Written Answers Nos. 627-646
627. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the social welfare schemes by which payment can be made to a person by cheque; the way in which a person can arrange for their payment to issue by cheque within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9623/19]
View answerMy Department provides two main options for payment methods for its customers: payments in cash at post offices or payments direct to customer accounts in financial institutions. While payment to an individual can be made by cheque for all Social Welfare schemes, it is only used as a payment method in exceptional circumstances or to pay arrears.
Cheques impose a significant production and administrative costs. These include cost of cheque printing machinery, secure storage, transport, postage and stationery, cheque reconciliation, cheque fraud detection and staff time to perform all of these functions.
A person in receipt of a cheque must either lodge it into an account or cash it at a post office to get value for the payment. Both of these can be realised much more cost effectively through payment by EFT directly into the person’s account in a post office, credit union or bank or by receiving a cash payment at the post office.
In addition, payment by cash at post offices or by EFT directly into an account is also quicker for Social Welfare recipients than waiting for a cheque to be delivered via the postal system.
If an individual in receipt of Social Welfare feels that payment by cheque is the only possible option for them, then they can contact my Department to seek payment by cheque.
628. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she is taking to provide stronger protections for workers here to reduce inequalities in view of a new economic report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9641/19]
View answerI understand that the Report on Cherishing all Equally 2019 was published on 20 February. The Report examines a number of issues in relation to inequality, including inequality in wealth, education, health and employment. In response to the Deputy's specific question regarding high incidence of low pay and weak labour protection, I would point out that the Government continues to work to protect vulnerable employees. Ireland has a robust suite of employment legislation to ensure this is the case.
The most recent figures published by Eurostat (January 2019) show that Ireland has the second highest national minimum wage of any country in the EU at €1,614 per month, behind only Luxembourg whose minimum wage is €1,999 per month (for comparison purposes Eurostat converts countries’ hourly or weekly rates into monthly rates). It ranks in sixth place when allowing for purchasing power standards. However, it is important to note that these figures do not take into account the recent increase in the minimum wage to €9.80 per hour from 1 January 2019. While the percentage of earners on the national minimum wage in Ireland is higher than some other EU Member States, this is due, at least in part, to the presence of a large number of Multi-National Corporations which, typically, drive up the median wage rate.
The results of the ESRI research study “The Impact of a Change in the National Minimum Wage on the Distribution of Hourly Wages in Ireland”, published in July 2018 indicate that without the minimum wage change, approximately 10 percent of workers in 2016 would have earned on or below €9.15 per hour. However, following the increase in the minimum wage, just 6 percent of workers had an hourly wage in this range. Therefore, the minimum wage change resulted in a four percentage point reduction in the number of workers earning on or below €9.15 per hour.
The setting of wages is a matter between employers and employees, which takes place in the context of the market, and Government does not interfere unduly in the process. More generally, this area comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, through her Department’s responsibilities for industrial relations issues generally and wage-setting mechanisms such as Registered Employment Agreements (REAs), Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) and Sectoral Employment Orders (SEOs).
At an individual level the resources required to achieve a minimum essential standard of living is very dependent on family circumstances and the interaction of individual earnings with household income. State-provided supports such as Child Benefit, Working Family Payment (WFP) as well as supports available in relation to housing, education and health, all contribute to an individual’s standard of living.
Specifically, the WFP is an in-work support, which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are currently over 54,000 families with more than 122,000 children in receipt of WFP. The estimated spend on WFP in 2018 is in the region of €431 million. The Department also provides an extensive system of social welfare support which facilitates recipients taking up some employment while permitting them to maintain their social welfare payment. These include the Back to Work Family Dividend, Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Transitional Payment, and the One-parent Family Payment.
The evolution of the main elements of labour law in Ireland relating to employment rights, employment protection and non-discrimination, reflects a strong focus on the enactment of legislation based on clearly identified needs at the national level and arising from wider European Union developments. In the formulation and development of labour law there has been a clear policy focus aimed at finding the appropriate balance between the security which employees require on the one hand, in terms of conditions of employment etc., and the flexibility required by employers on the other, in terms of organisation of work, work practices etc.
Employment rights legislation was recently strengthened by the addition of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, which is one of the most significant pieces of employment legislation in a generation. The Act delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to address the challenges of increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment. The key objective of the Act, which comes into effect on 4 March, is to improve the security and predictability of hours for those working in less secure employment arrangements and those working variable hours.
Under the Workplace Relations Act 2015, the State's workplace relations structures were streamlined, resulting in a new two-tier system involving the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court. This greatly improved the complaint adjudication and appeal process for both employees and employers alike, in addition to the excellent service provided by the WRC conciliation, mediation and Inspectorate functions.
The WRC is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. Where an individual believes they are being deprived of their employment rights, they may refer a complaint to the WRC where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication, leading to a decision enforceable through the District Court. WRC Inspectors can also be asked to investigate certain breaches of the legislation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
629. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on implementing a living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9642/19]
View answerThe most recent figures published by Eurostat (January 2019) show that Ireland has the second highest national minimum wage of any country in the EU at €1,614 per month, behind only Luxembourg whose minimum wage is €1,999 per month (for comparison purposes Eurostat converts countries’ hourly or weekly rates into monthly rates). Allowing for purchasing power standards, Ireland drops to sixth place, but still remains in the group with the highest minimum wage rates in the EU. These figures do not take into account the recent increase in the minimum wage to €9.80 per hour from 1 January 2019.
It is important that Ireland’s statutory National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage concept are not conflated. The Living Wage is a voluntary societal initiative centred on the social, business and economic case to ensure that, wherever it can be afforded, employers will pay a rate of pay that provides an income that is sufficient to meet an individual’s basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare. As a voluntary initiative, the Living Wage has no legislative basis and confers no statutory entitlement. The National Minimum Wage, on the other hand, has a legislative basis and confers a statutory entitlement on employees, and a statutory obligation on employers.
The setting of wages is a matter between employers and employees, which takes place in the context of the market, and Government does not interfere unduly in the process. More generally, this area comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, through her Department’s responsibilities for industrial relations issues generally and wage-setting mechanisms such as Registered Employment Agreements (REAs), Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) and Sectoral Employment Orders (SEOs).
630. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9649/19]
View answerFollowing a review of this lady's entitlement to disability allowance (DA), she was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances due to earnings from her partner's employment. DA was disallowed with effect from 20 February 2019.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 14 February 2019 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases that have been reviewed under the new total contributions approach method for assessing pensioners that became eligible for the State pension after September 2012; the number of such cases in which the payment has increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9733/19]
View answerSince late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement on post Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.
My Department has written to pensioners in Quarter 4 2018 to explain the review process to them. That letter also informed pensioners that where possible the Department would use the information already held to complete their rate reviews but that some pensioners would be required to provide additional information to the Department and these pensioners would contact again as required.
In January 2019, almost 24,000 requests for additional information were issued. These requests included details on how to provide the required information using the Department’s online services, with a dedicated telephone number provided to support and assist pensioners making their applications. Provision has also been made for those who do not have access to a personal computer, or the internet, who can use the dedicated line to request paper forms, which have commenced issuing from this week.
Outcomes will issue to all pensioners in writing when their review is completed and the first of these have begun issuing to pensioners from 13 February, the date I signed the necessary regulations, which together with provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allows the increased payments to be made on foot of the reviews.
Where due, increased payments will be made without delay and will include arrears of pension back to the 30th March 2018, or the pensioner’s 66th birthday if later than that. Where pension rates do not increase as a result of this review, they will continue to be paid at their existing rate of entitlement. Of those who were asked for further information, thousands have already returned their details via the online service and continue to do so successfully.
As of the week ending Friday 22 February, 1,138 reviews have been completed and of these 86% have resulted in an increase in their payment and 14% will continue on their existing payment. Reviews will continue to be processed until all identified pensioners receive a review outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
632. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to include carer's allowance as income as part of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. [9003/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is not, as a general rule, available to those in receipt of unemployment or other social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a waged or salaried nature, long-term State benefit payments may be considered. State benefit payments allowable are:
- State Pension (Contributory);
- State pension (Non-Contributory);
- Widow’s/Widower’s Pension;
- Blind Pension;
- Invalidity Pension; and
- Disability Allowance.
The long-term nature of the payment must be confirmed by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are referred to the relevant local authority's Credit Committee for a final decision.
As Carer's Allowance does not fall within this category of long-term payment, I have no plans to alter the conditions of the scheme in the manner outlined by the Deputy.
633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 754 of 12 February 2019, if he has recovered and-or requested that part and or all of the €1.1 million funding allocated be returned to a central fund by the local authority; if the local authority will be granted further funds in order to expand on the schedule of works associated with the project; if there are litigation actions attached to the proposed project as of 18 February 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9006/19]
View answerFunding for capital funded social housing construction projects is not paid to local authorities in advance; rather it is made available in line with the project's progress. As only limited progress has been made so far on this project, only limited funding has been provided. Any further funding to the local authority will only arise with further advancement of the project and in line with the agreed budget.
As outlined in previous responses on this matter, the management of this and all other social housing projects are matters for the local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies implementing the projects. My Department is not directly involved with the ongoing management of issues that arise in the project's implementation and any litigation actions relating to this project are matters for the local authority.
634. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the flexibility local authorities have in rating vacant premises; and if the rates are set by his Department or each local authority. [9048/19]
View answerThe levying and collection of rates are, in the first instance, matters for each individual local authority. Under the Valuation Acts, 2001-2015, local authorities are obliged to levy rates on any property, used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation.
There is legislative provision for the refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. While the Local Government Act 1946 provides that rates generally apply to vacant properties there is provision for a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes. The specified purposes include additions, alterations or repairs to the property or where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The operation of the refund provisions is a matter for individual local authorities.
Under the 1946 Act, the owner was entitled to a 100% refund in most local authority areas. However, under separate legislation governing refunds in the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork, only 50% of the rates paid were refundable. With effect from 1 June 2014, the Local Government Reform Act 2014 gave discretion to the elected members of individual local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority’s administrative area.
The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 provide that the decision to alter the rate of refund should be taken at the annual budget meeting and that the rate of refund decided, in respect of the relevant local electoral area, shall apply to eligible persons for the year to which the budget relates. The absence of a decision to vary the refund means that the existing legislative provisions regarding the rate of refunds, as set out above, apply. Further, guidance in this area has been provided to local authorities.
The Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 is currently before the Oireachtas and completed Second Stage recently. Section 8 of the Bill provides that a local authority may provide a temporary abatement for vacant properties, subject to any maximum relief which may be specified by the Minister. The Bill is a key priority of my Department and, when enacted, will facilitate more effective and streamlined rates collection procedures.
635. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to whether housing agencies, banks or NAMA sell directly to persons with disabilities who are struggling to buy homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9061/19]
View answerMy Department has no information in relation to the bodies referred to, in regard to whether or not they engage directly with private individuals in respect of sales of property that they own.
636. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the land and property to be transferred to the Land Development Agency in tabular form; the lands which have been transferred to date; and the timeframe for the remaining lands identified. [9134/19]
View answerOn establishment, the Land Development Agency had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites – listed below - that have delivery potential for 3,000 new homes.
|
- |
Initial Site List |
|
1 |
Central Mental Hospital site, Dundrum |
|
2 |
Hampton, Balbriggan |
|
3 |
Hacketstown, Skerries |
|
4 |
Devoy Barracks, Naas |
|
5 |
Former Meath Hospital, Dublin City Centre |
|
6 |
St. Kevin's Hospital, Cork |
|
7 |
Columb Barracks, Mullingar |
|
8 |
Dyke Road, Galway |
The LDA is in the process of advancing agreements with various State bodies in relation to these sites, including the Housing Agency, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Defence. It should be noted that the LDA has commenced preparatory professional work on each of the eight sites listed above and that the transfer process will not impact the ultimate delivery on those lands.
The LDA is also engaging with Government Departments and Semi-State bodies in relation to assessing a number of other potential development land opportunities. To aid with this process, all Government Departments were requested, in respect of lands owned directly and by agencies under their aegis, to identify additional lands over and above the initial tranche of eight sites published when the Agency was launched. Analysis in relation to these additional opportunities and discussions with land-owning bodies is ongoing.
637. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason local authority apartment tenants are barred from availing of the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9142/19]
View answerPart 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated regulations, the Housing (Tenant Purchase of Apartments) Regulations 2011, introduced the scheme for Tenant Purchase of local authority apartments, which came into operation on 1 January 2012 and remains in place. A local authority may, as a reserved function and following at least 65% support at a tenant plebiscite, designate for tenant purchase an apartment complex comprising at least 5 apartments, which does not contain apartments designed for elderly persons or retail units and which meets statutory criteria.
Under Section 50 of the 2009 Act, “apartment complex” is defined as “land on which there stands erected a building or buildings, comprising or together comprising not less than 5 apartments (but not including any community apartment) and the common areas, structures, works and services”.
The local authority must consult the tenants in relation to a proposal to designate an apartment complex and must hold a plebiscite on the proposal. If at least 65% of the tenants vote in favour of the proposal, then the elected members of the local authority may designate the complex for tenant purchase. However, under Section 54 of the 2009 Act, where an apartment has been sold by the local authority under section 90 of the Housing Act 1966, whether before or after the coming into operation of this scheme, the apartment shall not be included for the purposes of the tenant plebiscite.
Prior to sale, the authority will transfer ownership of the complex to an apartment owners’ management company established under the Companies Acts, in which the authority is, in most cases, the sole member. The apartments would then be sold to tenant applicants at discounts of 40% - 60%, depending on their level of income. An incremental purchase charge is placed on the property by the authority that withers away over a period related to the level of discount received, subject to compliance with the conditions of the sale, notably that a member of the purchaser’s household must live in the apartment for the duration of the charged period and that the purchaser pays the management company annual charges in respect of the apartment.
The membership of the management company associated with the apartment transfers from the authority to the tenant purchaser. The authority will continue to let apartments in the complex in the normal way to tenants who do not wish to purchase and participate in the affairs of the management company as owners of those apartments.
The tenant purchaser of an apartment has all the normal responsibilities of a dwelling owner, including decorating, maintaining and repairing the apartment, and insuring its contents, at his or her own expense. In addition, by virtue of his or her membership of the management company, the apartment owner is part-owner of the common areas, etc., with an obligation to play a part in managing and maintaining them, including the payment of the management company annual charges levied on the apartment, attending and participating in meetings of the company, and serving as a director of the company from time to time.
638. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of conferences staff of his Department have attended in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the number of staff that attended each conferences; the cost of same in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9172/19]
View answer640. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff in his Department, that attended a summit (details supplied) in Dublin in 2017 and 2018, respectively; the cost to his Department or agency under the remit of his Department; if his Department or an agency under the remit of his Department undertook advertising or sponsorship in respect of the summit; the cost in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9206/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 640 together.
Details of number of conferences attended by staff in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, together with costs are set out below. No staff members attended the specifically referenced summit.
|
Year |
Number of Conferences |
Number of staff attending Conferences |
Conference Costs |
|
2017 |
39 |
123 |
€33,545 |
|
2018 |
95 |
146 |
€41,511 |
|
2019 (to date) |
6 |
9 |
€3,254 |
My Department does not collect this data in respect of Agencies under the Department's remit. However, arrangements have been put in place for Oireachtas Members to contact the Agencies directly at the designated email addresses listed in the table below.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
info@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
639. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent in advertising and or sponsorship in respect of conferences external and internal, respectively in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, by conference; the aggregate amount for each year; the amount available in the remainder of 2019 to fund same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/19]
View answerDetails of the amount spent by my Department in advertising and or sponsorship in respect of conferences for each of the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Title of Conference |
External/Internal |
Amount spent on Advertising |
Amount spent on Sponsorship |
|
2017 |
Young Scientist Exhibition |
External |
€0 |
€7,995 |
|
2018 |
Young Scientist Exhibition |
External |
€0 |
€7,995 |
|
2019 |
N/A |
N/A |
€0 |
€0 |
An amount of €8,000 is available for the remainder of 2019 to provide sponsorship for the Young Scientist exhibition.
641. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when voter registration forms will be amended to allow for United Kingdom citizens who hold citizenship of a European Union member state to be able to register as Dáil Éireann and European Parliament voters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9212/19]
View answerUnder electoral law registration authorities are required to publish the register of electors on 1 February each year with the register coming into force on 15 February. The register currently comprises four categories of electors: Presidential elector, Dáil elector, European elector and Local Government elector. A person's citizenship determines their category on the register and the elections and referendums at which they may vote.
Changes to a person's status on the register, including citizenship status, following the publication of the register can be accommodated by way of application by the person to the relevant registration authority for inclusion on the supplement to the register of electors in advance of any polls.
A public consultation on proposals to modernise the Electoral Registration Process is underway currently, with proposals being examined that offer a number of ways to make the registration process more responsive to the needs of a modern democracy. These issues will be analysed and the content used to inform the preparation of detailed implementation and legislative proposals.
642. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to update the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. [9348/19]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2018 was published on 19 December 2018 and passed second stage in Dáil Éireann on 23 January 2019. The intention is for the Bill to progress through the legislative process in the Houses of the Oireachtas as quickly as possible during the current Oireachtas session.
643. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount borrowed from the Housing Finance Agency in respect of the continuation of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9408/19]
View answer644. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount granted to each local authority for 2019 in respect of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme in tabular form; the number and names of the local authorities that exhausted funds under the scheme in 2018; the number of local authorities that made applications for further funding for the scheme; the number of local authorities that did not participate or did not grant funds under the scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9493/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 644 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme was launched on 01 February 2018 to replace the existing House Purchase and the Home Choice Loan schemes.
The HFA borrowed €200 million to lend to local authorities to fund the scheme. When the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was initially launched, it was estimated that the drawdown of loans under the scheme would be approximately €200 million over three years; however, the scheme has proven to be more successful than initially anticipated. As a result, to date, a number of local authorities have issued loans to a level which has used up their approved allocations for the scheme. These are Fingal County Council, Kildare County Council, Meath County Council, Tipperary County Council and Waterford City & County Council.
Ten local authorities sought additional allocations for the level of funding they could approve in 2018. Each of the 31 Local Authorities are participating in the scheme with each having approved applications under the scheme.
In relation to allocations for 2019, discussions are ongoing with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance with regard to seeking further funding for the scheme. When these discussions are concluded, I will be in a position to make a statement on the matter.
645. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an exemption will be considered for a sheltered housing service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9537/19]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Residential Tenancies Acts apply to dwellings let by approved housing bodies (AHBs) to social housing tenants since 7 April 2016, making the RTB dispute resolution service available to the sector and providing tenancy protections.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2018, which was published on 19 December 2018, contains amendments to enhance the rental data to be provided to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), including provision for the annual registration of tenancies. The aim is to gather more accurate and detailed tenancy and rental data on an annual basis to improve the information available to assist with policy formulation in the residential rental sector. Sections 15 and 16 of the Bill amend sections 137 and 137A of the Residential Tenancies Act, respectively, and provide for the RTB to charge fees, without exemptions, for annual registrations of tenancies - including a €40 fee per tenancy registration by private providers and €20 per tenancy registration by an AHB. Under the new annual registration requirements, a fee can only be charged in respect of the same dwelling once per year and a discounted single registration fee (€170 for a private landlord, €85 for an AHB landlord) can be applied where the same landlord registers not more than 10 tenancies of dwellings comprised in the same property.
The key change from the existing registration fees is that AHBs will be charged fees that are half those applicable to private providers – currently, all landlords pay the same registration fee. The reduction in AHB fees is proposed in recognition of the public service that they provide in meeting the housing needs of those in receipt of social housing supports, and of AHBs' charitable (or similar) status.
646. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from European Union funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9574/19]
View answerInformation on relevant programmes and associated EU funds in relation to my Department in 2017 is set out in Notes 6.1 and 7 to the Department's Appropriation Account for 2017 (Vote 34) which is published by the Comptroller and Auditor General and is available at https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Publications, by clicking on "Appropriation Accounts".
