Written Answers Nos. 124-130
124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding repairs to homes where water meters have been installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6993/14]
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.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it was always anticipated that in the course of installing meters, pre-existing leaks and other latent defects due to the age or condition of the water pipes would be discovered. It is not accurate to assume that these leaks are caused by Irish Water’s contractors. The meter installation programme gives Irish Water a strong starting point for mains rehabilitation by enabling the discovery of pre-existing leaks and helping to target more effective investment in leak repair.
In order to ensure that there was no delay to the metering project and that no Local Authority was financially disadvantaged by having to redeploy resources, my Department provided funding to contribute towards this expenditure incurred between the start of the metering programme and 31 December 2013. In 2014, the cost of these repairs is part of the operating costs of Irish Water.
125. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of bodies under the aegis of his Department in respect of Government policy for which he is responsible for answering parliamentary questions pursuant to Standing Order 34. [7000/14]
View answerThe following State Agencies are under the aegis of my Department:
An Bord Pleanála
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Environmental Protection Agency
Housing Finance Agency
Irish Water Safety
Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency
Local Government Management Agency
Private Residential Tenancies Board
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland
Western Development Commission
Pobal
Pyrite Resolution Board
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bórd Gáis Éireann to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. I am responsible for replies to Parliamentary Questions in respect of the above bodies and in accordance with standing order 34.
126. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of bodies to which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7015/14]
View answerThe bodies under the aegis of my Department, in respect of which I have the authority to appoint board members, are as follows:
An Bord Pleanála
Building Regulations Advisory Body
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Housing Finance Agency
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency
Irish Water Safety
Local Government Management Agency
National Travellers Accommodation Consultative Committee
Private Residential Tenancies Board
Pyrite Resolution Board
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
Western Development Commission
All appointments to the boards of State Bodies are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.
The directors of the Environmental Protection Agency are appointed by the Government. In addition, although not a State Board in the traditional sense, appointments to the Board of Pobal, a not-for-profit company, fall to be made by the Government, having considered nominees from a range of stakeholders.
127. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7030/14]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
128. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader partnership company Teoranta by a company (details supplied). [7042/14]
View answer129. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader partnership company Teoranta in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7054/14]
View answer130. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader development company by an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7055/14]
View answer132. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader development company by an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7057/14]
View answer139. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo north east Leader in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7155/14]
View answer141. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader partnership company Teoranta in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7157/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 130, inclusive, and 132, 139 and 141 together.
In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country.
The relevant LAG in respect of the projects referred to is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP). The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations.
I understand that MNELP has received applications from all of the promoters in question. These applications are currently at various stages in the assessment process and I understand that they will be submitted to my Department for review shortly.
