Written Answers Nos. 70-92
70. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dáta faoina mbeidh an straitéis do na healaíona teangabhunaithe Gaeilge foilsithe. [4499/24]
View answerAr mhaithe le tacú tuilleadh le cur chun cinn na n-ealaíon teangabhunaithe mar thaca breise d'fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2023 lena mbaineann, rinne mo Roinn, idir Rannán na Gaeltachta agus Éire Ildánach, taighde a choimisiúnú faoin ábhar seo in 2018. Is é Ollscoil Luimnigh a ceapadh don chúram le maoiniú ón Roinn agus Éire Ildánach.
Ag eascairt ón taighde sin, tá Straitéis d’Ealaíona Teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge ar tí a bheith réidh le foilsiú ar dháta atá fós le socrú. Chun tacú le dlús a chur le feidhmiú príomh-mholtaí na straitéise, tá cistíocht faoi leith aitheanta agus curtha go leataobh ina leith.
Comhthreomhar leis seo uile, cuirtear maoiniú faoi leith ar fáil ar bhonn leanúnach chun tacú le cur chun cinn na n-ealaíon teangabhunaithe mar thaca don phróiseas pleanála teanga. I measc na n-eagraíochtaí a gcuirtear an maoiniú seo ar fáil dóibh, tá Ealaín na Gaeltachta, An Cumann Scoldrámaíochta, an tOireachtas, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta agus An Taibhdhearc.
71. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has received and examined the report 'Respiratory Health in Oliver Bond House', launched last week; its analysis of the findings of the report and what specific measures his Department is taking (in both the short and long term) to alleviate the negative health consequences of living in Oliver Bond House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/24]
View answer72. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will ensure there is a community centre within the geographic bounds of the regenerated Oliver Bond House complex. [4671/24]
View answer73. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will ensure the publication of a report by independent engineers commissioned by DCC in 2021 in relation to conditions in the Oliver Bond House complex. [4672/24]
View answer74. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise whether it would have been possible for Dublin City Council to apply for Stage 2 Approvals recently rather than full Stage 1 approvals in relation to the Oliver Bond House regeneration; and to provide a timeline for the full project. [4673/24]
View answer75. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide funding for a housing officer function to be delivered by a local community organisation in relation to the regeneration of the Oliver Bond House complex. [4674/24]
View answer76. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action he is taking along with Dublin City Council to address a recent report which highlighted the major health implications of living in Oliver Bond flats in Dublin 8 due to the failure to address the defects in the buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4919/24]
View answer87. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that appropriate community infrastructure should be included within the geographic bounds of a regenerated Oliver Bond House and that this would not affect Dublin City Council’s ability to honour any prior arrangements regarding the delivery of community services in the wider area; the steps he will take to ensure that this will be accommodated within the regenerated Oliver Bond complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/24]
View answer88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of Robert Emmet CDP’s 2021 ‘Environmental Conditions in Oliver Bond House’ report and an independent engineer's report commissioned by DCC, and the very recently launched ‘Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond House’, all of which highlight and outline the significant issues in the complex; if he will acknowledge that the ameliorative works required to bring conditions in the complex up to a BR Rating of C3 will cost €4.3 million, in light of the current conditions being in breach of residents’ right to a healthy and habitable environment; if his Department will commit to covering this cost under their existing maintenance or capital budget should DCC be unable to meet these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/24]
View answer89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if it would have been possible for DCC to apply for Stage 2 approvals recently rather than full Stage 1 Approvals, and what would have been required for this to happen; if he will make inquiries to ascertain if there are any internal difficulties that DCC is facing with progressing regeneration projects in a timely and appropriate manner and offer support to DCC if there are any issues related to resourcing;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4562/24]
View answer90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making funding available for a housing officer function to be delivered by a local community organisation; if he will acknowledge that this function would have ten key separate KPIs and that this proposal can be provided to him at his request; if he will signal his support for such a proposal and make funding available to DCC to disburse to a relevant community organisation for this purpose under circular N11/2007 issued by his Department to County Councils entitled ‘Policy Framework for Regeneration of Local Authority Estates’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 to 76, inclusive, and 87 to 90, inclusive, together.
The regeneration of Oliver Bond House sits within the parameters of the National Regeneration Programme which targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities; those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour in accordance with Housing Circular N11/2007 Policy Framework for Regeneration of Local Authority Estates.
It is the responsibility of Local Authorities to identify opportunities to advance Regeneration Programmes in line with this Circular within their respective administrative areas. The aim for regeneration projects is to create sustainable communities through a combination of social, educational and economic initiatives and also by rejuvenating the built environment by a mixture of demolition, construction and refurbishment of dwellings. Although my Department funds Local Authorities for much of this investment, Local Authorities, in developing their regeneration programmes, are required to adopt a holistic and strategic approach involving multiple local and national agencies in an integrated scheme that is designed to create sustainable communities and to address the underlying causes of deprivation in the area.
Dublin City Council works closely with the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum in ensuring the progression of the phased regeneration of the complex. The forum members include residents of Oliver Bond House, DCC officials, representatives from the Gardaí, a representative from Túsla, Robert Emmet CDP, Local Councillors, a full time community development work and it is led by an independent Chairperson.
The regeneration of the Oliver Bond House complex by Dublin City Council (DCC) has my Departments full support. My Department provided Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval to DCC for the redevelopment for the flats in Blocks L, M and N, on the 16th March 2022. This allowed for a guarantee of Departmental support whilst also tasking DCC to investigate a review of options to find the most suitable solution for the site.
My Department provided funding approval for four regeneration projects at Oliver Bond House in November 2023. These projects are as follows:
• N29-2-988 Social Housing Delivery
• N29-2-1057 Oliver Bond Community Centre
• N29-2-1058 Oliver Bond Precinct Improvement Works
• N29-2-1059 Oliver Bond Social Integration
These approvals allow for both the provision of a community centre and the appointment of a Community Development Worker.
The provision of a community centre will not only complement the upcoming physical regeneration of the complex and provide much-needed quality housing but also create a thriving community hub that will enhance the quality of life for all residents as well as protecting the investment in physical infrastructure. The location of the Community Centre is a matter for DCC in consultation with local community groups and the approval from my Department allows for this to be developed in a location that best meets the needs of the local community.
DCC have advised that the location of the community centre is currently under discussion between DCC Housing, DCC area office and the Regeneration Forum and it has to be viewed in terms of what is in the long term benefits for the residents of Oliver Bond House.
With regard to the funding for a Community Development Worker, my Department has committed to providing funding for 4 years initially and it is open to the LA to seek further funding if deemed necessarily.
The above approvals also allow for improvements to the complex including landscape works, installation of bollards, general precinct improvement works and community consultation costs.
DCC have advised that they have recently received a proposal for a housing officer function and the Council area office is currently liaising with local organisations to understand further the remit and function of this proposed role.
For Public Works contracts such as redevelopment it is a matter for DCC to bring forward proposals for Capital Works Management Framework Stage approvals from my Department. The stage applied for by the Council is dependent on the progress of the redevelopment involved. Stage 1 Capital Appraisal is applied for based on feasibility studies and order of magnitude costs of what the proposed regeneration project will provide and estimated costs. Achieving Stage 1 Capital Appraisal approval is a significant milestone in a project and gives the Council approval to appoint a design team to bring the design development to planning lodgement stage. At Stage 2 submission, significant work will have been completed to examine the existing structures and redesign the new homes in preparation of a full planning application.
Dublin City Council appointed an architect from the Council’s City Architects division to lead a design team on the regeneration of Oliver Bond House. The Council are currently in the process of procuring a multi-disciplinary design team, due to be completed by March 2024. The initial concept design has been completed. Once fully appointed, the design team will commence the scheme design and progress the design to planning stage. This is expected to be completed in Q2 2025 and progressed to planning in Q3 2025. Once planning approval is secured, the design team will progress the design and prepare all tender documents to commence procurement of a construction contractor in Q2 2026. It expected that the construction of phase 1 will commence on site in Q4 2026 and be completed in early 2029.
The management and maintenance of DCC’s housing stock is strictly a matter for the Local Authority. DCC have advised that the Council has been undertaking works to improve the living conditions of the residents as well as the structure of the complex. On an ongoing basis there are four caretakers assigned to the complex. Their duties include maintaining common areas, presenting waste for collection and reporting any repairs and accidents in the complex. These caretakers are assigned to the Oliver Bond complex on a full time basis. All maintenance repair requests are responded to in accordance with Housing Maintenance procedures.
They have surveyed all of the units for mechanical ventilation and installed vents in 308 units. 49 tenants refused to have mechanical ventilation installed. Of the remaining 34, DCC are currently working to gain access to install ventilation
DCC have informed my Department that their maintenance staff are currently examining the condition of windows in the units for the purpose of upgrading all single glazed windows to double glazed. 12 blocks have completed surveys and the tender process will start as soon as the remaining surveys are complete. These improvement measures will be implemented in collaboration with the residents.
DCC have also informed my Department that they are actively engaged with the residents on an individual level to address issues brought to their attention. Officers from the City Council engage through the Robert Emmet CDP and attend meetings with resident groups to hear their concerns and shared information on planned and proposed work.
In the longer term, DCC is fully committed to making a positive intervention in all the 391 apartments and will continue to pursue this via its application for grant funding and its collaboration with local residents, elected members and my Department.
77. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider the way in which his Department is leading the "Your Council" campaign so that advertising is also undertaken in local newspapers and on local radio stations (details supplied). [4317/24]
View answerThe public information campaign referred to and currently underway is an important initiative to provide members of the public with more information about local government including an overview of the different responsibilities of local authorities and the key role played by Councillors in shaping communities.
The campaign is set to run until mid-February. As well as through social media promotion and outdoor advertising, our advertisements are running across national and local radio stations throughout the country at present along with digital advertising (including a presence on many regional news sites). Print media advertisements in local newspapers are also planned to run during the lifetime of this campaign.
78. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to his response during Leaders' Questions on 18 January 2024 (details supplied), if he will provide details of the request issued to Tipperary County Council to review the situation with regard to log cabins; to provide a copy of the correspondence issued to Tipperary County Council in this regard; the details of the review being carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4370/24]
View answer83. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently update the rural planning guidelines to loosen the restrictions on modular/log cabin type accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4434/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 83 together.
All development proposals require planning permission unless they are specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) or the supplementary Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended. In addition, national planning policy, guidelines and legislation do not dictate the types of materials that must be used for housing, and accordingly there is no prohibition on the use of timber construction from a planning perspective subject to the overall proposal for planning permission being in accordance with national, regional and local planning policy. In addition, there are no restrictions under the planning code for any person to apply for planning permission in respect of modular/log cabin type accommodation.
When a person submits a planning application for a house (including modular housing or log cabins) under section 34 of the Act, irrespective of whether the proposed development is located in an urban or rural location, the planning authority, in making its decision, shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide to whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.
Furthermore, a range of factors have to be taken into account in the assessment of proposals for housing (including modular housing or log cabins), including requirements for access, car parking, amenity space as well as separate services such as water, drainage and electricity. In addition, such proposals may also have implications for neighbouring properties and the visual amenity and character of the area which must also be taken into consideration in the determination of a planning application.
A number of development types are exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission, including for the erection of detached structures within the curtilage of a house for the purpose of storage. However it is a specific condition and limitation attached to this particular exemption that such structures shall not be used for human habitation. Accordingly, a 'one size fits all' type planning exemption for such structures would not be appropriate or consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
An application for planning permission also provides an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions or observations in respect of proposed development. The planning authority is required to have regard to any submissions or observations received on a planning application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.
Where any party is unhappy with the decision of a planning authority in relation to an application for planning permission, the decision may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the decision of the planning authority in accordance with section 37 of the Act.
In accordance with Section 34(13) of the Act, a person shall not be entitled solely by reason of a permission under section 34 of the Act to carry out any development. Where permission is granted for modular/log cabin type accommodation, the development must also comply with other legislative requirements such as the Building Regulations, including fire safety requirements. In this regard, it is critical to ensure that products, systems, and ultimately buildings which are comprised of such products and systems, are designed, constructed, and certified, as fit for purpose, having regard to their intended end use.
I wrote to Deputy Michael Lowry TD in November 2023 in relation to log cabin type accommodation and issued a copy of the letter to the relevant local authority restating that any person may lodge an application for planning permission for a house, be it system-built modular type housing or a log cabin.
Under section 30 of the Act, I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
79. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities or county councils that completed an up-to-date housing needs demands assessment for older people for the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [4386/24]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF) in Ireland includes National Policy Objective 37, which mandates a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) in each local authority area. The HNDA aims to ensure long-term strategic housing needs are met across all tenures, providing a robust evidence base to support decisions about new housing supply, investment, and housing-related services.
Several development plans had already been initiated when the initial HNDA was published, and interim HNDA methodologies were adopted. Five local authorities, including Dublin City Council, Kildare County Council, Kerry County Council, Clare County Council, and Galway City County Council, have all adopted and completed a HNDA for their respective development plans. The timeline for each of the local authorities' Development Plans are set out in the table attached.
The HNDA uses a standardised methodology to quantify current and projected housing needs in a particular local authority area, including the needs of older people. It is intended to be the central evidence base used to inform Housing Strategy preparation, which will in turn inform the housing policies of the county or city development plan.
In November 2023, the government published its Housing for All Action Plan Update, which sets the government’s approach to reviewing and refreshing the current targets and projections. The HNDA framework and Housing for All housing targets will be reviewed as part of this work, with the revision to be completed in 2024, providing refreshed targets for the period 2025 onwards.
This work will be informed by independent, peer-reviewed research by the ESRI, an update to the ESRI’s previous research, to support the NPF revision and any change to the housing targets and their spatial distribution. The refresh of targets will take into account unmet need in previous years, population growth, including from significant inward migration in recent years, and updated assumptions regarding household sizes. The ESRI work will be finished in Q1 2024, with provisional housing targets developed and published shortly thereafter.
Final housing targets for the period 2025 onwards, including revised targets for social, affordable, private rental and private ownership, will be published in mid-2024.
80. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the serious delays in the processing and approval of housing adaptation grants; and the details of what measures if any can be taken to speed up the process. [4387/24]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People.
The Exchequer funding provision for 2024 has been increased by €8 million to a total of €74.5 million with an aim of delivering over 13,000 grants when combined with the local authority contribution. When including the 20% local authority contribution it will provide for a total of over €93 million for the scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014.
The detailed administration of these schemes including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment between the three schemes is the responsibility of local authorities. My Department engages regularly with local authorities particularly supporting the effective and efficient administration of the scheme to ensure that all applications are dealt with in accordance with Departmental guidelines.
My Department developed a new recoupment claim form which was implemented by local authorities on a phased basis throughout 2022. The new form captures data on the date a valid application is received, approved and paid by a local authority. This will assist in improved understanding of the average length of time that it takes local authorities to approve valid applications and issue grant payments.
Arising from a commitment in Housing for All, my Department conducted a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and subsequently prepared a report. On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes.
81. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the right to housing report will be published; and the timeline in place for the Government to act on the recommendations of that report. [4388/24]
View answerIn line with Programme for Government commitments, I established the Commission on Housing in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system, including issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing.
At the same time, I also tasked the Commission to advise the Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, to recommend wording for a constitutional change. While not a commitment to a referendum on a 'right to housing', this was not precluded by the Commission's terms of reference.
The Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution.
I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.
82. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many HAP inspections for the purpose of establishing suitability of accommodation or living conditions were carried out in each of the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [4389/24]
View answerThe standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let, including those where the tenancy is Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) supported. All landlords, have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
The HAP scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under section 41 of the 2014 Act, local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling, if the dwelling was not already inspected within the previous 12 months. Local authorities carry out HAP inspections as part of their overall private rented inspections programme.
Details of total private rental inspections delivered from 2020 to Quarter 3 2023 that related to HAP tenancies are included in the table below. Quarter 4 2023 data will be available in due course.
|
Year |
Private Rental Standards Inspections - HAP |
|
2020 |
13,022 |
|
2021 |
11,954 |
|
2022 |
25,298 |
|
to Q3 2023 |
18,277 |
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector, including those dwellings with HAP supported tenancies, rests with the relevant local authority.
Failure to comply with the standards can result in penalties and prosecution. Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who breach the rental standards. An Improvement Notice sets out the works that the landlord must carry out to remedy a breach of the regulations.
In the case of a Prohibition Notice being enforced, a local authority may provide, or continue to provide, HAP in respect of that property for a period of 13 weeks, to enable the household to find an alternative dwelling.
My Department collates data on an annual basis in respect of all private rental inspections and the data from 2005 to 2022 is available at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/#private-rented-inspections
84. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of hiring a qualified archaeologist for every local authority. [4474/24]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis. However, granular data, in terms of the specific role and function of each individual staff member is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. Information as to the number ofrchaeologists currently employed would be available from individual local authorities.
The salary scale for an archaeologist in the local government sector ranges from €55,519 to €77,176.
85. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list, in tabular form, the number of Croí Cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant applications and derelict top-up grant applications received to date by each respective local authority; the number of applications approved and rejected; the total funding paid out to date; the number of applications that remain to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4506/24]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, under the heading Vacancy grant statistics.
86. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the guidelines being formulated for the live streaming of council meetings, what, if any, progress has been made on this issue and when can local authorities expect to receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4516/24]
View answerSection 45(5) of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) provides that a local authority may, by standing orders, regulate the right of members of the public and members of the media to be present at meetings of the local authority. This provision includes the making, by standing orders, of rules in relation to the recording or relaying of the proceedings as they take place or at a later stage.
On the 30 October 2020, my Department issued Circular LG 07/2020, “Guidelines for supplementary standing orders regulating the proceedings in relation to remote meetings of the Council”, which references public attendance at such meetings.
It is ultimately a matter for the elected members of each local authority to decide in the first instance if they wish to webcast local authority meetings and then to provide for the necessary budgetary resources to enable the provision of the necessary facilities to allow for meetings to be webcast or live streamed.
The 2020 Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members, led by Ms Sara Moorhead SC, identified a range of non-remunerative supports which would make the councillor role more sustainable, particularly for individuals with caring, employment or educational commitments. One recommendation centred on expanding technology to allow remote attendance at local authority council meetings, which would allow for more flexible participation.
In 2023, my Department launched a pilot scheme, offering financial supports to local authorities in order to provide for the running of hybrid meetings, including but not limited to the purchasing of the necessary hardware. Four proposals (from Cavan County Council, Monaghan County Council, Limerick City & County Council and Wicklow County Council) were approved for funding under the pilot scheme, with funding totalling €160,674 allocated in 2023. My Department is considering the feasibility of another scheme in 2024.
91. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the dental and optical tax rebate, if consideration has been given to reviewing the procedures covered by same to ensure that workers can avail of this support for essential dental and optical procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4485/24]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify, a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based. The scheme provides benefits from the Social Insurance Fund for people who have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. There are three strands:
- Dental Benefit;
- Optical Benefit;
- Medical Appliances Benefit – a grant primarily for hearing aids and hair replacement products.
There are no plans to make changes to the scheme at this time.I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
92. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms of the widows' or widower's pension, particularly in respect of non-married or co-habiting couples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4343/24]
View answerUnder the law as currently enacted, entitlement to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension is only available to a surviving partner who was party to a marriage or civil partnership.On Monday 22nd January the Supreme Court deliverd its judgment in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried co-habitant to a Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory pension.
The Supreme Court judgment overruled a previous High Court decision and found in favour of the claimant and his children. In simple terms the Court has found that section 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) is inconsistent with the Constitution insofar as it excluded the claimant from the category of persons entitled to benefit from it. The Court reached that conclusion on the basis of the equality guarantee contained in Article 40.1 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court judgment notes that in order to resolve the issue raised by the judgment, a legislative amendment is required.My officials and the Office of the Attorney General are now considering the very detailed judgment, including the legislative changes required to respond to this decision. This will be done with all expediency.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
