Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 574-592

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Ceisteanna (574)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

574. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to update the legislation governing the domiciliary care allowance scheme to allow for individual half rate payments to be made in respect of a child who satisfies the medical criteria for the scheme to both parents in separation cases in which there are equal joint custody arrangements in place and in view of the increasing number of court orders for 50-50 child custody arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22314/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

There are no plans to introduce a half-rate payment option in respect of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) at present.

The Department has, however, recently completed a consultation process with people with disabilities, their families, advocates and representative groups on recommendations 9 and 10 of the Make Work Pay (MWP) report. The MWP report, published in April 2017 following a commitment in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy 2015 -2024, was undertaken in order to better identify how people with disabilities could be supported to achieve their employment ambitions.

The consultation reflects a commitment made at the time of the publication of the MWP report to consult widely with persons with disabilities and their families in relation to the number of recommendations about the principle of early engagement and a proposed reconfiguration of the Disability Allowance (DA) payment. One MWP recommendation is to support young adults through education, training and social inclusion according to their capacity, and to change the lowest qualifying age for DA from 16 to 18 years, with a corresponding change in the age to which DCA would be payable to 18.

I, together with my Government colleagues, look forward to learning the outcome of the consultation process in due course. The Government will then consider what actions will best support the overall objective of improving outcomes for persons with a disability.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (575, 576)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

575. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22332/18]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

576. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22333/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 576 together.

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 31,000 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018.

End of year statistics for rent supplement recipients and expenditure for the years 2011 to 2017 and for the four months ending April 2018 are provided in the tabular statement.

Rent supplement customer numbers have declined significantly during the period since 2011. The strategic initiative of returning rent supplement to its original purpose, that of a short-term income support, facilitated by the introduction of the HAP scheme has been the main driver in rent supplement’s base decline. Other contributory factors include the continuing improvement in the economy leading to fewer people seeking support due to retaining and securing long-term employment allied with more people exiting rent supplement through activation and securing job opportunities.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statement: Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers & Expenditure 2011 to April 2018

Year	Total Expenditure €000	Total Recipients
2011	502,747	96,803
2012	422,536	87,684
2013	372,909	79,788
2014	338,208	71,533
2015	311,059	61,247
2016	275,294	48,041
2017	231,211 *	34,378
4 months to April 2018	64,564	31,000

*Provisional

Social Insurance Data

Ceisteanna (577)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

577. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 8 May 2018, the estimated number of self-employed workers in question based on the latest data at the class S rate of 4% who would be eligible for the benefits (details supplied) if extended. [22475/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Deputy is referring to the actuarial review of the social insurance fund as at 31 December 2015 and to the cost of extending certain social insurance benefits to the self-employed, an exercise that was carried out as part of the review.

It is estimated that 254,000 Class S contributors would gain entitlement to these schemes, subject to the normal qualifying criteria for each scheme. As the Deputy is aware entitlement to invalidity pension was extended to the self-employed from December 2017.

Carer's Allowance Review

Ceisteanna (578)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

578. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if the case will be reviewed in view of new medical evidence. [22585/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 November 2017. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 15 February 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Ceisteanna (579)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

579. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 of 15 May 2018, if an exceptional needs form can reissue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22597/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An application form for an exceptional needs payment issued to the person concerned on 17/5/18.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Ceisteanna (580)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

580. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which a person (details supplied) may avail of an extension to their job posting in view of the fact that a due date for retiring is imminent; the way in which contracts may be extended on a year to year basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22599/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The interim revised retirement arrangements announced recently by the Government affect public servants only and have been introduced to enable those reaching 65 years of age to remain in place, if they so wish, until they reach the age of eligibility for the contributory state pension (age 66 at present).

Community Employment (CE) supervisors are employees of private companies, in the community and voluntary sector. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is not the employer of CE supervisors and such employees are not public servants but are employees of the sponsoring organisations.

The age limit for participation on CE is linked to the age at which the state pension becomes available to persons as follows:

- 66 for those born before 1 January 1955;

- 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1955; and

- 68 for those born on or after 1 January 1961

In general, Supervisors/Assistant Supervisors who meet the participation limits, can remain on CE until the working day before the birthday at which they reach state pension age. In the case of the person concerned, this will be the day before he reaches 66 years of age.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Ceisteanna (581)

John Brady

Ceist:

581. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of plans for the early introduction of the total contributions approach for persons in receipt of a reduced State pension payment due to the 2012 pension changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22601/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

On 23 January, the Government agreed to a proposal that will allow pensioners affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands to have their pension entitlement calculated by a new "Total Contributions Approach" (TCA) which will include up to 20 years of a new HomeCaring credit. This approach is expected to significantly benefit many people, particularly women, whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, while raising families or in a caring role. It will make it easier for pensioners assessed under the yearly average model, to qualify for a higher rate of the State Pension (contributory). The TCA will ensure that the totality of a person’s social insurance contributions - as opposed to the timing of them - determines a final pension outcome.

Under the new arrangements a person who reached pension age after 1 September 2012 and has a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of the new HomeCaring credits, will qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme. Crucially, unlike the existing Homemakers disregard system, periods of home-caring before that scheme was introduced in 1994 may be recognised under the new scheme.

Up to 10 years of other credits, for example when unemployed or ill, may also be used, subject to the total number of credits not exceeding 20 years. So, for example, a person might receive a maximum pension based on 20 years paid PRSI contributions, 5 years jobseeker credits, and 15 years HomeCaring Credits, over a 50 year period.

The new TCA for pensioners assessed under the 2012 rate band changes, comes into effect from 30 March 2018. Pensioners do not need to contact the Department at this juncture. Instead, the Department will invite over 40,000 pensioners, who were assessed under the current rate bands in place since 2012, to have their pensions recalculated under TCA to determine if they qualify for a higher rate of entitlement.

Legislation is currently being prepared to enact these changes. Following the passing of this legislation, the Department expects to send out these invitations from Quarter 4 of 2018 and to begin payments, including arrears for any period from 30 March 2018, from Quarter 1 of 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bereavement Grant

Ceisteanna (582)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

582. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the reintroduction of the bereavement grant. [22605/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

During the economic downturn, my Department protected primary social welfare rates and in recent years, as the economy recovered, the Government has concentrated resources in improving the core rates of payments, particularly for pensioners. Abolishing the bereavement grant provided a significant annual saving and allowed my Department to protect other core social welfare payments such as the State pension.

It should be noted that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant did when it was in place. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.

Under the SWA scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses.

In 2017, some 2,800 ENPs were awarded to assist with funerals and burial expenses at a cost of €5.1 million.

Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Ceisteanna (583)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

583. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her recent announcement will impact on a person (details supplied); the benefits this person can expect in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22614/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

To qualify for state pension (contributory) a person must have at least 520 full-rate paid contributions. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has 163 reckonable Irish contributions, which is insufficient to qualify for a standard Irish state pension (contributory). The person’s entitlement to a pension under EU Regulations on Social Security was also examined. However, the person concerned has a combined total of 500 Irish and other EU contributions, which is also below the necessary minimum of 520 contributions.

The Government announcement does not apply to the person concerned, as it only affects qualifying state pension (contributory) claimants since September 2012, whose rate of entitlement was impacted by the 2012 rate band changes.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension

Ceisteanna (584)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

584. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22659/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

To date, an application for invalidity pension has not been received from the gentleman concerned. An application form has been reissued to the gentleman. On receipt of the completed application form, his entitlement will be examined and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

Unfinished Housing Developments

Ceisteanna (585)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

585. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the case of an estate (details supplied) in County Tipperary in which a contractor carried out work under the unfinished estates special resolution fund for a developer in June 2017, that was signed off by Tipperary County Council and the developer, but for which the contractor still has not been paid will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22576/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

To further assist in addressing the legacy of unfinished housing developments, my Department announced in 2013 a special provision in the form of a targeted €10m Unfinished Housing Development Special Resolution Fund (SRF).

Local authorities were invited to make applications for funding support to enable collaborative solutions to be found for unresolved residential developments. Applications were required to confirm that, subject to the achievement of relevant standards, the development will be taken in charge. The applicants were also required to demonstrate that additional developer provided funding was being leveraged by the funding sought. 

Under the SRF, a provisional allocation of €250,000 was granted to Tipperary County Council in respect of the estate in question.  In total, €187,500 was drawn down by the Council in respect of all the development works involved. 

While progression of this issue, including engagement with relevant developers/contractors, is, in the first instance, a matter for Tipperary County Council, my Department understands that Phases 1 to 4 are generally complete. My Department also understands that the Council is working with the developer to finalise the legal documentation required to secure his contribution to the Site Resolution Plan and that upon finalisation of same, the Council will then be in a position to release the funding in respect of Phase 5.

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Ceisteanna (586, 613, 614)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

586. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis upon which his Department approved the grant of funding under the local infrastructure housing activation fund for the Donabate distributor road in circumstances in which the road is being constructed in breach of planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála on 19 July 2011 (details supplied); the oversight his Department has in respect of projects it funds; the steps his Department is taking to enforce compliance by Fingal County Council with the provisions of the planning permission; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Fingal County Council has requested the contractor working on the road to now include an upgrade to the local water supply in the contract which was not included in the original tender; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the works are not being put out to tender, in breach of public procurement rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22813/18]

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

613. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis on which his Department approved the grant of funding under the local infrastructure housing activation fund for the Donabate distributor road in circumstances in which this road is being constructed in breach of planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála on 19 July 2011 (details supplied); the oversight his Department has in respect of projects it funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/18]

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

614. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to enforce compliance by Fingal County Council with regard to the provisions of planning permission; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the council has requested the contractor working on the Donabate distributor road to now include an upgrade to the local water supply in the contract in circumstances in which such was not included in the original tender and in which these works are not being put out to tender, in breach of public procurement rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 613 and 614 together.

My Department approved a project under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) for the construction of the Donabate Distributor Road. The project was submitted for funding by Fingal County Council, following a Call for Proposals in August 2016. The proposal was assessed by the LIHAF Advisory Group and LIHAF Management Committee and was recommended for approval. It received preliminary approval in March 2017 and a grant agreement was signed in October 2017. The overall cost of the project is €14.16 million, of which €10.62 million is being funded by the Exchequer, with Fingal County Council funding the remaining €3.54 million. The project is being managed by Fingal County Council and my Department reviews its progress on a regular basis, in line with the terms of the grant agreement.

I understand that the Donabate Distributor Road was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in July 2011 and the approved scheme comprises approximately 3km of dual-carriageway and 1km of single-carriageway road. At present, the scheme is being constructed as a single-carriageway road along its entire length, as this configuration is forecast to be sufficient to accommodate traffic flows in advance of the various developments taking place in and around Donabate. Construction is being undertaken, however, to include provision for upgrade to dual-carriageway standard in due course, in line with the scheme planning permission. Accordingly, underground utilities, drainage infrastructure, surface water attenuation ponds, junction alignments, bridge structures and land acquisition are all being implemented at present to accommodate dual-carriageway standard road, thereby minimising the level of works required in the future when the upgrade works are required.

This phasing is in line with the provisions of the Donabate Local Area Plan 2016, as adopted by Fingal County Council, and also with the Council’s LIHAF application.

The main contract for the construction of this scheme was tendered on eTenders in 2017 and a main contractor was subsequently appointed by Fingal County Council in line with public procurement requirements. Various water services upgrades were included in the original contract documents. Additional requirements have arisen, in consultation with Irish Water, in the intervening period as the scheme design was further developed and these measures are now being executed through the contract. Fingal County Council has advised that any changes to the contract in this regard are being implemented in line with public procurement requirements.

Housing Assistance Payment

Ceisteanna (587)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

587. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to increase the rent threshold applicable under the housing assistance payment scheme for Galway city and county in view of the increases in rent in these areas, especially Galway city; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties persons are experiencing in accessing HAP assistance as a result of the rent threshold in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21996/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The HAP rent limits were increased significantly in July 2016, including by up to 60% in some areas. The Government also provided flexibility to each local authority to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the maximum rent limit, where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions.

At the end of Q4 2017, 22.4% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility. When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region is removed, 16.7% of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 15.2% above the relevant rent limits. In the Galway City Council area, at the end of Q4, 2017, 51% of households had benefited from additional discretion with the average rate being 15% above the applicable rent limits. In the Galway County Council area, at the end of Q4, 2017, 8.8% of households had benefited from additional discretion with the average rate being 13.4% above the relevant rent limits. Data for Q1 2018 will be available shortly.

My Department monitors HAP data on an ongoing basis, as well as other key information relating to the private rental market. Indications are that the current HAP rent limits and the flexibility to exceed those rent limits provide local authorities with sufficient capacity to assist households in securing rented accommodation that meets their needs. I have no plans at present to increase HAP rent limits in particular local authority areas, a course of action which could have further inflationary effects on the private rented sector and thereby have a potentially detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.  

Referendum Campaigns

Ceisteanna (588)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

588. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Referendum Commission has given consideration to the regulation of referendum posters specifically in circumstances in which posters contain imagery deemed offensive to viewers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Referendum Commission does not have a role in the regulation of referendum posters. However, one of the main functions of the commission, which is an independent body established under section 2 of the Referendum Act 1998, is to explain the subject matter of referendum proposals and communicate these explanations to the electorate.

Section 140 of the Electoral Act 1992, which also applies at a referendum, provides that every notice, bill, poster or similar document having reference to an election or referendum or distributed for the purpose of furthering the candidature of a candidate at an election or a particular result at a referendum shall bear upon its face the name and address of the printer and of the publisher.

The Electoral Acts do not regulate the content of electoral material, including election posters, during or outside of electoral or referendum campaigns. 

Section 7 of the Public Order Act 1994 provides that ‘It shall be an offence for any person in a public place to distribute or display any writing, sign or visible representation which is threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned'.  In this regard, it would be a matter for An Garda Síochána to deal with public order offences generally (in terms of the operation of the relevant legislation), including offences under section 7 of the Public Offences Act 1994, either at their own instigation or on foot of allegations made in that regard. 

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Ceisteanna (589)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

589. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will make changes to the housing assistance payment scheme in order to speed up the process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22044/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provide that subject to conditions, a housing authority shall deal with such an application within a period of 12 weeks. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and average waiting times are significantly shorter than the statutory maximum in many areas.

Under the HAP scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector. My Department does not hold details on the processing times for HAP applications or payments. The earliest date a HAP payment will issue to a landlord is the date a complete and valid HAP application has been received by the local authority.  Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective transactional shared service on behalf of all HAP local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. On average, HAP applications are processed by the HAP Shared Service Centre within 1 working day of receipt. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.

More than 36,150 households are currently in receipt of HAP support. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. 

Referendum Campaigns

Ceisteanna (590)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

590. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the concerns of a company (details supplied) that election integrity is being undermined; the policy responses he is considering following the decision by the company to ban all advertisements pertaining to the referendum on the eighth amendment to the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22099/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

There are no specific requirements under the Electoral Acts in relation to online advertising. Under section 140 of the Electoral Act 1992, the sole provision in relation to advertisements provides that every notice, bill, poster or similar document having reference to a referendum or distributed for the purpose of furthering a particular result at a referendum is required to bear upon its face the name and address of the printer and of the publisher thereof. The Acts do not regulate the content of election or referendum posters and I have no plans to amend the Acts in that regard.

However, for the purposes of providing independent and impartial information on the subject matter of a referendum, section 2 of the Referendum Act 1998 provides for the establishment of a Referendum Commission, which is an independent body, whose membership is prescribed in the Act. The main functions of a Referendum Commission are to explain the subject matter of referendum proposals, to communicate these explanations to the electorate, to promote public awareness of the referendum and to encourage the electorate to vote.

The Government has also established an interdepartmental group to consider the substantive issues arising from recent experiences in other democratic countries having particular regard to the use of social media by external, anonymous or hidden third parties.

My Department is aware, through media reports, of the decision taken by the company referred to by the Deputy to ban all advertisements relating to the forthcoming referendum. As is the case for any private company, such operational decisions are a matter for the company itself and I have no role in compelling a private company to provide such a service to any individual or organisation.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (591)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

591. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the training and development and incidental expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22143/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Staff Training and Development spend for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in 2017 including associated incidental expenses was €688,060.66, broken down as follows:

Name	Annual Spend
Training Core Skills Programme	€     31,201.32
Training Personal Development	€     45,606.04
Training Language	€          745.00
Training General IT	€     18,993.75
Training Specialist IT	€     20,663.95
Training PMDS & Associated Training	€     76,888.45
Training Refund of Fees Scheme	€     88,687.00
Training Seminars & Conferences	€     71,232.33
Refund of Professional Membership Scheme	€     31,987.78
Corporate Membership Scheme	€     10,708.31
Training Administration Costs	€          393.60
Training Health & Safety Costs	€          836.55
Training (General)	€     18,875.45
Training (Specialist)	€     16,856.43
Training (Meteorologist)	€   254,384.70
Total	€ 688,060.66

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (592)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

592. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by his Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22159/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by my Department in the year ending 31 December 2017 are set out in the following table.

Category	2017
Accommodation   / Hotel	€43,613.20
Airfare	€68,091.75
Car   Hire / Rental	€505.36
Hire of   Rooms	€80.00
Insurance   Class 2	€876.55
Motor   Travel	€433,228.20
Other   T&S Expenses	€15,663.07
Parking   Fees	€7,100.26
Public   Transport	€80,483.70
Subsistence	€522,518.65
Taxi   Services	€7,266.56
Toll   Charges	€762.09
Grand   Total	€1,180,189.39