Written Answers Nos. 89-109
90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether it is appropriate to apply VAT, a tax, to another tax, the carbon tax, on domestic gas bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8660/22]
View answerVAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Article 78 of the VAT Directive provides that the taxable amount shall include “taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the VAT itself”. The amount on which VAT is chargeable, in accordance with section 37(1) of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, is the total consideration receivable by the supplier, “including all taxes, commissions, costs and charges whatsoever” but not including the VAT itself.
In this respect, in the case of a gas bill, which includes carbon tax, VAT law dictates that VAT should be calculated on the carbon tax element of the bill as well as the charge for the service. Similarly, where an electricity bill includes the PSO levy, VAT is charged on the full amount of the charge to the customer, which includes the PSO levy. The same situation applies in the case of other excises, including for example excises on petrol, auto-diesel, tobacco and alcohol products, where the VAT charged on these goods is also charged on the excise value.
91. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 8 February 2022, if he will provide the statistics, by gender, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8764/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that information on gender is not captured on Revenue systems in respect of the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) activity previously referenced in my reply to Parliamentary Question 253. For this reason it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information requested.
92. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if the enhanced employment wage subsidy scheme will be extended to a sector (details supplied). [8800/22]
View answerThe objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is an economy-wide scheme that operates across all sectors.
In money terms, the overall support provided to-date (10th February) by EWSS is over €7.4 billion comprising direct subsidy payments of €6.4 billion and PRSI forgone of €1 billion to 51,900 employers in respect of over 713,500 employees.
To be eligible for EWSS an employer must be able to demonstrate that its business has experienced a 30% reduction in turnover or orders between 1 January and 31 December 2021, by reference to the corresponding period in 2019, as a result of business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government and I have been clear that there will be no cliff edge to supports for employers but we have also been clear that the EWSS cannot run indefinitely, nor is it sustainable to continue with the enhanced rates for a prolonged period of time given the very substantial costs to the Exchequer.
As part of Budget 2022, the Government agreed the future of EWSS including its graduated exit strategy. These arrangements were subsequently enhanced in response to the public health situation, namely the extension of the enhanced rates of subsidy for a further two months (across December 2021 and January 2022) and the reopening of the scheme for certain businesses as announced on 9 and 21 December 2021 respectively.
From 1 February 2022, for most businesses, including the taxi sector, the original two-rate structure of €203 per week and €151.50 per week will apply; for March and April 2022 the flat rate subsidy of €100 per week will apply and the scheme will end on 30 April 2022.
For completeness and in the event that persons in the taxi sector are operating as a sole-trader, I would clarify that subject to meeting the requisite conditions, a sole-trader’s business may be a qualifying employer for the purpose of the scheme, the same as is the case for any other employer. As was the case under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), sole-traders are not able to claim the EWSS in respect of their own employment as they are not employees – and further, may not necessarily be paid via the payroll system unlike proprietary directors who are obliged to have PAYE operated on any payments made to them personally.
Finally, as the Deputy will be aware on 21 January 2022, I announced that businesses availing of EWSS that were directly impacted by the public health regulations of December 2021 will continue to receive the enhanced rates of subsidy for the month of February and the graduated step-down in subsidy rates will be delayed by one month with such firms continuing to receive support under the scheme until 31 May 2022. The relevant public health regulations of late December last imposed an 8pm closing time on hospitality venues, including restaurants, bars and cafes, and reduced capacity on many indoor events, thus directly curtailing the ability of the businesses to trade.
93. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by his Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if he will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8510/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to her in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51B.
94. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that retired civil servants with qualifying pensions have not yet received the 1% pay increase granted in October 2021 which current civil servants have already received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, is provided for on 1 October 2021 in Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022.
Under the current pension increase policy for pre-existing public service pension schemes, this increase falls to be passed on to those pensions awarded under the pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff.
This policy is outlined in detail in my Department’s Circular 10/2021, which is available here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/e3bc7-instruction-on-the-pension-increase-policy-in-the-public-service-until-end-2022/
My officials have checked the position regarding the payment of pension increases related to the 1 October pay increase with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which is responsible for the administration of civil service pensions. The NSSO have confirmed that the vast majority of civil service pensions which were eligible for this pension increase have had that increase applied.
In a limited number of cases, it is necessary for the NSSO to manually establish eligibility for a pension increase and calculate the increase due. These cases are currently being reviewed, and where an increase is due, this will be paid, including arrears, as soon as possible.
95. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding front-line workers for homeless service charities (details supplied) who worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; if they are being considered for the €1,000 Covid recognition payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8545/22]
View answerThere are many thousands of people across the country who went above and beyond over the course of the last two years. The continued contribution of so many people in all walks of life has been essential to getting us through this difficult time. Collaboration and solidarity have been the hallmark of our national approach to COVID-19 and the measures announced on 19 January are true to those principles.
After careful consideration, the Government made the decision to give all the people of Ireland a national day of recognition and commemoration on the 18th of March this year, and another permanent public holiday in February commencing in 2023.
The Government took many factors into consideration when coming to a decision in relation to any additional recognition measure for specific sectors, however it ultimately agreed that acknowledging certain frontline healthcare workers in the public sector and in private nursing homes and hospices in particular was the most fair and appropriate, whilst acknowledging all other healthcare workers and sectors with the public holidays.
This is a balanced package of measures that will benefit all workers across the economy, while also recognising in particular the risks faced by certain frontline healthcare workers during this pandemic.
The Department of Health is working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. This will be published as soon as possible. This work underway is to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended.
96. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to his Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8689/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, following a recent security review by Garda Commissioner Harris, it has been agreed to provide 2 Garda drivers to me. For clarity, there are no civilian Garda drivers in my department. However, while I currently have 1 civilian driver assigned to me, interim arrangements are in place while the full plans are being mapped out for the assignment of the 2 Garda drivers. Salary costs for Ministerial Garda drivers are a matter for the Minister of Justice. The annual contractual salary is €38,678.95 per annum for a Civilian Driver.
97. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí ar an eolas, in ainneoin an ardaithe breise maoine a fuair Foras na Gaeilge i mbliana, nach ndearnadh an t-ardú ar Scéim Pobal Gaeilge ó €47,000 go €55,000 is gá ionas gur féidir leis na grúpaí sa scéim feidhmiú i gceart; agus an raibh aon chaidreamh idir í féin, a oifigigh agus Foras na Gaeilge faoin gceist sin nó faoi cheist na Scéime Pobal Gaeilge le bliain anuas, agus cad a bhí i gceist leis. [8455/22]
View answerTháinig deireadh le Scéim Pobal Gaeilge ag deireadh 2021. Baineann an tsuim €47,000 atá luaite ag an Teachta le uasmhéid an deontais atá ar fáil faoi Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge (SFLG) de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge – scéim nua atá in áit ó thús 2022.
Cuireadh moltaí Fhoras na Gaeilge maidir leis an scéim nua san áireamh i gcáipéis chomhairliúcháin a d'fhoilsigh an eagraíocht i mBealtaine 2020. Sa cháipéis chomhairliúcháin sin, moladh go mbeadh trí céim le baint amach ag pobail a bhí páirteach sa scéim. Moladh €30,000 don Ardchéim; €45,000 don Mheánchéim agus €15,000 don Bhunchéim.
Bunaithe ar an aiseolas a fuair Foras na Gaeilge ón gcomhairliúchán agus tar éis plé inmheánach agus leis an mBord a bheith déanta, rinneadh na leasuithe seo a leanas i gcomhthéacs maoiniú breise a cuireadh ar fáil ó na ranna urraíochta ó thuaidh agus ó dheas:
1. Cinneadh nach mbeadh difear idir na leibhéil mhaoinithe don Ardchéim agus don Mheánchéim;
2. Cinneadh méadú ar an ollchiste ó €1.02m (mar a bhí don tsean scéim SPG) go €1.376m.
3. Cinneadh go méadófaí an deontas aonair do ghrúpaí ag an Ardchéim agus an Meánchéim ó €45,000 go €47,000. (Is é €42,500 a bhí ar fáil faoi SPG roimhe seo.)
Is é an cuspóir a bhí ag Foras na Gaeilge, líon na bpobal a d’fhéadfadh buntáiste a bhaint as an scéim nua a uasmhéadú, seachas níos mó den mhaoiniú a chur ar fáil do líon níos lú pobal. D’aithin Foras na Gaeilge fosta na nithe breise seo:
1. Go mbeadh fordheontas breise de €15k/£13.5k ar fáil do ghrúpaí ag an Meánchéim le cabhrú leo aitheantas a fháil mar cheanneagraíocht Líonra Gaeilge dá gceantar (ag brath ar bheannacht na Ranna urraíochta); agus
2. Go mbeadh deis ag deontaithe cur leis an maoiniú faoi na céimeanna éagsúla den scéim, trí iarratas a dhéanamh ar réimse leathan de scéimeanna eile de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge a chuireann le forbairt na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an phobail. Ina measc siúd, tá maoiniú ar fáil le haghaidh campaí samhraidh, imeachtaí óige agus mionfhéilte a reáchtáil.
Is fiú a aithint, tríd an scéim úr seo, gur méadaíodh an líon grúpaí le maoiniú d’Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge lánaimseartha ó 22 go 28, agus go bhfuil 8 ngrúpa eile tugtha isteach sa scéim faoin mBunchéim.
98. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by her Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on to, include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8514/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will issue directly to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
99. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the live performance support scheme No. 4 will be open to new entrants; when the closing date will be; and the timeframe that will be covered by this scheme. [8522/22]
View answerFrom January 22nd Government agreed that all remaining restrictions on live entertainment including the 8pm closing and 50% capacity at live events would be lifted. This represents the full reopening of our economy and our society, and is a crucial opportunity to return to work for those who work in the live entertainment and events sector.
I was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I provided grants of over €55m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities for artists and crews, through the introduction of the following schemes:
- Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- St. Patrick's Festival
These schemes provided thousands of hours of employment for artists and crews at a time when restrictions were such that there were no employment opportunities. The schemes also provided a pipeline of high quality artistic output.
In 2022 I have put a number of supports in place for the live entertainment sector including the following:
- €5m for Live Performance Support Scheme Strand 2 – for pantomime and seasonal musical theatre events curtailed or cancelled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of €2.6m have also been offered under the LPSS 2 to date with payments made of almost €600,000.
- €20m for the Live Performance Support Scheme 3 – for events cancelled, curtailed or rescheduled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of over €4.6m have been offered under LPSS 3 to date with payments made totalling almost €800,000.
- €4m for the 2022 Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS). Since it opened three weeks ago over 530 people have applied under the scheme for funding of €2.3m. Payments under this scheme will begin next week.
- €5m for the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme, my Department is currently examining all options for the proposed scheme and I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to her Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9037/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that two civilian drivers have been appointed to me. The annualised salary for each driver is €36,823.95.
As no Ministerial Garda drivers have been appointed, no costs arise.
101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the National Coastal Change Management Strategy steering group met; when the group will report on its initial findings and recommendations given that it was due to report within six months of its foundation in September 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/22]
View answerThe Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The Inter-Departmental Group has met on three occasions to date and is also supported by a Technical Working Group.
During 2021, to assist and support the work of the Group, my Department and the OPW also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with relevant Departments and key stakeholders to discuss the emerging work of the Group and for issues relating to coastal change management to be identified and explored in the context of the particular operations of the participating organisations. The Inter-Departmental Group is due to meet again shortly to further advance the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.
102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 490 and 491 of 19 January 2021, the status of the report on pollution in the Elm Park catchment area (details supplied). [8473/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 426 of 1 February 2022 which sets out the position in this matter. A copy of the report was provided to the Deputy.
103. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the unnecessary delay in admitting homeowners with pyrite defective block in County Clare into the defective block remediation scheme; and when these homeowners will be admitted into the scheme. [8490/22]
View answerMy Department received a submission from Clare County Council, dated 23 July 2021, requesting the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme to County Clare. A response issued to the Council on 3 August 2021 indicating that my Department would review the submission and it also sought a detailed breakdown of costs associated with the Report. A breakdown of costs associated with the Report was received on 28 September 2021.
In order to progress matters a meeting was held on 9 November 2021 between officials from my Department and Clare County Council to review issues which required further elaboration in order to evidentially support an extension of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to County Clare. My Department subsequently wrote to Clare County Council on the 6 December, 2021 outlining formally the nature of the clarifications required. Clare County Council undertook to review their submission and address the gaps in evidential data which had been identified by my Department.
My Department received a response with some clarifications from Clare County Council, dated 20 December 2021. It is accepted by Clare County Council in their correspondence of the 20 December that the causative link to actual damage arising from pyrite induced expansion has not been conclusively established in respect of the 5 homes tested to date.
On the 7 February 2022 officials from my Department met with officials from Clare County Council to progress matters. It was confirmed by Clare County Council that samples from five other properties are now being tested in accordance with the I.S. 465 protocol. If evidence of pyrite induced expansion is evident within the blockwork samples taken from these homes and the necessary causative link to the damage within the homes is established my Department should be in a position to recommend to Government that an extension of the scheme to Clare would be legislated for.
The extension of the scheme to other local authority areas was considered as part of wider deliberations on the Scheme by Government. I, as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, may, with Government approval, extend the scheme beyond the counties of Donegal and Mayo to additional counties, where the evidence supports such an extension.
104. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the general scheme of the enhanced defective block remediation scheme will be published; and if the enhanced scheme will be open to applications in 2022. [8491/22]
View answerI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme, including the introduction of a revised application process which will only require the homeowner to submit an initial ‘Building Condition Assessment’ at minimal cost recoupable on entry to the Scheme. This change in particular will remove the perceived financial barrier to entry to the current scheme. It is estimated that the enhanced scheme will cost approximately €2.2 billion.
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline. It is intended that the enhanced scheme will be open for applications in 2022.
105. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will list the outstanding affordable housing regulations; and when they will be published. [8492/22]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Act 2021, which I commenced in August 2021, laid the provisions for the introduction of a new local authority led affordable purchase scheme. Part 2 provisions will support buyers in purchasing local authority delivered new homes by providing equity to bridge the gap between the value of the home and the buyer's available mortgage and deposit. Regulations to set out the detailed criteria are at an advanced stage and will be issued in the coming weeks.
The list below sets out the matters on which it is proposed will be regulated for at this time under Part 2 of the Act. Subsequent Regulations may be made on other matters.
- Form and manner of notification by housing authority of dwelling available for sale.
- Application form for affordable dwelling purchase arrangements.
- Time limits within which an application may be made.
- Income limits, means, income to be assessed, etc.
- Matters to be included in Scheme of Priority.
- Price to be paid by applicant.
- Minimum and maximum of affordable dwelling contribution.
- Form of affordable dwelling purchase arrangement.
- Additional matters to be included in an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement.
- Minimum redemption payment.
106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by his Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if he will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8508/22]
View answerThe schedule requested by the Deputy is outlined at the following link.
107. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the defective block scheme will include the replacement of foundations if needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8535/22]
View answerI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021.
It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme which funds five remediation options. The enhanced scheme is estimated to cost €2.2 billion and will continue to fund the five remediation options set out in the I.S. 465 standard as follows.
|
Remedial Option |
Remedial Option Description |
|
Option 1 |
Demolish entire dwelling to foundation level and rebuild. |
|
Option 2 |
Demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and inner leafs) down to foundation on a phased basis and re-render. |
|
Option 3 |
Demolish and rebuild external walls (both outer and internal leafs) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re- render. |
|
Option 4 |
Demolish and rebuild external walls (outer leaf only) down to top of rising wall on a phased basis and re-render. |
|
Option 5 |
Demolish and rebuild outer leaf of affected walls only and re-render. |
It is currently understood that foundations are not impacted and there is no evidence to support claims that they are at present. Foundations can be left in situ and built upon and this is the approach recommended in the current I.S. 465 standard.
However, Government did as part of its decision on the 30 November request that the current I.S. 465 standard would be reviewed. The National Standards Authority of Ireland are the competent authority in this regard and they have agreed to undertake such a review. They have been liaising with my Department on the scope of the review required and the necessary research which will need to be carried out to ensure that the review is informed by evidence and expert input.
108. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the discretionary top-up for housing assistance payments was used in 2021 in County Wicklow broken down by municipal district; and the average percentage amount of this top-up per municipal district. [8544/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2021, over 97,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 62,000 households actively in receipt of HAP support, including 1,708 households in Wicklow.
Local authorities have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.
A breakdown of the number of HAP tenancies at end Q3 2021 and the average discretionary increase paid for each of the municipal districts in Wicklow is detailed in the table below.
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @ end Q3 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Arklow |
668 |
178 |
16% |
|
Baltinglass |
168 |
50 |
16% |
|
Bray |
239 |
89 |
17% |
|
Greystones |
169 |
81 |
19% |
|
Wicklow |
371 |
118 |
17% |
|
Other* |
93 |
63 |
18% |
*inter-authority movements, whilst the tenant is registered with Wicklow, the tenancy is outside of the county.
109. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the defective blocks scheme for homeowners in counties Donegal and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8577/22]
View answer110. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframes for publication and enactment of legislation regarding the MICA defective blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8579/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant (DCB) Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline.
As part of the implementation of the Government decision on changes to the enhanced scheme the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) have agreed to produce a report on up to date construction costs for the type of remediation works carried out under the scheme. The SCSI will be the independent author of this report and it will be a matter for SCSI to decide with whom they consult or collaborate in that regard. On receipt of the report from SCSI I will, in consultation with my Government colleagues, agree on the appropriate grant rates for the enhanced DCB scheme.
I have recently written to the PRO of the Mica Action Group on these matters updating him on work undertaken to date in regard to implementation of the enhanced scheme. I have also recently appointed John O'Connor, former Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Agency, to act as liaison with homeowners on implementation of the scheme changes agreed by Government.
