Written Answers Nos. 61-81
61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the equalisation fund will be applied; if there are plans to change the baselines; if so, the criteria; the way the self-fund element will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/21]
View answerThe Government remains committed to ensuring that the local government sector retains a sustainable and stable source of funding from Local Property Tax (LPT), distributed to local authorities via the Local Government Fund, to support the delivery of local authority services.
Local retention of LPT began in 2015 and since then the overall principles and allocation methodology have broadly remained the same. 80% of LPT is retained in the area it is collected, with the other 20% supporting equalisation for local authorities with LPT bases lower than their funding baseline.
The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', commits to bringing forward LPT reforms. These reforms will involve bringing new homes, which are currently exempt from LPT, into the taxation system as well as providing for all money collected locally to be retained within the county. This will also be done on the basis that those counties with a lower LPT base are adjusted via an annual national equalisation fund paid from the Exchequer, as is currently the case.
My colleague, the Minister for Finance, recently published the Heads of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Bill will give effect to a package of measures in line with the Programme for Government to address the future of the LPT. Minister Donohue also signalled the Government’s intent to move to 100% local retention from 2023. Any changes to the allocation process may be considered in that context.
As the LPT revaluation process is likely to take a number of months, detailed information on the new yield per local authority will not be available until later in the year. Accordingly, LPT allocations for 2022 will provisionally be based on updated information regarding the 2021 yield, on a no change basis i.e. the 80:20 model. All other elements are also be based on 2021 figures, including the LPT baselines, the equalisation contribution and self-funding of housing and roads from surplus LPT. It is recognised that the yield will change following the revaluation and the matter will be revisited at that point.
My Department recently confirmed provisional LPT allocations to local authorities for 2022 amounting to €528m. These allocations include the Exchequer contribution to equalisation funding of €34.3m. There will be no change to allocations for the 20 local authorities requiring equalisation funding, as their LPT yield is below their funding baseline. When detailed information on the new LPT yield becomes available, my Department will progress work on the planned move to 100% local retention of LPT and the effects on the funding system for local authorities.
As previously, every local authority has the power to vary the basic rate of LPT in their local area by up to 15%; those variation decisions have not yet been made and are not reflected in these allocations. The proposed LPT Amendment Bill referred to above will bring forward the deadline for notifying Revenue of the Local Adjustment Factor (LAF) to 31 August in a revaluation year, such as this year. While I appreciate this timeframe is extremely challenging for local authorities, there is little option. The regulations have already been amended to assist local authorities to meet the earlier deadline.
My Department works closely with the local government sector on a range of financial issues, to ensure that any additional resources that may be available are appropriately targeted. The funding for all local authorities will be kept under review as part of the normal Estimates process and in the context of the aforementioned LPT revaluation process.
62. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any local authorities have made the decision to top-up the additional three-weeks parent’s leave and benefit payment since their introduction in April 2021; if so, the authorities that have done so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/21]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
My Department does not have the information requested but it should be available from each local authority.
In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 there is no requirement for an employer to make top up payments to the Department of Social Protection payment.
63. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a directly elected mayor for Dublin; if this issue will be referred to a citizens' assembly; when a plebiscite on this question will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36705/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future contains a commitment to “Establish in 2021 a Citizens’ Assembly to consider the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin”.
The Department of An Taoiseach will be responsible for the Dublin Citizens' Assemby, which is to be established with a new chairperson and new members. Consideration is being given to the appropriate methodology for future citizens' assemblies, but decisions in this regard will be guided by the experience of the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality.
The commitment to establish a citizens' assembly to consider local government structures and a directly elected mayor for Dublin is recognition that the matter is a complex one, particularly given that Dublin currently has four local authorities.
A range of vital issues will be required to be considered, among them governance and accountability structures, the powers and functions to be held by a mayor of Dublin, the geographic area for which the mayor would be responsible, and the role of mayor in the future strategic and spatial development of the city.
The decision on whether to hold a plebiscite will be a matter for Government following the outcome of the Assembly's deliberations.
64. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of increasing the funding to the capital assistance scheme by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36712/21]
View answer65. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was allocated to the capital assistance scheme in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36713/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
Details of expenditure under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for the years requested are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Amount€m |
|
2019 |
97.7 |
|
2020 |
95.1 |
|
2021 (end June) |
36.2 |
The 2021 budgetary allocation for CAS is €96 million. The cost of increasing the 2021 allocation by 5%,10% and 25% would be €4.8 million, €9.6 million and €24 million respectively.
66. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of ensuring that a minimum of 7.5% of social housing is built to universal design standards for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36714/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. However, Action 97 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 states – “We will prepare policy advice on ways of achieving universal design solutions for new housing so that new homes can be accessed and used by all persons, irrespective of size, age, ability or disability. We will advise on any implications of same for stakeholders including designers, builders, homeowners and tenants.” I understand that the National Disability Authority (NDA), which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, is working on this policy advice, and associated estimate of costs, on ways of achieving universal design solutions in new housing.
The NDA also provides comprehensive guidance on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability. 'Building for Everyone, A Universal Design Approach', a NDA publication, may be accessed at www.nda.ie.
The ‘Programme for Government Our Shared Future’ commits to ensuring that there is an appropriate mix of housing design types provided, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities. In addition, the joint policy statement Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, launched by my Department and the Department of Health in 2019, includes an Action on universal design to “In partnership with industry, introduce measures to ensure that over a five year period delivery is increased to ensure that 30% of all new dwellings are built to incorporate universal design principles to accommodate our ageing population.” Appropriate measures to deliver on this commitment are currently being considered by my Department.
The housing needs of people with disabilities are addressed in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011-2016 (extended to 2021). The Strategy aims to facilitate the provision of housing options and related services to disabled people to allow individual choice and support independent living within mainstream housing. In accordance with the vision and strategic aims of the Strategy to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level, Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) have been established in all local authority areas. These are chaired by the Directors of Housing with membership including the Health Service Executive (HSE) and disability representatives.
Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet the identified, and emerging, housing needs of people with disabilities in their areas with a view to developing annual targets for the delivery of housing to people with a disability on their housing waiting lists.
A new NHSPWD, is currently being developed by my Department and the Department of Health, with a view to publication by the end of 2021.
67. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the five years on planning permission that was issued in the past few years due to Covid-19 related delays due to construction being stopped due to restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36741/21]
View answerUnder section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 ('the Act') the holder of a planning permission may apply to the planning authority for an extension to the period of permission, prior to the expiration of that permission. On application, the authority shall extend the appropriate period by such additional period not exceeding 5 years as the authority considers requisite to enable the development to which the permission relates to be completed, provided that, the development was commenced before the expiration of the permission, substantial works were carried out and the development will be completed within a reasonable time.
If an extension to planning permission has been previously granted, the only circumstance in which the holder of a planning permission may be granted a second extension of duration is under section 42(1A) of the Act in respect of a development that relates to 20 or more houses subject to the development being completed within 5 years of the originally extended permission or by 31 December 2021 (which provision was extended by Government Orders under Section 251A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in 2020), whichever first occurs.
My Department has prepared legislation (the Planning and Development (Amendment)(No.3) Bill 2021) which is currently before the Dáil, having already been passed by the Seanad. If signed into law, this proposed Act will, inter alia , bring forward additional temporary legislative amendments to provide for a further extension of duration of previously extended permissions, having regard to the construction delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, where those developments were commenced with substantial works carried out and where environmental assessment is not required in relation to the proposed extension of time.
This temporary proposal will allow for further extensions of the duration of planning permissions that were previously extended by a period of up to two years, or until 31 December 2023, whichever first occurs. The proposal will also allow for the further extension of the duration of permissions that meet the above criteria, which have expired or are due to expire during the period from 8 January 2021 (when the most recent construction restrictions were introduced) to the day before the new provision comes into operation, and such applications must be lodged within 6 months after the commencement of that provision.
68. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a commitment will be given to ensure that a vote on a directly elected mayor in Galway takes place in 2024 at the same time as the next local elections is supported by Government given that Galway City Council has unanimously passed a motion calling for a plebiscite vote on whether or not to have a directly elected mayor in Galway. [36820/21]
View answerThe recently published General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 contains provisions necessary to allow a local authority to hold a plebiscite on the topic of directly elected mayor with executive functions for their administrative area, with the plebiscite to be held in tandem with the local government elections in 2024. These provisions, if enacted by the Oireachtas, would meet the general commitment regarding plebiscites in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future.
69. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application for a passport by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36683/21]
View answerThe Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas.
- Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications.
- Processing all adult renewal applications (including new applications) within 10 working days.
- Processing urgent and emergency applications.
- Providing of customer services through phone and web chat.
Very substantial progress has been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog with backlog applications that were completed properly have been processed and passports issued. Of the incomplete applications, the Passport Service have been in contact with the applicants regarding the need to send in outstanding documents. Once all outstanding required documentation is received, issuance of passports will follow.
Our phone and web chat services are available to all people whose passport applications have unfortunately been affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
The Passport Service have advised that they have been in direct contact with this applicant to provide an update on the status of the application.
70. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the funding that was allocated for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively; the unmet need for assistive technologies in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 respectively; the additional funding needed to increase funding for assistive technologies by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36711/21]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Officers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
All applications which met the criteria for assistive technology support, as set out in DES Circular 10/2013 have been processed and approved for the grant each year.
There is therefore not unmet need for assistive technologies for persons each year, under this scheme, as all qualifying applications have been provided for.
As the expenditure figures for 2021 are not yet available, I have included details of the expenditure for each of the last three years, for which data is available.
The cost of increasing the expenditure by 5% 10% and 25% each year is also included.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
Expenditure 5% increase |
Expenditure 10% increase |
Expenditure 25% increase |
|
2018 |
€2,382,785 |
€2,501,924 |
€2,621,063 |
€2,978,481 |
|
2019 |
€2,577,180 |
€2,706,039 |
€2,834,898 |
€3,221,475 |
|
2020 |
€2,013,236 |
€2,113,898 |
€2,214,560 |
€2,516,545 |
71. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if it is envisaged that Covid-19 precautions in schools such as pods and staggered drop-off or collection times will remain in place in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36570/21]
View answerSchools have been advised that it is expected that they will continue to operate with the current infection prevention and control measures outlined in school covid response plans to support their safe operation during Covid-19 when they reopen in for the 2021/2022 school year. Schools will continue to be supported in terms of the additional resources necessary to provide for these measures.
Schools Covid-19 response plans are based on the Government’s Work Safely Protocol which reflects the most up to date public health advice for the workplace. It sets out the range of measures required to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including those referred to by the Deputy. These plans will be updated by the Department during the summer and will be available for schools in advance of reopening. It is not envisaged that there will be any updates that require schools to take action in advance of normal reopening.
The Department will undertake a communications campaign with parents and students/pupils in advance of school reopening to inform and remind them of the arrangements in place in schools operating during Covid-19. This will include specifically targeted information at new pupils entering primary and post-primary schools to ensure they are familiar with the new arrangements.
The Department will continue to work closely with all of the education partners and public health specialists so that schools will continue to be supported when they reopen for the 2021/2022 school year.
72. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if an application for summer works will be approved for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36583/21]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that this project has been incorporated into an Additional School Accommodation project and the section overseeing this project has been in touch with the school and a decision will issue shortly.
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the engagement she has had with the board of management of a school (details supplied) with a view to resolving its accommodation issues in the medium and longer term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36598/21]
View answerThe school has sufficient accommodation in their current location for September 2021. My Department will shortly be exploring options with regard to the school’s further interim accommodation requirements for September 2022 and will continue to liaise with the school and patron in relation to same.
A number of sites in the Galway City East/Oranmore area have been identified and the Department is working closely with Galway City and Galway County councils to progress the site acquisition process.
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a matter regarding accommodation at a school (details supplied); if clarity will be provided regarding the location for the promised, permanent 1,000-pupil secondary school; when it will be delivered and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36599/21]
View answerOfficials in my Department are working closely with officials from Galway County and City Councils under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable permanent location for the school.
A number of site options have been identified and discussions with these landowners are ongoing.
When the site has been acquired the project will then progress to the architectural design and planning stages.
The school has sufficient accommodation in their current location for September 2021. My Department will shortly be exploring options with regard to the school’s further interim accommodation requirements for September 2022 and will continue to liaise with the school and patron in relation to same.
75. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) to obtain a post-primary free school travel pass who suffers from multiple medical conditions and who was issued the incorrect pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36614/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Departments School Transport Post Primary Scheme, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria 4.8km and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible to their school of attendance and following payment for the 2021/22 school year, if not already done so, a ticket will issue on a scheduled service.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.
A parent/guardian should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.
Alternatively, special transport arrangements on medical grounds may be considered by the Department where a pupil has a medical condition, and the condition is such that it would prevent the child from making his/her own way to the school, or the pick-up point, as appropriate. Where such applications are made, the Department requests that the pupil's GP complete an Application for School Transport on Medical Grounds, which outlines the nature and severity of the medical condition. The form is then forwarded to the Medical Advisor, who, on the basis of the medical evidence submitted, determines whether the above conditions apply. This form is available on my Department’s website at www.education.ie
School Transport Section of my Department has issued guidance directly to the family on how to make an application for school transport on medical grounds.
76. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she has received a detailed response from a school (details supplied) in connection with its summer works grant outlining additional unforeseen costs to be incurred; and if her Department will be in a position to respond with an additional financial allocation. [36621/21]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that the additional information mentioned has been received, the school increased the scope of works without prior approval from the Department and therefore we are not in a position to fund the increased costs.
77. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if the new school building for a school (details supplied) will include ASD classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36646/21]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at construction stage with construction expected to take twelve months. While accommodation for special classes is not included in this phase of the development, accommodation for four special education tuition rooms is included. It is intended that the next phase of the development will include accommodation for special classes.
78. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if the new school development at a school (details supplied) will include ASD classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36647/21]
View answerAccommodation for special needs pupils will form part of the brief in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is waiting on the school in question to submit an application under the Additional Accommodation Scheme to enable a decision be made on the type of building project required.
79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the measures she plans to take to respond to the lack of ASD classrooms in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36648/21]
View answer80. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if schools (details supplied) will be encouraged and or facilitated to set up ASD classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36649/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
This year, just under 25% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
For the coming school year there will be over 13,600 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream schools, who will support class teachers to address the special educational needs and learning needs of pupils who attend mainstream schools.
This year we are also providing for two new special schools and 269 new special classes. We will have a total of 2,118 special classes in 2021/22, which is the largest number of special classes that we have ever had, and compares to 548 classes available in 2011.
18,000 Special Needs Assistants will be available to support the care needs of pupils with special educational needs in our schools.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing. Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.
Planning for future needs takes into consideration the current availability of such places and focuses on those locations where additional provision is required. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
In establishing new special classes, the NCSE is required to satisfy itself that the class is both sustainable and available to all of the students who may need special class placements in a particular area.
NCSE have specific plans in place to open 6 additional special classes in schools in Dublin 6 and 6W providing 36 additional special class placements for students with autism for September 2021. NCSE is grateful to those schools that have responded and continue to respond positively to meet the educational needs of children in their communities. NCSE is also in consultations with other schools in these and adjacent areas.
In relation to the specific schools referred to by the Deputy, NCSE has confirmed that due to space constraints in the physical environment, one of the schools is not in a position to open a special class. NCSE continue to work with the other schools as part of their consultations referenced above.
The local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to prioritise investment in special education.
81. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if two children with learning difficulties from the same family both in primary school are entitled to the same hours for the July provision, that is, ten hours each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36715/21]
View answerUnder the home-based programme the allocation is 10 hours per week for 4 weeks where a student’s school is not participating in a school-based programme. The allocation is done on a per household basis with adjusted allocations for siblings.
Allocations of time for siblings broadly reflect how children may be grouped if they were in the same class at school. This is where one teacher is allocated to a class of six students with complex needs in schools.
However to meet the specific needs of different siblings with special needs in the home, an increased shared allocation is provided for siblings as set out in the table below:
|
Number of siblings |
2 Children |
3 Children |
4 Children |
|
Number of Hours per week |
15 per week for 4 weeks |
20 per week for 4 weeks |
25 per week for 4 weeks |
Separate allocations of 10 hours per week will be provided to a child where that child is:
- Attending school at a different educational level to their sibling – (i.e. one child is primary and the other is post-primary)
- One child is in a specialised setting (i.e. one child in a special class or a special school and the other child in mainstream)
- Where two eligible children are each in a specialised setting (i.e. a special class or a special school)
- Or where one sibling is living in a separate home.
The Department is satisfied that the allocation of supports to families where siblings are undertaking a home based programme is fair, equitable and reflective of how the home based programme is generally provided when more than one child avails of the provision in a family home. The fact that there are circumstances where additional hours are provided, as outlined above, when children have differing levels of need, school setting or residence means the scheme is responsive to these situations.
