Written Answers Nos. 231-250
232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children aged one and two years of age, respectively, for which child benefit payments are made; the total and average costs of the payments; and the cost of the payments by each extra euro by which the benefit is raised. [24084/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to 628,688 families in respect of some 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure of over €2 billion in 2018.
Child Benefit is paid at a rate of €140 per month for each child. For twins, Child Benefit is paid at one and a half times the normal monthly rate for each child. For triplets and other multiple births, Child Benefit is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child.
Currently Child Benefit is paid in respect of 62,216 one year olds and 65,261 two year olds at a total annual estimated cost of €214.2 million.
A one euro increase per month for this cohort would cost in the region €1.5 million per year.
233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24091/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) was received from the person concerned on 27th April 2018.
To determine entitlement to Working Family Payment (WFP), an applicant must provide any information, documents, certificates or evidence so that an application may be processed.
A Deciding Officer (DO) recently assessed the application but could not determine entitlement as the applicant’s spouse/partner had a current Jobseekers Benefit (JB) claim pending. The applicant failed to provide the necessary information relating to the JB claim.
As the person concerned did not satisfy the above requirement, the application for WFP was refused on 18th May 2018.
However, a DO recently reviewed the WFP application as the spouse/partner’s JB claim was subsequently disallowed and closed.
Following a revised decision, the person concerned has been awarded WFP with effect from 26th April 2018 to 24th April 2019.
The first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on Thursday, 31st May 2018 and any arrears owing will also issue on this date.
The person concerned was notified on 28th May 2018 of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
234. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a working group tasked with implementing A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023; if so, the membership of such a working group; the terms of reference of the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn its ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023’, the Government detailed specific measures under six strands that, taken together, will modernise our pension system while continuing to target resources at those most in need. These six strands are:
Strand 1 - Reform of the State Pension including the Total Contributions Approach;
Strand 2 - A New Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System;
Strand 3 - Improving Governance and Regulation including the EU IORPS II Directive;
Strand 4 - Measures to Support Defined Benefit Scheme Sustainability;
Strand 5 - Public Service Pension Reform; and
Strand 6 - Supporting Fuller Working Lives.
From these strands stem a total of 43 individual actions, each action having a specified owner and date of delivery. Given the wide breadth of actions included under the plan, action owners separately include three Government Departments, two Government agencies, a public body and some interdepartmental structures (where policy responsibilities span a number of departments). Accordingly, a number of governance structures have been developed to oversee progress with development and implementation.
Ultimately these individual arrangements and progress generally on the implementation of these reforms is being overseen by Government through Cabinet Committee A – Economy, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and consists of Ministers with responsibility for pension related matters. As is normal, this is supported in turn by a Senior Officials Group comprising senior officials from the relevant Departments.
In delivering on the actions contained within the reform plan, extensive engagement will be undertaken with sectoral interests including employer and employee representatives, advocate groups, the pensions industry and the general public. To this end, I can confirm that separate national consultation processes will be undertaken in relation to the two most fundamental reforms contained in the Roadmap. These are the introduction of the ‘Total Contributions Approach’ for the State pension contributory from 2020 and the development of a new automatic enrolment retirement savings system for employees without supplementary pensions coverage. This process has already been initiated with the recent launch of the Total Contributions Approach national consultation. It is anticipated that submissions and feedback received from all interest groups over the coming months will help inform the design of both of these systems.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
235. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24120/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 29 May 2018, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the full rate of jobseeker’s allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in replies to Questions 36815-16, 17382-18 and 19501-18 the person concerned is in receipt of a jobseekers allowance at a reduced rate. The reduced rate arises from an assessment of means arising from rental income. The decision was upheld by a Social Welfare Appeals Officer and the person concerned was advised by the Social Welfare Appeals office of the decision on 12/10/17. A letter issued from the local Intreo Office on 24/10/17 advising the person concerned of the award of her claim and a further letter issued on 26/10/17 advising the detail of an arrears payment of €3,448.00. Any change in circumstances, particularly with regard to rental income, should be brought to the attention of the local Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension now under appeal will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [24184/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 08 February 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 14 June 2018. Any arrears due from 08 February 2018 to 13 June 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 30 May 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
238. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 8 May 2018, if the figures for invalidity pension are built into the existing fiscal base or if they represent an additional cost to the Exchequer for the five-year period ahead. [24191/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deputy is referring to the extension of Social Insurance Benefits to the self-employed as set out in the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund .
Projections of Social Protection expenditure are on a ‘no policy change’ basis and include only demographic pressures, as set out in the IGEES paper, ‘Budgetary Impacts of Changing Demographics 2017 – 2027.’ Demographic costs for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are inclusive of Pensions, Children and Disability and Carers. Any changes to payment rates or eligibility criteria would be considered a policy decision and thus are not included in current projected costs.
239. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of funding provided for the enhanced long-term social housing leasing scheme in 2018; the amount expected to be provided for the scheme in 2019; the position regarding the invitation for bids and expressions of interest for the scheme; when a decision will be made; the number of housing units expected to be completed and inhabited in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of housing options are necessary to ensure a supply of accommodation to meet different types of social housing need. Harnessing the off-balance sheet potential of private investment in social housing is an important objective of the Government and the social housing targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland over the period to 2021 reflect the ambition in that regard.
Of the 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland, 10,000 are targeted to be leased by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under leasing arrangements from a range of different sources, including 3,500 homes targeted using the Repair and Lease Scheme (RLS), and 6,500 homes using a combination of the existing social housing leasing arrangements, and the new Enhanced Leasing Scheme. All homes delivered under leasing arrangements will be funded under my Department’s Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). Exchequer funding for SHCEP in 2018 is €115m – an increase of €31m over 2017. It is intended that up to 2,000 units will be leased by Local Authorities in 2018 through the range of leasing schemes in place.
The new Enhanced Leasing Scheme has been developed by my Department, together with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the Housing Agency and local authorities, in order to harness the potential of private sector interest in social housing delivery in a new set of long-term leasing arrangements, in a manner designed to leverage off-balance sheet funding opportunities in accordance with Rebuilding Ireland objectives. The Scheme is targeted at new build or new to the market properties to be delivered at scale and will complement the existing long-term leasing arrangements, which will continue to be available.
The scheme will be governed by my Department and operated by local authorities. The Housing Agency will manage and administer the scheme on behalf of my Department and will act as a national co-ordinator. The rollout of this scheme will result in no additional costs to the Exchequer, with costs being met from existing budgetary allocations for Rebuilding Ireland.
A call for proposals was launched on 31 January 2018 and the Housing Agency accepted submissions from interested parties until 12 April 2018. All proposals are subject to a range of criteria as set out in the “Calls for Proposals for Enhanced Long Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme” and the proposals will be assessed and marked in accordance with the terms set out therein. This document sets out the various assessment stages and the expected minimum associated timeframes (Appendix 4). The Call for Proposals is available on the Housing Agency website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/News/Current-News/Enhanced-Long-Term-Social-Housing-Leasing-Scheme.aspx.
I understand from the Housing Agency that of the 33 submissions received: 3 are proceeding to Independent Valuation; 12 are currently awaiting further information from the proposers; 14 are not proceeding due to failure to meet with the minimum requirements of the scheme; and 4 are not proceeding due to being invalid submissions / failure of suitability test.
The total number of units proposed and delivery dates are still being worked through as part of the assessment process and will be the subject of an agreement between the individual Local Authorities and proposers.
Further information with respect to the numbers and locations of the units proposed for leasing under the Scheme will be available when the individual proposals have been assessed, marked and accepted in accordance with the terms and methodology set out in the Calls for Proposals document.
240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason payment for occupational therapist assessments recommendations and reports in relation to housing adaptation grants for county councils is now restricted to €200 per case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23992/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been no change in the amount that an applicant under the Housing Adaptation Grants schemes for Older People and People with a Disability can be refunded for engaging the services of a private occupational therapist.
I understand that both HSE and private occupational therapists are routinely engaged by local authorities to assess the needs of applicants for grants under the grant schemes. When an applicant engages a private occupational therapist, the cost can be refunded to them as part of the total grant paid, subject to a limit of €200 per assessment.
241. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing schemes bought by charitable organisations (details supplied) in each district in County Wexford; the unit cost per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) make an important contribution in social housing delivery, building on their track record in terms of both housing provision and management. Last year, the AHB sector delivered over 2,000 additional units for social housing use across the country and there is a strong delivery pipeline for 2018. This demonstrates the sector’s commitment to work in partnership with local authorities to deliver the Government's ambitious targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland.
Through local authorities, AHBs can access a range of funding streams to assist with the delivery of social housing, for example the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) with a Payment and Availability Agreement (P&A) or the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). All funding schemes seek to secure value for money for the Exchequer and the highest quality social housing home for those on local authorities' waiting lists, including by ensuring that the local authority is fully supportive and approves of the project, necessity for independent valuations and a separate independent financial appraisal in the case of CALF proposals.
AHBs, with the assistance of local authorities, are securing single and multiple new build properties on a turnkey basis from developers. Similarily, where it is value for money to do so, AHBs will purchase vacant existing properities, on the basis that such a purchase does not interefere with the local market. In all cases, such purchases must be supported by the local authority and represent value for money in the context of local housing need.
The following tables provide information specifically on the AHB turnkey and acquisition projects comprising multiple units in one development, which were delivered through AHBs in the administrative area of Wexford County Council for 2016 and 2017. The capital costings of the units are averaged as a development could include a mix of unit type and size, e.g. two or three bed units, which are priced differently:
Table 1 - AHB Turnkeys - construction projects on private land
|
AHB |
Nr. of projects |
Total number of units |
Average Capital cost of unit |
Year of delivery |
|
CHI^ |
1 |
12 |
€106,000 |
2016 |
|
CHI |
1* (Phases 1 & 2 ) |
18 |
€175,710 |
2016 |
|
CHI |
1* (Phase 3) |
20 |
€175,710 |
2017 |
|
Tuath |
1 |
11 (6 are Part V) |
€204,825 |
2017 |
*One project with phased delivery
^Co-operative Housing Ireland
Table 2 - AHB Acquisitions (of existing built units)
|
AHB |
Total nr. of units |
Average Capital cost of unit |
Year of delivery |
|
Camphill |
3 |
€135,333 |
2016 |
|
Cluid |
19 |
€77,421 |
2016 |
|
CHI |
4 |
€76,032 |
2016 |
|
CHI |
2 |
€160,000 |
2017 |
|
CHI |
2 |
€75,000 |
2017 |
242. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to enforce a neutral space within 50 metres of polling stations in view of reports of posters and the display of religious iconography in the vicinity and inside polling stations during the most recent polling day. [24010/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectoral law provides for a prohibition on the display or distribution of any notice, sign or poster, (other than a notice, sign or poster displayed by the returning officer) or card, circular or other document relating to a referendum, within 50 metres of a polling station. Contravention of this provision is an offence. I do not have a role in the enforcement of this matter. Complaints in the first instance should be made to the Local Returning Officer. Enforcement is then a matter for the Gardaí.
During the recent referendum some queries were raised with my Department in relation to the presence of bibles at polling stations. The reason that bibles are available in polling stations is that the electoral code provides for the taking of oaths or affirmations by voters in certain circumstances, such as, for instance, confirmation of a voter's identity.
If a voter is asked by a presiding officer to take such an oath or an affirmation it is up to the voter to decide which to take. The availability of the bible is simply a measure of administrative efficiency to facilitate this process of taking an oath. An elector may make an affirmation if they object to taking an oath on the ground that he or she has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his or her religious belief.
243. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that workers' rights protections are built into the upcoming tendering process of contractors for Irish Water. [24042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
Neither I nor my Department have a role in relation to procurement by Irish Water which is an operational matter for which Irish Water as contracting authority is wholly responsible.
I understand that Irish Water has a procurement policy in place which is focused on the key areas of securing value for money, ensuring compliance with all legal and governance requirements and minimising business risks. I am also advised that a fair wages clause is a standard provision in all construction contracts entered into by Irish Water.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if an investigation into the matter will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24072/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has recently published Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 which is required under the EU Water Framework Directive. The Plan sets out the actions that Ireland will take to improve water quality and achieve ‘good’ ecological status in water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries coastal waters and ground waters) by 2021. The Plan is available at: www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021.
The Plan provides a coordinated framework for improving the quality of our waters, protecting public health, the environment, water amenities and sustaining water-intensive industries, including agri-food and tourism, particularly in rural Ireland. The Plan sets out national policies and additional regional measures which are implemented on a prioritised basis.
An enhanced evidence base has been developed to guide national policies and the targeting of priority measures. Technical assessments of 4,829 water bodies have been carried out, examining their status (quality) and whether they are ‘at risk’ of not meeting status objectives in the future. Informed by this work, a collaborative workshopping process involving the EPA, senior local authority personnel and all relevant stakeholders was set up to identify, at a regional level, those water bodies that should be prioritised for action during this planning cycle. Arising from this work, the Lough Sheelin catchment has been designated as a Prioritised Area for Action.
Under the governance structure for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, local authorities are the competent authority for the implementation of the programme of measures contained in Ireland's River Basin Management Plan. In particular, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office (LAWCO) is working with local groups and communities to help them play their part in protecting their waters. As such, LAWCO is the most appropriate body through which the Deputy's concerns should be pursued. LAWCO can be contacted via the www.watersandcommunities.ie website, or by email to info@lawco.ie.
245. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce an incremental instalment payment plan to assist persons in paying the cost of water connection charges that would be considered excessive or are in excess of a predetermined threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24107/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Acts 2007-2017 set out clearly the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the CRU is required to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of customers of Irish Water.
Under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (the Act), and since the 1st January 2014, Irish Water has been responsible for charging for the cost of connections to the water and wastewater network. Before Irish Water was established local authorities were responsible for connection charging arrangements.
The Act provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it in accordance with a water charges plan, to be approved by the CRU. Section 22(5) of the Act provides that a water charges plan may provide for charges in respect of the provision of services connections to premises. These are responsibilities that are assigned to Irish Water and to the CRU and I do not have a role in directing how any specific payment plan arrangements by individual customers may apply.
I understand that in 2016 the CRU requested Irish Water to submit a proposal for an enduring Connection Charging Policy for customers seeking a connection to the network. In January 2018, the CRU held a public consultation on the development of the Policy for domestic and non-domestic connections to Irish Water’s network, known as a National Connection Charging Policy. The Policy will be aimed at developing a more harmonised methodology for connections to the public water and wastewater network.
The CRU as regulator is independent in this matter and will come to its own independent assessment of the appropriate Water Connections Charging Policy, having heard the view of interested parties through the public consultation process. As Minister, I must respect the statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on the CRU in this matter. It is anticipated that the new Water Connections Charging Policy will be finalised by the CRU in the coming months.
246. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the value of a site can be taken into account when assessing the 10% deposit under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme, as is the case with other lenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. One of the key conditions of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is that prospective applicants must demonstrate that they have had inadequate loan offers from two commercial lenders.
To support prudential lending and consistency of treatment for borrowers, a Loan to Value ratio of 90% applies to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan as per the Central Bank's prudential lending guidelines. Therefore, in order to avail of the loan, applicants must have a deposit of funds equivalent to 10% of the market value of the property.
In the case of a self-build property, a loan can be made up to 90% of either the construction cost, or in the case where the site is also being purchased the construction cost plus the cost of purchasing a site. However, in both these instances, 90% of the loan being sought is the maximum amount that will be approved.
Applicants must provide bank or similar statements (such as post office, credit union, etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application, clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The cash savings should be no less than 3% of the market value of the property. Gifts are permissible up to 7% of the market value of the property, where their source is verified. In the instance of a self build, it will be 3% of either the construction cost, or the construction cost plus the cost of purchasing a site.
Decisions by local authorities as to whether to advance a loan to an individual are taken on a case-by-case basis, within the criteria as set out in the credit policy. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee which makes the final decision on applications for loans. There is also an appeal procedure in each local authority so that those who are not satisfied with a decision regarding their application can have the decision reviewed.
For prospective purchasers of new-build or self-build properties, such as in the example suggested, the applicant may also be eligible for the Help to Buy Initiative for first-time buyers through the Revenue Commissioners. This could provide additional assistance of up to 5% of the purchase or construction price of relevant properties, which represents a significant contribution towards the relevant deposit requirements. A range of eligibility criteria applies to applications under the Help to Buy Initiative, and full details are available on the website of the Revenue Commissioners at https://revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx.
247. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding plans to apply the vacant site levy from 2019; the nature of the sites that the levy will be applied to; the position in relation to zoned land being used for active farming; the position in relation to zoned land in which there is a reasonable prospect of the land being developed in the near future; the role of the local authorities in relation to the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas for residential or regeneration purposes.
Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities will be issuing notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
Planning authorities are empowered to apply an annual vacant site levy of 3% of the market value of relevant vacant sites, where a site exceeds 0.05 hectares in area, was, in the planning authority’s opinion, vacant or idle in the preceding year, and is in an area identified by the planning authority in its development plan or local area plan for residential or regeneration development.
The implementation of the vacant site levy provisions is a matter for each local authority, including the identification of residential and regeneration land as underpinned by the development plan process, and the identification of individual cases in accordance with the criteria set out in the legislation.
As announced in Budget 2018, it is proposed to increase the rate of levy from 3% to 7% of the market valuation of relevant sites with effect from January 2020 in respect of sites included on the local vacant site registers in 2019. Legislative provision for this increase along with amendments to other relevant provisions will be tabled by way of Seanad Report Stage amendments to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, which has recently completed Seanad Committee Stage.
My Department, in consultation with planning authorities, keeps implementation of the vacant site levy under regular review, assessing whether additional clarification guidance or other reforms are required to ensure a consistent application of the levy. In this regard, and following an information seminar held earlier this month with all local authorities on experiences and best practice approaches in implementing the levy, my Department is preparing to issue further clarification, either through legislative amendment and/or specific guidance as appropriate, to planning authorities in the coming weeks, in relation to the application of the vacant site levy to farmland.
248. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to publish the local electoral boundaries for the 2019 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established two independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees on 13 December 2017 to review and make recommendations on local electoral areas having regard to, among other things, the results of Census 2016 as well as the commitment to consider reducing the size of territorially large local electoral areas as set out in A Programme for Partnership Government (May 2016). The reviews are to be completed well in advance of the next local elections which are scheduled for mid-2019. In this regard, the Committees are tasked with reporting to me within six months of their establishment, that is by 13 June 2018, after which the necessary arrangements will be made to publish their reports.
249. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to publish an electoral commission Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24147/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the establishment of an electoral commission is informing the implementation of the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government on establishing an electoral commission and the preparation of an Electoral Commission Bill to give effect to that. Work is ongoing in my Department in preparing, in the first instance, a Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Bill, which is expected to be completed in the Autumn.
250. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to revise planning guidelines for temporary pop-up kitchens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24148/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo guidelines have issued to planning authorities under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 relating specifically to temporary pop-up kitchens and I have no proposals to issue such guidelines.
