Written Answers Nos. 117-24
117. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the reason RTÉ NL do not include the Ballydavid transmitter, County Kerry, in the list of 13 additional transmitter sites that will broadcast the new Saorview service; if RTÉ NL can guarantee full service to all of west Kerry through the transmitter site in Dingle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41019/12]
View answerRTÉ 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.
I have been informed by RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) that the transmitter in Dingle is only one of nine transmissions sites covering County Kerry. Six of the fifty five SAORVIEW transmission sites are located in County Kerry (Mullaghanish –Cork/Kerry border, Kilkeaveragh, Maamclasagh, Dingle, Knockmoyle, Cnoc An Oir). Additionally, parts of County Kerry are covered by transmission sites in other counties (Castletownbere, Bantry – Cork, Maghera – Clare). The purpose of the transmitter in Dingle, which will come on air on October 1st, is to cover Dingle and its immediate environs and, while its addition will certainly improve coverage in the Dingle area, it should be noted however, that it is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means.
According to RTÉNL, SAORVIEW is a significant improvement over analogue terrestrial television coverage in County Kerry as follows:
Population
RTÉ One Analogue 90% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 5%
RTÉ Two Analogue 90% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 5%
TV3 Analogue 44% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 51%
TG4 Analogue 75% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 20%
Geographical
RTÉ One Analogue 75% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 12%
RTÉ Two Analogue 75% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 12%
TV3 Analogue 40% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 47%
TG4 Analogue 64% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 23%
In addition to SAORVIEW, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ television services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. SAORSAT launched in March 2012. Currently, SAORSAT provides access to the RTÉ channels including the new RTÉ channels developed for SAORVIEW and TG4. TV3 has not yet made a decision regarding SAORSAT. SAORVIEW and SAORSAT coverage and reception information is available on www.saorview.ie and www.rtenl.ie.
118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40779/12]
View answerThe Environment, Community and Local Government (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2012 was made on 8 May 2012 under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977. This Order formally delegates to Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan specified powers and duties (other than the power to prosecute an offence) of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under relevant legislation as follows:
Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2011, other than Chapter 1 of Part VI of the Planning and Development Act 2000; Housing Act 1966, other than Part V and the Third Schedule; Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979; Section 75 of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980; Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act 1982; Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) (Amendment) Act 1983; other than section 2; Housing Act 1988; Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992; Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997; Urban Renewal Act 1998; other than sections 14 and 17; Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998; Town Renewal Act 2000; Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002; Residential Tenancies Act 2004, other than sections 153, 154, 155 and 180; Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2011; Housing (Floor Area Compliance Certificate Inspection) Regulations 2004; European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004; Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency (Establishment) Order 2007; other than articles 6 and 11; Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency (Establishment) Order 2007; other than articles 6 and 11.
119. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the outcome of the discussions with the key stakeholders identified in the pyrite report, including the CIF, IIF, IBF, ICF and Homebond, to come up with a solution to the pyrite problem. [40823/12]
View answer120. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will give a commitment that all homes with reactive pyrite will be systematically remediated. [40824/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
Following receipt of the pyrite report, I met with the key stakeholders outlining my position to them in the context of what I expected from them to progress solutions for homeowners. I set a deadline of the end of September for them to come back to me with credible proposals. In setting this tight deadline I was conscious of the need to make progress as quickly as possible having regard to the difficult situation faced by affected homeowners. I have recently written to the stakeholders reaffirming my position as outlined in earlier discussions with them and impressing on them the need to achieve positive outcomes for homeowners.
I believe the recommendation in the pyrite report that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting damage to be remediated simply because there is pyrite in the hardcore is a sensible approach and this position is supported in the High Court judgement of Mr Justice Charleton in the case of JEC-v-Irish Asphalt, on appeal to the Supreme Court. The pyrite report details the basis for arriving at this decision. I believe the approach suggested by the Pyrite Panel to classify the dwellings concerned into red, amber and green is a practical solution to prioritise the remediation of affected dwellings.
121. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider any grant applications for minor extensions of the towns and villages sewerage schemes in County Leitrim in which some small clusters of houses may combine to make an application subject to terms and conditions and the approval of the local authority. [40835/12]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Leitrim. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €29 million in the county during the period of the Programme and for planning work to continue on 2 more schemes over the period of the Programme. The Leitrim Towns & Villages Sewerage Scheme, Contract 2 (Wastewater Treatment Plants – DBO) is included in the Programme at an estimated cost of €12 million. This scheme is now fully operational and provides a new and improved wastewater collection system and treatment infrastructure at eleven towns and villages in County Leitrim. In March 2012 my Department advised local authorities of the mechanism for proposing additional schemes and contracts for inclusion in the WSIP. Any such proposals received by my Department will be assessed against the relevant selection criteria under the Programme.
122. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the position regarding property tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40844/12]
View answerAn independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable local property tax to replace the household charge. The Group recently submitted its report to me and its recommendations will be considered in due course. Proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible and it will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the details of implementation taking into account the modalities involved. The Government has decided that the local property tax will be collected and administered by the Revenue Commissioners.
123. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the amount of EU funding for environmental natural heritage protection applied for and obtained by each county council and county borough in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40871/12]
View answerThe information requested is not available in my Department.
124. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will furnish a reply to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40873/12]
View answerAs part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, launched by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows:
- Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
- Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
- Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and,
- Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
This categorisation formed the basis for the list of those unfinished developments eligible for a waiver on the annual household charge.
Only households in developments in categories three and four are eligible for the waiver from payment of the household charge. The list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 is set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012. It is a matter for the relevant local authority to interpret and apply the relevant provisions. A revised list of estates will be prescribed for 2013 after which time the waiver for unfinished housing developments will end. Throughout this period it is anticipated that the numbers of categories 3 and 4 developments will decrease significantly as my Department continues to work with local authorities and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues, including through the Public Safety Initiative.
Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.
