Written Answers Nos. 187-203
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding mortgage to rent scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57376/12]
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 extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those 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. While my Department has been responsible for devising the scheme, including, inter alia , setting the parameters for household eligibility, neither I nor my Department have any function or role in relation to specific cases.
188. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Noise Nuisance Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57434/12]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to take further steps to address noise pollution, inter alia, through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the-spot fines) and provision for mediation procedures between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment; however, as indicated in the Government Legislation Programme published in September, it is not possible at this time to indicate when the legislation will be published, having regard to other priorities in the area concerned and the broader range of legislative priorities to be progressed across my Department’s remit.
Currently, a person experiencing noise nuisance may contact their local authority, which may initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. This Act also provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet A Guide to the Noise Regulations, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available on my Department’s website: www.environ.ie.
189. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will set out in tabular form the motor tax received in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012, in total and to provide a breakdown of the tax received by band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57442/12]
View answerThe data requested are set out in the following tables in respect of 2011 and the period to the end of October 2012. A breakdown of the receipts by band for 2009 and 2010 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Private vehicles taxed on engine capacity – 2011
|
Engine cc |
- |
Licensing Period |
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
not over 1,000 |
14,728,981 |
5,010,647 |
8,356,727 |
28,096,355 |
|
1,101-1,200 |
12,073,952 |
5,084,252 |
9,985,484 |
27,143,688 |
|
1,001-1,100 |
840,015 |
344,330 |
584,969 |
1,769,314 |
|
1,201-1,300 |
15,487,519 |
6,730,113 |
14,340,523 |
36,558,155 |
|
1,301-1,400 |
64,174,826 |
28,291,106 |
55,073,440 |
147,539,372 |
|
1,401-1,500 |
9,365,211 |
3,653,220 |
7,816,039 |
20,834,470 |
|
1,501-1,600 |
47,717,556 |
23,021,907 |
46,689,880 |
117,429,343 |
|
1,601-1,700 |
1,160,145 |
588,823 |
1,311,689 |
3,060,657 |
|
1,701-1,800 |
25,368,206 |
9,489,423 |
22,682,753 |
57,540,382 |
|
1,801-1,900 |
31,443,442 |
13,873,287 |
32,871,420 |
78,188,149 |
|
1,901-2,000 |
46,296,498 |
22,712,652 |
44,502,675 |
113,511,825 |
|
2,001-2,100 |
172,905 |
64,444 |
130,883 |
368,232 |
|
2,101-2,200 |
8,409,501 |
3,787,425 |
6,553,666 |
18,750,592 |
|
2,201-2,300 |
2,779,446 |
1,256,157 |
2,177,440 |
6,213,043 |
|
23,01-2,400 |
1,801,374 |
609,307 |
1,112,351 |
3,523,032 |
|
2,401-2,500 |
8,832,994 |
3,676,282 |
6,955,122 |
19,464,398 |
|
2,501-2,600 |
896,460 |
414,548 |
600,494 |
1,911,502 |
|
2,601-2,700 |
1,917,024 |
1,084,292 |
1,808,919 |
4,810,235 |
|
2,701-2,800 |
3,000,350 |
1,188,228 |
1,407,603 |
5,596,181 |
|
2,801-2,900 |
172,788 |
110,824 |
323,385 |
606,997 |
|
2,901-3,000 |
12,793,482 |
4,495,284 |
6,715,002 |
24,003,768 |
|
3,001 or more |
10,036,518 |
3,398,511 |
4,546,754 |
17,981,783 |
|
Total |
319,469,193 |
138,885,062 |
276,547,218 |
734,901,473 |
Private vehicles taxed on engine capacity – 2012 (to end October)
|
Engine cc |
- |
Licensing Period |
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
not over 1,000 |
11,230,154 |
3,220,745 |
5,834,964 |
20,285,863 |
|
1,101-1,200 |
729,199 |
267,824 |
512,774 |
1,509,797 |
|
1,001-1,100 |
9,930,624 |
4,258,350 |
9,173,316 |
23,362,290 |
|
1,201-1,300 |
12,894,974 |
5,592,030 |
12,455,771 |
30,942,775 |
|
1,301-1,400 |
55,720,777 |
23,493,159 |
48,853,522 |
128,067,458 |
|
1,401-1,500 |
8,197,203 |
3,002,349 |
7,264,778 |
18,464,330 |
|
1,501-1,600 |
40,388,831 |
18,833,465 |
42,735,374 |
101,957,670 |
|
1,601-1,700 |
922,957 |
512,336 |
1,207,895 |
2,643,188 |
|
1,701-1,800 |
20,466,893 |
8,070,719 |
20,365,807 |
48,903,419 |
|
1,801-1,900 |
24,435,704 |
12,389,411 |
30,715,756 |
67,540,871 |
|
1,901-2,000 |
37,518,965 |
18,358,282 |
40,741,557 |
96,618,804 |
|
2,001-2,100 |
126,456 |
53,206 |
118,734 |
298,396 |
|
2,101-2,200 |
7,024,988 |
2,971,276 |
6,026,606 |
16,022,870 |
|
2,201-2,300 |
2,324,567 |
1,014,732 |
2,086,310 |
5,425,609 |
|
23,01-2,400 |
1,442,841 |
512,176 |
965,213 |
2,920,230 |
|
2,401-2,500 |
6,617,529 |
3,308,016 |
6,038,725 |
15,964,270 |
|
2,501-2,600 |
699,560 |
359,384 |
515,010 |
1,573,954 |
|
2,601-2,700 |
1,412,391 |
816,102 |
1,576,663 |
3,805,156 |
|
2,701-2,800 |
2,663,956 |
880,928 |
1,294,077 |
4,838,961 |
|
2,801-2,900 |
104,676 |
53,568 |
218,250 |
376,494 |
|
2,901-3,000 |
10,489,855 |
4,048,203 |
5,813,667 |
20,351,725 |
|
3,001 or more |
8,200,800 |
2,488,845 |
3,871,290 |
14,560,935 |
|
Total |
263,543,900 |
114,505,106 |
248,386,059 |
626,435,065 |
Private vehicles taxed on CO 2 - 2011
|
CO 2 emissions – grams per km |
- |
Licensing period
|
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
A ( 0 - 120) |
14,674,685 |
798,697 |
500,711 |
15,974,093 |
|
B (121-140) |
19,694,527 |
1,368,641 |
1,279,570 |
22,342,738 |
|
C (141-155) |
12,688,950 |
2,353,940 |
2,270,811 |
17,313,701 |
|
D (156-170) |
7,564,514 |
1,551,688 |
1,491,216 |
10,607,418 |
|
E (171-190) |
4,288,707 |
914,844 |
780,429 |
5,983,980 |
|
F (191-225) |
2,893,280 |
654,434 |
437,498 |
3,985,212 |
|
G (226 & over) |
914,210 |
162,655 |
110,436 |
1,187,301 |
|
Total |
62,718,873 |
7,804,899 |
6,870,671 |
77,394,443 |
Private vehicles taxed on CO 2 – 2012 (to end October)
|
CO 2 emissions – grams per km |
- |
Licensing period |
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
A ( 0 - 120) |
16,752,826 |
1,311,072 |
868,664 |
18,932,562 |
|
B (121-140) |
32,468,724 |
3,669,365 |
2,728,188 |
38,866,277 |
|
C (141-155) |
14,325,741 |
2,635,666 |
2,792,284 |
19,753,691 |
|
D (156-170) |
8,279,240 |
1,746,610 |
1,786,169 |
11,812,019 |
|
E (171-190) |
4,701,164 |
1,021,113 |
933,254 |
6,655,531 |
|
F (191-225) |
3,208,501 |
734,848 |
548,534 |
4,491,883 |
|
G (226 & over) |
1,036,276 |
210,510 |
133,770 |
1,380,556 |
|
T otal |
80,772,472 |
11,329,184 |
9,790,863 |
101,892,519 |
Goods vehicles - 2011
|
Unladen weight (kg) |
- |
Licensing period |
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
not over 3,000 |
64,426,105 |
13,244,063 |
10,075,615 |
87,745,783 |
|
3,001-4,000 |
1,230,531 |
213,248 |
133,190 |
1,576,969 |
|
4,001-5,000 |
1,263,209 |
322,942 |
208,664 |
1,794,815 |
|
5,001-6,000 |
1,092,544 |
294,810 |
203,070 |
1,590,424 |
|
6,001-7,000 |
830,418 |
293,788 |
233,310 |
1,357,516 |
|
7,001-8,000 |
1,255,710 |
394,454 |
390,539 |
2,040,703 |
|
8,001-9,000 |
1,615,902 |
693,428 |
601,418 |
2,910,748 |
|
9,001-10,000 |
1,575,489 |
606,273 |
806,220 |
2,987,982 |
|
10,001-11,000 |
1,822,218 |
770,367 |
1,627,996 |
4,220,581 |
|
11,001-12,000 |
2,636,063 |
1,305,594 |
3,189,258 |
7,130,915 |
|
12,001-13,000 |
2,540,190 |
1,448,240 |
3,152,233 |
7,140,663 |
|
13,001-14,000 |
2,916,371 |
1,457,841 |
2,643,864 |
7,018,076 |
|
14,001-15,000 |
2,296,929 |
1,174,719 |
2,030,469 |
5,502,117 |
|
15,001- 16,000 |
1,566,768 |
555,673 |
917,862 |
3,040,303 |
|
16,001-17,000 |
955,234 |
378,335 |
346,234 |
1,679,803 |
|
17,001-18,000 |
559,981 |
150,986 |
191,100 |
902,067 |
|
18,001-19,000 |
255,093 |
73,077 |
63,116 |
391,286 |
|
19,001-20,000 |
139,986 |
37,664 |
46,813 |
224,463 |
|
20,001 or more |
374,185 |
127,625 |
198,120 |
699,930 |
|
Total |
89,352,926 |
23,543,127 |
27,059,091 |
139,955,144 |
Goods vehicles – 2012 (to end October)
|
Unladen weight (kg) |
- |
Licensing period |
- |
Total |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
not over 3,000 |
54,687,248 |
11,755,478 |
9,566,033 |
76,008,759 |
|
3,001-4,000 |
1,060,169 |
191,367 |
128,455 |
1,379,991 |
|
4,001-5,000 |
1,053,863 |
296,886 |
198,729 |
1,549,478 |
|
5,001-6,000 |
919,188 |
270,860 |
208,495 |
1,398,543 |
|
6,001-7,000 |
717,528 |
254,415 |
220,821 |
1,192,764 |
|
7,001-8,000 |
1,086,598 |
359,438 |
364,517 |
1,810,553 |
|
8,001-9,000 |
1,386,797 |
548,048 |
633,087 |
2,567,932 |
|
9,001-10,000 |
1,331,700 |
547,773 |
695,350 |
2,574,823 |
|
10,001-11,000 |
1,447,477 |
632,292 |
1,483,704 |
3,563,473 |
|
11,001-12,000 |
2,129,208 |
1,042,040 |
2,760,674 |
5,931,922 |
|
12,001-13,000 |
2,099,067 |
1,304,733 |
2,901,623 |
6,305,423 |
|
13,001-14,000 |
2,718,390 |
1,364,068 |
2,475,028 |
6,557,486 |
|
14,001-15,000 |
2,015,652 |
1,087,509 |
1,966,590 |
5,069,751 |
|
15,001- 16,000 |
1,429,820 |
463,113 |
890,168 |
2,783,101 |
|
16,001-17,000 |
945,400 |
348,845 |
423,677 |
1,717,922 |
|
17,001-18,000 |
576,444 |
111,056 |
238,442 |
925,942 |
|
18,001-19,000 |
321,300 |
53,735 |
84,700 |
459,735 |
|
19,001-20,000 |
100,430 |
25,330 |
50,271 |
176,031 |
|
20,001 or more |
352,821 |
106,195 |
219,765 |
678,781 |
|
Total |
76,379,100 |
20,763,181 |
25,510,129 |
122,652,410 |
Miscellaneous vehicles - 2011
|
Vehicle Type |
- |
Licensing Period |
- |
T otal |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€m |
€ m |
€m |
|
Off Road Dumper |
6,128 |
1,700 |
4,536 |
12,364 |
|
Dumper/Forklift Truck |
182,622 |
- |
- |
182,622 |
|
Excavator/Digger |
356,639 |
- |
- |
356,639 |
|
Mobile Machine |
1,373,456 |
162,415 |
88,287 |
1,624,158 |
|
Agricultural Tractor |
5,713,888 |
- |
- |
5,731,888 |
|
General Haulage Tractor |
251,932 |
15,754 |
7,938 |
275,624 |
|
Taxi/Hackney |
2,082,615 |
- |
- |
2,082,615 |
|
Schoolbus |
70,095 |
- |
- |
70,095 |
|
Large PSV/Youth/Community Bus |
1,713,378 |
220,124 |
122,253 |
2,055,755 |
|
Motorcycle |
2,605,713 |
- |
- |
2,605,713 |
|
Vintage & Veteran |
1,240,930 |
- |
- |
1,240,930 |
|
Motor Caravan |
966,925 |
- |
- |
966,925 |
|
Island Vehicle |
72,814 |
- |
- |
72,814 |
|
Hearse |
75,814 |
- |
- |
75,814 |
|
Total |
16,730,737 |
399,999 |
223,220 |
17,353,956 |
Miscellaneous Vehicles – 2012 (to end October)
|
Vehicle Type |
- |
Licensing Period |
- |
T otal |
|
- |
Annual |
Half-yearly |
Quarterly |
- |
|
- |
€ m |
€m |
€ m |
€m |
|
Off Road Dumper |
9,876 |
5,928 |
3,016 |
18,820 |
|
Dumper/Forklift Truck |
163,989 |
- |
- |
163,989 |
|
Excavator/Digger |
254,433 |
- |
- |
254,433 |
|
Mobile Machine |
1,185,146 |
143,275 |
100,200 |
1,428,621 |
|
Agricultural Tractor |
5,365,645 |
- |
- |
5,365,645 |
|
General Haulage Tractor |
218,246 |
13,244 |
6,264 |
237,754 |
|
Taxi/Hackney |
1,841,138 |
- |
- |
1,841,138 |
|
Schoolbus |
63,192 |
- |
- |
63,192 |
|
Large PSV/Youth/Community Bus |
1,595,624 |
182,917 |
116,812 |
1,895,353 |
|
Motorcycle |
2,508,689 |
- |
- |
2,508,689 |
|
Vintage & Veteran |
1,259,014 |
- |
- |
1,259,014 |
|
Motor Caravan |
837,301 |
- |
- |
837,301 |
|
Island Vehicle |
77,502 |
- |
- |
77,502 |
|
Hearse |
72,292 |
- |
- |
72,292 |
|
T otal |
15,452,087 |
345,364 |
226,292 |
16,023,743 |
Vehicle Licence Arrears Receipts 2011 and 2012 (to end October) by motor tax class
|
Motor Tax Class |
2011 |
2012 (to end October) |
|
- |
€m |
€m |
|
Private – engine capacity |
17,874,617 |
15,407,884 |
|
Private – CO 2 |
1,084,638 |
1,355,130 |
|
Goods |
3,438,957 |
2,751,457 |
|
Off Road Dumper |
0 |
164 |
|
Dumper/Forklift Truck |
5,260 |
3,785 |
|
Excavator/Digger |
9,405 |
5,711 |
|
Mobile Machine |
40,947 |
29,190 |
|
Agricultural Tractor |
150,274 |
127,298 |
|
General Haulage Tractor |
5,162 |
3,565 |
|
Taxi/Hackney |
33,678 |
25,260 |
|
Schoolbus |
832 |
355 |
|
Large PSV/Youth/Community Bus |
29,445 |
24,083 |
|
Motorcycles |
83,792 |
74,349 |
|
Vintage & Veteran |
25,723 |
25,819 |
|
Motor Caravan |
19,675 |
19,551 |
|
Island Vehicle |
2,333 |
2,236 |
|
Hearse |
1,869 |
1,700 |
|
T otal |
22,806,607 |
19,857,537 |
190. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will allow vehicle tax Budget 2013 increases commencement date to be introduced on 1 January 2013, as it is standard to allow vehicle owners to pre tax vehicles on the rate at start of prior month; if he will allow the rate at start of December and issued throughout December be the charge for new tax discs issued for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57453/12]
View answerIncreases in motor tax rates were announced in the Budget on 5 December 2012 and approved by Financial Resolution of the Dáil. As with previous rate increases, the new motor tax rates came into force from the following day for vehicle licences with a commencement date of the following month i.e. January 2013 in the case of this Budget.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of funding (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57476/12]
View answerSubstantial funding towards local authorities’ water conservation programmes is being provided under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Water mains rehabilitation is a key priority under the Programme which includes the Kerry Watermains Rehabilitation Project valued at €18.79 million. My Department has to date in 2012 provided funding of € 1.26m to Kerry County Council for watermains rehabilitation works throughout the County. The following table sets out in detail the rehabilitation works underway and the funding recouped to date in 2012 to the Council.
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3
Rehabilitation Works
|
Project |
Amount Recouped |
|
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3 - Mains Rehabilitation Works - Derry South |
€52,603.13 |
|
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3 - Ballygarran West |
€99,555.78 |
|
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3 - Mains Rehab Works - Advance Works - Tralee T own Lead Mains Replacement |
€17,616.59 |
|
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3 - County Direct Labour |
€137,348.52 |
|
Kerry Water Conservation Stage 3, Advance Works Countywide |
€954,098.72 |
|
Total Paid to Date |
€1,261,222.74 |
192. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to address air pollution from industries here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57529/12]
View answerUnder the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive 2001/81/EC, Ireland was required to reduce emissions of transboundary air pollutants below agreed national ceilings by 2010. The four air pollutants concerned (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and volatile organic compounds) contribute to acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. Revised emission ceilings for 2020 were agreed earlier this year at a Meeting of Parties to the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol. This will be given effect in EU Member States through a revision of the NEC Directive, with a proposal to be published in the second half of 2013. The most recent provisional monitoring results from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in respect of Quarter 1, 2012 show levels of sulphur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds are below the 2010 emission ceilings. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, mainly from road traffic, continue to present a challenge. While these emissions have significantly reduced over the period 1990-2010, they remain marginally above the 2010 ceiling. The EPA monitoring data will be finalised shortly.
Reductions in pollutants from industrial sources have been achieved through effective licensing of industrial installations by the EPA. All industrial installations in Ireland are subject to the licensing, monitoring and enforcement requirements of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regime. The activities of companies operating with an IPPC licence are monitored by the EPA to ensure that the terms of their licences are respected, including in relation to emissions. In addition to the requirements of IPPC, the provisions of the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) 2001/80/EC also apply to combustion plants with a thermal output of 50MW or more. The LCPD aims to reduce acidification, ground-level ozone and particles by controlling emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from power stations running on solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.
Ireland developed a National Emissions Reduction Plan (NERP) under Article 4 (6) of the 2001 LCPD, which is a mechanism that allows “existing plants”, as defined in the Directive, to achieve the environmental objectives of the Directive in a cost-effective manner through the installation of abatement at selected qualifying plants. The NERP option was chosen because it provided both an environmentally ambitious and a cost-effective compliance route for Ireland. The ESB and other national operators made a commitment to achieve emission limits for SO2 and NOx from existing plants that were significantly more ambitious than the minimum requirements of the LCPD. In the period from 2008 to 2016, emission reductions are 27% more ambitious for SO2 and 46% more ambitious for NOx emissions.
The LCPD has now been recast by the Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU, in respect of which my Department is currently preparing regulations to achieve transposition into national legislation. As part of the transposition process, my Department is assessing appropriate compliance options for older plants set out under the Directive to ensure that operators continue to commit to ambitious targets that strike the appropriate balance between protection of human health and the environment and cost effectiveness of the abatement solutions.
193. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent findings of the Ombudsman, the position regarding an application made by a group (details supplied) under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme (Measure 322 – Village and Countryside Renewal Development); the significance to his Department of the findings of the Ombudsman in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57530/12]
View answerThe Ombudsman’s findings in relation to this matter are currently under consideration in my Department. At present , LEADER activities are co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 85% and, accordingly, come within the remit of a strict regulatory regime which requires that each project must be compliant before any funding is awarded. My Department is now considering ways of moving forward on this issue in line with all regulatory requirements.
194. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the introduction of the new local property tax if he anticipates any changes to the operation and implementation of the rules with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57555/12]
View answerThe Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 is currently before the Oireachtas and is a matter for the Minister for Finance. Until such time as the Bill is enacted I cannot comment on the implications, if any, the legislation may have for the Private Resid ential Tenancies Board.
195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken to date to deal with the issue of election posters on foot of his predecessor's election poster consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57588/12]
View answerSection 19 (7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as initially enacted, provided that election and referendum posters had to be removed within 7 days following the relevant polling date. Through the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009, following the consultation process , this provision was amended also to provide for a time limit prior to the polling date, during which election and referendum posters can be displayed. It specifies that election posters may only be erected from the date of the Polling Day Order or 30 days prior to the date of the poll, whichever is the shorter period. The time limit for referendum posters was not restricted to 30 days; such posters may be displayed from the date the Polling Day Order is signed. Any election or referenda posters in place before or after the stipulated timeframe may be subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150. The responsibility for enforcement of this legislation is a matter for the relevant local authority. I have no plans to introduce further legislation in this area at this time.
196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a foreshore licence will issue to a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57607/12]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 489 of 22 May 2012. As this matter continues to be the subject of court proceedings, it is not appropriate for me to comment further.
197. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of properties that have been liable for the household charge in 2012; and the number that have actually paid the charge to date. [57626/12]
View answerThe Local Government Management Agency ( LGMA ) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the LGMA , that as of 1 9 December , 2012, a total of 1,100,227 properties had been registered for payment of the household charge , with a further 22,260 registered for waivers. The combined registrations total of 1,122, 487 represents 69.25% of the total estimated 1,620,814 properties liable for the c harge in 2012.
198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the allocations made to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council under the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability for each year since 2007; the funding drawn down by each council each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57638/12]
View answerThe Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed to each of the various grant measures, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation.
Details of the combined Exchequer and local authority allocations in respect of Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for the years 2007 to 2012 and the amount recouped to each authority are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Cavan |
- |
Monaghan |
- |
|
- |
Allocation |
Recoupment |
Allocation |
Recoupment |
|
2007 |
€1,666,666 |
€753,977 |
€1,494,583 |
€1,253,446 |
|
2008 |
€1,813,612 |
€1,568,060 |
€2,064,606 |
€1,470,218 |
|
2009 |
€1,204,166 |
€1,144,682 |
€1,592,500 |
€1,202,311 |
|
2010 |
€1,883,664 |
€1,309,505 |
€2,090,834 |
€1,373,164 |
|
2011 |
€1,850,483 |
€1,176,998 |
€1,562,500 |
€1,232,863 |
|
2012 |
€1,312,500 |
€1,043,501 |
€1,500,000 |
€1,199,342 |
199. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Non-Principal Private Residents Charge is payable in respect of a person who has a second property where members of their immediate family live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57677/12]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties It is a matter for an owner to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the charge. A number of exemptions from the charge are set out in section 4 of the 2009 Act and section 4(6) provides for an exemption from the charge in a situation where a residential property is occupied rent-free as the sole or main residence of a relative of the owner and the sole or main residence of the owner is either on the same property or within two kilometres of it. This provision is partly based on section 466A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which deals with the home carer tax credit.
Furthermore, the definition of “owner” in relation to a residential property under the Act refers to a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) entitled to receive the rent of the property. There may, however, be situations involving an exclusive right of residence in respect of a relative residing in such a property. In such cases the owner would not be in a position to receive rent and therefore the owner in question would not be liable. In any event, under the Act it is a function of a local authority to collect the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge. Application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. I urge all liable persons who are unsure as to whether they are liable to contact their local authority as a matter of urgency.
200. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the payment of a grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57699/12]
View answerFunding of €314m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. 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.
A full and detailed assessment of all projects is essential. Currently, the LEADER activities are co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 85% and, accordingly, come within the remit of a strict regulatory regime which requires that each project must be compliant before any funding is awarded by the LEADER companies. In that regard my Department undertakes an eligibility check on all projects prior to award of funding. The eligibility of the project in question has been assessed by the Department and the LEADER Company has been advised accordingly. The final decision regarding the approval of funding for this project is for the Board of Laois Partnership Company.
201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the allocation of all funding to deliver local development programmes such as Leader and LCDP, under the Putting People First proposals will be channelled through the socio-economic committees of the local authorities through annual service level agreements with entities which are members of the SEC; if the local authorities may be contracted to deliver these services as a member of the SEC in place of the existing local development companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57701/12]
View answer202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if under the Putting People First Proposals the local authority socio economic committees will be the applicant bodies for the next round of LEADER funding 2014-2020; if he will confirm that the SEC will be the local action body and that the SEC will receive the Leader administration money; if he will further confirm that the SEC will evaluate and approve individual LEADER project applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57702/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
The Final Report of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group, reflected in the Action Programme for Effective Local Government -Putting People First, recommended that Socio-Economic Committees should have responsibility for planning and oversight of local and community programmes, including oversight responsibility for the management and disbursement of local and community development programme funds, the matching of resources to priorities and achievement of value for money. The Report also recommended that Socio-Economic Committees, appropriately structured and working in partnership with the local development companies should be considered as the vehicle through which the LEADER approach is implemented for the 2014-20 round of EU Programmes.
Detailed arrangements regarding programme implementation, funding and administration were not addressed in the Final Alignment Report, but they are now being considered as part of the implementation of the recommendations. I look forward to the participation of key stakeholders in assisting and advising on the implementation of the alignment recommendations as part of the planned alignment implementation group. I anticipate that implementation will be approached in a way that promotes co-operation, trust and respect between the sectors. Future approaches regarding local development programmes are also significantly dependant on the scale of future programmes, including decisions yet to be taken at EU level. The planned alignment will see local development and local government as lead partners on the Socio-Economic Committees working in partnership with each other, and their communities.
203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is intended to transfer allocations by his Department between the different headings under which the Leader programme operates to ensure full spend of the Leader rural development fund in view of the fact that some companies have allocated their full allocation already under certain headings and that there is very little demand under others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57733/12]
View answerSuch a facility is already in place under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme and has been for some time. This was one of a number of amendments, aimed at assisting expenditure under the Programme, put to the European Commission and approved by them. The amendment to remove specific measure allocations and increase the flexibility for expenditure under the measures that are performing better has been very successful. One of the direct results of this change is a reallocation of €18 million into the Basic Services measure. This amendment, along with a number of other changes, including an increased rate of aid of 75% for those creating and developing enterprises, has resulted in substantially increased project activity which now stands at over €263 million.
