Wednesday, 21 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 93-115

Sports Funding

Questions (93, 94)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8133/24]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8159/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including applications from the organisations to which the Deputy refers. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.

The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.

Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 93.

Commemorative Medals

Questions (95)

Michael Lowry

Question:

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to her office from a person (details supplied) concerning the prestigious Polar Medal which was awarded to an Irish born Antarctic explorer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8253/24]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

My Department is aware of the correspondence referred to and of the celebrations in Dublin and London for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. The mention of his name invokes memories of amazing adventures, bravery, fortitude and skill in perhaps the final phase of the Age of Discovery. Because of his indomitable spirit and achievements, Sir Ernest remains in the popular memory as an inspirational hero.

Although a figure of international renown, Shackleton's memory is particularly memorialised in Ireland Great Britain, and in New Zealand (Antarctic Heritage Trust). Born in Athy in 1874, the family moved to London when Ernest was 10. Shackleton is very much part of the 'shared heritage' of Britain and Ireland, - in which context it was pleasing to note that the new memorial plaque at Westminster Abbey incorporated both Kilkenny limestone and Connemara marble in acknowledgement of his Irish identity.

Among the awards bestowed on Shackleton, interest has focussed on the Polar Medal and the interest that it might possibly be acquired for public display in Ireland. It is an artefact of exceptional significance, a silver medal with three bars representing the Antarctic voyages of 1902-04, 1907-09 and 1914-16. I understand that a prohibition on export from the United Kingdom is currently in place on the recommendation of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

I take this opportunity to commend all the authorities, community groups and Heritage Trusts that have contributed to the 150th anniversary programme for Sir Ernest Shackleton. I believe his memory will be carried forward by future generations and that his achievements will inspire their adventurous spirit.

Broadcasting Sector

Questions (96)

Ged Nash

Question:

96. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on correspondence she has received (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8300/24]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The local media sector, which the Deputy refers to in his question, plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue as a consequence.

The Report of the Future of Media Commission examined the challenges faced by the media sector, including the local media sector, and consequent impact on the provision of public service content. The Report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content.

One recommendation made by the Future of Media Commission was the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media and journalism sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis. The Media Fund is being established on an administrative basis, with the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán, with €6m allocated in Budget 2024 for this purpose. Members of the local media sector, including free newspapers, will be eligible to apply for funding subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out by Coimisiún na Meán.

A process of engagement with the European Commission regarding State Aid has now concluded and I am advised that given the nature of the schemes, they can be implemented without prior State Aid clearance. In terms of next steps, it is expected that Coimisiún na Meán will carry out stakeholder consultation on the detailed design of the schemes and once the schemes are finalised, will run a call for applications for both schemes. Further details on the timelines for rollout of the schemes will be made available by Coimisiún na Meán in due course.

My officials have consulted with representatives from the free newspaper sector as part of the high level policy development process for the schemes. My officials will continue to engage with these members and indeed with all stakeholders to keep them informed of developments on this matter.

Departmental Functions

Questions (97)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his Department’s role in the national agricultural inspection programme; the details of any engagement between his Department, local authorities and the County and City Management Association in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; the details of any engagement between his Department and the EPA in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8134/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The role of my Department in the National Agricultural Inspection Programme has been to:

• Establish the programme under the 5th Nitrates Action Programme and give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight of the programme,

• Sit on the EPA-chaired National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) Working Group to ensure that all relevant current and emerging policy matters are considered, and

• Provide funding for resources for the EPA and local authorities.

In early 2022 discussions began between my Department and the EPA on the establishment of the NAIP. From these discussions the EPA agreed to lead on the oversight of the NAIP. In Q3 2022 the EPA established the NAIP Working Group. This group meets at least once per quarter and it is the main platform for engagement between EPA, my Department, the County and City Management Association (CCMA), local authority representatives, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO) on the programme.

In 2022 and 2023 there has been engagement with the CCMA on the Review of Local Authority Natural Water Functions and Resources Committees and subcommittees. Subcommittee 1 focused on the resources required for the NAIP and my Department is represented on this subcommittee. The CCMA submitted the NAIP resource requirement for the NAIP to my Department for 57 additional staff. My Department allocated funding for 21 local authority staff in 2023 and is currently in the process of allocating funding for the remaining local authority resource requirement in 2024. Letters were issued in 2023 and 2024 from my Department notifying the CCMA of the funding allocations.

In 2024 as well as engaging with the EPA on the NAIP Working Group DHLGH will continue to engage with the EPA directly in terms of oversight and governance of the NAIP on a quarterly basis.

Septic Tanks

Questions (98)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

98. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tanks inspected, by county, since the inspection scheme was introduced in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8149/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not compile the information requested.

The Water Services Act 2007 (as amended) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce a national inspection plan for domestic waste water treatment systems, also known as septic tanks. The EPA report on the implementation of the plan and publishes information on inspections and enforcement on an annual basis.

The latest report for 2022 can be found on the EPA's website at the link below:

www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water/domestic-waste-water-treatment-system--dwwts-inspections-2022.php

Local Authorities

Questions (99, 100)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

99. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the revenue raised by each local authority from local property tax for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/24]

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 1 February 2024, when he expects the data for 2023 related to local authorities' income from commercial rates and income from the provision of goods and services to be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

Local authority income from commercial rates and from the provision of goods and services are published annually by local authorities in their Annual Financial Statements (AFS). Each local authority is required to prepare an AFS by the end of March following the year end and to publish it by the end of June. The information is generally available on each individual local authority’s website.

When presenting an AFS, the Chief Executive is presenting unaudited or draft accounts. These financial statements then undergo an independent audit by the Local Government Audit Service (LGAS). Accordingly, these cannot be taken as final accounts until the LGAS completes their audit. Therefore, 2022 is the latest year for which audited AFS data is currently available. Whilst local authorities will individually publish unaudited AFS for 2023 by the end of June 2024, it is anticipated that audited 2023 AFS data for all local authorities will not be available until the end of 2024. When all audits are complete, my Department compiles and publishes a consolidated AFS publication compiled from the Audited Financial Statements published by each local authority and this can be found on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e103b-local-authority-annual-financial-statements/

Local Property Tax (LPT) is administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners and subsequently transferred into the Local Government Fund (LGF). The funds are ultimately redistributed to local authorities in accordance with the Government’s allocation policies. Detailed information regarding the 2023 LPT allocations, paid from the LGF to local authorities, amounting to €609.9m is published by my Department at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/02b73-local-property-tax-final-allocations-to-local-authorities-for-2023/

These LPT allocations include equalisation funding where a local authority’s estimated LPT yield is less than their baseline level.

The Revenue Commissioners publish detailed information on LPT collected, broken down by local authority, on its website at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/property-taxes/index.aspx

Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 99.

Waterways Issues

Questions (101, 102, 103, 104, 105)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied); if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of persons (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8281/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact on a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8296/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 105, inclusive, together.

Waterways 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 valuable recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.

More than 900 submissions were received during the initial consultation period, which concluded on 27 October 2023. Waterways Ireland has considered those submissions carefully and has made changes to the proposed Byelaws to endeavour to deal equitably with legitimate matters of concern raised, while maintaining a balanced focus on the needs of all users of the waterways and the public. Some of those changes include:

• Introduction and extension of a five-day rule on Canal harbours

• Re-instatement of winter moorings on the Shannon Navigation

• Removal of a proposed three-day rule at harbours

• Removal of speed limit proposals on Greenways

• Reducing the proposed houseboat permit fees in suburban areas

Waterways Ireland opened the second phase of the public consultation on January 15 2024, inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on the new, revised version of the Shannon Navigation and Canal Byelaws. This second phase of the public consultation remains open until 26 February 2024 and offers an opportunity to consider the revisions to the proposed Byelaws as well as an additional opportunity for the public and all users of the waterways to have their say.

Further submissions received during the second phase of consultation will be considered by Waterways Ireland to best address the views of all stakeholders. The draft Byelaws can be found on www.waterwaysireland.org and in local libraries along the waterways corridors. Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, or by email to [e-mail], as well as by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, The Docks, Athlone. Co. Westmeath.

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.

Individual users of the waterways who have specific concerns relating to their particular circumstances are welcome to contact Waterways Ireland directly, or through the public consultation channels. A facility has also been put in place for members of the Oireachtas to obtain information directly from Waterways Ireland. The email address for Oireachtas members is: [e-mail]

It is important to note that no changes can be made to the existing Byelaws, permits, or charges and fees until the legislative process associated with the formal adoption and signing of the Byelaws has been completed.

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 101.

Regional Assemblies

Questions (106)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider his local government ministerial nomination to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in view of recent matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8388/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The chief executive of the local authority in question is currently fulfilling the role of designated chief executive for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA). This is an unpaid, largely advisory role to the regional assembly.

The roles of designated chief executive for the three regional assemblies were initially filled in 2014 at the direction of the then Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and have subsequently been filled from among and by the chief executives of the constituent local authorities of each regional assembly.

My Department is currently examining the positions of designated chief executive for the three regional assemblies, which may be filled at regular periods by the direction of the Minister from among the chief executives of the constituent local authorities, with a view to regularising the position in each of the three regions.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (107)

Frankie Feighan

Question:

107. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider reviewing the means test for non-contributory and part-contributory pensioners who may rent their home and live with relations or friends, within the framework of the next budget, to incentivise older people who have options around moving in with relatives and may have sizeable homes to consider the rental market without a serious implication for their income. [8148/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In general, for social protection means assessed schemes, including State Pension (Non Contributory) property owned by the claimant, but not including their own home (which they personally use) is assessed as capital as part of a wider assessment of capital assets held by the customer.

Occasionally, there may be legal or other reasons why a property may not be capable of being sold, let or put to profitable use. In such instances, Deciding Officers from my Department will review any reasonable evidence from the customer to verify this. If this evidence is not supplied, or is insufficient, then the property is treated as being capable of being sold, let, or put to profitable use, and a capital value assessment is applied.

Any change to my Department’s means policies would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (108)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

108. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if any changes to provide children's benefit payments to 18-year-olds in full-time education will be backdated for the school year in which the change is introduced. [8162/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday where they are in full-time education, or have a disability.

In Budget 2024, the Government decided to extend the payment of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or have a disability. This was one of my key priorities in the Budget.

With many children now starting primary school at age 5, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds still in secondary education. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.

This is a significant change to the Child Benefit scheme. It requires technical and operational changes before implementation.

We had originally provided that the change would take effect from September this year. However, I am very pleased that we are now able to bring this important change in from an earlier date and I have secured Government approval to do that. As a result, the measure will be brought in from the first of May. In the region of 60,000 children are expected to benefit from this measure annually. The additional estimated cost of bringing the commencement date forward to May is €21.6 million.

In the case of a child who turned 18 after May 2023 and who is still in full-time education, Child Benefit will be payable again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday, or until they leave full-time education, whichever is sooner.

As the measure comes into effect from 1st May, where a child turns 18 in the meantime, there will be no payment for any intervening period up to May 2024, which is the usual approach for changes to the social welfare system that take effect from a future date. The Department will be in contact with these recipients of Child Benefit over the coming months to advise of the next steps.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (109)

Michael Lowry

Question:

109. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection when the ruling concerning the free fuel allowance, which states that a household payment can only be paid when the residence is on an approved site (publicly or privately owned) with planning permission for the caravan or mobile home, was introduced and if this ruling will be reviewed in cases where someone lives in a residence without planning permission, such as when an additional mobile home or caravan is placed, as these ‘additional’ places of residence are not currently legally distinct households, impacting a person’s eligibility for fuel allowance in view of the current housing crisis and lack of availability of houses to rent, and many families find themselves with no option but to move a mobile home or caravan onto their parents’ site or land in an effort to avoid homelessness; if an exception can be made from this ruling to enable many struggling families to qualify for free fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8266/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The 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 €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, Fuel Allowance cannot be paid on a discretionary basis.

Fuel Allowance is a household payment and can be paid when the residence is on an approved site (publicly or privately owned) with planning permission. However, where someone lives in a residence which is not a legally distinct household without planning permission, these 'additional' places of residence are not currently legally distinct households, which impacts on their eligibility for Fuel Allowance.

The above rule concerning Fuel Allowance is a long standing one and there are no plans to change or amend this rule.

My Department can make additional needs payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Additional needs payments are available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.

Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (110)

Chris Andrews

Question:

110. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the hours a person in receipt of the full rate of carer’s allowance is permitted to work from 18.5 hours to 20 hours a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8333/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.

My department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.

The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. Carer’s Allowance is a means tested social assistance payment awarded to those carers who are caring for certain people who require full-time care and attention. The means test is used to target the support to those most in need. There are currently 96,190 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance.

The primary objective of the payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided.

A primary qualifying condition for the Carer’s Allowance payment is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months.

The minimum hours condition for which a carer can be regarded as providing full-time care and attention is set out in legislation. A carer will be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person, where the number of hours providing such care is not less than 35 hours in a period of 7 consecutive days, and care is provided on any 5 days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of 7 consecutive days.

However, in order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and to support broader social inclusion, carers may engage in some limited employment, education or training, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care and continue to receive their full payment. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.

As part of Budget 2020, the threshold was increased from 15 to 18.5 hours per week. This measure was prioritised in response to carers who had stated that they found the previous number of 15 hours to be too restrictive.

Both the full-time care and attention requirement and the 18.5-hour limitation are contained in the respective legislative provisions of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Support Grant schemes.

I consider the limit of 18.5 hours to represent a reasonable balance between meeting the care recipient's requirement for full-time care and the carer's need to maintain contact with the workforce. Any proposals for further changes to this condition would need to maintain this balance and would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (111)

Michael Creed

Question:

111. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details provided) who has been denied a benefit payment recently has sufficient contributions to be eligible for a contributory pension when they reach 66 years in January of next year; if she will review the decision to refuse the benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8343/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned will reach 66 years of age in 2025.

As the person concerned has 520 full-rate paid contributions, the eligibility criteria for State pension (contributory) are met. The rate payable when the person concerned claims their state pension (contributory) will be dependent on the number of contributions and credited contributions on their social insurance record. In order to qualify for the maximum rate of pension, the person concerned requires a total of 2,080 (equivalent to 40 years) reckonable contributions and credits.

I have arranged for a copy of their social insurance record to issue along with a detailed explanatory to assist in understanding their record, and information on how to calculate entitlement to state pension (contributory).

In January 2024, I introduced a flexible pension system, where people can claim their state pension (contributory) at 66 or choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment.

Further information in relation to State Pension (contributory) is available on www.gov.ie/pension.

In relation to the request for a review of the decision that issued on 25 January 2024 to disallow the Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds, a review has now been completed and the decision to disallow has been upheld. A letter outlining the reasons has issued to the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (112)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

112. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied). [8351/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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.

Two applications for CA were received from the person concerned on 19 May 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision, and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of both applications was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for either care recipient.

The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2023 of the decisions, the reason for them and of the right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of both decisions on 12 July 2023.

The applications were referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector on 16 August 2023 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance were satisfied.

On 24 October 2023, the Deciding Officer reviewed all the evidence for both cases and found that, although a certain level of care was provided, the evidence submitted did not satisfy the full time care and attention requirement as defined in the legislation for either care recipient. Therefore, the applications for CA were disallowed and the decisions remained unchanged.

The person concerned was notified of this decisions, the reasons for them and of the right to review/appeal.

A request for appeal was received and both cases were sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 12 July 2023 and are currently awaiting decision.

Should the person wish to contact the SWAO directly, they can be contacted by phone at 1890 74 74 34 or [phone] or by e-mail: [e-mail]

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (113)

Michael Creed

Question:

113. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a carer's allowance application (details supplied). [8390/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer'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.

An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 22 December 2023.

As the person concerned was self-employed, the matter was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 5 January 2023 to assess all means and to confirm that all the conditions for the receipt of CA are satisfied.

Once the Inspector has completed their report, a decision will be made at the earliest possible date and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

International Protection

Questions (114)

Paul Murphy

Question:

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice when the decision on an international protection application will be made for a person (details supplied); the reason international protection is not being expedited for Palestinians; and what psychological and social supports are available to this person and other Gazans. [8170/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

My Department is acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes working with the recently evacuated Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.

In line with the confidentiality provisions of the International Protection Act, if an application for international protection has been made in the State, it is not the practice to comment on such applications. The applicant or their designated legal advisor can contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate, for an update on the status of their application.

As the Deputy may be aware responsibility for material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (115)

Richard Bruton

Question:

115. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if there is legislative provision in place to require management companies to take reasonable steps to provide EV charging networks for occupiers. [8233/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (‘MUDs Act’) facilitates the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (‘OMCs’). Well-functioning OMCs are key to maintaining and sustaining higher-density residential developments, such as apartments.

It is important to note that it is the owners of the apartments or residential units in a development who are the members of the OMC. Any obligations placed on an OMC, including those with cost implications, therefore, affect the owners of the homes.

The MUDs Act sets out a number of obligations on OMCs, including in relation to the management of annual service charges by OMCs and expenditure incurred of a non-recurring nature by OMCs (i.e. ‘sinking fund’ expenditure).

In addition, the MUDs Act provides that OMCs may also develop house rules for the operation and maintenance of the multi-unit development.

The National Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland administers an Apartment Charging scheme which seeks to incentivise the provision of home charging solutions for residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments.