Written Answers Nos. 1112-1131
1112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for one parent family payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1533/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has applied for One Parent Family Payment and her claim was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for investigation.
The SWI has concluded their enquiries and will be submitting a recommendation to a Deciding Officer within the next 7 working days. When a decision has been made by the Deciding Officer the person concerned will be informed of the outcome. My Department does not anticipate any undue delay with the decisions process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number and percentage of appeals that were upheld on re-examination by the social welfare appeals office in 2017 and 2018 for all payments and benefits under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables provide details of the outcome of all appeals by scheme for the years 2017 and 2018.
The figures provided for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in 37.6% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2017 and 31.5% of favourable appeal outcomes in 2018.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Outcome of Appeals by Category 2017
|
AllowedBy Appeals Officers |
Partially Allowed By Appeals Officers |
Revised DO/DP Decision |
Disallowed ByAppeals Officers |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
7521.9% |
349.9% |
7822.7% |
12837.3% |
288.2% |
343 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
359.9% |
123.4% |
7621.5% |
21861.6% |
133.7% |
354 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
133.3% |
- |
- |
266.7% |
- |
3 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Contributory) |
825.8% |
- |
722.6% |
15 48.4% |
13.2% |
31 |
|
Death Benefit |
- |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
1100.0% |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance - Payments |
34922.2% |
664.2% |
30919.6% |
66542.3% |
184 11.7% |
1,573 |
|
Jobseeker’s Transitional |
1027.0% |
410.8% |
1027.0% |
616.2% |
718.9% |
37 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance -Means |
18712.9% |
825.6% |
26418.2% |
70848.7% |
212 14.6% |
1,453 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
6726.1% |
197.4% |
5421.0% |
6726.1% |
5019.5% |
257 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Non-Contributory) |
730.4% |
4 17.4% |
3 13.0% |
939.1% |
- |
23 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
30422.5% |
342.5% |
22917.0% |
60244.6% |
18013.3% |
1,349 |
|
Farm Assist |
2215.5% |
1812.7% |
2819.7% |
6042.3% |
14 9.9% |
142 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
8317.3% |
214.4% |
11724.4% |
20643.0% |
5210.9% |
479 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
240.0% |
1 20.0% |
- |
240.0% |
- |
5 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
1014.1% |
34.2% |
811.3% |
4969.0% |
11.4% |
71 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
112.5% |
- |
337.5% |
337.5% |
112.5% |
8 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
- |
- |
- |
2100.0% |
- |
2 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
- |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
1533.3% |
12.2% |
1124.4% |
1431.1% |
4 8.9% |
45 |
|
Disability Allowance |
2,97560.3% |
701.4% |
56311.4% |
1,21124.5% |
1152.3% |
4,934 |
|
Blind Pension |
16.7% |
16.7% |
320.0% |
746.7% |
320.0% |
15 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
1,20435.2% |
1614.7% |
78022.8% |
1,19935.1% |
722.1% |
3,416 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
29737.1% |
101.2% |
34342.8% |
13516.9% |
162.0% |
801 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant |
3522.6% |
21.3% |
4529.0% |
7246.5% |
10.6% |
155 |
|
Illness Benefit |
11823.0% |
81.6% |
14027.2% |
18936.8% |
5911.5% |
514 |
|
Injury Benefit |
37.9% |
- |
25.3% |
2771.1% |
615.8% |
38 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
36527.1% |
70.5% |
69151.3% |
26219.4% |
231.7% |
1,348 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
8634.4% |
197.6% |
3012.0% |
10943.6% |
62.4% |
250 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
3 30.0% |
1 10.0% |
3 30.0% |
3 30.0% |
- |
10 |
|
Medical Care |
- |
- |
150.0% |
150.0% |
- |
2 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
2322.1% |
21.9% |
3937.5% |
3735.6% |
32.9% |
104 |
|
Child Benefit |
6815.5% |
235.3% |
15435.2% |
17840.6% |
153.4% |
438 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
7615.1% |
153.0% |
26753.1% |
13025.8% |
153.0% |
503 |
|
Back To Work Family Dividend |
7 17.1% |
- |
49.8% |
2561.0% |
5 12.2% |
41 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) |
533.3% |
16.7% |
213.3% |
746.7% |
- |
15 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
1339.4% |
26.1% |
4 12.1% |
1442.4% |
- |
33 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
- |
- |
- |
2 100.0% |
- |
2 |
|
Insurability |
3424.5% |
4 2.9% |
117.9% |
3726.6% |
53 38.1% |
139 |
|
Liable Relatives |
- |
423.5% |
- |
1164.7% |
2 11.8% |
17 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
311.5% |
- |
311.5% |
2076.9% |
- |
26 |
|
TOTAL APPEALS |
6,49334.2% |
6293.3% |
4,28322.6% |
6,43433.9% |
1,1416.0% |
18,980 |
Outcome of Appeals by Category 2018
|
AllowedBy Appeals Officers |
Partially Allowed By Appeals Officers |
Revised DO/DP Decision |
Disallowed ByAppeals Officers |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
8523.4% |
298.0% |
7019.3% |
14439.7% |
359.6% |
363 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
359.5% |
92.5% |
6417.4% |
24466.5% |
154.1% |
367 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Contributory) |
1845.0% |
- |
2 5.0% |
14 35.0% |
615.0% |
40 |
|
Death Benefit |
- |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
- |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
1 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance - Payments |
28018.0% |
996.4% |
25116.1% |
78550.4% |
141 9.1% |
1,556 |
|
Jobseeker’s Transitional |
919.1% |
510.6% |
919.1% |
1838.3% |
612.8% |
47 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance -Means |
15010.4% |
835.8% |
19413.5% |
83658.1% |
176 12.2% |
1,439 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
4720.4% |
135.7% |
4620.0% |
8336.1% |
4117.8% |
230 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Non-Contributory) |
423.5% |
2 11.8% |
- |
1058.8% |
15.9% |
17 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Allowance |
1100.0% |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
25824.6% |
292.8% |
17917.1% |
46744.6% |
11410.9% |
1,047 |
|
Farm Assist |
1411.7% |
11 9.2% |
1815.0% |
6251.7% |
1512.5% |
120 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
1 50.0% |
150.0% |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
10918.3% |
335.5% |
12921.6% |
27045.3% |
55 9.2% |
596 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
350.0% |
- |
- |
350.0% |
- |
6 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
611.1% |
- |
1324.1% |
3463.0% |
11.9% |
54 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
1 6.3% |
1 6.3% |
- |
1487.5% |
- |
16 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
- |
- |
- |
2100.0% |
2 |
|
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
1650.0% |
- |
2 6.3% |
1340.6% |
1 3.1% |
32 |
|
Disability Allowance |
3,11262.2% |
992.0% |
462 9.2% |
1,25625.1% |
771.5% |
5,006 |
|
Blind Pension |
214.3% |
214.3% |
321.4% |
642.9% |
1 7.1% |
14 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
1,04738.6% |
1445.3% |
44016.2% |
98936.5% |
903.3% |
2,710 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
68643.6% |
130.8% |
59037.5% |
25816.4% |
251.6% |
1,572 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant |
2820.0% |
53.6% |
3525.0% |
6848.6% |
42.9% |
140 |
|
Illness Benefit |
11122.4% |
112.2% |
16433.1% |
18236.8% |
27 5.5% |
495 |
|
Injury Benefit |
1021.3% |
- |
612.8% |
2961.7% |
2 4.3% |
47 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
45841.9% |
80.7% |
32229.4% |
27325.0% |
333.0% |
1,094 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
11635.3% |
185.5% |
32 9.7% |
15848.0% |
51.5% |
329 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
4 80.0% |
- |
- |
1 20.0% |
- |
5 |
|
Medical Care |
- |
- |
- |
1100.0% |
- |
1 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
3223.4% |
42.9% |
5238.0% |
4633.6% |
32.2% |
137 |
|
Child Benefit |
6214.6% |
184.2% |
14634.3% |
17942.0% |
214.9% |
426 |
|
Working Family Payment* |
5915.3% |
184.7% |
17344.8% |
11630.1% |
205.2% |
386 |
|
Back To Work Family Dividend |
4 8.5% |
- |
1225.5% |
2655.3% |
5 10.6% |
47 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) |
111.1% |
1 11.1% |
222.2% |
555.6% |
- |
9 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
729.2% |
14.2% |
2 8.3% |
1458.3% |
- |
24 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
- |
- |
1 20.0% |
4 80.0% |
- |
5 |
|
Insurability |
2526.3% |
3 3.2% |
33.2% |
5153.7% |
13 13.7% |
95 |
|
Liable Relatives |
- |
- |
1 20.0% |
240.0% |
2 40.0% |
5 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
1 4.3% |
2 8.7% |
2 8.7% |
1878.3% |
- |
23 |
|
TOTAL APPEALS |
6,80236.8% |
6623.6% |
3,42518.5% |
6,68136.1% |
9375.1% |
18,507 |
* Previously known as Family Income Supplement
1114. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) under the new total contributions approach will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1634/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe measures announced by Government in January 2018, to provide for a new rate calculation method and new HomeCaring Periods, apply to pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946, who were awarded on reduced post Budget 2012 rate bands.
The person concerned is currently the beneficiary of an increase for qualified adult payment on their spouse's pension and there is no record of the person having made a claim for state pension (contributory) in their own right. The person concerned should complete an application form for pension in the first instance.
It should be noted that the new HomeCaring Periods, where awarded, are aimed at helping pensioners improve their rates of payment and cannot be used to satisfy the qualifying conditions for state pension (contributory).
Following receipt of a completed application for pension, the person's entitlement to pension will be assessed and they will be notified of the outcome in writing. If the person qualifies for state pension (contributory), as their date of birth is after 1 September 1946, they will be entitled to claim HomeCaring Periods for time spent out of the workforce caring for their son.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a request for a review of eligibility for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when the review is likely to be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1636/19]
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 26 September 2018 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
Further medical evidence was received and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 10 January 2019. She was also advised of her right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1660/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 28th November 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred 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 appeal 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.
1117. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for JobPath once the current contract expires at the end of 2019; if she will re-tender for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1727/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe JobPath employment service commenced in July 2015 and the contracts are for six years comprising two consecutive phases: phase one entails four years’ of client referrals, while phase two entails a ‘run off’ period during which time no additional clients will be referred. Therefore client referrals will cease on 31st December 2019 and the contracts will terminate in 2021. It is important to note that, services will be delivered to completion for those clients referred during phase one.
The contracts include options to extend phase one for further periods up to a maximum of 24 months at my Department’s discretion. While proposals to extend the contracts are not currently under consideration, my Department will keep the situation under review. At present, a full econometric evaluation of the service is being conducted in conjunction with the OECD. The results of this econometric evaluation will inform my Department's consideration of any future developments in this area.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1118. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for an illness benefit by a person (details supplied). [1745/19]
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 does not satisfy the PRSI qualifying conditions for a payment of Illness Benefit. However she is receiving credited contributions in respect of a claim for Illness Benefit from February 2018. It is open to the person concerned to apply for Invalidity Pension if she is suffering from an incapacity that is likely to last for at least one year. If the person concerned has an urgent financial need she can apply for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme at her local Intreo centre.
I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.
1119. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the customer complaints received by her Department in each of the years since 2016; if the complaints are grouped into categories; the nature of the complaints; the resolution of same; and the number progressed to the relevant Ombudsman in each of the years since 2016. [1871/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department aims to provide the best possible service at all times. The scale of the Department is very significant; it deals with over 70 separate schemes and services and processed a total of 82.2 million individual payments in 2017, with 1.6 million weekly social welfare payments being made every single week. The Department is committed to providing an excellent service to those we engage with and provide services to. Complaints are categorized by complaint location and nature of complaint. The Department does not have data on the number of complaints which are progressed to the Office of the Ombudsman.
We have a dedicated Customer Service Unit that receives and processes a wide range of feedback from customers on their experiences with the Department. Our Customer Charter and Customer Action Plan sets out the commitments and standard of service that customers can expect in their dealings with the Department.
Where customers are dissatisfied with the standard of service that they have received, in the first instance, they are advised to convey their concerns to the staff member or section of the Department with which they have been dealing for resolution. If the issue is not resolved to their satisfaction, customers can then submit a formal complaint. They can do so in a number of different ways, such as by letter, by email, or online using a Customer Feedback Form, which can be accessed on my Department’s website:https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/secure/Submit-a-comment-or-compliment.aspx. Alternatively, customers can make contact by phone or they can speak face to face to a member of staff in any of our Intreo centres around the country.
If the customer is dissatisfied with the response received they can request to have their complaint reviewed by another independent officer, not previously involved in the original complaint investigation. If customers are not satisfied with the response to the review, they are advised that they can contact the Office of the Ombudsman to have their complaint examined by that office.
Number of Complaints received
2016 1,112
2017 1,045
2018 1,808
1120. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will reconsider plans to extract a large supply of water from Lough Ree at Killinure, Athlone, County Westmeath; the surveys that have been carried out to date to assess the effect this planned extraction will have on water levels in the area; if further surveys have been carried out to assess the long-term effects of this project on wildlife, boating and other water based activities in the area; and if consideration is being given to other possible sources for this supply of water. [1281/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no statutory role in this matter as proposals to abstract water for the purpose of public supply are a matter for Irish Water under the provisions of the Water Supplies Act 1942 and any required planning permission is a matter for the relevant local authority. Environmental and other considerations are taken into account as a normal part of the planning process.
However, my Department is currently developing new legislation governing the abstraction of water. In July 2018 the Government approved the General Scheme of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill, which will fulfil Ireland's obligations under the Water Framework Directive to establish a system of registration and control over the abstraction of water. Proposals in this regard were laid out in Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021, which I published in April 2018.
The legislation is currently under preparation in my Department and it is intended that it will be enacted by the end of 2019.
1121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the next competitions for chief executive officer of Dublin City Council and chief executive of Fingal County Council will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54057/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 147 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended by section 54 of the Local Government Act 2014 provides that a person is appointed to the position of Chief Executive for a term of 7 years with the potential for an extension of that term by a further 3 years.
Chief Executives are recruited through a competitive process organised by the Public Appointment Services and when either the position of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council or Chief Executive of Fingal County Council falls vacant they will be advertised nationally.
1122. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the decision to exclude the four Dublin local authorities from the process of plebiscites on direct elections on mayors in the Local Government Bill 2018 will be reconsidered in view of the necessity for directly elected leadership of the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54058/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1123. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if legislation will be brought forward to create an elected mayor and assembly for the Dublin region in line with the municipal and regional government systems in major urban areas in the UK, EU and USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1122 and 1123 together.
The Local Government Bill 2018 provides inter alia for the holding of plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions for Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council. These plebiscites are expected to be held at the same time as the local government elections in May 2019. While the Bill has been passed in the Dáil and Seanad Éireann, it will return shortly to the Dáil to deal with Seanad amendments.
In view of the complexities of local government in County Dublin and the Dublin Metropolitan Area, which is defined in the National Planning Framework, it was deemed appropriate by the Government to allow space for detailed and informed public discourse on the matter of directly elected mayors for Dublin.
For that reason, the Government decided at its meeting of 27 September, 2018 that the issue of directly elected mayors for Dublin would be referred to a Dublin Citizens' Assembly to be convened in 2019. This would be an appropriate forum to consider the matter in the context of practices in the governance of other major cities internationally.
1124. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the review of the tenant incremental purchase scheme will be published without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54061/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations.
I hope to be in a position to publish the review shortly, following completion of consideration of a number of implementation issues arising.
1125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the review of social housing support household means policy will be expedited; the steps he will take as part of this review to examine the situation of the working homeless that are debarred from accessing council housing and the housing assistance payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1144. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an applicant may be removed by a local authority from the social housing list if a temporary maternity benefit payment renders them in excess of the income threshold requirement; if so, if this situation will be reviewed; and if a previous time spent on the housing waiting list by a person will be lost in the event that a temporary maternity benefit payment leads to their removal from the list. [54559/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 and 1144 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Under the Household Means Policy, local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person's annual income.
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter for the relevant local authority and local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. As Minister, I am precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the decisions made by local authorities in the provision of social housing support in relation to any individual application.
At present, the Household Means Policy is being reviewed as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, and I expect an updated version to issue to local authorities later this year.
1126. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of a service (details supplied) in County Westmeath; his views on recent reports that the six-bed service will close with funding going to a new 12-bed unit in County Offaly; and if assurances will be provided on the service. [54154/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue. Decisions on the organisation and range of accommodation services to be provided in a particular region are a matter for the individual housing authorities in consultation with the Statutory Management Group in that region, in this case the Midlands region.
1127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 290 and 291 of 14 November 2018, his plans to expand the scheme to support homeowners beyond counties Donegal and Mayo in view of the fact that an organisation (details supplied) alerted its members to pyrite contamination in blocks in north Leinster in 2014 indicating that contamination is not confined to those two counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54176/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I understand it, the matter referred to by the Deputy, relating to pyrite contamination in concrete blocks in 2014, was resolved by the contracting parties at that time. Furthermore, the issue was dealt with by the relevant market surveillance authority under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 and by building control authorities under the Building Control Acts 1990 – 2014 in the affected region.
Separately, in 2013, the issue of external walls of dwellings displaying significant cracking in Donegal was raised with my Department. The nature of the problem related to the crumbling of the concrete blockwork in the external walls of affected dwellings, thereby compromising their structural integrity and giving rise to considerable personal distress to the many homeowners involved. At that time, several hundred homes were suspected to be affected in north Donegal. The presence of muscovite mica in abundant quantities in the aggregate constituent of the concrete blocks was suggested as being one of the main factors contributing to the deterioration of the concrete blocks.
By the end of 2013, similar problems had also come to light in both public and private dwellings located in west Mayo and Mayo County Council submitted a report to my Department on problems that had been identified with the concrete blockwork in their social housing stock. In this instance, it was the presence of pyrite in the aggregate constituent of the concrete block that was suggested as being one of the main factors contributing to the deterioration of the concrete blocks. The emergence of similar problems among private households located in County Mayo was also reported in 2013.
An Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was established by my Department in 2016 and its terms of reference were limited to the investigation of the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
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 the 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 as soon as possible with a view to publishing details of the scheme thereafter. It should be noted that this scheme will only apply to affected homeowners in Donegal and Mayo.
A standardised protocol was published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) on 13 November 2018 and is available at www.nsai.ie. This standard can be used by homeowners anywhere in the country to assess and categorise the damage in properties where the concrete blocks are suspected to contain the minerals mica or pyrite and it will inform the course of action in relation to remedial works for all such affected properties.
1128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54213/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure on taxis for my Department for the year 2018 came to €10,573.36.
In the context of official travel, it is the policy of my Department that public transport should be used wherever possible, where it is deemed necessary to travel for business purposes. Staff are permitted to hire taxis or use their cars for official purposes only where no suitable public transport is available, where public transport is available only at equal or greater expense or where the use of public transport would result in the loss of official time which it is necessary to avoid.
1129. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the Valuation Office is reverting to business proprietors who lodge appeals against drastic increases to their commercial rates in an efficient and timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54244/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe processes and procedures underpinning the valuation of property for rating purposes are set out in detail in the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. Such valuations are a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation, who is the head of the Valuation Office, in the first instance. The Commissioner is independent in the exercise of his functions. I have no role in such matters.
The Valuation Acts 2001-2015 provide several avenues of redress for the occupiers of property and for a number of other categories of persons listed in the legislation who are dissatisfied with a determination of value under the provisions of the legislation.
Firstly, there is a statutory right for the occupier of a property to make representations within 40 days to the Valuation Office in relation to the proposed valuation to be placed on their property. Since the statutory mandate of the Valuation Office is to ensure that valuations of all rateable property are correct, equitable and uniform, relative to each other, consideration of representations made to the Office in respect of an individual property may result in a decrease, increase or no change in the valuation of that property. I am informed by the Commissioner that the outcome is based on the evidence provided to, and otherwise available to, the Valuation Office. This outcome may be the subject of a subsequent appeal to the statutorily independent Valuation Tribunal. Finally, there is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
In determining an appeal, the Valuation Tribunal may, under Section 37 of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, decrease or increase a valuation or determine that no change is warranted.
In reaching its decisions, the statutory duty of the members of the Valuation Tribunal is to ensure that valuations are (insofar as is reasonably practicable) correct, equitable and uniform, relative to each other. Appeals to the Tribunal are dealt with in a comprehensive manner involving the consideration, on a quasi-judicial basis, of detailed, formal written documentation submitted to it. The Tribunal can hold hearings as provided for in the legislation, which allows for the taking of oral evidence and the receipt and consideration of written submissions made to it by and on behalf of all parties to the appeal concerned, including any person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest in or likely to be affected by the determination of the appeal. When issuing its decisions, the Valuation Tribunal issues formal, written judgments which provide clear and cogent reasons for its decisions and these judgments are available to the public on the Tribunal’s website, www.valuationtribunal.ie.
1130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to provide a greater number of one-bed social housing units nationally in view of the increased demand for the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54246/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of social housing at a local level, whether by local authorities themselves or in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is a matter for the local authorities and that local ownership includes responsibility to match supply with demand, in terms of the size of new social housing units provided. However, my Department also influences this activity, through its engagement with local authorities and AHBs and, specifically, in its role in approving funding for new social housing build projects.
The assessment by my Department of proposals for new social housing includes a comparison of the proposed size and scale of the housing units with the social housing needs for the area and family composition of the waiting list. For example, my Department might approve funding on condition that smaller property types are included in a new social housing proposal, to meet the identified housing need.
Acquisitions of existing properties can also be an opportunity for local authorities and AHBs to target smaller housing units where these better match housing need.
My Department is also working with Dublin City Council on the establishment of a Design Build Contractor Framework to deliver resedential developments through the use of volumetric construction methods. This framework will shortly be available to all local authorities and will open up additional opportunities to deliver volumetric/rapid delivery apartments for social housing use.
1131. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress he has made on providing cost rental housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54247/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is acknowledged that renters in Dublin and other urban centres are currently facing significant access and affordability challenges. Therefore, the Government is committed to the introduction of a not-for-profit, cost rental sector in Ireland which will be targeted at households earning low to moderate incomes up to a maximum annual income of €50,000 for single applicants and €75,000 for dual applicants.
Under the cost rental model, rents are set to recoup development and maintenance costs with a minimum amout of retained earnings. Minimising retained earnings, land and other delivery costs, while securing competitive low-cost financing, means that affordable rents can be achieved. The final rents, for any given project, will be set after all associated costs are determined, following on from the competitive construction and management tender processes. However, in its appraisal of initial cost rental projects the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) estimate that rents of between 15-25% below market could be achieved.
Together with delivering more affordable and predictable rents, cost rental will make a sustainable impact on national competitiveness and the attractiveness of our main urban centres as places to live and work.
Cost rental is new to Ireland and, in order to drive delivery, a number of important early mover projects are being advanced, delivering important lessons in terms of cost rental in an Irish setting. There are two pilot cost rental schemes being advanced: one at Enniskerry Road, in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and one at Emmet Road in Inchicore.
It is expected that 50 cost rental homes (33% of the total) will be made available on the Enniskerry Road site. The tenders are currently being assessed for this project, and it is anticipated that construction will commence later in the first quarter of 2019.
The current tenure mix for Emmet Road, as agreed with my Department, is 30% social and 70% cost rental, which equates to 330 cost rental homes. While this project is at an earlier stage of development, Dublin City Council has appointed a dedicated project manager and a project team to drive the project forward. In addition to pre-existing consultative arrangements, the Council is also facilitating a special Consultative Forum specifically for this project. It is expected that the procurement process will get underway later in quarter 1 of 2019.
Cost rental will initially be managed on an administrative basis, and my Department is preparing a draft administrative cost rental framework in collaboration with the Housing Agency and the local authorities involved in these pilot projects. The invaluable learning from these pathfinder projects will inform further cost rental projects to be rolled out across other suitable sites. My Department is also working with the European Investment Bank to leverage its advisory and research capacity so that broader international lessons on the operation of cost rental can inform Ireland's approach.
My Department is also engaging with the new Land Development Agency to examine the optimum funding and delivery options to support cost rental delivery at scale.
