Written Answers Nos. 246-257
246. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the waiting lists and waiting times for receipt of the housing adaptation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown of the uptake of the housing adaptation grant in 2022; the number of applications for the grant; the number of applicants that were approved for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8026/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
My Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department's approach every year, in the first instance, is to allow local authorities complete works up to 65% of the previous year’s allocation in the absence of formal approval to keep this important work going. Following this, later this year, my Department will issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan, prioritise and implement the programme to carry out the varying works necessary to meet the needs of their tenants in this year. The programme is 90% funded by my Department with a 10% contribution from the local authority.
Details on the allocation and drawdown of funding for each local authority for the period 2011-2022 for the Disabled Persons Grant, which incorporates Improvement Works in Lieu, is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020/
My Department also provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of each local authority. Details of the number of grants paid and the amount spent by all local authorities for 2022 are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
The Housing Options for an Ageing Population policy statement includes a commitment by my Department to work closely with local authorities to review the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme and the waiting lists in place for adaptations and publish this data on a yearly basis to identify any barriers and gaps at local and national level and help to streamline the process to ensure timely intervention.
My Department developed a new recoupment claim form which was implemented by local authorities on a phased basis throughout 2022. The new form captures data on the date a valid application is received, approved and paid by a local authority. This will allow the Department to calculate the average length of time that it will take a local authority to approve valid applications and issue grant payments over the 12 month period of 2023 taking account that local authorities submit recoupment claims in batches at various stages throughout the year. This approach will ensure that all local authorities are correctly represented in the resulting data to be available for publication by early 2024 in respect of 2023.
In addition, my Department also plans to engage with local authorities in 2023 on any pending applications on hand awaiting approval across each local authority particularly examining the reasons for any delays.
In advance of the availability of this data, my Department does not have the information requested in relation to the current number of applications pending or the waiting times in individual local authorities. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. A report on the review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. I will be giving careful consideration to the review report and expect to make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will lobby at EU level to expand the scope of EU sanctions on Belarus to include furniture. [7839/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU condemns Belarus' involvement in Russia's unprovoked and unjustified further military invasion of Ukraine. In response to the invasion, since late February, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus. The measures targeting Belarus build on restrictive measures introduced by the EU following the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020 and the crackdown on peaceful protesters, democratic opposition and journalists that followed.
The measures adopted targeting Belarus since the invasion of Ukraine in large part mirror the restrictions introduced against Russia. Restrictions have been placed on trade between the EU and Belarus, in particular on goods used for the production of tobacco, hydrocarbons, and a range of materials like potash, wood, cement, iron, steel and rubber, which generate significant revenue for the Belarusian regime.
In addition, strategic restrictions have been imposed on exports to Belarus of dual-use goods and technology that could contribute to Belarus’ military, technological and security development. Belarussian road transport operators have been banned from transporting goods by road within the EU. A range of measures have been introduced targeting the Belarusian financial sector. Several Belarusian banks have been removed from the SWIFT financial messaging system and transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus are prohibited. Sanctions also include asset freezes and travel bans targeting Belarusian military personnel, state officials, members of the judiciary, and businesspeople. Limits have been placed on financial inflows from Belarus to the EU, and the provision of euro banknotes to Belarus is also now prohibited, while a ban has been placed on the listing and provision of services in relation to shares of Belarusian State-owned entities in EU trading venues.
Ireland continues to support coordinated EU sanctions, and other measures including action at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The range of measures targeting Belarus, including restrictions on the exports of certain goods, remains under continual review. A further sanctions package in respect of Belarus is currently being discussed. Ireland is fully engaged in this process, which we expect to see adopted soon.
249. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department can provide verification that a person (details supplied) is an Irish born citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7831/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the Deputy's specific query, the Passport Service is in direct contact with the child's mother to further understand the request.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the non-commercial and semi-State commercial companies under his aegis; if an explanatory memorandum will be provided in respect of the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2022; if his Department collects the funds and forwards it to the central fund or whether it goes directly; if over that period his Department has requested an increase in respect of the dividend due over it’s percentage shareholding; the number of occasions that it waived the dividend; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7905/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not have any non-commercial or semi-State commercial companies under its aegis.
251. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of his Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of his Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he has identified potential properties and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy and can confirm that it has been given careful consideration.
My Department has 12 premises in the State, all of which are provided by the OPW and required for office use by the Department. A total of 5 of the 12 buildings are occupied by the exceptionally busy Passport Service - 2 in Balbriggan; 1 in Mount Street; 1 in Cork and 1 in Tallaght. Because of current pressure on the Passport Service the Property Management Unit has also had to temporarily allocate Passport Service colleagues to space in our building in Clare Street.
Of the remaining buildings in the State, most are rented and could not be converted or used for the purpose of providing residential accommodation without engagement with the landlords, through the OPW. None are planning-approved or indeed suitable for use as residential accommodation, including not having sufficient bathroom, washing, laundry or kitchen facilities.
The large majority of buildings managed by my Department are abroad, are used as office accommodation for our Embassies and Consulates, and would not be suitable for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants.
I can also advise the Deputy that my Department takes part in the weekly Senior Officials Group meetings and is cooperating with other Departments who are all working together to help those fleeing from war-torn areas.
252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of the non-commercial and semi-State commercial companies under his aegis; if an explanatory memorandum will be provided in respect of the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2022; if his Department collects the funds and forwards it to the central fund or whether it goes directly; if over that period his Department has requested an increase in respect of the dividend due over it’s percentage shareholding; the number of occasions that it waived the dividend; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7900/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no Non-Commercial or Semi-State Commercial Companies operating under the aegis of my Department. Therefore, no associated dividend payments were made over the period in question.
253. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of his Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of his Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he has identified potential properties and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7931/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the correspondence referenced by the Deputy was not received directly by my Department, this important matter remains under ongoing consideration, and my Department is continuing to engage across Government in relation to requests for accommodation or other supports that are required from the Defence Organisation in response to the refugee crisis.
Following a request from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, lands at Gormanston military installation, Co. Meath were made available for emergency accommodation and for use as a reception centre for Ukrainian nationals from July until October 2022.
Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, has also been made available to Kerry County Council at their request to accommodate Ukrainian nationals, with a current capacity for up to 60 occupants.
The military installation at Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow has been made available to the Department of Integration for emergency short term accommodation since November 2022 with a maximum initial capacity for 75 occupants, which increased to capacity for 130 occupants in January on completion of refurbishment works. The Camp is currently being used to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants at the request of Department of Integration.
The Defence Forces have provided tentage and engineering support at a site in Knockalisheen, Co. Clare following a request for assistance from Department of Integration. The Defence Forces tents erected on site provide additional accommodation for up to 104 IP applicants at an existing Direct Provision centre. This site is a Department of Defence landholding which was already in use as a Direct Provision centre.
Grounds of former Columb Barracks, Mullingar are being made available to Department of Integration for temporary accommodation, and planning is underway for the installation of prefabricated accommodation units on site. As an interim measure, in response to the current and critical shortage of single male International Protection (IP) applicant accommodation for those arriving in-country, it has recently been agreed that the site may be used for emergency short term tented accommodation, with the Defence Forces providing tents as well as engineering and logistical support in preparing the site. This site is expected to become operational in March 2023.
In addition to the accommodation supports outlined above, the Defence Forces continue to provide logistical assistance to Department of Integration and HSE in a range of areas (transport and set up and provision of furniture and equipment etc.).
The Air Corps on behalf of the HSE have completed five air ambulances from Poland with Ukrainian patients plus their families. The Department of Defence continues to engage with Department of Housing and the HSE in support of potential future similar assistance.
The Defence Forces provided support to the Irish Red Cross in progressing the pledges of accommodation received, finishing on 6 May 2022 as agreed with the IRC.
In addition, Civil Defence units across the country continue to provide supports at local authority level for Ukrainians seeking protection in Ireland. This includes assisting at temporary rest centres. They are also providing transport for school registration and medical appointments etc.
My Department will continue to work closely with Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs in relation to the provision of the accommodation and other supports required from the Defence Organisation.
254. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct the relevant Assistant Secretary to liaise with her counterpart in the Department of Transport to organise a meeting which will include both senior Ministers and officials and Ministers of State in each Department to discuss safety issues at school bus stops/pick up points and drop off points; if consideration will be given at this meeting to introducing laws which will reduce the speed at these locations and prohibit vehicles from passing buses as students disembark from the bus; if this will be treated as a priority in light of the need for urgent safety measures in protecting the lives of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7771/23]
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 €338.9m.
The safety of children and those on board school transport vehicles is the number one priority for my Department and Bus Éireann. My Department holds regular meetings with Bus Éireann and the Road Safety Authority to discuss road safety issues of relevance to school transport. The Road Safety Authority are responsible for the Government Road Safety Strategy 2021 to 2030.
My Department also meets regularly with officials in the Department of Transport on actions relating to this strategy.
255. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to extend the time period which would allow mature students to register for the Leaving Certificate examination 2023 in view of the fact that the closing date for the registration was brought forward to an earlier date than that which applied in previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7774/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
256. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to provide route 4 teachers the option to gain route 1 registration for primary teaching with an Irish Language requirement condition with the option of completing an aptitude test, SCG – An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, or an adaptation period OCG – Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7776/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7) (2) to act as the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher. The Council registers teachers in accordance with the Teaching Council Acts and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulation 2016.
As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration which are namely, Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher.
The minimum registration requirements for each route is set out in the schedule of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016 and each Route has requirements specific to that Route.
In accordance to the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016 and The Teaching Council [Registration] (Amendment) Regulations 2016, there are two main entry routes for persons wishing to register under Route 1 Primary on the basis of qualifications in primary school teaching (Junior Infants to Sixth Class) awarded in Ireland:
- A recognised Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
- A recognised Graduate/Higher Diploma in Education (Primary) in combination with a primary degree at level 8 or a qualification at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Notwithstanding registration under any other Route, these are the requirements applying to Route 1 Primary registration and registration is contingent on meeting those requirements. The Department does not have a role in the registration of individual teachers.
Route 4 Registered teachers are eligible under Department Circulars for employment in restricted school settings, i.e. in certain categories of special schools and in certain classes in mainstream schools where Irish is not a curricular requirement.
257. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education if there is a legal obligation on the design team or organisation dealing with a tender to inform the winner of the tender of the next closest price, if the difference in price is in the €1 million range; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7778/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the procurement process, the preferred bidder is informed of their score (where price and quality is used to determine the winning bid) or price (where lowest price is the only criteria).
Under procurement procedures, reasons why marks were lost and the relative advantages or disadvantages of the unsuccessful tender in comparison to the successful bidder, should be given. The object of this exercise is to allow unsuccessful bidders to determine why their bid was unsuccessful so that they may make adjustments to their next bid.
