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Thursday, 24 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos. 147-154

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Questions (147)

Niall Collins

Question:

147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which a suitably qualified person can apply for work to provide upgrading of septic tanks and percolation areas under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/13]

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Written answers

The owners of domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed on inspection under the 2012 Act to require remediation or upgrading to address a risk to human health or to the environment will be directed by their water services authority to have the necessary works completed by a specified date. The selection of a competent contractor to carry out such works will be a matter for the householder concerned.

Water Meters Installation

Questions (148)

Niall Collins

Question:

148. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which a suitably qualified person can apply for work in the installation of water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3499/13]

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Written answers

The Government has decided that Irish Water, a new State-owned water company to be established as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, will be responsible for the domestic water metering programme. It will be a matter for Irish Water, and any contractors employed by it, to recruit suitable qualified personnel for the relevant works. The approach being adopted for the procurement of sub-contractors and regional main contractors for the metering programme is set out in reply to Question No. 696 of 16 January 2013.

Voluntary Housing Sector Issues

Questions (149)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

149. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made towards the development of homeless units at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3516/13]

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Written answers

In July 2012, my Department approved a number of voluntary housing projects to commence construction over the 2013 – 2014 period, including a proposal by Renewal Sheltered Housing Limited to construct some 30 units of accommodation for homeless persons at Spur Hill, Togher, County Cork.

Cork County Council’s request to progress the project to tender stage is under consideration at present and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Pyrite Issues

Questions (150, 151)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

150. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures that have been introduced to tackle the pyrite issue since March 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/13]

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Brendan Ryan

Question:

151. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the length of time it will take for the Pyrite Resolution Board to be operational; when it will begin to remediate Pyrite effected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.

In September 2011, I set up an independent Pyrite Panel to explore options for a resolution to the pyrite problem in private housing. Following detailed research and consultation, the Panel submitted its report to me at the end of June 2012 which I subsequently published in July 2012. The report, which contains twenty four inter-related recommendations, set out a framework to provide solutions for affected homeowners.

In its report, the Panel was unambiguous in its conclusion that the State was not responsible for the pyrite problem and should not bear the cost of remediation. However, it was equally clear that the State had a pivotal role to assist and co-ordinate the provision of the necessary infrastructure to provide for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings where no other option is available to homeowners. It was the Panel’s view that the stakeholders with direct or indirect responsibility for the pyrite problem should face up to their legal and moral responsibilities and provide solutions for homeowners, including funding the cost of remediation.

Reflecting on the approach recommended in the report for the engagement of stakeholders in processes to provide a solution to the pyrite problem, my Department and I have been involved in on-going discussions with key stakeholders and in particular with representatives from the Construction Industry Federation, Irish Concrete Federation, HomeBond, and the Irish Banking Federation since July 2012. My objective in engaging in this process, which has taken longer than I anticipated, was to achieve collective agreement for the provision of structures to deliver solutions for homeowners in line with the recommendations in the pyrite report.

The Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation and HomeBond have agreed to establish an entity for the purposes of operating the remediation scheme in respect of those homes affected by pyrite and where the homeowner has no other form of redress. A number of financial institutions have agreed in principle to make initial loan funding available to facilitate the early commencement of pyrite remediation work and it is intended that the entity will engage with those institutions in relation to this loan facility.

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. The imposition of the levies will require primary legislation and I am committed to having the legislation published and enacted in the shortest timeframe possible.

The Government also approved the establishment of a Pyrite Resolution Board which will have oversight of the operation of the remediation scheme and ensure that the public interest, and the particular interest of the affected homeowners, is well served.

I am currently finalising the membership of the Pyrite Resolution Board. I have appointed a Chairman who, with me, is keen for the Board to commence its work as soon as possible. While, I am not in a position at this stage to indicate when the remediation work will begin, there will be no undue delay on my part or that of my Department in putting the necessary structures in place for a remediation scheme.

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Questions (152, 153, 154)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

152. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the recent designation of the area from Rockabill to the Dalkey Island reefs as a special area of conservation will affect the greater Dublin drainage project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3604/13]

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Brendan Ryan

Question:

153. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the greater Dublin drainage project relied on the non-designation of proposed outfall areas as special areas of conservation; the extent to which this project will be reconsidered following this designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3605/13]

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Brendan Ryan

Question:

154. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the special area of conservation from Rockabill to the Dalkey Island reefs will be threatened by the proposed greater Dublin drainage project; the damage that will be caused to marine life in the area by the construction of outfall pipes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3606/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 154, inclusive, together.

Planning for the Greater Dublin Regional Drainage Project – North Dublin Treatment Plant and Orbital Sewer is being progressed by Fingal County Council.

Under the Alternative Sites Assessment and Route Selection Report (Phase 2) for the scheme, three possible treatment sites and two possible outfall locations have been identified by the Council as emerging preferred options and a non-statutory public consultation process was carried out during 2012. I understand that the Council and the Project Team are now assessing the submissions made and hope to complete their deliberations in the first half of this year.

While it appears that both of the emerging outfall location options may impinge on the Rockabill to Dalkey Island Candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC), it is not clear what, if any, impacts the project would have on the Candidate SAC. I understand that once the preferred treatment site and outfall options have been chosen, Fingal County Council will carry out appropriate environmental evaluations during the planning of the project. The Council will then prepare detailed plans and complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. This EIS, which will, inter alia, address any impacts on the Candidate SAC, will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála together with a planning application under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure Act) 2006. An Bord Pleanála will carry out its own evaluation of the project following a statutory public consultation phase.

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