Written Answers Nos. 255-268
255. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a national community hedge-cutting grant scheme and-or provide support to local authorities that wish to initiate such a scheme to assist landowners and community groups in maintaining hedgerows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51714/13]
View answerMy Department has no plans to introduce a national community hedge-cutting grant scheme. Regarding a local authority initiative, it is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard both to locally identified needs and available resources.
256. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the potential sources of funding from the European Investment Bank for social housing build, social housing refurbishment and social housing energy efficiency retrofitting or any related schemes; and the applications his Department has made or encouraged local authorities to make to access such funding. [51736/13]
View answer257. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions that have been held within his Department or between his Department and any local authorities or other related bodies on the subject of local authorities establishing arms-length companies operating as housing associations for the purpose of drawing down funds from the Housing Finance Agency and-or the European Investment Bank to fund social housing projects; his views on this matter; and if his Department intends to carry out any further work on this issue as part of its plan to meet the existing levels of housing need. [51737/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
In 2011 the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) was introduced to facilitate the securing of finance by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) from sources other than the Exchequer, including from the Housing Finance Agency and private lending institutions. The CALF provides a capital equity injection which assists AHBs in securing private finance. To date over €10 million has been advanced to AHBs using this facility which has supported the provision of 158 social housing units. It is open to AHBs to consider and put forward proposals to meet housing need under the CALF. I am not aware of any case where loan finance has been sourced by AHBs from the European Investment Bank (EIB). It would be a matter for AHBs themselves to approach the EIB with proposals in this regard.
Under the EU Structural and Investment Funds 2014 -2020, financial assistance may be provided by way of grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in respect of a number of investment priorities within the thematic objectives set out in the relevant EU Regulation. In accordance with the investment priority of Supporting the Shift Towards a Low Carbon Economy, my Department submitted a proposal under the South and East Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 for the deep retrofitting of some 2,000 local authority apartments and flats in Dublin, Cork and Limerick at an estimated cost of €100 million. It is proposed that 25% of the cost would be met by way of a grant from the ERDF with a further 50% of the cost to be met by way of loan finance from the EIB. The balance of funding would be provided from my Department's social housing budget.
It is intended that the retrofitting works would be undertaken by a number of AHBs who would subsequently manage and maintain the properties on behalf of the local authority. My Department held a series of meetings with relevant stakeholders in connection with this application including the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, the Regional Assemblies which act as Managing Authority for the EU Structural and Investment Funds, and the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH). My Department understands the ICSH intend to invite AHBs with an interest in participating in the project to a meeting in the near future.
Further social housing proposals of this nature and involving the EIB and the AHBs will be considered in the context of the outcome of this proposal.
258. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any funding for families who inadvertently build their houses with asbestos roofing products, without knowing the health risks of these products; and, if not, if he will consider making available such funding. [51749/13]
View answerThere are no specific grants available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestos in buildings. However, the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability provide a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, and can in those circumstances include the removal of asbestos.
There is a general ban on the use of asbestos under Directive 76/769/EEC as amended, which was transposed in Ireland through the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) Regulations. The prevention of exposure is the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestos in the workplace. Specific worker protection Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos fibres while at work have been in place since 1989. The most up-to-date Regulations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos ) Regulations 2006, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority. The Authority comes under the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Insofar as the management of asbestos as a waste is concerned, the Waste Management Acts 1996-2007 prohibit any person from holding, transporting, recovering or disposing of waste in a manner which causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution, defined in Section 5 to include action which would to a significant extent endanger human health. It is recommended that expert advice should be sought in dealing with asbestos materials and if removal is necessary it should only be done by a competent contractor with the required training.
259. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific licenses gained by a company (details supplied) in Monasterevin, County Kildare in order for them to operate; and if any provisions were made to deal with the odours that are released from such a business. [51750/13]
View answerIssues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation, including the issuing of licences, are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local development companies that have been subject to Employment Appeals Tribunal hearings in the past five years; the names of those LDCs; the payments that were awarded in each case; the way the moneys were paid; the total cost to the State, including awards and legal fees and a breakdown of the settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51751/13]
View answer261. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local development companies that have been the subject of complaints to all statutory labour relations mechanisms in the past five years and the name of the LDC in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51752/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the Local Community Development Programme, with 35 of those also delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, throughout the country. These LDCs are independent companies with their own boards of management and memoranda and articles of association. My Department has no role in the internal operations of these companies and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to any of the issues referred to in the Questions. These matters are solely for the boards of the Companies to manage and address.
Under the Community Affairs (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011, certain functions vested in the then Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs were transferred to me, as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. These functions included the functions relating to Section 2(3) of the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007, providing that:
The Minister shall not be, or be deemed to be, an employer, within the meaning of the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994 and 2001, by virtue of the provision of funding to a person or persons under any scheme.
262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of 2013 local development company programmes that have yet to be signed off by Pobal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51753/13]
View answerMy Department's Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is managed and administered, on my Department's behalf, by Pobal. The aim of the annual approval process is to facilitate and promote a more co-ordinated delivery of the services provided by Local Development Companies under the LCDP, by facilitating complementarity between their individual plans and the County/City strategy for the area, thereby avoiding duplication of work, helping to address gaps, and, maximising the impact of programmes for local communities.
Following the 2013 appraisal process, undertaken by the County Development Boards, my Department and Pobal, 49 of the 50 LCDP plans have been approved. Pobal is working with the Board of the LDC in the remaining case to resolve the outstanding matter in relation to its plan. Following that process, Pobal will be making a recommendation to my Department.
264. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which enabling legislation relating to the Pyrite Resolution Board will be passed; when the board will commence receiving applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51766/13]
View answerThe legislation needed to provide for the operation of a pyrite remediation scheme and the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board on a statutory basis is currently in preparation and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that the Bill is published at the earliest possible date. I hope to bring the legislation to the Oireachtas before the end of this term.
The Pyrite Resolution Board will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the remediation scheme and will be supported in this endeavour by the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency. In the interim period, the Board is continuing to work on an administrative basis to develop appropriate systems and procedures, including an online application and processing system, in order to ensure that it will be in a position to accept applications as soon as the legislation is published.
265. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the observations in the pyrite report that it would be in the banks' own interest to facilitate a process that would protect their assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51767/13]
View answerThe report of the independent Pyrite Panel, which was published in July 2012, recommended engagement by key stakeholders, including the banks, in processes which would provide solutions for affected homeowners. My preferred approach was for responsible stakeholders to take ownership of the problem and to work with me to provide a voluntary industry led solution to the problem. Against this background and following receipt of the pyrite report, I engaged with the stakeholders, which included the banking sector, with the objective of securing a voluntary, industry-led response which would include appropriate funding arrangements. However, despite protracted discussions, the stakeholders would not commit to putting in place a voluntary scheme. In the absence of an agreement with the stakeholders the Government approved, in April 2013, the funding of a remediation scheme through the imposition of mandatory levies on the construction and insurance sectors.
Implementation of the remediation scheme was to be supported by a not-for-profit entity, established by the construction stakeholders, who would have operated under the supervision of the Pyrite Resolution Board. Under that process, it was intended that the entity would have been the borrower of a loan facility, which a number of financial institutions had signalled their willingness to provide, to facilitate the early commencement of pyrite remediation works. Unfortunately, due to legal difficulties it was not possible to proceed on the basis of those proposals. The revised arrangements which have recently been approved by Government do not involve a role for the banking sector. However, I would encourage the banks to respond sympathetically and positively to customers who may have particular financial requirements while their homes are being remediated.
266. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress being made since a resolution was agreed with Priory Hall residents; the number of home owners who have since signed new mortgage agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51798/13]
View answerIn October 2013 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. In broad terms, the key features of the framework document include:
- 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 this resolution process;
- solutions will be devised on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this 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; and,
- 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.
The Government has also established an implementation group, chaired by Dr Martin McAleese, to oversee the effective implementation of all aspects of the agreed Framework. The implementation group, which has already commenced activity, includes 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. Any arrangements that may be agreed between an individual homeowner and their mortgage provider is a matter between those parties.
267. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where he sees the €1 million cut in social inclusion funding taking place; and the criteria that will be applied. [51832/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos.19 and 23 of 23 October 2013 which set out the position on this matter.
268. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend voting rights to all EU citizens. [51839/13]
View answerSubject to age and residency requirements, a registered elector's citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. British citizens may vote at Dáil, European Parliament and local elections; EU citizens may vote at European Parliament and local elections; and non-EU citizens may vote at local elections. Irish citizens alone are entitled to vote at Presidential elections and referendums.
While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to change the existing arrangements.
