Written Answers Nos. 220-239
220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48453/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo application for a grant under the 2018 Sports Capital Programme has been received from the "Kerry Irish Wheelchair Association". An application has been received from the Irish Wheelchair Association which includes a request for funding for 9 basketball chairs for the "Kingdom Wheelblasters" multi-sport club in Kerry. The assessment of the 2018 Sports Capital Programme applications is underway. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, it will take a number of months to have all applications assessed.
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has requested the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance to cost the prospect of consolidation of road traffic law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48481/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the consolidation of road traffic legislation; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.
As I informed the Deputy in my response to Question No. 76 of 6 November last, my priorities in respect of road traffic legislation have been focused on legislation which is immediately needed. In that context, my Department is currently working on a Road Traffic Bill to provide, in the main, for graduated penalties for speeding offences.
Furthermore, the consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts must not simply be a matter of re-enacting all current road traffic legislation into one instrument. The benefits of consolidation are too often misunderstood and over-stated. If the project is to be of value, it will be necessary to examine each aspect of the legislation and see where it might be improved upon. Such a project, done properly, could take up to three years to complete.
There is no indication of any failure of prosecutions due to a lack of consolidation, never mind the significant problem which would need to exist to justify diverting resources from more urgent tasks to consolidation at this time. Any decision to undertake such a project in the future will have to be balanced against the value added and the risks associated with undermining the extensive legal precedents established to date. Indeed, I understand that recent significant precedents in court decisions would suggest that consolidation should not be undertaken at this time.
In the interim, the Law Reform Commission has a consolidated text of each of the Road Traffic Acts from 1961 to 2014 available on its website, which along with at least one recent publication of a consolidated text of the Road Traffic Acts and related Acts, delivers on what many understand consolidation to mean.
223. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the national strategy for swimming has been completed; if a review of the provision of swimming pools publicly and privately owned across the country has been completed; if so, if applications for grant aid for the provision of swimming pools will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48495/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in Action 20 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, my Department will work closely with relevant Government Departments, Local Authorities, sporting bodies and other stakeholders to agree a coherent national strategy for swimming. As part of this, we will review swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met.
The development of a national swimming strategy will be considered in the first instance by the Sports Leadership Group, which is currently being established and will hold its inaugural meeting in the coming weeks. It is not possible to provide at this stage a precise timescale for the completion of this strategy but I would be confident that significant progress is achievable during the course of 2019.
In relation to future capital support for swimming pools, earlier this week, Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I announced details of the new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The fund is open to applications from National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities. The scheme encourages multi-functional sports facilities and proposals for funding swimming pools will be considered under the scheme. The full terms and conditions of the LSSIF are available on my Department's website.
224. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional funding he plans to allocate to Monaghan County Council to address the need for upgrading and improving works to be carried out on the network of roads affected directly and indirectly by the recent mine collapse in the Magheracloone area of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48517/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
As the responsible road authority, it is a matter for Monaghan County Council to assess the options open to it in relation to these roads having regard to the causes of any damage.
In relation to road grants all regional and local road funding for 2018 has been fully allocated. The 2019 allocations will be notified to local authorities in the New Year.
225. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of rail passengers using the train at locations (details supplied) in south County Kildare in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48523/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
226. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider allowing all schools, not just DEIS schools, to apply for an education welfare officer service to assist children who may be experiencing homelessness and need additional supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently awaiting a response from the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla and will forward same once it is received.
227. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the first and full year cost of restoring the school completion programme to peak levels of funding. [48526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been answered previously. I would refer the Deputy to the answer to PQ 43136/18 (Dail Q Number 303). The response to that question was as follows:
"As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Educational Welfare Board which included the School Completion Programme (SCP) was transferred to my Department on its establishment in 2011.
Upon the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency on January 1st 2014, operational responsibility for the SCP was transferred to the Agency.
The SCPs are funded in line with the academic year commencing in September each year. The funding available to the SCP for the school year 2018/2019 stands at €24.7 million.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of Tusla has advised that the first and full-year cost of restoring the SCP to peak levels of funding would be €7.3 million."
228. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the school completion programme is sufficiently funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48529/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been answered previously. I would refer the Deputy to the answer to PQ 45937/18 (Dail Q Number 27). The response to that question was as follows:
"The School Completion Programme (SCP) continues to deliver a valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people at risk of early school leaving throughout the education process.
It was established in 2002 and became a programme operating under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme in 2005. Responsibility for the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) which included the SCP was transferred to my Department on its establishment in 2011. Operational responsibility for the SCP was transferred to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency on its establishment in 2014.
The annual SCP fund is currently 24.7m. My Department works with the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla to ensure necessary resources are available to support the programme and to ensure staffing levels are sufficient to deliver a high quality service to those young people most at risk of early school leaving.
In recognition of the need for a strong policy platform for educational welfare services, including the School Completion Programme, I have requested my officials to establish a Task Group to support the further development and integration of these services. The work of this group is now commencing and I am eager to ensure that output will result in a clear blueprint for the development of the School Completion Programme so that its reach, resources and impact are maximised in supporting young people at risk of early school leaving. "
229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of an application for a preschool extension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48553/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an application for an overage exemption for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme from the family named on 16 October 2018.
Officials from my Department issued a response on the 22nd of October 2018 rejecting the application as the child named will have already received the full allocation of ECCE by the end of June 2019 and would be in breach of educational policy with regard to school starting age requirements if remaining in pre-school.
Further correspondence appealing this decision was received from the parents on 12 November 2018 and I understand a reply issued from my Department on 14th November 2018 upholding the original decision.
My Department and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to ensure that early years and school age education policies are consistent and meet the best interest of children. Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education, affiliated to the Department of Education and Skills, to support a child in the primary school setting.
230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of joint specialist interviews of persons alleging child sexual abuse completed by social work specialist interviewers employed by Tusla in 2018. [48562/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that they do not collect the information to which the Deputy refers.
231. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he expects to address the issues of concern in both urban and rural areas which fall under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48525/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development I note the substantial progress made to improve the quality of life for persons and communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban.
My primary focus is to support the creation of vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities across this country. It is my intention that the supports available through my Department will continue to improve conditions in these communities into the future.
This can be achieved through the implementation of programmes and initiatives that facilitate and encourage economic development through the creation of jobs and the infrastructure required to support those jobs, and to provide other facilities that support our communities to become and remain desirable places to live, work and raise families.
To help bring this about, my Department will work across Government to:
- Create the conditions to support increased economic opportunities and local employment in all areas of the country
- Enable communities disadvantaged by location or social issues to reach their full potential now and in the future
- Deliver schemes and programmes that support the revitalisation of towns and villages
- Improve access to services and social networks that ensure a high quality of life
- Support all communities to be able to have a voice in shaping their own futures and addressing their common goals
My Department's budget will increase by €62 million to €293 million in 2019 - a 27 per cent increase on our 2018 allocation of €231 million - which adds to our capacity to provide direct and indirect supports to local communities through the range of schemes and programmes delivered by my Department.
These include the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, LEADER programme, Community Enhancement Programme, CLÁR Programme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. My Department also provides supports for social enterprises.
The increased budget allocation for Dormant Accounts will also allow continued support for excellent existing measures such as the Social Innovation Fund Ireland and funding for new measures such as supporting enterprise hubs along the Atlantic Economic Corridor. The increased funding will provide for a number of Volunteer Centres around the country and support measures under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan which address economic, social or educational disadvantage.
A key priority is to ensure better alignment, consolidation and integration of programmes across the Department, while we will also focus on cross-Departmental and whole-of Government approaches with a view to achieving greater impact and effectiveness in the delivery of our supports to communities.
The Action Plan for Rural Development, the Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, and Project Ireland 2040 are strategic policy initiatives that set out the ways in which Government aims to address disadvantage and how we can support both rural and urban communities across Ireland.
The Action Plan is coordinated and monitored by my Department and is the most comprehensive Government plan ever produced to support economic and social development in rural areas. The measures within it are being delivered across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other organisations over the period to 2020. The Third Progress Report on the Action Plan is due to be published shortly and I can confirm significant progress continues to be made across the range of measures.
Project Ireland 2040 laid out the Government’s plans for the country’s long-term development, and a key commitment within it regarding rural Ireland is the provision of €1 billion for the new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which will enable towns, villages and outlying rural areas to grow sustainably and support delivery of the strategic objectives of the National Planning Framework.
The Fund will be a key driver in supporting the revitalisation of rural Ireland, delivering a significant and sustainable impact for rural communities and helping to address issues such as de-population in small rural towns, villages and rural areas.
My Department will continue to work with key stakeholders including local authorities, community and voluntary groups, and dedicated agencies to support job creation, attract tourism investment and to contribute to sustainable economic development in all communities throughout Ireland.
232. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to the social inclusion and community activation programme in each year since being established in tabular form; the allocation in 2018; the amount expended in each year and to date in 2018; the expenditure incurred under this scheme by county in each year and to date in 2018; and the share of funds provided by EU structural funding and the share financed by the Exchequer, respectively. [48554/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra233. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to the social inclusion and community activation programme in each of the years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form. [48555/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
The information requested is set out in the following table.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) commenced on 1 April 2015 in most parts of the country. Expenditure figures for Counties Meath in 2015 and Galway in 2015 and 2016 reflect the fact that a deliberative process was ongoing at the time, and SICAP commenced in Meath in May 2015 and in Galway County in January 2017.
Programme Implementers with an underspend in 2015, 2016 or 2017 were permitted to offset the underspend against the following years budget, leading to the funding issued being lower than the allocation in some cases.
Funding allocations and the Department's expenditure per county
|
County |
2015 Allocation |
2015 Funding Issued |
2016 Allocation |
2016 Funding Issued |
2017 Allocation |
2017 Funding Issued |
2018 Allocation |
2018 Funding Issued |
|
Carlow |
402,321 |
402,321 |
536,428 |
533,928 |
536,428 |
536,426 |
547,157 |
546,719 |
|
Cavan |
556,338 |
556,338 |
741,784 |
720,487 |
741,784 |
732,058 |
756,620 |
748,659 |
|
Clare |
641,506 |
641,506 |
855,341 |
797,663 |
855,341 |
855,341 |
872,448 |
872,448 |
|
Cork |
2,309,073 |
2,309,073 |
3,078,956 |
3,067,295 |
3,078,956 |
3,077,547 |
3,159,205 |
3,158,959 |
|
Donegal |
1,480,935 |
1,480,935 |
1,974,580 |
1,920,151 |
1,974,580 |
1,970,067 |
2,008,916 |
2,008,802 |
|
Dublin |
7,149,314 |
7,149,314 |
9,532,555 |
9,196,834 |
9,532,555 |
9,509,364 |
9,656,954 |
9,575,503 |
|
Galway |
1,688,280 |
487,093 |
2,251,039 |
649,427 |
2,251,039 |
2,251,039 |
2,251,039 |
2,250,098 |
|
Kerry |
1,222,199 |
1,222,199 |
1,629,598 |
1,626,089 |
1,629,598 |
1,628,742 |
1,629,599 |
1,629,599 |
|
Kildare |
765,170 |
765,170 |
1,020,227 |
1,020,227 |
1,020,227 |
1,011,063 |
1,061,036 |
1,061,036 |
|
Kilkenny |
455,860 |
455,860 |
607,813 |
605,399 |
607,813 |
607,453 |
632,126 |
631,889 |
|
Laois |
423,048 |
423,048 |
564,064 |
559,205 |
564,064 |
554,502 |
586,627 |
586,625 |
|
Leitrim |
393,488 |
393,488 |
524,650 |
481,609 |
524,650 |
516,760 |
524,650 |
511,290 |
|
Limerick |
1,639,070 |
1,639,070 |
2,185,427 |
2,178,573 |
2,185,427 |
2,184,409 |
2,185,427 |
2,184,718 |
|
Longford |
383,669 |
383,669 |
511,559 |
492,145 |
511,559 |
506,591 |
511,559 |
500,352 |
|
Louth |
965,881 |
965,881 |
1,287,841 |
1,264,703 |
1,287,841 |
1,287,708 |
1,313,599 |
€1,313,599 |
|
Mayo |
930,908 |
930,908 |
1,241,211 |
1,215,481 |
1,241,211 |
1,231,152 |
1,269,911 |
1,262,231 |
|
Meath |
235,799 |
235,799 |
371,072 |
369,743 |
371,072 |
367,624 |
393,336 |
392,609 |
|
Monaghan |
464,453 |
464,453 |
619,271 |
612,427 |
619,271 |
614,852 |
631,656 |
628,332 |
|
Offaly |
553,736 |
553,736 |
738,314 |
725,952 |
738,314 |
731,384 |
760,463 |
750,858 |
|
Roscommon |
448,762 |
448,762 |
598,350 |
591,906 |
598,350 |
595,358 |
598,350 |
597,908 |
|
Sligo |
439,136 |
439,136 |
585,514 |
554,930 |
585,514 |
585,503 |
585,514 |
585,507 |
|
Tipperary |
841,838 |
841,838 |
1,122,450 |
1,116,186 |
1,122,450 |
1,105,851 |
1,173,386 |
1,157,231 |
|
Waterford |
823,835 |
823,835 |
1,098,446 |
1,087,865 |
1,098,446 |
1,095,322 |
1,120,415 |
1,089,306 |
|
Westmeath |
574,661 |
574,661 |
766,215 |
751,530 |
766,215 |
755,391 |
781,539 |
780,540 |
|
Wexford |
1,276,311 |
1,276,311 |
1,701,748 |
1,697,683 |
1,701,748 |
1,698,940 |
1,701,748 |
1,677,328 |
|
Wicklow |
972,584 |
972,584 |
1,296,777 |
1,245,474 |
1,296,777 |
1,288,405 |
1,314,319 |
1,309,618 |
|
Totals |
28,038,175 |
26,836,988 |
37,441,230 |
35,082,912 |
37,441,230 |
37,298,852 |
38,027,599 |
37,811,764 |
All SICAP Lot funding to date has been financed up-front by the Exchequer. The Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning (PEIL), being the current ESF operational programme, has allocated a total of €30 million in funding to the new SICAP programme, for the three year period 2018 to 2020. The first claim, in respect of the ESF allocation for 2018, is likely to be made in late 2019. The ESF funding will then be rebated to the Exchequer.
The provision of future funding is subject to the usual budgetary processes. However, I am confident that over the five year term of SICAP 2018-2022 funding of some €190 million will be allocated to the Programme.
234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will request Pobal to accept a business plan for three full-time equivalent persons in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48588/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme (CSP) supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions (FTEs). Some €46m will be provided under the programme in 2018.
A business plan was submitted by the organisation in question as part of the CSP Recontracting Process in 2017. Unfortunately, the plan did not establish a strong enough case for the level of support sought and the organisation was advised that support would reduce from one manager and four FTEs to two FTEs from 1st July 2018. My Department extended this timeframe to end-December 2018 pending submission of a revised business plan to Pobal.
A revised business plan was submitted by the organisation and this has been assessed by Pobal. The revised plan has also failed to establish a strong enough case for the level of CSP support sought and the organisation has now been advised that CSP support will reduce to 2.5 FTEs from January 2019. That said, the organisation has also been advised that it may appeal this decision and that it should engage directly with Pobal on the matter.
235. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will be processed to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48432/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is now certified and paid up to 20th November 2018 and any arrears due have been issued.
If he 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.
236. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48442/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCredited contributions (credits) are social insurance contributions designed to protect the social insurance entitlement record of insured workers who are not in a position to make PRSI contributions, and are awarded in circumstances such as proven unemployment or illness. In order to qualify for credits, a person must first have entered insurable employment - he or she must have paid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P. In general credits can only be awarded where an individual has had a recent attachment to the workforce, i.e. within the last 2 years.
Separately, the Voluntary Contribution Scheme allows those who are no longer working or who otherwise are not paying PRSI, including carers, to protect their PRSI entitlement to certain social insurance benefits, including state pension. Under the current rules a person can apply to join the scheme from 1 year to 5 years from the end of the year in which contributions were last paid, as an employee or as a self-employed worker. Voluntary Contributions (VCs) are designed to facilitate employees and self-employed individuals, who are no longer paying PRSI, to pay contributions directly to the Department on a voluntary basis, to protect their future state pension contributory, widow(er)’s contributory pension and guardian’s contributory pension entitlements. The scheme is most frequently used by employees who have retired early, or by self-employed individuals who are not required to pay PRSI Class S because their annual income falls below the annual €5,000 liability threshold. Currently, to become a voluntary contributor an individual must have paid at least 520 weeks of compulsory PRSI from either employment or self-employment prior to application.
The Government intends to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing the level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020). It is intended that this scheme will include provisions for periods of home-caring. I launched a public consultation on this proposal earlier this year in May, which closed in early September. The consultation sought input on a range of relevant factors which included the amount of contributions needed for a full rate contributory state pension, the amount of credited contributions a person could avail of, the level of provision of Homecaring periods, and whether there would be a "phase-in period" for the final model. Following examination and consideration of the submissions to the consultation, my officials will prepare proposals for the design of the new approach for consideration by the Government in due course. Once the model is implemented, calculation of a person's pension will take into consideration all paid contributions, all credited contributions and all periods of homecaring subject to whatever limits are imposed through the implementing legislation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
237. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the need for a social welfare office in south County Meath, that is, Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunboyne; and her plans to open an office in the area. [48461/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker claims for people living in the Ashbourne and Ratoath area are administered by the Intreo Centre in Finglas and claims for those living in Dunboyne are administered in Maynooth. Signing-on for the majority of jobseekers usually occurs no more than once in any 4-week period.
Customers can refer to www.welfare.ie for useful information on all services provided by the Department and they can also access a range of on-line services. My Department is continuing to develop additional on-line services for customers available through a myWelfare.ie application.
The Department's service offering in the area will be kept under review so as to ensure the best level of access to our services by residents of South County Meath.
238. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a working family payment by a person (details supplied); and when they can expect a decision on their case. [48470/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 02 November 2018.
Further information is required to process the application and the case was referred to a local Social Welfare Officer (SWI) on 21st November 2018.
On receipt of the completed report from the SWI , their WFP application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified of the decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
239. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29th May 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 1st October 2018 and the case is being referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
