Thursday, 7 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 265-274

Water Services

Questions (265)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

265. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeowners that have applied to have their septic tank registered, by county, in tabular form; the number that have applied for refurbishment grants under the new Domestic Waste Water Treatment Scheme; the number successful and unsuccessful by county, in tabular form, from 2023 to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11453/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not compile data on homeowners who have registered their Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS), including septic tanks, with their local authority.

The DWWTS grant schemes are administered by the local authorities and my Department does not hold information on the number of applications for grants processed by each local authority.

However the following table sets out the number of DWWTS grants and the amount paid by my Department to each local authority in 2023.

To date in 2024, no local authority has submitted a request for payment for DWWTS grants to my Department.

Local Authority	Number of grants paid in 2023	Amount paid in 2023
Carlow	0	€0
Cavan	4	€19,295
Clare	1	€5,000
Cork	3	€7,532
Donegal	15	€65,613
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown	4	€19,353
Galway	0	€0
Kerry	9	€36,803
Kildare	12	€57,103
Kilkenny	2	€10,000
Laois	1	€5,000
Leitrim	9	€44,824
Limerick	7	€35,000
Longford	2	€8,350
Louth	0	€0
Mayo	26	€123,212
Meath	30	€150,000
Monaghan	4	€16,479
Offaly	4	€19,957
Roscommon	11	€55,000
Sligo	7	€33,811
Tipperary	0	€0
Waterford	0	€0
Westmeath	2	€10,000
Wexford	32	€152,057
Wicklow	9	€45,000
Totals	194	€919,389

Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 269.

Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 269.

Question No. 268 answered with Question No. 269.

Housing Schemes

Questions (266, 267, 268, 269)

Alan Dillon

Question:

266. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11460/24]

Alan Dillon

Question:

267. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if projects (details supplied) have moved beyond the detailed project briefs and procurement strategies stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11461/24]

Alan Dillon

Question:

268. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a detailed timeline for the completion of projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11462/24]

Alan Dillon

Question:

269. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide more information on sub-projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11463/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 to 269, inclusive, together.

In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, I announced a provisional allocation of €11,027,500 in URDF support for Mayo County Council's two successful proposals – the Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative (€8,527,500) and for works to Castlebar Military Barracks (€2,500,000).

This followed Mayo County Council's successful application for €141,391 in URDF support towards technical assistance for the advancement of the Castlebar Military Barracks proposal under the URDF's first call for proposals in 2018.

The overall Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative is made up of 6 individual projects, the details of which are outlined in the following table.

Project Title	Description of Works	Project Type
The Mall Innovation Hub (The Imperial Hotel/Daly's Hotel)	Repurpose the former Daly’s (Imperial) Hotel as an Innovation Hub.	Public Building(s) (Enterprise Hubs / Community Centres / Libraries etc.)
Public Realm Works	Public Realm Works in the Mall	Public Realm Works
Youth Resource Centre (The Old Post Office)	Repurpose the former Castlebar Post Office as a Community Youth Resource Centre	Public Building(s) (Enterprise Hubs / Community Centres / Libraries etc.)
Strategic Acquisition of properties	Purchase of 4 vacant properties at the corner of Rock Square.	Strategic Acquisition(s)
Master Plan for Ellison Street and Back Lands	Masterplan and strategic site assembly at key locations in Castlebar	Technical Assistance/Design Works
Ellison Street Infrastructure	New Links and Access routes with possible compulsory purchase	Public Realm Works

Each of these projects have received Preliminary Business Case approval which represents Decision Gate 1 in the project life cycle of the Public Spending Code (recently replaced by the newly published Infrastructure Guidelines) and gives approval to Mayo County Council to proceed to the development of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy for those projects that contain capital works for submission to the department as part of the approval process for the next decision gate, Approval Gate 2 – Pre-Tender Approval.

In terms of the projects that do not involve capital works, Mayo County Council is approved to advance the procurement process for these projects, with a view to submitting a Final Business Case to the department for approval to proceed.

In addition to issuing Preliminary Business Case approval, my Department has also recently issued Approval Gate 2 (Pre-Tender Approval) for the repurposing of the former Castlebar Post Office as a Community Youth Resource Centre. This gives approval to Mayo County Council to proceed to tender with a view to developing a comprehensive Final Business Case for submission to the Department as part of the approval process for the next decision gate (Approval Gate 3 - Post Tender Approval).

Regarding the Castlebar Military Barracks, this proposal contains the following 2 individual projects:

Project Title	Description of Works	Project Type
Detailed Design and Planning for the Barracks Site	Production of a Final Scheme Design, including Archaeological works, the Protection of Wildlife and Part 8 Planning for the detailed scheme.	Technical Assistance/Design Works
Essential Enabling works to existing buildings	Reverse emergent dereliction in the existing buildings and to integrate the site with the historic core reactivation initiative.	Public Realm Works

Having received preliminary business case approval, Mayo County Council is now approved to advance the procurement of a design team to deliver a detailed design and secure planning consent for the Barracks site, the outcome of which should be submitted to the department as part of the project’s Final Business Case for approval. The Council is also approved to proceed with the development of a Pre-Tender submission for the Enabling Works project as part of the approval process for the next Approval Gate 2 (Pre-Tender Approval).

While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, Mayo County Council. Any queries regarding the timeline of the projects should be directed to the Council.

Rental Sector

Questions (270)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

270. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any supports beyond HAP to assist struggling families pay their rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11436/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Housing Assistance Payment scheme and the Rental Accommodation scheme, administered by the local authorities, are now by far the largest schemes providing rental supports.  The Housing Assistance Payment continues to provide long term housing to those who have verifiable long term housing needs. 

In terms of my own department, rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 7,872 active recipients at the end of February 2024.

The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Special arrangements are also in place under the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol and the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework to prevent customers entering homelessness where it was difficult to maintain and/or source available rental properties.

In addition, my Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special protocol in the Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Galway, Meath and Wicklow areas where supply issues are particularly acute.  Threshold advise, advocate and intervene on behalf of individuals or families in receipt of rent supplement who are in danger of losing their tenancies.

Additional Needs Payments are also available to assist those who have essential expenses, such as rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills, that they cannot pay from their weekly income.  The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.

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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (271)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

271. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if former members of the Catholic clergy are entitled to a contributory pension if their bishops did not sign them up on the scheme. [11232/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are a number of criteria which must be satisfied to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).  These include that the person must be aged 66 or over, and that they have at least 520 paid social insurance contributions, i.e., a minimum of 10 years of paid contributions. 

Clergy and other religious denominations were excluded from Social Insurance on its introduction.  In 1974, however, the Social Welfare Act 1974 made provision that ministers of religion engaged solely on pastoral works for which remuneration was received, could be admitted to social insurance on the application of the appropriate representative body or authority.  The provisions of the 1974 Act meant that all religious authorities or bodies had, if they so wished, the opportunity to apply for social insurance access for their employed members and, therefore, did not discriminate in any way against or in favour of any particular congregations. 

Only the Church of Ireland availed of this provision.  The position for other ministers of religion, including those employed as teachers or nurses and remunerated as such, were not covered by social insurance.

In 1986, the Commission on Social Welfare published a range of proposals aimed at developing and enhancing the structure and operation of the social insurance system.  The exclusion of clergy and other religious denominations from social insurance coverage was examined and, in this context, it was not considered appropriate to continue to exclude from the system those who are employed in what might be termed secular employment as employees under a contract of service.  The categories involved were religious denominations who are mainly employed in schools, hospitals, and other institutions.  They came within the social protection system as employees, insurable at the ordinary or modified rate, as appropriate to their circumstances from 1988.  The effect of this is that clergy and people of other religious denominations who are employed in public or private sector employment – i.e., in schools, hospitals and other public/social institutions – are afforded the same level of coverage as other employees in those sectors and generally insurable at PRSI Class A or D, as appropriate. 

Religious denominations involved in pastoral care only are generally insured as self-employed workers provided they meet the minimum income threshold.  Social insurance contributions (Class S PRSI) were introduced for self-employed people on 6 April 1988.  These contributions provide cover for self-employed people for long-term benefits such as State Pension (Contributory) and Widows, Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) pension.  In addition to the qualifying conditions above, to be eligible for the State Pension (Contributory) a person must have paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one contribution year prior to reaching age 66, and all self-employment contributions payable must have been paid in full.

The Deputy should also note that religious missionaries outside Ireland do not pay PRSI into the Irish social insurance system but can pay voluntary contributions. 

If a person fulfils the eligibility criteria, they may qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).  Where a person is unable to meet the qualifying conditions for a State Pension (Contributory) or is only eligible for a reduced rate of contributory pension, they may alternatively apply for State Pension (Non-Contributory) amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate which is subject to a means-test.  To receive the State Pension (Non-Contributory) a person must also be aged 66 or over, satisfy the habitual residence condition, live in the State, have a valid personal public service number, and satisfy a means test.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (272)

Mark Ward

Question:

272. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection when applying domiciliary care allowance for a child if a diagnosis is required (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11278/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.  This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living.

Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the disability / diagnosis, in terms of the associated level of care and attention required by the relevant child compared to a child of the same age.  The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.

Applications for DCA are decided by a Deciding Officer on a case by case basis in respect of the relevant child, based on the information provided in the application process, including any supporting evidence if provided by the applicant.  The Deciding Officer has regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in the decision process in all cases.

In addition to the personal details relating to the child's care needs as provided by the applicant in the completed application form (Dom Care 1), including the signed details from the applicant's GP / Specialist or other medical professional in this form, the applicant may provide any additional information and / or documentary evidence that is relevant to their application, such as a diagnostic assessment report(s), medical professional report(s) or otherwise, if available.  There is no specific requirement to provide this information or the child's diagnosis when an applicant is applying for DCA.  However, such information, if available, may assist my Department's deciding officers and medical assessors to make an appropriate decision on entitlement and at the earliest date possible.

A parent / guardian should apply for DCA once they consider that their child may meet the qualifying criteria for the allowance. It is open to an applicant to subsequently request a review(s) of any decision and this right of review is not time-limited. If requesting a review of a Deciding Officer's decision, an applicant may forward any further new or additional information and / or documentary evidence for further consideration, such as a diagnostic assessment report(s) or otherwise, that was not previously available with the initial DCA application.

In cases where an application is successful, DCA is awarded with effect from the month following receipt of the application.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (273)

Mark Ward

Question:

273. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the qualifying criteria for an applicant for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11290/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability that requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the level of care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and  attention for a least 12 consecutive months.  This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living.

Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the disability in terms of the associated level of care and attention required by the relevant child compared to a child of the same age without their disability.

Applications for DCA are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis, in respect of the relevant child, based on the personal details provided by the applicant in the application form (Dom Care 1), including the signed details from the applicant's GP/Specialist in this form, along with any other additional information and/or supporting documentary evidence if provided by the applicant.  The deciding officer has regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in the decision process in all cases.

In addition to the above medical criteria, the following conditions must be satisfied to qualify for the allowance:

• The child must reside at home with the applicant for 5 or more days per week.  However, where the child is in residential care but is at home for 2 or more days per week, half rate DCA may be paid.  Children who are receiving care on a full-time basis in residential homes or other institutions are not eligible for DCA

• DCA is also available for up to 26 weeks (6 months) in respect of a newborn child who remains in hospital after birth or is transferred to another hospital for the purpose of receiving medical or other treatment.

• The person who is claiming the allowance must provide for the care of the child.

• The applicant and the child must be ordinarily resident in the state (Republic of Ireland) and satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.

DCA is not means tested and is not subject to PRSI conditions.

Applicants are advised to provide as much detail as possible at application stage, including any additional information and/or documentary evidence that is relevant, medical or otherwise, to ensure all information is available for consideration in the decision and assessment process.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (274)

Colm Burke

Question:

274. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community ophthalmic services scheme standard eye examination contractors’ fee is now to be equal to the eye test fee payable to contractors under her Department’s optical benefit scheme; will the optical benefit scheme fee itself now be raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11301/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The 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. 

Department officials are due to meet with Optometry Ireland shortly to discuss the optical benefit scheme.

The community ophthalmic services scheme standard eye examination does not fall under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.  The contractor's fee on that scheme is a matter for the Department of Health.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.