Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 446-66

EU Directives

Questions (446)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

446. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the background and detail of the infringement proceedings being brought against Ireland and additional reasoned opinion announced by the European Commission on 25 April last regarding failure to fully implement the electricity directive; the actions he is taking to avoid the matter being referred to the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25286/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

My Department has been issued with an additional Reasoned Opinion from the European Commission in regard to certain electricity related aspects of the EU "Third Energy Package". This Package is designed to facilitate completion of the internal market in electricity. Transposition of the Third Package is a complex process and the European Commission issued a Reasoned Opinion in June 2012 in which the Commission raised issues regarding Ireland’s transposition of certain provisions. The Commission stated that it wishes in the additional Reasoned Opinion, which issued in late April, to complement the June 2012 Reasoned Opinion, with, inter alia, clarification of its views with regard to the transposition of the unbundling provisions in the Electricity Directive.

My Department is carefully evaluating the Commission’s opinion and will continue its regular liaison with the Commission on how full compliance is being implemented in Ireland. My Department continues to be committed to delivering full compliance and demonstrating this to the Commission. The Department welcomes that, as part of the set of decisions on Ireland’s electricity and gas infringements announced in April, it was decided to close three other cases under the Second and Third Packages variously in respect of both electricity and gas.

Departmental Properties

Questions (447)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

447. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the old Central Fisheries Board offices in Glasnevin, Dublin; his future plans for the site; if the site has been sold; if so, the date of same and to whom; the amount raised from the sale; if he will set out any conditions attached to the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25362/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Matters in relation to premises are a day to day operational matter for the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) subject to Public Financial Procedures. However, I am informed by IFI that the site has been sold, following it being advertised in a public tender process, to Mobhi Co Limited in March 2013 for €530,000. IFI is not aware of any condition attached to the sale of this building. However, under section 55 (1) (a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 Balnagowan House, which is on the site, has been added to the record of Protected Structures. The sale is part of the overall rationalisation of the fisheries service which includes, inter alia, the purchase and fit out of a new headquarters for IFI to facilitate exit from relatively expensive temporary rented accommodation. The business case for the new HQ always envisaged that any funds generated from the sale of the Glasnevin site would go towards the fit-out costs of the new building.

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Questions (448)

David Stanton

Question:

448. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to date of the metropolitan area networks; the locations at which MANs are available; the uptake in these areas of the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme was developed to address the 2004 policy objectives of removing barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), increasing regional telecoms competition and reducing the cost of telecoms.

The MANs Programme, which was eligible for co-funding of 40-50% under the European Regional Development Fund, has cost in the region of €174million to date. Under Phase I of this Programme, 28 MANs were completed and 60 MANs, covering 66 towns, were constructed under Phase II. The MANs which are regionally dispersed enhance the attractiveness of the locations for indigenous and foreign investment. A list of the MANs and their respective locations follows.

The MANs are managed, operated, maintained and marketed by e|net, on behalf of the State. There has been significant improvement over the last few years in the take-up by service providers of the MANs. Of the 88 MANs, 81 are currently "lit", that is, connected to backhaul and in use by one or more telecoms service providers. It is estimated that in excess of 600,000 individuals and business users are benefitting from the MANs infrastructure.

Since the inception of the MANs Programme, demand for bandwidth has increased significantly and this increase is expected to continue. Almost all broadband service providers, (including DSL, mobile, cable, wireless), are increasingly turning to optical fibre to backbone their networks. Service providers will continue to bring optical fibre closer to their end users. The MANs are ready to meet the demand for fibre connectivity and to serve the needs of service providers and their end users for the foreseeable future.

Phase One

-	Town	County
1	Cavan	Cavan
2	Kingscourt	Cavan
3	Cork	Cork
4	Carlow	Carlow
5	Letterkenny	Donegal
6	Gweedore	Donegal
7	Galway	Galway
8	Kilkenny	Kilkenny
9	Portlaoise	Laois
10	Carrick on Shannon	Leitrim
11	Manorhamiltom	Leitrim
12	Limerick	Limerick
13	Dundalk	Louth
14	Drogheda	Louth
15	Ballina	Mayo
16	Belmullet	Mayo
17	Kiltimagh	Mayo
18	Carrickmacross	Monaghan
19	Monaghan	Monaghan
20	Tullamore	Offaly
21	Roscommon	Roscommon
22	Sligo	Sligo
23	Clonmel	Tipperary
24	Dungarvan	Waterford
25	Waterford	Waterford
26	Athlone	Westmeath
27	Mullingar	Westmeath
28	Wexford	Wexford

Phase 2

-	Town	County
1	Cootehill	Cavan
2	Kilrush	Clare
3	Bantry	Cork
4	Blarney	Cork
5	Carrigaline	Cork
6	Charleville	Cork
7	Dunmanway	Cork
8	Fermoy	Cork
9	Kanturk	Cork
10	Kinsale	Cork
11	Midleton	Cork
12	Mitchelstown	Cork
13	Passage West	Cork
14	Ringaskiddy	Cork
15	Skibbereen	Cork
16	Youghal	Cork
17	Ballybofey	Donegal
18	Ballyshannon	Donegal
19	Buncrana	Donegal
20	Bundoran	Donegal
21	Carndonagh	Donegal
22	Donegal Town	Donegal
23	Stranorlar	Donegal
24	Donabate	Dublin
25	Portrane	Dublin
26	Lusk	Dublin
27	Skerries	Dublin
28	Athenry	Galway
29	Ballinasloe	Galway
30	Clifden	Galway
31	Gort	Galway
32	Loughrea	Galway
33	Killarney	Kerry
34	Castleisland	Kerry
35	Tralee	Kerry
36	Listowel	Kerry
37	Thomastown	Kilkenny
38	Abbefeale	Limerick
39	Newcastlewest	Limerick
40	Longford	Longford
41	Ardee	Louth
42	Ballinrobe	Mayo
43	Claremorris	Mayo
44	Knock	Mayo
45	Dunboyne	Meath
46	Clonee	Meath
47	Dunshaughlin	Meath
48	Kells	Meath
49	Navan	Meath
50	Trim	Meath
51	Bailieborough	Monaghan
52	Castleblaney	Monaghan
53	Clones	Monaghan
54	Nenagh	North Tipperary
55	Roscrea	North Tipperary
56	Templemore	North Tipperary
57	Edenderry	Offaly
58	Banagher	Offaly
59	Birr	Offaly
60	Cahir	South Tipperary
61	Carrick on Suir	South Tipperary
62	Tipperary	Tipperary
63	Cashel	Tipperary
64	Blessington	Wicklow
65	Kilcoole	Wicklow
66	Newtownmounkennedy	Wicklow

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (449)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

449. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which high quality and high speed broadband is available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and his plans for future improvement of broadband services in this particular area. [25611/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Ireland'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, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Kildare, can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.

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 recently appointed experts to assist in the design, planning and procurement of the State-led investment. Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations including stakeholder engagement will be on-going 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 all of County KIldare, will have at least 30Mbps connectivity, through public or private sector investment, as outlined in the National Broadband Plan.

Energy Schemes

Questions (450)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

450. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will approve the proposal of energy efficient infra-red heating panels to be eligible for triple E listing on the ACA scheme. [25751/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) Scheme was introduced under Section 46 of the Finance Act 2008 as an incentive to encourage companies to procure highly energy efficient equipment and in turn assist Ireland in meeting its EU targets for the reduction of carbon emissions. The scheme, which is overseen by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and was due to run for a trial period of three years, was extended in the Finance Act 2011 for a further 3 years to end 2014.

The ACA offers an incentive whereby it allows companies to write off 100% of the purchase value of qualifying energy efficient equipment against their profit in the year of purchase rather than over the normal eight year depreciation period. By encouraging companies to purchase energy efficient equipment, the ACA aims to improve the overall energy efficiency of Irish companies Additionally it benefits companies, especially Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), by reducing tax liabilities, increasing cash flows and reducing future energy costs.

SEAI continuously review the eligible technology categories and criteria with a view to amending the Triple E (Energy Efficient Equipment)/ACA list of qualifying products as appropriate. Currently the ACA, which has been incorporated into the wider Triple E register, covers 10 different equipment categories and 52 associated technologies, and only energy efficient equipment that meets the relevant eligibility criteria are listed. Twice a year (April and November) Statutory Instruments (S.I.) are published with the latest updates of eligibility criteria and eligible products. With the publication of the latest Order (SI 123 of 2013), there are now over 10,000 products on the ACA list.

Regarding the specific product, namely radiant heaters, the advice to me from the SEAI is that the dedicated testing standard for radiant panels (EN 14037) describes a procedure for measuring the rated thermal output and the mean surface temperature of the panel but does not describe a procedure for testing the radiant efficiency of the panel. In the absence of such a standardised test procedure for this critical parameter it is not possible to objectively define efficiency criteria for their inclusion in the Triple E/ACA database. Further information on the ACA scheme, including the list of ACA categories, eligibility criteria and product register, can be found on SEAI’s website – www.seai.ie/aca.

Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit

Questions (451)

Dara Murphy

Question:

451. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the Private Residential Tenancies Board, if it is the case that pending litigation on behalf of the PRTB has been and can be carried out subject to the availability of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25096/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established on 1 September 2004 under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector and provides, inter alia, for the enforcement of determination orders, where such have not been complied with, by application to the Circuit Court by either a party to the determination order or by the Board itself. Given the discretionary nature of this power, the Board exercises it in the context of the circumstances pertaining to each case.

Foreshore Licence Applications

Questions (452, 497)

Seán Kenny

Question:

452. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding wind farms in Dublin Bay; if a foreshore licence is required; the terms of such a licence; the limits on noise pollution with regard to wind farms; the distance of wind farms from the coastline; the guidelines regarding the visual impact of wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25248/13]

Terence Flanagan

Question:

497. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to concerns surrounding the proposed development of an offshore windfarm off the Kish and Bray banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25891/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 497 together.

While there are no windfarm applications within Dublin Bay itself, Saorgus Energy Ltd lodged an application for a foreshore lease to develop a windfarm on the Kish and Bray Banks in 2009. These banks are approximately 10kms from the Dublin and Wicklow coasts. The company recently published an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in respect of the proposal, which is known as Dublin Array. A public consultation process is currently on-going. However, pending publication of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, this application will not be assessed by my Department or the Marine Licence Vetting Committee.

In order to construct a windfarm on the foreshore, consents from the Commission for Energy Regulation are also required, including a Licence to Generate Electricity and an Authorisation to Construct a Generating Station. Planning permission in respect of any land-based infrastructure associated with the development is also necessary. Foreshore lease terms for offshore wind projects address such matters as environmental standards, construction methodology, good management of the facility, fees payable as well as standard legal clauses regarding issues such as warranties, insurance and indemnities.

Issues such as noise and visual impact in respect of any specific proposed development are investigated in an applicant’s EIS and where applicable, Natura Impact Statement, which are made publicly available. My Department’s assessment of those aspects of a development will have regard to the information contained in the EIS, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment as well as the best available advice from planning and environmental impact advisors.

Election Management System

Questions (453)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

453. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when will he formally respond to the report of the Constitutional Convention to hold a referendum to reduce the voting age to 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25281/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The First Report of the Convention on the Constitution, which was submitted to the Oireachtas on 26 March 2013, contained a recommendation that the voting age should be lowered to 16. The Government is considering this recommendation and will provide a response in the Oireachtas within 4 months – by 26 July 2013 – in accordance with the resolution of the Oireachtas establishing the Convention in July 2012.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (454)

Ciara Conway

Question:

454. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the so-called sportsman tax (details supplied); his plans to reintroduce this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25358/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am presuming that the question refers to the rate of motor taxation applicable to motor caravans. In order to obtain this concessionary rate (€102 annually), a vehicle must be designed, constructed or adapted as a motor caravan within the meaning of section 130 of the Finance Act 1992. I have no plans to amend the qualifying criteria for taxation, which is designed to ensure consistency with the classification of such vehicles for Vehicle Registration Tax purposes and which also reflects classification at European level, or to extend this rate of tax to other categories of vehicle.

Building Regulations Application

Questions (455)

Joe McHugh

Question:

455. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the commencement date, if he will consider establishing mandatory furnishing of fire and accidental damage insurance policies prior to commencement of private construction contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Contracts for public projects, or private projects in which there are professionals involved, are generally based on standard form contracts which typically require, among other things, the provision of Employer’s Liability insurance, Public Liability and Contractors All Risk insurance. In the context of the recently signed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 I have signalled that my Department is prepared to explore the scope for project-based insurance cover for buildings during and after construction as a means of securing effective remedy for consumers if and when building failures occur. I have recently written to my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in this regard given his Department’s role in the regulation of the insurance sector and its particular knowledge of trade, competition and consumer protection issues. My Department will advance consideration of this complex matter as quickly as possible.

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Questions (456)

Finian McGrath

Question:

456. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding supports in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [25511/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Under the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Three separate schemes are available; the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to provide grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works to the fabric of the house such as adaptation of downstairs room/closet to provide sanitary facilities etc. My Department’s involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority, in this instance Dublin City Council.

Motor Tax Yield

Questions (457)

John Deasy

Question:

457. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of motor tax collected for each of the past ten years; and if he will list each of the different categories of motor taxation. [25903/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Total gross motor tax receipts for each year from 2003 through to the end of 2012 are set out in the following table.

YEAR	TOTAL GROSS MOTOR TAX RECEIPTS €m
2003	681
2004	747
2005	802
2006	879
2007	956
2008	1,058
2009	1,057
2010	1,023
2011	1,010
2012	1,054

Categories of motor taxation are as follows:

- Private vehicles registered before 1 July 2008 (based on engine capacity)

- Private vehicles registered on or after 1 July 2008 (based on carbon emissions)

- Goods vehicles

- Large public service vehicles and youth/community buses

- Off-road dumpers

- General haulage tractors

- Machine/workshop/contrivance vehicles

- Island vehicles

- Agricultural tractors, trench diggers, excavators

- Motor caravans

- Hearses

- Dumpers and forklift trucks

- Taxis and hackneys

- Schoolbuses

- Cycles and Tricycles

- Pedestrian controlled vehicles

- Veteran and vintage.

Septic Tank Remediation Scheme

Questions (458)

Pat Deering

Question:

458. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a grant scheme for persons with existing septic tanks who wish to connect into main public sewerage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

On 17 December 2012 I announced my intention to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. The grant scheme will only apply to treatment systems which are the subject of an Advisory Notice issued by a water services authority following an inspection carried out under the 2012 Act and based on the EPA’s risk-based inspection plan. Full details of the scheme will be set down in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing later this year.

In December 2012 I also announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes, which generally involves connections to public sewer networks, to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Following an examination of the proposals received, with particular regard to the environmental justification provided, I approved grant assistance in last March towards a number of these pilot schemes. Progress on the selected pilot schemes will be reviewed in due course with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.

Water Supply Contamination

Questions (459)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

459. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the algae in Dubin City Council's water filtration system which is leaving some areas of north County Wicklow without water (details supplied) the steps his Department will take to ensure a speedy resolution; the projected timeline for the resolution of the problem; the interim measures that can be taken to alleviate the inconvenience for those affected by the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25086/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

As I indicated in the Topical Issue Debate on this matter on 22 May, my Department has no responsibility for, or role in, the management, maintenance or operation of water infrastructure. However, in view of the problems being experienced in the areas referred to in the Question, my Department met with officials from Wicklow County Council and Dublin City Council on 27 May. The Councils have confirmed to my Department that all possible steps are being taken to alleviate the problem and that the quantity of water being produced at the Roundwood treatment plant has increased in recent days. Wicklow County Council will be using monies allocated by my Department under the small schemes element of the Rural Water Programme to address difficulties being experienced with the water supply in the Kilpedder area.

Leader Programmes Funding

Questions (460)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

460. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will release the funding of €90 million to Leader groups under the rural development programme 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25093/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department recently completed a full review of expenditure under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). As a first step I released €42 million worth of projects which had been approved by the Boards of the Local Development Company’s contracted to deliver the LEADER elements of the RDP. In the event, some €25.5 million in that category had all the necessary approvals in place to proceed to contract.

On 20 May 2013 my Department notified all Local Development Companies of their revised allocations under the LEADER elements of the RDP. This releases the remaining €70 million of the revised Programme, estimated at €370 million which includes the balance of the €42 million referred to above. The remaining allocation is inclusive of funding for both projects and LDC administration.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (461)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

461. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to resume the social housing programme in 2013; if he will refer specifically to the role that will be played by the voluntary housing and co-operative housing sector in reducing the lengthy housing list in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs.

In terms of addressing the demand for social housing, the financial parameters within which we will be operating for the coming years rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing. In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. I am monitoring expenditure under my Department’s housing programme for 2013, together with the level of contractual commitments extending into 2014, with a view to a decision later this year on approving some limited new construction and house purchases over the period to end 2014.

Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government’s objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). My Department and the Housing Agency are engaged with NAMA to ensure delivery of housing units for social purposes.

The housing policy statement identifies approved housing bodies (AHBs) as key partners in the delivery of social housing. This recognises both the constrained funding levels available for local authority construction programmes and the capacity and track-record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector.

The move from capital funded programmes of construction and acquisition by approved housing bodies to more revenue funded options presents challenges for AHBs and will take some time to be fully agreed and implemented. As such, I intend to develop a regulatory framework for the sector that will provide support and assurance both to the sector itself and to its external partners as it takes on the expanded role envisaged for it in the policy statement and to underline its status as a viable and attractive investment opportunity for financial institutions.

This framework is being developed in consultation with the sector and it will:

- assist approved housing bodies to develop key governance and management structures to facilitate an expanded remit;

- provide independent scrutiny and validation of such bodies' competences; and

- place sustainable housing management policies and practices at the heart of a coordinated approach to the development of the sector.

An important step in this regard will be the publication in the coming weeks of a voluntary code for the regulation of AHBs. This code will be a first step towards a statutory regulatory framework that will protect the very significant State investment in the sector over the last two decades and will provide assistance to those working in the sector to meet the challenges ahead. It will serve as a learning opportunity for the sector and for my Department as we develop this longer-term statutory framework to best support the enhanced role of AHBs.

Electoral Divisions Report

Questions (462)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

462. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures that are in place if a boundary commission does not fulfil its remit as outlined in its terms of reference as set down by him; if he has the power to ask the commission to redo boundaries to comply with the terms of reference; the steps a private citizen can take to set aside a decision of a boundary committee that has been made outside its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25182/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I established a Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee on 15 November 2012, in accordance with sections 28, 32 and 33 of the Local Government Act 1991, to review and make recommendations on the division of each council area, other than Cork City, into local electoral areas, and to make recommendations on the number of members of each council to be assigned to each local electoral area. The Committee was requested to submit its report as soon as possible and, in any event, not later than 31 May 2013.

The committee was established to make recommendations and therefore the question of a private citizen setting aside a decision of the committee does not arise. In accordance with Section 32(2) of the Local Government Act 1991, as amended, I will publish the report of the committee and I will have regard to it when making orders dividing counties and cities into local electoral areas and fixing the number of members to be elected for each electoral area. This will be done in good time for the 2014 local elections. As I said last year, the establishment of the committee is an important step in implementing the Action Programme for Effective Local Government and in reforming local government structures.

Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants

Questions (463)

Finian McGrath

Question:

463. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following a recent announcement of a pilot group sewage scheme that is being rolled out in a number of areas throughout the country, if he will confirm if there are additional funds available to residents in other rural areas in County Leitrim (details supplied) to connect to the mains sewage schemes. [25234/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012 I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser.

I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on the increased grant level. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Following an examination of the proposals received, which did not include the scheme referred to in the Question, I approved grant assistance last March towards a number of pilot schemes, including one at Jamestown Rue in Co. Leitrim. Progress on these pilot schemes will be reviewed in due course with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.

Household Charge Refunds

Questions (464)

Robert Troy

Question:

464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any house in an area (details supplied) in County Longford received a refund of the household charge. [25238/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Local Government Management Agency is administering the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. The information requested is not available within my Department; Household Charge operational matters are a matter for the Agency or the relevant local authority.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (465)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

465. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 15 May 2013 if he will outline the flexibility and restrictions that will be included for postal voters in the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2013 that will amend the Electoral Act 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25260/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

As set out in the reply to Question No. 199 of 15 May 2013 the detail of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2013 will be published when the text is approved by Government.

Building Regulations Amendments

Questions (466, 468)

Jack Wall

Question:

466. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding a grandfather change in the building regulation; if the content can be addressed or is it feasible that the correspondents have means available to them to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/13]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

468. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns raised regarding the grandfather clause in the building regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25349/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 468 together.

Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the statutory arrangements for the registration of architects.  A variety of routes to registration are provided for in the Act, including specific provision (under section 22) for the registration of practically trained persons who may have no academic qualifications or formal education in the discipline of architecture but who had been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of ten years prior to the commencement of the Act.

I share the concerns of those who feel that the number of applications to date from practically-trained architects is less than might reasonably be expected notwithstanding the provision in that regard in the Act. I have recently asked Mr Garret Fennell, Solicitor, who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Admissions Board relevant to the register of Architects, to carry out an independent review of the experience to date in relation to the operation of the register with a view to identifying any further improvements that can be made at this point. I have particularly asked for his recommendations or views on how the registration of practically trained architects can be further encouraged. As the review is an independent one it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the proposed submission in this instance and I would advise the correspondent to email his views directly to [e-mail], for the attention of Mr Fennell.