Written Answers Nos. 343-356
343. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills for statistics on the number of children accessing the school transport scheme in the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37084/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann has advised that the total number of children availing of school transport for the years in question are as follows: 2015/16 - 112,181; 2014/15 - 112,577; 2013/14 - 114,063. The figures for 2015/2016 were taken on 13 October and will increase as tickets are still being issued. The figures for the other two school years were taken on 31 December.
344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the refusal of a higher education grant to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be reviewed, given that the person's parent's means are attributable to the person and that such issues as rent are not taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37098/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
345. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, scheme; the number of pupils enrolled; the number of teachers employed in these schools; the funding for these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37130/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 836 schools in the State participating in the DEIS programme. The latest data available (for the 2014/15 school year) on total enrolments in DEIS primary schools are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/.
This link also gives the number of teachers employed in such schools. The list of Post Primary schools participating in the DEIS Programme is available on a separate link as follows:
http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
For the 2014/15 school year a total of 5,705 teachers were employed in DEIS Post-primary schools. Enrolment data for post primary schools for the 2014/15 school year are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/.
The funding in respect of the DEIS programme for this year is estimated at €96 million. In addition funding in the region of €24.7 million is provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the School Completion Programme. Approximately €20.3 million is provided by the Department of Social Protection for the School Meals Programme.
346. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why the number of homeless children in Dublin has doubled in the past year; why he and his Government did not give this primary consideration in the recent budget by providing an immediate solution to the housing crisis that is affecting more than 1,000 children in Dublin, considering that Ireland signed up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, an article of which states that it is the responsibility of the State to meet the basic needs of a child, including providing adequate shelter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed by Ireland in 1990 and ratified in 1992. It addresses rights and principles across a wide spectrum of areas – for example, education, health, justice and protection from violence. Housing is among areas referred to in terms of State Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, taking appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible for the child to implement the right of the child to an adequate standard of living. The realisation of the Convention’s principles is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which comprises independent experts. Ireland is scheduled to attend before the Committee in January 2016. In that regard, the Committee has been provided with information on developments in Ireland regarding implementation of the Convention. In relation to the challenge of meeting housing needs, the Committee has been informed that the Irish Government has agreed that social housing will be prioritised in the budgetary process over the course of the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
A range of measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/
Funding from my Department for emergency accommodation and homeless services is provided to housing authorities on a regional basis under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. In Budget 2016 I have secured funding of €70 million for these purposes; this is an increase of 32% on the 2015 allocation of approximately €53 million and a 55% increase on the 2014 allocation of €45 million.
Also, in Budget 2016 I have secured an increase in the uplift available under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Homeless Pilot from 20% to 50%. The pilot has been in place in the four Dublin authorities since 2014, targeted at homeless households who qualify for social housing and are in homeless emergency accommodation. The intention of the pilot is to transition households from emergency accommodation to private rented accommodation under HAP. The pilot allowed for an uplift of 20% on the HAP rent limits and was targeted at those in emergency accommodation on or before 1 December 2014. The increased uplift to 50% will increase the competitiveness of HAP homeless households in the private rented market and increase their likelihood of transitioning. The effective eligibility date of 1 December 2014 has also been removed, thereby increasing the number of homeless households who can avail of the pilot.
347. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure lighting is restored to an estate (details supplied) in County Longford without further delay. [36869/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the development in question is an unfinished housing development, which is in private ownership and has not yet been taken in charge. Longford County Council had initiated legal enforcement proceedings against the developer to have the estate completed satisfactorily.
This is a matter for the local authority to address, but I understand that a programme of work to ensure resolution of outstanding issues on this development for the residents is currently being finalised, including addressing the lack of public lighting in the development.
348. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the proposals for the refurbishment of housing units at Jamestown Court in Inchicore in Dublin 8, for which planning permission was granted by Dublin City Council in June 2015; if the proposals are acceptable; and when the necessary sanction will be given to enable the refurbishment work to proceed. [36999/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin City Council has made a proposal for the funding of this project under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme for sheltered housing. My Department is in active discussions with the Council regarding the costs and certain design issues and we await further information from the Council so that the proposal can be advanced.
349. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding procedures involving electoral registers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local authority as a registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The draft register is published on 1 November each year and is generally available for examination at post offices, Garda stations and local authority offices and on-line at www.checktheregister.ie up to 25 November. The public are invited through a national poster campaign and through national and local advertising to check the draft during this period to make sure that they are correctly registered and to bring errors or omissions in the draft to the attention of the local authority.
A person who becomes an Irish citizen is entitled under the Electoral Act 1992 to be registered as a Dáil, Presidential or European elector in a constituency if he or she has reached the age of 18 and was on the qualifying date – 1 September in the year prior to the register coming into force – an Irish citizen ordinarily resident in that constituency. In this regard, it might be noted that the Electoral (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2015, which was published on 2 October 2015, provides for amendment of the Electoral Act 1992 to enable persons who become Irish citizens after the qualifying date for the register of electors to apply for entry in the supplement to the register of electors.
350. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the protections tenants will have in the face of ever-increasing private rents that are now on par with the high rents charged in 2007; the impact this has on jobs; his plans to introduce intermediate control measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenants in the private rented sector have rights and protections under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a year unless there has been a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation that warrants a review. Tenants must be given 28 days’ notice of new rent and can make an application for dispute resolution to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) where they feel the rent increase is in excess of the market rent. These provisions have effect notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a lease or tenancy agreement.
A shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. Social housing is a key priority for the Government, as evidenced by the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the €2.9 billion committed to its implementation under the Government’s Capital Plan. In Budget 2016 investment in housing infrastructure has again been given priority with a total housing provision of €923 million for next year.
The National Competitiveness Council in its report Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2015 identified the potential consequences for affordability and knock-on impacts on wage demands, of increasing house prices and rents. Ultimately, the key to addressing this is through increasing the supply of housing, which is a core focus of the Government’s Construction 2020 strategy. In 2014 the number of house completions was 11,016 units nationally, an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure. The latest figures for new house completions show that 8,914 units were completed to the end of September 2015, up 14% on the corresponding figure for 2014.
NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020, with 90% of these units to be in the greater Dublin area. Achieving this new target by the end of 2020 means delivering, on average, 80 new housing units every week across some 100 active sites.
In addition to these measures, I am continuing to work on proposals to address the issue of rising rents. The regulation of rent raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to this issue is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring final proposals to Government for decision as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount received in the last full year from the public service obligation on electricity bills; the amount paid to wind farm companies; the amounts paid to individual wind farm companies; the names of those companies; the locations of these wind farms; if any of these companies are in receipt of any other subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy, which has been in place since 2001, is determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and is charged to all electricity customers. It is the overall support mechanism of the Irish Government and consists of various support schemes to contribute to national policy objectives related to generating plants covering renewable energy, indigenous fuels (peat) and security of supply. It is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers.
Overall, the total PSO amount set for the 2014/15 PSO period for the renewable support schemes was €94.3 million out of a total PSO levy of €335.4 million. The levy amount for 2015/2016 is €325.3 million, of which €180.9 million has been allocated to renewable electricity generation.
The relevant CER Decisions on the PSO levy include details in regard to the total levy amounts, broken down by support scheme. The CER Decisions are available at www.cer.ie.
Some 2,002 MW of renewable generation capacity was supported in the 2014/15 PSO levy period, with onshore wind accounting for the vast majority of the support.
Details in regard to levy payments to individual wind farms are not publicly available. However, details in relation to the names and locations of companies in receipt of payments from the PSO levy for the 2014/2015 period are listed on SI 603 of 2014 which is publicly available at www.irishstatutebook.ie.
352. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36973/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the fishery referred to by the Deputy is in private ownership and development proposals are primarily a matter for the fishery owner.
The owner had contacted Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for advice as regards proposed works and IFI is prepared to assist, from a fishery perspective, in advising the owner of particular non in-stream works that will enhance the rivers production potential.
However I am advised that due to the presence of Pearl Mussels in the river any works that involve an-instream aspect will require appropriate planning and other statutory permissions from the relevant competent authorities. IFI have advised the owners of these requirements.
353. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce regulations or legislation governing the use of rickshaws, trikes and other novelty-type vehicles; if so, if he will provide a timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36917/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraVehicles of the type referred to by the Deputy are in fact covered by road traffic law, and must comply with legislation.
The Road Traffic Acts define pedal tricycles as coming within the definition of 'pedal cycles.' Pedal-powered rickshaws are also comprehended within this definition. They, like all other road traffic, are obliged to obey road traffic law. The measures which I introduced during the summer to allow An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charge notices to cyclists also apply, by this definition, to tricycles and to pedal-powered rickshaws.
Rickshaws can be either mechanically-propelled or mechanically-assisted. In the case of the latter, some rickshaws have pedal power with a motor as a subsidiary power source which may or may not be used. Vehicles of this type are classified as mechanically propelled and are, accordingly, covered by the Road Traffic Acts.
At present, there is no legislation in place to regulate the carriage of passengers by rickshaws. In response to concerns, primarily health and safety, Dublin City Council (DCC), following a consultation process with relevant stakeholders, have prepared draft bye-laws under the Local Government Act 2001 to regulate the operation of rickshaws. It is my understanding that DCC, subject to receipt of certain legal clarifications, intend to bring the draft bye-laws, which would provide a licensing regime for such rickshaw usage, before the next meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee of the Council for their consideration.
The Deputy has also referred to 'other novelty type vehicles.' I am not sure what, if any, types of vehicle the Deputy has in mind, but I would be happy to respond in more detail if he has specific concerns regarding specific types of vehicles.
354. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the problem of motorists speeding in housing estates; his plans to tackle this problem to protect vulnerable road users, particularly children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36966/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department is responsible for the legislative basis and supporting guidelines in regard to traffic matters, implementation of traffic management measures is the responsibility of the relevant local road authority.
Circular RSD 1/2014 on the Control of Vehicle Speeds in Housing Estates was issued by my Department to local authorities in October last year. That Circular highlighted existing national guidelines and measures available to local authorities and it proposed new measures to reduce speed limits in housing estates and residential areas. In addition, my Department issued new 'Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland ' to all local authorities earlier this year which also addressed the issue of speed limits on residential roads.
Among the initiatives covered by these guidelines was an increased emphasis on the use by local authorities of the special speed limit of 30 km/h in housing areas and the associated introduction of new signage in this regard. A sum of €2 million was provided in Budget 2015 in dedicated funding to support the proposed signage programme on public roads throughout the country and further funding will be allocated to local authorities in 2016 to support this programme.
If any further measures, including engineering measures, are deemed necessary to reduce speeds in residential areas, it is a matter for local authorities to assess what actions can best deliver such safety improvements. The latest Speed Limit Guidelines give detailed advice in this regard.
355. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if electronic signs that show motorists the speed they are travelling at will be erected at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36970/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if electronic signs showing motorists the speed they are travelling at will be erected at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36972/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the N86 and N22) in Kerry is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question concerning the introduction of electronic signage on the N86 at Anascaul and on the N22 at Glenflesk Church, Glenflesk, Co. Kerry to TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
