Written Answers Nos. 923-951
923. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer's allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31366/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
The department informs me that there is no application by the person concerned for CA registered. If the person in question wishes to make an application, she should complete and return an application form (CR1) to CA section in the social welfare services office, Longford, as soon as possible. An application form for CA can be found on www.welfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
924. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer's allowance will be approved for the carer of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31368/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
The department informs me that there is no application by the person concerned for CA registered. If the person in question wishes to make an application, she should complete and return an application form (CR1) to CA section in the social welfare services office, Longford, as soon as possible. An application form for CA can be found on www.welfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
925. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the review of an exceptional needs payment application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31380/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe request from the person concerned for an independent review was received by the Department on the 27th June 2019. A full review of the case has been completed and an Exceptional Need Payment to the value of €2000.00 has been approved. The signed determination of the Review Officer was posted to the person concerned on 09th July 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
926. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [31391/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance (DA) is subject to periodic reviews. This lady's entitlement was recently reviewed and it was established that she no longer satisfies the medical condition for receipt of DA. The person concerned was notified of this on 8 April 2019.
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 8 May 2019. She was also advised of her right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO).
On 24 June 2019 the person concerned requested an appeal of her DA with the independent (SWAO). All the relevant papers requested by that office were prepared and submitted by this Department to the SWAO who will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the progress of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
927. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on their social welfare appeal. [31392/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office. 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 14 June 2019 and the case will be 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
928. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [31393/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 26 July 2019. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.
929. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on an application for invalidity. [31412/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on 30 April 2019. The deciding officer (DO) is satisfied that the medical conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
The gentleman in question has claimed an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) and the fuel allowance. The DO has requested further information from him in order to assess eligibility for the IQA and fuel allowance. As soon as this information has been received the IP claim will be finalised as quickly as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
930. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31418/19]
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.
My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed as quickly as possible.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. In some cases the documentary evidence provided at initial application stage is incomplete or insufficient and this can lead to delays in processing.
To qualify for CA, the carer must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that they are providing full-time care and attention to a person who requires this level of care and that their means are less than the statutory limit.
Where any scheme area experiences delays, all possible steps are taken to improve processing times. This includes the assignment of additional resources, where available, and the review of business processes, to ensure the efficient processing of applications.
At the end of June 2019 the average waiting time for a decision on a new CA claim was 13 weeks. A review of business processes has identified opportunities to implement a number of improvements and efficiencies. Additional resources will be applied to claim processing to reduce delays. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department to ensure that all CA applications are dealt with promptly
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
931. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31419/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) are currently taking approximately 10 weeks to process, with 94% of applications finalised during May completed within this timeframe. The departmental standard for DCA is to have 90% of claims finalised within 10 weeks and this standard has been met consistently over recent months. There are currently some 1,200 applications on hand to be processed, with claims received in late April and early May being deal with at present.
Over 8,500 DCA applications were finalised in 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
932. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31420/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra933. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for the State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31421/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 932 and 933 together.
The average waiting time to award a state pension (contributory) or a state pension (non- contributory) at the end of June was 8 and 10 weeks respectively.
934. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31422/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to making decisions on entitlement as quickly as possible.
The target processing time for the DA scheme is to process 75% of new claims within 12 weeks. In June 2019, the average waiting time for new DA applications was 15 weeks.
My Department recognises that the current processing times for DA must be improved and is working to achieve this. The current processes in place and resources assigned to this area of my Department, along with the number of Medical Assessors available to provide medical opinions are kept under constant review to ensure that any delays are minimised.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
935. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31423/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The average time taken to process a new IP claim in June 2019 was 11 weeks. The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
936. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times to process applications for the respite care grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31424/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Support Grant is paid by the Department, on the 1st Thursday in June each year, to persons in receipt Carers Allowance or Carers Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. The annual grant is paid at the rate of €1,700 in respect of each person being cared for. Over 90% of all payments of the grant are made on this date.
A carer who is not in receipt of one of these payments can still qualify for the grant, once they make an application and satisfy certain conditions. As entitlement to the grant has to be established, the waiting time for decisions on such claims is currently eight weeks. Work is ongoing to reduce this processing time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
937. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which persons selected for review of their children’s allowance payment are selected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children. It is currently paid, to almost 632,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure of €2.1 billion this year.
The Department operates control programmes on all payment schemes.
A number of methods are used to select claims for review. Targeted reviews happen when the Department becomes aware of a potential change in circumstances from information supplied internally, from other Government Departments or from Social Security Agencies from other EU member states.
The Department also randomly sends review forms to all customers that receive payment via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) approximately every 12 - 18 months. Customers that collect payment in their post office must collect payment in person and are therefore not reviewed as frequently.
In 2018 nearly 348,000 child benefit reviews were undertaken, generating €59.5 million in savings and overpayments of €4.3 million. To the end of June 2019 there have been 218,000 reviews initiated and these have generated savings of €34 Million with €2.1 million in overpayments assessed.
The Department is constantly evaluating its control programme and where efficiencies can be found they will be implemented.
I trust that this helps clarify the matter for the Deputy.
938. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a domiciliary care allowance will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31456/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no record of a recent domiciliary care allowance (DCA) application having been received from the person concerned. The latest application in respect of this child was received on 11th December 2013. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 10th March 2014 setting out the decision of the deciding officer.
This decision was subsequently upheld by an Appeals Officer and a decision letter issued on the 16th September 2014 setting out the basis of their decision. A review of the decision was requested on the 23rd July 2015 and the person concerned was notified on the 29th October 2015 that the review had been completed but the original decision remained unchanged.
A further appeal was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 16th November 2015. As part of the appeals process the application was again reviewed by a deciding officer and the person concerned was notified on the 10th February 2016 that the review was unsuccessful. The decision was subsequently upheld by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 20th May 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
939. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if grant assistance is available for persons with autism that need to adapt their houses for sensory needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30674/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides exchequer funding to local authorities to support the Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability in private houses. These grants are available to assist in the carrying out of works, which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment.
The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The types of works allowable under the scheme include the provision or adaptation of rooms, for example downstairs toilet facilities or a sensory space, and the provision of stair-lifts, access ramps, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access or other works which are reasonably necessary.
940. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Department responsible for the administration of the way in which HAP is means tested and calculated; and the legislation used in this regard. [30487/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. It is available in all local authority areas and its introduction ensures that all social housing supports can be accessed through the local authorities, allowing tenants to take up full-time employment and keep their housing support, subject to adjustment of their differential rent.
If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. Accordingly, the determination of entitlement to HAP, including the assessment of an applicant's means, is governed by the same arrangements as for other social housing supports.
The qualification criteria for social housing support are set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, and are applied by all housing authorities in assessing individual households for support.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing supports in each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. There are currently three bands - with maximum income limits per individual (main applicant) set at €35,000, €30,000 and €25,000 (the limits are higher for households with multiple adults and with children).
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, and the universal social charge. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature.
941. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is grant aid available to persons that wish to incorporate a granny flat to their dwelling to accommodate an elderly parent that wishes to reside there rather than be placed in a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30500/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no grant aid available from my Department for the provision of granny flats.
My Department does provide funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants includes the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are 80% funded by the Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The scheme is more sharply focused towards lower income households with the greatest needs. A means test applies to the scheme in order to achieve fairness and value for money in its operation.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Grants of up to €30,000 are available for works including the provision of access ramps, stair lifts, accessible toilet and shower facilities, wheelchair access and extensions.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating etc.
The Mobility Aids Grant is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.
The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications, is the responsibility of the local authorities.
942. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cybersecurity protocols under the remit of his Department; if it has had a cybersecurity breach in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30590/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises fully that cyber security is of central importance in ensuring the security and integrity of its systems, files and data and implements a multi-layered approach to cyber security. This is achieved through a combination of awareness-raising for staff, having appropriate processes in place, ICT security policies, Business Continuity Planning, Cyber Incident Response planning and ensuring that appropriate technological solutions are in place also. Future work in this regard will be supported by a new Departmental Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2022, which is currently being finalised.
My Department works with the State's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), a division of the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment, who provide advice relating to threats and the necessary mitigating actions that should be taken. Protocols exist to report cyber security incidents, both internally and to the relevant authorities, including to An Garda Síochána if necessary.
For security reasons, My Department does not comment on details of its ongoing cyber security management.
943. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will enter negotiations to acquire lands (details supplied) for public housing in view of the high levels of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30638/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory role in relation to the provision of housing is vested in the local authorities in their capacity as housing authorities. Accordingly, consideration of the purchase of lands for housing is a matter for the relevant housing authority, rather than my Department, in the first instance.
The existing significant public land bank for housing is already being activated extensively through the investment of over €6 billion under the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, under which 50,000 social housing homes, which are key to addressing the challenges in relation to homelessness, are being delivered over the period 2016 to 2021.
944. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of implementing a living wage €12.30 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30774/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment of salaries to staff of my Department is made in line with pay scales approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. If a living wage of €12.30 was introduced, the increased annual cost to my Department would be approximately €3,600, based on the civil service 37 hour standard net working week. This figure will reduce as and when the staff concerned progress along an incremental scale.
The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
945. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if landlords are permitted to request and-or receive top-up payments in respect of recipients of HAP and RAS; and if not, the penalty applying. [30784/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) established in 2004 placed responsibility on housing authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or longer, and, who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 -2019. Under the terms of the RAS scheme, payments by the tenant in excess of the rental amount specified in the RAS contract to the landlord are not permitted. In a scenario where a landlord has requested a payment in excess of the agreed rental amount, the tenant has the option of referring a complaint to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 – 2019 and it would be a matter for the RTB to decide on the appropriate sanctions to apply.
Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented sector. The tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is covered by the Residential Tenancies Acts. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on the household size and the rental market within that area.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. In addition, the normal 20% discretion beyond the rent limits is increased to 50% for homeless households in the Dublin Region.
My Department is aware that some HAP recipients are making payments directly to their landlords, beyond the amount of HAP being paid on their behalf. There is no legislative provision precluding HAP supported households contributing towards the monthly rent to their landlord. This reflects the fact that, unlike Rent Supplement, where payment ceases in certain circumstances, HAP support can continue to be paid where a household’s income increases, including for reasons of the tenant taking up full-time employment. In those cases, it would therefore be expected that some tenants would consider rental options, which they source themselves in the private rental market, that would involve them paying an element of rent beyond the HAP rent limits, enabled to do so by their improved income position.
It should be noted that local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that HAP tenancies are sustainable and are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where they are not satisfied that the household would be in a position to meet the rental costs being sought.
At the end of Quarter 1 2019, there were over 45,000 active tenancies being supported under the HAP scheme. Collection of data in relation to the number of households making a top-up payment to their landlord does not form part of the standard reporting process of my Department. However, the information available to the HAP Shared Service Centre operated by Limerick City and County Council indicates that approximately three quarters of all HAP tenancies are fully supported.
946. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the different income streams directly paid by persons to his Department or agencies under his remit, such as motor tax; the number of persons making annual payments; the value of same; the number of payments made through staged or increment payments; the value of same; the additional income generated as a result of payments being made on an incremental basis; if incremental payments are not available, the reason for same; the corresponding figures for 1999 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30857/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of income streams paid directly to my Department are recorded as Appropriations-in-Aid in the annual Appropriation Accounts which are published by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and made available via their website www.audit.gov.ie . Copies of the Appropriation Accounts for this Department for 1999, 2009 and 2017 (the most recent Appropriation Account published) are available at the link below:
https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/Appropriation%20Accounts/
Payments to my Department relate primarily to pension related deductions on local authority remuneration, rather than to payments by individuals as referred to in the Question.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
947. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the capital projects which have been delayed under Project Ireland 2040 under the remit of his Department and agencies in tabular form; when these projects will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30886/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the capital projects which have commenced under Project Ireland 2040 under the remit of his Department and agencies in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30922/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra949. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if expenditure estimates for capital projects under Project Ireland 2040 under the remit of his Department and agencies match projected cost requirements in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30968/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra950. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of capital projects being undertaken by his Department; the final agreed tender price; the estimated cost of each capital project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31078/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra951. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the capital projects completed since 2010; the final agreed tender price for each project; the actual cost of each project; if the actual cost exceeded the tender price; the reason therefor in each case in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31094/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 to 951, inclusive, together.
Local authorities and bodies under the aegis of my Department enter into capital contracts in the course of their work, some of which is funded through the Department's Vote; my Department itself does not directly engage in any major capital projects. As regards relevant contracts for which local authorities are responsible, information on expenditure and multi-annual capital commitments is set out in Note 2.9/2.10 to the Department's Appropriation Accounts for the relevant years (Vote 25 up to 2014; Vote 34 thereafter) which are published by the Comptroller and Auditor General and are available at available at https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Publications, by clicking on "Appropriation Account". The Department's 2018 Appropriation Account will be published later this year when the audit is completed.
Details in relation to specific projects (which are being advanced primarily by local authorities and Irish Water) under my Department's range of capital programmes as part of Project Ireland 2040: National Development Plan 2018-2027 are set out in the Investments Projects and Programmes Tracker published in by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on their website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6db7c4-investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/
In addition, the recently announced MyProjectIreland, a new citizen-focused interactive map developed as part of Project Ireland 2040 in partnership with Ordnance Survey Ireland, provides details of projects around the country. This is available to be viewed at the following weblink: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/09022006-project-ireland-2040/?referrer=/2040.
In relation to housing projects, my Department publishes comprehensive status reports on a quarterly basis of all social housing construction schemes for all local authority areas, showing details such as their locations and a range of information relating to their advancement. The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of Quarter 1 of 2019. The report can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-progress-report-published-2019-quarter-1/.
With respect to water services projects, Irish Water has established a team to deal with queries from Oireachtas members on issues arising in relation to its activities. The team may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578. Alternatively, Irish Water provides full details of their projects and plans to improve water and wastewater services on their website. The details can be accessed at the following link: https://www.water.ie/projects-plans/.
