Written Answers Nos 1-37
1. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of staff currently in employment with Irish Water; the total number anticipated when it reaches full strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52065/13]
View answerThe 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 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. 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. Recruitment beyond these numbers will be dependent both on budgets available and organisational needs.
8. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any of the borrowings Irish Water availed of from the National Pensions Reserve Fund were used to service contracts for water installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51814/13]
View answer17. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the uses that will be made of Exchequer funds provided to Irish Water; if any of the Exchequer funding will be used to repay National Pensions Reserve Fund borrowings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51813/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 17 together.
A key objective of the water sector reform programme is to rationalise the cost of the current service delivery and ensure more efficient operation of water services by moving from 34 water services authorities to a single body; following enactment of the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 which is currently being considered by the Seanad, these functions will transfer to Irish Water.
Expenditure to date by Bord Gáis/Irish Water in preparation for this transfer is not being funded from the Exchequer, with the exception of €0.7m which has been committed for a pilot study in relation to phase 2 of the metering programme. The National Pensions Reserve Fund has provided a bridging loan facility to Irish Water to meet the costs arising to the end of 2013. This includes the initial stages of the domestic water metering programme, the full cost of which is €539m excluding VAT.
Irish Water’s costs in the coming years will be funded through a mix of revenue from the domestic and non-domestic sector, third party finance and State support. In 2014, it is proposed to make a direct equity investment of €240m from the Exchequer towards the capital funding of Irish Water. This will support projects to be included in Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan. Work is also underway on the funding model for Irish Water’s operational costs, to ensure that it can fund the Service Level Agreements being put in place with local authorities for the delivery of water services in 2014. Funding for this purpose will be made available to Irish Water through the Local Government Fund in 2014. Irish Water will also finance some of its costs (both capital and operational), including the liabilities transferred from local authorities, through borrowings and revenue from the non-domestic sector in 2014
9. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the climate change talks recently concluded in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51924/13]
View answerThe 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Warsaw from 11 to 22 November, in conjunction with the 9th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol; the 39th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies on Implementation and Scientific and Technical Advice, and the third part of the second session of the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP).
In addition to work focussed on further implementation of previous COP decisions and agreements, the Warsaw COP centred on making progress towards a new global agreement, to be concluded in COP 21 in Paris in December 2015. To this end, a key focus of the EU position going into these negotiations was to agree a clear process of work and analysis, including key milestones, for 2014 and 2015. This process is necessary to ensure that all Parties begin their domestic preparations in order to be in a position to bring meaningful emission reduction commitments to the table far enough in advance of the Paris COP to allow for peer review and discussion in terms of both their proposed ambition and fairness. Clarity on this process was achieved, along with agreement on specific actions to increase pre-2020 mitigation ambition – a vital element of the work under the ADP.
Other key outcomes included important steps towards the operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund; agreement on a mechanism to address Loss and Damage; and agreement of the REDD Rulebook – a package of measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. While a decision on a work programme for agriculture was deferred until the next negotiating session in June 2014 , there was useful dialogue and sharing of views on agriculture, land use and forestry through workshops and a high-level event, in which Ireland was an active contributor.
Overall, while in some areas of the negotiations it proved challenging to secure consensus across all 194 participating countries, there was a positive outcome for this COP – it is one further step on the road to 2015 and must be seen in that context. Ireland will continue to work within the EU and with our international partners to secure an ambitious and effective global agreement in Paris.
10. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's work in addressing the ongoing social housing crisis; and if a more advanced level of a social housing building programme will be on his Department's agenda to address the crisis. [51810/13]
View answerThe Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. Together with the Minister for Housing and Planning, I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is optimised in terms of resources and focus to maximise the response to social housing need. This must of course be achieved in a context in which public expenditure necessarily continues to be constrained. Nonetheless, in July 2012 the Minister for Housing and Planning announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing.
In addition to the €525.8m in housing programme expenditure provided for in my Department’s Abridged Estimate for 2014, Budget 2014 provides a further €50 million to fund infrastructural investment primarily in the housing area, including €30 million for the State house building programme; €10 million for an unfinished housing estate resolution project; and an additional €10 million for housing adaptation grants. When this is taken into account, funding for housing for next year is effectively maintained at 2013 levels.
Delivery of social housing continues to be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing but the Government is also committed to developing 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 engaged with NAMA to ensure continued delivery of housing units for social purposes. Approved Housing Bodies will also play a key role in 2014 in the delivery of social housing and in particular in its capacity to attract external financial investment.
In spite of our challenging economic circumstances, I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2013 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units, and it is provisionally estimated that in the region of 5,000 units will also be provided for social housing in 2014.
12. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the planning regulations covering wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51807/13]
View answerThe existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines were published in June 2006. They provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan and development management processes. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for such developments. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders, is currently undertaking a targeted review of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006 focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker. My Department issued a press notice in January 2013 inviting submissions from the public on this targeted review.
Earlier this year, my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources commissioned the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to invite proposals from suitably qualified organisations for the completion of a desk study of peer reviewed studies and other documents that examine the significance of noise related to onshore wind farms. The objective of the study is to obtain evidence upon which to evaluate the appropriateness of the existing guidelines in relation to noise impacts and, if considered necessary, suggest changes. The study takes account of the following key contextual issues:
- the evolution of wind turbine technologies since the current Guidelines were published in 2006;
- experience to date in the application of the current Guidelines;
- research relating to wind turbine noise issues since the current Guidelines were adopted.
This study will form a key input into the review of the statutory guidelines. I understand the study is now being finalised, and this will allow for the publication shortly of revisions to the statutory wind guidelines in draft form. All statutory planning guidelines issue first in draft form for public consultation over a period of a couple of months. The draft guidelines will – like all other new or revised guidelines – be available for extensive public consultation for a period of 6 weeks to 2 months, to allow for publication of the final guidelines by mid- 2014. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines will be considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines, which will issue to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). In the meantime all applications for wind energy development must be rigorously assessed in the light of the detailed advice in the 2006 guidelines.
13. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress with wastewater treatment projects in Youghal and Cobh in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51921/13]
View answerThe Youghal Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department’s current Water Services Investment Programme. The scheme includes a Wastewater Treatment Plant DBO Contract and a Network Contract. Cork County Council has recently submitted a Report on Tenders to my Department for the Wastewater Treatment Plant DBO Contract and this Report is currently under examination. The Council has also applied for a Foreshore Licence for the works including the installation of the outfall from the wastewater treatment plant. The processing of this application is a priority for my Department. Any decision on the Report on Tenders will be dependent on the outcome of the foreshore licence application.
In July 2013 I approved funding of €3.8m to enable the Council to award the Contract for the network element of the scheme. I understand that the Council intends to award this contract shortly.
The Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme is also included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to advance through Planning during the life of the Programme. I approved Cork County Council’s design proposals for this scheme in March 2012. It remains a matter for the Council to proceed with the next stage of the scheme which is the preparation of contract documents.
14. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a new tenant purchase scheme is being considered for local authority housing other than apartments; if so, if he will provide information relating to his intentions regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51815/13]
View answerAs well as the new tenant purchase scheme for local authority apartments, there is also an incremental purchase scheme in operation for newly-built local authority houses. I will shortly bring the General Scheme of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill before Government for approval before the end of this year. Among other things, the Bill will underpin a new tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines, involving discounts for purchasing tenants linked to household income and a discount-related charge on the property that will dwindle away over a period unless the house is resold or the purchaser fails to comply with conditions of the sale. The commencement date and detailed terms of the new scheme will be determined when the necessary regulations are made on enactment of the Bill.
16. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned that after a period of sustained lobbying, by pro-fracking industry, the EU Parliament refused to support a motion calling for a mandatory environmental impact assessment to be applied to planning applications involving fracking. [44981/13]
View answerThe final text of an EU Directive requires the agreement of both the Council of Ministers, representing the Member States, and the European Parliament in the final trilogue negotiations on any particular EU Directive. In the case of the current negotiations on the Commission proposals for a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, I understand that the European Parliament Environment Committee voted in support of an amendment to the Commission’s proposals requiring that a mandatory EIA be carried out in respect of development consent applications involving fracking. These negotiations on a revised EIA Directive are ongoing under the current Lithuanian EU Presidency.
18. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure the potential of rural recreation is achieved, as a creator of wealth and jobs in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51862/13]
View answerThe implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy is overseen by Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) which is chaired by my Department, meets on average 3 to 4 times a year, and continuously supports and oversees the implementation of the Strategy and its associated schemes and activities. The main initiatives which are being progressed through Comhairle na Tuaithe include the Pilot Mountain Access Scheme, a proposed National Indemnity Scheme and the Walks Scheme . The renewal of Walks Scheme contracts in respect of 14 trails involving almost 900 participants has been completed by the Rural Recreation Section of my Department. It is my intention that the remaining trails on the scheme will be renewed as they fall due and additional participants brought on where possible to further enhance these iconic routes.
The current expansion in the development of greenways and cycle lanes nationally is having a positive effect towards stimulating growth in the services and accommodation sector in many rural areas and my Department has approved LEADER funding for a number of such developments through the Local Development Companies. Approximately €600,000 in additional funding was secured for the Rural Recreation budget in 2013. This funding has been allocated and is assisting in maintaining the network of National Waymarked Ways and other priority walking routes of regional or national significance. I am fully aware of the importance of rural recreation to the Irish economy and I and my Department are committed to continuing to make progress including with the oversight of Comhairle na Tuaithe.
19. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a county breakdown of the number of septic tank improvement grants distributed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51926/13]
View answerOn 25 June 2013, I signed the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The Regulations brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the EPA’s National Inspection Plan and the subsequent issue of an Advisory Notice by the local authority, to require repair or upgrading.
The Regulations provide that, subject to the applicant meeting all qualification criteria, a local authority may pay a grant to a person who is required, following an inspection, to have repairs or upgrades to, or replacement of, a septic tank or other domestic waste water treatment system. Applications for grant aid are administered by the local authorities in whose functional area the particular domestic waste water treatment system requiring remediation is situated. Where a local authority pays a grant under the scheme, my Department will recoup 100% of the amount paid by the local authority. To date, no applications for recoupment have been submitted by the local authorities to my Department.
20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 23 October 2013, if he will provide details of the 5000 new social housing units delivered in 2013, including a breakdown per local authority area; the number of these units that are new builds; the number that are voluntary housing units; the number delivered via leasing or other similar arrangements; the number acquired from the National Asset Management Agency; if he will provide the same information for the 5,000 expected units for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51935/13]
View answerThe housing budget for 2013 provides a €310 million allocation in current spending while €275 million will be invested through the housing capital programme.
In the region of 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2013 including:
- 350 units for people with special housing needs;
- 150 units specifically for people leaving institutional care;
- an additional 400 permanent homes delivered through capital expenditure under the Social Housing Investment Programme;
- some 4,000 new units under Social Leasing and the Rental Accommodation Scheme, including housing units acquired under the Mortgage to Rent scheme.
At this stage of the year, it is not possible to provide a complete breakdown per local authority area of the location of all the above units. However a breakdown of delivery under Leasing to the end of October will be included with the official record along with a breakdown by county of the NAMA units identified, deemed suitable and completed or contracted to the end of September 2013.
The 2014 estimate for housing programme expenditure is €575.833 million which includes €302.762 million for current expenditure and €273.071 million for capital expenditure.
In the region of a further 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2014. This will include:
- 175 new units for people with special housing needs;
- a further 150 new units, to be provided specifically for people with disabilities leaving institutional care through leasing arrangements;
- an additional 200 new homes under the Social Housing Investment Programme;
- 1,200 new units through leasing arrangements (including 350 units through the Mortgage to Rent scheme and 400 unit sourced by NAMA); and
- a further 2,500 new transfers under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
|
County |
Leasing Units* To the end of October 2013 |
|
Carlow |
4 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
27 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Cork County |
82 |
|
DLR |
78 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
|
Dublin City Council |
100 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
63 |
|
Dublin South |
40 |
|
Galway City |
18 |
|
Galway County |
13 |
|
Kerry County |
30 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
|
Laois |
20 |
|
Limerick City |
3 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
58 |
|
Mayo |
34 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Offaly |
34 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary North |
65 |
|
Tipperary South |
12 |
|
Waterford County |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
71 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
Overall |
825 |
* Leasing units include mortgage to rent units and NAMA units delivered through Leasing
NAMA sourced units
|
County |
Identified |
Suitable |
Complete/Contracted |
|
Carlow |
137 |
82 |
55 |
|
Cavan |
47 |
- |
- |
|
Clare |
169 |
19 |
7 |
|
Cork |
471 |
271 |
36 |
|
Cork City |
419 |
202 |
53 |
|
Donegal |
95 |
59 |
- |
|
Dublin City |
628 |
252 |
55 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
328 |
122 |
58 |
|
Fingal |
203 |
45 |
20 |
|
Galway |
84 |
44 |
- |
|
Galway City |
117 |
117 |
45 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
52 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
243 |
97 |
57 |
|
Kilkenny |
167 |
96 |
- |
|
Laois |
98 |
10 |
- |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
112 |
9 |
9 |
|
Longford |
31 |
11 |
- |
|
Louth |
27 |
27 |
27 |
|
Mayo |
66 |
58 |
- |
|
Meath |
203 |
38 |
- |
|
Monaghan |
35 |
30 |
- |
|
North Tipperary |
13 |
- |
- |
|
Offaly |
79 |
64 |
- |
|
Roscommon |
91 |
1 |
- |
|
Sligo |
46 |
15 |
- |
|
South Dublin |
60 |
42 |
- |
|
South Tipperary |
24 |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
65 |
27 |
- |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
29 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
90 |
74 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
36 |
7 |
- |
|
Total |
4,351 |
1,900 |
443 |
21. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the planning legislation on the taking in charge of housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51808/13]
View answerAny changes to the current legislation on taking in charge, as set out in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, will be further considered in the context of the next Planning Bill review, which I expect to undertake in 2014.
22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the special supports he has put in place to assist urban disadvantaged communities overcome the challenges they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51863/13]
View answerMy Department has a range of measures in place to assist disadvantaged urban communities. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas and communities, both urban and rural.
The current LCDP Programme comes to an end at the end of 2013. The revised Programme will see a renewed emphasis on targeting the harder to reach individuals and communities. The 2014 LCDP allocation is €47.7 million. In allocating resources, I was particularly conscious of the need to support funding levels for the LCDP and to make the maximum contribution to job creation and economic recovery. The funding provided in 2014 will be invested to increase access to formal and informal educational activities and resources, and to increase people’s work readiness and employment prospects. For example, some 14,000 people who are distanced from the labour market will receive direct one-to-one labour market training and supports through the Programme in 2014.
The RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) programme covers urban areas designated as disadvantaged by reference to a range of socio-economic criteria including:
- the levels of early school leaving;
- the proportion of one parent households;
- the unemployment rate;
- the proportion of social housing; and
- the age dependency rate.
The programme has made substantial progress in identifying the needs of disadvantaged communities and in bringing forward appropriate local projects in response to those needs. Enhanced alignment between local government and local development is intended to improve the targeting of such local development activity and will provide an opportunity for a stronger, collaborative, focus to be put on support for RAPID areas.
The National Regeneration Programme targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities, those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department currently supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects which seek s to address the causes of disadvantage in these estates through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.
The National Regeneration Programme is a priority from a social policy perspective and also in terms of the job creation and economic renewal that are delivered as part of any regeneration programme. The value placed on the national regeneration programme is explicitly recognised in the Programme for Government and it is my objective to ensure that this important programme continues to be supported.
An allocation of €80 million was made to support the regeneration programmes under the National Regeneration Programme in 2013 in the following areas: Limerick City, Ballymun, Dublin City, Cork City, Dundalk, Sligo and Tralee.
23. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the capacity of tier 3 housing associations has been enhanced under his tenure; his plans for the sector; the quantity of housing delivered by tier 3 housing associations in each year from 2008 to 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51816/13]
View answerThe Government’s Housing Policy Statement of June 2011 acknowledged the capacity and track record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector and placed approved housing bodies (AHBs) at the heart of its vision for social housing provision. In July 2013 we published Building for the Future, a voluntary regulation code and an important step towards a statutory regulatory framework.
My Department, together with the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency and the Housing Finance Agency, is now working with the sector to develop a set of financial criteria to further enhance its capacity to contribute to housing provision. The voluntary regulation code, which is available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie, proposes three tiers or organisational classifications, of which Tier 3 includes the largest organisations, i.e. those bodies with more than 300 housing units or with sizable development plans . Under the voluntary code AHBs are expected to self-select the tier they believe best fits their organisation, considering their current activities. To date, just over 70 AHBs have signed up to the voluntary regulation code, of which 5 have been classified as Tier 3.
Prior to the publication of the voluntary regulation code , AHBs were not classified into discrete categories . As a result my Department does not have a breakdown of the contribution by size of AHB to the quantity of housing delivered. However, details of the quantity of housing delivered by housing associations in each year from 2008 to 2012 are available on my Department’s website.
The 2013 housing statistics have not yet been finalised. Data to date in 2013 indicate that for the first three quarters of the year, some 100 units were delivered by AHBs under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme. In addition, to the end of October 2013, 558 social housing units were delivered by the sector under my Department's Social Housing Leasing Initiative.
24. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the pilot scheme for the housing assistance payment has commenced; if so in which areas; if not, the timeline for the pilot scheme; the dialogue he is having with the Department of Social Protection on this issue; if any extra staff will be deployed to local authorities to administer the scheme in the absence of staff being transferred from the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51909/13]
View answerIn March 2012, the Government approved in principle the transfer of responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with an established housing need from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to local authorities using a new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). On 18 July 2013, the Government approved the introduction of HAP and that the DSP would provide for the implementation of the mandatory direct deduction of rental contributions from the welfare payments of HAP recipients and local authority tenants. My Department and the DSP continue to work closely on the legal, policy and operational issues involved in developing and introducing HAP.
My Department is also working closely with the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) in overseeing plans for the implementation of HAP, but more specifically at this stage in relation to the test phase, which is planned for 2014, subject to the enactment of the relevant legislation. Consideration, where possible, will be given to what aspects of the scheme can be progressed under existing mechanisms prior to enactment of the required legislation. The CCMA has identified Limerick as the lead authority to drive implementation in the local government sector; the other authorities that have been identified for the test phase are:
South Dublin County Council
Louth County Council
Kilkenny County Council
Waterford City Council
Cork County Council
Monaghan County Council.
A detailed business process design exercise involving input from all the relevant key stakeholders has been completed for HAP. This process involved a preliminary examination of the organisational structure that will be required for HAP including change management issues that may arise and an outline of the main IT considerations which will need to be addressed. In the context of that exercise the CCMA, as part of the wider local government reform agenda, is considering delivery possibilities including costs and resource requirements.
26. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which contact has been made with the local authorities in the eastern region with a view to addressing as a matter of urgency the serious deficiency in available housing stock to meet the needs of those on the respective local authority housing lists; if the exact number of applicants in these local authorities has been accurately determined; if cognisance has been taken of the rapid increase in rental costs in the private rental sector with consequent hardship on those on the waiting lists; if a particular strategy has been identified to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51879/13]
View answerThe Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support.
I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs.
The financial parameters within which we continue to operate rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. This is now to be further supplemented by an additional €30m provided in Budget 2014 for capital expenditure on social 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.
In spite of the current challenging circumstances, I expect the final outcome for 2013 to be in the region of 5,000 housing units, and it is provisionally estimated that a further 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2014.
In relation to the increase in rents in the private rental sector, those who experience difficulties meeting the rental costs of accommodation have recourse to rental subsidy schemes should their circumstances meet the criteria for such schemes.
27. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of his Department’s expenditure allocated to approved housing bodies through funding to local authorities; the number of social housing units managed by approved housing bodies; the managerial arrangements in place in relation to local authority housing which is managed by approved housing bodies but owned by the local authorities; and if there will be changes to the legislative framework relating to voluntary housing under the new Housing Bill. [51809/13]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to the voluntary housing capital funding schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds to support the annual construction and housing acquisitions programmes by the sector. It is a matter for the relevant housing authority to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes, and to have appropriate oversight and liaison arrangements in place for the effective administration of the schemes and for ensuring that the investment in voluntary housing is safeguarded.
At the end of 2012 a total of 25,371 units of accommodation had been provided by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB’s) under my Department’s capital funding schemes since the inception of the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) in 1984 and the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) in 1992. Exchequer funding of €1.3 billion was provided under the CAS for the provision of some 15,262 units of accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need such as older people, the homeless and persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability.
Under the CLSS, mortgage finance was provided to AHB’s by way of loans from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to meet the cost of providing social rented accommodation for low-income families. At end 2012, AHB’s had provided some 10,109 units of accommodation and loans to the value of around €1.4 billion had been drawn down from the HFA. The CLSS was terminated in 2009 and expenditure in respect of projects over the period 2010 to end 2012 relates to projects at construction or approved to commence construction prior to the decision to terminate the scheme.
In 2011 the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) was introduced to facilitate the securing of finance by AHB’s from sources other than the Exchequer, including from the HFA and private lending institutions. The CALF provides a capital equity injection which assists in securing such finance. To date over €10 million has been advanced to AHBs using this facility which has supported the provision of 158 social housing units.
In accordance with legislative provisions set out under Section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966, local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of their social housing stock. A number of AHB’s have entered into service level agreements with local authorities for the management and maintenance of social housing units which may be either leased or owned by the relevant authority. Details of these arrangements and the numbers of properties involved are not available in my Department.
With regard to regulating the management and operation of AHBs, my Department has developed, in consultation with the AHB sector, a voluntary regulation code as a precursor to a statutory regulatory framework for the sector to support its long-term growth. The voluntary regulation code – Building for the Future - was published on 15 July 2013 and it is anticipated that the majority of AHBs will engage with the code as it will present an opportunity to influence the final shape of statutory regulation which, it is intended, will be in place by 2016.
28. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 19 November 2013, with regard to payment of 2014 local property tax receipts into the local government fund, if he has, or intends to issue guidelines or regulations to local authorities as to the services the 2014 local government fund general purpose grants can be used to fund; if so, if he will provide a list of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51920/13]
View answer32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for funding local authorities in 2014, in view of the news that the local property tax money for 2014 will fund Irish Water; if he will confirm that thereafter the local property tax will be retained by the local authorities and if the local government fund will be reduced by the same amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51934/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 32 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 Local Government Fund will continue to receive motor tax receipts in 2014.
It should be noted that t he funding to be provided to local authorities for the provision of water services in 2014 will be governed by Service Level Agreements between Irish Water and individual authorities.
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. Service provision responsibilities will shift from the local authorities to Irish Water, infrastructure will be transferred, financing arrangements will alter and local authorities will operate on behalf of Irish Water under Service Level Agreements. These changes must be managed. 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 in the form of General Purpose Grants, with the priority to support those local authorities with weaker funding bases. This decision has been taken in the context of Budget 2014. The 2014 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grants will be announced shortly. It will be a matter for each local authority to determine how best to us e General Purpose Grant revenue in line with local priorities and circumstances; I have no plans to issue new guidelines or to make new regulations in that regard.
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 from 2015 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.
30. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on philanthropy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50122/13]
View answerThe Government established the Forum on Philanthropy in May 2006 in order to promote a culture of philanthropy in Ireland. The Forum initially comprised the Departments of An Taoiseach (in the Chair), Finance and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as five private philanthropic organisations.
On 1 May 2011, responsibility for the Forum was transferred to my Department. I broadened its focus to support the development of both philanthropy and fundraising. During 2012, the Forum set out ambitious plans to increase philanthropic giving from its current estimated level of approximately €500 million per annum to €800 million by 2016. The drivers for this increase in giving fall under four overarching themes: a national giving campaign, fiscal and infrastructure recommendations, fundraising capacity improvements and a social innovation fund.
Very significant progress has been made on the implementation of the Forum’s plans. A National Giving Campaign, the one percent difference, has been launched – details of the campaign are on the website www.onepercentdifference.ie. The tax treatment of donations to charities has been simplified and decoupled from business tax incentives, a road map has been set out for the implementation of the Charities Act and the setting up of a Charities Regulator and the Social Innovation Fund are in the early stages of development.
My Department continues to support the Forum. Funding of approximately €1.9 million over a three-year period is being allocated to Philanthropy Ireland on the basis that it is matched with funding from philanthropic sources. This funding is being used to support the Giving Campaign and initial set-up costs of the social innovation fund.
A further allocation of approximately €400,000 over a three-year period is also being provided by my Department to Fundraising Ireland, once again on the basis that it is matched by funding from philanthropic sources. This funding will contribute to the professionalisation of fundraising within the sector.
I share the Forum’s view that, even in these difficult times, we have the opportunity to substantially increase the level of private investment in the philanthropic and fundraising sectors. It is not intended to substitute for Government investment, but to supplement it. As well as unlocking significant private funding to address fundamental social and economic challenges, increased private giving to good causes will also support the Government’s strategy to increase employment.
33. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for Dublin north inner city under the local government Bill due to the fact that there is no partnership in the area; and if he intends to establish a local development company for the area. [51957/13]
View answerArising from Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, new governance arrangements will come into effect in relation to local and community development programming. Local Community Development Committees will be established in each local authority area to have oversight and planning responsibility for local development and community related funding on an area basis. The membership of the committees will encompass statutory and non-statutory local actors, including elected members and community representatives. I see the Local Community Development Committee for the Dublin City Council area having a key role in the future co-ordination arrangements of a number of funded programmes across its area of coverage, including the inner city area.
Since the cessation of the contract with Dublin Inner City Partnership (DICP) for the delivery of the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), my Department, in conjunction with Pobal, has ensured that LCDP services, for the communities in the inner city area, have been maintained in a coordinated manner.
This has been achieved, through Pobal, by contracting local delivery bodies in the area to deliver LCDP services formerly delivered through the DICP. This method of programme delivery will continue for the immediate future. I am committed to ensuring that these valuable services are delivered to those who need them most and in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will set out the priorities in respect of meeting current and future requirements of domestic drinking water with particular reference to storage, treatment and transmission in all regions throughout the country; the extent to which adequate sources have been identified and a timetable established to access such sources; the extent to which the domestic and industrial sector requirements have been identified in respect of water supplies in the short, medium and long term; the degree to which targets can be met in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51880/13]
View answer161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which precise requirements in respect of domestic drinking water supplies or water of a similar quality have been determined in the event of substantial economic growth over the next ten years; the plans in hand to meet such requirements in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52395/13]
View answer162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which storage and treatment facilities in respect of domestic drinking water are likely to be increased annually over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52396/13]
View answer165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which adequate sources of domestic drinking water have been identified for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52400/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 161, 162 and 165 together.
The overall strategy of investment in water services to date has been to ensure that the timing and scale of investment facilitates economic and other development, achieves compliance with statutory requirements and promotes environmental sustainability objectives. The main vehicle for achieving these objectives for p ublic domestic water supplies has been the multi-annual Water Services Investment Programme. The current Programme runs to the end of 2013 and includes contracts to address deficiencies in the quality of supply, to improve the overall capacity of the system and an accelerated programme of mains rehabilitation. The Programme also provides for the advancement of a further range of schemes through planning, for progression to construction in future investment cycles.
In order to create efficiencies, improve service delivery and achieve cost savings in the delivery of water services, the Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure from 1 January 2014. Irish Water will be responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure from 1 January 2014, and is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014-15. This Plan will include taking account of the transition of projects that are included in the curren t Water Services Investment Programme.
35. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has recommended or otherwise pursued with wind industry representatives on the matter of an index linked bond relating to wind farm developments to ensure responsible management, decommissioning, where necessary, and possible restoration of obsolescent sites in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45219/13]
View answerI refer to Section 7.19 of my Department’s Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 on ‘Decommissioning and Reinstatement’.
Conditions requiring the lodgement of financial bonds have been used in the past to try to ensure that decommissioning will take place in a responsible manner. However, the use of long-term bonds to secure satisfactory reinstatement of the site upon cessation of the project puts an unreasonable burden on developers, given the long time span involved in wind energy developments, and is difficult to enforce. The recycling value of the turbine components, particularly copper and steel, should more than adequately cover the financial costs of the decommissioning. Accordingly, the use of a long-term bond is not recommended. I do not propose to revisit this issue during the current targeted review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which is focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker.
