Written Answers Nos. 122-141
123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the funding options a DEIS band 1 senior primary school has to return to running an after-school club once current health restrictions are lifted (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50198/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a number of policies and programmes which are supportive of homework clubs for students at risk of educational disadvantage.
All DEIS schools receive an additional DEIS grant which is to be used to support the implementation of the schools’ DEIS Action Plan for Improvement. This Plan sets targets under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, wellbeing and examination attainment (post-primary only). A key focus of these themes is that they are targeted at those students most at risk of educational disadvantage. It is a matter for the school Board of Management to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need which can include afterschool activities.
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is a key support under my Department’s Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School (DEIS) programme. Tusla is responsible for the operational management and delivery of SCP.
In relation to the school in question, I am informed by Tusla that the SCP Local Management Committee is currently planning the suite of service provision, to ensure that all of the available SCP resource is maximised to support students in relation to school attendance, participation and retention across all schools in this SCP cluster. These interventions and supports may include afterschool clubs, which are allowable under the SCP funding.
124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to reinstate the primary school library fund; the analysis that her Department has carried out into allocating €10 per primary school child in order for schools to buy books for their libraries; if her attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50208/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn arrangement was made through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 1971, whereby the local authority librarians would provide services for Primary schools. At that time my Department made a grant available for this purpose based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in the local authority areas.
As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to schools.
Funding has been provided under Budget 2022 to support schools in the purchase of reading books, audio books, etc.
125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 23 September 2021, if all restrictions on school transport numbers will be lifted after 22 October 2021 in line with the lifting of all other restrictions; and if those students who have been unable to secure a seat on school transport up to this point will have their cases re-examined following the lifting of capacity restrictions. [50213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
As the Deputy is aware, planning for school transport for the 2021/22 school year has proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as term began in this new school year. This includes the recommendations from Public Health that post-primary services would operate at 50% capacity and that masks would be worn. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students are also in place. However, as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services is rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeds, the capacity limit of 50% on post-primary school transport services will be subject to ongoing review and the Department will be considering the position in this regard over the coming weeks.
Should post-primary services resume operating at 100% capacity and where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed, any spare capacity available will be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists.
126. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of buildings either owned or managed by her Department in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15; and if they are currently being used. [50321/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded by my Department to the Deputy.
127. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if the guidance on mask wearing in post-primary school settings will continue to apply after 22 October 2021. [50342/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has always been guided by Public Health in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place in schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among the school community.
The very high rates of take up of the vaccines across society has been hugely encouraging and reassuring. The vast majority of teachers and staff have now been vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated are not precluded from safely attending school and will be expected to do so, with the exception of a very small number of school staff who may be deemed to be at very high risk by the Occupational Health Service. Vaccinations are now also available for all children over 12 years. The uptake in this age cohort is also very encouraging. Similar to the arrangements for staff, children who are not vaccinated are not precluded from safely attending school.
My Department is engaging with Public Health on an ongoing basis to consider the appropriate level of infection prevention and control measures required in schools, including the measures referred to by the Deputy.
128. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to transfer funding for an organisation (details supplied) to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50343/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if an educational institute (details supplied) is under her Department's remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
Marino Institute of Education is a private charitable trust under the co-trusteeship of the European Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin offering a range of educational programmes including primary initial teacher education (ITE), early childhood education and further education. My Department currently funds Marino Institute of Education via capitation grants and grants in lieu of tuition fees in respect of approved student numbers on its primary ITE programmes.
The funding and governance remit for Marino Institute of Education is due to be moved to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, as part of the process of transferring functions following on from the establishment of that Department. This work requires administrative and legislative solutions to address residual issues, and is in train as of now.
In addition, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science officials are currently working on the reform of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971. The General Scheme of a Bill was published in May this year and the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny process on the General Scheme was recently completed. It is anticipated that this Bill will be published shortly and initiated through the Oireachtas.
The Higher Education Authority Act, 1971 is being reformed to ensure that the higher education sector is enabled to meet the vision for an excellent higher education and research system which is innovative, adaptive and inclusive, which has strong engagement with the wider education system and wider society and which creates knowledge and contributes to social, economic and cultural development. This updated legislation is intended to provide the HEA with the necessary authority in relation to revised functions including planning, funding and oversight of the higher education sector and other related matters which more fully reflect its current central role and responsibilities in relation to higher education.
The legislation will provide that the HEA will have oversight of the full higher education sector including teaching training colleges. The legislation includes a designation system which provides that all higher education institutions will become designated as institutions of higher education by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science following a process overseen by the HEA. Once the relevant institutions are designated they will be entitled to use the title “designated institution of higher education”. It is expected that Marino Institute of Education will meet the criteria for designation and will become a designated institution of higher education under this designation process.
The HEA legislation will apply to all designated institutions of higher education. The model informing the proposed legislation is a co-regulation model which recognises the importance of autonomy and agility on the part of higher education institutions (HEIs) with appropriate accountability. This co-regulation model recognises and supports HEIs in their own governance responsibilities. The legislation will also provide the HEA with clarity as to its overall role in planning and managing at the system level but, where required, intervening proportionately to address issues if not appropriately dealt with by institutions.
The legislation will also include a funding framework which will provide that the HEA may provide funding to a wide range of higher education institutions including Marino Institute of Education. This will replace the current system where many HEIs are funded directly through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science or the Department of Education. There will be consultation with the relevant HEIs, including Marino Institute of Education prior to the implementation of these changes.
130. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a school (details supplied) that has no engineering or metalwork teacher and has been unable to source a teacher through advertisements resulting in the second and third year metalwork and sixth year engineering academic year groups going untaught; if she will engage with the school to put a solution in place for these students in the academic year 2020-2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50355/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on my Department's website. Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector.
However, I am aware that in recent years education partners, including school management bodies, school leaders and teacher unions, have reported that some schools are experiencing difficulties in recruiting teachers, particularly substitute teachers at both primary and post-primary levels and teachers of certain subjects at post-primary level. My Department is aware of the case referred to by the Deputy.
In response to these difficulties in March 2018, the Teacher Supply Steering Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, was established. The Steering Group is leading on the identification of issues, the development of a programme of actions on teacher supply and overseeing its implementation. It is supported by an Implementation Group and a number of working groups which are considering specific areas of policy.
The Teacher Supply Action Plan, published in November 2018, includes a range of actions under four policy headings: data/research to support teacher supply planning; higher education; policies and arrangements impacting on teacher supply; and communications / promotion of the teaching profession.
A number of measures have been put in place to increase the supply of teachers at post-primary level, particularly in subjects where difficulties in recruitment have been reported.
For the 2019/20 school year, my department introduced the ‘Scheme to Share Teachers between Recognised Post-Primary Schools’ to facilitate an arrangement whereby two schools can share a teacher to teach subjects in both schools. The objectives of the Scheme are to assist schools in filling vacancies in high priority subjects and to enhance teaching hours for teachers in employment on less than full hours. Circular 0015/2019 refers.
A number of measures have been taken by education partners which are aimed at matching teachers with teaching vacancies.
Turasabhaile, a service developed by the post-primary school management bodies and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, matches registered teachers, resident abroad with post-primary vacancies in schools here at home.
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) launched Sub Seeker, a central portal for short term substitute vacancies, jointly developed by IPPN/NAPD, in December 2019. This service matches available teachers with short term substitute vacancies in primary and post primary schools. IPPN is also developing a new central portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term positions in both primary and post-primary schools. It is anticipated that this portal will be available to schools and teachers in the coming months.
The Teaching Council has also put additional measures in place for the current school year. As in 2020/21, flexible school placement arrangements are being implemented to enhance the availability of post-primary Professional Master of Education (PME) student teachers to fill short term substitute vacancies.
The Council has also contacted all registered teachers requesting those not currently working, or those who otherwise have capacity to be available for substitute posts, to make themselves available through Sub Seeker. I am advised that the Council intends to repeat this awareness campaign with teachers on the register.
A number of measures are also in place to support the supply of substitute teachers. These include suspending the restriction on the number of days that teachers on career break may be employed and allowing teachers who are job sharing to work additional hours if available.
My Department will continue, with the cooperation of the education partners, to develop and implement measures to support the supply of teachers to our schools.
131. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if pension contributions will be liable for PRSI; if, when drawing down a pension it will be liable for PRSI; her views on whether it is necessary for the same pension to be charged PRSI on two occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission was established, inter alia, to develop options for Government to consider in addressing the sustainability of the State pension system and the social insurance fund. Its Report was published on the 7th of October 2021.
The Commission’s deliberations on the policy options available led it to conclude that, as well as increasing social insurance contribution rates, broadening the base of social insurance contributors should be examined in order to increase social insurance contribution income, strengthen the contributory principle and maintain inter-generational equity.
The Government has agreed that the Commission's report will be sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection to seek that Committee's views on the Commission's recommendations.
Separately, as set out in its terms of reference, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare will consider the report of the Pensions Commission in the context of its review of potential changes to the social insurance system.
The Commission’s report is being referred to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, for consideration over the next six months with a view to bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government by the end of March 2022. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment that it will take action with regard to the recommendations of the Commission within six months of receipt of its report.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding a nationwide local employment service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is now at an advanced stage in its first phase of a two-phase procurement of new employment services. Phase two of this process, to commence shortly, will see the Regional Employment Service model rolled out across the State. It will take on board the learnings of the first phase. This is a significant expansion of employment services and will result in State-wide coverage of employment services for those furthest from the labour market for the first time.
My officials have examined the ILDN’s proposals to extend the current LES model across its 49 members in order to provide a State-wide service. While a well-meaning proposal, the State cannot simply adopt the proposals of certain service-providers for an expanded service in line with its demands. Legal procurement does not and cannot work in this manner.
Nonetheless, I wish to make it clear that both I and my Department have maintained good relations with ILDN throughout the process, while also engaging with independent service-providers not affiliated with ILDN.
The expansion of changes to employment services being implemented through a two-phase procurement process have been well signposted for some years and my Department has undertaken extensive consultation with existing service providers.
133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for 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. [50206/21]
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 25 August 2021.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 27 August 2021, some of which was received on 15 September 2021. A further information request regarding her rate of pay and hours of employment issued on 17 September 2021. As the information requested has not been received to date a reminder letter issued on 11 October 2021.
Once this information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for 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. [50207/21]
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 30 August 2019.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 9 September 2019
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required. The person concerned failed to provide the SWI with information to determine if her means were below the statutory limit.
As the requested information was not supplied it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA. The application was also disallowed as DCA was not awarded in respect of the care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 6 March 2020 of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.
Following the awarding of DCA the person concerned requested a review of this decision on 18 December 2020.
As there were documents outstanding from the original decision, the matter was referred to a SWI on 8 February 2021
The person concerned has submitted some documentation as requested by the SWI. However, some documentation is still outstanding and SWI enquiries are continuing.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 8 September 2021.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50215/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 25 February 2021. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 20 April 2021, informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested an appeal of the decision and submitted additional medical evidence which was reviewed by a deciding officer and the decision to disallow IP was upheld. The file was forwarded to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for determination and an appeals officer (AO), having taken all available information into account, upheld the department’s decision and disallowed the appeal. The person in question was notified of the decision of the AO on 03 September 2021. The decision of an AO is final and conclusive in the absence of additional relevant evidence not available at the time of the appeal. It is open to the person concerned to submit a new application for IP.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
137. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will establish a stakeholder forum to allow for the meaningful engagement of all stakeholders in the local employment services sector in order to find the best way forward; if she will halt the tendering process of local employment services until full consultation has been carried out with the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50216/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is now at an advanced stage in its first phase of a two-phase procurement of new employment services.
This procurement process follows extensive consultations by my Department with the existing service providers over the last number of years.
Officials in my Department also visited every Local Employment Service and Job Club in 2019 to get their views on what a new employment service model would look like. Many of the suggestions made then, including multi-annual contracts and greater financial autonomy, were incorporated into the Regional Employment Services model. In addition, the external consultants engaged by the Department in late 2019 engaged a cross-section of relevant stakeholders.
My officials will continue the ongoing dialogue with the stakeholders and employee representatives and will engage further with them before finalising the Phase two procurement. However, my Department must adhere to its public procurement obligations and the need to adhere to best practices in terms of strengthening governance requirements. This will be achieved by procuring these new high-quality employment services in an open and competitive manner that is fair to all interested parties and will deliver consistent employment service provision across the State.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if preparations are being made to ensure adequate staffing levels to maintain community employment schemes throughout County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of employment support schemes including Community Employment (CE). These supports are specifically targeted at those people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. The aim of CE is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing valuable work experience opportunities. CE also provides training supports for participants. I am aware of the challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions and the resulting impact on many CE schemes including the recruitment of new participants. Where it was safe and in accordance with public health restrictions, some recruitment did continue during the pandemic, albeit on a more limited level than the norm. I have taken a number of measures to support CE schemes during the course of the pandemic. These ensured participants were able to avail fully of the work experience and training opportunities available while enabling schemes maintain local community services. In particular, participants whose contracts were due to come to an end since last October have had their contacts extended on a number of occasions. The latest extension recently announced will continue up until February 2022. This will allow further time to increase the number and rate of referrals to fill vacancies. Once normal CE operations return, it is important that these places are freed up and become available to the newer cohort of long term unemployed, including those whose jobs are permanently lost due to the pandemic. Time spent on PUP will count towards eligibility for CE. My Department has moved to restore activation services to pre-pandemic levels and is prioritising the referral and recruitment of eligible jobseekers to CE. At the same time, my Department is considering initiatives to strengthen and further support the referral process from the Intreo Offices to individual CE schemes. Under Pathways to Work, my Department appointed almost 100 additional dedicated Job Coaches nationwide, to assist jobseekers in their efforts to return to full time employment. Four of these Job Coaches have been appointed to the Newbridge Intreo Centre. The role of the Job Coaches includes the referral of eligible jobseekers to CE sponsoring authorities; if participation on this employment support would be of benefit. In line with Government’s plans for the full re-opening of the economy, under 'Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting’, my priority and the priority of the Department is to have all CE schemes back providing normal services and supports to their long-term unemployed participants while delivering valuable services to local communities. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
139. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is provision within the social welfare code governing entitlement to State pension (contributory) whereby credits can be awarded in respect of persons who have been caring for their adult children with disabilities and who consequently were unable to take up paid employment opportunities outside the home and who now find themselves short of the requisite number of contributions for the pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50242/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubject to the standard qualifying conditions for State Pension (Contributory) also being satisfied, the State pension system already provides significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role.
This is provided through the award of credits and/or the application of the Homemaker’s Scheme (under the Yearly Average method for payment calculation) and/or the application of HomeCaring Periods (under the Aggregated Contribution Method or the interim Total Contributions Approach).
Details of these are –
- Credits – PRSI Credits are awarded to recipients of Carer’s Allowance (and Carer’s Benefit) where they have an underlying entitlement to credits. Credits are also awarded to workers who take unpaid Carer’s Leave from work.
- The Homemaker’s Scheme - The scheme, which was introduced with effect from 1994, is designed to help homemakers and carers qualify for State Pension (Contributory). The Scheme, which allows periods caring for children or people with a caring need to be disregarded (from 1994), can have the effect of increasing the Yearly Average.
- HomeCaring Periods – This Scheme makes it easier for a home carer to qualify for a higher rate of State Pension (Contributory). HomeCaring Periods can only be used under the Aggregated Contribution Method (also known as the Interim Total Contributions Approach) of pension calculation. HomeCaring Periods may be awarded for each week not already covered by a paid or credited social insurance contribution (regardless of when they occurred) to a maximum of 20 years.
Since April 2019, all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation.
The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. Its terms of reference included consideration of how long-term carers could be accommodated in the pension system.
The Commission has now concluded its work and has submitted its final report to me. The report has been published on the Government website. It is extremely detailed, running to several hundred pages, and covers a range of complex matters in relation to the Pensions system which will require very careful consideration. That will be done over the next 6 months with a view to bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government by end of March 2022.
It should be noted that if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), s/he may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, if his/her spouse is a State pensioner and has significant household means, his/her most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on his/her personal means, and amounting to up to 90% of a full contributory pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
140. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing some disregard in the means test for disability allowance for a person who is in a position to rent a room within their home. [50249/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is one of a range of means-tested social assistance payments operated by my Department. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable), applying for the relevant scheme.
The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most. Where an individual is renting part of their family home, the cash value of the rental income is assessed. However, such rental income is reduced by a range of deductions.
These include:
- a proportion of any mortgage interest paid by the claimant on the part of the property rented;
- a 15% deduction for voids (i.e. periods when the accommodation is vacant between lettings); and,
- if the rooms let are furnished, a 5% deduction for wear and tear.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
141. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of buildings either owned or managed by his Department in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15; and if they are currently being used. [50316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not own any buildings in Blanchardstown.
Blanchardstown Intreo Centre at Westend House, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 is leased by the Office of Public Works. It has been open and providing services to the public throughout the pandemic.
