Written Answers Nos. 428-446
428. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an application for a local authority tenant purchase scheme will be considered if an applicant had the necessary deposit as well as guaranteed weekly income required, the applicant being a retired person on a pension who took early retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/13]
View answerThe 1995 tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses closed for new applications on 31 December 2012. However, two tenant purchase schemes by way of incremental purchase remain in operation, one for newly-built local authority houses and the other for existing local authority apartments. It is a matter for the housing authority concerned to decide whether or not it is appropriate to accept an application for the above schemes. However, it is of critical importance that authorities apply sound lending criteria in deciding whether to advance house purchase loans in individual cases. My Department and individual local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that mortgage lending is prudentially based and that the capacity of a borrower fully to service a loan over the full term is realistically assessed and stress-tested.
429. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Midland Gateway of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/13]
View answerThe 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is Ireland’s first national strategic spatial planning framework. It provides the spatial vision and principles to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions through the co-ordinated development of nine gateway cities and towns, including the midland gateway, and nine hub towns together with complementary policies to activate the potential for lasting economic development in their hinterlands and wider regions. The NSS serves as a strategic context for spatial planning in Ireland by regional authorities in their regional planning guidelines role, and for planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála in their statutory planning functions. It also seeks to influence investment priorities particularly in transport, housing, water services, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure. The 2002 NSS remains in place, however, I will be bringing proposals to Government later this year for a roadmap to develop a successor strategy that will take account, inter alia, of our significantly changed economic circumstances and to contribute to sustainable national recovery.
430. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the figures for the numbers of visitors from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 to the libraries in each of the following towns in County Dublin, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Malahide and Swords. [18496/13]
View answerThe information requested regarding the number of visitors to specified libraries in north County Dublin is not available in my Department. The Local Government Management Agency produces an annual report on service indicators in local authorities. The service indicators show that the number of visits to full time libraries per 1,000 of population for Fingal library authority in 2011, the latest year for which figures are available, is 4,324.33.
431. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government If he will review the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 whereby separated persons who are the joint owners of properties are currently deemed ineligible for social housing support unless they are separated under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by a deed of separation, in view of the fact that this regulation is too restrictive and makes it impossible for certain separated persons with a specific housing need to access social housing supports; if he will address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18519/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 634 of 16 January, 2013, which sets out the position in this matter. Regulation 22(1) of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provides that a household with alternative accommodation that would meet its housing need is ineligible for social housing support. Paragraph (2) of the Regulation clarifies that paragraph (1) does not operate to exclude from eligibility for social housing support an applicant who owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is formally separated or divorced. Under the enactment, a deed of separation is sufficient to set aside this ineligibility ground and it is not necessary to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on social housing support in these cases. This provision is reasonable in most cases.
I acknowledge, however, that situations relating to household members who have separated may exceptionally arise that may not easily be dealt with under the current Regulations. My Department is keeping the social housing assessment provisions under review and will consider what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities by way of Regulations to address the individually difficult and complex cases which may present to them.
432. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the review will be completed in relation to reviewing local electoral areas in advance of the local elections in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/13]
View answer454. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the report on the Constituency Commission produced in June 2012 recommending no changes to electoral boundaries for European Parliament elections; in view of a decision taken at European level to reduce Ireland’s number of MEPs from 12 to 11 at the next European Parliament elections in 2014 the implications it has on the report; if he is considering forming a new Commission to report on electoral boundaries for next year’s European Parliament elections in view of the number of constituencies needing to be reduced; if the new report will be taking submissions from the public in a suitable timeframe as per all previous Constituency Commission reports on Dáil and European Parliament boundaries; if he will confirm reports that three constituencies will be formed of Dublin/North Leinster/Connacht, and Ulster/South Leinster and Munster; when submissions will be taken from the public regarding the boundaries; when the Commission will be reporting to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 454 together.
I refer to the reply to Question Nos.181 and 182 of 18 April 2013, which sets out the position in these matters.
433. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that stock is to be transferred from the National Assets Management Agency to Meath County Council for social housing purposes; if he will outline the number of units, and where in County Meath they are to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/13]
View answerTo date Meath County Council has confirmed demand for 38 of the units in their area identified by NAMA as potentially suitable for social housing. Discussions and negotiations are ongoing between relevant parties (the housing authority, approved housing bodies, NAMA and the developer) in relation to these units with a view to securing them for social housing purposes as soon as possible. It is not possible at this stage to give more detailed information on the location of these units in Meath. Information on individual properties is commercially and legally sensitive and for that reason only limited information is released by NAMA other than, on a confidential basis, to the bodies involved in the specific discussions and negotiations on the particular units concerned.
434. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will release all analysis undertaken by his Department which informed the decisions on the developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013, S.I. 91 of 2013; if he will release details of the unfinished developments which were excluded by the above analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/13]
View answerFor 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. Decisions and analyses in relation to the inclusion or exclusion of particular estates were therefore a matter for individual local authorities according to criteria set by my Department. Using the returns provided by all local authorities a list of housing developments was prepared and prescribed under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013 for exemption. The information sought is therefore not available in my Department. A full list of the properties which qualify for a waiver from the local property tax can be found on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
435. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Roscommon to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme it the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18560/13]
View answer436. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Galway to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme it the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/13]
View answer437. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Leitrim to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme in the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18562/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 435 to 437, inclusive, together.
Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER elements) of the Rural Development Programme has already allocated significant resources to areas in rural Ireland since it commenced in 2009. To date: almost €6.2 million has been allocated to specific projects through Roscommon LEADER Partnership, the Local Development Company (LDC) contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme in Roscommon; almost €12 million has been allocated to specific projects in County Galway through the Local Development Companies (LDCs) who are/were contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme. These LDCs are Galway Rural Development, Forum Connemara, Comhar na nOileán and, up until September 2011, the former Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta; almost €5.5 million has been allocated to specific projects in County Leitrim through Leitrim Integrated Development, the Local Development Company (LDC) contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme in Leitrim.
My Department is currently conducting an evaluation exercise to determine the level of project commitments across all LDC s and the Programme measures. This evaluation is almost complete and was required in order to re-balance the Programme in as equitable a way as possible. I expect my Department will be in contact with all LDCs very shortly regarding allocations.
438. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects his departmental review into the operation of the rural development programme to be concluded; and when he expects funds committed through the programme to be allowed to be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/13]
View answerMy Department is currently conducting an evaluation exercise to determine the level of project commitments across all Local Development Companies (LDCs) and all measures under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme. This evaluation is almost complete and was required in order to re-balance the Programme in as equitable a way as possible. I expect that my Department will be in contact with all LDCs very shortly regarding allocations. It should be noted, however, that the LDCs have continued to issue payments on all existing contractual commitments.
439. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a water supply scheme (details supplied) in County Tipperary, including the planning approval, commencement and completion of a treatment plant and renewal of pipework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18690/13]
View answerThe Burncourt and Fethard Regional Water Supply Scheme Water Treatment Plants (Burncourt and Gortnapisha) Contract is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, as a contract to commence during the life of the Programme. In addition, further network elements of the scheme are included to advance through planning during the same period. I approved the contract documents for the Water Treatment Plants DBO Contract for the Burncourt and Fethard Regional Water Supply Scheme in July 2012. I understand that South Tipperary County Council is in the process of seeking tenders for the contract.
440. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of requests received in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 March 2013 from Galway City Council seeking sanction to fill positions at the local authority; the outcome of each of these requests; the nature of each of the positions; and the term of the contract in each case where the filling of the position was sanctioned. [18710/13]
View answerMy Department received nine staff sanction requests in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 March 2013 from Galway City Council. The information requested in relation to these sanction requests is set out in the following table.
|
Date Received |
Post |
Type |
Status |
Outcome |
|
15/10/2012 |
Building Control Officer |
Contract |
Approved |
6 month contract |
|
15/10/2012 |
Assistant Theatre Manager |
Acting |
Approved |
4 month acting arrangement |
|
15/10/2012 |
Staff Officer |
Acting |
Refused |
|
|
26/11/2012 |
Senior Executive Engineer |
Contract |
Withdrawn |
|
|
26/11/2012 |
Senior Engineer |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting arrangement to 31/12/13 |
|
26/11/2012 |
Assistant Staff Officer |
Acting |
Withdrawn |
|
|
28/11/2012 |
Clerk of Works |
Acting |
Approved |
6 month acting arrangement |
|
03/12/2012 |
Staff Officer |
Acting |
Withdrawn |
|
|
06/12/2012 |
ICT Graduate Placement |
Contract |
Approved |
2 year contract |
442. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm when the biannual housing needs assessment report produced by the Housing Agency will be published in 2013; and if the report will detail both the number of households and number of individuals who are on the housing waiting list. [18723/13]
View answerUnder Section 21 of the 2009 Housing Act all housing authorities have been directed to provide a summary report of social housing assessments under this provision as at 30 April 2013 including detail relating to the number of households who are on the housing waiting list. The findings from these summaries will be published in the autumn.
443. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the accuracy of the Property Price Register which records that 212 apartments at Herberton Rialto on Reuben Street in Dublin 8 were sold in December 2012 for €5,963 each; if he will confirm that the buyer was Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/13]
View answerUnder my Department’s 2012 Social Housing Investment Programme, funding of €2.8 million was provided to Dublin City Council in December 2012 for the purchase of 24 apartments at Herberton, Rialto, Dublin 8 for social housing purposes. The Residential Property Price Register is produced by the Property Services Regulatory Authority, which falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, and my Department has no function in regard to the accuracy of the data which it reports.
444. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 13 March 2013, if he will explain what is meant by debt due in the current year and specifically if he means that the liability has arisen since 1 January 2013. [18725/13]
View answer445. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 13 March 2013, if he will explain what he means by all debts from previous years; and if he will explain the reason there is no further breakdown of these €312,483,594.87 debts by year. [18726/13]
View answer446. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 13 March 2013, if he will set out the accounting and other controls that exist within local authorities to ensure outstanding debts are efficiently and promptly recovered. [18727/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together.
The Local Authority Accounting in Ireland Code of Practice, issued under Section 107 of the Local Government Act 2001, is available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie. Local authority Annual Financial Statements analyse debtors under the headings of current and long term. Current debtors are amounts due within twelve months of the balance sheet date. Long term debtors are amounts receivable more than twelve months from the balance sheet date. Local authorities are required to make provision for doubtful debts and to write off known uncollectible debts. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.
