Written Answers Nos. 699-723
699. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has carried out a review of his Department's voids programme to take account of construction inflation; if not, his plans to do so; the average cost of a void turnaround in each local authority area; and the average time taken to convert a void in each local authority area, in tabular form. [13082/24]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long-term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
The emphasis of the programme is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Under the Voids programme, local authorities select properties for the programme and there is no upper cap on the amount that can be spent on an individual unit, providing the total amount averaged across all dwellings submitted by a local authority is met. Budget 2024 has provided €31 million to the programme this year and funding allocations under Planned Maintenance/Voids will be announced in due course.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years local authorities are now in a strong position to continue the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are continuing to progress from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for reletting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf
701. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to fix all discrepancies and inaccuracies on the electoral register and bring it up to date in advance of the local and European elections in June; if he will provide further funding for local authorities to facilitate this major update of the register; and to detail the plan of action for continually keeping on top of changes. [13102/24]
View answerLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. It is the duty of each authority to ensure, as far as possible, and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and completeness of the Register. The changes to the Electoral Acts and the registration process in 2022 facilitated enhanced public engagement with the register to make it easier for people to register or update their details when necessary.
Since the changes came into effect in October 2022, there has been significant activity by local authorities, supported by three national awareness campaigns, to improve data quality and engage the public in checking and updating the register. In each of the years 2023 and 2024, €1.7m has been made available to local authorities specifically for data quality work on the electoral register.
To date, more than 362,000 applications had been received through the online portals of checktheregister.ie and Voter.ie, and over 176,000 of these were received between January and 20 February this year.
By the end of December 2023 some 5% of the electorate nationally had a PPSN linked to their record. This means that those electors have had an identity data check carried out – a significant first step in what will be an ongoing process. Continued public engagement, including notifying local authorities of updates in relation to each of our own entries on the register, or using the third party form, available on checktheregister.ie, to propose other updates or amendments, where appropriate, will be critical in this regard.
Procurement is also underway for a national electoral registration system, which will build on the Voter.ie system currently used by the Dublin local authorities. The new system will bring a number of further improvements and efficiencies for the management of the register by local authorities as well as improving standardisation of data management processes and enhancing overall data security.
To ensure that the overall integrity of the register continues to improve over time, An Coimisiún Toghcháin has been given an oversight role in relation to the Electoral Register. Local authorities are required to report annually on the work they are doing to ensure a complete and accurate register. Each year, the Commission will publish a report setting out any research it has carried out and its assessment of the status and functioning of the electoral register as well as any recommendations that the Commission considers necessary to maintain and enhance the integrity of the electoral register and the registration process.
702. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if charity shops are exempt from payment of rates to local authorities (details supplied) [13106/24]
View answerTailte Éireann is the State agency formed on 1 March 2023 following the merger of Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office. All the functions previously carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, and Ordnance Survey Ireland are now being performed by Tailte Éireann.
Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended (the Act). The Act provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable, unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Paragraph 16 of Schedule 4 provides that a charitable organisation that uses a property exclusively for charitable purposes, and otherwise than for private profit, is exempt from the payment of rates.
The question of the rateability, or otherwise, of individual charity shops would need to be considered on the basis of the particular circumstances of the case(s) and how the provisions of the Act apply in their specific case. Generally, shops operated by charitable organisations are rateable on the basis that the retail activity conducted therein, is deemed not to be a charitable purpose within the meaning of the legislation. This position is supported by established case law.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of Tailte Éireann. There is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
Finally, Oireachtas Members may obtain information in relation to specific cases by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at reps@tailte.ie. An organisation itself may contact Tailte Éireann in respect of specific cases at valuationadmin@tailte.ie.
703. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the facility to fast track the provision of temporary accommodation without the need for planning permission for Ukrainian families is still in place; when this order will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13124/24]
View answerThe European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 306 of 2022) were introduced in response to the emerging Ukrainian crisis. The Regulations give effect to Council Directive No 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022 (European Council Decision) to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the need to provide emergency accommodation and support to these displaced persons.
The Regulations provide that the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (other than the environmental considerations in Sections 181A to 181C) will not apply to certain classes of development by or on behalf of a State Authority for the purposes of providing temporary protection to displaced persons as specified in the Regulations.
The specified development classes will not require planning permission for the period that the regulations are in place and will not be subject to the various restrictions that would normally apply to classes of exempted development.
The classes of development comprise of the following:
• Reception and integration facilities;
• Residential accommodation, including ancillary recreational and sporting facilities;
• Medical and other health and social care accommodation;
• Education and childcare facilities, including ancillary recreational and sporting facilities;
• Emergency management coordination facilities;
• Structures or facilities ancillary to development referred to above, including administration and storage facilities; and
• Infrastructure and other works ancillary to the above development.
The classes of development listed may include the change of use and repurposing of existing buildings and facilities, and temporary new-build accommodation and structures to address the urgent need to provide emergency accommodation and support to displaced persons from the conflict in Ukraine.
The duration of the Regulations is linked to the duration of temporary protection provided by European Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022. Accordingly, the regulations will be in force for an initial period of one year with a maximum extended total period of three years from 4 March 2022.
The temporary exemptions from the Planning and Development Act will only apply while the regulations are in force. After this time the removal, demolition or alteration of any temporary structure and the discontinuance of any temporary use and, in so far as is practicable, the restoration of the land to its condition prior to the commencement of the development, will be required, unless the development is permitted, exempted or otherwise regularised by the Planning and Development Act 2000, or the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2023.
704. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the time spent to carry out the four-stage approval process for publicly funded capital projects for each social housing, cost rental, affordable purchase, and mixed tenure development completed in 2022, broken down by tenure type and county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13125/24]
View answerConstruction of new build social housing units on local authority lands follows the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) which includes four pre-construction stages, as follows -
• Stage 1 – Capital Appraisal
• Stage 2 – Procurement of Integrated Design Team and development outline design
• Stage 3 – Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety, detailed design/tender documentation preparation
• Stage 4 – Tender and Contract Award
As local authorities develop each stage, they are required to provide an updated cost plan and supporting documentation so that the Department, as the funding authority, can review and confirm funding approval. These reviews are required to ensure projects achieve value for money.
An overall target programme of 59 weeks from submission of a valid Stage 1 Capital Appraisal to the award of the construction contract, was agreed with the CCMA Housing Committee and is set out in Housing Circular 2/2018. This target of 59 weeks is the expected timeline for projects of a straightforward nature. The range of local authority social housing projects includes many that are large and complex and require additional time for detailed design and statutory approvals. The 59-week target programme is broken down as follows:
|
- |
Responsible |
Target Weeks |
|
Stage 1 – Capital Appraisal Approval, allowing LA to develop proposal |
DHLGH |
4 |
|
Stage 2 – Procurement of Integrated Design Team, develop outline design |
Local Authority |
12 |
|
Stage 2 – Approval-in-Principle |
DHLGH |
4 |
|
Stage 3 – Statutory Approvals include Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety, detailed design/tender documentation preparation; Public consultation can form part of this phase. |
Local Authority |
18 |
|
Stage 3 – Pre-tender Approval |
DHLGH |
4 |
|
Stage 4 – Undertake Tender |
Local Authority |
10 |
|
Stage 4 – Approval to Proceed (including approved budget) |
DHLGH |
3 |
|
Contract Award |
Local Authority |
4 |
Accordingly, the target times for both the Department and the local authorities to prepare design, achieve statutory approvals, develop tender documentation, carry out tendering, award contracts and to assess and confirm funding approval for these stages, is as follows -
|
Target weeks for LA Pre-construction Processes |
44 weeks |
|
Target weeks for DHLGH assessments/ approvals |
15 weeks |
Local authorities have options that allow them to deviate from using the above 4-stage process to achieve funding approval for social housing construction projects, depending on the size and the chosen procurement strategy for individual projects. For example, with projects below €8m and 25 homes or less, local authorities can avail of a single stage approval which takes approx. 4 weeks with the Department. In such instances, local authorities will still need to develop the design, achieve statutory approvals and run a tender programme.
Local authorities also have the option of combining Stage 2 and Stage 3 when ‘Design and Build’ projects are advanced and there is also an option to simply notify the Department if a Stage 3 proposal has been prepared by the local authority within six months of the Stage 2 approval and when the budget is at or close to the previously approved level, thus removing the requirement for the Department to provide a Stage 3 approval.
There were 69 projects completed in 2022 that used the CWMF 4-Stage Pre-construction Programme which were funded in 2021 and 2022. The times taken for these projects within the overall programme, both by DHLGH and by the local authorities, were as follows:
|
- |
No. of Projects Approved within 15 weeks |
Average Approval time by DHLGH |
|
DHLGH Approvals |
16 |
22 |
|
- |
SHIP 4-stage (including Design & Build) Projects Completed in 2022 |
Average in Weeks |
|
DHLGH time |
Average Department Approvals |
22 |
|
LA time |
Average LA Preconstruction processes |
104 |
|
DHLGH time |
Stage 1 – Capital Appraisal Approval to develop proposal |
6 |
|
LA time |
Stage 2 – Procurement of Integrated Design Team, develop outline design, prepare Part 8 documentation |
34 |
|
DHLGH time |
Stage 2 – Approval-in-Principle |
6 |
|
LA time |
Stage 3 – Statutory Approvals including Part 8, DAC and Fire Safety, detailed design/tender documentation preparation; Public consultation can form part of this phase |
41 |
|
DHLGH time |
Stage 3 – Pre-tender Approval |
6 |
|
LA time |
Stage 4 – Tender |
20 |
|
DHLGH time |
Stage 4 – Approval to Proceed (including approved budget) |
4 |
|
LA time |
Contract Award |
8 |
|
Local Authority |
Total weeks to Contract Award |
Total for Dept. Approvals in weeks |
Total for LA Preconstruction process in weeks |
|
All |
127 |
21 |
106 |
|
Carlow |
24 |
10 |
15 |
|
Cavan |
157 |
33 |
124 |
|
Clare |
103 |
22 |
81 |
|
Cork City |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Cork County |
136 |
21 |
115 |
|
DLR |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Donegal |
217 |
22 |
195 |
|
Dublin City |
140 |
16 |
123 |
|
Fingal |
88 |
16 |
72 |
|
Galway City |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Galway Co |
122 |
28 |
95 |
|
Kerry |
97 |
18 |
78 |
|
Kildare |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Laois |
215 |
30 |
185 |
|
Leitrim |
114 |
23 |
91 |
|
Limerick |
153 |
33 |
120 |
|
Longford |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Louth |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Mayo |
95 |
16 |
79 |
|
Meath |
190 |
10 |
178 |
|
Monaghan |
95 |
15 |
79 |
|
Offaly |
124 |
14 |
111 |
|
Roscommon |
No CWMF 4-stage Project Delivered in 2022 |
||
|
Sligo |
72 |
21 |
51 |
|
South Dublin |
115 |
22 |
93 |
|
Tipperary |
153 |
32 |
121 |
|
Waterford |
113 |
24 |
89 |
|
Westmeath |
181 |
17 |
163 |
|
Wexford |
128 |
18 |
110 |
|
Wicklow |
88 |
17 |
71 |
705. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update in relation to the negotiations between him and the Minister for Rural and Community Development about hiring more dog wardens; how many additional dog warden positions will be created; where these positions will be assigned; how much additional funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/24]
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/she is responsible.
My Department does not have any responsibility in relation to dog wardens. Responsibility in relation to dog control matters is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
706. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for additional staff and the Department those applications were related to, by all local authorities for 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024, tabular form. [13177/24]
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/she is responsible. Local authorities are required to seek sanction from my Department for all new posts above agreed workforce plan levels.
In 2022, my Department received 888 staffing sanction requests for 1152 posts, in 2023 a total of 855 staffing sanction requests for 1150 posts were received and 136 staffing sanction requests in respect of 168 posts were received during the period 1 January to end February 2024. The high number of staffing sanction requests being submitted to my Department reflects the growth in new public services being delivered through the local government sector. A breakdown of these applications by local authority area is detailed in the table below.
Following the approval by my Department of a staffing sanction request, it is then a matter for the Chief Executive to progress the appointment as appropriate. Given that the structure and breakdown of directorates within a local authority are matters unique to that local authority, information in respect of what specific department within a local authority each staffing sanction request relates to is not collected in the manner sought and consequently is not available in my Department.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (1 January - 29 February) |
|||
|
Local Authority |
No. of Requests |
No. of Posts |
No. of Requests |
No. of Posts |
No. of Requests |
No. of Posts |
|
Carlow Co. |
25 |
26 |
27 |
31 |
4 |
4 |
|
Cavan Co. |
12 |
12 |
10 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clare Co. |
17 |
17 |
25 |
29 |
3 |
3 |
|
Cork City Council |
13 |
16 |
14 |
24 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cork Co. |
12 |
34 |
18 |
26 |
0 |
0 |
|
DLR Co. |
44 |
45 |
27 |
30 |
10 |
14 |
|
Donegal Co. |
33 |
44 |
38 |
79 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dublin City Co. |
49 |
93 |
57 |
98 |
9 |
12 |
|
Fingal Co. |
55 |
76 |
27 |
29 |
1 |
1 |
|
Galway City Co. |
34 |
46 |
48 |
55 |
8 |
8 |
|
Galway Co. |
40 |
53 |
38 |
43 |
7 |
7 |
|
Kerry Co. |
11 |
12 |
14 |
17 |
2 |
2 |
|
Kildare Co. |
53 |
55 |
43 |
45 |
8 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny Co. |
27 |
27 |
42 |
78 |
20 |
24 |
|
Laois Co. |
32 |
34 |
20 |
22 |
6 |
6 |
|
Leitrim Co. |
18 |
18 |
11 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
|
Limerick City & Co. |
48 |
58 |
66 |
74 |
4 |
4 |
|
Longford Co. |
37 |
39 |
24 |
25 |
3 |
17 |
|
Louth Co. |
22 |
22 |
13 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo Co. |
34 |
39 |
24 |
53 |
1 |
1 |
|
Meath Co. |
24 |
88 |
29 |
42 |
17 |
22 |
|
Monaghan Co. |
15 |
16 |
19 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly Co. |
14 |
14 |
9 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
|
Roscommon Co. |
23 |
25 |
13 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo Co. |
32 |
37 |
7 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
|
South Dublin Co. |
32 |
45 |
46 |
64 |
4 |
4 |
|
Tipperary Co. |
18 |
20 |
29 |
53 |
1 |
1 |
|
Waterford City |
39 |
63 |
30 |
32 |
2 |
2 |
|
Westmeath Co. |
20 |
20 |
23 |
28 |
4 |
6 |
|
Wexford Co. |
34 |
35 |
31 |
36 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wicklow Co. |
21 |
23 |
33 |
36 |
2 |
2 |
|
Totals |
888 |
1152 |
855 |
1150 |
136 |
168 |
707. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of an issue (details supplied); the changes he will implement to ensure that this does not happen in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13186/24]
View answerThe role of my Department is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system.
Under the Electoral Acts, local authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. It is the duty of each authority to ensure, as far as possible, and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and completeness of the Register and any issues need to be taken up with the relevant individual authority.
The Electoral Acts require that local authorities carry out a check of each application made in relation to the electoral register. Where a PPSN is provided, the information is checked against identity data held by the Department of Social Protection. Local authorities have, and have always had, the power to seek any information or supporting documentation they require in pursuit of their statutory functions in relation to electoral registration.
In relation to specific electoral events, under the Electoral Reform Act 2022, An Coimisiún Toghcháin may prepare a post electoral event review and publish a report on the administration of any electoral event. To support continuous improvements in the integrity of the electoral register, An Coimisiún Toghcháin has also been given an oversight role and local authorities are required to report annually on the work they are doing to ensure a complete and accurate register. Each year, the Commission will publish a report setting out any research it has carried out and its assessment of the status and functioning of the electoral register as well as any recommendations that the Commission considers necessary to maintain and enhance the integrity of the electoral register and the registration process.
Any report published or recommendations made by An Coimisiún Toghcháin will be considered in the context of future policy and legislative development.
708. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for his Department and all public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13199/24]
View answer709. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the PPP social housing bundle 1 and 2; the total capital cost; the total projected Exchequer cost spread over the lifetime of the contract; the hand back date; the cost per unit on the capital cost; the cost per unit on the projected Exchequer cost, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13216/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 709 together.
Oversight for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) process across all Government Departments rests with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, which develops the general policy framework and provides guidance to Government Departments. My Department is currently progressing the Social Housing PPP Programme, which represents an additional strand of delivery to increase the supply of social housing. Housing for All includes a specific objective to increase the use of PPPs to deliver social housing.
The current Programme consists of 7 bundles of projects which will provide over 4,500 social housing units and is being delivered through the ‘availability’-based PPP model. Under this type of contract, a PPP consortium, as the private partner, designs, builds, finances, maintains and operates the relevant bundle of social housing units in return for a monthly ‘availability’ and performance-based payment (or unitary charge) made over an operating period of 25 years. Payment is made by the State only once construction of the buildings is complete and the units are ready for occupation and incorporates all costs under the contract, including construction, the upkeep and maintenance of the developments, tenancy management services, financing costs and forecast for inflation. In addition, the monthly unitary charge payment is subject to performance of required services and availability of the homes, with deductions to these payments being applied where required standards are not met.
Significant progress is being made under the programme:
• Bundle 1 delivered 534 houses and apartments in 2020 and 2021 across six sites.
• Bundle 2 delivered 465 homes in 2021 across eight sites.
• Bundle 3 comprises 486 units across 6 sites and the tender process commenced in Q4 2022.
• Bundles 4 and 5 comprise 1,900 units across 18 sites which are advancing through design development.
• Bundle 6 comprises 480 units across 7 sites and Technical Advisors are due to be appointed shortly to bring the projects forward through design development.
• Bundle 7 was launched in November 2023 and comprises 650 units across 6 sites.
The construction capital cost for Bundle 1 amounted to €119 million (excluding VAT) or approximately €222,000 (excluding VAT) on average for each of the 534 units, while the construction capital cost for Bundle 2 amounted to €129 million (excluding VAT) or approximately €277,000 (excluding VAT) on average for each of the 465 units.
Further information on the total contract values and annual unitary charge amounts for all State PPP projects including social housing Bundles 1 and 2 is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f72b-projects/.
Bundles 1 and 2 were delivered in 2021, therefore the 25 year operating period will end in 2046, at which time the units will be handed back to the relevant local authorities in a predefined condition as agreed in the PPP Project Agreement.
710. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what proposals he has received for additional emergency accommodation by a Local Authority (details supplied) in the past 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13319/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services including emergency accommodation under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. Counties Clare and Limerick are included in the Mid West region for the purposes of homeless administration, with Limerick City and County Council as lead authority. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each of the nine homeless regions in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Each region is required to submit an annual expenditure programme to my Department and my Department approves a funding allocation. The annual expenditure programme includes both services that are operational and new service proposals. The latest expenditure programme, which is under consideration in my Department is for 2024 and contains one new emergency accommodation service proposal for Clare. Existing services are published in the Mid-West End of Year financial reports for previous years are available on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
712. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the national policy with respect to planning permission for log cabins; if he will establish a new category of planning permission to provide for a national planning policy with respect to log cabins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13325/24]
View answer713. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the national policy with respect to planning permission for modular homes; if he will establish a new category of planning permission to provide for a national planning policy with respect to modular homes if needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13326/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 713 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 (the Regulations). 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. 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.
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. The planning authority shall makes its decision on a planning application within 8 weeks of receipt of the application in accordance with section 34(8) of the Act, except in instances where further information is required from the developer.
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 and domestic waste water treatment 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.
There is no policy restricting the application for planning permission for the use of modular homes for housing purposes. Therefore, it is not necessary to create a new class of planning permission as the position outlined would remain unchanged and each application for permission would be required to be considered on a case by case basis.
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.
714. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13117/24]
View answerStandard Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (‘PRSAs’) have predetermined charging structures. In a standard PRSA, as per Section 104 of the Pensions Act, total charges are already capped in two ways - a 5% cap on each contribution and a maximum of 1% per year on the fund value. This charging structure reflects the fact that standard PRSAs may only invest in pooled funds (apart from temporary cash holdings for liquidity purposes) and that the pooled funds, while not limited to investment only in regulated assets, must meet certain criteria, including being appropriately diversified.
By contrast, the majority of non-standard PRSA contracts are not invested in a default investment strategy and, therefore, they are not subject to the limitations that apply to standard PRSAs as they can invest outside of pooled funds and investments do not need to be appropriately diversified. The investment choice available under a non-standard PRSA requires active management of the fund and the level of risk and charges associated can depend on the type of investment strategy chosen.
The PRSA provider is required to give two months' notice where they intend to increase charges. This facilitates contributors moving between providers and/or products, where they think they can get better value for money.
Under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code, prior to providing a non-standard PRSA, the seller must complete a declaration confirming, among other things, that they have explained to the contributor that there are differences between standard and non-standard PRSAs, focusing on the fact that the charges may be higher and investment risks greater for a Non-Standard PRSA.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
715. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for partial capacity benefit will be processed in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11520/24]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person to return to work or self-employment and continue to receive a payment from my department. A person must be in receipt of Illness Benefit (IB) for a minimum of six months or Invalidity Pension (IP) in order to apply for PCB.
The application process for the PCB is twofold. Initially, an applicant must inform my Department of their intention to undertake employment and submit an application for PCB. Following this, the Department assesses the eligibility of the applicant and the appropriate level of PCB support. Subsequent to this assessment, the applicant is required to either confirm their decision to accept the determined PCB level and confirm their employment commencement date. The PCB team will then put the relevant payment in place.
Regarding the case in question, this individual applied for PCB on 8 February 2024 and their claim was referred to the Medical Assessment and Review Section to determine their incapacity to work. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on the 8 March 2024 advising that their incapacity to work has been assessed as 'Moderate'. The person concerned will receive 50% of their underlying entitlement Invalidity Pension if they commence employment.
The applicant has been prompted to specify a 'return to work date' to enable the completion of their claim processing. Where employment does not commence by 9 May, 2024, their claim will be closed.
I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.
716. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for illness benefit will be processed in respect of a person from County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11524/24]
View answerMy Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 13 February 2024. They did not qualify for an Illness Benefit payment as they do not satisfy the contribution conditions which requires a minimum of 104 total PRSI contributions paid. A letter issued to them on 13 February informing them of this decision.
The person concerned may continue to submit medical certificates for the duration of their absence from work in order to receive PRSI credited contributions on Illness Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.
717. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an unmarried person can now claim the widow's pension entitlement following the recent judgement by the Supreme Court in relation to widow's pension eligibility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11528/24]
View answerUnder current legislation, 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.
The Department notes the recent judgement given by the Supreme Court, with regard to entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to a Widow(er)'s & Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. The Department is now considering the legislative changes required to address the ruling. Until such time as the legislation has been enacted, we will not be in a position to assess the entitlements of the persons impacted by the judgement, to the relevant payments.
The person concerned has recently applied for Widow(er)'s & Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and their application will be held for consideration, until such time as the legislation has been enacted.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
718. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if those children who turned 18 between January and now and had child benefit halted, but remain in full time education, will be reinstated when the child benefit changes for 18-year-olds come into effect in May. [11529/24]
View answer729. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider backdating child benefit payments for the intervening period from May 2023 to May 2024 for the small cohort of 18 year-olds that lost out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11965/24]
View answer778. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse her decision to only pay child benefit for students over 18 years from May 2024 who are still in school but not currently in receipt of child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13018/24]
View answer782. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if children's allowance payments could be made retrospective to the date on which a student turns 18 years (details supplied). [13084/24]
View answer783. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, as part of her plans to extend the payment of child benefit to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education, she will allow those with children turning 18 before 1 May 2024 to retrospectively avail of child benefit for the months between their 18th birthday and 1 May 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13085/24]
View answer786. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13113/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 718, 729, 778, 782, 783 and 786 together.
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. The legislation required to do that was enacted earlier this month. 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 has already turned 18 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.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision of an appeal's officer in the recent appeal case for carer’s allowance (details supplied) can reissue to the appellant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11581/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if their Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written (including electronically) or physical threats being addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within their Department during the period 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11602/24]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection provides services via email, phone and face to face for a wide range of customers.
Staff throughout the department are encouraged to report any instances of threats or violence on our online Health and Safety Incident App .
The annual number of incidents of all forms of threats where An Garda Síochána were contacted are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (to date) |
Total |
|
No. of Incidents requiring Gardai |
67 |
58 |
70 |
114 |
19 |
328 |
It should be noted that Health and Safety Reports of all Incidents involving threats, violence or aggression, even when it was not necessary to call AGS, are sent to the Garda HQ, National Crime Prevention Unit on a monthly basis and disseminated to local Units. The information in these Reports is limited to the details of the incident and anonymised to remove any personal details of both staff members and service users.
The health, safety and wellbeing of staff is a priority for the department. Health and Safety Section, and our Regional Safety Advisers provide support and guidance to managers and staff as required.
Support is also readily available through the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) for anyone affected by incidents in the course of provision of customer facing services.
721. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Kerry will be considered for a State pension (contributory) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11683/24]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 24 December 2021.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 480 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State Pension (contributory).
To qualify for a pension under EU Regulations, the combined contributions paid in Ireland and in one or more EU member state (in this case, Austria and Germany) must satisfy the 520-contribution condition. As the combined contributions fall short of the requisite 520 contributions, they do not qualify for a State Pension (contributory) under EU Regulations.
Both the homemaker’s scheme and home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these schemes.
The reforms I introduced to the state pension whereby a person can defer access to their pension to any date between age 66 and 70 and build up additional entitlements apply to those who reach pension age from 1 January 2024. As the person concerned reached pension age in 2021, it is not open to them to build up additional entitlements.
As part of these reforms, I also introduced enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for the Long-Term Carers Contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. Those over age 66 can also apply and the periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive.
The quickest way to apply for Long-Term Carers Contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie if you have a verified MyGovID account. Further information is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pension.
I have arranged for a copy of the insurance record to issue to the person concerned. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age. The maximum personal rate is approximately 95% of the maximum rate of contributory pension.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
722. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will roll out WALK employment across the State to ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities finishing post-primary school have opportunities for training and employment after school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11726/24]
View answerMy department provides a number of supports to assist young people with disabilities into training and employment, which include the WorkAbility Programme, Early Engagement and EmployAbility.
The WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme is a successor to the Ability programme and runs from January 2024 to December 2028. This programme is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus.
The WorkAbility Programme is aimed at people with disabilities aged 16+ who are in the labour market or are currently not work ready and/or are distant from the labour market. It supports projects that provide progressive pathways into education, training and employment, including self-employment, for participants based on their needs, their abilities and their potential. Through engagement in training and personal development activities, the WorkAbility Programme aims to bring people with disabilities, in particular young people with disabilities, closer to the world of work to help ensure that they realise their employment ambitions. The programme aims to support up to 13,000 disabled people progress their employment ambitions over its lifetime.
The Walkinstown Association For People With An Intellectual Disability (WALK) Company is one of 52 projects funded by my Department under the WorkAbility programme. WorkAbility funds projects at a local and community level and does not fund national programmes. These projects are standalone projects under this measure and are required to demonstrate they are not duplicating existing employment support schemes for people with disabilities.
However, my Department has a number of employment programmes for people with disabilities, available nationally. For example, 23 EmployAbility contracted service providers across the State provide bespoke employment services for disabled people.
In addition, under the Early Engagement Initiative, the Intreo Employment Service is actively engaging with people with disabilities at the earliest opportunity, on a proactive and voluntary basis, to offer them access to employment supports to assist them in achieving their employment ambitions. Since the commencement of early engagement some 23,00 customers in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment were contacted with approximately 14,000 people speaking to an Employment Personal Adviser about employment services. Outcomes from the end of 2023 indicate that 54% of those contacted approximately engaged with the Employment Services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
723. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an appeal decision for a domiciliary allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11780/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Domiciliary Care Allowance appeal by the person concerned was received in that Office on 15 December 2023. The appeal was registered by that office on 05 March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
