Written Answers Nos. 624 - 648
624. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider extending the assessment of motor tax applied to post 2008 vehicles to those registered prior to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57831/12]
View answerI have no plans to bring in legislation to change the basis for charging motor tax for vehicles registered prior to 2008 to the CO 2 system. The question of applying the new CO 2 based motor tax system to all cars was subject to detailed discussion during the debate on the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Act 2008. Any retrospection would not be possible, as the CO 2 data for the pre-2008 car fleet ha ve not been authenticated for business purposes. The cost of any retrospection could be substantial were it possible, depending on how it applied, and could have direct implications for the revenue base of local government. Any loss in revenue would have to be compensated for elsewhere in the motor tax system, or through the taxation system generally.
625. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolished, merged or re-organised since this Government took office; the savings that have been realised since the changes were made; the level of staff reduction that has been achieved; if he will provide details of further agency reductions that he intends to pursue in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57877/12]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
626. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a waste disposal company in the Dublin area is now charging €9 for six plastic bags for households to segregate their recyclable waste; his views on whether this will discourage persons from recycling; the provision, if any, that has been made for a waiver for those on social welfare who cannot afford to pay for such bags; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57890/12]
View answer697. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the all-inclusive fixed-price bin collection offers now available from refuse companies in Dublin are in keeping with Ireland’s obligations under European Law and the polluter pays principal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1833/13]
View answer698. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the recent decision by Greyhound Recycling to charge for recycling bags is in compliance with regulations and in line with the policy objective of encouraging the recycling of household waste. [1834/13]
View answer699. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the difficulties in the private refuse collection sector since the privatisation of the Dublin City Council bin collection service, if he has considered appointing a regulator for the refuse sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1835/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 697 to 699, inclusive, together.
Environmental standards in relation to the collection of waste, and their enforcement, are the responsibility of local authorities and are governed by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. In practice, I understand that waste collection permits do, in fact, contain a range of conditions to be met by waste collectors. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 precludes me from the exercise of any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. The operational implications of the transfer of waste collection services by local authorities to private operators are also matters in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.
My Department’s role is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, operate. In this regard, I published A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland in July, 2012 setting out a range 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 as set out in the Waste Framework Directive, whereby prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery are favoured over the disposal of waste. The policy specifically provides that household waste collection permits issued under the revised permitting system will require waste collectors to operate pricing structures designed to incentivise environmentally sustainable behaviours by households in terms of waste reduction and segregation. The policy further provides that strengthened enforcement of permit conditions relating to segregated collections will be initiated, with appropriate financial penalties being specified for breaches of such conditions, and possible withdrawal of permits in cases of serious breaches.
The work of developing new regulatory structures to give effect to the measures set out in the waste policy is underway and my Department is engaging with a range of key stakeholders in relation to the detailed design of the new system. It is my intention that the improved regulatory regime will deliver both enhanced environmental performance and ensure a quality service for consumers.
In relation to the provision of waste collection waivers, another of the measures included in the Government’s waste 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, submitted its first report to Government on 11 December 2012. Government considered the report and the working group is to continue to examine the design and implementation of measures to address the issue and will provide a further report to Government by 31 March 2013.
627. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the greater Drogheda area is not included in the €220,000 valuation bracket under the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57910/12]
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 low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body who in turn rent it to the original owners.
Householders seeking to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme must:
- have been involved in the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) with their lender and agree that they can no longer afford to pay their mort gage loan now or in the future;
- own the property they live in, with a current market value of less than €220,000 in the Dublin area or less than €180 ,000 in the rest of the country;
- have their property in good condition, in a suitable location and which must suit their current needs;
- not own any other property or have assets in excess of €20,000;
- have household income not exceeding €25,000, €30,000 or €35,000 a year, depending on what part of the country they live in (household income in this context is net of taxes and social insurance (PRSI));
- the borrower must have a long-term right to remain in Ireland.
The current market value of €220,000 applies chiefly to the greater Dublin area, but also to adjoining areas with commensurate property value levels. The lower current market value of €180,000 applies to all other areas. The greater Drogheda area is deemed to fall into the latter category.
628. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will remain in place in 2013 for the Rapid programmes in East Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58029/12]
View answerMy Department has provided an indicative allocation of more than €2 million for RAPID in 2013, which will be used to meet the Department's existing contractual commitments on RAPID projects throughout the country (mainly Sports Capital Top-ups and CCTV systems, jointly funded by the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Justice and Equality respectively).
629. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to provide a formal sanction to Dublin Fire Brigade for the recruitment of 28 positions of emergency services controllers; and his views that a cost in the region of €100,000 for the external recruitment process provides value for money. [58055/12]
View answerMy Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities. Any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. This would include the formation and operation of recruitment panels and costs associated therewith.
In this regard, it is a matter for City and County Managers, in the first instance, to ensure that the moratorium is implemented while the appropriate service levels are maintained. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services, and economic issues are given precedence. In relation to the specific posts referred to in the question my Department is considering the sanction request, in consultation with the Council, and a decision will be made once that process has been completed.
630. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons that are on the housing waiting list and transfer list in each local authority; if he will indicate the allocations that have been made in 2012 through the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58059/12]
View answerMy Department does not hold information on the number of households on local authorities’ waiting lists. This figure fluctuates continually according as households are allocated housing and other households apply for housing support. Detailed information on the latest statutory assessment of housing need, carried out in March 2011, 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.
Since 1 April 2011 all housing authorities assess applicants for social housing support in accordance with section 20 of the Housing (scellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and regulations made under that section, primarily the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. At the end of November 2012 local authorities had transferred a total of 42,687 households from Rent Supplement (RS). Of these 25,123 were housed directly under RAS and a further 17,564 were accommodated under other social housing options. A breakdown of the 4,928 households transferred from rent supplement in 2012 (to end November), by local authority, is given in the table below.
|
Housing Authorities |
Transfers in 2012* |
Housing Authorities |
Transfers in 2012* |
|
Carlow Co. Cl. |
139 |
Limerick City Cl. |
131 |
|
Cavan Co. Cl. |
206 |
Limerick Co. Cl. |
91 |
|
Clare Co. Cl. |
85 |
Longford Co. Cl. |
8 |
|
Cork City Cl. |
209 |
Louth Co. Cl. |
29 |
|
Cork Co. Cl. |
331 |
Mayo Co. Cl. |
158 |
|
Donegal Co. Cl. |
178 |
Meath Co. Cl. |
117 |
|
Dublin City Cl. |
292 |
Monaghan Co. Cl. |
37 |
|
Dublin South Co. Cl. |
336 |
Nth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
143 |
|
Dun/Rathdown Co.Cl. |
116 |
Offaly Co. Cl. |
88 |
|
Fingal Co. Cl. |
382 |
Roscommon Co.Cl. |
125 |
|
Galway City Cl. |
71 |
Sligo Co. Cl. |
103 |
|
Galway Co. Cl. |
130 |
Sth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
182 |
|
Kerry Co. Cl. |
186 |
Waterford City Cl. |
136 |
|
Kildare Co. Cl. |
107 |
Waterford Co. Cl. |
85 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Cl. |
173 |
Westmeath Co. Cl. |
84 |
|
Laois Co. Cl. |
57 |
Wexford Co. Cl. |
247 |
|
Leitrim Co. Cl. |
5 |
Wicklow Co. Cl. |
161 |
(* to end November 2012)
631. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons in total that are homeless across the four Dublin local authority areas; the number of persons in total it is estimated are homeless across the whole State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58060/12]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office published a special Census report, Homeless Persons in Ireland, on 6 September 2012. This report indicated that 59 people were sleeping rough in the Dublin Region on Census night, 10 April 2011. The report identified that a further 2,316 people in the Dublin Region were housed in accommodation defined as emergency, transitional or long-term. Outside of Dublin the Census report indicated that 6 individuals were sleeping rough while a further 1,427 individuals were housed in accommodation defined as emergency, transitional or long-term. Of the total of 3,808 individuals included in the report, almost 60% were in long-term or transitional housing arrangements rather than in emergency facilities or sleeping rough. In December 2012, Dublin City Council reported that over 100 persons were sleeping rough on the night of the most recent count held in November 2012.
While the Dublin Region’s Outreach team works on an on-going basis to engage with all individuals sleeping rough with the specific goal of moving people into accommodation, the stubbornly high number of rough sleepers reflects the gravity of the challenge facing the Government, the voluntary sector and other agencies in tackling the homelessness problem. The problem of rough sleeping is limited outside of Dublin, with Cork, Waterford, Limerick, and Galway City Councils reporting sufficient bed capacity on a nightly basis and that there is no one sleeping rough on an involuntary basis. I intend to issue a policy statement on homelessness very shortly. In this statement I will be indicating what I expect from housing authorities and other stakeholders in accelerating progress towards realising the ambition of eliminating involuntary long-term homelessness.
632. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the funds spent by his Department in tackling the issue of homelessness in County Louth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the amount that has been allocated for such services in 2013. [58080/12]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and the purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Details of the funding provided by my Department, under Section 10, for the years 2008 – 2012 in County Louth are set out in the table. Funding is provided from my Department at the rate of 90% of costs incurred, with the housing authorities providing 10% of costs from their own resources.
|
2008 € |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
|
|
Louth County Council |
3,465 |
405 |
10,000 |
903,499 |
900,308 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
323,050 |
470,614 |
254,932 |
2,402 |
0 |
|
Dundalk Town Council |
798,208 |
715,449 |
670,941 |
2,457 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
1,124,723 |
1,186,468 |
935,873 |
908,358 |
900,308 |
Housing authorities will be notified of the funding available in 2013, under Section 10, as soon as possible after the Revised Estimates Volume has been published.
633. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of funds spent by his Department in tackling the issue of domestic violence in County Louth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the amount of funding that will be provided for such services in 2013 [58082/12]
View answerResponsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic abuse rests with the Minister for Health and Children and is delivered through the Health Service Executive. In addition Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which was established in June 2007 as an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality, works to ensure the delivery of a coordinated response to issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across Government.
My Department’s responsibility is in respect of homelessness which in some cases involves the provision of current funding, under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, towards the operational costs of refuges for the victims of domestic abuse. Details of the funding provided by my Department, under Section 10, for the years 2008 – 2012 in County Louth are set out in the table. Section 10 funding is provided from my Department at the rate of 90% of costs incurred, with the housing authorities providing 10% of costs from their own resources.
|
2008 € |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
|
|
Drogheda Borough Women’s Aid Refuge |
24,097 |
48,166 |
31,267 |
29,700 |
72,900 |
|
Dundalk Town Women’s Aid Refuge |
82,782 |
92,005 |
82,782 |
96,300 |
96,300 |
|
TOTAL |
106,879 |
140,171 |
114,049 |
126,000 |
169,200 |
Housing authorities will be notified of the funding available in 2013, under Section 10, as soon as possible after the Revised Estimates Volume has been published.
634. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 whereby separated persons who are the joint owners of properties are currently deemed ineligible for social housing support unless they are separated under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by a deed of separation in view of the fact that this regulation is too restrictive and makes it very difficult for certain separated persons with a housing need to access social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58093/12]
View answerRegulation 22 (1) of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provides that a household with alternative accommodation that would meet its housing need is ineligible for social housing support. Paragraph (2) of the Regulation clarifies that paragraph (1) does not operate to exclude from eligibility for social housing support an applicant who owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is formally separated or divorced. Under the enactment, a deed of separation is sufficient to set aside this ineligibility ground and it is not necessary to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on social housing support in these cases. This provision is reasonable in most cases. I acknowledge, however, that situations relating to household members who have separated may exceptionally arise that may not easily be dealt with under the current Regulations. My Department is keeping the social housing assessment provisions under review and will consider what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities by way of Regulations to address the individually difficult and complex cases which may present to them.
635. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Priory Hall, Dublin; and if he will support the residents of Priory Hall in 2013. [58103/12]
View answer674. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the process being overseen by Justice Finnegan to resolve all outstanding legal, financial and construction issues for residents of Priory Hall, Dublin; when the process will come to a conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1458/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 635 and 674 together.
Dublin City Council is the designated authority with powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. The Council is also the designated Housing Authority under the Housing Acts. I am aware of the significant efforts that have been made by the Council to provide for the needs of residents to date and I understand that the Council will continue to work proactively on behalf of the residents towards achieving the much needed resolution of the issues at Priory Hall. The resolution process, which I understand is on-going, arose in the context of legal proceedings which were adjourned to afford relevant parties the opportunity to work together, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Finnegan (retired President of the High Court), to identify a way forward in relation to the complex problems at Priory Hall. Given that the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further other than to continue to urge all concerned to afford Mr. Justice Finnegan the opportunity to complete the task which he is undertaking.
636. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the proposal for a new Fire Station for Graignamanagh, County Kilkenny as part the National Fire Appliance Fleet has not been considered under the Fire Service Capital Allocation fund, in view of the fact that the present building was built in the 1950s and is classified as substandard (details supplied) and should the county boundaries change, as is imminent, the catchment area served by Graignamanagh Fire Station will increase; if he will outline which fire stations are currently being given priority as part of the national fire appliance fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58110/12]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including 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, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and specialist emergency and communications equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
Under the 2008 fire service capital programme, a proposal by Kilkenny County Council to build a new two bay fire station in Grauigenamanagh was approved in principle. The Council was subsequently approved to prepare detailed design and tender documents in relation to the project. These have been received in my Department for consideration. In keeping with other reductions, it has been necessary to reduce the fire service capital allocation. Given the ongoing constraints on public finances, funding is not available from the programme at present for the building of a new fire station in Graiguenamanagh. Priority has been given to supporting the national fire appliance fleet and, in this regard, Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service has received an allocation for a new appliance which is currently under construction.
637. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are legally entitled to use the register of electors to collect the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58122/12]
View answerUnder section 13A(3) of the Electoral Act 1992, the Register of Electors may be used only for electoral or certain other specified statutory purposes. As such, local authorities may not use the electoral register to collect outstanding Household Charge liabilities.
638. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with respect to the recently announced grant scheme for homeowners with septic tanks, where the money for this scheme will come from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58143/12]
View answer652. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households who had registered their private waste water system by the 31 December 2012 broken down county; the percentage who have registered in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1112/13]
View answer653. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the decisions taken by the previous Government, which were in office up to March 2011, in relation to waste water systems on foot of the judgement in the European Court of Justice in October 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1113/13]
View answer695. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider extending the registration date for waste water treatment systems to the end of April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/13]
View answer710. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the grants aid system will work from an operational perspective for both local authorities and for qualifying applicants in respect of septic tank inspections. [1851/13]
View answer711. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the level of household debt will be taken into account when assessing the income thresholds for the grant scheme in respect of septic tank inspections. [1852/13]
View answer713. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if analysis has been carried out to establish approximate costs involved for remediation works on septic tanks. [1854/13]
View answer722. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proportion of the more than 300,000 legacy septic tanks installed prior to 1990 his officials estimate will require upgrading and the moneys that have been set aside for the grant scheme in this years Departmental budget. [1968/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 638, 652, 653, 695, 710, 711, 713 and 722 together.
As of 31 December 2012, applications in respect of the on-site wastewater treatment systems of 266,151 owners, who have registered on-line, by post or in person at their local authority offices, had been processed and approximately 25,000 additional registration applications were awaiting processing by the bureau operated by the Local Government Management Agency on that date. Details of the number of processed registrations for each County and City Council by 14 January 2013 are set out in the table.
The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012 prescribe the date for registration of domestic wastewater treatment systems as 1 February 2013. There has been an extensive public information campaign, involving local and national media as well as the distribution of an information booklet to households in unsewered areas, to familiarise owners of domestic waste water treatment systems with the requirement to register and the registration options available to them. Registration facilities have been available since 26 June 2012 and I consider that ample time has been afforded for people to register their on-site waste water treatment systems. I have no plans to extend the registration period.
Following the European Court of Justice judgment against Ireland in October 2009, my Department commenced the preparation of legislation to ensure compliance with the Court’s ruling; this included extensive stakeholder consultations between October and November 2010. On taking office in March, 2011, I prioritised the finalisation of the legislation and this culminated with the publication of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 on 3 November 2011 and its enactment on 2 February 2012.
I recently announced my intention to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems require remediation or upgrading following inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. I am making provision for the scheme in my Department’s Vote for 2013. The scheme will apply to treatment systems which have been registered by the due date of 1 February 2013 and which are deemed to require remediation having failed an inspection carried out under the 2012 Act. The grant payable will depend on the cost of the work necessary and the income of the household concerned, and the scheme will provide a higher level of support to households on lower incomes. Full details of the scheme will be defined in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing this year.
It will be a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the level of inspections required. At this stage it is not possible to indicate how many systems will require remediation. However, the remedial action required on foot of an inspection of a septic tank will, in many cases, only involve householders having to de-sludge their tanks more frequently. The experience in County Cavan, where inspections have been carried out under the bye-laws in operation in that county since 2004, indicates that, where remediation was required, the average remediation cost was €2,500 and the failure rate was approximately 15% of systems inspected.
Registrations processed as of 14 January 2013.
|
Water Services Authority |
Estimated total number of on-site waste water treatment systems |
Number of on-site waste water treatment systems registered
|
Number of on-site waste water treatment systems registered as a percentage of the estimated total number |
|
Carlow County Council |
7190 |
4,342 |
60% |
|
Cavan County Council |
14477 |
9,233 |
64% |
|
Clare County Council |
19769 |
14,521 |
73% |
|
Cork City Council |
586 |
381 |
65% |
|
Cork County Council |
57993 |
28,165 |
49% |
|
Donegal County Council |
32955 |
10,471 |
32% |
|
Dublin City Council |
2718 |
80 |
3% |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
1928 |
755 |
39% |
|
Fingal County Council |
5213 |
1,918 |
37% |
|
Galway City Council |
1145 |
455 |
40% |
|
Galway County Council |
42161 |
20,903 |
50% |
|
Kerry County Council |
28277 |
24,188 |
86% |
|
Kildare County Council |
16795 |
8,583 |
51% |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
15368 |
9,408 |
61% |
|
Laois County Council |
11309 |
6,733 |
60% |
|
Leitrim County Council |
7005 |
4,608 |
66% |
|
Limerick City Council |
420 |
154 |
37% |
|
Limerick County Council |
24207 |
13,842 |
57% |
|
Longford County Council |
7556 |
4,641 |
61% |
|
Louth County Council |
11633 |
4,854 |
42% |
|
Mayo County Council |
26659 |
16,437 |
62% |
|
Meath County Council |
21687 |
12,497 |
58% |
|
Monaghan County Council |
12065 |
5,847 |
48% |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
12342 |
7,897 |
64% |
|
Offaly County Council |
11170 |
6,781 |
61% |
|
Roscommon County Council |
14297 |
9,596 |
67% |
|
Sligo County Council |
11192 |
6,857 |
61% |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2266 |
714 |
32% |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
14442 |
8,651 |
60% |
|
Waterford City Council |
488 |
285 |
58% |
|
Waterford County Council |
11466 |
5,563 |
49% |
|
Westmeath County Council |
12165 |
7,911 |
65% |
|
Wexford County Council |
26267 |
14,562 |
55% |
|
Wicklow County Council |
12070 |
7,647 |
63% |
639. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any public body is being fined for discharging raw sewerage into the sea at Rush, County Dublin. [58163/12]
View answerThe operation, maintenance and management of public water services infrastructure is the responsibility of the relevant water services authority, in this case Fingal County Council, under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, discharges from water service authority facilities are regulated under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007, under which discharges are licensed/authorised by the EPA.
640. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding a grant to help homeowners pay for pyrite testing their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58189/12]
View answerThe Government recently approved the setting up of a Resolution Board to oversee the implementation of a remediation scheme for dwellings affected by pyrite. It also approved the imposition of levies on the quarrying and insurance sectors to fund such a remediation scheme. Work is underway on the scope and detail of the remediation scheme and the cost of testing will be dealt with in that context.
641. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the proposal to dump spoil from the Ringsend wastewater treatment works long sea outfall tunnel at the mouth of Dublin Bay 3 km south of the Bailey, Howth, in view of the fears of local residents and sports clubs, including scuba divers, regarding the potential impact of the dumping of approximately 824,000 tonnes of spoil at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1023/13]
View answer679. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans not to permit the dumping of soil from the Port Tunnel into Dublin Bay (details supplied). [1509/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 679 together.
The Ringsend Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme, 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to start during the lifetime of the Programme. Matters relating to planning applications, permits, licences and authorisations are matters for the relevant statutory regulators such as An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency.
I understand that Dublin City Council received planning approval for the proposed expansion of the Ringsend plant, including land-based disposal of the tunnel spoil, from An Bord Pleanála in November 2012. I am informed that the City Council submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Dumping at Sea Permit, in accordance with Section 5 of the Dumping at Sea Acts 1996 to 2010, in early December 2012, seeking approval of an alternative to the land-based disposal of the tunnel spoil. A period of public consultation in relation to this permit application commenced on 20 December 2012 and runs until 31 January 2013. During this time members of the public and other interested parties may make submissions to the EPA in relation to this application.
I have no role in the granting, or otherwise, of the permit applied for and I would urge the Deputies to encourage interested parties to engage in the public consultation process with the EPA. Information regarding the permit application and the public consultation process are available from Dublin City Council and the EPA.
642. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reinstate the MRF subvention that has traditionally been paid to Waterford County Council since 2006, for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1066/13]
View answerPayments made from the Environment Fund by my Department towards the operating costs of the Dungarvan Materials Recovery Facility were not part of the ongoing subvention scheme for Civic Amenity Sites nationally. The funding involved was considered on a year to year basis, having regard to the performance of the facility and availability of funds. In recent years, the Environment Fund has come under significant additional expenditure pressures, while at the same time the Fund’s income base has been affected by the very welcome successes of the landfill levy in diverting waste from landfill and the plastic bag levy in reducing plastic bag usage.
This has required significant reductions in a range of expenditure areas financed from the Fund and, in that context, and taking account of value for money considerations, it is not possible to continue with the subvention sought in respect of the Dungarvan facility. However, it should be noted that my Department continues to make a significant general purpose grant allocation to Waterford County Council to contribute towards meeting the cost of providing a reasonable level of services to customers. In this regard, I have approved €18,176,169 in general purpose funding to the Council for 2013, an increase of 1.61% on the 2012 allocation.
643. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review existing legislation in respect of privately rented housing accommodation and to strengthen the role of the Private Residential Tenancies Board in resolving issues that arise between tenants and landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1080/13]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.
My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether the Act best supports the PRTB’s key functions and on whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced in April 2010 and the drafting of the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the review was approved by Government in July 2011. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 was published on 19 July 2012 and is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 builds on what has been achieved by the Residential Tenancies Act and the PRTB, and provides for the further development of the rental sector into the future. Among the main issues addressed by the amending legislation are –
- the extension of the remit of the Residential Tenancies Act to Approved Housing Body tenancies;
- the Board of the PRTB to be reduced from 15 to 12 members;
- the separation of the governance and quasi-judicial functions of the Board;
- the merger of the PRTB and the Rent Tribunal;
- the simplification and streamlining of the mediation process.
While the Bill addresses a wide range of issues, there are some other aspects still under development which I hope to bring forward for consideration during the Bill’s passage through the Oireachtas. In particular, I am keen to progress a number of key on-going concerns within the private rented sector such as the illegal retention of tenants’ deposits by landlords and the over holding of rented property by tenants.
644. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the manual for the inspection of private waste water systems will be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the inspection plan for private waste water systems under the Water Services Act 2012 will he approved by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1104/13]
View answer700. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a specific timescale has been given to local authorities in which to inspect septic tanks. [1841/13]
View answer701. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the expertise that will be required to carry out inspections of septic tanks, if he has issued a directive to local authorities as to who and how these inspections will be carried out. [1842/13]
View answer702. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a directive regarding operational details of septic tank inspections has been given to local authorities in the event of contractors carrying out inspections. [1843/13]
View answer703. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the operational details in broad terms regarding an inspector carrying out inspections on septic tanks. [1844/13]
View answer704. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a directive has been given to local authorities on the way contractors carrying out inspections on septic tanks will be regulated and licensed. [1845/13]
View answer705. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way local authorities will regulate the work of contractors carrying out inspections on septic tanks. [1846/13]
View answer706. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if contractors will require a special licence to carry out septic tank inspections. [1847/13]
View answer707. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if contractors will have to carry particular forms of identity in order to gain permission to come onto people's land to carry out septic tank inspections. [1848/13]
View answer708. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of notification a householder will be given before a septic tank inspection takes place. [1849/13]
View answer709. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any form of formal complaints follow-up or disputes resolution process for septic tank owners unhappy with remedial work carried out. [1850/13]
View answer712. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities will be given additional funding in order to offset the cost of hiring contractors or will this cost be offset by existing budgets in respect of septic tank inspections. [1853/13]
View answer723. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assurances he can give that his proposed risk based assessment of on-site waste water treatment plants will satisfy the EU water quality directive. [1969/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 700 to 709, inclusive, 712 and 723 together.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provides that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The plan is being drawn up to highest international standards and in accordance with the Recommendation for Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections which is an EU-approved system for the consistent implementation and enforcement of Community environmental law in all EU Member States. I understand that the Plan is very close to being finalised by the Agency. My Department will continue to liaise with the European Commission to ensure full compliance with our obligations.
A training course for the local authority personnel who will be appointed to carry out inspections under the new legislation is currently being finalised and this is being overseen by the Water Services Training Group. The training course will be extended to suitably qualified local authority staff over the coming months. Inspections will commence later this year. The inspections will be carried out under the national inspection plan, in accordance with directions issued by the EPA, which is the supervisory body for the purposes of implementation of the legislation. The local authority personnel assigned to inspect on-site treatment systems under the legislation will be appointed by the EPA as required under Section 70E of the Act . They will be required to meet criteria regarding professional or technical qualifications and to have completed the training course. The revenue from the registration fees payable by owners of domestic waste water treatment systems will be available to local authorities to meet the costs of managing the inspection regime.
The 2012 Act provides that at least 10 working days’ notice must be provided to householders if their treatment system is to be inspected. The Act also contains a comprehensive appeals procedure for householders who are aggrieved with an inspection. Inspectors will be required to carry identification and to present this on request to householders.
645. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if companies exporting calcium carbonate limestone products will be exempt from the proposed pyrite levy on the quarrying industry on all product exported, to ensure their competiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1105/13]
View answer646. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the new pyrite levy on the quarrying industry will require legislation; when will this legislation be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1106/13]
View answer647. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it is proposed to levy quarries that did not provide any products that included pyrite under the new proposed pyrite levy, as they did not cause the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1107/13]
View answer648. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason concrete manufactures will have to pay the new proposed pyrite levy on their products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 645 to 648, inclusive, together.
I have recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors, as recommended by the independent Pyrite Panel, in order to provide the funding necessary for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings where no other forms of redress are available to the homeowner. The imposition of the levies will require legislation and in that context I will set out the detail regarding the application of the levies, their collection and subsequent administration. I am committed to having the legislation published and enacted in the shortest timeframe possible.
The decision to impose a levy on the quarrying industry will in effect see it applied to the construction industry more generally given its application is to a raw material used in certain manufactured products, which is also in line with the recommendations of the Pyrite Panel. While I understand that some suppliers, who were not involved in the supply of aggregate materials containing reactive pyrite, may feel concerned that the levy is being generally applied it is reasonable, and in line with precedent, that this sectoral approach be taken. For example, the Motor Insurance Bureau, which is funded by companies writing motor insurance in Ireland, provides assistance and compensation to the innocent victims of accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. Similar arrangements apply to the travel trade.
