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Wednesday, 12 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 112-119

International Agreements

Questions (112)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

112. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has been compliant with the Aarhaus Convention in relation to the wind energy export proposal. [12406/14]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Question No. 19 of 11 March which sets out the position in relation to the renewable energy export project. The three pillars of the Aarhus Convention are access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Ireland has adopted the necessary legislation to implement the requirements of the Convention and ensure full compliance with it. The development of a national policy for renewable energy export is being progressed with regard to the requirements of the relevant legislation.

Departmental Reports

Questions (113)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the reports/reviews/studies commissioned by him or his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department since 9 March 2011; the date on which they were commissioned; the date on which they were completed; the date on which they were published; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/14]

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Written answers

Details of all external reports commissioned by my Department are set out in the following table. The majority of the studies referred to are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned. The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Report/Review/Study

Date Commenced

Date Completed

Date Published

*Total Value of Contract

Silvermines Vegetation Study

August 2011

September 2011

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase

€5,848

Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation

July 2011

December 2011

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase

€13,890

Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements

August 2011

February 2012

July 2013

€193,997

National Digital Research Centre

July 2011

November 2011

This report was not published as it contains commercially sensitive information.

€29,040

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

July 2011

January 2012

January 2012

€112,190

Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for roll-out of next generation broadband

May 2012

August 2012

This Report was not published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision.

€28,167

Core Library Holdings Review

September 2011

December 2011

January 2012

€39,688

Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report

April 2011

September 2011

September 2011

€1,750

Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the roll-out of next generation broadband

May 2012

August 2012

This Report was not published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision.

€30,522

Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow

December 2012

Ongoing

Ongoing

Projected Cost: €374,573 (ex-Vat) over three years.

Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland

October 2012

September 2013

September 2013

€53,690

Provision of land valuation and negotiation services (Silvermines)

July 2012

July 2013

This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase.

€3,690

Review of Irish Geoscience Sector Phase 1

December 2011

February 2012

This Report was not published as it is commercially sensitive.

€10,000

Review of Irish Geoscience Sector Phase 2

March 2013

June 2013

This Report was not published as it is commercially sensitive.

€10,000

Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project

December 2012

June 2013

Published Sept 2013

€59,505

Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences.

December 2012

Ongoing

This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive

Projected cost: €75,000 (excluding VAT, travel and other expenses) over three years.

Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy

November 2012

February 2013

July 2013

€72,474

Corrib gas field project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011

June 2011

Ongoing

Ongoing

€557,779

Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway

May 2013

June 2013

June 2013

€12,915

Economic Analysis of the Advertising Market in Ireland

December 2013

Ongoing

Ongoing

€71,438

To advise on the "Fitness for Purpose" of Ireland's current oil and gas fiscal terms.

March 2014

Ongoing

Ongoing

In course of finalisation.

* All figures are inclusive of VAT, where applicable, unless otherwise stated.

Severe Weather Events Response

Questions (114)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if financial aid is available for businesses that experienced damage during the recent storms; if so, the way the businesses would apply for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12238/14]

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Written answers

In order to help communities affected by the recent severe weather, including flooding, the Government decided on 11 February that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works to public infrastructure. This includes roads, coastal protection, piers, harbours, amenities, tourism and community infrastructure. The funding is in addition to the €25 million which Government had already announced for Humanitarian Assistance schemes.

Damage to private businesses as a result of the recent severe weather and flooding is a matter for the owners of those businesses and their insurers, if applicable. As part of the response to the recent flooding events, the Department of Finance is currently undertaking a review of the availability of flood insurance cover. When the review is complete, it will be examined by the Minister for Finance who will report to Government on what measures, if any, are needed to improve the availability of flood insurance cover.

Water Meters Installation

Questions (115)

Barry Cowen

Question:

115. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken to address concerns over the wages and conditions of contractors hired to install water meters across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12007/14]

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Written answers

The management of the procurement for the domestic metering programme is a matter for Irish Water. Four regional main contractors covering eight meter regions were appointed by Irish Water following a public tendering process and all of the contracts were awarded in full compliance with public procurement rules. These contractors have responsibility for appointing sub-contractors who are responsible for recruiting suitably qualified staff to carry out the work. The hiring of sub-contractors is undertaken by the regional contractors in accordance with the pay and employment conditions of the contracts set out by Irish Water. These provide for rates of pay and conditions of employment, including pension, which are in line with the former Construction Industry Registered Agreements.

Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has engaged an auditor to conduct random audits on metering contractors. Irish Water is satisfied that its contractors are currently compliant with all of the contract terms in relation to pay and conditions (including sick pay, death in service benefit and pensions). Its auditing process has identified a low number of incidents of non-compliance. When this has happened, contractors were given a short timeframe to become fully compliant and Irish Water continues to work with the contractors to investigate and rectify any issues. The audit process will remain in place for the duration of the metering programme and any issues identified or raised in relation to contractors will be promptly addressed.

Election Expenditure

Questions (116)

Barry Cowen

Question:

116. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the official campaign period for the upcoming local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12239/14]

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Written answers

Section 12B of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 provides that the period for the reckoning of election expenses, during which spending limits apply, shall commence on a date between 50 and 60 days prior to polling day and end on polling day. The date of commencement of the spending period will be 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 spending limits.

Section 31(3)(a) of the Electoral Act 1997 provides that the period for the reckoning of election expenses at a European Parliament election shall commence on the date of the order appointing polling day and end on polling day. Election spending incurred during this period must be reported to the Standards in Public Office Commission and must be below the specified spending limit. Section 10 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 provides that the order appointing polling day shall be made by me, as Minister, not less than 50 days before polling day.

In advance of the local and European Parliament elections scheduled for 23 May 2014, I will make the necessary orders having regard to the statutory provisions identified.

Local and Community Development Programme Planning

Questions (117)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

117. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious impact the current local and community development programme transitional programme is having on the ability of LCDPs to deliver non-calendar year programmes, such as academic supports which run from September to May; when he will provide LCDPs with a full and detailed description of the transition to the 2015 programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12254/14]

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Written answers

The 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 current contracts and Programme oversight will transfer to the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) of the Local Authorities from 1 July next. However, existing contracts for the Local Community Development Programme will remain in place until the end of 2014.

The new Programme to be implemented in 2015 will be subject to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approval and compliance with the new Public Spending Code. The Programme, which is currently at design stage, will reflect the main findings of the LCDP Mid-Term Review and will be framed to ensure that it remains a locally accessible, front-line intervention for people most difficult to reach in terms of social inclusion and preparation for employment. The key change for 2015 will be that the new Programme will be overseen and managed by the LCDCs of the Local Authorities who will request tenders for its delivery in their areas.

The successor Programme will aim to build upon the existing infrastructure of the LCDP and maximise the potential of the new county structure to deliver a locally driven community development and employment Programme which has national reach and a clear synergy with the National Reform Programme. The National Reform Programme identifies national targets in each of the five headline areas (employment, education, research and development, climate change, poverty reduction), the main bottlenecks to reaching these targets and the measures necessary to allow Ireland overcome these.

In implementing a new Programme next year, my Department will do its utmost to ensure business continuity for the communities served. In that context, my Department will engage with all key stakeholders in the weeks and months ahead in relation to the new programme and the logistics of the competitive process.

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Questions (118)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an appropriate assessment will be carried out in Bonane, Kenmare, County Kerry before any further legal proceedings will be taken by Irish Water and Kerry County Council in respect of the abstraction of water from the River Sheen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12295/14]

View answer

Written answers

Kenmare Water Supply Scheme – Water Treatment Plant – DBO (Design Build Operate) was included, as a Contract to Start, in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013. The Kenmare Water Supply Scheme (Water Abstraction Proposal) Provisional Order 2011 was granted by An Bord Pleanála on 28 September 2011. This Order has been appealed to the Circuit Court by a number of parties and has come before the Circuit Court on a number of occasions. There was a hearing before the Circuit Court on 26th September 2013 and the Court issued its judgement on 24 February 2014 against Kerry County Council.

From 1 January 2014 Irish Water took responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010 – 2013 Water Services Investment Programme. From 1 January 2014, the further progression of all water services capital projects is a matter for Irish Water. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.

Electoral Register

Questions (119)

Brian Stanley

Question:

119. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any legal impediment to local authorities providing Deputies, councillors or registered political parties with a copy of the party political extract version of the current electoral register. [12300/14]

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Written answers

The requirements on registration authorities in relation to the publication and provision of copies of the electoral register are set out in rules 13, 14 and 25 of the Second Schedule to the Electoral Act 1992, as amended. Under rule 13(4) , the registration authority, when publishing the register of electors is required to send a copy to each member of the Dáil in relation to their constituency, to each local authority member for the local electoral area concerned and to each representative in the European Parliament in relation to that constituency. Rule 14(4) provides that no fee shall be charged by the registration authority for supplying on request, in either paper or electronic format -

- one copy of the register for each Dáil constituency or part of a Dáil constituency in their registration area to each candidate duly nominated for the constituency at a Dáil election,

- one copy of the register for a local electoral area in their registration area to each candidate duly nominated for the local electoral area at a local election, and

- one copy of the register for each European Parliament constituency or part thereof contained in their registration area to each candidate duly nominated at a European election for such constituency.

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