Vol. 815 No. 3
158. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are serious interference and signal problems on televisions in some rural areas now serviced by Saorview; the steps he will take to rectify this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41777/13]
RTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ. Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act also provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network. In this regard, RTÉ has provided the SAORVIEW network covering 98% of the population and a satellite solution, SAORSAT, for the remaining 2%. The availability of SAORSAT means that the first time in Irish television history there is 100% coverage for domestic TV channels.
In regard to the issue of SAORVIEW reception, RTÉ has confirmed to me that SAORVIEW and SAORSAT have been working well since their installation and launch and have been operating within the expected parameters across the country. Notwithstanding, RTÉ has indicated that over the summer, during periods of high atmospheric pressure, there have been a number of problems with home aerials which were poorly installed, in poor condition, or mis-directed. Issues with home aerials are a matter for householders and RTÉ has advised that reception issues can be resolved by replacing old or reinstalling or re aligning new aerials. 2RN, which runs the SAORVIEW network on RTE's behalf, has informed my Department that a number of re-alignment cases arose in Cork, Kerry, Cavan, Monaghan and Kilkenny. 2RN has indicated that it will investigate and help home-owners resolve any issues that they are having with their SAORVIEW TV reception.
159. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department has given consideration to the implementation here of a simple three digit 24-7 non-emergency contact for every citizen to interact with Government, semi-State and public bodies and organisations, charitable, voluntary and support services, that will assist callers in dealing with health, educational, civic, local government, social problems and so on; if he or his Department has examined the way this successfully operates in places such as the USA and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41556/13]
My Department has no overall function regarding the implementation of the proposal referred to in the Question. It is a matter for each Government Department and public body to ensure that appropriate information is available to the public in relation to the services provided by them and to determine the manner in which such information is provided.
With regard to local government, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a website to assist residents in reporting problems with street lighting, drainage, graffiti, waste collection and road and path maintenance in their neighbourhoods, with a guarantee that local officials will respond within two working days. In this context, the FixYourStreet.ie website has been accessible in all local authority areas since 1 January 2013. The provision and overall maintenance of the website by South Dublin County Council allows the public a more direct role in safeguarding and maintaining their local communities and brings simplicity, efficiency and speed to how local authorities deliver improved services to citizens living in their areas.
An important benefit of the approach is the effective use of modern technologies, social networking, web-based collaboration, mobile apps and GIS in an interactive manner with the public and extending the use of low cost web-based solutions such as FixYourStreet.ie will enable local authorities remain at the forefront of service delivery and help deliver an important element of the Government’s eGovernment programme.
160. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current level of homelessness in Dublin and the other urban areas compared with two years ago; the amount of such homelessness that can be attributed to the new standards in rental accommodation, specifically those relating to the prohibition of bed-sits; if the requirement to have an individual bathroom for each unit of accommodation is a contributory factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41611/13]
Up to now it has been difficult to quantify the number of homeless persons on an on-going basis; this is in part a consequence of the volatility within this cohort of housing need. However, during the course of 2013 the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), which commenced operation in Dublin in 2011, is being extended nationally. When PASS is fully implemented nationally it will provide good quality, timely data which will allow housing authorities to report in relation to the on-going extent and the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed.
In advance of the full implementation of PASS the most complete set of data available in relation to homelessness nationally is the Central Statistics Office’s special Census report, Homeless Persons in Ireland, which was published on 6 September 2012. This report indicated that a total of 65 individuals were sleeping rough on Census night, 10 April 2011, while identifying a further 3,743 people as housed in accommodation defined as emergency, transitional or long-term. Of the total of 3,808 individuals included in the report, almost 60% were in long-term or transitional housing arrangements.
From 1 February 2013, all residential rented accommodation is required to have its own separate sanitary facilities in accordance with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008. This has resulted in the phasing-out of the traditional “bed-sit”, where sanitary facilities are shared between different rental units. The Regulations allowed a four year phasing in period to facilitate landlords with the time either adequately to meet the revised minimum standards or to remove unsuitable accommodation from the rental market. Most landlords affected by these changes engaged with their tenants during this time to discuss the implications of any works that needed to be carried out on their properties and took steps to bring their accommodation into line with the new standards.
I am satisfied that the private rented residential sector contains a sufficiently large stock of decent housing and of good landlords to ensure that those previously renting accommodation at the lowest end of the market can still be accommodated within that market but in better quality accommodation and that these Regulations should not contribute to an increase in homelessness.
161. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the situation where shared service programmes are being located to individual local authorities and where staff in other local authorities wish to transfer to the new shared service project in cases where it is nearer where they live; the structure and arrangements in place whereby staff can transfer between local authorities as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/13]
Recently, as part of the Local Government sector’s shared services programme, Laois County Council was selected, following a competitive bidding process, to provide shared payroll and superannuation services on behalf of all local authorities. Subject to the completion of further detailed design, the new local authority shared service centre will begin operation from early 2014. As part of the detailed design currently being undertaken, staffing and resourcing issues will be addressed by Laois County Council, in consultation with the sector’s Programme Management Office and my Department. Ultimately, it is anticipated that the shared service centre will operate with a maximum staff complement of 72, once fully operational, and that the shared service will deliver annual savings of €4.3m and release almost 70 WTE staff in the sector.
162. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of cleansing in the aftermath of Arthur's Day; if he will ensure that local authorities recoup costs for private sponsored events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41648/13]
The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for local authorities. Accordingly, it is a matter for each individual local authority to decide the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
163. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress to date on the roll out targets for the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41655/13]
In March 2012, the Government approved in principle the transfer of responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with an established housing need from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to local authorities using a new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). On 18 July 2013, the Government approved the introduction of HAP. Approval was also given for the provision of funding to the local authorities to cover the costs of accommodating HAP claimants and administering the new Scheme.
My Department and the Department of Social Protection are continuing to work closely on the legal, policy and operational issues involved in the development and introduction of HAP. Work has also continued on developing the business processes required to allow for a general scheme of a Housing Bill (providing for HAP) to be prepared for Government consideration this year.
My Department is also working closely with County and City Managers in overseeing plans for the implementation of HAP, but more specifically at this stage in relation to the test phase which is planned for 2014 (subject to the enactment of the relevant legislation). A Project Implementation Team has also been established, which will be responsible for detailed planning and implementation during the testing and roll-out phases. A detailed business process design exercise for HAP involving input from all the relevant key stakeholders is currently being finalised and once complete the implementation team will, in conjunction with my Department, develop a plan for testing the scheme in a number of local authorities in 2014 with full roll out of the scheme to follow once the test phase is complete.
164. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way his Department and the Pyrite Resolution Board came to the figure of €500 for building condition assessments as this has not been the price that has been quoted to many homeowners who have been affected by pyrite; if he will reveal the quotes that they received from companies when they arrived at this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41692/13]
This is an operational matter which falls within the remit of the Pyrite Resolution Board. My Department understands that the figure of €500 is the overall maximum that will be recouped to applicants on confirmation by testing that a dwelling has a Damage Condition Rating of 2 consistent with pyritic heave. The figure was determined taking account of a number of factors, including the work involved in the assessment process, and is considered sufficient to meet the costs of procuring a Building Condition Assessment.
165. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in a prison (details supplied) in County Roscommon that have breached the terms of their temporary release to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41552/13]
I can inform the Deputy that, to date, there have been four prisoners resident in Harristown House, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. None of the four residents have breached the terms of their temporary release to this facility.
166. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he or his Department has given consideration to the implementation here of a simple three digit 24-7 non-emergency contact for every citizen to interact with Government, semi-State, public bodies and organisations, charitable, voluntary and support services, that will assist callers in dealing with health, educational, civic, local government, social problems and so on; if he or his Department has examined the way this successfully operates in places such as the USA and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41558/13]
I wish to inform the Deputy that while I do not have any responsibility for the introduction of a three digit 24/7 non-emergency contact number for the various bodies or indeed the policy areas set out in his Question, I do understand and have sympathy with the thrust and intent of his Question. I am informed that the Chief Information Officer (CIO) in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is considering the introduction of a single number such as is used for emergency services in places such as New York and is engaged in consultation about a strategy to allow citizens improved digital access to all services. The Department and its agencies would have a part to play should the CIO come forward with proposals but would not be independently examining developments in this area.
While no entity falling under the remit of my Department operates a three digit 24/7 non-emergency contact number of the type set out by the Deputy, my Department has undertaken some targeted initiatives in this area. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) operates a number of helplines to facilitate clients in making enquiries in relation to immigration and citizenship issues. These helplines are provided between certain set periods each week. The periods for which the helplines operate strikes a balance between facilitating customers in making queries to INIS and the overall priority of ensuring that immigration and citizenship applications are processed as quickly as possible. Any widening of the periods of operation of the helplines would divert scarce resources away from case processing which would be contrary to the best interests of customers.
Since 2005, the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has allocated just over €700,000 in funding to the Crime Victims Helpline. The Helpline is a confidential national helpline run by a team of trained volunteers. The main role of the organisation is to take calls from members of the public who are victims of crime and to respond to the caller's needs by providing appropriate information, referral to a relevant support organisation, emotional support and other responses according to the caller's needs. They can be contacted on by means of a freephone number 116 066 during the following hours:
|
Day |
Time |
|
Monday |
10am - 7.30pm |
|
Tuesday to Friday |
10.00am. - 5.00pm |
|
Saturday |
2.00pm to 4.00pm |
|
Bank Holidays |
2.00pm - 4.00pm |
Outside those hours if a member of the public leaves a message asking the helpline to contact them they will do so promptly. Due to lack of financial resources it is not possible to implement a 24/7 helpline.
There are also national help-lines available for victims of domestic and sexual violence. These help-lines are provided with the assistance of state funding through the Health Service Executive (HSE). The sexual violence helpline is provided by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and is provided on a 24/7 basis. The national domestic violence help-line is provided by Women's Aid and operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The decision to operate the domestic violence help-line on a 12 hour basis is, I understand, one that was made by Women's Aid on the basis of its experience of need and effectiveness.
In the European context, the EU is committed to establishing a series of help-line numbers beginning with 116 for crime victims, such as the 116 006 victims help-line, rather than a one for all number.
