Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
508. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7943/14]
View answerThe Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board merged with the establishment of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in August 2012. The LGMA also took on the residual functions of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, which has dissolved as of 1 November 2012. The LGMA is a central resource for the local government sector, providing, procuring and coordinating a range of support services and expertise which are most appropriately and efficiently delivered on a shared service basis at national level.
A detailed breakdown of the annual income and expenditure for the LGMA is contained in its annual reports, the latest of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) was established in 2012. It rationalises the functions of the National Building Agency (NBA), the Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) and the Centre for Housing Research (CHR). The AHP and the CHR have been closed down and the NBA ceased operating in June 2011. The HSCA was set up to work with and support local authorities, approved housing bodies and my Department in the delivery of housing and housing services.
As published in the Revised Estimates Volume, provision of €1,600,000 has been made for the HSCA for 2014, in comparison to €1,704,000 in 2013. In accordance with the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (Establishment) Order 2012, the Agency’s first accounting year will be from date of establishment to 31 December, 2013. The accounts are currently being audited and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
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. The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer, in part, of water services functions from 34 water services authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014. The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014 provides an amount of €490 million for Irish Water from the Local Government Fund in 2014; the final outturn figure for 2014 will be slightly less at €486.5 million. This amount will fund water related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities, and met by them from their own resources and general purpose grants. In 2014, Irish Water will also receive €240 million in equity from the Minister for Finance.
The Pyrite Resolution Board was established on an administrative basis in February 2013 and was placed on a statutory footing in January 2014 following the enactment of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. The role of the Board is to oversee and direct the delivery of a cost effective pyrite remediation scheme for homeowners whose homes are affected by significant damage due to pyritic heave and where there are no other practicable options for redress. The Board will work with the Housing Agency to deliver the scheme. Using existing staff resources from my Department and the Housing Agency the Board will be able to undertake its role efficiently and without the necessity for a separate staffing structure.
Initial funding of €10 million is being made available to my Department in 2014 to enable the remediation programme to begin and I expect that additional funding for 2014 and 2015 will be allocated later this year. It is estimated that approximately 1,000 dwellings are currently in need of repair and the required work programme will be undertaken over a two year period.
