Written Answers Nos. 120-137
120. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [9591/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
|
Details of study/review/research currently under way |
Date commenced |
Estimated date of completion |
|
OECD research (funded by the EU) on Strengthening Policy Development and Foresight in the Irish Public Service. |
Q4 2021 |
Q2 2023 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) COVID-19 Social Activity Measure. |
January 2021 |
Q1 2023 |
|
Shared Island research programme with Economic and Social Research Institute, with current work on - Comparing Migrant Integration in Ireland and Northern Ireland - Student Mobility in Ireland and Northern Ireland - Gender and Labour Market Inclusion on the Island of Ireland - Changing Social Attitudes? An Analysis of Ireland, North and South - Contrasting Housing supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland Further information is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/research |
January 2022 February 2023 February 2023 February 2023 February 2023 |
Q1 2023 Q2 2023 Q3 2023 Q3 2023 Q4 2023 |
|
Strand 8 (Shared Island Initiative) as part of the Irish Research Council New Foundations Programme, with research projects underway in areas extending across culture, science, education, law, equality and community relations. 2021 Programme: 11 projects 2022 Programme: 8 projects Further information is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/research |
December 2021 December 2022 |
Q2 2023 Q4 2023 |
|
Shared Island ScoTENS Research Initiative with 3 research projects focussing on curriculum delivery themes. Further information is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/research |
April 2022 |
Q4 2023 |
The Deputy may wish to be made aware that the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The Council analyses and reports on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environment and sustainable development and on occasion commissions research in this regard. Details of the Council's work programme are available on www.nesc.ie.
121. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all special advisers employed in the office of a person (details supplied); their roles; and their annual salaries. [9707/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all special advisers employed in his own office in his Department; their roles; and their annual salaries. [9708/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all special advisers employed in the Tánaiste's office in his Department; their roles; and their annual salaries. [9709/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together.
The persons currently employed in the Department of the Taoiseach as Special Advisers in my office, the office of the Tánaiste and the office of the Leader of the Green Party are detailed in the table below.
The appointment of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and subject to Government approval. The relevant contracts will be laid before the House of the Oireachtas in due course.
|
Office Holder |
Special Adviser Name |
Salary Scale |
Role |
|
Taoiseach |
Brian Murphy |
Deputy Secretary |
Chief of Staff |
|
Philip O'Callaghan |
Assistant Secretary |
Deputy Chief of Staff |
|
|
Clare Mungovan |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Bríd Murphy |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Matthew Lynch |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Sarah O'Neill |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Cliona Doyle |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Tánaiste |
Deirdre Gillane |
Deputy Secretary |
Chief of Staff |
|
Pat McParland |
Assistant Secretary |
Deputy Chief of Staff |
|
|
Alan Ahearne |
Assistant Secretary equivalent (part-time) |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Diarmuid Lynch |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Leader of the Green Party |
Anna Conlan |
Assistant Secretary |
Joint Chief of Staff |
|
Donall Geoghegan |
Assistant Secretary |
Joint Chief of Staff |
|
|
Eamonn Fahey |
Principal Officer |
Special Adviser |
|
|
David Healy |
Principal Officer (part-time) |
Special Adviser |
|
|
Niamh Allen |
Principal Officer (part-time) |
Special Adviser |
124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by his Department and bodies under his aegis in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will include the fees expended, name of personality and campaign they were engaged on; and if he will also provide the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement [9907/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shared Island Dialogue series which has taken place over the past 24 months has so far engaged more than 2,500 citizens and civic representatives from across all regions, sectors and communities on the island of Ireland. Each Dialogue event has a different thematic focus, related to all-island cooperation and relationships under the Good Friday Agreement. A moderator with experience of facilitating discussion on relevant themes is contracted for each Dialogue event. Further Shared Island Dialogues are planned this year. The average fee across the 11 Dialogue events outlined below was €1,247 inclusive of VAT where applicable with a total expenditure of €13,718.25.
In 2021 the COVID-19 #Antiviral communications campaign was designed by and for young people, allowing them to share their experiences of the pandemic, while reinforcing key public health guidance. Pluto Communications were paid €185,742 for the creation and production of this campaign which included the use of social media influencers.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality paid €300 to Cathal MacCoille for moderation of one of the Assembly’s sessions in 2021. A payment of €16,250 was made to Dr Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin in January 2023 in recognition for her work as Chair of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity.
In 2021, the members of the Future of Media Commission were paid a stipend for their work on the Commission of €13,750. Members under the category requested by the Deputy include Lynette Fay, freelance broadcaster, and Sinead Burke, writer and academic and founder of Tilting the Lens. These payments are sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform.
The National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, have not engaged with any social media influencers, online personalities, television and or radio personalities between 2021 to date.
|
Name |
Date |
Campaign/Event |
|
Shane Coleman |
5th December 2022 |
Moderator at the 2nd Shared Island Forum |
|
Katie Hannon |
4th November 2022 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Gender Based Violence and Abuse |
|
Louise O’Neill T/A Daughter of Eve Unlimited Company |
4th November 2022 |
Guest Speaker at the Shared Island Dialogue: Gender Based Violence and Abuse |
|
Séan Rocks |
13th October 2022 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Arts and Culture on a Shared Island |
|
Darragh McCullough/ T/A Tír Chineal LTD |
20th May 2022 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Enabling Rural and Community development on a Shared Island |
|
Fionn Davenport |
20th January 2022 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Tourism on the Shared Island: Building on Past Success to Create a Sustainable Future |
|
Dearbhail McDonald T/A NK Management |
9th December 2021 |
Moderator at the 1st Shared Island Forum |
|
Patrick Kielty T/A Hannah Layton Management |
9th December 2021 |
Guest Speaker at the 1st Shared Island Forum – Costs only relate to travel and subsistence |
|
Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabhan |
1st October 2021 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Learning from each other: The future of education on a Shared Island |
|
Priscilla Lynch |
8th July 2021 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Working together for a healthier island |
|
Amanda Ferguson |
10th May 2021 |
Moderator at the Shared Island Dialogue: Equality on a Shared Island |
125. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10121/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a public procurement process published on e-tenders and OJEU the official Journal of the European Union in early 2022, the Department of the Taoiseach, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, awarded a contract for data strategy services to support the implementation of the Housing for All plan to Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants. Expenditure under the contract is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. No payments have been made by the Department of the Taoiseach to Ernst & Young.
No other awards or expenditure have been made to the organisations identified, from 2018 to 2022, by the Department of the Taoiseach or by the National Economic and Social Development Office which is the only body under the aegis of the Department.
126. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach the awards made both with and without a tender process to an organisation (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10139/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo awards have been made to the organisation in question, from 2018 to 2022, by the Department of the Taoiseach or by the National Economic and Social Development Office which is the only body under the aegis of the Department.
127. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland will have a trade mission to Spain in Quarter 2 2023. [9587/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These missions have focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.
My Department is currently working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland with a view to finalising a Ministerial-led trade mission programme for 2023. Consideration of the programme is still ongoing, and no final decisions have been made in relation to Quarter 2. In the meantime, Minister Richmond will be visiting Spain and Portugal in March as part of the 2023 St Patrick's Day programme which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world.
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that, on 3rd October 2022, a General Employment Permit application for the person concerned (in the details supplied) was received.
On 23rd November 2022 the General Employment Permit application was refused. A request for a review of the refusal decision was subsequently submitted and is currently under consideration by the Reviewing Officer. On 25th January 2023 the Reviewing Officer requested additional information from the applicant by email in relation to the application. The applicant was given 28 days to respond to this request and informed that on receipt of the requested information the application would receive further attention. The information requested by the Reviewing Officer remains outstanding.
If the requested information is not provided to the Department a decision in respect of the application will be made based on information already held.
129. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of the ERO for workers in the security sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9766/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 August 2022, the former Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail announced his intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022 my Department was informed that High Court had granted an injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.
At this moment in time the Order cannot be proceeded with and the matter is before the courts.
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a schedule of social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by his Department and bodies under his aegis in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will include the fees expended, name of personality and campaign they were engaged on; and if he will also provide the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement [9896/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by my Department and its Offices from 2021 to date in 2023, are set out in the table attached. The information provided includes: the fees expended; name of personality; campaign they were engaged on; and the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement.
|
Year |
Name of social media influencer, online personality, television and or radio personality |
Fees expended |
Name of campaign |
Schedule (dates) of campaign |
KPIs used in respect of engagement |
|
2021 |
Ingrid Miley |
€ 1,500 |
75th Anniversary of the Court |
23 September 2021 |
Provide an efficient and high-quality service to court users |
|
2022 |
Rory O’Connor |
€ 1,845 |
Divisional Day |
6 October 2022 |
Host a mental health awareness session at an internal Departmental event. |
Separately, I have requested that the state agencies under the remit of my Department provide the information requested and I will forward this to the Deputy once received.
131. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the Western Regional Enterprise Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10079/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivering balanced regional growth and job creation is a core objective for me and this Government, and is a key component in the recently published White Paper on Enterprise.
My Department contributes to this agenda in a number of ways, including through oversight of development and implementation of nine Regional Enterprise Plans.
A key feature and strength of the Regional Enterprise Plans is that they are developed using a ‘bottom-up’ approach, developed by regional stakeholders who are keenly aware of the growth opportunities and vulnerabilities in their region, and of the benefits of working collaboratively.
The West Regional Enterprise Plan covers Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and was launched in Castlebar on the 4th of March last year.
Each Regional Enterprise Plan is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior level private sector businessperson. The West REP Steering Committee is chaired by Evelyn O’Toole, Founder and CEO of Complete Laboratory Solution (CLS).
The Steering Committee members include representation from the Local Authorities, the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Regional Assemblies, Higher Education bodies and others, all of whom are focused on creating and sustaining employment opportunities for the region.
Since publication and launch, the West REP Steering Committee and Working Groups have been meeting to drive implementation of the actions.
I attended the last meeting of the Steering Committee on the 29th of November in Claremorris. At that meeting I saw the progress that has been made to date and am of the view that valuable work is being done in delivering the West Regional Enterprise Plan. Since my last visit to the West, great work has been done getting PorterShed a Dó operational. I visited PorterShed on 25th February and I was very impressed with the work being done there, also.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is continuing to work with Enterprise Ireland to prepare the launch of the first call under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which will drive implementation of the Regional Enterprise Plans. I am keen to get this funding out to the regions as soon as possible. Due to the work of the West REP Regional Steering Committee, I strongly believe that the region is well-placed to benefit from this funding.
Finally, the Deputy may be aware that my departmental colleague, Minister Simon Coveney has recently announced that the Department intends to hold several ‘Building Better Business’ conferences around the country which will focus on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation and decarbonisation and will showcase the government and agency supports available to small and medium enterprises.
The first of these ‘Building Better Business’ conferences will be held in the North-West on Friday, 3rd March at the Letterkenny campus of the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Donegal. The event in the West will be held later this year.
132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose of and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10110/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the awards made both with and without a tender process to an organisation (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10128/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
My Department operates a devolved procurement function whereby each business unit and Office of the Department is responsible for the procurement of their own goods, services and related contracts, with corporate oversight via a Procurement Co-ordination Unit, headed at Principal Officer level.
The Offices of the Department include the Companies Registration Office (which incorporates the Registry of Friendly Societies and the Register of Beneficial Owners), the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission.
With regard to awards made without a holding a tender process, as the Deputy may be aware, under the terms of the Department of Finance Circular 40/2002, my Department, including the Offices, is required to provide an annual report to the Comptroller and Auditor General providing details of any contracts for goods or services valued at €25,000 or more (excluding VAT) that were awarded without first holding a competitive process i.e. obtaining quotations or advertising on eTenders, the Irish Government’s electronic tendering platform administered by the Office of Government Procurement.
In order to provide the Deputy with the information sought to the fullest extent for each of the entities in question spanning the past five years, it will not be possible to provide the details requested within the timeframe specified. These details will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible over the coming days.
Procurements and contracts entered into by the Agencies of my Department are a day-to-day matter for the Board and Chief Executive Officers of the Agencies, and also subject to annual examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
134. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any plans to align or streamline the work permit and visa applications processes to reduce the time it takes to bring much-needed workers into the State to take up their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10169/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMuch has already been done to improve the employment permit system and my Department is always focused on improving the service, with initiatives such as the Trusted Partner Registration system, and the introduction of the electronic employment permit and the Multi-Site General Employment Permit for Doctors.
Waiting times for Employment Permit processing have been greatly reduced over the past year, falling from 21 weeks to 4-7 business days. The Department plans to maintain processing times for all applications at this level, on the assumption that estimated demand remains at current levels for 2023.
Ireland has a clear division between economic migration and general immigration policies. Currently, a recipient of an employment permit undergoes a separate application process with the Department of Justice for a visa to enter the State, if they are a citizen of a visa-required country. Over 60 non-EEA countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, are not visa required so their citizens do not have to apply for an entry visa.
In time, I would like to see the development of a single application procedure for work permits and entry visas. My Department and the Department of Justice are currently establishing an Inter-Departmental Group to examine the legal and operational changes required to deliver a more seamless customer experience for users of the employment permits and entry visa systems. It is expected to make recommendations to Government within six months.
My Department is currently building a new Employment Permits IT system that will take advantage of the latest technologies to deliver a fast and efficient service. We will ensure that the new system is developed in tandem with the Department of Justice so that both systems can deliver a more seamless service in the future.
135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 21 February 2023, if the Digital Services Act establishes liability obligations such that consumers can seek compensation from online platforms, or online platforms are required to compensate consumers, who have been victims of fraud through adverts on online platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10231/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulation 2022/2065 on a Single Market for Digital Services, the "Digital Services Act", provides that recipients of an intermediary service shall have the right to seek, in accordance with Union and national law, compensation from the provider of that service. This right is only in respect of circumstances where the damage or loss suffered is due to an infringement of the obligations under the Digital Services Act. Those obligations do not include any new obligation on online platforms with respect specifically to fraudulent content.
The obligations under the Digital Services Act relating to advertising place responsibilities on online platforms to ensure transparency of advertisements and to prohibit certain types of targeting. For example, there is an obligation to show where content is in fact an advertisement and information on the person placing the advertisement. They must also show information on who paid for the advertisement, if that person is different from the person who placed it. They must also show the information which has been used to cause the recipient of the service to be presented with the advert.
There are additional obligations on platforms and search engines that are designated as "very large" online platforms and search engines, that is those that have over 45 million users in the European Union. They must conduct an assessment of the risks that may arise from the design or functioning of their systems and provide for the mitigation of risks identified. Mitigation measure may include, where appropriate, adapting their advertising systems and adopting targeted measures aimed at limiting or adjusting the presentation of advertisements in association with the service they provide.
In addition to the information provided by ordinary online platforms, these "very large" platforms must make available a repository containing specified information relating to the adverts which they are displaying or have displayed over the previous year.
136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of this low-income household not being in a position to apply for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme; if he will advise them on the best route forward, given they are unable to afford energy upgrades in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9500/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme (Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme) are mainly linked to Department of Social Protection (DSP) means tested payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria are in place with the aim of targeting the support to those on the lowest incomes in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact. The eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the DSP, to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department.
Householders should contact the DSP to determine whether they are eligible for any of the Warmer Homes eligible payments, such as the Fuel Allowance. However, this would be subject to the household meeting the relevant DSP operational guidelines and means test where required for the respective payment. My Department has no function in relation to DSP schemes, means testing or payments.
For those that do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades, the Government also provides supports to homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Included in these supports are grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s overall response to high energy prices and the increased cost of living. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants
There are also other Government grants and schemes available that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
137. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of social welfare payments which qualify a person for the SEAI fully-funded energy upgrades; if he will provide a list of the social welfare payments that do not qualify a person; the rationale for same; if the scope will be broadened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9565/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. A record budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme for 2023. The average cost per home completed in the last three months of 2022 was €21,376.
The eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme are mainly linked to Department of Social Protection (DSP) means tested payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria target the support to those on the lowest incomes in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact. There are no plans currently to amend the eligibility criteria.
Households in receipt of the following DSP payments can apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme:
- Fuel Allowance;
- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Working Family Payment;
- One-Parent Family Payment;
- Disability Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Domiciliary Care Allowance;
- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.
For those that do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades, the Government also provides other supports to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Included in these supports are grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants . A programme of retrofitting for Local Authority Housing is also being funded through the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
There are also other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
