Written Answers Nos. 218-228
219. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the immediate timeframe for the stages of this project; the funding allocation available for this project; the prospective date for completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15502/13]
View answerA number of contracts for the Arklow Sewerage Scheme are included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 to commence construction within the period of the Programme.
I understand that Wicklow County Council has sought tenders for the South Green and Harbour Road sewer network contract. Wicklow County Council has been advancing the planning and design for the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Arklow and a number of interceptor sewers, prior to submitting the tender documents for this contract to my Department for approval. However, as further legal proceedings are now in train in relation to issues relevant to these contracts, it is not possible to say when these contracts will be advanced.
220. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered any plans to revise the criteria and system on which commercial levies are based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/13]
View answerI have no immediate plans to amend the legislation governing commercial rates.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters , including the most appropriate method of valuation. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
It is important to acknowledge that commercial rates, as a local tax, and the rating system generally are deeply embedded in the local government system. A large body of case law is well established and local authorities and ratepayers are, in the main, very familiar with, and generally accepting of, the operation and practice of the rating system. Rates are also a stable source of financing for local government which is not affected unduly by short-term changes in economic circumstances.
I recognise that these are difficult economic times for many businesses and I am continuing to keep all matters relating to rates under regular consideration in my Department.
221. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise on the up-to-date position of phase 3 of the Mullaghmatt remedial scheme, Monaghan town; if all the obstacles that presented to the issuing of a green light to proceed have been overcome; when works will be under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/13]
View answerMy Department approved a budget cost of €1 .5 million in June 2012 for Phase 3 of the Mullaghmatt Remedial Works Scheme. I recently allocated €550,000 to Monaghan County Council in respect of construction works on the scheme this year with the balance of the funding to be provided in 2014. It is now a matter for the Council to advance the scheme to construction stage.
222. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way persons (details supplied) who are currently on the dole apply for positions under the water metering programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/13]
View answerThe 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.
The tender documents for regional management contracts issued by Bord Gáis require that at least 25% of the estimated 1,600 jobs that will be created directly as a result of the domestic water metering programme will be for people from small local businesses, the unemployment register, school leavers, graduates and apprentices. This will be a provision in the regional management contracts that will be awarded by Bord Gáis and it will be the responsibility of the contractors to recruit staff directly. No contracts have yet been awarded for the installation of boundary boxes and meters.
223. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on the number of households in unfinished estates in County Tipperary that are exempt from the household charge in 2012; the reason for the disparity between these figures; if he will confirm if all outstanding issues in the unfinished estates that have been removed from the list have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/13]
View answerAn exemption from the local property tax applies to developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013. The list of developments is broken down on a county by county basis. Whereas 43 developments in County Tipperary were listed under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012, 34 developments in the County are listed under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013. The specific information in relation to the number of households benefitting respectively from the waiver from the household charge and the exemption from the local property tax is not available in my Department.
The list of unfinished housing developments eligible for the exemption was compiled by local authorities utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey 2012.
The Survey was carried out over the course of summer 2012 by my Department in conjunction with local authorities and the Housing Agency.
The categorisation methodology for the survey was different to that which was used in 2011 and which provided the basis for the waiver from the household charge. That earlier categorisation related largely to the level of on-site activity at the time the 2011 survey was carried out and had less to do with the physical character of a development. The 2012 survey was based purely and objectively on the actual state of completion of a development. Only developments that were deemed by local authorities to be in a “seriously problematic condition”, regardless of whether a developer was on or off site, were included.
For purposes of preparing the final list of developments to which the exemption from the local property tax would apply local authorities were asked by my Department to confirm or update the then existing list as appropriate.
224. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was exempt from the household charge in 2012 but is not now exempt from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15657/13]
View answer225. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) was exempt from the household charge in 2012 but is not now exempt from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/13]
View answer226. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) was exempt from the household charge in 2012 but is not now exempt from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/13]
View answer227. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was exempt from the household charge in 2012 but is not now exempt from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/13]
View answer228. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was exempt from the household charge in 2012 but is not now exempt from the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15661/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 228, inclusive, together.
An exemption from the local property tax applies to developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013.
The list of unfinished housing developments eligible for the exemption was compiled by local authorities utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey 2012.
The Survey was carried out over the course of summer 2012 by my Department in conjunction with local authorities and the Housing Agency.
The categorisation methodology for the survey was different to that which was used in 2011 and which provided the basis for the waiver from the household charge. That earlier categorisation related largely to the level of on-site activity at the time the 2011 survey was carried out and had less to do with the physical character of a development. The 2012 survey was based purely and objectively on the actual state of completion of a development. Only developments that were deemed by local authorities to be in a “seriously problematic condition”, regardless of whether a developer was on or off site, were included.
For purposes of preparing the final list of developments to which the exemption from the local property tax would apply local authorities were asked by my Department to confirm or update the then existing list as appropriate.
