Written Answers Nos. 596-613
596. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an offer for a Wi-Fi hotspot which was made to a school (details supplied) in County Galway in June 2018; when progress will be made on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43306/18]
View answerAs a part of the prioritisation strategy for roll out of the National Broadband Plan, my Department, in consultation with Local Authority Broadband Officers and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have identified a network of close to 300 Broadband Connection Points which will provide free Wi-Fi to rural communities in advance of high-speed broadband being rolled out in their area.
The aim of these hubs is to provide early access to high-speed broadband for rural communities that are situated in areas that are otherwise likely to only be connected towards the end of the roll out process.
These hubs will be prioritised during the roll out of the National Broadband Plan, with the cost of connecting these locations shared between the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The school referred to by the Deputy was identified by the relevant Local Authority as an ideal location to act as a Broadband Connection Point.
Officials from my Department have recently requested the Local Authority Broadband Officers to engage with relevant stakeholders and management boards responsible for the locations which have been identified to act as Broadband Connection Points to seek their approval in principle in order for them to be ready for connection once roll out of the National Broadband Plan in the State intervention area commences.
597. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that he has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43399/18]
View answerI can confirm that I have not had any engagement, correspondence or meetings with the person in question.
For the sake of completeness, I would refer the Deputy also to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 18th October 2018.
598. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a project (details supplied) was not approved for funding under the town and village renewal scheme 2018; the reason its application was not approved; if there is a review mechanism and an appeal system in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43476/18]
View answerThe 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in April of this year. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme, and to select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department by 30th June for consideration.
I can confirm that Laois Co. Council submitted 12 proposals to my Department for consideration; however, an application in respect of the town referred to by the Deputy was not received by my Department.
On 5th October, I announced the allocation of over €21 million to 224 projects in towns and villages across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. These included 11 projects to the value of €872,094 in Co. Laois.
Details of all projects approved under the scheme are available on my Department's website at: https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Town-and-Village-2018-successful-projects-08-Oct-18.pdf.
599. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects per village being funded under the allocations made in the most recently announced 2018 town and village renewal scheme in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43546/18]
View answerThe 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in April of this year. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme. They then selected up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration.
On 5th October last, I approved funding of just over €21 million under the scheme for 224 projects in towns and villages right across the country.
Eleven projects in Co. Sligo were approved for total funding of €1,138,400. Nine projects in Co. Leitrim were approved for total funding of €737,520.
The full list of successful projects under the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, including those in counties Sligo and Leitrim, are available on my Department's website at:
https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Town-and-Village-2018-successful-projects-08-Oct-18.pdf.
600. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for the release of information on the mobile coverage blackspots pilot project to encompass all 31 local authority areas expanded in March 2018; if a map of blackspots will be made available; the actions he will take to address these blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43657/18]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 to examine broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits in Ireland and identify tangible actions to improve the quality of these services.
The Taskforce Report was published in December 2016, and included 40 actions to alleviate barriers to mobile phone reception and broadband access. An Implementation Group was established in 2017 to oversee the delivery of the actions in the Taskforce’s report. Progress reports on the delivery of these actions are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis.
With regard to the specific issue of mobile phone blackspots, my officials, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, are actively engaged with Local Authorities and mobile phone operators to identify priority blackspots and take action to address this issue.
During 2017, officials of both Departments worked with a group of Local Authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. Building on this exercise, a call was issued to all Local Authorities in 2018 to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to improve telecommunications services.
To date, 17 Local Authorities have provided data on more than 200 blackspots, although it should be borne in mind that the number of blackspots is constantly changing as new telecommunications infrastructure is rolled out and upgraded. The blackspot information that the Department has received so far is providing data regarding poor coverage in specific rural areas and along national and regional roads. The Department is continuing to work with the telecommunications providers to ensure that new infrastructure is targeted at the areas most in need.
It was not envisaged that the data gathered through this exercise would be published due to the constantly changing nature of the information. However, through another action in the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce report, ComReg intends to publish a composite national coverage map by the end of the year. This will allow consumers to check which mobile phone operator can provide the best coverage in their area.
ComReg meets my Department on a quarterly basis to provide an update on the progress of this action and has stated that all relevant data has now been collected from the mobile operators and the composite map is currently being developed.
In addition, a Focus Group was established earlier this year by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide guidance with respect to categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. The report of the Focus Group was published in August 2018 and sets out a ranked list of categories of location where high quality mobile coverage should be available. It also recommends the level (in terms of quality and reliability) of coverage needed for these locations with respect to mobile voice and data services.
601. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the terms of reference, membership and progress of the working group to explore the feasibility of developing a standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure established in March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43658/18]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in 2016 to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits, and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to full build and roll out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State Intervention. The Taskforce published its final report in December 2016, addressing a wide range of issues impacting on the provision of broadband and mobile phone services.
An Implementation Group, chaired by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, was established in early 2017 to oversee the implementation of all of the actions contained in the Taskforce Report.
Arising from 2018 work programme of the Implementation Group, a Working Group on State and Publicly Owned Assets was established earlier this year to explore the feasibility of developing a standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are to:
1. Develop a policy statement for the siting of telecommunications infrastructure on or in publicly and State-owned assets, and submit for approval by Government;
2. Work with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive dynamic database of public and State-owned property assets and make it available to telecommunications companies;
3. Consult as appropriate with key stakeholders;
4. Develop appropriate templates for use by public bodies for the licensing of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Working Group is chaired by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and includes officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, and NewERA.
I understand that the Working Group has met on a regular basis in 2018, with a view to reporting to the Government by the end of this year.
602. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for the completion of the review of the role of broadband offices; if this review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43659/18]
View answerMy Department provides funding to support the employment of a Broadband Officer in each Local Authority. Broadband Officers have a remit in relation to both broadband and mobile phone access.
These Officers play an important role as the dedicated local point of contact for telecoms operators on coverage and roll out issues, and for promoting telecommunications infrastructure development in their respective Local Authority areas.
The response to the appointment of the Broadband has been very positive, with the telecoms industry strongly welcoming the structures put in place. Their employment is also ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagement with the industry and in clearing obstacles to the roll out of the necessary infrastructure.
The 2018 Work Programme of the Implementation Group which was established to drive the actions in the report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce includes a commitment to review the role of Broadband Officers in order to define and standardise the scope of their role across all Local Authorities.
This review is being led by the County and City Management Association and is supported by my Department. The review will determine what expertise and knowledge is necessary to complement the existing skillset of the Broadband Officers. The review will be published following sign off by the County and City Management Association.
603. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department is informed of planning applications made for mobile infrastructure; if so, the process by which his Department is informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43660/18]
View answerOne of the functions of my Department is to work with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and with Local Authorities to identify and remove any barriers that impact on the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile phone and broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural Ireland.
However, my Department has no function in relation to planning applications and my Department is not informed of applications made for mobile phone infrastructure by telecommunications providers.
Full details of my Department's role and work in relation to mobile phone and broadband issues are available on my Department's website at: https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-development/mobile-phone-and-broadband-taskforce/.
604. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the categories of funding available to local authorities through his Department; the amount of funding provided for each scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43736/18]
View answerThe table shows the amount of funding provided for each of my Department's programmes/schemes in 2016 and 2017, where the funding is allocated to Local Authorities/Local Community Development Committees.
|
Category |
2016 € |
2017 € |
|
CLÁR |
€8.24 million |
€4.93 million |
|
2016 Rural Recreation Scheme 2017 re named Outdoor Recreation Scheme |
€4.13 million |
€11.63 million |
|
2017 Local Improvement Scheme Roads |
- |
€16.96 million |
|
Library Lease Subsidy Payments |
€816,369 |
€818,348 |
|
1916 Book-fund Grant |
€176,943 |
- |
|
My Open Library service infrastructure |
€1.13 million |
- |
|
Radio-frequency identification funding (RFID) |
- |
€91,559 |
|
Libraries Ireland Funding |
- |
€3.4 million |
|
Libraries Capital Programme |
€1.67 million |
€3.001 million |
|
Additional Staff Resources Local Community Development Committees (LCDC’s) |
- |
€624,128 |
|
Broadband Officer Payments (Paid in 2016 for 2017 Paid at end 2017 for 2018) Funding available for 2019 has been increased to €42,000. If all LAs draw down before end of year (Expected): Overall Total - 1,302,000EUR,Will be paid at end 2018 for 2019 |
€1.085 million * (31 LA x 35,000EUR) |
€1.085 million *
(31 LA x 35,000EUR) |
|
Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme |
€35.08 million |
€37.3 million |
|
Community Facilities Scheme |
- |
€2 million |
|
RAPID |
- |
€4.7 million |
|
Local & Regional Development |
€293,447 |
€774,648 |
|
Dublin Inner City Co-op |
€548,443 |
€448,000 |
In respect of Public Participation Networks (PPN) total funding of €1.55m per annum was available to local authorities in 2016 and 2017 from the Department to local authorities in respect of Public Participation Networks, an allocation of €50,000 was available to each local authority, provided this was matched by at least €30,000 from each local authority. This funding was to be used for the purposes of developing and maintaining a PPN, including the costs associated with the PPN Resource Worker.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by this Department and administered by the Local Authorities (LA) in each area. Towns and Villages can apply through their LA for funding under the scheme to support the rejuvenation of the town/village. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in the second half of 2016 with a budget of €10 million. A total of 170 projects were approved under the scheme in 2016.
A further 281 projects were approved for a total of €21.6 million under the 2017 scheme. The 2018 Town and Village announcement brings the number of projects approved under the scheme since 2016 to more than 670 with an allocation of €21.3m .
CLÁR 2017
CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
Measures 1 and 2 of the 2017 programme were applied for through the Local Authorities:
- Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
- Measure 2: Play Areas
CLÁR 2016
The following measures were funded through the Local Authorities under the programme in 2016:
- Measure 1 Safety Measures for Schools and Community Sports Facilities
- Measure 2 Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games areas
- Measure 3 Local Access Roads
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Outdoor Recreation Scheme is a scheme of funding to support development and necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of recreational infrastructure including the trail network throughout Ireland. Funding was made available for Greenways, Blueways and Equestrian Trails.
Under the 2017 scheme the following funding measures were available:
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
- Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
- Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development
In 2017, funding to the value of €11.63 was provided for projects through the Local Authorities.
Rural Recreation Scheme 2016 funding totalling €4.13 Million was made available to Local Authorities under the Programme. The Scheme was renamed the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2017.
The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. It was relaunched in 2017 after a gap of a number of years. A total of 23 Local Authorities benefitted from scheme to the value of €16,960,703.
Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) are functional, rather than administrative, geographic areas that reflect the spatial patterns of local economic activity and development. They are, in effect, sub-county zones within which most people live and work. The central objective of the REDZ concept is to encourage development on a more collaborative and functional area basis using the synergies and interdependencies between rural towns and their outlying areas to generate local economic activity. The REDZ 2016 scheme invited Local Authorities to submit suitable projects for consideration under the scheme. Successful projects were awarded funding of up to 80% of the total project cost, with the balance of funding being met from local sources (Local Authority, private sector or community-based funding) with a minimum 5% cash contribution. 47 projects received funding of €6.142m under REDZ 2016. The REDZ scheme did not run in 2017.
605. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants announced under the LEADER program in County Mayo from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2018; the amount of each grant referred to drawn down as of 30 September 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43881/18]
View answerLEADER forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and has a total budget of €250 million over that period.
Table 1 provides details of the grants approved under the LEADER programme in County Mayo from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2018, along with details of the amount drawn down in respect of each grant approval as of 30 September 2018.
Expenditure on the projects is drawn down as these projects are implemented and the promoters submit claims for payment to the Local Action Groups which administer the LEADER programme locally.
Grant funding can be drawn down on a phased basis and a maximum of five phased payments are permitted. The approved works must be fully completed by the project promoter prior to the final payment.
Table 1: LEADER Grants for Mayo from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2018 and Claims paid as of 30 September 2018
|
Project Name |
Promoter Name |
Address |
LEADER Grant Amount |
Date Project Approval |
Claims Paid Value |
|
Ballinrobe Agricultural Show Ltd |
Ballinrobe Agricultural Show Ltd |
Ballinteeaun Ballinrobe Co. Mayo |
€6,073.75 |
17/07/2017 |
€6,071.96 |
|
Louisburgh Horse & Pony Show |
Louisburgh Horse Show Company Clg |
Shraugh Louisburgh Westport Co. Mayo |
€11,471.28 |
17/07/2017 |
€4,035.93 |
|
Expansion of Achill Bikes |
Michael A Lavelle T/A Achill Tours |
Teach Cruachan Keel West Dooagh Co. Mayo |
€11,564.46 |
18/07/2017 |
€11,564.46 |
|
The Achill Experience |
Comhlacht Forbartha Aitiuil Acla Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Rathaiochta |
Crumpaun Keel Westport Co. Mayo |
€89,469.00 |
20/07/2017 |
€88,676.01 |
|
IRD Kiltimagh Broadband Extension |
IRD Kiltimagh Ltd |
Enterprise House 1 Aiden Street Kiltimagh Co. Mayo |
€7,887.37 |
18/08/2017 |
€7,887.37 |
|
Rural Broadband capacity expansion |
Croagh Patrick Community Network Society Ltd |
16 Ashwood Meadow Westport Co. Mayo |
€8,148.67 |
18/08/2017 |
€6,626.91 |
|
Louisburgh Community Broadband Scheme |
Louisburgh Community Futures |
Carrowniskey Westport Co. Mayo |
€9,945.74 |
22/08/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Newport Astronomy Club-Telescope |
Newport Astronomy Club |
Fauleens Newport Westport Co. Mayo |
€2,586.10 |
22/08/2017 |
€2,586.10 |
|
Emotioncubes |
Brendan Murphy |
Knock Road Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€9,359.44 |
26/09/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Westport 250 |
Westport Tourism Organisation |
Cloonkeen Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€8,148.00 |
27/09/2017 |
€8,146.87 |
|
Enhance Fahy Community Centre facilities |
Fahy Community Development Company CLG |
Derryribbeen Clogher Westport Co. Mayo |
€5,966.23 |
27/09/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Tiernaur Hall Renovation |
Tiernar Hall Society Ltd |
Tiernaur Hall Roskeen Tiernaur Co. Mayo |
€41,839.50 |
27/09/2017 |
€34,440.00 |
|
Luisne Travels from the Heart - Equipment |
Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre Ltd |
Credit Union House Main Street Ballinrobe Co. Mayo |
€2,550.12 |
28/09/2017 |
€2,465.13 |
|
Luisne Travels from The Heart - Training |
Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre Ltd |
Credit Union House Main Street Ballinrobe Co. Mayo |
€8,600.00 |
28/09/2017 |
€4,000.00 |
|
Aghamore Community Amenities Centre |
Aghamore Community Development Company Ltd |
Lower Aghamore Co. Mayo |
€300,000.00 |
29/09/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Cill Chomáin GAA Community Development Ltd |
Kilcommon GAA Community Development Ltd |
Lenarevagh Glenamoy Ballina Co. Mayo |
€300,000.00 |
02/10/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Charlestown Bridge Club |
Charlestown Bridge Club |
Cloonaweema Charlestown Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€2,165.37 |
02/10/2017 |
€2,165.37 |
|
Linenhall Arts Centre Sound & Lighting |
Linenhall Arts Centre CLG |
Linenhall Street Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€30,185.12 |
20/10/2017 |
€30,185.12 |
|
Workshop Fit-Out |
Nigel O'Reilly Goldsmith Ltd. |
Cloonconlan Straide Foxford Co. Mayo |
€22,752.57 |
20/10/2017 |
€22,752.57 |
|
Creation and Development of new Mulranny Tourism Promotional Website |
Mulranny Tourism Group |
Mulranny Westport Co. Mayo |
€4,363.42 |
30/11/2017 |
€2,181.03 |
|
Advanced Teacher Training |
David Whelan |
Rosmalley House Rosmalley Westport Co. Mayo |
€3,240.00 |
04/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Knock Community Centre Ltd Feasibility Study |
Knock Community Centre Ltd. |
Knock Community Centre Carramore North Knock Co. Mayo |
€8,055.00 |
06/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Charlestown & District Men's Shed |
Charlestown and District Men's Shed |
CBP The Complex Swinford Road Charlestown Co. Mayo |
€4,516.35 |
06/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
The installation of electronic point of sale (EPOS) system at the Community Centre |
Inishturk Community Club Ltd |
Bellavaum, Inishturk Co. Mayo |
€4,050.00 |
18/12/2017 |
€4,050.00 |
|
Holistic Therapy Training |
Cora Keating |
Granuaile House The Quay Clare Island Co. Mayo |
€4,905.00 |
19/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Prison House tourism accommodation |
Tom O'Connor |
Prizon Road Balla Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€50,000.00 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Castlebar Social Services - New Building Extension |
Castlebar Social Services CLG |
Castle Street Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€225,235.64 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Motorhome / Caravan Serviced Site |
Nevins Newfield Inn Ltd |
Nevin's Newfield Inn Newfield Co. Mayo |
€50,000.00 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
RJM Spray painting Ltd |
RJM Spray Painting Ltd |
Kilbeg Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€22,175.35 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Expansion of Teach Cruachan B&B |
Michael A Lavelle T/A Achill Tours |
Teach Cruachan Keel West Dooagh Co. Mayo |
€41,972.01 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
Bellacragher Boat Club/Safety Boat |
Bellacragher Boat Club |
Claggan Ballycroy Westport Co. Mayo |
€30,000.00 |
20/12/2017 |
€0.00 |
|
CE Certification for Structural Steel Business |
Seanie Hayes T/A Hayes Mechanical & Engineering |
Ballintubber Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€6,967.25 |
20/12/2017 |
€6,967.25 |
|
Archaeological Investigation of Ballintubber Abbey |
Ballintubber Abbey Trust |
Ballintubber Abbey Ballintubber Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€101,380.17 |
04/01/2018 |
€75,850.60 |
|
Farm Shop |
John Martin Lally |
Muings Barnatra Ballina Co. Mayo |
€16,323.57 |
12/01/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
River Tunnelling Project-A&D |
East Mayo Anglers Association |
Market street Swinford Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€3,825.00 |
20/02/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Corrib/Mask Rescue (Irish Red Cross) |
Corrib/Mask Rescue |
Cappaghduff Toormakeady Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€28,120.56 |
21/02/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
River Tunnelling Project-Training |
East Mayo Anglers Association |
Market Street Swinford Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€1,450.00 |
21/02/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Grass cutting and enhancement work in Ballina UDC |
Ballina Tidy Town Company Limited By Guarantee |
Moy Valley Resource Centre Bunree Road Ballina Co. Mayo |
€18,187.50 |
23/02/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Anthony Golden Community Park - Feasibility Study |
Anthony Golden Community Park Trust |
Knockduff Ballina Co. Mayo |
€4,372.65 |
26/02/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Behy Community Hall Fit Out |
Behy Community Hall Ltd |
Behy More Ballina Co. Mayo |
€69,336.28 |
06/03/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Feasbility Study for a Potenial Walking Trail from Healys Hotel Pontoon Bridge to Knockmore Bay |
Knockmmore/Pontoon Development Group |
Minterburn Tavanaghmore Foxford Co. Mayo |
€23,291.00 |
03/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Removal of Litter - Training |
River Moy Search and Rescue Ballina Limited |
12 Brusna Court Ballina Co. Mayo |
€23,712.00 |
03/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Achill Seal Caves Caravan & Camping Park |
Lorraine & Enda McHugh |
Claddagh Dooniver Achill Co. Mayo |
€49,922.00 |
10/04/2018 |
€15,457.01 |
|
Clare Island Animal Transport |
Michael Oliver Moran |
Toremore Clare Island Westport Co. Mayo |
€5,936.59 |
17/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
A&D into Alternative Treatment Technologies |
Maloney & Matthews Animal Collection Ltd |
Curraboy Ballinrobe Co. Mayo |
€13,875.00 |
23/04/2018 |
€13,875.00 |
|
New Glamping Business at Crossboyne |
Peter Murphy |
Crossboyne Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€25,550.00 |
23/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Balla Town Enhancement 2017 |
Balla Community Resource Development CLG |
The Square Balla Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€7,455.45 |
23/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Upgrade & Refurbishment of Existing IT Training Room |
Mayo Abbey Parish CDC CLG |
Mayo Abbey Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€6,348.75 |
23/04/2018 |
€6,348.75 |
|
Walk West Ireland |
Derek Davidson |
Tobernaveen Lahardane Ballina Co. Mayo |
€37,115.50 |
25/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Blacksod Environmental Education Centre |
Dulra Iorrais Teo |
Elly Clogher Belmullet Co. Mayo |
€18,600.00 |
25/04/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Audio Recording Facility principally for Teenagers |
Clar Regional Centre Ltd (T/A Claremorris Town Hall) |
Claremorris Town Hall Town Hall Road Claremorris Co. Mayo |
€16,520.43 |
25/05/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Balla Church Centenary Book |
Balla Community Council Ltd |
Balla Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€3,292.50 |
25/05/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Glencorrib Enhancement Project |
Glencorrib Community Services Ltd |
Glencorrib Shrule Co. Mayo |
€23,017.80 |
25/05/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Irish and English Patent Application |
Road Traffic Safety Solutions Ltd |
Carrowholly Westport Co. Mayo |
€1,638.50 |
25/05/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Parke Enhancement Proposal 2018 |
Parke Community Hall Limited |
Parke Community Centre Parke Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€26,973.29 |
25/05/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Westport Walking Maps |
Westport Tourism Organisation |
Cloonkeen Castlebar Co. Mayo |
€1,757.62 |
25/05/2018 |
€1,757.62 |
|
Mountain Trail push bikes, electric bikes and related equipment |
Noel Reid |
Quay Road Newport Westport Co. Mayo |
€23,094.00 |
21/06/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Equipment acquisition for jewellery/pottery studio |
Sarah Lyons |
Falduff Louisburgh Westport Co. Mayo |
€2,292.34 |
21/06/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Fences / Town Plan |
Belmullet Tidy Towns |
Chapel Street Belmullet Ballina Co. Mayo |
€17,963.49 |
21/06/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Walking Path and Grass Mower |
Pairc Imeartha na Cille Moire Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta |
Drum Belmullet Co. Mayo |
€3,712.50 |
21/06/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
Kilkelly Community Centre |
Kilkelly and District Development Company Ltd. |
Kilkelly Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo |
€281,444.78 |
27/06/2018 |
€0.00 |
|
|
|
Total Grants Approved |
€1,860,437.28 |
Claims Paid |
€356,333.44 |
606. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be re-examined with a view to approving the back to education allowance in view of the fact that the person was only 11 days short of the required number of days, which is an administrative rule in her Department rather than a statutory rule, and in further view of the fact that there is no formal appeals mechanism in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43515/18]
View answerA person wishing to pursue a course of study under the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications among others.
The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers into employment. It is important that the eligibility rules for the scheme are applied in a fair and consistent manner.
Officials in my Department will carry out a review of the case referred to by the Deputy and will advise the person concerned of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
607. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the qualifying criteria for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43166/18]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 368,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the house hold benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €182 million in 2018.
The criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. Therefore the fuel allowance is a means tested payment and qualifying payments are those payments that are considered long term payments by my Department. People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to energy poverty than people who have only recently become unemployed, and may only be jobless for a short period.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance scheme to include people on short term payment schemes would require considerable extra funding for the scheme and would have to be considered in the overall budgetary negotiations.
With regards to no right of appeal the fuel allowance scheme is administrative (non-statutory) and therefore decisions on claims cannot be appealed to a Social Welfare Appeals Officer. However, if a customer is dissatisfied with a decision not to grant an allowance, s/he may request a review of his/her claim by a different Deciding Officer. It is open to applicants to supply any additional facts of information in support of his/her application. However, if it is the case that they are simply not qualified for payment, a review will not overturn the previous decision. If following this review, the applicant still does not qualify for the allowance it is still open to them to contact the Office of the Ombudsman.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme a recipient of a social welfare or health service executive payment who has exceptional essential heating costs due to ill health or infirmity and who cannot provide for such costs from within his or her own resources may qualify for a heating supplement. There is no standard rate for a heating supplement. Each case is examined on its merits and the Community Welfare Officer determines the amount to be paid taking account of the level of the expenses in question and the ability of the applicant to contribute towards his or her exceptional heating costs.
The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. In that regard, the Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
608. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of paternity benefit since it was introduced on 1 September 2016, by county, in tabular form. [43181/18]
View answerPaternity benefit was introduced from 1st September 2016 and provides a payment in respect of two weeks paternity leave to be taken within 26 weeks of the birth of the baby. In the period from the commencement of the scheme up to the end of September 2018 a total of 48,806 people have availed of this leave and have been awarded and paid paternity benefit.
The table shows a breakdown by county of paternity benefit claimants for the period 1st September 2016 up to end September 2018, the latest period for which detailed statistics are available.
PATERNITY BENEFIT Claimants by County Breakdown
|
County |
Awarded Sept - Dec 2016 |
Awarded 2017 |
Awarded Jan 2018 – Sept 2018 |
Total Awarded |
|
Carlow |
64 |
302 |
206 |
572 |
|
Cavan |
75 |
424 |
300 |
799 |
|
Clare |
107 |
592 |
403 |
1102 |
|
Cork |
634 |
3334 |
2297 |
6265 |
|
Donegal |
155 |
686 |
509 |
1350 |
|
Dublin |
1345 |
7495 |
5194 |
14034 |
|
Galway |
284 |
1522 |
1010 |
2816 |
|
Kerry |
127 |
699 |
455 |
1281 |
|
Kildare |
234 |
1387 |
897 |
2518 |
|
Kilkenny |
115 |
511 |
297 |
923 |
|
Laois |
65 |
409 |
259 |
733 |
|
Leitrim |
43 |
189 |
124 |
356 |
|
Limerick |
195 |
1010 |
696 |
1901 |
|
Longford |
40 |
194 |
125 |
359 |
|
Louth |
141 |
640 |
423 |
1204 |
|
Mayo |
144 |
655 |
408 |
1207 |
|
Meath |
209 |
1104 |
718 |
2031 |
|
Monaghan |
69 |
341 |
272 |
682 |
|
Offaly |
73 |
391 |
288 |
752 |
|
Roscommon |
56 |
337 |
197 |
590 |
|
Sligo |
71 |
335 |
248 |
654 |
|
Tipperary |
151 |
828 |
530 |
1509 |
|
Waterford |
129 |
582 |
419 |
1130 |
|
Westmeath |
101 |
499 |
343 |
943 |
|
Wexford |
140 |
757 |
496 |
1393 |
|
Wicklow |
145 |
775 |
519 |
1439 |
|
Others |
20 |
141 |
102 |
263 |
|
TOTAL |
4932 |
26139 |
17735 |
48806 |
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
609. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter regarding illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43184/18]
View answerThe Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit (IB). Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.
The person concerned is now both certified and paid up until 18th October 2018. Her next medical certificate was due on 19th October 2018 and when this is submitted, regular weekly payments of IB will resume.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
610. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit payment in the case of a person (details supplied) will be normalised; the status or changes to the system which have resulted in delayed or irregular payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43185/18]
View answerThe Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit. Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.
The IB claim for the person concerned is now paid up to date. His next medical certificate was due on 15th October 2018 and when this is submitted, regular weekly payments of IB will resume.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an issue regarding illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43187/18]
View answerThe Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit. Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.
Payments have now resumed for the person concerned and all arrears owing to her will issue shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
612. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the significant delays experienced by persons dealing with the illness benefit section since a system changeover in 2018; if the recent changeover has impacted on waiting times; the average time persons are now waiting for decisions on claims; if under and overpayments have been recorded of the benefit; if contact between claimants and her Department have been impacted; her plans to remedy the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43197/18]
View answerMy Department recently moved to a new IT system and this has impacted on payments to some Illness Benefit (IB) customers. The transition has involved moving from a payment in arrears system to a real-time system for IB.
The Department acknowledges that this move has caused difficulties for some customers leading to a large volume of calls to its helpline and long delays in responding to customer queries. In order to address this issue, the Department has deployed additional staff to manage calls from customers and from Oireachtas members.
I want to assure the Deputy that all IB customers will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness - as certified by their GP. Any customer who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.
My Department is working hard to resolve these payment issues as quickly as possible. Where overpayments arise, the Department's normal debt recovery procedures will apply.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
613. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if issues regarding the illness benefit payment system will be addressed and rectified; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are waiting weeks without payment or are receiving reduced payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43199/18]
View answerMy Department recently moved to a new IT system and this has impacted on payments to some Illness Benefit (IB) customers. The transition has involved moving from a payment in arrears system to a real-time system for IB.
The Department acknowledges that this move has caused difficulties for some customers leading to a large volume of calls to its helpline and long delays in responding to calls. In order to address this issue, the Department has deployed additional staff to manage customer calls.
I want to assure the Deputy that all IB customers will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness - as certified by their GP. Any customer who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.
My Department is working hard to resolve these payment issues as quickly as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
