Written Answers Nos. 543-558
543. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the catch statistics for wild salmon and sea trout in the western river basin district area from 2010 to date in 2013 giving a monthly breakdown of these fish caught and released and those un-returned slaughtered fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28030/13]
View answerThe tables below set out, for the Deputy, the Salmon and Sea Trout angling catches, 2010-2012 in the Western River Basin taking into account Galway, Ballinakill, Connemara, Bangor, Ballina and Sligo Fisheries Districts. These catches are disaggregated by Salmon/Sea Trout caught and released, harvest and total catch by year. Data for 2013 will be available in early 2014 once logbooks are returned to Inland Fisheries Ireland in accordance with licence requirements.
In making comparisons between the above 3 years catch one must take into account a number of variables i.e. Fishing conditions, weather, run timing of fish, number of anglers fishing.
2010 proved an excellent year for anglers due to favourable fishing conditions, good water levels, marine survival rates and timely fish runs at key fishing periods. Whilst the 2011 catch was lower than 2010 it also proved a good year for anglers with favourable fishing conditions, marine survival rates and timely fish runs at key fishing periods. 2012, however, proved a challenging year for anglers with difficult fishing conditions, high water levels and inexplicit fish runs at key fishing periods.
|
2010 |
Total Catch |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Caught and Released |
4,188 |
1 |
0 |
21 |
101 |
171 |
437 |
1,396 |
808 |
1,248 |
0 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Harvest |
11,142 |
11 |
17 |
51 |
281 |
826 |
1,308 |
4,510 |
1,995 |
2,130 |
0 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Catch |
15,330 |
12 |
17 |
72 |
382 |
997 |
1,745 |
5,906 |
2,803 |
3,378 |
0 |
|
2011 |
Total Catch |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Caught and Released |
3,965 |
0 |
11 |
41 |
117 |
324 |
542 |
740 |
1,024 |
1,158 |
0 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Harvest |
9,537 |
0 |
5 |
49 |
296 |
1,290 |
1,617 |
2,492 |
2,158 |
1,628 |
0 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Catch |
13,502 |
0 |
16 |
90 |
413 |
1,614 |
2,159 |
3,232 |
3,182 |
2,786 |
0 |
|
2012 |
Total Catch |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Caught and Released |
4,169 |
1 |
20 |
57 |
158 |
269 |
712 |
1,276 |
845 |
830 |
1 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Harvest |
9,719 |
6 |
13 |
89 |
319 |
887 |
2,406 |
3,366 |
1,483 |
1,147 |
3 |
|
Salmon/Sea Trout Catch |
13,888 |
7 |
33 |
146 |
477 |
1,156 |
3,118 |
4,642 |
2,328 |
1,977 |
4 |
544. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that 80% of the local property tax collected in any one local authority area will be retained towards the cost of services provided in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27247/13]
View answer564. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the formula that will be used to allocate the remaining 20% of the proceeds of the local property tax not retained by the local authorities in cases where the 80% is insufficient to cover their costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/13]
View answer565. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of counties in which it is envisaged that the full amount collected in the local property tax will compensate for the loss of the amounts allocated in the current year from the local government fund and collected from the non-priniciple private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 564 and 565 together.
Under section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year.
The Government has indicated an intention to move, from 2014, to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The remaining 20% of the Tax collected nationally will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants. Pending a fuller understanding of the anticipated yield of the Tax, on a per local authority basis, and discussions to take place in the context of Budget 2014, it would be premature to comment definitively on anticipated yields or on equalisation methods.
545. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is envisaged that the proceeds of the local property tax in a full year will be sufficient to replace the current Local Government Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27251/13]
View answer548. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proceeds from property tax are directly linked to Government grants to local authorities under his Department; if there is any commitment regarding link between where the property tax is raised and where it will be spent; if there will be any restrictions at that stage on the way a local authority spends the additional tax or if it will be up to the local authority to decide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26846/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 545 together.
Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014 the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In 2013 Local Property Tax revenue will accrue to the Exchequer.
The Government has indicated an intention to move, from 2014, to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The remaining 20% of the Tax collected nationally will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants.
The 2013 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grant allocations to local authorities total €640.9m. Pending a fuller understanding of the anticipated yield of the Local Property Tax, on a per local authority basis, and discussions to take place in the context of Budget 2014, it would be premature to comment definitively on anticipated Local Property Tax yields or on details of the broader mix of revenue streams which local authorities will receive in 2014.
546. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount of revenue raised through motor tax in each emissions category for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of persons who paid motor tax in each of these categories for the aforementioned years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27329/13]
View answerThe revenue (excluding in respect of arrears) generated in respect of the motor tax vehicle emissions bands for 2009 to 2012 is set out in Table 1 below. A breakdown of arrears by band is not readily available, and Table 2 sets out the total amount of arrears paid in respect of the CO2 bands for the period from 2009 to 2012.
However, provision of figures on the number of persons who paid motor tax in each category in each year is not readily available, and payment may be made annually, half-yearly or quarterly, affecting the numbers paying motor tax in a particular year. Changes in vehicle ownership would also impinge on total numbers paying tax in a particular year and would be difficult to disaggregate.
Table 3 sets out the number of vehicles in each band by year of registration. This is the position as at 30 April 2013 and includes a number of vehicles that have been imported subsequent to the year of registration of the vehicle.
Table 1 – Private vehicles CO 2 bands – Revenue 2009 to 2012
|
- |
2009 |
2009 |
2009 |
2009 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
A (0 – 120 g/km) |
1,423,714 |
4,897,724 |
15,974,093 |
22,224,411 |
|
B (121 -140 g/km) |
10,112,160 |
17,277,088 |
22,342,738 |
45,762,799 |
|
C (141 - 155 g/km) |
11,084,832 |
15,548,570 |
17,313,701 |
23,380,988 |
|
D (156 - 170 g/km) |
6,546,962 |
9,675,513 |
10,607,418 |
13,859,679 |
|
E (171 - 190g/km) |
4,158,119 |
5,526,682 |
5,983,980 |
7,769,291 |
|
F (191 - 225g/km) |
2,589,191 |
3,634,554 |
3,985,212 |
5,259,925 |
|
G (226 g/km & over) |
515,382 |
1,051,688 |
1,187,301 |
1,632,750 |
|
Total |
36,430,360 |
57,611,819 |
77,394,443 |
119,889,843 |
Table 2 – Total arrears paid in respect of CO 2 bands 2009 to 2012
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Total arrears paid – all CO2 bands |
520,286 |
783,221 |
1,084,638 |
1,576,789 |
Table 3 – Number of vehicles registered in each band 2009 to 2012
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
A (0 – 120 g/km) |
11,034 |
33,323 |
37,666 |
40,291 |
|
B (121 -140 g/km) |
32,417 |
41,855 |
42,667 |
28,475 |
|
C (141 - 155 g/km) |
15,157 |
10,475 |
4,633 |
3,001 |
|
D (156 - 170 g/km) |
8,365 |
5,876 |
2,291 |
1,375 |
|
E (171 - 190g/km) |
3,931 |
1,917 |
889 |
743 |
|
F (191 - 225g/km) |
1,031 |
634 |
478 |
416 |
|
G (226 g/km & over) |
215 |
240 |
172 |
30 |
|
Total
|
72,150 |
94,320 |
88,796 |
74,331 |
547. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be made available for the installation of a downstairs bathroom (details supplied). [26868/13]
View answerUnder 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, adaptations or improvement works carried out in order to meet the accommodation needs of an older person or a person with a disability. The suite of grants include three separate grant measures; the Mobility Aids Grant scheme with grants of up to €6,000, the Housing Aid for Older People scheme with grants of up to €10,500 and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability with grants of up to €30,000, depending on household income. The schemes are administered by the local authorities and it is a matter for each local authority to determine the extent of the grant-eligible works and the amount of grant aid to be paid in individual cases.
549. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the purpose of the fees in respect of two or more properties liable in 2013 for payment of non-principal private residence and local property tax; if he will explain the use to which the fees collected will be used; the person or agency which is responsible for collection of the fees; his views on whether the agencies collecting the fees are sharing personal information on citizens and whether this is a breach of data protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/13]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for the collection of the Non Principal Private Residence Charge; the Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the collection of the Local Property Tax.
The Local Property Tax is being introduced on a half year basis this year and accordingly 50% of the Tax is payable in 2013. The amount of Local Property Tax incurred in respect of a liable property is based on that property’s value, while the Non Principal Private Residence Charge is incurred on the basis of a flat rate of €200 per liable property per annum. Therefore, it is not appropriate to assume equivalence between the Charge and the Tax.
This year will be the final year of the operation of the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. Since its introduction in 2009 the Charge has been an important source of revenue for local authorities and has funded the provision of vital local services.
Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014 the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In 2013 Local Property Tax revenue will accrue to the Exchequer.
I expect the Local Property Tax to have multiple benefits, including a more sustainable and resilient system of funding for local authorities and therefore a sounder financial footing for the provision of essential local services; greater local scope for financial decision making concerning service provision - in particular, the inclusion of the local variation mechanism from 2015 will further increase the autonomy of local authorities; and, a strengthening of democracy at local level with a more active relationship between local authorities and local electorates. A stronger democratic relationship and clearer lines of accountability can only have a beneficial impact on service provision from the perspective of the service user.
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 and the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 include provisions for data sharing among public bodies.
550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he is satisfied that his Department can continue to meet ongoing carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27344/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 386 of 30 April 2013, which sets out the position in this matter.
551. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to regulate funeral businesses and ancillary services relating to this primary activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/13]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for regulations regarding burial grounds. I have no plans to legislate for regulation of the wider funeral business sector here.
552. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the gratuity scheme/voluntary retirement scheme in place for town and county councillors; the terms of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27100/13]
View answerSection 142 of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002, as amended by the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 and the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006 provide that subject to certain conditions, a Councillor who ceases to be a member of a local authority is entitled to receive a gratuity at, or after, the age of 50.
Where a person ceases to be a member before age 50, whether voluntarily or as a result of failure to be re-elected, the gratuity will be paid when the person reaches age 50 and will be based on the representational payment applicable at that point. The Local Authority Members (Gratuity) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006 allows the gratuity to be paid before age 50 where retirement is due to permanent infirmity or where the member dies in office.
The amount of the gratuity is calculated on the basis of 4/20ths of a Councillor’s Representational Payment for each year of service from 4 May 2000, subject to a maximum twenty years’ service (i.e. four times the amount of the Representational Payment at the time of retirement).
An additional ex-gratia payment may be made to Councillors serving on or after the date of the making of the 2006 Regulations in respect of service before 4 May 2000. The rates to be applied are dependent on the number of years’ service and the category of local authority in which the Councillor served. Circular Letter S.3/2007 of 22 January 2007, issued by my Department, set the rate of payment of the ex-gratia payment at €714.23 for each year of service up to 20 years’ service with a County Council or what was at the time a County Borough Corporation, at ½ this rate for service with what was at the time a Borough Corporation or an Urban District Council, and at ¼ this rate for service as a Town Commissioner. For service in excess of 20 years prior to 4 May 2000, the foregoing rates are reduced by 1/3rd for each additional year of service up to 20 years.
There is an overall limit of 40 years’ service for the gratuity and ex-gratia payment combined, with the service reckoned for the purposes of a gratuity calculated first and the residual number of years being used to calculate any ex-gratia payment.
553. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made in establishing social economic committees; their terms of reference; and what the make-up of these committees will be. [27162/13]
View answerFollowing the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group.
A key area of focus for the Working Group is the establishment of Socio-economic Committees and preparations are underway in this regard. I anticipate that Socio-economic Committees be established in up to 10 local authority areas in the coming weeks, with a full roll-out across the remaining local authority areas to commence later this year.
Guidelines and Terms of Reference for Socio-economic Committees are being prepared, with the support of the Alignment Working Group, and will be available to the 10 pilot or ‘Frontrunner’ Socio-economic Committees shortly. The guidelines will be developed and refined over the coming months based on the learning from the frontrunner phase, and final terms of reference will be made available for the full roll-out of Socio-economic Committees later this year.
Within broad guidelines being developed, the membership of Socio-economic Committees will comprise a range of public and private partners drawn from the local and community development sectors, civil society, local authorities and relevant State Agencies.
554. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the cut to funding that has been imposed on a project (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and the reason he now believes that it is no longer a core responsibility of his Department to fund this project. [27163/13]
View answerThe project concerned no longer operates as a mainstreamed drugs project under my Department’s housing programme. However, I understand that Dublin City Council has provided funding of €30,000 to support the Project in question during 2013.
555. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for funding local development programmes from 1 January 2014. [27164/13]
View answerMy Department is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities, including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) to which I assume the question refers.
The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas and communities.
Given the current economic situation and the high level of unemployment, the LCDP is more relevant than ever insofar as it creates employment opportunities and gives those most distant from the labour market the skills to access training and jobs. The Programme has four high level goals focusing on supporting activities that enhance access to services, provides education and lifelong learning supports for individuals, employment supports for individuals and supports for community development activities.
The Programme is delivered at a local level by the national network of local development companies. Budgets for the LCDP are communicated to implementing organisations on an annual basis. Funding for 2014, and beyond, will fall to be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.
556. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent review of LEADER funding, the way it is envisaged that the revised funding amounts will be re-allocated within local development companies specifically where funding has been reduced and many projects had already been approved in principle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27168/13]
View answerI understand from County Kildare LEADER Partnership (CKLP), the Local Development Company contracted to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in county Kildare, that they did not approve funding for the project in question at any point.
An application was received from the promoter, who was advised that funding availability was dependant on the outcome of a review of LEADER funding which was underway at the time of application. My Department recently notified CKLP of its revised allocation of €10,642,073 under the Programme. Of this €8.5 million has been spent/committed and it is a matter for the Board of CKLP to allocate the remaining funding.
557. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a company (details supplied) in County Mayo had its rural development programme budget cut disproportionately more than that of other local development companies operating in less disadvantaged parts of the country; the options which are available to it to have this decision reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/13]
View answer558. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there is a continuing delay in notifying a company (details supplied) in County Mayo of the funding allocation under the Leader rural development programme that was expected to be notified during the week commencing 13 May 2013; if he will confirm what the funding will be so as to end uncertainty for the project promoters affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27174/13]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 557 and 558 together.
The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 – 2013 commenced in February 2009 after a delay of more than two years which reduced the time available to allocate funding to less than five years rather than the normal seven. During 2010 and 2011 it became evident that a significant number of Local Development Companies (LDCs) who were contracted to deliver the Programme were not committing funds at the level required to ensure that all the funding would be allocated by the December 2013 deadline in line with EU Regulations. Similarly it became clear that a number of LDCs were more than capable of allocating additional funding if it was made available.
In this regard, in January 2012 my Department notified all LDCs that the original LDC allocations awarded in 2009 were no longer valid and that the Programme was being opened up on a ‘first-come first served’ basis to all LDCs in order to ensure that all the available funding would be allocated to eligible projects within the timeframe allowed. All LDCs were encouraged to maximise the opportunity this created for them. Some companies availed of this more than others.
During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% for the LEADER elements of Ireland’s RDP but only for expenditure incurred in 2012 and 2013. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million which is a 13% reduction.
In addition in late 2012 and early 2013 after repeated requests from many LDCs I agreed to allow significant additional programme funds to be assigned to the Basic Services Measure, over €19 million in total.
In January 2013 in light of all the changes to the Programme outlined above it became necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level of commitments and expenditure across the various measures of the Programme in order to apportion the remaining funds among the LDCs taking into account the level of commitments already entered into.
As a first step I released €42 million worth of projects which had been approved by the Boards of the LDCs asking them to progress projects that were in a position to proceed. Unfortunately only €25.5 million in that category had all the necessary approvals in place to proceed to contract.
Using an estimated final programme allocation of €370 million, the total spend to date and outstanding commitments (commitments that were under contractual arrangements) under the Programme were established and deducted from the €370m. €6 million was provided for the former MFG legacy files, new Gaeltacht projects and associated administration costs. Funding was also provided for projects that were greater than €150,000 in value that had been submitted to my Department for assessment. The original percentage of the Programme which was awarded to each LDC in 2009 was then applied to apportion the remaining funding among all LDCs. Where an LDC would receive less than 80% of its original allocation (bearing in mind that the overall Programme complement has been reduced by approximately 13%) an adjustment was made to maintain the revised allocation at 80% of the original.
If my Department had not adjusted the allocations to ensure that all LDCs received at least 80% of their original allocation a number of companies would have experienced higher reductions and in that context the allocations were calculated in the fairest possible manner.
The Company referred to in the questions was notified of its allocation on 20 May 2013. It received 82.47% of its original Programme allocation (bearing in mind that the overall Programme allocation has been reduced by approximately 13%). Of the 35 LDCs 12 received a lower percentage of their original Programme allocation than the Company in question.
