Written Answers Nos. 457-476
457. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission the IFI to undertake a survey into the status of harbour eels in the Waterford estuary to establish the volume and age of eels in the area; if local fishermen could be employed to help conduct this survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/13]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that surveys of eel stocks were carried out in the Waterford estuary in 2009 and 2011. The surveys indicated probable high levels of movement within these waters which made estimating the population difficult.
Preliminary analysis of samples taken from the Barrow Transitional Water indicates a mean eel age of 9 years ranging from 4 to 15 years old. The average growth rate is 3.78 cm per year. The high growth rate confirms the importance of the transitional waters as a productive habitat for eels.
The surveys provided important data, but estimating silver eel escapement/production for transitional waters remains extremely challenging. This is because of the difficulties in obtaining density estimates for eels in large water bodies and quantifying the migratory habits of eels moving upstream into the rivers and/or leaving the transitional water as silver eel.
To overcome these challenges a clearer indication of the movement habits of eels in estuaries and expanding knowledge of population density is now required. Therefore the research priority now is to continue the eel tagging studies undertaken in 2012 into 2013 rather than repeat the previous surveys.
It is critical for all concerned that knowledge on eel movement within the estuary is developed and improved and for that reason acoustic tagging and tracking studies are paramount. However, I am advised by IFI that if further eel survey work is required after the tagging programme, they will again consider a role for fishermen in that context.
458. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the implications for employees of Bord Gáis if a division of the company is sold off this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23715/13]
View answerThe sale of Bord Gáis Éireann’s energy business is part of the Government’s State assets disposal programme and is being pursued as a commitment under the EU/IMF programme and as provided for in the Programme for Government.
The sale process was formally launched by Bord Gáis Éireann on 3 May last, and subject to market conditions, it is expected that the sale will be concluded by the end of this year.
The employees of Bord Gáis Energy are an integral part of the business and key to the continued growth of this company. I am advised that the employees will transfer to the new owner on completion of the transaction.
It is important to state that a significant proportion of the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy will be ring-fenced for re-investment in the economy to underpin jobs, investment and growth. I believe that the sale can deliver positive outcomes for Ireland’s energy markets, for Bord Gáis Éireann and its employees.
459. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding gas and electricity prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/13]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Prices in the electricity retail market are fully deregulated and similarly for gas, except in the case of BGE tariffs for domestic consumers. Customers can therefore avail of competitive offerings from electricity and gas suppliers. Prices are set by suppliers and are commercial and operational matters for them. I have no statutory function in the setting of electricity or gas prices.
With regard to the regulation of gas prices the position is that up until 1 October 2011 the CER regulated Bord Gáis Energy tariffs for its residential and smaller business customers but price regulation for the latter group ended at that point. The CER still regulates the Bord Gáis Energy tariffs for its residential customers. The timing for complete deregulation of the residential segment of the gas market, as has taken place in the electricity market, is an issue under active review by the CER.
Electricity and gas costs in Ireland are influenced by various drivers, including global gas and oil prices, the costs of capital, exchange rate fluctuations, the small size of the Irish market, geographical location and low population density. Global gas and oil prices are by far the most significant factor in the case of Ireland. Prices have risen sharply since the start of 2011 driven by events in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan and demand from China and India. Ireland is at the mercy of international fossil fuel prices which dictate the retail price of electricity.
At a national level, the competitive energy market in place helps put downward pressure on prices. In addition, we must focus on all possible additional actions to mitigate costs for business and domestic customers, including rigorous regulatory scrutiny of the network costs component of retail prices.
I am committed to working with enterprise and with the energy sector to ensure that the costs of energy are as competitive as possible. In this context, promotion of energy efficiency measures is an area within our control where action can be taken to reduce energy costs.
Energy efficiency represents a significant opportunity for both businesses and households to reduce their energy costs. There are energy efficiency measures in place to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them. The Energy Efficiency Fund, which I announced in February and which will commence funding specific measures in the near future, will assist energy efficiency projects in the public and commercial sectors.
Promotion of indigenous sustainable sources of energy will help offset the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices. The Government has a target of 40% of electricity being generated from renewable sources envisaged by 2020. Good progress has been made in meeting this target and its realisation will introduce more certainty in the energy fuel mix as well as boosting security of supply.
460. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the decision taken by the Shannon Airport Authority to allow farming organisations to cut grass on property owned by it to help alleviate fodder shortages in the local area, if he will ask those agencies, companies, authorities, boards and so on who come within his remit to consider similar initiatives on suitable public lands owned by them in conjunction with representatives of local farming organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23766/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that matters relating to property owned or leased by agencies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the individual agency in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. However, I am aware of the current difficulties in providing fodder for animals and I have brought the issue raised by the Deputy to the attention of the agencies under my aegis.
462. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by each Minister and Minister of State and Secretary General in his Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23812/13]
View answerMy Department was established in June 2007. The amount of travel and subsistence claimed by each Minister and Minister of State and Secretary General in my Department from June 2007 to March 2011 is outlined in the following table:
|
- |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Total - € |
|
Mr Eamon Ryan TD, Minister (June 2007-Jan 2011) |
1,134 |
2,605 |
938 |
580 |
0 |
5,257 |
|
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister (March 2011) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mr Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State (June 2007-May 2008) |
301 |
4,045 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,346 |
|
Mr Sean Power TD, Minister of State (May 2008-April 2009) |
0 |
18,534 |
16,440 |
0 |
0 |
34,974 |
|
Mr Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State (May 2009-March 2011) |
0 |
0 |
301 |
452 |
0 |
753 |
|
Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD, Minister of State (March 2011) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mr Brendan Tuohy, Secretary General (June to September 2007) |
1,949 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,949 |
|
Mr Aidan Dunning, Secretary General (September 2007 to March 2011) |
1,056 |
168 |
28 |
564 |
95 |
1,911 |
Minister of State Lenihan was assigned to more than one Department during his term of office. The figures provided above related to travel and subsistence expenses claimed in this Department only.
463. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form, the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in his Department or constituency office and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23828/13]
View answerMy Department was established in June 2007, the number of full time equivalent staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in my Department or constituency office and their relevant cost in each case from June 2007 to March 2011 is outlined in the Table below:
|
- |
Term of Office |
Number of Staff |
Cost - € |
|
Mr. Eamon Ryan TD, Minister |
June 2007-Jan 2011 |
4 |
1,108,060 |
|
Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State |
June 2007-May 2008 |
1 |
75,959 |
|
Mr. Sean Power TD, Minister of State |
May 2008-April 2009 |
4 |
236,827 |
|
Mr. Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State |
May 2009-March 2011 |
1 |
226,266 |
Costs in the above table consist of salaries, employer’s PRSI, travel and subsistence and expenses. Costs for Minister Ryan and Ministers of State Power and Lenihan also include redundancy and severance payments to individual staff.
As Ministers of State Killeen and Lenihan were assigned to more than one Department, each appointed only one member of staff in my Department during their tenure.
464. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a better energy home insulation grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23880/13]
View answerI previously indicated to the Deputy that the grant is on hold pending resolution of the reworks that are required to be undertaken. The house was inspected on 6 February 2013 and a number of deficiencies were identified. Notification of the requirement to complete the reworks was sent to the homeowner and the contractor on 7 February. A subsequent reminder was sent to the contractor on the 19 March 2013.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has informed me that the situation remains unchanged and the reworks have not been resolved to date, as a result the grant cannot be paid to the applicant. However, the SEAI has made further contact with the contractor in the last week advising that he should complete the reworks as soon as possible, confirm the date he will complete the reworks and return the signed confirmation of completion. Once they receive confirmation of the reworks the grant payment will issue.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
465. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider applying for TENS funding for a Natural Gas Spur from Corrib to Sligo, on to Enniskillen and Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23995/13]
View answer466. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider different funding options for the connection of towns to Corrib Gas whose connection has been appraised as having a negative NPV, such as a loan from the EIB or funding under European Regional Funding post 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23996/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together.
The development and expansion of the natural gas network within the State is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink - a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) - which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to connections to the gas network.
In 2006, the CER approved a new network connections policy which enabled reassessment of the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. This policy was updated in 2011. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite.
The policy allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. The policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recouped through the actual economic consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. Otherwise, uneconomic projects will increase costs for all energy consumers.
Having regard to the CER policy on new towns connections, Bord Gáis Networks, and more recently Gaslink, have carried out a comprehensive review of towns not connected to the national gas network. In April 2010, Gaslink published its ‘New Towns Analysis Phase 3’ report. The study included a review of the feasibility of connecting 11 towns in the West and North West region, including Sligo town. However, the Gaslink report found that none of the towns qualified for connection on economic grounds.
Nevertheless, Gaslink continues to review towns which did not qualify for connection under the Study and other towns on an ongoing basis. The key factor which would qualify a town or group of towns in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, probably resulting from the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
Where, taking account of CER decisions on new towns connections, it is determined that a town qualifies for such a connection, it is then a matter for BGE to determine the optimum funding option, which may include any available EU funding mechanisms, having regard to statutory limits and controls on expenditure.
467. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has any responsibility in relation to the financial situation in RTÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24132/13]
View answerRTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs including in relation to the management of its financial affairs, which is a matter for the corporation itself.
468. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 14 May 2013, if statistics exist in relation to the percentage of residents in County Louth who currently have access to 30 MBps, 50MBps and 100MBps broadband respectively; and if he will provide those figures. [24210/13]
View answer469. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 14 may 2013, if all residents in an electoral division (details supplied) now have access to 30MBps broadband at a minimum; the percentage of residents that have access to such broadband services; the steps that have been taken by the national broadband scheme and the rural broadband scheme in relation to broadband availability in that electoral division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24211/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together.
Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 14 May last, broadband services under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) are available to all fixed premises located in Creggan Upper ED in County Louth. The Scheme offers a basic broadband service, in line with EU State aid clearance, to fixed residences and businesses located within certain designated rural areas. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service is required to offer minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 18:1. The NBS satellite service, which is utilised in a small number of cases for technical reasons associated with the location of the premises, offers minimum download and upload speeds of 3.6Mbps and 384 kbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 48:1.
The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) was launched in 2011 in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision. This Scheme was aimed at making a basic broadband service available to un-served premises in rural areas, not already covered by the NBS. Commercial service providers were in a position to offer services to all applicants from County Louth under the Scheme who agreed to engage with them.
Details of the service providers who operate in County Louth can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie, while more detailed information on the broadband products offered by these service providers should be available on their respective websites.
I also referred in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 14 May last to the formal mapping exercise being undertaken by my Department. This exercise is designed to identify the areas of the country to be targeted in the State-led investment under the Government’s National Broadband Plan to ensure the provision of high speed broadband services where the commercial market will not deliver. When complete, this exercise will present details of the extent of the availability of high speed broadband services throughout the country, including the situation pertaining to County Louth.
470. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to upgrade the broadband service currently available in Castletownbere, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24325/13]
View answerIreland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, who provide services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Cork, can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie.
Decisions by private operators relating to investment in infrastructure, including the upgrading of broadband services, are taken purely on commercial grounds, having regard to the cost of service provision and the anticipated revenue returns from any such investment. You will appreciate, therefore, that I do not have a role in this regard.
The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market has failed to deliver such services, as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and the Rural Broadband Scheme.
With basic broadband services widely available across Ireland, the focus is now on accelerating the roll out of high speed services. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.
During the preparation of Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway in both fixed line and mobile high speed broadband services, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
The Government is also committed in the Plan to investing in areas where high speed services are not commercially viable and will not be provided by the market. In an important milestone towards delivery of this commitment in the Plan, my Department has appointed experts to assist it in the design, planning and procurement of the State-led investment. Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations including stakeholder engagement will be ongoing throughout 2013 with a view to the launch of a procurement process in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, we are committed to increasing the availability of next generation speeds significantly, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.
I would reiterate that the Government remains committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland, including Castletownbere, County Cork, will have at least 30Mbps connectivity, through public or private sector investment, as outlined in the National Broadband Plan.
471. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will set out in tabular form the names of all State-owned or substantially State-funded organisations under his Department whose latest accounts laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas are more than one year old - that is, relating to a period ending before May 2012; and the names of such organisations whose latest accounts are more than two years old - that is, relating to a period ending before May 2011. [25018/13]
View answerI have outlined in tabular format below details of the latest Annual Reports and Accounts which the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department have laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Annual Reports and Accounts are available on the website of the relevant State Body and also in the Oireachtas Library.
All of the State Bodies are in compliance with the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies relating to required reporting.
|
Name of Body |
Latest Annual Report and Accounts laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
An Post |
2011 |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
2011 |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
2011 |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
2011 |
|
RTÉ |
2011 |
|
TG4 |
2011 |
|
Bord Gáis Éireann |
2012 |
|
Bord na Móna |
2011 |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation |
2011 |
|
EirGrid |
2012 |
|
ESB |
2012 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
2010 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
2011 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
2011 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
2010 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
2011 |
472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the reintroduction of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme to assist the elderly and disabled who require works to their home and where the local authority is no longer accepting applications for housing aid for older people or housing adaption grants due to their lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/13]
View answerThe Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme (SHAE) was discontinued in 2007 and replaced by the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The Housing Aid for Older People measure provides increased levels of grant assistance for a suite of works which are similar in nature to those previously assisted under the SHAE. I have no proposals to reintroduce the SHAE.
On 22 February I announced capital allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability amounting to €42.750 million. In allocating the available funding across all 34 city and county councils I did so in as transparent and as fair a way as possible. In framing the 2013 allocations, my Department wrote to each local authority requesting details of the numbers and value of grants where work had been approved to commence. Between them, local authorities reported contractual commitments in respect of approved grants totally €18 million. This year I allocated local authorities the full amount of their contractual commitments in the first instance. The balance of the available funding was allocated on the basis of each authority’s share of the new applications on hand in January 2013.
In order to deal with any acute or particular difficulty which might arise in the operation of the schemes over the course of the year I set aside a small capital reserve. I recently approved supplementary allocations totalling €1.2 million for 13 local authorities. I will consider further applications from local authorities where similar difficulties have arisen.
473. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to instruct local authorities to reduce commercial rates for struggling businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24308/13]
View answerLocal 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 levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.
However, I am acutely aware of the pressures on small and medium sized businesses at the present time. Local authorities have been asked by my Department to exercise restraint or, where possible, to reduce commercial rates and local charges for 2013 and have responded well to such requests in recent years. In 2013, 87 out of the 88 rating authorities either reduced their ARV or kept it the same as in 2012.
I will continue to keep the approach to rates by local authorities under active review, and am determined that every avenue will be pursued to optimise efficiency and contain costs in the local government sector.
474. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if she will advise on her Department's strategy for reducing the rate of homelessness; the additional supports in place for someone under the age of 25 years who is at risk of homelessness or is currently homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24378/13]
View answerI recently published a Homelessness Policy Statement in which I outlined the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.
When I published the statement I announced a set of indicators which will be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland and, in quantifying its ongoing extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions.
While it is clear that a proportion of funding must be used to provide sufficient bed capacity to accommodate those in need of emergency accommodation, it is equally important that resources are channelled to deliver more permanent responses in a more focused and strategic way. The arrangements for devolving homelessness funding to the lead housing authority in each of the 9 regions in 2013 will seek to ensure that the measures being pursued by housing authorities reflect the housing-led approach, that actions are in place towards achieving the target of ending long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 and that evidence to support progress will be presented through the reports on the indicators.
While the Homelessness Policy Statement I published is focused on adult homelessness, that is individuals of 18 years of age or older, my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is currently overseeing a review of the Youth Homelessness Strategy. The Health Service Executive leads on the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy and is also responsible for the provision of health related and social care services for homeless individuals, including some services oriented specially at individuals in the under 25 age group.
475. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of households liable for the household charge here; if he will provide details regarding the total number that have paid and or have been waived to date; if he will break down the overall percentages for the figures provided; the methods that will be used to collect the charge from persons who have not paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23675/13]
View answerThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the charge. The Local Government Management Agency is administering the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils.
I understand from data provided by the Agency that as of 15 May 2013 the total number of registrations for the Household Charge is 1,234,637. Payments have been registered in respect of 1,210,649 liable properties and waivers have been registered in respect of a further 23,988 liable properties. The number of estimated liable properties for the Household Charge is 1,620,814, and therefore the compliance rate is in excess of 76.1%.
Local authorities, supported by the Agency, are continuing to work to maximise Household Charge compliance. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 outstanding Household Charge liabilities will, on 1 July 2013, be increased to €200 and will become a Local Property Tax liability collectable by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
476. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given consideration to the current economic difficulty facing some local authority tenants, who are relying solely on social welfare payments at the moment; if he will consider a provision in the legislation currently being finalised in his Department whereby these tenants can avail of the incremental purchase scheme to enable them to purchase their local authority homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23677/13]
View answerTenants are not precluded from tenant purchase by virtue of being social welfare recipients and there is no intention to change this practice in the future. However, tenants seeking to fund their purchase through loan finance from the local authority must meet the criteria that apply to such loans.
Provisions governing mortgage lending by local authorities are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012 and associated credit policy. This policy provides that loans are not available to social welfare recipients , except where these constitute long-term Department of Social Protection payments in conjunction with a primary income of a permanent and salaried nature . The final decision on whether to approve a loan in a particular case lies wit h the relevant local authority, which must satisfy itself as to the borrower’s capacity to service the loan over its full term.
