Written Answers Nos. 395-418
395. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate the poor mobile phone reception in the Kenmare area of County Kerry with particular emphasis given to the Lauragh and Bonane area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44785/12]
View answerThe provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers who operate in a fully liberalised market.
The regulation of telecommunications service providers, including regulatory issues surrounding mobile phone network coverage and quality, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended, and the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.
ComReg is responsible for issuing licences to mobile phone operators and for monitoring compliance with the conditions attached to the licences. I am informed by ComReg that all of the operators have met their licence requirements in this regard and, indeed, that performance tends to exceed the minimum coverage requirements.
ComReg has an established complaints procedure to deal with specific incidents relating to lack of coverage. I have made enquiries and understand that ComReg has not received any complaints in respect of coverage in the Lauragh and Bonane region in Kenmare. The Deputy may however, wish to raise the matter directly with ComReg.
396. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will engage with existing energy suppliers with a view to coming up with a national scheme for State funded schools in order to cut energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44790/12]
View answerAs part of the Better Energy Programme energy suppliers have agreed voluntary agreements with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in the delivery of their energy saving targets for 2012. While overall education policy is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, I would encourage schools to approach and actively engage with their energy suppliers to identify suitable projects which would realise energy savings and thereby reduce their energy consumption costs.
The public sector is conservatively estimated to spend more than €500 million per annum on energy. Achieving the 33% savings target for the public sector would save €150 million each year in expenditure. This Government remains firmly committed to meeting this target. This year SEAI has targeted the top 135 public bodies, which account for over 95% of public sector energy consumption. These organisations will submit detailed energy and activity data to SEAI. From this data detailed progress scorecards will be produced for each organisation. From 2013 on, an SEAI online energy data system will facilitate all public bodies including schools to report their energy data and allow SEAI to prepare detailed scorecards for all public bodies.
397. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44845/12]
View answerMy Department operates two commercial bank accounts (one current and one deposit) with Bank of Ireland. The purpose of the current account is to facilitate supplier and grant payments and the deposit account is used for cash and credit card receipts. There are no fees payable in respect of either account. A monthly fee of €15 is paid in respect of the provision of banking online facilities. No interest was charged in 2011 and €26 was paid in respect of 2012 to date. At present, 95% of all payments made by my Department are issued electronically.
Issues relating to the operation of bank accounts in State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the individual Bodies in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. I will however, ask the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to reply directly to the Deputy in the matter.
398. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45591/12]
View answerThere have been no proceedings initiated against my Department arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal. However, proceedings arising from the 2nd GSM licence competition were initiated by Persona and Comcast against the State prior to the public hearings of the GSM module of the Moriarty Tribunal.
399. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45606/12]
View answerEight members of staff availed of the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009.
The cost of the scheme to this Department, since its introduction, was approximately €276,667.
The approximate savings on the pay bill in that time period was about €691,000. This figure does not include PRSI contributions which would add to the savings.
The estimated full year cost in 2013, for the two staff members who have returned from the incentivised career break, is approximately €78,483.
Two staff members have applied for a further extension of their career breaks.
In regard to staff numbers, staff members on career break are counted as a reduction in numbers for that period. The terms of the scheme do not provide that staff return automatically to the Department. They will only be offered positions if a relevant post becomes available, or else my Department will seek to re-assign them to another Department in the location in which he or she was serving i.e. Dublin or Cavan.
400. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in his Department that are currently on a career break; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/12]
View answerThere are fourteen staff members in my Department that are currently on career break.
There is no cost to the scheme and no persons were hired to cover those on career break.
In regard to staff numbers, staff members on career break are counted as a reduction in numbers for that period. The terms of the scheme do not provide that staff return automatically to the Department. They will only be offered positions if a relevant post becomes available, or else my Department will seek to re-assign them to another Department in the location in which he or she was serving i.e. Dublin or Cavan.
401. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists are excluded from certifying building works; if he will allow CIAT representatives to meet with him to discuss the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44184/12]
View answer417. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present draft of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 will prevent competent professionals such as Chartered Architectural Technologists from certifying the construction of buildings and if he will consider including all competent professions in the list of Assigned Certifiers which is now restricted to only three groups of privileged professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44518/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 417 together.
Under the proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012, provision is made for the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by the builders and the designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met. In addition, the regulations also provide that building owners will be required to assign registered professionals to inspect works during construction and also to certify that completed buildings are in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations .
The roles of lead designer and assigned certifier may only be undertaken by competent persons who are included on the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors as provided for under the Building Control Act 2007 or who are Chartered Engineers under the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969.
I understand that, depending on their personal circumstances, it may be open to members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to seek inclusion on one or other of the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors. My Department has already held discussions with representatives from the CIAT in relation to this matter and would be willing to meet with CIAT to discuss the issue further if requested.
402. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an internship allowance can be used to determine rent allowance or deducted from rent allowance by a council (details supplied) when other councils do not factor this into their rent allowance or differential rents scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44767/12]
View answerThe operation of the rent supplement scheme is entirely a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
The decisions on whether or not to disregard either a proportion of income or particular sources of income for the purposes of calculating rents are matters for each individual housing authority to consider in accordance with their own rent scheme. Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, when commenced, will replace existing enactments in relation to differential rent schemes. Regulations and guidelines for housing authorities to give effect to section 31 are currently in preparation in my Department. When these are made authorities will have one year in which to put in place a differential rent scheme under the new provisions. While it is not the intention to introduce a national standardised differential rent scheme, the regulations to be made will more clearly set out the matters that may be included in a local rents scheme, including the level, type and sources of household income that may be assessed for rent purposes.
403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy in relation to ensuring that all households across the country have access to piped water, either from a group water scheme or a local authority scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44150/12]
View answerThe provision of water and sewerage services is the responsibility of the 34 City and County Councils which are designated as water services authorities under the Water Services Act 2007. The Act allows for the direct provision of water and wastewater treatment services by a water services authority in an area where population or economic activities are sufficiently concentrated. A water services authority therefore has to take account of the economic cost in determining where it will directly undertake the provision of water and wastewater treatment services.
In accordance with the 2007 Act, my role as the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to water services is to facilitate the provision of safe and efficient water services and associated water services infrastructure, with responsibility for supervision of the performance by water services authorities of their functions in the water services sector. My Department's role is in developing and implementing Government policy in this area, making sure that the necessary funding is made available to finance the Water Services Investment and the Rural Water Programmes and monitoring physical and financial progress on schemes. In the period 2000 to 2011 (inclusive), over €5.5 billion has been invested in the water services sector under these programmes. The overall strategy of investment in water services is to ensure that the timing and scale of investment facilitates economic and other development, achieves compliance with statutory requirements and promotes environmental sustainability objectives.
Ireland has a very diverse water supply system, with over 950 public water supplies producing over 1,600 million litres of water daily through a network of 25,000 km of pipes. EPA data indicate that some 85% of the population is connected to public water supplies and a further 8% of the population is serviced by group water schemes covered by the drinking water regulations. The remainder of the population receives water supplies from private wells.
Water services are generally provided in stand alone regional or local schemes of varying size and are not connected through one interconnected network. Individual water services schemes are designed for each particular location taking into account the unique features which may apply. The design, construction and cost of these schemes is dependent on a number of factors including density of properties, ground conditions and topography.
404. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he envisages that the mortgage to rent scheme working; when a definitive list of financial institutions will be published; and when the scheme is planned to commence. [44193/12]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a mortgage to rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was rolled-out nationally in June 2012, targeting low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body who in turn rent it to the original owners.
Householders seeking to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme must:
- have had their mortgage deemed unsustainable under a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process as provided for under the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears;
- agree to a voluntary repossession of their home;
- be eligible for social housing support; and
- not have significant positive equity in the property.
Limits on household income, property value and applicant assets also apply. Borrowers wishing to avail of this scheme may access further information on the Housing Agency website, www.housing.ie.
It is anticipated that all lenders will agree to participate in the scheme.
405. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the current position regarding proposals to introduce legislation to tighten rules on declaring a car off the road for the purposes of motor tax; the way this will affect owners of vintage cars/classic vehicles which are primarily only active in the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44206/12]
View answerThe General Scheme of a Bill to tighten the procedures for declaring a vehicle off the road for motor tax purposes has been approved by Cabinet and will be published once the legal drafting process has been completed. Until such time as the Bill has been published, I do not propose to make specific comment on the provisions to be contained therein. However, I am aware of the particular concerns in relation to vintage vehicles and am bearing these in mind.
406. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current levels of payment for the household charge by local authority area. [44231/12]
View answer426. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current payment levels of the household charge nationally; the figures by county; the number of households liable in each county; and the percentage of registration in each county and nationally. [44588/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 426 together.
The following table shows, as of 12 October 2012, the total number of payments and waivers registered for the household charge nationally and by local authority area. The figures are also presented as a percentage of the estimated total number of liable properties nationally and per local authority area.
|
County/City Council |
Estimated number of liable properties |
Number of paid registrations for Household Charge 12/10/2012 |
Number registered for waivers |
Total registered (paid + non-paid) |
Registrations as a % of total estimated liable properties |
|
Carlow |
18,257 |
11,218 |
287 |
11,505 |
63% |
|
Cavan |
25,611 |
15,205 |
969 |
16,174 |
63% |
|
Clare |
45,786 |
31,528 |
408 |
31,936 |
70% |
|
Cork City |
41,649 |
27,305 |
181 |
27,486 |
66% |
|
Cork County |
143,887 |
87,400 |
2364 |
89,764 |
62% |
|
Donegal |
65,331 |
34,146 |
493 |
34,639 |
53% |
|
Dublin City |
190,685 |
134,146 |
1213 |
135,359 |
71% |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
74,390 |
62,022 |
430 |
62,452 |
84% |
|
Fingal |
90,286 |
57,553 |
2080 |
59,633 |
66% |
|
Galway City |
27,086 |
20,076 |
88 |
20,164 |
74% |
|
Galway County |
62,851 |
39,606 |
723 |
40,329 |
64% |
|
Kerry |
58,792 |
42,174 |
345 |
42,519 |
72% |
|
Kildare |
68,215 |
41,774 |
1496 |
43,270 |
63% |
|
Kilkenny |
32,067 |
20,243 |
504 |
20,747 |
65% |
|
Laois |
26,185 |
14,991 |
318 |
15,309 |
58% |
|
Leitrim |
13,069 |
8,794 |
228 |
9,022 |
69% |
|
Limerick City |
20,380 |
13,536 |
194 |
13,730 |
67% |
|
Limerick County |
46,473 |
30,080 |
638 |
30,718 |
66% |
|
Longford |
12,928 |
7,998 |
509 |
8,507 |
66% |
|
Louth |
41,176 |
23,420 |
884 |
24,304 |
59% |
|
Mayo |
51,363 |
35,936 |
911 |
36,847 |
72% |
|
Meath |
60,652 |
35,351 |
887 |
36,238 |
60% |
|
Monaghan |
20,176 |
12,837 |
256 |
13,093 |
65% |
|
North Tipperary |
24,839 |
17,032 |
547 |
17,579 |
71% |
|
Offaly |
25,224 |
14,058 |
341 |
14,399 |
57% |
|
Roscommon |
23,888 |
15,488 |
375 |
15,863 |
66% |
|
Sligo |
25,281 |
17,108 |
265 |
17,373 |
69% |
|
South Dublin |
81,822 |
50,183 |
369 |
50,552 |
62% |
|
South Tipperary |
30,368 |
19,965 |
324 |
20,289 |
67% |
|
Waterford City |
15,753 |
9,989 |
141 |
10,130 |
64% |
|
Waterford County |
24,777 |
15,909 |
169 |
16,078 |
65% |
|
Westmeath |
29,872 |
19,734 |
395 |
20,129 |
67% |
|
Wexford |
56,030 |
33,772 |
1066 |
34,838 |
62% |
|
Wicklow |
45,665 |
30,196 |
471 |
30,667 |
67% |
|
National |
1,620,814 |
1,050,773 |
20,869 |
1,071,642 |
66% |
407. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the new 3,800 units identified for social housing use on the basis of the responsible local authority. [44312/12]
View answer440. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the 4000 properties identified by the National Assets Management Agency for social housing; the number of transactions that have taken place to date; the number of these properties that are in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44796/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 440 together.
NAMA has now identified just under 3,800 units to be considered for social housing. A breakdown of these units by authority is given in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Properties |
|
Carlow Co. Co. |
131 |
|
Cavan Co. Co. |
47 |
|
Clare Co. Co. |
162 |
|
Cork City Council |
419 |
|
Cork Co. Co. |
415 |
|
Donegal Co. Co. |
93 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
15 |
|
Dublin City Council |
580 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co. Co. |
301 |
|
Fingal Co. Co. |
200 |
|
Galway City Council |
83 |
|
Galway Co. Co. |
11 |
|
Kerry Co. Co. |
90 |
|
Kildare Co. Co. |
190 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Co. |
156 |
|
Laois Co. Co. |
59 |
|
Leitrim Co. Co. |
35 |
|
Limerick Co. Co. |
74 |
|
Longford Co. Co. |
31 |
|
Mayo Co. Co. |
66 |
|
Meath Co. Co. |
203 |
|
Monaghan Co. Co. |
35 |
|
Offaly Co. Co. |
79 |
|
Roscommon Co. Co. |
91 |
|
Sligo Co. Co. |
45 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
18 |
|
North Tipperary Co. Co. |
1 |
|
South Tipperary Co. Co. |
22 |
|
Waterford Co. Co. |
35 |
|
Westmeath Co. Co. |
21 |
|
Wexford Co. Co. |
58 |
|
Wicklow Co. Co. |
29 |
|
Total |
3,795 |
Of the units that have been examined to date, 438 have been deemed unsuitable by housing authorities and a further 542 have been withdrawn, usually by property owners as circumstances change e.g. units have been sold or let privately and are no longer available. Of the units that remain and that are currently being considered, 90 are located in Co. Kerry.
At present demand has been confirmed for over 1,500 units which are currently being progressed. To the end of September 2012, 133 housing units have been provided from the portfolio of units identified by NAMA. Of these units 49 are funded under leasing arrangements with the balance of units delivered funded through the local authority social housing capital investment programme or by AHB’s under the Capital Assistance Scheme.
408. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the properties that are currently on offer for leasing to approved housing bodies; and if he will specify which units are now occupied or in the process of being occupied. [44313/12]
View answerTo the end of September 2012, under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, my Department had approved 1,815 housing units for use as social housing by Approved Housing Bodies. Of these, 362 are tenanted or are in the process of being tenanted.
409. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to ensure the implementation of the report of the Pyrite Panel in view of the fact that the September deadline for a construction industry based solution has passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44321/12]
View answer419. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether there may be more than 850 pyrite affected homes in the State in need of urgent remediation in view of the fact that this figure of 850 only refers to the proposed red category on the report of the Pyrite Panel and that more than 190 homeowners from an area (details supplied) in County Dublin have sent a submission to him urging that all homes with reactive pyrite be remediated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44531/12]
View answer421. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the definition of significant damage referred to in the red and amber designations in the report of the Pyrite Panel, Section 8.2; if he will also indicate the system that will be put in place in the proposed amber category to conduct the monitoring on an ongoing basis; the way in which this will be paid for; if he will indicate the system that will be put in place to notify homeowners that their claim is included in the category being considered for remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/12]
View answer422. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends to continue to identify pyrite affected homes; the person that homeowners should contact if they suspect that their home or development is affected by pyrite now that the Pyrite Panel has completed its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 419, 421 and 422 together.
I met with the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation, the Irish Insurance Federation, HomeBond and the Irish Banking Federation in July and outlined to them the central role I considered they could play in providing a solution to the pyrite problem. All parties have now submitted their responses to my request for proposals for a voluntary industry led solution for homeowners. The responses are now being evaluated and, together with the relevant recommendations in the pyrite report will inform the development of proposals which will provide for a solution to the pyrite problem.
The Pyrite Panel undertook a desktop study, in conjunction with stakeholder consultation, to establish facts in relation to the potential exposure to pyrite problems. The information was gathered from a number of sources including local authorities, structural guarantee providers, representatives of homeowners, private builders, construction professionals and public representatives and was cross referenced to verify, as far as practicable, its validity. According to the report, approximately 850 dwellings had a claim with a guarantee provider at March 2012. However, it should be noted that not all those claims had been verified. The Pyrite Panel recommended the categorisation of dwellings as a mechanism to determine suitable remediation approaches for pyrite affected dwellings.
It further recommended that dwellings categorised as “red” should be remediated immediately and dwellings categorised as amber, where there is no significant pyrite related damage, should be monitored and only remediated if significant damage occurs. I believe the methodology for remediation recommended by the Pyrite Panel offers a pragmatic and sensible approach. The remediation of dwellings is an expensive and disruptive process and I agree with the view expressed by the Panel that it would be unreasonable to remediate dwellings if they are not exhibiting pyrite related damage.
The testing and categorisation protocol, currently under development by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), will address the issue of the assessment of damage and the appropriate method for monitoring the amber category.
My Department has set up a dedicated email address, pyriteinformation@environ.ie, for dealing with pyrite related queries.
410. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44366/12]
View answer447. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45609/12]
View answer448. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45624/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 410, 447 and 448 together.
There are two different career break schemes in operation in my Department at present, special leave without pay for a career break as provided under Department of Finance Circular 18 of 1998, as amended, and the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 introduced under the Department of Finance Circular 13 of 2009.
Staff of my Department may avail of special leave without pay for a career break as provided for under the Department of Finance Circular 18 of 1998, as amended. There is no cost to my Department to operate this scheme. The following table sets out the numbers and grades of staff currently on this scheme.
|
Grade |
No |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
8 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Architectural Advisor |
1 |
|
Meteorological Officer |
2 |
|
Total |
20 |
Note: These figures include 10 staff that extended their incentive career break to this career break scheme.
In addition, in 2009 the new Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 was introduced, under the Department of Finance Circular 13 of 2009, which required those who availed of this scheme to take a minimum period of a three year career break during which they would receive an incentive payment of 1/3 of their salary to a maximum of €12,500 p.a.
A total of 32 staff availed of this incentive scheme as set out by grade in the following table.
|
Grade |
No |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
4 |
|
Executive Officer |
10 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Senior Meteorological Officer |
1 |
|
Meteorological Officer |
5 |
|
GIS Officer |
2 |
|
Total |
32 |
Note: This table reflects the change in configuration arising from the transfer of the heritage function to the new Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the transfer of the community functions to the Department in May 2011.
There are currently 18 staff still on the incentive career break scheme.
|
Grade |
No |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
6 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Meteorological Officer |
4 |
|
GIS Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
18 |
The payment for the incentive career break scheme is the only direct cost to the Department relating to the operation of this scheme. The costs along with salary savings for each year of the scheme are set out as follows.
|
Year |
Cost |
Savings |
|
2009 |
€75,865 |
€302,457 |
|
2010 |
€391,887 |
€1,181,534 |
|
2011 |
€382,918 |
€1,117,421 |
|
2012 |
€267,268 |
€1,163,032 |
|
2013 |
€23,438 |
€1,009,715 |
Note: This table reflects the costs of the incentive scheme including pre and post May 2011 transfer of functions.
The estimated full year costs if all those who availed of the incentive career break scheme were to return to duty is some €1,484,000. To date 10 staff whose incentive career break scheme has expired extended their leave to the career break scheme under Circular 18 of 1998 and a further 4 will move to this scheme when their incentive career break expires.
Those who are on career break from my Department are not included in the numbers of staff serving and therefore are deemed to contribute to a reduction in the number of staff employed for the duration of their career break.
My Department does not employ temporary staff to cover the positions of those who are availing of career breaks. Internal staff assignments and redeployment, together with streamlining of business areas, are used to ensure optimum staffing in priority business areas. In addition, my Department has facilitated, within its authorised staff levels and budget provisions, the return to duty of a limited number of staff. Other staff have been redeployed to positions in other Departments.
The information requested, including cost for 2011, in respect of agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Agencies |
Grade |
Staff on Career Break |
Staff on Incentive Career Break |
Cost of Incentive Career Break 2011 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
Grade VIII |
0 |
1 |
€12,500 |
|
|
Grade VII |
0 |
2 |
€25,000 |
|
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna |
Grade IV |
0 |
1 |
€11,394 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
Level 2 |
1 |
0 |
€0 |
|
- |
Level 4 |
3 |
0 |
€0 |
|
- |
Level 5 |
1 |
0 |
€0 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
National Building Agency |
Engineering Draughtsperson |
0 |
1 |
€11,732 |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Planning Inspector |
0 |
1 |
€12,500 |
|
- |
Higher Executive Officer |
0 |
1 |
€12,500 |
|
- |
Executive Officer |
0 |
1 |
€12,500 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Clerical Officer |
0 |
1 |
€9,650 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Totals |
5 |
9 |
€107,776 |
None of the Agencies have hired temporary staff to replace those on career break.
Those on career break in the agencies are not included in the staff serving and are reflected as a staffing reduction.
411. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which funding has been provided directly or indirectly to the various local authorities in respect of group water or group sewerage schemes; the number of such applications awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44430/12]
View answer€40 million in exchequer funding has been allocated to the Rural Water Programme in 2012.
Responsibility for the administration of this Programme, which includes group water schemes, group sewerage schemes and small public water and sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for local authorities.
In March 2012, my Department notified local authorities of block grant allocations totalling €31.625 million. This consisted of €20.010 million towards group water schemes and €11.615 million towards small public water and wastewater schemes. The balance of the €40 million was held to meet expected commitments, including commitments on grants approved in respect of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List.
Following a mid-year review of the programme, some local authorities were notified in August of additional allocations totalling over €3 million. Details of the allocations notified to each local authority in March 2012 and the additional allocations notified in August 2012 are set out in the following table.
Group water schemes may also qualify for a subsidy towards the operational costs of supplying domestic water in respect of each house connected to the scheme. €21.7 million has been provided this year to cover the costs of th is subsidy scheme which is also administered by the local authorities. Payments on this scheme are recouped to local authorities by my Department as demand arises rather than on the basis of block grant allocations.
|
- |
Total Allocation Notified March 2012 |
- |
Allocation Notified August 2002 |
- |
- |
|
Local Authorities |
Group Schemes |
Public Schemes |
Group Schemes |
Public Schemes |
Total Allocation per county |
|
Carlow |
256,000.00 |
288,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
97,000.00 |
651,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
200,000.00 |
308,000.00 |
- |
- |
508,000.00 |
|
Clare |
355,000.00 |
379,000.00 |
- |
- |
734,000.00 |
|
Cork (full county) |
- |
1,552,000.00 |
- |
- |
1,552,000.00 |
|
Cork (North) |
165,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
165,000.00 |
|
Cork (South) |
150,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
150,000.00 |
|
Cork (West) |
100,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
100,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
800,000.00 |
350,000.00 |
- |
- |
1,150,000.00 |
|
Galway |
5,100,000.00 |
1,044,000.00 |
- |
- |
6,144,000.00 |
|
Kerry |
1,209,000.00 |
828,500.00 |
- |
90,000.00 |
2,127,500.00 |
|
Kildare |
110,000.00 |
290,000.00 |
- |
- |
400,000.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
286,000.00 |
329,000.00 |
46,000.00 |
150,000.00 |
811,000.00 |
|
Laois |
9,000.00 |
250,000.00 |
310,156.00 |
50,000.00 |
619,156.00 |
|
Leitrim |
1,200,000.00 |
500,000.00 |
115,000.00 |
170,000.00 |
1,985,000.00 |
|
Limerick |
422,000.00 |
334,000.00 |
100,000.00 |
- |
856,000.00 |
|
Longford |
164,000.00 |
226,000.00 |
7,019.61 |
178,844.13 |
575,863.74 |
|
Louth |
76,000.00 |
250,000.00 |
- |
95,000.00 |
421,000.00 |
|
Mayo |
5,430,000.00 |
502,500.00 |
602,109.63 |
- |
6,534,609.63 |
|
Meath |
72,000.00 |
548,000.00 |
- |
- |
620,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
25,000.00 |
250,000.00 |
- |
100,000.00 |
375,000.00 |
|
North Tipperary |
450,000.00 |
250,000.00 |
252,187.00 |
- |
952,187.00 |
|
Offaly |
22,000.00 |
500,000.00 |
125,000.00 |
- |
647,000.00 |
|
Roscommon |
1,750,000.00 |
250,000.00 |
- |
- |
2,000,000.00 |
|
Sligo |
310,000.00 |
295,000.00 |
145,000.00 |
- |
750,000.00 |
|
South Tipperary |
95,000.00 |
317,000.00 |
- |
- |
412,000.00 |
|
Waterford |
101,000.00 |
662,000.00 |
200,000.00 |
963,000.00 |
|
|
Westmeath |
72,000.00 |
216,000.00 |
46,000.00 |
161,625.00 |
495,625.00 |
|
Wexford |
481,000.00 |
589,000.00 |
- |
360,000.00 |
1,430,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
600,000.00 |
307,000.00 |
- |
- |
907,000.00 |
412. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the project supervision costs incurred by way of professional or consultants fees for a regeneration project (details supplied) in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44441/12]
View answerMy Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects such as Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate regeneration projects in a number of regional towns around the country , including Tralee . In 2009, over €100 million was provided by my Department to support the National Regeneration Programme. Of this €2.26 m was recouped to Tralee Town Council in respect of the Mitchels Crescent/Boherbee Regeneration project.
In the case of complex regeneration schemes, professional staff are involved at every stage in the project life cycle ranging from initial socio-economic appraisal, planning and design, preparation of contract documents, procurement of services and works contracts, construction supervision and post project review. Depending on the availability of resources within individual authorities and the competencies and skill-sets required to progress projects through the various stages, project staff may be assigned to a regeneration scheme from within an authority’s own staff complement or may be procured through open competition by way of fixed term or services contract. Contract management and project supervision costs may be project-specific or may, in cases such as engineering services, health and safety services contracts or other specialist service provision, relate to a number of projects under a particular regeneration scheme.
Based on the information available in my Department, it is not possible with the necessary degree of certainty to disaggregate consultant and project management/supervision fees in the case of the various regeneration projects which were being progressed by Tralee Town Council over the course of 2009.
413. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding available to assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [44447/12]
View answerUnder the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs, adaptations or improvement works carried out in order to meet the accommodation needs of an older person or a person with a disability. The suite of grants include three separate grant measures; the Mobility Aids Grant scheme with grants of up to €6,000, the Housing Aid for Older People scheme with grants of up to €10,500 and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability with grants of up to €30,000, depending on household income. The schemes are ad ministered by the local authorities and it is a matter for each local authority to determine the extent of the grant-eligible works and the amount of grant aid to be paid in individual cases. It is unclear as to which grant scheme the applicant referred to was approved under. Clarification could more appropriately be sought from Dublin City Council.
Outside of the above-mentioned grant schemes, there is no further assistance provided to householders by my Department.
414. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44465/12]
View answerIn accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the principles of Quality Customer Service, my Department and bodies under its aegis are committed to providing quality services in Irish and/or bilingually to its customers.
The information requested is set out in the following table
|
Organisation |
Costs to implement the Official Languages Act in 2011 |
|
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government |
€51,985.92 |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
€1,600.00 |
|
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna |
€1,408.00 |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority |
€900.00 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
€11,184.65 |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
€3,356.00 |
|
Irish Water Safety |
€2,861.00 |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
€861.91 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
€3,880.00 |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
€34,874.00* |
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
€4,774.00 |
|
Western Development Commission |
€1,870.00 |
*€32,000 was spent by the Private Residential Tenancies Board in 2011 on the implementation of Web Portal in Irish.
415. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the proposed Poolbeg incinerator, Dublin; if he will provide update on any contacts or discussion he or his Department have had with Dublin City Council and with Covanta since 1 September 2012; and if the incinerator will be going ahead. [44508/12]
View answerThe Waste to Energy facility proposed for Poolbeg is being developed by Dublin City Council on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities as part of the implementation of the region’s waste management plan, which is a statutory responsibility of local authorities under section 22 of the Waste Management Act 1996. Therefore, the progression of the project is a matter for parties to the contract, Dublin City Council and its private partner.
Given its overall responsibility for national waste and its role in relation to compliance with relevant EU obligations and requirements, my Department maintains ongoing contact with local authorities in relation to the implementation of waste management plans. In relation to the Poolbeg project, my Department has most recently sought an update on the matter from the City Manager in order to provide information to the Public Accounts Committee and the European Commission. The report of the Manager to the September meeting of the City Council was received by the Department and forwarded to the Clerk of the Committee on 19 September 2012. The report indicated that significant progress had been made by Covanta in relation to securing project financing for construction of the plant and by Dublin City Council in dealing with the remaining regulatory issues. It stated that the due diligence procedure is far protracted and therefore it was necessary to consider an extension to the decision/commencement date. It indicated that it would be at least four to six weeks before the revised date could be confirmed.
416. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the draft heads of the Climate Change Bill will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44511/12]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 42 and 44 of 18 September 2012.
418. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the apparent refusal of Homebond to appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht to discuss the ongoing serious issues which impact on pyrite affected home owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/12]
View answerHomeBond is a private limited company and decisions whether or not to appear before an Oireachtas Committee is a matter for its management and Board of Directors. However, I believe HomeBond should engage with the committee and I would encourage them to do so.
