Written Answers Nos. 520-536
520. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance by €5, €10, €15, €20 and €25 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn.
The rates of the payment for the 2017 scheme were increased from €100 to €125 for children aged 4 to 11 and from €200 to €250 for children aged 12 years and over. Overall the 2017 scheme has supported some 150,400 families with payments in respect of 274,000 children at a cost of over €48.5m.
Using the total number of children covered by the scheme in 2017 as a basis, the additional cost to increase the BSCFA rates by the amounts listed per age group is set out in the attached tabular statement.
Any further changes to the rates of the allowance would have to be considered within a budgetary context and the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Full -Year Additional Cost to Increase BSCFA rates by amounts listed
|
Increased Payment Amount |
Cost of Increase |
|
€5 |
€1.37m |
|
€10 |
€2.74m |
|
€15 |
€4.12m |
|
€20 |
€5.49m |
|
€25 |
€6.86m |
521. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year cost of reversing changes made to the one-parent family payment in 2012, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51221/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost implications of reversing changes made to the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) in 2008 are very complex to estimate and would require significant resources and time to prepare.
There are three significant barriers to undertaking this costing exercise. Firstly, by reversing the amendments made to the OFP scheme, this would likely result in a substantial cohort of lone parents that are currently not in receipt of a social welfare payment becoming eligible and therefore moving onto a social welfare payment. As members of this cohort are not currently in receipt of any social welfare payment, the Department currently has no visibility of them and therefore, it would be impossible to estimate the numbers involved.
Secondly, this proposal may incentivise some customers to move from alternative payments such as Jobseekers Allowance (JA), the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) and the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) back onto the OFP. It would not be possible for the Department to estimate the magnitude of this flow between schemes.
Finally, reversing the changes to the OFP would also increase the incidence of dual payments of OFP and the Family Income Supplement (FIS), which would lead to significant but unquantifiable reductions in FIS payments for some lone parents.
These unknown factors are critical to providing a reliable costing. The Department is therefore not in a position to provide the costing requested.
525. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year cost of reinstating the State transition pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51225/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) which was available to people aged 65 who satisfied the qualifying conditions. This measure standardised the State pension age for all at 66 years. This will increase to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028.
We are all aware that people are living for much longer. Life expectancy at birth has increased significantly over the years – and is now at 78.4 years for men and 82.8 years for women. This is very positive. As a result of this demographic change, the number of State pension recipients is increasing year on year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision which are currently increasing by roughly €1 billion every 5 years. The purpose of changes to the State pension age is to make the pension system more sustainable in the context of increasing life expectancy. This sustainability is vital, if the current workers, who fund State pension payments through their PRSI, are to receive a pension themselves when they reach retirement age.
In 2013, the cost of the State pension (transition) was €137 million. Its abolition was not expected to save that amount of expenditure in full, as some people who were affected would alternatively claim working age payments such as Jobseeker's Benefit (although at a lower rate than the rate of the State pension), or claim an Increase for a Qualified Adult in respect of their spouse’s pension. However, it is anticipated that well over half of that cost has been saved each year as a result of this measure, and this would be expected to increase as (a) the number of 65 year olds increases, (b) the change results in a higher percentage of people working while aged 65, and (c) there have been a number of Budget increases in the rate of the State pension since then. It is estimated that the net saving in 2017 is likely to be in the region of over €80 million, and this is expected to increase over time.
The Deputy should note that there is no legally mandated retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. While such a contract may have been entered into with a retirement date of 65, in the context of the previous State pension arrangements, there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment for one or more years, if both parties wish to do so.
Where this is not possible, there are specific measures which apply to someone claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit from a date after their 65th birthday. Where qualified, these recipients may continue to be eligible for that payment until reaching pension age.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
526. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year cost of reinstating the bereavement grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the economic downturn, my Department protected primary social welfare rates and in recent years, as the economy recovered, the Government has concentrated resources in improving the core rates of payments, particularly for pensioners. Abolishing the bereavement grant provided a significant annual saving and allowed my Department to protect other core social welfare payments such as the State pension.
The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716, and this represented an increase of approximately 4% on 2012. Based on a similar yearly increase each year since 2013, it is estimated that the number of bereavement grant claims that might arise in 2018, were the scheme to be re-introduced, would be in the region of 28,858, and the number would be expected to increase in future years. Accordingly, if there were 28,858 such grants made in 2018, at a rate of €850 each, the cost would be €24.53 million.
Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It is worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Additionally, the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. Under the SWA scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. The Government has provided €31.5 million for exceptional and urgent needs payments in 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
529. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing maternity benefit by one to six weeks respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is paid by my Department and is based on payment of PRSI contributions while working. The current entitlement to paid maternity leave is 26 weeks. The table below estimates the cost of increasing the duration for which maternity benefit is paid by one to six weeks.
These estimates are based on the cost for a full year and assume that any increase in duration is implemented from the beginning of the year. The estimated additional cost of extending the duration of maternity benefit is approximately €10.3 million for each extra week, at the current rate of €235 per week. It should be noted that Budget 2018 provides for the rate of maternity benefit to be increased by €5 per week from 26 March 2018.
Estimated annual cost of increasing the duration of maternity benefit based on current rate of €235 (2017 rates)
|
No. of additional weeks |
Estimated cost (€m) |
|
1 |
10.3 |
|
2 |
20.6 |
|
3 |
30.9 |
|
4 |
41.2 |
|
5 |
50.5 |
|
6 |
60.8 |
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017. It should also be noted that there are additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups for public/civil servants.
530. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year cost of increasing paternity benefit by one to six weeks respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 which was enacted in July 2016 introduced a new scheme of paternity leave and an associated social welfare payment of paternity benefit from the 1st September 2016. Since the commencement of the scheme on 1 September 2016, 28,969 paternity benefit claims have been awarded to 31 October 2017.
The estimated additional cost of extending the duration of paternity benefit is approximately €5.5 million for each extra week. The table below estimates the additional cost of increasing the duration of paternity benefit above its current 2 week duration at the current weekly rate of €235. It should be noted that Budget 2018 provides for the weekly rate of payment to be increased by €5 per week from 26 March 2018.
Estimated annual cost of increasing the duration of Paternity Benefit based on 2017 rates
|
No. of additional weeks |
Estimated cost (€m) |
|
1 |
5.5 |
|
2 |
11.0 |
|
3 |
16.5 |
|
4 |
22.0 |
|
5 |
27.5 |
|
6 |
33.0 |
These estimates are based on the cost for a full year and assume that any increase in duration is implemented from the beginning of the year. The cost in the first year would depend on the implementation date that the increase in duration would take effect. This cost would be proportional to the full year cost.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017. It should also be noted that there are also costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups for public/civil servants.
531. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the funding to community services programmes; the cost of increasing funding in line with the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51231/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Community Services Programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. Many of these companies are also funded from other sources and generate revenue from the public use of their facilities and services.
A budget of just over €46m has been provided for the CSP in 2017.
The additional programme costs involved in increasing the CSP contribution to match the minimum wage would be approximately €1.9m in a full year at the current minimum wage rate and just over €3m in a full year at the proposed minimum wage rate for 2018.
The rate of CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage rate of payment. The funding provided to service providers under the CSP is expressed as a fixed annual co-funding contribution towards the costs of employing a manager or a specified number of full-time equivalent positions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
532. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of fines and-or prosecutions levied against building owners under section 65 of the Housing Act 1966; the number of unsuccessful prosecutions under this section, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not collected by my Department.
The issue of overcrowded dwellings is dealt with in Part IV of the Housing Act 1966. Under that Act, a housing authority may request information from the owner or occupier of a house such as will allow that authority to determine if a house can be deemed to be overcrowded, having regard to section 63 of the Act.
The housing authority may serve notice on the owner of a house specifying the maximum number of persons that may occupy a house without causing overcrowding and, where the owner of a house is causing or permitting the house to be overcrowded, may require the owner to desist from causing or permitting such overcrowding within a period not exceeding 21 days.
Any person who neglects or refuses to comply with these requirements is guilty of an offence. Overcrowding may give rise to concerns in respect of fire safety, and may lead to enforcement action by fire authorities. Situations of overcrowding should be reported to the relevant local authority.
I will shortly be introducing changes to legislation to require landlords, when registering a tenancy with the RTB, to certify that the property in question is compliant with regulations in relation to standards for rental accommodation, overcrowding and fire safety. This will mean a legally enforceable requirement on landlords to certify the quality and safety of their rental properties. Failure to provide this certification, failure to register the tenancy or, very importantly, the provision of an untrue certification, will all constitute offences, prosecutable by the RTB.
The RTB will play a key role in terms of standards and enforcement in the rental sector, and will be given the powers and the resources required to take on this enhanced regulatory responsibility. I have previously stated that this will entail a substantial programme of work that would need to be undertaken over a number of years. However, priority is being given to exploring, as a matter of urgency, the changes needed in legislation and in the Board’s financing arrangements in order to make early progress in the process that will progressively see the RTB become the sector’s regulator over the next two years.
Particular attention will be given to possible amendments to the provisions in relation to overcrowding, both in terms of its legal definition and the enforcement actions and sanctions applicable to such situations.
533. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authorities applying development contributions for telecommunications infrastructure as of November 2017. [50997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment contributions applied by local authorities are levied on the basis of a development contribution scheme adopted by the elected members, which sets out how contributions are to be applied in respect of developments in their respective functional areas. The level of contribution, and the types of development to which development contributions should apply, including any exemptions from charging in specific circumstances if that is deemed appropriate, are therefore determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members in this regard.
The majority of development contribution schemes adopted by local authorities currently provide for charges in respect of telecommunications infrastructure development within their functional areas. I understand that, as of November 2017, the development contribution schemes of 17 local authorities include a specific charge for telecommunications infrastructure development. 13 local authorities do not include a specific charge for telecommunications infrastructure in their schemes. 1 local authority includes a specific charge for telecommunication infrastructure in their current scheme; however the amount of contribution charged has in practice since been revised to zero.
For the purpose of supporting and incentivising economic development, including the roll-out of broadband infrastructure, my Department issued statutory guidelines to planning authorities in January 2013 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act on the implementation of development contribution schemes, which included a requirement that local authorities include a specific waiver for broadband infrastructure (masts and antennae) in their schemes. Most development contribution schemes adopted by planning authorities currently provide for such waivers. In this regard, 23 local authorities have adopted schemes which include a full exemption. Five local authorities do not specify a waiver for such infrastructure in their current scheme; however, as there is no provision included in their current schemes to charge for telecommunications infrastructure generally, the practice adopted is not to do so. My Department has been engaging with the remaining three local authorities regarding the incorporation of explicit waivers in their schemes, one of which, as mentioned above, has in any event revised the development contribution charged for telecommunications infrastructure generally under their current scheme to zero.
534. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of waiving motor tax for electric vehicles for each year up to 2023. [51009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails regarding the numbers of electric and hybrid vehicles taxed at 31st October 2017 are set out below. The cost associated with waiving motor tax would depend on the range of motor tax classes for which the waiver was proposed.
Number of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Currently Taxed at 31st October 2017 by Motor Tax Class
|
Motor Tax Class |
Current Motor Tax Rate |
ELECTRIC |
PETROL/ ELECTRIC |
PETROL/ PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC |
DIESEL/ ELECTRIC |
DIESEL/ PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC |
HYBRID |
PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC |
Total no. of Vehicles |
|
Private (Engine size c.c.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not over 1,000 |
€120 |
66 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
1,301 to 1,400 |
€385 |
|
332 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
334 |
|
1,401 to 1,500 |
€413 |
|
1,387 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,387 |
|
1,601 to 1,700 |
€544 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1,901 to 2,000 |
€710 |
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
2,301 to 2,400 |
€1,034 |
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
2,401 to 2,500 |
€1,080 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
3,001 or more |
€1,809 |
|
398 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
399 |
|
Private Co2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A0 |
€120 |
2,540 |
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
2,550 |
|
A1 |
€170 |
|
4,054 |
744 |
4 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
4,819 |
|
A2 |
€180 |
|
6,985 |
7 |
33 |
|
1 |
|
7,026 |
|
A3 |
€190 |
|
3,496 |
1 |
383 |
|
1 |
|
3,881 |
|
A4 |
€200 |
|
752 |
1 |
59 |
|
|
|
812 |
|
B1 |
€270 |
|
636 |
20 |
3 |
|
|
|
659 |
|
B2 |
€280 |
|
437 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
C |
€390 |
|
330 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
331 |
|
D |
€570 |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
E |
€750 |
|
122 |
|
|
|
|
|
122 |
|
F |
€1,200 |
|
227 |
|
|
|
|
|
227 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goods Vehicles |
Various Rates Apply* |
93 |
53 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
Agricultural Tractor |
€102 |
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Combine Harvester |
€102 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Cycle |
Various Rates Apply* |
29 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
Tricycle |
Various Rates Apply* |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Cycle & Sidecar |
Various Rates Apply* |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Hackney |
€95 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
Taxi |
€95 |
6 |
838 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
|
855 |
|
Limousine |
€95 |
|
12 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Mobile Machine |
€333 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
General Haulage Tractor |
€333 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Forklift |
€102 |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
Exempt State Owned |
€0 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Exempt Emergency Services |
€0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Exempt Diplomatic |
€0 |
6 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
|
Exempt Special Vehicle |
€0 |
18 |
341 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
362 |
|
Island Vehicle |
€102 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Vintage/Veteran |
Various Rates Apply* |
2 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
School Bus |
€95 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Total no. of Vehicles |
|
2,795 |
20,470 |
793 |
512 |
14 |
8 |
1 |
24,593 |
*Note: Various rates apply to the following vehicles:
Goods vehicles (unladen weight):
- Electric (not over 1,500kg): €92
- Standard (not over 3,000kg): €333
- Standard (3,001 to 4,000kg): €420
- Standard (4,001 to 12,000kg) €500
- Standard (12,001kg or more): €900
Motorcycles and Tricycles:
- Electrical: €35
- Not over 75cc: €49
- 76cc to 200cc: €67
- 201cc or over: €88
Veteran and Vintage:
- Motorcycles: €26
- All other vehicles: €56
535. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of enforcement orders that have been lodged against apartment owners for using their home for home sharing by local authorities to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50734/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications for change of use by apartment dwellers for the purposes of home sharing that have been lodged in local authorities to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 539 together.
Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website. The statistics collected relate to the total numbers of:
- Invalid applications received,
- Applications received for outline permission and full permission,
- Decisions to grant/refuse permission,
- Decisions issued within the statutory eight-week period,
- Decisions deferred, and
- Percentages for grants/refusals, decisions made within eight weeks and decisions deferred.
The statistics collected relate to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority but are not broken down by development type.
Therefore, the specific information requested in relation to the number of planning applications made for a particular development type and in relation to enforcement action taken in particular cases is not collated or available within my Department's statistics. However, from next year onwards, my Department will collect information on short-term letting including in relation to enforcement action, and this will be published on my Department's website in the usual manner.
536. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of decisions before An Bord Pleanála that have been delayed over the past year; the number that involved the construction of residential units; the number of residential units impacted; the measures being taken to ensure that An Bord Pleanála will have increased capacity to make decisions; when he expects the delays will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50750/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, An Bord Pleanála (the Board) has a statutory objective to determine appeals within 18 weeks. During the period January to October 2017, the Board disposed of 1,763 cases. The breakdown of these cases is as follows:
|
Cases Disposed |
Number disposed in 2017 as of end October 2017 |
Number disposed in Statutory Objective Period |
% Disposed in Statutory Objective Period |
Number disposed outside Statutory Objective Period |
% Disposed outside Statutory Objective Period |
|
All cases |
1,763 |
1,189 |
67% |
574 |
33% |
|
Housing Schemes involving 30+ units |
77 |
42 |
55% |
35 |
45% |
In relation to the cases disposed outside the statutory objective period, the number of housing units involved was 2,685, which included 3 proposed student accommodation cases involving 622 bed spaces.
Earlier this year, five new members were appointed to the Board replacing outgoing members; the five new appointees took up office during the period June to September 2017. While this change-over resulted in a temporary reduction in Board capacity for a period in mid-2017, the Board has now been restored to its previous complement of nine members and it is anticipated that the impacts of the temporary reduced capacity will be resolved in the months ahead.
In relation to housing developments specifically, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provides for new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments, of 100 housing units or more or student accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to the Board for determination within a period of 16 weeks.
With regard to resourcing the Board to support the new arrangements, a new Strategic Housing Division has been established, involving the recruitment of an additional 10 staff members to work solely on strategic housing developments. I am also considering exercising my powers under the Planning Acts to appoint two additional Board members to ensure sufficient capacity within the Board, when strategic housing development applications are referred to Board level for final determination.
