Written Answers Nos. 228-242
228. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a glass and can buy-back scheme or deposit scheme similar to those that operate in other European countries. [43256/13]
View answerIn June 2012, as part of a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine the introduction of a levy on packaging in conjunction with a waste reduction programme, I initiated a root and branch review of all aspects of the Producer Responsibility Initiative model in Ireland. The aim of the review is to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. My Department also completed a consultation process with stakeholders on this issue. Following completion of the consultation process and the receipt of the consultant’s report, I decided, after careful consideration, not to proceed with the introduction of a packaging levy at this time. The main reason for my decision is that the introduction of a packaging levy is likely to generate a number of regulatory costs to business and the public sector with few identifiable benefits, given our very successful packaging recovery and recycling performance to date in Ireland.
In addition, the consultant’s report does not recommend the introduction of a Deposit and Refund scheme as to establish such a scheme is inappropriate, in view of the operation of the existing packaging scheme (Repak) and policies concerning household waste collection, plus the high administrative costs of introducing such a system. The consultant’s report is available on my Department’s website (www.environ.ie).
229. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns expressed in relation to Priory Hall (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43265/13]
View answerLast week I announced a welcome development in relation to Priory Hall in the form of a resolution Framework resulting from a three week process of engagement with the stakeholders best placed to deliver the necessary solutions.
I commend all of the parties concerned who have engaged in good faith in this difficult and complex process and who in a very tight timeframe have produced a Framework for resolving a unique and exceptional situation which was not of their making.
In broad terms, the key features of the Framework document provide that:
- the Government, Dublin City Council, the relevant members of the Irish Banking Federation and other stakeholders will work together to secure the successful resolution of the Priory Hall issue
- recognising the exceptional and unique difficulties faced by the home owners in Priory Hall over the last two years, a fair and reasonable solution to their housing needs will be identified as part of the resolution process
- solutions will be devised on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Framework, taking account of the differing circumstances of each owner occupier in Priory Hall
- an appropriate arrangement will also be put place to recognise the difficulties facing owners of buy-to-let properties in Priory Hall
- the cost burden for resolution of the Priory Hall issue will be shared between the State, Dublin City Council, relevant members of the Irish Banking Federation and other stakeholders as appropriate.
As part of the Framework, Dublin City Council has undertaken to ensure that Priory Hall is refurbished into a desirable, high quality, safe location that will include a mix of social and private residential units in line with current housing policy. During this time the owners of buy-to-let apartments at the complex will have the option of a moratorium on their mortgages while refurbishment takes place on the understanding that repayments will re-commence when refurbishment has been completed.
The Government will also establish a group, which will be chaired by Dr Martin McAleese, to oversee the effective implementation of all aspects of the agreed Framework. The implementation group, which will meet for the first time later this week, will include representatives of both former residents and buy-to-let owners, thereby ensuring that all of the Priory Hall homeowners are fully engaged and fairly treated.
230. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Environmental Protection Agency investigation into the recent noxious smell in Shannon, County Clare. [43270/13]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in close cooperation with Clare County Council, is actively investigating the cause of reported odours in Shannon with the objective of quickly identifying the source(s) of the odours and the reason why these odours are being released, so that any appropriate steps may be taken to address the issues and prevent any further releases. The EPA has also met with medical professionals from the Midwest Department of Public Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE is contributing to the investigation.
The EPA has advised my Department that investigations to date indicate that the source of the odours appears to be the sewer network in Shannon. Investigative efforts will be focused on the sewer collection network including all discharges to the network and improvements that may be beneficial at Shannon Town’s wastewater treatment plant.
The EPA and Clare County Council, with the assistance of the HSE, have put in place an action programme for further monitoring and investigation. This includes:
- the development of a programme to optimise the operation of the wastewater treatment plant in order to reduce/eliminate the odour issue, with necessary remedial actions identified and measures put in place;
- on-going odour surveillance by Clare County Council and EPA personnel;
- maintenance of the database of complaints to provide ongoing intelligence on the occurrence and nature of odours in the Shannon Area, which is being updated daily as information is received;
- on-going assessment by the EPA and Clare County Council of the industrial operations in the Shannon area and their environmental performance;
- monitoring by the HSE of any unusual patterns of illness in the local population;
- an assessment of relevant portions of the sewer network in Shannon Town to identify any significant problems with the integrity of the system; and
- air quality monitoring to measure for hydrogen sulphide, which has a characteristic rotten egg smell.
The odour problem remains under active and detailed investigation by the EPA and Clare County Council. The EPA has been liaising with local public representatives as well as local media to disseminate information to the public and will continue to do so while the investigation is ongoing and until the situation is remedied.
The EPA has also informed my Department that it monitored air quality in Shannon between March 2012 and June 2013, measuring a range of pollutants that are the most important indicators for assessing impact on human health. All measured pollutant levels were found to be below EU limit values.
231. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his intentions for RAPID schemes in the context of his realignment proposals under his local government reform agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43273/13]
View answerThe RAPID programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in RAPID areas nationally. The programme has made substantial progress in identifying the needs of disadvantaged communities and in bringing forward appropriate local projects in response to those needs.
I provided funding of €2 million for RAPID in 2013, which is being used to meet my Department’s existing contractual commitments on RAPID projects throughout the country, mainly Sports Capital top-ups and CCTV systems, jointly funded with the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Justice and Equality respectively.
Future support for RAPID areas will, like other community development programmes, be the subject of a focused effort to bring greater co-ordination on an area basis to publicly-funded programmes. This will be overseen by new Local Community Development Committees which are to be established in each local authority area as part of the reforms set out in Putting People First – Action Plan for Effective Local Government. In this regard, I intend that the focus will remain on tackling the poverty and social exclusion in RAPID areas and this will be more effectively combined with other programmes and actions delivered on an area basis.
232. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost involved in dealing with instances of diesel wash in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and Louth in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43275/13]
View answerEnforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The information sought in the Question is not held by my Department. However, between 2008 and 2012 my Department has provided funding of €4,074,258 on an exceptional basis in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for the local authorities concerned in responding to instances of illegal dumping of oil-laundering residues, particularly in relation to costs incurred by them in arranging for the safe disposal abroad of the hazardous materials involved. Both Louth and Monaghan County Councils have received the most significant levels of support with €3,400,931 being reimbursed to Louth and €620,599 to Monaghan during the years in question. In addition smaller amounts have been reimbursed to both Cavan and Offaly County Councils.
I believe that a complete solution to this problem must necessarily involve more effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective. In that context, my Department continues to liaise with representatives of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the local authorities concerned and the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement to seek to identify more effective enforcement solutions, and these engagements will continue.
235. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 210 and 211 of 2 October 2013, in view of the fact that Cork County Council has stated that tenants are liable for the pipe repair as the estate was taken in charge prior to 2007, if he will make a grant available or instruct Cork County Council to carry out the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43317/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 210 and 211 of 2 October 2013, which stated that the Water Services Act 2007 sets out the functions of a water services authority with regard to the replacement of pipes and that it would not be appropriate to provide a grant system for the replacement of leaking pipes outside a home-owner’s property. If the deputy wishes to provide more specific detail on the matter at issue, I will ask my Department to pursue further clarification with Cork County Council.
236. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013, the number of projects that were deemed ineligible either fully or partially on foot of an inspection; the number of these projects that were appealed to the district inspector; the number that were upheld by the district inspector; the number that were appealed to the regional inspector; the number that were upheld by the regional inspector; the number that were appealed to his Department's appeals panel; the number that were upheld by his Department's appeals panel; if the Office of the Ombudsman reviewed any decisions-processes by DECLG and, if so, the number of same; the number of these decisions-processes that were found in favour of DECLG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43358/13]
View answerThe information sought regarding controls and reviews carried out by the Inspection Services Section (ISS) of my Department is not readily available in the format requested. The information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
55 decisions made by the Regional Inspectors were appealed to the Department’s Appeals Panel (DAP). Nineteen of these appeals were not upheld, fourteen were upheld, eight were partially upheld, three were withdrawn, two were disallowed and nine are awaiting a decision. Four of the DAP decisions were appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman and one was upheld.
Three further appeals, outside of the DAP process, were submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. One of these related to a decision by a Regional Inspector and this appeal was upheld. Another related to a review of procedures followed by a Local Action Group in refusing a project. The review was carried out by a Regional Inspector and the appeal to the Ombudsman is ongoing. The final appeal relates to a decision by the Rural Development Section of my Department and this was not upheld.
241. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cathain a chuirfidh sé dualgas reachtúil ar na húdaráis áitiúla maidir le seoltaí a bheith as Gaeilge agus as Béarla ar Chláir na dToghthóirí de réir spiorad Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. [43476/13]
View answerNíl sé ar intinn agam dualgas reachtúil a chur ar na húdaráis áitiúla seoltaí a bheith as Gaeilge agus as Béarla ar clár na dtoghthóirí. Tá foirmeacha iarratais ar f áil sa dá theanga agus is féidir le haon duine a ainm agus a sheoladh a chlarú as Gaeilge nó as Béarla.
242. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cathain a chuirfidh sé dualgas reachtúil ar an gCeann Comhairimh seoltaí na n-ionad vótála a bheith as Gaeilge ar na cártaí vótála chomh maith leis na seoltaí Béarla a bhíonn ar na cártaí vótála leo féin don chuid is mó. [43477/13]
View answerNíl sé ar intinn agam dualgas reachtúil a chur ar Chinn Comhairimh seoltaí ionaid vótála a bheith as Gaeilge ar chártaí vótála. Tá leagan amach dhátheangach ar chártaí vótála agus is ceist é don Cheann Comhairimh seoladh cruinn aon ionad vótála a chur ar na cartaí sin.
