Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1144. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive an illness benefit payment. [45843/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit Payments
Ceisteanna (1144)
Freagraí scríofa
The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is now certified and paid to 1st November 2018. If the customer remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (1145)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [45844/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the domiciliary care allowance appeal from the mother of the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who had decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 9th October 2018. The notification of the hearing was issued to the appellant. However, subsequently, the Appeals Office was advised by the appellant that she was unable to attend the scheduled oral hearing as she was going on holiday at that time. Therefore, the oral hearing was postponed. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements for another oral hearing have been made.
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.
Illness Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (1146)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue for an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45854/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No application for Illness Benefit (IB) has been received from the person concerned.
If he is ill and unfit for work, he should submit an application for IB to the Department and it will be processed as quickly as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (1147)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1147. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue for an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45855/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 October 2018. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 31 October 2018.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tax Clearance Certificates
Ceisteanna (1148)
Joe Carey
Ceist:1148. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the avenues available to an employer to retrospectively gain their qualifying tax clearance status in the instance of an employer being unable to provide a tax clearance certificate to qualify for the wage subsidy scheme due to an appeal being in process with the Revenue Commissioners and in which the appeal is ultimately successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45865/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.
The objective of the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market by making available a subsidy to private sector employers. The scheme operates by allowing employers to claim a subsidy, subject to certain conditions, against the cost of a ‘shortfall’ in productivity which may arise were a jobseeker (who has a disability) is employed.
Depending on the number of persons with a disability employed, the WSS may provide additional payments to be made to employers to cover additional supervisory or management costs and/or the cost of employing an employment assistance officer to support the particular staff within the company.
The scheme operates under guidelines issued by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The guidelines cover the need to be tax compliant in line with the normal for publicly funded schemes. This forms one of a number of requirements under which the scheme operates which includes conditionalities, verifications, monitoring visits and departmental review. Neither an employer or employee can commence on the WSS without Tax Clearance.
The issue of securing tax compliance is a matter for the employer and the Revenue Commissioners. Following the certification of tax compliance, the employer might then contact the Department in relation to a claim for WSS in line with the relevant guidelines.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
Legislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (1149)
Clare Daly
Ceist:1149. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review, as required under section 18(3) of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014, has been conducted and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [45868/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 18 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 allows for the discrimination on the grounds of age in respect of a prescribed class of persons in the provision of employment services and supports. The provisions in Section 18 facilitate the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, which was agreed by the European Council on 22 April 2013 to tackle the challenge of youth joblessness.
When the EU Youth Guarantee Recommendation was adopted in 2013, Ireland already had in place many of the elements to meet the recommendation’s objective of ensuring that young people receive an offer of employment, education or training within four months of becoming unemployed. The implementation of the Irish Youth Guarantee focused on enhancing processes and policies for assisting young unemployed people to secure sustainable jobs.
JobsPlus provides subsidies to employers for the full-time employment of those formerly long-term unemployed on the Live Register. In February 2015 “JobsPlus Youth” was added to the scheme under the EU Youth Guarantee scheme. This addition was in line with recommendations from the OECD and meant that, the qualifying period for those aged under 25 was reduced from 12 months to four months. A focus Policy Assessment on JobsPlus was undertaken in 2017 and published in 2018 which reviewed the operation of the JobsPlus employment incentive scheme from the commencement of the scheme in July 2013 up until the end of 2016. Between 2014 and 2016 a total of 2,167 participants aged under 25 benefitted from JobsPlus. Between June 2013 and December 2016, the Live Register fell by 36% from 434,905 to 276,502 while at the same time unemployment among under 25s had also fallen by 57% from 71,202 to 30,285. This indicated that, in 2017 with an improving economy, deadweight on the scheme for under 25s may be increasing as more of this cohort would find work without the assistance of JobsPlus.
The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) which was launched this year is also targeted at young jobseekers that face difficulty in entering the labour market or some form of work experience. A review will be undertaken on this initiative in due course.
For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in existing further education or training programmes. Others are in existing community-based employment programmes/workplace based interventions such as CE and Tús. Long-term unemployed jobseekers under-25 are also referred to JobPath, a contracted, payment-by-results employment services that provides additional resources and supports to the long-term unemployed.
The Action Plan for Jobs sets out Ireland’s policies in support of enterprise and employment growth. The most recent Pathways to Work strategy, for the period 2016-2020, continues to focus on addressing youth unemployment, building on reforms introduced in the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan and by introducing new measures to ensure that the young unemployed take up a substantial share of the jobs being created by economic recovery.
Reflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, youth unemployment continues to fall with a rate of 12% estimated by CSO in October 2018, down from a peak rate of almost 32% in 2012. The youth unemployment rate now lies significantly below the EU-28 average rate of 15.8%. Youth unemployment figures can be expected to fall further this year in line with the continuing forecast fall in overall unemployment.
These trends indicate that together with improvements in the labour market and economic recovery, our approach to youth employment, which focuses in the first instance on enhancing processes and policies for assisting young unemployed people to find and secure sustainable jobs, has been relatively successful.
The Pathways to Work Strategy commits to a rolling programme of process and programme evaluations of Pathways to Work reforms. Programme evaluations conducted to date can be accessed at:
www.welfare.ie/Pathways-to-work-research.
Each report outlines the probability of exit to employment at various stages post-programme completion. Furthermore, evaluations of JobPath and JobsPlus, including JobsPlus Youth, are currently underway and are expected to be finalised later this year. As with all schemes, my Department will continue to review the conditions and operations of the schemes to ensure they remain effective.
North-South Implementation Bodies
Ceisteanna (1150)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:1150. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department's budget allocation for 2019 is €20.498 billion, providing for schemes and services relating to pensions; working age income supports; working age employment supports; illness, disability and carers; children; supplementary payments; as well as pay and non-pay administration.
While there is no specific allocation within my Department's 2019 Budget Estimates for north south bodies, a Cross-Border Partnerships Programme supports cross-border jobseekers, workers and employers in those border regions under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EASI) which is directly managed by the European Commission. The Partnerships have a targeted remit to provide services to citizens of the border region.
The Partnership addresses the particular obstacles that frontier workers, employers and jobseekers face in the cross border region through the provision of services, including a network of cross-border advisers, matching jobseekers with job vacancies in both jurisdictions, information seminars, labour market monitoring, cross-border mutual learning for public employment services, and cross-border employability training.
The EURES Ireland/ Northern Ireland Cross Border Partnership, established in 1993, is one of nine such partnerships in Europe involving 13 Member States. The Partnership activities are funded through an annual competitive bid process under the EASI Programme.
Approved grant funding at 90% will amount to approximately €224,000 in 2018.
Commissions of Investigation Data
Ceisteanna (1151)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:1151. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount her Department has spent in 2018 on carrying out commissions of investigations and State inquiries as recommended by the independent review mechanism and State tribunals; the number and name of these investigations; the individual costs relating to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2018, there have been no tribunals under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2004 concerning my Department. Neither has there been a commission of investigation under the Commission of Investigations Act 2004 in relation to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Therefore no costs have incurred in relation to the carrying out of a tribunal of enquiry or a commission of investigation by this Department.
Seanad Elections
Ceisteanna (1152)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:1152. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rules of governance required to be registered with his Department in nominating bodies for Seanad Éireann (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44960/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with section 4 of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947, the Clerk of Seanad Éireann is the returning officer for Seanad general elections and bye-elections. The Seanad returning officer's responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of the register of nominating bodies, arrangements for which are set out in sections 8 and 9 of the 1947 Act.
Commercial Rates Exemptions
Ceisteanna (1153)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:1153. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of providing full relief from commercial rates for all registered childcare providers here. [45161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists, prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 - 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and all rates income accrues to the local government sector.
Local authority total gross rates income is reported in the Income and Expenditure Account of their Annual Financial Statements. However, as this data is not categorised by the different types of property used for business purposes, information in relation to the amount of rates contributed by registered childcare providers is not available in my Department.
Local Authority Services
Ceisteanna (1154)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1154. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason disabled persons grants have not been approved since 2016 and 2017 in the Cork County Council area due to lack of funding; and the rationale for same. [45225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Disabled Persons' Grants Scheme (DPG's), my Department provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts; grab-rails; showers; wet-rooms and ramps etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in cases of overcrowding.
Each year Local Authorities submit their requirements to my Department in respect of this important scheme. Funding is allocated across all authorities on the basis of the funding sought by the local authorities for high need/priority cases. It is a matter for all local authorities to prioritise the works carried out according to local need.
The following table shows the DPG allocations for Cork County Council from 2016-2018.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
€740,601 |
€811,365 |
€728,238 |
Housing Adaptation Grant Applications
Ceisteanna (1155)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:1155. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason an adaption grant has not been approved for a person (details supplied) by Cork County Council in 2018; the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (DPG's), my Department provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts; grab-rails; showers; wet-rooms and ramps etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in cases of overcrowding.
It is a matter for all local authorities to prioritise the works carried out according to local need. However, Cork County Council has indicated that they have received an application in respect of the person referred to, which is currently subject to assessment.
Housing Adaptation Grant Eligibility
Ceisteanna (1156)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:1156. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when calculating deductions for means testing the housing adaption grant for persons with disabilities, if the full amount of carer's allowance will be deducted in addition to as a further €5,000 in cases in which the person to which the grant application relates is being cared for by a relative on a full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45343/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When calculating household income for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, Carer's Benefit/Allowance is disregarded if paid in respect of the person to whom the grant application relates. A disregard of €5,000 is also allowed where the person with a disability for whom the application for grant aid is sought is being cared for by a relative on a full-time basis.
Approved Housing Bodies
Ceisteanna (1157)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:1157. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to extending the capital acquisition lease finance provisions to the purchase of loans by approved housing bodies with a view to preventing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45503/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department offers a range of funding programmes to assist the voluntary sector with the delivery of social housing, including the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF).
CALF is a facility, which is exclusively available to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), to assist them in accessing private or Housing Finance Agency (HFA) finance for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of homes that will be made available for social housing purposes under long-term availability agreements of up to 30 years.
I have no plans to amend the uses for which CALF is made available to AHBs.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Ceisteanna (1158)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:1158. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount allocated for a project (details supplied) under the urban regeneration and development fund. [45740/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.
I initiated the call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September.
My Department, through a dedicated Project Advisory Board (PAB), is now engaging in the assessment of submitted applications and at this point, the work of the Board is expected to take until late November, after which an initial tranche of successful applications will be announced.
As the assessment process of the PAB is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual projects at this time.
Water and Sewerage Schemes Status
Ceisteanna (1159)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:1159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on his decision to refer the eastern and midlands water supply project to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project has been in development since the mid -1990s, originally under Dublin City Council and under Irish Water management since January 2014. It is the first comprehensive upgrade of Ireland’s water infrastructure in over 60 years.
An additional 330 million litres of treated water a day is estimated to be needed in the Greater Dublin and Eastern and Midlands Region by 2050. In 2015, Irish Water embarked on an extensive public consultation process to identify a new source of water supply for the region. Overall, ten options were assessed on technical environmental and economic grounds. The abstraction of raw water from the Parteen Basin and the Lower River Shannon was ultimately identified as Irish Water’s preferred option.
The Water Services Act 2013 requires the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to provide consent for all commitments for capital expenditure above a certain threshold.
Given the scale and importance of the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project, and recognising the CRU’s statutory role as independent economic regulator of Irish Water, including its role of reviewing Irish Water’s capital investment plans, I have requested the CRU to undertake the review to support my decision as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in relation to the capital consent that will be required in the event that planning approval is obtained for the project. The request to the CRU is consistent with the CRU’s role under Section 40 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to advise the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the development and delivery of water services.
The Terms of Reference for the Review are available on the CRU website at the following link:
https://www.cru.ie/document_group/water-supply-project-eastern-and-midlands-region/.
Property Trusts
Ceisteanna (1160)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:1160. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the recent sale of nearly 400 apartments for rental to an investment company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44716/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The acquisition and management of properties by professional Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) is one component part of a more sustainable, long-term property rental market for both investors and tenants. While commercial property investment has been a key focus for some of the REITs launched to date in Ireland, residential property also forms part of the sector's interest and exposure. It is expected that the sector will continue to develop over time and increase the supply of professionally managed, good quality, rented accommodation.
In relation to the recent purchase of the apartments in question by an investment company, it is important to remember that the priority is to ensure an increase in the overall supply of new homes – whether available to purchase or rent. Given the highlighted lack of properties available to rent in the Dublin area, increased rental supply is welcome.
Historically, the private rented sector in Ireland has been largely made up of small-scale landlords, who will continue to provide the bulk of private rented accommodation. However, a more diverse sector, which includes institutional investors specialised in providing and managing larger scale residential rental projects, provides more stability and less exposure to property market risk and volatility. Institutional investors can also help provide the range of tenancy options that households need across their life cycles. Large-scale investment in property has an important role to play in helping to deliver the professional high-standard rental sector that tenants deserve.
The fact that institutional investors are entering the rental market, with a clear long-term focus on their investment provides security for tenants who can be confident that their landlord is committed for the long run.
A number of additional tenancy protection measures were introduced in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 to enhance tenants’ security, including:
- The abolition of a landlord’s right, during the first 6 months of a further Part 4 tenancy, to end that tenancy for no stated ground;
- The extension of the term of Part 4 tenancies from 4 to 6 years; and
- Protection for existing tenants to remain in situ where a landlord proposes to sell 10 or more units within a single development at the same time, other than in exceptional circumstances.
These provisions apply to the apartments in question.
Constitutional Convention Recommendations
Ceisteanna (1161)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:1161. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given further consideration to the Convention on the Constitution recommendations regarding citizens' initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fourth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, published in August 2013, included a recommendation that there should be a right for citizens to petition on influencing the legislative agenda and to petition for referendums.
In response, the Government pointed to the fact that constitutional referendums are already common in Ireland and that there is nothing to prevent citizens from presenting petitions. Article 27 of the Constitution also provides a facility for a Bill to be put to the people if it contains a matter of such public importance that the will of the people ought to be ascertained on it. In addition, as part of its remit, the Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee receives and considers public petitions submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas. It also engages regularly with the Ombudsman and other oversight bodies.
An Bord Pleanála
Ceisteanna (1162)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:1162. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he has taken to address delays in adhering to statutory timelines in An Bord Pleanála decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44762/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine planning appeals within 18 weeks. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make its decision.
The compliance rate with the statutory objective period has been reduced over the past year due to a number of factors. Firstly, there was a reduction in Board capacity in mid-2017, arising from a time interval between the departure of five outgoing Board members, whose terms of office had expired in April and May, and the five new replacement Board members taking up their posts. While, by September 2017, the Board complement had been fully replenished, this time interval significantly impacted on the Board’s capacity and case work output over the whole year.
In addition, An Bord Pleanála is also implementing a major ICT strategy which will facilitate the introduction of on-line planning services as part of a complete upgrade and replacement of core systems. In this regard, a new case management system was installed and became operational in Q4 2017. As is to be expected with such a fundamental and integrated project, the transition to the new system has caused some initial disruption to the processing of cases, resulting in a further increase in the backlog of cases on hand. However, measures have been put in place to ensure that the new system is bedded down and becomes operational at an optimal level as soon as possible.
Furthermore, there has been a general increase in cases received by the Board. For example, there was an increase of almost 12% on normal planning appeals received in 2017 compared to 2016; this upward trend has continued into 2018. The intake of normal planning appeals in the nine months to end-September 2018 was 10% greater than the intake over the corresponding period to end-September 2017.
Now that the Board's full complement has been restored, combined with the measures that are being put in place in relation to the new ICT systems, it is expected that the backlog of cases will begin to reduce over the coming months, with an associated improvement in the compliance rate with the statutory objective period for the determination of cases.
My Department liaises closely with the Board to ensure that it has appropriate resources in relation to the performance of its functions. In mid-2017, the Board was assigned additional functions in determining planning applications for strategic housing developments. A new Strategic Housing Division of the Board was established to decide on these applications, involving the recruitment of an additional dedicated 10 professional and administrative staff members in 2017. Two additional Board members have also been sanctioned to serve this Division, with the appointments being made in February and June this year.
The Board now has a complement of 11 members and has over 150 staff employed. I am satisfied that the Board has sufficient and necessary resources to deliver effectively and efficiently on its important statutory mandate and functions.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (1163)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:1163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he, his departmental officials and or his ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) and or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44779/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that neither myself nor any officials of my Department have held meetings with the companies or representatives of the companies concerned. One of the companies concerned was involved in the Government Cloud Network project and would have visited one of my Department's offices during 2016 as part of that project. However, this was to carry out a technical site survey as opposed to holding a meeting.
According to the records readily available in my Department, I understand that neither of my predecessors met with the companies concerned in the period concerned.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (1164)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:1164. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a company (details supplied) has been awarded contracts for social housing projects funded by his Department in the past ten years; and if so, if he will now request an inspection of these units in view of the issues arising at schools constructed by this company. [44838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The data requested is currently being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Following consultation with all 31 local authorities, there has been one permanent build housing contract completed by this company over the past ten years. The project, which was progressed by Dublin City Council (DCC) and completed in mid-2016, involved the construction of 22 new social houses in Poppintree, Ballymun.
The project came under the terms of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (BC(A)R) and was therefore subject to statutory certification requirements.
DCC advise that they employ a strict monitoring regime for their developments and since the introduction of BC(A)R, this includes the engagement of external Assigned Certifiers in addition to in-house architectural, engineering and inspection staff, to ensure the build quality of developments under their control. Inspections are carried out both on site and in the manufacturing facility, as in this particular case, which involved timber-framed units. Full Compliance Certification by the Design and Assigned certifiers is required on completion of the project, with confirmation of compliance from the Building Control Department of the Council. On that basis, DCC have advised that no further inspections are planned.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (1165, 1166)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:1165. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44862/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouise O'Reilly
Ceist:1166. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1165 and 1166 together.
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Details of public consultations undertaken by my Department in each of the past ten years, based on the information readily available, are set out in the table below.
Submissions are generally held in the business unit undertaking the consultation. In cases where submissions are published, they are generally published on the Department’s website and where available, the web address to the appropriate page has been provided.
|
Year |
Title of Public Consultation |
|
2008 |
Public Consultation on The Planning System and Flood Risk Management for Planning Authorities |
|
2008 |
Public Consultation on Acceptable Construction Details |
|
2008 |
Public Consultation – Amendment of Part L of Building Regulations |
|
2008 |
Public Consultation on Proposed Amendment to Part F of the Building Regulation (Ventilation) |
|
2008 |
Public Consultation on Draft Nitrates Regulations |
|
2009 |
Public Consultation on Proposed amendment to Part M (Access for People with Disabilities) |
|
2010 |
Public consultation - Local Government Efficiency Review Group |
|
2010 |
Public Consultation on Draft Nitrates Regulations |
|
2010 |
Public Consultation on Proposed Amendment to Part H (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) of the Building Regulations |
|
2010 |
Public Consultation Proposed Amendment to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations |
|
2011 |
Public Consultation on Review of Part L (Dwellings) |
|
2011 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part A (Structure) of the Building Regulations |
|
2011 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part K (Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards) of the Building Regulations |
|
2011 |
Public Consultation - Draft Retail Planning Guidelines |
|
2012 |
Public Consultation on Draft Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 |
|
2012 |
Public Consultation - Draft Local Area Plan Guidelines |
|
2012 |
Public Consultation on the Draft Development Contribution Guidelines for Planning Authorities (June 2012 - September 2012) |
|
2012 |
Interdepartmental Group on Property Tax (https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/chargestaxes/local-property-tax/inter-departmental-group-property-tax) |
|
2012 |
Consultation on Water Sector Reform (https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/policy/public-consultation-water-sector-reform) |
|
2013 |
Wind Energy Guidelines Focused Review |
|
2013 |
Public Consultation - Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Article 19 (https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C38199%2Cen.pdf) |
|
2013 |
A New Planning and Consent Architecture for Development in the Marine Area |
|
2013 |
Draft European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment)(Foreshore) Regulations & Draft European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Planning and Development) Regulations |
|
2013 |
Public Consultation on Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme |
|
2013 |
Public Consultation on Draft European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 |
|
2013 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part D (Materials and Workmanship) of the Building Regulations |
|
2014 |
Consultation on the Timetable and Work Programme for the Development of the Second Cycle River Basin Management Plans |
|
2014 |
Licensing of Outdoor Music Events – Review of Legislative Framework (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/outdoor-music-events/public-consultation-licensing-outdoor-music-events-review) |
|
2014 |
Public Consultation on Irish Language Scheme 2013-2016 |
|
2014 |
Call for Submissions - Statement of Strategy 2015 - 2017 |
|
2014 |
Proposed Water Charges Policy Direction to Commission for Energy Regulation 2014 (https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C38404%2Cen.pdf) |
|
2014 |
Planning Application Process and Procedures/Development Management Guidelines 2007 (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/development-management/preliminary-consultation-planning-application-process-and) |
|
2014 |
Wind Energy Guidelines Focused Review: Draft statutory guidelines (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/submissions ) |
|
2014 |
The National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee - Call for Submissions to input to Committees Work Programme |
|
2014 |
Proposed Amendment to Part E (Sound) of the Building Regulations |
|
2014 |
Consultation Process on the General Scheme of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014 (https://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/voting/seanad-elections/consultation-process-and-invitation-make-submissions) |
|
2015 |
Organisational review of an Bord Pleanála (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/bord-pleanala/review/public-consultation-organisational-review-bord-pleanala) |
|
2015 |
Significant Water Management Issues in Ireland |
|
2015 |
Review of Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, S.I. 9 of 2014 |
|
2015 |
Proposed Amendments to Technical Guidance Document H – Drainage and Wastewater Disposal |
|
2015 |
Public Consultation - Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Monitoring Programme (Article 11) (https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,43583,en.pdf) |
|
2016 |
Public consultation on a draft Code of Practice for Fire Safety in New and Existing Community Dwelling Houses |
|
2016 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations 2016 |
|
2016 |
Public Consultation - Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Programme of Measures Phase (Article 13) (https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/public-consultation/files/msfd_programme_of_measures_public_consulation_response_to_submissions.pdf) |
|
2016 |
Public Consultation on Irish Language Scheme 2017-2019 |
|
2016 |
Public Consultation – A Strategy for the Rented Sector (https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/private-rented-housing/public-consultation-strategy-rented-sector) |
|
2016 |
Call for Submissions: Statement of Strategy 2016 – 2019 |
|
2016 |
Draft Guidelines on Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 |
|
2016 |
Consultation on draft Regulations to transpose the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive into Irish law (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/maritime-spatial-planning/consultation-draft-regulations-tranpose-msp-directive-irish-law) |
|
2016 |
Call for nominees to an expert commission on domestic public water services |
|
2017 |
Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities - Draft Update (Dec. 2017) (https://www.housing.gov.ie/node/8581/public-consultation-responses) |
|
2017 |
Draft fourth Nitrates Action Programme: Public Consultation on Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment |
|
2017 |
Housing Economics Research Programme - Invitation for Research Topic Suggestions |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on Ireland 2040 – Our Plan – Issues and Choices (http://npf.ie/submissions-predraft/) |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on Ireland 2040 – Our Plan: National Planning Framework - Draft ( (http://npf.ie/submissions-draft/) |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation – A Review of the Rent Predictability Measure (https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/private-rented-housing/rent-predictability/public-consultation-review-rent-predictability ) |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on Review of Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on the draft River Basin Management Plans for Ireland 2018-2021 |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on the proposal to legislate for the prohibition of microbeads in certain products |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy for Buildings other than Dwellings) 2017 |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on the review of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 |
|
2017 |
Public Consultation on the transposition of Directive 2014/52/EU: Environmental Impact Assessment (https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/environmental-assessment/environmental-impact-assessment-eia/public-consultation) |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Local Electoral Areas (http://www.boundarycommittee.ie/) |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation - Draft Water Services Guidelines |
|
2018 |
Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation - Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Plant, UK |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on Water Services Policy Statement |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on the Review of Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy for Dwellings) NZEB 2018 and Part F Ventilation |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on DRAFT 'Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings' |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on DRAFT ‘Urban Development and Building Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on National Marine Planning Framework Baseline Report |
|
2018 |
Public Consultation on General Scheme of Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill 2018 |
|
2018 |
Consultation with Local Authority Franchise teams in respect of proposals to modernise the electoral registration process |
Housing Data
Ceisteanna (1167)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:1167. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing co-operatives (details supplied); and the number of houses within each co-operative within each county in tabular form. [44906/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A list of bodies that are registered as Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 can be found on the Register of AHBs which is published on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/voluntary-and-cooperative-housing/register-housing-bodies-approved-status.
The following 14 AHBs are identified as co-operatives:
- Belcarra Community Co-Operative Society Limited
- Community Housing Co-Operative Cork Society Limited
- Connacht Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd
- Co-Operative Housing Ireland - formerly NABCO
- Dublin City Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd
- Dublin South Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd
- Fingal Co-Operative Housing Society
- Galway Co-Operative Housing Development Society Ltd
- Goodwill Housing Co-Operative Society Ltd C/O KVB
- Mallow Sugar Factory Housing Co-Op Society
- Munster Co-operative Housing Society Limited
- North Dublin Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd
- O'Cualann Co-Housing Alliance Ltd
- South Leinster Co-Operative Housing
AHBs can be limited companies, societies or trusts and are subject to the statutory provisions of Companies Acts/Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. In order to be approved, it is a requirement that the bodies’ memorandum and articles of association include provisions prohibiting the distribution of any surplus, profit, bonus or dividend to members and that the assets of the body be applied solely towards its objectives. As such the majority of AHBs are charities and are subject to the Charities Act 2009.
The oversight of AHBs is currently conducted through the Voluntary Regulation Code (VRC) - Building for the Future, A Voluntary Regulation Code for Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland. At present, 256 AHBs, covering some 95% of the social housing stock of Approved Housing Bodies, are signed up to the VRC which is overseen by the Interim Regulation Committee (IRC), based in the Housing Agency. Annual regulatory returns for the AHBs which are signed up to the Code are submitted to the Housing Agency's Regulation Office and compliance with the Code is a requirement for the receipt of funding for social housing. Four co-operatives are signed up to the Code and the information sought in relation to these co-operatives is set out below. The information is based on the 2017 annual regulatory returns. Legislation to provide for enhanced statutory regulation of the Approved Housing Body sector is due to be published by end-year.
|
County/Number of Units |
Co-Operative Housing Ireland |
Galway Co-Operative Housing Development Society Ltd |
Belcarra Community Co-Operative Society Limited |
O'Cualann Co-Housing Alliance Ltd |
|
Carlow |
74 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
66 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
32 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
367 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
725 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DunL – Rathdown |
136 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
384 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
23 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
256 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford City & County |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
81 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
2219 |
61 |
6 |
0 |
Co-Operative Housing Ireland
|
List of Directors: |
|
Enda Egan – Acting Chairperson |
|
Brenda O'Callaghan |
|
Sandra Ajunonoma |
|
Adaku Ezeudo |
|
Mema Byrne |
|
Graham Lightfoot |
|
Notel Pocock |
|
Kim Olin |
|
John Power |
|
Carol Tancock |
|
Eddie O'Shea |
|
Secretary |
|
Kieron Brennan |
|
Auditors |
|
KPMG |
Galway Co-Operative Housing Development Society Ltd
|
List of Directors: |
|
Paddy O'Shaughnessy |
|
Imelda O'Sullivan – Acting Chairperson |
|
Rosemarie Bohan |
|
Jean MacSorley - Treasurer |
|
Fiona Hanbury |
|
Eileen Lauster |
|
Dara Duane |
|
Rachel Parry |
|
Secretary |
|
Rosemarie Bohan |
|
Auditors |
|
Ryan McGinty |
Belcarra Community Co-Operative Society Limited
|
List of Directors: |
|
Mary Jo Cannon |
|
Mary Prendergast |
|
Breege Canavan |
|
Adrian Lyons |
|
Secretary |
|
Mary Prendergast |
|
Auditors |
|
Naughton Murtagh & Co |
O'Cualann Co-Housing Alliance Ltd
|
List of Directors: |
|
Allan Malayao |
|
Robert Castillo - Chairperson |
|
Wessel Badenhorst |
|
Roisin Eccles |
|
David Lawless |
|
Secretary |
|
Tim Crowley |
|
Auditors |
|
Donal Ryan & Associates |