Terence Flanagan
Ceist:47. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to end long-term homelessness by 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8874/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraHomelessness Strategy
Ceisteanna (47)
Freagraí scríofa
On 20 May 2014, the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness was published in which the Government's approach to delivery on its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. A copy of this plan is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
This plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households within the next three years and mobilise the necessary supports. Progress in implementing the plan is reported quarterly through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform and a copy of the Quarter 3 2014 Progress Report is also available on my Department's website at the link provided above.
On 4 December 2014, I hosted a special Summit on Homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the Summit were considered at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform on 8 December and were then formalised into an Action Plan to Address Homelessness which was noted by the Government at its meeting on 9 December 2014. A copy of this action plan is available on my Department’s website at the link provided above. Progress in implementing this plan is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform and a copy of the most recent progress report is also available on my Department’s website at the link provided above.
In addition to those actions which constitute an immediate response to the issue of rough sleeping in Dublin, actions have been identified which tackle the more systemic issues, classified under the three categories of the ‘housing-led’ approach. While the intervention ensured that there was enough emergency accommodation available for all those sleeping rough over the Christmas and New Year period who wished to avail of it, the additional capacity provided in December is fully occupied. The number and availability of emergency beds is being monitored closely by Dublin City Council which is working to expand provision and secure additional facilities so that further beds can be brought on stream.
Where a homeless person does not want to be placed in emergency accommodation, the Housing First intake street team will refer the person to the new Nite Café which is now fully operational and which I understand is working well, with consistent demand for its services. The Nite Café links in with the new Transport with support services for those sleeping rough as an integral part of the Housing First service. This initiative transports homeless persons to emergency accommodation and provides them with the necessary health and care supports in conjunction with other State providers.
My Department is liaising with South Dublin County Council regarding NAMA property which will be purchased to provide accommodation and a single assessment centre for homeless families. In addition, as set out in the Action Plan, Dublin City Council is re-examining its vacant properties currently scheduled for demolition with a view to refurbishing some of them on a temporary basis and my Department is engaging directly with the Council with a view to progressing the proposed development of specific sites.
The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This six-year strategy sets out to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
Additional funding for homeless services across the country in 2015 will ensure continued progress toward the achievement of the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. My Department is currently considering the appropriate allocation of the 2015 homelessness budget so as to ensure that the needs in the various regions are met.
Housing Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (48)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:48. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the findings of a recent investigation by Raidio Teilifís Éireann into the allocation of private housing grants, which seem especially favourable to certain Ministers’ constituencies; the measures that are being put in place to ensure the allocation of these grants is being made on the basis of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9015/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Exchequer funding of over €37 million was provided by my Department to local authorities in 2014 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Combined with an additional 20% contribution by individual local authorities, there was an overall spend last year of €46.3 million in this area. I am pleased to confirm that the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million.
Prior to 2014, allocations were based on the level of contractual commitments notified to my Department by each local authority. Local authorities were encouraged to maintain continuity in approving and paying grants and therefore, commitments carried forward into the new financial year always had first call on the available funding. Where local authorities showed high levels of commitments, funding was provided to meet these commitments. This resulted in certain local authorities receiving a higher allocation than others per head of population and there was no link in this regard between allocations and the constituencies of Ministers.
More recently my Department has moved towards a method of allocations which takes account of population of each local authority area, with a weighting towards those aged over 65, who are the majority of applicants in this category. The 2015 capital allocations for the grants will be made in a way that continues to take account of the population figures in each local authority. Individual allocations to local authorities will be made shortly.
Pyrite Resolution Board Data
Ceisteanna (49)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:49. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the relatively small number of homes for which applications have been made to the Pyrite Resolution Board; if he will ask the board to take more active measures to inform homeowners and to advertise its service; if he will direct housing associations to apply to the Pyrite Resolution Board on behalf of their tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9098/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The pyrite remediation scheme, which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the report of the independent Pyrite Panel and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. It is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. In addition, applicants under the scheme must be able to demonstrate to the Board that they have no practicable options, other than under the scheme, to secure the remediation of their homes.
Since the pyrite remediation scheme was first published in February 2014, the Pyrite Resolution Board has received in the order of 630 completed applications and applications continue to be received at a rate of 3 - 4 per week. These figures are broadly along the lines anticipated.
The Board maintains a very informative website (www.pyriteboard.ie) which sets out the full conditions for eligibility under the scheme, the application process as well as detailed guidance and information for homeowners on how to identify significant pyritic damage and on the steps involved in the assessment of such damage. In addition, further information may also be obtained from the Board by telephone at 1890 252 842 or by email at info@pyriteboard.ie. In light of the above, I am satisfied that homeowners, including Housing Associations, who may be affected by significant pyritic damage are aware of the operations of the Pyrite Resolution Board and have ready access to information on the pyrite remediation scheme.
Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding
Ceisteanna (50)
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:50. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress of providing funding for the construction and upgrade of rural group water schemes, such as those in County Mayo, that experienced a shortfall in funding since the abolition in 2010 of the CLÁR programme and as a consequence have been unable to carry out necessary works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme is, therefore, a matter for the local authorities.
The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me in relation to policy and investment in rural water services, has been considering issues arising for the establishment of new group water schemes, particularly where the costs involved call into question the viability of the scheme. Following a recommendation by the Committee, an increase of €1,000 in the maximum grant per house applying to new group water schemes was announced in April 2014. My Department, therefore, now funds 85% of the cost of such schemes, subject to a maximum grant per house of €7,475, rather than the previous limit of €6,475 per house.
My Department is currently considering, in the context of the 2015 Rural Water Programme, a recommendation from the Committee relating to new group water schemes which it may previously have been possible to consider for CLAR funding. I will reach a decision on this recommendation as soon as possible.
Tax Yield
Ceisteanna (51)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:51. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the revenue accrued from PRSI contributions, both employer and employee, in each year since 2007. [9499/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy, along with revenue from self-employed, is set out in the table.
Social Insurance Fund PRSI Income from 2007 to 2014 (€,000)
|
- |
Employers |
Employees |
Self-Employed |
TOTAL* |
|
2007 |
€5,762,011 |
€1,539,147 |
€420,852 |
€7,722,010 |
|
2008 |
€5,944,892 |
€1,633,708 |
€405,582 |
€7,984,182 |
|
2009 |
€5,290,403 |
€1,559,416 |
€314,787 |
€7,164,606 |
|
2010 |
€5,000,275 |
€1,377,140 |
€330,603 |
€6,708,018 |
|
2011 |
€5,460,786 |
€1,617,352 |
€348,342 |
€7,426,480 |
|
2012 |
€4,995,971 |
€1,479,983 |
€310,386 |
€6,786,340 |
|
2013 |
€5,331,152 |
€1,579,545 |
€397,079 |
€7,307,776 |
|
2014** |
€5,748,207 |
€1,703,657 |
€406,265 |
€7,858,129 |
* The total represents all PRSI received by the Department each year including the amount received from Self-Employed persons.
** Please note that 2014 is provisional pending completion of statutory audit.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (52)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when an oral hearing can be accommodated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding their application for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9418/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for carer's allowance by the person in question was disallowed on 15 October 2014. The person in question appealed this decision on 1 December 2014. All the necessary papers, along with a submission from the deciding officer, have been recently submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for determination. The SWAO has been made aware of the request for an oral hearing in this case and they will be in touch with the person directly regarding the progress of the appeal.
Departmental Staff Relocation
Ceisteanna (53)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:53. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm receipt of a valid request in respect of a person (details supplied) to transfer from her Department's County Longford office to the Department's offices in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, which is now in excess of three years; if she will facilitate this transfer request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9426/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department’s Clerical Officer transfer list for Carrick-on-Shannon was put in place when the Central Applications Facility was established in 2004 to facilitate transfer requests for locations associated with the Decentralisation Programme.
The Department’s HR Division has advised that the list currently in use comprises applications from 2004. The Public Appointments Service has confirmed that the person in question is registered as having applied for a transfer to Carrick-on-Shannon with effect from 3 December 2007.
Transfer lists are recorded strictly in order of date of application and the Department has no discretion to deviate from the order of the lists. In the event that a Clerical Officer post in Carrick-on-Shannon is to be filled from the transfer list, all those placed ahead of the person in question would have to be considered before her.
Question No. 54 withdrawn.