Written Answers Nos. 275-293
275. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the successor programme to the local community development committee will be put out to competitive tender; the impact this will have on local area partnerships; and the impact on future social inclusion or strategic plans. [10628/14]
View answerThe Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention, of its kind, in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years. It is being implemented by the Local Development Companies (LDCs) on a transitional basis for 2014 pending the roll-out of a new Programme in January 2015. Management of contracts and Programme oversight will transfer to the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) of the Local Authorities from 1 July next.
Local Community Development Committees will be established in each local authority area over the coming months in line with the provisions in the recently enacted Local Government Reform Act 2014. These Committees will bring together both statutory and not-statutory partners, including the community sector, to bring greater co-ordination to area-based activity in their respective areas. The Committees will have responsibility for community and local development programmes funded by my Department and I am confident they will bring a strong, strategic focus to their implementation.
This implementation will involve local development actors and, therefore, the skills and experience that has been built up will continue to be available and utilised locally. In the case of the Local Community Development Programme and in accordance with public procurement rules, the Local Community and Development Committees will procure the programme locally. While I cannot pre-empt the outcome of such a procurement process, I expect, given their experience in the area, that the LDC will apply to deliver the programme in their areas.
The Local Community Development Committees will comprise stakeholders from local government, local development, State agencies and the community and voluntary sector and will focus on identifying the local and community development needs and priorities for their area. They will draw up Local Economic and Community Plans that will focus on the needs of the most socially deprived communities and the means of addressing these needs especially in the context of ensuring that programmes deliver best value for the scarce resources available at this time. In this way we are strengthening the operational management, oversight and planning arrangements for local and community programmes.
276. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the subsidy for private group water schemes; if he will provide in tabular form the total spent on such subsidies on a county basis in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10654/14]
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 Government will decide on the proposed approaches to be taken in relation to the free allowance in the near future.
The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provides Irish Water with the power to charge for water services. The Act also provides that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be responsible for the economic regulation of Irish water and the charges to be levied by Irish Water will be subject to the approval of the CER. The CER has already undertaken public consultations on the development of the economic regulatory framework for water services and will be undertaking further consultations during 2014. Water charges will not commence until 1 October 2014 and the first bills will be issued by Irish Water to households from January 2015.
Group Water Schemes that are supplied by way of a connection to the public water supply network will now become customers of Irish Water, having previously been customers of the relevant local authority. Group Water Schemes that have their own water sources will not be customers of Irish Water and will continue to operate as before.
My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding, where appropriate, of the non-public water sector, including the group water sector. Over the past decade, substantial improvements have been made in the group water sector, reflected in improved infrastructure and management and leading to greater compliance with drinking water standards. This has been accomplished through a partnership approach between my Department, the local authorities and the group water sector itself, with the important involvement of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. The co-operative approach, will be maintained as the reform of water services provision is progressed.
Responsibility for the administration of the scheme under which subsidies are paid to group water schemes towards the operational costs of supplying water for domestic use is devolved to local authorities. The payments made by the local authorities are subsequently recouped to them by my Department. Details of the amounts recouped to each authority in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are set out in the following table. No recoupments have been made to date in respect of 2014.
|
Group Water Scheme Subsidy |
Amounts Recouped to Local Authorities |
- |
- |
- |
|
County |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
Carlow |
159,227.40 |
153,039.60 |
279,858.91 |
204,241.62 |
|
Cavan |
1,627,146.52 |
4,407,204.11 |
2,787,668.89 |
3,520,600.31 |
|
Clare |
1,010,340.64 |
853,095.57 |
1,648,738.36 |
914,710.16 |
|
Cork |
164,882.79 |
69,874.10 |
109,958.17 |
98,138.23 |
|
Donegal |
149,560.89 |
122,480.87 |
164,197.73 |
122,833.15 |
|
Galway |
2,570,216.88 |
2,697,959.92 |
3,864,975.70 |
2,909,495.92 |
|
Kerry |
311,045.33 |
283,477.19 |
274,194.97 |
211,799.26 |
|
Kildare |
105,799.58 |
120,298.81 |
170,439.71 |
128,159.67 |
|
Kilkenny |
259,695.70 |
334,065.70 |
223,443.12 |
305,872.04 |
|
Laois |
309,116.16 |
306,390.15 |
507,338.86 |
291,709.53 |
|
Leitrim |
563,445.28 |
277,979.72 |
343,565.99 |
297,833.50 |
|
Limerick |
841,085.02 |
926,423.62 |
1,494,741.44 |
826,609.32 |
|
Longford |
24,238.50 |
47,013.56 |
20,233.99 |
17,866.43 |
|
Louth |
125,062.00 |
212,462.04 |
123,877.10 |
144,822.79 |
|
Mayo |
3,265,709.10 |
4,207,739.92 |
4,008,104.12 |
3,592,249.65 |
|
Meath |
179,408.78 |
64,418.30 |
151,575.44 |
91,276.82 |
|
Monaghan |
1,465,705.49 |
3,910,892.65 |
3,261,213.07 |
2,351,184.38 |
|
North Tipperary |
298,892.62 |
427,556.75 |
382,351.79 |
172,259.64 |
|
Offaly |
735,360.25 |
377,324.61 |
1,064,553.77 |
571,306.60 |
|
Roscommon |
566,746.19 |
830,824.70 |
685,229.34 |
532,485.62 |
|
Sligo |
1,036,094.21 |
771,846.60 |
1,590,294.34 |
834,555.86 |
|
South Tipperary |
24,925.52 |
21,476.82 |
24,402.88 |
24,407.27 |
|
Waterford |
6,411.56 |
2,568.31 |
7,156.65 |
5,541.28 |
|
Westmeath |
37,525.30 |
66,764.83 |
32,135.50 |
35,669.35 |
|
Wexford |
283,301.11 |
595,341.59 |
565,159.37 |
377,782.69 |
|
Wicklow |
73,261.57 |
129,320.96 |
75,430.34 |
69,055.86 |
277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are employment progression routes in local authorities whereby a general operative who obtains a third level qualification can transfer to a specialist area or promotional grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10661/14]
View answerWhere approval is granted by my Department to fill a vacant local authority post, recruitment must be carried out in accordance with established practice. Posts at and above Senior Executive Officer level are filled by the Public Appointments Service with posts at other levels filled directly by local authorities themselves. Every applicant who satisfies the minimum requirements outlined in the relevant qualifications declared by the Minister is eligible to apply.
278. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the lack of progress regarding the development of a Liffey Valley Linear Park along the area the subject of a special amenity area order; if he will seek an update from the three local authorities as to the projects planned to develop this area as an amenity; the proposals there are for the restoration of the old Guiness/Farmleigh Bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10687/14]
View answerA planning authority has power, under section 202(2) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, to make an order declaring an area to be an area of special amenity, where it considers that this should be done by reason of:
(a) its outstanding natural beauty, or
(b) its special recreational value, and having regard to any benefits for nature conservation.
As Minister of State, I have power under section 202(3) of the Act to direct a planning authority to make such a special amenity area order. The order must be made by resolution i.e. it is a reserved function of the Council, and must be confirmed by An Bord Pleanála. In March 1987, the then Minister directed Dublin County Council to make a Special Amenity Area Order for the Liffey Valley and the order was confirmed on 8 March 1990. I am fully supportive of the protection and further enhancement of the Liffey Valley as an amenity. In 2009, my predecessor requested the relevant authorities (South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council) to consider the evaluation of lands to be the subject of a further Special Amenity Area Order for the purpose of extending the existing area to possibly include the Guinness/Farmleigh Bridge. Responses were received from these authorities and considered by my Department.
In general, the responses received in 2009 indicated that there were insufficient grounds or funds for extending the Order beyond its existing area. Accordingly, I do not propose to issue any directions on this matter to the planning authorities concerned at this time. In 2006, the Office of Public Works commissioned a strategy document “Towards a Liffey Valley Park”, which set out recommendations for the creation of a process towards the establishment of a park with a management framework for the Liffey Valley area. The matter of the implementation of these recommendations, or similar steps, is one for the local authorities concerned.
279. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of submissions received by his Department in respect of the draft wind energy planning guidelines; the way his staff will appraise and evaluate this significant level of communal participation in the planning process, and the preparation and development of the final draft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/14]
View answerMy Department received submissions on the proposed revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 from over 7,000 individuals and organisations by the 21 February 2014 deadline. Each of the individual submissions will now be read by my Department and key issues relevant to the focused review of the guidelines will be identified . These key issues will then be considered when preparing the final version of the revised guidelines and making any necessary amendments to the existing guidelines deemed appropriate. I would expect to issue the final revised guidelines by the end of June 2014 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, which will require both planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to them in the assessment of planning applications.
280. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide exact details arising from the most recent Environmental Protection Agency emissions inventories and projections covering County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/14]
View answerNational emission inventories on four key air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3), are compiled by the Environme ntal Protection Agency (EPA). These are reported annually to the European Commission under the National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive 200/81/EC and to the UNECE under the Gothenburg Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. The Directive and Protocol set emission ceilings that were required to be met by 2010 and must not be exceeded in any following year. The emission inventories concern emissions at national level and are not specific to individual counties.
The most recent national emission figures, covering 2012, were published by the EPA on 6 February 2014 and can be viewed on the EPA website at (http://www.epa.ie/climate/emissionsinventoriesandprojections/ ). These figures showed that Ireland is compliant with its emission ceilings for SO2, VOCs and NH3. However, despite significant reductions since 2005, Ireland’s NOx emissions remain higher than the national ceiling. NOx emissions increased between 2011 and 2012, primarily due to an increase in emissions from coal-fired electricity generation – which reflects low coal and carbon prices - and an increase in cement production.
The road transport sector continues to be the main source of NOx, responsible for over 47% of total national emissions in 2012. The contribution from road transport has been exacerbated by the underperformance of engine abatement technology (Euro standards). National estimates have shown that, if these technologies had performed to the expected standard, this would have resulted in a further 9kt reduction in NOx emissions, which would have brought Ireland into compliance with its emission ceiling.
281. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the systems in place to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency is fully able to monitor the efficacy of filters of toxic emissions; the safeguards in place to ensure that filters are working within their lifespan; the safeguards in place to ensure that such filters are kept operating on a 24 hour basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/14]
View answer282. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of audit inspections the Environmental Protection Agency carried out in County Meath in the past three years; the dates of these inspections; where these inspections took place and the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
Integrated pollution control (IPC) licences are governed by the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (as amended). An IPC licence is a single integrated licence which covers all emissions from a licenced facility and its environmental management, and aims to prevent or reduce emissions to air, water and land, reduce waste and use energy/resources efficiently. All related operations that the licence holder carries out in connection with the activity are controlled by this licence. Before a licence is granted, the EPA must be satisfied that emissions from the activity will not cause a significant adverse environmental impact. The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPC licences are a matter for the EPA. All documents relating to individual IPC licences, including inspection information, are available to view on the EPA’s website at www.epa.ie . Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.
283. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 20 February 2014, (details supplied) if he has available to him and his Department the amounts that were paid to Dublin Corporation/Dublin City Council for each year of their partnership with National Toll Roads and Dublin Port regarding the East Link Bridge; if will provide these figures in a tabular statement for each year since the bridge was opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10760/14]
View answerThe information requested is not available in my Department and is a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case Dublin City Council.
284. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce initiatives for persons who have a mortgage with a local authority and who wish to trade up to a larger house to accommodate a bigger family size, similar to products which are available through some of the banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/14]
View answerThe Government’s housing policy statement published in June 2011 marked a significant departure for housing in Ireland, including a shift to a tenure neutral high level objective, and a clear commitment to restoring balance to the housing sector generally through a lesser reliance on home ownership. The statement also announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes on the basis that these had been symptoms of, rather than solutions to, an overheated property market.
The policy statement reaffirms the State’s commitment to supporting access to home ownership for lower to middle income households and the current range of paths to home ownership will remain in place in that regard.
There are two types of house purchase loan available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and those under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers affected by the “credit crunch”.
The terms and conditions governing the operation, including eligibility terms, of annuity mortgages and the Home Choice Loan are set out under various Regulations such as the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009, the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009, and most recently in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. These are available on my Department’s website: www.environ.ie
It is not the intention of the Home Choice Loan scheme – or of any other Government intervention in the housing sector – to incentivise people into the market. It is designed only to facilitate credit worthy households who have been affected by conditions in the mortgage market.
As such, the scheme is a temporary one which will be withdrawn once conditions in credit markets return to normal patterns. Recent data published by the Central Bank would indicate that that point has not yet been reached.
To ensure effective targeting of limited resources, Local Authority loan finance continues to be available to first time buyers only. As regards the specific scenario referred to in the question, I am aware that some homeowners who purchased properties from Local Authorities in the boom period now find that the property is no longer suitable for their changed circumstances and would wish , for example, to move to a larger home . The option currently available for non-first time Local Authority homeowners is to seek home loan facilities in the private sector.
286. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding housing and Travellers. [10830/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 140 of 22 January 2014, setting out the statutory position in relation to the assessment of Traveller accommodation needs and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes by local authorities aimed at meeting this need.
It is open to Travellers to opt for any form of accommodation, including Traveller-specific accommodation, and local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) are intended to reflect these preferences. Where Travellers opt for Traveller-specific accommodation, local authorities are required to reflect this in their TAPs. The Social Housing Needs Assessment 2013 shows that some 2% of households on housing waiting lists, amounting to 1,632 families, opted for Traveller-specific accommodation. The requirements of all those requiring Traveller-specific accommodation will fall to be addressed in the context of the new TAP’s for the period 2014 to 2018 which are currently being prepared by local authorities.
There is no evidence available to me to support the view that Traveller families are being forced to accept accommodation in the private rented sector. I understand that the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, the statutory committee which advises me on a range of issues in relation to Traveller accommodation, intends to commission research later this year in relation to the accommodation of Travellers in the private rented sector. It is anticipated that this study will provide substantive data regarding the experience of Travellers who are accommodated in the sector and will also inform future policy in this regard.
In the case of Traveller-specific accommodation, housing need can be met through the provision of new and refurbished units. It may be possible that the figures referred to in the attached correspondence relate to new units only. Significant progress has been made in the delivery of Traveller accommodation since the enactment of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998. More recently, since the adoption of the third round of TAPs in 2009, it is estimated that in excess of 450 units of Traveller-specific accommodation had been provided by end 2012, comprised of new and refurbished units. While data in respect of 2013 have yet to be finalised, it is estimated that an additional 40 units were completed in 2013. Details of the accommodation provided from 2009 – 2012 are available in the Annual Reports of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
288. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the actual figures or, where not yet compiled, the estimates for the number of individual homes and business premises directly affected by flooding in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014, both nationally and by local authority area in tabular form; if he will indicate where possible the number of these homes that are privately owned and those which are rented from a local housing authority; the total cost to the Exchequer in 2012 and 2013 of repairing and cleaning up damage caused to these homes and properties by the floods in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10883/14]
View answerWhile my Department collates and publishes a wide range of statistics, the full range of which can be viewed on www.environ.ie , it does not collect the specific data sought in the question.
289. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the report on the spending limits for candidates in the upcoming local election will be made available; if this report will have updated information on donation protocol for candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10891/14]
View answerThe Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, ‘the 1999 Act’, provides for an expenditure and donations disclosure regime at local elections. Provision was made in Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 for amendments to the 1999 Act to change the spending limit provisions at local elections. Section 12A of the 1999 Act was amended to set three new population bands with spending limits of €13,000, €11,500 and €9,750, respectively.
Section 12B of the 1999 Act provides that the period for the reckoning of election expenses, during which the spending limits apply, is to commence between 50 and 60 days prior to polling day. The date of commencement of the spending period is set out in an order made by me, as Minister, before the election. Election spending incurred during this period must be reported to the local authority concerned and must be below the specified limit. In complying with this provision, there is a requirement to submit a statement of donations and expenses within 90 days of polling day on forms which are prescribed in regulations. The necessary forms were prescribed in the Local Elections (Forms) Regulations 2014, Statu tory Instrument No. 100 of 2014, signed by me on 26 February 2014.
Under section 18(6) of the 1999 Act, local authorities must draw up and publish to persons to whom the Act applies, guidelines concerning the steps to be taken by them to ensure compliance with the Act generally. To support local authorities in this regard my Department prepares draft guidelines which local authorities may then make available. These draft guidelines are prepared in two volumes and include the forms on which returns must be made. One set of guidelines is concerned with the statutory obligations for candidates. The other set deals with the statutory obligations for national agents of a political party, designated persons and third parties. These draft guidelines are expected to issue to local authorities during this week.
290. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of graduates registered, the number of new graduates registered; and the number of graduates removed, from the Seanad Éireann electoral registers for the National University of Ireland and University of Dublin that are due to come into effect on 1 June 2014. [10900/14]
View answerSection 8(1) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, ‘the Act’, requires the governing body of every university which is a university constituency to cause a register to be kept in accordance with the Act of the persons who are for the time being entitled to be registered as electors. Section 9(1) of the Act provides that there shall be a registration officer for each of the university constituencies who shall be appointed and paid for by the governing body of the university forming the constituency. Section 9(3) of the Act provides that the annual revision of the register shall come into effect on 1 June of each year. Responsibility for the maintenance and publication of the register is assigned in law to the universities which form the universities constituencies for the election of members of Seanad Éireann. The information sought in the question is not available in my Department.
291. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the implications for agencies funded by his Department that fail to comply with consolidated public sector pay scales by continuing to make top-up payments to staff; when he expects this issue to be definitively resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10914/14]
View answerThe Agencies under the aegis of my Department are fully compliant with Government Pay Policy in relation to the payment of top-ups to staff. There is, however, one limited exception to the consolidated pay policy in respect of a n allowance of €3,348 paid to one employee acting at Senior Executive Officer level in the Local Government Management Agency. Under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 , employment terms and conditions, including remuneration, for Irish Water staff are a matter for the company. I understand that the terms and conditions are in line with the arrangements applying in Bord Gáis Éireann. In that regard, I refer to the reply to questions nos 123 and 467 of 4 February 2014.
292. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the departmental overview that is undertaken regarding administration of moneys granted to voluntary organisations by his Department. [10934/14]
View answer293. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if voluntary sector organisations funded by his Department are required to account for salaries paid as part of the departmental overview of the organisations. [10935/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
My Department supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society through a number of schemes. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. Its objective is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. As part of their contractual obligations under the LCDP, funded organisations are required to submit a range of financial and other reporting documentation including annual audited accounts. The LCDP reporting requirements include overhead costs and salary costs and all documentation is inspected by the Department to ensure compliance with Programme guidelines. My Department also conducts on-site inspections to provide further assurances that the funding received is being used for the purpose intended. Pobal also carries out audits of Local Development Companies on behalf of my Department.
Pobal carries out the same functions in relation to Department funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund. In relation to the Scheme of Support to National Organisations and funding for the Community and Voluntary Pillar, all funded organisations are required to provide progress reports and maintain complete and accurate books of account. In addition, six monthly financial accounts are required to be submitted to the Department and organisations must have an independent firm of auditors. Full audited and certified accounts must be submitted annually, within a specified timeframe, and on-site inspections of the groups funded can take place, with access to all of the funded organisations books and records, where requested , by the Department’s Inspectors.
My Department also funds a network of twenty one Volunteer Centres and associated volunteering organisations which provide and facilitate volunteer supports and initiatives within the community. Prior to receiving funding, each organisation must provide a detailed budget and workplan for the coming year which includes a breakdown on salaries and projected expenditure, and financial statements for the previous year demonstrating that the money was spent according to an agreed plan. Upon receipt of these documents, organisations enter into a contract with my Department which clearly states inter alia that funding is to be used solely for the purposes set out in the workplan as agreed with the Minister. As with other Department funded programmes and schemes, independently audited accounts are required from each funded organisation in the second half of the year for verification that money was satisfactorily spent in line with the contractually agreed workplan.
Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of accommodation by Approved Housing Bodies to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need including older people, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. The detailed administration of the scheme, including the appraisal of proposals, the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding scheme and the processing of applications for funding, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Eligibility for capital grant assistance is contingent on having approved status under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.
With regard to homelessness services, my Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities will also provide funding from their own resources. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
My Department also provides funding for the Irish Environmental Network and the Environmental Pillar which would include voluntary sector organisations. The provision of this grant funding is contingent on proper financial procedures and controls being in place which include, inter alia, that monies will be used for the intended purposes, that there is no unapproved overspend without prior consent from the Department, and that signed audited accounts are to be provided to the Department.
The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which has operated since 1997, promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. These projects involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and various local groups including community groups, schools and environmental NGOs.
The Fund encourages involvement of local communities in local action and decision-making and assists them in working towards the goal of sustainable development. However, my Department does not fund this partnership directly but maintains a co-ordinating role and provides funding to local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the Fund.
My Department has no role in the internal operations of Community and Voluntary Sector organisations and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage.
