Written Answers Nos 248-268
248. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional staff will be made available to help clear the backlog of applications for carer's allowance, disability allowance and domiciliary care allowance. [53396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, 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.
Like all Government departments and agencies, my Department is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers. Within these constraints, the Department is focusing on prioritising the filling of critical posts.
Remedial action has been taken to respond to the ongoing significant increase in the number of claims for domiciliary care allowance, carer's allowance and disability allowance, in order to reduce the average processing time. Providing sufficient resources for these scheme areas remains a priority.
249. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the postgraduate level 9 in accountancy will be included in the back to education allowance scheme (details supplied). [53397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Access to BTEA at postgraduate level is limited. BTEA is only payable to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a higher diploma (H-Dip) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a Professional Masters in Education. An exception to the eligibility rule for masters is made whereby a person is admitted to a master’s programme based solely on life experience and provided the applicant is not the holder of any third level qualification.
The ACCA post graduate level 9 in accountancy is not eligible for BTEA.
Administration of BTEA is aligned with the student support schemes under the Department of Education and Skills. BTEA should not be viewed as an alternative to the student grant system.
I have no plans to alter the current range of courses covered by the scheme.
250. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the proposed action she plans to take in the next 12 months to address the pension anomaly impacting, in particular, on women arising from changes made in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe changes made to State Pension (contributory) rate bands in Budget 2012, affected those pensioners who had a yearly average of 39 or less weekly social insurance contributions over the course of their working life.
The current rate bands were introduced from September 2012, replacing previous rates introduced in 2000. The rate bands in place between 2000 and 2012 were more generous than those in place before and after that period, and were a feature of the economic and political environment at that time.
The economic crash changed the focus and while other payments were reduced as a result, the core rates of the pension were maintained. Instead of reducing those payments, which many vulnerable pensioners were solely reliant upon, the rates paid to new pensioners who both have additional means and lesser PRSI contribution records were reduced.
It should be noted that, for a person with a yearly average of 20 contributions, the new rate of payment introduced in 2012 was still higher than the maximum rate that was in place at the start of 2006. Also, it should be noted that in all European countries and beyond, pension reforms have been introduced to make them more sustainable, and these will generally result in people having different payments depending upon when they reach pension age. The only way to avoid this would be to introduce the reforms for existing pensioners, and decrease the incomes pensioners have become dependent upon.
The 2012 rate bands more closely reflect the social insurance contributions history of a person than those in place between 2000 and 2012. The current rate bands still provide pensions to people which are better than proportionate with their level of contribution. A person with only 20 years of contributions over nearly 50 years will still get an 85% pension, which compares favourably with contributory pensions in other EU countries.
It is estimated that to revert to the previous bands from January 2018 would result in an annual cost of well over €70 million in 2018, and this annual cost would increase by an estimated €10 to €12 million extra each following year.
The Department is examining in depth various options that would provide some relief to those who would have a higher contributory pension, had the ratebands not been amended in 2012. As soon as the report is finished I intend to bring it to a cabinet committee and subsequently to Government for consideration early in the New Year.
The National Pensions Framework proposed that a total contribution approach should replace the yearly average approach to the calculation of the State Pension (contributory). A discussion paper is being drafted by my Department and it is hoped to start the consultation process with relevant stakeholders including interest groups, representative bodies and the Oireachtas shortly. Following the consultation period, a proposal to Government will be submitted seeking approval of the new approach.
The main aim of Government policy on pensions is to make sure that pensions are affordable, sustainable and keep their value in the coming years. The reforms that are planned will result in a more inclusive and fairer pension system for all citizens.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
251. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of severe material deprivation for lone parent households here as measured by EUROSTAT in tabular form; the way in which this rate compares to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest EUROSTAT European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data show that the severe material deprivation rate for lone parent households in Ireland was 22.6% in 2015. This is the second successive year the rate has reduced – representing a 9.7 percentage point reduction on the 2013 rate of 32.3%. The Irish rate compares to the EU average of 17.1% in 2015 - see Table 1 attached.
It is important to note that the full impact of the economic recovery to date is not reflected in these figures, which relate to 2015. Macro-economic and labour market indicators have shown continued economic and employment growth since then. Unemployment has fallen from 9.4% in mid-2015 to 6.1% now. The number of people in receipt of working-age income and employment supports has also continued to fall.
With these improvements, the Government was in a position to introduce a range of welfare increases from 2016 onwards. This includes a package of measures to support lone parents, encouraging them into the workplace and into education and helping to reduce their childcare costs. In Budget 2017 all lone parents on the one-parent family payment, the jobseeker’s transitional payment and jobseeker’s allowance have benefited from the €5 increase in the weekly rates of payment from March. Budget 2018 introduced a further €5 per week increase along with an increase of €2 per week per child for qualified child dependents. A new €500 annual Cost of Education Allowance was made available to Back to Education Allowance participants with children from the academic year starting in September 2017. In addition, the income disregards for the one-parent family payment and the jobseeker’s transitional payment increased by €20 from January, from €90 to €110 per week, reversing in part previous reductions, to encourage one parent families to stay in, and return to, work. This was increased to €130 per week in Budget 2018 (an additional €20 per week).
The improvement in the economy, together with the welfare measures referred to, are likely to have supported a further reduction in severe material deprivation in the period since 2015. This improvement is expected to continue with further rises in incomes and living standards.
The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. The Department is reviewing the Plan, as it reaches the end of its current term this year, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department is also reviewing the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Table 1: Severe Material Deprivation rate in lone parent households 2010 to 2015
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
Ireland |
12.8% |
23.3% |
27.4% |
32.3% |
25.1% |
22.6% |
|
EU-28 |
17.1% |
18.4% |
21.5% |
20.7% |
19.2% |
17.1% |
Source: EUROSTAT EU-SILC, various years. Extracted 11/12/2017.
252. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of severe material deprivation for children here as measured by EUROSTAT in tabular form; the way in which this compares to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent EUROSTAT data shows that some 8.9% of children in Ireland were severely materially deprived in 2015, as compared to a EU28 average rate of 9.6% (see Table 1). This is an improvement on 2014 where the rates were 10.1% and 10.4% respectively. Given the continuing economic recovery throughout 2017 and measures introduced in Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018, I expect the severe material deprivation figures for those years, when they become available, to show further improvement. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.
Budget 2018 introduced a €5 per week increase in the maximum weekly rate for working-age people along with an increase of €2 per week per child for qualified child dependents. Budget 2018 also included an increase of €10 per week in the income thresholds for Family Income Supplement for families with up to three children and an increase of €20 per week in the income disregards for the one-parent family payment and the jobseeker’s transitional payment (bringing it to €130 per week). These increases will assist those families who are most in need.
The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty which includes deprivation. The Department is reviewing the Plan, as it reaches the end of its current term this year, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department is also reviewing the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Table 1: Severe Material Deprivation rate for Children 2010 to 2015
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
Ireland |
8.2% |
10.0% |
12.4% |
13.4% |
10.1% |
8.9% |
|
EU-28 |
9.8% |
10.0% |
11.8% |
11.1% |
10.4% |
9.6% |
Source: EUROSTAT EU-SILC, various years. Extracted 11/12/2017.
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
253. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average processing time for all social welfare payments, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information (where available) requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table:
|
Average time to Award by scheme at 31 October 2017 |
|
|
Schemes |
Average time to award (weeks) |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
5 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Dom) |
5 |
|
Widow, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension |
1 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
1 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
16 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
|
Free Travel |
4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
17 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
3 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
32 |
|
Child Benefit (Over 16) |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (Additional Child) |
1 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
6 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
|
Family Income Supplement (New) |
4 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
16 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
11 |
|
Disability Allowance |
10 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
254. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on appeal for social protection payments paid on a weekly basis in cases in which there is no oral hearing and in cases in which there is an oral hearing in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table provides the details which have been requested by the Deputy to the end of November 2017.
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times improved between 2011 and 2016 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 24.1 weeks in 2016 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 17.6 weeks in 2016.
I understand from the Chief Appeals Officer that there has been a slight increase in processing times in 2017 with oral hearings taking, on average, 26.2 weeks and summary decisions taking 19.7 weeks to finalise. A number of factors have contributed to the increase including the retirement of six experienced Appeals Officers during the first half of 2017. However, she is hopeful that processing times will improve as a number of newly appointed Officers gain experience in their roles.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised that specific actions taken to reduce processing times include: liaising with HR to ensure that vacancies are filled quickly; ensuring that training is given to new Appeals Officers as early as possible; working with the Department to reduce time in submitting appeal files; and a restructuring of the mechanism for recording appeal decisions.
It is open to an appellant to claim supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal if their means are insufficient to meet their needs.
The Chief Appeals Officer assures me that processing times are a priority. However, the drive for efficiency must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and of high quality.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Processing Times by Scheme 01 January 2017- 30 November 2017
|
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
|
Adoptive Benefit |
13.4 |
- |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
20.2 |
24.4 |
|
Carers Allowance |
21.5 |
23.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
16.9 |
21.3 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.7 |
32.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
17.4 |
24.0 |
|
Illness Benefit |
28.1 |
30.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
34.8 |
34.3 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
26.5 |
33.6 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
13.1 |
27.7 |
|
Farm Assist |
20.7 |
25.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
15.1 |
- |
|
Family Income Supplement |
21.7 |
32.8 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
16.6 |
23.6 |
|
Liable Relatives |
20.6 |
24.1 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.8 |
20.1 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
19.4 |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
24.0 |
34.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
31.9 |
46.4 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
25.9 |
35.5 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
81.1 |
- |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
19.8 |
26.4 |
|
Disablement Pension |
24.6 |
28.8 |
|
OIB-Medical Care |
- |
27.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
54.2 |
37.2 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
24.4 |
26.1 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
16.0 |
23.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
19.4 |
26.8 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
17.7 |
25.0 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
19.7 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
23.2 |
23.2 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
27.4 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
20.3 |
24.0 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
17.8 |
25.7 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
14.0 |
- |
|
Insurability of Employment |
43.3 |
91.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
16.6 |
25.2 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
22.0 |
34.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
20.6 |
24.1 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
19.5 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
19.7 |
26.2 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
255. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure on external consultant reports commissioned by her Department to date since 6 May 2016; the report and expenditure on each report in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
256. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of the Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All campaign since its commencement to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53413/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full cost of the Department’s 2017 fraud and control awareness campaign came to €163,922 excluding VAT. This includes all design and advertising costs associated with the campaign (print advertising, national and regional radio advertising, outdoor and online/digital advertising). No additional costs arose in staff resources, website development or in the provision of the telephone reporting facility.
As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the campaign was threefold – to inform claimants as to the necessity to keep the Department updated regarding their circumstances, to deter potential fraudsters and to assure the general public that the Department takes fraud seriously.
The Department’s preliminary results for 2017 (compiled mid-November 2017) indicate that some 8,200 reviews have been undertaken or are in the course of being undertaken arising from information reported by members of the public. These results include all of the reports received during the campaign. Preliminary indications are that the value of claims stopped or reduced in value will produce control savings of €4.7m.
Finally, the Deputy should note that by the end of October, just over 18,250 reports had been received, an increase of 15% on the same period last year.
257. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of severe material deprivation here; the way in which this rate compares to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53414/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent EUROSTAT data shows that 7.5% of the population in Ireland was severely materially deprived in 2015, compared to the EU28 average rate of 8.1% (see Table 1). This is an improvement on 2014 where the rates were 8.4% and 8.9% respectively.
However, the full impact of the recovery is not reflected in these figures, which relate to 2015. Macro-economic and labour market indicators have shown continued economic and employment growth since then. Unemployment has fallen from 9.4% in mid-2015 to 6.1% now. The number of people in receipt of working-age income and employment supports has also continued to fall. Notwithstanding this, Budget 2018 introduced increases in a range of supports including €5 per week increases in the maximum weekly rate for working-age people and young jobseekers and for pensioners, with proportionate increases for adult dependents and an increase of €2 per child per week for qualified child dependents. These increases will assist those individuals and families who are most in need.
Given the continuing economic recovery throughout 2017 and the measures introduced in Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018, I expect the severe material deprivation figures for those years, when they become available, to show further improvement. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.
The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. The Department is reviewing the Plan, as it reaches the end of its current term this year, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department is also reviewing the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Table 1: Severe Material Deprivation Rate 2010 to 2015
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
Ireland |
5.7% |
7.8% |
9.8% |
9.9% |
8.4% |
7.5% |
|
EU-28 |
8.4% |
8.8% |
9.9% |
9.6% |
8.9% |
8.1% |
Source: EUROSTAT EU-SILC, various years. Extracted 11/12/2017.
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
258. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rates of poverty and deprivation for those not at work due to an illness or a disability in tabular form; the way in which these figures compared to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53415/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) results for 2015 show that the consistent poverty rate, for people in households headed by a person whose principal economic status was “unable to work due to illness or a disability”, was 22.4% in 2015. The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 34.8% with the basic deprivation rate at 53.2%.
Neither Eurostat nor the OECD reports on consistent poverty, at-risk-of-poverty or basic deprivation measures based on principal economic status. However, in the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), disability is based on the concept of global activity limitation. This is defined as a “limitation in activities people usually do because of health problems for at least the past six months” but it does not differentiate between those in employment and those not in employment. The latest EU-SILC data available shows that the severe material deprivation rate for people (aged 16 years and over) who are limited in their normal activities due to a health problem was 14.9% in Ireland in 2015, as compared to the EU average of 11.3%.
With regard to the national figures, given the continuing economic recovery throughout 2017 and the measures introduced in Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018, it is reasonable to expect future figures to show improvements. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.
The Government is committed to increasing the employment opportunities for people with a disability. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities adopts a cross-government approach that brings together various measures, to be taken by different Departments and State agencies, in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on the employment of people with disabilities. The six strategic priorities are to: build skills, capacity and independence; provide bridges and supports into work; make work pay; promote job retention and re-entry into work; provide co-ordinated and seamless support; and engage employers. These priorities are incorporated into the Pathways to Work Strategy and this ensures that there is an integrated focus on supports that enable people with disabilities to participate in employment where they have the capacity to do so.
My Department provides a range of specific income, activation and employment supports for people with a disability. For instance, the partial capacity benefit scheme enables recipients of invalidity pension and illness benefit to take-up employment, on a voluntary basis, while continuing to receive income support. The Department manages a supported employment service (EmployAbility) which provides a dedicated job-coaching service for people with disabilities. Intreo services are also available to provide employment support services for people with disabilities who wish to engage with the service on a voluntary basis. There is also a focus on supports available to employers who employ people with disabilities such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Workplace Equipment Adaption Grant Scheme.
The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. The Department will review the Plan this year, as it reaches the end of its current term, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department will also review the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Severe Material Deprivation Rate for People aged 16 & over
|
Country |
Percentage |
|
Ireland |
14.9% |
|
EU |
11.3% |
259. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rules in place regulating the development of solar farms; his views on the lack of regulations for solar farms; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities have raised concerns that there are no national guidelines for the development of solar farms (details supplied); his views on these concerns; his further views on whether the lack of regulation is deterring investment in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the planning applications received, refused and granted for solar farms for each local authority in each of the years 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53470/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to bring forward guidelines for solar power development for use by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53481/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.
While there are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms, proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority, with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Under the Planning and Development Act, each planning authority's development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned. Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia, objectives for the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure, including energy facilities, and many local authorities have developed renewable energy strategies for their areas in this context.
In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the local development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any relevant guidelines issued by my Department. Planning authorities must then make their own decisions, based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.
I am satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning permission applications for solar farm developments. However, the matter is being kept under review, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, and his Department who lead on renewable energy policy - in the context of the Government's White Paper on Energy Policy, published in December 2015, the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, as well as the finalisation of a new support scheme for renewable electricity by that Department, expected in 2018.
In relation to planning statistics, these are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1 .
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.
The specific information requested in relation to the number of planning applications received, refused and granted for a particular development type is not collated or available within my Department's statistics.
262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the local authorities that have taken advantage of part 5 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, which provides discretion to the elected members of a council to vary the level of rate refunds on vacant properties; the steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to take advantage of the regulations to alter the rate of refund on vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53292/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
Legislative provision is made for the refund of rates paid on vacant commercial properties in certain circumstances. The Local Government Act 1946 provides that where a property is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for rates. However, the owner is entitled to a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes, these being if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of additions, alterations or repairs; where the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The collection of rates and the determination of eligibility for a refund in this context are matters for each individual local authority.
The Local Government Act 1946 provided that the owner was entitled to a 100% refund in most local authority areas. Separate legislation governed refunds in the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork, where the same criteria for refunds applied but only 50% of the rates paid were refundable.
With effect from 1 June 2014, when the relevant provision commenced, the Local Government Reform Act 2014 gives discretion to the elected members of individual local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority’s administrative area. The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 provide that the decision to alter the rate of refund should be taken at the annual budget meeting and that the rate of refund decided in respect of the relevant local electoral area shall apply to eligible persons for the year to which the budget relates. The absence of a decision to vary the refund means that the existing legislative provisions regarding the rate of refunds apply (either 100% or 50% as set out above). Guidance has been provided to local authorities and elected members in that regard.
My Department has collated information regarding the decisions by local authorities in relation to refund rates from 2015 to 2017. For 2015, four local authorities chose to amend their refund rate. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council reduced its rate from 100% to 75%. Galway City and Louth County Councils reduced their rates from 100% to 50%. Limerick City and County adopted a refund rate of 25%. All other local authorities chose to retain the existing 2014 refund rate for 2015. This included Dublin City and Cork City which both retained the pre-existing 50% refund rates in their local authority areas.
For 2016, all local authorities continued with the same refund rate adopted in 2015, except Waterford City and County Council, which reduced its refund rate from 100% to 70%.
For 2017, five local authorities chose to amend the refund rate they had for 2016. Dublin City Council reduced from 50% to 45%, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council reduced from 75% to 50%, Fingal County Council reduced from 100% to 75%, Limerick City and County Council reduced from 25% to 10% and Waterford City and County Council reduced from 70% to 55%.
263. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the claims by Sligo County Council that it submitted details of a wind farm (details supplied) to the Valuation Office for revision in 2004; if his attention has been further drawn to claims by the executive of Sligo County Council that it was unable to levy rates on the wind farm since it became operational seven years ago due to the fact that the council did not receive the valuation from the Valuation Office until January 2017; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council lost approximately €89,000 in rates income from the wind farm each year due to the delay in it being valued; his plans to intervene to ensure that properties are valued promptly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53293/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 549 of 12 December 2017 which sets out the position in this matter.
264. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 6 December 2017, the recommendations made to Wicklow County Council regarding its inspection and enforcement function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53351/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from an examination by my Department of Wicklow County Council's procedures and records in respect of private rented inspections, as part of an overall programme of review of local authority procedures in this area, a number of recommendations were made to Wicklow County Council to improve their inspection regime, records management and procedures in undertaking inspections of private rented accommodation.
In summary, the following recommendations were made to Wicklow County Council:
- to develop a private rented inspection programme of activity / policy statement,
- to develop a procedures manual for inspections,
- to identify inspection requirements and balance planned inspections with response-based activity, such as a more proactive, risk-based process to identify properties likely to be non-compliant,
- to develop a communications strategy for all stakeholders to clearly set out the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords and to better inform the public, through its website and information leaflets, about how to make a complaint, and
- to develop procedures to ensure follow-up inspections and enforcement.
265. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if local authorities can include charges for maintenance such as boiler servicing within the overall calculation of differential rent; and if so, the legislation under which such additional charges are permitted. [53398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe making and amending of rent schemes is the responsibility of housing authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions.
Section 58(3) of the Housing Act 1966 provides that subject to such Regulations as may be made by the Minister under the section, a housing authority may charge such rent or other payment as they may determine from time to time, in respect of a dwelling of which they are the owner.
266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 250 of 6 December 2017, the position in respect of Article 31 of the revised European Social Charter which relates to the right to housing and which Ireland has not to date accepted; if the position can be re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland ratified the Revised European Social Charter on 4 November 2000. At that time Ireland accepted 92 of the 98 paragraphs of the Revised Charter. Three of those paragraphs not accepted by Ireland make up Article 31, which relates to the right to housing.
The issue of the right to housing was debated in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann recently. Arising from this, a motion to refer the Eighth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, which dealt with economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to housing, to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach was passed by the Dáil on 28 September 2017 and by the Seanad on 11 October 2017.
The matter of ratifying Article 31 of the Revised European Social Charter will be considered further after the Joint Committee has considered the matter.
267. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 6 December 2017, the cost of services stated to be provided by a company (details supplied) to deal with defects not associated with pyrite; and the reason these costs are not borne by a scheme. [53459/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 6 December 2017, the reason €975,000 has been accumulated from a company (details supplied) in services for 1,400 houses verified for acceptance into the pyrite remediation scheme with 900 of those completely remediated. [53460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board, with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The scheme is applicable to dwellings, which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave, established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave.
A Supplemental Agreement was entered into with HomeBond, dated 4 December 2015, for dealing with structural defects not related to pyritic heave. In this context, my Department understands from the Pyrite Resolution Board that €52,000 has been expended to date under this agreement.
In regard to the specific arrangements under the Homebond agreement referred to, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. However my Department understands that in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Housing Agency implements the remediation process and undertakes the procurement of professional services, remediation contracts and agreements.
The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or alternatively at oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie. The Housing Agency may be contacted at publicreps@housingagency.ie .
