Written Answers Nos. 106 - 126
106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of private investigation firms hired by his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not incurred any expenditure in respect of the use of private investigations firms during the period in question.
107. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will alter plans regarding social housing delivered by the private sector after it emerged that only 64 social units were delivered in 2015; his views on whether 2016 figures will not improve significantly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 made a number of amendments to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 following the outcome of an independent review, which included a consultation process. The amendments, effective from 1 September 2015, sought to maximise the contribution Part V can make to social housing supply and sustainable mixed-tenure communities across the country.
It is anticipated that over the lifetime of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, at least 4,700 new social homes will be delivered through the Part V mechanism. My Department will keep the position under review, through closely monitoring the supply of housing generally and the options housing providers use for delivering on their Part V obligations.
With regard to delivery of units under Part V to date, it should be noted that Part V applies only to developments of 10 or more houses, and therefore does not apply to one-off houses or schemes of 9 or fewer houses. It should also be noted that the provision of land rather than houses remains the default position if the developer wishes to exercise that option. In addition, some developments completed in 2015 and 2016 may have been subject to older Part V agreements made before 1 September 2015, when other options - such as a financial contribution, the provision of fully or partially serviced sites or the provision of land elsewhere in the functional area of the planning authority - were available.
108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason local authority tenants are exempt from purchasing their house while receiving social welfare payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15677/17]
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. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least 1 year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the Scheme is determined by the relevant housing authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, housing authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
In line with the commitment given in the Programme for a Partnership Government, and reaffirmed in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the scheme’s operation is currently being undertaken by my Department. Any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage will be brought forward. I expect this review to be completed shortly.
109. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by his Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to community and voluntary organisations through a number of funding schemes. These include the Scheme to Support National Organisations, the Funding Scheme for members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar, the Seniors Alert Scheme, as well as a funding stream to support volunteer centres, volunteer information services and a number of national volunteer-supporting organisations such as Volunteer Ireland. The funding provided each year from 2011 to 2016 and allocated in 2017 under each funding scheme is outlined in the table.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Allocation |
|
€'000s |
€'000s |
€'000s |
€'000s |
€'000s |
€'000s |
€'000s |
|
|
Scheme to Support National Organisations |
3,863 |
3,761 |
3,634 |
4,324 |
5,342 |
5,842 |
5,921 |
|
Community & Voluntary Pillar Funding Scheme |
540 |
600 |
615 |
565 |
565 |
565 |
565 |
|
Seniors Alert Scheme |
2,436 |
2,524 |
2,321 |
1,706 |
1,539 |
1,800 |
2,300 |
|
Volunteering |
3,139 |
3,094 |
2,840 |
2,636 |
3,129 |
3,157 |
3,500 |
110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of private investigation firms hired by his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department did not hire any private investigation firms in the past five years, or to date in 2017.
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a €5 increase will be applied to a social protection payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pension payment increases announced in Budget 2016 in respect of widow’s/widower’s and surviving civil partners contributory pension were effective from 10 March 2017 for recipients aged 66 years and over, and from 17 March 2017 for recipients aged under 66.
The person concerned correctly received their €5 weekly increase with effect from 17 March 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
112. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to meet with employees at a bank (details supplied); the supports his Department can offer in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15618/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with all persons who find themselves in the unfortunate position of losing their employment, any affected bank employees should contact their local Intreo centre or Social Welfare Branch Office where they will receive advice on jobseekers payments and other income supports.
Where practical, the Department can make arrangements with an employer to actually visit the business premises and talk to affected staff, in advance of any redundancy. This may help those at risk of losing their jobs to fast-track any claim for jobseekers benefit.
In the case of the bank in question, as it is not clear where the redundancies will be situated, the Department may seek to inform bank staff of the availability of an online application process for jobseekers benefit via MyWelfare.ie.
To avail of the online application process, jobseekers need to have a Public Services Card and a verified mobile phone. They are then able to register for online services with MyGOVid.ie and can apply for jobseekers payments online without having to visit an Intreo centre and make an appointment.
Once customers are in receipt of a jobseekers payment, advice and support will also be provided on job searching, as well as any relevant education and training options that may be beneficial to the customer in their endeavours to return to the workforce.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
113. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if there will be an increase in the number of community welfare officers employed in the Drogheda Intreo centre in view of the recent closure of clinics (details supplied), all of which will see an increase in the already large volume of work the officers have in the Drogheda office. [15636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Duleek and Laytown clinic is being relocated to Drogheda Intreo Centre from 3 April 2017.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
The community welfare service claimload for Drogheda, Duleek and Laytown areas has reduced by over 20% during the period March 2016 to March 2017. The claimload includes basic supplementary welfare allowance, rent supplement, exceptional needs payment and other supplements provided under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme. People claiming supports under SWA generally only interact with the Department on an occasional basis, for example, when seeking an exceptional needs payment or in claiming additional supports such as rent supplement, which are usually reviewed once to twice yearly.
Since 2013 the demand for community welfare services in these areas has reduced by 60% in line with the economic recovery. The reduction in the number of SWA recipients can be attributed to improved processing times in determining entitlement to weekly social welfare schemes, the overall reduction in the Live Register and the general improvement in the economy.
In this regard local management is satisfied that the team in Drogheda Intreo Centre is sufficiently resourced to continue to deliver a quality customer service. My officials will continue to monitor claim loads and staffing levels across all services in Drogheda, South Louth and East Meath.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. I know that you have been in contact with my office and officials on this matter. If you require any further clarity on this issue please do not hesitate to contact my office again.
114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who, in the relevant year, was both self-employed and employed as a PAYE worker and made 52 paid S class contributions and in excess of 13 paid A class contributions, would have an entitlement to jobseeker's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for jobseeker’s benefit a person must satisfy certain contribution conditions. The first condition is a person must have at least 104 reckonable contributions (classes A, H or P) paid since they entered insurable employment. Class S self-employed contributions are not reckonable for jobseeker’s benefit purposes.
To satisfy the second condition, a person must have at least 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY). Of these, 13 of the contributions must be paid or the person must have at least 26 reckonable contributions paid in both the GCY and the year immediately preceding it (the GCY is the second last complete contribution year - 01 January to 31 December - before the year in which the claim is made).
If a person has not 13 paid contributions in the relevant GCY, they must have the 13 contributions paid in either of the two tax years before the relevant GCY or the last complete tax year or the current tax year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of private investigation firms hired by his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hire private investigation firms and has not hired any for the period in question.
116. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of private investigation firms hired by his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15738/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo private investigation firms have been hired by my Department in the past five years and to date in 2017.
117. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contractual capital value of PPPs entered into to date; the expenditure pre-2016 on these projects: the unitary payments made in 2016; and the outstanding commitments at end 2016. [15642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should first explain that financial responsibility for individual PPP projects rests with the relevant Sponsoring Agency. My Department's role in relation to PPPs is to facilitate the PPP process centrally by developing the general policy framework (including, where necessary, the legal framework) within which PPPs operate and by providing central guidance to Departments and other State Authorities in that context.
My Department publishes a full suite of guidance to facilitate the PPP process, which is available on the Central PPP Unit's website at www.ppp.gov.ie. The website also contains details collected by my Department from Sponsoring Agencies on the contractual capital value, unitary payments and future commitments for individual PPP and concession projects up to end 2015. These returns show:
Contractual capital value at end 2015: €4.9bn
Unitary Payments made to 2015: €2.3bn
Future commitments at end 2015: €6.7bn
My Department is currently collating the 2016 figures with the assistance of the various Sponsoring Agencies and will publish the updated data on the PPP website as soon as it is finalised. However, provisional figures indicate that unitary payments made in 2016 amount to circa €192m.
118. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of private investigation firms hired by his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department has not hired any private investigation firms over the past five years.
119. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider exploring the option of giving the post office service responsibility for the compilation of the electoral register and enumeration of census data to make the service more viable in view of the urgent crisis in the delivery of postal services; if she will include this in the list of extra tasks being considered for the post office network on foot of the report of the post office hub working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I established the Post Office Hub Working Group last year to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. The Group’s report has been finalised and it was submitted to, and noted by, the Government this week.
The issue of compiling the electoral register and enumeration of census data did not arise in the course of the Working Group’s deliberations. The Local Authorities are responsible for compiling the electoral register for their respective areas, while issues relating to Census enumeration are a matter for the Central Statistics Office.
120. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if applications are still being accepted for the town and village renewal scheme; if not, when this scheme will be accepting new applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTowns and villages are at the heart of our rural communities and the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that the renewal of towns and villages can play an important role in revitalising rural Ireland. Last year, therefore, I launched a new Town and Village Renewal Scheme, with funding of €10 million, to start the process of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
The 2016 Scheme is now closed and approximately 170 applications were approved for funding across the country.
I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme this year. I intend to launch the first phase of this scheme shortly, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. The scheme will be administered through the Local Authorities and full details of the scheme, including the timeframe for accepting applications, will be made available when the scheme is launched.
I also intend to launch a second phase of the scheme later this year, which will involve a pilot project to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot will be launched in the second half of the year, when details of the scheme have been finalised in consultation with relevant Departments.
121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she will take to ensure that rural post offices remain open and functioning in view of the difficult financial position of An Post. [15654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe postal sector is undergoing significant change both nationally and internationally, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to a 38% decline in core mail volume for An Post from its peak in 2007. In recent years, there has also been a 17% decline in Department of Social Protection payments and a 20% reduction in Billpay transactions, both of which are key revenue lines for the post office network.
While these are ultimately commercial matters for the Board and management of An Post as a commercial State body, the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to find solutions to support the ongoing sustainability of the post office network in the changing business environment in which they are operating.
For my own part, I established the Post Office Hub Working Group last year to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. The Group’s report has been finalised and I submitted it to Government for noting this week.
The Post Office Hub Working Group considered that a Shared Value Post Office model has the most potential to expand the type of services which post offices could offer to customers. The Group’s report recommends that this model be tested through the establishment of pilots in four locations, with a view to rolling the model out to up to 150 locations if proven to be successful.
122. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects applications to open for the rural renewal schemes, specifically CLÁR; the amount of funding allocated to each of the schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23 January last, contains a number of measures which have the objective of supporting the rejuvenation of rural Ireland, including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Recreation Infrastructure scheme, and the CLÁR programme. The aim of all of these measures is to make rural Ireland, including its towns, villages and townlands, more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
As part of Budget 2017, I have secured the following levels of funding for CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal, and Rural Recreation Infrastructure:
- CLÁR Programme: €5 million
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme: €12 million
- Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme: €7 million
Minister of State Michael Ring, will be launching the 2017 CLÁR programme very shortly, and I will be launching the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in the coming weeks. Details of the Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will also be announced soon.
To ensure the maximum impact of the rural support schemes, I am also exploring how best we can align them with other initiatives across Government which also support the rejuvenation of rural areas.
The Deputy should also note that the LEADER programme is now open for applications in all counties and contact details for the relevant delivery bodies can be found on my Department’s website, at the following link: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/01/contact-details-of-local-action-groups.pdf.
123. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by her Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15684/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a wide range of funding schemes across all areas of its remit. Details of these schemes, and announcements in respect of funding allocations are made available on my Department's website. Details of annual expenditure are also published each year in the Department's Annual Appropriation Account.
In view of the large number of schemes concerned it would not be practicable to provide a comprehensive list of amounts allocated to voluntary and community organisations in these years as requested by the Deputy. However, my Department would be happy to assist the Deputy with any specific requests in respect of individual schemes.
124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of private investigation firms hired by her Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied her Department with a report on completion of their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that no private investigation firms have been engaged by my Department in the past five years or to date in 2017 .
125. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health when the schemes devised to replace the mobility allowance grant and the motorised transport grant will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013.
The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The Deputy may be interested to note that people who previously benefitted from the now-closed Motorised Transport Grant, may, if they satisfy the criteria under that scheme, be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the scheme can be found on www.revenue.ie.
126. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health when the review process of the fair deal scheme in respect of farmers will be concluded and its recommendations published; if the changes made to equalise the scheme for farmers will be legislated for by the next budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. A financial assessment is carried out by the HSE to determine how much a participant in the Scheme will contribute to the cost of their care. The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms.
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. This work is currently underway. Once all of the relevant Review recommendations have been considered, any amendments required to the Scheme will be identified. Changes which require legislative implementation will be addressed collectively, and it is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation.
