Parliamentary questions

Roads Maintenance Funding

Timmy Dooley

249. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will supply, in tabular format, the original allocation to each local authority for local road maintenance in 2012 and the amount spent in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6274/13]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Timmy Dooley

250. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the allocation to each local authority for local road maintenance in 2013; the amount of that allocation that consists of funding carried over from 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6275/13]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Thomas P. Broughan

251. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that the contact number to report anti-social behaviour in unmanned DART and rail stations (details supplied) in Dublin 13 is an 1850 high cost number which acts as a disincentive for commuters to report graffiti, anti-social and other criminal activity; his views that there should be a less costly service, perhaps developed with the support of ComReg, to allow commuters to report anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/13]

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Billy Timmins

252. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding Wicklow County GAA Board whose application for a sports capital grant was deemed invalid; the reason it was deemed invalid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/13]

Departmental Banking

Simon Harris

253. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money held on deposit or in short-term bank investments by each Government or State agency or body under his Department's remit; the rate of interest at which the deposits are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6342/13]

Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit

Mary Lou McDonald

136. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to give support to the work of the Private Residential Tenancies Board in view of the legislative drive to increase its remit and workload. [5549/13]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme Application Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

138. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have so far availed of the mortgage to rent scheme; if he will provide a breakdown on a local authority basis; the number currently seeking to avail of this process; and his plans to widen the parameters to enable more persons avail of the scheme. [5554/13]

Proposed Legislation

Catherine Murphy

139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to divide the proposed new legal regime for climate policy into two pieces of legislation, namely the low carbon Bill and the climate change Bill as referenced by the Taoiseach on 22 January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5077/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michelle Mulherin

140. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will put in place interim arrangements for the acceptance and processing of new applications for Leader funding for the north-east Mayo area pending the completion of the investigation of possible governance issues in Mayo North East Leader Partnership which has been unable to operate the Leader programme over the past year thus denying rural development funds to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5479/13]

Fire Safety Regulations

Joe Higgins

141. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on foot of evidence of non-compliance with fire safety regulations in an estate (details supplied) requests have been made on behalf of individual house and apartment owners by TDs and a fire safety specialist for an enforcement notice from Dublin City Council building control, the city manager, city engineer and chief fire officer on 12 December 2012 to enable opening up to inspection critical sections of files regarding the construction of the complex to establish the full extent of the non-compliance with particular reference to the potential fire spread risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5560/13]

Water Services Registrations

Tom Hayes

142. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Water Services (Amendment) Act to include the numbers and percentages of domestic waste water systems and septic tanks that have been registered in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5067/13]

Homeless Persons Supports

Dessie Ellis

143. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to provide affordable housing specifically for those moving out of homelessness and emergency accommodation in view of the large numbers who are stuck in emergency accommodation due to a shortage of housing. [5557/13]

Air Pollution

Joe Higgins

144. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government since the European Environmental Agency report was published in November 2011 entitled Revealing the Costs of Air Pollution from Industrial Facilities in Europe reporting damage caused by plants in Ireland to the environment and human health at an estimated cost of between €0.7 billion and €1 billion, the persons who have been made accountable for these breaches. [5561/13]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Dessie Ellis

145. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to help local authorities to work to prioritise the retrofitting of their housing stock to improve insulation and energy conservation focussing on older homes and those designated for senior citizens. [5559/13]

Local Government Reform

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

147. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to his statement in Putting People First (details supplied), the progress made in devolving power to elected members; the powers which will be devolved from managers to elected members; and the time frame for this process. [5408/13]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Catherine Murphy

148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that non-ETS emissions targets for 2013 and 2014 under the EU's 2020 emissions reduction plan will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/13]

Pyrite Resolution Board Membership

Clare Daly

149. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his response to questions regarding the proposed role for HomeBond on the Pyrite Resolution Board; and if he will detail HomeBond's experience, if any, in remediating houses with structural damage caused by heave-inducing pyrite and in the insurance loss adjusting. [5565/13]

Rural Recreation Promotion

Brendan Smith

150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the further development of the rural recreation sector in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/13]

Pyrite Panel Report Implementation

Alan Farrell

151. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the basis on which the National Standards Authority of Ireland has been asked to report to his Department on the subject of pyrite testing; when this will be published; the consensus amongst stakeholders regarding the funding for testing for pyrite in properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5083/13]

Water Services Registrations

Patrick O'Donovan

152. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 to include the numbers and overall percentages of septic tanks that have been registered on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/13]

Voluntary Housing Sector

Sandra McLellan

153. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to support voluntary housing bodies to develop their housing stock to meet rising demand and the increased difficulties in sourcing finance. [5555/13]

Local Government Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

154. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the key requirements needed in order for an office of the directly elected mayor be established in Dublin; and the progress being made in the establishment of a colloquium of the four Dublin authorities. [5417/13]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Gerry Adams

155. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the use of money recently designated by his Department for works at an estate (details supplied) in County Longford and the progress that has been made at the site on resolving the serious issues putting residents at risk. [5558/13]

Local Government Reform

Michael Colreavy

156. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on discussions he had with the Irish Local Development Network; the progress made with the ILDN on proposed recommendations for the alignment of local government and local development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5410/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Micheál Martin

157. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when permission will be granted to the north-east Mayo integrated company to approve Leader projects again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5592/13]

Pyrite Panel Report Implementation

Thomas P. Broughan

158. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of recommendations of the report of the pyrite panel that have been implemented to date; the time line for the implementation of the remaining recommendations; the legal mechanism through which the pyrite levy scheme will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5069/13]

Water Services Registrations

Simon Harris

159. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the implementation of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; the numbers of septic tanks that have been registered on a county basis; the percentage this represents of overall septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5075/13]

Water Services Registrations

Joe Carey

160. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of registrations for septic tanks in accordance with the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5073/13]

Pyrite Panel Report Implementation

Patrick Nulty

161. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a levy on the construction industry will be introduced as indicated following the publication of the pyrite panel report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5079/13]

National Oversight and Audit Commission Establishment

Mary Lou McDonald

162. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the establishment of the National Oversight and Audit Commission for Local Government; and the name of the independent chair and the membership. [5418/13]

Local Authority Funding

Seán Crowe

163. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the equalisation method his Department will apply when distributing funds to local authorities based on the new property tax. [5416/13]

Community Development Initiatives

Willie O'Dea

164. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of the membership of the Implementation Group on Local and Community Development established under Putting People First, the Action Programme for Effective Government; its terms of reference, role and remit; if he will provide details of the community representatives on this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5581/13]

Local and Community Development Programme Planning

Éamon Ó Cuív

166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided under the local development and community programme in each year since 2009, including the estimated provision for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5587/13]

RAPID Programme

Martin Heydon

167. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the potential change to the RAPID scheme, if it is envisaged that additional funding will be provided to local authorities who have RAPID areas under their jurisdictions to assist with these extra commitments or if local authorities will be required to source funds from existing resources for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5404/13]

Planning Issues

Barry Cowen

168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for a planning regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5567/13]

Waste Management Regulations

Brian Stanley

169. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in introducing, in line with the programme for Government, a public service obligation which would include a fee waiver scheme in respect of low income households for waste collection services. [5414/13]

Water Services Registrations

Heather Humphreys

170. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of septic tanks that have been registered to date on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5072/13]

Water Services Registrations

Tony McLoughlin

171. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on the total numbers of septic tanks and other similar type of systems that are currently registered locally and nationally; and the timeframe for when the inspection process will begin. [5071/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michelle Mulherin

172. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will put in place interim arrangements for the acceptance and processing of new applications for Leader funding for the north-east Mayo area pending the completion of the investigation of possible governance issues in Mayo North East Leader Partnership which has been unable to operate the Leader programme over the past year thus denying rural development funds to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5078/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael McGrath

173. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total funding provided under the current Leader programme for projects; the amount committed to date and the amount spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5590/13]

EU Presidency Agenda

Billy Kelleher

174. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his priorities for the EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5573/13]

Community Development Initiatives

Charlie McConalogue

175. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps that have been taken to integrate local transport plans as part of local development plans. [5576/13]

Western Development Commission Funding

Willie O'Dea

176. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding, current and capital, provided to the Western Development Commission for each of the years since 2009 including the estimated provision for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5586/13]

Interdepartmental Committee Membership

John McGuinness

177. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the membership of the Inter-Departmental Group on Local and Community Development established under Putting People First, the Action Programme for Effective Government; its terms of reference, role and remit; the proposed timescale for the production of its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5579/13]

Planning Issues

Michael McGrath

178. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made on legislating to ensure that local authorities take housing estates in charge after three years. [5577/13]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which any evaluation has taken place of the local authority housing shortage with particular reference to the total numbers of people registered as being in need of local authority housing by way of the housing lists currently registered on a county by county basis; if it is envisaged to adopt any particular strategy to address the issue, mindful of the cost of rent support in the absence of an adequate local authority housing stock; if he will consider a short to medium term plan to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5502/13]

Proposed Legislation

Patrick Nulty

180. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Climate Change Bill will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5080/13]

Environmental Regulations

Seamus Kirk

181. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken to clamp down on illegal environmental crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5574/13]

Departmental Funding

Michael Moynihan

182. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided to the community sector for social partnership in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5588/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Expenditure

Alan Farrell

183. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the budget for housing adaptation grants have been approved for local authorities in 2013; and when this announcement is due to be made. [5406/13]