Written Answers Nos. 147-159
147. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the proposal made to initiate a twinning programme between Gaeltacht communities and non-Gaeltacht communities where there are efforts to improve levels of spoken Irish; his views that such an effort would be beneficial to both communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10054/14]
View answerThe Gaeltacht Act 2012 sets out the language planning process by which organisations in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks will be given the opportunity to develop and implement language plans, thereby shaping language development in their own communities into the future.
It is anticipated that the implementation of this language planning process will encourage both Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht communities to foster the informal connections that already exist in various guises between them. When one considers, for example, the very significant connections generated annually between host families in Gaeltacht areas who cater for in excess of 20,000 students who attend Irish summer colleges in the Gaeltacht each year, it is clear that such ties between Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht individuals, families and communities can have very significant benefits, both linguistic and economic.
148. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the gorse burning season will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10072/14]
View answerThe Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife.
Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. I have initiated a review of the current legislation to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced. Without prejudging the outcome of the review, in the timeframe available, it would not be possible to amend the closing date of 1 March this year.
The issue of eligibility of land is one for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
149. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the basis on which he decided to scrap the Naomh Éanna ship which is the oldest surviving commercial ship; the reason he did not provide an opportunity to publicly consult with those who are part of the Save Our Ship Campaign or other persons and address their issues and ideas on the action that could be taken to restore it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10117/14]
View answerI wish first of all to point out to the Deputy that the decision to dispose of the Naomh Éanna was not taken by me but by its owners, the Irish Nautical Trust. The Naomh Éanna has been moored at Grand Canal Dock since 1989 when it was found to no longer meet health and safety requirements to operate as a passenger-carrying vessel. Unfortunately, the ship has deteriorated substantially in the past 20 years and presents a real risk in the Grand Canal Basin, in the heart of Dublin's Docklands. In April 2013, a report on the hull condition of the vessel, commissioned by its owners, highlighted serious safety concerns. Based on the report’s findings, the Irish Nautical Trust issued a ‘Notice to Vacate ’ to both of the businesses that had been operating from the vessel.
I am advised that very significant investment would be required to preserve the already unstable hull of the vessel and to bring the vessel to the point where it would be safe and insurable. I am further advised that the vessel's owners do not have the financial resources to deal with these issues.
In the circumstances, Waterways Ireland offered to arrange for the removal and disposal of the ship on behalf of the Irish Nautical Trust. Waterways Ireland made this offer as the property owners of the Grand Canal Dock because of the continuing serious risk posed by the condition of the Naomh Éanna, the disruption and expense that would be involved were it to sink in the Grand Canal Dock and the absence of any firm indication that the very significant level finance required to make it safe and insurable was potentially available. The Irish Nautical Trust accepted the offer and confirmed its approval to Waterways Ireland to dispose of the vessel on its behalf.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the vessel is not in the ownership of my Department or Waterways Ireland, it would not be appropriate for me to provide an opportunity to publicly consult with groups and individuals to address their issues and ideas on the action that could be taken to restore the vessel. However, as I advised the Seanad on 26th February, interested individuals or groups who wish to restore the vessel now have until 31st March to come up with a realistic proposal. Any such proposal would have to be based on a credible, definitive business plan with access to the required finance. In that regard, I must re-iterate that there is no question of State funding being made available, nor in view of the serious safety issues posed by the Naomh Éanna will it be feasible to delay action to deal with those issues beyond that timeframe.
150. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on proposals to increase charges for use of facilities on the Grand Canal and Royal Canal; if further consultation with stakeholders will be held prior to any decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10245/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware Waterways Ireland undertook a statutory public consultation process on the proposed bye-laws which closed on the 3rd of February. The proposed bye-laws are intended to support the investment already made by Waterways Ireland in new infrastructure and facilities along the Royal and Grand Canals and on the Barrow system. The objective is to enhance Waterways Ireland’s ability to manage, care for and maintain these waterways. This will help to develop them as a vibrant recreational and tourist amenity for all waterway users.
The proposed new bye-laws provide for the management of house boats, defined as a boat on the canals which is being used as the sole or principal residence of the owner or an occupant with the owner’s permission, as well as for extended moorings and residential moorings. An Annual Houseboat Mooring Permit will be required for a houseboat not navigating or continuously cruising the canals. The permit will allow the use of a mooring identified by Waterways Ireland on the canals where the houseboat may moor for more than five days and up to one year.
The proposed bye-laws will also modernise the charging regime. There will also be further provision for the care, management, maintenance and control and the regulation of the use of the canals, moorings on the canals, and their use by the public for recreation and navigation purposes.
I am advised that all submissions received during the consultation process on the draft bye-laws will be given due consideration by Waterways Ireland, following which a report on the outcome of the process will be prepared. That report will be forwarded to my Department and will then be referred to me, with recommendations for consideration and final decision. As I indicated in response to a debate in Seanad Éireann yesterday, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making the final decision.
151. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the price to consumers of gas, particularly in view of the long cold wet winter this year and that working families and vulnerable elderly people are finding it impossible to meet the costs of heating their homes and flats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10036/14]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body. The CER continues to regulate the supply tariff for Bord Gáis Energy’s (BGE) domestic customers. All other segments of the gas market have been deregulated and price setting by the other four gas suppliers operating in the domestic market is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. While I have no statutory function in the setting of gas prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market, I am acutely conscious of the impact of energy prices on citizens across Ireland.
The Government is most concerned at the impact of higher gas prices on consumers. It is regrettably the case that Ireland is largely at the mercy of international fossil fuel prices which dictate the retail price of gas. My focus is on those elements of energy costs over which policy can exercise some control.
The most meaningful measure is to continue to improve the thermal efficiency of people’s homes and thus insulate them from the effects of rising energy costs. Energy efficiency measures are available free of charge to households in energy poverty to cover the cost of retrofitting their homes under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. Since the launch of the scheme, more than 105,000 households have received free upgrades.
In total, around one sixth of all homes in Ireland have received some form of Government supported energy efficiency upgrade to date. More than €57 million euro has been allocated to fund efficiency grant programmes in 2014. This will lead to another 12,000 low-income homes receiving a free energy efficiency upgrade this year.
I am also continuing to work with the CER and energy suppliers to ensure that Pay As You Go meters are available to those customers in financial difficulty.
152. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will make a decision regarding the proposed move of RTEjr from RTE Two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10095/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 408 of 19 November 2013. The position is unchanged.
153. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reviewed or intends to review the effectiveness of his sustainable energy, energy efficiency, and demand side management policies, the outcome of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10168/14]
View answerMy department operates a range of programmes and policies in the energy arena and most are under ongoing review.
The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) is the overarching policy framework for energy efficiency in Ireland and reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to a 20% energy savings target across the economy by 2020. Oversight of the NEEAP is provided by the NEEAP Implementation Group, chaired by my Department. The Group evaluated the range of actions outlined by NEEAP and the Plan is due to be updated later this year. As of end 2012, Ireland had achieved 11,419 GWh energy savings, which represents 36% of the national target to 2020. A revised NEEAP, in accordance with EU requirements, will be published later in the year.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. The Directive requires that Member States set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) their trajectories towards meeting these targets and the measures to be taken to achieve these targets. Ireland's NREAP provides that 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power be produced from renewable sources. The first progress report on Ireland's NREAP was submitted in January 2012 and the second progress report, covering the years 2011 and 2012, was submitted to the European Commission earlier this month. The report highlights that in 2012 7.1% of our overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources which is up from 6.5% in 2011.
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he has ongoing dialogue with the Irish Postmasters' Union in respect of the need to ensure the continued provision of full level of postal service including counter services, next day delivery and the upgrading of facilities in line with modern technology at all post offices and taking on board suitable additional services adaptable within the existing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10180/14]
View answerOperational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.
As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. Information in relation to measures taken or proposed to develop the post office network were set out by me in reply to Question No. 29 of 30 January 2014. I would also refer the Deputy to my contribution to the debate on a Private Members' Motion on the future of the Post Offfice network that took place in the Dáil this week.
I welcome the Irish Postmasters Union input into the debate on the future of the post office network and their report "Into the Future" which was launched on 19 February 2014. In this regard, arrangements will be made to meet the Irish Postmasters Union to discuss their proposals further.
155. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures being taken to deal with cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10272/14]
View answerI share the Deputy’s concern in relation the possibility that the proliferation of internet connectivity may well expose children to bullying and harassment online.
There is no doubt that the pervasive use of social media has challenged a wide number of previously accepted norms, both in terms of media governance and in more general societal terms. To that end, I have asked the Internet Content Governance Advisory (ICGA) Group which I formed in December, to evaluate the full range of content issues that now arise online.
This Group will consider the emerging issues around online content and its general impact on the lives of children and young people, including online bullying or harassment as well as the issues that arise from age inappropriate viewing of content.
The Group will report in May with the objective of making recommendations aimed at protecting children and young people without limiting unduly their opportunities and rights online. The Government will consider that report in great detail at that stage. A public consultation is now open, and submissions from all interested parties are welcome. I am aware also that the Group expect to meet with all key stakeholders as part of their work in the coming weeks.
The Group will also have regard to international best practice, including recent European Commission Reports and Council Conclusions in this area, and will also be asked to comment specifically on the recent report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee titled ‘Addressing the Growth of Social Media and tackling Cyberbullying’.
Our most immediate and important task now is to help educate children, young people and parents as to the risks that can be found online, to support parents and teachers in explaining these issues to children and to identify the optimal technical solution to protect children. In this regard, there are a range of tools available online to assist parents in managing internet access. The ISPs themselves have a variety of measures and resources already in place, with software and other tools available to help parents ensure online safety for their children.
156. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of times he and officials in his Department have met with a company (details supplied) and-or their representatives since he took office; if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the dates of each meeting, the names of the company representatives involved; the titles of the departmental officials involved; the reason for each meeting; the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10296/14]
View answerI met with the company detailed once since taking office. I, along with the then Secretary General and my special adviser, met with Denis O'Brien, Communicorp on the 27th April 2012. The meeting was requested by Communicorp to discuss the media merger provisions of the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill.
157. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tax developers who are hoarding zoned land for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10265/14]
View answerWith regard to the availability of land for housing development in the Dublin area, a recent data gathering exercise conducted by my Department indicated that there is already appropriate zoning of land for upwards of 30,000 new homes in the Dublin region, across the four Dublin local authorities. Accordingly housing supply in the Dublin area is not necessarily constrained by the lack of available land for housing but rather by the current market viability of developing new housing projects having regard to the land acquisition, development and construction costs of bringing new houses and apartments to the market, combined with the issue of the availability of credit, both development finance and mortgage credit, and certain other factors. The Government is currently considering a strategy for the construction sector and in that context my Department will be ensuring that appropriate measures are considered to empower local authorities to ensure land is brought forward for development in a timely and sustainable manner.
158. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be made available to maintain the many voids that have been boarded up for a number of years in Dublin's inner city so that persons on the housing waiting list can have some chance of securing a home of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9984/14]
View answerAs part of a €50 million stimulus for the construction sector announced on Budget Day, some €15 million is being set aside to fund a programme of retrofitting works aimed at returning vacant and boarded-up local authority houses to productive use. My Department will be inviting local authorities to submit proposals in this regard very shortly. It is intended that as many as 500 houses will be refurbished and made available to persons in need of social housing this year.
159. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current amount in the Dormant Accounts Fund; the projects which received funding from the fund last year; and his plans for the fund for this year. [10002/14]
View answerSince its establishment in April 2003 to the end of January 2014, the transfers to the Dormant Accounts Fund have totalled some €724 million. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to around €273.6 million, with €252 million disbursed on projects designed to benefit the community over the same period. The current balance of uncommitted funds is €108.48million.
During 2013, my Department, as well as the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Education and Skills provided funding for disbursement to beneficiary projects under the Dormant Accounts Fund. The breakdown of disbursements to the projects by Pobal on behalf of my Department during 2013 is listed in the table below.
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. I have allocated €5.456 million for Dormant Accounts Measures under my Department in 2014, which includes €2 million to be used to support labour force activation measures in local authorities and the implementation of a modest action plan.
Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie.
Beneficiary Payments by Pobal in respect of Dormant Accounts Measures on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government 2013
|
Beneficiary |
€ Amount |
|
St Michaels FRC Women's CDP |
9,000.00 |
|
Mitchell’s Integrated Services Centre Co. Ltd |
1,230,386.00 |
|
Killinarden Community Council |
12,575.45 |
|
Olympic Boxing and Social Club |
200.00 |
|
Ballinfoyle Mor RAPID Committee |
1,000.00 |
|
Galway Volunteer Centre |
200.00 |
|
Suir Community Development Project |
100.00 |
|
Dublin Docklands Boxing Club |
612.05 |
|
Community Enhancement (Jobstown) Limited |
200.12 |
|
We The People Community Development Project & Springboard HSE Family Support Project |
200.00 |
|
Longford Acorn Community Development Project |
746.10 |
|
Dolphin House Community Development Association |
7,500.00 |
|
Blanchardstown Youth Service - Foroige |
319.85 |
|
South West Wexford School Completion Programme |
150.00 |
|
Our Lady Queen of Peace Community Pre School Ltd |
600.00 |
|
Bunratty Community Childcare Centre Limited |
20,000.00 |
|
County Galway Local Sports Partnership |
500.00 |
|
Archbishop Ryan Junior National School |
2,065.00 |
|
Longford Social Services Limited |
70,200.00 |
|
Society of St. Vincent de Paul |
6,800.00 |
|
St Joseph's/O'Connell Boys GAA Club |
994.80 |
|
St Brigid's Family and Community Centre |
24,912.77 |
|
Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna |
318.54 |
|
St. Joseph's Senior National School |
121.94 |
|
Active Living for Older Adults in Ballymun |
330.00 |
|
County Galway Local Sports Partnership |
789.28 |
|
Poppintree Early Education Centre Limited |
1,890.75 |
|
Olympic Boxing and Social Club |
60.000 |
|
Ballybane Mervue Community Development Project |
1,500.00 |
|
Galway Volunteer Centre |
500.00 |
|
South & East Cork Area Development Partnership Limited. (SECAD) |
3,692.20 |
|
The Macushla Dance Club |
517.00 |
|
Cork City Partnership (on behalf of Gurranabraher Churchfield Community Development Project Hosted Project Through Cork City Partnership) |
4,147.27 |
|
North West City School Completion Programme on behalf of Primary Schools in the project area |
779.00 |
|
Glen CDP |
569.39 |
|
Cork City Partnership (on behalf of Gurranabraher Churchfield Community Development Project Hosted Project Through Cork City Partnership) |
4,000.00 |
|
Cork City Partnership Ltd |
568.64 |
|
Foroige (CABLE Project) |
220.04 |
|
Louth Youth Federation Ltd. |
110.82 |
|
St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh GAA Club |
878.00 |
|
National League of Blind of Ireland Trust |
200.00 |
|
Ladies Gaelic Football Association |
3,817.45 |
|
Limerick Youth Service (King's Island Area Team) |
2,250.00 |
|
Irish Hockey Association |
380.00 |
|
South West Wexford School Completion Programme |
400.00 |
|
Follow Your Dream Project, St. Munchin's Family Resource Centre |
584.42 |
|
County Galway Local Sports Partnership |
1,137.00 |
|
St Josephs Garbally College |
1,120.00 |
|
Three Rivers Storytelling Festival |
254.30 |
|
Collinstown Park School Completion Programme |
400.00 |
|
CPLN Area Partnership |
2,000.00 |
|
South Tipperary Development Company |
4,102.00 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
2,567.00 |
|
Active Living for Older Adults in Ballymun |
140.00 |
|
Three Drives Family Resource Centre |
976.35 |
|
County Galway Local Sports Partnership |
5,650.00 |
|
Louth Leader Partnership |
69.10 |
|
Athy Community Council |
990.56 |
|
Blakestown Mountview School Completion Programme |
1,627.82 |
|
Listowel Family Resource Centre |
1,059.88 |
|
Kildare West/Wicklow Community Addiction Team |
3,496.51 |
|
Co-operation Fingal - Swords Family Support Group |
8,400.00 |
|
Cobh Community Drugs Project |
697.19 |
|
Tipperary Regional Youth Service |
10,000.00 |
|
Southill Family Resource Centre |
146.40 |
|
North East Family Support Network |
6,036.70 |
|
Kilkenny Family Support Group |
220.39 |
|
Ballyfermot Star |
4,170.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDTF Ltd |
926.66 |
|
Dublin North East Family Support Network |
4,725.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Community Addiction Team |
2,485.24 |
|
Churchfield Community Trust |
700.00 |
|
Cork City Partnership Ltd. |
1,020.00 |
|
Ballyphehane Action for Youth |
818.34 |
|
Ballincollig Youth Initiative |
644.61 |
|
Ballymun Youth Action Project |
1,000.00 |
|
Coolmine Therapeutic Community |
1,000.00 |
|
Edenderry Addressing Substance Abuse |
4,342.12 |
|
S.D.C.C. Limited |
672.50 |
|
Scoil Íosa Primary School |
936.50 |
|
Scoil Phádraig |
452.5 |
|
Ballina Family Resource Centre Limited |
233.00 |
|
Dungarvan Town Council |
2,900.00 |
|
Limerick Youth Service |
685.19 |
|
Rathkeale Boxing Club |
800.00 |
|
Rathkeale Community Childcare Limited |
1,000.00 |
|
Scouting Ireland |
800.00 |
|
St Mary’s Sean Finns GAA Club |
1,500.00 |
|
TOTAL |
1,493,770 |
