Written Answers No. 841-854
841. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is an educational programme that dog wardens give communities over dangerous dogs; if it is time for a public awareness programme on the issue in view of the recent publicity over children being attacked by dangerous breeds of dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36806/13]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992, places statutory responsibility for the dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of the Acts, including any promotional campaigns or educational programmes, is therefore a matter for the local authorities.
The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 (as amended) set out the requirement that certain breeds must be muzzled, kept on a short leash and led by a competent person over 16 years of age when in public. I consider that compliance with these regulations, overseen by the dog control staff of local authorities, continues to be key to responding to any problems caused by such dogs.
842. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes made to the motor tax, which came into effect on 1 July 2013, if there will be an exception for vintage cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36808/13]
View answerOn 1 July 2013, new motor tax procedures set out in the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 were introduced whereby a vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. However, a three month transition period is in place, ending on 30 September, whereby the owners of vehicles that have not been in use in a public place may go to a Garda Station and have their declaration in respect of the past period of non-use witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána, thus avoiding the requirement to pay arrears of motor tax. A declaration as to future non-use on a public road of up to one year, which does not require to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána, may also be made, and motor tax liability does not arise for the period of non-use covered by this declaration.
This facility is available to owners of vintage cars, and I do not propose to make an exception for these vehicles.
843. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the response to the request for a meeting from groups (details supplied) to discuss a local regeneration issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36823/13]
View answerMy Department currently supports an ambitious programme of regeneration which seeks to address the causes of disadvantage in communities and large social housing estates through holistic programmes of physical, social and economic regeneration. This year, my Department is providing funding of over €6 2 million to Dublin City Council in respect of their 2013 social housing programme. This includes €31 million for regeneration projects in Ballymun and at a number of other locations in Dublin City. A further €9.8 million is being provided under the Remedial Works Scheme for the refurbishment of tenanted and vacant units in Liberty House and Bunratty.
It is a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council, to develop proposals for the regeneration of particular areas and for the submission of proposals to my Department for funding approval. In the case of St. Anthony’s Road, the appropriate improvement works may be more appropriate to the Remedial Works measure of my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme. My Department will be raising this with Dublin City Council with a view to progressing an effective strategy for addressing the concerns of local residents. Once an agreed strategy has been established, I will be happy to meet with local residents and stakeholders.
844. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress being made to ensure that local authorities take the service of private housing estates into charge. [36843/13]
View answerSection 180 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and includes the construction of two or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains or drains. In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the permission, section 180 provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the qualified electors who are owners of the houses involved, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 for declaring the road(s) to be public roads, for whose maintenance the local authority will then be responsible. Section 11 of the Roads Act empowers a local authority, by order, to declare any road over which a public right of way exists to be a public road. Before making an order the local authority must be satisfied the road is of general public utility, consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge and consult with the public/consider any objections received. The consideration of the objections and the making of the order declaring the road to be a public road is a reserved function, so that the decision whether to take the road in charge is ultimately one for the discretion of the elected members. In relation to estates which have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within the relevant period section 180 also provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the owners, initiate the procedures in section 11 of the Roads Act. However, in this case the section provides that the provision in section 11 of the Roads Act requiring the authority to consider the financial implications of taking the road in charge is to be disregarded. Section 180 also provides that where a planning authority, in complying with section 180, makes an order under section 11 of the Roads Act, it must also take in charge any open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains, or drains within the attendant grounds of the development. Section 180 was amended in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 to provide that a planning authority may take in charge an unfinished estate, at the request of the owners of the housing units, at any time after the expiration of the planning permission, in situations where enforcement actions have commenced or where the planning authority consider that enforcement action will not result in the satisfactory completion of the estate by the developer. Planning authorities have also been empowered to take in charge part of an estate or some, but not all, of the facilities in an estate.
845. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has concluded his review on the social housing assessment provisions to provide a wider discretion to giving local housing authorities the ability to address applicants with complex cases and approve them for the social housing list. [36844/13]
View answerAs part of the programme for social housing reform I am keeping the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 under review. I expect as part of this process to issue revised Regulations and further guidance to housing authorities on this area. These will be informed by , amongst other things, areas highlighted for revision as a result of the summary of assessments 2013, the results of which I hope to publish shortly, revisions to the assessment process required as a result of the introduction of the new Housing Assistance Payment and general feedback from housing authorities. As indicated previously, consideration will also be given to what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities to address the individually difficult and complex cases which may present to them.
846. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to have a new scheme in place to enable tenant to purchase their local authority houses. [36845/13]
View answer930. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider any new tenant purchase scheme for local authority dwellers in view of the fact that the previous scheme finished in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37947/13]
View answer952. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will prioritise plans for the introduction of a new tenant purchase scheme to enable council tenants to purchase and own their homes from the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38339/13]
View answer966. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when details of the new tenant purchase scheme will be made available; when the new scheme will be open to tenants that wish to make an application; if he will introduce a new tenant purchase scheme as at present no such scheme exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38627/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 846, 930, 952 and 966 together.
While the 1995 tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses closed for new applications on 31 December 2012, two incremental purchase schemes remain in operation, one for newly-built local authority houses and the other for local authority apartments.
Work is proceeding on the preparation of the General Scheme of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill , which is expected to be submitted to Government later this year for approval to draft the Bill. Among other things, the Bill will underpin a new tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines, involving discounts for purchasing tenants linked to household income and a discount-related charge on the property that will dwindle away over a period unless the house is resold or the purchaser fails to comply with conditions of the sale. The commencement date for the new scheme will be set when the necessary regulations are made on enactment of the Bill.
847. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to introduce legislation to ban the use of Chinese lanterns due to the fire hazard they represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36860/13]
View answerChinese or sky lanterns present a range of issues in addition to the potential fire hazards they pose. They may affect aviation and coastal rescue services and pose a risk to animals and the environment. At present, their use requires prior permission from the Irish Aviation Authority.
I am referring the issue to my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation who deals with the importation and sale of dangerous goods, with a view to consideration of an appropriate safety strategy covering the procurement and use of these items.
848. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is funding available in 2013-2014 through the dormant account distribution scheme; if applications for funding are being accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/13]
View answerI have allocated €6.385m for Dormant Accounts Measures in 2013, which includes €2.835m to cover once off costs , such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing and necessary equipment and materials , that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection’s (DSP’s) Local Authority Employment Initiative, with the remainder to be used to meet existing contractual commitments.
The Disbursement Plan of 2009, put in place by the Dormant Accounts Board, will be replaced later this year by a new disbursement scheme in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. The new scheme will be submitted to Government for approval and, in accordance with the 2012 Act, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The 2012 Act also provides for the preparation of an action plan. The plan, which will also be subject to consultation, must indicate the programmes or types of projects that may apply for disbursement and the maximum funds available. Different amounts may be specified in the plan in relation to a particular class or classes of programme or project. Once the plan is adopted, a copy must also be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
There are no programmes or measures open for application at present under the Dormant Accounts Fund.
849. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of unpaid parking fines for the years 2008 to 2012. [36878/13]
View answerThe information requested is not available in my Department.
850. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of unpaid housing rents for local authority dwellings for the years 2008 to 2012. [36879/13]
View answerMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy, and those data are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie
Data relating to annual housing rents arrears are included in this range.
851. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the borrowing criteria for local authorities. [36880/13]
View answerThe elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, including authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Local authority borrowing is subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2001; borrowing is a reserved function under Section 106 and requires the sanction of the appropriate Minister. Borrowing proposals, including overdrafts, must be submitted to the relevant Minister together with a resolution of the local authority members approving the proposed borrowing.
All borrowing by local authorities is subject to the overall limits which are set by the Government from time to time in the context of the General Government Balance.
852. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if capital funds will be provided to relay the water pipe in the mid-Kerry region from the Gerah reservoir to Killorglin town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36885/13]
View answer920. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37878/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 852 and 920 together.
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010–2013 provides for the commencement of water conservation contracts to the value of €18.79 million during the life of the programme in County Kerry. Since the publication of the Programme, Kerry County Council has completed its countywide Water Mains Rehabilitation Strategy, required as part of its water conservation programme. This Strategy identifies and prioritises specific defective water supply networks requiring rehabilitation and/or replacement. Therefore the Strategy determines how the water conservation funding, included in the Programme, is expended.
Kerry County Council has submitted a number of water conservation proposals to my Department and to date my Department has approved mains rehabilitation works totalling €10.69 million for the entire county. This funding includes provision for the replacement of 9,250 metres of watermain in the d-Kerry Water Supply Scheme in the areas of Fossa West, Douglas, Shannera, Cappagh North, Gearha West, Gearha East (Bow Rd), Cappagh South and Ballykissane.
I understand that Kerry County Council is currently collating data and other information and when this is complete the Council will be in a position to make a formal application to my Department for further watermains rehabilitation funding.
853. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements that have been put in place for the establishment of the call centre for Irish Water for the purposes of payment and customer service; the number of jobs that have been created here as a result of this call centre; the number of submissions his Department received for the awarding of the tender contract; if the fee paid for this call cente by his Department or Irish Water is a set fee for the provision of the service or per employee at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36888/13]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group.
In May 2013, following a competitive tender process, Irish Water announced details of a contract to run a call centre to deal with customer enquiries. The call centre will employ up to 100 people initially to support roll-out of the national metering programme, with 400 jobs to be created by the end of 2014. My Department had no role in the procurement process or the resulting contractual arrangements.
854. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that has been spent on the senior alert scheme from January 2013 to date in 2013; if he expects the full allocation of €2.45 million to be used this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36891/13]
View answer900. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide assurances that funding will be maintained for the senior alerts scheme which provides safety and security to vulnerable persons living in the community at a nominal monitoring charge. [37629/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 900 together.
The Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of equipment to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The funding allocated to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2013 is €2.35m. Expenditure to date on the Scheme is approximately €1.795m (76%). I expect the full allocation to be spent by year-end.
On-going funding for my Department’s programme s in 2014, including the Seniors Alert Scheme, will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.
