Written Answers Nos. 896-913
896. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Private Residential Tenancies Board discusses and exchanges specific information regarding individual cases with the Health Service Executive; if the PRTB has any dealings whatsoever with the HSE, and if so, the purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/13]
View answerI have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established on 1 September 2004 under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
The Act provides for data exchange between the PRTB and a number of specified bodies; the Health Service Executive (HSE) is not a specified body.
897. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the 7.5% rent increase on housing accommodation as this increase makes it more difficult for people who are homeless in finding a home. [37558/13]
View answerThe most recent quarterly rent index produced by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) shows an annualised increase of 0.7% in average private rented accommodation rent levels nationally. This increase is driven by the Dublin market, where rent levels have increased by 4.7%, whereas average rent levels in the rest of the country have fallen by 1.3% on a year-on-year basis. Fluctuations in rent levels are a factor of supply and demand. While Government should not seek to interfere unduly in the operation of the market , movements in price levels are kept under close scrutiny.
I recently published a Homelessness Policy Statement in which I outlined the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.
As such, while I do not consider that these price changes will unduly affect the Government’s homelessness strategy I will keep all relevant data under review.
899. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to ensure that adequate funding is provided to local authorities to deal with the demand for the housing aid for older persons scheme, the mobility aids housing grant scheme and the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability; and if he will review the current means test for this scheme in view of the fact that the current system places an unfair financial burden on applicants. [37628/13]
View answerI am currently reviewing the terms and conditions of the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability with the objective of targeting those in most need and ensuring that the maximum numbers of households can benefit from these schemes. The means test element of the schemes is one of the issues being reviewed. I intend to announce revised terms and conditions for the grant schemes later this year.
Capital allocations to local authorities next year are currently being considered in the context of the Estimates for 2014 and the competing demands for funding across all the measures within my Department’s housing programme.
901. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support proposals (details supplied) regarding improper regulations and the effects on the consumer and the environment. [37641/13]
View answerThe Building Regulations in general provide for the safety, health and well-being of persons in and around buildings. The regulations are reviewed on an on-going basis and any proposed amendments are subject to a full regulatory impact analysis and detailed public consultation prior to their being signed into law. The concerns expressed in the correspondence supplied extend beyond the scope of the Building Regulations and into matters such as the regulation of trade, consumer protection and environmental protection, which are addressed elsewhere under national and EU law. In particular, the relationship between a property owner and the supplier of any goods or services to the property is a matter of contract law between them, including consumer law. In this regard, it is to be assumed that a property owner would have a well-founded right of claim against any supplier who supplied products or services which are defective or which fail to perform to specification.
The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013, which I signed into law on 8 March 2013, will come into effect on and from 1 March 2014. The new regulations will strengthen the current arrangements for the control of building activity by requiring the following in relation to all significant building works: (a) drawings and particulars used for the purposes of construction to be submitted to the local building control authority; (b) design to be undertaken and certified by competent professionals prior to works commencing; (c) owners to formally assign a competent builder to undertake and certify the works; (d) owners to formally assign a registered professional (to be known as the ‘Assigned Certifier’) who will be tasked with (i) preparing an appropriate inspection plan for the building or works during construction (ii) carrying out inspections and overseeing inspection works by other parties in accordance with the inspection plan and (iii) certifying the works for compliance with the building regulations on completion; (e) statutory certificates of compliance from designers, builders and assigned certifiers to confirm compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations and accepting legal responsibility for their work.
I am satisfied that the reforms now provided for, including the lodgement of drawings, inspection by registered professionals and statutory certification will result in the necessary improvement in the quality of buildings and ensure that homeowners in particular are delivered the quality of homes they expect and deserve.
902. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Meath County Council has received its full allocation of funds from the local property tax in 2013 and the household charge from 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/13]
View answerThe Local Government Management Agency has administered the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I am advised that, as of 31 July 2013, in excess of €137 m has been raised in respect of the Household Charge. The proceeds of the Charge have been re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of general purpose grants.
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. As such, no Local Property Tax revenue has been transferred to the Local Government Fund to date. 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.
903. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position on the second report (details supplied) from the interdepartmental working group which was established to examine the issue of the impact of waste charges on low-income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/13]
View answerAn inter-departmental working group was established under A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, which I published in July 2012, to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income households. The Working Group, which comprises representatives of my Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; and the Tánaiste's Office, submitted its second report to Government on 23 July, 2013. Government considered the report and, given the complexity of the issues involved, the deployment of further expert resources in the process is being considered with a view to the Working Group submitting a third report to Government by the end of 2013.
904. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on Priory Hall; if he will support the residents in relation to this housing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37681/13]
View answer953. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate when it is expected that the completed report of Mr. Justice Finnegan, following the conciliation process between stakeholders and other relevant parties affected by ongoing difficulties since the necessary evacuation of the Priory Hall complex in Donaghmede, Dublin 13, will be provided to him; the actions that will be taken by Government to address and finally bring to an end the ongoing difficulties being experienced by residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38341/13]
View answer954. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when Mr. Justice Finnegan ceased to conduct the resolution process in relation to Priory Hall, Dublin 13; the reason he did not indicate a possible conclusion of the Priory Hall resolution process in this Deputy's earlier questions. [38342/13]
View answer957. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of any contact he has had with Judge Joseph Finnegan regarding the Priory Hall resolution process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38430/13]
View answer958. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Priory Hall residents will be notified of the outcome of the resolution process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38432/13]
View answer959. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will meet the Priory Hall residents' association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38437/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 904, 953, 954 and 957 to 959, inclusive, together.
The resolution process arose in the context of legal proceedings which were adjourned to afford relevant parties the opportunity to work together, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Finnegan (retired President of the High Court), to identify a way forward in relation to the complex problems at Priory Hall. I am not a party to those proceedings and I became aware earlier this month that, regrettably, the process has not identified a basis on which the parties could agree to bring to a conclusion the various matters at issue at Priory Hall.
Earlier this week I announced a move by Government to convene a process with stakeholders to identify fair and equitable solutions for Priory Hall residents and for the future of the complex.
The most pressing issue is finding a solution to the unacceptable position in which the former owner occupiers find themselves. I have asked senior officials from my Department to make contact with the stakeholders best placed to deliver the necessary solutions and to ask the parties concerned to come together in good faith on this complex matter.
The full resolution of the Priory Hall situation is the ultimate goal. However, after two years in personally very difficult circumstances, it is vital above all else that the former residents are quickly facilitated in getting on with their lives. I have set down a short period of 21 days to reach conclusions on the matter and I would urge all parties to work together constructively towards that end.
905. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will act immediately to save jobs at a company (details supplied) who are concerned with serious environmental issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37682/13]
View answerIssues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. The Office of Environmental Enforcement within the EPA has a mandate to deliver enhanced environmental compliance both through enforcement of agency licences issued to waste, industrial and other activities, and also through the supervisory role which it exercises in respect of the environmental protection activities of local authorities. In this regard, the Office acts as a resource to members of the public who have exhausted all other avenues of complaint. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. The enforcement of planning control is a matter for the relevant planning authority. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, a planning authority must issue a warning letter in relation to written complaints regarding unauthorised development, or other unauthorised development, of which it becomes aware (except in the case of trivial or minor development). There is also a statutory obligation to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued or a court order should be sought, under section 160 of the 2000 Act. Where a planning authority establishes, following an investigation, that unauthorised development (other than development that is of a trivial or minor nature) has been or is being carried out, and the person who has carried out the development has not proceeded to remedy the position, then the planning authority must issue an enforcement notice or seek a court order, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so.
906. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the model upon which he is basing his local government reform plan; if it has proved effective elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37688/13]
View answerThe Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government, which was published on 16 October 2012, sets out Government decisions for a range of measures in relation to local government structures, functions, funding, governance and operational matters.
The Action Programme is informed by a range of internationally accepted principles, practices and requirements intended to enable Irish local government to fulfil its purpose effectively and to maximise its potential. In particular, emphasis is being placed on improved subsidiarity, wider functions, more stable finances, increased efficiencies and greater openness and transparency.
The Action Programme builds on previous work done on local government, including earlier studies, the 2008 Green Paper on Local Government, the 2010 Local Government Efficiency Review Group Report and the report of the Local Development/Local Government Steering Group. It is informed by a w ide ranging consultation which also took place, including the invitation to each elected member to submit their views on a wide range of issues relating to local government reform.
The changes being implemented through the Action Programme will strengthen our local government system and make it the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level.
907. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the future direction of community development here; where the money will be spent; the advice he would give to current undergraduates who are studying community development on which areas to specialise in now to enable them to gain employment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37689/13]
View answerA key principle underlying my Department’s activities is enabling communities themselves to identify and address social and economic needs and problems in their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat, and an adherence to the values of local participation.
I am advancing a Programme of reform for local government which includes measures to enhance alignment between local government and local development. The Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First represents a significant change in government policy in relation to local government and seeks to position local government as the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably.
The vision and focus underpinning the Government’s decision is to achieve a more joined-up approach to service delivery at local level, with responsibility for what is being done – and being spent – in the area of local and community development devolved to local level. This will be underpinned by new local governance arrangements that will seek to enhance involvement by citizens and communities in the design, implementation and targeting of services. The new measures will see the introduction of Socio-Economic Committees in each local authority area which will be tasked with developing a 5 year City/County Local and Community Plan for its area encompassing all state funded local and community development interventions.
The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. The LCDP aims to tackle poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing employment supports, training, personal development/capacity building and other supports for the harder to reach in the most disadvantaged areas in society. It is a locally accessible, frontline intervention, supporting disadvantaged communities. The Programme will invest some €48 million in our communities this year. Funding for a redesigned Programme for 2014, with a renewed emphasis on targeting the harder to reach individuals and communities, is under consideration in the context of the annual estimates process. The new programme would also effectively contribute to citizen engagement in line with national policy.
There is a considerable diversity of roles within the community sector; any person studying community development has access to the services available through the various educational and academic institutions to inform themselves of career path opportunities. In addition, for some individuals experience of voluntary work is a key contributory factor in choosing a particular academic course and a career pathway.
908. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the funding to provide for the needs of the homeless in the mid east region including County Kildare has been increased or decreased in 2013; if, in allocating funds, his Department has regard to the population of the counties involved; if his Department takes further account of the implications for homelessness in counties on the periphery of Dublin; if he accepts that local authorities no longer have the internal resources to enable them to contribute significantly to the cost of homeless services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the continuing recession has added to the numbers of persons experiencing homelessness; if he will indicate the basis on which homeless services have regionalised; if he will state the basis on which particular forms of regionalisation, for example, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, are grouped together; if he will outline the funding allocated on a region by region basis for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37704/13]
View answerThe National Implementation Plan for the Homeless Strategy provides for the development of a more devolved allocation-based system for the provision of accommodation-related funding to housing authorities with emphasis on increased decision making at local level, in lieu of the existing individual project based arrangements, to improve overall efficiency and value for money, and allow greater local decision making in homeless services.
Arrangements are being put in place to provide for the delegation of homelessness funding to the lead housing authority in each of the 9 regions. These arrangements will seek to ensure that the measures being pursued by housing authorities reflect the housing-led approach advocated in the Homelessness Policy Statement, that actions are in place towards achieving the target of ending long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 and that evidence to support progress will be presented through the reports on the indicators. While it is clear that a proportion of funding must be used to provide sufficient bed capacity to accommodate those in need of emergency accommodation, it is equally important that resources are channelled to deliver more permanent responses in a more focused and strategic way.
When I published the Homelessness Policy Statement, I announced a set of indicators which will be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland and, in quantifying its on-going extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities. Under the new funding arrangements, responsibility for rigorous assessment, appraisal and decision making in relation to proposals and funding of particular services within the available allocations rests with the Management Group of the region led by the lead housing authority. My Department has no function in regard to decisions on operational matters. It is a matter for housing authorities to consider the ongoing funding requirements of particular services within the available allocations.
The regionalisation of homeless services follows Ministerial directions made in 2010 under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 on the establishment and membership of the Joint Homeless Consultative Fora and Management Groups. These regional fora are based on the statutory local government regions, with the internal division of the Border region into North East and North West regions. The regional approach is considered more appropriate as it helps to bring a more strategic perspective to bear on action to address homelessness, including avoidance of over-concentration of homelessness services in certain centres and promoting appropriate regional availability of services, consistent with need. My Department provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988; €45 million is being made available by my Department to housing authorities in 2013 for this purpose. This amount represents a decrease of 3.32% on the 2012 outturn and this reduction has been applied on a pro-rata basis to each of the 9 homeless regional allocations for 2013. The table below outlines the allocation for each region for 2013. Housing authorities also provide funding from their own resources and the total available funding from my Department and housing authorities is expected to be approximately €50 million in 2013. In addition to this funding, in excess of €30 million is also provided annually through the HSE for health and personal social care related supports.
Funding in 2013 under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988
|
Region |
€ |
|
Dublin |
31,322,223 |
|
South West |
4,272,197 |
|
Mid West |
3,399,336 |
|
South East |
1,787,469 |
|
West |
1,528,951 |
|
North East |
879,963 |
|
Mid East |
811,275 |
|
Midland |
649,707 |
|
North West |
348,879 |
|
Total |
45,000,000 |
A Protocol for the Delegation of Section 10 Homeless funding has been agreed between my Department and Kildare County Council, as lead authority for the Mid East region. This arrangement provides for the delegation of €811,275 for homeless accommodation and related services to the Mid East region involving Kildare, Meath and Wicklow County Councils for 2013.
909. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has any concerns regarding health implications of smart meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37709/13]
View answerInformation in relation to the roll out of Smart Meters is publically available on the website, of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) www.cer.ie. I have no function in relation to the roll out of smart meters.
The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which considered issues such as digital signals, microwaves and mobile phone masts, is available for download on my Department’s website (www.environ.ie). The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that no adverse short or long term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Extensive international research on the issue continues to be coordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organization.
My Department will continue to monitor this and other scientific evidence as it is made available, and will consider any policy implications in this context.
910. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the number of false alarm calls that have been made to Waterford city and county fire services in each of the past five years; the number of calls in these years that were categorised as having malicious intent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/13]
View answerThe number of false alarm incidents attended by Waterford City and County Fire Brigades within their area, broken down by malicious and good intent, for the years from 2007 to 2011, is set out in the table below. These figures are based on fire statistics returns from each individual Local Authority Fire Service. The statistical information for the year 2012 will not be available until later this year.
|
2007 |
- |
- |
2008 |
- |
- |
2009 |
- |
- |
2010 |
- |
- |
2011 |
- |
- |
|
|
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
|
|
Waterford City Council |
53 |
132 |
185 |
51 |
103 |
154 |
36 |
119 |
155 |
44 |
86 |
130 |
66 |
80 |
146 |
|
Waterford County Council |
25 |
133 |
158 |
39 |
130 |
169 |
25 |
113 |
138 |
10 |
89 |
99 |
23 |
58 |
81 |
911. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a system of one month short-term motor taxation for emigrants who return here for short periods and drive their own cars that were parked up in their garages while they were gone, as the current minimum period of three months is cost prohibitive for someone who may be home for just ten days and the State may actually be losing money as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37721/13]
View answerI have no plans to change the available options for payment of motor tax, which can currently be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis.
Any changes to the incremental basis of payment of motor tax would have to be made equally available to all motorists. In so doing, a surcharge, similar to that currently applying to half-yearly and quarterly discs, would have to be applied to monthly discs to compensate for the increased cost of administration associated with the processing and issuing of potentially multiples of the current numbers of discs being issued.
In addition, the introduction of a monthly disc would have a negative impact on the flow of income to the Local Government Fund and consequently on grant allocations to local authorities from the Fund.
912. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the company behind the creation of water meters being currently installed here; and if an Israeli company (details supplied) has any involvement regarding the water meters. [37724/13]
View answer926. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he would provide an update on the installation of water meters including the proposed timescale; the cost of implementing the water meters per house; if he will clarify the way the installation of water meters will be made to homes whose water supply system flows from the rear of the house with restrictive access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37921/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 912 and 926 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake this metering programme. The installation programme commence d in August 2013 and will be rolled out nationally as quickly as possible.
Some households may not be metered in the initial metering programme due to either the high cost or the technical difficulty of doing so. This would include households where there is a shared service connection at the rear of the property. I expect that these households will be metered in the longer term as shared service connections are replaced.
The procurement process for the water meter programme, including the costs and supplier details, are a matter for Irish Water.
913. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the amounts raised in planning applications for change of use per local authority from 2007 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/13]
View answerThe information sought is not held by my Department.
