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Tuesday, 16 Jul 2013

Written Answers Nos. 748-762

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Questions (748)

Niall Collins

Question:

748. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [34402/13]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested is set out in the following table:

External Report Name

Consultant etc.

Date of Commission

Date or Expected Date of Publication

Total/Estimated Cost

Retrofitting Code of Practice

Building Research Establishment Ltd.

March 2011

Draft Code of Practice expected to be released for public consultation before end 2013.

(1) €21,191

Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem

Pyrite Panel

September 2011

July 2012

€21,470

Cost optimal study for non domestic buildings

AECOM

November 2012

March 2013

€53,517

Analysis on national climate policy

Secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland

December 2011

Interim report released October 2012; final report released in February 2013.

Not applicable

Technical support on developing low carbon sector roadmaps for Ireland

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC)

June 2013

No formal document due for publication. The project relates to technical support.

€107,552

2011 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board

Mr. David Lovegrove

The report is a requirement under the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005

July 2012

€12,181

2012 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board

Mr. David Lovegrove

The report is a requirement under the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005

July 2013

€11,732

Bulky Waste Reuse Best Practice - Feasibility Study

Fehilly Timoney & Company

January 2012

July 2013

€55,289

All Island Used Tyre Survey

RPS Group

March 2012

March 2013

(2) €17,673

Review of the Producer Responsibility Model in Ireland

RPS Group

June 2012

September 2013

€281,944

Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000

DKM Economic Consultants

May 2012

Expected Publication July 2013

€39,690

Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme

Indecon

May 2012

November 2012

(3) €42,706

Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability

Version 1

February 2012

Not intended for publication.

€9,363

Design of a Local Property Tax – Report of the Inter-Departmental Group

Inter-Departmental Group

January 2012

December 2012

Nil

Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

March 2012

December 2012

€60,280

Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia

Munster Archaeology

April 2012

June 2013

€47,289

Report of Surveillance Audit on IS EN ISO 2012

National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

June 2012

July 2012

€2,706

Environment Management Plan

Glas Ecology

April 2012

August 2012

€4,920

Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site

Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd

November 2012

Not intended for publication.

€3,167

Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings

ARUP Consulting Engineers

November 2011

Not intended for publication.

€29,935

Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1

Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC

January 2012

March 2012

€19,680

Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2

Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC

June 2012

April 2013

€49,200

Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012

Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp

October 2012

January 2013

€12,096

Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding 2011

Murtagh & Partners

July 2011

October 2011

€27,800

Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013

Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin

September 2011

November 2012

€6,000

Provision of expertise concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment techniques for the evaluation and revision of Regional Waste Management Plans

RPS

Consultants appointed December 2011

No formal document due for publication. The work is principally advice, guidance documents and technical expertise.

€45,223

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2011 Report

Tobin Consulting Engineers

June 2011

April 2012

€61,077

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2012 Report

Tobin Consulting Engineers

May 2012

April 2013

€58,271

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2013 Report

Tobin Consulting Engineers

May 2013

April 2014

€52,014

Annual Dust Impact Assessment Report (2011) at the Former Irish Steelworks Site, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork

White Young Green

March 2011

March 2012

(4) see footnote

Regulatory Impact Analysis of proposed regulations for household food waste.

Indecon

May 2011

June 2012

€24,725

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Initial Assessment

Marine Institute

September 2011

The technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report will be published in Q4 2013.

(5) €2m (estimated)

Consultancy services on establishment of National Water Utility

Price Waterhouse Coopers

June 2011

Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012 (www.environ.ie). Implementation Strategy published December 2012 (www.environ.ie).

€179,584

Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland.

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

January 2013

At this time the report is not intended for publication.

€51,798

(1) Contract in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Department's contribution is €21,190 which represents approximately 23% of the total cost.

(2) Survey jointly commissioned and funded by Department of the Environment in Norther n Ireland and my Department. My Department’s contribution is €17,67 3.

(3) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.

(4) My Department previously provided funding to Cork County Council to support the production of an annual Dust Impact Assessment Report at the former Irish Steel site at Haulbowline Island. Following a Government Decision in June, 2011 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assumed the lead role in relation to the remedial works necessary to be undertaken on the site. Accordingly, funding provided to Cork County Council for the annual Dust Impact Assessment Report 2011 and subsequent years is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

(5) This report arises from Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters and the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required status by 2020.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (749)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

749. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if road tax funds still go into the local government fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34417/13]

View answer

Written answers

The principal source of revenue for the Local Government Fund in 2013 is the proceeds of motor tax which are being redistributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants. The Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of up to €150 million from the Local Government Fund to the Exchequer during 2013. The Act provides that, in determining the payment, regard must be had to the balance in the Fund when all commitments have been met. The transfer is in respect of 2013 only.

Property Taxation Administration

Questions (750)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

750. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce regulations or guidelines with respect to the setting of the local adjustment factor as per the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34418/13]

View answer

Written answers

Under section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, a local authority may as a reserved function resolve to vary the rate of the Local Property Tax within its functional area by a maximum of +/- 15%. This power will be available to local authorities effective from 2015, as the relevant sections of the Act will come into operation on 1 July 2014.

Section 20 of the Act requires that, in varying the rate, a local authority must take account of its financial position, its income and expenditure and of the financial effect of the varied rate on the economy of its functional area, including on those persons who will be liable to pay the Local Property Tax. Section 20 also provides that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government may make regulations, including in respect of public consultation requirements prior to the variation of the rate of the tax. I will give consideration to the making of such regulations in advance of the coming into operation of section 20 of the 2012 Act.

Planning Issues

Questions (751)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

751. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedure for the changing of the name of a private housing estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34419/13]

View answer

Written answers

Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, planning authorities may attach conditions to planning permissions in relation to appropriate naming and numbering of, and the provision of appropriate signage for, proposed developments.

The law currently in force in relation to the changing of the name of a street or locality is set out in the Local Government Act 1946. Sections 78 and 79 of the 1946 Act, as amended, provide that a local authority may, with the consent of the majority of qualified electors, change the name of a street or locality.

Commemorative Events

Questions (752)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

752. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the total cost to his Department of its involvement in the recent JFK50 commemoration events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34437/13]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not incurred any costs in relation to the JFK50 commemoration events.

Irish Water Establishment

Questions (753)

Barry Cowen

Question:

753. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will take on liability for the pensions of local authority water services staff through local service agreements with staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/13]

View answer

Written answers

A fundamental underpinning of the water reform programme is to ensure that the skills and experience built up over many years in local authorities are put to best use for the long-term benefit of the customer and that there is no negative impact on service to customers during the transition. It is intended, therefore, that the legislation to transfer statutory responsibility for water services to Irish Water will provide for local authorities to act as agents for Irish Water with this relationship being expressed through Service Level Agreements. The majority of the existing staff will remain employees of local authorities working under such arrangements.

A specific structure, the Irish Water Consultative Group, chaired by Mr Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, was established in 2012 to facilitate engagement between unions and management on the water sector reform programme. Under the auspices of this group, discussions have been held on the human resources aspects of the service level agreements. Agreement has been reached on a framework which provides, inter alia, for the duration of such agreements to be twelve years, with reviews after years two and seven. If a service level agreement is terminated or is not renewed, then the staff concerned will move to Irish Water with their terms, conditions and superannuation arrangements protected.

Work being progressed at present on developing template service level agreements, and associated funding arrangements including an examination of the necessary processes for the transfer of assets and financial liabilities associated with these assets taking into account, inter alia, the impacts on local government finances and the funding model for Irish Water.

Water Services Funding

Questions (754)

Barry Cowen

Question:

754. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, a county by county breakdown of funding under the rural water programme from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/13]

View answer

Written answers

Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group water schemes, group sewerage schemes and small public water and sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for local authorities.

Group water schemes may also qualify for a subsidy towards the operational costs of supplying domestic water in respect of each house connected to the scheme. A total of €25.5 million has been provided this year to cover the costs of this subsidy scheme and towards the salary costs of Rural Water Liaison Officers. This subsidy scheme is also administered by the local authorities. Payments under this scheme are recouped to local authorities by my Department out of the Local Government Fund as demand arises rather than on the basis of block grant allocations.

The information requested is set out in the following table:

-

-

2010

-

2011

-

2012

2013

Local Authority

Capital Rural Water Programme

Local Government Fund

Capital Rural Water Programme

Local Government Fund

Capital Rural Water Programme

Local Government Fund

Capital Rural Water Programme Allocations

-

Carlow

2,382,398

 194,780

1,460,961

188,592

864,209

315,412

646,803.00

Cavan

2,772,089

1,662,699

2,199,574

4,442,757

1,332,571

2,823,222

582,500.00

Clare

4,557,076

1,045,893

3,259,365

888,648

883,341

1,684,291

756,250.00

Cork

4,581,171

203,757

4,508,669

85,111

1,832,490

125,195

926,134.00

Donegal

3,606,286

185,114

3,136,397

158,034

1,606,316

199,750

1,000,000.00

Dun Laoire / Rathdown

5,221

  -  

4,500

-  

21,166

 -  

-

Galway

13,531,294

2,605,770

19,065,735

2,733,513

 4,607,080

3,900,528

 5,402,102.00

Kerry

3,724,863

346,598

2,662,102

319,030

 4,948,056

  309,748

 1,736,901.00

Kildare

886,987

141,352

1,060,213

155,851

 415,983

205,992

 891,889.00

Kilkenny

1,219,090

274,933

1,054,613

349,303

 1,164,459

238,680

  666,250.00

Laois

1,274,618

324,353

1,728,608

321,627

 1,016,637

522,576

 819,301.00

Leitrim

4,186,561

598,998

3,317,224

313,532

 2,036,732

379,119

 2,116,779.00

Limerick

2,841,854

876,638

3,228,567

961,976

 1,298,614

1,530,294

 1,098,630.00

Longford

717,901

59,791

1,254,336

82,566

  951,129

55,787

 1,071,994.00

Louth

984,019

160,615

1,060,950

248,015

 785,568

159,430

  343,331.00

Mayo

12,967,809

3,301,262

11,267,319

4,243,293

 4,928,994

4,043,657

  3,167,530.00

Meath

1,293,665

194,646

1,233,712

79,655

 847,867

166,812

 374,250.00

Monaghan

2,110,841

1,501,258

1,920,559

3,946,445

 304,390

3,296,766

 168,750.00

North Tipperary

2,211,882

334,445

2,155,704

463,109

 1,145,492

417,904

  643,000.00

Offaly

1,649,612

750,597

1,681,569

392,561

 741,917

1,079,791

 1,277,040.00

Roscommon

11,154,830

602,299

2,394,025

866,377

 1,104,591

720,782

 1,856,250.00

Sligo

816,108

1,071,647

1,664,480

807,399

 883,921

1,625,847

 1,051,515.00

South Dublin

4,616

 -  

 2,032

-  

  20,483

  -  

-

South Tipperary

667,364

40,162

690,928

36,714

 486,364

 39,640

 1,154,250.00

Waterford

1,143,692

21,648

1,282,039

17,805

 1,116,266

 22,394

 683,450.00

Westmeath

1,115,863

73,078

1,333,162

102,318

  979,439

 67,688

  809,750.00

Wexford

2,078,670

318,854

 2,309,874

630,894

 1,796,040

 600,712

  919,663.00

Wicklow

3,002,354

108,814

 1,544,812

164,874

 1,135,562

 110,983

  599,475.00

Local Authority Staff Numbers

Questions (755)

Barry Cowen

Question:

755. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the current number of county managers in the local authority structure; the current number of vacancies; the number of vacancies that have arisen since 2010; the number that have been filled by external appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34440/13]

View answer

Written answers

There are 33 County-City Managers positions, of which 8 are vacant. All vacant manager positions are filled by temporary managers, pending the appointment of permanent replacements.

The number of vacancies that have occurred in the County-City Managers positions, county by county since 2010, including city councils, is shown in tabular format.

County Council

Date of Manager Vacancy

Donegal

07/07/2010

Leitrim

06/06/2013

Limerick

08/04/2012

Louth

15/08/2012

Meath

03/09/2012

Monaghan

30/11/2010

South Dublin

03/04/2012

Tipperary North

30/04/2010

Tipperary South

29/04/2011

Waterford

19/09/2011

Westmeath

03/06/2013

Wexford

30/11/2012

City Councils

Date of Manager Vacancy

Cork City

31/08/2010

Dublin City

28/04/2013

Galway City

16/08/2010

Limerick City

28/02/2012

The selection and appointment of a County or City Manager is governed by primary legislation, including the Local Government Act 2001. Managers are selected following open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service. I understand that no manager position has been filled by external appointment in the period since 2010.

Local Authority Expenditure

Questions (756, 826)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

756. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the shortfall in the cost of planning for the years 2006 to 2012, inclusive, and the fees recouped in those years. [34449/13]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

826. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the shortfall in the cost of planning for the years 2006 to 2012, inclusive, and the fees recouped in those years. [35293/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 826 together.

Information in relation to local authority expenditure and income in respect of forward planning, development management and planning enforcement for the years 2006 to 2011 is available in the Local Authority Annual Financial Statement Outturns. These are available on my Department’s website at ww.environ.ie. The year 2011 is the latest for which audited information is available.

Commercial Rates Issues

Questions (757, 827)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

757. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated revenue received from removing the exemption from commercial rates for State owned buildings. [34450/13]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

827. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated revenue received from removing the exemption from commerical rates for State owned buildings. [35294/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 757 and 827 together.

Local 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. That Act determines properties that can, and cannot, be considered for rating purposes.  The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including determination under the Act of relevant property for the purposes of rates.

Section 15(3) of the Valuation Act 2001 provides that relevant property, being a building or part of a building, land or a waterway or a harbour directly occupied by the State (including any land or building occupied by any Department or Office of State, the Defence Forces or the Garda Síochána or used as a prison or place of detention), is not rateable.

The Valuation Act 2001 comes under the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. 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. The Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group (July 2010) estimated, at €50 million, the potential commercial rates liability of State properties.

Planning Issues

Questions (758)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

758. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if substitute consent in relation to unauthorised development at a location (details provided) in County Westmeath will circumvent the purpose of the environmental impact assessment directive and-or the habitats directive; if the ability to carry out an assessment has been substantially impaired; if substitute consent would circumvent the County Westmeath development plan 2008-14; if the continuation of the development will significantly and adversely affect the integrity of a European Natura 2000 site; if the conservation value of the site, its habitats, environment and species has been adversely affected and if unauthorised developments pose real and substantial risk for the Shannon River Basin management plan; the reason the local authority issued an exact replica of the original enforcement notice to the proprietors of the marina. [34457/13]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister, I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, from involvement in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Local Authority Staff Remuneration

Questions (759)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

759. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the current salaries paid to all city and county managers of local authorities. [34483/13]

View answer

Written answers

Salaries of City and County Managers are set out in the City and County Managers (Remuneration) Order 2013. The salaries for City and County Managers (from 1 July 2013) are set out in the table.

Local Authority Manager

Salary

Dublin City Council

€ 175,721

Cork County Council

Fingal County Council

South Dublin County Council

€ 150,977

Cork City Council

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Kildare County Council

Meath County Council

Limerick City and County Council

€ 142,966

Clare County Council

Donegal County Council

Galway County Council

Kerry County Council

Kilkenny County Council

Louth County Council

Mayo County Council

South Tipperary County Council

Westmeath County Council

Wexford County Council

Wicklow County Council

€ 133,072

Galway City Council

Waterford City Council

Carlow County Council

Cavan County Council

Laois County Council

Leitrim County Council

Longford County Council

Monaghan County Council

Offaly County Council

Roscommon County Council

Sligo County Council

North Tipperary County Council

Waterford County Council

€ 123,910

Exchequer Savings

Questions (760)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

760. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual saving to the Exchequer if salaries across all local authorities were capped at €100,000. [34484/13]

View answer

Written answers

As of 31 March 2013, there were 224.70 (whole- time equivalent) local authority staff on salary scales, the maximum points of which are in excess of €100,000. The grades concerned are City and County Managers, Assistant Managers and Directors of Service. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise if these salaries were reduced is not available in my ##Department.

Local Authority Staff Remuneration

Questions (761)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

761. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authority public sector workers in receipt of salaries within the following bands (details supplied). [34485/13]

View answer

Written answers

The number of persons employed in local authorities (as at 31 December 2012) on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE), and the available salary range, are set out in the table.

Salary Range

€0-€30,000

€30,001-€40,000

€40,001-€50,000

€50,001

-€60,000

€60,001-

€70,000

€70,001

- €80,000

€80,001

-€90,000

€90,001

-€100,000

€100,001

-€125,000

€125,001 -€150,000

€150,001 -Upwards

No. of WTE’s

7,209.81

9,380.81

6,097.99

2,863.75

1,209.86

831.37

469

31

167.65

31

6

Water Charges Introduction

Questions (762, 798)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

762. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the exemptions he plans to introduce to alleviate hardship in certain sectors of society when water charges are introduced (details supplied). [34488/13]

View answer

Michael McCarthy

Question:

798. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the exemptions to paying the water charge; the criteria to determine same; and if an allowance will be granted to residents in hard water areas (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the considerable costs incurred by such households in the repair and replacement of household appliances. [35117/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 762 and 798 together.

The Programme for Government and the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Government has also decided to assign responsibility for the economic regulation of the water sector, including the setting of charges, to the Commission for Energy Regulation. The primary role of the Regulator will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them. An appropriate approach to charging customers will be put in place and a public consultation will take place as part of the regulatory process.

Affordability issues will be addressed by my Department and the Department of Social Protection, in consultation with the Regulator, Irish Water and other stakeholders, in the context of developing a water pricing framework. The agreed approach to affordability issues will then be reflected in the charging structure established by the Regulator. No decision has yet been taken on the level of, or the approach to, the free allowance.

Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, all suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water suppliers are required to comply with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. Hard water is not included as a parameter in the quality standards specified in the Regulations, as it does not pose as a threat to human health, nor indeed are the substances associated with hard water such as lime, calcium and magnesium.

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