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Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 77-99

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (77)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

77. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current turnaround times for vacant local authority homes and the average number vacant at any given time over the past 12 months. [46196/12]

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Written answers

Local Authorities provide information on the average time taken, from the date of vacating a unit to the date when all necessary repairs are carried out, to re-let a property in each authority, and, also, the proportion of the housing stock that is vacant at the end of each year. This information is collated and published as part of the annual Service Indicators in Local Authorities Report. Copies of the 2010 report are available from the Local Government Management Agency and may be downloaded from their website ( www.lgma.ie). I expect that the report for 2011 will be published shortly.

Crime Prevention

Questions (78)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

78. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to help combat racism and racist anti-social behaviour on local authority housing estates and complexes. [46199/12]

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Written answers

Housing authorities have a range of statutory housing powers to assist them in dealing with anti-social behaviour in their housing stock, including anti-social behaviour motivated by racism. Among the powers available to housing authorities are the power to refuse to allocate, or to refuse to sell, a dwelling to a person engaged in anti-social behaviour and the power to seek a court order excluding a person engaged in anti-social behaviour from entering a local authority dwelling or estate for a period of up to 3 years. Each housing authority also has a statutory duty to adopt an anti-social behaviour strategy for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour in its housing stock, which must provide for co-operation with other relevant bodies, notably the Gardaí, who have a range of measures in place to deal with allegations of racist behaviour generally.

The new housing legislation currently being developed in my Department will introduce a revised procedure to replace section 62 of the Housing Act, 1966, thus enabling housing authorities to recover possession of their dwellings from households engaged in anti-social behaviour. I will also, in the context of the new legislation, examine the scope for strengthening the other statutory powers of housing authorities for dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 54.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 56.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Questions (81)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

81. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his plans for the regeneration of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [46197/12]

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Written answers

My Department currently supports an ambitious approach to regeneration which seeks to address the causes of disadvantage in communities and large social housing estates through holistic programmes of physical, social and economic regeneration. This year, my Department is providing funding of over €40 million in respect of regeneration projects in Dublin city, some €15 million of which is earmarked for projects which were previously included in the City Council’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, including Dolphin House.

A draft schematic regeneration proposal was developed by the Council and submitted to my Department in March 2012. This document explores a number of options for the redevelopment of the area. My Department is currently liaising with the Council to further develop these proposals for incorporation into an overall Masterplan. As soon as this process has been concluded it is expected that the City Council will be in a position to provide projected multi-annual funding requirements for the future regeneration of Dolphin House. In advance of the completion of the detailed Masterplan, my Department approved a programme of social inclusion initiatives for Dolphin House to commence this year. Funding is also being provided in 2012 for a community worker.

In order to improve living conditions in Dolphin House and to address issues relating to insulation, condensation and wastewater drainage, my Department is providing capital funding to support an interim programme of remedial and improvement works to flats. It is expected that some €1.5 million will be recouped to Dublin City Council in respect of these works in 2012 with further works scheduled for 2013.

Question No. 82 answered with Question No. 54.

Unfinished Housing Developments

Questions (83)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

83. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing health and safety concerns voiced by numerous experts including the Health Service Executive regarding an estate (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46194/12]

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Written answers

Under the Public Safety Initiative for Unfinished Housing Developments my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.338 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available to address immediate public safety issues. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites.In respect of the development of Gleann Riada, Longford, my Department approved funding totalling €91,753.40 in August 2012 to cover the cost of addressing immediate public safety concerns.

Issues pertaining to individual planning applications are matters for the local authority concerned, and my Department has no remit in this regard. However, my Department has been advised that, subsequent to the events of March 2012, Longford County Council appointed Tobin Consultants to investigate the causes of the explosion. The findings of this report were given to the occupants of the six properties involved. Longford County Council has also established a steering group to address the range of issues faced by the occupants of the Gleann Riada development and is liaising with the other State authorities involved including, inter alia, the Health and Safety Authority. As this matter is currently the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (84)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

84. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to meet with leaders of the traveller community and local authorities to discuss the damaging effects of cuts to funding for traveller accommodation. [46198/12]

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Written answers

In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department’s role is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation.

The Government remains committed to meeting the accommodation needs of Travellers. Since 2005, over €187 million has been expended for the provision of new, and refurbishment of existing, Traveller-specific accommodation. This is in addition to expenditure on standard local authority housing and other housing supports. The results of this substantial financial commitment are reflected in the significant reduction in the numbers of Traveller families on unauthorised sites, notwithstanding the continuing growth in the numbers of Traveller families nationally.

In the context of declining housing capital allocations, priority consideration will be given to meeting the housing needs of vulnerable groups, including Travellers. While the results of the March 2011 Housing Needs Assessment showed a very clear preference among Travellers for standard housing, funding for Traveller-specific accommodation continues to be provided, with €10 million being allocate for this purpose in 2012. The funding position for 2013 will be determined in the context of the overall budgetary provision for the social housing programme.

My Department maintains regular contact with the local authorities in relation to the implementation of their Traveller accommodation programmes. I am also advised by the statutory National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) in relation to Traveller accommodation matters more generally. The NTACC includes representatives of the Traveller organisations, local authority managers and my own Department. My Department recently completed meetings with each of the thirty four city and county councils to discuss their housing programme for this year and for 2013, including progress on implementing their Traveller accommodation programmes. I have no plans to convene a meeting, as proposed in the question, given the statutory role of the local authorities in planning and implementing agreed Traveller accommodation programmes locally and considering the existing consultation arrangements involving Traveller representatives, the local authorities and my Department.

Rural Recreation Promotion

Questions (85)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to develop rural recreation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46179/12]

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Written answers

My Department oversees the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. The primary outcome from its implementation is the provision of a comprehensive, integrated and adequately resourced, world class outdoor recreation product. This will significantly enhance job creation and retention in the sector, support economic and community development in rural areas and boost GDP which benefits directly from expenditure by international tourists. It will also generate significant Exchequer savings through the improved health and well being of the population.

My Department continues to implement the Walks Scheme which was launched in March 2008 on the recommendation of Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council). It represented an innovative response to facilitating the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s key walking trails . The key point of the Scheme is that it brings in the landholders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on the trails in line with agreed work plans. The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 40 trails supported by 1,804 landowners, and is being managed by 16 Local Development Companies around the country. In addition, my Department is considering the development of a National Outdoor Recreation Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland with the relevant State Agencies.

My Department continues to be a main funding partner of Leave No Trace Ireland which promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors. It encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to act responsibly in the outdoors and to do their part to protect those lands used by the public for the benefit of the environment and for future generations.

My Department chairs regular meetings of Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) where matters are discussed relating to rural recreation/activity tourism and furthering the implementation of the priorities of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy (NCRS). Comhairle Na Tuaithe was established in February 2004 with a primary focus on the following priority areas; access to the countryside, developing a countryside code and developing a countryside recreation strategy. It comprises representatives of the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with an interest in the countryside.

A Pilot Mountain Access scheme is under development. It is intended to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities. A pi lot scheme has being developed at Mount Gable in Connemara and discussions are continuing regarding the expansion of the initial proposed Carrantuohill scheme to the entire MacGillicuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.

Electoral Divisions Establishment

Questions (86)

Micheál Martin

Question:

86. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the review of electoral boundaries and sets as outlined in the Putting People First document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46167/12]

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Written answers

It is my intention that the Committee for the review of local electoral area boundaries will be established shortly and that the review will be completed in good time before the 2014 local elections.

Waste Management Regulations

Questions (87)

Brian Stanley

Question:

87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role that local authorities will take in the regulation of the domestic waste collection industry. [46070/12]

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Written answers

Local authorities are already significantly involved in the regulation of the domestic waste collection industry, particularly through their role in deciding on applications for waste collection permits from service providers and in the enforcement of permits granted. In July 2012 I published A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland. This new waste policy statement sets out a rang e of measures which will significantly revise the current regulatory regime to ensure, inter alia, that waste collected is managed in accordance with the waste hierarchy, that mandated service levels are delivered and that Customer Charters are put in place by all waste collection providers. The work of developing new regulatory structures to give effect to these measures has commenced and my Department has begun engaging with a range of key stakeholders in relation to the detailed design of the new system, in which local authorities will play an important role. It is my intention that the revised regulatory regime will deliver both enhanced environmental performance and a quality service for consumers.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (88)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

88. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the contact that has been made with each Department in his preparation for the drafting of a Climate Change Bill; and the date the heads of bill will be made available. [46072/12]

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Written answers

In the context of implementing the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation which I announced in January 2012, my Department is in on-going contact with all Departments concerned through the cross-Departmental structure that supports the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy. In line with the Programme, I will be making heads of a Climate Bill available before the end of this year, for consideration by both the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and stakeholders.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 57.

RAPID Programme

Questions (90)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

90. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the development of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46177/12]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Question No. 50 on today’s Order Paper.

Questions Nos. 91 and 92 answered with Question No. 56.

Local Authority Staff Remuneration

Questions (93)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

93. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the savings that would be made if there was a salary cap of €100,000 on employees in local authorities. [46080/12]

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Written answers

As of 30 September 2012 there were 226.65 (whole time equivalent) local authority staff on salary scales the maximum points of which are in excess of €100,000. The grades concerned are City and County Managers, Assistant Managers and Directors of Service. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise if these salaries were reduced is not available in my Department.

Septic Tank Inspections

Questions (94)

Denis Naughten

Question:

94. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the regulation of contractors providing services to the owners of domestic septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45678/12]

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Written answers

Inspections of domestic waste water treatment systems under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 will commence in 2013. Where a treatment system is found to be polluting and an advisory notice requiring that the problem is rectified is issued by the water services authority, the remediation work to be carried out will depend on the specific problem identified, the extent of the risk to public health or the environment and issues such as site size and the hydrological and geological conditions present. The selection of a competent contractor to carry the remediation works necessary will be a matter for the householder concerned. There are no plans to establish a panel of contractors for remediation works.

The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012, which I made on 26 June, set out the requirements for the de-sludging of treatment systems. Subject to certain limited exceptions, de-sludging must be carried out using a contractor authorised under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended. Details of permitted contractors are available from the local authorities.

Property Taxation Exemptions

Questions (95)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

95. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to implement exemptions on property tax charges for those homeowners affected by Pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46158/12]

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Written answers

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 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.

I have recently published the report of the independent Pyrite Panel. The report recommends that consideration be given to providing an exemption from the proposed property tax, for a set period, for dwellings where damage from pyritic heave has been proved by testing. While the Government will have regard to this recommendation as appropriate in the context of the proposed property tax legislation, no decisions have been made as yet on the details of the local property tax, including what exemptions might apply.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (96, 106)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

96. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has taken to reduce energy costs in 2012. [46073/12]

View answer

Pearse Doherty

Question:

106. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total energy bill for his Department in the years 2010, 2011; and the expected cost for 2012. [46082/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 106 together.

My Department continues to work closely with the Office of Public Works to ensure effective implementation of the Optimising Power @ Work2 campaign at all of its office locations. As part of the programme a number of significant energy saving initiatives have been implemented in my Department to drive down energy usage. These initiatives include the replacement of all older central heating boilers with modern high efficient models in the Custom House in 2010, and at our offices in Ballina in 2011. Solar panels together with new low power LED lighting systems have been installed in the Custom House to further cut the Department’s electricity usage and carbon emissions. Works to upgrade the thermal insulation at our offices in Ballina are currently being assessed.

Through the Department’s Green Team, ISO 14001 Certification has been renewed for the Custom House for a further 3 years from August 2012 in recognition of the work already undertaken by staff and management to implement energy saving measures and maintain sound environmental management. The heating and electricity costs for my Department are set out in the table below.

 .

2010

2011

2012 to date (to 16 October )

Heat & Electricity Costs

€439,807

€481,305

€404,358

Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 57.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 56.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 54.
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