in Ireland and other Government Departments highlighted important issues in developing new student accommodation projects, including the planning and development finance aspects in assembling new development projects.

The work of this Group led directly to the initiation of reforms in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 which provided for the fast-tracking of planning applications for student housing construction projects of greater than 200 bed-spaces directly to An Bord Pleanála. In addition, the legislation provides for the availability of low-cost financing from the Housing Finance Agency to the Higher Education Institutes specifically for new student accommodation projects in order to support the delivery of new accommodation projects.

Recent analysis from the Higher Education Authority has indicated that, by May 2018, some 3,000 bedspaces had been delivered since the publication of Rebuilding Ireland and a further 7,250 bedspaces were under construction nationally. In addition, over 7,000 bedspaces had received planning permission but were yet to commence construction and planning permission was being sought for a further 1,200.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (235)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

235. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress of Sligo County Council's Rebuilding Ireland housing programme; his views on the speed of progress in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38120/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, the social housing needs of over 137,000 households will be met over the period 2016 to 2021, supported by over €6 billion of investment, by delivering an additional 50,000 social housing units, while an additional 87,000 households will have their housing need met via Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme.

Sligo County Council is progressing the delivery of social housing under a range of programmes to meet the social housing needs of the county, in line with the targets set for them under the Plan.  Delivery against target is published on a quarterly basis on my Department’s website and includes social housing delivery by each local authority, including Sligo County Council, including through new build and acquisition, housing provided by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), accommodation provided using the private rented sector e.g. under HAP, the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Social Housing Leasing Expenditure Programme. Data on delivery up to end Q1 2018 is published at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. 

A detailed breakdown of the programme of new social housing build, including that by Sligo County Council,  is available at the following link, which also covers the period up to end Q1 2018: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2018/. 

The timing and delivery of these projects is a matter in the first place for the Council. I am pleased to see concrete progress being made, such as the imminent completion of the development at Fr. O'Flanagan Terrace in Sligo town, where the 8 already completed new homes will be added to with a further 14 houses very soon.  Construction is also to commence on a number of other sites in the county shortly, including Knappagh Road, Rosses Point, Ballymote and Collooney. Another 10 houses at Dromore West have been recently added to the pipeline of projects and the Council is currently working to bring forward other projects at various locations.

Data on social housing delivery for end Q2 2018 is being collated and will be published shortly.  In general terms, Sligo County Council has a target for social housing delivery of 60 homes across their Build, Acquisition and Lease programmes in 2018, with an additional 179 dwellings to be delivered under HAP and the Rental Accommodation Scheme. To end Q1 2018, the Council had delivered a total of 116 homes across all programmes.

I am pleased to see this progress with new projects, on top of what has been already delivered.  I am keen, however, that all local authorities, including Sligo, further accelerate their programmes and I have assured them that the necessary funding to support their activity is available.

Local Authority Staff Data

Questions (236)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

236. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of empty homes officers employed by each local authority. [38128/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Local authorities have designated Vacant Homes Officers to act as a central point of contact and to provide information and advice for owners of vacant homes and also to deal with queries from members of the public in respect of private residential vacant properties in their administrative area.

My Department has provided funding for each local authority (€50,000 per annum, for a period of two years (i.e. a total of €100,000 to each local authority for 2018 and 2019)) to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office. The provision of central funding will allow for focus to be given to the role of the Office in establishing a co-ordinated approach towards the implementation of their Vacant Homes Action Plans and will reinforce the capacity of my Department’s Vacant Homes Unit to liaise with and seek information/statistics from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office is expected to play a key role in the co-ordination of this work within the local authority.

National Development Plan

Questions (237)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

237. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when Sligo County Council can expect to receive the regional 2040 plan in view of the fact that the delay in its publication is holding up the development of the local development plan in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38140/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The National Planning Framework (NPF), published together with the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 earlier this year, is intended to provide the strategic context for future planning, development and investment over the next two decades. In addition, the NPF represents a long-term strategy for Government Departments, State agencies, State-owned enterprises, regional and local authorities and others to support communities to achieve their potential for economic, social and infrastructural development through a shared set of strategic objectives and key principles.

As a strategic document, the NPF is currently being given further and more detailed expression at the regional level through preparation, by the Regional Assemblies, of statutory Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the three Regional Assembly areas. The RSES process formally commenced earlier this year and draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are currently in preparation for public consultation later in the Autumn.

The finalisation of these regional strategies in the first half of 2019 will in turn prompt reviews and updates of individual county and city development plans to ensure strategic co-ordination and consistency between national, regional and local levels.