Wednesday, 29 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 95-111

Housing Schemes

Questions (95, 96, 105)

Paul Murphy

Question:

95. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what provision is being made within the tenant in situ scheme for tenants who are renting a HAP property in one local authority area but receive HAP from, and are therefore on the social housing transfer list with, a different local authority; if he will delay the lifting of the eviction ban until workable solutions are found to this and other issues raised by Opposition Deputies in the eviction ban debate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15540/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

96. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage why Tipperary County Council is unable to purchase a ground floor two-bedroom apartment at (details supplied) due to the annual management fees associated with the property and the building in which it is located; currently, this property is being sold by the owner and is currently rented for over ten years to an elderly gentleman in his 70s who is in receipt of HAP; the reason the local authority is not permitted to purchase this property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/23]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses Kerry County Council hase purchased or is in the process of purchasing under the tenant in situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96 and 105 together.

Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

The Government agreed on 7 March that the ‘Winter Emergency Period’ under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 would come to an end on 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023 as planned and legislated for under that Act. The Government has considered a number of courses of action in advance of the ending of the ‘Winter Emergency Period’ and agreed that a focus on additional new supply is the best way forward in dealing with the end of the winter eviction ban in a manner which best protects tenants. This includes a significant increase in the number of social housing acquisitions, in addition to other measures for households that are not qualified for social housing supports.

Under Housing for All, the Government is committed to increasing supply and protecting renters while trying to keep small landlords in the system. In this regard, my Department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all.

Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, my Department reinstated delegated sanction to local authorities in April 2022 to acquire social housing properties for a number of specific categories which included:

• One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category; • Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and• Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire up to 1,500 social homes and my Department will keep this number under review. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. A circular letter issued to all local authorities on 14 March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023. This allocation will be kept under review. It will be matter for individual local authorities to determine whether a property is suitable for acquisition.

As Minister, I am precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the provision of social housing support regarding any individual application. My Department does not hold any details of the case referred to.

Where a household is on the housing list in one local authority but has secured a HAP tenancy in another local authority area, the arrangements in place will support the acquisition of the property, where appropriate. The City and County Management Association (CCMA) has assured me that local authorities are collaborating on such situations and my Department will work closely with local authorities on this measure.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available for all local authorities, including Kerry County Council, until the end of Quarter 3 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/

Data for Quarter 4 is currently being collated and will be published shortly. Data published to date does not include a breakdown of properties acquired where a tenant has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. For 2023, an amendment is being made to my Department's statistical returns to collect information in this regard.

Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 95.

Rental Sector

Questions (97)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

97. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be additional staff allocated to the Residential Tenancies Board when the ban on evictions is lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15596/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Board, or RTB, was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy.

The remit of the Board covers the private rental sector, the not-for-profit housing providers commonly known as Approved Housing Bodies and Student-specific Accommodation providers. The day-to-day operations of the RTB are a matter for the Board.

Following recommendations in the RTB Workforce Plan (2018 – 2021) and engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER), the RTB received sanction for significant additional staff over the past three years. The RTB has a sanctioned staffing compliment of 110. It currently has 100 permanent staff and is carrying 10 vacancies. The RTB is actively recruiting to fill the remaining vacancies and to date this year, the RTB has appointed 15 new recruits to permanent positions. Separately, on 18 January 2023 DPER sanctioned an additional Principal Officer post, who will have responsibility for Digital and Data Services, within the RTB Executive Management Team Structure which is now advertised on the RTB website. Additional funding of €2m will be provide to the RTB for 2023, bringing its total allocation to €13.37m.

The RTB has recently almost doubled the staffing in its outsourced call centre to deal with the issues that have arisen following the introduction of annual registration and it has been working hard to find the right balance between ensuring contracted staff are adequately trained and capable of assisting customers with their queries, ranging from linking tenancies, verifying accounts, and data-inputting paper applications. My Department will continue to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its expanded mandate, including any specific requests, and to support the RTB in reducing response times for people seeking their services.

Rental Sector

Questions (98)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

98. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average time it takes for an overholding case to make its way from the initial report to the Residential Tenancies Board through to the tribunal determination order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15597/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA), to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.

My Department does not have the information sought. However, the Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose.

The RTB may be contacted at [e-mail] to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.

Housing Schemes

Questions (99)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

99. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households nationally that are in receipt of a housing support such as HAP and RAS. [15634/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity, including HAP and RAS, in all local authority areas, on the statistics page of its website. The data requested in the Question can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.

The latest published figures are for Q3 2022. End of year figures for 2022 will be published shortly.

Vacant Properties

Questions (100, 101, 102, 104)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

100. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide in tabular form the amount of funding applied for and allocated to Kerry County Council to refurbish voids in the past five years; the number of voids reported for each year; the number of voids returned to stock each year; the amount of void funding which went unspent each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15638/23]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide in tabular form the number of houses vacant more than two, three, four and five years in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15643/23]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

102. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the average time it takes to refurbish voids in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15646/23]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

104. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Kerry County Council have listed a property (details supplied) as a void; if they have applied for funding to refurbish the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15692/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 101, 102 and 104 together.

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.

Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was initially introduced to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock. This programme is in addition to the funding provided through the local authorities own resources.

An annualised breakdown by local authority, including Kerry County Council, of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014 up to and including 2022 is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme

Each individual local authority in their administration of the scheme identify and oversee works required on those vacant units submitted to the Department for funding under the Voids Programme. Details of properties which may be included in the 2023 programme may be available from Kerry County Council and it is understood the property concerned will be included as part of the 2023 programme.

It is important to note, local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Data in relation to levels of vacancy, average turnaround times and reasons associated with this are not routinely collated by my Department. However, statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including vacancy and the average time taken to re-tenant a dwelling. The most recent report, relating to 2021 as published in November 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:

noac.ie/noac_publications/report-50-noac-performance-indicator-report-2021/

My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. Funding allocations under the 2023 Programme will be announced shortly. Notwithstanding the voids funding being provided by my Department, local authorities have a responsibility to provide adequate housing maintenance budgets for 2023 and this parallel work by local authorities is essential for the development of the planned maintenance approach, which is an objective of Housing for All.

Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 100.

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 100.

Urban Development

Questions (103)

Carol Nolan

Question:

103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have given any policy consideration or conducted any analysis on the concept of the ’15 Minute City’; if he supports the general policy principle behind the concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15679/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The ‘15 minute city’ concept gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of the 15-minute city has been championed in particular by the Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, to promote communities that are designed to enable people to access most of their daily needs within a 15-minute walk or bike journey from their homes.

In the Irish context, planning through various national and regional polices has supported the creation of compact, mixed use and self-sustaining neighbourhoods for over two decades. Ministerial guidelines on residential density have been in place since 1999 and subsequent Ministerial Guidelines, including the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines 2009, have promoted the principles of the 15-minute city. There are a number of examples of developments in Ireland that have been planned from the outset to ensure that residents can access most of their daily needs within a 15-minuite walk or bike journey from their homes, reflecting Ministerial Guidelines. Early examples include the Dublin Docklands, Adamstown SDZ and Ashtown/Pelletstown.

My Department is currently preparing updated guidance for planning authorities on Sustainable and Compact Settlements that will update policy in relation to the creation of more compact and integrated forms of development in cities, towns and villages in order to meet population growth in a more sustainable manner. I will publish a consultation paper in the coming days outlining the proposed policy approach and invite submissions from the public in relation to the proposed policy approach. Details in this regard will be published on my Department’s website.

My Department is further assisting the formation of well-connected, mixed use and compact urban clusters in cities and towns nationally via funding mechanisms such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). URDF has funded projects that support compact growth and sustainable mobility in a number of urban areas including Cork City Docklands, Limerick Georgian Core and Waterford North Quays.

Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 100.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 95.

Housing Provision

Questions (106)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

106. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many one-bedroomed homes have been constructed under the Housing first approach in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Housing First provides housing and health supports for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time. The supply of one-bedroom properties is critical to the successful delivery of Housing First. Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. These Plans set out details of housing delivery for the period 2022-2026, including proposed delivery by housing typology, including one-bedroom properties. Housing Delivery Action Plans are published on the websites of the respective local authorities.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Quarter 3 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ Data for Quarter 4 2022 is currently being collated and will be published shortly. My Department currently does not hold details of delivery by housing typology across all the social housing delivery streams. This data may be available from the relevant local authorities.

Construction Industry

Questions (107)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

107. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the changes that are being made to the Construction Industry Register Ireland, CIRI, as some construction persons are saying they have been told this is voluntary and then told they must have it; if clarification can be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15730/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 establishes Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), a statutory register for providers of building works.

In January this year the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) was appointed as the statutory registration body for the Construction Industry Register Ireland.

The main objective of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector which will benefit consumers and the general public.

The requirement to register will apply to builders of both residential and non-residential buildings that are subject to the Building Regulations. Employees of such building firms will not be required to apply but sole traders will. Eligibility for registration can be achieved through qualifications, experience or a combination of both. The criteria required for registration will be clear and transparent and will be set out in regulations.

The construction industry will require time to adapt to these new requirements. It is envisaged that it will be mandatory for builders to join the statutory register from 2025. The first categories who will be required to register will likely be house builders and non-residential builders. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently.

When the register is operating on a statutory footing it is envisaged there may be in the order of at least 5,000 entities who will be required to register.

CIRI was established on a voluntary basis in 2014 by the Construction Industry Federation and approximately 800 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register. The existing voluntary register has been renamed as the Voluntary Construction Register (VCR) and it is intended it will remain in existence until the statutory register is up and running.

Housing Schemes

Questions (108)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

108. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria on a payment plan for a first-time applicant while on a HAP payment; and his plans to ease the distress under the current cost-of-living crisis (details supplied). [15737/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Tenants in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.

Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP-related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord.

The approach taken by the HAP SSC has been very effective with minimal levels of rent arrears arising for tenants. At Q3 2022, the scheme had a 99% differential rent collection rate. Therefore, only a very small number of tenants have fallen into difficulty with their differential rent.

During the Covid-19 emergency, the HAP Debt Management Process (DMP) was suspended from March 2020 and partially re-commenced in October 2020. This meant non-payment of differential rent by a tenant during that time did not affect payments to HAP landlords. Tenants were, however, expected to continue to pay their rent with supports available for those financially impacted by Covid.

Following on from the successful roll out of the Covid vaccine programme and the reopening of society, the normal DMP was reinstated from 6 September 2021.

Tenants that incurred arrears during the Covid-19 emergency were given additional time to engage with the HAP Debt Management Unit to clear their arrears, as well as access to payment plans as a specific Covid measure. Under the normal HAP DMP payment plans are not offered or available to tenants at this stage of the process. The HAP SSC has now resumed the standard debt management process.

HAP tenants in arrears should contact their local authority and the HAP SSC to discuss the options that are available to them to ensure the continuation of their HAP support.

The administration of the HAP scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case. As Minister, I am precluded from involvement in individual cases.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (109)

James Lawless

Question:

109. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15528/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.

Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.

During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.

Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 22 November 2021. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents for the application on 19 December 2022. Further supporting documents were received by the Passport Service on 30 December 2022. These documents are due to be processed in the near future.

Human Rights

Questions (110)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

110. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by Irish Aid programmes in Uganda to advocate for the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community in light of new laws that make identifying as LGBTQ+ an offence punishable by execution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Government deeply regrets the passing of an “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” by Uganda’s parliament on 21 March. This Bill would introduce discriminatory measures against Ugandan citizens, violating their fundamental human rights.

Ireland’s engagement, and our support to development programmes and partners, in Africa is based on the Government’s Strategy for Africa to 2025, and by our international development policy, A Better World. Through these, we are committed to upholding and sustaining the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders on the ground. We recognise clearly, and support, the vital role played by civil society in building peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies and the central importance of a human rights-based approach.

Through the Embassy in Kampala, Ireland has consistently raised concerns with the Ugandan government on the protection of the rights of LGBTI+ people. Ireland stands in solidarity with marginalised groups and works closely with civil society groups to promote human rights in Uganda, including through our local development and cooperation programme. We provide financial support to civil society organisations and NGOs that support and promote the advancement of human rights, including those of LGBTI+ communities.

The European Union has expressed our shared concerns at the passage of this Bill, and its criminalising of homosexuality, contrary to international law. We are very concerned at the inclusion of severe punishments, including the death penalty. Ireland repudiates the death penalty in all its forms. We consistently call for its abolition worldwide.

The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ persons is a foreign policy priority for the Government. They continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systematic discrimination in many countries. With our EU and other partners in Uganda, Ireland will continue to be a strong advocate for LGBTI+ rights.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (111)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

111. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence why some people who worked on the frontline during the Covid pandemic as a member of the Defence Force's doing vaccines and testing have not received their bonus payment to date (details supplied). [15736/23]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

The payment is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment. The payment amounts to €1,000 for those eligible staff who worked at least 60% Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), for at least 4 weeks during the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, and €600 for below 60% WTE. Those who worked less than 4 weeks are not in scope of the measure. It is important to note that this recognition payment is being made to retired members of the Defence Forces, as well as personnel on leave of absences, who are deemed eligible by dint of previous eligible service.

The measure is ring-fenced to eligible staff that were ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments during the pandemic. In terms of Defence Forces personnel, this means members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line COVID-19 exposed environments in the HSE.

Work to identify all COVID-related duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces was completed by Military Management as an initial step in identifying personnel who may be eligible for this recognition payment. Significant engagement subsequently took place between officials from the Department of Defence and the Department of Health to determine which of these duties were deemed "in scope" and therefore eligible for this payment, under the Department of Health's scheme, and payments are being made on that basis.

I am aware that the Deputy has submitted the details of particular Defence Forces member. In order to expedite a claim that may, or may not, result in a Pandemic Recognition Payment being awarded, I would ask that the Deputy request that this person submits all details of relevant duties carried out, within the specified time-frame, via the individual's parent unit. The claim will then be dealt with in the normal process.