Written Answers Nos. 178-186
178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the operation of An Bord Pleanála; if he considers that there is a need for greater transparency in relation to the composition of the board and the decision making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3287/13]
View answerThe Board of an Bord Pleanála comprises a Chairperson and up to 9 ordinary members. The appointment process, set out under sections 105 -107 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012 and Articles 56 – 65 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, require selections to be made by the Minister from nominees put forward by four representative panels of nominating bodies prescribed for this purpose.
Appointees to the Board do not represent their nominating body but are appointed to provide, as a function of the Board, independent consideration of planning authorities’ decisions submitted to the Board on appeal and applications required to be submitted directly to the Board. I am satisfied that the current nomination and appointment processes are fair and transparent. Furthermore, as the legislative provisions underpinning these processes have only recently been endorsed by the Oireachtas, I have no proposals to make any further amendments at this time.
180. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered imposing a minimum standard for chimneys built as part of exempted one storey extensions to two storey houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3368/13]
View answerThe legal requirements of the Building Regulations are set out in twelve Parts (classified as Parts A to M) and apply to new buildings or, in certain circumstances, to works involving the extension, material alteration or material change of use of an existing building.
Part J – Heat Producing Appliances – of the Building Regulations requires such appliances to have adequate provision for the discharge of the products of combustion to the outside air, and any heat producing appliance, flue pipe, or chimney to be designed and constructed so as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the building catching fire as a consequence of its use.
Technical Guidance Document (TGD) J, published by my Department, gives guidance on how to comply with Part J. In particular, guidance is given covering the appropriate location of flue terminals for both natural draught and balanced flue appliances, shielding of flue pipes from combustible materials, encasement of flues where passing through compartment walls and floors and the need for provision for flue cleaning.
The relevant distances for flue locations are based on the European standard EN 15287-1: 2007 Design, Installation and Commissioning of Chimneys - Part 1 Chimneys for non-room sealed heating appliances, which deals with all fuel type appliances.
Part A – Structure – of the Building Regulations, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document A, requires that chimneys are sized in keeping with the structural stability of the building to which they are attached.
Buildings which are exempted from planning permission are required to comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations in so far as they apply to the building concerned.
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if has plans to introduce the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors into all public buildings, businesses and homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3423/13]
View answer183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has plans to introduce a scheme of financial aid or support to encourage persons to purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3425/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of the Building Regulations Part J – Heat Producing Appliances – and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document J (TGD J). This review has addressed the appropriateness of making mandatory provision for Carbon Monoxide Detectors/Alarms (CO detectors) in certain circumstances. Proposals to amend Building Regulations Part J /TGD J were released for public consultation in 2012. In cases where an open-flued or flueless appliance, including a fireplace, is installed in a building (including a dwelling) or as a replacement appliance in an existing building, the consultation proposals favoured the mandatory provision of CO detectors in or near bedrooms and in the room where the appliance is located. The public consultation concluded on 7 November 2012. All submissions received are currently being reviewed with a view to preparing a definitive set of regulations for signature into law later this year.
There are no plans under consideration in my Department to introduce a scheme of financial aid or support to encourage persons to purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors along the lines suggested.
184. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the submission from Dublin City Council on the Rathmines and Pembroke sewerage scheme; if the Swan River, Dublin, forms a part of that report; the funding that will be provided or an assessment of needs or hydraulic study on the culverted Swan River, which has caused multiple local floods in recent years; the funding that will be provided for the overall scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3439/13]
View answerThe Rathmines & Pembroke Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, as a scheme to advance through the planning stage. My Department is awaiting submission by Dublin City Council of a Brief for a Consultant to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme. It is understood that the Brief will be quite broad in nature and will require the Consultant to examine the issue of flooding in the catchment, in addition to the normal environmental and structural deficiencies that may exist in the system.
185. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána stationed in County Tipperary in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively; if he will provide a breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3346/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Tipperary Garda Division on 31 December 2010, 2011 and 2012, was as set out in the table attached. There were also 36 Garda Reservists and 34 Civilians attached to the Tipperary Garda Division on 31 December 2012.
|
Station |
31/12/2010 |
31/12/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
|
Ardfinnan |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ballyporeen |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cahir |
43 |
42 |
48 |
|
Cashel |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
Clogheen |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
New Inn |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Carrick On Suir |
15 |
16 |
16 |
|
Clonmel |
51 |
52 |
47 |
|
Fethard |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Grangemockler |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mullinahone |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kilsheelan |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Borrisokane |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Cloughjordan |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Lorrha |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Nenagh |
38 |
38 |
38 |
|
Newport |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Portroe |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Toomevara |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Borrisoleigh |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Moneygall |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Moyne |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Rearcross |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roscrea |
20 |
19 |
20 |
|
Templemore |
38 |
40 |
32 |
|
Templetuogy |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ballingarry South |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Holycross |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Killenaule |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
Littleton |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Thurles |
75 |
74 |
78 |
|
Bansha |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cappawhite |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundrum |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Emly |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Golden |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Town |
32 |
31 |
31 |
|
Total |
378 |
376 |
371 |
186. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the locations in the Dublin region that are currently operating the Garda community text alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that text alert systems may be used by Gardaí, via Community Alert or other such groups, to alert the community in relation to suspicious activity or vehicles in their area, appeal for information, inform the community about road closures or to provide crime prevention advice. The content of the messages sent are vetted locally by An Garda Síochána. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are at present two such local text alert systems operating in particular areas within the Dublin Metropolitan Region. One is operating in the St. Margaret's & The Ward which is a rural area of the Blanchardstown District and a second scheme is operating in the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central. An Garda Síochána is currently examining text alert systems to determine whether it is feasible to roll out such systems nationally.
