Written Answers Nos. 238-257
238. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age participating on a community employment scheme by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is a programme providing part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development, as a stepping-stone back to employment. The CE programme provides funding for participants aged up to 66 years of age who meet the current eligibility criteria.
The number of persons under 26 years of age participating on CE schemes in each county, as at the end of September 2018 are set out in tabular form.
|
County of Project |
No of U/26 Participants |
|
CARLOW |
23 |
|
CAVAN |
23 |
|
CLARE |
10 |
|
CORK |
122 |
|
DONEGAL |
44 |
|
DUBLIN |
532 |
|
GALWAY |
70 |
|
KERRY |
36 |
|
KILDARE |
26 |
|
KILKENNY |
26 |
|
LAOIS |
7 |
|
LEITRIM |
7 |
|
LIMERICK |
58 |
|
LONGFORD |
16 |
|
LOUTH |
49 |
|
MAYO |
20 |
|
MEATH |
47 |
|
MONAGHAN |
17 |
|
OFFALY |
10 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5 |
|
SLIGO |
10 |
|
TIPPERARY |
30 |
|
WATERFORD |
64 |
|
WESTMEATH |
33 |
|
WEXFORD |
64 |
|
WICKLOW |
27 |
|
TOTAL |
1376 |
239. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age that have been supported to date by the JobsPlus youth scheme, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years - paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained.
Some 3,330 persons under 25 years of age have been supported to date by the JobsPlus youth scheme and a county breakdown is provided in the following table.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
County |
JobsPlus/Under 25 yrs |
|
Dublin |
594 |
|
Cork |
191 |
|
Tipperary |
188 |
|
Donegal |
178 |
|
Wexford |
172 |
|
Waterford |
147 |
|
Galway |
143 |
|
Kildare |
142 |
|
Louth |
142 |
|
Limerick |
141 |
|
Meath |
130 |
|
Westmeath |
123 |
|
Wicklow |
109 |
|
Offaly |
106 |
|
Mayo |
105 |
|
Kerry |
99 |
|
Cavan |
82 |
|
Carlow |
81 |
|
Clare |
81 |
|
Laois |
76 |
|
Monaghan |
71 |
|
Kilkenny |
62 |
|
Roscommon |
49 |
|
Sligo |
46 |
|
Leitrim |
38 |
|
Longford |
36 |
|
Total |
3,332 |
240. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the 2018 budget for the youth employment support scheme; the expected number of places in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40494/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was announced as part of Budget 2018 and the scheme is open to applications from Monday 1st October 2018.
The YESS is targeted at young jobseekers aged 18-24 years of age who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme will aim to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The YESS will provide a supportive structure for Participants, including case officer support for both Placement Hosts and jobseekers.
While participation on the YESS will be wholly voluntary for both parties involved, there will be certain qualifying and eligibility conditions that both placement hosts and jobseekers will have to satisfy.
A budget of €1million has been provided for 2018 which is sufficient for 200 jobseekers to take up a placement by the end of the year.
241. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40499/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received applications for CA from the person concerned on 12 March 2018 in respect of two care recipients.
Full-time care and attention 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.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or an appeals officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
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 in respect of one of the care recipients and it was also decided that the person concerned was working in excess of 15 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 19 June 2018 of this decision, the reasons for these decisions and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 2 July 2018.
The outcome of the review was that while the person concerned is no longer deemed to be working over 15 hours, the original decision in respect of one of the care recipients not requiring full time care and attention was confirmed.
The person concerned was notified on 19 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of appeal.
Carer's Allowance in respect of the other care recipient was awarded to the person concerned on 1 October 2018, and their first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 18 October 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 14 March 2018 to 17 October 2018 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 1 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40501/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady was notified on the 27th July 2018 that her domiciliary care allowance was awarded on appeal from the 1st July 2017. Arrears due for this period issued by cheque on the 27th July 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payments will issue for services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40508/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments to GP Panellists are made on a quarterly basis by the Department, in February, May, August and November each year. Since July there has been one quarterly payment to GPs in the practice in question. Each GP has received a payment statement outlining a breakdown of their payment details. The next quarterly payment will be made at end November.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
244. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals lodged in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; the percentage of appeals which were successful; the average waiting time in these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables provide the details which have been requested by the Deputy for the years 2012 to 2017 and to the end of September 2018.
The figures provided in the tables for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in 37.1% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2016, 37.6% of such outcomes in 2017 and 31.9% of such outcomes to the end of September 2018.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Accordingly, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times in respect of all schemes improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017. The corresponding processing times for the period January to September 2018 are 30.5 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.2 weeks for a summary decision.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with appeals officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards. Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. I expect that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.
In addition, a number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months, to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise and this has led to somewhat longer processing times during this period. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times continue to be a priority for her Office.
Finally, it should be noted that an appellant can claim supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Receipts and Percentage of Favourable Decisions of Appeals Finalised
2012 – 2018
|
Appeal Receipts |
Appeals Finalised |
Favourable Decisions |
Appeals Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
|
|
2012 |
35,484 |
32,558 |
50.4% |
42.6% |
7.0% |
|
2013 |
32,777 |
38,421 |
55.0% |
39.0% |
6.0% |
|
2014 |
26,069 |
31,211 |
56.5% |
37.7% |
5.8% |
|
2015 |
24,475 |
25,406 |
58.8% |
36.1% |
5.1% |
|
2016 |
22,461 |
23,220 |
59.2% |
35.9% |
4.9% |
|
2017 |
19,658 |
18,980 |
60.1% |
33.9% |
6.0% |
|
2018 (to 30/9/2018) |
14,319 |
12,951 |
57.4% |
37.0% |
5.6% |
Appeal Processing Times 2012 – 2018
|
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
|
2012 |
27.8 |
39.5 |
|
2013 |
25.8 |
33.9 |
|
2014 |
21.1 |
28.6 |
|
2015 |
18.1 |
25.5 |
|
2016 |
17.6 |
24.1 |
|
2017 |
19.8 |
26.4 |
|
2018 (to 30/9/2018) |
25.2 |
30.5 |
245. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on appeal for social protection payments paid on a weekly basis in cases in which there is no oral hearing and in cases in which there is an oral hearing in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40512/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table provides the details which have been requested by the Deputy to the end of September 2018.
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.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Accordingly, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times in respect of all schemes improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017. The corresponding processing times for the period January to September 2018 are 30.5 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.2 weeks for a summary decision.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with appeals officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards. Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. I expect that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.
In addition, a number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise and this has led to somewhat longer processing times during this period. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times continue to be a priority for her Office.
Finally, it should be noted that an appellant can claim supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeal Processing Times by Weekly Paid Schemes
01 January 2018 – 30 September 2018
|
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
|
Blind Pension |
29.8 |
- |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
24.7 |
29.0 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
21.9 |
26.5 |
|
Disability Allowance |
17.6 |
24.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
31.6 |
38.6 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
28.9 |
25.4 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
- |
76.6 |
|
Farm Assist |
39.4 |
43.1 |
|
Working Family Payment * |
28.2 |
41.8 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
24.2 |
28.0 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
29.6 |
33.8 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
29.9 |
20.6 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
26.1 |
36.4 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
40.7 |
48.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
32.5 |
45.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
36.4 |
51.9 |
|
Disablement Pension |
34.2 |
30.7 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
- |
29.7 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
34.6 |
37.6 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
17.2 |
37.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
31.7 |
37.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments) |
25.2 |
31.4 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
30.9 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
33.7 |
29.6 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
64.0 |
29.9 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
25.6 |
27.5 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
21.9 |
28.1 |
|
Widow/Widower’s Pension (Contributory) |
34.2 |
33.0 |
|
Widow/Widower’s Pension (Non-Contributory) |
31.7 |
25.2 |
* Previously called Family Income Supplement
246. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since she came into office, in tabular form; the cost per report; the company involved; the title of the report; the publication date or estimated publication date if not already published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40513/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought is being compiled by my Department at present and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will request a review of the rates being paid to general practitioners for illness benefit administration and services following the introduction of the new doctor's illness benefit form which requires additional time and administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40520/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to consult with the IMO under our Framework Agreement on a range of issues, including e-certification, closed certification and changes to forms and the resourcing required, including fees.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct level of disability allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of the maximum rate of disability allowance (DA) payable for her circumstances.
The rate includes increases for two child dependants. A fuel allowance is also in payment to the person concerned during the fuel season.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 26 September 2018, if immediate steps will be taken in the case of a person (details supplied) to address the issue in view of the fact that they are surviving only on a combination of help from an organisation and child benefit; if the seriousness of this case is recognised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has appealed the decision against her disallowance of Supplementary Welfare Allowance and the appeal process is underway.
In the meantime, a Community Welfare Officer will assess the person’s current circumstances to determine entitlement to an Exceptional Needs Payment. As part of that process, she will be required to provide any documentation requested to support her claim.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if care will be taken to ensure that during the course of the review of all rent supplement cases in counties Kildare and Wicklow cognisance will be taken of the precarious housing situation that exists in the area and that a cut-off will lead to homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40541/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 26,500 recipients nationally at a cost of €180 million in 2018.
In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, my Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach in the administration of rent supplement in particular when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy due to their landlord seeking rent in excess of the prevailing rent limit.
A breakdown by county of the total number of Rent Supplement recipients in Kildare and Wicklow receiving support where rents are in excess of the prescribed rent limits as at 1st October 2018 is provided in the following tabular statement.
Department officials at local level are actively engaged with relevant local authorities, Homeless Action Teams, regional teams and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the necessary supports are provided and cases where a threat of losing a tenancy or potential homelessness are prioritised accordingly.
Total Increased Rental Payments by County as at 01 October 2018
|
County |
Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment Framework |
Awards under protocol with Threshold |
Total no. of increased payments by County |
|
KILDARE |
705 |
7 |
712 |
|
WICKLOW |
537 |
4 |
541 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if eligibility for a carer’s allowance will be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40542/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
One of the qualifying conditions requires that the care recipient needs 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 12 months.
The person concerned applied for CA in respect of care provided to her mother on 15 December 2016.
On 29 March 2017 she was notified that she was not entitled to CA in respect of her mother as the evidence submitted did not indicate a need for full-time care and attention and she was notified of her right of review and appeal.
My Department were notified on 13 June 2017 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 12 July 2017.
On 28 March 2018 the SWAO notified the person concerned that her appeal, against the CA decision in respect of her mother, was disallowed.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.
However, if her mother's condition has deteriorated, it is open to the person concerned to re-apply.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
252. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a response to an appeal for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The Department received a claim for IP for this lady on 29 March 2018. She was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 20 June 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The lady concerned subsequently appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and submitted further medical evidence in support of her appeal.
Following a review of all the information available it was decided that there was no change to the original decision. A submission has been prepared by the department and was forwarded to the SWAO on 28 September 2018 for determination. The SWAO will be in touch with her directly in due course in relation to the progress of her appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
254. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to repealing the 7th Amendment to the Constitution in order to give all students of institutes of technology the right to vote in Seanad Éireann elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Programme for a Partnership Government includes a goal for this Government to pursue the implementation of the Manning Report, formally known as the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform. That report makes recommendations to restructure and reform the Seanad, including implementation of the 1979 amendment of the constitution to extend the university franchise at Seanad elections to graduates of other institutions of higher education in the State.
In April 2018, the Taoiseach established an Implementation Group on Seanad Reform to consider the Manning report and to develop specific proposals to legislate for Seanad Reform. The Implementation Group comprises Members of the Oireachtas with the assistance of outside experts, as appropriate. The Group held its first meeting on 9 May 2018 and is to report back by end October 2018, with the text of a Bill.
The implementation of the 1979 amendment is to be further considered in the context of the work of the Implementation Group.
255. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the Dublin citizens' assembly that he is setting up. [40020/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt its meeting of 27 September, the Government approved the policy paper "Local Authority Leadership, Governance and Administration", prepared as part of the response to the Programme for Partnership Government (PPG) commitment to report to Government and the Oireachtas on potential measures to boost local government leadership and accountability.
Among a range of proposals, the paper outlines two main options for the enhancement of the role of local authority mayors, namely:
1. Directly elected mayors, based on the current role performed by Cathaoirligh/Mayors/Lord Mayors of local authorities, and
2. Executive Mayors, whose functions would include both existing Cathaoirleach/Mayor functions and executive functions currently residing with the Chief Executives of local authorities. Such executive mayors could be either elected directly by the electorate or indirectly from among the elected members of the Council.
In line with the PPG commitment to consider directly elected mayors in cities, the paper proposes that executive mayors, either directly or indirectly elected, could be put in place in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. A decision to establish the role of a directly elected executive mayor could rest with the electorate of the local authority through a plebiscite in each area.
The Government agreed in principle to the holding of plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions for Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Galway City Council and Galway County Council (in anticipation of a full merger of those two local authorities in 2021) at the same time as the Local Government Elections in May 2019. This agreement is subject to the necessary legislative provisions being included in the Local Government Bill 2018 and the future submission of more detailed proposals on the plebiscites and the questions to be put to the electorate, as well as the specific powers to be given to mayors.
The Government also noted the policy proposal to refer the issue of directly elected mayors for Dublin for more detailed consideration and citizen engagement by a Dublin Citizens' Assembly to be specially convened in 2019. Further details in this regard will be announced in due course.
256. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied with the conduct of the Pyrite Remediation Board in assessing an appeal by an applicant for inclusion in the scheme (details supplied). [40394/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie or alternatively at oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie.
257. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Land Development Agency plans to develop State-owned land, particularly Defence Forces property at Gormanstown Camp, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 13 September 2018, I launched the new Land Development Agency (LDA) which will act as a new commercial State body to actively manage the strategic development of public land.
This new Agency will lead a new, intensive and vigorous process of looking at strategically placed blocks of particularly brownfield publicly owned development land and unlocking such lands full potential, working with all the key stakeholders.
With regard to the Defence Forces property at Gormanstown Camp, County Meath, this site does not come within the scope of the initial tranche of lands being examined by the LDA.
In addition, given the Gormanstown lands greenfield nature and significant infrastructure requirements, my Department is not aware of proposals to put such lands forward for consideration by the LDA.
