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Wednesday, 14 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 272-287

Working Family Payment Applications

Questions (272)

Joe Carey

Question:

272. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application by a person (details supplied) for a working family payment will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47344/18]

View answer

Written answers

Working Family Payment (WFP ) is an income-tested weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.

Income that is assessable for WFP includes an applicant's and their spouse's or partner's average net weekly assessable earnings from employment plus any other income such as other social welfare payments, farm income, income from self employment, income from rented property, etc.

An application for WFP was received from the person concerned spouse on 15th October 2018.

Their application for WFP was refused on 9th November 2018 on the grounds that the applicant's weekly family income is not less than the prescribed income limit for their family size. (3 qualified children)

The weekly income limit for a family with 3 children is €723.00.

The person concerned was notified on 09th November 2018 of this decision and of the right of review and appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Questions (273)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47354/18]

View answer

Written answers

To qualify for payment of Illness Benefit a person must satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions, including the requirement to have at least 104 weeks of PRSI contributions paid since first starting work.

Up until the end of the 2017 contribution year the person concerned has 103 weeks of PRSI contributions paid.

If the person concerned has PRSI contributions paid in the current (2018) contribution year they should submit a statement from their employer indicating the type and number of PRSI contributions and the amount of PRSI paid. Their entitlement will be re- examined on receipt of this information.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (274)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a decreased level of illness benefit payment issued recently to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47355/18]

View answer

Written answers

The illness benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and she is in receipt of her full entitlement under the illness benefit scheme.

The personal rate of benefit for the person concerned is €88.90 per week. This rate is calculated based on the person's average weekly earnings in 2016 income tax year. As the personal rate of benefit is less than the maximum personal rate of €198, the person concerned may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance. Contact should be made with the local Intreo centre for further details.

The claim in question is certified and paid up to the 14th November 2018. If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible so that further payments can issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Questions (275)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an invalidity pension payment will be reinstated in the case of person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47360/18]

View answer

Written answers

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

From the information available to the Department, the gentleman in question is currently engaged in employment, therefore the appropriate payment in this case is Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). The reinstatement of his PCB payment will be processed as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Payments

Questions (276)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

276. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is receiving a reduced rate of partial capacity benefit; when the full rate will be restored; when arrears will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47367/18]

View answer

Written answers

The qualified child allowance on the Partial Capacity Benefit claim for the person concerned has now been processed and arrears due have issued.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions Reform

Questions (277)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

277. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on when the total contribution system will be introduced for the State pension; if there will be a requirement of 30 or 40 years of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47369/18]

View answer

Written answers

There has been no decision on the number of years required to qualify for a maximum rate pension under the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) that will apply from 2020. This issue was one of the matters the recent public consultation exercise on TCA sought opinions on, and those opinions will inform the final design of that scheme.

I launched the public consultation on the design of the TCA on the 28th of May to which stakeholder groups were invited. A number of workshops were also held on the day to elicit views and feedback. The consultation was open for over 3 months and we received almost 300 responses from individuals and organisations including open written submissions. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents upon a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, as intended as part of the consultation process.

Analysis of the views submitted is being finalised. When I have considered this analysis, I will bring a proposal to Government in due course, and the scheme will be introduced through the standard legislative process, and the policy choices will, I believe, be broadly debated by members of the Oireachtas.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (278)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

278. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will be processed to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47408/18]

View answer

Written answers

The illness benefit claim for the person concerned is currently certified up to the 4th December 2018. The claim is paid up to 17th November 2018 and all arrears due have also been paid.

Any further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible so that further payments can issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Questions (279)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

279. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the development of a special purpose vehicle by a council (details supplied) for the investment of funds in social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47098/18]

View answer

Written answers

Considerable work has been ongoing between the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), a number of larger Tier 3 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and their financial advisors on the development of a vehicle or mechanism for delivering private financing for AHBs providing social housing in line with commitments under the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness.

Two phases of the work with the sector's financial advisors had been completed by Q3 2018. This included market testing and the more detailed analysis in evaluating the updated and ongoing requirements of financial institutions and AHBs. The establishment of a single financing vehicle has not been completed as of yet but the work will continue to be progressed into 2019 with the objective of increasing the level of private financing from financial institutions for developing Tier 3 bodies.

Alongside this work, one AHB has established a SPV for the specific purpose of acquiring homes, and another AHB has obtained finance from a private financial institution. Both of these have resulted in homes being delivered by these AHBs through these financing arrangements.

Solar Energy Guidelines

Questions (280)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

280. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to develop guidelines for the construction of solar energy sites. [41178/18]

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Written answers

As is the case with the large majority of development types, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms. Proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority and with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Within the wider national and local planning context, planning authorities must make their decisions, based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.

While I am satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning permission applications for solar farm developments, the matter is being kept under review, in consultation with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, who leads on renewable energy policy. Our two Departments are exploring the potential for enhancing national planning guidance on solar energy, taking account of solar energy projects being assessed by planning authorities and the scope for future development of the sector in the context of the ongoing development of renewable energy policy.

On foot of this on-going engagement between the two Departments, where the need for specific planning guidance for solar farms is identified, my Department will develop such guidance as appropriate.

Wind Energy Guidelines

Questions (281)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

281. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the revision of the wind energy development guidelines; and the timeframe for completion of the revision. [41177/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.

SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report under the SEA process, will be commenced in the coming weeks, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines, following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase, in early 2019.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Questions (282)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an extension of the funding intended for local authority house building is envisaged in view of the urgency of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43910/18]

View answer

Written answers

A funding investment in excess of €6 billion is being provided over the period 2016-2021 to support the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland, which aims to deliver 50,000 social housing units over the period 2016 to 2021. Over €2.35 billion has been expended on housing programmes over 2016 and 2017, which delivered homes for over 19,000 households in 2016 and a further 25,900 households in 2017.

An increased funding provision of €1.9 billion is available for social housing delivery this year, while for 2019, these funding levels will be further increased to almost €2.4 billion. Notably, the budget for the local authority capital programme for social housing will increase by 29% in 2019, to an overall funding provision of €825 million, the highest level of funding provision for many years. Overall, the funding available for housing in 2019 will be the highest ever in a single year.

Referendum Campaigns

Questions (283)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

283. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the referendums he is planning after the blasphemy referendum of 26 October 2018. [43912/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Government announced on 26 September 2017 that it had agreed an indicative timetable for the holding of a number of referendums on proposals for amendments to the Constitution arising from the work of the Citizens’ Assembly and the Convention on the Constitution.

In this context, my Department will be responsible for bringing forward appropriate Constitution Amendment Bills on reducing the voting age to 16 and on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens resident outside the State. These referendums will address two of the recommendations of the Convention on the Constitution. Work is being progressed in my Department to inform the development of the appropriate Constitution Amendment Bills.

Subject to the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas, the indicative timetable proposes that these referendums, together with another on divorce, will be held on the same day as the local and European elections which will take place in late May 2019.

Rental Sector

Questions (284, 285)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

284. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered increasing the 90-day limit as regards a company (details supplied) for primary residences in keeping with overall policy objectives of extending seasonality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47246/18]

View answer

Brendan Griffin

Question:

285. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when guidance will issue to local authorities in the context of seeking planning permission for a change of use to a short-term let from a local planning authority; the specific factors he expects to be included in the guidelines; if his attention has been drawn to the need for urgency in facilitating operators for the 2019 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47248/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 1211 of 6 November 2018 which sets out the position in this matter. The new arrangements involved will be completed in good time ahead of their intended introduction on 1 June 2019.

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Questions (286, 287)

Clare Daly

Question:

286. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the obligations of the Pyrite Resolution Board or Housing Agency to require a builder that carried out remediation works as part of the remediation scheme to produce certification showing that the builder has complied with all conditions necessary in order to demonstrate having appropriately removed all of the fill, with particular reference to that information being made to homeowners who subsequently find cracks and damage reappearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47255/18]

View answer

Clare Daly

Question:

287. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the options available for homeowners who have had their properties remediated under the pyrite remediation scheme and who subsequently find damage, leading them to be of the view that the pyrite was not fully removed from the fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47256/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.

The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or alternatively at oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie.

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