Catherine Murphy
Ceist:81. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the average number of buses in the Bus Éireann school transport fleet for Kildare specifically for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [50086/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport
Ceisteanna (81)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Over 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department. While Bus Éireann operate a small number of routes directly, the majority of school transport routes are operated by private contractors. Bus Éireann is responsible for contracting private operators in line with procurement legislation for school transport routes nationwide.
Bus Éireann is also responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. New school transport routes are established on a demand-led basis, subject to eligibility requirements. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Eireann has advised the number of vehicles in the school transport fleet for Kildare in 2022 and 2023 are illustrated in the table below:
|
-- |
2022 (Kildare) |
2023 (Kildare) |
|||
|
Contractor |
Bus Éireann |
Total |
Contractor |
Bus Éireann |
Total |
|
280 |
2 |
282 |
315 |
1 |
316 |
School Transport
Ceisteanna (82)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:82. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on the refusal of school transport for a child with special educational needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50095/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Under the current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school having regard to ethos and language. Applications for mainstream services are submitted on-line at www.buseireann.ie.
Bus Éireann has advised that an application for mainstream services was submitted by the family on 15/03/2023 for the child referred to by the Deputy. Bus Éireann advise that this child is eligible for school transport on a mainstream service, however there is no mainstream service travelling from where they reside.
Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for School Transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class, special school or unit that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
The Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs. This is reflected in the standard of dedicated service provided and the fact that these services are generally planned and timetabled to operate on a door-to-door basis. In certain cases, the Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.
Given the concerns regarding the welfare of these children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who are capable of travelling on standard mainstream school transport services as to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Eireann wish to provide for these vulnerable children.
Since the application for the child referred to by the Deputy was for a mainstream service, and they have not applied under the scheme for children with special educational needs, they are therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of that scheme.
In instances where there is only one family on a dedicated service, a sibling who is not eligible may be accommodated on board this service until such time another child who is eligible under the terms of scheme for children with special educational needs requires this service. At this time the non-eligible child is removed from the dedicated service.
Bus Éireann further advise that a sibling of the child referred is eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs and has been accommodated on a dedicated special school transport service since 30/10/2022.
Bus Éireann has also advised that the child referred to by the Deputy can be accommodated on this dedicated service with their sibling and can remain on the service until such time as other eligible children require the use of this service. Bus Éireann will liaise directly with the family of the child referred in this regard.
An appeal was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board as referred to by the Deputy.
This Board is independent in the performance of it’s functions and a report has been provided by the School Transport Section of the Department of Education in accordance with the terms of the Board’s Operating Procedures. The Board will liaise directly with the appellant regarding the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (83)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:83. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education to examine an application for special education transport (details supplied). [50096/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Bus Éireann has advised that a dedicated school transport service will commence for the child referred to by the Deputy on 14th November, 2023, and has advised they have liaised with family in this regard. School Transport Section of my Department has liaised with the family in question with regard to the details of a special transport grant from their date of application until the date of commencement of the service.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (84)
Joe Flaherty
Ceist:84. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education to confirm the status of the ancillary grant for a school (details supplied). [50125/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was delivered during the mid-term break, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding will be delivered in 2024.
Following the acceptance by Forsa of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in respect of salaries and various leave entitlements for grant-funded school secretaries, those secretaries who accepted the terms of this agreement have been placed on a payroll operated by this Department. Therefore, as schools will no longer be responsible for paying the salaries of these secretaries, it is necessary to revise the ancillary grant funding. The priority to date has been to ensure secretaries could be set up on a Department payroll on the correct point on the pay scale from September 2023. This represented a very significant body of work, given the numbers involved.
Schools have received 2/3rds of the Ancillary Grant payable in 2023, and the Department is working to ensure the arrangements for the payment of remaining ancillary grant funding to schools are finalised so that funds due to schools can be paid as soon as possible.
In relation to the annual school grants calendar recently published on www.gov.ie/schoolgrantscalendar2324, this does not include any unscheduled payments/grants, such as the recent Cost of Living Grant, that occur from year to year.
Educational Disadvantage
Ceisteanna (85)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:85. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education to review the application for DEIS status for a school (details supplied) that was unsuccessful in 2022, if the reasons for the refusal could be outlined in detail regarding the data sets used; what information may be required to satisfy a future application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50141/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme.
This expansion added an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.
Schools that were identified for inclusion in the programme were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS Identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school’s enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
It is possible for two neighbouring schools to have a different profile in terms of proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the relative weighting of disadvantage apportioned in each. The designation of neighbouring schools to DEIS or non DEIS does not mean that there is no educational disadvantage present in one school but that the concentrated level of educational disadvantage of the two schools is different.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie. In accordance with Circular 0019/22 schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants, the window for appeals has now closed and the results are final. The school to which the Deputy refers was unsuccessful in its appeal. My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard.
My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to all schools to tackle educational disadvantage.
The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
To support this work my Department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland, this is currently ongoing and the OECD team estimate that the review will be complete in Q2 of 2024. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
In addition to this, following the National Census conducted in April 2022, an updated HP Deprivation index has now been generated by Pobal. My Department is engaging with Pobal regarding this development and it will be thoroughly reviewed to inform future resource allocation aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.
Educational Disadvantage
Ceisteanna (86)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:86. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when the next review or opportunity for schools will be to apply for DEIS status given that the data used in the 2022 review was based on the 2016 Census and that new data is now available to use from the 2022 Census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50142/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme.
This expansion added an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.
Schools that were identified for inclusion in the programme were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS Identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school’s enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
The development of this model involved an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group, which included officials from my Department, the Department’s Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. The model used information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The expansion of the DEIS programme in 2022 was done on the basis of a refined DEIS identification model, which for the first time took into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by learners who have self-identified as being of Traveller or Roma ethnicity, those who reside in centres managed by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and children who are experiencing homelessness. These cohorts were accounted for outside the HP index as it applies at small area level.
In accordance with Circular 0019/22 schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants, the window for appeals has now closed and the results are final. My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard.
My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to all schools to tackle educational disadvantage.
The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
To support this work my Department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland, this is currently ongoing and the OECD team estimate that the review will be complete in Q2 of 2024. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
In addition to this, following the National Census conducted in April 2022, an updated HP Deprivation index has now been generated by Pobal. My Department is engaging with Pobal regarding this development and it will be thoroughly reviewed to inform future resource allocation aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.
Educational Disadvantage
Ceisteanna (87)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:87. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if it is accurate to rely on PPOD data relating to Traveller or Roma ethnic background indicators as outlined in circular 0019/2022 when adjudicating DEIS status applications, as schools are unable to ask students about their ethnic status or background when enrolling, and therefore this may not be a true reflection of the diverse ethnic backgrounds of students in a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50143/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.
Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme. For traveller students, this rises to around 3 in every 5 or 60%.
This expansion added an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.
Schools that were identified for inclusion in the programme were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS Identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school’s enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
The expansion of the DEIS programme in 2022 was done on the basis of a refined DEIS identification model, which for the first time took into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by learners who have self-identified as being of Traveller or Roma ethnicity, those who reside in centres managed by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and children who are experiencing homelessness. These cohorts were accounted for outside the HP index as it applies at small area level. The development of this model involved an extensive body of work by the DEIS Technical group, which included officials from my Department and the Educational Research Centre.
Travellers and Roma pupils that enrol in a school have the option to self-identify on the basis of their ethnicity. Written consent from a parent/guardian is required. As not all Travellers and Roma may choose to self-identify as such, and as Traveller and Roma school data is based on self-identification, it is possible that the numbers of Travellers and Roma in schools are underestimated. The Department of Education collects data on Traveller and Roma children in schools through the annual primary and post primary-school census/school enrolment databases, POD (Primary Online Database) and PPOD (Post-primary Online Database), which collect pupil identity data and school enrolment data for all learners.
The primary online system collects data on date of first enrolment of a child in a recognised school in Ireland, including mother tongue and ethnicity. The post-primary online database collects details of country of birth and ethnicity. Questions on ethnicity are non-compulsory and based on voluntary self-identification.
Based on 2022/23 school enrolment data, there are:
• 11,032 Traveller/Roma in Irish primary schools (circa 2.0% of overall primary cohort)
• 4,165 Traveller/Roma enrolled at post-primary level (circa 1.0 % of overall post-primary cohort)
The educational landscape for Traveller and Roma children in Ireland is being addressed through comprehensive measures including the development of a national Traveller and Roma Education Strategy, which is currently underway. The first phase of consultation involved a public online survey which closed on the 30th October 2023, and more targeted consultations will take place in the coming months. A range of ongoing work will inform the development of the policy.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard.
My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to all schools to tackle educational disadvantage.
The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
To support this work my Department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland, this is currently ongoing and the OECD team estimate that the review will be complete in Q2 of 2024. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
In addition to this, following the National Census conducted in April 2022, an updated HP Deprivation index has now been generated by Pobal. My Department is engaging with Pobal regarding this development and it will be thoroughly reviewed to inform future resource allocation aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (88)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:88. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education for an update on a school building project in County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50145/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build Programme and is currently in construction. The Letter of Acceptance for the school referred to by the Deputy issued to the preferred tenderer on the 18th May 2022 commencing the school building contract for the 500 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The construction programme is some 84 weeks and, due to complexities on site, will be handed over in three phases.
• Phase 1 of the construction project, comprising of the demolition of existing buildings and provision of a new extension for 350 pupils with accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs was handed over on 18th August 2023.
• Phase 2 is scheduled for handover in Q4 2023 and includes the demolition of the existing woodwork building and removal of existing prefabs.
• Phase 3 is scheduled for handover in Q1 2024 and includes the completion of the carpark and associated ground works.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (89)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to confirm if there are any proposals currently to provide a bilingual French/English primary school in North Dublin; if there would be any funding available to support such an initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50287/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not have any proposals to establish a bilingual French/English primary school in North Dublin.
For school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs in an area, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. It is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of a new school under the patronage process. Parental preferences for each patron, together with the extent of diversity currently available in the area, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
There is no mechanism for the establishment of a new, State-funded primary school outside of this process, though it is open to an entity to establish a fully privately-funded and operated education provider.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (90, 99)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to summarise his Department`s actions on exploring difficulties Travellers might have in opening and retaining social housing applications; if he acknowledges that his Department has given a commitment on this matter as part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy/NTRIS (Action 130); the steps his Department has undertaken on this matter since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50052/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Mick Barry
Ceist:99. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department’s actions in exploring difficulties Travellers might have in opening and retaining social housing applications since 2017, as per the Department’s commitment in action 130 of the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50136/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 99 together.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
As part of the work of the Programme Board, established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Review report, work is ongoing on a number of actions in relation to social housing for members of the Traveller community. In particular, Regulation S.I. 73 of 2022 came into operation on 14 March 2022 allowing for the inclusion of a Traveller identifier on the statutory Social Housing Support application. This will support the monitoring and oversight of assessment and allocations to members of the Travelling community.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (91, 100)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:91. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to his Department`s circular (Housing 09/2023 - PL 01/2023) to all local authorities regarding his mandatory moratorium on Part 8 planning approvals, if he will clarify what monitoring procedures his Department has put in place to ensure that this moratorium and its circular will be treated as mandatory by local authorities; how many Traveller-specific developments are being pursued under the terms of the circular; if he will provide a breakdown, per local authority, on the Traveller developments pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50053/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMick Barry
Ceist:100. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding his Department’s circular (Housing 09/2023 - PL 01/2023) to all local authorities regarding the moratorium on Part 8 planning approvals, to outline the monitoring procedures has he put in place to ensure that this moratorium and its circular will be implemented by local authorities; to report on the number of Traveller-specific developments that are being pursued under the terms of the circular; to provide a breakdown per local authority on the Traveller developments pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50137/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new provisions under section 179A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) were commenced on 8 March 2023 and provided an exemption, subject to certain criteria, for local authorities from the local authority own development approval process under section 179 of the Act. Section 179A of the Act also specifies exempted development status for the provision of specified forms of housing developments on designated State land built in accordance with section 179A of the Act and its supporting regulations. All other forms of local authority own development proposals are still required to undergo the normal Part 8 process under section 179 of the Act for approval or otherwise by the elected members.
The legislative provisions under section 179A relate to housing developments and do not distinguish between different types of housing developments such as traveller accommodation. It is a matter for each local authority to propose and progress housing developments in accordance with section 179A of the Act and these developments must be commenced prior to 31 December 2024 in accordance with section 179A(1)(g) of the Act. Where a proposed housing development would commence after 31 December 2024, the local authority must avail of the process prescribed under section 179 of the Act , commonly referred to as the ‘Part 8’ local authority own development approval process.
Under the recently inserted article 39A(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, local authorities are required to report to my Department on a quarterly basis on the use of section 179A of the Act. Article 39A(1) specifies that the information provided must include the number of proposed housing developments availing of the Part 8 exemption, the number of commenced housing developments and the number of completed housing developments, also indicating the number of housing units under each category.
In addition article 39A(2) provides that upon request, local authorities shall provide information on the number of sites available within their functional area for the provision of houses under Section 179A of the Act, the location of the sites available and the number of houses that can be accommodated at each site.
As mentioned, the legislation does not specify the type of housing development and my Department does not compile the information sought on the specific programme that local authorities may be considering under section 179A of the Act. The information regarding proposed traveller accommodation developments should be sought directly from each local authority.
Where a local authority is progressing a housing development either through the use of sections 179 or 179A of the Act, I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning shall not - in accordance with section 30 of the Act - exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (92)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:92. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will receive a substantive reply to correspondence with his office of 11 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50057/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The role of my Department in the provision of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is a supporting role which forms part of the whole of Government response. This Department is supporting the whole of Government effort on Ukraine across 3 strands;
1. Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project ;
2. “Offer a Home” call; and
3. Supporting the Identification of Sites for Rapid Build Homes.
In respect of the correspondence referred to in the Question, my Department is unable to confirm receipt of same. However based on the copy of the correspondence subsequently supplied, and having reviewed the queries therein, I wish to confirm that my Department has no function in the implementation of contracts nor the payments for same in respect of either Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP’s) or International Protection (IP) applicants.
The awarding and oversight of such contracts is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (93)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:93. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 602 of 7 November 2023, to detail the 68 cases that have been referred to the Housing Agency by 21 local authorities; to identify what local authorities, in tabular form; the municipal district in each local authority concerned, in tabular form; the number of cost rental tenant-in-situ homes completed to date for each local authority; and the number in progress, in tabular form. [50063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has developed the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports. The scheme was established on a temporary administrative basis from 1 April 2023 and is managed by the Housing Agency, pending further policy development over the longer term with the intention of transitioning these tenants and homes to the standard Cost Rental model.
The Housing Agency are engaging with more than 130 landlords with a view to the purchase of those homes.
The Quarterly data on this scheme is currently being collated by the Housing Agency and being validated by my Department, with plans to publish on a quarterly basis with the Affordable Housing Delivery Figures.
Data on Cost Rental figures is available up to Quarter 2, 2023 and is published available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (94)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount paid by his Department to date in 2023 on outside or third party reports of a technical nature or qualitative nature, in tabular form. [50085/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table. The amounts paid to date in 2023 for each report, outlined in the table below, may not be reflective of the total cost of each report.
|
Payee |
Title of Report |
Amount € |
|
Aecom Ireland Ltd |
Cost Optimal Calculations and Gap Analysis for Buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive |
40,022.72 |
|
Altu Architects[1] |
Delivery Methods/Efficiencies for Affordable Housing (Modern Methods of Construction) - Examination of Construction Options: Pilot Project 1 Dublin City Council |
19,372.50 |
|
Aquafact |
National Coastal Lagoon Monitoring Programme |
134,704.68 |
|
ASH Ecology & Environmental |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
12,669.00 |
|
Aster Ecology |
A Plan to Identify the Impacts on Mornington Dunes Habitats and to Inform a Conservation Measures Program for the Site |
4,797.00 |
|
Aster Environmental Consultants Ltd |
Visitor Access and Management Plan for the Mornington Dunes, Co. Meath |
3,997.50 |
|
Atkins |
Independent Review of the EU Recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive Impact Assessment |
30,627.00 |
|
Ayrton Group |
Risk Assessment and Safety Report for the Hydrogen Generator Project at Valentia Observatory |
1,700.00 |
|
Bat Conservation Ireland |
National Bat Monitoring Programme |
94,000.00 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
Provision of National Monitoring and Assessment of Four Annex 1 Woodland Habitats |
240,000.00 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
Baseline and Monitoring Surveys of 50 Selected Populations of Vandenboschia speciosa in Ireland |
14,213.42 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
Baseline and Monitoring Surveys of 50 Selected Populations |
18,951.21 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
Field Plan for 2023 |
14,213.42 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
National Fen Survey 2021-2024 |
200,177.56 |
|
BEC Consultants Ltd |
Reassessment of Selected Woodland Sites |
21,208.89 |
|
Behaviour and Attitudes |
Owner’s Perspectives of Vernacular Homes |
32,595.00 |
|
Bluett & O’Donoghue |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
3,936.00 |
|
Brennan Associates |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
20,295.00 |
|
Bucholz McEvoy Architects[2] |
Examination of Innovation/Efficiencies in Design Regarding Affordable Housing Types |
40,654.08 |
|
Caroline Shiel |
A Report on Surveys of Lesser Horseshoe Bat Usage of Moore Hall and Tower Hill, Co. Mayo: to inform the provision of a hibernacula at each location |
17,079.78 |
|
Carrig Conservation International |
Study of Life Cycle Analysis and the Embodied Carbon of Existing Buildings |
39,360.00 |
|
Carrig Conservation International |
Climate Adaptation Guidance for Local Authorities: increasing the resilience of heritage resources to current and future climate conditions |
15,375.00 |
|
Carrig Conservation International |
Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage: communications & engagement report |
15,375.00 |
|
CBEC Eco Engineering |
Waters of LIFE IP: Hydromorphological assessment and river restoration plan for the Islands demonstration catchment |
48,891.27 |
|
Celtic Dynamics |
Energy Usage Report for Coole Park Visitor Centre and Outbuildings |
922.50 |
|
Craftstudio Architecture Ltd |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
105,634.64 |
|
David Kelly Partnership |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
34,864.35 |
|
David Thomas Holyoak |
Bryaccae Survey |
9,969.89 |
|
David Thomas Holyoak |
Bryaceae Survey |
7,503.00 |
|
DCE IRL |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
9,717.00 |
|
De Súin Architects[3] |
Research on Traveller Specific Accommodation |
30,688.50 |
|
Diarmuid Keane & Associates Ltd |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
7,380.00 |
|
Dr Allan Mee |
Ring Ouzel Monitoring Donegal 2023 |
17,034.00 |
|
Dr Christopher Young |
Compilation of a Summary of the Attributes for Ireland’s Two Existing World Heritage Properties for the Third Cycle of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Periodic Reporting |
1,968.00 |
|
Dr Frances Giaquinto |
Invasive Plant Species Survey of Tullaher Bog - Special Area of Conservation |
6,642.00 |
|
Dr Sue Wilson |
Support for the Production of Site-Specific Conservation Objectives |
18,056.40 |
|
Enda O’Malley & Associates |
Structural Steel Frame Design & Installation Report – Lime Kiln |
1,045.00 |
|
Grealish Glynn & Associates |
Declaration of Identity and Map – Co. Clare |
2,676.05 |
|
Grealish Glynn & Associates |
Environmental Protection Agency Site Assessment at Dromore Nature Reserve, Co. Clare |
1,414.50 |
|
Grealish Glynn & Associates |
Survey Reports at Carron and Finnevarra, Co. Clare |
2,829.00 |
|
Grealish Glynn & Associates |
Planning Application for Dromore Visitor Centre (Includes Site Survey & Environmental Protection Agency Test) |
3,484.00 |
|
Grealish Glynn & Associates |
Site Suitability Assessment and Percolation Test |
1,414.50 |
|
Hydro. Environmental Services Ltd |
Hydro Term |
31,239.06 |
|
Hydro. Environmental Services Ltd |
Ballyogan More Site Visit and Hydro Report |
1,660.50 |
|
Hydro. Environmental Services Ltd |
Oystermans Marsh Site Visit, Hydro Report and Lidar Data/Aerial Imagery |
3,038.10 |
|
IDOX Software Ltd |
Review of Hippophae Rhamnoides |
12,012.18 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants[4] |
Review of Financing Costs for Residential Developments and Forward Funding by a Development Purchaser in Order to Reduce All-in Delivery Costs |
61,250.31 |
|
Information Security Assurance Services Ltd (T/A Waystone Compliance Solutions (IE) Ltd) |
1. Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Review – Department (excl. Met Éireann) 2. Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Review – Met Éireann |
46,067.80 |
|
Irish Whale & Dolphin Group |
Deep Diving and Rare Cetacean Investigation |
19,260.00 |
|
Irish Wildbird Conservancy (T/A Birdwatch Ireland) |
Rockabill 2023 Season Contract |
10,000.00 |
|
Joanne Denyer / Denyer Ecology |
Monitoring Petrifying Springs (7220) In Ireland |
47,650.20 |
|
Kane Williams Architects |
1. To Undertake a Screening for Appropriate Assessment report 2. To Undertake an Ecological Site Visit and Walkover 3. To Undertake a Review of Need for EIA Screening |
3,655.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Coastal Habitats (West) |
24,600.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Article 17 Coastal Habitats (East/South) |
29,520.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) - Implementation Report |
4,875.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Cruagh Surveys |
6,150.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
GPS Studies (Seabirds) |
6,150.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Seabird GPS Tracking Studies (Shags/Terns 2023) |
10,578.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Survey of White-clawed Crayfish |
17,712.00 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Surveys and GPS Tracking – Cruagh, Co. Galway |
8,899.05 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Tern Survey Connemara |
8,899.05 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Breeding Wader Survey: Upland Breeding Wader Survey of Key Sites in North West Ireland |
49,335.54 |
|
KRC Ecological Ltd |
Donegal Twite Survey |
5,672.76 |
|
Land Use Consultants |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Proposed Guidelines Sustainable Compact Settlements - Draft SEA Environmental report |
22,166.99 |
|
Land Use Consultants |
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Sustainable Compact Settlement Guidelines |
9,441.18 |
|
Libirel Communications |
Met Éireann Media Room Glasnevin |
1,605.00 |
|
Marine Ecotox |
Current Status of Imposex in the Dogwhelk Nucella lapillus in Irish Coastal Waters (2023) |
17,453.61 |
|
Marine Institute |
Ecological Sensitivity Analysis of the Western Irish Sea to Inform Future Designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) |
138,171.70 |
|
Mitchell McDermott Consultants |
Residential Construction Cost Study |
51,478.80 |
|
MKO Consultants |
Survey and Mapping of Non-native Tree and Plant Species in a Yew Woodland (Taxus baccata) at Killarney National Park |
5,453.82 |
|
Murphy Geospatial Ltd |
Survey of St Coleman’s Chapel and Cave Corofin, Co. Clare |
5,282.85 |
|
Myles Nolan |
Glengarriff Nature Reserve Araneae Survey 2023 |
5,000.00 |
|
Nick Hodgetts |
Bryophyte Taxonomist |
18,942.00 |
|
O’Keeffe Social Research |
Data Analysis of National Parks and Wildlife Services Wild Birds Declarations Survey |
2,952.00 |
|
O’Leary Sludds Architects |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
2,802.00 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007037 Cork County Council Ballycotton Harbour Dredging Part 2 |
12,452.52 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007164 Dublin Port Company Capital Dredging |
45,224.15 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007509 Rosslare Europort Offshore Wind Hub Site Investigation Final Phase |
24,625.83 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007261 Shelmalier Offshore Wind Farm Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Site Investigations off Wexford |
21,625.86 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007404 Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park (IEMEP) Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Site Investigation Cable Route |
21,582.81 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007290 Fendering Replacement at Carlisle Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour |
17,914.95 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment of FS007038 Lady’s Island Pipeline Wexford |
32,673.84 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment of FS007373 Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd – Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Site Investigation |
16,825.17 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment of FS007375 Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd - Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Site Investigation off Tralee |
16,825.17 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Environmental Assessment of FS007374 Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd - Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Site Investigation off Co. Wexford |
16,825.17 |
|
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Consulting Engineers) |
Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment |
32,754.90 |
|
Peter Cassidy Architects |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
18,450.00 |
|
Queens University Belfast |
National Otter Survey |
30,750.00 |
|
Queens University Belfast |
Hare Tracking study |
49,198.77 |
|
Rory Hodd |
Conservation Measures Action Plan for Killarney Fern (Vandenboschia speciose (Willd.) G Kunkel) at Castletownshend Woods, Co. Cork and at Myross Woods, Co. Cork |
10,172.10 |
|
Rory Hodd |
Monitoring Project and Article 17 Reporting for Three Annex II Species and One Annex I Habitat |
100,368.00 |
|
Rory Hodd |
Monitoring Project and Article 17 reporting for Three Annex II species and One Annex I Habitat |
66,912.00 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS006970 Glengarriff Pier Foreshore Application |
1,495.07 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS006795 Morrison's Island Flood Relief Foreshore Application |
3,127.89 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007027 Waste Water Treatment Plan Whitegate to Aghada, Cork Foreshore Application |
13,144.26 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007224 Iarnród Éireann Rosslare Europort Berth 3 Extension |
22,318.35 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007219 Iarnród Éireann Rosslare Europort Maintenance Dredging |
23,517.60 |
|
Roughan & Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS006983 Foreshore Review of SSE Renewables |
13,136.40 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007108 Milford & Rathmullen Waste Water Treatment Plant |
9,723.15 |
|
Roughan & O'Donovan Ltd |
Environmental Assessment of FS007361 Beaufort Subsea Fibre Optic Cable, Co. Wexford |
18,468.45 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Document of the Mid-term Review of the National Peatlands Strategy |
6,094.03 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Interim Review of Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report |
38,154.39 |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
FS006859 Inis Ealga Foreshore Application Environmental Assessment |
22,333.97 |
|
RPS Ireland Ltd |
NPWS Hydrological Support 2023-2026 |
43,481.48 |
|
RPS Ireland Ltd |
National Parks and Wildlife Services Hydrological Support 2023-2026 |
10,870.37 |
|
Stephen Carr Architects |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
5,289.00 |
|
Studiosilva SRL |
Phase 6 of the National Survey of Upland Habitats |
12,300.00 |
|
Studiosilva SRL |
Phase 6 of the National Survey of Upland Habitats (NSUH) |
61,789.42 |
|
Sweeny Architects Ltd |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
17,146.20 |
|
The Housing Agency |
Part V Leasing Impact Assessment of Removing Part V Leasing for New Build-to-Rent Apartment Developments |
30,657.75 |
|
The Housing Agency |
Review of Incentives to Encourage High Density Urban Development |
60,094.11 |
|
Thomas Burke Associates |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
1,500.00 |
|
Tom McNamara & Partners |
Survey to Ascertain Viability under the Emergency Refurbishment Ukraine Programme |
9,225.00 |
|
Treanbeg |
Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) Marine Litter Survey 2023 |
15,969.39 |
|
University College Dublin |
Ecological Sensitivity Analysis of the Western Irish Sea to Inform Future Designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) |
175,000.00 |
|
University College Dublin[5] |
Review of the Role of Social Workers & Personnel Employees by Local Authorities Specifically to Assist Travellers and their Accommodation Related Issues |
14,019.10 |
|
Version 1 |
Observations Processing and Storage – Discovery, Current State and Findings |
23,498.83 |
|
Version 1 |
Observations Infrastructure - High Level Design |
18,216.57 |
|
Version 1 |
Observations Processing and Storage – Discovery, Implementation Roadmap |
17,454.54 |
|
Water Power Services |
Sruffaunboy Hydro Project Description and Plan of Action |
500.00 |
|
Wetland Surveys Ireland Ltd |
Raised Bog Support Contract 2023 |
7,970.71 |
|
Wetland Surveys Ireland Ltd |
Monitoring Survey of Coastal Habitats in the Southwest of Ireland |
36,900.00 |
[1] Procured via the Housing Agency
[2] Procured via the Housing Agency
[3] Procured by the Housing Agency on behalf of the Department
[4] Procured via the Housing Agency
[5] Procured by the Housing Agency on behalf of the Department
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (95)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:95. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the budget allocation for refurbishing social housing voids for each year since 2020, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50088/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock. The emphasis is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times.
Full details in relation to output under the Voids programme from 2014 to 2022, are available on the Department’s website and can be accessed using the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
My Department continues to support local authorities in their work in this area. The 2023 Programme provides funding of €31 million to Local Authorities to support the refurbishment and re-letting of a minimum of vacant 2,300 homes, and continue the transition from a reactive Voids approach to stock management, to a planned maintenance approach.
Water Services
Ceisteanna (96)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:96. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, with regard to the water main in Allen, County Kildare, which is continually bursting, he can enquire what can be done to prevent these re-occurring bursts, and to ensure that any repair done is completed with a view to being of a permanent nature, or if a complete replacement is required. [50092/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have no role in water operational matters, Uisce 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.
Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (97)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any current plans to expand the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The new scheme is now open to applications in four counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/ .
Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister to the Housing Agency, and whereby the Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.
Mortgage Interest Rates
Ceisteanna (98)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide advice on the best way forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process. In order for a borrower to qualify for the MTR scheme, the mortgage, property and household must meet detailed eligibility criteria.
As part of the normal administration of the scheme, the Housing Agency, which administers the scheme on my Department's behalf, must ensure that all the criteria underpinning the scheme are complied with in each case. The reasons why a case may not progress are varied and can depend on the lender, the property or the circumstances of the particular household. One of the main criteria underpinning the scheme is that it is a social housing solution and therefore is targeted at borrowers in arrears who qualify for social housing support.
Should it transpire that MTR is not an option in a particular case, I would encourage the borrower to discuss with their lender if there are other options available to resolve their mortgage arrears situation.
My focus, and that of the Government, is to ensure that as many households as possible remain in their homes and I would encourage borrowers to engage with the Abhaile Service, the national mortgage arrears resolution service, which is available free of charge. The unique element of Abhaile is that it brings together, for the first time, the full range of supports and services required by borrowers in home mortgage arrears. A dedicated adviser will work with the borrower and their lender to find the best solution for their particular situation. MABS acts as the gateway for the service and can be contacted by telephoning (076)1072000 or by accessing their website at: www.mabs.ie/abhaile.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 90.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 91.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (101)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:101. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to increase carer's allowance by €6.50 per week. [50083/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of Carer's Allowance by €6.50 per week is €24.6 million.
An equivalent increase in the rate of Carer's Benefit would cost an estimated €1.3 million in a full year.
These costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (102)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:102. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care allowance that were refused by her Department in the first ten months of 2023. [50084/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability, requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living.
The number of applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance that were refused by my Department in the first 10 months of 2023 is 3,400.
Applicants are advised to provide as much detail as possible at application stage, including any additional information or documentary evidence that is relevant, medical or otherwise, to ensure that all information is available for consideration in the decision and assessment process.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (103)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection how exemptions, granted under regulations made under Section 37(1) of the Pensions Act 1990, from the pension preservation requirements of Part III of the Act, are monitored for ongoing compliance with the conditions which permitted their exemption when applied for; if she considers that the legislation is in full accord with the EU Directive and is adequate for such monitoring of continuous compliance with the conditions of an exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50090/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 37 of the Pensions Act 1990 provides that certain defined benefit schemes may be exempted from the preservation requirements of Part III of the 1990 Act if the benefits provided under such schemes are no less favourable than those required by the Act. Such schemes may be exempted by regulations made by the Minister for Social Protection with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
The pension schemes currently exempt from the preservation requirements, which are, in effect, public sector pension schemes, are listed in the Schedule of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Preservation of Benefits) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 279 of 2002), as amended.
Where a request is made seeking the exemption of a pension scheme from requirements of Part III of the 1990 Act, the relevant Government Department making the request should outline to my Department the basis for the request and confirm that the retirement benefits provided under the scheme, and the provisions pertaining to the preservation of those benefits, are no less favourable than those set out under Part III of the 1990 Act. The requesting Department must also confirm that the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, who is responsible for policy in respect of public sector pensions, consents to the exemption sought.
In effect, an exemption to a relevant scheme is provided, at a given time, on foot of a request and the aforementioned confirmations. The 1990 Act does not provide for, or require, the ongoing monitoring of schemes which have been exempted from Part III of the 1990 Act. Queries in relation to the benefits provided for under a relevant scheme should be raised with the scheme and the line Department.
The reference to an EU Directive by the Deputy is unclear. The IORP II Directive, which became effective from 13 January 2019, sets out minimum standards for the management and supervision of pension schemes but does not impose any requirements on Member States relating to the preservation of pension benefits.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.