Written Answers Nos. 98-117
98. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of the unencumbered mortgage departmental working group; the number of times this group has meet in 2022 and to date in 2023; the terms of reference of this working group; and the membership of this working group. [3609/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through local authorities, makes a number of funding programmes, including the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS – closed to new applications since 2011), leasing, P&A-CALF available to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision of housing for social housing use.
As we have moved to the statutory regulation of the AHB sector, an internal working group, the AHB Unencumbered Units Working Group, has been established to look at options on how to ensure the continued use of these units for social housing support use. Its membership comprises the relevant policy areas within my Department.
The work of this group aims to assist my Department and its delivery partners in meeting the objectives under Housing for All, to enable a sustainable housing system in Ireland with a supply of good quality housing to match long-term needs, to promote social inclusion in our communities, and to ensure that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent possible.
The group met six times during 2022 and the first meeting in 2023 will take place in early February.
The work of the group is ongoing to gather the necessary data to inform the work of the group in line with the agreed Terms of Reference.
It is tasked with examining and making recommendations, where appropriate, including in relation to the following:
- Ascertain the number of units already out of mortgage on a geographical basis to end 2022, including the name of the relevant AHBs, stock conditions, level of repairs (if required), vacancy/ occupancy rates, tenancy arrangements and sinking funds available;
- Ascertain the numbers of units due to exit mortgage by 2040 on a geographical basis and include the classification status of the AHBs;
- Examine sectoral proposals in the context of housing policy, the National Development Plan, the National Retrofitting Plan and Housing for All more generally;
- Explore funding and other arrangements for similar units in other jurisdictions;
- Explore appetite and capacity of lenders for new loan products, including for example the Housing Finance Agency;
- Explore the different options available to include any funding requirements needed based on the initial funding of the AHB Unit(s) (Units acquired without the assistance of State funding including from fundraising, donations and bequests) and ascertain if a one size fits all funding arrangement meets the needs of all unencumbered units or if bespoke funding mechanisms are required;
- Evaluate if there are any synergies with future funding requirements for CAS voids /vacant units and AHB Unencumbered Units;
- Prepare options for any new arrangements, to include a funding stream if deemed appropriate, including alignment with the Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans;
- Define terms and conditions of any new arrangements, to include funding arrangements if deemed appropriate, including funding eligibility, Key Performing Indicators, monitoring and reporting requirements;
- Evaluate the costs and risks associated with proposed options, including the possible impacts of statutory regulation for the AHB sector, fiscal constraints as a result of classification, resource implications for Local Authorities and the Department; and
- Recommend pathways for these units with a view to seeking funding, if deemed appropriate for same as part of the Estimates process for future budgets.
99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if short-term lets that can prove they have been operating as holiday lets for seven years or more will receive short-term letting planning exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3680/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll development, unless specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. This includes the material change of use of land or buildings.
It should be noted that exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. Any development which falls outside the scope of an exemption and the conditions and limitations attached to it is subject to planning permission. This allows for consideration of the impacts of the specific proposal on a case by case basis by local planning authorities. As such, it would not be considered appropriate to provide for a specific planning exemption based exclusively on a period of use.
Whilst planning legislation is kept under review, I have no plans to further amend the provisions in this regard at this point in time.
100. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons who paid for remediation works in respect of pyrite damage can access the fund established for retrospective outlays; and if persons who could not access the original pyrite schemes are eligible to access the new fund. [3682/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency.
The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks.
The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
There is no provision in the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 to allow for retrospective applications.
Separately, last week, Government approved the drafting legislation to support the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. This legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a new remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes.
In this context, Government has also approved the principle of allowing remediation costs already incurred or levied to be covered under this scheme once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the new remediation scheme for apartments and duplexes. The details and mechanics of this will be worked out as the legislation is drafted and the decision does not relate to other schemes.
101. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what supports will be put in place to assist Irish Water and local authorities to develop up-to-date sewage treatment facilities in order to facilitate new residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3739/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
The Programme for Government commits to funding Uisce Éireann's capital investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits to almost €6bn investment to be undertaken by Irish Water in the period from 2021-2025, of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services.
In this regard, as part of Budget 2023, I secured funding of over €1.78 billion to support water services. This includes €1.65 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Uisce Éireann. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area, making a significant contribution to addressing Ireland’s needs.
In April 2022, I announced funding for a new measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the new measure. The aims of the new initiative are to provide opportunities to support the provision of housing in smaller villages which are not currently serviced by collective waste water treatment systems, while reducing the risk to public health and preventing water pollution.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted directly via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the sewage treatment plants by local authority area which currently do not meet environmental standards and as a result, have not been taken in charge by Irish Water in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3740/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Question refers to waste water treatment plants in housing estates that are not in the charge of local authorities, and are dependent on developer provided water services infrastructure for the provision of their waste water services.
I can confirm that all local authorities have, under legislation, the appropriate powers of inspection and investigation, and where issues are found, power to enforce improvements. In particular, the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977, as amended, provides the legislative basis to protect water quality, public health and the environment from risks posed by failures in such systems.
My Department does not maintain data on the information requested and for the reasons stated, local authorities are best placed to provide the Deputy with this information.
104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 594 and 595 of 18 January 2023, if he views the staff complement of the embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin, which with 28 staff, has the joint second-highest complement of staff of any embassy in Dublin and has as many staff as the embassy of the United Kingdom, as "reasonable and normal", pursuant to Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised Ireland’s general practice is not to enter into specific agreements regarding the size of individual Missions or to require that the size of individual Missions be kept within specified limits.
As previously noted, we keep our policies in this regard under review and it is open to the State to raise the issue of staffing with an individual Mission at any time, including under Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, should this be deemed necessary.
I would not consider it appropriate to comment on the staffing complement of any individual Embassy.
105. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will proscribe an organisation (details supplied) in Iran; if European Union foreign ministers have examined the case for proscribing this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3452/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSanctions are an important foreign policy tool, used to deter States from pursuing actions which threaten international stability, or from harming citizens in their own country. Since 2011, the EU has applied sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations in Iran. Ireland works with our EU partners to ensure that all sanctions are targeted, where relevant, contain clear exemptions for humanitarian actors.
At the 17 October 2022 meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Member States agreed to expand the Iran human rights sanctions regime to target eleven individuals and four entities in response to their involvement in the death of Mahsa Amini, and the government’s violent response to demonstrations. On 20 October 2022, additional sanctions against Iranian individuals and an entity involved in the development of drones and their delivery to Russia were adopted. On 14 November 2022, a further 29 individuals and three entities were sanctioned in relation to the protests. On 12 December 2022, 20 individuals and one entity were sanctioned under the Human Rights sanctions regime, as well as four individuals and four entities under the Ukraine Territorial Integrity sanctions regime. Additional EU sanctions were agreed on 23 January 2023 in response to the ongoing unjustified actions of the Iranian government.
Further restrictive measures will be considered as the situation continues to develop.
Officials from my Department will continue to monitor developments in Iran, and to raise our concerns directly with the Iranian government. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners in the EU to ensure there is a joint, coordinated, and clear response to the actions of the Iranian authorities.
106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the recent British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3460/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place at Farmleigh House on 19 January 2023. The Government was represented by the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, together with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, and the Minister for Justice, Simon Harris TD.
The Government of the United Kingdom was represented by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker MP, the Minister of State for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, Julia Lopez MP and the Minister of State for Energy and Climate, Graham Stuart MP.
As detailed in the Communiqué released following the meeting, the Conference agreed on the critical importance of restoring to full operation all of the political institutions established by the Good Friday Agreement. The Conference discussed developments in this context and the serious and deepening consequences for people in Northern Ireland arising from the ongoing absence of a fully functioning Northern Ireland Assembly, Executive and North South Ministerial Council.
At the conference the Irish and UK Governments discussed bilateral cooperation in a range of areas with a particular focus on cyber security and energy.
With regard to cyber security, Ministers agreed to:
- intensify engagement on cyber resilience issues;
- explore opportunities to cooperate in supporting growth and innovation;
- convene bilateral cyber security policy dialogues to address issues of mutual interest and concern
With regard to energy, Ministers agreed to:
- explore increased cooperation on offshore renewable energy and security of supply, including in relation to offshore grids, electricity interconnection, and development of hybrid/multipurpose projects combining offshore wind generation with interconnection.
- continue the policy dialogue between relevant Departments and agencies in the context of the forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on gas security of supply.
- jointly examine the scope for further cross-border cooperation and coordination in the area of low carbon hydrogen.
Progress made in relation to these two areas will be reviewed at future meetings of the BIIGC.
The Irish and UK Governments discussed the current security situation in both jurisdictions. They welcomed the excellent ongoing cooperation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána in tackling terrorism, paramilitarism and associated criminality.
The Conference considered the fifth report of the Independent Reporting Commission, including their recommendations on possible mechanisms to progress the transition and disbandment of all remaining paramilitary groups.
The Conference welcomed the centenary year of the Common Travel Area arrangements and reaffirmed a clear commitment to the reciprocal rights and privileges it provides for British and Irish citizens.
The Conference discussed UK proposals for the implementation of an electronic travel authorisation scheme, which will not apply to British and Irish citizens, and potential implications for other residents of Ireland and international visitors.
The Conference also discussed recent developments and legislation relevant to the implementation of the rights and citizenship provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Conference discussed the UK government’s proposed legislation on dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the Irish Government’s continuing concerns in relation to it. The UK government noted the amendments it has proposed to the Bill.
Ministers also discussed issues of concern in respect to a number of individual legacy cases.
The Conference looked ahead to the range of events and activities planned for the Good Friday Agreement’s 25th anniversary year and the two governments reiterated their commitment to appropriately and collectively marking, reflecting on, and celebrating this foundational achievement for present and future generations.
The Conference underlined the continuing fundamental importance of the Agreement today in the constitutional principles it enshrines, the institutions that it establishes and the rights that it guarantees for the people of Northern Ireland.
It was agreed that the Conference would meet again in Spring 2023.
107. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth register application by a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3728/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have had a positive impact on the waiting time for applicants. The current waiting time for FBR applications is 11 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 16 June 2022, and is being stored in a secure environment pending entitlement checking.
108. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update with regard to efforts to develop primary radar within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3566/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA project team, comprising senior civil and military personnel, has commenced work on planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar. This is one of the early actions identified in a High Level Action Plan published in response to last year's report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
Work carried out to date includes identification of requirements and research into various delivery options, as well as consideration of approaches internationally. This has included a visit to another Member State.
Delivery of primary radar is extremely complex and will take some time to deliver. Delivery has however been prioritised by Government and this year’s increased capital allocation for Defence includes funding to explore the development of a primary radar capability.
109. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the progress made in respect of the proposed building programme at a school (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the interest of the school and wider community in the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3458/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the accommodation brief for the proposed building project for the school referred to is currently being developed and my Department will be in contact with the school authorities as soon as this process has been completed.
110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 677 of 18 January 2023, in respect of the concerns and requests by an organisation (details supplied), if he will meet with the stakeholders to discuss this issue, with a view to considering and discussing options to find a solution agreeable to all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3474/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe teacher redeployment arrangements are reviewed annually by my Department involving the education stakeholders, including teacher unions and management bodies. As part of the review, the Education Stakeholders can raise issues or concerns with the Department in relation to the operation of the redeployment process generally. It is open to members of the school community to liaise with their representative bodies on any matters of concern they may have. The review in respect of the 2023/24 redeployment process took place last December and it would not be appropriate to meet the group referred to by the Deputy outside of the normal review arrangements agreed with the Education Stakeholders. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are not facilitated with a transfer continue to have the option of applying for posts in their preferred location that are advertised in the normal manner.
111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of school bus transport for siblings (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3502/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance criteria. However, an application for transport was received in Bus Éireann in October 2022, for a school transport service for these pupils for the 2022/23 school year and I am pleased to advise that tickets issued to the pupils on 17th January 2023.
112. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service in each of the years 2018 to 2022; the number of NEPS assessments conducted each year from 2018 to 2022; if she has any plans to increase the number of psychologists employed by NEPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3624/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
NEPS, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist will become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
Available data on NEPS and SCPA casework for the academic year 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 is provided in the attached document.
|
- |
2018/19 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
|
No. Pupils |
No. Pupils |
No. Pupils |
|
|
NEPS Casework |
8,807 |
7392 |
8,507 |
|
SCPA |
1,781 |
966 |
904 |
|
Total |
10,588 |
8358* |
9,411* |
*Reduction due to Covid-19 school closures from March 2020 to academic year end.
Data in respect of the 2021/22 academic year is not yet available. Furthermore, the NEPS Support and Development service reaches an estimated 25,000 teachers annually.
The number of educational psychologists currently employed in NEPS stands at 225 whole-time equivalents across the eight NEPS regions, having grown from a base of 173 in 2014.
I recently announced an additional 54 educational psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes as part of Budget 2023.
113. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if clarification will be provided in relation to the proposed amalgamation of three secondary schools into one complex (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3633/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was approved under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the construction of the required additional capacity at the St Johns College De La Salle, Le Fanu Road site. This additional accommodation encompasses provision for 6 general classrooms, 3 SET rooms, 2 Science labs with 1 prep area, 1 Home Economics room, 1 Textiles Room, 1 Art Room, 1 Technology room with prep area, 2 project stores, 1 DCG Room, 1 Music Room, 4 SEN Class Base, staffroom extension, associated toilet facilities, locker and circulation space.
The Department received the stage 1 report for the new additional accommodation project and subsequently met both patrons to consider the most appropriate method of addressing the school communities’ short and long term requirements. In this context, it was agreed to commission a full report on the condition of the existing building at St. John’s College and this will be considered in consultation with the school authorities once completed shortly.
114. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved their SNA post, in view of the fact that it meets the criteria for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3679/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising the question and I would advise the following.
The allocation of resources based on Ukrainian enrolments is updated once a month by my Department.
For the school in question when the data was extracted from Primary Online Database (POD) for the December update the school did not meet the enrolment threshold for an SNA post or part thereof to be allocated.
The allocations based on Ukrainian enrolments for the month of January is presently be updated and if the school Ukrainian enrolment data on POD meets the relevant threshold the school will be advised of any applicable SNA allocation by letter from the NCSE and the resource will be effective from the 29th January 2023.
115. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all available supports are made available to the employees of a company (details supplied) affected by the company's announcement to close their Irish operations in June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a commercial decision made by the company, but obviously my thoughts are with the workers affected and their families at this difficult time.
Under the Protection of Employment Act 1977, employers must comply with a number of obligations when proposing collective redundancies, including the requirement to consult and provide information to employees and their representatives. This consultation period must last at least 30 days and employers may not issue notices of redundancy during this period.
Immediately upon hearing of the proposed closures my Department put in place an emergency response plan.
The first priority for my Department is to ensure that the affected employees quickly receive access to all income supports that may be available to them. In parallel, the Department will provide support to them in relation to accessing new job opportunities, or, where required, accessing appropriate education and training and development options.
My Department contacted representatives of the company on 20th January 2023 to make them aware of the income and employment support services available and to request a suitable contact person to liaise with.
A team from my Department is available to meet with the workforce, virtually or in person, to ensure speedy access to income supports and to support them into alternative employment, or to access other appropriate options.
My Department’s dedicated Employer Relations team will also continue its ongoing engagement with the retail sector to address recruitment challenges and opportunities. Through that engagement we know that retailers have found it difficult to recruit staff in what is a very tight labour market, and therefore there may be opportunities elsewhere for the staff impacted by the company’s decision to cease operations in the State.
I trust this clarifies matters.
116. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that data is not available for the average wait times for additional needs' payments; and her views on whether having this data would better inform the Government of any potential issues with the system. [3436/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Welfare Service is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Applications for Additional Needs Payments are varied and often quite complex, reflecting the individual circumstances being experienced. Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. Community Welfare Officers are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. Approximately 10% of CWS payments to customers across the country are made on this basis, which shows just how responsive the service is to an urgent customer need.
My Department is continuing to develop the statistical output of the ANP scheme to enhance the future dissemination of processing data for Additional Needs Payments for all stakeholders. A high percentage of applications are finalised within 2 weeks and there is less than 2 weeks work on hands currently.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions No. 681 of 8 November 2022, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this issue is of great urgency given that the cost-of-living crisis has placed a significant burden on all supervisors and assistant supervisors, and there has been no increase in wages since 2008; his views on whether an urgent increase in wages should be actioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter [3437/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE supervisors/assistant supervisors provide in running CE schemes in delivering local based community services while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those often furthest removed from the labour market.
CE supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of individual CE schemes, which are funded by the Department. The Department is not the employer of this group of workers.
As the funder of CE schemes, the Department received correspondence last year from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Fórsa and SIPTU subsequently referred this pay claim to the conciliation service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC issued an invite to the Department to take part in a conciliation process in December 2022. Following Government approval, the Department responded to the WRC indicating that it will engage with a WRC conciliation process, in its role as funder of these schemes. While the organisation and timing of the conciliation process is a matter for the WRC, it is expected that the process will commence in the early days of February.
Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer. Given these budgetary implications, and the possible referral of other similar claims to the WRC, the Department will also continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during the WRC process. If there are budgetary implications arising from the WRC process - these will need Government approval.
Minister Humphreys and I are fully committed to the future of CE and will continue to support and improve CE for the benefit of the supervisors and participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
