Written Answers Nos. 602-626
602. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41915/19]
View answerOn review of additional medical evidence submitted in support of the invalidity pension appeal by the gentleman concerned, he has been awarded IP with effect from 28 February 2019.
Payment will issue to his nominated post office on 24 October 2019. Any arrears due from 28 February 2019 to 23 October 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. He was notified of this decision on 10 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
603. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in a decision being made on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41920/19]
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.
My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. This is compounded if the documentary evidence provided at initial application stage is incomplete or insufficient; this is often the case with carer’s allowance applications. Staff have recently been re-assigned to the CA area to work on claims processing and this should lead to a reduction in processing times.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 14 June 2019.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 10 October 2019.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy .
604. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the entitlements of the State pension, contributory, recipients who were self-employed and in receipt of farm assist payments previously will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41937/19]
View answerThe farm assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to provide income support for low income farmers. It replaced the former smallholders’ unemployment assistance payment. In line with the then existing arrangements for unemployment assistance (including smallholders) and pre-retirement allowance, the income of farm assist recipients was exempt from class S PRSI for self-employed workers. Recipients of farm assist who had previously paid class S social insurance had the option of paying voluntary contributions to maintain their social insurance record, including their entitlement to State pension contributory, provided they satisfied the qualifying conditions.
Since 1st January 2007, the exemption from class S PRSI has been removed and those receiving jobseeker’s allowance and farm assist are subject to class S PRSI as self-employed contributors on their self-employed income, provided their annual income is €5,000 or more.
Currently PRSI credited contributions (credits) are only awarded to former employees, to cover gaps in social insurance where they are not in a position to pay PRSI such as during periods of unemployment, illness, etc. Self-employed workers do not qualify for credits.
As announced in January 2018, all those effected by the change of rate bands in September 2012 were to have their pension entitlements reviewed under the interim Total Contributions Approach introduced last year. Only a small number of reviews remain to be completed and these are awaiting additional information relating to gaps in the social insurance records of individuals requested by my Department. I am advised that the review outcomes will issue to all remaining pensioners in the coming weeks.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
605. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) for the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41993/19]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
606. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a full entitlement to illness benefit for a person (details supplied). [41995/19]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of Illness Benefit at a weekly rate of €159.00 per week.
The rate of Illness Benefit payment is based on a person's weekly earnings in the governing contribution year; for claims made in 2019, that year is 2017. As the person concerned had weekly earnings in 2017 between €220.00-€299.99, he qualified for Illness Benefit at a rate of €159.00 per week.
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families. Application of means assessment for SWA is provided for in Section 196 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. If a person's weekly income is below the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate which is €201.00.
The person concerned qualified for an additional payment of €42.00 per week of Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, which along with his Illness Benefit payment brings his weekly income up to the SWA rate of €201.00.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42018/19]
View answerFollowing a review of the entitlement of this gentleman, it was found that he had a decrease in his means from his previous assessment. Based on the information provided to my department, a maximum rate of disability allowance (DA) was awarded with effect from 31 July 2019.
A letter issued to this gentleman informing him of this on 11 October 2019. Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
608. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if further consideration will be given to the request by community employment scheme supervisors for proper pension entitlements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42033/19]
View answer619. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress that has been made in addressing the lack of pension provision for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42257/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 619 together.
I am currently engaging with representatives of Community Employment supervisors to discuss issues arising following the 2008 Labour Court Recommendation. All parties to this process have agreed that the detail of the discussions should remain confidential while the engagement is ongoing. I would ask Deputies to respect these wishes and allow the talks to continue free from speculation which might prove unhelpful at this stage.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
609. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42038/19]
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.
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 13 February 2019.
The deciding officer requested financial documentation by way of letter on 24 April 2019 as the person had not included same with her application. I am advised that while the person concerned did respond, the information provided was insufficient and further documentation was requested on 3 May 2019. The person concerned failed to respond to this request.
Accordingly, the person concerned was notified on 5 June 2019 that CA could not be awarded as she had failed to supply required documentation. The person was also notified of her right of review and appeal.
A review of our decision was requested on 24 June 2019 and the person concerned submitted the required documentation.
Following this review the person concerned was awarded carers allowance from 3 May 2018. Arrears payments have now been issued by cheque. The person concerned has been notified of all details by way of letter on 10 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
610. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied). [42040/19]
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 carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 15 July 2019.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 10 October 2019 to assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of jobseeker's aged 18 to 24 years of age who will see their payment rate increased to the full rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42053/19]
View answerThe age related reduced rates for Jobseeker Allowance (JA) recipients aged 18 to 25 were introduced on a phased basis from 2009 to protect them from welfare dependency by providing them with a strong financial incentive to participate in education or training to improve their chances of obtaining sustainable full time employment.
As part of the review of reduced rates being carried out in my Department, it was identified that there is a small cohort of young people who face significant financial barriers who are living independently and in receipt of State support towards their housing costs. On Budget Day I announced that the rate of JA and Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) will increase to the full rate for those jobseekers aged 18 to 24 years who are on age-related reduced rates and in receipt of State housing supports including Rent Supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). This measure is effective from 6th January 2020 and will provide significant financial support towards their housing costs as the weekly JA and SWA rates for eligible jobseekers will increase by €90.30 and €88.30 respectively. The estimated number of people who will benefit from this measure is 300 young people.
Another measure which I introduced in Budget 2020 is the abolition of the age-related rate of payment for 25 year olds. This provides for the payment of up to the maximum weekly personal rates of €203 per week for JA recipients and €201 for SWA recipients from the current rate of €157.80. This change is also effective from 6th January 2020 and will benefit almost 1,800 young people
The Deputy will be aware that where a young jobseeker participates in education or training they will receive the maximum personal rate of €203 per week, less any means-related deductions. Also, jobseekers who participate in the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS), a work experience scheme for young jobseekers who face barriers to employment, receive a maximum weekly payment of €229.20. Age-related reduced rates do not apply to jobseekers with a dependent child, who have transferred to JA from disability allowance (DA), or who were in State care during the 12 months before age 18.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
612. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she will establish the judge-led group to examine child maintenance; the terms of reference for this group; the timeframe in which the group will be expected to report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42054/19]
View answerI would like to see our system of child maintenance move away from the current adversarial, costly, confrontational approach which can involve lengthy delays. I want to see an examination of international best practice in relation to child maintenance to gain insight into how Ireland can achieve better outcomes in a proactive manner for families. Therefore, I will progress the establishment of a judge-led group to examine child maintenance as soon as possible, including setting out a terms of reference and a timeframe for reporting.
613. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which a €2 increase in the fuel allowance will offset a €6 carbon tax increase when vulnerable households are already experiencing increased energy costs which have been rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42055/19]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is currently 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 €240 million in 2019. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. 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 household benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €188 million in 2019.
In Budget 2020, I increased the Fuel Allowance payment by €2 to €24.50 per week. This is an increase of just under 9% and will increase the annual Fuel Allowance rate from €630 to €686, i.e., a €56 yearly increase. This increase will bring the total payment made to over 200,000 customers in receipt of household benefits and fuel allowance to €1,106 per annum towards their energy costs.
The annual cost of this increase in Fuel Allowance is €21m and this cost has been funded via a ring-fenced allocation from the circa €90m which will be raised from the Carbon Tax increase - this is the largest single allocation and is directly aimed at protecting the most vulnerable. The specific cost to any household of any increase in carbon tax would vary upon a number of factors, notably the energy efficiency of the homes of Fuel Allowance recipients, and the amount and type of fuel they use.
This increase follows on from a number of other improvements and increases made to the Fuel Allowance scheme in recent Budgets including an increase from €20 to €22.50 per week and the number of weeks the fuel allowance is paid for increasing from 26 to 27 and then to 28.
Last year the ESRI published its report "The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing the Irish Carbon Tax" (available at https://www.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018-10/RS79.pdf ) in which it conducts a detailed analysis of the impact of increasing carbon tax at various rates. This includes a treatment of the effect on households at each income decile. Interpolating these figures clearly shows that the additional cost of the carbon tax will be less than the weekly net value of the Fuel Allowance increase I have announced for at least the three lowest income deciles - the very people that the Fuel Allowance is targeted to. Accordingly, it is intended that the new Fuel Allowance increase will compensate these households effectively. In addition, it is important to note that, while the Fuel Allowance increase will come into effect from the 6th January 2020, the carbon tax increase will not take effect until May 2020 for home heating fuels, giving such households additional headroom for its introduction.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs.
My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has the role of reducing energy poverty by implementing measures (administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)) to improve the energy efficiencies of Irish homes.
In this regard it was also announced in Budget 2020 that a total of €52.8 million is being made available to retrofit the homes of people living in or at risk of energy poverty through the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents the biggest ever allocation for the Warmer Homes Scheme – more than double the initial allocation for 2019. €13 million of this funding is ring-fenced revenue arising from the increase in the carbon tax. This reduces the energy required to adequately heat a home, thus reducing a household’s exposure to increases in energy costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
614. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a series of matters relating to the pension of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42132/19]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. Recipients of state pension non-contributory are obliged to notify the Department of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement. A list of the reportable changes of circumstance is included in the initial notification of pension award and in all subsequent review communications issued.
Social welfare legislation provides that the personal representative of a deceased person who, at any time, received a means-tested payment is obliged to give notice to the Department of their intention to distribute the deceased's estate and to provide a schedule of the assets of the estate. The personal representative is requested not to distribute the estate, until they receive formal clearance from the Department. If, on examination of the schedule of assets, it is found that not all of the deceased’s means had been disclosed, or if the values of previously assessed means had changed, the Department will seek to recover any monies overpaid from the estate.
In this case, the deceased person was in receipt of a means tested state pension (non contributory). I am advised that an examination of the assets of the estate indicated that the person may not have been entitled to the rate of pension paid to them. An investigation by the Department's Inspector has recently been completed and the case is currently being examined by a Deciding Officer.
Before the deciding officer issues their formal decision, they will write to the personal representative, affording them the opportunity, within 21 days of the date of the letter, to comment or furnish any statement or evidence in the matter for consideration by the Deciding Officer before they make their final decision.
If a personal representative is dissatisfied with a final decision, they may request a review, or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. Details of the options open to personal representatives of deceased pensioners are explained in the Department's letters.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
615. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in a person (details supplied) being granted a disability allowance. [42141/19]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 27 February 2019. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 30 October 2019. They were notified of this decision in writing on 11 October 2019.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
616. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason means tested qualified adult payments for those on a contributory pension treat savings as income to be assessed which can result in the loss of the payment when at the same time persons are encouraged by the Government to save for their old age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42143/19]
View answerTA recipient of the State Pension (Contributory) can claim an increase of pension in respect of a Qualified Adult. A Qualified Adult is the spouse/partner of the pensioner who is being wholly or mainly maintained by the pensioner.
An increase is payable at the maximum rate of payment where the means of the spouse/partner is €100 a week or less while reduced rates are payable where the means are over €100 and less than €310 per week. No increase is payable where the means of the spouse/partner are in excess of €310 per week.
The means assessed are those of the spouse/partner only and include;
- Income from employment and self-employment;
- Income from non-social welfare pensions;
- Rental income; and
- The capital value of property which is not let, as well as savings.
Means of the claimant are not included in the assessment and the family home is not assessed.
The assessment of capital of the Qualified Adult reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of capital and property are in a position to use that capital or to realise the value of property to support themselves so resources can be directed towards those who need it most.
Where, for example, a couple has a joint savings account, the value of half of the capital amount is assessed against the spouse/partner. This is done by reference to the following formula: the first €20,000 of capital is fully disregarded, the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
This means that, assuming no other means, a spouse/partner can have capital of up to €57,500 without affecting entitlement to a Qualified Adult increase payable at the maximum weekly rate. Tapered reduced rates of Qualified Adult increase can continue to be payable where the spouse/partner has capital of up to €110,000.
It should be noted that the value of the family home, regardless of who is the legal owner, is never taken into account in this assessment.
617. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the location in which the method for means testing for various social protection payments is laid out in legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42144/19]
View answerThe rules as to the calculation of means for means-tested schemes, including Supplementary Welfare Allowance, are set out in Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005.
In addition to Schedule 3 of the Act, the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 142 of 2007), articles 7 to 12 and Chapter 6 of Part 3 in particular, and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare) Allowance Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 412of 2007), Part 6 in particular, set out the means testing rules that are applied.
618. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a review of an illness benefit claim by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42178/19]
View answerI am advised that the person concerned did not qualify for Illness Benefit based on her Irish PRSI record. On the 7th October 2019 a letter issued to the person concerned informing her of the situation with her claim.
The Department has requested the UK record from the person concerned in order to ascertain if she would qualify for payment based on this.
I am advised that my Department has also requested the record directly from the UK. This process, however currently takes approximately 7 months.
If the person concerned is unable to meet her needs, or those of any dependents, she should visit the Community Welfare Officer at her local Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
620. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied). [42326/19]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings with children, relative to family size.
An application for WFP (dated 18 August 2019) and a subsequent application (dated 25 September 2019) was also received from the person concerned.
The person concerned has been awarded WFP for 52 weeks with effect from 22 August 2019 to 19 August 2020. A weekly payment and all arrears owing will issue to their nominated financial account on 15 October 2019.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 11 October 2019 and of their right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the factory, a vital community programme in Limerick, is due to close in December 2019; the way in which the cut in funding can be justified; if his attention has been further drawn to the large expenditure on the facility; if the facility on the southside of Limerick will remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41702/19]
View answerAll decisions relating to the Fullflex factory building in Limerick, from its initial acquisition, its subsequent use and decisions on disposal, are being taken in the first instance by Limerick City and County Council, in the context of their implementation of the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan.
I understand that in consideration of the sale of the building, that the Council has launched an expression of interests process which is not yet concluded and which will involve further consultation with the Councillors. I also understand that as part of any consideration to sell the property the Council is currently working with the services located there to assist them in sourcing an alternative location.
622. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill; and the way in which this legislation will apply to offshore renewable energy projects. [41734/19]
View answerGovernment approved a General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill in July 2019. Further policy work continues on development of certain aspects of the proposed regime with a view to incorporating these elements at a future stage.
In addition to the policy development work, my Department is continuing to work with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting process. The target timeframe for the publication of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, as set out in the Climate Action Plan to tackle Climate Breakdown, is Quarter 4 2019.
Once the legislation is published, it will be a matter for the Oireachtas to consider it. The MPDM Bill will require further enabling measures post enactment to bring the new regime into operation including the necessary regulations, statutory guidelines and transitional arrangements.
My Department is leading the development of the MPDM Bill under the auspices of the Marine Legislation Steering Group. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) is leading the development of provisions in this legislation which are specific to Offshore Renewable Energy and advises that in regard to the future Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) regime, the MPDM provides flexibility to allow for both a ‘centralised’ and ‘decentralised’ approach to the development of offshore renewable energy projects.
Both of these models are feasible options for Ireland to develop ORE, which will operate in the context of the National Marine Planning Framework. Under both models, the Bill intends that applications for Maritime Area Consent for ORE will be considered by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with development consent, including a single environmental assessment, being the responsibility of An Bord Pleanála.
623. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of foreshore licences related to offshore renewable energy projects that have been approved by his Department in the past three years; and the number of applications awaiting a decision. [41735/19]
View answerTwo Foreshore Leases have been granted in respect of applications for offshore wind farms, the Arklow Bank Wind Farm and Codling I Bank Wind Park Farm, off the Wicklow coast, in 2002 and 2005. These leases were issued by the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who had responsibility for foreshore functions at that time.
My Department has the following five Offshore Renewable Energy Applications on hand:
- Codling II Bank Wind Park Farm (same company as for Codling I),
- Oriel Wind Farm,
- Dublin Array Wind Farm (Kish and Bray Bank are two separate applications), and
- Sceirde Wind Farm (Fuinneamh Sceirde Teo)(FST).
Under the Climate Action Plan to tackle Climate Breakdown, my Department is required to consider each of the five historic ORE applications cases and the two leases which have already been granted, and decide whether they can proceed under the existing Foreshore Act or should they be determined under the regime proposed in the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill. The deadline to finalise our discussions with each of these applicants is the end of December 2019.
My Department is not currently accepting new Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) lease applications other than those for site investigation and demonstration projects. It should also be noted that the granting or refusal of any foreshore investigative licence does not give rise on the part of the applicant to any expectation whatsoever for, right or entitlement to a grant of any future permission in respect of an area of foreshore.
In the past three years, eight licences (1 test project and 7 Site investigations) related to ORE projects have been granted by my Department.
There are currently 20 ORE related investigation applications, which are at a predetermination stage.
In terms of developing an offshore wind farm, a Foreshore Lease is only one of a number of consents that are necessary for its development. Other consents that are required include terrestrial planning permission, an ability to output to the national grid, and a licence to generate electricity. In addition to the development and planning consents that are required, offshore wind farms also require subsidy support, which is being made available through the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) developed by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
624. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has recruited by grade in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has lost due to retirement by grade in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41821/19]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the tables at the link.
It should be noted that my Department has had several changes in function during the period from 2014 to date. The figures include staff who subsequently moved to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Rural and Community Development as a result of those changes of functions. The total numbers of full time equivalent staff that transferred under these transfers of functions was 141.38.
All staff were recruited on a full-time basis but can subsequently apply for alternative, non full-time working patterns under the Civil Services' family friendly working practices.
625. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated amount it would cost in 2020 if the budget for An Bord Pleanála increased by 8.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41833/19]
View answerSection 116 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), provides for the payment to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) in each financial year of a grant of such amount as I may fix, with the consent of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The grant goes towards financing the administration and general expenses of the Board.
While the grant-aid funding provides for the majority of the Board’s annual income, the Board also generates income from fees charged. Section 144 of the Act provides for the determination of fees payable to the Board, subject to my approval. In the main, these fees are payable to the Board by parties in respect of Strategic Infrastructure and Strategic Housing Development applications, planning appeals, referrals, oral hearing requests and certain other matters which are submitted for determination under Planning and Development, Water Pollution, and Building Control legislation.
The following table sets out the operating budget for the Board in 2019 and a figure for the 2019 budget plus 8.5%. The 2019 grant-aid figure represents the amount provided in the 2019 Revised Estimates for the Public Service.
|
Year |
Grant Aid |
Miscellaneous Income (incl. income from fees) |
Total Operating Budget |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2019 |
18.624 |
5.413 |
24.037 |
|
2019 +8.5% |
20.207 |
5.873 |
26.08 |
|
Difference |
1.583 |
0.46 |
2.043 |
626. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the fact that housing assistance payment applications are taking up to eight weeks to process; his further views that this timeline is acceptable in view of the demand for such properties; and if he will investigate the possibility of reducing this timeline. [41842/19]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provide that subject to conditions, a housing authority shall deal with such an application within a period of 12 weeks. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and average waiting times are significantly shorter than the statutory maximum in many areas.
If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. Accordingly, the determination of entitlement to HAP, including the assessment of an applicant's means, is governed by the same arrangements as for other social housing supports.
Under the HAP scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector and the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord. The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The HAP application form comes in two parts; Section A to be completed by the applicant tenant and Section B to be completed by the landlord or agent. An application for HAP will only be accepted by the local authority when both Section A and Section B are completed, signed and returned, along with the required supporting documentation. Any delay in tenants and landlords supplying this information will impact on the processing time of the HAP application. The earliest date a HAP payment to the landlord will apply from is the date a complete and valid HAP application has been received by the local authority.
Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective transactional shared service on behalf of all HAP local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. On average, HAP applications are processed by the HAP Shared Service Centre within 2 working days of receipt. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.
The HAP scheme has been structured in a way that most protects the Exchequer funding by ensuring that payment issues only on valid and complete applications. For this reason rent is paid in arrears and ensures that money is only paid in respect of time that the property has actually been occupied by the tenant. This practice also avoids a situation where the local authority has to attempt to recover money from the landlord and simplifies the administration of the scheme.
At the end of Q2 2019, there were more than 48,000 households in receipt of HAP support and over 28,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
