Written Answers Nos. 632-655
632. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the partial-year and full-year monetary effect of his Department's budget 2014 reductions to expenditure. [47073/13]
View answerThere is no partial year monetary effect on my Department's expenditure arising from Budget 2014. The full year reduction over the 2013 Estimate amounts to €14.566 million with €9.566 million current savings and €5 million capital savings identified. The following tables outline the current and capital expenditure Budget 2014 allocations.
Current
|
Area of Expenditure |
2013 Estimate (€000) |
2014 Budget Day Estimate (€000) |
Variation (€000) (+/-) |
|
Communications |
15,105 |
13,123 |
-1,982 |
|
Broadcasting |
246,914 |
241,887 |
-5,027 |
|
Energy |
23,508 |
21,200 |
-2,308 |
|
Natural Resources |
17,815 |
18,306 |
+491 |
|
Inland Fisheries |
27,654 |
26,914 |
-740 |
|
Total |
330,996 |
321,430 |
-9,566 |
Capital
|
Area of Expenditure |
2013 Estimate (€000) |
2014 Budget Day Estimate (€000) |
Variation (€000) (+/-) |
|
Communications |
21,730 |
34,258 |
+12,528 |
|
Broadcasting |
985 |
905 |
-80 |
|
Energy |
49,225 |
34,810 |
-14,415 |
|
Natural Resources |
8,747 |
8,816 |
+69 |
|
Inland Fisheries |
4,313 |
1,211 |
-3,102 |
|
Total |
85,000 |
80,000 |
-5,000 |
In addition to the amounts shown in the estimates for my Department, I secured an additional €30m in funding under the Government's Stimulus Package to increase investment in the Better Energy and Warmer Home energy efficiency schemes to a total of €57 million in 2014. These schemes fund energy efficiency improvements by householders as well as energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households. In 2014, over 30,000 homes are expected to benefit from energy efficiency upgrades under these schemes, bringing the total number of homes supported to more than 290,000.
Details of all changes will be shown in full in the Revised Estimates which will be published in the coming weeks.
633. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he was consulted prior to ESB management’s decision to treat the employees' defined benefit pension scheme as a defined contribution pension scheme in the company's annual accounts from 2010 and each year thereafter. [47091/13]
View answer634. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he signed off on the ESB annual accounts of 2010 on behalf of the Government as the majority shareholder, and each year thereafter since taking office. [47092/13]
View answer635. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in 2011, his attention was drawn to concerns raised by the ESB auditors, KPMG, prior to his signing of on the company's annual accounts on behalf of the Government as the majority shareholder with regards to the company's accounting treatment of the employees' defined benefit pension scheme. [47093/13]
View answer636. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in 2011, his attention was drawn to refusals by ESB management to provide the company's auditors, KPMG, with documentation, information and confirmation regarding the company's decision to change the accounting treatment of the employees' defined benefit pension scheme to a defined contribution pension scheme. [47094/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 633 to 636, inclusive, together.
Insofar as the share capital of ESB is concerned, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform holds 85% capital stock in the company, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources holds 10% and the ESB's current and former employees hold 5% through the Employee Share Ownership Plan. The manner in which the ESB accounts for the company's Pensions Scheme is a matter for the company, bearing in mind the company's legal obligations to the scheme and the applicable international accounting standards.
The accounting treatment of the Pension Scheme as a defined contribution scheme was set out in the financial statements adopted by ESB in 2010, 2011 and 2012 on which the ESB's auditors have expressed unqualified opinions in each of these years. In other words, in each of these years the ESB's auditors' opinion is that the financial statements give a true and fair view of ESB's affairs. ESB's view remains that the defined contribution accounting treatment adopted by the company in 2010 correctly reflects ESB's obligations to the scheme.
I am informed by ESB that the nature of the Pension Scheme, and ESB's legal obligations in the event of a deficit arising in the Scheme were unchanged both by the 2010 pensions agreement and by the accounting treatment adopted in 2010. The change in treatment of the scheme for accounting purposes in 2010 did not change the nature of the scheme itself nor did it change the entitlements of the scheme members or the company's legal obligations to the scheme. In addition, the accounting treatment of the scheme has no bearing on the registration of the scheme as a defined benefit scheme with the Pensions Board. This registration, as a defined benefit scheme with the Pensions Board, is based on the relevant definitions as set out by the Pensions Act.
I would also point out that each year on presentation of the ESB Annual Report and Accounts, the Chairman of the Board furnishes a written report in accordance with section 13.1 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources each year asks the Government to note the Annual Report and Accounts of the ESB, pursuant to section 32 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927.
637. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of income generated by Electric Ireland from residential electricity charges in the 12 months up to 1 October 2012 and in the subsequent 12-month period to 1 October 2013. [47138/13]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the independent National Regulatory Authority for energy. The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CER's responsibilities include the liberalisation of the electricity retail (supply) market in order to encourage the entry of competition and new investment. Market rules have been established for the retail electricity and gas markets. It is a function of the CER to regulate the electricity and gas markets, to monitor competition and to monitor compliance by industry with legislation.
This is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no statutory role or function.
638. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the differentiation in lower urban and higher rural standing and usage charges applied by Electric Ireland to its customers; and if this price gap will be reduced in favour of rural consumers if and when the existing transmission infrastructure is upgraded. [47139/13]
View answerI have no function in this matter. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent regulator. The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Since April 2011 prices in the electricity market have been deregulated and business and domestic customers can as a result avail of competitive offerings from a number of supply companies. It is a function of the CER to regulate the electricity market. Questions regarding the pricing practices of electricity supply companies should be directed towards the relevant companies or addressed to the CER.
I have no statutory function in the matter of the regulation of electricity prices.
639. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of the €2.835m allocated for the local authority social employment scheme in 2013 that has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45822/13]
View answerI have allocated €2.835m, from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2013, to cover once off costs such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing, necessary equipment and materials that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection's Gateway local authority employment initiative. The scheme will provide short-term quality working opportunities in local authorities for those on the live register for a minimum of two years.
There has been no expenditure to date, as participants have yet to be placed. I expect the first placements to be made shortly on conclusion of selection processes for the initial tranche of participants, with a consequential draw down of monies from the above allocation by local authorities between now and the end of 2013.
640. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the following case regarding motor taxation (details supplied). [45898/13]
View answer641. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the following case regarding motor taxation (details supplied). [45899/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2013, replacing the system whereby vehicles were declared off the road retrospectively when next being taxed with a procedure under which vehicles must now be declared off the road in advance. The Act provided for a three month transition period from 1 July 2013 to 30 September 2013 to allow owners of vehicles that are not being used in a public place to bring their motor tax status up to date by making both a retrospective and prospective off-road declaration on or before 30 September 2013. From 1 October 2013, the Act provides that only a prospective declaration may be made. Any vehicle owner who did not bring his or her motor tax status up to date by the September deadline is liable for arrears from the expiry of the last period for which motor tax was paid, should he or she again wish to use the vehicle in a public place.
There was extensive public notice of the Act's coming into force and widespread awareness of the new arrangements from before the start of the transition period. Advertisements giving notice of the proposed changes were run in national and local newspapers in the first week in July and again in the second week in September. Local radio ads were run over the course of a week in July and both national and local radio ads were again run over the course of a week in mid-September. Information provided by myself and my Department through public notices, Frequently Asked Questions, press releases etc. set out clearly that the retrospective declaration of non-use had to be provided to the motor tax office by 30 September 2013, either submitted in person or by letter postmarked no later than 30 September. The changes were also highlighted in a number of media articles over the course of that period, including in late September in relation to the queues of vehicle owners at motor tax offices seeking to present their documentation by the end-September deadline.
On transfer of ownership of a vehicle, the liability for motor tax of the new owner will arise from the beginning of the month in which the transfer takes place.
642. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will restore the substantial cut in allocation to the West Cork Area Partnership for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46110/13]
View answerThe West Cork Area Partnership is contracted to carry out projects on behalf of my Department in relation to the LEADER and Local and Community Development Programmes. In regard to LEADER, during 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% for the LEADER elements of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. It was therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level of commitments and expenditure across the Programme in order to apportion the remaining funds among the Local Development Companies (LDCs), taking into account the level of commitments already entered into.
The redistribution of funding was conducted in as fair and equitable a manner as was possible and in the case of West Cork Development Partnership the revised allocation represents a decrease of 16.3% from their original allocation. Many of the other LDCs experienced similar reductions. I am committed to the continued monitoring of this situation and my Department will review all commitments and expenditure levels later this month to ensure, in so far as is possible, that all available Programme funding is committed by end December 2013; allocations will again be revised if there is funding available for re-distribution.
I have prioritised the Local and Community Development Programme in allocating resources within my Department notwithstanding the very difficult choices which Government have had to make over a number of years to address our economic crisis and place Ireland firmly on the road to economic recovery. The 2014 provision of €47.7 million, just €1 million less than this year's allocation, will allow some 14,000 people who are distanced from the labour market to receive direct one-to-one labour market training and supports.
I recognise that all cuts imposed present challenges to Local Development Companies (LDCs) in managing costs. My Department expects LDCs, to the greatest extent possible, to continue to maintain key services and supports through prioritising resources at the front-line.
643. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to help the ageing population in areas (details supplied) in County Dublin to service their health needs and provide senior citizen housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46680/13]
View answerUnder my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme funding is allocated each year to local authorities to support the provision of housing for older people and people with a disability under a range of measures, including the Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition Programme, the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) which focuses on providing accommodation for persons with specific needs, and the Improvement Works Programme. It is a matter for each local authority, having regard to overall funding available, to put forward proposals for meeting housing need within their functional area, including proposals in relation to accommodation for older people and people with specific categories of housing need.
644. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide assurances in relation to fears among the general public of health risks to humans as a result of high-power electricity lines and pylons and 400 kV lines being constructed through particular communities and areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46877/13]
View answerThe 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, 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).
A substantial volume of research on this issue is being carried out internationally by regulatory bodies with responsibilities for monitoring the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The findings of this research are being monitored by the World Health Organisation's (WHO) EMF Project; it is expected that a report will issue in 2014. 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.
645. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an enhanced redundancy package application will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47037/13]
View answerThere were 51 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), with 36 of these also delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. One of these companies, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the group contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Gaeltacht Areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. The LDCs, including MFG, are independent companies with their own board of management and memoranda and articles of association. My Department has no role in the internal operations of LDCs and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters.
It has not been possible to put an enhanced redundancy package in place in current circumstances.
646. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of years service of acting in a position within a local authority must be fulfilled in order for that person automatically to be appointed to that position. [47041/13]
View answerSince 2008, in response to the financial crisis, local authorities have reduced staff numbers by a quarter or 9,129 whole time equivalents. The public service moratorium was introduced in 2009 and my Department operates a delegated sanction, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities. All exceptions to the moratorium require prior sanction from my Department.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for City and County Managers, in the first instance, to ensure that the moratorium is implemented while the appropriate service levels are maintained. All exceptions to the moratorium, including acting-up arrangements, should only arise in exceptional circumstances, for example to fill a statutory, health and safety or other key service requirement. Acting-up arrangements of less than 4 months do not attract an acting-up allowance and do not require individual sanction from my Department. Sanction is required for acting arrangements over 4 months. Given the significant staffing reductions in the sector some exceptions to the moratorium are required and acting-up arrangements have been utilised to fill vacancies. It is accepted that long term acting-up arrangements are not desirable a s these should only arise as a short term response to particular business needs.
To support the sector in effectively managing the combination of staff reductions and the reform/change programme a Workforce Study was undertaken jointly by local authorities and my Department. In particular, the study assessed the management requirements of local authorities bearing in mind the potential impacts of shared services and other reform initiatives underway. Work force planning is an iterative process and each local authority has been engaged in work force planning at local level. In this context, local authorities have been requested to prepare proposals to deal with any long term acting-up arrangements in the context of local work force plans to be submitted later this year. In this regard, it is not envisaged that there would be any automatic appointments but rather any posts that local authorities seek to fill would need to be agreed with my Department and would be filled on the normal competitive basis under the usual sanction process.
647. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reintroduce the tenant purchase scheme or similar for local authority owned dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47342/13]
View answer654. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a scheme to allow local authority tenants to purchase their dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45742/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 654 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 for Government approval later this year. 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.
648. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when construction will commence for the treatment plants on the four new regional water schemes of Boyle-Ardcarne, Arigna, Roscommon central and south Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a boil notice has been in place in the Boyle area of County Roscommon since May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47332/13]
View answer686. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will approve contact documents for the south Roscommon regional water supply to ensure that an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis is urgently addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46471/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 686 together.
The Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes are included as Water Treatment Plant Upgrade contracts to start and a Network Contract at Construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Approval was given to Roscommon County Council's Contract Documents for Contract No. 2 - DBO Water Treatment Plant Upgrades for the Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme in March 2013. Very recently, I also approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over €12 million for the scheme to enable Roscommon County Council complete the contract formalities with the successful tenderer and to commence, as soon as possible, the works involved in the Design Build Operate Contract on the scheme. This approval of funding provides for the construction of five Treatment Plants and other ancillary works on the scheme and will also provide treatment works for areas affected by the "Boil Water Notice" in South Roscommon.
The progression of this contract to construction is now a matter for Roscommon County Council.
649. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale for the recent landfill levy increase in view of the fact that the levy has increased from €30 per tonne in 2011 to €75 per tonne in 2013; if he intends to increase this levy further in future years; if he recognises the knock-on effect this measure has in waste disposal charges being passed on to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/13]
View answerThe landfill levy is chargeable on waste presented for disposal at landfill facilities. It is intended, primarily, to act as an economic instrument to encourage more sustainable management of our waste by diverting it away from landfill, as our reliance on landfill as the primary waste treatment method is unsustainable. While there have been a number of increases to the levy in recent years, overall income from the levy has decreased significantly from €46m in 2011 to a projected €39m in 2013. The decrease in income from the levy indicates that the instrument continues to be effective in decreasing the amount of residual waste consigned to landfill. As I outlined in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, I will keep the rate of charge of the levy under review to ensure that its dissuasive effect as an economic instrument is maintained.
Charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, particularly the conditions attached to each waste collection permit issued under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended.
650. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the regulatory impact assessments published by his Department since March 2011. [45627/13]
View answerSince March 2011, my Department has published Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) relating to the following:
|
Names of Bills |
|
Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
|
Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
|
Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
|
Waste Management (Household Food Waste Collection) Regulations 2011 |
|
European Union (Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery During Refuelling of Motor Vehicles at Service Stations) Regulations 2011 |
|
European Communities (Technical Specifications for the chemical analysis and monitoring of water status) Regulations 2011 |
|
Building Regulations (Part A Amendment) Regulations 2012 |
|
Household Waste Collection |
|
Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012 |
|
Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 |
|
Local Government Bill 2013 |
|
Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013 |
|
Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 |
|
Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 |
|
EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) |
|
General Scheme of the Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 |
|
Proposed Amendment to Part K (Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards of Building Regulations and accompanying Technical Guidance Document K |
|
Proposed Amendment to Part J (Heat Producing Appliances) of the Building Regulations |
651. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of revenue collected in each county in new water rates due to be introduced in 2015 that will be ring-fenced and reinvested in upgrading the water network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45665/13]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water and enabled the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to advise on the regulation of water services. Further legislation, currently in preparation, will provide Irish Water with responsibility for the provision of water services. It is intended that the legislation will also require Irish Water to have regard to regional and local development plans when it is preparing strategic and capital investment plans.
In addition, the legislation will provide for the establishment of an economic regulator for water services within the CER. While the primary function of the CER will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure that a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them, it will also be responsible for approving the tariffs to be charged by Irish Water. In fulfilling its functions, the CER will have regard, inter alia, to the need to ensure that there is an efficient system for the provision of water services and the need to promote the conservation of water.
652. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the commencement date and targeted completion timescale for the programme of water meter installations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/13]
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 domestic metering programme. The installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be implemented nationally as quickly as possible. When fully geared up, at least 27,000 boundary boxes will be installed every month by Irish Water sub-contractors.
653. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeline for approval of departmental funding to Dublin City Council to enable a regeneration project (details supplied) in Dublin 17 to commence so that new homes can be built in the area. [45718/13]
View answerUnder my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is provided to local authorities for a range of measures to improve the quality and standard of the social housing stock, including the regeneration of disadvantaged estates and flat complexes, estate-wide remedial works, the energy retrofitting of older properties and the provision of extensions and adaptations to meet the specific needs of tenants. This year, my Department is providing funding of over €62 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 and for the demolition of some vacant properties in Darndale.
Having regard to the existing high level of commitments in respect of the regeneration and remedial works projects currently underway in Dublin City and elsewhere, my Department is not in a position at this time to approve funding for further estate-wide remedial works in the Darndale area. I am, however, keeping the matter under review and I will consider the potential to progress remedial works in Darndale in the context of the remedial works programme for 2014.
655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will exempt the residents of an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath from paying the household charge under the unfinished estates category. [45766/13]
View answerThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. Section 4(4)(b) and section 4(6) of the Act provide that a waiver from the charge applies in 2012 and 2013 to properties in certain unfinished housing estates specified in a list prescribed by the Minister.
As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows:
- Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
- Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
- Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and
- Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
Only households in developments in categories three and four are eligible for the waiver from payment of the household charge. The list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 was set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012.
Earlier this year my Department became aware of an anomaly under which a small number of estates, which should have been included, were excluded from the waiver. In order to maintain equity, my Department carried out a comprehensive review of the qualifying estates and a revised list of estates was issued in August 2013. Coill Rua, Ballymahon Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath is included in the revised list and thereby qualifies for an exemption from the Household Charge.
