Written Answers Nos.47-54
47. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when legislation will be enacted to levy industries identified to have liability for reparative work by the Pyrite Review Group; and if he will indicate at which the stage this legislation is at. [20482/13]
View answer63. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the time frame for the implementation of pyrite resolution board legislation; when homeowners will be in a position to receive compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20457/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 63 together.
I am attaching a high priority to putting in place the necessary structures to deliver a resolution to the pyrite issue for home owners who have been waiting a considerable period of time for solutions. Following Government approval of the general scheme of a Pyrite Remediation Bill, work will be undertaken, as a matter of urgency, on developing the Bill and it is my intention that it will be published and enacted in the shortest possible timeframe.
The Pyrite Resolution Board is currently drawing up the precise scope and detail of a pyrite remediation scheme including the eligibility criteria, priorities, procedures and assessment/testing requirements etc. and is making good progress on those issues.
Discussions are also continuing with a number of financial institutions with a view to making a loan facility available to the not-for-profit entity being set up by the construction stakeholders to facilitate the early commencement of a remediation scheme.
The proposed scheme will provide for the remediation of private dwellings with significant pyritic damage and where the home owner has no other viable option than to have pyrite remediation works undertaken. It will not be a compensation scheme.
49. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has sought information from local authorities on their total financial exposure to the special liquidation process of the Irish bank Resolution Corporation; if he will provide a breakdown of all deposits and-or bonds placed by local authorities in IBRC; if he has received any assurances that such deposits will be recoverable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/13]
View answerIt is a matter for each local authority to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, including investment arrangements for moneys received. Information on individual local authorities’ investment arrangements is not available in my Department.
I am advised that development bonds that were previously entered into by IBRC in favour of individual local authorities remain in place. However, any liabilities arising under these arrangements, if called upon, may rank as unsecured claims in the special liquidation. These bonds are contingent liabilities and would only be called upon where developers breach planning conditions and are not in a position to meet any liability that arises as a result.
Local authorities must deal with the special liquidators directly in relation to their specific financial arrangements with the former IBRC.
52. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future of group water schemes throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20453/13]
View answerThe overall allocation for group water and group sewerage schemes and for small public water and sewerage schemes under the Rural Water Programme in 2013 is €35 million. The majority of this funding is provided, by way of block grant allocations, to the local authorities who are responsible for administering the programme. While the administration of the programme is devolved to local authorities, their choice of individual schemes to advance must take account of the investment priorities set by my Department. The investment priorities for 2013 are informed by the rural water investment strategy developed by the National Rural Water Services Committee and approved by me in December 2011.
The substantial funding provided by my Department in respect of the group water sector reflects the important role played by the sector in the delivery of quality water to its members. Under the Water Sector Reform Programme the primary focus of Irish Water will be on the delivery of services to customers on the public water and waste water networks. My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding of the non-public sector, including the group water sector.
In order to facilitate the establishment of a new public water utility to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services, a number of work-streams have been set up under the Water Sector Reform Programme to assist with the transition of services to Irish Water. One such work-stream is dealing specifically with issues relating to the Group Water Sector. The objectives of this work-stream are to ensure that there is clarity of roles and responsibility for the group water sector and other components of the Rural Water Programme, to develop a medium term strategy to determine the appropriate governance, regulation and funding of the sector for the future and to amend delivery mechanisms accordingly.
53. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the programmes he intends to run under the dormant accounts fund this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20468/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 6 on today’s order paper.
This year, I have allocated €2.835m from the Dormant Accounts Fund from my Department to support labour activation measures in local authorities.
The Disbursement Plan of 2009, put in place by the Dormant Accounts Board, will be replaced later this year by a new disbursement scheme in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. The new disbursement scheme will operate from next year. My Department is consulting with relevant Government Departments and other stakeholders as appropriate in relation to drafting the disbursement scheme. The new scheme will be submitted to Government for approval and, in accordance with the 2012 Act, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas which will then have 21 days to consider it.
The legislation also provides for the preparations of an action plan each year following the making of a scheme. The plan, which will also be subject to consultation, must indicate the programmes or types of projects that may apply for disbursement and the maximum funds available. Different amounts may be specified in the plan in relation to a particular class or classes of programme or project. Once the plan is adopted, a copy must also be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, where it may be considered within a 21 day period.
54. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that would be saved by the public Exchequer if there was to be a cap of €100,000 on wages in local authorities. [20431/13]
View answerInformation regarding potential cost savings which could arise in the circumstances outlined in the question is not available in my Department.
