Written Answers Nos 143-149
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the full extent of the employment created or generated throughout the total areas under the remit of his portfolio; the extent if any to which he has engaged with the various stakeholders with a view to increasing employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42348/12]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 906 to 908, inclusive, of Tuesday 18 September 2012.
146. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 325 of 10 July 2012 and 421 of 17 July 2012, if he will report on developments regarding his plans and confirm his plans for the re-instatement of Reendonegan Lake, Bantry, County Cork; the timetable for completion of this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42202/12]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that it is reviewing options in respect of Reendonegan Lake. This will involve discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), amongst others, as the lake was previously an inlet of the sea. Consideration must be made as to the appropriate long term solution for Reendonegan. In addition, any proposed works on the foreshore solution will require a licence from the appropriate Department. There is also a need to ensure that any long term solution is appropriately engineered and takes into consideration issues such as access for works, access for landowners in the long term, use of the lake, costs involved and sources of funding.
147. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his plans to take into account mortgage holders in arrears or severe negative equity with the introduction of a property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42141/12]
View answerAn independently-chaired interdepartmental expert group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable local property tax to replace the household charge. Recently the group submitted its report to me and proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the exact 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.
148. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will give a timeline for the demolition of the remaining units at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [42089/12]
View answerMy Department recently issued approval to Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) to proceed to tender for Demolition Contract 8, which provides for the demolition of the flat complexes on Shangan Road and Sillogue Road. I understand from BRL that tenders for these works are under examination and it anticipates that the demolition of these units will be completed towards the middle of next year.
The detonating and subsequent demolition of the Balbutcher flat complex and Plunkett Tower must await the completion of the new housing projects currently under construction. Proposals for the demolition of these units are awaited from BRL.
149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if funding will be approved for a project (details supplied) in view of its success to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42095/12]
View answerThe project in question is currently funded under the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). Funding has been in place since 2008 and will continue until the end of 2012. My Department is in contact with the organisation involved to examine funding options for the project from 2013 onwards.
