Written Answers Nos. 90-124
90. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to introduce the postcode system; when is it expected to come into full operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52081/13]
View answerIreland is the only country in the OECD that does not have a national post code system. On the 8th October 2013, I announced that the Government had approved, subject to contract, the rollout of a new national postcode system that will provide a unique seven character code to every letter-box in the State by 2015.The Government also approved, subject to contract, the appointment of Capita Business Support Service Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the Postcode System. This company will operate the postcode under license for an initial ten year period extendable at the discretion of the Minister for Communications by a further five years. Under the new system, Ireland will have a public database of unique identifiers for all addresses in the State.
Householders will be informed of their postcode in early 2015 and the system will come into operation then. In the meantime the groundwork required to design the code and update private and public sector databases to accommodate the new postcode system will be undertaken.
I hope to announce further details of the new system shortly when the contract is finalised.
91. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason an elderly person who is in receipt of an old age pension from the UK together with a fuel allowance is prevented from receiving help in terms of insulation grants and other such assistance from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, due to the fact that they are not in receipt of a fuel allowance from her Department; if this condition can be amended to recognise the fact that such applicant might receive the qualifying allowance from another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52147/13]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes on behalf of my Department. Better Energy Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to homeowners that are vulnerable to energy poverty. Better Energy Homes provides fixed grants to homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes, saving money, improving comfort and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. To be eligible for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme a householder must be in receipt of one of the following:
- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme (means tested);
- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with a child under seven years of age;
- Family Income Supplement.
The Better Energy Homes scheme is open to any owner of a dwelling built before 2006.
The UK Winter Fuel Payment is available to pensioners who currently or previously resided in the UK. This payment is available to all over 60s regardless of their means. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has confirmed that persons in receipt of the UK Winter Fuel Payment are not precluded from applying for the Fuel Allowance. However, as the Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment, receipt of the UK Fuel Payment would have to be taken into account in assessing eligibility. Assuming an applicant who was in receipt of the UK Winter Fuel Payment was deemed eligible for the Fuel Allowance, there should be no impediment to them making an application for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, subject to the other eligibility criteria being met.
If an applicant does not qualify for the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme they can still apply for a grant under the Better Energy Homes scheme.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which it is expected to replace electricity generation from fossil fuels with alternatives in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52184/13]
View answer93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will set out the national targets for the replacement of electricity generation from non-fossil fuels; the extent to which these targets are currently being met; his plans to so do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52185/13]
View answer94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which integrated plans have been developed to increase electricity generation from wind and or other sources over the next ten years; the extent to which it is expected to meet, in full or a portion thereof, the economic requirements over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52186/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, together.
The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our energy requirements. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources.
The Renewable Energy Directive also requires that Member States set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) their trajectories towards meeting these targets. Ireland’s NREAP, which is available on my Department’s website, assumes Ireland’s 16% target will be met incrementally at around 1% per annum. Provisional figures for 2012 indicate that 7.1% of our overall energy requirements and 19.6% of electricity demand were met from renewable sources.
The primary support mechanisms for renewable electricity in Ireland are the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These schemes are designed to incentivise the development of electricity generation capacity from a range of renewable sources including wind, biomass and hydropower.
To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. In 2012, 15.3% of Ireland's electricity demand was met by wind generation. At the end of quarter three this year, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was approx. 2,100 MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target. Currently, approximately 3,000 MW of renewable generation has taken up connection offers under the Gate 3 grid connection programme.
The development of the clean, indigenous, renewable energy resources, which Ireland is fortunate to have in abundance, holds the prospect of reducing our reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports, thereby improving our energy security, and opening up opportunities for the engineering, ICT and communication sectors with consequent potential for job creation. This potential is already recognised by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in their clean technologies strategies.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the use of interconnectors to increase the availability of electricity in this jurisdiction at times of fluctuating requirements; the extent to which such interconnectors can be used to off-load electricity surplus to requirements at particular times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52187/13]
View answerThe interconnected power systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland form a single synchronous power system and all electricity generated on the island is traded in the Single Electricity Market (SEM), the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland, regulated jointly by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Utility Regulator (UR). The Irish system is connected to the electricity system of Great Britain system via two Direct Current (DC) interconnectors, the Moyle Interconnector and the East-West Electricity Interconnector (EWIC).The Moyle subsea interconnector links the electricity grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland. It went into commercial operation in 2002 and has a capacity of 500 Mega Watts (MW). The EWIC links the electricity grids of Ireland and Great Britain. It has a capacity of 500 MW, and therefore doubled Ireland and Northern Ireland’s electricity interconnection with Great Britain when it went live in 2012. The two interconnectors allow market participants to trade electricity between the SEM on the island of Ireland and the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (BETTA) market in Great Britain. EWIC’s increasing of this island’s interconnector capacity greatly enhances our ability to trade electricity with our neighbours and accelerates the integration of Ireland with other electricity systems. Interconnector flows for EWIC and Moyle are based on the combination of offers submitted by interconnector users and the merit order for the SEM’s economic dispatch. The "Available Transfer Capacity" of the Interconnector is considered and flows are determined by the market scheduling software based on economic dispatch under unconstrained unit commitment.
The SEM redesign project, currently underway, will enable market participants in the SEM and interconnected markets to trade electricity more efficiently across the interconnectors, in accordance with EU Third Energy Package legislation. This will enhance our integration with neighbouring European markets and facilitate greater cross-Border electricity trade.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an evaluation has been done as to how the problem of inadequate mobile telephone service can be addressed, with particular reference to mobile phone coverage black spots at various locations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52188/13]
View answerThe provision of mobile telecommunications services networks within Ireland's competitive telecommunications market is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum. The allocation of radio spectrum, including the imposition of coverage obligations, are matters for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is independent in the exercise of its functions. Accordingly, I have no statutory function in this matter.However, I expect that with the continued significant capital investments being made by mobile operators, the quality of mobile services will continue to improve across the country. I note in this regard that a number of mobile operators have made announcements regarding network upgrades.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the ongoing steps being taken to improve the quality and availability of broadband services throughout the country with the objective of achieving the highest possible quality and speed in all areas, urban and rural; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52189/13]
View answer100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he continues to encourage the service providers to upgrade and improve the availability and quality of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52192/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 100 together.
Ireland's telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.
The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, there is evidence that industry is investing beyond the targets to which they committed in the Plan. Eircom has extended its plans for the rollout of high speed services, with speeds of up to 100Mbps to 1.4m premises, UPC has increased its minimum and top speed products to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively, and mobile operators are rolling out enhanced product offerings, including 4G mobile. Other operators continue to invest and ESB is currently considering the prospect of utilising its distribution network to rollout fibre broadband services.
These developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work is underway in my Department to progress a State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector over the coming years, the results of which will inform the areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the envisaged or enhanced role he sees for the post office network, including sub-post offices and counter services, with particular reference to the utilisation of technology by An Post, thereby enhancing opportunities for growth in the sector in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52190/13]
View answerOperational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard.An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have been supportive of its attempts to diversify its income streams and to win a wider range of commercial contracts offering higher margins. Having invested in the computerisation of all post offices, An Post is well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and financial services sector. Progress towards diversification within the financial services sector is already underway with the enhanced arrangement with AIB and the agreement with Aviva for the transfer of their branch offices personal insurance business to One Direct. In the context of the public sector transformation agenda I have stressed to my Government colleagues that the network is ideally configured for over the counter transactions. Any such developments would, of course, need to be subject to public procurement requirements as appropriate.
Overall, I see a strong future for the network by using its existing strengths to remain a significant player as a front office for Government services.
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress regarding the availability of product from the Corrib gas field to the national grid in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52191/13]
View answerCompletion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available.It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, which began last year, including the construction of a 5km tunnel, will be completed in the second half of 2014. First gas cannot therefore reasonably be anticipated before end 2014.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which any new indications of commercially viable finds of oil, gas or other minerals have been brought to his attention in each of the past three years and to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52193/13]
View answerThere have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the last three years. However, Ireland now has the highest number of petroleum exploration authorisations in place since exploration began in our offshore more than four decades ago. With new company entrants this year including large independent oil companies such as Cairn Energy, Kosmos Energy and Woodside Energy, together with existing companies such as Eni, ExxonMobil, Petronas, RPS, and Shell, it is evident that that there is significant and growing capacity in the sector. This demonstrates that exploration in the Irish offshore is moving in the right direction.
In a similar manner, while the number of active minerals prospecting licences indicate the buoyant state of mineral exploration in Ireland, no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in the last three years although there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare. However, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits or to estimate the economic benefits that might accrue.
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how energy costs here compare with those in other EU member states, eurozone and non-eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52194/13]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of these markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body. While I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market, I am acutely conscious of the impact of energy prices on citizens and businesses across Ireland. Similarly, I have no function in the setting of oil prices. The price paid at the pump by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price that refined product is traded at in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry to the market. Upward trends in global oil prices underscore the Government’s commitment to delivering national energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives, which are aimed at moving the economy away from reliance on imported, carbon intensive fossil fuels such as oil.
Figures produced by the EU Market Observatory for Energy in its Oil Bulletin, in respect of prices in force on 25 November 2013, indicate that Ireland’s petrol and diesel prices are very close to those in the other Euro area Member States, especially when differences in taxes and duties are taken into account. Further information can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/observatory/oil/bulletin_en.htm
Ireland’s electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and retail, are characterised by vigorous competition, regulated by the CER. Competition puts downward pressure on prices. Prices in the retail electricity market are now fully deregulated. Since 1 October 2011, the residential gas consumer segment is the only segment of the electricity and gas markets where prices are regulated. Prices in the electricity market and the unregulated part of the gas market are wholly commercial and operational matters for suppliers.
The latest analysis of Eurostat data published by SEAI relates to the last six months of 2012. The link to this analysis is at: http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/EPSSU_Publications/. It shows that half of Irish residential electricity consumers paid 7% more than the EU average for their electricity and a further 31% of consumers paid about 16% above the EU average. About 9% of households actually paid 5% below the EU average. Compared to other countries our ranking in these bands ranged from fourth to ninth most expensive. While Irish business paid up to 18% above the European average for electricity, the position for many medium firms, constituting over a quarter of the market, is they paid 8% above the EU average. Compared to other EU countries our ranking ranged from fourth to seventh most expensive across the small, medium and large bands.
As regards Irish residential gas consumers, SEAI analysis shows that prices paid by the vast bulk of these consumers (94%) during the period were 6% below the EU average. Ireland’s ranking in this band was 11th highest at end December 2012. Prices in the two other residential bands ranked from eleventh to sixteenth most expensive. Gas prices paid by Irish business ranged between 6% below and 5% above the EU average during the period. Compared to other countries our ranking in the five bands ranged from 10th to 17th most expensive.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how the price of motor fuel at filling stations here compares with prices throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52195/13]
View answerThe European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/observatory/oil/bulletin_en.htm .In addition to the weekly oil bulletins, the Commission also, on a less frequent basis, produces three maps of Europe with the euro prices for petrol, diesel and the varying national tax take for these two products in each of the 27 EU Member States. The oil bulletin of 25 November 2013, shows the price of petrol in Ireland was at €1.56 litre including taxes and duties (66c litre excluding taxes), while the price of diesel was €1.49 litre including taxes and duties (71c litre excluding taxes). The weighted EU average for the 17 Member States in the Euro area for the same week was €1.57 litre for petrol including taxes and duties (66c litre excluding taxes) and €1.41 litre for diesel including taxes and duties (71c litre excluding taxes). As can be seen from the reports on the European Commission website, prices in EU Member States and the weighted averages fluctuate on a weekly basis. This data illustrates that Ireland's petrol and diesel prices are very close to those in the other Euro area Member States, especially when differences in taxes and duties are taken account of.
I have no statutory function in the setting of oil prices. The price paid at the pump by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry to the market. Upward trends in global oil prices underscore the Government’s commitment to delivering national energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives, which are aimed at moving the economy away from reliance on imported, carbon intensive fossil fuels such as oil.
104. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the acknowledged need for the redevelopment of Labre Park Traveller accommodation in Ballyfermot, which has been included in the past three Traveller accommodation programmes but never advanced, if he will meet all of the stakeholders to ensure the delivery of this long awaited redevelopment. [51984/13]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the planning and implementation of Traveller accommodation proposals is a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council.
The original proposals for the provision of 22 additional units of accommodation at Labre Park were submitted to my Department by the City Council in 2004. Following a detailed appraisal and consultation with the Council, my Department issued approval in principle to proceed with the scheme in 2008, subject to further clarification on a number of issues. However, the City Council subsequently advised that it was not possible to advance the scheme due to certain issues which had arisen on site. Revised proposals for the redevelopment of Labre Park were received from the Council in November 2012 . Following consideration of the proposals and discussions with the City Council, additional technical information and details of the estimated cost were requested in July 2013. This information has recently been received and is currently under examination in my Department. As soon as this work is concluded I will consider the potential to progress the scheme in 2014. I propose to defer any meeting with stakeholders until after this matter has been given further consideration by my Department.
105. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the evacuation of apartments in Navan due to fire safety issues, and in view of the fact that there have been other similar incidents in recent months, the measures being taken to ensure that other apartment blocks are inspected with regard to fire safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51992/13]
View answerLocal authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in apartment buildings. Authorities have used such powers on a number of occasions, including in relation to instances of non-compliance which arose in relation to the development at Kentswood Court in Navan, Co. Meath. Neither I nor my Department have any function in assessing, checking or testing compliance, or otherwise, of specific works or developments, nor can I or my Department influence or interfere in the handling of specific cases by local authorities who are independent in the use of their statutory powers. Nevertheless I have urged, and will continue to urge, local authorities in general to continue to use all of the powers currently available to them to address failures to comply with statutory requirements, particularly in relation to fire safety in residential developments, within their functional areas.
Earlier this year I signed the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 into law. Building projects, on and from 1 march 2014 when the revised regulations come into effect, will require design documents to be lodged with the local building control authority, inspections during construction to be overseen by a registered construction professional (known as the Assigned Certifier) and statutory certificates of compliance with the building regulations to be signed by the designer, the builder and the assigned certifier. These new regulations will greatly strengthen the building control system and lead to an improved standard of construction generally thereby ensuring that consumers can enjoy the quality of buildings they expect and deserve.
106. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the procedure whereby persons applying for social housing must receive proof from the land registry from any country that they previously lived in that they do not own land or property there because, in many cases, it is just not possible depending on the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52005/13]
View answerThe position in this matter is as outlined in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 24 September 2013.
107. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a number of applications in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52013/13]
View answerThe 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 organisation referred to in the question has been approved for funding. A grant payment covering 29 applications has been processed and should reach the organisation’s bank account in the coming days.
108. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if will set out, in tabular form, the funds allocated by his Department to county councils (details supplied) for the purpose of combatting homelessness in each year since 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52037/13]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and the purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Details of the funding provided by my Department, under Section 10, to housing authorities in the counties of Kildare, Meath, Louth and Wicklow in the years 2009 to 2012 are set out in the following table.
|
COUNTY |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
KILDARE |
€338,510 |
€392,477 |
€319,467 |
€477,953 |
|
MEATH |
€355,820 |
€339,458 |
€208,588 |
€196,941 |
|
LOUTH |
€1,186,469 |
€ 935,874 |
€908,358 |
€900,308 |
|
WICKLOW |
€191,469 |
€174,907 |
€169,610 |
€164,252 |
In 2013 Section 10 funding is being provided to housing authorities on a regional basis. An allocation of €811,275 is available to the Mid-East Region which comprises counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, while an allocation of €879,963 is available to the North East Region which includes counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.
109. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the grades and numbers for each employee at all levels that will be employed by Irish Water plus the salary scales for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52038/13]
View answer120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department's water engineers will be transferred to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52176/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 120 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary under the Companies Acts within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group. The Act also provided Irish Water with the necessary powers to undertake the domestic water metering programme. The Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013, which was published on 2 December 2013, will provide for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 water services authorities to Irish Water.
Irish Water has programme management arrangements in place in preparation for this transfer of functions from 1 January 2014, to provide for customer service and billing and to implement the domestic water metering programme. The recruitment of staff is a matter for Irish Water. The Steering Group for the Water Sector Reform programme agreed that, to ensure skills within the sector were fully availed of in building up the new organisation, competitions for positions in asset management, capital delivery and operations would be restricted to staff in the partner organisations, which are the local authorities, Bord Gáis Éireann, and my Department including staff in the Water Division Inspectorate . Open competitions are held for all other positions. Data supplied by Irish Water indicate that 203 staff have been recruited to the Irish Water organisation with 121 having taken up duty and 82 due to start. A further 80 staff from the local authorities and 4 staff from my Department have been seconded to Irish Water on a temporary basis.
The Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013, which was published earlier this week, provides that Irish Water may appoint staff on terms and conditions as it may from time to time determine.
110. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has assessed the total value of unallocated Leader funding; his plans for the unallocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52043/13]
View answer111. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when local development companies will be in a position to accept new applications for Leader funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52044/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
In May 2013 all Local Development Companies were advised of their revised allocations under the Axis 3 and 4 elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). The overall value of those elements of the RDP is currently €370m and of that up to 20% can be spent on administration costs leaving a minimum of €296 million available for projects and animation activities. Some Local Development Companies have indicated that they will spend less than the 20% allowed under the Regulations and will divert this funding into projects.
To date €285.5 million has been committed with a further 30 projects to the value of €9.1million still under assessment. My Department is in on-going contact with the relevant Local Development Companies in order to resolve outstanding issues as quickly as possible and I expect that this process will be finalised shortly. In addition, projects to the value of €1.8m are currently under appeal.
My Department is keeping the funding position under constant review. I expect that there will be a small amount of uncommitted LEADER Programme funding available for re-distribution to LDCs before year end. I will review the options available for distributing these funds and make allocations in the coming weeks.
112. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a proposal (details supplied) on residential tenancy legislation. [52051/13]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 represented the most significant legislative reform in the private rented sector in over a century. The Act provided real security of tenure for tenants in the private rented sector for the first time and, inter alia, provided access for both tenants and landlords to an inexpensive, informal and independent dispute resolution process operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).
Nine years on from the passing of the Act , however, it is clear that there are aspects of the legislation that require amendment in order to improve the functioning of the private rental sector, including in relation to the withholding of rent during the dispute resolution process. Currently, under Section 86 of the Act, rent continues to be payable pending the determination of a dispute but a termination of the tenancy may not be effected during this period.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 builds on what has already been achieved by the Act and by the PRTB and is a key element in the delivery of the Government’s housing policy. Amendments were introduced at committee stage of the Bill in the Dáil , to provide for the introduction of a new procedure which will enable the PRTB to deal effectively with tenants who do not pay rent during the dispute resolution process. The amendments insert a new section into the Act which provide for a landlord, in such instances, to bring a complaint before the PRTB. On hearing this complaint, the PRTB can order the tenant to pay any rent due. The matter is then adjourned for a period of no more than 14 days to allow the tenant comply with the Order. Where the tenant does not comply the PRTB will have the power to terminate the tenancy irrespective of whether a notice of termination has been served.
Essentially, the non-payment of rent issue is fast-tracked and any other aspects of the dispute will be dealt with in the normal way. The proposed new provisions will allow the PRTB to deal effectively and quickly with the small number of tenants who do not comply with their statutory obligation to pay rent during the dispute process. The Bill is currently before the Seanad.
113. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding that will be provided to Meath County Council for housing adaptation grants as a result of the announcements made in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52137/13]
View answerThe Estimates provision of €28.6m in respect of the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability 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 local authorities early in 2014.
114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Burncourt regional water supply; when will works be completed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many customers in this area are on a boil water notice for around four years; his views on whether this is a satisfactory level of service for customers; the reason for the delay in completing the works; if he will provide assurance that these works will be completed prior to the amalgamation of north and south Tipperary county councils to avoid any further confusion or delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52146/13]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in South Tipperary. The Burncourt and Fethard Regional Water Supply Scheme Water Treatment Plants Contract is included among the contracts to commence during the lifetime of the Programme, with further contracts for Burncourt and Fethard to advance through planning. Earlier this week I approved funding of €12.4m to allow South Tipperary County Council award the Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Build Operate Contract for the Scheme.
115. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any recourse in the case of a person (details supplied) who bought apartments from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, under the affordable housing scheme in 2009, which have subsequently fallen considerably in value. [52151/13]
View answerSince the introduction of affordable housing schemes in 1999 qualifying applicants were enabled to become home owners through purchase of designated affordable units, including through the shared ownership scheme. This involved the purchaser entering into a shared ownership lease with the local authority on a property at a significant discount from market value. In these cases, as with all affordable housing sales, a clawback was introduced to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes.
While it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, I fully recognise that affordable home owners are in many cases impacted by the downturn in the same way as other home owners, for example, in consequence of unemployment and possible negative equity. In such cases borrowers should actively engage with their lenders, whether a commercial financial institution or a local authority, to seek to avail of one of the options available to provide sustainable solutions to distressed mortgages. In this regard the mortgage arrears resolution process already in place in respect of commercial mortgages is now being implemented across all local authorities. In cases of acute mortgage distress homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now also in place to deal with personal insolvency.
A review of the operation of the shared ownership scheme is currently under way and further guidance and clarification will issue from my Department to local authorities shortly as a consequence of this review process.
116. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applicants on the waiting list for local authority housing at the time of the latest figures available; and the number on the lists in each housing authority area. [52169/13]
View answerIn accordance with Section 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009, I directed all housing authorities to carry out a summary of the social housing assessments carried out in their administrative areas as at 7 May, 2013. Results from this assessment will be available later this month. The previous summary of social housing assessments was carried out as at 31 March, 2011, and found that there were 98,318 households on local authority waiting lists. The full results of that assessment, including breakdowns by each local authority, are available on on my Department’s website www.environ.ie and the Housing Agency’s website www.housing.ie.
117. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the financial provision that has been made by his Department to provide social housing in the 2014 budget; and if he will provide a breakdown of that figure for the various types of provision. [52170/13]
View answer118. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the numbers of social housing that will be provided in 2014 from the budget provision for same; and the expected cost per unit for same. [52171/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
My Department’s 2014 Estimate includes a provision in excess of €223 million for capital expenditure and €302 million for current expenditure for housing in 2014. The 2014 capital provision includes €40 million for local authority housing, €40.9 million for voluntary and co-operative housing, €3 million for Social Inclusion, €109.4 million for Regeneration, Remedial Works, Retrofitting and Energy Efficiency and €28.6 million for Private Housing Grants.
In addition to the provision outlined above there were a number of announcements made on Budget Day which enhanced the 2014 allocation. It was announced that an additional €30 million will be invested in local authority housing. Approximately half of this investment will enable the construction of new infill developments in areas with high demand for social housing with the remainder invested in bringing long-term vacant units back into productive use. I intend to announce details shortly of these two measures with a view to having the investment programme up and running as early as possible in 2014. Budget 2014 also introduced a new €10 million fund aimed at resolving unfinished estates where no development bond exists for carrying out essential public works. An additional €10 million was also provided to augment the provision for Private Housing Grants.
The majority of the provision for current expenditure will also be initialised for social housing provision through long term leasing and the Rental Accommodation Scheme. Delivery of social housing is significantly facilitated through these more flexible funding models, but the Government continues to be committed to other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. In addition, my Department and the Housing Agency are also engaged with NAMA to ensure continued delivery of housing units for social purposes. It is provisionally estimated that in the region of 5,000 units of social housing will be provided in 2014. The final provision for housing for 2014 will be contained in the Revised Estimates Volume which is due to be published very shortly.
119. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of persons deemed to be homeless in the State; and the number of such in each county. [52172/13]
View answerTraditionally it has been difficult to quantify the number of homeless persons on an ongoing basis; this is in part a consequence of the volatility within this cohort of housing need. However, during the course of 2013 the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), which commenced operation in Dublin in 2011, is being extended nationally. When PASS is fully implemented it will provide good quality, timely data which will allow housing authorities to report in relation to the ongoing extent and the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed.
In advance of the full implementation of PASS the most complete set of data available in relation to homelessness nationally is the Central Statistics Office's special Census report, Homeless Persons in Ireland, which was published on 6 September 2012. This report indicated that a total of 64 individuals were sleeping rough on Census night, 10 April 2011, while identifying a further 3,744 people as housed in accommodation defined as emergency, transitional or long-term. Of the total of 3,808 individuals included in the report almost 60% were in long-term or transitional housing arrangements. This report is available on CSO's website, www.cso.ie.
121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons who have travelled from Ireland to fight in the Syrian civil war; if his Department has put in place procedures to ensure the reintegration into society of those who have joined the conflict upon their return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52058/13]
View answerI am aware of the matter to which the Deputy refers. Upheaval and conflict in Syria in particular has seen the spectacle of many individuals travelling from Europe to the fighting and tragically a number of our citizens have lost their lives there.
This is an issue of concern to the majority of European States and one to which I gave priority during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In that connection Ireland was successful in gaining the agreement of the Member States to carry out a review of the EU Strategy for Countering Radicalisation and Recruitment to Terrorism. Work is currently ongoing on this matter at various levels within the EU. One of the aspects to be addressed in the review is that of how best to manage the "foreign fighter" phenomenon. In addition, Ireland is also a member of a small group of like minded States, that was set up during the Irish Presidency to develop a response to this issue and I have met with my EU Ministerial colleagues in this regard.
The development of appropriate responses to the foreign fighter phenomenon is at a very early stage across the EU. However, it is widely accepted that a key element in addressing this problem is a programme of pro-active engagement with the communities most affected with a view to persuading those inclined to travel that there may be more beneficial and positive ways of contributing to a resolution of the conflict than simply taking up arms. In that regard, An Garda Síochána operates one of the most forward thinking programmes of community relations and racial integration in Europe through its Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office. The Office is in contact with many of our minority communities through its network of Ethnic Liaison Officers and is there to discuss all matters of concern to these communities, including those related to the conflicts in the Middle East. Furthermore, An Garda Siochána is a member of the EU's Radicalisation Awareness Network which was set up by the EU Commission to develop responses and best practices in the field of radicalisation including a foreign fighters dimension and this work is continuing.
122. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation Bambi; the number of persons arrested and charged as part of this operation to date and broken down on an annual basis; the number of successful convictions obtained as a result of the operation; and if the operation is still active. [52130/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Bambi commenced in September 2013 following consultation between An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The operation was set up to target individuals who are suspected of being actively involved in the commission of wildlife crime, particularly the illegal hunting of wild deer and poaching.
I am further informed that three persons were arrested in November as part of the operation and that one person was charged with firearms offences. Additional charges under the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, are being considered. The investigation into any further offences is ongoing.
123. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the number of vehicles in Coolock, Raheny and Clontarf Garda stations, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52139/13]
View answerDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and available resources.
In that context, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the fleet, made up of an additional €5m this year and a further €4m in 2014. At this stage, arising from the additional €5m being made available between October and December, the Garda authorities have arranged for the delivery of 305 new vehicles by the end of 2013. These are in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles already made available during the year.
I understand that the specific details in relation to the deployment of these new Garda vehicles have yet to be finalised but the Deputy can be assured that they will be allocated as effectively as possible in line with operational circumstances, including the requirements of the stations referred to by the Deputy. This most recent investment will bring to €18m the total amount spent on the Garda fleet for the three years 2012 to 2014. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to deliver an effective and efficient policing service.
124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce strict rules regarding the debarring of persons, who have been proved guilty of killing others, from inheriting from their estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52200/13]
View answerThe position is that section 120(1) of the Succession Act 1965 provides that a sane person who has been guilty of the murder, attempted murder or manslaughter of another shall be precluded from taking any share in the estate of that other, except a share arising under a will made after the act constituting the offence and shall not be entitled to make a claim under section 117 of the Act which relates to provision for children.
