Written Answers Nos. 397-412
397. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current allocation for the local authority mortgage to rent scheme; and when the scheme will be rolled out on a national basis. [6569/14]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a Mortgage to Rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The Scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body and the family becomes a tenant of the approved housing body. Eligibility requirements are in line with other forms of social housing support.
A Mortgage to Rent scheme for local authority borrowers in arrears has also been piloted in two local authority areas, namely Westmeath County Council and Dublin City Council. This Scheme was rolled out nationally very recently and, with the support of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Housing Finance Agency, I will be allocating an additional €20m to the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) fund in 2014 to significantly expand the capacity of that resource to assist households in mortgage distress.
398. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6581/14]
View answerThe information requested in relation to my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. The information in relation to agencies is not held by my Department.
399. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6597/14]
View answerMy Department does not engage in real time monitoring of online conversations. My Department’s press and information office identifies and provides information on issues of relevance to the work of my Department. This is part of the information service which, I believe, is required to provide a service to the public.
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the water meters being installed by Irish Water operate using automatic meter reading technology do not employ smart meter technology, with its associated health risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6633/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.
The water meter installation programme began in August 2013, and will be implemented nationally as quickly as possible. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that each water meter has a low power radio unit fixed to the top which enables it to be read periodically from a passing van. This is what is known as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). The meters used by Irish Water do not currently employ smart metering technology . However, the meters are capable of being integrated into a smart meter reading system, should that ever be required.
Irish Water has procured meters and radio units that comply with all relevant European and International Standards designed to protect the health and safety of customers and the public. The water meters used emit significantly less electro-magnetic radiation than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits (1,000 times less than the limit), producing 10,000 to 25,000 times less electro-magnetic radiation compared to a mobile phone.
401. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the county and city librarian posts which were vacant on 1 January 2011; the positions which have become vacant since that date; the positions which have been filled since that date; in view of the increasing interest in matters relating to heritage and local history, his plans to ensure that outstanding positions are filled as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6673/14]
View answerMy Department does not collect data on vacancies in the Local Authority sector; however, information on sanction requests received since 1 January 2011 for County and City librarian posts is set out in the table.
|
Local Authority |
Application Date |
Title of Post |
No. |
Requested |
Outcome |
Contract approved |
Date letter issued |
|
Kilkenny |
15/10/2010 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
Acting |
03/02/2011 |
|
Waterford Co |
02/12/2010 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
Contract |
21/12/2011 |
|
Monaghan |
18/03/2011 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
13/06/2011 |
|
Kilkenny |
30/03/2011 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
Contract |
13/04/2011 |
|
Westmeath |
23/02/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
18/06/2012 |
|
Monaghan |
06/03/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
25/04/2012 |
|
North Tipperary |
05/06/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
20/09/2012 |
|
Laois |
20/06/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
07/08/2012 |
|
North Tipperary |
19/11/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
11/09/2013 |
|
Laois |
23/11/2012 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
11/01/2013 |
|
Carlow |
08/01/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
Contract |
14/05/2013 |
|
Westmeath |
10/01/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
21/02/2013 |
|
Monaghan |
13/02/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
19/04/2013 |
|
Kildare |
03/04/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
Acting |
31/05/2013 |
|
North Tipperary |
08/05/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
19/08/2013 |
|
Laois |
27/05/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
26/06/2013 |
|
Galway Co |
28/06/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
Acting |
17/10/2013 |
|
Roscommon |
01/08/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Refused |
14/08/2013 |
|
|
Westmeath |
05/09/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
17/10/2013 |
|
Monaghan |
14/11/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
Acting |
07/01/2014 |
|
South Dublin |
06/12/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
||
|
Laois |
17/12/2013 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Acting |
Pending |
||
|
Leitrim |
27/01/2014 |
County Librarian |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
402. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total and county breakdown of unpaid non-domestic water charges due to each local authority; if the charges due will be transferred to Irish Water; if local authorities will be paid by Irish Water for these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6678/14]
View answerThe Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of eligible liabilities from local authorities to Irish Water. The Act provides for such transfers to be designated in a Ministerial Order.
A Working Group including representatives of my Department, the Water Services Transition Office and Irish Water is currently considering the issues involved in the transfer of liabilities from local authorities to Irish Water. It is expected that following completion of the 2013 Annual Financial Statements and finalisation of closing balances as at 31 December 2013, guidance will issue to local authorities in relation to the data required to complete the necessary Ministerial Orders.
A total of €156,019,418 was owed to local authorities in respect of unpaid non-domestic water charges at the end of 2011, the latest year for which full audited data are available.
A county breakdown of the information requested is set out in the table.
|
County |
2011 € |
|
Carlow |
591,811 |
|
Cavan |
1,919,763 |
|
Clare |
10,508,851 |
|
Cork |
15,611,435 |
|
Donegal |
11,755,606 |
|
Dublin |
39,001,463 |
|
Galway |
6,928,683 |
|
Kerry |
2,696,498 |
|
Kildare |
6,884,890 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,432,227 |
|
Laois |
1,545,032 |
|
Leitrim |
1,078,679 |
|
Limerick |
5,008,926 |
|
Longford |
1,217,484 |
|
Louth |
8,768,212 |
|
Mayo |
5,240,996 |
|
Meath |
4,604,427 |
|
Monaghan |
1,045,398 |
|
Offaly |
2,346,060 |
|
Roscommon |
2,124,367 |
|
Sligo |
3,337,601 |
|
Tipperary |
3,132,481 |
|
Waterford |
3,477,257 |
|
Westmeath |
3,119,565 |
|
Wexford |
8,334,271 |
|
Wicklow |
4,307,434 |
|
Total |
156,019,418 |
403. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to develop a policy for local authorities on tree height restrictions, particularly in view of the recent extreme weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6691/14]
View answerI have no plans to develop legislation or guidelines for local authorities in this regard at present. Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of trees. Complaints relating to matters such as trees or shrubs overhanging a property are normally addressed, where necessary, under civil law between the parties concerned.
I understand that Section 70 of the Roads Act, 1993 obliges the owner or occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees on the land are not a hazard or potential hazard to road users and that they do not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of, or maintenance of a public road. The relevant road authority may serve a notice on the owner or occupier of the land requiring the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal within a specified period of any tree which is a hazard or potential hazard to road users and road safety.
I also understand that under Section 58 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 (No 20/2002), a network operator or any person authorised by the operator may lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with any physical infrastructure of the network operator.
404. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for legislation to regulate the business of chimney sweeps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6720/14]
View answerAs the activities of chimney sweeps are not considered to be a source of environmental pollution, regulation of that profession does not come within the remit of my Department.
In general, chimneys that are well-maintained and cleaned at regular intervals are less likely to cause excessive emissions of black smoke. The Air Pollution Act 1987 requires that the occupier of any premises shall not cause or permit an emission in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance. Where it appears to a local authority that it is necessary so to do in order to prevent or to limit air pollution, the local authority may serve a notice under the Act on the occupier of any premises from which there is a nuisance emission. This notice may specify the measures which appear to the local authority to be necessary to prevent or limit air pollution; this could potentially include a requirement for the occupier to arrange to have their chimney cleaned.
405. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the dormant account fund; the way community organisations can apply for funding through same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/14]
View answer406. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future of RAPID and CLÁR schemes; if he intends to make dormant account funds available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6725/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of December 2013, the transfers to the Dormant Accounts Fund have totalled some €725.23 million. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to around €272 million, with €252 million disbursed on projects designed to benefit the community over the same period. The current balance of uncommitted funds is €109.7 million. Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie
The Government recently approved a new Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. The 2012 Act also provides for the preparation of an action plan, to give effect to the disbursement scheme. Organisations will be able to apply for funding once the action plan is approved, which is expected to be later this year, following a consultation process with relevant Government Departments.
In 2013, I allocated €6.385 million for Dormant Accounts Measures, which includes €2.835 million to be used to support labour force activation measures in local authorities. The corresponding provision for 2014 is €5.456 million, which will allow for the continuation of funding to support the labour force activation measures and the implementation of a modest action plan.
With the reduced resources available for my Department’s funding programmes, the CLÁR programme is no longer accepting funding applications. There is provision of €0.1 m for the Programme for 2014 to meet existing commitments expected to arise during the year.
The RAPID programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in RAPID areas nationally. I provided funding of €1.9 million for RAPID in 2014, which is being used to meet my Department’s existing contractual commitments on RAPID projects throughout the country.
Future support for RAPID areas will, like other community development programmes, be the subject of a focused effort to bring greater co-ordination on an area basis to publicly-funded programmes. This will be overseen by new Local Community Development Committees which are to be established in each local authority area under the Local Government Reform Act 2014.
407. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6817/14]
View answerThe information sought in respect of official engagements attended by me in Northern Ireland is set out in the following table:
|
Date |
Engagement |
Location |
|
1 July 2011 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
21 October 2011 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
26 October 2011 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
2 March 2012 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
23 March 2012 |
Zero Carbon House Viewing |
Armagh |
|
25 July 2012 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
31 October 2012 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
30 October 2013 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
16 November 2013 |
All-Island Pride of Place Awards |
Derry |
The information sought in respect of Minister of State O’Dowd ’s official engagements is set out in the following table:
|
Date |
Engagement |
Location |
|
3 October 2011 |
Launch of Fire Safety Week |
Belfast |
|
19 April 2012 |
Launch of All-Ireland Public Library Card |
Belfast |
|
20 April 2012 |
Launch of the Small Wonders II Project |
Belfast |
|
5 September 2012 |
Launch of NEP’s “River” Project |
Portglenone |
|
12 September 2012 |
Launch of INTERREG IVA – Social Farming Project |
Cookstown |
|
10 July 2013 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
13 November 2013 |
North – South Ministerial Council |
Armagh |
|
28 November 2013 |
Conference of the Isles |
Derry |
The information sought in respect of Minister of State O’Sullivan's official engagements is set out in the following table:
|
Date |
Engagement |
Location |
|
18 October 2012 |
Conference of the Isles |
Belfast |
|
25 April 2013 |
Irish Planning Institutes National Planning Conference |
Belfast |
Minister of State Penrose, who held office from 10 March 2011 to 16 November 2011 , did not attend any official engagement in Northern Ireland.
408. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is intended to seek tenders for the delivery of the successor programme to the LCDP; if tenderers will be asked to tender to provide the programme in areas pre-determined by his Department; if special recognition will be given to the islands and the Gaeltacht in this process; the areas proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6887/14]
View answerMy Department intends implementing a successor Programme to the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) in 2015. The Programme will be overseen and managed by the Local Community Development Committees of the Local Authorities (LCDCs) who will request tenders for its delivery in their areas. The competitive process will be open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups in general and commercial firms that can provide the services to be tendered for, to deliver the new Programme.
The new Programme will reflect the main findings of the LCDP Mid Term Review and ensure that it remains a locally accessible, frontline intervention for the people most difficult to reach in terms of preparation for employment.
409. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there will be a waiver system or allowances put in place when the water charge is introduced for residents who have medical conditions that require extra medical use of water. [6914/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. An inter-departmental working group has been established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges. The group is examining the issues arising for those with specific medical conditions which require high water usage in the course of its work.
The group comprises my Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. The group will submit a final report for consideration by Government when it has completed its examination of the issues involved. This will allow for decisions on the proposed approach to be taken in advance of proposed public consultation by the Commission for Energy Regulation on the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs during 2014.
410. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the precise details on all capital funding received by Westmeath County Council in the context of social housing provision for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6963/14]
View answerUnder my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is provided to housing authorities in respect of a range of measures which include the construction and acquisition of houses and apartments by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, the regeneration of large social housing estates and flat complexes, estate wide remedial works, energy efficiency and retrofitting works, traveller-specific accommodation, extensions and adaptations to housing stock and the housing adaptation grants schemes for older people and people with a disability.
The information requested in relation to the funding provided to Westmeath County Council under the various measures for 2013 is set out in the following table:
|
Westmeath County Council |
- |
|
Measure |
2013 |
|
Regeneration |
Nil |
|
Local Authority Housing |
€531,658 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
Nil |
|
Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting |
€1,079,494 |
|
Traveller Accommodation |
Nil |
|
Extensions /Adaptations |
€237,131 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
€709,890 |
|
Private Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme |
€561,797 |
411. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person who was eligible and deemed suitable for the Garda recruitment process before the embargo was imposed may now reapply even though they are now over the required age limit to apply; and if concessions are available for people who find themselves in this position through no fault of their own. [6616/14]
View answerThe age at which candidates may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which states as follows:
4. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement for the competition to which the admission relates-
(a) the person has attained 18 years of age but has not yet attained 35 years of age.
This regulation applies without discrimination and no concessions are available to any person.
412. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a resolution has been achieved regarding the temporary moving of the courts in Mullingar to Columb Barracks while the renovation of the courthouse takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6836/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, 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 informed me that they are at an advanced stage in planning the refurbishment and extension of the courthouse in Mullingar as part of the Government's infrastructure stimulus package. It is intended that this will be delivered by way of Public Private Partnership along with six other courthouse projects. The procurement process is scheduled to commence in 2014. The construction period is expected to take between 18 and 24 months and the courthouse should become operational during 2017. I am informed that temporary courtroom and office accommodation will be required for the construction period as the courthouse will have to be vacated. The Courts Service is currently looking at options for temporary accommodation and one of the possible locations being considered is Columb Barracks in Mullingar. However, the Courts Service has indicated that, at this stage, it is not possible to say what arrangements will be in place for district court sittings until all options have been fully examined.
