Written Answers Nos. 368 - 386
368. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the slurry spreading season from 15 October; and if he will to consider extending the season to facilitate farmers and agricultural contractors. [41976/13]
View answerThe Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers. Good agricultural practice involves the land spreading of slurry as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water courses and groundwaters. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast. In view of the prolonged period of favourable weather that has prevailed this summer, an extension to the spreading periods for organic fertilisers is not proposed.
369. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make funding available to Kerry County Council towards the cost of providing a properly controlled archive facility at Caherciveen library, County Kerry, so that important records such as the original Daniel O’Connell political cartoons may be preserved in their rightful home on a permanent basis, as intended by the benefactor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42110/13]
View answerMy Department recognises the valuable local resource that archives represent and the importance of their proper management. Under section 80 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for local authorities, in the first instance, to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records and archives. There is no funding available in my Department for Local Authority Archive Services.
370. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned that the first thing that will greet arriving tourists in Shannon Airport is a strong smell that has been attributed to the sewerage infrastructure in the town, following a preliminary investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42266/13]
View answer400. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be made available to upgrade the sewerage treatment system in Shannon following preliminary investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency which attribute the smells in the town to its sewerage infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42264/13]
View answer402. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding of the upgrading of the Shannon town sewerage scheme, both treatment plant and pipe network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42288/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 370, 400 and 402 together.
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Clare. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €41 million in County Clare during the period of the Programme. The Shannon Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme as a scheme at planning.
In July 2012, I approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over €1 million to allow Clare County Council complete the tender formalities with the successful tenderer in respect of an Advance Mechanical and Electrical Contract to upgrade four Pumping Stations on the scheme. I understand from the Council that work will commence on the advance works contract in the near future. In October 2012, my Department wrote to Clare County Council informing the Council that the Preliminary Report for the Shannon Sewerage Scheme was not approved and that the Council should address issues in relation to the Report as set out by my Department. The Council’s response is currently awaited. I understand that Clare County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency are working to identify the cause of the odour referred to in Questions Nos. 370 and 400, which will determine any remedial action required.
371. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revisit or to extend the deadline for off-the-road vehicle registration, to allow those who have been attempting to comply with the law to do so in the context of lengthy queues, in view of the fact that the paperwork involved is complicated and cannot be addressed online, and in the context of the ambiguity surrounding old farm vehicles and vintage tractors which might only be taken on the road on occasion for festivals and charity events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/13]
View answer396. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an extension will be made to the initial deadline for registering the non-use of motor vehicles, particularly in view of the large queues present at motor tax offices recently and the possibility that some persons may have not had the opportunity to register on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 396 together.
The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 provides for a three month transition period from the commencement of the Act to allow motorists to bring their motor tax status up to date and to make both a prospective and retrospective off-road declaration. At the end of the transition period, the Act provides that only a prospective declaration may be made. The Act commenced on 1 July 2013, with the transition period running to 30 September 2013. From 1 October 2013, the Act provides only for a prospective declaration to be made, to close an evasion loophole, costing approximately €55m per annum, which existed through the use of retrospective declarations. Extensive public notice of the Act’s coming into force was given over the period since 1 July, and I have said that postal applications postmarked on or before 30 September will be regarded as having been received by the deadline.
As precision is needed in taxation measures to provide certainty to those liable to pay the tax, the Act does not allow discretion to extend the deadline beyond the 3 month transition period provided. I do not consider it appropriate to introduce amending legislation at this stage to extend the deadline as there will have been persons who were liable for and paid arrears of motor tax on or after 1 October 2013 and an extension of the deadline to facilitate persons otherwise liable for arrears would be disadvantageous for persons who have paid arrears liable. It would not have been possible to facilitate declarations of non-use online during the three month transition period, given the requirement for retrospective declarations to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. However, the facility to make prospective declarations of non-use is now operational at www.motortax.ie, the operation of which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Finally, there should be no ambiguity in relation to farm and vintage vehicles which are required to be taxed if they are being used in a public place. Other than the provisions in relation to making an off-road declaration, the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 makes no change to motor tax liability in respect of any class of vehicle. Both farm and vintage vehicles carry a concessionary rate of tax, with owners of agricultural tractors paying €102 per annum, and rates of €56 per annum for vintage vehicles and €26 per annum for vintage motorcycles.
372. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any agreement, currently or historically, in place between his Department and Mountain Rescue Ireland in relation to insurance costs for the organisation; if he will provide all the details relating to the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42322/13]
View answerIn 2007 a Funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector was developed. This Scheme amalgamated and replaced previous Schemes operated under the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity. Applications under this new Scheme were invited from community and voluntary organisations that operate at a national level with evidence of a nationwide membership. This Scheme ceased at the end of 2010 and a new three year funding Scheme was announced in December 2010 and commenced in July 2011. Guidelines for the current Scheme were prepared and published on the website of the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and these guidelines indicated that funding would be provided for core operating costs comprising staffing costs, administration costs and ongoing running costs and that priority would be given to organisations providing key services to the disadvantaged.
Mountain Rescue Ireland successfully applied for funding under both the 2007 Scheme and also the current Scheme that commenced in July 2011. Under the current Scheme, funding of €70,000 was provided in 2012, and funding of almost €66,000 was allocated in 2013, towards core costs to Mountain Rescue Ireland. The Department’s understanding is that this is used to cover costs of insurance but the contract between my Department and Mountain Rescue Ireland does not specify that the funding must be used for insurance costs, only that the funding must be used for core costs.
373. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems experienced by Donegal County Council in obtaining a foreshore licence for Burtonport; the reason for the delay in granting the foreshore licence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay has resulted in the loss of funding for the establishment of a marina in the area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Donegal County Council paid in excess of €100,000 to secure the licence; his views on whether it is acceptable that Donegal County Council has been waiting in excess of four years for the licence; the steps he will take to investigate the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42383/13]
View answerThe particular facts and evolution of the case in question raised complex legal issues on which my Department found it necessary to seek the advice of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO). Following consideration by the CSSO, the Attorney General’s Office has sought a Senior Counsel opinion, and once this is available, the CSSO and AGO will be in a position to advise further. This matter continues to receive priority, and my Department has been in touch with the County Council to make them aware of the position. Donegal County Council has confirmed previously that the provision of EU funding for marina development was not or is not conditional on the grant of a foreshore lease at Burtonport Harbour. As regards the leasehold premium, Donegal County Council elected to lodge payment in October 2010, in advance of any request for payment from my Department.
374. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered introducing a mechanism for the public to access foreshore licence records, particularly in respect of title, boundary and purpose of licence in order to avoid potential disputes between multiple foreshore licence holders in an area; if he considers such a mechanism to be a worthwhile development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42384/13]
View answerA foreshore licence does not convey exclusive rights to the foreshore concerned. Other activities may also be licensed in the same area and licensees do not have the right to interfere with the lawful exercise of any other rights or the undertaking of any other activities permitted by law, such as fishing or navigation. As part of a continuing commitment to business process improvement, my Department is currently preparing for the digitisation of all licensed and leased sites and activities on the foreshore. My Department is exploring the opportunities for these data to be available also across other Department GIS initiatives such as ‘MyPlan’ and ‘The Marine Atlas’.
In addition, my Department places a high priority on public access to information during the assessment of foreshore applications. Information relating to applications’ progress is available on my Department’s website and applications are generally subject to public consultation procedures as notified in the local press. Information on the outcome of the application process is published on my Department’s website and includes the main reasons for the decision involved and considerations upon which the decision was based.
375. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the circumstances in which a foreshore licence application would be referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s office; the total number of foreshore licences applications referred to the Chief State Solicitor's office per year over the past ten years; the average length of time those applications referred remained in the Chief State Solicitor’s office; the current number of foreshore licence applications currently with the Chief State Solicitor’s office; if he considers the referral of a foreshore licence application to the Chief State Solicitor’s office to be normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42385/13]
View answerThe vast majority of foreshore applications dealt with by my Department are ultimately referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) for drafting of formal foreshore lease or licence documents. This is a matter of normal administrative routine. Currently, in excess of 100 foreshore applications are being processed by the CSSO. The detailed historical information requested is not available in readily accessible form, however, and its compilation would involve a disproportionate level of staff time and cost. The circumstances in which legal advice on individual applications may be sought from the CSSO may involve conveyancing, litigation or general advisory matters. The details of such requests are legally privileged.
376. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends to link in the voluntary housing sector with the new structures being established at local authority level. [41800/13]
View answerThe arrangements through which the voluntary housing sector engages with the local government system will continue as heretofore. The Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), which provides funding to Approved Housing Bodies of up to 100% of the approved cost of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need including older people, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence, will continue to be administered by the local authorities. Further links between the sector and new structures to be developed under Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government, will be considered as these structures are put in place.
377. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the balance of money outstanding will be paid to an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41805/13]
View answerThe final account for this project is currently being examined in my Department and the outstanding grant amount will be paid by the end of this month.
378. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on a sewerage scheme (details supplied) as part of the Water Service Investment Programme 2010-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/13]
View answerThe Newtownmountkennedy Sewerage Scheme – Network (Garden Village) contract is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 (WSIP) as a contract to start during the lifetime of the Programme. My Department is currently awaiting further information from Wicklow County Council in relation to the Brief for the engagement of Consultants to progress the contract through planning and construction stages.
379. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulations that are in place to check the quality of diesel before it is sold to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/13]
View answerMy Department’s responsibility for fuel quality standards arises from the perspective of ensuring that petrol and diesel sold in the State meet prescribed environmental specifications to reduce the polluting effect that certain substances have on the environment, when emitted to air as part of the fuel combustion process. My Department does not have a role in regulating fuel standards from a consumer perspective in terms of quality assurance or the operational performance of the fuel.
Directive 98/70/EC sets environmental specifications for petrol and diesel fuels and is transposed in Ireland by the European Communities Act 1972 (Environmental Specifications for Petrol, Diesel Fuels and Gas Oils for use by non-road mobile machinery, including inland waterway vessels, agricultural and forestry tractors, and recreational craft) Regulations 2011. Under the Directive, Member States are required to report annually to the European Commission the results of a sampling programme for both petrol and diesel, including any breaches of the environmental specifications of the fuel. The Commission collates the data received and publishes annual reports, which can be viewed on the Commission’s website:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/transport/fuel_quality_monitoring.htm.
For Ireland’s national sampling programme, a total of 101 petrol samples and 94 diesel samples were collected from service stations in 2012 by Inspection Services Limited on behalf of my Department. The samples were analysed by the State Laboratory. The results found that the samples were broadly compliant with the Directive, with just 6 petrol samples and 4 diesel samples found to exceed environmental specifications. The results were submitted to the Commission on 30 June 2013. In addition to the national sampling programme, the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA) contracts an independent laboratory to sample and analyse fuel and the results of that analysis are also included in Ireland’s report to the Commission. If a consumer suspects that fuel offered for sale has been laundered or that their vehicle has been damaged as a result of unintentionally using laundered fuel then this should be reported to the office of the Revenue Commissioners.
380. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the quality standards being imposed on the installation of the water meters which are being rolled out nationwide to ensure they comply with best international practice, that water does not freeze in the winter months or that disruption of services will occur; if he will give an assurance that all meters will be installed to the same standard and the monitoring of the work that is being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/13]
View answerThe 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 the water metering programme. The criteria for the procurement process for the metering programme were developed by my Department, in consultation with Bord Gáis Éireann, to ensure that all contractors have the capacity to carry out the scale of work involved to the necessary high standard. The meter boundary boxes that will be installed will have ‘frost plugs’ to provide insulation from surface freezing conditions. It is a matter for Irish Water to monitor and supervise all works to ensure that they meet the required quality standards.
381. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the number of properties identified by the National Asset Management Agency as being suitable for social housing; the number of properties accepted by local authorities for transfer; the number of properties transferred to date; the amount of money spent by his Department on NAMA properties for social housing use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41881/13]
View answer393. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any work has been done by his Department, by the National Asset Management Agency, by Dublin City Council, or by all three, working jointly, to identify NAMA owned/controlled properties in Dublin 1 and Dublin 7 that have particular potential for such community and social uses as adult education, community arts, resources for persons with disabilities, resources for community development, sports, family support and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42000/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 393 together.
My Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA continue to work together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards identifying suitable NAMA housing units and bringing them into social housing use. It continues to be my Department's objective to maximise the delivery of social housing using all of the resources available. My priority is the provision of social housing units and that is where the focus remains in this process. A breakdown by county of the units identified, deemed suitable and completed or contracted is shown in the table. Of the 4,351 units identified by NAMA currently 1,900 have been deemed suitable and of these 443 have completed or been contracted.
|
County |
Identified |
Suitable |
Complete/Contracted |
|
Carlow |
137 |
82 |
55 |
|
Cavan |
47 |
- |
- |
|
Clare |
169 |
19 |
7 |
|
Cork |
471 |
271 |
36 |
|
Cork City |
419 |
202 |
53 |
|
Donegal |
95 |
59 |
- |
|
Dublin City |
628 |
252 |
55 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
328 |
122 |
58 |
|
Fingal |
203 |
45 |
20 |
|
Galway |
84 |
44 |
- |
|
Galway City |
117 |
117 |
45 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
52 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
243 |
97 |
57 |
|
Kilkenny |
167 |
96 |
- |
|
Laois |
98 |
10 |
- |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
112 |
9 |
9 |
|
Longford |
31 |
11 |
- |
|
Louth |
27 |
27 |
27 |
|
Mayo |
66 |
58 |
- |
|
Meath |
203 |
38 |
- |
|
Monaghan |
35 |
30 |
- |
|
North Tipperary |
13 |
- |
- |
|
Offaly |
79 |
64 |
- |
|
Roscommon |
91 |
1 |
- |
|
Sligo |
46 |
15 |
- |
|
South Dublin |
60 |
42 |
- |
|
South Tipperary |
24 |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
65 |
27 |
- |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
29 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
90 |
74 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
36 |
7 |
- |
|
Total |
4,351 |
1,900 |
443 |
Currently my Department is making recoupments under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative on 93 NAMA-related housing units in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin City, Kildare and Louth. The combined annual cost of lease payments in respect of these units is just over €897,000. In addition my Department has provided capital funding of some €22m in the form of Capital Assistance, Social Housing Investment and Capital Advances to help secure 221 units of those either completed or contracted.
382. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which the €250 million allocated in 2012 for the refurbishment of social housing was spent; the local authorities to which funds were allocated and the number of housing units owned/managed by each local authority to which funds could potentially be applied; the criteria used to determine the allocation of these funds; if he will provide similar information for the 2013 allocation of €275 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41884/13]
View answerIn 2012 a total of €394 million was recouped to local authorities under my Departments Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP). Of this, some €149 million related to measures to improve the quality and standard of the social housing stock, including the regeneration of disadvantaged social housing estates and flat complexes, estate-wide remedial works schemes, funding for extensions and adaptations to properties to meet the needs of tenants with a disability, and a retrofitting measure to improve the energy efficiency of older stock. The allocations were based on the level of contractual commitments on approved projects, the work programmes submitted by local authorities and the level of progress and outputs achieved under each of the measures under SHIP over the course of the year.
In March 2013, I announced a capital provision of €275 million for allocation to 34 city and county councils in respect of my Department’s SHIP for 2013. Of this, some €121 million related to a range of measures aimed at improving the overall quality of the social housing stock. In July I announced details of a €50 million energy retrofitting measure for the period 2013-2015 which targets grants at older houses and apartments which lack adequate insulation and draught proofing. Some €10 million has been allocated for spending in the current year. The detailed information requested in relation to the breakdown of funding provided under the various improvement measures for 2012 and 2013 is set out in the following tables.
Final SHIP Allocations to Local Authorities in 2012
|
Local Authority |
Regeneration |
Remedial Works Scheme |
Energy Efficiency |
New Insulation Measure |
Adaptations /Extensions |
|
Carlow County Council |
- |
- |
€136,685 |
- |
€611,758 |
|
Cavan County Council |
- |
- |
€518,080 |
- |
€76,328 |
|
Clare County Council |
- |
€1,040,480 |
€455,145 |
- |
€155,630 |
|
Cork County Council |
- |
€310,580 |
€710,727 |
- |
€124,209 |
|
Cork City Council |
€11,160,000 |
- |
€1,198,370 |
- |
€168,262 |
|
Donegal County Council |
- |
- |
€563,428 |
- |
€161,231 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€48,000,000 |
€3,638,566 |
€3,991,502 |
- |
€1,661,596 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
- |
- |
€658,504 |
- |
€631,463 |
|
Fingal County Council |
- |
€512,055 |
€769,599 |
- |
€189,249 |
|
Galway City Council |
- |
- |
€239,426 |
- |
€92,647 |
|
Galway County Council |
- |
€105,548 |
€336,274 |
- |
€103,356 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€2,687,404 |
€140,000 |
€615,570 |
- |
€263,369 |
|
Kildare County Council |
- |
€830,392 |
€468,204 |
- |
€194,318 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
- |
€350,000 |
€458,238 |
- |
€302,575 |
|
Laois County Council |
- |
- |
€218,592 |
- |
€106,504 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
- |
€704,218 |
€198,943 |
- |
€32,398 |
|
Limerick City Council |
€34,889,544 |
- |
€705,365 |
- |
€85,187 |
|
Limerick County Council |
- |
€139,979 |
€1,212,501 |
- |
€106,798 |
|
Longford County Council |
- |
€220,900 |
€206,884 |
- |
€113,001 |
|
Louth County Council |
€968,505 |
€132,948 |
€409,128 |
- |
€159,804 |
|
Mayo County Council |
- |
€0 |
€349,967 |
- |
€306,383 |
|
Meath County Council |
- |
€5,027,538 |
€519,410 |
- |
€155,059 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
- |
€661,818 |
€380,333 |
- |
€136,436 |
|
Offaly County Council |
- |
€0 |
€152,736 |
- |
€74,320 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
- |
€43,464 |
€276,527 |
- |
€240,889 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€1,900,610 |
€69,286 |
€231,671 |
- |
€149,725 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
- |
€1,681,451 |
€339,800 |
- |
€340,845 |
|
Tipperary North |
- |
€1,203,641 |
€501,864 |
- |
€555,027 |
|
Tipperary South |
- |
€1,920,512 |
€566,870 |
- |
€196,350 |
|
Waterford City Council |
€976,000 |
€231,628 |
€365,904 |
- |
€324,029 |
|
Waterford County Council |
- |
€0 |
€392,370 |
- |
€136,808 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
- |
€454,800 |
€209,468 |
- |
€102,113 |
|
Wexford County Council |
- |
€0 |
€463,231 |
- |
€353,279 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
- |
€260,599 |
€1,028,112 |
- |
€291,983 |
|
Total |
€100,582,063 |
€19,680,403 |
€19,849,428 |
- |
€8,702,929 |
SHIP Allocations to local Authorities 2013
|
Local Authority |
Regeneration |
Remedial Works Scheme |
Energy Efficiency |
New Insulation Measure |
Adaptations/ Extensions |
|
Carlow |
- |
- |
160,436 |
160,436 |
45,311 |
|
Cavan |
- |
- |
177,449 |
177,449 |
49,356 |
|
Clare |
- |
297,713 |
198,490 |
198,490 |
54,358 |
|
Cork County |
- |
700,000 |
451,724 |
451,724 |
114,561 |
|
Cork City |
12,000,000 |
- |
538,379 |
538,379 |
135,162 |
|
Donegal |
- |
- |
319,012 |
319,012 |
83,010 |
|
Dublin City |
31,000,000 |
9,800,000 |
1,488,987 |
1,488,987 |
300,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
- |
- |
306,981 |
306,981 |
80,150 |
|
Fingal |
- |
400,000 |
313,924 |
313,924 |
83,581 |
|
Galway City |
- |
- |
193,826 |
193,826 |
53,249 |
|
Galway Co |
- |
- |
200,398 |
200,398 |
54,812 |
|
Kerry |
4,000,000 |
120,487 |
292,936 |
292,936 |
76,811 |
|
Kildare |
- |
1,754,641 |
264,528 |
264,528 |
70,058 |
|
Kilkenny |
- |
- |
188,844 |
188,844 |
52,065 |
|
Laois |
- |
- |
183,279 |
183,279 |
50,742 |
|
Leitrim |
- |
701,380 |
127,629 |
127,629 |
37,512 |
|
Limerick City |
28,000,000 |
- |
241,102 |
241,102 |
64,488 |
|
Limerick Co |
- |
- |
188,473 |
188,473 |
51,977 |
|
Longford |
- |
750,000 |
176,230 |
176,230 |
49,066 |
|
Louth |
2,000,000 |
- |
269,192 |
269,192 |
71,166 |
|
Mayo |
- |
75,000 |
190,328 |
190,328 |
52,418 |
|
Meath |
- |
132,609 |
233,099 |
233,099 |
62,586 |
|
Monaghan |
- |
550,000 |
148,087 |
148,087 |
42,375 |
|
Offaly |
- |
- |
167,803 |
167,803 |
47,063 |
|
Roscommon |
- |
12,619 |
146,603 |
146,603 |
42,023 |
|
Sligo |
3,000,000 |
225,000 |
183,014 |
183,014 |
50,679 |
|
South Dublin |
- |
1,871,178 |
553,908 |
553,908 |
138,854 |
|
Tipperary North |
- |
831,464 |
171,460 |
171,460 |
47,932 |
|
Tipperary South |
- |
665,983 |
227,640 |
227,640 |
61,288 |
|
Waterford City |
- |
- |
235,855 |
235,855 |
63,241 |
|
Waterford Co |
- |
- |
168,651 |
168,651 |
47,264 |
|
Westmeath |
- |
- |
165,736 |
165,736 |
46,571 |
|
Wexford |
- |
- |
298,448 |
298,448 |
78,122 |
|
Wicklow |
- |
- |
310,532 |
310,532 |
€80,994 |
|
Total |
€80,000,000 |
€18,888,074 |
€9,482,983 |
€9,482,983 |
€2,438,845 |
Information on the local authority social housing stock, including the numbers of properties within each local authority, is collated and published as part of the annual Service Indicators in Local Authorities Report. Copies are available from the Local Government Management Agency and may be downloaded from their website (www.lgma.ie).
383. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a national policy or strategy on volunteering will be developed in order to address barriers to volunteering and to set objectives and goals to ensure that volunteering is measured and valued; to provide for consistent and sustainable nationwide supports for volunteering; if he will provide strategy and direction for the existing volunteering infrastructure to deliver national priorities at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41889/13]
View answer401. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the establishment of a national strategy to support volunteering. [42280/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 401 together.
The Government continues to advance a range of measures that support volunteering and active citizenship. My Department funds a network of twenty two Volunteer Centres. It also provides funding to Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency. The focus of Volunteer Ireland is to create an enabling environment for volunteering, to develop an ethos of volunteerism across all sectors of society and to be an independent and legitimate voice for volunteering. The 22 Volunteer Centres act as ‘brokers’ between potential volunteers and organisations seeking volunteers. The centres are linked by a common database and a common best practice approach. They also work with organisations to develop their volunteer management capacity and carry out Garda vetting for smaller organisations. My Department intends to review the current policy on Volunteer Centres having regard to the need for a sustainable, nationwide approach to supporting and promoting volunteering. In this regard, my Department currently has under consideration a status report commissioned from Volunteer Ireland on volunteering and volunteering infrastructure in Ireland.
384. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his response to the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, and its implications for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41890/13]
View answerI welcome publication of this first of four reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change that will, in due course, constitute their 5th Assessment Report. The findings of this first report are clear and robust, and a stark reminder of the need for a comprehensive global response to climate change. The report was developed and published in an international context and has no specific implications that are unique to Ireland. Through the EU, Ireland is contributing constructively to the on-going negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change aimed at finding agreement on a new climate treaty in 2015. Our contribution is strengthened by the steps we are taking to develop progressive national policy and legislation. On completion of the current Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation, I will publish the final Heads of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill early in 2014.
385. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the transfer of the assets of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to other bodies; and if he will confirm that the public spaces, and other property such as parking spaces and social housing apartments, will be transferred to Dublin City Council. [41902/13]
View answerIn the context of the decision to wind-up the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA), the Government has confirmed Dublin City Council (DCC) as the organisation under which the future regeneration of the Dublin Docklands is to be continued. In practical terms, DCC is providing staffing and other supports to the DDDA to allow it to continue to operate for the remainder of its period of operation. My Department is currently examining the legal and financial arrangements needed to complete this process. The transfer of assets and other property is being considered in this context.
386. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current financial position of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; and if it can currently meet its day-to-day requirements such as providing street lighting within its functional area. [41903/13]
View answerThe most recent annual accounts of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, for the year 2011, have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are also available on the Authority’s website, at www.ddda.ie. The annual accounts for 2012 are being finalised and are expected to be submitted to my Department shortly. Once received, the accounts will be brought to Government after which they will, as in previous years, be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Authority continues to operate on a ‘going–concern’ basis and, as such, is in a position to meet its day-to-day financial requirements.
