Written Answers Nos. 633-650
633. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the schools that will benefit from the new hot school meals pilot programme for DEIS schools announced in budget 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42288/18]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €54 million in 2018 representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2019 announced a further extension to the scheme and additional funding of €1m for 2019. The additional funding is to provide a hot school meals pilot programme to commence in the 2019/2020 academic year.
Research shows us the value of the provision of adequate and nutritious meals for a child’s health, learning, attention and educational achievement. That is why I am providing funds to establish a pilot programme for a hot meals scheme in DEIS schools. Hot dinners will be provided on a pilot basis in up to some 7,200 children. If successful, I would hope to work with the Department of Education and Skills (DES) in extending the scheme on a much wider basis in future years and establish the scheme on a permanent basis.
Officials from my Department will now engage with officials in DES to identify suitable DEIS schools for the pilot and thereafter a consultation with the schools involved will begin.
634. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42310/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement. I note that this information is published monthly by the Central Statistics Office, available at https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/labourmarket/liveregister/.
Number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit at the 30th September 2018
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
157,018 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
30,186 |
635. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of referrals made to the local employment services to date in 2018, by office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42311/18]
View answerThe Local Employment Services (LES) forms part of the State’s public employment service. The public employment service is managed by my Department and delivered through the Intreo service as well as by contractors, such as JobPath, the Local Employment Service and Job Club providers.
The LES engages primarily with long-term unemployed jobseekers, but may also engage with short-term unemployed jobseekers where a local need arises. Jobseekers are referred directly to the LES by Intreo offices. LES maximum caseloads per mediators (120:1) are agreed for each contract and jobseekers are referred to LES offices on a replacement basis only.
The following table reflects the numbers of customers who attended/engaged with the LES, by provider, to end of September 2018. The engagement period can last for up to 12 months. The Department records when a customer attends/engages with the LES service, some of the numbers below may include those persons who were referred towards the end of 2017, but who attended/engaged with the service this year. The number of referrals to the LES this year to the end of September was 12,525.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Local Employment Service |
Activation clients engaged with service 2018 YTD |
|
Northside |
1579 |
|
Ballymun |
1299 |
|
Dublin City NW |
1624 |
|
Blanchardstown |
1453 |
|
Dublin City SW |
484 |
|
Dublin City Docklands/Eastside |
998 |
|
Dublin South City |
419 |
|
Dublin 12 |
712 |
|
Ballyfermot |
638 |
|
Clondalkin |
1479 |
|
Tallaght |
2069 |
|
Southside |
970 |
|
Kildare |
1801 |
|
Bray |
761 |
|
Monaghan |
718 |
|
Dundalk |
526 |
|
Drogheda |
1012 |
|
Mayo |
822 |
|
Galway |
759 |
|
Limerick |
2092 |
|
Cork |
1581 |
|
South Kerry |
660 |
|
Tralee |
1147 |
|
Waterford City |
941 |
|
Waterford County |
489 |
|
Wexford |
1418 |
|
Total |
28451 |
636. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons referred to JobPath to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42312/18]
View answerJobPath is an employment service, which helps long-term unemployed people to secure and sustain paid employment.
To date in 2018, just over 43,000 jobseekers have commenced their engagement period with the JobPath service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
637. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received from employers and from young persons under the new youth employment support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42315/18]
View answerThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1 October 2018. YESS is targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme aims to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The scheme will provide a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both Placement Hosts and jobseekers.
To date, a total of 35 YESS placements have been advertised on JobsIreland.ie. Jobseekers are advised to contact a case officer at their local Intreo centre in order to express their interest, at which point their eligibility for the scheme is determined. While the numbers expressing an interest is not recorded on my Department's systems, figures on actual placements will become available in due course.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
638. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rent supplement budget for 2019. [42353/18]
View answerThe Budget for Rent Supplement in 2019 is €132.4m, as published in the 2019 Budget Estimates on Budget Day.
Expenditure on Rent Supplement is declining as a result of the transfer of recipients to the Housing Assistance Payment administered by local authorities and funded from the Vote of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
639. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42355/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 9th October 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
640. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42395/18]
View answerI confirm that an application from this lady for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 7 August 2018.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted their report, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
641. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42528/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 27th September 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
642. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received each week in the carer's benefit section; the reason it takes a considerable amount of time to process an application even though it has all the correct paperwork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42530/18]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
At the end of August 2018, the average waiting time for new CARB applications was 11 weeks with 1,039 CARB applications awaiting decision. On average 85 applications are received into the section weekly.
Before a decision can be made on entitlement to CARB, a person has to show that they have the required level of PRSI contributions, that they have left full-time employment, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for has such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. This is compounded if the documentary evidence provided at initial application stage is incomplete or insufficient; this is sometimes the case with CARB applications.
The Department is currently in the process of re-designing the CARB application form. This will allow carers to provide more information on the type and level of care they provide, with an aim to providing Deciding Officers with the information they need to expedite decisions on entitlement.
Staff have recently been re-assigned within the CARB area to work on claims processing and this should lead to a reduction in processing times.
An application for carer's benefit (CARB) was received from the person concerned on 26 September 2018.
The application is currently being examined by a deciding officer and once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
643. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the progress of the programme for a partnership Government on the housing crisis. [41755/18]
View answerFollowing on from the Programme for a Partnership Government and recognising the urgency of the housing crisis, the Government introduced the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness in July 2016. This Action Plan provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the range of complex issues which need to be addressed across the housing sector. The Plan is underpinned by over €6 billion in funding to support the delivery of 50,000 new social housing homes and 87,000 other housing supports over the 6 years 2016 to 2021.
Significant progress has been made in 2016 and 2017, in partnership with local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and a range of other delivery partners, with over 45,000 individuals and families having their housing needs met during those 2 years, and a further 25,500 households expected to be supported this year. The level of progress being made is reflected in social housing waiting lists, which have reduced by 22%, from 91,600 households to 71,858, between 2016 and 2018.
The Government has made tackling homelessness a key priority under Rebuilding Ireland and while the numbers experiencing homelessness continue to increase and additional measures are required to address emergency accommodation needs, records levels of individuals and families are being supported out of homelessness. 4,729 adults exited homelessness into independent tenancies in 2017 and a further 2,332 in the first half of 2018. A Homeless HAP Place finder service has been made available nationally to support households experiencing homelessness to identify and secure independent tenancies and family hubs have also been introduced to provide more appropriate emergency accommodation to better cater for the needs of families and now provide accommodation for over 500 families.
The number of rough sleepers recorded in April 2018 had reduced by 40%, following the delivery of over 300 additional emergency beds, and a further 150 emergency beds are to be delivered by end-2018. The recent launch of the first national Housing First Strategy provides a strong framework for homeless individuals with the most complex needs to move into independent supported living.
The recent establishment of the new Land Development Agency under Project Ireland 2040 demonstrates the whole-of-Government response needed to maximise the value and use of lands in public control and to drive a more active land management role by the State. This new Agency will be crucial in supporting the delivery of affordable homes on public lands, through the new affordability requirement whereby a minimum of 30% of all publicly owned lands will be reserved for affordable housing purposes, building on the work that local authorities are initiating to deliver affordable housing on their lands, supported by the €310m Serviced Sites Fund.
New planning guidelines have also been introduced to support increased and more varied delivery of apartments in our main urban centres, where rental pressures are strongest, and a range of measures have been introduced to provide better protections for both tenants and landlords in the rental sector, including longer notice periods and the introduction of an annual limit of 4% on rent increases in areas designated as Rent Pressure Zones. Further measures will be brought forward shortly in new legislation to strengthen the role of the Residential Tenancies Board in enforcing the RPZ provisions, as part of a wider multi-annual change management programme to more proactively enforce tenancy law and have the RTB assume more the role of a regulator within the rental sector.
Recent Central Bank statistics on mortgage arrears show that the level of arrears is declining. There remains, however, a significant number of borrowers in long-term mortgage distress. The Government is committed to building on recent reforms and creating a framework that removes fear and brings predictability to a difficult process. Through a range of actions, Government Departments and Agencies are working together to find ways to encourage those who have not been able to engage, to reach a suitable long-term debt resolution, and avoid repossession if possible.
Progress is also being made under the following services in relation to Mortgage Arrears:
- Take up of the Abhaile service has been high, with 13,342 vouchers for consultations issued between the start of the scheme in July 2016 to 3 September 2018;
- The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) has returned over 6,000 debtors to solvency with over 2,000 of those cases being Personal Insolvency Arrangements (PIAs), which deal with mortgage debt; and
- At the end of August, 380 families had been supported to remain in their home through the Mortgage to Rent scheme and 845 further cases were being actively progressed.
In relation to the wider housing sector, the measures undertaken under Rebuilding Ireland are underpinning a strong increase in activity, with planning permissions for 26,752 homes granted in the year to end-June 2018, up 39%; commencement notices submitted for almost 19,500 new homes in the year to end-July, up 17%; and 19,650 new homes becoming available for use in the year to end June 2018, up 24%.
The most recent Rebuilding Ireland detailed Action Status report is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rebuilding-Ireland-Action-Status-Report-Q2-2018-Sept-2018.pdf.
644. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when Columb Barracks will be transferred to the Land Development Agency; if it will be transferred with vacant possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41759/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 510 of 9 October 2018, which sets out the position on this matter.
645. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons nationally and in County Kerry, respectively, who have had to pay the maximum penalty due to not paying the non-principal private residence charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41743/18]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge. The NPPR charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum. It is a matter for an owner to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the charge and any late payment fees applicable. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence charges and late payment fees due to it and all charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned.
My Department has no role in relation to the collection or the enforcement of the charge. The data requested in relation to the number of persons who have paid the maximum amount of late payment fees imposed under the charge is therefore not available in my Department. Data in relation to NPPR late payment fees in Kerry is a matter for Kerry County Council. The Local Government Management Agency coordinates certain matters relating to the NPPR, acting on an agency basis on behalf of the local government sector, and may be contacted at corporate@lgma.ie.
646. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to use lands from old institutions for housing, both social and private, in view of the fact the moneys made from the sale of these lands were promised to be used to develop mental health services and that this is a commitment under A Vision For Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41753/18]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) will act as a key new Government instrument and in line with its mandate will work:
- To ensure the optimal usage of State lands, coordinating their regeneration and development and opening up key sites not being optimally used, especially for delivery of new homes; and
- To drive strategic land assembly through mechanisms that will bring together both public and private sector interests in ensuring the timely preparation and release of strategic land for development in a counter-cyclical manner. Such counter-cyclical action will be aimed at stabilising any tendency towards volatility in development land values, securing more of the increase in such values as a result of the planning and infrastructure investment processes for the common good and thereby driving increased affordability through better and more cost-competitive land availability.
The work of the LDA is to secure the strategic redevelopment of relevant state lands respecting any pre-existing commitments in relation to the destination or use of the proceeds from the sale/development of such lands. The use of proceeds from the disposal of specific sites to the LDA from another State body, which is under the aegis of a different Minister, is a question for the relevant Minister with responsibility for the body in question to address. In relation to the HSE publication "A Vision for Change", it is matter for the Minister for Health.
647. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if casual markets pay commercial rates on private and-or public lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/18]
View answerUnder Irish law there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The amount of rates payable in any calendar year is a product of the valuation set by the Commissioner of Valuation, multiplied by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) decided annually by the elected members of each local authority.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Valuation Acts provide that all buildings used or developed for any purpose, including constructions affixed thereto, are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. The matter of rateability of casual markets on private and/or public properties falls, in the first instance, to be determined by the rateability or otherwise of the properties on which the particular activity is conducted. If the property in question is liable to rates in its own right, the matter of holding casual markets thereon would not change that rateability. However, if the property is exempt from rates under Schedule 4 of the Act (which would include many public properties), it would be a matter of whether or not the holding of one or more casual markets thereon would constitute “rateable occupation”. This would be a matter of law and fact, depending on the nature, extent and frequency of the arrangements between the parties.
The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Acts and the making of valuations for rating is his sole responsibility. I have no function in decisions made in this regard. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
648. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff in his Department and bodies under his aegis appointed to principal officer arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015, by year. [41846/18]
View answer649. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons appointed from the panels arising from the 2015 and 2017 open competitions for principal officer run by the Public Appointments Service, by year; if a table (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41859/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 649 together.
There were a number of appointments as a result of internal Principal Officer competitions in my Department since 7 July 2015. In addition to these appointments there were further appointments from the 2015 open Principal Officer competitions run by the Public Appointments Service, as well as some filling of PO posts through external mobility. Principal Officer posts are assigned over time in accordance with the sequencing arrangements agreed centrally through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A breakdown of the appointments made through the competitions referred to is included in the following table.
|
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from internal competitions since 7/7/15 |
4 |
3 |
||
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2015 PO Open competition run by PAS (Campaign ID: 1512210) (Effective 7/7/15) |
5 |
1 |
||
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2017 PO Open Competition run by PAS (Campaign ID: 17101202) (Effective 23/11/17) |
The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out as follows:
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
650. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to remove the requirement for planning permission for residential solar photo-voltaic installations (details supplied). [41962/18]
View answerUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.
Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.
With regard to exemptions for solar panels, Class 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides an exemption for "the installation or erection of a solar panel on, or within the curtilage of a house or any buildings within the curtilage of a house", subject to certain siting and size conditions.
Class 56 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides an exemption for "the installation or erection on or within the curtilage of an industrial building, or any ancillary buildings within the curtilage of an industrial building, of solar panels (thermal collector or photo- voltaic)", subject to specific conditions.
Furthermore, Class 18 of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides an exemption for "the installation or erection on an agricultural structure, or within the curtilage of an agricultural holding, of solar panels (thermal collector or photo-voltaic)", again subject to a number of conditions.
Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for, when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
Consideration is being given to initiating a review of the current exemptions relating to solar panels as provided for in the Planning and Development Regulations, in consultation with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
