Written Answers Nos. 443-465
443. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership loans in 2010 and 2011; the number of these loans where a subsidy is paid on the rental portion; the number of these loans that are in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46464/12]
View answerMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy and those data are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie. Data on the number of shared ownership loans in 2010 and 2011 are included within that range. While my Department collates statistics on mortgage arrears in Local Authorities these are not broken down by loan type and I am unable, therefore, to provide specific data for shared ownership arrears. The Department does not gather data on the rental subsidy applying.
445. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will authorise the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer to the Western Development Commission as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46476/12]
View answer446. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the time frame within which he intends to appoint a new Chair to the Western Development Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46477/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together.
The work of the Western Development Commission (WDC) is important in promoting the development of the western region, specifically in relation to job creation and enterprise, and I will appoint a Chair to the Commission shortly. I can also confirm that the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer for the WDC will commence shortly.
447. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the interdepartmental working group established following the publication of the national waste policy A Resource Opportunity will report to him with its recommendations on measures to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income houses; when he will implement the working group's recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46481/12]
View answerThe Government’s new waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland , was published in July 2012. Among the measures included in the policy is the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income households. The working group, which comprises representatives of my Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; and the Tánaiste's Office, is currently engaged in finalising its report for submission to Government. It is not possible to indicate a timeframe for the implementation of the working group’s recommendations in advance of the submission of the report and its consideration by Government.
448. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any grant schemes within his Department or the EU of which he is aware that could support the refurbishment and improvement of a community centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46490/12]
View answerAxes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 have funding of €314m for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate amenity and leisure facilities to local communities not otherwise available to them. In this context it may also be possible to consider funding to support the refurbishment and improvement of community infrastructure under the LEADER elements of the RDP.
For the purposes of implementing Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), the following areas are excluded:
- The City Council boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick
- The Borough Council boundaries of Kilkenny, Sligo and Wexford
- The Town Council boundaries of Athlone, Ballina, Castlebar, Cavan, Dundalk, Ennis, Killarney, Letterkenny, Mallow, Monaghan, Mullingar, Tralee, Tuam and Tullamore.
There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Departmental operating rules and EU regulations. Contact details for these groups can be found on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie.
449. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he continues to receive information from the various local authorities in respect of arrears of shared ownership or annuity loans; if as a result he will initiate proposals in the forthcoming year to address the situation whereby borrowers are expected to meet repayments in respect of the rental equity which are greater than that applicable to the mortgage equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46524/12]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 52 on today’s Order Paper.
450. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he expects to be in position to maintain the Fire Service, part time and full time, throughout the country in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46525/12]
View answerUnder the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003, it is a statutory function of each individual fire authority to make provision for a fire service in its functional area. This includes the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable for carrying out its fire fighting duties. In section 10(2) of the 1981 Act, these are specified as including extinguishing fires in buildings and other places, the protection and rescue of persons and property from injury by fire, and the reception of and response to calls for assistance.
My Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management provides support through setting general policy, the provision of training support and guidance on operational and other related matters and capital funding. In the latter part of 2011, my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management began a policy review of fire safety in Ireland and is currently processing the output from a round of stakeholder consultation on a report titled: “Keeping Communities Safe” (KCS). The document will set out an integrated approach to fire safety by striking an appropriate balance between fire prevention, fire protection and response. It is currently being finalised with a view to publication before the end of 2012.
451. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that adequate funds are available to the local authorities to meet requirements arising from disabled persons grant applications in the forthcoming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46526/12]
View answerMy Department remains committed to providing financial assistance to older people and people with a disability who wish to carry out essential repairs or extensions/adaptations to their homes. Over the period 2008 to 2011, over €337 million was paid out in grants in respect of approved adaptation works and extensions. Over 48,000 individual applicants received grant assistance over that period.
The capital allocations to local authorities, including allocations under the grant scheme, will be determined in the light of the overall budgetary provision for the housing programme in 2013. As part of the preparatory arrangements for the grants programme for next year, my Department will be contacting each local authority shortly to ascertain the level of demand under each of the grant schemes and to quantify the level of revenue or other funding to be made available by the local authority for the schemes in 2013.
452. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of persons currently on local authority housing lists throughout the country; the average length of waiting time on such lists; his future plans to ensure the provision of local authority housing as quick as possible to suitable applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46527/12]
View answerMy Department does not hold information on the number of households on local authorities’ waiting lists. This figure continuously fluctuates as households are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. Detailed information on the latest statutory assessment of housing need, carried out in March 2011 and including a breakdown by housing authority, is available on my Department’s website – www.environ.ie or on the Housing Agency’s website at www.housing.ie. My Department intends to carry a full Housing Needs Assessment in 2013, and will publish the results as soon as possible thereafter.
I am currently overseeing a programme of social housing reform and as part of this, it is my intention to review the operation of allocations policy with the broad objective of putting a greater emphasis on ‘time on the list’ as a criterion for allocating local authority housing. In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government’s objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which he will be in a position to support the funding of local group water or sewerage schemes by the various local authorities throughout the country on a county bases in the forthcoming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46528/12]
View answerMy Department provides funding towards group water and group sewerage schemes by way of annual block grant allocations to local authorities under the Department’s Rural Water Programme. Responsibility for the administration of this programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual group scheme proposals for funding and advancement under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocation provided, is therefore a matter for the water services authorities.
Decisions on the funding to be provided under the programme in 2013 will be made as early as possible in the New Year after taking into account needs outlined by the local authorities and the available Exchequer resources. 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. Payments are recouped to local authorities, who are responsible for administering this subsidy scheme, by my Department as demand arises rather than on the basis of block grant allocations.
454. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which he has examined the possibility of enhancing the local loans fund as a means of facilitating those on local authority waiting lists who might be in a position to provide themselves with a home in the event of mortgage availability; if he will examine the methods used in the 1980's to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46529/12]
View answerI refer the replies to Questions Nos. 111 of 15 September 2011, 143 of 8 March 2012 and 222 of 3 May 2012. The position is unchanged. It remains the case that no funding restrictions have been placed on local authorities for the purposes of providing loan finance for house purchase or home improvement.
455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department continues to engage with locally based community groups with a view to addressing and supporting areas of social and economic deprivation throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46530/12]
View answerThe key objectives of my Department’s Community Division are to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities; and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. My Department continues to be responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), the Seniors Alert Scheme, RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme, the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising.
The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas in society. The Government’s commitment to enabling rural communities to become self sufficient has been reaffirmed this year through increased funding for Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER Axes) of the RDP giving a total allocation for 2012 of €96 million. The LEADER approach ensures that communities are involved and have a say in their own development choices.
The local government reform programme, which I published on 16 October, will bring about fundamental change in the local government system whereby local authorities will lead on economic, social and community development, as well as delivering efficient services that are good value. In this connection, local government will play an important role in the oversight and planning of local and community development programmes having regard to the recommendations of the Steering Group on the alignment of the local government and local and community development sectors. The local government reform programme also sets out an enhanced role for local authorities in stimulating citizen participation through strengthened community/citizen engagement on the part of local government and increased public participation in local government.
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which it is intended that local household or other service charges will go directly towards the provision of services currently or previously provided by local authorities or likely to be so provided in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46531/12]
View answerThe development of a system of local government funding which is fair, stable and effective and brings greater local responsibility in relation to financial matters is an essential feature in my reform programme. By international standards, the revenue base of local authorities in Ireland is relatively narrow, and local authorities here are disproportionately dependent on central Government funding. The introduction of the non-principal private residence and household charges represent important steps in changing how local government is financed, and are the first dedicated new sources of funding for local authorities in some years. The revenues from the Household Charge support the provision of the vital services provided by local authorities.
Internationally, local services are administered by local authorities and financed by local service charges. In Ireland, local authorities are responsible for, among other services, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets, street lighting, planning and development services, public parks, libraries, open spaces and leisure facilities. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the Household Charge is paid into the Local Government Fund. Money is disbursed back to local authorities in general-purpose grants. It is considered that this approach is preferable to allowing local authorities directly retain all moneys collected from the Household Charge in their areas, as it makes it possible to equalise distribution, ensuring that those local authorities with lower populations than others do not suffer unduly as a result.
A more effective, sustainable broadening of the revenue base for local government will be achieved by the introduction of the local property tax. In addition, as noted in the Action Plan for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, if local elected members have relatively little responsibility for raising revenue, their rigorousness in prioritising its allocation, overseeing its efficient use and stewardship, and oversight in relation to the performance and management of local authority operations generally, is likely to be diminished.
An 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 submitted its report to me and proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate to comment on the content of the Expert Group’s report at this point, pending Government’s consideration of the report and the associated issues. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the exact details of implementation, including considerations related to the impact of the local property tax on the general funding of local authorities, taking into account the modalities involved.
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which progress is being made to address the ongoing issue of pyrite; if the full extent of the problem is being identified, quantified or costed; if he has studied the points raised by the Pyrite Action Group with a view to identifying a financial structure and a comprehensive plan to deal with the issues arising with particular reference to the need for the adoption of a fully integrated system to deal with issues in order that householders can be reassured and that the financial impact on them can be minimised by way of home bond or other insurance provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46532/12]
View answerThe independent Pyrite Panel submitted its report to me in late June 2012. The comprehensive report contains twenty four inter-related recommendations which are well researched and underpinned by a broad consultation process. The report provides a framework to make progress towards quickly providing solutions for homeowners and that is now my focus. The Pyrite Panel included a detailed Implementation Plan in its report identifying the bodies with primary responsibility for implementation of the various recommendations. I will be working with those bodies identified in the Implementation Plan to achieve progress as quickly as possible.
A number of the recommendations in the report pointed to the need for constructive engagement by stakeholders to provide solutions for affected homeowners. Following receipt of the report in June I requested the key stakeholders to urgently consider the relevant recommendations in the report and respond to me with their proposals for an industry led solution by the end of September. I have now received responses from all stakeholders and, while they do not include any definitive proposals that would provide a voluntary solution for homeowners, they do provide varying levels of detail as to how the pyrite problem may be resolved and some have offered to actively participate and engage in any structure that might now be established to progress the issue.
I have made it abundantly clear that, in the absence of credible proposals from the stakeholders, I would impose a solution along the lines recommended in the pyrite report in relation to the establishment of a resolution board funded by a mandatory levy on industry. I have now asked my Department to finalise arrangements and terms of reference for the establishment of the Resolution Board as quickly as possible and to engage with the relevant stakeholders in finalising these details. This will give a final opportunity for all those directly or indirectly involved to play a key role in the remediation programme and to contribute to the cost of its resolution. However, if this is not the case I will ask Government to sanction the necessary steps to impose the type of levy as recommended in the pyrite report and in that way to provide finance for the resolution.
Work is also progressing on the implementation of a number of other recommendations in the report. I have asked the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to develop a testing and categorisation protocol to facilitate the categorisation of dwellings and a method statement for remediation work and I understand that this work is progressing. Recommendations in relation to the development of a mandatory certification system for buildings and a registration process for builders are currently being progressed under the Building Control Reform programme.
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 and was cross referenced to verify, as far as practicable, its validity. Seventy four estates with 12,250 ground floor dwellings were identified to the Pyrite Panel. Of these dwellings, the Panel understands that approximately 850 dwellings currently have a claim with a guarantee provider and a further 1,100 dwellings have already been remediated or are in the process of being remediated, leaving the remaining 10,300 ground floor dwellings as the estimated future potential exposure to pyrite. However, it should be noted that in the case of 23 estates (included in the figure of 74 above), with 3,250 ground floor dwellings, there are no claims with structural warranty companies or no other evidence to support the view that they may have pyrite problems. Those figures represent the position as of March 2012 and, taking cognisance of the methodology used to conduct the study and the rate of presentation in Ireland to date, I am reasonably confident that the figures given represent the extent of potential future exposure to pyrite. The typical cost of remediation for an average house, as quoted to the Panel by those who had undertaken a significant amount of this work, is approximately €45,000.
The Pyrite Panel recommended the categorisation of dwellings by testing to determine appropriate approaches to remediation. It further recommended that only dwellings categorised as red, where there is significant damage due to pyritic heave, should be remediated immediately, dwellings with no significant pyrite damage to be monitored and only remediated if they exhibit pyrite damage. The Panel considered that it would be unreasonable to remediate dwellings which were not exhibiting pyritic damage. I believe this is a sensible and practical approach to prioritise the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings.
The costs of remediating pyrite damaged dwellings must fall to those stakeholders who are deemed to be responsible for the pyrite problem and who are so identified in the pyrite report. I will do what is necessary to ensure that effective solutions are provided for affected homeowners as quickly as possible.
458. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date in the creation of water management facilities throughout the country with particular reference to the need to recognise the importance of adequate drinking water supplies into the future; the plans afoot to provide storage and treatment facilities to meet the requirements interms of domestic drinking water over the next 50 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46533/12]
View answerThe 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. The main vehicle for achieving these objectives for public domestic water supplies is the multi-annual Water Services Investment Programme. The current Programme, which runs to the end of 2013, provides for the commencement of contracts with a value of over €800m in relation to water supply infrastructure. This includes contracts to address deficiencies in the quality of supply, to improve the overall capacity of the system and an accelerated programme of mains rehabilitation. The Programme also provides for the advancement of a further range of schemes through planning, for progression to construction in future investment cycles.
The development of the programme followed a comprehensive review of investment requirements initiated in 2009 involving an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services by each water services authority and taking account of reports by the Environmental Protection Agency on drinking water quality and an assessment by Forfás of the requirements of enterprise in Gateways and Hubs, as well as River Basin Management Plans. In addition, a detailed project appraisal is undertaken during the planning phase of each scheme, which determines issues such as the appropriate source of water, projected future demand and the most cost effective solution to meeting needs. There is, therefore, a strong evidence base, from technical assessments, environmental monitoring and policy studies to underpin the strategic direction of water services capital investment.
In order to create efficiencies, improve service delivery and achieve cost savings in the delivery of water services, the Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure. The Department is currently finalising work on the implementation strategy for the establishment of Irish Water. This strategy will take account of the need to ensure that this critical public service is delivered efficiently during the transition and that there is no loss of momentum in the delivery of key projects.
459. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in a tabular form a list of quasi-governmental organisations and agencies that have been created since 9 March 2011;the date on which the body was created; the name of the body; the 2012 budget for the body; the number of employees of the body and if the body engages manpower resources from outside the body. [47125/12]
View answerThe information requested in the question is as follows:
|
Name of Agency |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Staff as of end of Quarter 3 2012 (WTE) |
Budget 2012 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
1 August 2012 |
101 |
€8,207,852 |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
1 August 2012 |
39.97 |
€2,940,000 |
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012, which was recently passed by the Oireachtas, will facilitate my Department’s agency rationalisation programme, under which 21 agencies will be reduced to 11.
The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board have merged with the establishment of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The LGMA will also take on the residual functions from An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, which will be dissolved. Where necessary, the LGMA engages external personnel resources.
The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency was formally established on 1 August 2012 under the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (Establishment) Order 2012. It rationalises the functions of the National Building Agency (NBA), the Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) and the Centre for Housing Research (CHR). The AHP and the CHR have been closed down and the NBA ceased operating in June 2011. The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency does not engage external personnel resources.
460. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the review of care of the case of a person (details supplied) in Wheatfield Prison, Dublin, will be completed in November; and if a copy of this report will be made available to the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45791/12]
View answer468. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all appropriate medical, psychological and psychiatric assessments will be provided to a person (details supplied) in Wheatfield Prison and if all appropriate care will be given to them [45792/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 468 together.
The Irish Prison Service provides general healthcare services for the assessment, treatment and care of prisoners comparable to those available in a community primary care setting and which are appropriate to a custodial environment. Prisoners are referred to external specialist services as clinically indicated by the prison doctor and referrals are on the same basis as for citizens in the general community covered by the GMS (Medical Card) Scheme. Having consulted with the Irish Prison Service and clinical personnel in Wheatfield Prison, I have been assured that the person referred to is receiving the appropriate medical care which his condition warrants. Medical confidentiality is a time honoured principle of professional healthcare ethics and accordingly I am not at liberty to divulge information relating to a person's medical records.
461. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend legislation in relation to squatters' rights (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45950/12]
View answerAdverse possession of land arises where the limitation periods set out in the Statute of Limitation 1957 expire, thereby rendering it impossible to commence proceedings for recovery of the land. The Law Reform Commission has included reform of the law relating to adverse possession in its law reform programme and expects to publish a Report containing reform recommendations in due course. Reform of this important area of land law will be addressed on receipt of the Commission's Report.
462. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions No.183 and 184 of 9 October 2012, if there has been a sale of a property known as Walford at 24 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 during the period covered by the recent release of data by the Property Services Regulatory Authority in its property price register, and if there has been a sale of said property, if he will provide the sale price, the date of the sale and the quantum of stamp duty paid to the State on the sale. [45972/12]
View answerThe information included in the Residential Property Price Register is compiled from data filed with the Revenue Commissioners for Stamp Duty Purposes. I am advised by the Property Services Regulatory Authority, which has responsibility for the Register, that all properties filed with the Revenue Commissioners in the period 1 January 2010 to 19 October 2012 are on the Register and that the property referred to by the Deputy is not included. The Residential Property Price Register provides information on the address of the property, its sale price and date of sale. The Register does not provide any information on the quantum of stamp duty paid to the State, which is solely a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
463. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a way to reduce the new financial burden being placed by Government Departments on people like electricians who are also involved in installing electric gates and cameras which are used for business and domestic security purposes; if the fees being charged to register with the Private Security Authority and the subsequent second certification required by other organisations approved by the licensing authority which amounts to approximately €4,000 per annum before they enter this new era of business or continues the work in the area he has been doing all along; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46034/12]
View answer495. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views in relation to the cost involved with registering with the Private Security Authority for persons like qualified electricians who are installing electric gates and cameras for domestic and business premises; the cost required for the second certification by the bodies approved by the Private Security Authority before a person can engage in this work; the costs that this will put on sole traders and small business before they can enter this area or continue in this area; the impact that this will have in driving some persons out of this business and thereby allowing this operation to be carried out by larger businesses who can afford to meet these new costs imposed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46024/12]
View answer517. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the new regulations on licensing for electrical contractors for the installation of CCTV and access control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46515/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 463, 495 and 517 together.
The Private Security Authority, an independent agency under the remit of my Department, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended) sets out the activities in the private security industry which are, or will be, subject to licensing. One of the security services prescribed in the primary legislation is that of 'installers of security equipment' which includes services such as intruder alarms, access control, and CCTV.
The Authority has adopted a phased approach to the licensing of the industry and the licensing of installers of intruder alarms systems commenced in August 2006. More recently, in May 2012, new Regulations were introduced to extend the Authority's licensing remit to include contractors installing CCTV and access control systems. Since 1st October 2012, all such contractors require a licence from the PSA and this completes the Authority's licensing of contractors in the electronic security sector. I am informed by the Authority that the extension of licensing to these sectors had been in preparation for a considerable time and involved two public consultation stages which were notified to industry stakeholders including bodies representing electrical contractors.
Contractors such as those in the access control and CCTV sectors are required to pay a licence fee to the Authority. I am informed by the Authority that the current fee, which is for a two year licence, was set by the Authority in 2005 and has not been increased since that time. Furthermore, the Authority has informed me that existing licence holders in the alarm installation sector can, subject to meeting the required standard, add the cctv/access control element to their existing licence at no extra cost.
The provision of a regulatory environment understandably has cost implications for the industry but the public and the industry itself both benefit from regulation and it is in line with Government policy that industry should fund such regulation. The Authority has made every effort to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum and has also introduced an instalment payment option to assist contractors with paying for their licence. The PSA's licence fee structure is monitored by the Authority on a regular basis and I am advised that the Board of the Authority is, in fact, currently reviewing the licence fee structure.
In order to obtain a licence contractors are required to meet standards specified by the Authority. The standard required for the access control sector is SR 40:2005 - an Irish Standard Recommendation for electronic security services. For CCTV, both the SR 40 standard and PSA 2006:12 are required, the latter being the Authority's requirements for CCTV installation. Compliance with the standards is certified by auditing bodies. These auditing bodies are commercial entities and it up to contractors to choose the auditing body that best meets their requirements.
Since licensing commenced on the 1 October, the Authority has issued 285 access control licences and 297 CCTV licences. A further 60 applications for licences in these sectors are currently being processed. The Authority expects to continue to receive applications over the coming weeks as it commences compliance work in the two new sectors. The Authority’s aim is to ensure that all those who require a licence meet the statutory requirements of the Private Security Services Acts. The introduction of regulation to a previously unregulated industry will always present challenges for both the regulator and the industry. Since its establishment the Authority has brought about a fundamental change in the industry through a standards based licensing system.
464. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the holding of a referendum to amend the Constitution to address any impediments that might exist in relation to upward only rent reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45711/12]
View answerThere are no plans to hold a Constitutional referendum on the subject matter referred to by the Deputy.
465. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the introduction of measures where banks, financial institutions, and or credit card providers will provide details of transactions leading to the purchase of prescription drugs from online or internet sources, to an Garda Síochána in an effort to reduce the uncontrolled sale of these products and to detect those persons engaged in the purchase and distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45742/12]
View answerThe Irish Medicines Board (IMB), as the competent authority for human and veterinary medicines and medical devices in Ireland, has primary responsibility in tackling illegal trading in prescription drugs. Under regulation 19 of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, the mail order of prescription medicines, including when such supply is conducted online, is prohibited in Ireland.
I am advised by the Health authorities that the Irish Medicines Board continues to works in close co-operation with An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service both in monitoring and investigating instances of illegal supply of medicinal products and in the vigorous enforcement of the law governing this area. As the Deputy may be aware, this co-operation was clearly demonstrated by the involvement of these agencies in Operation Pangea V. This Interpol led Operation involved an international week of law enforcement action, which was fully supported by electronic payment processor companies, in targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines.
Of course the Government will continue to fully support our law enforcement agencies in their efforts in this area. The illicit trade in prescription drugs has already given rise to a review of our legislative provisions governing the trade in prescription drugs. I have been liaising closely on this matter with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Health, who have the primary legislative responsibility in this area. This review will result in a tightening of the controls on the supply and use of these drugs, as deemed necessary, bearing in mind the need to maintain their legitimate use as appropriate.
I am further informed by the Health authorities that the Irish Medicines Board is satisfied that the banks, credit card companies and financial institutions continue to co-operate with its investigations as is already provided for under the Irish Medicines Board Acts 1995 - 2006. In the circumstances I have no current proposals of the nature outlined by the Deputy.
