Written Answers Nos. 345-364
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the pension entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44118/19]
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.
I am advised that the Department has no record of receiving an application for state pension non-contributory from the person concerned. If the person wishes to claim this pension, they should complete and submit an application form (Form SPNC1), together with any necessary supporting documentation. Their application will be decided based on the eligibility conditions for the scheme and they will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason payment of disability allowance and rent support was terminated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44119/19]
View answerDisability allowance (DA) is a statutory means-tested payment and is subject to periodic reviews. This lady's entitlement to DA was recently reviewed. The review regarding periods of absence from the state and a change of address is now complete.
This lady's payment has been re-instated to full amount from 10 July 2019. Arrears of DA payment due less any necessary adjustment have issued to the person concerned on 21 October 2019.
This Rent Allowance claim was closed as the person concerned moved address.
The person concerned was sent a new application form and has yet to return completed application and supporting documentation. The person concerned was also advised to apply for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) with Kildare County Council.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer’s allowance will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44120/19]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) 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.
The department informs me that there is no application by the person concerned for CA registered. If the person in question wishes to make an application, she should complete and return an application form (CR1) to carer’s allowance section in the social welfare services office, Longford, as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
348. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount each county and city council paid out in insurance claims in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [43874/19]
View answer349. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of active insurance claim cases each county and city council is currently involved in. [43875/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.
I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the questions and the specific detailed information requested is not available in my Department. Local authorities are independent in the execution of their functions and the elected members are democratically accountable for all expenditure of the authority. Insurance claims and associated details a matters for individual local authorities.
350. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the projects to which LIHAF funding has been allocated and not drawn down, in full or in part, in addition to the amount involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43924/19]
View answer351. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to reallocate LIHAF funding not drawn down; and if so, the details of same. [43925/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together.
The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) was designed to activate housing supply by putting in place the enabling public infrastructure necessary to ensure that large scale development could take place on key sites in urban areas of high housing demand. Approval was given for 30 projects under LIHAF in 2017 and these projects will stimulate the development of approximately 20,000 housing units across 14 local authorities.
Funding of €200 million was originally made available under LIHAF, of which €150 million would be funded by the Exchequer with local authorities to match fund €50 million. 30 projects received final approval, at a total cost of €195.71 million, of which €146.69 million will be funded by the Exchequer with local authorities funding the balance.
In terms of LIHAF expenditure, most projects have been at the design and planning stages, and this is reflected in the level of expenditure to date. However, projects are now progressing to construction stage and it is expected that the expenditure will increase significantly towards the end of 2019 and into 2020. Almost €24.5 million has been drawn down to date in relation to LIHAF Project costs by all 14 local authorities granted funding in respect of 28 of the 30 projects. To date, no local authority has confirmed to my Department that it will not be availing of the funding made available for the project proposals submitted.
Details on all of the LIHAF projects by local authority area, budget allocation, project description, and housing delivery have been published on the Rebuilding Ireland website and are available at the following link: www.rebuildingireland.ie/LIHAF
It is not envisaged that LIHAF funding will be reallocated. Additional alternative infrastructure funding mechanisms are now available under my Department since LIHAF was announced. This includes the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) under which a budget of €310 million has been made available to local authorities and the €2 billion funding through the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). In addition there is the €1 billion Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
352. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the establishment of a review group of a special purpose vehicle for credit unions to invest in social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44017/19]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the potential role that credit unions can play in housing finance and supported the efforts of the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank to gradually lift current lending restrictions as appropriate, including for housing.
Credit Union bodies have set out proposed means by which funding could be provided by Credit Unions to Approved Housing Bodies for the development of social housing. This follows on from the amendments introduced by the Central Bank to the regulatory regime within which Credit Unions operate.
Along with my colleague, Minister English, and officials from my Department and the Department of Finance, I have met with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) and the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) to examine how their sector can assist in the area of financing social housing delivery. Throughout the discussions with the Credit Unions’ representative bodies, my Department has emphasised that while it can provide technical assistance regarding the mechanisms for funding social housing, which it has provided, it is a matter for the Credit Unions themselves to set up special purpose vehicles to enable them to invest in the sector. For this reason, my Department referred the Credit Unions’ representative bodies to the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) with a view to both sectors sharing, as far as practical, the benefits of their respective work in this area, including the work being undertaken by the ICSH on the development of special purpose vehicles for social housing financing purposes, supported by grant funding from my Department.
It is a matter for both parties to progress these engagements, which I hope can lead to a workable, mutually acceptable approach to moving forward on this issue.
353. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his plans for getting approved housing bodies off-balance sheet following the EUROSTAT decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44018/19]
View answerMy Department is currently engaging with Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector representatives and examining, in detail, proposals which were put forward as a possible means to achieve reclassification. In this regard, my Department met with the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) on 16 October and is scheduled to meet with the Housing Alliance on 7 November.
The proposals are complex as they cut across a wide range of social housing policy issues and will require extensive analysis. These engagements are helping to establish a pathway to consider the range of issues involved.
As part of the process, my Department will also liaise with the Department of Finance and the CSO to ensure any new or additional information can be brought forward for consideration.
354. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the impact the spending overruns on the national children's hospital have had on the capital expenditure on housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44019/19]
View answerThe overall capital provision for my Department next year as set out in Budget 2020 is €2.226 billion, an increase of €102 million on the 2019 provision. The capital provision for the Housing Programme will increase to €1.529 billion in 2020 (including Local Property Tax receipts of €76 million), an increase of €118 million on the comparable 2019 provision.
In 2019, an updated profiling of expenditure under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund indicated that €13 million could be re-profiled from 2019 to future years, without causing delays to projects, in order to help meet the increased costs of the National Children’s Hospital. Some €130 million (including €33.5 million in capital carryover from 2019) has been provided for the Fund in Budget 2020 to support transformative regeneration and rejuvenation projects in the cities and larger towns.
355. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timescale to which he is working for the publication of the Land Development Agency Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44029/19]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Bill to establish the Land Development Agency (LDA) on a primary legislative basis was approved by Government and has now been published. It was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny which has been ongoing since the beginning of October. I will consider the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report of the Committee in finalising the LDA Bill, which I intend to bring before the Oireachtas in the coming months.
356. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details regarding eligibility for landlords to enter under the HAP scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44046/19]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme 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.
In order for housing assistance to be provided under the Act the housing authority must be satisfied that the tenancy concerned is or would be a tenancy in good faith. Where there is a family relationship between the tenant and the landlord, the housing authority may seek evidence of a previous landlord and tenant relationship between a landlord and HAP applicant. This evidence may include:
- Proof of rent payments;
- A lease or tenancy agreement for the property; and
- Registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
HAP support is available to tenants in rent a room scheme arrangements; however, the rental of a room to a civil partner, son or daughter are excluded from this scheme. HAP cannot be paid where the tenant is seeking to rent within the family home.
In order for a housing authority to be satisfied that a tenancy is or would be in good faith; the onus is on the applicant and landlord to prove that what is being proposed is a bona fide tenancy. Ultimately, it is up to the local authority to make a decision in each individual case.
357. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of financial settlements reached by his Department and statutory bodies within his remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44065/19]
View answerIn the past five years a financial settlement was reached in one case involving my Department. That case included a confidentiality agreement.
Information in relation to financial settlements reached by agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. Arrangements have been put in place by each agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is in the table.
|
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 |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
info@opr.ie |
358. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the current expenditure on the housing adaptation grant taking into account changes announced in budget 2020; the full-year cost of increasing expenditure by 10% and 20%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44106/19]
View answerIn 2019, a total of €71.25 million is available for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses. This is made up of €57 million Exchequer funding, with the balance of €14.25 million being contributed by the local authorities. A total of €45.9 million has been spent to date.
For 2020, I am pleased that an increased funding total of €73.75 million has been secured for the scheme. This will be made up of €59 million Exchequer funding, with the balance of €14.75 million being contributed by the local authorities.
Increasing funding by 10% would cost an additional €5.9 million to the Exchequer, with a further €1.475 million to be contributed by the local authorities, while an increase of 20% would cost an additional €11.8 million to the Exchequer, with a further €2.95 million to be contributed by the local authorities.
Further consideration will be given to increasing funding over the coming years in the context of the range of housing supports and provision being made under Rebuilding Ireland and also considering the commitments under the Government's Housing Options for Our Ageing Population - Policy Statement (Actions 4.1/4.2), which is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/housingoptionsforanageingpopulationeng_web.pdf.
359. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support nature and biodiversity on a whole-of-Government basis; her plans for future funding of the national biodiversity data centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43885/19]
View answerMy Department is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, the primary legislation underpinning the protection of biodiversity and nature in Ireland. The Wildlife Acts afford protection to a range of habitats and species and provide for regulation and control of activities that impinge on biodiversity, such as hunting and trade.
The legislative framework in place to protect biodiversity is further strengthened by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 SI No 477/2011, which also fall under the remit of my Department. These Regulations transpose the EU Birds Directive and the EU Habitats Directive into national law, and provide for protection of certain habitats and species across the European Union, giving a framework for specific measures to be taken to target areas of concern in each Member State. The main instruments provided for are the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPA), aimed at the protection of threatened species of birds, and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), aimed at protecting other animal species and habitats.
My Department is also responsible for developing and publishing Ireland's National Biodiversity Action Plan. To further the implementation of the Plan, and to mainstream biodiversity within national policy, an interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group was established in 2012, drawn from 18 Government Departments and Agencies. Members have responsibilities for sectors where activities can have a direct impact on biodiversity or where there are opportunities for changes in the management of environmental resources that can support biodiversity policy formation. These sectors include strategic and land use planning, agriculture and forestry, marine and freshwater fisheries, the management and monitoring of water and environmental quality, and the provision of transport and energy infrastructure. In addition, there are Government Departments or Agencies with responsibility for sectors where there are opportunities for synergies between biodiversity protection and community development, education or health.
The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is the name given to a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006. It addresses the need identified by the Council that data on Ireland’s biodiversity be collected recorded and fully accessible to the public. The programme has been operated under two publically tendered contracts entered into between the Council and Compass Informatics - a private company. The team working on biodiversity data collection are employees of Compass Informatics a wholly owned subsidiary of Tracsis plc. The Heritage Council is currently finalising a contract extension with Compass Informatics to collect biodiversity data into 2020. Concurrently, a review is being undertaken by the Council. This is examining the governance, operating and financial models underpinning this important work. The outcome of that review will inform the next request for tender. Like all public contracts, this work is subject to public procurement rules. The Heritage Council’s contract with Compass Informatics has been very important in the collection of biodiversity data for public policymaking and decision making.
360. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans with respect to the creation of a Liffey valley national park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43927/19]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 87,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 22,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. The existing National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, and attract in excess of 4 million visitors annually.
Given the resources available for capital investment within our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am ever mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands and have no plans at present to increase the number of National Parks in the country.
However, as part of my Department’s continuing commitment and contribution to protecting our heritage and improving our tourism and recreation product, we have been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives.
In this context, it should be noted that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of €800,000. The purchase underpins the Government’s on-going commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.
In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This creates a State – Owned wilderness project of over 11,000 hectares and aims to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits through the ‘re-wilding’ of the forest which adjoins the National Park. Thanks to the acquisition, we will be returning the area to a natural wilderness state.
My Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, launched a strategic partnership in 2017 with a view to growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and increasing Ireland’s appeal as a recreation destination. One of the outputs from the partnership with Fáilte was “Experiencing the Wild Heart of Ireland”; an interpretative masterplan for the development of our National Parks and Reserves, which was published last year and sets out a road map for investment at these important nature conservation, public amenity and tourism sites and underpins the objectives of Project 2040.
The investment in our National Parks will create memorable and meaningful experiences of Ireland’s landscapes, wildlife and culture. This will be done though sensitive design and the development of authentic experiences, providing better access to nature and an increased understanding of society’s conservation responsibilities, as well as supporting significant investment in recreational facilities including upgrading and development of the trails network,increased visitor facilities and improved signage and branding. These will be designed and delivered with a strong emphasis on conservation and allow us protect and preserve our most fragile environments and investing in our culture, language & heritage provide a well-being benefit for all.
In this regard, a provision of some €5million in funding, for 32 individual projects across the network of NPWS sites, was announced earlier this year as part of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. So while I have no plans to expand the Park network at present, my Department is actively ensuring the preservation, protection and presentation of the assets we already own.
361. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le hathfhorbairt na cé in Inis Oírr; cén staid ag a bhfuil an togra seo faoi láthair; cén uair a bhfuil súil aici go mbeifear in ann tairiscintí a lorg don togra; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44006/19]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá forbairt Ché Inis Oírr san áireamh ar liosta na dtograí atá le forbairt faoi Thionscadail Éire 2040.
Tá oifigigh mo Roinne agus Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe ag obair i dtreo leagan críochnúil den chás gnó i leith an togra a fhorbairt faoi réir théarmaí an Chód Chaiteachais Phoiblí faoi láthair. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh críoch leis an bpróiseas sin go luath. Agus an cás gnó a bheith faofa, is í an céad céim eile sa phróiseas ná tairiscintí a lorg don obair. Beidh gach céim d'fhorbairt na cé seo le meas i gcomhthéacs an tsoláthair airgid atá ar fáil do mo Roinn agus faoi réir na bhforálacha atá san áireamh i gCód Caiteachais Phoiblí an Rialtais.
362. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta céard iad na heagraíochtaí a fuair airgead ó Údarás na Gaeltachta le ceithre bliana anuas as an gciste a chuireann sí ar fáil do Chomharchumainn agus d’Eagraíochtaí Pobalbhunaithe; cé mhéad a fuair gach eagraíocht gach bliain; cén uair a mbeidh a fhios acu cén deontas a bheidh ar fáil do 2020; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44012/19]
View answerMar go bhfuil réimse leathan faisnéise iarrtha ag an Teachta, tuigfidh sé nach féidir í a chur le chéile laistigh den amscála atá ar fáil. Cuirfear freagra cuimsitheach díreach chuig an Teachta chomh luath agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir leis na Buan-Orduithe Dála.
363. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Official Languages Act 2003 and its amendments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44024/19]
View answerThe position regarding the preparation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill, the Heads of which were published in 2017, is that further consultation with stakeholders has taken place and officials from my Department are continuing to work closely with officials from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise the draft Bill. I am happy to confirm that substantial progress has been made with the drafting of the Bill over the past number of months and that it has been listed on the Government's Legislative Programme to be published during the current session.
364. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of financial settlements reached by her Department and statutory bodies within her remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44058/19]
View answerIn light of the volume and complexity of the information requested by the Deputy, arrangements are being made for this information to be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy, in accordance with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
