Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
270 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/10]
View answerThe tables set out the information requested in the question. The first table details Task Forces established in my Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and any reports arising. The second table details reports commissioned and paid for by my Department during the same years. Reports prepared internally such as Annual Reports and other reports associated with the ongoing work of the Department are not included.
|
Title of Task Force (if applicable) |
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
|
€ |
||||
|
Expert Advisory Group — To conduct a review of Ireland’s World Heritage Tentative List |
Draft New Tentative List made available for public consultation on 2nd November 2009 |
See across |
List prepared |
N/A |
|
Task Force on Adult Entertainment |
Report of the Task Force on Adult Entertainment |
To examine the planning land use implications of the siting and location of adult entertainment venues. |
No |
N/A |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Process Audit Report on Waterford Sewerage Scheme (DBO) |
A Process Auditor is appointed for every PPP project with a capital value in excess of €20 million. The Process Auditor function is to check that procedures and processes are such that the project complies with all the relevant, EU, national, local or project specific, regulatory and administrative procedures and procedures adopted by Project Manager/Project Board. |
Ongoing |
€29,834 |
2007 |
|
Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Fota House and Gardens, Co. Cork |
Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Fota House and Gardens, Co. Cork |
Yes |
14,520 |
2007 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Examining and Assessing the Regulation of Lobbyists in Canada, the USA, the EU Institutions. |
To analyse the formal systems for regulating lobbyists in public life in certain jurisdictions thereby facilitating their relevance to public life in Ireland. |
Yes |
34,000 |
2007 |
|
Process Audit Report on Mullingar Sewerage Scheme (DBO) |
See previous Process Audit Reports for Sewerage Schemes |
Yes |
5,261 |
2007 |
|
Analysis of national emissions of pollutants from Powergen sector |
To analyse the national emissions of pollutants from the Powergen sector |
Yes |
29,950 |
2007 |
|
Review of the operation of Local Authority Capital Expenditure |
To review the pattern of capital expenditure recoupment by local authorities |
Yes |
58,503 |
2007 |
|
Quality review of Rural Water Programme report |
Quality Assessment of VFM Review of Rural Water Programme |
Yes |
3,630 |
2007 |
|
Monitoring of Archaeological Monuments Programme |
Pilot project to monitor change to condition of archaeological monuments and risk of damage and/or destruction thereto. |
Yes |
94,985 |
2007 |
|
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report |
To provide information on the litter position nationally |
Yes |
104,398 |
2007 |
|
Storage of Electronic Voting Equipment — Conclusion of Local Lease Arrangements |
To examine individual leases and make recommendations on termination of leases where appropriate |
Yes |
35,090 |
2007 |
|
Construction Industry Reports |
An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy |
Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast |
117,954 |
2007 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Energy Efficiency Regulations for New Dwellings & Options for Improvement |
Analysis of the options available to achieve 40% improvement over 2005 Part L standards |
Yes |
107,779 |
2007 |
|
Limerick Regeneration Programme |
Report commissioned by Government following increase in criminality in Limerick |
Yes |
21,764 |
2007 |
|
A Review of and Report on Certain Matters Relating to Dublin City Council’s Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant |
A Review of and Report on Certain Matters Relating to Dublin City Council’s Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant |
Yes |
34,345 |
2008 |
|
Process Audit Report on Navan / Mid-Meath Water Supply Scheme |
See previous Process Audit Reports for Sewerage Schemes |
ongoing |
0 |
2008 |
|
Draft terms of reference for preparation of guidance on the economic aspects of the Water Framework Directive |
This report was requested to co-ordinate the development of guidelines, including the provision of training for undertaking economic analysis relevant to the preparation of river basin management plans by local authorities. |
Yes |
3,932 |
2008 |
|
Indecon Review of County/City Development Board Strategic Reviews and Proposals for Strengthening and Developing the Boards |
To support the process of Reviewing CDB Strategies |
Yes |
93,170 |
2008 |
|
Urban Design Guide |
To supplement planning guidance |
Yes |
240,000 |
2008 |
|
White Young Green — Former Irish Steel Plant Environmental Report (2008) |
Environmental Assessment of Site Condition |
Yes |
355,857 |
2008 |
|
Sirius — Peer review of WYG Environmental Report 2008 |
Peer Review |
Yes |
22,959 |
2008 |
|
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report |
To provide information on the litter position nationally |
Yes |
101,203 |
2008 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Electoral Area Boundary Committee Report 2008 |
To review and make recommendations regarding the boundaries and memberships of local electoral areas in 30 local authority areas |
Yes |
10,415 |
2008 |
|
Dublin and Cities Electoral Area Boundary Committee Report 2008 |
To review and make recommendations regarding the boundaries and memberships of local electoral areas in 8 local authority areas |
Yes |
5,101 |
2008 |
|
Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland |
To make recommendations regarding the establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland |
Yes |
8,400 |
2008 |
|
Study on Meeting the Requirements of European Regulation 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gases). |
To facilitate the process of designing the optimal implementation model for EU F-Gas Regulation 842/2006 |
Yes |
84,658 |
2008 |
|
Report on outcome of Contract 4.2 Limerick Main Drainage |
To review the Department’s role in the management and oversight of this contract |
Yes |
29,415 |
2008 |
|
Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill Conservation Study |
To identify replanting options for large tree felled area and to inform input to County Development Plan. |
Yes |
71,148 |
2008 |
|
Irish Battlefields Project |
Research as input to review of national monuments legislation. |
Yes |
290,542 |
2008 |
|
Monasterboice Conservation Study |
To assess options for preservation and display of the Monasterboice Crosses. |
Yes |
39,160 |
2008 |
|
Geotechnical Consultancy — Rath Lugh |
To assess impact of adjacent road development on national monument. |
Yes |
3,257 |
2008 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Construction Industry Reports |
An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy |
Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast |
117,954 |
2008 |
|
Process Audit Report on Portrane/Donabate/ Rush/Lusk Waste Water Treatment Plant |
See previous Process Audit Reports on Sewerage Schemes |
ongoing |
0 |
|
|
Report on visits to properties included in, orproposed to the World Heritage Tentative List of Ireland |
Review of World Heritage Tentative List of Sites in Ireland |
Yes |
9,574 |
2008 |
|
An assessment of the palaeo environmental samples retrieved during archaeological excavations on Skellig Michael |
This work is an essential part of the post-excavations analysis required to reconstruct the environmental conditions and possible diet of the early monks on Skellig Michael |
Yes |
3,473 |
|
|
Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Annes Grove House, Garden and Home Farm, Castletownroche, Mallow, Co Cork. |
Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Annes Grove House, Garden and Home Farm, Castletownroche, Mallow, Co Cork. |
Yes |
14,520 |
2008 |
|
Limiting Thermal Bridging & Air Infiltration — Acceptable Construction Details |
Production of a set of generic Acceptable Construction Details that can be accepted as limiting thermal bridging in accordance with TGD L Conservation of Fuel and Energy — Dwellings 2007 |
Yes |
19,011 |
2008 |
|
Process Audit Report on Kildare Water Supply Scheme — River Barrow Abstraction Water Treatment Plant |
See previous Process Audit Reports on Sewerage Schemes |
Yes |
7,839 |
2009 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Bathing Water Survey Report 2008 |
Purpose was to check the use of the coastal bathing waters in the high season and to provide an overview of key quality and management issues including information provided to bathers. |
Yes |
16,950 |
2009 |
|
A Blueprint for a Public Awareness Campaign on Water |
Framework of an awareness strategy on actions and behaviours that will arrest the decline of our overall water quality |
Yes |
77,430 |
2009 |
|
Community Consultants |
Waterford Youth Service — Research Project |
Yes |
*€15,000 Note: Full cost of report was €30,000 which was shared equally by this Department and Dept of Education |
2009 |
|
RIA on proposed legislation to increase levies on plastic shopping bags and certain waste facilities |
Examination of 2 proposed amendments to Waste Management Act, to raise plastic bag levy and certain waste facilities |
Yes |
72,341 |
2009 |
|
Eunomia Research and Consulting — Strategic Environmental Assessment |
SEA on Proposed Cap on amount of MSW that can be Incinerated and other Matters |
Yes |
43,284 |
2009 |
|
Eunomia Research and Consulting — International Review of Waste Management Policy |
Major Waste Study to underpin International Review of Waste Management Policy provided for in Programme for Government |
Yes |
€168,171.35 to date — Final Invoice Awaited |
2009 |
|
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report |
To provide information on the litter position nationally |
Yes |
110,007 |
2009 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Review of spot-Checks of Capital Projects and Associated Training Consultancy |
To carry out a series of independent spot-checks and post project reviews of capital projects funded by the Department and delivered either by local authorities or directly by the Department. |
Yes |
545,048 |
2009 |
|
Review of Archaeological Policy and Practice |
To inform Ministerial policy and review national monuments legislation |
Part 1 — Report on Legislation — Completed January 2009 |
3,858 |
2009 |
|
Construction Industry Reports |
An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy |
Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast |
99,048 |
2009 |
|
Eurocode 2 Study — Concrete |
To technically evaluate the impact of implementation of EN 1992 on structural design in Ireland and to produce a draft National Annex for the first two parts of this code |
Yes |
81,860 |
2009 |
|
Eurocode 6 Study — Masonry |
To technically evaluate the impact of implementation of EN 1996 on structural design in Ireland and to produce draft National Annexes for all parts of this code |
Yes |
65,138 |
2009 |
|
Code of Practise on Timber Frame Houses |
Need to set a standard code of practise for timber frame houses. |
Yes |
67, 765 |
2009 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Strategic Review of the Capital Funding Scheme for Voluntary & Cooperative Housing |
Review undertaken in response to commitments given in Government’s Housing Policy Statement and Partnership Agreement. |
Yes |
160,000 |
2009 |
|
Final Account Reports (various schemes) |
Review of Final Accounts provided for various Water Services capital schemes |
ongoing |
€80,180.83**figure relates to total paid in 2007-2009 period |
2009 |
|
Organisational review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Organisational review of the NPWS |
No, to be completed in 2010 |
183,945 |
n/a |
|
Administrative Burden Report |
To identify administrative burden costs on business arising from the Dept’s Legislation & Regulations |
Yes |
9,112 |
2009 |
|
Evaluation of European Spatial Network Research to Ireland |
To assess relevance of research to Ireland |
Yes |
48,376 |
2009 |
|
Evaluation of Gateway Innovation Fund Proposals |
To assess and evaluate proposals for funding from the 9 NSS Gateways |
Yes |
73,689 |
2008 |
|
Research into the Barriers to the Provision of Traveller Accommodation |
To inform the NTACC of the barriers to providing Traveller Accommodation as perceived by local authorities |
Yes |
6,136 |
Not published. For NTACC information. Available on request. |
|
NPWS Data Management Framework Development Report |
NPWS Data Management Framework Proposal & Study |
No |
Estimated €49,800 |
Due to be completed June 2010 |
|
Title of Report |
Reason for Report |
Report Completed? |
Cost |
Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable |
|
€ |
||||
|
Assessment of Acceptable Construction Details to support TGD L Conservation of Fuel and Energy — Dwellings 2010 |
Assessment of thermal performance of DEHLG Acceptable Construction Details for the new backstop U Values to be used in TGD L Dwellings 2010 and to assess the performance of these construction types when combined with internal insulation. |
Not yet — due for completion in 2010 |
88,615 |
2010 |
|
Climate Change Study |
To ascertain impact of climate change on Ireland’s World Heritage Sites |
No |
8,400 |
2010 |
|
Interim Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme |
Part of the 2006-2008 round of Value for Money and Policy Reviews agreed by the Government. Report completed in house but final draft sent to an external quality assessor for review. |
November 2009 |
3,645 |
2010 |
