Written Answers Nos 169-175
169. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities will be responsible for the full costs of maintenance and other associated costs with group schemes in view of the fact that customers will be liable for water charges from Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8996/13]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB requires the establishment of a national water utility and the introduction of domestic water charges. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to install water meters in households connected to public water supplies and to introduce charges based on usage. Group water schemes will not be metered as part of this metering programme.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided towards the capital costs of group water schemes, and of the subsidy scheme under which funding is provided towards the operational costs of group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding of the non-public water sector, including the group water sector. Over the past decade, substantial improvements have been made in the group water sector, reflected in improved infrastructure and management and leading to greater compliance with drinking water standards. This has been accomplished through a partnership approach between the Department, the local authorities and the group water sector itself, with the important involvement of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. This co-operative approach will be maintained as the reform of water services provision is progressed.
170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 13 February 2013, if he will acknowledge that an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath was in fact placed on the unfinished housing list under category three which the council submitted last year; the reason it was then categorised as finished; and if he will commit to ensuring that this mistake is rectified as soon as possible. [9009/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 143 of 13 February 2013. Coill Rua estate was originally named Green Park West but subsequently renamed to differentiate it from Green Park Meadows. In compiling the list of estates for the National Housing Survey 2011, Coill Rua was identified as Green Park Meadows, which was the name entered on the prescribed list. There is no appeals procedure and no facility to amend the list once it has been prescribed. Consideration of the categorisation of this development will again arise in the context of the prescribed list for purposes of the waiver from the local property tax.
171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 5 February 2013, if he will indicate, in relation to the rent assistance scheme, the housing authorities that have been selected as pilot areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9016/13]
View answerThe County and City Managers Association (CCMA), who are represented on the relevant project Steering Group, have nominated a number of local authorities as potential pilot sites; these will be considered within the broader deliberations of the group and decisions on the appropriate authorities to pilot the scheme will be made in due course.
172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will defer the signing of new building control regulations until he receives the paper from the Oireachtas Environment Committee. [9174/13]
View answer173. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a submission from the Architects' Alliance, on 14 February 2013, regarding self certification; and if so, if he will give consideration to same. [9175/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
The arrangements for the registration of Architects are addressed under Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007. The Act provides routes to registration that are open, transparent and fair for potential candidates from a variety of backgrounds including those who are practically trained and have limited or no academic training or qualifications. I am satisfied that the statutory arrangements for registration that are currently in place are appropriate and I have no proposals to amend the Act presently.
The Building Control Amendment Regulations 2013 are currently being finalised for signature into law. A transition period of twelve months will apply which will give sufficient time for, among other things, persons who may be eligible for inclusion on the statutory registers but have not sought registration to date to apply now for registration.
I understand that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Arts and Culture has recently been considering the registration arrangements for practically trained architects and is currently preparing a report on the matter. I look forward to considering the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations in due course.
175. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the protections in place to ensure security of tenure for tenants under the rental accommodation scheme; if there are any obligations on landlords to provide properties for at least a set minimum period under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9195/13]
View answerUnder the Rental Accommodation Scheme local authorities enter into contractual arrangements on behalf of tenants with accommodation providers, primarily in the private rented sector, to secure medium to long-term availability of rented accommodation. The lease on these units can vary from 1 year to over 10 years. The duration of any contract is determined primarily by the housing needs of the authority and those of the prospective landlord.
Accommodation provided under the Rental Accommodation Scheme is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended. Tenants have security of tenure for so long as the contract negotiated between the landlord and local authority remains in place. A landlord can however terminate the agreement entered into where particular circumstances prevail, if for example they wish to sell their rented property or where an ti-social behaviour is an issue. Equally an authority may terminate an agreement where it considers a landlord has bre ached the terms of the contract, for example where the landlord has failed or refused to carry out essential repairs or improvements to the property. Termination by either party would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the 2004 Act and the terms of the RAS agreement.
