Written Answers Nos. 171-178
171. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current number of county managers in the country; the number of director of services per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26168/13]
View answerThere are 33 City and County Managers. The information regarding the numbers of Directors of Service and equivalents, at 31March 2013, is outlined in the table below . The number of Directors of Service has decreased by 70.3 or 26% since 2008.
|
Local Authority |
Directors of Service and Equivalents |
|
Cork City |
8 |
|
Dublin City |
39.8 |
|
Galway City |
3 |
|
Limerick City & County |
8 |
|
Waterford City |
4 |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Cork |
11.9 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
6 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
|
Longford |
3 |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
|
South Dublin |
5 |
|
Tipperary North |
4 |
|
Tipperary South |
4 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
191.7 |
172. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vacancies that have occurred in the county manager positions county by county since 2000; if the positions were advertised publicly; the number of internal applications from within the local authority system for each position; the number of external applications for each position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26169/13]
View answerThe information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
173. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the State money that was given to the Simon Community in relation to an organisation purchasing and occupying a building (details supplied) in Dublin 20. [26179/13]
View answer174. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any conditions were placed on the Simon Community in relation to the moneys it was granted in terms of the way a building (details supplied) in Dublin 20 was to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26180/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding is provided to Approved Housing Bodies, through the local authorities, for the provision of accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need, including older persons, persons with a disability or homeless persons. In June 2012 my Department invited local authorities to submit a prioritised list of projects for funding under the CAS programme over the period 2012 to 2014. These projects were intended to be used primarily to meet the needs of persons or households with specific categories of housing need. I subsequently announced funding approval for 55 projects which involved the provision of over 370 new voluntary housing units. Approvals were based on the prioritisation afforded to individual proposals by local authorities. The project in question was prioritised by South Dublin County Council and was intended to provide accommodation for up to 24 homeless persons at Riversdale Avenue, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 . In October, 2012 my Department approved a grant of €1,185,250 for the acquisition of the properties by the Simon Community.
The CAS scheme is administered by local authorities an d it is a matter for each authority to oversee the development and implementation of projects in their area and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the CAS scheme as set out in my Department’s Memorandum VHU 2/ 02, which may be accessed on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Minister or Minister of State that represented Ireland at the Ministerial Council meetings of the European Union during the Irish Presidency of the Council to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26212/13]
View answerDuring the period of the Presidency to date the European Council of Environment Ministers met formally on 21 March 2013 and informally on 22-23 April 2013. Mr Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and I attended the March Council meeting; our primary focus was on managing, from a Presidency perspective, our respective elements of Council business and, where necessary, Ireland was represented at the meeting at official level. I also chaired the meeting of the Informal Council of Environment Ministers in April at which Ireland was represented, in respect of different elements, by Mr Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., Minister of State at my Department, and by officials of my Department.
176. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider allowing pre-2008 motor vehicles that have been retrofitted with devices to reduce their CO2 emissions to qualify for the relevant post 2008 tax band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26275/13]
View answerThe CO2 value for cars registered from 2008 onwards is captured by the Revenue Commissioners from the Certificate of Conformity provided by the manufacturer and transmitted to the National Vehicle and Driver File. The CO2 emissions for new vehicles are calculated in accordance with specific standards for this purpose, and I am not aware that the tests can be applied in a comparable way to pre-2008 vehicles. Allowing a CO2 rating to be taken at a point in time other than manufacture would potentially lead to owners of vehicles (both pre- and post-2008) providing different CO2 readings over the lifetime of the vehicle, leading to significantly increased difficulty in administering the motor tax system. Any loss in revenue arising would have to be compensated for elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally. I have no plans to change the basis for charging motor tax for vehicles registered prior to 2008 from engine capacity to CO2 emissions.
177. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm his commitment to retain the current service at Rochfortbridge Garda Station, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26038/13]
View answerThe Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2013 sets out details for the closure of 100 Garda stations throughout the country. Rochfortbridge Garda Station was not listed for closure. While the Policing plans for 2014 and 2015 have not yet been prepared, I understand, from discussions with the Garda Commissioner, that the current consolidation process will be largely completed by the end of this year and it seems unlikely at this point in time that there will be any further station closures in 2014 and 2015.
The allocation of all resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána. The situation is kept under continuing review to ensure optimum use is made of these resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. In this regard, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the 30 April 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Westmeath Garda Division was 252, of which there are 4 Gardaí (1 Sergeant and 3 Garda) assigned to Rochfortbridge Garda Station. There are also 25 Garda Reservists and 20 civilian staff attached to the Westmeath Garda Division.
178. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the plan to cease sittings of the District Court in Kells; if he has had any contact with the Courts Service in relation to this matter; if he will contact the Courts Service and make a representation to it to keep sittings in Kells in view of the fact that the town will lose the economic and safety benefits if the court is moved to Navan, as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26040/13]
View answerAs I have previously informed the Deputy, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of accommodation for court sittings. However, in order to be of further assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and have been informed that the Courts Service has been reviewing all aspects of its organisational and operational structures throughout the country with the specific objective of ensuring that the Service can continue to maintain the delivery of front line court services and an appropriate level of service to court users. I understand that no court venue has been singled out for or indeed exempted from the review and that Kells Courthouse is included in this process.
In this context the Courts Service has established a general framework within which such venues are being assessed taking into account a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells etc. The likely impact on other Justice agencies, such as An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service, is also taken into account. The review identified a range of venues nationwide which, based on the criteria applied, could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case in respect of each identified venue which has now commenced.
The Courts Service has again assured me that no decision in relation to the future of Kells courthouse will be taken without prior consultation with local interested parties and court users. I am informed that the consultation process is nearing completion and the views received will be taken into account in the decision making process which will be a matter for the Courts Service Board.
