Written Answers Nos. 160-179
165. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the allocations in 2023 due to the increase of €108 million from the Local Government Fund for local authorities by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49103/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is making a significant contribution of €333 million in 2023 to support the local government sector, and this represents an increase of €108m year-on-year.
A significant element of this funding is a contribution to local authorities towards pay costs associated with the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation and National Pay Agreements. There is an increase of €36.8m year-on-year due to the cumulative effect of these increases. This total allocation of €199m will help local authorities ensure that they have the necessary resources, in terms of people, to perform their functions. The allocations per local authority are being finalised currently and will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks. Furthermore, as has happened in previous years, my Department will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of any additional pay increases that are confirmed.
The other large portion of this figure is to fund LPT equalisation; to ensure that all local authorities, including those with weaker property tax bases, have a minimum level of funding available to them that is separate to programme funding. The increase in funding to €110m from €34.3m is due to the move to 100% retention of Local Property Tax within the local authority area. As a result, all equalisation funding is now met by the Exchequer. On the other hand, the move to 100% local retention will increase the surplus available to certain local authorities, and therefore increase the requirement of these authorities to self-fund some level of transport and/or housing or other costs previously met by the Exchequer.
My Department has confirmed provisional LPT allocations to local authorities for 2023 as detailed in the table 1 below. As previously, every local authority has the power to vary the basic rate of LPT in their local area and final LPT allocations for 2023 will be confirmed once these decisions are finalised.
Finally, it should be noted that my Department is aware of the current financial environment in which local authorities are now operating. In recognition of the ongoing pressures, support of €60m has been recently secured to assist the sector, which is additional to the increases in funding outlined above. Its purpose will be to assist local authorities in meeting the increasing costs involved in providing a wide range of services. The allocations per local authority are being finalised currently and will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
Table 1 – 2023 Provisional (pre-variation) LPT allocations to local authorities.
|
Local Authority |
€ |
|
Carlow County Council |
6,138,657 |
|
Cavan County Council |
9,480,501 |
|
Clare County Council |
9,137,545 |
|
Cork City Council |
21,159,516 |
|
Cork County Council |
31,194,762 |
|
Donegal County Council |
25,119,850 |
|
Dublin City Council |
94,556,845 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
57,276,476 |
|
Fingal County Council |
40,533,514 |
|
Galway City Council |
8,527,592 |
|
Galway County Council |
14,517,890 |
|
Kerry County Council |
13,776,761 |
|
Kildare County Council |
23,161,639 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
10,673,913 |
|
Laois County Council |
8,558,877 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
8,956,315 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
17,554,464 |
|
Longford County Council |
8,906,648 |
|
Louth County Council |
9,866,198 |
|
Mayo County Council |
19,812,344 |
|
Meath County Council |
18,651,237 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
11,238,572 |
|
Offaly County Council |
7,656,288 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
10,216,232 |
|
Sligo County Council |
10,202,627 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
32,263,395 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
25,951,602 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
18,678,971 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
11,205,507 |
|
Wexford County Council |
13,547,516 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
18,506,399 |
|
Total |
617,028,653 |
166. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding from the Local Government Fund for local authorities that retain 100% of the local property tax revenues will be reduced; the allocations from the Local Government Fund for 2022 by local authority; the projected allocations in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Property Tax (LPT) allocations for 2022, amounting to €523.9m, are based on the 80:20 local retention model. These allocations include the Exchequer contribution to equalisation funding of €34.3m. Detailed information in respect of the 2022 LPT allocations broken down by local authority, are available at the following link on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/ea27d-local-property-tax-allocations/ .
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future , the LPT allocation mechanism for 2023 is changed to allow for 100% of the estimated yield to be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. All equalisation funding will now be met by the Exchequer, to ensure that all authorities receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their Baseline. Accordingly, no local authority will see any reduction in their pre-variation LPT allocation for 2023.
In addition, a move to the 100% local retention model will lead to an increased surplus for those authorities with LPT income above their funding baseline. These authorities shall now retain a greater proportion of that surplus for their own use in 2023; an increase from 20% of the overall yield in 2022 to 22.5% next year. The remainder of the increased surplus will be used to self-fund housing, roads or other services in the local area.
My Department has confirmed provisional LPT allocations to local authorities for 2023 amounting to €617m as detailed in the table below. As previously, every local authority has the power to vary the basic rate of LPT in their local area by up to 15%. If a Local Authority decides to vary the LPT basic rate downwards (by up to 15%), the resultant loss in LPT income is reflected in a proportionate reduction in discretionary income for the Council. Likewise, if a local authority decides to vary the rate upwards, there will be a proportionate increase in such income. Those variation decisions are not reflected in the 2023 provisional allocations in the table below. Local authorities have until 15 October to confirm whether or not a LPT local adjustment factor should apply in their individual local authority areas in the coming year. Accordingly, final LPT allocations for 2023 cannot be confirmed until those decisions are finalised.
Table 1 – 2023 Provisional (pre-variation) LPT allocations to local authorities.
|
Local Authority |
€ |
|
Carlow County Council |
6,138,657 |
|
Cavan County Council |
9,480,501 |
|
Clare County Council |
9,137,545 |
|
Cork City Council |
21,159,516 |
|
Cork County Council |
31,194,762 |
|
Donegal County Council |
25,119,850 |
|
Dublin City Council |
94,556,845 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
57,276,476 |
|
Fingal County Council |
40,533,514 |
|
Galway City Council |
8,527,592 |
|
Galway County Council |
14,517,890 |
|
Kerry County Council |
13,776,761 |
|
Kildare County Council |
23,161,639 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
10,673,913 |
|
Laois County Council |
8,558,877 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
8,956,315 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
17,554,464 |
|
Longford County Council |
8,906,648 |
|
Louth County Council |
9,866,198 |
|
Mayo County Council |
19,812,344 |
|
Meath County Council |
18,651,237 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
11,238,572 |
|
Offaly County Council |
7,656,288 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
10,216,232 |
|
Sligo County Council |
10,202,627 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
32,263,395 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
25,951,602 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
18,678,971 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
11,205,507 |
|
Wexford County Council |
13,547,516 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
18,506,399 |
|
Total |
617,028,653 |
167. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will correspond regarding housing assistance payment for a person (details supplied); his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49113/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and those households must source their own accommodation in the private rental sector. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
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. While there is no legislative provision precluding HAP supported households contributing towards the monthly rent required by the landlord, local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and that households in HAP are in a position to meet the rental costs involved.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while the supply of social housing increases.
Under Housing for All, the Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of the Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness. Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
Each local authority now has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency.
Tenants in the HAP scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme. Where a person has a change of circumstances, such as a loss of income, they should notify the relevant local authority. The local authority can reassess those tenants and adjust their differential rent accordingly.
The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme. The HAP SSC follows a clear communication policy if rental arrears issues arise. This policy includes regular and early written communication with tenants, landlords and the relevant local authority.
The approach taken by the HAP SSC has been very effective with minimal levels of rent arrears arising for HAP tenants. At end Q2 2022, the scheme had a 97% differential rent collection rate with minimal arrears arising for tenants or local authorities. Therefore, only a very small number of tenants have fallen into difficulty with their differential rent.
At the end of Q2 2022, over 104,700 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were over 60,700 households actively in receipt of HAP support. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all his Department’s buildings have recycling arrangements in place; if not, the steps that are being taken to ensure that the recycling of workplace waste is facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed improving its Environmental Management systems. This is evidenced by my Department achieving ISO 14001 accreditation for our Energy Management Systems.
My Department takes pride in continuing to minimise waste in Departmental sites through the implementation of programmes for waste prevention and reduction, and for the collection, segregation, re-use, recycling, storage and safe disposal of all waste arising in Departmental sites, including litter, toner cartridges, used batteries, etc.
To further promote good environmental practices in the Department’s buildings, paper waste bins have been removed from offices and new units installed providing a centralised waste disposal facility, in line with best practice.
Each unit has receptacles for general waste, dry mixed recyclable and food waste placed strategically around the Department's office locations.
These changes have delivered numerous benefits:
- contributed further to improving our environmental systems;
- achieved ISO accreditation in Environment Management Systems;
- reduced the amount of generated waste;
- increased the amount of materials recycled and reused.
My Department also facilitates staff to recycle household Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) via the WEEE Ireland compliance scheme.
Through my Department's consistent engagement with waste disposal contractors with a view to minimising the amount of Department waste sent to landfill, my Department has achieved an average of 90% of waste being either recovered or recycled over the course of the year in 2021.
169. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons within his Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department’s formal blended working policy permits eligible staff to work up to a maximum of 50% of their regular attendance pattern remotely over a 4-week period, subject to operational requirements.
Of those staff that have formally approved blended working arrangements, records indicate that 7 officers are doing a form of blended working from County Clare.
170. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on support for ecocide legislation both internationally and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the initiative launched last year by the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide. The Panel proposes the creation of a new international crime ‘ecocide’, together with a definition of the crime which could serve as the basis for consideration of an amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The purpose of such an amendment would be to bring the new crime within the jurisdiction of the Court.
As with all proposed amendments to the Rome Statute, it is for States Parties individually to assess the merits of the proposal in the first instance. If there is sufficient support for such a proposal a formal amendment can be considered by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statue.
I have followed this initiative with interest since the publication of the Panel's proposal last year. Consideration of the proposal by States is still at an early stages and requires careful analysis. My officials will also continue to engage in discussions on the important implications of this proposal with our international partners, both within the EU and with other States Parties to the Rome Statute.
171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport office will be established in the province of Ulster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 940,000 passports to date this year and 2022 will be the first year ever that over 1 million passports will be issued. The Passport Service is currently out-performing its previous busiest year (2019) by 17%.
Thanks to significant investment by the Government, substantial improvements have been made this year and normal pre-Covid levels of service have resumed.
Turnaround times for online First Time Applications have halved from 40 working days in March of this year to 20 working days.
84% of online adult renewal applications are being processed in 3 working days or less.
Demand for passports from Ulster remains steady. Applications from Northern Ireland are on average 11,000 applications per month or 10% of all applications. This year to date, 87% of applicants from Northern Ireland have applied through Passport Online.
The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers. The majority of Passport Service operations take place at the newly expanded Balbriggan Campus that now has capacity for 500 staff.
Passport Online is available to 97% of applicants around the world regardless of whether they are first time applicants or are renewing their passport. Passport Online has been hugely successful and over 90% of applicants from around the world now apply for their passport using this channel. This has significantly reduced the number of applicants who need to visit the Post Office or the Passport Offices in Dublin or Cork to apply for their passport.
Currently, 100% of calls to the Customer Service Hub are being answered and customers can easily access the information they need through the Hub. In addition, my Department is implementing a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained during periods of peak demand.
The Passport Service continuously considers ways to improve its service to all of our citizens.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four day urgent appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one day urgent appointment service. Recent figures for the Urgent Appointment Service show that just 28% of these appointments are being availed of. Currently, about 1% of all passport applications are processed through the public offices in Dublin and Cork.
Any expansion of services would need to review the potential demand for an in-person urgent appointment service given the efficiencies built-in to Passport Online and in light of the fact that 84% of online adult renewal applications are currently being processed in 3 working days.
The Passport Service continuously reviews the range of services it offers while also strategically planning to respond to the future needs of the Service. In considering any expansion of existing services, a number of criteria are examined including the efficiencies that would be gained, whether the proposed expansion would improve the overall quality of the service and whether the potential benefits of expanding the service would justify the significant costs involved. Any proposed expansion would also need to complement the Passport Service's Digital First strategy.
172. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not procured any contracts or services with top security since 2015 to date.
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that overseas police stations (details supplied) are opening in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the presence of the so-called 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station’ located on Capel Street in Dublin.
The presence of this office has been raised with the Embassy of China by officials in my Department and discussions are ongoing. Officials are continuing to consult across Government to address this issue and to ensure the appropriate application of relevant international and domestic law.
174. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if engagement between the Irish and Tunisian authorities is continuing in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budgetary increase of €12 per week applies to social welfare pensions recipients only. Any decisions in relation to public sector pensions are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
If the person concerned feels that they may have an entitlement to a State Pension payment either Contributory or Non Contributory, which is means assessed, it is open to them to submit an application for same.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April. This allowance has been extended from January 2023, to those aged over 70 who are not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment who have an income threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
175. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons within his Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no staff within my Department working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare.
176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have contracts or engaged the services of Top Security.
177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the number of monthly progress reports that he has received to date from the review group pursuant to the terms of reference of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; his plans for the publication of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49114/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of any interim assessments or recommendations addressing issues for immediate action that he has received from the review group pursuant to the terms of reference of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; his plans for the publication of same; the details of any actions taken or planned on foot of any such assessments or recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49115/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; if the review group is on track to complete its final review report within the 12-month timeframe, pursuant to the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49116/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces.
This Review is well underway and is a necessary and critical first step to address the need for a safe work environment for serving members with zero-tolerance for such unacceptable behaviour. The serving members of the Defence Forces expect nothing less.
I wish to add that the work of the Independent Review Group is entirely independent in keeping with the Terms of Reference. The Group have full independence and autonomy to undertake its body of work, under its Chair, Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Terms of Reference provide that it is open to the Review Group to conduct its business through oral and/or written engagement on a group basis and/or individual basis. The Review will include the receipt of the views and experiences from both current and former Defence Forces personnel of workplace incidents of unacceptable behaviour. I wish to underline that the sharing of such views and experiences by interviewees is entirely voluntary and treated in confidence.
I have received six updates from the Independent Review Group including when they asked for a 4th member to assist in completing their work. This request was approved. In line also with the Terms of the Review, I have also been briefed via an Interim Report and at the request of the Group, this will not be published, as its work is not complete.
I wish to add that the Terms of Reference for the Review are wide-ranging and provide that Government may consider further work on receipt of the Independent Review findings. I’m eager to have this work concluded. The final report which is to be presented to me at the end of the year, will be brought to Government, before being published.
