Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 656-673

Electricity Transmission Network

Questions (656, 700)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead power lines on the environment and wildlife in south Tipperary in view of the fact that south Tipperary is the stronghold of the barn owl in Ireland and that this endangered species has been declared in need of habitat protection by the South Tipperary Biodiversity Action Plan V5; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lower slopes of the Galtees are one of the only places in Ireland where endangered nightjars breed and, these being nocturnal birds like the barn owls, could well be wiped out by the power lines; if his Department has made a submission to the EirGrid Grid Link project consultation process expressing concerns about the impact on wildlife in south Tipperary; if his Department will be making a submission on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45829/13]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

700. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his officials have had discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and-or Department officials in regard to the possible impact of the proposed new EirGrid high voltage power line systems on the general environment; if they have considered measures to mitigate the environmental impact of such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46745/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 700 together.

Neither I nor my Department have had discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the Eirgrid proposals in question. I have no role in commenting on plans other than, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, the development plans and local area plans prepared by planning authorities. Nature conservation comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

If and when the proposals referred to become the subject of a planning application or applications under the Planning and Development Act 2000, assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive will be carried out where required under the provisions of Part X and Part XAB of the Act, which transpose the provisions of the Directives insofar as planning consents are concerned.

Wind Energy Guidelines

Questions (657)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

657. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to provide any guidance in relation to possible public health impacts that may arise from wind turbine developments to assist in the assessment process as highlighted by the recent An Bord Pleanála inspector's report, ref PL05B.240166; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45025/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

While, as Minister, I am specifically precluded under the Planning and Development Acts, as amended, from involvement in any particular matter with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála may be concerned, I am aware of the comments of the Board Inspector in the report referred to. My Department is currently reviewing the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 and while the primary focus of the review is on noise (including separation distance) and shadow flicker, my Department has recently requested the Department of Health to provide advice on any potential conclusive public health impacts that might arise from the development of wind farms.

I expect to publish draft revised guidelines by the end of November 2013 which – like all other new or revised guidelines – will go out for public consultation for a period of six to eight weeks. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines will be considered and taken into account in the finalisation of the guidelines for publication in mid-2014.

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Questions (658)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

658. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a panel will be recommended by the Department and if the householder will have to pay for the pyrite testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45908/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Pyrite Resolution Board is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. On receipt of a valid on-line application accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a damage rating of 2, the Board will arrange for the appropriate testing to be carried out at no cost to the homeowner.

The cost of the Building Condition Assessment will be recouped to the homeowner, subject to a maximum of €500, on confirmation by testing of significant damage attributable to pyritic heave. Building Condition Assessments should be carried out by competent professionals (Engineer, Architect or Building Surveyor) who have the necessary competency and experience to undertake this work. Engineers Ireland has established a register for Building Condition Assessors who have undertaken appropriate Continuing Professional Development training in this area.

Local Authority Finances

Questions (659)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

659. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail in tabular form the total combined figure in euro for all local authorities for deficits, outstanding bank debt, paid overtime, current revenues used to pay pensions; if he will detail the total number of sick days accounted for in all local authorities; if he will detail the cumulative payroll cost for 2012 for all local authorities as a percentage of their overall revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45935/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Audited local authority financial data for 2012 are not yet available. The audit of the 2012 local authority Annual Financial Statements is scheduled for completion by end March 2014. The 2011 Annual Financial Statements are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie/en/LGFinance/Publications. At the 31 December 2011, 41 local authorities recorded a cumulative revenue account deficit amounting to some €74 million.

The most recent published figures for sick days are set out in the report Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2011 which was published by the Local Government Management Agency in April 2013, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library. Based on figures reported by local authorities, the total number of days lost in the sector to absenteeism amounted to 350,224 in 2011 (or 5.09% of working days). Based on figures reported to my Department, the total paid overtime in 2012 amounted to €55,608,820 (or 4.11% of Gross Cash Remuneration).

The further information requested, sourced from the 2011 Annual Financial Statements, is set out in the following table.

-	€
Loans payable	€4,886,056,538
Pensions (incl Gratuities)	€278,344,243
Total payroll expenses	€1,785,020,113
Total revenue income	€4,991,590,075
Payroll expenses % of revenue income	36%

Departmental Schemes

Questions (660)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

660. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the supports his Department offers community associations to employ staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46007/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. A key aim of 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. My Department provides a wide range of supports to the Community and Voluntary Sector, through a suite of schemes. A community organisation may qualify for inclusion under one or more of these schemes, should it meet the terms and conditions of a particular scheme managed by my Department. Information on the main schemes is set out below.

The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), with 35 of those also delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LDCs are independent companies with their own board of management and memoranda and articles of association. Both the LDCP and LEADER programme supports include a contribution towards administration and overhead costs including any employment related overheads.

The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under the Scheme to supporting national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. Core funding refers typically to operating costs that will always need to be met, and are fundamental to the organisation's survival. The funding normally covers basic organisational and administrative costs of an organisation, and may include items such as salaries, facilities, equipment, communications, and the direct expenses of day-to-day work.

My Department also provides annual funding to members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of the Social Partnership Process. This funding has been awarded to support costs, not funded from any other sources, directly related to the organisations’ contribution to policy-making in the Social Partnership Process.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (661)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

661. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government notwithstanding the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 9 October 2013, and in view of the existence of a previous report which identified outstanding drainage works to be completed by the local authority, when these works are likely to be undertaken with particular reference to the elimination of flooding of an underground car park which cannot be alleviated in the absence of action by the local authority; if the totality of outstanding issues relative to the taking in charge of the estate are likely to be addressed in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46009/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department understands from Kildare County Council that following the completion of significant works, undertaken by the Council, the matter is now largely resolved at catchment level.  Within the development other drainage works, which are the responsibility of the developer, remain to be completed.  The Council is continuing to work with the relevant parties to ensure a permanent resolution of the remaining flooding issues within the development.

My Department understands that the Council recently met with the Deputy to outline the current position and that the Council has also undertaken to communicate further with him on the matter.

Seniors Alert Scheme Issues

Questions (662)

Ann Phelan

Question:

662. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the importance of personal alarm systems for elderly persons, if he and his Department are in the process of expanding the roll-out of the personal alarm schemes and are currently working with technical companies to devise a way of linking the alarms in question to mobile telephones, instead of sole reliance on a landline telephone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46045/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

To date, my Department has only approved applications for personal monitored alarms connected to a landline. Personal monitored alarms are now available using mobile technology and my Department is currently examining these alternative systems including any resource implications. It would be a matter for the sponsoring community group to satisfy itself that a system using mobile technology provides reliable coverage in its area.

Housing Adaptation Grants Funding

Questions (663)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

663. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that will be provided to local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford for housing adaptation grants as a result of the announcements made in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46063/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Abridged Estimate for my Department, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Expenditure Report 2014, includes some €28.6 million in respect of the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. This provision will be supplemented by the recently announced €10 million in additional funding for this measure, giving an overall provision in 2014 of €38.6 million, some €4.3 million more than the initial Exchequer allocation in 2013. The increased allocation will facilitate the payment of more than 7,800 grants to assist older people and people with disabilities to remain at home for longer.

I intend to announce details of the capital allocations to individual local authorities early in 2014. Allocations will be based on the level of activity within local authorities, the level of contractual commitments in respect of approved grants where work is ongoing at present or about to commence and the level of applications on hand and anticipated in the course of 2014.

Unfinished Housing Developments

Questions (664)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

664. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding ghost estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46070/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government’s response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector and real progress is being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates. The Committee is meeting on a regular basis.

Site Resolution Plans (SRPs) are a key tool in resolving issues associated with unfinished housing developments. Such plans enable developers to work with local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in identifying the best long-term solution for developments in terms of their configuration, use of vacant buildings and ownership in a way that is in the best interests of residents.

Ultimately, the initiation of the SRP process in respect of a particular development is a matter for the local authority concerned. However, progress by local authorities in ensuring that developers complete and/or resolve unfinished housing developments is continuing, as evidenced by regular reports to the National Co-ordination Committee and the results published in the annual unfinished housing reports which my Department has compiled for 2011 and 2012; further progress will be evidenced with the imminent publication of the 2013 report.

In addition, under the Public Safety Initiative, my Department has made allocations totalling some €4.47 million to 21 local authorities from the funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues since 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. Also, the Government provided an additional €10 million in Budget 2014 to assist the most problematic unfinished housing estates. The precise criteria under which the fund will be disbursed will be finalised shortly. However, I envisage that the fund will operate in a carefully targeted and evidence led fashion to aid the resolution of occupied developments and in a way that will stimulate more significant investment by the owners of these developments, including generating additional employment through the resolution works.

Each local authority has a nominated Unfinished Estates contact person who can act as a conduit to resolution of outstanding issues. It is recommended that the residents of unfinished estates should contact their local authority to access information on the options available.

Ministerial Appointments

Questions (665)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

665. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the name, qualifications and current salary of each political staff member appointed by him. [46086/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The appointment of ministerial staff was undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices of March 2011. The information requested in relation to Special Advisers I have appointed is set out in the following table.

Name	Position	Qualifications	Salary
Claire Langton	Special Adviser	Ms Langton holds a Degree in Public Administration and Management. She has worked in Public Administration since 1997.	€ 81,676
Sean McKeown	Special Adviser	Mr McKeown holds a Degree in Environmental Planning, a Post Graduate Diploma in Town and Country Planning and a Masters Degree in Information Management. He served as the CEO of Kilkenny Enterprise Board from 2000 until his appointment.	€ 87,258

The information requested in relation to Special Advisers appointed by Minister of State O’Sullivan is set out in the following table.

Name	Position	Qualifications	Salary
Aidan Culhane	Special Adviser*	Mr Culhane was Special Adviser to former Minister of State Penrose. He holds a Masters Degree in Regional & Urban Planning. He served as a Councillor with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council from 1999 until his appointment.	€ 81,676
Paul Daly	Special Adviser*	Mr Daly holds a Degree in Politics and Philosophy and a Masters Degree in Political Communication. He has extensive experience in politics and public affairs.	€ 78,670

* Note: Minister O’Sullivan regularly attends Cabinet meetings and appointed a second special adviser in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil.

Minister of State O’Sullivan and I have also each appointed a Personal Assistant, a Personal Secretary and two Civilian Drivers, who are on salary scales relevant to their grades in accordance with those prescribed centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Minister of State O’Dowd has not appointed any ministerial staff in my Department.

Local Authority Charges Application

Questions (666)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

666. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, under present legislation, local authorities are empowered to negotiate rates arrears in businesses and companies which are being wound up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.

Commercial rates income makes a significant contribution to the current funding requirements of local authorities. However, local authorities recognise that these are difficult economic times for many businesses, and work closely with ratepayers experiencing difficulty in the payment of commercial rates. In this regard, local authorities are facilitating the payment of commercial rates by instalments and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay. Legal processes are initiated by local authorities only when it becomes clear that other methods of debt collection are not successful.

Seniors Alert Scheme Issues

Questions (667)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

667. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding made available to County Wicklow through the local authority, community and voluntary groups for the seniors alert scheme on a yearly basis from 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46147/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

The following table outlines the funding made available to County Wicklow for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 to date. This information is also available on my Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/SeniorsAlert/FileDownLoad,26536,en.xls.

County Wicklow Seniors Alert Scheme

Year	Expenditure €
2010	38,574
2011	73,883
2012	80,051
2013 to date	45,757

Property Taxation Yield

Questions (668, 688, 725)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

668. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities will receive 80% of the proceeds of the local property tax collected in their area in 2014 as part of their allocation from the local government fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46149/13]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

688. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the entire amount of local property tax raised in 2014 will be transferred to the local government fund as per section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46498/13]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

725. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that Cork County Council will not receive, in 2014, 80% of the property tax collected in 2013 as was committed to earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47030/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 668, 688 and 725 together.

The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. 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 addition, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector will have a considerable impact on local authority financing.

The Government has indicated an intention to move to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The establishment of Irish Water presents local government with significant organisational and financial challenges in 2014 and, in this context, it has been necessary to defer defining a certain proportion of the proceeds of the Local Property Tax to be retained in each local authority until 2015. This approach allows maximum flexibility in allocating Local Property Tax in 2014 with the priority to support those local authorities with weaker funding bases. The 2014 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grants will be announced in due course.

I expect the Local Property Tax to have multiple benefits, including a more sustainable and resilient system of funding for local authorities and therefore a sounder financial footing for the provision of essential local services; greater local scope for financial decision-making concerning service provision - in particular, the inclusion of the local variation mechanism will further increase the autonomy of local authorities; and a strengthening of democracy at local level with a more active relationship between local authorities and local electorates. A stronger democratic relationship and clearer lines of accountability can only have a beneficial impact on service provision from the perspective of the service user.

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Questions (669)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

669. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding of the Balyna regional water scheme in north-west Kildare; when it is proposed to commence the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46152/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

There are no proposals in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 that would facilitate the provision of a water supply to the Ballyna Group Water Scheme. However, under the Programme, it was open to water services authorities, in certain circumstances, to make an application to have new proposals inserted into the Programme. Kildare County Council has made an application to my Department which might enable the Ballyna area to be served with a supply. Additional information in connection with this proposal is awaited from Kildare County Council.

Planning Issues

Questions (670)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

670. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consequences and penalties facing developers who provide false information on a planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46165/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Much of the information provided by a planning applicant on the planning application form and, where relevant, in response to a further information request will be checked by the planning authority in the course of its consideration of the application. The giving of false information by a developer could lead to a permission granted being deemed invalid by the courts.

Regeneration Projects Funding

Questions (671)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

671. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that €4 million has been set aside for the redevelopment of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the specific works that will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46167/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department currently supports an ambitious approach to regeneration which seeks to address the causes of disadvantage in communities and large social housing estates through holistic programmes of physical, social and economic regeneration. This year, my Department is providing funding of over €31million in respect of regeneration projects in Dublin city, some €15 million of which is earmarked for projects which were previously included in the City Council’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, including St. Teresa’s Gardens.

A draft schematic regeneration proposal for St. Teresa’s Gardens was developed by the Council, in consultation with the Regeneration Board, and submitted to my Department in March 2012. Since then, my Department has liaised on an ongoing basis with the Council to advance these proposals and to get the demolition, refurbishment and construction processes underway at the earliest possible date.

My Department recently approved the City Council’s proposals for the retrofitting of apartments to facilitate the de-tenanting of those apartment blocks which are scheduled for demolition. It is anticipated that 16 units will be completed by the end of this year. This will facilitate the demolition of vacant units and the start of preparatory work for the construction of 50 new apartments on the cleared site.

I recently met with some residents of St. Teresa’s Gardens to hear their views on the de-tenanting/relocation arrangements and the plans for the construction of the 50 new apartments. Following this meeting, I also met with the new City Manager and the Assistant City Manager with responsibility for housing, with the objective of agreeing a strategy for completing the necessary preparation works and ensuring the commencement of construction of the new housing units at the earliest possible date.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (672)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

672. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether, as owners of our wind resource, the people are entitled to the best information in relation to same; the measures he will take to ensure developers of wind farms are required by law, under threat of strict penalties, to provide, in planning applications, production estimates from statistical analysis of their wind data to a stated degree of confidence - for example, 90th percentile or P90 - so that the planning authorities might have the best possible economic information available in reaching decisions in relation to community gain contributions, special contributions, section 48/49 contributions and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46169/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

It is a matter for planning authorities to require applicants to provide sufficient data in order to assess planning applications and also to make decisions in relation to development contributions, and special contributions, where appropriate.

Section 182B of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended) provides that An Bord Pleanála may attach a community benefit condition to an approval for electricity transmission and may also attach a condition in regard to community gain to any approval issuing under the strategic consent process if considered appropriate.

Local Authority Expenditure

Questions (673)

Clare Daly

Question:

673. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the local authority national partnership advisory group undertook and funded an international trip to New York from 7 to 15 September 2001; if it has been brought to his attention that the reported total cost of flight and accommodation for the seven-person delegation was €31,970; the cost of the hotel accommodation for the seven participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46211/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 70 of 16 October 2013 which sets out the position in this matter.