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Thursday, 30 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 874-898

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (874)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

874. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of and location in which guidelines in relation pandemic unemployment payment recipients leaving the country for holidays can be found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20543/20]

View answer

Written answers

The emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was designed to support employees and self-employed people, aged between 18 and under 66, who were in employment or self-employment immediately prior to 13 March 2020 and have lost their employment due to the downturn in economic activity as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. In order to do this, the qualifying conditions were kept as simple as possible.

Information on the payment is available on www.gov.ie under the pandemic unemployment payment section with detailed guidance on how the scheme operates provided for employees and employers.  This information is updated on a regular basis to reflect the current details of the payment as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on  employees and employers..

I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Question No. 875 answered with Question No. 766.

Maternity Benefit

Questions (876)

John McGuinness

Question:

876. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for maternity benefit. [20549/20]

View answer

Written answers

An application for maternity benefit was received from the person concerned on 16/06/2020.  One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of maternity benefit is that the applicant must have been in employment with a last day of work within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which her baby is due.  The person concerned has not been in insurable employment during 2020 and as a result she does not fulfil this condition and is not entitled to maternity benefit.  A decision letter issued to her on 16th June informing her that her claim had been disallowed as she did not satisfy the employment conditions for the scheme.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (877)

John McGuinness

Question:

877. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for dental benefit. [20550/20]

View answer

Written answers

Based on the information available, the person concerned will qualify for treatment benefit as a dependant spouse on her husband's insurance record.

An Eligibility Application for dental benefit has been approved and notification has issued to her.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (878)

John McGuinness

Question:

878. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the State pension (contributory); and if a response to their appeal will be expedited. [20557/20]

View answer

Written answers

State 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. In order to satisfy the habitual residence condition, the person must have a legal right of residence in the State.    

An application for state pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 18 June 2020.  Following an assessment of the income and assets of the person concerned, the Deciding Officer determined that the person's weekly means from income and capital exceeded the permissible statutory weekly limit of €262.50, and their application was disallowed. 

The person concerned was notified of this decision, and the reason for the decision, on 22 June 2020, and their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.  On 10 July 2020, an appeal was received from the person concerned.  All required records have been sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 29 July 2020. 

On making their determination, the Appeal Officer will notify the person concerned directly of the outcome of their appeal.   

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Departmental Staff

Questions (879)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

879. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in her Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20618/20]

View answer

Written answers

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices.  The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval. 

It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval.  At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.  However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy and a Press Adviser,  and these persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.

There  have been no seconded civil servants or Advisers , other than those mentioned above, employed by the Department to work in my Ministerial Office.

Question No. 880 answered with Question No. 770.

Free Travel Scheme

Questions (881)

Bríd Smith

Question:

881. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funds paid to all public transport operators for the provision and operation of the free travel scheme since 2015; and the amount paid to each operator in the past full year of operation in tabular form. [20749/20]

View answer

Written answers

The free travel scheme permits free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by some 80 private operators countrywide for those eligible under the scheme.  The scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living legally and permanently in the State.  Applicants  under age 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in order to be eligible for the scheme and permanently, legally reside in the State.  

At the end of June, there were 976,034 customers eligible for Free Travel. 

Payments made to the transport companies and the overall budget allocation for the free travel scheme covering the years from 2015 to 2019 are set out in the table below.   It is not possible to provide a breakdown of payment per transport operator, as requested by the Deputy, as this information is considered commercially sensitive.

The 2020 free travel budget allocation is €95 million.  Payments continued to all operators during the Covid crisis.

 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

      

   2019  

   2018  

   2017  

   2016  

   2015  

CIE main payment

€51,214,653.50

 

€51,527,622.66

€61,549,082.83

€61,400,861.94

€60,951,683.05

Bus Eireann Expressway

€17,733,940.00

€17,645,837.00

 

 

 

Private Operators

€14,772,363.79

€10,760,755.68

€8,804,859.89

€8,521,233.43

€7,055,713.71

National Transport Authority/ POBAL (Local Link)

€4,500,000.00

€1,500,000.00

€1,500,000.00

€1,500,000.00

€1,500,000.00

Luas/Transdev

€3,907,500.00 

€3,907,500.27

€3,907,500.00

3,907,499.64

€3,747,235.23

Cross Border travel

€1,567,940.08

€1,397,851.13

€1,686,933.32

€1,708,423.27

€1,852,983.28

All Ireland Free Travel

€87,838.25

€73,932.57

€97,783.57

€73,937.91

€114,183.51

Total

€93,784,235.62

€86,813,499.31

77,546,159.61

€77,111,956.19

€75,221,798.78

Budget Allocation

€95 m

€90 m

€80 m

€77 m

€77 m

Social Welfare Inspections

Questions (882)

Bríd Smith

Question:

882. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare recipients that have had payments stopped or reduced on foot of operations by social welfare inspectors at Dublin Airport since 2010; and the number of such operations at the airport by her officials since 2010. [20750/20]

View answer

Written answers

Since 2012, social welfare inspectors have had legal powers to carry out checks at ports and airports.  Section 250 (16) of the social Welfare consolidation Act 2005, as amended, provides the legal basis for these checks.   

While the number of airport checks has significantly increased in recent months since the introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), this reflects the very different control environment that my Department has been operating in, with large numbers of people leaving the country from mid-March onwards, arising from the lock-down measures imposed from the Covid pandemic.

As I mentioned in the Dáil yesterday, I have directed my Department to review all cases to date where people went on holidays and had their PUP payment stopped.  Last evening, the Department completed the review of the 2,500 PUP cases where the payment had been stopped for travelling abroad.  This review has identified some 85 cases that have the potential to be entitled to the PUP for a holiday period.  The Department will be contacting the 85 individuals in the coming days to verify these cases. 

The number of payments stopped or reduced on foot of the work done by inspectors in ports and airports from 2013 is not readily available.  I have asked my officials to forward this information to the Deputy as soon as possible. 

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (883)

Bríd Smith

Question:

883. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payments for services or goods by her Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20775/20]

View answer

Written answers

Costs of €3,082.37 are associated with an event, held in Tangent Trinity Campus, Dublin on 6th March 2020 where the company referred to by the Deputy is the contracted catering provider in that location.  These costs related to the teas, coffees, water and a light lunch provided by the catering company to some 160 people who attended this event.

The event formed part of a wider nationwide programme of Jobs Week 2020 events held throughout the first week of March and focused in  particular on supports for people who have been out of the workforce for a period on a career break or for caring duties. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy. 

Public Services Card

Questions (884)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

884. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the appeal of the enforcement notice regarding the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20829/20]

View answer

Written answers

In August 2019, the Data Protection Commission's (DPC) Final report into the Public Services Card (PSC), which examined my Department's compliance with its obligations in relation to the legal basis and transparency issues, was received.

On 6 December 2019, my Department received an Enforcement Notice from the DPC in respect of the August 2019 Report.

An appeal was filed against the Enforcement Notice within the timeframe provided under the Data Protection Act 2018. 

As the matter is now before the Courts, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (885)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

885. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that received a cut to their pandemic unemployment payment; the number that have appealed the cut; and the number that have had their payment reinstated in full after a successful appeal. [20837/20]

View answer

Written answers

The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.  To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a person must have been in employment immediately prior to the 13th March and lost their income from employment due to the onset of the pandemic.  Self-employed people must have suffered a collapse in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work. 

Changes were announced to the structure of the pandemic unemployment payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted.  Payment is now linked to prior earnings.  Where an employee's gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher there is no change to their rate of payment.  If their gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment was adjusted to €203.  Where a person is self-employed their gross average weekly income for 2018, the last tax year for which verifiable data on self-employed income is available, is used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment.  

Where an individual’s rate is reduced to the flat rate €203 per week and their family circumstances are that they have adult or child dependents, it may be more financially beneficial to apply for a jobseekers payment. 

The changes to the structure of the pandemic unemployment payment were first implemented in payments due on 7 July 2020. Just over 110,000 people received payment at the new rate of €203, while 302,000 people continued to receive payment at a rate of €350. 

Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case.   To date approximately 10,000 requests for a review have been received, with the majority of these received on the 7th and 8th July.  The majority of requests have come from self-employed individuals.  To date, my officials have cleared 4,960 cases, of which 920 have been successful.  The  successful cases  primarily related to  the absence of earnings details on a self-employed person’s contribution history due to outstanding tax and PRSI liabilities. 

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Employment Rights

Questions (886)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

886. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the remedy available to those that have returned to work post-Covid-19 lay-off to have different terms and conditions enforced on them by their employers, for example, half of hours worked now being given as time off in lieu without agreement. [20855/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 provides that an employer must provide its employee with a written statement of the particulars of the employee’s terms of employment.  It also provides that an employer must notify the employee of any changes in the particulars given in the statement.  The Act provides a right of complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where an employer fails to comply with either of the above.

While an employer may renegotiate the terms and conditions of the contract of employment with an employee, it may not reduce any term or condition to a level lower than statutory entitlement.  It is best practice that any such renegotiation should be undertaken in consultation with the affected employee, and taking a long-term view of the employment relationship.

Failure to pay all or part of the wages due to an employee may be considered to be an unlawful deduction and a complaint can be made under the Payment of Wages Act 1991.

Complaints in respect of unauthorised deductions from wages should be made to the WRC which provides a helpline service, information and an online complaints form at www.workplacerelations.ie .

The National Minimum Wage Act 2000 applies to most employees.  It is the minimum hourly pay rate that must be paid.  If an employee’s rate of pay is reduced to a level lower than the statutory minimum provided for in the Act, he/she would also have recourse to make a complaint to the WRC.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Inspections

Questions (887)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

887. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of officials by grade from her Department that are located at entry and or exit ports and airports here; the number and value of sanctions imposed by her Department on persons in receipt of a social protection payment for leaving the State without informing her Department; the number of these that were upheld and the value of same on appeal; if she will provide a schedule of the types of payments that are subject to sanctions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20906/20]

View answer

Written answers

Since 2012, the Department’s social welfare inspectors have been undertaking control checks at airports and ports. Section 250 (16) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, provides the legal basis for these checks. 

The number of inspectors attending the ports and airports can vary from day to day.  Typically, at Dublin airport, there will be six inspectors carrying out this work while, in Dublin Port, we operate with one to two inspectors. In Rosslare, between three and four inspectors will be engaged in this work while, in Ringaskiddy, we operate with four inspectors. 

In addition to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), any other social welfare payment that is not payable outside the State is subject to review where a person is found to be leaving the State. This includes jobseekers payments, working family payment, illness-related payments, carers allowance, supplementary welfare allowance and one parent family payments. 

As I announced in the Dáil yesterday, I have directed my Department to review all cases to date where people went on holidays and had their payment stopped.  Last evening, the Department has completed the review of the 2,500 PUP cases where the payment was stopped for travelling abroad.  This review has identified some 85 cases that have the potential to be entitled to PUP for a holiday period. The Department will be contacting the 85 individuals in the coming days to verify these cases.  

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Working Family Payment

Questions (888)

Alan Kelly

Question:

888. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the location by county of those in receipt of the working family payment that are paying class H PRSI for the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20919/20]

View answer

Written answers

The data requested by the Deputy is detailed in the table below. Full PRSI data is not available for 2020; accordingly the figures for 2020 refer to recipients of Working Family Payment at the end of June 2020 who paid primarily class H PRSI in 2019.  

 

2020

2019

2018

2017

Carlow

2

3

2

5

Cavan

1

4

6

7

Clare

4

6

5

7

Cork

23

34

37

49

Donegal

6

10

12

12

Dublin

14

24

29

32

Galway

5

5

8

9

Kerry

0

0

0

0

Kildare

14

18

18

25

Kilkenny

7

8

7

6

Laois

2

2

7

10

Leitrim

1

1

1

1

Limerick

3

5

8

10

Longford

2

2

3

5

Louth

12

13

13

13

Mayo

3

3

5

5

Meath

5

6

8

9

Monaghan

0

0

0

1

Offaly

6

10

9

12

Roscommon

1

2

5

7

Sligo

2

2

2

4

Tipperary

1

3

4

6

Waterford

0

1

3

2

Westmeath

6

10

11

18

Wexford

1

2

3

4

Wicklow

0

0

1

2

Rural Social Scheme

Questions (889, 890)

Alan Kelly

Question:

889. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expand the number of places available under the rural social scheme in view of the importance of the scheme to rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20924/20]

View answer

Alan Kelly

Question:

890. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expand the number of places available under the Tús scheme in view of the importance to communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20925/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 889 and 890 together.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen/women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.  Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen and participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing this valuable work in their local communities.

The Tús scheme provides work placements for a twelve month period for those who are fully unemployed and on the live register for a year or more.  The Tús initiative helps break the cycle of long-term unemployment by providing a work routine and valuable work experience.

It is recognised by Government that both Tús and RSS are positive initiatives that enable participants to make a significant contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment.  

As part of the recently announced July stimulus package, an additional 3,000 places on State employment schemes such as Community Employment schemes and Tús was announced.  There are no plans to increase the number of places available on RSS at present as there are currently 3,128 participants on the scheme which has a capacity for 3,350 participants in total.   

My Department continues to review all aspects of its activation and employment support programmes to ensure their most effective delivery and the best outcomes for both participants and communities.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (891)

Alan Kelly

Question:

891. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of carer’s allowance applications that have been refused on means ground only in the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20930/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers.  This includes ensuring that  decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. 

As the schemes in my Department operate under different criteria, the claims process can vary.  In relation to Carer’s Allowance, a decision is made on all the areas of entitlement at once, and a decision letter is then issued to the customer covering each area of entitlement. 

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Carer’s Allowance claims refused on means grounds cannot be separated from the total number of claims refused. I am however informed that claims refused on any grounds for the past three years are available, and the figures are provided in the tabular statement below.

 Year

 Total Carer's Allowance claims refused

 2017

 8,599

 2018

 9,291

 2019

 8,811

 2020 (ytd to June)

 5,880

Departmental Advertising

Questions (892)

Alan Kelly

Question:

892. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if she will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21027/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department administers over 80 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available, as well as ensuring key changes are communicated to them.

Public information/advertising campaigns are therefore an important part of the Department's work and span national and regional print media and radio, digital, social media and outdoor advertising.

All campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with our media buyer, using the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department's messages reach members of the public effectively, while ensuring value for money.

Details of expenditure (ex. VAT) for all advertising campaigns that ran in 2019 and 2020 are outlined in the table below. Costs include both media buying and design/production costs.

Year

Advertising Campaigns 2019 & 2020

Ad Formats

Combined Media Buying & Design/Production Costs (ex. VAT)

2019

National Minimum Wage; MyWelfare.ie promotional campaign; Employment   (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act; Jobs Week 2019; Dundalk/Cross Border Job   Fair; Working Family Payment; Jobs Ireland promotional campaign; Maternity   & Paternity applications online; Back to School Clothing & Footwear   online; DCYA National Childcare Scheme (contribution to DCYA media plan);   Parent’s Benefit; Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-employed; Intreo/Return to   Work – part 1; EURES Job Fairs; Payments Schedule; Intreo videos for Employers   & Jobseekers – part 1; Low Pay Commission (design/production cost only).

National & local print; national & local radio; OOH (out of   home); digital & social media ads; VOD/TV Extend.

€864,570.75

2020*

National Minimum Wage; Low Pay Commission (design/production cost   only); Jobs Week 2020; Intreo/Return to Work – part 2; Intreo videos for   Employers & Jobseekers – part 2; 11 COVID-19 campaigns including:   Availability of Income Supports; Pandemic Unemployment Payment; Pandemic   Unemployment Payment available online; Pandemic Unemployment Payment &   Illness Benefit – rate increase/online applications; Temporary Wage Subsidy   Scheme; Return to Work – Phases 1, 2 & 3; Pandemic Unemployment Payment –   Rate Change & Eligibility Check; Pandemic Unemployment Payment – Rates   Explained.

National & local print; national & local radio; digital   programmatic & audio ads (incl. podcasts/spotify); social media ads,   VOD/TV Extend.

€1,129,362.78

*Campaigns completed and invoiced to 27 July 2020

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (893)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

893. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a possible termination of jobseeker’s and disability payments in the case of a person (details supplied) who will suffer considerable hardship in the event of interference with their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21058/20]

View answer

Written answers

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is currently in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment at the weekly rate of €203.00. 

The customer’s Jobseekers Allowance claim was selected for a review as part of the Department’s internal control processes. This is standard practice and my Department routinely carries out reviews of customer claims across all schemes.

This review is currently underway and the relevant Social Welfare Inspector, following an interview with the customer, has requested certain documentation to clarify the position in relation to a number of issues pertinent to the claim.

Should the customer have any questions regarding the review , it is open to him to contact the Social Welfare Inspector he met with at Newbridge Intreo Centre, Moorefield Road, Newbridge.

LEADER Programmes

Questions (894)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

894. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated full-year cost of increasing Leader funding by 10%. [20026/20]

View answer

Written answers

LEADER is a multi-annual EU programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the 7 year programming period 2014-2020.  Approximately 63% of the total budget is refundable from the European Commission on the basis of expenditure incurred.

€225 million of the available funding has been allocated to the 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver LEADER throughout the country.  This funding is utilised by the LAGs under the following categories:

- Preparatory Support costs incurred to develop Local Development Strategies in each LEADER region at the outset of the programme

- LAG Administration costs and costs incurred in supporting the development of LEADER projects

- Project specific funding, which constitutes the largest portion of the funding available.

A further €25 million in funding is available for thematic schemes delivered at a national level which is allocated centrally as projects are approved.  

Activity under the LEADER programme fluctuates on a year-to-year basis depending on the demand for funding, the level of project approvals made by the LAGs, and the stage of the programme’s lifecycle. 

There are, therefore, a number of different components to the LEADER funding which have a greater or lesser emphasis at different points during the 7 year programming period.  

However, an increase of 10% to the overall budget of €250 million available for the current LEADER programme would equate to €25 million over the 7 year programming period, or approximately €3.5 million on average annually.

CLÁR Programme

Questions (895)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

895. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated full-year cost of increasing funding for small-scale rural projects, such as CLÁR by 10%. [20028/20]

View answer

Written answers

The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. 

A total of €32.8 million has been approved for over 1,400 CLÁR projects since the programme was re-established in 2016.

An indicative budget of €5 million has been provided for CLÁR this year. A 10% increase in this level of funding would equate to €500,000.

Rural Development Programme

Questions (896, 897)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

896. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated to each county in rural funding in each year since 2015. [20084/20]

View answer

Claire Kerrane

Question:

897. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to rural communities including the funding streams from the European Union. [20085/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 896 and 897 together.

My Department is currently working on the request, the information will be provided under separate cover to the Deputy. 

CLÁR Programme

Questions (898)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

898. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received by her Department under CLÁR funding; the number of successful applications; and the number rejected on by county in each year since 2015. [20087/20]

View answer

Written answers

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available within the timeframe required to respond to this question. 

However, I have asked my officials to collate the information requested and I will provide it to the Deputy in the coming days.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The Minister for Rural and Community Development provided the following material to the Deputy on the 1st September, in relation to detailed information concerning the CLÁR programme which the Deputy sought in Parliamentary Question No. 898 of 30th July 2020 (Ref. 20087/20) to ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received by her Department under CLÁR funding; the number of successful applications; and the number rejected on by county in each year since 2015.’
CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that provides funding for small infrastructural projects in areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
The CLÁR programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed for new applications. Since then, almost €33 million has been allocated to over 1,400 projects under the programme.
The tables below provide details of all applications received, approved and unsuccessful from 2016 to 2019 by county where there is an area eligible for CLÁR funding.
CLÁR applications received, approved and unsuccessful, by county from 2016-2019

County

2016

2016

2016

2017

2017

2017

Received

Approved

Unsuccessful

Received

Approved

Unsuccessful

Carlow

18

18

0

5

5

0

Cavan

33

33

0

29

12

17

Clare

27

27

0

21

10

11

Cork

82

35

47

27

9

18

Donegal

117

78

39

36

10

26

Galway

62

57

5

28

15

13

Kerry

123

27

96

29

8

21

Kilkenny

9

9

0

15

4

11

Laois

24

24

0

20

5

15

Leitrim

27

20

7

21

17

4

Limerick

38

29

9

24

10

14

Longford

20

18

2

24

12

12

Louth

8

6

2

20

10

10

Mayo

81

38

43

29

22

7

Meath

7

7

0

11

4

7

Monaghan

49

29

20

22

16

6

Offaly

18

14

4

22

9

13

Roscommon

39

32

7

22

12

10

Sligo

51

50

1

23

9

14

Tipperary

48

43

5

25

15

10

Waterford

25

23

2

28

10

18

Westmeath

19

18

1

24

3

21

Wicklow

3

3

0

16

4

12

TOTALS

928

638

290

521

231

290

County

2018

2018

2018

2019

2019

2019

Received

Approved

Unsuccessful

Received

Approved

Unsuccessful

Carlow

13

10

3

11

2

9

Cavan

20

16

4

26

11

15

Clare

24

17

7

20

8

12

Cork

29

22

7

29

8

21

Donegal

28

20

8

31

12

19

Galway

30

22

8

30

13

17

Kerry

40

31

9

35

17

18

Kilkenny

13

11

2

13

4

9

Laois

18

15

3

19

4

15

Leitrim

24

18

6

30

11

19

Limerick

23

14

9

18

2

16

Longford

19

14

5

23

14

9

Louth

17

12

5

9

4

5

Mayo

44

31

13

38

18

20

Meath

13

11

2

8

2

6

Monaghan

20

18

2

19

9

10

Offaly

19

13

6

10

2

8

Roscommon

20

14

6

28

12

16

Sligo

22

17

5

18

8

10

Tipperary

31

22

9

23

8

15

Waterford

18

15

3

20

3

17

Westmeath

22

16

6

23

4

19

Wicklow

18

10

8

13

3

10

TOTALS

525

389

136

494

179

315

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