Thursday, 18 Jul 2013

Written Answers Nos. 463-476

Legislative Programme

Questions (464)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

464. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 1 May 2013, if he will provide an update in the review of section 62 of the Housing Act; and if he will indicate the target month that he is now working to have legislation passed and commenced to deal with the issues that have arisen in relation to dealing with tenants who engage in serious anti-social behaviour. [36276/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

Proposals for a new Housing Bill currently being developed in my Department include a revised procedure to replace section 62 of the Housing Act, 1966, which will enable housing authorities to recover possession of their dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engaging in anti-social behaviour. I hope to be in a position to submit the General Scheme of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to Government in the Autumn for approval to priority drafting.

Planning Issues

Questions (465)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

465. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed local authorities to complete educational impact assessments on residential zoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36312/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

The Provision of Schools and the Planning System - A Code of Practice was jointly published, in August 2008, by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. The Code of Practice sets out co-ordinated actions to be taken in relation to forecasting future demand for school places by the Department of Education and Skills and planning for the provision of school sites within the planning system, as well as the efficient handling of planning applications and associated consultations by the relevant planning authorities to expedite school delivery. 

With regard to assessing the implications of local authority development planning on the issue of schools and school provision in a given area, local authorities are obliged under the Code of Practice to take this matter into account in preparing and finalising their plans, working in conjunction with the relevant forward planning and new school sections of the Department of Education and Skills.

Furthermore, section 10(2)(l) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires a development plan to include objectives for “the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community including, in particular, schools, crèches and other education and childcare facilities”.   This requirement is restated in my Department’s 2007 Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities which together with the Code of Practice are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie.

Implementation of the Code of Practice is a matter for local authorities, working in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills. I believe that the Code is working satisfactorily as evidenced by the many development plans and local area plans that have addressed the schools issue more comprehensively than in the past and as facilitated by detailed forecasting on school requirements now available from the Department of Education and Skills.

In addition, a new Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed between the Department of Education and Skills, the City and County Managers’ Association and my Department in relation to the acquisition of sites for schools by local authorities.

In light of the Programme for Government commitment regarding educational impact assessment on residential zoning to identify potential need for schools , the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Local Area Plans which I published on 25 June, 2013 highlight the importance of local authority engagement and co-operation with the Department of Education and Skills , particularly through the forgoing mechanisms , and recommend that local area plans provide a realistic phasing timetable to ensure that the provision of school facilities is delivered in conjunction with the phased construction of housing.

Both I and the Minister for Education and Skills are statutory consultees for the purposes of local authority development plans. My Department will continue to work pro-actively with the Department of Education and Skills in ensuring the issue of schools provision is properly addressed both in local authority plans and in assisting the Department of Education and Skills in ensuring that new schools are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner and in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the areas in which they are needed.

Youth Services Funding

Questions (466, 467)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the funding amounts awarded to youth projects-organisations by his Department for each county in 2011, 2012 and to date 2013 [36321/13]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

467. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the effective budget reductions in relation to youth funding in 2013 compared to 2012. [36322/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 467 together.

Although some of my Department’s programmes, for example the Local and Community Development Programme, may target youth projects/organisations as part of their work in disadvantaged communities, my Department does not award specific funding amounts to youth organisations on a county basis. At a broader level, funding is provided from my Department’s Environment Fund for a range of environmental awareness activities, including wide participation in the Green Schools’ initiative. Funding is also made available from my Department’s housing budget to support investment in the social aspects of urban regeneration, including the provision of enclosed services and facilities for disadvantaged young people.

Primary responsibility for youth affairs rests with my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Departmental Agencies Pension Provisions

Questions (468)

Michael McGrath

Question:

468. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of each State agency and commercial State company under the aegis of his Department, if he will provide details of the name of each pension scheme; details of the salary percentage contributions made by the employer and the employees; the latest information on the funding position of the scheme; if any changes are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The information requested is contained in the table below .

An Bord Pleanála	-
(1) Name of Scheme	An Bord Pleanála Staff Superannuation Scheme 1986-2006
	An Bord Pleanála Staff Spouses and Children’s Scheme 1986
	An Bord Pleanála Chairman and Members Superannuation Scheme 1986
	An Bord Pleanála Chairman and Members Spouses and Children’s Scheme 1986
(2) Contributions	Staff
	For class A PRSI contributors, contribution rates to the Main Scheme are 1.5% of full pay and 3.5% of net pay. An additional contribution of 1.5% of full pay is made to the Spouses and Children’s Scheme.
	For class D PRSI contributors, a contribution of 1.5% of full pay is made to the Spouses and Children’s Scheme only.
	Board Members
	All Board Members are Class A PRSI contributors. Contribution rates to the Main Scheme are 1.5% of full pay and 3.5% of net pay. An additional contribution of 2.5% of full pay is made to the Spouses and Children’s Scheme.
(3) Latest Funding	The Schemes are defined benefit final salary schemes. Retirement benefits are generally based on final pensionable salary and length of service. The Schemes are financed on a pay-as-you-go basis, that is, as part of current expenditure.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
(1) Name of Scheme	Dublin Docklands Development Authority Superannuation Scheme 2000.
	Dublin Docklands Development Authority Spouses and Children's Pension Scheme, 2000.
(2) Contributions	Employer contribution - the schemes are unfunded.
	Employee contribution - 3% of pay and 2% of net pay.
(3) Latest Funding	The schemes are financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	The Authority is winding up at the end of the year and the pension will be transferred to another appropriate State body.
Environmental Protection Agency
(1) Name of Scheme	Environmental Protection Agency (Director-General and Directors) Superannuation Scheme 1996-2013.
	Environmental Protection Agency (Director-General and Directors) Spouses’ and Children’s Scheme 1996-2013.
	Environmental Protection Agency Staff Superannuation Scheme 2001-2013.
	Environmental Protection Agency Spouses’ and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme 2001-2013.
	An Foras Forbartha Teo Superannuation Scheme 1975-1991 (AFF).
(2) Contributions	Director paying modified PRSI
	The Main Scheme (i.e. the Scheme that provides personal pension and lump sum benefits) is non-contributory. The Spouses’ and Children’s Pension Scheme is a contributory one. The rate of contribution is 2.5% of pay and 1.67% of final pay for each year of outstanding liability by way of deduction from final gratuity.
	Director paying full (Class A) PRSI
	The Main Scheme (i.e. the Scheme that provides personal pension and lump sum benefits) is contributory and the contribution is 3.5% of net pay plus 1.5% of gross pay. The Spouses’ and Children’s Pension Scheme is a contributory one. The rate of contribution is 2.5% of annual pay and 1.67% of final pay for each year of outstanding liability by way of deduction from final gratuity.
	Staff paying modified PRSI
	Staff currently paying modified rate PRSI are entitled to non-contributory membership of the Superannuation Scheme. Contributions of 1.5% of pay are also payable in respect of benefits under the Spouses’ and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme.
	Staff paying full (Class A) PRSI
	Pensions (and Contributions) are co-ordinated with the Social Welfare Contributory Old Age Pension.
	Superannuation contributions are payable at the rate of: 1.5% of full pay plus 3.5% of net pay
	Contributions of 1.5% of full salary are also payable in respect of benefits under the Spouses’ and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme.
	The EPA pays AFF pensioners on behalf of DECLG, with superannuation payments recouped from DECLG. The AFF scheme is closed.
(3) Latest Funding	The schemes are financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	NO.
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA)
(1) Name of Scheme	Approval currently being sought based on model scheme.
(2) Contributions	Employee contribution of 1.5% of pay in respect of retirement lump sum, 3.5% of net pay payable in respect of personal pension entitlement and 1.5% of pay payable in respect of spouses’ and children’s pension entitlement.
(3) Latest Funding	The scheme is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Housing Finance Agency (HFA)
(1) Name of Scheme	Housing Finance Agency Pension Scheme.
(2) Contributions	Employees make a pension contribution of 10%, with 4% of this going into the HFA scheme. Employer’s contribution is 26% (2012 figures). This scheme is subject to “The Funding Standard” of the Irish Pensions Board.
(3) Latest Funding	The HFA scheme was fully funded at the last valuation on 30 September 2012.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Irish Water Safety (IWS)
(1) Name of Scheme	Local Government Superannuation Scheme
(2) Contributions	3% of gross pay plus 3.5% of net pay. All contributions are made by the employee.
(3) Latest Funding	The scheme is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Local Government Management Agency (LGMA)
(1) Name of Scheme	Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme, 1998 as amended by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
(2) Contributions	Modified PRSI Officers (Class D)
	Employees make a periodic contribution of 5% of their pay.
	Employees also contribute at the rate of 1.5% of their pay in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme.
	Full PRSI Officers (Class A)
	Employees make a periodic contribution of 1.5% of pay, plus 3.5% of net pay.
	Employees also contribute at the rate of 1.5% of their pay in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme.
(3) Latest Funding	The scheme is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
National Building Agency (NBA)
(1) Name of Scheme	National Building Agency Ltd. Superannuation Scheme
(2) Contributions	Employer contributions: 21.2% of pensionable salary; Employee contributions: 2% of PPC salary and 3% of pensionable salary. In addition employees contribute to a spouses and children’s pension fund at a rate of 1.5% of pay.
(3) Latest Funding	Based on the most recent assessment, the scheme’s assets exceed the scheme’s liabilities.
(4) Changes Planned	NBA is closed operationally. Decision to be taken re: pension situation before final formal abolition of NBA.
Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)
(1) Name of Scheme	Private Residential Tenancies Board Superannuation Scheme 2011.
(2) Contributions	No contribution is made by the PRTB. Employee contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pay, and 1.5% of pay.
(3) Latest Funding	The scheme is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)
(1) Name of Scheme	Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) Superannuation Scheme and Spouses and Children’s Scheme.
(2) Contributions	Class A – 1.5% of full pay and 3.5% of net pay plus additional 1.5% of full pay for Spouses’ and Children’s Scheme; Class D - 5% of full pay plus additional 1.5% of full pay for Spouses’ and Children’s Scheme. The RPII does not make a contribution.
(3) Latest Funding	The schemes are financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.
Western Development Commission (WDC)
(1) Name of Scheme	Western Development Commission Employee Superannuation Scheme 2006
(2) Contributions	Employees 3% of Gross pay +3.5% net pay.  Employers don’t contribute.
(3) Latest Funding	The scheme is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
(4) Changes Planned	No.

Ministerial Expenditure

Questions (469)

Michael McGrath

Question:

469. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36386/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Details of the number of kilometres and the total amount of travel and subsistence expenses claimed by me and by Ministers of State in my Department since 2011 are set out in the table below.

Minister/Minister of State	Period	Number of kilometres claimed	Total travel and subsistence expenses paid
Phil Hogan, T.D.	2011 to date	121,945	€50,399.11
Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.	2011 to date	48,678	€18,921.33
Fergus O’Dowd, T.D.	2011 to date	Nil	€3,630.65
Willie Penrose, T.D.	2011 only	23,865	€10,717.85

Legislative Process

Questions (470)

Regina Doherty

Question:

470. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of amendments to legislation he proposed on Committee and Report Stages in Seanad Éireann in 2012; if he will provide in tabular form the number of his own amendments accepted; and if he will indicate in tabular form the number of amendments accepted from members of the Seanad, broken down by Senator. [36435/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The information requested is not readily available in my Department and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and effort. I refer to the “Bill Amendments” page of the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas, www.oireachtas.ie which provides relevant source information, including details of all amendments tabled and amendments made at each stage of each Bill during 2012.

Property Taxation Exemptions

Questions (471)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

471. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, the complete list of estates and properties in two counties (details supplied) that have been exempted from the local property tax following a challenge to the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36468/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

An exemption from the local property tax applies to developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013. The list of unfinished housing developments eligible for the exemption was compiled by local authorities utilising the categorisation employed for the purposes of the National Housing Survey 2012. This Survey was carried out over the course of summer 2012 by my Department in conjunction with local authorities and the Housing Agency.

A number of complaints have been received by the Ombudsman in relation to the list of developments to which a waiver from the household charge applies. My Department is currently examining those complaints.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (472)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

472. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the staffing levels of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; the salary of each; the same figures for this time in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36499/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Staffing of my private and constituency offices and that of my colleague, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, T.D., Minister of State, is in accordance with the agreed reduced staffing numbers set out in the Instructions on ministerial Appointments for the 31 st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices of March 2011.

During the period in question, former Minister of State Penrose held office from 10 March 2011 to 16 November 2011 and subsequently Minister of State O’Sullivan took up office on 20 December 2011. Minister of State O’Dowd had no staff assigned to his office in my Department until July 2012.

The current staffing of my private and constituency offices and the levels of staffing for the same period in 2011 are set out in the following table:

Office	Grade	Staffing Levels (July 2013)	Staffing Levels (July 2011)	Salary Scale
Private	Special Adviser	2	1	€80,051 - €92,672 (2011)
				€75,647 - € 87 , 258 (wef 1/7/13)
	Private Secretary	1	1	€46,426 - €57,251
				+ appropriate Private Secretary Allowance
	Executive Officer	1	1	€29,024 - €47,379
	Executive Officer	2	1	€30,516 - €47,975
	Executive Officer	0	0.5	€29,024 - €45,616
	Clerical Officer	0	0.5	€22,015 - €35,515
	Clerical Officer	2	2	€23,042 - € 36,267
Constituency	Personal Assistant	0.6	1	€43,715 - €56,060
		0.4
	Personal Secretary	1	1	€51,365 (Personal Point) (2011)
				€23,820 - €47,755 (2013)
	Executive Officer	1	1	€30,516 - €47,975
	Clerical Officer	0	1	€22,015 - €35,515

The current staffing of Minister of State O’Sullivan’s private and constituency offices and staffing for the same period in 2011, under former Minister of State Penrose, are set out in the following table:

Office	Grade	Staffing Levels (July 2013)	Staffing Levels (July 2011)	Salary Scale
Private	Special Adviser*	2	1	€80,051 - €92,672 (2011)
				€75,647 - € 87,258 (wef 1/7/13)
	Private Secretary	1	1	€43,816 - €55,415
				+ appropriate Private Secretary Allowance
	Executive Officer	1	2	€30,516 - €47,975
	Clerical Officer	1	1	€23,177 - €37,341
Constituency	Personal Assistant	1	1	€43,715 - €56,060
	Personal Secretary	1	1	€23,820 - €47,755
	Clerical Officer	1	1	€23,042 - €36,267

*Minister O’Sullivan regularly attends Cabinet meetings and appointed a second special adviser in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil.

The current staffing of Minister of State O’Dowd’s private office in this Department and for the same period in 2011 is set out in the following table:

Office	Grade	Staffing Levels (July 2013)	Staffing Levels (July 2011)	Salary Scale
Private	Private Secretary	1	0	€46,081 - €58,294
				+ appropriate Private Secretary Allowance

Exchequer Savings

Questions (473)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

473. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the saving to the Exchequer if all his special advisers and those of his Ministers of State were capped at the first point on the Principal Officer pay scale. [36514/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 773 of 16 July 2013 which sets out the position in this matter.

Question No. 474 answered with Question No. 445.

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (475, 476)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

475. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the research methods used in planning for the provision of social housing for families that have been assessed as having a housing need, in the Kildare area and other counties individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36587/13]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

476. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the resources he has anticipated are required in the next five years to accommodate families unable to provide housing from their own resources, in the Kildare area and other counties individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36590/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.

One of the key informants of social housing supply policy is the level of demand for social housing support nationally and individually at local authority level. Sections of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 dealing with social housing support, and related Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, contain national eligibility criteria which must be applied by all housing authorities in assessing a household’s eligibility for social housing support. The Regulations provide for certain information to be gathered in respect of households which are determined to have a need, including the number, gender and ages of persons in the household. In this regard I am confident that when I directed all housing authorities to prepare a summary of social housing assessments carried out in their areas on 7 May 2013, the results to be published later this year will give an accurate reflection of the level and type of need at both local authority and national level.

In terms of addressing that need, Government policy is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support requirements 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 the identification of suitable housing units for social purposes and this process is on-going. Given the current volatility of the market and different challenges to the channels of supply it is difficult to estimate the likely output of new units for social housing this year or in subsequent years. However, it is provisionally estimated that in the region of 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2013.