Written Answers Nos. 91-113
91. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of persons in the labour force who have basic or above basic digital skills based on latest data at hand in addition to the corresponding EU average rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11037/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEUROSTAT data for 2015, the latest available, records that the percentage of the labour force in Ireland with basic overall digital skills is 22% with the EU average being 31%. 29% of the labour force in Ireland had above basic digital skills as against an EU average of 32%.
A range of actions are in place across the entire education system to support the acquisition of enhanced digital skills and to increase the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning.
In March 2014, my Department and the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, launched the ICT Skills Action Plan 2014 - 2018. The plan sets out a collaborative, system-wide response, across Departments, agencies and the education and enterprise sectors aimed at building the domestic supply of graduates from the education system and ensuring Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pool and promoting Ireland internationally as a centre for high-level ICT skills.
A number of significant developments have taken place since the ICT Action Plan was published. In 2015, my Department published the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 and last year the National Skills Strategy 2025 was published, each of which includes a range of relevant actions that will support the development of digital skills both directly through curricula and through technology enhanced learning.
A key theme in the 2017 Action Plan for Education is enhanced use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment at all levels. Actions this year include the commencement of the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, supporting SOLAS on the implementation of the Strategy for Technology Enhanced Learning in FET 2016-2019 which this year will see each ETB develop a bring your own device policy.
Within the Higher Education sector, a number of actions are included to implement the Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World 2015-2017 aimed at supporting the development and embedding of digital capacity in teaching and learning activities and developing consistent digital experiences for learners.
92. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the recently announced appointment of ten additional NEPS psychologists will be used to deal with staff shortages due to leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11080/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, under my Department’s Action Plan for Education 2017, the ten NEPS posts to which refers will be targeted at enhancing NEPs service to DEIS schools with particular emphasis on well-being.
As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases through by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
Access to SCPA is afforded to schools, in the situation instanced by the Deputy, where the school’s assigned psychologist is not available due to maternity leave, long-term sick leave or carer’s leave, necessitating a temporary hiatus in NEPS direct coverage. This situation returns to normal as individual staff members return to work.
In the interim the affected schools will allowed access to the SCPA scheme for their assessment needs and will continue to be supported by NEPS personnel in the event of a critical incident.
In the broader context, the Deputy will be aware that my Department will recruit in total, 21 NEPS psychologists in the coming months to bring the total number of NEPS psycologists to 183 (a 13% increase from the current level of 162). 11 of these will be in place by the end of the current academic year filling vacancies in the current complement, while the ten posts referred to above will be in place for the commencement of the 2017/2018 academic year.
93. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current salary scale for primary school caretakers. [11084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSalary scales for school caretakers employed in National Schools under the 1978/79 Scheme are set out in circular letter 0068/2015 which is available on my Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0068_2015.pdf.
These are the only salary scales for National school caretakers published by my Department. While a small number of these staff remain in schools, the scheme is being phased out and has been superseded by a more extensive capitation grant scheme.
The majority of primary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for caretaking services. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs and my Department does not stipulate how caretaking services are to be obtained.
Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities.
Notwithstanding the above, in 2015 my Department agreed to engage with the union side in relation to the pay of School Secretaries and Caretakers who are employed using grant funding and to enter an arbitration process. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for School Secretaries and Caretakers comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. My Department recently published circular letter 0080/2016, setting out the application of the second phase increases of the Arbitrator’s recommendations. The circular is available at: www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0080_2016.pdf.
94. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department entered into discussions with the EU with regard to the relocation of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision to close the European School (ES) Culham and to establish the Europa School UK, located on the same and on an adjacent site was taken by the Board of Governors of the European Schools in 2007 and 2014 respectively. My Department was represented on the Board of Governors of the European Schools by an Assistant Chief Inspector during this decision making process.
The ES, Culham was established in 1978 to support the EFTA- JET nuclear fusion project. When a decision was made to expand the JET project at its French site in Cardarache, the ‘raison-d’etre’ for a full Type I ES in Culham ceased to exist.
Following the publication of the Van Dijk report (2007) on the viability of the school going-forward, a decision was taken by the Board of Governors in April 2007 to phase out the ES, Culham over a period of 10 years. The ES, Culham will close its doors at the end of this school year.
In order to ensure multi-lingual education and a future school for those ES, Culham students who would not otherwise be in a position to complete their secondary education to Baccalaureate level, a group of parents of ES, Culham decided to pursue the establishment of a multi-lingual free school. Thus the Europa School UK was established in 2012.
This school was officially recognised by the Board of Governors as an accredited school of the ES system in December, 2014.
95. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondments which have exceeded five years in the period July 2009 to October 2014, inclusive; the length of time for which the five years was exceeded; and the number of secondments refused or terminated in this period on the grounds that the secondment exceeded five years. [11122/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will arrange for the information that is available in my Department relating to the request from the Deputy to be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
96. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of regulation covering pay and conditions for teachers in the English language college sector; and his plans to properly regulate the sector. [11126/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of English language colleges in Ireland are privately run, and issues such as pay and conditions are a matter between teachers and the individual colleges. If teachers have a concern about their terms and conditions of employment they should contact the National Employment Rights Authority in this regard.
In line with the Government decision of 19 May 2015, a series of reforms to the student immigration system for international education are being implemented. These reforms include the restriction of the list of education programmes considered to justify the granting of permission to students to live and work in Ireland (known as the Interim List of Eligible Programmes – the ILEP).
As part of this new process all providers of English language training wishing to recruit non-EEA students are required to apply to the Department of Justice and Equality for inclusion on the ILEP. All English language providers seeking inclusion on the ILEP have to comply with certain new requirements including declaration of ownership, teacher qualifications, attendance rates, compulsory exam registration policies and maximum class size. The regulations governing the ILEP also specify a requirement that all obligations concerning national legislative requirements, including national employment regulations, are complied with.
The ILEP was introduced in January 2016 and is managed by the Department of Justice and Equality in association with my Department. The ILEP continues to be updated at regular intervals.
The ILEP process is an interim measure until the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) for the provision of education to international learners, which will provide a full quality framework in the future. The measures necessary to facilitate the introduction of the IEM are being progressed by my Department.
97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legislative proposals published by his Department between 2011 to 2016, inclusive, that underwent a regulatory impact assessment; the legislative proposals published by his Department that did not undergo a regulatory impact assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11150/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals published by his Department include impacts (details supplied); the impact categories not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
The following are the Bills published by my Department between 2011 and 2016.
1. Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011. A RIA was completed;
2. Education (Amendment) Bill 2012. A RIA was completed;
3. Education and Training Boards Bill 2012. A RIA was completed;
4. Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2015. A RIA was completed;
5. The Technological Universities Bill 2015. A RIA was completed;
6. Teaching Council Amendment Bill 2015. A RIA was completed.
7. Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014. A RIA was not completed as it amended previous legislation.
The Guidelines on RIAs published in 2009 by Department of the Taoiseach set out the following impact categories for consideration, where relevant, in regulatory impact assessments.
- National competitiveness
- The socially excluded and vulnerable groups
- The environment
- Whether there is a significant policy change in an economic market, including consumer and competition impacts
- The rights of citizens
- Compliance Burden
- North-South and East-West Relations
In line with the Guidelines, these impacts have been considered by my Department, where relevant, in Regulatory Impact Assessments on Bills.
99. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a planning application (details supplied) currently before Cavan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of dog breeding establishments is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.
Furthermore, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned; consequently, I may not direct the planning authority in relation to this matter and it would be inappropriate for me to comment in relation to any individual case.
More generally, the holding, transport or management of waste is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department can offer further latitude for immediate expenditure by the various local authorities on measures to address the housing crisis by way of direct build; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith €5.35 billion in place under Rebuilding Ireland to support the delivery of social housing, the financial means are in place for local authorities to make immediate progress with their programmes of social housing construction. A substantial pipeline of new social housing construction projects, is already in place both in terms of local authority direct build and approved housing body projects. We are now seeing progress through this pipeline, as is evident in the Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report which I published on 20 February last. This lists all approved social housing construction projects, including those delivered in 2016 and those at various stages of advancement through planning, design and construction, and it can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/.
For 2017, the budget for local authority direct build and purchase of new social housing has been increased by over 70% and given the scale of the new construction projects, I expect that to be fully spent. At individual local authority level, the level of funding to be provided will be directly linked to the scale and speed of delivery a local authority achieves on their projects. I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing projects as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
101. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have been awarded an increase in rental payments uplifts by county under the housing assistance payment, in 2016 and in January 2017. [10781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation, the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 (as amended). Recognising the pressures in the rental market, the Government increased the maximum rent limits available under the HAP scheme across the country with effect from 1 July 2016. Furthermore, additional flexibility above the existing HAP rent limits was made available to all HAP local authorities from the same date.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis.
My Department does not hold data on the number of HAP payments that utilised additional flexibility being made during 2016. From data that is available, at 14 February 2017, 8.5% of the total number of households (excluding qualified homeless households) being supported by HAP were benefitting from the additional flexibility that was provided to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limits.
102. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of houses and apartments that will be built and turnkey ready in Limerick city in 2017, excluding void figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10811/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of new social housing builds that will be suitable for and allocated to single persons in Limerick city in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 104 together.
On 20 February 2017, I published a Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report, which lists all approved projects including those delivered in 2016 and those at various stages of advancement through planning, design and construction. This report can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/.
The report contains a range of information in relation to each separate social housing construction project, including the local authority area, project name, AHB name where applicable, the number of units and the status of each application in terms of its current level of advancement. I expect that a number of the projects listed for Limerick City & County Council will commence on site in 2017, but the precise timing for the advancement of each of these projects is a matter for the Council, in the first instance.
I am keen that all local authorities advance their social housing projects as speedily as possible and I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
Precise information on the percentage of newly constructed social housing units that will be suitable for and allocated to single persons in Limerick City in 2017 is not available to my Department and is a matter for the Council.
103. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of social housing allocations to homeless persons and families in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the housing authority concerned in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme made under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011.
While the development and implementation of an allocation scheme is a matter for the housing authority concerned, being a reserved function of the elected members, Section 22(17) of the 2009 Act provides that the Minister may issue directions to a housing authority regarding the operation of an allocation scheme and the housing authority shall comply with any such direction in operating the scheme. In this regard, a Ministerial Direction was put in place in January 2015 which required the Limerick City and County Council to allocate at least 30% of tenancies under their control to homeless and other vulnerable households. The Direction was subsequently renewed on two occasions, with the last renewal expiring on 30 April 2016. An exercise carried out during the operation period of the Direction indicated that Limerick City and County Council was achieving the target percentage.
At the time of the last renewal in February 2016, the Housing Agency was requested to conduct a review of the operation of the Direction and provide an impartial assessment. The Agency recommended that the Direction should be allowed to lapse upon its expiry.
This Direction was only ever intended to operate for a short period of time to provide an immediate increase in the number of social housing tenancies being allocated to homeless households. In the normal course, local authorities and their elected members are best placed to determine the allocation of social housing for their own areas, in line with national policy.
Among the Agency’s findings was that the well-established allocation procedures of housing authorities are capable of responding to particular housing need without an on-going Ministerial Direction. This analysis is vindicated by the fact that during 2016 local authorities nationally achieved in the region of 2,700 sustainable exits from homelessness into independent tenancies; this is a record level of exits, with the comparable figure for 2015 having been 2,300.
Taking account of the Housing Agency's report, my predecessor decided not to renew the Ministerial Direction after 30 April 2016 and I do not propose to revisit the issue. I am confident that the comprehensive range of actions and initiatives underway to increase housing supply generally, as set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, will enable local authorities to prioritise appropriately the level of housing allocations to homeless households and other vulnerable groups achieved under the Direction.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to improve the criteria pertaining to the tenant purchase scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10816/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provides for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including houses provided to Local Authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, houses specifically designed for older persons, group Traveller housing and houses provided to facilitate people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living.
The provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Part V housing units are among the classes of house excluded from the tenant purchase scheme, and this is to ensure that units delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support, and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of operation of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is being conducted by my Department. To facilitate this review a public consultation process on the terms of operation of the scheme was undertaken by my Department during January and February of this year. Any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme that are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered as part of the overall review process will be brought forward. I expect the review to be completed on schedule by the end of Quarter 1 2017.
106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of children on local authority housing lists according to the last count, by authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10821/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe results of the latest Summary of Social Assessments, carried out as at 21 September 2016, show that of the 91,600 households qualified for social housing support at this date, 46,294 households included at least one child, with an overall total of 84,025 children.
The following table provides a breakdown of the number of children included in households qualified for social housing support by housing authority:
|
Housing Authority |
Number of Children |
Housing Authority |
Number of Children |
|
Carlow |
758 |
Limerick City & County |
2,513 |
|
Cavan |
800 |
Longford |
689 |
|
Clare |
1,661 |
Louth |
2,232 |
|
Cork City |
3,755 |
Mayo |
1,040 |
|
Cork County |
3,886 |
Meath |
3,569 |
|
Donegal |
989 |
Monaghan |
426 |
|
Dublin City |
14,803 |
Offaly |
999 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown |
2,895 |
Roscommon |
555 |
|
Fingal |
9,967 |
Sligo |
485 |
|
Galway City |
2,513 |
South Dublin |
6,939 |
|
Galway County |
2,020 |
Tipperary |
1,473 |
|
Kerry |
2,823 |
Waterford City & County |
1,344 |
|
Kildare |
5,210 |
Westmeath |
1,700 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,389 |
Wexford |
2,631 |
|
Laois |
1,290 |
Wicklow |
2,385 |
|
Leitrim |
286 |
Total: |
84,025 |
107. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the basis on which the qualifying income thresholds for local authorities are set; when these were last set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to exclude family income supplement from assessment of income in eligibility limits for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 114 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. I am satisfied that the current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this and that they provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These income limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of landlords who have dropped out of the rental accommodation scheme in each of the past three years, by authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10823/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinal detailed data relating to 2016 Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) activity at local authority level are not yet available. The information requested by the Deputy relating to the years 2013 to 2015 is set out as follows.
While some 3,286 RAS contracts relating to 4,712 separate tenancies, ended during this three year period, a further 6,706 new RAS tenancies commenced. This represented a net gain of 1,994 active RAS tenancies in the 3 year period outlined.
It should be noted that the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which also provides social housing support through the private rental sector, began its phased statutory roll out in September 2014. At the end of 2015, there were more than 6,000 households being supported by the scheme with more than 4,000 separate landlords and agents receiving housing assistance payments at that time. More than 15,000 separate landlords and agents are currently in receipt of housing assistance payments (HAP) on behalf of more than 18,000 separate households who are being supported by HAP.
Total number of Landlords who left the Rental Accommodation Scheme
|
Local Authority |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow County Council |
12 |
14 |
12 |
|
Cavan County Council |
42 |
15 |
18 |
|
Clare County Council |
25 |
27 |
18 |
|
Cork County Council |
58 |
68 |
54 |
|
Cork City Council |
19 |
33 |
38 |
|
Donegal County Council |
13 |
24 |
32 |
|
Dublin City Council |
101 |
105 |
131 |
|
DLR County Council |
19 |
31 |
25 |
|
Fingal County Council |
68 |
96 |
91 |
|
Galway City Council |
26 |
27 |
25 |
|
Galway County Council |
15 |
30 |
28 |
|
Kerry County Council |
29 |
45 |
35 |
|
Kildare County Council |
19 |
0 |
25 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
22 |
25 |
33 |
|
Laois County Council |
22 |
16 |
18 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
10 |
14 |
4 |
|
Limerick City & Council |
288 |
27 |
75 |
|
Longford County Council |
76 |
44 |
19 |
|
Louth County Council |
22 |
18 |
22 |
|
Mayo County Council |
33 |
37 |
62 |
|
Meath County Council |
5 |
0 |
26 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
2 |
10 |
16 |
|
Offaly County Council |
10 |
4 |
9 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
33 |
36 |
23 |
|
Sligo County Council |
7 |
42 |
4 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
40 |
84 |
80 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
36 |
33 |
43 |
|
Waterford City & Council |
40 |
40 |
34 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
26 |
11 |
36 |
|
Wexford County Council |
21 |
32 |
45 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
30 |
24 |
24 |
|
Total |
1,169 |
1,012 |
1,105 |
While RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support and remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options available to local authorities when meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland, I will keep its operation under review.
109. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of residential units that will be commenced in 2017 by Waterford City and County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the level of funding that has been approved for Waterford City and County Council for the construction of houses in 2017 in respect of specific housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 113 together.
My Department has put in place a wide range of programmes that are available to all local authorities to generate increased social housing supply, to address specific special needs and to improve the standards and condition of the social housing stock.
Arising from the Social Housing Strategy, targets and provisional funding allocations were notified to each local authority in April 2015 that covered the period out to end 2017. This released €1.5 billion nationally for nearly 23,000 new social housing units to be delivered via a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes. Waterford’s target is for the delivery of 760 units to the end of 2017, with a funding allocation of €35 million.
Now, with the increased national targets under Rebuilding Ireland, increased targets beyond 2017 will be set for all local authorities. These will be based on the results of the most recent statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments, published in late 2016, so that delivery and resources can be aligned with the up-to-date, priority housing needs locally. I anticipate these new targets for individual local authorities will be finalised in Q2 2017.
The development and advancement of appropriate targeted proposals under the capital supply programmes is, in the first instance, a matter for Waterford City and County Council. My Department is in regular contact with Waterford City and County Council with a view to facilitating the early advancement and delivery of its proposals, and funding for 2017 will be provided by my Department in line with their progress. Accordingly, rather than a pre-set allocation of funding for this year, the level of funding to be provided to Waterford City and County Council will be directly linked to the scale of delivery they achieve on their approved proposals.
Indeed, it should be noted that my Department has been working closely with all local authorities including Waterford City and County Council to facilitate and accelerate the delivery of social housing. Waterford City and County Council already has a strong pipeline of construction projects in development and is being encouraged by my Department to prepare and submit additional construction proposals to further strengthen that pipeline. Details of the Waterford City and County construction pipeline are available at the following weblink: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/.
110. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of social housing applicants currently in Waterford City and County Council and in locations (details supplied) in tabular form. [10863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each housing authority area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments. The most recent figures available are the results of the 2016 Summary which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf.
The 2016 results show that there were 1,596 households on Waterford City and County Council’s record of qualified households as at 21 September 2016. The results do not provide a breakdown of the numbers for individual areas within the Council’s administrative area and my Department does not hold such detailed data.
111. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of voids in Waterford City and County Council that are currently under refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10864/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities including Waterford City and County Council have recently submitted the list of properties, they wish to be included in the 2017 Voids Programme. These units are currently been assessed and I expect to announce details shortly of the 2017 funding for local authorities to address vacant social housing stock, including the breakdown of the targets and funding for each local authority. Local authorities have been advised that they should not delay in carrying out the necessary refurbishment works on eligible units while waiting for the assessment and allocations.
It should be noted that over the period 2014-2016, my Department provided funding of over €1.8 million to bring a total of 181 Void units in Waterford back into use. This Deputy will, of course, be aware that the Voids Programme is separate from any other refurbishment works that Waterford City and Council may undertake from their own resources.
112. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the current turnaround time of voids in each of the 31 local authorities; if he is satisfied with these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information on the turnaround time for voids is not collected by my Department. However the key objective of the Voids Programme is aimed at minimising the turnaround and re let time of vacant units and returning them to use in a very energy efficient condition. Since the commencement of the Voids Programme in 2014 over 7,100 vacant social housing units have been returned to productive use. This figure does not include units which are returned by local authorities through funding from their own resources.
In the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commitments are set out in line with best asset management practices, which will see all local authorities operating to a national re-letting performance standard and greater use of a preventative maintenance approach to housing stock management.
