Written Answers Nos. 626-645
626. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the eligibility criteria will be extended for fuel allowance to include those in receipt of disablement benefit and for persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments; if she will discuss same with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the next budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48160/18]
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 372,000 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. Household benefit applicants aged 70 or over do not have to satisfy the household composition criteria or undergo a means test.
The fuel allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. Disablement benefit is not included among those payments, as it is not means-tested and it can be paid to people in full time employment. Allowing all persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments regardless of means to receive the fuel allowance would also fundamentally change the nature of the scheme and add significantly to its cost.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance scheme to include people who are in receipt of disablement benefit and for all people age over 70 who do not satisfy the means test would require considerable extra funding for the fuel allowance scheme and would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context. The appropriate levels of welfare support including eligibility for fuel allowance will be considered by the Government during budget negotiations, with due regard to the available resources.
In 2016 the Government launched a comprehensive Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty following extensive public consultation. This Strategy is spearheaded by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. It sets out the Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable households from energy poverty through a combination of supports, investment in schemes to improve energy efficiency, and energy efficiency awareness initiatives. One of the best ways to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling through proper building and household insulation. The Warmer Homes Scheme, administered by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, is designed to do that.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48243/18]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 23 October 2018.
The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
628. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding payment being stopped in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48249/18]
View answerThe Occupational Injury Benefit (OIB) claim for the person concerned is medically certified and paid up to 18 November 2018 and any arrears due have issued.
If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue to him.
The Deputy should note that OIB is paid for a maximum of 26 weeks from the date of a person's accident.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
629. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's benefit application that was applied for in July 2018 by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48259/18]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 25 July 2018. This application was made as his Carer's Benefit entitlement was about to exhaust on 1 August 2018 after the maximum 104 weeks of payment.
The application was awarded to the person concerned with effect from 2 August 2018. The first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 22 November 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 2 August 2018 to 21 November 2018 will also issue on 22 November 2018.
The person concerned was notified on 15 November 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
630. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the names of the social welfare inspectors who worked across County Donegal and the area in which each was based between the years 2009 and 2011, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48274/18]
View answerThe following table provides the number of Social Welfare Investigators (SWI), the office they were based, geographical area covered and the dates served as an investigator in County Donegal from 2009 to 2011.
It is the policy of my Department not to publish names of individual inspectors.
It should be noted that the SWI's can and have deputised in areas other than their own to cover for other SWI's during periods of annual leave and sick leave.
|
Number |
Office |
Area Covered |
Dates Served |
|
1 |
Letterkenny Office |
Manorcunninham |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Killea |
|
|
|
|
Raphoe |
|
|
|
|
St. Johnston |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Letterkenny Office |
Kerrykeel |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Ramelton |
|
|
|
|
Rathmullan |
|
|
|
|
Fanad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Letterkenny Office |
Letterkenny Urban and surrounding Areas |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Falcarragh Office |
Falcarragh, |
Jan 2009 - Nov 2009 |
|
|
|
Dunfanaghy |
|
|
|
|
Gortahork |
|
|
|
|
Creeslough |
|
|
1 |
Falcarragh Office |
As above |
Nov 2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Dungloe Office |
Dungloe |
Jan 2009 - Sept. 2010 |
|
|
|
Arranmore |
|
|
|
|
Derrybeg |
|
|
|
|
Fintown |
|
|
1 |
Dungloe Office |
As above |
Sept. 2010 - 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ballybofey Office |
Ballybofey |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Lifford |
|
|
|
|
Castlefin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ballybofey Office |
Donegal Town and Surrounding Areas |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ballybofey Office |
Cloghan |
Autumn 2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Glenfin |
|
|
|
|
Drumkeen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ballyshannon Office |
Ballyshannon and surrounding Areas |
Jan 2009 - May 2010 |
|
1 |
Ballyshannon Office |
As above |
May 2010 to 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Killybegs Office |
Killybegs |
Jan 2009 to Oct 2011 |
|
|
|
Glencolmcille |
|
|
|
|
Frosses |
|
|
|
|
Ardara |
|
|
1 |
Killybegs Office |
As above |
Nov 2011 to Dec 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Buncrana Office |
Buncrana Urban/Rural |
2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Clonmany |
|
|
|
|
Burnfoot |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Buncrana Office |
Buncrana Urban |
April 2009 - 2011 |
|
|
|
Burnfoot |
|
|
|
|
Bridgend |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Moville Office |
Malin |
Jan 2009 - Aug/Sep 2009 |
|
|
|
Carndonagh |
|
|
|
|
Quigleys Point |
|
|
|
|
Moville |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Carndonagh Office |
As above |
18th Jan 2010 - 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Moville Office |
Moville |
4th March 2010 - 2011 |
|
|
Moville Office |
Greencastle |
|
|
|
|
Muff |
|
631. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will have illness benefit payments issued. [48275/18]
View answerThe Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is paid up to 20 November 2018 and certified up to 10 December 2018. Regular payments should now issue up to the certified date.
If he remains ill and unfit for work, further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
632. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused an emergency needs payment when an illness benefit payment was not issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48276/18]
View answerThe person concerned attended the Community Welfare service in Letterkenny on 6/11/2018 and was paid the balance of a shortfall in his Illness Benefit Payment.
He was advised that if his Illness Benefit was still delayed during the following week he should visit the clinic in Dunfanaghy.
In the course of a phone conversation with the Dunfanaghy Community Welfare Officer on the afternoon of 7/11/18 the person concerned advised that he had received a payment on the previous day in Letterkenny. He also mentioned that he was going into Letterkenny General Hospital for an operation on Monday 12.11.18 and was concerned about his Illness Benefit payment.
The Officer advised him to call into the office in Falcarragh on Friday 9 November for payment if his Illness Benefit was not paid. He was further advised that if he had any issues while he was in hospital, he should contact the CWS service where he would be accommodated.
The person concerned sent a message on Friday evening last 16/11/18 to the Community Welfare Officer to say that he had received an email stating that his IB claim was reinstated and payment was due shortly.
There is no record of any contact with the Departments services for the date mentioned of 01/11/2018 in relation to an Illness Benefit Top-up payment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
633. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48308/18]
View answerMy Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is fully committed to ensuring that members of the general public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, as well as ensuring key changes are communicated to them. Public information campaigns are therefore an important part of the Department’s work. Expenditure on these campaigns will vary from year to year depending on the range and number of new initiatives or required messaging.
A Communications and Customer Service Unit was established in my Department in August 2016 bringing together key customer services and functions to support an aligned and strategic approach to communications and customer service.
The Department’s public information/advertising campaigns span national and regional print media and radio, digital, social media and outdoor advertising. In addition, the Department also periodically advertises consultations and senior management vacancies in print publications. Details of all print, radio, online and outdoor advertising in the years 2014 - 2018 are detailed as follows:
|
Year |
Advertising Campaigns |
Ad Formats |
Total Ad Costs |
|
2014 |
Jobs Fairs, Education & Training Fairs, Branch Office Vacancies, Recovery of Benefits campaign, Notification of Christmas arrangements |
Print, Radio & Digital |
€64,095 |
|
2015 |
Branch Office closures/vacancies, Water Conservation Grant, FEAD, Tullamore Show, National Ploughing Championship, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Notification of Christmas arrangements |
Print, Radio & Digital |
€209,198.58 |
|
2016 |
Branch Office closures/vacancies, Tullamore Show, National Ploughing Championship, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Notification of Christmas arrangements, Paternity Benefit awareness campaign |
Print, Radio & Digital |
€87,642.92 |
|
2017 |
Paternity Benefit, MyGovID, Treatment Benefits for the self-employed, Fraud & Control, Maternity Benefit, Back to School Clothing & Footwear, Fuel Allowance, Invalidity Pension, National Minimum Wage, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Branch Office vacancies, National Ploughing Championship, Tullamore Show |
Print, Radio, Digital & Outdoor |
€839,102.66 |
|
2018 |
National Minimum Wage, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Branch Office vacancies, National Ploughing Championship, Tullamore Show, Gender Recognition, Make Work Pay, False Self-Employment, Farm Assist, Auto-Enrolment Pension Reform, Low Pay Commission |
Print, Radio, Digital & Outdoor |
€302,187.66 * |
*Advertising costs to end of October 2018
634. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); when it is expected to bring their application to a conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48328/18]
View answerThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 27 September 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 06 December 2018. Any arrears due from 27 September 2018 to 5 December 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 16 November 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
635. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) will not receive the Christmas bonus in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48356/18]
View answerThe person concerned had been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance from Jan 2005 until 27 Aug 2013 when she closed her claim and opted to become a qualified adult on her spouse/partner's Jobseeker's Allowance claim.
The Jobseeker's Allowance claim was closed as she was awarded Carer's Allowance in August 2013.
The person concerned had chosen the option of taking half-rate Carer's allowance , which also permitted her spouse/partner to claim an increase for a Qualified Adult on his Jobseeker's Allowance.
The half rate Carers Allowance remained in payment up to 30 Apr 2014.
Following the cessation of her Carer's Allowance claim she remained as qualified dependant on spouse/partners claim
The person concerned's spouses's Jobseeker's Allowance claim was closed when he commenced on a Tús scheme on 20 Mar 2018.
The person concerned subsequently lodged an application for Jobseeker's Allowance in her own right from 7 Jun 2018 which was processed and awarded.
This was a new application for Jobseeker's Allowance which was subject to qualifying period of 3 waiting days. This latest claim for Jobseeker's did not link back to the previous claim and time spent as qualified dependant on spouse/partner's claim cannot be used for linking purposes.
In order to qualify for the Christmas bonus Jobseeker's Allowance must be long-term only and in payment for 15 months / over 390 days of unemployment.
The most recent claim for Jobseeker's Allowance has only been in payment for 136 days. It is deemed to be short term.
I regret to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is ineligible to receive the Christmas bonus in 2018.
636. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in transferring the carer's allowance application file of a person (details supplied) to the social welfare appeals office for independent assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48401/18]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
CA was in payment to the person concerned from 27 May 2010. The Department periodically reviews applications that are in payment to ensure continued eligibility. After the person concerned commenced employment, a review was initiated in May 2018.
As a result of this review, it was decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to CA as their means exceeded the statutory limit. She was notified of this decision on 8 June 2018 and of her right or review and appeal.
On 11 July 2018, the Department received notification from the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) that an appeal had been received.
At this stage a different deciding officer re-examined the original decision along with the additional statement and evidence provided in support of the appeal.
The result was that CA was re-awarded to the person concerned on 15 November 2018 with effect from 21 June 2018. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 22 November 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 21 June 2018 to 21 November 2018 will also issue to the person concerned on 22 November 2018.
The person concerned was notified on 15 November 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
637. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when successful applications for the urban regeneration and investment fund will be announced by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/18]
View answer655. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48003/18]
View answer656. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48006/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 637, 655 and 656 together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.
I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September.
My Department, through a dedicated Project Advisory Board (PAB), is now engaging in the assessment of submitted applications and at this point, the work of the Board is expected to continue until late November, after which the first round of funding allocations will be announced.
As the assessment process of the PAB is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual projects at this time.
638. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason nursing home residents have to cast their vote in the presidential election a week before other persons; if he will consider moving this vote closer to the polling day in order that the residents can cast their vote with the benefit of the full election campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47906/18]
View answerElectoral law provides that an elector ordinarily resident in a hospital, nursing home or other similar institution who is unable to go in person to vote at their normal polling station by reason of a physical illness or disability may apply to be included in a special voters list. Arrangements are made at each election or referendum, including at a Presidential election, for such voters to vote at the institution where they are resident. This is facilitated by the appointment of a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda.
Electoral law also provides that the local returning officer for each constituency is responsible for conducting a Presidential election. The local returning officer is required to ensure that the delivery of voting documents to special voters is effected as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the Presidential election for the purposes of taking a poll.
Electoral law does not specify a date on which voting by special voters should take place at an election or referendum. This is a matter for the local returning officer in the context of making the necessary preparations for the special voting arrangements and ensuring that the completed voting documents are returned by the special presiding officer to the returning officer before the close of poll.
I have no proposals to amend legislation in this regard.
639. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he expects to publish the wind turbine guidelines. [48256/18]
View answerMy 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.
640. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason persons (details supplied) could be refused a Rebuilding Ireland home loan on the grounds of failing to demonstrate criteria; if an appeal made against the decision will be upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47744/18]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was introduced on 1 February 2018 under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018. The Scheme enables local authorities to provide home loans in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulations and the Statutory Credit Policy issued in accordance with them. The Housing Agency has been given the task of carrying out assessments of the loan applications on behalf of the authorities and making recommendations in respect of each application.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister's power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions should not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. Therefore, I am precluded from intervening in relation to individual cases.
Under the Regulations it is a matter for each local authority to make the decision on loan approval applications. Under the Statutory Credit Policy each authority must establish a Credit Committee to consider these applications on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Statutory Credit Policy and having regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency.
The Statutory Credit Policy also obliges local authorities to establish an appeals process to which applicants, who are dissatisfied with a decision of a Credit Committee, may appeal that decision. It is therefore open to the persons referred to by the Deputy to make such an appeal. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
641. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the applications for approval of expenditure on Traveller accommodation received from each local authority, respectively; the amount involved; the applications which were approved or rejected, respectively, in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47746/18]
View answer642. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the length of time it took to assess applications for approval for local authorities' expenditure on Traveller accommodation in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47747/18]
View answer643. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason applications for approval for local authorities' expenditure on Traveller accommodation were rejected in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; if there is an appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47748/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Housing authorities submit funding proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments on an annual basis. These projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis in my Department in advance of allocations being made. In addition, further funding may be considered by my Department throughout the year in the light of progress across the programmes generally. There is regular contact between my Department and housing authorities in order to try to ensure maximum progress and drawdown.
All applications for funding are dealt with on receipt. The timeline for assessment of Traveller-specific accommodation can vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation being developed or refurbished. Traveller-specific accommodation varies from Group Housing Schemes, to Halting Sites with demountables, to provision of emergency mobile homes, to major and minor refurbishments and extensions of existing accommodation.
In the main, proposals for Traveller Accommodation are approved. However, on occasion projects may require clarification or revision based on assessment by my Department. There is no formal appeals process as my Department works successfully in collaborating with local authorities to bring projects to completion.
In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, and reflecting the disappointing level of overall funding drawdown in recent years, the Housing Agency, in 2017, commissioned a review of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation to date. This review had regard to targets contained in local authority TAPs and actual delivery, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and other supports.
Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee recommended that an Independent Expert Group be established to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. That Expert Group has now been established and has been tasked with reviewing the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and all other legislation that impacts the delivery of Traveller Accommodation. I have asked the Expert Group to bring forward recommendations that will improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally.
My Department will consider any recommendations made by the Expert Group that improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally and help to ensure that full use is made of the increasing level of funding available for investment in Traveller accommodation.
The amount of funding approved and drawn down by housing authorities for Traveller-specific accommodation from 2015 to 2018 is set out in the following table.
|
Allocation |
Drawdown |
Allocation |
Drawdown |
Allocation |
Drawdown |
Allocation |
Drawdown |
|
|
2015 |
2015 |
2016 |
2016 |
2017 |
2017 |
2018 |
to date 2018 |
|
|
County Council |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
Carlow |
130,000 |
207,905 |
71,450 |
167,740 |
- |
|||
|
Cavan |
8,600 |
9,398 |
13,729 |
13,729 |
30,000 |
- |
||
|
Clare |
37,000 |
200,000 |
169,194 |
42,444 |
853,250 |
13,250 |
||
|
Cork |
149,000 |
30,000 |
110,000 |
93,156 |
251,197 |
- |
||
|
Donegal |
4,750 |
82,000 |
74,532 |
147,612 |
15,100 |
121,800 |
- |
|
|
South Dublin |
63,000 |
26,397 |
1,024,289 |
- |
869,643 |
1,234,555 |
||
|
Fingal |
645,000 |
1,113,425 |
26,842 |
26,847 |
17,420 |
851,189 |
874,207 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown |
1,592,429 |
419,095 |
129,552 |
1,500,000 |
1,857,313 |
673,686 |
1,023,312 |
|
|
Galway |
117,000 |
123,816 |
625,000 |
- |
1,080,100 |
36,158 |
||
|
Kerry |
4,550 |
3,810 |
57,000 |
255,730 |
28,566 |
28,566 |
15,350 |
- |
|
Kildare |
200,000 |
- |
200,000 |
- |
80,000 |
- |
80,000 |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
551,626 |
397,577 |
377,500 |
431,714 |
582,162 |
563,040 |
201,682 |
32,126 |
|
Laois |
30,600 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
30,000 |
- |
|
|
Leitrim |
65,975 |
18,800 |
12,794 |
98,875 |
59,933 |
159,614 |
- |
|
|
Longford |
78,000 |
88,966 |
2,900 |
- |
2,922 |
- |
2,922 |
- |
|
Louth |
- |
7,620 |
- |
444,484 |
237,087 |
220,048 |
17,039 |
3,810 |
|
Mayo |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
30,000 |
- |
|
Meath |
- |
- |
120,000 |
76,877 |
129,000 |
5,750 |
65,000 |
- |
|
Monaghan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
400,000 |
29,714 |
|
Offaly |
3,069 |
85,000 |
73,000 |
37,775 |
847,917 |
101,616 |
49,379 |
10,999 |
|
Roscommon |
19,622 |
- |
50,000 |
10,808 |
52,617 |
123,191 |
230,000 |
102,274 |
|
Sligo |
- |
- |
- |
- |
161,249 |
9,931 |
1,046,095 |
75,974 |
|
Tipperary |
800,000 |
23,142 |
900,000 |
1,399,370 |
327,492 |
399,337 |
25,655 |
42,003 |
|
Westmeath |
95,000 |
- |
208,000 |
48,000 |
- |
- |
150,000 |
- |
|
Wexford |
- |
30,906 |
96,000 |
87,695 |
6,880 |
- |
498,801 |
- |
|
Wicklow |
63,097 |
27,891 |
46,000 |
- |
52,648 |
43,773 |
209,620 |
19,393 |
|
City Council |
||||||||
|
Cork |
800,000 |
427,304 |
400,000 |
301,796 |
1,108,344 |
97,000 |
310,000 |
- |
|
Dublin |
366,299 |
99,162 |
1,405,198 |
762,342 |
414,829 |
734,209 |
1,321,558 |
440,663 |
|
Galway |
- |
62,150 |
40,000 |
- |
209,000 |
95,102 |
176,996 |
- |
|
Limerick City and County |
7,500 |
68,923 |
81,000 |
21,209 |
69,576 |
219,918 |
858,739 |
26,875 |
|
Waterford City and County |
413,347 |
- |
263,000 |
13,545 |
545,000 |
22,610 |
317,280 |
- |
|
Reserve |
66,890 |
85,065 |
221,258 |
905,665 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
4,300,000 |
4,129,630 |
5,500,000 |
4,267,831 |
9,000,000 |
4,834,636 |
12,000,000 |
3,965,314 |
644. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the means test for eligibility for social housing will be reviewed; if he has given consideration to allowing maintenance payments for children who are not living with the person being assessed to be deducted against gross income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47750/18]
View answer666. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review being carried out into income limits for eligibility for social housing will be completed and a decision taken on the proposals in view of the very low thresholds that apply at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 666 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature. There is no provision in the policy to deduct any other regular outgoings, such as maintenance paid in respect of family members, from gross household income for the purposes of the income threshold.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway and the Household Means Policy is being reviewed as part of this process. The Housing Agency is continuing to carry out the detailed statistical work, which will underpin this review on behalf of my Department.
The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
645. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount allocated for a project (details supplied) under the urban regeneration and development fund. [47759/18]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.
I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September.
My Department, through a dedicated Project Advisory Board (PAB), is now engaging in the assessment of submitted applications and at this point, the work of the Board is expected to take until late November, after which the first round of funding allocations will be announced.
As the assessment process of the PAB is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual projects at this time.
