Thursday, 15 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 261-270

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (262)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further consideration could be given to the plight of those who have failed to qualify for a local authority house on the basis of their income being too high and have failed to secure a loan from the local authority on the basis of their income being too low; if they might be reconsidered for a local authority house on the grounds that their situation is not improving with the passage of time; if he might indicate the total number of such applicants who have so failed to obtain a home; if they might separately be considered under a new scheme where they might qualify under a manageable heading of those who are currently facing rent increases which are already in the unmanageable bracket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7386/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not collect data as outlined in the Question. Following a review conducted by my Department in 2022, the Government agreed to my recommendation to increase the baseline social housing income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities effective from 1 January 2023. The thresholds increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Notwithstanding these changes, my Department is awaiting detailed research examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since it was introduced. This has been commissioned by the Housing Agency and I understand this work is near completion.

When it is available, my Department will undertake a detailed examination of the report, including consultation with stakeholders. This detailed examination will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly. 

In relation to schemes available for people whose income exceeds the social housing income limits, Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan, puts affordability at the heart of the housing system. Housing for All aims to increase new housing supply, support home ownership, and increase affordability. It commits to the delivery of 54,000 affordable homes by 2030. The plan is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/#view-the-plan, with updates to the plan available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/35486-housing-for-all-update/

The Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides a robust legislative basis for a range of affordability schemes that are now operational in line with Housing for All, and will increasingly provide a range of affordable options for eligible prospective homeowners. Delivery is being facilitated nationwide by local authorities, approved housing bodies, the Land Development Agency, and via the First Homes Scheme.

A list of affordable housing supports in place is available at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (263)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applicants on local authority housing waiting lists currently awaiting rehousing; the number refused as allegedly having an income in excess of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7387/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all local authority areas was conducted in November 2022 and is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/

The SSHA 2023 is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1 2024.

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. My Department does not collect data on the number of applicants who exceed the social housing income limits following assessment by the relevant local authority. 

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (264)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for local authority housing loans throughout the country where such applications were unsuccessful due to having an income less than the statutory requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7388/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

While there are maximum income limits under the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme, where single applicants must not be earning greater than €70,000 annual gross income in the previous tax year while joint applicants must not be earning greater than €85,000 annual combined gross income in the previous tax year, there are no minimum statutory income limits for the scheme.  Therefore, no such figures are available.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (265)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

265. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension (details supplied) can be expedited and approved. [7148/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 26th September 2023.

The Social Welfare Appeals system is underpinned by Chapter 2 of Part 10 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 and the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations (SI 108/98). This legislation sets down the roles, powers, functions etc. of the Social Welfare Appeals Office and its Appeals Officers. Appeals Officers and the Social Welfare Appeals Office are required to operate within the powers and boundaries set down in this legislation.

Under the legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed under section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.

I am advised that new evidence has been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and that the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer for a Section 317 review on 29th November 2023.

The Appeals Officer has been contacted on this matter and has confirmed that the appeal will be dealt with as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (266)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

266. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 1 February 2024, if she can provide the number of persons who have been notified to the Department of Social Protection by the Department of Justice who do not fulfil the habitual residence condition, and the numbers of persons who, in the same period, have had their social protection benefits discontinued by the Minister's Department, in tabular form, by county and by year, since 2016. [7174/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. A person who is subject to a deportation order is considered not to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition as they do not have an unqualified legal right of residence in the State.  As such they are ineligible for social assistance payments.

My department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to international protection applicants who reside in, or are waiting for, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. 

Where a customer has been refused international protection their entitlement to the Daily Expense Allowance is stopped as the customer can no longer be deemed an international protection applicant. However, where customers show that an appeal of the refusal (to grant international protection) is pending before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, the Daily Expenses Allowance will be reinstated pending outcome of that appeal.

Where a customer has been granted status under the International Protection Act 2015 (Refugee Status or Subsidiary Protection or Permission to Remain) to remain (stamp 4), they are no longer entitled to Daily Expenses Allowance payment and the payment is stopped accordingly.

It is not possible to state how many persons have had the allowance stopped as many customers appeal the decision not to grant international protection and the payment is reinstated pending the appeal outcome.

Social Welfare Payments

Ceisteanna (267)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7316/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66.? This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

My Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 30 November 2023.  The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim. 

As their initial application did not contain all the information required to make a decision on entitlement, an information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 11 December 2023 to supply this supporting documentation. 

I confirm that the Deputy sent in documentation on behalf of the person concerned on 20 December 2023.  As the person concerned did not supply all the required information that was requested on 11 December 2023, it was necessary for the Deciding Officer to send a further information request on 20 December 2023, requesting the outstanding information.

I can confirm some documentation was received from the person concerned on 29 December 2023. However, a further request for information was sent to the person concerned on 10 January 2024 to provide all the information requested in correspondence issued on 20 December 2023, in order to determine their eligibility for DA.

The requested information of 20 December 2023 is in relation to bank accounts held by the person. I can confirm that documentation was received from the person concerned on 31 January 2024.

A further request for information was sent to the person concerned on 12 February 2024 to provide all the information requested in correspondence issued on 20 December 2023, in order to determine their eligibility for DA.

The information request letter allows the person concerned 21 days to provide the required information. On receipt of all requested information, a decision can be made, and they will be notified directly of the outcome. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (268)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

268. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in the roll-out of the social inclusion voucher scheme for Irish Sign Language (details supplied); when the scheme will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7323/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of ISL to access social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities. 

I have assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).   

Following a four-month pilot of an "ISL Voucher Scheme" in 2021 by SLIS, supported by my Department and CIB, I was delighted to see the commencement of the Scheme on a permanent basis from 2nd October 2023. A funding allocation has been secured by my Department for the Scheme for 2024. 

On 9th February last, my Department became aware that the ISL Voucher Scheme had ceased temporarily with effect from 20th February. Following an urgent meeting requested and chaired by my Department on 13th February, with CIB and SLIS, all parties re-affirmed their respective commitments to the Scheme and recognised its vital role in supporting members of the Deaf community to fully participate in society. At that meeting, CIB and SLIS agreed a pathway forward to allow the Scheme to continue.

A full joint statement from all three organisations issued this morning accompanied by an ISL video version. As I am sure you will understand, I believe it is imperative that this statement and the message therein is communicated to the Deaf community first and foremost, and in a format that ensures its accessibility. 

As previously stated, I am fully committed to the ISL Voucher Scheme now and into the future, and I am happy that a pathway forward has been agreed to ensure the continued delivery of the ISL Voucher scheme past the 20th February. 

I trust this clarifies your query. 

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (269)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

269. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a situation (details supplied); the steps she will take to reinstate funding as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7326/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of ISL to access social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities. 

I have assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).   

Following a four-month pilot of an "ISL Voucher Scheme" in 2021 by SLIS, supported by my Department and CIB, I was delighted to see the commencement of the Scheme on a permanent basis from 2nd October 2023. A funding allocation has been secured by my Department for the Scheme for 2024. 

On 9th February last, my Department became aware that the ISL Voucher Scheme had ceased temporarily with effect from 20th February. Following an urgent meeting requested and chaired by my Department on 13th February, with CIB and SLIS, all parties re-affirmed their respective commitments to the Scheme and recognised its vital role in supporting members of the Deaf community to fully participate in society. At that meeting, CIB and SLIS agreed a pathway forward to allow the Scheme to continue.

A full joint statement from all three organisations issued this morning accompanied by an ISL video version. As I am sure you will understand, I believe it is imperative that this statement and the message therein is communicated to the Deaf community first and foremost, and in a format that ensures its accessibility. 

As previously stated, I am fully committed to the ISL Voucher Scheme now and into the future, and I am happy that a pathway forward has been agreed to ensure the continued delivery of the ISL Voucher scheme past the 20th February. 

I trust this clarifies your query. 

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (270)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position regarding the Irish Sign Language voucher scheme; if the scheme is being continued; if she will address concerns raised regarding the discontinuation of the voucher scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7345/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Section 9 of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act, 2017 assigns responsibility to the Minister for Social Protection to provide funds to facilitate users of ISL to access social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities. 

I have assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant Service Delivery Company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).   

Following a four-month pilot of an "ISL Voucher Scheme" in 2021 by SLIS, supported by my Department and CIB, I was delighted to see the commencement of the Scheme on a permanent basis from 2nd October 2023. A funding allocation has been secured by my Department for the Scheme for 2024. 

On 9th February last, my Department became aware that the ISL Voucher Scheme had ceased temporarily with effect from 20th February. Following an urgent meeting requested and chaired by my Department on 13th February, with CIB and SLIS, all parties re-affirmed their respective commitments to the Scheme and recognised its vital role in supporting members of the Deaf community to fully participate in society. At that meeting, CIB and SLIS agreed a pathway forward to allow the Scheme to continue.

A full joint statement from all three organisations issued this morning accompanied by an ISL video version. As I am sure you will understand, I believe it is imperative that this statement and the message therein is communicated to the Deaf community first and foremost, and in a format that ensures its accessibility. 

As previously stated, I am fully committed to the ISL Voucher Scheme now and into the future, and I am happy that a pathway forward has been agreed to ensure the continued delivery of the ISL Voucher scheme past the 20th February. 

I trust this clarifies your query.