Written Answers Nos. 550-568
550. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has changed its practice in which it no longer funds private or non-council roads on islands unless the council agrees to take over the future maintenance of those private roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17668/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non-public roads. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are largely based on the Memorandum governing the scheme which was published in 2002 by the then Department of Environment and Local Government.
Eligible roads are non-public roads, often leading to houses and important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountains, etc., or other non-public roads that provide access to parcels of land, or provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons. There must be more than one landholder on an LIS road and the road must be open to the public.
I recently announced the allocation of approximately €10 million for the scheme for 2018. The majority of County Councils have submitted lists of eligible roads which will undergo works in 2018 to my Department, and I have made these lists available on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie.
It is the responsibility of the County Council to select the road projects that will receive LIS funding in line with the scheme criteria and the Memorandum governing the scheme. The Memorandum does not preclude roads on Islands being selected by the County Council to receive funding.
551. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the operation of the Charities Regulatory Authority; the number of applicants awaiting registration; the average length of time a charity is waiting between submitting an application and the issuing of a registered charity number; and the number of staff in the authority assigned to approving applications. [17852/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 39 of the Charities Act 2009, provides the regulatory basis for organisations to register with the Charities Regulator. In order to apply for charitable status an organisation must provide evidence that it;
- Operates in the Republic of Ireland
- Exists for a charitable purpose(s) as set out in the Charities Act 2009,
- Promotes this charitable purpose(s) only,
- Carries out all activities to further this charitable purpose,
- Exists to benefit the public or a section of the public in Ireland, or elsewhere, through its charitable purpose(s), and
- Is not an excluded body.
In the first quarter of 2018, 505 decisions to award charitable status were made by the Regulator. This compares with 1,757 for the whole of 2017.
My Department is advised that the current average time for a decision from submission of all relevant information is approximately four to five months but can be less or more depending on the complexity of the application and the responsiveness of the applicant to any queries raised.
At the end of March 2018 there were 826 complete applications awaiting decision – of these 592 were with the applicant to respond to queries.
I am advised that the Charities Regulator increased staffing in this area from three case officers to seven in the third quarter of 2017 with a corresponding increase in decisions made. It is expected that this trend will increase in 2018 with the launch of a new digital platform, a simplified application system for small community and voluntary organisations and the publication of further guidance which will assist applicants.
552. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for volunteer information services operating throughout the country that have been assisted by various partnership companies by way of funding in the past and in addition to the funding that is already provided for the volunteer centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5m is being provided in 2018 under this programme to support 21 Volunteer Centres, 8 Volunteer Information Services and a number of volunteer-supporting organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland.
Volunteer Information Services provide a valuable service in the promotion of volunteering in areas not covered by a Volunteer Centre. They act as a catalyst to encourage volunteering and also act as a conduit to match suitable volunteers with host organisations. While the aims of Volunteer Information Services are the same as Volunteer Centres, differences exist between the two. These differences include the fact that Volunteer Information Services are hosted by other organisations (like Local Development Companies) and do not operate on a full time basis.
Volunteer Centres, on the other hand, maintain their own premises, are responsible for their overheads, engage a minimum of at least two full time employees, facilitate a drop in service for potential volunteers and carry out a host of functions associated with volunteering, for example, training courses, seminars and coordinating volunteers at events.
No additional funding is available for Volunteer Information Services in 2018. However, my Department has commenced discussions with Volunteer Ireland and the Volunteer Information Services to explore the possibility of upgrading these Volunteer Information Services to Volunteer Centres on a phased basis.
553. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the detail of the new strategy that is being prepared to be launched to promote and encourage increased use of libraries; the way it will impact on libraries in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new public library strategy for 2018 to 2022, Our Public Libraries 2022: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities, has been developed by my Department in partnership with local authorities and the Local Government Management Agency.
The Strategy focuses on three thematic programmes - Reading and Literacy Development, Learning and Information, and Community and Culture. These programmes will seek to build on progress under previous strategies and focus on strengthening relationships with local partners to develop public libraries as essential multi-functional facilities accessible to all.
The strategic programmes will be underpinned by six strategy enablers that reflect the service elements to be developed under the Strategy. These include inter alia, new and redeveloped library buildings, improved ICT capacity and continued service and resource development across all city and county library services, including County Carlow Library Service.
The Strategy was approved by Government in April 2018 and I hope to formally launch it in the coming weeks. Specific details of the Strategy will be announced as part of, and following, the launch.
554. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on the local development social inclusion programme and the local and community development programme by county in each of the years 2008 to 2010, in tabular form. [17873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and the Community Development Programme were superseded by the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) on 1 January 2010. The following table sets out the funding allocated to each County for the period 2008 to 2009.
I would like to refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ11821/18 (Question No 907) of 20 March 2018, which sets out the 2010 LCDP Funding in the requested format.
|
County |
2008 |
2009 |
|
Carlow |
€836,353 |
€752,456 |
|
Cavan |
€1,199,170 |
€1,100,920 |
|
Clare |
€1,620,560 |
€1,268,668 |
|
Cork |
€5,633,061 |
€4,961,168 |
|
Donegal |
€4,313,917 |
€3,091,432 |
|
Dublin |
€22,291,993 |
€19,883,180 |
|
Galway |
€4,683,052 |
€3,606,667 |
|
Kerry |
€3,755,574 |
€5,060,548 |
|
Kildare |
€1,630,364 |
€1,494,934 |
|
Kilkenny |
€937,453 |
€852,064 |
|
Laois |
€854,823 |
€788,411 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,195,801 |
€1,072,115 |
|
Limerick |
€4,329,117 |
€3,918,278 |
|
Longford |
€1,062,601 |
€977,033 |
|
Louth |
€2,547,384 |
€2,218,911 |
|
Mayo |
€2,390,642 |
€2,066,799 |
|
Meath |
€669,780 |
€375,688 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,369,353 |
€1,227,796 |
|
Offaly |
€1,375,008 |
€1,219,211 |
|
Roscommon |
€1,200,102 |
€1,080,699 |
|
Sligo |
€1,153,965 |
€1,073,696 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,774,577 |
€1,476,529 |
|
Waterford |
€2,419,466 |
€2,196,795 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,678,939 |
€1,525,643 |
|
Wexford |
€3,341,667 |
€2,886,222 |
|
Wicklow |
€2,450,288 |
€2,275,990 |
555. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to his Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established on the 19th July 2017. In that time there have been no invoices received by the Department from this company.
556. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has approved the allocation of funds voted by Dáil Éireann to the Citizens Information Board to be disbursed in furtherance of a policy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17661/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018 the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has been allocated €57.4 million from Exchequer funds to fund its activities and that of its service delivery partners, including the countrywide network of Citizens Information Services (CISs) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS). Provision has been made in the 2018 allocation for the costs involved in the restructuring process referred to by the Deputy.
The executive of CIB is in the process of implementing the decision of the Board to reorganise the governance arrangements of the 93 individual local company boards, comprising 42 CIS and 51 MABS companies, to a new regionally based 16 company model comprising 8 CIS and 8 MABS companies.
The first phase of this process has seen the establishment of 6 new companies - 3 CIS and 3 MABS, in North Leinster (comprising Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Kildare), South Munster (Cork and Kerry) and Dublin South.
All staff, assets and liabilities of the 38 local companies involved in this phase have transferred to the 6 new companies. There has been no change to service delivery points, no reduction in staffing, nor has there been any diminution of services for clients.
The remaining 55 companies will transfer into the 5 new CIS and 5 new MABS companies as they are established and it is envisaged that the next phase of transfer will be completed before the end of 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
557. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been advised of their ineligibility for participation in an upcoming community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17390/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Jobseekers on the live register must be capable of, available for, and actively seeking full time employment, they are also required to engage with the Department’s activation services whether the service is provided internally by an Intreo case officer or externally by one of the contracted providers e.g. JobPath providers and Local Employment Service providers. The JobPath service is one of a number of employment activation services provided for people who are long-term unemployed to help them secure and sustain full-time paid employment. Customers who have not been in full-time employment but are returning to a Jobseeker’s payment from other departmental employment schemes, for example Tús are also eligible for selection for JobPath.
Where a jobseeker on the date of their referral to JobPath, has received an offer of a placement on a Community Employment (CE) Scheme with a start date within 4 weeks of their date of referral, they will be facilitated to take up the placement if they wish. The four week time frame may be extended if there is a delay due to Garda vetting requirements.
As the person in question was selected for JobPath on the 17 March 2018 and his start date for a CE scheme was not within 4 weeks of the start date he is must participate on the JobPath programme and as such is currently ineligible to take up his placement on a CE scheme.
I wish to take this opportunity to advise the Deputy that I have made changes to the eligibility criteria for CE/Tús and JobPath participants from 1 June 2018, whereby a person can take up an opportunity under CE/Tús and participate on JobPath at the same time.
558. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17409/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis domiciliary care allowance application has been finalised. The lady concerned was notified on 16 April 2018 that domiciliary care allowance has been awarded from 1 March 2018. Arrears due for this period will issue with the first payment on 15 May 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
559. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17410/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from this lady on 15 February 2018. Applications received during the first week of February 2018 are currently being finalised. The application will be considered by a deciding officer and the decision will be notified as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
560. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17424/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 1 February 2018.
Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 19 April 2018. Once the information is received the application will be processed and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive unemployment assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17435/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s allowance (JA) is a means tested social protection scheme. In the case of a couple, account is taken of the means of both members of the couple.
Following participation on a Tús scheme the person concerned was re-assessed for a JA payment in December 2017. His JA claim was disallowed, as his means (which had changed during the time he was participating on the Tús scheme) were deemed to be in excess of the weekly allowable means appropriate to his family size and circumstances.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has upheld the deciding officer’s decision on appeal. The person concerned has been notified in writing of this decision on 12 April 2018 and the reasons for the decision.
562. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17437/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded the Household Benefits Package with effect from 1 February 2018 and received written confirmation of same on 26 March 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
563. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears for a person (details supplied) will be processed; and when they will receive same. [17442/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded a maximum rate widow(er)/survivors’ (contributory) pension with effect from 29 September 2017. The first payment issued to the person’s nominated account in a financial institution on 6 April 2018. All due arrears issued to the same account on 20 April 2018.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
564. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the guardian's payment (contributory), the guardian's payment (non-contributory) and the death benefit orphan's pension awarded under the occupational injuries scheme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17538/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn average, 2,359 payments were made to recipients of these schemes in each week of the month of March. A breakdown of this number by scheme is detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
Average number of weekly payments to recipients of Guardian's payment (contributory), Guardian's payment (non-contributory) and Death benefit/Orphan's Pension during March 2018 |
|
|
Scheme |
Average number of weekly payments |
|
Guardian's payment (contributory) |
1,102 |
|
Guardian's payment (non-contributory) |
536 |
|
Death benefit/Orphan's Pension |
721 |
|
Total |
2,359 |
565. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports, monetary or otherwise, made available by her Department to orphans or those who are caring for orphans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17539/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she or her predecessor met with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and-or the Minister for Health to discuss the way in which orphans and those caring for orphans could be better supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra567. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has conducted a review since March 2011 of the way in which it could better support orphans and those caring for orphans; if not, her plans for such a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17541/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 565 to 567, inclusive, together.
One of the many roles of my Department is to provide income support to families with children in the State. Where a child is being cared for by someone other than their parents, the person looking after the child may apply for a guardian’s payment. The purpose of the guardian’s payment scheme is to provide income support in respect of those children whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstance.
Currently, there are around 1,600 people receiving guardian’s payments in respect of approximately 2,300 children. Expenditure on guardian’s payments schemes (contributory and non-contributory) was €19.7 million in 2017. A budget increase of €5 per week per orphan, implemented from March 2018, brings the weekly rate to €181 per orphan; the highest rate of weekly child income support paid by my Department.
My Department has a number of payments available to assist families with children, including –
- Child Benefit, a universal payment made in respect of children aged under 18, payable monthly at the rate of €140 per child;
- Family Income Supplement, a means-tested payment income support for families where one or more adult is working. (Importantly, when establishing family means for the purpose of family income supplement, any payments received in respect of guardian’s payment or child benefit are disregarded);
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an annual payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The allowance is paid at the rate of €125 for children aged 4 to 11 and €250 for children aged 12 or over attending secondary school. Any payments received in respect of guardian’s payment or child benefit are disregarded in determining household income for eligibility purposes; and
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance which includes payments to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
While the aim of Guardian’s Payments is to meet income support needs, it is acknowledged that the supports required by some orphans and guardians may extend beyond that of income support and additional family support services may be required. Under the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, “National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 – Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures”, responsibility for supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children and the provision of family support services lies with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
The Guardian’s Payments scheme was last reviewed in 2011 and there are no plans to conduct a further review at this time. Although neither my predecessor nor I have formally met with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs or the Minister for Health on the matter to date, the feasibility of extending further (non-financial) supports to those in receipt of Guardian’s payment is under consideration by officials of my Department and the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.
I hope this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
568. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the need to progress an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in view of exceptional circumstances will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17543/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 20 July 2017.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that although a certain level of care was being provided the level involved did not amount to full-time care.
The person concerned was notified on 7 November 2017 of this decision the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.
My Department were notified on 4 December 2017 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). At this stage a different deciding officer (DO) reviewed the original decision in full. The outcome of this review was that the original decision was confirmed. Accordingly, a submission in support of the decision was forwarded on 19 April 2018, along with the file to the SWAO for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
