Written Answers Nos. 155 - 169
155. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated costs of providing one guidance counsellor per 500 students ex quota taking into account the additional guidance counselling provision outlined in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34241/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current ratio of guidance counsellors to students at secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34242/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
Budget 2017 provides for 2,400 additional teaching posts by the end of 2017. This includes 100 posts arising from enhancements to guidance.
The allocation of a whole time equivalent of an additional 100 teachers to second level schools is a restoration of a further 16% of the teaching resources that were removed when the allocation of guidance posts was brought within quota.
The delivery of this 16% restoration in addition to the 50% restoration in Budget 2016 means that two thirds of the Guidance allocation that was withdrawn in Budget 2012 will be restored in our schools with effect from September 2017.
As a result of this decision to further enhance the guidance allocation to schools and provide schools with a separate allocation for guidance outside of the quota, the pupil teacher ratio (PTR) will revert to 19:1 with effect from September 2017. The guidance allocation will be shown separately on the staffing schedules and will represent 0.4 of the PTR for each school. DEIS schools will have a guidance allocation of 1.15 of the PTR which represents the total guidance allocation that was restored to these schools.
The PTR allocation in a school year is determined by the overall number of posts and enrolments as of 30th September of the previous year. This cannot be determined until the enrolment data from each school is confirmed in the October returns from schools. This is currently ongoing within my Department.
The provision of 1 guidance counsellor per 500 students would require 350 posts in addition to the 400 posts which have been restored in Budget 2016 and 2017 at an estimated cost of €22.2m per annum.
157. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average ratio of NEPS assessments to referrals and other casework per school over each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the data requested in her question is currently being prepared within my Department and will issue to her shortly.
158. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capitation rate per pupil in each category over each of the past ten years, 2006 to 2016, in tabular form; the sum of money allocated each year for capitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34244/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is in the following tables.
|
Primary School Capitation |
2005/2006 |
2006/2007 |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
|
Amount allocated |
73.3m |
84.2m |
95.2m |
110.7m |
112.2m |
107.4m |
102.4m |
103.5m |
103.7m |
103.8m |
105.7m |
|
Standard Capitation rate |
|||||||||||
|
Mainstream pupil |
141.58 |
157.58 |
173.58 |
200.00 |
200.00 |
190.00 |
178.00 |
176.00 |
173.00 |
170.00 |
170.00 |
|
Mainstream pupil in Gaelscoil |
166.97 |
182.97 |
198.97 |
225.39 |
225.39 |
214.12 |
201.00 |
199.00 |
196.00 |
193.00 |
193.00 |
|
Capitation rate for various categories of pupils (inclusive of standard rate) |
|||||||||||
|
Mild General Learning Disability< 12 (Mainstream School) |
400.00 |
418.00 |
444.00 |
512.00 |
512.00 |
486.00 |
456.00 |
452.00 |
444.00 |
436.00 |
436.00 |
|
Mild General Learning Disability=> 12 (Mainstream School) |
603.00 |
621.00 |
647.00 |
761.00 |
761.00 |
722.00 |
679.00 |
673.00 |
661.00 |
650.00 |
650.00 |
|
Mild General Learning Disability< 12 (Special School) |
400.00 |
520.00 |
552.00 |
637.00 |
637.00 |
605.00 |
568.00 |
563.00 |
553.00 |
544.00 |
544.00 |
|
Mild General Learning Disability=> 12 (Special School) |
603.00 |
785.00 |
817.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Specific Learning Disability< 12 (Mainstream School) |
400.00 |
418.00 |
444.00 |
512.00 |
512.00 |
486.00 |
456.00 |
452.00 |
444.00 |
436.00 |
436.00 |
|
Specific Learning Disability=> 12 (Mainstream School) |
603.00 |
621.00 |
647.00 |
761.00 |
761.00 |
722.00 |
679.00 |
673.00 |
661.00 |
650.00 |
650.00 |
|
Specific Learning Disability< 12 (Special School) |
400.00 |
520.00 |
552.00 |
637.00 |
637.00 |
605.00 |
568.00 |
563.00 |
553.00 |
544.00 |
544.00 |
|
Specific Learning Disability=> 12 (Special School) |
603.00 |
785.00 |
817.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Traveller Children < 12 |
296.00 |
312.00 |
332.00 |
282.00 |
282.00 |
267.00 |
251.00 |
249.00 |
244.00 |
240.00 |
240.00 |
|
Traveller Children => 12 |
495.86 |
495.86 |
495.86 |
282.00 |
282.00 |
267.00 |
251.00 |
249.00 |
244.00 |
240.00 |
240.00 |
|
Visual Impairment < 12 |
511.50 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Visual Impairment => 12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Physical Disability < 12 |
400.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Physical Disability => 12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Speech/Language Disability < 12 |
566.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Speech/Language Disability => 12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Multiple Disabilities < 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Multiple Disabilities => 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Emotional Disturbance < 12 |
511.50 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Emotional Disturbance => 12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Severe Emotional Disturbance< 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Severe Emotional Disturbance=> 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Profoundly Deaf < 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Profoundly Deaf => 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Hearing Impairment<12 |
566.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Hearing Impairment=>12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Moderate General Learning Disability <12 |
511.50 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Moderate General Learning Disability =>12 |
603.00 |
785.00 |
833.00 |
960.00 |
960.00 |
912.00 |
857.00 |
849.00 |
833.00 |
819.00 |
819.00 |
|
Severe/Profound General Learning Disability < 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Severe/Profound General Learning Disability => 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disability < 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Autism/Autistic Disability => 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Out of Control < 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
|
Out of Control => 12 |
619.50 |
805.00 |
855.00 |
986.00 |
986.00 |
936.00 |
879.00 |
871.00 |
855.00 |
840.00 |
840.00 |
Capitation Grant in respect of Voluntary Secondary Schools within the Free Education Scheme
|
School Year |
*Based on rate of |
Amount Allocated |
|
2005/2006 |
€286 per pupil September instalment €298 per pupil January & April Instalments |
40.5m |
|
2006/2007 |
€298 per pupil September instalment €316 per pupil January & April Instalments |
43.3m |
|
2007/2008 |
€316 per pupil September instalment€331 per pupil January & April instalments |
45.9m |
|
2008/2009 |
€331 per pupil September instalment €345 per pupil January & April instalments |
48.5m |
|
2009/2010 |
€345 per pupil |
48.8m |
|
2010/2011 |
€345 per pupil September instalment€328 per pupil January & April instalments |
48.3m |
|
2011/2012 |
€328 per pupil September instalment €317 per pupil January & April instalments |
45.7m |
|
2012/2013 |
€317 per pupil September instalment€306 per pupil January & April instalments |
44.5m |
|
2013/2014 |
€306 per pupil September instalment€301 per pupil January & April instalments |
43.9m |
|
2014/2015 |
€301 per pupil September instalment€296 per pupil January & April instalments |
43.8m |
|
2015/2016 |
€296 per pupil |
43.9m |
*Grant is paid in three instalments within the school year - September, January and April and as grant rates are determined based on financial year this can result in 2 grant rates within a school year.
159. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications that have been unsuccessful under the latest round of the summer works scheme, the minor works grant and the emergency works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34245/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that 279 applications were received in Categories 1 and 2 under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016-2017. Details of the 197 successful school applicants in Categories 1 and 2 were announced on 28th April last, particulars of which are also published on my Department's website, www.education.i.e.
Under SWS (2016-2017), valid applications from schools that were not reached for funding reasons from within the funding made available in 2016 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available in 2017, subject to the overall availability of funding. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015) which may be accessed on my Department's website, will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects.
The normal practice is for the Minor Works Grant, that is payable to Primary schools only, to be announced late in the year if funding permits. The issue of the Minor Works Grant (2016/2017) will be considered in the context of my Department's overall capital position later this year.
The Emergency Works scheme funded by my Department addresses health and safety concerns of school authorities which pose an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which are sudden, unforeseen and require immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. To date in 2016, 405 applications were successful with 98 applications being refused funding, primarily because the works applied for did not meet the terms of the scheme. Details of successful applications are published on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
160. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of resource teachers that will be required to fully implement the new resource allocation model, assuming each child receives 100% of the recommended hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 27th October, the NCSE announced that following the second round of resource teaching allocation support for the 2016/17 school year, 7430 resource teacher posts have now been allocated to schools.
The provision to increase this current allocation of 7430 posts, from 85% to 100%, would cost approximately 1311 additional teaching posts, at approximately €78.5M per annum, for a full year cost.
It should be noted that the current number of resource teacher posts which have been allocated to schools, which is 7430 posts, has increased by 41% since the 2011/12 school year, at which point 5265 posts were allocated.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory role under the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 to provide me with policy advice in relation to matters concerning the education of persons with special educational needs. The NCSE identified that the current model for allocating resource teachers to schools is potentially inequitable, because access to the range of professional assessments required for the diagnosis of low incident disabilities is not always readily available to those who cannot afford to access them privately. The NCSE has also advised that the current model can lead to unnecessary labelling of children from a young age. The NCSE has proposed a new resource teaching allocation model which will, when introduced, remove the formal requirement for diagnostic assessment to access additional support and which will provide resources to schools based on school profiles.
Given that the NCSE has recommended the introduction of a new allocation model, it is considered that the best use of any additional resources will be to provide for the introduction of the new model, as opposed to revisiting the allocation basis of the old model.
As part the recent Budget announcements, I announced that following development and piloting over the past number of years, a new model for the allocation of teaching resources for children with special educational needs will be implemented from September 2017.
An additional €18 million will be provided in 2017 to provide for around 900 resource teacher posts.
This equates to an increase of 12% above the 7430 resource teacher posts currently allocated to schools for the 2016/17 school year, or an increase of 7% over the total combined allocation of resource teachers and learning support posts, of approximately 12,500 posts, allocated to schools in 2016/17, either though NCSE allocations, or through general allocation.
Further details regarding implementation of the new model will be announced in the coming months.
161. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated costs of fully reversing the staffing schedule changes for small schools, taking into account measures announced in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34247/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
Budget 2012 increased the appointment and retention ratios for small schools (i.e., schools with up to four classroom teachers). Improvements to the staffing of these schools were announced for the 2015/16 school year. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for one-teacher schools situated 8km or more from the nearest school of the same type of patronage and/or language of instruction.
In addition, Budget 2016 announced a 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule. The improved staffing schedule which is available on the Department website will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year.
Following a review of the staffing allocation for Small Primary Schools, Budget 2017 announced two adjustments in relation to one teacher schools. Where the school is the sole primary school on an island the school will be able to appoint a second teacher. In relation to single teacher schools generally with an enrolment of 15 or more pupils the school can apply to the staffing appeal board for a second post where the single teacher has children across 6 or more class groups. The detailed arrangements will be set out in the staffing schedule circular for the 2017/18 school year.
The cost of restoring the 2011/12 staffing schedule for small schools would be approximately €7.5m.
162. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs associated with the educational disadvantage committee for each year of its duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34248/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Education Disadvantage Committee was to advise the Minister for Education and Science on policies and strategies to be adopted to identify and correct educational disadvantage.
Expenditure by the Department in respect of the EDC during its term of office was as follows:
2003 - €38,000
2004 - €62,000
2005 - €75,000
2006 - €700
The Committee's term of office expired in 2005.
The relevant legislative provision for the establishment of the Educational Disadvantage Committee was repealed by Section 7 of the Education (Amendment Act) 2012.
163. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's costings and timeframes of delivery for his recently announced action plan for education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34289/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September, I launched the first ever Action Plan for Education aimed at making the Irish education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. This plan, which incorporates my Department's Strategy Statement as well as the Action Plan of Education outlines over one hundred actions to be implemented across the period 2016-2019.
It provides the strategic framework for planning and reporting across the Department and its agencies over the next three years and timeframes for each action are included.
The Plan contains commitments to ensure its successful delivery:
1. Actions and sub-actions have delivery timelines and are the responsibility of assigned officials
2. Quarterly progress reports will be published
3. Updated annual plans, which will take new developments into account, will be published
My aim for 2017 and subsequent years is to progressively deliver on the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019, subject to the availability of resources. It must be recognised that the Plan is being implemented within the context of overall budgetary constraints, and the large number of competing demands for available funding. The Programme for Government commits the Government to working with the Oireachtas to increase expenditure on public services in order to meet the rising costs of demographics and to make targeted improvements in public services, including education, having regard to economic growth forecasts and adherence to fiscal rules.
165. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of persons benefitting from the seniors alert scheme nationally, by county, in each of the years 2014 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34132/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra166. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the rationale for moving the senior alert scheme application online considering many older persons are unable to use computers and have no access to a computer; if an online system is adequate for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34133/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of groups that administer the senior alert scheme nationally, by county, in each of the years 2014 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together.
The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of equipment, i.e. a personal alarm and/or pendant, while the associated monitoring and service charges are the responsibility of the individual participant.
As part of a review of the Scheme in 2010, one of the recommendations was that a centralised procurement process would simplify the Scheme. By decreasing the level of administration for the community-based organisations, this would allow them to spend more time on the key aim of the Scheme, which is enhanced engagement with older members of the community. It would also achieve value for money through economies of scale.
My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and, arising from this, it was decided that the Scheme should be managed by Pobal, given its significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government. The management and administration of the Scheme transferred from the Department to Pobal on 7 September 2015.
The community based organisations that wish to support older people with the supply of personal monitored alarms are required to register with Pobal before operating the scheme. It is important to stress that a paper-based registration process is available to facilitate those community-based organisations unable to register online. Pobal also operates a telephone helpline facility to assist with any queries (tel. no. 01 5117222).
Once registered, the community-based organisations can then submit participant applications on behalf of elderly people living in their defined area of operation. There is no closing date for receipt of registrations.
This new approach was designed to reduce the administrative burden for the many hundreds of community and voluntary organisations registered under the Scheme, who provide an excellent service for the elderly. It also enables the organisations to concentrate on the main purpose of the Scheme, namely to support and interact with the elderly in their local communities. This will enhance the outcome for both beneficiaries and community groups alike.
Pobal are currently undertaking a general review of the Scheme. This review will identify potential improvements, including technological advances. On completion of the review, a new Scheme will be put in place. Consultation with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, service users and civic organisations, is a key component of the review, the results of which will inform my Department’s policy on the future direction of the Senior Alerts Scheme.
The data relating to the number of persons benefitting from alarms and the number of groups which administer the scheme is set out in the following tables. As a result of the transfer of administration of this scheme from my Department to Pobal in September 2015, the information contained in Table 1 relates to the period from 1 January 2014 to 6 September 2015, while the information contained in Tables 2 and 3 relates to the period from 7 September 2015 to date. It should be noted that, following the transfer of the scheme to Pobal, all community-based organisations that wished to support older people with the supply of monitored alarms were required to register with Pobal.
Table 1
|
County |
Number of Organisations Submitting Claims |
Number of Beneficiaries |
||
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
9 |
5 |
106 |
79 |
|
Cavan |
22 |
18 |
114 |
77 |
|
Clare |
15 |
10 |
206 |
144 |
|
Cork |
71 |
65 |
931 |
703 |
|
Donegal |
34 |
24 |
321 |
121 |
|
Dublin |
37 |
36 |
1193 |
1094 |
|
Galway |
35 |
32 |
645 |
463 |
|
Kerry |
29 |
24 |
222 |
217 |
|
Kildare |
11 |
10 |
165 |
105 |
|
Kilkenny |
15 |
12 |
181 |
191 |
|
Laois |
9 |
6 |
85 |
66 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
5 |
21 |
24 |
|
Limerick |
27 |
21 |
251 |
189 |
|
Longford |
4 |
3 |
72 |
61 |
|
Louth |
7 |
8 |
163 |
107 |
|
Mayo |
37 |
29 |
363 |
222 |
|
Meath |
21 |
20 |
193 |
150 |
|
Monaghan |
10 |
11 |
151 |
79 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
7 |
202 |
178 |
|
Roscommon |
13 |
9 |
169 |
90 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
12 |
163 |
77 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
25 |
403 |
338 |
|
Waterford |
19 |
15 |
127 |
109 |
|
Westmeath |
10 |
12 |
277 |
217 |
|
Wexford |
24 |
17 |
213 |
148 |
|
Wicklow |
15 |
10 |
183 |
144 |
|
Total |
532 |
446 |
7120 |
5393 |
*Figures for 2015 cover the period to 6 September 2015
Table 2
|
County |
No. of Organisations approved at 31/12/15 |
No. of Organisations approved in 2016 (to date) |
Total no. of Organisations approved at 04/11/16 |
|
Carlow |
7 |
1 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
11 |
25 |
|
Clare |
14 |
5 |
19 |
|
Cork |
42 |
40 |
82 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
8 |
29 |
|
Dublin |
17 |
9 |
26 |
|
Galway |
26 |
12 |
38 |
|
Kerry |
16 |
16 |
32 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
7 |
15 |
|
Kilkenny |
11 |
6 |
17 |
|
Laois |
6 |
6 |
12 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
20 |
13 |
33 |
|
Longford |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Louth |
5 |
5 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
26 |
14 |
40 |
|
Meath |
20 |
6 |
26 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
5 |
12 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
6 |
11 |
|
Sligo |
7 |
6 |
13 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
9 |
39 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
10 |
17 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
7 |
17 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
5 |
11 |
|
Total |
342 |
213 |
555 |
Table 3
|
County |
No. of Beneficiaries approved at 31/12/15 |
No. of Beneficiaries approved in 2016 (to date) |
Total no. of Beneficiaries approved at 04/11/16 |
|
Carlow |
18 |
96 |
114 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
66 |
80 |
|
Clare |
92 |
287 |
379 |
|
Cork |
146 |
910 |
1056 |
|
Donegal |
45 |
143 |
188 |
|
Dublin |
181 |
984 |
1165 |
|
Galway |
81 |
441 |
522 |
|
Kerry |
14 |
257 |
271 |
|
Kildare |
69 |
209 |
278 |
|
Kilkenny |
87 |
121 |
208 |
|
Laois |
25 |
205 |
230 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
82 |
98 |
|
Limerick |
82 |
309 |
391 |
|
Longford |
14 |
43 |
57 |
|
Louth |
35 |
269 |
304 |
|
Mayo |
65 |
248 |
313 |
|
Meath |
47 |
171 |
218 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
80 |
87 |
|
Offaly |
37 |
114 |
151 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
97 |
116 |
|
Sligo |
24 |
123 |
147 |
|
Tipperary |
99 |
380 |
479 |
|
Waterford |
28 |
123 |
151 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
102 |
114 |
|
Wexford |
37 |
130 |
167 |
|
Wicklow |
18 |
124 |
142 |
|
Total |
1312 |
6114 |
7426 |
168. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the actions that can be taken to ensure that a maintenance company (details supplied) carries out its duty in a retirement village for vulnerable persons when the owners of the retirement village are in receivership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34167/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply.
Details of the main features of these requirements are outlined in the Guide to Minimum Standards in Rented Accommodation, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,33422,en.pdf.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with each local authority, which has the power carry out an inspection of the property to assess whether it meets the minimum requirements. If a property does not comply, the local authority can apply a series of sanctions against a landlord up to and including prosecution in the District Court. Where a person believes a landlord is in breach of these regulations they can report the matter directly to the relevant local authority.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established under the Residential Tenancies Act in September 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. Where a landlord does not comply with their obligations under a lease or tenancy agreement, a tenant may refer a dispute to the RTB for resolution.
In circumstances where a receiver is appointed to a landlord's interest in a dwelling it is essential that the rights of tenants are protected. While the circumstances of each case may vary depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge under which a receiver is appointed, the policies and procedures of banks in appointing receivers cannot affect the statutory or contractual rights of tenants. The appointment of a receiver does not mean that a tenant loses their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
The RTB’s website, www.rtb.ie contains a variety of information for tenants and landlords on their rights and obligations. The website also provides easy access to information relating to the RTB services and makes available downloadable copies of RTB’s reports and forms.
169. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding seaweed harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34197/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not appropriate for me to comment directly on an application that will come before me for determination. However, I can advise that the person referred to in the Question met this week with senior officials in my Department’s Marine Planning and Foreshore Unit and set out in detail his proposals.
