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Thursday, 14 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 226-250

Seniors Alert Scheme

Ceisteanna (227)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to support security or senior alert schemes to facilitate persons living in isolated areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26177/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.

Following a review, a new version of the scheme came into effect on 1 November 2017. A number of changes were introduced under the new scheme including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the revised scheme has been a resounding success with unprecedented levels of demand for the new package. During 2017, spend on the Scheme amounted to €2.7m, with over 12,700 applications approved and more than 10,000 installations completed. To the end of May 2018, over 9,200 applications were approved, with almost 10,000 installations completed.

The issue of crime prevention and security is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Library Services Provision

Ceisteanna (228)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of library support provisions he expects to be in a position to make throughout the country in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26178/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The management and operation of the public libraries, including funding of library services, is primarily a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. Some €150m is expected to be invested by local authorities in library services in 2018.

My Department funds a Libraries Capital Investment Programme, announced in 2016, that will invest some €23m in 17 or so projects, as well as the My Open Library service, over the period 2016 to 2021. Funding of €2.75m is available under the programme this year.

My Department also provides funding to help local authorities meet certain costs associated with libraries, including the cost of a small number of leased premises. Approximately €1m will be provided for this purpose in 2018.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Ceisteanna (229)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

229. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available for a person (details supplied) who has applied for assistance under the exceptional needs payment scheme under supplementary welfare allowance to receive assistance towards the paying of rent; if the landlord can be obliged to sign the form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26137/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 30,000 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018.

Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement the Department’s sole relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application to the department and the payment is made directly to the tenant for their accommodation needs. There is no contractual relationship between the landlord and the Department. The tenant’s engagement with the Department usually takes place after they have reached an agreement with their landlord regarding their tenancy arrangement.

If a landlord refuses to complete the required section of the SWA RS1, which provides the basis for proving the existence of a tenancy, rent supplement cannot be awarded.

If a landlord is considered to be acting discriminatorily by a tenant/ prospective tenant, e.g. refusing to sign a SWA RS1 where a tenancy had been nominally agreed / or already in place, s/he does have recourse to remedy under the Equal Status Acts 2000–2015. Under this Act, a person cannot be discriminated against by a landlord on the basis that they are in receipt of rent supplement; the housing assistance payment scheme; or any other social welfare payment. For further information, including access to support services for tenants who feel they have been discriminated against due to their dependence on rent supplement for their housing needs, the Deputy is directed to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission - www.ihrec.ie.

Every effort is made so that rent supplement tenants are supported by my Department and any person in the situation referred to by the Deputy is encouraged to contact the CWS office responsible for their claim at the earliest opportunity.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Registration of Marriages

Ceisteanna (230)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the requirements in respect of two single persons seeking permission to marry in a registry office who have previously been married by traditional rights in their homeland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26165/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Legislation governing marriage in Ireland is provided for in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended.

Persons wishing to be married in the State are obliged to give a minimum of three months’ notice of the intention to marry to a registrar [section 46(1)(a)]. In the case where one, or both, of the parties to the marriage are foreign nationals, the notification must be accompanied by documents regarding the immigration status of the foreign national(s) [Section 46(3A)].

The parties applying to marry must also present to a registrar not less than 5 days before the intended date of marriage and sign a declaration, in his or her presence, that there is no impediment to the marriage [section 46(1)(a)]. For the purposes of the Act there is an impediment to a marriage if one of the parties to the marriage is, or both are, already married [section 2(2)].

Regarding the validity of marriages conducted in other jurisdictions, the law relating to this is set out in section 29 of the Family Law Act 1995 which comes under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (231)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

231. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of FOI requests her Department has received since January 2018; the number that were appealed, refused and granted, respectively; the costs that were applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25962/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of freedom of information (FOI) requests received in the Department from 01 January 2018 to 31 May 2018 is set out in the following table. Of the 23 cases that were appealed, 15 of the decisions were affirmed and 4 were varied or annulled. The costs relating to fees and charges that were applied in the same period was €242.

Number of Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests Received (Jan – May 2018)

Requests

Number

Total No. of FOIs received

1,234

Appealed

23

Refused

273

Granted

278

Part Granted

495

In this context, it should be noted that the different categories do not add up to the total number received. This is because some FOI requests are withdrawn or handled outside of the formal FOI process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Ceisteanna (232)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

232. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she considered or discussed the necessity to reduce the requirement of 21 hours of work under the wage subsidy scheme in particular for persons with Down's syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25972/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s supports for people with disabilities have been designed to enable persons with a disability to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual person’s ability and capacity rather than taking an approach that focuses on a particular type of disability.

The key objective of the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market by providing financial incentives to private sector employers. The WSS does this by allowing the employer to make up the cost of a potential shortfall in productivity through a wage subsidy provided by the Department.

To participate on the WSS, an employee must work a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week. The basis for the creation of the WSS was to incentivise the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market. A proposal to significantly reduce the hours worked condition for the WSS or to link the scheme with specific types of disability would not be consistent with the aim of supporting open market employment and consequently there are no plans to change the hours worked condition at this time.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.

Carer's Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (233)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25994/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention.

I confirm that my department received an application for CARB from the person concerned on the 23 March 2018.

The application 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.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (234)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

234. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25998/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My department informs me that there is no application from the person concerned for carer’s allowance (CA) registered. If the person concerned wishes to make an application, she should complete and return the application form (CR1) that I have arranged to issue to her.

However, I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit (CARB) from the person concerned on the 29 May 2018.

CARB is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention.

The application 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.

Low Pay Commission Remit

Ceisteanna (235)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

235. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expand the remit of the Low Pay Commission, especially in respect of young persons. [26004/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Low Pay Commission was established under the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act, 2015. Its remit is to make recommendations regarding the national minimum wage, ensuring that all decisions are evidence based, fair and sustainable, and do not create significant adverse consequences for employment or competitiveness.

The National Minimum Wage Act 2015 also allows the Commission to examine and report its views and recommendations on other matters, related generally to the functions of the Commission under the Act, as may be requested of it from time to time. In this context, in order to obtain a better understanding of the impact of the NMW on younger people the Commission was asked in 2016 to examine the sub-minima (special youth and trainee) rates of the NMW.

The Commission undertook a public consultation process and commissioned research from the ESRI on the use of sub-minima youth rates both in Ireland and internationally. The Commission was also instrumental in the development by the CSO of National Minimum Wage specific data, through the addition of a question on National Minimum Wage for the first time to the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), now the Labour Force Survey in 2016. This data shows that the numbers in employment on age-based rates are very low: an average of just 1.5% of all employees (22,500) reported earning less than the “adult rate” of the NMW in 2017, and around a quarter to one-third of these reported being on age-based rates.

The Low Pay Commission submitted its report on sub-minima rates to me in December 2017. It concluded that there is little evidence of any significant abuse of the youth rates. The Commission’s recommendations with regard to the age-based and first employment rates were that these rates should be retained, but on a simplified basis to improve both compliance and the ease of operation.

The Commission’s report considered the abolition of youth rates but concluded that the rates would then no longer give any recognition to the difference between a young inexperienced worker and a more experienced colleague, which could lead to employers no longer seeing a value in hiring young people (and potentially impact on youth employment rates).

The Commission also concluded that abolishing youth rates could potentially act as an incentive for young people to leave education and take up employment, which could have a negative impact on their long-term prospects.

I accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission, and Government gave its approval to my proposals regarding their implementation in February this year. The necessary amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 are being implemented in the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and were uncontested and unanimously accepted with cross-party support at Committee stage in the Dáil in mid-May. The Bill will be progressing to Report Stage later this month.

The remit of the Low Pay Commission as it is currently set out in legislation covers all employees in receipt of the NMW, younger and older workers alike (with certain exceptions, including apprentices and close family members). The remit of the Commission therefore already covers young people.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (236)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

236. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26119/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carer'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 12 March 2018.

The application 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 Eligibility

Ceisteanna (237)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if reconsideration will be given to an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); if their case can be re-examined with a view to allocation of the payment in view of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26140/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned is currently in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance. Her rate of payment was reduced in May 2018 for a number of weeks due to the application of a penalty rate arising from her non-engagement with the Department’s employment services. Full rate was restored when she resumed engagement. The person concerned enquired on 7/6/18 from the Community Welfare Officer if she could be reimbursed for the amount of the rate reduction but was advised that this was not provided for under current legislation. She was given general information concerning an Exceptional Needs Payments and details on how to apply. The person concerned has not submitted an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment to date.

It is open to the person concerned to contact the Community Welfare Service and submit an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment if she is experiencing undue financial hardship. Her application will be assessed and a decision will issue on completion of this assessment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (238)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26144/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The purpose of Rent Supplement is to assist as a short term support scheme. Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme, responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long term housing need rests with the Local Authorities. It is important therefore to establish which scheme best fits the persons individual circumstances.

HAP has been designed to simplify the current system of housing supports, and it allows households that obtain full-time employment to remain in the scheme, whereas Rent Supplement is not generally payable where a person or their spouse or partner is in full-time employment, i.e. for 30 hours or more a week. Under HAP, a recipient pays their ‘differential rent’ based on household weekly income in the same way differential rents are charged to tenants in Local Authority housing.

For Rent Supplement, applicants must meet certain qualifying criteria and satisfy a means test in order to determine eligibility for Rent Supplement.

Applicants must have been renting for 183 days in the last 12 months, provide proof of this with a rent book, payment receipts, utility bills and/or bank lodgements. Applicants must have their housing needs assessed by the local authority.

According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for a rent supplement payment. The person concerned is advised to contact their Local Authority in the first instance and failing this, they should apply for Rent Supplement.

A Rent Supplement application form (SWARS1) was sent to the person concerned on 12/6/18. They should fully complete the application form and return it to their Intreo centre with the required supporting documentation to include a current lease with proof of ownership from the landlord, 6 months bank statements/proof of savings, proof of income and details of any property owned. The application will be processed and a written decision will issue on completion of this assessment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Public Services Card

Ceisteanna (239)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedure to be followed to register a change of address in respect of a public services card holder with a view to ensuring correct procedures are followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26151/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A person may change his or her address with the Department in several different ways.

A person may call into one of the Department’s offices to advise officials of the new address. If the person has not been SAFE registered, then evidence of the new address should be provided.

A person may telephone or write in to the Department quoting their name and Personal Public Service Number. Where the person has been SAFE registered and sufficient details are provided to verify the person’s identity, no evidence of address is required. If the person has not been SAFE registered, then evidence of the new address should be provided.

Where a person has a verified account on www.MyGovID.ie, the address may be changed online.

Where evidence of address is required, this should be dated from within the previous three months. Evidence may consist of recent bills from utility companies, correspondence from financial institutions, or official correspondence from an Irish State agency. Original documents rather than photocopies are required.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Overpayments

Ceisteanna (240)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) who received an overpayment in respect of which they have been asked to make restitution will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26161/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

According to departmental records the person concerned incurred an overpayment of €43,529 as their entitlement to a one parent family payment was disallowed from 17/3/2011 to 30/10/2014. The person concerned also had means of €47.50 per week assessed from 01/07/15 to 31/12/2015. The decision to raise this overpayment was appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and this decision was upheld at an oral hearing in June 2016.

A deduction of €28.20 per week against the one parent family payment of the person concerned is currently in place to recoup this overpayment. On 3/1/18, the person concerned contacted the Social Welfare Appeals Office to appeal the decision regarding the repayment of debt. The appeals officer concluded ‘that the initial decision should stand and as a consequence, the overpayment, as assessed, also stands.’

Under Section 338 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005, persons are required to repay any overpayment incurred as they benefited from the funds to which they were not entitled.

The Department seeks to be fair and reasonable to customers concerning debt recovery. Section 13 of the Social Welfare Act, 2012 which amends the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 allows for a deduction of an amount of up to 15% of the weekly personal rate payable to a customer, without the customer’s consent, for the purposes of the recovery of an overpayment.

A Department of Social Protection debt will remain on the customers’ records until it is fully recovered and this will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including State Pension.

The person concerned is also in receipt of Child Benefit Payments.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (241)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct level of jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26162/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned is currently in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance comprising the maximum personal rate, an increase in respect of a Qualified Adult and one Child Dependant.

This is the maximum amount payable for a person in her circumstances and the correct payment based on the information supplied to the Department by the person concerned.

It is open to the person concerned to request a review of her claim if her circumstances have changed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Water Quality

Ceisteanna (242)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

242. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has carried out tests regarding water quality from forest operations. [25939/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the development of Ireland’s 2nd cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) 2018-2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) undertook an extensive catchment characterisation process to understand the pressures impacting upon water quality. The RBMP is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021.

This catchment characterisation process involved the EPA assessing the risk of water bodies not meeting the water quality requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) and it identified the significant pressures on each water body at risk of not meeting its objectives. This process, which relies on water quality monitoring data among other tools, has found that forestry is a significant pressure in 16 per cent of water bodies identified as at risk.

Ireland’s RBMP 2018-2021 sets out comprehensive programmes of measures to manage the identified pressures on water bodies, including forestry.

Housing Adaptation Grant

Ceisteanna (243)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

243. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there are grants available for the installation of windows and doors to improve the living conditions for persons that are suffering chronic ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25951/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, in respect of adaptations to private houses. There are three separate grants available and local authorities receive an overall allocation, with responsibility for the apportionment between the schemes being a matter for each local authority.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability scheme provides grants of up to €30,000 to assist people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out. The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out, including the provision of windows & doors where necessary.

The detailed administration of the schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (244)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

244. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications received for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme by county; the number of successful applicants by county; the amount issued to date by county; the interest rate applied in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26101/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As with the previous local authority home loan offerings, loan applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department therefore does not directly collect information on the number of enquiries to local authorities regarding the loan or the number of loan applications received by local authorities.

As is currently the case, my Department will continue to publish information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q3 2017 is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.

The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses valid loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants. I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures of the numbers of applications that it has assessed.

The most recent figures, as at the end of May, indicate that the Agency had received a total of 1,499 applications for assessment from local authorities, 1,150 of which were deemed to be valid. Of these valid applications, 876 have been assessed and 52% of the valid applications that have been assessed by the Agency have been recommended for approval. It is subsequently a matter for the relevant local authority credit committee to ultimately determine whether a loan application is approved, having regard to the Agency's recommendation and other relevant factors.

While the Housing Agency do not collate information on a county-by-county basis, they have provided data on the number of applications received on a regional basis. Of the 1,499 applications received to the end of May, 619 were from the four Dublin local authorities, while 540 were from the local authorities in Cork, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, which comprise the local authority areas where the purchase price limit of €320,000 applies. The remaining 340 applications were from the other local authorities where the lower purchase price limit of €250,000 applies.

Applicants have the choice of three rates of interest under the terms of the scheme. These options are 2% fixed for up to 25 years, 2.25% fixed for up to 30 years, or 2.30% variable (subject to fluctuation) for up to 30 years.

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Ceisteanna (245)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

245. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of complaints received by his Department and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in relation to the 44 social housing unit development in Rosemount, Dundrum, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has not received any complaint in relation to the social housing scheme at Rosemount Court, Dundrum, Co. Dublin. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are currently constructing 44 high quality housing units at the site, which are due for completion in Q3, 2018. The Council state that this development is delivering in a timely manner and will greatly enhance the local area when completed.

As with any building development, every effort is made to minimise any inconvenience with adjoining residents. In this regard, the Council advises that it received a complaint recently regarding fire brigade access to the area. A test in conjunction with Dublin Fire Brigade was undertaken and they have confirmed that the road is accessible. The road has been marked to prevent parking.

The development, which is being funded under my Department's social housing construction programme, will, on completion, be a welcome addition to the numbers of social homes being provided under the Rebuilding Ireland plan.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (246)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

246. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of FOI requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number that were appealed, refused and granted, respectively; the costs that were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25966/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of FOI requests that my Department has received from 1 January 2018 to 11 June 2018 is 236. A total of 8 cases sought internal review (i.e. were appealed), 48 requests were refused and 97 were granted or part-granted.

The remainder were either withdrawn, lapsed or are as yet undecided.

My Department does not routinely compile figures on the costs applied; however, €370 in fees were received, which includes €220 in search and retrieval fees and €150 for appeals.

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Ceisteanna (247)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

247. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the up to date legal advice regarding the interpretation of sections 15 and 18 of the pyrite remediation scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26031/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board, and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.

The Act also sets out the broad parameters which the Board must have regard to when establishing the eligibility criteria for the pyrite remediation scheme.

The restriction in Section 15(3) of the Act preventing applications being made under the scheme by a person who purchases a dwelling on or after 12 December 2013 (the publication date of the Bill) applies where that person knew or ought to have known that the dwelling was constructed using hardcore containing reactive pyrite.

Following a number of requests for clarification in the matter, my Department has recently sought legal advice on the Board’s interpretation of Section 15(3) and I will be in a position to consider this matter further following the receipt of the legal advice. However, it is important to note that ultimately the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts.

Section 18 of the Act provides for the inclusion or exclusion of an applicant in the scheme following the recommendation of the Housing Agency under section 16, as well as for the notification and appeal arrangements in this regard.

My Department is in regular contact with the Board and the Housing Agency in relation to the implementation of the scheme and is satisfied with the arrangements that are currently in place.

Register of Electors

Ceisteanna (248)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to reform the Register of Electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government decided in March 2017 to accept in principle the main recommendation in the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution that citizens outside the State, including citizens resident in Northern Ireland, should have the right to vote at presidential elections and that a referendum be held to put this to the people. In this context, the Government determined that work should commence on modernisation of the voter registration process to effect improvements in the registration of voters, which would also facilitate the registration of voters resident outside the State in the event of an extension of the franchise being approved by the people in a referendum.

While the current registration system has served us well, I acknowledge that there is work to be done to modernise the registration process and to make it more streamlined and accessible for electors. We need to ensure, on the one hand, that everyone entitled to be on the register is registered and that their information is accurate, and on the other hand, that appropriate measures are in place to counteract any possible abuses.

Work on scoping potential improvements to the electoral registration process, including proposals such as online registration, is now underway in my Department. This work is looking at, among other things, proposals made by the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in its report of the consultation on the proposed Electoral Commission in 2016.

Conscious of the importance of the register and its role in our democracy and the need to ensure security and integrity are key priorities for any changes being considered, the process being planned is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. This will include a significant consultation element at an early stage, currently anticipated in the Autumn, which will offer an opportunity to all relevant stakeholders and the public to contribute.

Sale of State Assets

Ceisteanna (249)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

249. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the €400 million proceeds from Bord Gáis was used; if it is still available for an off balance sheet housing model; if it has been allocated elsewhere in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26050/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Prior to the publication of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, it was planned to establish a financial vehicle to facilitate the aggregation of private investment into a fund for subsequent lending as project finance. The intention was that this investment would be off-balance sheet and in Budget 2015, the Government announced that €400m of public investment would be made available, including the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis, to provide 2,000 homes. The objective was that this investment could leverage private sector finance from the EIB, ISIF, pension funds, credit unions and other financial institutions.

A structured, formal process was put in place to facilitate engagement with these bodies. A body called the Social Housing Investment Proposals Clearing House Group was established to examine and consider proposals and to meet with the companies, groups and institutions involved. However, despite a detailed investigation of options to use the available funding in this way, including a high level of engagement with potential social housing providers and potential financiers of social housing, no new model that would, of itself, be capable of providing and/or financing social housing on an off-balance sheet basis could be identified that would be capable of utilising the available funding.

In response to this outcome, it was decided to modify the original commitment in relation to the €400m funding to provide €10m per annum, indexed for inflation, over a longer period (20 years), which could be used to secure the development of a pilot affordable rental scheme, as envisaged in Rebuilding Ireland. Provision was made for €10 million to be allocated to my Department's Vote in 2017.

Furthermore and taking account of the work and analysis of the Clearing House Group, it was considered that it would be more constructive to use the existing social housing funding and support mechanisms and, where appropriate, make adjustments to those mechanisms, in order to provide a framework with more realistic prospects of harnessing private investment in an off-balance sheet manner.

This approach resulted in the design of an alternative delivery mechanism, the Enhanced Long-term Leasing Social Housing Scheme, which was launched on 31 January 2018. Funding is in place to support the delivery of this new scheme and the principal objective of the scheme is to encourage larger levels of private investment in social housing, while ensuring that the resulting leasing arrangement is off-balance sheet in respect of Government expenditure. 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 for leasing existing properties.

In respect of the commitment to develop an affordable rental model, this is now being progressed through an initial pilot project in Dublin, based on a cost rental model, where local authorities can release the value of their land, and also access funding for enabling infrastructure, to reduce the construction costs of providing such rental units and facilitate the delivery of the optimal number of affordable homes to rent for low- to moderate-income households, as part of mixed-tenure developments. Lands held by local authorities, particularly in urban areas where there are high rental costs and significant housing demand, are being identified for cost rental projects, including a large-scale cost rental site in Dublin city, details of which I expect to announce shortly.

Local Authority Housing Data

Ceisteanna (250)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications from Galway City Council and Galway County Council, respectively, for funding and permission to refurbish local authority properties; the date the applications were received; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the applications; when a decision will issue regarding the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides funding under the Voids Programme to assist local authorities in bringing vacant local authority housing stock back to productive use. Earlier this year, local authorities, including Galway City and County Councils, submitted to my Department details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for this programme in 2018. These proposals are currently been evaluated and funding allocations will be confirmed to the local authorities shortly.

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