Written Answers Nos. 146-153
146. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 5 December 2013, the recipients of the €10 million funding provided by his Department from 2011 to date through the capital advance leasing facility; the number of housing units provided by each recipient of such funding; and the locations where funded units have been built. [53515/13]
View answerIn the table below I have set out a breakdown of the some €10 million advanced by my Department to date in respect of projects under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), by housing authority and by the approved housing bodies that have progressed these CALF projects. To date 158 social housing units have been delivered with the assistance of CALF; the remaining 25 units, to which these advances relate, are in the process of being completed.
|
Housing Authority |
Amount Advanced - € |
Housing Units |
|
Athlone Town Council |
33,204 |
1 |
|
Bray Town Council |
843,356 |
16 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
7,644,494 |
103 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
451,868 |
17 |
|
Dublin City Council |
280,683 |
8 |
|
Kildare County Council |
303,816 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
55,603 |
2 |
|
Louth County Council |
482,565 |
17 |
|
Meath County Council |
441,540 |
7 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
12,724 |
1 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
67,670 |
3 |
|
Overall |
10,617,523 |
183 |
|
Approved Housing Body |
Amount Advanced - € |
Housing Units |
|
Cheshire Ireland |
199,709 |
3 |
|
Clúid |
2,167,619 |
44 |
|
HAIL |
162,976 |
5 |
|
NABCO |
1,417,500 |
31 |
|
North & East Housing Association |
974,123 |
35 |
|
Oaklee Housing Trust |
303,816 |
8 |
|
Sunbeam House Services Ltd |
843,356 |
16 |
|
Tuath Housing |
4,548,424 |
41 |
|
Overall |
10,617,523 |
183 |
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53566/13]
View answerThere are no proposals under consideration to amend the Building Regulations to extend the range of persons who can sign Certificates of Compliance in the role of Designer and Assigned Certifier along the lines suggested.
Architects, Building Surveyors and Chartered Engineers are the construction professions typically involved in the design of construction works in Ireland and reference to these professions in the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 is entirely appropriate. Quantity Surveyors are not referenced in the regulations as signatories of certificates of compliance as their function is not relevant in this regard. It is open to persons who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design and surveying of buildings to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers of architects or building surveyors as established under Part 3 and Part 5 of the Building Control Act 2007. There is no question of professionals who are not registered being allowed to sign certificates of compliance.
148. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will be taken to finalise the list of protected structures in County Westmeath, which have been prepared on foot of the draft county plan; when his Department will be in a position to finalise the list in this regard taking into account the submissions made in respect thereof and the final recommendation by the local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53593/13]
View answerUnder section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, additions to and deletions from its record of protected structures are matters for the planning authority concerned. I have no role in this matter.
149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce climate change legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53616/13]
View answerIn February 2013, I released Outline Heads of a Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and by stakeholders. The Outline Heads set out, inter alia , institutional and other arrangements for the development of national low-carbon roadmaps between now and the year 2050.
Following a consultation exercise involving the receipt of written submissions and oral hearings, the Joint Committee published its report on 20 November 2013. I am now considering the Joint Committee’s report, as well as a range of other issues, with a view to finalising the draft Heads of the Bill as soon as possible. Subject to the approval of Government, my intention is to publish the final Heads before Easter 2014.
150. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the person who is the owner of a courthouse (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53424/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has confirmed that the courthouse in Ballyhaunis is the property of the Courts Service. The Courts Service has advised that from January 2014 the building will no longer be required for court purposes and it is prepared to transfer the property to the local authority, the Office of Public Works or another public body for public use. In the event that the venue is not required by those bodies it may be offered for sale.
151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current Garda policy in relation to persons drinking alcohol on public streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53474/13]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.
152. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent by his Department in installing CCTV to Irish prisons over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53483/13]
View answerThe following table shows the expenditure that the Irish Prison Service incurred on CCTV installation from January, 2009 to end November, 2013.
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
end Nov 2013 |
|
TOTAL |
€283,006 |
€231,393 |
nil |
€511,060 |
nil |
|
Total spend = €1,025,459 |
153. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details regarding the granting of restricted gun licences; the guidelines provided to members of An Garda Síochána in determining if a rifle is classified as an assault rifle and therefore requires a restricted licence; his views that stricter enforcement of target shooting being restricted to approved ranges is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter [53500/13]
View answerSection 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 inserted a new section 2B into the Firearms Act 1925, and provided for the Minister, in the interests of public safety and security, by order, to declare specified firearms to be restricted firearms. The Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order, S.I. 21 of 2008, as amended by S.I. 337 of 2009, defines what is a restricted firearm.
The Order declares assault rifles to be restricted and defines them as rifles capable of functioning as semi automatic firearms and as automatic firearms; or firearms that resemble such rifles. An application for a non restricted firearm certificate is made to the Superintendent of An Garda Síochána of the district where the applicant resides. However, applications for restricted firearm certificates are made to Chief Superintendents, thus highlighting the gravity with which the Commissioner regards such firearms.
Section 4 of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended, provides for the conditions subject to which all firearm certificates may be granted. A certificate for a restricted firearm has additional requirements which are that the applicant has a good and sufficient reason for requiring the firearm and he/she has demonstrated that the firearm is the only weapon that is appropriate for the purpose for which it is required.
The Commissioner’s Guidelines on firearms licensing were published on 4 September 2009 to coincide with the commencement of the new provisions governing firearms licensing legislation. The Guidelines are for the benefit of An Garda Síochána and the shooting public alike, and the document includes guidance on the licensing of restricted firearms. Individuals seeking to licence any rifle or pistol for target shooting must be a member of an authorised rifle or pistol club.
Section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 provides for the authorisation of shooting ranges by members of An Garda Síochána holding the rank of Superintendent. Applications for authorisations under this Section are made by the owner/operator of the shooting range having first obtained a firearms range certificate which is issued by my Department's Firearms Range Inspector.
Strict conditions apply to individuals seeking to licence restricted firearms and where these firearms may be used.
