Written Answers Nos. 145-152
145. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if new national guidance on car parking and smart travel will be provided to local authorities in order to ensure that shoppers have adequate access to car parking in town centres and that parking is not too expensive for shoppers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/13]
View answerThe integration of local transport is a key feature of national, regional and local development planning and is further strengthened through the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010. This provides for greater consistency of plans at regional, city/county and local level, including through the requirement for a core strategy to be incorporated into development plans to reinforce the practice of including evidence-based policy objectives in future development plans. These new provisions are being reflected and implemented in new development plans and in variations to existing plans, and planning authorities are ensuring that local area plans are consistent with the development plan thereafter. I am further strengthening transport planning in local development planning by a more formalised process of integration through the statutory planning guidelines for planning authorities. In this context, the forthcoming Guidelines to Planning Authorities on Local Area Plans, which I expect to publish shortly outline, will encourage, among the key policies and objectives for inclusion in local area plans, smarter travel patterns through more compact, less sprawling, and better structured urban areas. They will also promote more sustainable and healthier travel habits such as walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.
I will, in addition, provide an update of the Development Plan Guidelines during the coming year, inter alia, further to strengthen the integration of transport planning and forward planning.
146. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reached a decision on whether of not to recommend to the Department of Social Protection that retained fire-fighters should be entitled to social welfare if they have no other form of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/13]
View answerQuestions of entitlement to social welfare are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I have no function or role in making recommendations in that regard. My Department was contacted by the Department of Social Protection seeking information on the retained fire service and has provided information on the fire service in general. Retained fire-fighters are employees of local authorities and the Department of Social Protection may make direct contact with local authorities if, in accordance with their statutory remit, they are seeking specific information.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it will contain clearly defined targets for 2020 and 2050 to provide certainty in relation to his policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7757/13]
View answer148. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the climate Bill if it contains five-year carbon budgets that provide a clear pathway for emissions reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7758/13]
View answer149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the climate Bill, if it will contain an independent expert committee to advise the Government on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7759/13]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 132 of 5 February 2013. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the outline Heads of the Bill in advance of their release.
150. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 698 of 6 November 2012 if he will provide a further update in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7761/13]
View answerFollowing a comprehensive public consultation process undertaken in 2012, I am finalising the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 for signature into law. The new regulations will provide, among other things, for the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met in relation to the building concerned. In addition a building owner will be required to assign a registered professional to inspect the work during construction and also to certify that the completed building is in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
The roles of lead designer and assigned certifier may only be undertaken by competent persons who are included on the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors as provided for under the Building Control Act 2007 or who are Chartered Engineers. Depending on their own personal circumstances, it may be open to members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to seek inclusion on one or other of the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors. My Department has had discussions and correspondence with the executive of CIAT in relation to this matter and is happy to continue such engagement as required. In the meantime, I would encourage members of CIAT interested in signing the statutory certificates of compliance that will be introduced under the forthcoming Building Control Regulations to explore and pursue the routes to registration which may be open to them under the Building Control Act 2007 having regard to their own professional background.
151. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a Garda Síochána investigation ongoing into systemic weight to volume fraud at Coillte Teo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7603/13]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
152. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Garda is taking in an area (details supplied) in County Meath to reduce crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7607/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Duleek Garda Sub-District which is under the control of the District Officer, Ashbourne.
I am further informed that the area is subject to regular patrols by local uniformed personnel, augmented by patrols from Regular Units and Detective Units from the District Headquarters of Ashbourne, together with the Divisional Traffic Unit and Regional Support Unit as required. Community support is maintained through interaction with local Community Gardaí and Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
Local Garda management closely monitors such patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in these areas to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources to provide the best possible Garda service to the public. While the situation is being kept under review, Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities in the areas concerned and that the current structures in place deliver an effective and efficient policing service.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has put Operation Fiacla in place in order to address incidents of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. Operation Fiacla is intelligence driven and specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspect offenders. I am informed that as of 31 January 2013, 3,903 persons have been arrested and 2,142 persons have been charged with burglary offences under Operation Fiacla.
An Garda Síochána also places great emphasis on the importance of community partnerships such as Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch, in preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Gardaí continue to invest time and energy in these partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all.
