Thursday, 11 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 187-209

Early Years Sector

Questions (187)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated and total expenditure under the early years capital programme in each of the years 2015 to 2018. [41545/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The early years capital budget in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has over the past number of years contributed to the creation of early years and school age childcare places, essential maintenance, quality improvements and other smaller scale grants with the objective of improving the overall infrastructure of the childcare sector in Ireland. Between 2015 and 2018, the Department has provided capital grants to early years providers on a competitive basis, with a focus on building capacity and improvements for childcare facilities.

The allocation and outturn for early years capital in the years 2015 to 2018 was as follows.

Year	Allocation (€m)	Outturn (€m)
2015	8.25	8.25
2016	7.5	7
2017	7.5*	TBC**
2018	6.86	TBC***

*This figure includes €1.64m carried over from 2016.

**Final outturn figures for 2017 are currently being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy.

***2018 programme ongoing.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

Further to Parliamentary Question No. 187, Ref. No. 41545/18, for answer on 11 October 2018 regarding the allocation and outturn for Early Years Capital in the years 2015 to 2018, I wish to update the Deputy with the finalised figure for the 2017 Capital outturn.

The outturn for 2017 has been confirmed as €11.757m.

The table of allocation and outturn for Early Years Capital (2015-2018) now reads as follows:

Year	Allocation (€m)	Outturn (€m)
2015	8.25	8.25
2016	7.5	7.00
2017	7.5*	11.757
2018	6.86	TBC***

*This figure includes €1.64m carried over from 2016.

***2018 programme ongoing.

Early Years Sector

Questions (188)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

188. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to grant either retrospective funding or release future funding to a school (details supplied) in view of the exceptional circumstances in the case. [41546/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department operated a number of Capital Programmes in 2018 offering assistance under a number of categories covering increased capacity, essential maintenance and natural outdoor play areas.  The Programme was launched earlier in the year and unfortunately the process has now concluded with the budget allocated in full. No further funding is anticipated to be made available this year.

However, the details and specification of 2019's Early Years Capital offering are being developed at present. As soon as these have been finalised, an announcement will issue to all childcare providers. Following this, I would encourage the service in question to submit an application for funding.

As regards the precarity of the service in question's current rental situation, I would encourage as a matter of urgency that they engage with their local County Childcare Committee (Meath CCC) and Pobal's Sustainability team should they be in danger of closure or re-location. There are a number of non-financial sustainability supports offered to services that are experiencing difficulties.

I regret that I cannot be of more assistance at this time. However, I wish the service in question the very best wishes now and in the future.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (189)

Clare Daly

Question:

189. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to meet with representatives and members of groups (details supplied) in her consultations on the matter of the grave site at Tuam. [41641/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

While acknowledging the extraordinarily difficult legal and practical challenges, I shared my personal perspective on the decisions which must be taken and outlined my intention to bring comprehensive proposals on the future of the site to Government.  This work is now at an advanced stage.

I also understand that representatives from these groups were actively involved in the independently facilitated public consultation process around the future of the Tuam site, and participated in the Tuam and Dublin briefings with members of the Expert Technical Group. 

As matters progress, I will continue to engage with all parties to ensure that the diversity of perspectives and concerns are recognised and that, even in the absence of consensus, we might hope to proceed in collaboration and partnership. 

I have engaged with representatives of the groups on a number of occasions, including most recently at a public meeting in Tuam on the 23rd July of this year. On that occasion I met with former residents, with relatives of those who lived for a time in the Home and with those who live near the area now. It was a good, if at times difficult and emotional, conversation and I was privileged to have been able to directly hear the views of those most directly impacted by this most sensitive matter.

Child and Family Agency Staff

Questions (190)

Clare Daly

Question:

190. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the qualifications, including specialist qualifications, which must be held by Tusla staff before they may undertake assessments of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made; and the way in which CORU monitors and enforces fitness to practice as an assessor of child sexual abuse allegations. [41670/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I am informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that assessments of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made must be carried out by a registered social worker. 

In order to register with CORU, social workers must hold an approved qualification, as laid out by CORU, and demonstrate that they are fit and proper to work in the field.  

CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. The role of CORU is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. The registration, monitoring, fitness to practice and continuing professional development of social workers is an operational matter for CORU.

Child and Family Agency Staff

Questions (191)

Clare Daly

Question:

191. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the qualifications, including specialist qualifications, which must be held by forensic interviewers employed or contracted by Tusla before they may undertake forensic specialist assessment of children in circumstances in which an allegation of child sexual abuse has been made; and the way in which CORU monitors and enforces fitness to practice as specialist forensic assessor of child sexual abuse allegations. [41671/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Social workers involved with specialist  interviewing  of children who are alleged to have been sexually abused are registered with CORU as qualified social workers and have practice experience. Social workers involved in this type of interview are also required to have successfully completed a course in specialist training.  This is an intensive four week residential course run at Templemore College. Professionally qualified social workers practicing in the area of child protection and members of An Garda Síochana with experience in this field study together.  The course involves two examinations, one on the legal and legislative elements of child protection and a practical assessment, with actors simulating a specialist interview with a child.  Both assessments must be passed in order to qualify as a specialist interviewer. Refresher courses must be completed on a regular basis.

CORU comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health. CORU's role is to promote high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.

The Social Workers Registration Board at CORU has statutory responsibility for:

Maintaining the Register of members

Assessment, approval and monitoring of training courses for the health and social care professions

Established the code of professional conduct and ethics and standards of performance to which social workers must adhere.

Child Abuse

Questions (192)

Clare Daly

Question:

192. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of joint specialist interviews with gardaí taking the lead role carried out in each of the years 2016, 2017, and to date in 2018, in cases of alleged child sexual abuse. [41672/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I am informed by Tusla that data on joint specialist interviews with Gardaí taking the lead role is not collected.

Joint working between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms an integral part of the child protection and welfare service. Once a report of child sexual abuse has been screened by a duty social worker, a strategy meeting is held to decide which service is most suitable for the child. One of the available options is a Joint Specialist Interview with Gardaí taking the lead role.  

The Children First Joint Working Protocol for An Garda Síochána/Tusla – Child and Family Agency Liaison was published earlier this year to reflect the provisions in the new Children First Act 2015. Section 12 of the protocol outlines joint specialist interviewing of children.

I have established an interdepartmental working group to lead on the establishment of specialist centres for children who have been sexually abused. These centres will be child focused, and will minimise the need for repeated interview. The centres will provide for forensic, medical, and child protection assessment, as well as joint Gardai/Social Work Specialist Interviews and child and family support. Work in underway to establish the first pilot centre in early 2019.

Child and Family Agency Staff

Questions (193)

Clare Daly

Question:

193. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which Tusla ensures professional standards and clinical oversight of external private contractor specialists, including specialist forensic assessors, in child sexual abuse allegations. [41673/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have referred the question to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. A further reply will issue when I have had their response.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 41673118 of 11 October 2018.

I am informed by Tusla that, in the vast majority of cases, assessments of child sexual abuse cases are carried out by Tusla social workers.

Tusla will engage with external contractors when a service is not available internally or through the Health Services Executive psychological or mental health services, External contractors can also be engaged when a service Is not available through specialist services such as St Louise’s or St Ciare’s assessment and therapy services for child sexual abuse.

When Tusla engages external private contractor specialists, they are engaging in a specific case. The work is specified to that individual case and the unique requirements are identified. Cases are only sent to private contractors who are qualified to undertake the work.

Reports, when finalised, are often presented in court and are subject to cross examination. All reports are reviewed by the commissioning social worker and Tusla management to examine the standards and suitability of the work. In these cases, internal Tusla psychologists, or Health Services executive psychologists, can provide further oversight where issues requiring clarification are identified.

I trust this information is of use to you.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (194, 195)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

194. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the investigation into the operation of the mother and baby homes; the date by which this investigation will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41675/18]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

195. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department or another Department will provide financial compensation to former residents of the mother and baby homes. [41676/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

In terms of the status of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, it is important to recognise that the Commission is independent in the conduct of its statutory investigations. I am not therefore in a position to provide detailed progress updates on its work.

The Commission has prepared three Interim Reports to date, in July 2016, September 2016 and September 2017. I have published all three reports and the Commission is continuing with its work under the leadership of Judge Yvonne Murphy, Dr William Duncan and Professor Mary Daly. The Commission is due to submit its final reports in February next year.

It is not possible for a Government to consider a response to an independent statutory investigation, including any question of financial compensation, prior to the Commission submitting its final reports. To date the Commission has made no findings about abuse or neglect in any of the institutions within its terms of reference.

The Commission must be given the opportunity to conclude its investigation and to establish the facts of what happened in and around these institutions. I know that many former residents are eagerly awaiting the completion of this work. As I have indicated previously, when the final reports of the Commission are available the Government will be in a position to comprehensively respond to the full account of the Commission’s conclusions on all matters regarding the experiences of former residents.

In the interim, I have initiated a number of processes to complement the Commission's work. I have established an inclusive and representative Collaborative Forum so that former residents of these institutions can directly engage on the issues of concern to them and their families. I was very happy to meet with the Forum at its first meeting in July. I understand that they have made further progress by establishing sub-committees at their second meeting last month. I have requested an initial report within 6 months and await the outcome of their deliberations.

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Questions (196, 197)

James Lawless

Question:

196. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the joint applications made which included a group (details supplied) as an applicant in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for the town and village renewal fund or other similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41624/18]

James Lawless

Question:

197. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the joint applications made by Kildare County Council and a group (details supplied) in 2018 or a previous year for the rural recreation fund or other similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

My Department does not appear to have received any applications from Kildare County Council in conjunction with the group referred to by the Deputy under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme or the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the years 2016, 2017 or 2018.

However, if the Deputy wishes to provide additional information of any such application, I will ask my officials to examine the matter further.

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Questions (198)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to a previous parliamentary question in relation to the case of a person (details supplied), if it is accepted that the person merely rents a room and that the other tenant renting a separate room in the same building is not in any way associated and that they are liable to be adjudged so in their request for the free television licence only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41697/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The free television licence forms part of the household benefits package, together with the electricity or gas allowance.  The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment and are living alone or with an excepted person only.  There is of course a universal entitlement to the free licence if you are aged 70 and over.

An excepted person for the purpose of qualifying for the household benefits package includes a qualified adult, or a dependent child(ren) aged between 18 and 22 years if in full time education, or a person who would qualify for the allowances in his/her own right, or a person providing full time care and attention.

The original application in this case was refused in December 2016 as the utility bill provided by the applicant referred to a different address and showed a different name as the registered consumer. Following further correspondence and representations on the applicant's behalf, and in an effort to assist and facilitate the applicant, a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) called to the applicant's address on 8th August 2018, to investigate and determine the household composition.  The SWI confirmed that the applicant resides at the address provided in shared accommodation with another person.  Following this investigation the applicant was asked to provide confirmation that the person residing with him is an excepted person for the purposes of qualifying for household benefits.

The applicant's entitlement to the household benefits package, including his entitlement to the free television licence, will be reviewed on receipt of the additional information sought.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Questions (199)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

199. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter regarding an application by a person (details supplied) will be addressed. [41568/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

A decision on an application for Exceptional Needs Payments cannot be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Section 323 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 provides that where a person is dissatisfied with the determination of a designated person of a claim by him or her under section 200, 201 or 202 of that Act, i.e. Allowances-in-kind, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, the determination can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer. 

The person concerned made an application in this instance for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) towards funeral costs on the 5th April 2018.  The funeral costs had been paid in full by this date.  The need was met and therefore there was no basis for the award of the ENP.  The person concerned requested a review of the decision by a SWA Reviewing Officer.  The SWA Reviewing Officer reviewed the customer’s submission and a report from the designated person who made the original decision.  The SWA Reviewing Officer upheld the original decision & informed the person concerned in writing on the 14th June 2018. 

An ENP Review can only be carried out once.  After that, a person has the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman’s office. The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from members of the public who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, including the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and including complaints about payments related to all schemes defined in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Questions (200)

John McGuinness

Question:

200. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made in putting in place a pension scheme for community employment supervisors as outlined in a recent Dáil Éireann motion which was passed on the matter. [41592/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants, and as such were not subject to pay reductions under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) which only applied to public servants.

While the motion called for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to meet with unions with a view to addressing the issue of CE supervisors’ pension provision, the issue is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  A number of Departments including my own Department are represented on this group, as are the unions and Pobal.

A detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland.  The exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of €188 million per annum in respect of funding to enable an employer pension contribution in State funded Community and Voluntary organisations, excluding any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.

I am very conscious that while the issue relates to Community Employment supervisors and assistant supervisors, such individuals comprise of just one small group within the wider Community and Voluntary sector. Any provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of those employees could potentially give rise to claims for similar schemes on the part of those in the broader sector, thus crystallising the potential level of liability.  Any solution to this issue will require careful consideration, in particular the implications for scarce Exchequer resources. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (201)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

201. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41598/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath)

The medical certificates for the person concerned have been processed and the Illness Benefit claim has been awarded covering the period 17/09/18 to 06/10/18.  All monies due will issue this week.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Applications

Questions (202)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41606/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath)

The person concerned does not meet the criteria for payment under Illness Benefit scheme guidelines.  In particular, the customer does not satisfy the required PRSI contributions for the relevant tax years.  He has been awarded 'credits' for the period.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (203)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

203. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41611/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath)

The Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned has been processed and arrears due will be issued in the next two days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility

Questions (204)

Robert Troy

Question:

204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can avail of dental benefit treatment as a qualified adult dependant under their spouse's contributions. [41617/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Based on the information available, the person concerned will qualify for treatment benefit as a dependant spouse on her husband's insurance record.

In order for a formal approval of eligibility to issue to her dentist, she should complete and return a signed DE2 form to the Treatment Benefit Section of the Department in Letterkenny.  The relevant form has issued to her home address for completion.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (205)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contributions registered to a person (details supplied) as a basis for calculation of their State pension of which they receive a reduced amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41706/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (contributory) with effect from their 66th birthday, based on an assessed yearly average of 36 contributions, covering their working life from June 1968 to December 2017. 

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 1,850 reckonable contributions and credits and is in receipt of the correct rate of contributory pension based on this social insurance record.  Their record shows no contributions for the tax years 1973/74 to 1982/1983 and 1986/87, together with other incomplete years.  These gaps affect the person's yearly average and, consequently, their rate of weekly pension entitlement.  The person was notified in writing of their pension award on 28 May 2018.  Attached to that letter was a copy of the social insurance contribution record relied upon by the Deciding Officer when making their decision.  If the person concerned considers they have additional unrecorded contributions, they should provide details of missing periods of employment to my Department to have the matter investigated.

The Deputy will be aware that in January this year, the Government announced its intention to re-examine pension entitlements of those born on or after 1st September 1946, who qualified for state pension (contributory) on or after 1st September 2012, and were awarded a rate of pension based on the post 2012 rate band changes.  At the end of October, my Department will be writing to the pensioners concerned to let them know how the process of review will work.  There is no need for pensioners, or anyone on their behalf, to contact my Department about this.  Once the necessary enabling legislation is enacted and the required systems and processes are ready, my Department will again make direct contact with the pensioners concerned about their individual reviews. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Litter Pollution

Questions (206)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

206. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the efforts being made with regard to combating an international problem in relation to marine litter and the effects it is having on marine wildlife; the funding allocations awarded to tackling this problem here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41574/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy)

My Department is responsible for marine environmental policy including marine litter policy in the first instance.

There is now a growing body of strong evidence that plastics are negatively impacting marine fauna, through a number of mechanisms including ingestion, entanglement, nest incorporation, and by increasing the spread of invasive species. While the extent of the marine litter problem and the harm it causes to the environment are not fully understood at this time and are subject to on-going research, it is clear that this is an issue that we need to urgently address, at the very least, under the precautionary principle.

As the marine environment is transboundary in nature, with winds and currents spreading marine litter freely crossing jurisdictions, it requires EU Member States to work closely together, both by through transboundary co-operation under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and also actions taken under other international instruments such as the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, or the UN Sustainable Development Goals, for example.

My Department participates in the MSFD Technical Working group on Marine Litter which is developing threshold values for marine litter, and looking at how best to monitor and address the problem. It also represents Ireland on the OSPAR Environmental Impact of Human Activities (EIHA) Group, which includes marine litter under its remit,  and  the OSPAR Intercessional Group on Marine Litter which is developing a regional action plan for submission to EIHA and then to the OSPAR Commission. Ireland is co-leading a number of these actions including examining storm and waste water as a vector for marine litter and how to address that; developing national strategies for single use items to complement the plastics strategy and actions to address the problem of expandable polystyrene as marine litter and to model marine litter pathways and hotspots in the North Atlantic.  We are also engaged in a number of INTERREG projects to address these issues.

My Department is engaged in or supports a wide range of national actions to address marine litter including marine litter monitoring, research, awareness raising, citizen activation, educational measures, cross border activities and supports for the introduction of targeted measures to reduce, or, where possible, remove, marine litter inputs from the environment.

In 2018, Government allocated €2.2m (€1.8m current expenditure, €460k capital expenditure) for marine environmental programmes in my Department alone. However, a range of other Government Departments and State Agencies also undertake and fund a range of other marine litter related research programmes, awareness raising activities and measures to reduce marine litter. Notable among these are the EPA, the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

My Department is also preparing legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, supply, import and export of certain products containing plastic microbeads. I expect to publish a General Scheme of a Bill and a draft regulatory impact assessment imminently. My Department works collaboratively with various Departments, agencies and stakeholders to address this challenge, as how we consume and manage waste and litter on land directly affects marine litter inputs. In particular, my Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) which has responsibility for general waste management and anti-litter policy as well as the recently published EU Plastics Strategy. This strategy outlined a range of measures and targets to reduce plastic waste, taking account of the fact that single use plastics are a major source of plastic leakage into the environment and are the most commonly found items on beaches, representing an estimated 50% of marine litter.

On 28 May 2018, the EU Commission published a proposal for a new Directive to target the 10 most prevalent single-use plastic (SUP) products found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together account for 70% of all marine litter. The proposal includes:

- proposed bans on certain plastic products, including, cotton buds, plastic cutlery and straws;

- setting targets for both reducing the use of certain plastics (including coffee cups) and the collection of  certain SUPs such as plastic drinks bottles;

- placing obligations on producers of SUP items to help cover the costs of their waste management and clean up through the establishment of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes.

The full text of the legislative proposal is available at the following link –

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/single-use_plastics_proposal.pdf.

The Commission has requested that this proposal should be treated as a priority by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in order to deliver tangible results within a short timeframe.

Planning Issues

Questions (207)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

207. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a submission by a group (details supplied) to the European Commission; if he or his predecessors engaged with the local authority in respect of a planning matter contained in the submission; his plans to investigate the issues raised at a local level in conjunction with the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41565/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy)

My Department has not been contacted by the European Commission in connection with any complaints that may have been submitted to the Commission regarding the planning matter referred to.

My role as Minister in relation to the planning system is mainly to provide and update the legislative and policy guidance framework. The legislative framework comprises the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and the associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.

With regard to policy guidance, my Department has issued a large number of planning guidelines (available on the Department’s website www.housing.gov.ie) under section 28 of the 2000 Act which planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are obliged to have regard to in the exercise of their planning functions.  The day-to-day operation of the planning system is, however, a matter for each individual planning authority. 

Under planning legislation, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority concerned which can take action if a development does not have the required permission or where the terms of a permission have not been respected.  Planning authorities have substantial enforcement powers under the 2000 Act in this regard.  Under section 154 of the Act, a planning authority may issue an enforcement notice in connection with an unauthorised development, requiring such steps as the authority considers necessary to be taken within a specified period.  If an enforcement notice is not complied with, the planning authority may itself take the specified steps and recover the expense incurred in doing so.  A planning authority may also seek a court order under section 160 of the Act requiring any particular action to be done or not to be done.  Complaints regarding planning enforcement should be made to the Director of Planning Services at the local authority concerned.

Section 160 of the Act further provides that any person may seek a court order in relation to unauthorised development; such action is not restricted to planning authorities.

Under section 30 of the Act I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Voluntary Housing Sector

Questions (208)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

208. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the plans in place to allow voluntary housing associations to draw down capital towards the construction of community voluntary houses; his plans to make further allocations available under the capital assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy)

There is a range of funding and delivery mechanisms available for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to deliver social housing supports in partnership with the local authorities.  This includes the Capital Assistance Scheme, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), the AHB Mortgage-to-Rent Scheme and the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme.  The funding under these programmes is provided directly to local authorities, who in turn, advance the funding to AHBs, as appropriate.

Funding is available under the Capital Assistance Scheme for the provision of housing by AHBs for the elderly, homeless and people with disabilities. Details of the scheme and of how to apply for funding are available from the local authorities, who are responsible for its administration and for inviting AHBs to submit proposals for the provision of housing.  The scheme operates on an 'open call' basis, so AHBs can make proposals to local authorities at any time. 

The CALF scheme is available to AHBs as a low interest loan provided by local authorities, and recouped by my Department. This allows AHBs access to early working capital (up to 30% of the relevant costs) for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of units which will then be made available for social housing purposes under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme. Low interest rate borrowings are available to AHBs from the Housing Finance Agency and other private finance streams to support the financing of the balance. The AHB effectively uses the CALF approval for the capital injection of up to 30% and the ongoing commitment of lease income under the Payment and Availability Agreement to leverage the balance of finance required. Once an AHB has secured the property and signed the Payment and Availability Agreement with the local authority, they use the lease income to service the borrowings. Properties made available under the CALF scheme are used to accommodate households from the local authority waiting list.  Leased properties are allocated to tenants, in accordance with the relevant local authority's allocation scheme.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (209)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

209. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the capital spend in 2019 will be rolled over if the €75 million allocation for the serviced sites fund is unspent in 2018. [41601/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The previous allocation for the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) comprised €75m Exchequer funding, with a further €25m coming from the local authorities. This was to be provided over 4 years, not in a single year as the Deputy's Question seems to assume.

Under Budget 2019, the SSF is to be increased to €310m over three years. This will involve an Exchequer contribution of €275m, with the relevant local authorities contributing €35m. €100m of the Fund will be available in 2019, comprising €89m from the Exchequer and €11m from local authorities. Underspends arising on any programme in a given year are addressed on a case by case basis, having regard to, inter alia, other spending pressures.