Written Answers Nos. 669-690
670. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on the ability programme since its introduction; the number of young persons who have engaged with the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50435/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAbility is a new pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities aged between 15 and 29 years of age. The aim of the programme is to promote employment prospects and meaningful social roles for young people with disabilities and in particular, young people who are distant from the labour market, through engagement in training and personal development activities, which would be followed by an incremental exposure to work.
Pobal have been contracted by DEASP to manage the programme and it is being delivered by 27 community and voluntary groups from around the country. The projects being funded have been designed to assist young people in their transition from school to further education and employment. This will be undertaken using person-centred, case management approaches that support participants to achieve their desired employment goals.
The funding for this programme amounts to around €16 million over a three year period and is being provided jointly under the EUs ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) Operational Programme, 2014-2020 (PEIL, 2014–20) and the Irish Exchequer. €4,499,259 has been spent to date. This includes a service fee to Pobal for the development of the programme including IT development from the initial call for applications in late 2017 and for the on-going management of the Programme. It also includes the initial drawdown of funding by the 27 successful organisations in order for them to carry out the work.
It is expected that the programme will support over 2,600 young people with disabilities aged between 15 and 29 years of age over the course of the programme. The projects have only recently commenced delivering their services and recruitment of participants on the Ability programme is now underway. The Department will have accurate figures on the number of young people who have engaged with the programme in late December when the projects have submitted their progress reports to Pobal on the work to date.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
671. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 10 August 2018 who was in receipt of Carer's Benefit up to 3 October 2018.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and it was decided that it did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied. The person concerned was notified on 20 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.
Following this review, the person concerned was awarded CA on 30 November 2018, with effect from 4 October 2018, and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 6 December 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 4 October 2018 to 5 December 2018 have also issued.
The person concerned was notified on 30 November 2018 of this revised decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
672. 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. [50493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 9th October 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
673. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision made with respect to an application by a person (details supplied) for the working family payment will be re-examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50533/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
The person concerned was awarded WFP on 05 November 2018.
The Department has reviewed the decision of 05 November 2018 and it was established that an error had been made in the calculation of their entitlement. Following a revised decision they have been awarded WFP at the correct rate.
All arrears owing will issue to the person's nominated bank account on 06 December 2018 and the person concerned was notified in writing on 30 November 2018 of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
674. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for partial capacity benefit will be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50537/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Partial Capacity Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and is in payment.
The claim is awarded at the "Moderate" rate of Partial Capacity Benefit. This means the person concerned will be paid 50% of their personal rate of payment .
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
675. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50563/18]
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.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 23 July 2018.
CA was awarded to the person concerned on 30 November 2018 and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 20 December 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from to 3 May 2018, which is the date from which Domiciliary Care Allowance was awarded in respect of her daughter, to 19 December 2018 will also issue. In the interim, the person concerned has been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 30 November 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
676. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) was awarded working family payment of €21 per week from 9 August 2018; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that they sought a review and increase in the payment when their working hours and earnings were further reduced on 27 August 2018; if the working family payment will be increased in view of their changed circumstances from 27 August 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50584/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees, with children, on low earnings. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment.
When WFP is awarded, social welfare legislation provides that the rate of payment stays the same for 52 weeks as long as the person continues to be engaged in full-time paid employment with the same employer for at least 38 hours every fortnight. Therefore, the rate payable is not affected by increases or decreases in family income during the 52-week period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
677. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [50588/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 31 May 2018. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 13 December 2018. Arrears due from 31 May 2018 to 12 December 2018 less overlapping social welfare payments will issue as soon as possible. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 03 December 2018
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
678. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50620/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 8 November 2018.
They requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 10 November 2018. On completion of a decision by a deciding officer the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
679. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit back payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) without further delay. [50666/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.
The person concerned claimed Illness Benefit from the 15th January 2018 to the 19th June 2018 and, although she did not meet the PRSI contribution qualifying conditions on her Irish PRSI contribution record, she subsequently qualified on her contribution record from her employment in Jersey. I understand from my Department that to get a record from another state takes time which added to the delay in this case.
The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned has been paid in full.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
680. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50668/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension (IP) at personal rate of €203.50 with effect from the 31 May 2018. Her first payment of IP issued to her nominated bank account on the 04 October 2018, however, her illness benefit (IB) payment continued to be paid to her at the weekly rate of €88.90. The IB payment has now been stopped with immediate effect.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
681. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrears due to a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [50758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 18 July 2018.
Carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 23 November 2018 with effect from 19 July 2018. The first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 13 December 2018.
Arrears of CA due for the period 19 July 2018 to 12 December 2018 are currently being processed but cannot be released until after 12 December 2018. The person concerned will be notified when they issue.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
682. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be processed; if it will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50879/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 13 September 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 13 December 2018. Arrears of payment due from 13 September 2018 to 12 December 2018 less overlapping social welfare payments will issue as soon as possible. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 03 December 2018
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
683. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if training and upskilling opportunities will be offered to mothers who wish to return to work after maternity leave and to mothers with children availing of free preschool years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50945/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReferrals to training supports by my Department are focused on those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments. A mother has to be in employment to avail of maternity leave. Under Section 26 of the Maternity Protection Act 1994 a mother is entitled to return to work to the same job with the same contract of employment following their maternity leave.
Mothers that wishing to return to work, who are not in receipt of welfare support have access to Solas training supports. Solas is a statutory agency that operates under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, which has responsibility for the management, co-ordination and supporting the delivery of Further Education and Training by the Education and Training Boards. I would suggest that any such person is advised to enquire with their local Education Training Board to assess what supports may be available to them.
It is also open to any unemployed person to contact my Department’s Public Employment Service at their local Intreo centre to discuss the options that may be available to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
684. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding and-or grant aid his Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid is used is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn examination of records indicates that my Department has provided no funding to the organisation in question in the years 2008 to 2017 or to date in 2018.
685. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50099/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Author, etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amt. Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archaeological reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1)€21,190 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment; (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme; and (3) Development of a Programme of Measures necessary to achieve Good Environmental Status in Irish Marine Waters. |
(1) Initial Assessment - the technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – sent to the EU Commission in April 2015.(3) Drawing up of programme of Measures - completed and published July 2016. |
(2)€2,857,481 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding in 2011. |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. These reports are for internal use only as an input for ongoing development of a Divisional Quality Management System. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optimal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012. |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€1,937 |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(3)€42,706 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€54,938 |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
This report is available on request from the Department. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe, Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Published December 2015. |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia ThorntonTom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2015 |
AECOM |
Additional cost optimal calculations for domestic and non-domestic buildings. |
Published February 2015 |
€33,683 |
|
2015 |
Behaviour & Attitudes Ltd. |
Market Survey to determine weather forecast consumption behaviour of the Irish public. |
Not intended for publication. Report for internal purposes, primarily to inform strategic business decisions. |
€19,865 |
|
2015 |
Deloitte |
Business Case Review for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). |
Not intended for publication. Undertaken as part of technical work to update financial modelling related to the preparation of the original business case. |
€28,939 |
|
2015 |
Dr. Dagmar Stengel |
Best practice in relation to the sustainable exploitation and management of intertidal seaweed resources. |
Not intended for publication. Informative research sought to address a gap in knowledge at the time. |
€14,391 |
|
2015 |
Independent Review Group |
An Bord Pleanala - Organisational Review. |
Published March 2016. |
€41,142 |
|
2015 |
IT Executive Focus |
Review of the Structure and Delivery Model of the ICT Services for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€55,289 |
|
2015 |
MartinPlan Consulting |
To consider the implications of the C-50 judgment in the context of waste water discharge licensing and to make any necessary recommendations. |
Not expected to be published. Report forms part of an ongoing deliberative process. |
€1,750 |
|
2015 |
Mazars Consulting |
Independent Review of Homeless Services (2015). |
Published on the Department's website January 2016. |
€27,075 |
|
2015 |
Rory Mulcahy, Senior Counsel |
Review Report in relation to Certain Planning Matters in respect of Donegal County Council. |
Issue of publication is being considered |
€55,350 |
|
2015 |
School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) in fire service. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
Nil |
|
2015 |
Steering Group on Fire Safety Review |
Review of Fire Safety arrangements in multi-unit developments where concerns arise regarding non-compliance with statutory requirements. |
Published August 2017. |
(4)€35,597 |
|
2016 |
Bruce McCormack |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Westmeath. |
Published in August 2016 |
€1,970 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Louth. |
Published February 2016 |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Kildare. |
Published in June 2016. |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Economic & Social Research Institute |
Research Programme on Economic and Demographic Modelling. |
Published in May 2018. |
€150,000 |
|
2016 |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
Report on the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. |
Published June 2017. |
(5)€10,194 |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review by the Housing Agency of the scheme of loans & grants for purchase of caravans by Travellers. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency/PACEC |
Independent Review of funding for Traveller-specific Accommodation since 2000 in the context of the delivery and implementation of Local Authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes. |
Published on the Department's website in Q3 2017. |
€21,491 |
|
2016 |
Invas Biosecurity |
Production of Program of measures on Invasive Alien Plant Species for the Water Framework Directive. |
Not published separately, forms part of the draft River Basin Management Plan published in February 2017. |
€9,225 |
|
2016 |
Mr. Hendrik W. van der Kamp |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Donegal. |
Published in August 2016. |
€2,688 |
|
2016 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment reports for National Planning Framework documents. |
Published in May 2018. |
€122,377 |
|
2016 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the draft River Basin Management Plans. |
Published in April 2018. |
€240,503 |
|
2017 |
A&L Goodbody Solicitors Ltd. |
Report on Water Abstractions. |
Not intended for publication as report forms part of an ongoing deliberative process. |
€23,985 |
|
2017 |
AECOM |
Development of Modelling and Cost Data Services for Part L- Dwellings. |
Published in April 2018 |
€78,973 |
|
2017 |
ASM Chartered Accountants |
Review of the Department ICT Backup systems |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€18,400 |
|
2017 |
CAAS Ltd |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Flood Risk Appraisal on the draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006. |
Expected to be published in Q1 2019. |
€31,840 |
|
2017 |
Capita |
Business Process Mapping and recommendations for Business Process Improvements. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€117,033 |
|
2017 |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Joint Research Programme on Housing Economics between the Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute. |
The consultancy is a 3 year research collaboration agreement which will involve the publication of multiple research papers. The first paper emanating from the research agreement was published in November 2017. |
€298,472 |
|
2017 |
Ipsos MRBI |
Behavioural research on the tenure choices of renters. |
Research papers based on analysis of dataset will be published by Department in due course. |
(6) €72,416 |
|
2017 |
KOSI Ltd |
Efficacy and Risk Review of the Department's Cyber and IT Security Systems and Computer Rooms. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€26,000 |
|
2017 |
Limerick Institute of Technology |
Carrying out of Research and the Development of a Report and Recommendations on Guidance to Planning Authorities Regarding Enterprise Development in Rural areas. |
Expected to be published in Q4 2019. |
Nil |
|
2017 |
O’Brien Learning |
The Introduction of a Formal Mentoring Programme within an Organisation |
Published in October 2017. |
€2,622 |
|
2017 |
Optimize Consultants |
Study to identify and assess relevant instruments and incentives to reduce the use of single-use and other items, which impact the marine environment as marine litter. |
Published in January 2018. |
€24,538 |
|
2017 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment for Nitrates Action Programme. |
Published in March 2018. |
€107,736 |
|
2018 |
Aecom |
Develop cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 2010/31 EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings. |
Ongoing |
€78,130 |
|
2018 |
Behaviour and Attitudes Ltd. |
Undertake a market survey as part of a Cross Departmental Project examining the housing circumstances and attitudes of mature homeowners |
Ongoing |
€50,000 |
|
2018 |
Concept to Print |
Graphic Design for Bringing back Homes guidance document |
Ongoing |
€2,854 |
|
2018 |
Des Johnson |
Independent review of draft Arklow & Environs Local Area Plan 2018-2024 |
Published in May 2018 |
€3,088 |
|
2018 |
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology |
Production of a background document in relation to proposed microbeads legislation |
Published in November 2018 |
€4,305 |
|
2018 |
Irwin Carr |
Carry out a peer review of the noise material for the Wind Energy Development Guidelines |
Not intended for publication – For internal use. |
€4,613 |
|
2018 |
Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd. |
Provision of services for the preparation of a Climate Adaptation Sectoral Plan in respect of Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructure |
Expected to be published in Q4 2019 |
Nil |
|
2018 |
RPS Group |
Prepare a Water Life Integrated Project Proposal |
Not intended for publication |
€77,769 |
|
2018 |
RPS Group |
Prepare a guidance document for Planning Authorities on the River Basin Management Plan 2018 – 2021 |
Expected to be published in Q4 2019 |
€112,422 |
|
2018 |
Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers |
Commissioning of study on use of best available techniques and best Environmental practice to develop sustainable and cost effective solutions to reducing and preventing sewage and storm water related waste entering the marine environment |
Awaiting final report |
€19,948 |
|
2018 |
Tom Dwyer |
Copy Editing – Bringing Back Homes |
Ongoing |
€675 |
(1) The contract was in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution was €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) The Initial Assessment report, monitoring programme and programme of measures each arise from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters, the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required Good Environmental Status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD) including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art.10) is underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures to measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11). Where human activities are preventing these targets from being met, a Programme of Measures to mitigate the effect of these activities, or halt them as appropriate (Art.13) has been finalised.
(3) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
(4) The contracting authority for this report was Kildare County Council and the costs were recouped by my Department.
(5) The four members of the panel provided their services on a pro-bono basis. The costs associated with the preparation of the report related to travel and subsistence (at Civil Service rates).
(6) This report is being co-funded by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
686. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of female Secretaries General and assistant secretaries employed across Departments. [50105/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are four female Assistant Secretaries General/equivalents employed in my Department; the Secretary General is male.
687. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the planned mica redress scheme for property owners in counties Donegal and Mayo whose homes have been found to contain defective block work; when the scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50106/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
On 13 June 2017, the report of the Expert Panel was published and included eight recommendations, which my Department is actively progressing with the relevant stakeholders, prioritising the implementation of Recommendations 1 and 2.
With regard to Recommendation 1, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) established a Technical Committee to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol. The standardised protocol will inform the course of action in relation to remedial works for all affected householders.
The standardised protocol was published by the NSAI on 13 November 2018.
‘I.S. 465:2018 - Assessment, testing and categorisation of damaged buildings incorporating concrete blocks containing certain deleterious materials’, is available at www.nsai.ie.
The standard can be used to assess and categorise the damage in properties where the concrete blocks are suspected to contain the minerals mica or pyrite. Previously, there was no common way for engineers or homeowners to assess the damage caused by defective concrete blocks to help decide what, if any, remedial work could be carried out.
This standard:
1. establishes a protocol for assessing and determining whether a building has been damaged by concrete blocks containing certain excessive amounts of deleterious materials (free or unbound muscovite mica, or aggregate with potentially deleterious quantities of pyrite);
2. describes methods for establishing the extent of the problem;
3. describes the scope of any testing required; and
4. categorises buildings, in accordance with this Standard, providing competent persons with guidance on the appropriate measures to be taken.
With regard to Recommendation 2, my Department has been in contact with Engineers Ireland in relation to the establishment of a register of competent engineers for homeowners/affected parties' reference. Engineers Ireland has provided assurance that they are in the process of finalising measures to establish such a register now that the standardised protocol is in place.
Last year, I visited Donegal and Mayo and met with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, elected members and officials of the local authorities and other interested parties. I made similar visits to both counties this year and I will continue to monitor the situation and to update affected parties on progress.
Under Budget 2019, the Government approved in principle the development of a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the two counties to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks.
The putting in place of such a scheme is now a key priority for my Department and work is well underway on the development of such a scheme, including discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to funding. It is intended to revert to Government with proposals for the scheme shortly with a view to publishing details of the scheme as soon as possible thereafter.
688. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to delays in processing and granting loans by Kildare County Council and other local authorities in respect of the Rebuilding Ireland home loans; the reason for these delays; the way in which the waiting times from application to granting of funds will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra690. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authorities negotiating with his Department for a release of further funding for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the number of local authorities that exhausted their allocation of funding for the scheme for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme has proved to be very successful and the take-up of the Scheme in some local authority areas has been greater than was originally envisaged. As a result 10 local authorities, including Kildare County Council have sought increases to their allocations for loan approval. Further funds were allocated to 9 of those authorities (including Kildare), for this purpose last month. The application by the remaining authority is being examined currently by my Department.
Kildare County Council has also raised a number of issues concerning the administration of the scheme, and my Department is in discussions with that authority on these matters.
The final decision on all loans rest with each local authority's credit committee, and this decision must be made in accordance with the regulations and credit policy, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency's assessment of the loan application.
689. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the drawdown on a local authority basis under the scheme for 2018 in respect of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan; the average amount borrowed nationally and locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50110/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with the previous local authority home loan offerings, loan applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q2 2018 is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants. I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval and the most recent figures, as at the end of October, indicate that the Agency had recommended a total of 1,317 applications for approval since the scheme launched, a breakdown of which by local authority is set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Recommended to Approve |
|
Carlow County Council |
15 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2 |
|
Clare County Council |
18 |
|
Cork City Council |
43 |
|
Cork County Council |
104 |
|
Donegal County Council |
17 |
|
Dublin City Council |
189 |
|
Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council |
38 |
|
Fingal County Council |
185 |
|
Galway City Council |
26 |
|
Galway County Council |
36 |
|
Kerry County Council |
35 |
|
Kildare County Council |
85 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
13 |
|
Laois County Council |
32 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
2 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
38 |
|
Longford County Council |
14 |
|
Louth County Council |
22 |
|
Mayo County Council |
15 |
|
Meath County Council |
109 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
|
Offaly County Council |
12 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
12 |
|
Sligo County Council |
17 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
92 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
25 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
11 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
12 |
|
Wexford County Council |
39 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
56 |
|
Total |
1,317 |
The average loan amount requested to date is €158,433. The average loan amount recommended for approval where the maximum borrowing is €288,000 is €207,927. The average loan amount recommended for approval where the maximum borrowing is €225,000 is €131,493.
Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
