Written Answers Nos. 253-276
253. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that applied for co-education in 2022 and in 2023; the number of schools that were successful, providing details of the names of the schools deemed successful and those deemed unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43382/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department.
New schools are established by my Department to meet demographic need and, generally, such new school provision (primary and post-primary) is mixed gender in nature. Co-educational schools provide greater flexibility than single sex schools in terms of meeting demographic and school accommodation requirements in an area. Single-gender provision may, however, be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-gender schools in the area.
In relation to existing schools the decision making authority for a change of status belongs to the Patron and this is subject to the agreement of my Department. Any proposal to change the status of a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
The number of schools that have applied for a change to co-educational status in 2022 and in 2023 is as follows: 17 primary schools and 9 post primary schools.
The attached schools were approved a change in status to co-education in the period 2022 and 2023 with two applications currently under assessment. I can confirm that no school was refused approval to change to co-educational status in the period 2022 to 2023.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS APPROVED FOR CO-EDUCATIONAL STATUS |
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Monastery National School |
17124M |
Drogheda Road, Ardee. Louth |
01/09/2022 |
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St. Mary's Convent |
16112A |
O'Rahilly Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2022 |
|
St. Mary's Jnr BNS |
16344V |
St. Flannan Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2022 |
|
Bunscoil na mBráíthre Críostaí |
16727O |
Summer Hill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2022 |
|
Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire |
18099V |
Hale Street, Ardee, Co. Louth |
01/09/2022 |
|
St. Paul's National School |
20219R |
Church Street, Waterford |
01/09/2022 |
|
Scoil na mBrathar Boys Senior School |
16695E |
North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 |
01/09/2022 |
|
Stanhope Street Primary School |
09932B |
Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 |
01/09/2022 |
|
Presentation Primary School |
05933G |
George's Hill, Halston Street, Dublin 7 |
01/09/2022 |
|
Presentation Primary School |
19925K |
Parnell Street, Kilkenny |
01/09/2023 |
|
CBS Primary School |
17867M |
Stephen Street, Kilkenny |
01/09/2023 |
|
Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles |
17643M |
Parnell Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2023 |
|
Scoil Angela, Thurles |
18135W |
Ursuline Convent, Thurles, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2023 |
|
Presentation Primary School |
19874T |
Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary |
01/09/2023 |
|
Scoil Naomh Brid |
16566Q |
Main Street, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. |
01/01/2023 |
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St. Patrick's National School |
11525A |
Millbourne Ave. Drumcondra, Dublin 9 |
01/09/2024 |
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Corpus Christi , Drumcondra |
16860Q |
Home Farm Road Drumcondra Dublin 9 , D09k270 |
01/09/2024 |
254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No 256 of 20 September 2023, to provide the data for school transport for 2023-24 as available on 1 September, 2023, and to provide a breakdown in tabular form, by county, of the numbers of each of the cohorts separately. by each category which automatically qualified for free school transport without having to reapply for the school years 2022-23 and 2023-24. [43394/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
To date Bus Éireann has issued over133,000 tickets for mainstream school transport services. This represents an increase of over 12% in mainstream tickets issued compared to the start of the 2022/2023 school year.
The data requested by the Deputy is not available in the manner requested. Information was provided to the Deputy on 20th September 2023. The 2023/2024 data is subject to variation as Bus Éireann issue more tickets issue over the coming weeks.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding pupils being assigned a free school transport place for the 2022/23 school year, all school transport fees were waived for the 2022/2023 school year as part of a wider cost of living package. In relation to the query of applications for the 2023/24 school year without having to reapply, I can advise that for eligible pupils availing of transport under the mainstream school transport primary and post primary scheme; eligible applications automatically roll over to the following school year on the Bus Éireann school transport portal. However families are requested to pay the required fee or enter medical card details by the closing date in order for tickets to issue.
The school transport scheme ticket cost has been reduced for the 2023/2024 school year. There is no ticket charge for eligible school children who are in receipt of medical cards and for eligible children availing of special educational needs transport.
For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level will apply, with a cap per family of €125. Ticketholders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year.
There is no separate application process for concessionary seats, children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures continue for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review. This means that transport is provided where such services are in operation, and where there is capacity to do so, for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply and pay on time.
256. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education her views on increasing a grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43398/23]
View answer257. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education her views on increasing a grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43399/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
My Department provides funding to recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants etc.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for increases in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools in recent years.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
In addition, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 23, €90 million has been provided in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs.
258. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she supports a €20 per child mental health support programme in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43400/23]
View answerThe demand for the provision of responsive services to support the mental health of children and young people in Ireland is increasing, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and reported associated increased levels of anxiety. The provision of child and adolescent mental health services in Ireland lies specifically within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a service that provides assessment and treatment for young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. However, the Department of Education plays an important role in supporting the well-being and mental health of our young people and is currently funding a range of initiatives and supports in this area. I recently announced a €5 million pilot programme of counselling and mental health supports for primary schools, which will run for the 2023/2024 school year. The new pilot includes two strands and will work to mitigate the mental health challenges which may be experienced by children in our schools. The counselling service provided under the Pilot Programme is not a substitute for services provided by HSE Primary Care Psychology and/or CAMHS. It is also not intended to replace the work that is currently provided by school staff to promote the wellbeing of children. The Pilot Programme is an interim measure intended to supplement these services and provide mental health and wellbeing support for children in primary schools.
Strand 1 will see the establishment of county panels of pre-approved private counsellors to provide in-person one-to-one counselling to support primary school children in schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. Participating schools will be allocated blocks of up to six counselling sessions (per child) for a small number of children in the school. The sessions will be book-ended by a pre and post session meeting with parents/legal guardians and relevant school staff. Parents and school staff are seen as key agents of change in a child’s life and will be part of the intervention with the child and will be guided and encouraged to support the child at home and at school on an ongoing basis.
Strand 2 will see the establishment of a new type of support from Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Teams for clusters of primary schools in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16. This Strand will see the introduction of Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioners, who will work as part of a team under the direction and supervision of NEPS, to provide enhanced in-school support in the form of low level evidenced based cognitive behavioural interventions. The focus of the support to be provided under Strand 2 is on strengthening whole school preventative approaches. This includes the provision of psycho-education support for parents and teachers, and the provision of early intervention to children with mild/emerging need, using low-level therapeutically-informed approaches.
This pilot is in addition to the existing supports for well-being and mental health in schools. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to individual pupil casework where there is need. NEPS works closely with the HSE and its agencies to ensure those who may require the provision of therapy or counselling are referred on to the appropriate clinical services for intervention and support. Psychologists from NEPS are also facilitating post-primary schools to improve the Student Support Team process. Student Support Teams are the structure through which key well-being and well-being-related policies are implemented in post-primary schools.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have developed training for school staff on the promotion of well-being and resilience in schools which include upskilling school staff on the use and implementation of therapeutically-informed approaches in schools. These include trauma-informed approaches, based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy, and attachment-aware approaches. The approaches outlined in the training are based on research findings, on the experience of experts in their fields and on the experience of practising psychologists working in schools. The training will build the capability of school staff in both primary and post-primary settings, including for school leaders, teachers and SNAs. NEPS provides training for school staff on the Friends for Life programmes to help reduce anxiety in children and on the Incredible Years Classroom Management System. NEPS has also launched an eLearning course - Responding to Critical Incidents in Schools. This course is aimed specifically at the school’s Critical Incident Management Team but is open to all interested staff.
259. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to roll out an initiative (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43401/23]
View answerEarlier this year I announced the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this new measure.
Detailed guidance for primary schools on the scheme was published and issued to all recognised primary schools and special schools in March 2023.
The investment in this scheme significantly increases the funding for school books provided to date to all recognised primary schools in the country.
The primary school book grant funding for the 2023/24 academic year, totalling over €53 million was paid directly to all recognised primary and special schools in April, to allow schools implement the scheme in time for the start of the 2023/24 school year.
A full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be undertaken in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
My Department currently provides a book grant to all recognised post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €10.2 million in 2022 to these schools.
The extension of the free school book scheme to students in recognised post-primary schools will be considered in the context of the available resources going forward as part of budget negotiations.
260. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she supports the reinstatement of the 2,400 AP1 and AP2 posts of responsibility in primary and special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43402/23]
View answerMy Department has committed itself to revising annually the allocation of Posts of Responsibility (PORs) to take into account retirements during the school year. This has ensured that the current level of PORs is maintained in the school system. New POR threshold tables are produced each year to distribute these PORs equitably across all schools.
My aim for Budget 2024 is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff and families in the education sector.
In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a number of pre-budget submissions from a range of different stakeholders in the education sector and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2024. As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to outline any more specific plans at this stage of the Budgetary process.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) is likely to achieve a post-primary school place for their son; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43414/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Maynooth School Planning Area, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can assist in the provision of resources to the various local authorities in order to improve the availability and quality of emergency housing accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43436/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each of the nine homeless regions in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
My Department is in regular discussion with each local authority in relation to funding requirements to meet their homeless services programme, and I have continued to assure local authorities that funding for all required homeless services including in the provision of emergency accommodation will be provided this year.
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he monitors the availability of funding for housing with a view to making serious strides towards providing the necessary accommodation in the shortest possible time in order to alleviate the seriousness of the situation facing first-time renters and affordable house buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43439/23]
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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes and 54,000 affordable homes by 2030.
Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5 billion investment through the Land Development Agency and €5 billion lending through the Housing Finance Agency.
In 2023, Exchequer funding of €4 billion is being provided to deliver housing programmes, including €2.6 billion in capital funding and €1.4 billion in current funding. The capital provision of €2.6 billion will be supplemented by €1.9 billion from Land Development Agency (LDA) investment and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) lending, resulting in an overall capital provision of €4.5 billion for 2023.
The overall capital provision being provided in 2023 will fund a range of social and affordability schemes and support an additional 27,000 households in 2023, through meeting the social housing needs of an additional 21,430 households and supporting a further 5,550 households to buy or rent at an affordable price.
The funding allocations for housing programmes are determined annually as part of the Estimates process, with the 2024 Estimates process currently underway.
264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in for place for the old Castleblayney fire station, given that the new one is in full operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43205/23]
View answerA funding application to progress 19 new social homes at the old Castleblayney fire station in conjunction with an Approved Housing Body has recently been submitted by Monaghan County Council to my Department and this proposal is currently being considered and evaluated.
While at an early stage, the Council's proposal involves some age friendly housing and homes to cater for persons with a disability. Further information with regard to the proposal and any additional plans for the site are available from Monaghan County Council.
265. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will act to ensure that Waterways Ireland conducts a more inclusive consultation process on its new draft by-laws, including by conducting workshops with user groups, which could lead to the co-development of by-laws more suited to the current and future waterways users; his views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43224/23]
View answerWaterways Ireland proposes to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make the waterways safer for those using the waterways, blueways and greenways, and continue to provide a wonderful recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.
A public consultation on draft revisions to the Bye-laws commenced on 19 June 2023 and remains open for submissions. I understand that Waterways Ireland has agreed to extend the consultation closing date to facilitate greater public engagement, and an announcement will be made to that effect very shortly.
The consultation has been advertised widely in the national and local press, across social media channels and online. Eight open public consultation Information events have been held along the waterways. A series of webinars has been held for all elected members of relevant local authorities, the Dáil and Seanad Éireann. Waterways Ireland also held on-line meetings with stakeholders including the Inland Waterways Association Ireland (IWAI), Irish Boat Rental Association (IBRA), Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG), Heritage Boat Association (HBA) and others.
The public can learn about the proposed changes and participate in the public consultation in the following ways:
1. Via the Waterways Ireland website www.waterwaysireland.org where the draft Bye-laws and the explanatory notes are available to download.
2. By visiting a public library where copies of the draft Byelaws and explanatory notes are available for review.
The public and interested parties can also make a submission on the draft Bye-laws in the following ways:
• by online survey using the link on the Waterways Ireland website,
• by email to corporate@waterwaysireland.org and/or
• by post to the Inspector of Navigation, The Docks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Following completion of the public consultation, Waterways Ireland will publish the details of all submissions received, including a report on the consultation, on its website and will consider and review all submissions received in making changes and amendments to the draft Bye-laws as appropriate.
The Principles and Guidelines as devised by the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform in 2016 and the Guide for the Inclusive Community Engagement published by the Department of Rural and Community Development in February 2023, have been followed by Waterways Ireland in respect of the Public Consultation process for the review of the Byelaws.
266. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name of the external supplier procured by his Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service to assist in the search of a permanent replacement for the role of chief executive of Dublin City Council; the cost of the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43232/23]
View answerAn external supplier was engaged by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of my Department following a competitive procurement process to assist in the search for a permanent replacement for the role of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. My Department had no role in respect of the selection of the successful supplier. PAS manage the executive search process and consult with my Department during the process as required. As this recruitment campaign is still underway and the executive search is ongoing, I cannot provide details of the supplier or cost at this time.
267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his view on a matter raised in relation to Newgrange and related matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43259/23]
View answerBrú na Bóinne is a complex and multi-layered archaeological ensemble and an extensive UNESCO World Heritage property. The upstanding monuments, most notably the great passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, constitute only a fragment of the overall archaeological resources across the World Heritage property, with new discoveries constantly being made and records often re-interpreted by scholars according to the availability of new information.
New theories and interpretative models arise regularly from such discoveries, along with calls for further direct investigation. The State is not in a position to react immediately to these as they arise, though all are noted. Acknowledging the importance of having a clear picture of the extent of research carried out in the world heritage landscape up until present, and developing avenues for further research in years ahead to augment the understanding of the landscape, the National Monument Service (NMS) of my Department is commencing an initial review of the established Brú na Bóinne Research Framework that will support and inform a revised Management Plan and future research strategies. NMS has acknowledged theories put forward about Newgrange and associated archaeological features, all of which will be considered in this review. It should be noted that any and all works at and in the vicinity of National Monuments are subject to Consent and the full rigour of advanced expert archaeological investigation.
268. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline any current assistance for a landlord who is renting a property but also has a mortgage on it and is now paying in excess of the rental amount due to increasing interest rates. [43290/23]
View answerThe Minister for Social Protection is responsible for various schemes to assist people with insufficient incomes to meet their needs and the Minister for Finance is responsible for taxation.
A landlord may be allowed to claim Mortgage Interest Relief against rental income from residential accommodation. The interest must be from a mortgage that is used to purchase, improve or repair a rental property, and a tenancy at the dwelling must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board. With effect from 1 January 2019, mortgage interest on rental units is 100% deductible for income tax purposes.
269. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department had any engagements with or made submissions to the Department of Justice with respect to the establishment of the new planning and environment division of the High Court; if he will share any submission made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43314/23]
View answerBoth the Programme for Government and the Government's Housing for All Strategy commits to the establishment of a new division of the High Court dealing with planning and environmental issues. The establishment of that Court is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
In March 2022 the Department of Justice put in place a Planning and Environmental Court Steering and Implementation Group in the Department of Justice in partnership with the Courts Service and my Department to work together to inform the arrangements to be put in place to establish the new Court division.
On 29 March this year, the President of the High Court signed a new Practice Direction which is necessary for the establishment for the new court. The Practice Direction came into effect on 17 April 2023 and there are two Judges of the High Court assigned to this list. In parallel with this process, Government approved the recommendations of the Judicial Planning Working Group on 21 February 2023 in respect of the establishment of the new court.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, advises me that the new court has been operationally established for some months now and it is expected to be fully and formally in place shortly.
270. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland will accede to the UN Water Convention; the timeline for this; the outstanding steps to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43327/23]
View answerThe Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, use transboundary waters in a reasonable and equitable way and ensure their sustainable management.
While Ireland intends to ratify the Convention, there is no agreed timetable to do so at this time.
Cooperation with authorities in Northern Ireland on water management issues is continuing within the structures of the EU Water Framework Directive under the auspices of the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement. These structures are facilitating ongoing transboundary water cooperation.
Ireland is committed to international cooperation on water and provides financial support to the UN GEMS programme (the UN Environment Programme’s Global Environmental Monitoring System for water).
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he might encourage the use of wooden or modular housing to meet the ever-increasing needs in both urban and rural settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43438/23]
View answerModern methods of construction (MMC) is a key way of helping to address Ireland’s housing needs, be they urban or rural. Modular and timber are key components within the range of MMC categories. MMC has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency, improve delivery, and reduce cost and waste in construction.
Coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led under Housing for All by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which now chairs an interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group to drive government supported MMC-relevant initiatives.
These include:
• The ConstructInnovate construction technology research centre
• The National Demonstration Park for MMC
• The Build Digital project
• The Built to Innovate awareness campaign
• A Public Procurement Roadmap for MMC
• An Introductory Guide to MMC for the non-technical reader/general public to enhance consistency of understanding and the use of MMC terminology
• Training for industry and procurers in MMC
My Department is also facilitating MMC adoption in public housing. Additional resources have been deployed to support local authority delivery and my Department is working with local authorities to delivery approximately 1500 dwellings using Modern Methods of Construction through the Accelerated Housing Delivery programme. A specific focus for the Housing Agency is to incorporate MMC into the social housing build programme, and a guidance document now exists for the provision of “design and build” housing projects using MMC.
In addition to these measures a Timber in Construction Working Group has been established. This Group, which will bring together a range of industry expertise, will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction. Timber is an important Modern Method of Construction and helps to improve the delivery of new housing whilst at the same time increasing the sustainability of materials used. My Department will actively participate in this Group.
272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in correspondence as regards the reform of disability payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43225/23]
View answerOn 20 September, I published a Green Paper on Disability Reform and launched the associated public consultation.
The Green Paper was developed as a response to commitments under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, the Pathways to Work Strategy, and the Make Work Pay Report Strategy to consult on reforms to disability payments and to take account of anomalies within the current system. It also takes into account the recommendations in the Cost of Disability Report.
I would like to emphasise that this Green Paper is not a final design and no changes will be made to the current payments at this time. The proposals in the Green Paper represent a starting point for a structured discussion. By providing one possible approach, rather than simply listing challenges and issues, these proposals are inteded to provoke discussion, debate and suggestions. The feedback we get will help to design and develop a new model of income supports for Government to consider.
The main proposal of the Green Paper is to move to a three-tiered Personal Support Payment, rather than the one-size-fits-all payments we currently have. This would amalgamate the current schemes of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, and Blind Pension into one scheme with contributory and non-contributory streams.
Another important element of the Green Paper is that where people have a life-long disability, they would not be subject to ongoing medical reviews by the Department of Social Protection as is currently the case.
I want to assure the Deputy that the intention is to try and simplify and make the social welfare system work better for people with disabilities. The proposals in the Green Paper are about providing additional support to those who need it most. Everyone will continue to receive the same payment unless they are moved to a higher payment. Improved employment supports will be available for those people who would like to engage in work.
I have already met with various disability organisations to brief them on the Green Paper and I want to work with them to ensure we get a strong response to this public consultation.
I would like to encourage all those with an interest to express their views as part of the public consultation process. The public consultation will last until 15 December 2023.
Full details on how to make a submission as part of the public consultation are available at gov.ie - Green Paper on Disability Reform: A Public Consultation to Reform Disability Payments in Ireland (www.gov.ie)
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
273. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if, given the ongoing high cost of energy, she would consider changes to the fuel allowance threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43247/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
As part of the overall welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 Billion, a number of considerable reforms were made to the Fuel Allowance Scheme including the introduction of changes for those aged over 70.
These reforms included a new means threshold for those aged over 70 of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. The means threshold is based on gross income. In addition, for people aged 70 or over, the amount of capital (savings and investments) that is disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance was increase from €20,000 to €50,000. Savings over €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only.
The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was also increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).
The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely and how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments who are at risk of fuel poverty. However, any decision to further increase the fuel Allowance allowable means or the capital disregard would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an increase in the basic rate of social welfare for the disability sector will be considered (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43256/23]
View answerMy Department provides a number of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means tested social assistance schemes
Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are means tested payments while Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment. The combined expenditure on these schemes in 2022 was almost €2.8bn.
I have introduced many improvements across these schemes in my time as Minister for Social Protection. The personal rates increased by €17 per week over the last 2 budgets with proportionate increases for qualified adults. In addition, the income disregards which can be availed of by people receiving Disability Allowance or Blind Pension, have increased by almost 37% over the last three budgets to a current level of €165.
I am committed to reforming the disability payments of my Department. On 20 September I published a Green Paper on Disability Reform and launched the associated public consultation. The Green Paper on Disability Reform was developed as a response to commitments under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, the Pathways to Work Strategy and the Make Work Pay Report and taking account of the Cost of Disability Report.
The main proposal of the Green Paper is to move to a three-tiered Personal Support Payment, rather than the one-size-fits-all payments we currently have. This would amalgamate the current schemes of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, and Blind Pension into one scheme with contributory and non-contributory streams.
The intention of the proposals in the Green Paper is to simplify and make the social welfare system work better for people with disabilities. The proposals aim to provide additional support to those who need it most.
I would like to encourage all those with an interest to express their views as part of the public consultation process, which will last until 15 December 2023.
Full details on how to make a submission as part of the public consultation are available at gov.ie - Green Paper on Disability Reform: A Public Consultation to Reform Disability Payments in Ireland (www.gov.ie)I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent supplement will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43289/23]
View answerRent Supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments. Amongst other qualifying criteria, a Rent Supplement applicant must have been living in private rented housing for a period of 183 days within the previous 12 months of the date of their application. Further information on the qualifying criteria for this payment can be found at www.gov.ie.Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for Rent Supplement on 13/09/2023. On the same day a request issued to the person in which they were asked to return the following information by 03/10/2023:• Proof of rent for 6 of the past 12 months• Tenancy agreement• 2 utility bills• 6 months statements for all financial accounts held by members of the household• Proof of ownership from the landlordAs this information has not yet been received, the person’s application cannot be progressed. The person should return this information to the National Rent Supplement Section in the Community Welfare Service so that a decision can be made on their claim. I trust this clarifies the matter.
276. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43312/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
A person participating on a Community Employment scheme can qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment in certain circumstances.
If a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they can continue to receive the fuel allowance payment while participating on the scheme once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
If the CE participant was not in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment prior to going on the CE scheme, they may still apply for and qualify for Fuel Allowance in the following circumstances:
• If the CE scheme participant was in receipt of a long-term qualifying payment prior to going on the CE scheme, this will allow them to satisfy the qualifying payment element. However, all other qualifying conditions of Fuel Allowance must also be satisfied.
• Where the CE scheme participant has an established underlying entitlement to Fuel Allowance but is not in receipt of the allowance because another member of the household was receiving the payment, it is open to the CE scheme participant to apply for Fuel Allowance if these circumstances change, e.g., where the Fuel Allowance recipient leaves the address.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance for other people participating on a CE scheme would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
