Written Answers Nos. 123-148
123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of employees in the public service and Civil Service by earnings in specific increments (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47401/22]
View answerIt is estimated that there were over 365,000 full time equivalents (FTE) public servants at the end of December 2021. The table below sets out the estimated full time equivalent staffing numbers as provided to my Department in the incremental banding format requested by the Deputy at the end of December 2021. These figures reflect basic pay only and do not include any additional remuneration that staff may be in receipt of such as overtime or allowances.
|
- |
WTE Q4 2021* |
% of PS Numbers |
|
€0 - €30,000 |
32,900 |
10% |
|
€30,001 - €40,000 |
87,400 |
26% |
|
€40,001 - €50,000 |
66,200 |
20% |
|
€50,001 - €60,000 |
75,500 |
23% |
|
€60,001 - €70,000 |
36,600 |
11% |
|
€70,001 - €80,000 |
13,100 |
4% |
|
€80,001 - €90,000 |
10,700 |
3% |
|
€90,001 - €100,000 |
4,300 |
1% |
|
€100,001 + |
7,000 |
2% |
*Note - this table excludes staff of Section 38 organisations as staff numbers by salary band are not available for this cohort. The total number of staff in these organisations at Q4 2021 is estimated to be approximately 32,000 FTE. Total FTE figures included in this table are rounded to the nearest 100.
124. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify recent changes, if any, to the rights and procedures of retired civil and public sector workers to take cases to the pensions ombudsman; the rationale for these changes; if representative organisations were consulted ahead of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47496/22]
View answerUnder the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (“the 2017 Act”), a ‘complainant’, which includes a beneficiary or potential beneficiary of an occupational pension scheme, may make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), subject to the criteria set out under that Act.
I understand that one such requirement is that a complainant must first engage with their pension/financial service provider’s Internal Dispute Resolution Process (“IDRP”) and give their provider a reasonable opportunity to deal with the complaint.
The procedures and requirements set out in the 2017 Act apply in the same way to civil and public servants as they do beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries of private pension arrangements.
In the case of civil and public service occupational pension schemes, pension scheme rules and/or governing legislation often provide for a dispute resolution mechanism, also known as a ‘pension appeal’. In respect of the civil service occupational pension schemes for which I have responsibility, the relevant pension scheme rules include a right of appeal to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The procedures to be followed in respect of civil service pension appeals are set out in Circular 16/2020: ‘Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure for pension appeals in relation to beneficiaries/disputed beneficiaries of pre-existing civil service pension schemes and of certain public service pre-existing pension schemes’. These procedures are designed to ensure comprehensive gathering of the information necessary in the evaluation of a complaint under the IDR Process.
A civil or public servant intending to pursue a complaint to the FSPO must first engage in the IDRP / pension appeal process applicable to them, prior to the FSPO accepting the complaint. The requirement for a complainant to complete an IDRP also applies in respect of private pension/financial service providers, prior to the FSPO accepting a complaint.
I understand that the 2017 Act abolished the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman, as well as repealing certain provisions of the Pensions Act 1990 relating to IDRPs. I am not aware of any subsequent changes to the requirements for pursuing complaints to the FSPO, as provided for under the 2017 Act. However, as my colleague, the Minister for Finance, has overall responsibility for that Act, any questions relating to the provisions of that legislation, or to any potential amendments to that legislation, should be directed to the Minister for Finance.
125. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of communications managers employed by bodies under his Department's aegis (details supplied); the associated grades of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47517/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) have informed me that its Head of Marketing and Communications leads a team with responsibility for marketing and communication of opportunities across the civil and public sector and with raising awareness of publicjobs.ie and stateboards.ie in new markets and among new audiences.
The Institute of Public Administration (IPA), the State Laboratory and the Office of the National Lottery Regulator do not specifically employ a Communications Manager. However, the IPA have advised that its Director of Humans Resources has a leadership function for all Corporate Communications.
The information requested for the remaining bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.
|
Bodies under the aegis of the Department |
Communication Manager |
Associated Grade |
|
Office of Public Works |
1 |
Assistant Principal |
|
National Shared Services Office |
1 |
Assistant Principal |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
1 |
Principal Officer |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
1 |
Administrative Officer Higher |
|
Special EU Programmes Body |
1 |
Administrative Officer |
126. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the basic income for artists scheme was not means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47421/22]
View answerThe Basic Income for the Arts is not a social protection support and therefore was not means tested.
This is a three year research project and we are trialling a basic income model and one of the key characteristics of a basic income is that it is not means tested. We will be collecting data on incomes of participants which will inform any future policy in this area.
It is well established that artists suffer from low and precarious incomes and that pay and income are lower in the arts than other sectors, with most artists experiencing both low and precarious income. This fact underpinned the Arts Council’s Paying the Artist policy to ensure artists were paid fairly for their work.
A 2018 report by Theatre Forum on pay and conditions in the sector indicated that 30% of artists and creative practitioners in the performing arts earned less than the National Minimum wage. CSO data from the same period showed that average weekly earnings in the Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities sector were two thirds of the average across all sectors (€494.98 compared to €740.32).
127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason an artist (details supplied) was not selected for the basic income for artists scheme; the way those selected were chosen; the additional supports available to those artists who are struggling to re-enter the arts following the loss of their employment as a result of Covid restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47453/22]
View answerOver 9,000 applications were made under the pilot Basic Income for the Arts Scheme with over 8,200 assessed as eligible according to the published guidelines for the scheme. Eligible applications were then included in a randomised anonymous selection process to choose the participants. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. Over 8,200 eligible applicants were included in the anonymised randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants.
I understand that the application referred to by the Deputy was assessed and found to be eligible and was included in the anonymised random selection for recipients. Unfortunately, this applicant was not selected to participate in the scheme.
It is important to note that eligibility was not a guarantee of a place on the BIA. I understand that those who applied and were not successful are disappointed, however, as a pilot scheme the BIA is operating with a limited fund providing for 2,000 participants.
Artists struggling to regain employment in the arts sector may be eligible for the Scheme for Professional Artists as part of the Jobseeker’s Allowance operated by the Department of Social Protection. If they qualify, they do not have to take part in my Department’s activation programme for one year, allowing recipients to focus on their artistic work. The rates of payment are the same as for Jobseeker's Allowance.
Full details on how to qualify are available at the following link www.gov.ie/en/service/b5474f-professional-artists-on-jobseekers-allowance/
Unemployed artists who may not qualify for this particular scheme may still apply to DEASP under a wide range of Social Welfare Schemes and Services under it's Jobseekers programmes . These can be viewed at this link www.gov.ie/en/collection/490ac8-all-services-offered-by-the-department-of-employment-affairs-and-soc/#jobseekers
128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 21 June 2022, when the annual report and accounts for 2021 for Údarás na Gaeltachta will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47598/22]
View answerThe Údarás na Gaeltachta Annual Report and Accounts for 2021 will be published on the completion of the annual audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and following noting by Government. The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General commenced its annual audit in September 2022.
It should be noted, however, that the organisation's End of Year Statement was published in January 2022.
129. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimhir 5 den 21 Meitheamh 2022, an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an gceangal idir an gasra oibre atá bunaithe ag a Roinn agus an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta chun beartas maidir le pleanáil sa Ghaeltacht a phlé, agus an grúpa idir-rannach; an ndéanfaidh sí an fhaisnéis is déanaí a thabhairt ar obair an ghasra agus obair an ghrúpa idir-rannaigh go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47599/22]
View answerMar a chuir mé in iúl i gCeist Dála 32569/22, is ar an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta atá an fhreagracht maidir leis an Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000 - faoina dtagann gnóthaí i ndáil le cúrsaí pleanála agus tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht.
Mar a luadh roimhe seo, tá mo Roinn fhéin, an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúla agus Oidhreachta agus Údarás na Gaeltachta ag glacadh páirt i ngrúpa oibre idir-rannach faoi láthair ar mhaithe le ceist na Gaeilge sa phróiseas pleanála a phlé agus chun cúrsaí pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta a chur chun cinn.
Anuas air sin, chun tacú le hobair an ghrúpa oibre idir-rannaigh, thionóil an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúla agus Oidhreachta grúpa oibre eile níos leithne i mBealtaine 2021 chun gnéithe éagsúla den phróiseas pleanála sa Ghaeltacht a scrúdú. Tá an grúpa seo comhdhéanta d’ionadaithe ó mo Roinn, an Roinn Tithíochta, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus an t-ocht Údarás Áitiúla ábhartha. Is cruinniú amháin den ghrúpa seo atá eagraithe go dáta.
Tá i gceist cruinniú eile den ghrúpa seo a thionóil go gairid ar mhaithe leis an obair atá déanta ag an ngrúpa oibre idir-rannach go dtí seo a chur faoina mbráid agus deis a thabhairt dóibh aiseolas agus tuairimí a thabhairt ina leith.
130. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimhir 19 den 21 Meitheamh 2022, an ndéanfaidh sí sonraí d'aon anailís a chur ar fáil atá déanta ag a Roinn ar Chlár na gColáistí Samhraidh, 2022 chun straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm don Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47600/22]
View answerMar a cuireadh in iúl agus Ceist Dála 19 den 21 Meitheamh 2022 á freagairt, ghlac mé le trí chéim faoi leith i mbliana ar leas earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge:
- Níos luaithe i mbliana cheadaigh mé ardú deich fán gcéad sa deontas laethúil a íoctar le teaghlaigh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar chostas tuairim is €400,000. Cabhróidh sé seo gan amhras le hiarrachtaí na gcoláistí teaghlaigh a choinneáil agus a mhealladh.
- Anuas air sin, cheadaigh mé ciste faoi leith ar fiú €400,000 chun go mbeidh an deis ag breis agus ceithre céad scoláire ó iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht.
- Lena chois sin uile ceadaíodh gearrchúrsaí Gaeilge nach giorra ná trí oíche faoin scéim mar bheart eisceachtúil don bhliain seo amháin.
Is fiú tuairim is €800,000 na beartais seo - ionann le maoiniú ós cionn €5m ar fad ar leas na hearnála i mbliana.
Ar ndóigh, leis an maoiniú breise de €2.5m do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeltachta na Roinne a fógraíodh i mbuiséad 2023 le déanaí beidh mé ag iarradh tacaíocht breise a chur ar fáil dos na mná tí atá cheana sa chóras agus atá faoi bhrú ó thaobh costais maireachtála i gcomhthéacs lóistín a chur ar fáil do scoláirí faoina gcúram.
Chomh maith leis sin, caithfear teaghlaigh nua a mhealladh isteach sa chóras, agus beidh mo Roinn ag breathnú ar conas na costais seo a mhaolú níos mó.
Ar bhonn ginearálta aithníonn mo Roinn ar ndóigh - ón bplé leanúnach a dhéanaimid le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá cláraithe faoi scéim na Roinne, le lucht stiúrtha na gColáistí Gaeilge agus lena scáthghrúpa CONCOS - go bhfuil dúshlán faoi leith le sárú de thoradh tithe de chuid na scéime éirí as a bheith ag coinneáil scoláirí ar iostas ó 2019.
Níor mhiste dom a rá go bhfuil sonraí beachta faoin staid reatha ina leith seo uile á chur i dtoll a chéile ag mo Roinn faoi láthair - anois go bhfuil tréimhse na gcúrsaí samhraidh thart - agus déanfar an scéal trí chéile a bhreithniú go cúramach nuair atá na sonraí sin faoi lámh.
Mar atá luaite agam cheana agus mar a gealladh roimhe seo go deimhin, tá mo Roinn i mbun na socruithe a dhéanamh faoi láthair chun cruinniú a eagrú gan mhoill leis an scáthghrúpa CONCOS agus go deimhin le hionadaíocht na mban tí chun go mbeidh deis ag an Roinn breathnú chun cinn ar na bealaí breise a mbeifear in ann tacú tuilleadh le hearnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge.
Táim féin agus mo Roinn tiomanta leanúint ar aghaidh ag tacú oiread is féidir le hearnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge faoi réir na mbearta ábhartha atá leagtha amach i bPlean Gníomhaíochta an Rialtais don Ghaeilge.
131. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Parlaiminte Uimhir 76 den 21 Meitheamh 2022, cad é líon na n-uaireanta a tháinig an Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge le chéile go dtí seo; an dtógtar miontuairiscí i gcruinnithe an choiste; cathain a bheidh an chéad chruinniú eile ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47601/22]
View answerFaoi fhorálacha ábhartha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, rinneadh an Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge a bhunú ar an 20 Meitheamh 2022. Is ar ullmhú an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta maidir le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge atá obair an choiste dírithe go príomhúil faoi láthair chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar é seo a chur i gcrích roimh an spriocdháta de 19 Meitheamh 2024.
Tháinig an Coiste le chéile faoi dhó go dtí seo, ar Aoine an 25 Iúil 2022 agus Aoine an 26 Lúnasa 2022. Déantar miontuairiscí a thógáil ag cruinnithe an choiste agus tá fáil ar mhiontuairiscí an chéad chruinnithe ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne faoin leathanach tiomnaithe don Choiste Comhairleach agus a chuid oibre. Déanfar miontuairiscí an dara chruinnithe a uaslódáil ar an suíomh chomh maith agus iad aontaithe ag comhaltaí an choiste ag a gcéad chruinniú eile.
Tá beartaithe go dtiocfaidh an Coiste le chéile arís i mí Dheireadh Fómhair agus an próiseas soláthair don taighde a choimisiúnaigh sé ag deireadh mhí Lúnasa i leith ullmhú an Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge curtha i gcrích. Tá cistiú de €325,500 ar fáil don tionscadal seo agus is conradh bliana atá beartaithe leis chun a chinntiú go gcloínn an Coiste leis an spriocdháta uaillmhianach atá leagtha síos faoin Acht d’ullmhú an Phlean ina iomláine.
I measc tosaíochtaí an taighde, beidh:
- na bearnaí atá i soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge mar atá faoi láthair a aithint agus moltaí a thabhairt faoina bhféadfaí dul i ngleic leo seo;
- na seirbhísí poiblí a sholáthraítear i Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta (LPT) a aithint agus moltaí a thabhairt faoina bhféadfaí a chinntiú gurb í an Ghaeilge teanga oibre na n-oifigí sin atá lonnaithe i LPT agus go bhfuil na seirbhísí sin á soláthar trí mheán na Gaeilge;
- staid reatha maidir le leibhéal inniúlachta Gaeilge san earnáil phoiblí a aithint; agus
- moltaí a dhéanamh maidir le hearcú dhaoine le Gaeilge.
Is í an Aoine bheag seo an spriocdháta atá leis an bpróiseas soláthair don taighde seo agus tá comhalta den choiste mar bhall den choiste measúnaithe tairisceana atá le tionóil go gairid ina dhiaidh sin chun measúnú a dhéanamh ar na tairiscintí a fhaightear. Déanfar toradh an phróisis soláthair a fhógairt trí phreasráiteas agus é críochnaithe amach.
132. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh na moltaí sa tuarascáil Taighde do Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta “Staidéar ar theaghlaigh atá ag tógáil a gclann le Gaeilge laistigh de na Limistéir Oifigiúla Gaeltachta”; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47602/22]
View answerIs ionann an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus an Plean Ghníomhaíochta 2018-2022 lena mbaineann, agus polasaí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Tá mo Roinn ag súil an tríú tuarascáil ar dul chun cinn ó 1 Eanáir 2022 go 31 Nollaig 2022 a fhoilsiú go rí-ghairid. Tabharfaidh an tuarascáil seo léargas ar an méid atá a bhaint amach agus bainte amach faoi réimse uile an Phlean Ghníomhaíochta.
Níor mhiste a lua chomh maith go bhfuil - faoi chathaoirleacht mo Roinne - grúpa oibre bunaithe chun bearta ar leas theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta ar mhian leo a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge, a chomhordú níos fearr agus a bhrú chun cinn. Tá an ghrúpa comhdhéanta de pháirtithe leasamhara lena n-áirítear Oifigigh Pleanála Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ionadaíocht ó na heagraíochtaí Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne agus Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta. Reáchtáladh an chéad chruinniú den ghrúpa sin ar an 19 Iúil 2022.
Is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go leanfar ag féachaint chuige go mbaintear an leas is fearr is féidir as aon chistíocht bhreise a chuirfear ar fáil sna blianta amach romhainn do Chlár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga na Roinne agus don phróiseas pleanála teanga araon lena mbaineann, ar leas cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an teaghlaigh fud fad na Gaeltachta.
133. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to revise the Building Control Act 1990 and the building performance requirements under the building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/22]
View answerThe Building Control Acts set out the statutory framework for the regulation and oversight of the design and construction of buildings. Currently, there are no plans to revise this Act.
The Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of new buildings (including houses) and certain works to existing buildings. Their aim is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M), they are expressed in broad functional/performance terms and are technology/material neutral. Primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings.
The Building Regulations are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
A number of reviews of Parts of the Building Regulations are underway at present, including Part B (Fire Safety), Part M (Access and Use) with respect to the provision of Changing Places Toilets in certain buildings and Part C (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture).
134. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of progress reforming the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46932/22]
View answerThe review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is progressing in line with the timeline set out by the Office of the Attorney General, who is leading on the project. A Bill is expected to be brought to Government by the end of the year. The Attorney General has established a working group of planning law experts to assist him with the review and there is ongoing, intensive engagement between the working group and my Department.
The Planning Advisory Forum which I Chair plays an important role in contributing to the emerging policy considerations of the Review and consists of a wide stakeholder membership with representatives from a broad range of sectors, including the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors.
My Department has also met with members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on three occasions to date to discuss emerging themes from the Review. There will be further engagement with both the JOC and the Planning Advisory Forum as the Review progresses over the coming weeks.
135. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of mortgage to rent applications through approved housing bodies, local authorities and Home for Life to date in 2022. [46259/22]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of commercial lending institutions and is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support. The concept of the scheme is that a household with an unsustainable mortgage goes from being a homeowner to being a social housing tenant.
Under the MTR scheme, the borrower surrenders their property to their lender and it will be then sold to an MTR provider who can be either an Approved Housing Body (AHB) or since 2018 a private company, Home for Life Ltd. The AHB or local authority (in the case where the property is sold to a private company) becomes the landlord and the borrower remains in the property as a tenant paying a differential rent to the landlord based on his or her income.
To the end of June 2022, a total of 1,905 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR process and 635 cases are being actively progressed. A total of 5,602 individuals are benefitting from the scheme, which comprises of 3,079 adults and 2,523 children.
The following table outlines the number of active, completed, ineligible and terminated cases assigned to AHBs and Home for Life from January 2022 to end Q2 2022. Those that are unassigned are also provided.
|
MTR Provider |
Completed |
Active (as of end Q2 2022) |
Ineligible |
Terminated |
|
AHBs |
45 |
192 |
0 |
23 |
|
Home for Life |
178 |
436 |
18 |
71 |
|
Unassigned |
0 |
7 |
6 |
15 |
|
Total |
223 |
635 |
24 |
109 |
The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics
A MTR scheme was also introduced for local authority borrowers which is called Local Authority Mortgage to Rent (LAMTR) and has been in place nationally since 2014. Under the scheme, a local authority can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as social housing tenants. Information in relation to the Local Authority MTR scheme from its inception in 2013 to end 2021, broken down by local authority area, is available on my Department's website under the heading Local Authority Mortgage to Rent at the link below. During that period, a total of 552 households had benefited from the scheme.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-mortgage-to-rent-scheme (Refer to the section "Local Authority Mortgage to Rent scheme")
136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking regarding the long-term accommodation and integration of Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36286/22]
View answerWhile the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports to aid persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine, my Department is continuing to support the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways.
My Department continues to be an integral part of the dedicated Cabinet Committee, as established by the Irish Government. This Cabinet Committee oversees and coordinates the Ukraine humanitarian response, including accommodation and supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine.
My Department has continued to work with DCEDIY around the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project and supporting the specific accommodation needs particularly in respect of multi-occupancy vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation, subject to refurbishment being carried out.
My Department continues in its review of those properties identified by Local Authorities as potentially viable for refurbishment for the use of multi-occupancy accommodation for the purposes of accommodating Ukrainians. The process is ongoing to identify, examine and validate buildings that could be refurbished to accommodate larger groups of people with buildings now at differing stages of process i.e. analysis & approval in principle; surveying, costing and design and final decision.
Again with regard to the query on integration, the DCEDIY have the overarching responsibility for the provisions of services and integration, with the support of the Local Government sector.
That said, my Department has supported this activity by requesting that each Local Authorities identify a lead Director of Service or equivalent level who could be dedicated to coordinating the local response on a full-time basis supported by a temporary support team. These dedicated resources work as part of the Community Response Forum and also lead the co-ordination of the provision of supports and services to Ukrainians at a local level by the range of public and not-profit bodies involved.
138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the total drawdown from the defective block remediation fund, with a further breakdown by drawdown in counties Mayo and Donegal. [47351/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The table below sets out the drawdown amounts under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme since June 2020.
|
- |
Total Drawdown by LAs for DCB Grant Scheme Since June 2020 |
|
|
Mayo |
Donegal |
|
|
Total drawdown 2020 |
€165,600 |
€609,459 |
|
Total drawdown 2021 |
€678,086 |
€3,367,419 |
|
Total drawdown to date in 2022 |
€1,902,154 |
€3,830,880 |
|
Total Drawdown by LAs Since June 2020 |
€2,745,840 |
€7,807,758 |
|
Total Overall Drawdown Since June 2020: |
€10,553,598 |
139. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the release of funding for upgrades to a group water scheme (details supplied). [47361/22]
View answerMy Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.
A working group – the Rural Water Working Group - is considering the composition of the measures for inclusion for funding under the upcoming multi-annual programme. Once I have had an opportunity to consider their report, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities. An invitation, to all local authorities including Clare County Council, to submit bids will follow later this year.
140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional resources will be provided to the Residential Tenancies Board to address the chaos in registrations and lack of a functioning phone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47367/22]
View answer145. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional resourcing he has committed to the Residential Tenancies Board to date in 2022. [47398/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 145 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the implementation of the new tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.
Following the passing of legislation in 2019, with effect from 4 April 2022, landlords are required to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
Although many landlords and agents have successfully registered their tenancies on the system, I have been made aware that some landlord and agent customers are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy registration system. The RTB has assured my Department that it is working collaboratively and constructively with the sector to assist anyone experiencing difficulties.
The RTB has recently almost doubled the staffing in its outsourced call centre to deal with these issues and has been working hard to find the right balance between ensuring contracted staff are adequately trained and capable of assisting customers with their queries, ranging from linking tenancies, verifying accounts, and data-inputting paper applications.
Following recommendations in the RTB Workforce Plan (2018 – 2021) and engagement with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), the RTB received sanction for significant additional staff over the past three years and my Department will continue to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its expanded mandate, including any specific requests with regard to annual registration. To this end, additional funding of €2m will be provide to the RTB for 2023, bringing its total allocation to €13.03m.
141. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of cost-rental homes completed to date in 2022, broken down by location, number of units per scheme and average monthly rent per scheme, in tabular form. [47373/22]
View answerThe Government's Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available to support delivery of Cost Rental by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), local authorities and by the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Delivery will increase incrementally, to an average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year. 10,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered from 2021 to 2026. AHBs will be supported by Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding and Local Authorities will be able to avail of funding for Cost Rental delivery through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental on its own portfolio of sites, or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh.
Approval has been confirmed for approximately 900 Cost Rental homes to be delivered by AHBs under the CREL scheme in the period to 2023. To date, some 293 Cost Rental homes have already been delivered by AHBs at rates which are at least 25% below market equivalents, with the rest to be delivered between now and 2023.
The necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to a number of these projects are being completed by the AHBs concerned and full details will be made public as arrangements are concluded. Opportunities for the development of Cost Rental homes are managed as they arise by the individual providers.
Local authorities have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently undertaken for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly statistics later this year.
142. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rules regarding responsibility for water pipes; and if it is the role of Irish Water or the property owner to repair a stormwater pipe that is under the ground at a road. [47385/22]
View answerLegal responsibility for the repair and maintenance of water services infrastructure is set out in the Water Service Acts 2007, as amended. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has been responsible for the planning and delivery of public water and waste water services, which includes responsibility for the repair and maintenance of water services infrastructure extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property. Maintenance responsibility for any water or wastewater pipes that are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner in line with sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007. Outside of public water supply systems, however, each local authority continues to be responsible for storm water infrastructure within its own functional area. In addition, the operation and maintenance of road gullies is the responsibility of the relevant road authority under the Roads Act 1993.
144. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has collated figures from local authorities to assess whether the number of housing units with funding approved will actually be delivered within the timeframes indicated in local authority plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47397/22]
View answerHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. In September 2021, I issued social housing targets to each local authority for the period 2022-2026 and in March I issued local authority targets for affordable purchase and cost-rental.
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. These Plans are available on the websites of the relevant local authorities. To support local authorities social and affordable housing delivery, The Housing Delivery Coordination Office (HDCO) has been established within the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), to provide co-ordination of all Local Authority housing activities, including all aspects of social and affordable housing procurement and delivery.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities. This data is available until the end of Quarter 1 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ .
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: gov.ie - Social Housing Construction Projects - Status Reports (www.gov.ie). A version of the Q1 2022 CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q1 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Quarter 2 social housing statistics are being collated and will be published shortly, in conjunction with the Quarter 2 Construction Status Report.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. 2022 represents the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available to support delivery of affordable housing for purchase or for cost rental by local authorities, AHBs and by the LDA.
Local authorities have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics later this year.
146. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request the Residential Tenancies Board to publish average query response waiting times. [47399/22]
View answer154. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of fines issued by the Residential Tenancies Board for non-registration of rental properties for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47560/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 154 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA), to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
In relation to the data sought the Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
147. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a survey conducted by an association (details supplied) concerning Residential Tenancies Board registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47400/22]
View answer153. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with the Residential Tenancies Board to ensure a group of residents (details supplied) receive a response to correspondence they sent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47464/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 153 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. Registered landlords and all tenants can apply to the RTB for dispute resolution.
Section 134 of the Acts requires a landlord to apply to the RTB to register a tenancy of a dwelling within one month of its commencement. All private landlords, Approved Housing Bodies and providers of Student Specific Accommodation are required to register their tenancies with the RTB. Managing the registration of tenancies is a core function of the RTB. This allows the RTB to collect and provide definitive data on the rental sector and for transparency across the rental sector through the public register of tenancies; thus, enabling a better understanding of the sector.
Non-compliance with the requirement to register a tenancy is dealt with by two processes in the RTB, the Registration Enforcement Process or the Investigations and Sanctions Process.
The RTB has registration enforcement powers to pursue landlords who have not complied with their obligation to register their tenancies. Failure to register is an offence which may result in a criminal conviction, a fine of up to €4,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment. The RTB makes every effort to inform landlords of their obligations to register and legal action is taken as a last resort. The RTB, receives information from different sources regarding whether a tenancy is registered or not, including local authorities, members of the public, RTB checks and follow-ups and the Department of Social Protection.
The RTB also has an Investigations and Sanctions unit dedicated to investigating certain potential breaches of rental law by a landlord referred to as improper conduct under Schedule 2 to the Acts. One of the breaches that can be investigated is a failure to register a tenancy with the RTB within one month of the tenancy commencing. The Investigations and Sanctions Unit can start an investigation either as a result of information received from members of the public or as a result of information gathered from records that the RTB has access to under the Residential Tenancies Acts. If a landlord is found to have engaged in improper conduct, a sanction may be imposed on them by an independent Decision maker which may comprise on or all of the following: a written caution, a monetary sanction of €15,000 and €15,000 in costs.
While I am aware of the issues raised in the residents’ letter to the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to provide legal advice, comment on, or to intervene in the specifics of any individual case. However, the RTB has advised my Department that it is in the process of responding to the residents on their most recent correspondence.
148. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and his Department will intervene to assist homeowners in an area (details supplied) in relation to payment of bills of €68,000 to rectify the absence of fire and safety regulations in the buildings. [47404/22]
View answer149. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to a full redress scheme for construction defects; if so, if the scheme will be retrospective for persons who have already carried out safety work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47417/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
One of my first tasks following the formation of Government was the establishment of an independent Working Group to examine certain defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. At the end of July I received and published the comprehensive report titled Defects in Apartments - Report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing.
Yesterday, I brought a Memorandum to Government to inform Government of the content of the report and of the next steps that I will be taking.
In that context, I will now, in consultation with Government colleagues, develop options with a view to providing support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own.
Firstly, an inter–departmental/agency group will be established to bring forward specific proposals to Government by the end of the year.
In addition, an advisory group to develop a Code of Practice will also be established, to provide guidance to building professionals and local authority building control / fire services, including guidance on interim safety measures, in line with Recommendation 8 of the Working Group’s report and in the context of the Fire Services Acts.
I also intend on liaising with key stakeholders such as homeowner representatives and the insurance sector, as matters progress.
I wrote yesterday to the Construction Defects Alliance to inform them of this progress and my Department is also engaging with the Housing Agency for the provision of advise in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Report.
Finally, it should be noted that the Minister for Finance yesterday announced the introduction of a 10% levy on concrete blocks and other concrete products. This will provide a sustainable contribution from the construction sector towards the costs of dealing with construction defects over the coming years.
