Written Answers Nos. 847-861
847. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units by local authority and the total numbers of each nationalities tenanting these properties, in tabular form. [2006/24]
View answerStatistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in the Local Authority Performance Indicator Report. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the number of dwellings in local authority ownership at a given time. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link: www.noac.ie/noac_publications/8339/#:~:text=The%202022%20Performance%20Indicator%20Report,44%20indicators%20under%2011%20headings
My Department does not hold data on the nationality of social housing tenants.
848. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2045/24]
View answer849. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria that must be satisfied in order for a local authority to purchase a property under a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2046/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 849 together.
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. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023 and 2024, the Government agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes each year. The additional acquisitions are focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property.
Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department. An independent valuation must also be obtained for each acquisition, in line with established practice for local authorities for social housing acquisitions. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q3 2023, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: gov.ie - Overall social and affordable housing provision (www.gov.ie).
In relation to the detail supplied, it is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy and determine whether a property should be acquired. The cost of the property, its condition and its suitability for the existing tenants are issues that will be considered by the local authority. I have asked local authorities to be proactive in this area.
Local authorities will work with all social housing supported tenants who receive a Notice of Termination and where it is not possible to purchase the property, the local authority will seek alternative supports, which may include support to obtain an alternative tenancy, including a HAP-supported tenancy or an allocation to local authority stock where possible.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. As Minister, I am precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the provision of social housing support regarding any individual application.
850. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what provisions/funding have been allocated for the St. Brigid 1500 celebrations in County Kildare, for February 2024; and if he can give details of same. [2067/24]
View answerI have no function in this matter. My Department has not allocated specific funding for the St. Brigid 1500 celebrations in County Kildare. Furthermore, my Department does not collate specific information on the funding of local festivals or commemorative events as outlined in the question. Details in respect of the funding provided for this event may, in this case, be available from Kildare County Council.
851. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address and clarify a situation of multiple and repeated failures with regard to the air and water home heating/hot water systems (details supplied). [2077/24]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019.
Notwithstanding the legal obligation on local authorities to manage and maintain their homes, my Department provides funding under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP). Works eligible under the EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER) as identified by the 2018 Cost Optimal calculations carried out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
There are a number of regulations and guidance documents which outline the requirements for space and water heating systems in a dwelling and how this should be controlled as listed below.
S.I. 183 OF 2019 - European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2019 requires that space and water heating systems in dwellings be energy efficient, with efficient heat sources and effective controls. These regulations also require that the dwelling owner be provided with sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services, controls and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable. The NSAI Standard Recommendation S.R.50-4:2021 Building services – Part 4: Heat pump systems in dwellings provides guidance for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of heat pumps in dwellings in Ireland.
Technical Guidance Document (TGD) L 2022 Conservation of Fuel and Energy – Dwellings (Table 2 – page 29) provides for the minimum controls for air-to water heat pump systems.
The document Heating & Domestic Hot Water Systems for Dwellings– Achieving Compliance with Part L & Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2019 provides guidance on the minimum provisions for heat pumps in dwellings to comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations for space heating systems and hot water systems.
The document www.seai.ie/publications/Heat-Pump-Operation-and-Maintenance-Guide.pdf provides further guidance on the performance, maintenance plan and life cycle of the component.
Furthermore, Part D materials and Workmanship of the Building Regulations requires that all materials used in buildings should be fit for their intended use and the conditions in which they are to be used.
The selection of properties for inclusion in my Departments Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme, assessment of eligible works required and prioritisation of works is a matter for each individual local authority in their administration of the programme. Maintenance requirements post installation is also the legal responsibility of the local authority and therefore further details may be available from the local authority on request.
852. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection how many applications for aid have been received by the State for aid in east Cork since the flooding on 18 October 2023; and how much money has been paid out to date in aid to the residents of east Cork since the flooding. [2004/24]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My Department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my Department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated to assist householders affected by a number of recent weather events across the Country. This scheme remains open to those affected by these weather events to apply for assistance.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide income- tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
The income test for Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is more generous than that which applies in the case of social welfare schemes generally. The basic principle of the income test is that individuals and families with average levels of income will qualify for assistance (including non-Social Welfare recipients).
Statistics are maintained by County on the number of payments made on the scheme. Since Storm Babet which occurred on 18th October 2023, some 870 payments have been made to members of the public in Co. Cork up to the week ending 13th January 2024, totaling almost €1.69 million.
If any household affected by the flooding in Co. Cork needs to access these supports, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
853. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim was cancelled after ten years, when the child (details supplied) in question still has the same diagnoses as they did ten years ago; if she will reinstate this claim immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56284/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education subject to meeting the qualifying conditions.
The person concerned was in receipt of CA from 14 November 2013.
The person concerned made an application to participate in the BTEA and was successful. They have been in receipt of BTEA since 2021, a scheme which is paid through CA.
Due to a clerical error, BTEA for the person concerned stopped on 6 December 2023.
I can confirm that the BTEA payment has been reinstated for the person concerned with effect from 7 December 2023.
Arrears due for the period 7 December 2023 to 20 December 2023 will issue to their nominated bank account on 21 December 2023.
The person concerned was notified on 12 December 2023 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
854. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on an application for the one-parent family payment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the inordinate amount of time it is taking to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56287/23]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for Jobseekers Transition (One Parent Family) on 12/10/2023.This claim was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector and a decision issued on 07/12/2023 . Payment, including arrears for this application issued to the person concerned on 12/12/2023. This claim closed on 22/11/2023 due to an application for Illness benefit. This illness benefit claim closed on 06/12/2023 and the person concerned reapplied for Jobseekers Transition on 07/12/2023 which was awarded on 12/12/2023 with first payment to issue on 15/12/2023.
855. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a non-means tested illness benefit. [56311/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions.
The person concerned would not qualify for Illness Benefit as they do not have any reckonable PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax years.
It is open for the person concerned to make an application for the long-term, means-tested Disability Allowance.
If the person concerned is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for them to contact the Community Welfare Officer in their local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
856. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available for a self-employed person who has to stop working for a period of time due to a diagnosed illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56326/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance.
Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions in Class A, E, H or P to qualify.
In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at Class S which does not count towards eligibility for Illness Benefit. However, self-employed contributors who cannot work due to an illness or a disability may apply for Disability Allowance, a means-tested social assistance payment, or Invalidity Pension, a social insurance payment.
If the person does not qualify for any of the schemes mentioned above and is encountering difficulties in meeting their basic financial commitments, it is open to them to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre to see if they might qualify for assistance under the terms of the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
857. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56345/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 17th October 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These papers were received on 2nd November 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 15th November 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
858. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56413/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I can confirm the person concerned is in receipt of CA since 20 August 2020.
Once claims are in payment, my Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
A CA review was initiated and an information request issued to the person concerned on 5 September 2023.
Following receipt of correspondence, a further information request issued on 30 November 2023.
The person concerned returned further correspondence on 6 December 2023 and, following this, a further information request issued on 12 December 2023.
Following receipt of the requested documents, the review for the person concerned concluded. The result of the review found that all conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 10 January 2024 of this decision, the reason for it their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
859. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the position regarding the hot school meals programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56431/23]
View answerThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024.
My officials advise me that no expression of interest was received from the school referred to by the Deputy at that time. There will be an opportunity for this school and the other primary schools who had subsequently expressed an interest, to do so formally during this year.
860. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be supported. [56435/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 27th November 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These papers were received on 2nd December 2023 and the case will shortly be assigned to an Appeals Officer, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
861. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a breakdown of the monies provided to people in receipt of temporary protection, in total and per month, since February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56477/23]
View answer937. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection how much was expended on social welfare supports to beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) in jobseeker’s allowance payments, supplementary welfare allowance, State pension (non-contributory), child benefit, back to school clothing and footwear allowance, one-parent family payment, jobseeker’s transitional, working family payment, jobseeker’s allowance, disability allowance, carer’s allowance, respectively, in 2023; if she will provide figures for expenditure on social welfare supports, respectively, to beneficiaries of temporary protection in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1007/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 937 together.
The tables below set out expenditure related to people in receipt of Social Protection schemes under the Temporary Protection Directive (Ukraine), by month, in 2022 and 2023 respectively for the requested schemes.
Table 1: Breakdown of expenditure on Social Protection schemes relating to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in 2022
|
2022 |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
109 |
468 |
1,228 |
2,042 |
2,531 |
3,540 |
3,399 |
3,784 |
17,101 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,482 |
12,404 |
14,264 |
20,005 |
17,219 |
17,689 |
27,836 |
25,777 |
22,161 |
161,838 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
556 |
1,191 |
1,917 |
1,623 |
1,993 |
2,991 |
2,691 |
2,842 |
15,804 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
0 |
0 |
2,361 |
10,643 |
2,955 |
1,532 |
1,455 |
389 |
300 |
611 |
589 |
586 |
21,420 |
|
Disability Allowance |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
45 |
118 |
194 |
375 |
543 |
465 |
1,745 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
33 |
80 |
121 |
198 |
199 |
220 |
861 |
|
Child Benefit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
849 |
1,301 |
1,683 |
1,929 |
2,236 |
2,159 |
2,265 |
4,740 |
2,544 |
19,706 |
|
Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2,367 |
277 |
532 |
217 |
3 |
5 |
3,407 |
|
Working Family Payment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
23 |
56 |
58 |
69 |
94 |
194 |
91 |
589 |
|
Other Schemes |
0 |
0 |
49 |
203 |
699 |
758 |
827 |
701 |
450 |
747 |
1,272 |
1,022 |
6,728 |
|
Total Expenditure |
0 |
0 |
2,410 |
16,179 |
18,032 |
19,933 |
29,862 |
24,742 |
26,038 |
38,875 |
39,408 |
33,721 |
249,200 |
Table 2: Breakdown of expenditure on Social Protection schemes relating to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in 2023
|
2023 Expenditure (Provisional) |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
3,627 |
3,867 |
4,875 |
5,016 |
4,347 |
5,702 |
4,625 |
4,597 |
5,865 |
5,464 |
7,257 |
9,023 |
64,263 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
23,923 |
24,417 |
30,794 |
25,506 |
24,080 |
23,790 |
30,533 |
25,198 |
25,120 |
29,999 |
30,084 |
26,321 |
319,763 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
2,489 |
2,540 |
3,319 |
3,049 |
2,705 |
3,193 |
2,695 |
2,681 |
3,200 |
2,740 |
3,294 |
3,293 |
35,201 |
|
SWA Basic Payments |
398 |
187 |
266 |
196 |
187 |
231 |
219 |
234 |
345 |
249 |
290 |
242 |
3,046 |
|
Disability Allowance |
426 |
475 |
725 |
739 |
669.8 |
716 |
954 |
828 |
916 |
1,215 |
1,799 |
1,466 |
10,929 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
234 |
286 |
362 |
349 |
358 |
379 |
538 |
439 |
500 |
669 |
662 |
718 |
5,494 |
|
Child Benefit |
2,649 |
2,236 |
2,889 |
2,900 |
2,938 |
4,990 |
3,011 |
3,041 |
3,126 |
3,223 |
3,249 |
6,400 |
40,653 |
|
Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
4,669 |
357 |
336 |
30 |
2 |
1 |
5,415 |
|
Working Family Payment |
108 |
136 |
164 |
185 |
146 |
189 |
177 |
180 |
224 |
215 |
335 |
202 |
2,261 |
|
Other Schemes |
655 |
484 |
592 |
2,499 |
1,650 |
1,305 |
1,268 |
1,557 |
1,840 |
1,889 |
1,914 |
2,290 |
17,944 |
|
Total Expenditure |
34,514 |
34,635 |
43,991 |
40,442 |
37,081 |
40,497 |
48,690 |
39,112 |
41,473 |
45,693 |
48,886 |
49,956 |
504,969 |
