Thursday, 1 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 216-231

Local Authorities

Questions (216)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

216. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent leasing dwellings by each local authority in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26891/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments. Dwellings under the scheme come from a number of different sources including private owners, Part V and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

Data on social housing leasing spend, funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities to end 2022 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:

assets.gov.ie/99984/d10e5f7c-a0f5-40ab-9ccf-0559e22f3afa.xlsx.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (217)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

217. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26915/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

A full list of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.

Arrangements have been put in place by each body to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email addresses for each body are also set out in the table.

An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce	[e-mail]
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Electoral Commission	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Tailte Éireann	[e-mail]
Uisce Éireann	[e-mail]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]

Housing Schemes

Questions (218, 219)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

218. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase his Department's funding for 2023 to Louth County Council for housing adaptation grants, in view of the decision by the council not to accept any new applications in 2023 and that the council states that it has an existing backlog of 300 individually approved applications already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26929/23]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

219. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline, in tabular form, the funding requested from each local authority for housing adaptation grants to his Department for 2021, 2022 and 2023; the amount subsequently granted; if any local authority has requested further funding for these grants since its 2023 allocation; if he can request from each local authority the number in 2023 of already-approved applicants for such grants; the backlog, if any, which cannot be met from existing funding; the funding, if any, returned by any local authority under this heading to his Department for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26930/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities receive an overall allocation, with the responsibility for the apportionment between the three schemes being a matter for each authority given their knowledge of local need.

My Department's approach each year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan and implement the grants programme. Over the course of the year, my Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. This means that if underspends arise on the part of some local authorities, they can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity.

The requests for additional funding received from local authorities in the years 2021 and 2022 were approved by my Department. Details of initial annual allocations and subsequent local authority drawdown for the years in question, including where additional funding has been sanctioned or initial allocations have been underspent, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:

www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordable/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.

The requests received by my Department for additional funding from local authorities, to date in 2023, are set out in the following table:

Local Authority	Additional Exchequer Funding Requested
Louth	€570,222
Westmeath	€160,000
Limerick	€800,000
Cork County	€1,600,000

My Department is giving careful consideration to these requests and a decision will be issued to each local authority as soon as possible. My Department does not hold collated data in respect of applications approved by local authorities or any backlogs which cannot be met from existing funding. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 218.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (220)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

220. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 20 April 2023, the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; and the purpose and value of each contract. [26931/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table.

Consultant	Purpose of Consultancy	2022 Expenditure
Carla Mateus	Met Éireann Researcher for Building Regulations, Part C & Climate data	49,000
Faith Wilson Ecological Consultant	Assessment re temporary use of specified buildings	2,460
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup)	Conduct Regulation 42A screening for Appropriate Assessment on behalf of the Ecological Assessment Unit	5,597
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd	Nitrates SEA/AA Action Plan	33,457
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd	Analysis to MPA Public consultation	66,826
Atlantic Technological University	Scientific support re OSPAR task on listed whales	10,282
Dr. Carol Westrik, Westrik Consultancy	World Heritage Tentative List Review	7,000
Jane Jackson	World Heritage Tentative List Review	2,325
Dr. Jill Alison Sheridan Skinner	World Heritage Tentative List Review	4,984
Dr. William P Megarry	World Heritage Tentative List Review	3,658
ICOMOS Ireland	World Heritage Tentative List Review	6,600
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup)	Screening for Appropriate Assessment on draft Regulations that make changes to the circumstance where solar PV/thermal panels and equipment constitute exempted development	4,797
Aecom Ireland Limited	Cost-Optimal Study	80,045
KPMG	External Assessment Process review of South Dublin County Council's Clonburris	57,466
Mitchell McDermott Cost Consultants	Study re action of Housing for All Plan	92,757
Bruce McCormack Consulting	Review of EIA screening thresholds in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2022	15,320
Remy Farrell S.C.	Legal Services – Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures - An Bord Pleanala	43,618
Christopher Mills	Legal Services –Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures - An Bord Pleanala	7,565
Land Use Consultants       Limited	Strategic Environmental Assessment of Draft Solar Regulations	31,732
Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers	To provide consultancy support on environmental assessment of Foreshore Consent Applications.	46,645
University College Dublin	Data Analysis for the Environmental Impact Assessment screening threshold traffic light review	6,150
Minogue Environmental Consultants	SEA Screening of proposed amendments to Schedule 5 of Planning and Development Regulations	1,599
Behaviour and Attitudes	To undertake a survey as part of a Departmental research project to understand household-level social housing outcomes.	50,000
RPS Consulting Engineers Limited	DRAFT River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 Consultation Report	18,137
RPS Consulting Engineers Limited	Environmental Consultancy Services to Develop a Framework for the Protection and Restoration of High Status River Waterbodies	126,346
The Economic & Social Research Institute	River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) - Research on behaviour, Water	107,980
Institute Of Public Administration (IPA)	To devise and undertake a process of consultation with Mother and Baby and County Homes Survivor Advocacy Groups, and present the findings	24,908
Mr. Donal Daly	Scientific advice & assistance re: draft River Basin Management Plan	1,170
Maeve Thornberry & Associates	Updating of the OceanWise WP 8.1 and 8.2 reports	6,870
Wildeye Ltd.	Provision of services for an assessment to inform the potential use of conservation detection dogs for Corncrake conservation	9,310
O' Keeffe Social Research	Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of the LIFE Atlantic Crex project actions	6,642
Simon Beale & Associates	Preparation of Maps & Reports - Land Purchase	1,213
Byrne Biodiversity Ltd.	Services - To advise in the production of Early  & Late Cover Crops	900
Wetland Surveys Ltd.	Natural Impact Statement in support of the Appropriate Assessment of the Corncrake Traonach LIFE Project 2020-2025	5,812
Land Use Consultants Ltd	Strategic Environmental Assessment consultancy re Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines	7,914
Ernst & Young	Strategic Workforce Plan - provision of Business, Management and ICT Consultancy Services) for Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) Establishment Unit	61,499
Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd	Screenings for Appropriate Assuagements on draft Regulations relating to gas venting and draft Regulations relating to bus poles	8,795
Fehily Timoney & Company	Screening for Appropriate Assessments on proposed Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing	4,337
DBFL Consulting Engineers Ltd	Preparation of reports relating to the enhanced DCB Grant Scheme	25,000
Conor Quinn B.L	Legal Advice  - Maritime Area Planning Bill	107,717
Power Design Associates Ltd	Advice re Housing Publication & Printing	18,056
TOBIN Consulting Engineers	Research re Rural Water Sector	73,764
Hilary Hogan	Research Services re The Housing Commission	12,000
Finn Keys	Research Services re The Housing Commission	12,920
Jamie McLoughlin	Research Services re The Housing Commission	3,900
Cliodhna Bairéad	Research Services re The Housing Commission	4,800
Christopher McMahon	Research Services re The Housing Commission	1,800
KHSK Economic Consultants	Research Services re The Housing Commission	13192
TASC	Research Services re The Housing Commission	4,400
Sarah Sheridan	Report Drafting	2,800
Geo-Directory	Data Services	6,150
KHSK Economic Consultants	Research Services re The Housing Commission	10,793
TASC	Research Services re The Housing Commission	5,200

The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table: 

State Body	Contact E-mail Address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum)	[e-mail]
Approved Housing Bodies the Water Regulatory Authority	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Uisce Éireann	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Office	[e-mail]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Water Advisory Body	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]

State Bodies

Questions (221)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there was any cost incurred when changing Irish Water's name to Uisce Éireann; the rationale behind the name-change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26933/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Section 5(1) of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2022 provides that the company known in the Irish language as Uisce Éireann and in the English language as Irish Water shall, on and from 1 January 2023, be known only as its name in the Irish language, Uisce Éireann.

The name change, along with other provisions of the 2022 Act, was therefore fully debated and approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The implementation of the name change is an operational matter for Uisce Éireann, which has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.

Housing Schemes

Questions (222)

Duncan Smith

Question:

222. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process for allocating cost rental properties managed by approved housing associations, given concerns raised by the general public in Donabate regarding a number of cost-rental properties managed by an organisation (details supplied) which have already been allocated without any local people being afforded an opportunity to apply for same; how he proposes to ensure fairness and transparency in any future cost-rental applications process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I refer to the replies to Question No. 814 of 18 April 2023, and Question No. 427 of 16 May 2023, which set out the position in this matter.

Industrial Disputes

Questions (223)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

223. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that all avenues are explored to avoid the upcoming potential strike action (details supplied) which may impact upon persons with significant vulnerabilities such as the elderly and persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26954/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services (June 2022) was developed following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission and enables the integration of public water services into Uisce Éireann's organisational structure.  

Local Authority water services staff who choose not to transfer to Uisce Éireann will remain in the direct employment of their current local authority while also maintaining their current terms and conditions of employment.  

Further opportunities for staff who do not seek to transfer to Uisce Éireann will be identified during the transition period, including reassignment, redeployment, upskilling and training programmes.

The Framework also provides for a dispute resolution mechanism. The parties to this Framework have a special responsibility to ensure they have well developed communication channels and to seek to resolve problems before they escalate into industrial disputes.  If a problem cannot be resolved, then all parties need to take up all available dispute resolution mechanisms 

I have every confidence that the Framework document is the right way forward for all the parties to the transformation process. For workers, in particular its sets out the options that will become available generally, and empowers each worker to decide voluntarily on the option which is best suited to their own individual needs. I hope the matter is resolved quickly and I would encourage all parties to engage in dialogue and come to a satisfactory solution that avoids any disruption to the delivery of clean and safe water services.

Special Areas of Conservation

Questions (224)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 83 of 15 February 2023 and 294 of 29 November 2022, if there is a time-line for delivery of a conservation plan for SACs under the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26958/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Article 6.1 of the Habitats Directive relates to the appropriate management of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). There are currently 441 SACs in Ireland. Detailed site-specific conservation objective documents have been published for 431 of these SACs and a programme is in place to prepare and publish such documents for the remaining SACs. These objectives set out targets that need to be reached in order for the habitats and species in those sites to reach favourable conservation condition. The Habitats Directive does not place an obligation on Member States to publish conservation plans and at present there is no commitment to the delivery of individual conservation plans for each SAC. However there are conservation measures either in place, in progress or planned for many habitats and species within the SAC network.

Local Authorities

Questions (225)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

225. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of local authority playgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27005/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I have no function in regard to the management of playgrounds. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provided grant funding for refurbishment of playgrounds, however the management of playgrounds is a matter for the local authorities directly.  Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The locus of responsibility or accountability at central level is determined by the nature of the particular issue or activity involved, not by the fact that it involves a local authority role per se.

Local Authorities

Questions (226)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

226. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of local authority playgrounds with inclusive playground equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27006/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I have no function in regard to the management of playgrounds. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provided grant funding for refurbishment of playgrounds, however the management of playgrounds is a matter for the local authorities directly. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The locus of responsibility or accountability at central level is determined by the nature of the particular issue or activity involved, not by the fact that it involves a local authority role per se.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (227)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can qualify for carer's allowance for a member of their family, while continuing to work 18.5 hours per week, whose close family member died recently and whose survivor is in need of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26979/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.

I confirm that the Department received an incomplete application for Carer’s Allowance from the person concerned on 17 May 2023. The person concerned completed Part 1 of the Carer’s Allowance Form (CR1) only.

Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 23 May 2023 requesting that they complete Parts 2 to 8 of the CR1, and to have Part 10 (Medical Report) completed by the care recipient’s doctor.

On receipt of the fully completed application and supporting documentation, the application will be processed, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Questions (228)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the revenue raised by introducing a higher rate of employers’ PRSI, at 12.05%, 13.05% and 13.55% respectively, in the portion of employee earnings greater than €100,000, in first- and full-year terms. [27012/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Based on 2019 data to include projected growth in earnings and employments, the following tables provide the estimated additional revenue raised by introducing a higher rate of employers’ PRSI, at 12.05%, 13.05% and 13.55% respectively, in the portion of employee earnings greater than €100,000, in full-year terms. My department does not have a first year cost estimate given that such an estimate would require a fuller analysis to be undertaken.

Employer PRSI rate on proportion on incomes over €100,000:	Yield (€million) – Full Year 2025
12.05%	108.8
13.05%	217.7
13.55%	272.1

The estimates being provided relate to 2019 data as it is considered that the data relating to 2020 and 2021 are inappropriate for estimating given the level of disruption to employment-related activity arising from the Covid-19 pandemic during those two years.

These estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing the rate of employer PRSI contribution.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (229)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the payments being made to an individual (details supplied), in particular the means being taken versus an increase. [26765/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of a Jobseekers Transition Payment. A recent means review has been carried out resulting in no change being made to their payment. Means have been calculated taking into account all relevant income which was declared by the customer. The person concerned has the right of appeal to this decision.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (230)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

230. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a Section 317 review request by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26785/23]

Written answers

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.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 March 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 17 April 2023 and the case was referred on 9 May 2023 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. There is no Section 317 review process in place as the AO decision has not yet been made.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (231)

John McGuinness

Question:

231. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance now under appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved as the applicant has confirmed the level of care they are actually giving, the need for them to assist the person with their personal hygiene and all other aspects of the person's daily life. [26791/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Heather Humphreys)

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 30 March 2023.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must be so incapacitated that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring, from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 18 April 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

According to Department records, the person concerned has not requested an appeal of this decision by the Social Welfare

Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.