Written Answers Nos. 213-230
213. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the current processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7226/19]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed as quickly as possible.
Where any scheme area experiences delays, all possible steps are taken to improve processing times. This includes the assignment of additional resources, where available, and the review of business processes, to ensure the efficient processing of applications.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process.
Carer'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.
To qualify for carer's allowance, the carer must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that they are providing full-time care and attention to a person who requires this level of care and that their means are less than the statutory limit.
At the end of December 2018 the average waiting time for a decision on a new carer's allowance claim was 17 weeks.
While the average processing time is still higher than I would like it to be, I expect this indicator to reduce over the coming months. Staff have been assigned to this work from other areas of the Longford Centralised Schemes Office to and this has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of claims awaiting a decision since September 2018.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 11 February 2019. 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.
214. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the civil registration Bill will be introduced. [7241/19]
View answerThe Government approved the publication of the Civil Registration Bill 2019 at its meeting on 12th January. The Bill will resolve a number of difficulties in the registration of donor-assisted births and will be brought forward as a priority.
This Bill will extend the required particulars for registration of a birth to include “Parent” on a birth certificate. At present birth certificates issued in respect of donor-assisted children born to same sex couples only allow for the recording of the mother’s details. These changes will facilitate the registration and re-registration of births of children of same sex female couples.
In addition to the current labels of “Mother” and “Father” on birth certificates, parents of non-donor assisted children may also avail of the label “Parent” should they so request it.
The Bill will also include provisions for:
- a role for a next-of-kin in providing a Coroner with additional details in relation to a deceased person’s particulars;
- sharing of General Register Office data and records with a body such as the National Library or National Archives; and
- collection of additional details in respect of deceased persons in order that the CSO can comply with obligations under EU Regulations.
It is expected that the Bill will be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas later this week.
215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7271/19]
View answerThe person concerned made a Jobseekers Allowance Claim on 24/01/19 (from 18/01/19).
He will be issued with a decision in the coming days. Information was outstanding regarding his course and only received on Friday (11/02/19), hence the wait for the decision to be made.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
216. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on an application for a family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7290/19]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 20 November 2018.
Their application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for further clarification. The relevant SWI has been requested to prioritise the case.
On receipt of the completed report from the SWI, their WFP application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified of the decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the anomaly in respect of the age at which drawdown of pensions (details supplied) occurs will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7293/19]
View answerThe maximum rate of payment for Widow’s, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension for those who are of working age (i.e. under 66) is €203.30 if they have no dependent children. This payment is not subject to a means-test, and is paid whether or not the recipient is in employment or not. Those with dependent children receive a further full rate €31.80 in respect of each qualified child. When someone reaches State pension age, the personal rate increases to €243.30, in line with the rate of the State pension (contributory). It might be remembered that someone cannot receive a double payment of both the State pension and the Widows pension, and so in most cases this ensures a Widow receives the maximum pension rate upon reaching state pension age.
At that point (i.e. reaching state pension age), they will not generally be in a position to supplement their pension with wages, as they will in most cases have retired. The same rationale would not apply to widowed people of working age, who in many cases receive both income from employment and their Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension. It is also the case that our social protection system, like most developed countries, generally provides higher rates of payment for those above pension age than for those of working age. For example, people moving from Jobseekers Allowance to State Pension (non-contributory) can expect a significant increase in their weekly rate of payment, upon reaching state pension age.
Any proposal to increase the rate of payment for widows/widowers/surviving civil partners under 66 to that of the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory) would result in a significant additional cost that would have to be met from either increased PRSI or Exchequer subvention or a reduction in the general rate of payments, and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
218. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on a system (details supplied) relating to the website of her Department. [7314/19]
View answerThere were no payments made by my Department in relation to its website to the company referred to by the Deputy.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is provision to provide financial assistance to a family under the supplementary welfare allowance, rent allowance scheme or other schemes to cover the cost of accommodation in cases in which the family has been refused access to the housing waiting list by virtue of having no fixed abode; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7316/19]
View answerThe primary responsibility for provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with local authorities. This Department can support people who are homeless with no fixed abode by providing income support under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Under SWA, my Department can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €38.8 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2019. Under the ENP scheme payments may be made to support temporary accommodation where an exceptional need arises and there is no alternative service available. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The Department also provides supports to tenants towards rent deposits and rent in advance under the ENP scheme with some 2,700 payments made in 2018 at a cost of almost €1.9 million. This form of assistance is very important to those on low incomes and who are at risk of, or who are homeless, or who rely on the private rented market to meet their housing needs.
If the Deputy has concerns in respect of the situation of a specific family, he should bring the details of the case to the attention of the Department. The family should also be requested to engage with the relevant local authority to access homeless services.
220. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the revision of the case of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7372/19]
View answerCarer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home as long as the duration of these activities does not exceed 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 8 October 2018.
The evidence before the deciding officer showed that the person concerned was engaged in employment outside the home and the duration of activity exceeded 15 hours per week.
Accordingly, the person concerned was notified on 31 January 2019 that she was not entitled to CA, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed.
On 11 February 2019 the person concerned was notified of this outcome and of their right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
221. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration has been given to reviewing sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007 in view of the consequences for householders where sewage blockages are reported under properties belonging to other persons but which result in sewage problems on their properties; his plans to introduce a scheme that would ensure that Irish Water would take the necessary action to clear such blockages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7212/19]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2007, as amended, sets out clearly the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water. In relation to waste water services, this includes responsibility for maintaining infrastructure and drainage pipes from waste water works facilities to the curtilage of a private property.
Under sections 43 and 54 of the Act responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems that are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner of the property. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water, when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure. There are no proposals under consideration in my Department to review this legislation along the lines suggested.
In terms of addressing blockages in sewers, I understand that Irish Water will clear any blockages that occur on the public side of the public sewer as a matter of urgency, generally within 24 hours of it being reported. However, where the problem is not located in a public sewer, responsibility for private side issues lies with the affected residents. If the issue is causing risk to public health or it affects a vulnerable customer, Irish Water working with the relevant local authority, will assess the situation and seek to find a resolution.
It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
222. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7181/19]
View answer223. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7198/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
In 2018, KPMG were engaged by my Department as consultants at a total cost of €221,400 (including VAT) to provide corporate finance advisory services in relation to the establishment of the Land Development Agency; €152,616 has been paid to date. In addition, three persons with auditing expertise were seconded into my Department from Ernst and Young during 2018 to provide services to the Local Government Audit Service due to delays in the recruitment of permanent staff for these roles; the cost amounted to €119,556 (including VAT).
224. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 29 January 2019, if he will make a request to the commissioner regarding the methodology in use and question the appropriateness of that methodology for achieving the objectives of the revaluation as per his legislative powers under the Valuation Act 2001, in which the commissioner shall furnish to him such information regarding the performance of its functions as he may request. [7247/19]
View answerAs indicated in my reply to Question No. 596 of 29 January 2019, the methodology concerned is based on relevant market analysis and in accordance with the provisions of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. I have no plans to amend the legislation.
225. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of tree preservation orders in effect per annum from 2011 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7288/19]
View answerThe specific information requested in relation to tree preservation orders is no longer collated by my Department. However, individual local authorities may compile information in this regard.
Data on tree preservation orders for the years 1998 to 2012 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1.
226. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grant or funding supports available to replace windows and doors in an older home in which the residence is privately owned and the owners are not in receipt of social welfare payments to make the home more energy efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7311/19]
View answerFunding support is available from local authorities, with 80% exchequer support provided by my Department, for eligible applicants under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which assists people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the application, assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
The suite of grants includes the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating etc.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, administers a range of grants which are available to all homeowners. Further details are available at the following link: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/.
227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the housing support available to a family refused a place on a local authority housing waiting list on the basis the family has no fixed abode; if there is an obligation on local authorities to accept applicants for a housing waiting list in cases in which they are permanently resident in their functional area but do not have a fixed abode and that otherwise qualify for housing support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7315/19]
View answerUnder the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for the local authority concerned to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. Any person regarded as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment and be approved for social housing support; these arrangements give local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
The assessment of households for social housing support is the responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, which set down a standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing support.
A household may apply for support to one housing authority only (the “housing authority of application”), which may be the authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which it has a local connection, or that the authority agrees, at its discretion, to assess the household for support. In determining whether a household has a local connection with its area, a housing authority must have regard to whether a household member:
- lived in the area for a continuous 5 year period at any time in the past,
- is employed in the area or within 15 km of the area,
- is in full-time education, or attending specialist medical care in the area, or
- has a relative (defined in the Regulations) living in the area for 2 years or longer.
In 2013 my Department issued a clarification to all local authorities on the issue of the normal residence and local connection criteria, which advised that households were only required to meet either criterion, not both. Thus, where a household resides in a local authority’s area, there is no requirement to have a local connection in order to apply to that authority for support.
The clarification provided that “normally resides” was generally intended to refer to the local authority where the household is currently resident and the household was required to provide proof of this, such as a utility bill, proof of a social welfare payment, a lease etc. In relation to a household living in emergency accommodation, the only proof of residence may be a social welfare payment received in the area and it was not the intention that such households would also have to demonstrate a local connection.
As the 2011 Regulations do not provide for a local authority to impose a minimum period of residence in the area prior to application for social housing support, authorities were advised that it was not intended that households were required to have resided in the functional area of the housing authority of application for a minimum length of time in order to be considered eligible for assessment.
228. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is preparing a new policy on architecture in view of the fact that the previous policy was dated 2009 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7169/19]
View answerThe Government Policy on Architecture 2009 to 2015 placed an emphasis on the sustainable development of the environment through encouraging and supporting high quality modern architecture and urban design, incorporating architectural heritage in a holistic, integrated manner and developing actions which responded to and promoted awareness in these areas.
Having reviewed the various actions concluded under the previous policy my Department, along with key stakeholders, is currently preparing a discussion document on a new National Policy on Architecture, which I expect to issue for public consultation in the coming months. The discussion document is being developed by a high-level steering committee including officials from my own Department, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, the schools of architecture and the Irish Architecture Foundation. The Arts Council has also contributed to the content.
Submissions received from this public consultation process will contribute towards a new policy document. It is intended that the policy will be published by the end of 2019.
229. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7174/19]
View answer230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7191/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
I am advised that my Department did not engage any consultants or commission any reports from the companies referred to by the Deputy during the period in question.
