Written Answers Nos. 431-450
431. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have been subject to sanctions for non-compliance or non-engagement with her Department in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPenalty rates were introduced as a means of encouraging jobseekers to engage with activation measures and co-operate with efforts of the Department to assist them in securing employment. The Department is committed, under Pathways to Work, to incentivise the take-up of activation opportunities, including implementing sanctions for failure to engage.
The legislation underpinning the application of penalty rates is provided for in Social Welfare legislation. The application of the penalty provisions can only be applied in specific circumstances and the decision to impose a penalty can only be made by a Deciding Officer of the Department. If dissatisfied with that decision it is open to the Jobseeker to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Details of the numbers of penalty rates applied in the specific years up to end February 2018, as sought by the Deputy, can be found in the table.
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total: |
|
PR |
359 |
1,519 |
3,395 |
5,325 |
6,743 |
10,867 |
16,451 |
3,014 |
47,673 |
432. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the target for child poverty; the likelihood of the target being reached within the set timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures), published by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2014, includes a target to reduce by two-thirds the number of children in consistent poverty in 2011 by 2020. Meeting this target means lifting almost 95,000 children out of poverty.
Under the BOBF Framework, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, in collaboration with my Department and other relevant Departments, is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling child poverty, building on the lifecycle approach in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) and informed by the European Commission Recommendation on ‘Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage’.
2015 saw the first reduction in the number of children in consistent poverty since 2008. Compared to 2014, in 2015 there was a 13,000 decrease, or approximately 9 per cent, in the number of children in consistent poverty. This downward trend continued in 2016. The full impact of the economic recovery is not yet reflected in these figures. The monthly unemployment rate in January 2018 announced by the CSO was 6.1%, down from a peak of 15% in 2012. As unemployment is strongly linked to poverty, we can expect further decreases in poverty as the figures for 2017 and 2018 become available. The Government continues to focus on activation, to help people back into the workforce.
To give some perspective and a sense of the size of the challenge Ireland faces in trying to achieve the child poverty target: at the height of the economic boom in 2008, when the consistent poverty rate for children was its lowest, there were 68,000 children in consistent poverty. So, in order to meet the target, Ireland will have to be more than twice as effective as our best ever performance to date.
Social transfers play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and inequality and Ireland is among the best in the EU for reducing poverty through social transfers. In 2016 Social transfers reduce the at-risk-of-poverty rate for children from 40.5 per cent to 18.9 per cent, a poverty reduction effect of 53.3 per cent
However, reducing child poverty is not just about income supports and welfare. Rather it is also about supporting parents to make the transition into employment and assisting families through the provision of quality affordable services in areas such as education, health and childcare.
433. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals lodged in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; the percentage of appeals which were successful; the average waiting time in these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables provide the details which have been requested by the Deputy for the years 2012 to 2017 and to the end of February 2018.
The figures provided in the tables for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in 37.1 per cent of favourable appeal outcomes in 2016 , 37.6 per cent of favourable appeal outcomes in 2017 and 39.8% of favourable appeals to date in 2018.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects all aspects of the appeal process including the time spent in the Department preparing the appeal submission. The quasi-judicial nature of the system impacts on appeal processing times which are proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which often require a high level of judgement, in addition to the need to ensure due process and natural justice.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s deciding officers are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Accordingly, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times in respect of all schemes improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with appeals officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the higher courts and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards.
Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. I expect that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.
In addition, a number of new appeals officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past year, to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise. This changeover in staff led to longer times to conclude appeals in 2017 and this has continued in the first two months of 2018. However, the Chief Appeals Officer has advised that she is hopeful that processing times will improve over the course of 2018.
Finally, it should be noted that an appellant can claim supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal and that any favourable decisions are backdated to the original date of the claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Receipts and Percentage of Favourable Decisions of Appeals Finalised 2012 – 2018
|
Year |
Appeal Receipts |
Appeals Finalised |
Favourable Decisions |
Appeals Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
|
2012 |
35,484 |
32,558 |
50.4% |
42.6% |
7.0% |
|
2013 |
32,777 |
38,421 |
55.0% |
39.0% |
6.0% |
|
2014 |
26,069 |
31,211 |
56.5% |
37.7% |
5.8% |
|
2015 |
24,475 |
25,406 |
58.8% |
36.1% |
5.1% |
|
2016 |
22,461 |
23,220 |
59.2% |
35.9% |
4.9% |
|
2017 |
19,658 |
18,980 |
60.1% |
33.9% |
6.0% |
|
2018 (to 28/2/2018) |
3,272 |
2,910 |
57.9% |
37.0% |
5.1% |
Appeal Processing Times 2012– 2018
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
2012 |
27.8 |
39.5 |
|
2013 |
25.8 |
33.9 |
|
2014 |
21.1 |
28.6 |
|
2015 |
18.1 |
25.5 |
|
2016 |
17.6 |
24.1 |
|
2017 |
19.8 |
26.4 |
|
2018 (to 28 February 2018) |
25.2 |
30.0 |
434. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the target for poverty here; the likelihood of the target being reached within the set timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national social target for poverty reduction agreed by Government in 2012 is to reduce consistent poverty from 6.3% in 2010 to 4% by 2016 and to 2% or less by 2020. This was an ambitious target, particularly during a time of economic recession, but one to which the Government has remained committed.
Data from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) indicate that consistent poverty rose sharply after 2010, to a peak of 9.1% in 2013. The latest SILC 2016 data, released by the CSO in December 2017, indicate that this had reduced to 8.3%. A reduction of 6 percentage points would now be required to meet the 2020 poverty target.
The impact of the recovery is not yet fully reflected in these most recent data, which reflect income conditions in 2015-2016. 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% in February 2018. The number of people in receipt of working-age income and employment supports has also continued to fall.
In addition, 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 and measures introduced in Budgets 2017 and 2018, I expect the figures for 2017 and 2018, when they become available, to show further improvement over the 2016 outcomes. 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. Under the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures), the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, in collaboration with my Department and other relevant Departments, is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling child poverty, building on the lifecycle approach in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) and informed by the European Commission Recommendation on ‘Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage’.
My Department is currently reviewing the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion), and is developing a new plan for the period 2018-2021. As part of this update, the Department is also reviewing the national social target for poverty reduction. This review is being undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
435. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on external consultant reports from May 2016 to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14755/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my officials and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
436. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the refusal on appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14804/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. Notification of the Appeals Officer’s decision issued to the person concerned on 20th March 2018.
The Social Welfare Appeals system is underpinned by Chapter 2 of Part 10 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 and the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations (SI 108/98). This legislation sets down the roles, powers, functions etc. of the Social Welfare Appeals Office and its Appeals Officers. Appeals Officers and the Social Welfare Appeals Office are required to operate within the powers and boundaries set down in this legislation.
Under the legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.
If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that were not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of the appeal, they may be submitted to this office for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
437. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when rent support will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been in receipt of rent supplement since 1/4/11 and all payments have been issued to-date.
To ensure the rate of rent supplement entitlement is accurately assessed, the person concerned was requested to provide the Department with a SWA 3A Rent Supplement Review Form and v erification of income. On receipt of same, the rent supplement claim for the person concerned will be re-assessed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
438. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when fuel allowance will be made available in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 12 March 2018.
Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. One allowance is payable per household.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. An applicant may have a combined household income of up to €100.00 per week over and above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory) and increase for qualified adult.
Entitlement to the fuel allowance will be assessed and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
439. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of farm assist; the amount paid by county in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested (where available) by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Recipients of Farm Assist by County at the end of December in the years 2010 to 2017 and at the end of February 2018
|
Year |
February 2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
Carlow |
56 |
60 |
58 |
69 |
76 |
75 |
84 |
95 |
102 |
|
Cavan |
242 |
254 |
265 |
300 |
326 |
344 |
404 |
407 |
401 |
|
Clare |
342 |
346 |
400 |
455 |
521 |
566 |
609 |
643 |
637 |
|
Cork |
529 |
542 |
606 |
689 |
788 |
840 |
922 |
957 |
917 |
|
Donegal |
1,140 |
1,265 |
1,294 |
1,299 |
1,458 |
1,492 |
1,534 |
1,491 |
1,389 |
|
Dublin |
27 |
27 |
33 |
30 |
32 |
28 |
37 |
35 |
11 |
|
Galway |
702 |
714 |
767 |
858 |
1,000 |
1,035 |
1,112 |
1,137 |
1,133 |
|
Kerry |
602 |
523 |
568 |
717 |
721 |
766 |
818 |
819 |
742 |
|
Kildare |
21 |
21 |
19 |
28 |
37 |
39 |
53 |
53 |
56 |
|
Kilkenny |
86 |
86 |
91 |
108 |
120 |
128 |
146 |
154 |
173 |
|
Laois |
82 |
85 |
94 |
104 |
116 |
128 |
158 |
177 |
149 |
|
Leitrim |
304 |
301 |
331 |
366 |
377 |
396 |
394 |
377 |
331 |
|
Limerick |
145 |
139 |
164 |
180 |
216 |
231 |
250 |
247 |
265 |
|
Longford |
128 |
130 |
139 |
177 |
205 |
232 |
260 |
258 |
176 |
|
Louth |
60 |
60 |
59 |
72 |
82 |
79 |
87 |
84 |
81 |
|
Mayo |
1,115 |
1,156 |
1,289 |
1,471 |
1,614 |
1,691 |
1,813 |
1,869 |
1,684 |
|
Meath |
45 |
49 |
55 |
67 |
81 |
81 |
93 |
82 |
90 |
|
Monaghan |
307 |
319 |
344 |
386 |
446 |
468 |
504 |
545 |
516 |
|
Offaly |
71 |
72 |
76 |
89 |
97 |
107 |
130 |
133 |
127 |
|
Roscommon |
256 |
262 |
276 |
319 |
356 |
384 |
424 |
433 |
407 |
|
Sligo |
208 |
210 |
228 |
251 |
283 |
283 |
310 |
315 |
478 |
|
Tipperary |
241 |
252 |
269 |
300 |
336 |
363 |
404 |
402 |
350 |
|
Waterford |
60 |
61 |
64 |
70 |
78 |
85 |
92 |
96 |
84 |
|
Westmeath |
97 |
99 |
120 |
131 |
153 |
166 |
197 |
193 |
134 |
|
Wexford |
152 |
151 |
166 |
195 |
223 |
224 |
248 |
255 |
202 |
|
Wicklow |
50 |
50 |
53 |
59 |
67 |
72 |
79 |
76 |
79 |
|
Total |
7,068 |
7,234 |
7,828 |
8,790 |
9,809 |
10,303 |
11,162 |
11,333 |
10,714 |
Expenditure on Farm Assist 2010 to 2017 and to end February 2018
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
11,686 |
78,182 |
78,832 |
88,487 |
93,632 |
99,178 |
108,170 |
113,724 |
110,931 |
440. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of a proposal (details supplied) over a calendar year. [14847/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe farm assist scheme supplements mostly small farms on bad agricultural land, mainly in the west of Ireland. Recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2018 Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of approximately €74.1 million on the farm assist scheme.
Budget 2017 fully reversed the previous cuts to the Farm Assist means test. The changes included that 70% of farm income is now assessed as means, down from 100% being assessed as means (which is equivalent to a 30% income disregard) and an additional annual means disregard of €254 for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and subsequent children.
The farm assist means test is flexible so as to allow for significant income fluctuations from one year to the next. It may also be noted that farm assist customers continue to receive more beneficial treatment than other self-employed persons as payments received under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) or Special Area of Conservation (SAC) schemes are assessed separately from other farm income. With regard to this income the first €2,540 is disregarded, and then 50% of the balance and related expenses are disregarded - with the balance being assessed as means.
It is estimated that the cost of changing the farm assist means testing rules in order that irrespective of the source of income the first €3,000 would be disregarded and the balance would be means tested at 50% is approximately €15 million for a full year. This estimate is based on the existing number of recipients and current rates.
However, it is envisaged that there would be an inflow of new farm assist claims if these measures were introduced. The Department cannot quantify the numbers involved and as such cannot calculate the associated additional costs. Therefore, the estimated cost of €15 million should be regarded as a minimum estimate.
Budget 2018 provided for a €5 per week increase in rate of payment for farm assist and the maximum rate increased from €193 to €198 per week from 26 March 2018.
Any changes to means assessment would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
441. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of a proposal (details supplied) over a calendar year. [14848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra442. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rationale for imposing a six year limit for some participants on the rural social scheme, RSS; and her plans to abolish same in view of social and community value of this scheme. [14849/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together.
The rural social scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen/women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen and participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing this valuable work in their local communities
Since 1st February 2017, all participants commencing on the RSS have to be over 25 years of age and a 6 year overall participation limit on the work scheme also applies. It should be noted that almost 50% of the current participants have been on the RSS for over 10 years. As a result, opportunities for new people to go on the scheme are very limited. It is in this context that a maximum six year participation limit on the scheme was introduced for participants commencing on or after 1st February 2017. The six year limit will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available. In addition income support will still be available to eligible farmers and fishermen who are not on RSS in the form of Farm or Fish Assist.
The deputy should be aware that RSS participants who commenced on the scheme prior to 1st February 2017 will remain on the scheme, as long as they continue to remain eligible for the scheme. To be eligible to participate on the RSS, an individual must satisfy the qualifying criteria for the scheme. This includes having an entitlement to one of the qualifying social welfare payments and maintaining an underlying entitlement to Farm/Fish Assist.
There are currently no plans to change the eligibility conditions for persons over 55 years of age who commenced since 1st February 2017. Records available indicate that there are 206 RSS participants over 55 years who commenced on RSS since 1st February 2017.
It is estimated that the full year cost of an RSS place is €16,500 while the net cost is estimated at €6,000. This costing consists of wages paid to participants, fuel allowance, supervisory costs, fees to implementing bodies, fees to the payroll provider and provision of input costs for implementing bodies.
I would like to reiterate that the Government strongly supports the work being done through the RSS and the vital role such schemes are playing in local communities, including supporting social services, across the entire country. This is reflected in my announcement last week of the allocation of an additional 250 RSS places bringing the total number of places on the scheme to 3,350.
443. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of positions filled to date out of the 500 additional places provided for the rural social scheme in Budget 2017 to each company and Údarás na Gaeltachta delivering the RSS, by county; the number of participants in the rural social scheme over the period 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018 by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
444. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the National Planning Framework proposal to introduce better planning in relation to climate change; the way in which he will ensure the implementation of this planning in view of the timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14602/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF), published together with the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 on 16 February 2018, sets out an ambitious high-level national vision for Ireland for 2040, and provides the framework and principles to manage future population and economic growth over the next 20 years, catering for around 1 million extra people, 660,000 extra jobs and 550,000 extra homes.
Chapter 9 on Realising our Sustainable Future addresses the key national environmental challenges we face including the need to accelerate action on climate change. The National Policy Objectives iterated in this Chapter acknowledge the importance of the planning system in influencing issues in relation to environmental and sustainability goals.
Project Ireland 2040 provides for €22bn investment in climate action related policies which will facilitate the realisation of key policy objectives in line with the NPF principles. Programme and project identification to enable overall implementation of Project Ireland 2040 will also be progressed at national, regional and local levels, through specific measures contained in Project Ireland 2040 , allied to forthcoming Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) being developed by the three Regional Assemblies by the end of this year. These Strategies will subsequently be further elaborated upon at local authority city and county development plan levels.
My Department, in a recent Circular (Circular Letter FPS 02/2018), highlighted that from 16th February 2018, in accordance with Section 2 of the Planning and Development 2000 (as amended) and all other related provisions of the Act, including, in particular, Sections 9, 10, 22A, 23, 37A and 143, the NPF replaced the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and now represents the overarching national planning policy document of direct relevance to the planning functions of regional and planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála.
Moreover, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, currently at Seanad Committee stage, will, once enacted, provide statutory underpinning to the process of implementing, updating and reviewing the National Planning Framework into the future.
445. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on social inclusion under the housing expenditure heading of Vote 34 under his Department per annum in each of the years 2014 to 2017; the provision for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDedicated funding for Housing Inclusion Support programmes is provided within my Department’s Housing Vote on an annual basis. This funding is provided to local authorities for the provision of programmes to support the delivery of Traveller specific accommodation and related services, the provision of homeless services and also supports to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities.
The funding details requested by the Deputy in respect of the Housing Inclusion Supports programmes are set out in the following table. The data for 2015, 2016 and 2017 includes amounts which were self-funded by certain local authorities from surplus Local Property Tax receipts.
Subhead A.5 Expenditure - Housing Inclusion Supports
|
2014 Expenditure €m |
2015 Expenditure €m |
2016 Expenditure €m |
2017 Expenditure €m |
2018 Budget Provision €m |
|
57.41 |
74.49 |
97.89 |
118.64 |
132.66 |
More broadly, my Department operates and funds a wide range of housing initiatives which support social inclusion and assist people and communities to fully participate in society. Such programmes include the provision of appropriate housing to meet identified need, a range of improvement, renewal and regeneration programmes and supports to maintain people within their homes. Funding details under these housing programmes is set out in the annual Estimates of Public Expenditure, available at the following link:
http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/.
446. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of take-ups of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14538/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was introduced on 1 February 2018.
As with the previous local authority home loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is a local authority product and loan applications are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department does not collect information on the number of enquiries to local authorities regarding the loan, the number of complete loan applications received by local authorities, or the reasons as to why a loan application may be declined.
As is currently the case, my Department will continue to publish information on the overall number and value of (1) local authority loan approvals and (2) local authority loan drawdowns on its website at the following link - http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity . This information is currently updated to end Q3 2017; Q4 data will be published shortly.
447. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme will deliver affordable homes to buy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14541/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was introduced on 1 February 2018.
The new loan is designed to enable credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The scheme is targeted at first-time buyers who have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home.
Other aspects of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness address the delivery of more affordable homes. This is a major priority for Government, focusing in particular on the cities of Dublin, Galway and Cork, where people are facing the greatest affordability challenge. Increased delivery of homes at more affordable prices will involve local authorities developing their own residential land bank, comprising some 1,700 hectares, to its full potential.
I am providing Exchequer funding of €25 million, over 2018 and 2019, as a key contribution towards the delivery of more affordable housing. I expect that in the region of 3,000 new affordable homes can be made available through a range of schemes and initiatives, with the long-term ambition for some 10,000 additional affordable homes to be provided for sale or rent, as the initiatives are rolled out.
448. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for targets and timelines to provide affordable homes to buy and rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14543/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of more affordable homes, to buy or rent, is a major priority for Government, focusing in particular on the cities of Dublin, Galway and Cork, where people are facing the greatest affordability challenge. Increased delivery of homes at more affordable prices will involve local authorities developing their own residential land bank, comprising some 1,700 hectares, to its full potential. Where appropriate, it will include local authorities working with approved housing bodies and realising a mix of tenures from these lands, including affordable purchase and/or cost rental.
Recognising that there are enabling infrastructure requirements on some sites, I am also providing Exchequer funding of €25 million over 2018 and 2019 for a targeted programme, where the local authority will make low-cost serviced sites available for affordable housing, within the parameters of the overall affordable purchase scheme that will be set down in Regulations. My Department is currently drawing up the criteria for access to this fund, taking account of broader policy on affordable housing, and will be seeking submissions from local authorities in the coming weeks.
I expect local authorities to be pro-active in developing and bringing forward innovative concepts regarding the use of their land for the delivery of both affordable homes for purchase and rent. Arising from the second Housing Summit with local authority Chief Executives in January, I have asked each local authority to furnish a report to me, setting out their plans for delivery of both social and affordable housing, with a particular focus on affordable home provision in the main urban centres, where the greatest challenges exist. These reports have recently been received and are under consideration by my Department.
In overall terms, from initial estimates, I expect that in the region of 3,000 new affordable homes can be made available through a range of schemes and initiatives, with the long-term ambition for some 10,000 additional affordable homes to be provided for sale or rent, as the initiatives are rolled out. Initial indications from local authorities in Dublin, Cork and Galway highlight the potential for almost 4,000 affordable homes from their land. Over the coming weeks my Department will be working with local authorities to refine and finalise these targets.
449. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason the official information booklet and website published for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan does not state information (details supplied) in connection to the deposit criteria of the home loan application process. [14556/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was made available on 1 February 2018.
The new loan enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not otherwise have been able to afford at a higher interest rate.
Full details of the loan’s eligibility criteria and other information is available from the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan website, http://rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/.
In relation to the deposit criteria issue referred to, I have asked my Department to liaise with the Housing Agency to provide additional detail on the website in order to clarify this issue for prospective applicants.
450. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount that his Department has spent on social media training and consultancy in each year since 2016. [14571/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of social media accounts are operated by my Department and must be managed in accordance with my Department’s Social Media policy. My Department has not spent any money on social media training or consultancy since 2016.
