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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Jun 2011

Vol. 735 No. 3

Other Questions

Community Development

Brian Stanley

Question:

6 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will not decrease the level of funding provided by him to support the community and voluntary fora across the State. [15623/11]

The community and voluntary fora carry out valuable work on behalf of their communities. They provide an important input to the work of local authorities, particularly in the context of their membership of local authority structures such as the strategic policy committees, joint policing committees and county and city development boards.

I recently approved allocations totalling €587,000 to the fora to support their work. Such funding is in addition to any other supports provided by individual local authorities including meeting the expenses of community representatives on the aforementioned local authority structures. On 2 June last I approved a further €55,000 per annum to the Irish National Community and Voluntary Forum for the next two and half years, subject to annual budgetary review. This is on top of the €19,000 already allocated to this body as part of the overall fora allocation. The National Community and Voluntary Forum is the representative body of the fora. I recognise that my Department's allocation to the fora in 2011 represents a 50% reduction in the amount available last year, arising from decisions on the 2011 Estimates. This decision arose against the background of our current economic circumstances, which require that public expenditure has had to be substantially reduced.

The priority in these circumstances is to limit to the greatest extent possible the impact of expenditure reductions on essential services and on those most in need. These considerations continue to hold. Therefore, while I have no plans at present to alter the current level of funding available to the fora, final decisions in this context will have to be made as part of the determination of the 2012 Estimates. The Government recognises the value of the work carried out by community and voluntary organisations, including the community and voluntary fora, which complements State endeavours in the community area.

Can the Minister confirm if funding for and oversight of the Family Support Agency will be subsumed into the local partnerships? Is he examining this matter at the moment? Will the Family Support Agency be brought under the umbrella of local authorities or existing local partnerships? I ask this question in the context of the review of quangos and State agencies.

Does this question refer to the Family Support Agency or the family resource centres? Are they linked?

They are the same bodies. The Family Support Agency funds the family resource centres.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has a role and responsibility in that area.

Is the Minister involved in discussion about local authorities or local partnerships taking over?

Yes, that is a separate issue. I have been engaging with the community section, which was subsumed into my Department. We are examining where services are provided across a range of Departments and agencies. We want to eliminate duplication and triplication, which is unsustainable. We want to ensure that core funding for these community organisations being assessed at the moment is provided on a county basis. Each county has built up an enormous number of agencies and organisations. The community sector is telling me that it wants certainty, streamlining and responsive delivery of services. I do not want to see the money I am allocating creating administrative posts. I want to see the money allocated on the ground for use on services for which the community has applied. We are engaging with local government and the community sector in order to have synergy between the objectives of the community sector and local government.

Water Charges

Michael Moynihan

Question:

7 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has in place to ensure an effective and cost efficient billing and collection system for water charges when they are introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15602/11]

Denis Naughten

Question:

14 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timetable for the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15485/11]

Denis Naughten

Question:

44 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timetable for the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Liam Twomey

Question:

51 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends measuring leakage prior to water reaching the consumer; the steps he will take to penalise wastage by the new water management company if it fails to deal with water wastage on its infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15404/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 14, 44 and 51 together.

The programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the funding of the metering programme and the installation of the water meters. No consultants have been employed by the Department in developing these proposals. Further details will be made available following Government consideration of the proposals.

The 34 county and city councils are responsible for the billing and collection of water and wastewater charges for non-domestic customers. In recent years some councils have been experiencing difficulties collecting charges from non-domestic customers. My Department is working closely with the councils in order to improve the rates of collection of charges from the non-domestic sector.

The programme for Government also proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water company. The memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the European Union and the International Monetary Fund commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility. Consultants are currently being appointed and will shortly commence work on this assessment, which will examine the optimum role of the new company and will assist in defining the functions to be assigned to it. The expenditure for this consultancy is being met from within the Department's budget for consultancy services. Issues such as the approach to billing and revenue collection will be considered in the independent assessment due to be completed by the end of October this year. It is intended that the outcome of the assessment will be considered by the Government, together with proposals for the establishment of Irish Water, before the end of 2011.

Addressing leakage and reducing the levels of unaccounted for water are critical for the delivery of more efficient services. The water services investment programme provides for a significant acceleration in the level of investment in this area, providing for contracts with a total value of some €321 million to commence in the period 2010 to 2012, which is more than double the level of investment over the previous decade. It is estimated that these contracts will allow for the replacement of 640 km of mains or about 3% of the public national network. The installation of water meters in households will complement this investment and facilitate more effective management of the water distribution networks.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. We have already heard much today about water but I will recap. There is a great concern in the local authority sector about the establishment of this new company, Irish Water, because thousands of people are already employed in the provision of water services across the local authority sector. These people have real jobs contributing significantly to Irish society through dedicated work.

Will the Minister of State give a guarantee that everybody engaged in the provision of water services across the local authority sector will not lose employment when Irish Water is established? With regard to billing and collection, will the Minister of State give the Irish people any degree of information on a waiver that may be obtainable for people who are unemployed, on low incomes, sick, or people with disabilities or who have children? There is much concern about the advent of water charges coming down the tracks and people want to know if any light can be thrown on the issue at this point.

Approximately 4,000 people are currently working in the water services programme, with 4,000 others providing ancillary services. The installation of meters will provide jobs for 1,500 to 1,800 people each year for at least three years. We will have more people working than ever before.

The Deputy asked what will be Irish Water, and that question will be answered in the report. Recommendations will be made which will not be binding on the Government and when the Minister gets that report, certainly by October this year, there will be absolute clarity as to what Irish Water will be doing. Recommendations may even indicate a possibility of an existing semi-State entity becoming Irish Water. There could also be a completely new programme. The question of employment is critical and more people, rather than fewer, will be working in water services because of our future investment programme.

I also asked about a waiver from the payment of water charges for people on low incomes, those who are sick and people with disabilities. Will the Minister of State throw any light on that?

When the details are made available they will be made public and the Government will consider all aspects of the report. I did some research on other countries and many do not provide a free allowance. It is clear that within each home that will pay for the service, there will be an opportunity to reduce water consumption and the consequent bill. All of those issues must be dealt with and a decision has not yet been made. When a Government decision is made, there will be a discussion in the Dáil.

Building Regulations

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

8 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious problems with pyrite throughout the country; the level of funding he will make available to both private tenants and local authorities to tackle this problem; and the engagement he has had with developers who use pyrite in their developments. [15639/11]

I am acutely aware of the difficult and distressing position faced by many homeowners and tenants who have been affected by the pyrite problem. In this context I welcome the judgment issued by the High Court on 25 May 2011 in the case of James Elliott Construction Limited v. Irish Asphalt Limited. The judgment in that case found Irish Asphalt Limited liable for the supply of defective filler material.

The remediation of homes affected by pyrite is a matter for the parties concerned, namely the building owner, the relevant developer and the builder's insurers. Enforcement is essentially a civil matter. I understand that following civil proceedings relating to homes affected by pyrite in north Dublin, a final settlement was reached and a trust fund established by the developer concerned. My Department is aware of one regeneration project, Ballymun regeneration, where higher than acceptable levels of pyrite have been discovered at three locations, namely the Ballymun central youth facility, a new apartment complex at Sillogue 4 and completed and tenanted units at Poppintree 5.

With regard to the youth facility building, remedial works costing an estimated €1.25 million were carried out satisfactorily by the contractor in accordance with the terms of the contract and at no extra cost to the Exchequer. In the case of the apartment complex at Sillogue 4, extensive remediation works are deemed necessary. The regeneration company, with the support of my Department, has been engaging with the contractor to identify the optimum solution. As this is a live contract, it is envisaged that the remedial works will be carried out under the terms of the contract and at no additional cost to the Exchequer.

My Department was recently notified of a potential pyrite problem at a completed and tenanted development at Poppintree 5. The regeneration company, together with Dublin City Council, is currently assessing this matter. As soon as all the facts have been established, the regeneration company will put measures in place to ensure that residents are fully informed of the extent of the problems and the solutions to be put in place to address these. I will inform the Deputy at the same time.

I am aware of the court case and its implications but we assume there will be an appeal to the Supreme Court, which could take three or four years. Even since the cases outlined in the reply there have been more suspect cases involving pyrite in Ballymun. Two more places have been identified and there was a public meeting recently to discuss the major problem.

The issue is mainly confined to Dublin and its north side. People resorting to litigation could see the process strung out for years and no result might come about because the problem is so big. We must consider making some kind of funding available. We all know money is scarce but I have been to these houses and looked at them. It is traumatic for any family to have their houses torn asunder.

This is Question Time not statements.

The Minister was prepared to speak with me about the pyrite problems as a meeting was arranged but cancelled.

The Deputy should ask a question about it.

Will that meeting be arranged again?

There is no liability on the part of the State.

I understand that.

The case outcome vindicates the position taken by the Department as far back as 2007. In accordance with technical guidance documents published to accompany Part D of the building regulations, the material used as infill should be proper material fit for purpose and the conditions for which it is used. I can understand people are worried, particularly with regard to funding, but HomeBond is a private company and the Department has fulfilled its obligation on standards. We are examining the court case to see what we can do to meet a representative group, as the Taoiseach indicated in the Dáil some weeks ago. The Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, and I will meet a representative group of Deputies and others in due course. We want to reach conclusions on the cases I mentioned relating to the Deputy's constituency also. We will revert in a couple of weeks and make the necessary arrangements to give more information.

I thank the Minister. The issue is serious and affects Fingal, Coolock and many other areas. We will end up seeking central funding of some description.

Political Reform

Billy Kelleher

Question:

9 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the political reform measures promised within the first 100 days of Government that have been achieved. [15598/11]

The programme for Government commits to a radical overhaul of the way Irish politics and government work. It sets out a wide ranging series of commitments to this end, a number of which are within my areas of responsibility. I am committed to working with my Government colleagues to implement these measures in full.

On 8 June 2011, I published the general scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. Provision is made for the restriction of corporate donations, a reduction in the amounts that can be received as political donations and a reduction in the thresholds for declaring political donations. Political parties will also now be required to submit their annual accounts to the Standards in Public Office Commission for publication. The new legislation includes a provision that political parties will face a cut of half their State political funding if they do not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next general election. This will then rise to 40% after 7 years. In line with the Government's commitment to reform the way legislation is debated and implemented, I have published the general scheme and invited public input on its contents.

In addition, provision is made in the Government's legislation programme in the current Dáil session for an electoral (amendment) Bill 2011 to provide for the implementation of a number of recent decisions announced by the Government. As part of the agenda to make the political system leaner and more efficient for its citizens, the terms of reference for the Constituency Commission will be changed in this Bill to provide for a reduced number of Deputies. The Bill will reduce the spending limits at presidential elections from €1.3 million to €750,000 and reduce the amount that candidates can be reimbursed for expenses from €260,000 to €200,000. As a further measure, the Bill will provide that all Dáil by-elections are called within six months of a vacancy arising.

Have any of the Government's objectives been achieved over its first 100 days apart from the announcement of a schedule of deliverables?

The Deputy may not understand that it takes time to agree a policy position, debate the issues in Cabinet and draft and publish the legislation. In the area of political reform, we have done more in 100 days than any other Administration in the history of the State. I look forward to the Deputy's support when these matters are brought before the Dáil and I hope the proposals I outlined will be given a speedy passage.

Fine Gael introduced the gimmick of the first 100 days. It was not Fianna Fáil or any other Opposition party.

A statement on housing policy was issued today as part of the review. I am concerned that the Minister may scrap the affordable housing scheme as it is currently constituted. Is that his intention? The scheme was introduced at a time when houses cost €300,000 and €400,000 but the subsequent decrease in prices to €160,000 or €180,000 does not mean affordable housing is no longer required.

Better value can be obtained on the open market than through the affordable housing scheme under Part V. It does not make sense to continue the scheme in those circumstances. The Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, is working assiduously with the National Asset Management Agency, a quango we would prefer not to have inherited, to roll out the social dividend in terms of providing housing to people on the waiting lists. There will be opportunities for people to purchase houses under the new scheme outlined today. As well as a leasing programme over 20 years, there will be options to purchase incrementally or otherwise. The affordable housing scheme has outlived its usefulness and we want to ensure people are able to borrow money to buy houses at the competitive prices which obtain today.

May I ask a brief supplementary question?

The matter is not directly relevant but the Deputy may ask a brief question.

Properties could be made available through NAMA at affordable prices.

I am happy to take that on board.

Social and Affordable Housing

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

10 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the situation in which affordable housing which has been bought by Dublin City Council in Clare Village, Malahide Road, Dublin 17, is being tied up in legal issues with the National Asset Management Agency leaving persons on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15638/11]

The operation of Part V, including the purchase of housing units for social or affordable housing purposes, is a matter for the local authority concerned. In the particular instance referred to in the question Dublin City Council informed my Department that it entered an agreement under Part V for the provision of 49 social units at Clare Village.

Funding has been approved by my Department under the capital assistance scheme to Tuath housing association for the purchase of the units in question. I understand that the first of the sales will conclude shortly with the balance to close during the summer. The units will be ready for occupation immediately thereafter. My Department is not aware of any legal issues involving the National Asset Management Agency or the developer in question.

I understand these units were tied up in a legal wrangle because they were brought into NAMA. They were paid for by the local authority but legal issues arose before they could be delivered. They have been sitting there for a long time. Is it possible for the Department to intervene with NAMA ensure the units are released?

As far as I am aware there is no impediment to selling the units and it is expected that sales will be closed over the summer and the units will be ready for occupation immediately thereafter. However, if Deputy Ellis has specific information I would be willing to pursue the matter with the chief executive and chairperson of NAMA. My Department and, I am sure, the local authority, considers it critical that the houses are allocated at the earliest opportunity.

Rural Development

Robert Troy

Question:

11 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-structure the Leader companies rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15594/11]

The programme for Government and the 2010 report of the local government efficiency review group both outline the need to develop and improve the synergies between the programmes and plans of local development bodies and the work of local government. Increased co-operation will provide qualitative and quantitative efficiencies and should improve the impact of relevant programmes and plans of both the local authorities and the local development companies.

While there are currently no plans to restructure the local action groups or Leader groups, work is underway to assess the potential for co-operation between local government and other agencies delivering funding programmes for the State, including local action groups. All the relevant stakeholders will be involved in this process with the ultimate aim of improving the delivery of services to the public as outlined in the programme for Government. This work is being pursued as rapidly and substantively as possible and it would not be appropriate to predetermine the results at this stage. However, the Government's objective generally is to pursue efficiencies in all local structures and to ensure that delivery systems are as effective as possible for the public.

I refer specifically to Leader companies, which now come under the Minister's remit. Is there any merit in aligning these companies along county boundaries? One company straddles my own county and County Cork. Is it possible to achieve efficiencies in this regard?

Of the €427 million earmarked under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, only €102 million has been spent or contractually committed to date. This is surprising given the current environment. Has the Minister plans to spend the remaining funds?

I will take on board the Deputy's suggestion about aligning the Leader groups and local development companies generally with county boundaries and local authorities. I have an open mind on the matter and will consider it in the context of our discussions. The rural development programme was slow to give itself up and there is a significant underspend at present. We are encountering difficulties with ACCESS 1 funding, particularly in regard to the food sector. We are working with the European Commission to determine how we can transfer ACCESS funds in order to allow the programme to continue. A total of €62 million is available this year.

Local Authority Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

12 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the degree to which he is satisfied that the commitment given to the House by a predecessor during the passage of legislation to abolish the dual mandate, to the effect that Oireachtas Members would continue to have access to the local authority institutions in line with that then in existence, the discussions he has had with the local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15589/11]

The Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003, provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas Members by the local authority such as the local authority budget, draft development plan, etc. It is a matter for each local authority to deal with requests for access to information by a parliamentary representative as expeditiously as possible and in accordance with a proper level of customer service. In this regard, local authorities are required to put in place arrangements to ensure that systems, procedures and time frames equivalent to those used by them in regard to correspondence from local authority members also apply in respect of parliamentary representatives. Managers are required to meet at least annually with local Oireachtas Members to provide an opportunity for an update on developments and for any difficulties encountered to be raised and addressed.

My Department has gathered information from local authorities on a periodic basis on the practical application of the arrangements established by the regulations. Based on the information received, I understand that local authorities are generally complying with these arrangements. I will continue to monitor compliance by local authorities with the regulations.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Arising from the commitment by a previous Minister to the House during the passage of the legislation referred to in the question wherein he indicated the desirability of interaction between Oireachtas Members and local authority members with a view to keeping a united approach on the issues likely to arise in local authority areas, could the Minister further indicate whether it might be desirable to review the extent to which the commitment is being carried out to date, and that we do not have a situation of a dwindling line of correspondence between the Oireachtas and local authorities?

I understand the Deputy's concern. I have not received any representations about a problem in that regard. If Deputy Durkan has information to that effect I would be pleased to receive it to ensure compliance with the operation of the regulations as set out in the legislation. I understand local authorities are responsible for delivering a range of essential services to the public. It is important that public representatives are kept fully informed, including Oireachtas Members. The intention of the regulation is that at least one meeting a year is held but that does not confine managers to having only one. Most managers have more than one meeting. If there is a general problem with the Kildare County Council area I would be pleased to receive details from the Deputy.

I was not referring to Kildare in particular.

I do not know where Deputy Durkan was referring to if it was not Kildare.

I was thinking about Kilkenny.

I will look after Kilkenny.

Waste Management

Barry Cowen

Question:

13 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will announce his review of the provisions of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 relating to the waste facility levy. [15599/11]

I stated in the course of the Second Stage debate on the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on 14 April 2011 that I will announce my decision in respect of the waste facility levy provisions of the Bill on Committee Stage.

The Bill is a very important component of the national approach to waste and in the course of the Second Stage debate I outlined the guiding principles which will inform the waste policy development process, including the use of appropriate economic instruments. Those principles will serve to ensure that future waste policy will be designed to minimise the volumes of waste generated and to extract the maximum value from those wastes which do arise; be founded on a firm, evidence-based understanding of the many scientific, economic and social issues which are inherent elements of the waste policy discourse; and be designed to facilitate necessary investment in infrastructure, within an appropriately regulated waste market framework. The date for Committee Stage has not yet been set, but I expect that it will be taken in the next few weeks.

Question No. 14 answered with Question No. 7.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Dessie Ellis

Question:

15 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the efforts he has made to ensure that any contracts issued for regeneration works, like those undertaken by Limerick Regeneration Agency, will have a social element incorporated that will ensure local employment is provided to local persons. [15636/11]

The national regeneration programme targets the country's most disadvantaged communities, particularly those defined by extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. Regeneration seeks to rebuild those damaged communities by improving not just the physical environment in which people live, but also by investing in the social and economic life of the areas. This holistic, multi-agency approach ensures that regeneration is sustainable, beyond just the initial construction phases, and generates long-term advantages in terms of improvements to housing and the local environment, improved community and social facilities and services, as well as new employment and enterprise opportunities in these areas.

My Department currently supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects ranging from broad area-based regeneration such as those at Ballymun and Limerick, to smaller, estate-focused projects in inner city locations and regional towns across the country. All of the projects seek to deliver social, economic and physical regeneration with a strong community involvement in the process.

The holistic approach follows through into the creation and support of employment in those areas, through a broad-ranging approach that involves new training places being provided for unemployed members of the community, the use of community employment schemes for estate enhancement elements of regeneration and, in the larger regeneration projects such as in Limerick, specific new enterprise supports. There is also a significant knock-on effect on local employment, both direct and indirect, from the construction contracts included in any regeneration project, not to mention the employment opportunities provided in the newly constructed community and commercial facilities that are often delivered as part of regeneration.

My Department and the local authorities and agencies charged with delivering on regeneration are committed to exploring every opportunity to stimulate local employment opportunities as part of the construction contracts, having due regard to national and EU procurement legislation. Notwithstanding the legislative constraints and the need to avoid restrictive or challengeable contractual practices, it is possible to make provision for construction contracts to contribute to the achievement of certain social policy objectives, for example, providing employment opportunities targeted at long-term unemployed people or providing work placement and other skills training opportunities as part of the contract. I understand, for example, that the contract award criteria for the new housing development at Cliona Park, Moyross, include an objective on employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed.

I am pleased to hear that some of the long-term unemployed will be looked after. This has been a bone of contention in many communities where regeneration has taken place, that the contracting of local people has always been ruled out. We have been told time and again that it is due to EU directives. The Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, was able to ensure that projects undertaken in the North did involve local contracts. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that we can get contracts awarded to local people. In Ballymun in particular local labour was not directly employed in many of the schemes and those employed were generally not local people. There was a spin-off in terms of different types of jobs but the direct employment of people on building sites was always a big bone of contention.

I accept what the Minister said. I am pleased to hear that some unemployed people will be looked after in Limerick.

We are somewhat constrained by EU and Irish legislation in terms of the principle of equal treatment which provides that companies may not be discriminated against on the basis of their nationality or location. Procurement legislation and guidelines provide for that in all public contracts and contracting authorities are precluded from awarding contracts solely on the basis that work should be provided by local firms or other similarly restrictive clauses. That said, I accept the Deputy's point. Examples of conditions where one can have a clear social or environmental impact must be set out in advertisements.

Dublin City Council apply a requirement that any job vacancy beyond a contractor's core workforce be recruited where practicable from the local FÁS office. The Limerick Regeneration Agency and Dublin City Council both promote the employment of long-term unemployed people as part of their contracts. As Deputy Ellis is aware, local contractors win contracts, which can help the situation. In Waterford, six contractors from the south east of the country are delivering nine regeneration work projects. In Cranmore in Sligo nine local contractors have been employed directly or indirectly to deliver on a range of regeneration works from demolition to refurbishment to estate works. In the Mitchels regeneration project in Tralee two local contractors have been awarded construction and demolition contracts. In Cork city the recently completed €30 million project at Knocknaheeny Block D was delivered by a local contractor. That is good news but I accept Deputy Ellis's point that where possible we should employ local people who are unemployed. I would be a strong advocate of that within the confines of the system in which we must work.

Proposed Legislation

Martin Ferris

Question:

16 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the damage that climate change is doing to our environment; his views on whether this is an issue that can be put on the long finger; if he will give a commitment to bring forward the date of publication of a climate change bill to this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/11]

Climate change is widely recognised as the most fundamental and far-reaching environmental challenge to humanity, both globally and nationally.

Ireland has already signed up to meeting demanding legally binding targets for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol and under the climate and energy package agreed by the EU in December 2008. By 2020, this country will be required to achieve the equivalent of a 20% reduction on its 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors of the economy not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme, ETS. This legally binding target will have to be met, irrespective of national climate legislation.

This poses a significant challenge for Ireland and will require a robust, whole-of-Government response. Any new legislation on climate change must encapsulate and give overarching support to the objectives and binding commitments at international level in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and within the ambitious EU agenda.

In the reply to Question No. 56 of 17 May 2011, I set out my planned timetable for the implementation of the programme for Government commitment to publish climate legislation. I believe the timetable is appropriate, given the importance of ensuring a widely supported and robust national climate policy that provides a basis for meeting the serious challenges we face in the period to 2020 and beyond. I look forward to the constructive engagement of all parties in the House when I publish the consultation paper on climate legislation early next year.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett.

Does Deputy Ellis not get to go first?

There is no one offering. Deputy Ellis.

The Minister said he would publish this paper early next year, but over the last number of years we have had major ups and downs and freak weather conditions, which are becoming more and more common. We have had snow, wind, rain and everything else in the last couple of years. The situation is serious. I wish we could move this forward now and not wait until next year to address it because it is so urgent.

I know Deputy Ellis was not a Member of the last Dáil, but I remind him that we have much ground to make up in terms of bringing people together after the unnecessary divisiveness that my predecessor created on this issue. I have asked my Department to take stock of our position on climate change. On foot of a commitment contained in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, the Department is in the process of developing a national climate change adaptation framework, which is an important step. It will help to position Ireland in the debate but it will also help us adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change that the Deputy mentioned.

I apologise if I cover ground that has already been covered, as I came in late.

Could the Minister tell us whether we are facing fines? Where are we in terms of our EU targets for reducing emissions? Are we on track to meet these targets? I believe, although I cannot swear to it, that we are close to meeting our Kyoto targets, but are we close to meeting the EU targets, and are there fines pending if we do not meet them?

I was contacted by a resident of Bettystown, which is not in my own constituency.

It is in my constituency.

There you go. The Minister of State must not have responded to the call. Anyway, he had a very good idea, which I think is fiscally neutral — I see the heads pop up — for large-scale retrofitting of houses with insulation, thus reducing CO2 emissions, saving energy and potentially creating jobs, on the basis of a loan scheme at reasonable interest rates. This would make up the gap between the grants that are available, which do not cover all the costs, and the rest of the cost, which people might not be able to pay upfront. Who should we go to with good ideas such as that, and how can we discuss and make progress on them?

I would be glad to receive any positive proposal the Deputy might have to achieve our national and international objectives. I do not anticipate any EU fines if we implement our national climate change strategy successfully. We will meet our commitments under the Kyoto protocol, largely because we are in recession, although that is not a good reason to meet our targets. We are now engaged in a process with sectoral interests to ensure we meet our Europe 2020 obligations, which are much more challenging; transport and agriculture in particular represent a major challenge. I look forward to receiving those proposals in due course from the Deputy.

Local Government Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

17 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to enhance the powers of town councils, in particular towns that were former town commissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/11]

A range of work relevant to local government reform is under way or in planning arising from the report of the local government efficiency review group and I am reviewing the next immediate steps to augment this undertaking. I will also be considering wider proposals to renew and develop the local government system in line with the Government's programme and building on relevant research and analysis already undertaken in this area.

Key objectives under the Government programme include devolution of greater decision-making to local level, strengthening the powers and functions of local authorities, enhancing the development and leadership role of local government and strengthening its structures and funding arrangements. I intend bringing proposals to Government later this year to take forward the proposals in the programme to strengthen the local government system and improve its capacity to meet current and future challenges and to make a substantial contribution to the national recovery effort. In this context, the powers of town councils and their future within that system will be considered.

The specific question I am asking here is about town councils. As a former town councillor, I have an interest in this. My concern is that the town council of a town such as Mullingar — with which the Minister's colleague, Deputy Penrose, will be familiar — which has a population of 25,000, has town commission status and no rating powers, and the greater Portlaoise area has a population of 18,000; yet a town such as Templemore, with a population of 2,700 or 2,800, has a rating authority. I ask the Minister to consider this in the context of local government reform.

In addition, if the Minister intends to do away with quangos, particularly at local level, I ask him to investigate possible fits between their roles and those of town councils. Is it part of his thinking that the roles of such quangos will be brought under the remit of town councils? Town councils are democratically elected and they could be used to administer some of those programmes. Is it the Minister's intention to enhance the powers of town councils specifically? I heard him say that he intends to devolve more powers to local authorities. In a general way, I welcome that, as would my party. However, my specific question is whether the Minister intends to improve the powers and functions of town councils, particularly former town commissions.

My general principle is to ensure that as much power as possible is devolved from central to local government, and obviously town councils have an important role, as they are the closest body to the citizens in urban areas. County councils also have a role and are close to citizens. However, there is some duplication. In the context of the proposals we will introduce in the autumn, we will be examining how to define the role of each type of authority. I do not expect to abolish town councils. I do not have plans to abolish the town councils of Portlaoise and Mullingar, or I would be in desperate trouble. I do believe there are roles, responsibilities and structures that are commensurate with the times we are in, and that councils can deliver services to the citizen in a cost-effective way. In addition, they must have the capacity to implement some of the devolved functions that will be given to them.

Departmental Properties

Martin Ferris

Question:

18 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the ground rents that are paid by him, if he will provide a breakdown of the total cost of this annually and a breakdown of the amount the ground rents are for each property. [15630/11]

The management of the property my Department occupies is primarily a matter for the Office of Public Works. My Department does not pay ground rent on any property.

Based on that reply, is the Office of Public Works paying ground rents?

The Deputy will have to ask the OPW.

All right. That is a separate question. In addition, does the Government have any plans that the Minister is aware of to make alterations to the legislation dealing with ground rents? There is no sign of it in the programme for Government.

In a reply to a question from Deputy Adams on 11 May, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, listed 50 properties on which the OPW pays ground rent, at a total cost of €5,128.94 annually. The Minister of State also indicated that no legislation was promised, but we referred to existing legislation and we have undertaken to examine the possibilities of what the Deputy is advocating.

Local Government Reform

Niall Collins

Question:

19 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Brosnan report; the discussions he has had with the author of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15592/11]

The report of the Limerick local government committee was published in September 2010. The core element of the committee's recommendations was that a single local authority for Limerick should be established in place of the current Limerick City and County Council. Other related recommendations included the election of a mayor of the new unitary authority after the 2014 local elections for the full-five year term of the Council; the retention by the new authority of savings arising from the restructuring and the use of these to lower rates within the current city area to levels pertaining in the county; and support for priority projects such as regeneration, including the incorporation of the two regeneration agencies under the new local government structure.

Since taking office, I have given careful consideration to the committee's recommendations and consulted with several relevant parties, including the chair of the committee, Mr. Denis Brosnan, Clare County Council, Limerick County Council and Limerick City Council. I am aware there is a wide level of agreement on the need to strengthen local government arrangements in Limerick. I anticipate that decisions will be taken by the Government in the next several weeks.

The Minister did not consult with me. However, he need not worry because I agree with the report's recommendations. Local newspapers will have an exclusive at the weekend that the Minister has taken a decision to go ahead with the unitary authority. Perhaps there is a leak in the system. Of course, I am not saying we have a tradition of leaks.

Deputy Niall Collins would not want to believe everything he reads in the newspapers. I suffered in the past from leaks in the Department and I am not going to do so again.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.

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