Written Answers Nos. 441-463
441. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reform the operation of LDCs; his reasons for this reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18551/14]
View answerThe proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government “as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably”. There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on behalf of my Department to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), while 35 are also involved in delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authorities. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including my Department’s LEADER and Local and Community Development Programmes. They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.
My Department and I have engaged extensively with the Irish Local Development Network including in relation to their membership of the LCDCs and their potential role as partners in implementing LCDC programmes. In this context, I expect the local development companies to continue to have an implementation role under the new LEADER programme 2014-2020. While I can’t pre-empt the outcome of the procurement process for the new Social Inclusion Activation Programme, which will be the successor to the current Local and Community Development Programme, I would expect, given their experience, that the local development companies will be strong contenders to deliver the new programme locally.
443. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 364 of 8 April 2014, the industry sources his Department made contact with to assess the steel industries ability to comply with the new obligations under the Construction Products Regulation and the requirements of I.S. EN 1090-1:2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18553/14]
View answerMy Department has no role in assessing the ability of steel fabricators to comply with their obligations under the Construction Products Regulation and I.S. EN 1090-1:2009. Nevertheless, my Department has been working with a wide range of organisations in both the public and private sectors in order to ensure that the construction industry was made aware of, and could prepare for, the Construction Products Regulation which came into full effect throughout the European Union on 1 July 2013.
In early 2012, my Department, working through Building Regulations Advisory Body structures, and in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the National Roads Authority, the Office of Public Works, HomeBond and the Building Materials Federation, prepared an information paper setting out the implications for manufacturers, importers and distributors in relation to placing construction products on the market arising from the introduction of the Construction Product Regulations on 1 July 2013. This information paper was widely circulated to stakeholders throughout the construction sector by my Department and by each of the participating organisations. My Department has also proactively promoted awareness of the Construction Products Regulations at key industry conferences and workshops. In addition, a comprehensive three-month public consutlation was held as an integral part of the development of the supporting European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 which set out the framework for market surveillance in Ireland under the Construction Products Regulation.
As set out in the reply to Question No. 364 of 8 April 2014, the co-existence period for EN 1090-1:2009 was extended by the European Commission by an additional twelve months in recognition of the fact that many small steel fabricators would benefit from the add ed time to prepare for the coming into effect of the standard’s requirements. The steel industry throughout Europe has now had over three and a half years since the publication of that standard to prepare for its implementation. While my Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation in Ireland, I would urge all affected steel fabricators to make the arrangements necessary to comply with their obligations under both the Construction Products Regulation and I.S. EN 1090-1:2009 at the earliest possible opportunity.
445. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 379 of 22 October 2013, if he will provide an update on the matter. [18640/14]
View answerThe Gweedore Sewerage Scheme was included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 as a scheme to commence construction during the lifetime of the Programme. Following receipt of Donegal County Council’s Contract Documents for the scheme my Department approved these Documents in December 2013.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible 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 Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. The further progression of all water services capital projects, including the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme, is now a matter for Irish Water. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
447. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that his Department’s website www.environ.ie and related microsites that is ruralireland.ie meet or exceed all relevant web content accessibility guidelines and standards; if the accessibility of the Department's main website has ever been independently evaluated; if he is personally satisfied the website meets the needs of its users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18697/14]
View answer448. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to redesign the website of his Department to make it more appealing and user friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18698/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.
My Department’s website, www.environ.ie, was developed to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines and standards. While it has not been independently assessed, I am committed to ensuring that communication tools, such as my Department’s website, provide quality information to the public in an accessible manner. In that regard, a project is underway in my Department that will focus on the redesign of the Department’s website to modernise it, improve the search functionality and make it more accessible and user friendly. While my Department provides some limited funding for the website www.ruralireland.ie, responsibility for development and ongoing support is a matter for Teagasc which manages the site.
449. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the remedies available to local authority tenants who are subject to ongoing harassment and intimidation from neighbours and the assistance that can be given to them to resolve their ongoing difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18741/14]
View answerWhile action to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána, local authority tenants who are subject to on-going harassment and intimidation from neighbours should contact the housing authority concerned in confidence, as the body responsible for estate management. Housing authorities have the power to seek a court order excluding a person engaged in anti-social behaviour from entering a local authority dwelling or estate for a period of up to three years. They are also empowered to refuse to allocate, or to refuse to sell, a dwelling to such a person. At the policy level, every housing authority has a statutory duty to adopt and review an anti-social behaviour strategy for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour in its housing stock, which must provide for co-operation with other relevant bodies, notably the Gardaí. In addition, I am seeking Government approval to the text of a Housing Bill that will include a revised procedure to replace section 62 of the Housing Act 1966, enabling housing authorities to recover possession of their dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engaging in anti-social behaviour. The Bill also includes provisions that will strengthen the powers of housing authorities in relation to excluding orders. I anticipate that the Bill will be published shortly and will be enacted by th e Summer recess.
450. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on the duty of local authorities to enforce the terms and conditions of planning approvals granted by An Bord Pleanála under section 175 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 for a public private partnership project, where such terms and conditions are essential to preserving the integrity of the coastline and to preventing or limiting coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18743/14]
View answer451. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the mechanisms for oversight and-or mechanisms for investigation available for the actions of a local authority to be investigated, where the local authority has failed or neglected to enforce planning terms and conditions granted by An Bord Pleanála under section 175 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 for a public private partnership project, which are essential to preserving the integrity of the coastline and to preventing or limiting coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18744/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.
A local authority is required to carry out any development for which it has obtained approval from An Bord Pleanála under section 175 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in accordance with the terms of that approval. Local authorities are fully expected to comply with this provision. Section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out a range of powers of investigation available to the nister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to overseeing the operation by planning authorities of their planning functions. However, these powers of oversight are general in nature and only apply to the overall functioning of the planning authority and not to individual planning cases. Furthermore under section 30 of the Act, the Minister is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual cases with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanala is concerned.
452. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the tax arrangements that apply in respect of a 32 year old vintage tractor (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/14]
View answerLiability for motor tax arises from the date of registration of a vehicle or from the date of transfer of ownership. Arrangements for registration of vehicles are a matter for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and I have no function in the matter. The annual rate of motor tax for vintage tractors is €56. The annual rate for an agricultural tractor less than 30 years old is €102. If arrears are due on a vehicle for the period between the registration of the vehicle or the date of transfer of ownership, as appropriate, and the taking out of a motor tax disc, arrears are calculated based on a monthly rate of 1/10th of the annual rate of motor tax applicable to the vehicle.
453. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons or families currently on the social housing waiting lists in the four Dublin local authorities and the number among them who have been on those waiting lists for five years or more. [18768/14]
View answerThe results of the most recent statutory summary of social housing assessments, which was carried out in 2013, detail the number of households on all local authority waiting lists as at 7 May 2013. The results include details on the length of time spent by qualified households on waiting lists by each local authority and are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.
The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. However, the 2013 results cannot be directly compared to previous results given that this latest summary employed different methodologies and was the first to be carried out under the 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations.
454. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when an enhanced redundancy package application will be paid to persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [18776/14]
View answerMy Department has no role in the internal operations of private organisations and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters of the organisation concerned, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage. However, the Government recognises that like all other sectors of our economy, the community and voluntary sector has had to deal with reduced funding in recent years. Issues have arisen around the capacity of the sector to pay enhanced redundancy payments. The Government is considering a cash limited scheme to address this issue. Discussions between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in that regard are on-going.
455. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be provided to regenerate housing (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18781/14]
View answerIn March 2014 I announced the approval of some 56 social housing construction projects with an overall value of €68 million under the Local Authority housing construction programme for 2014-2015. This new construction programme will deliver 449 new units of accommodation for people on the housing waiting list. In the case of Dublin City Council, some €7.9 million is being provided for the construction of 35 housing units at Buttercup Estate, Darndale. I understand that part of the proposed works will be undertaken within the area known as Snowdrop Estate. It is now a matter for the City Council to progress the project to construction stage.
456. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he proposes to take on foot of the report of the Working Group on Citizen Engagement with Local Government; when he anticipates that the proposed Public Participation Networks will be established; the additional resources that will be provided to support the functioning of these networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18863/14]
View answerI set up the Working Group on Citizen Engagement in September 2013 under the chairmanship of Fr. Sean Healy. The role of the Group was to make recommendations on more extensive and diverse input by citizens into decision making at local government level. The Report of the Working Group was published on my Department’s website on 28 February 2014, and may be accessed using the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/CommunityVoluntarySupports/
.The Working Group propose that a “Public Participation Network (PPN)”, is developed in each local authority area to enable the public to take an active formal role in relevant policy making and oversight committees of the local authority. Pilot PPN arrangements are being set up with immediate effect in four local authority areas - Laois, Tipperary, Galway County and South Dublin. The pilots will, in conjunction with other consultation processes underway, determine a practical approach to implementing the structures outlined in the report of the Working Group, having regard for the primacy of the local elected council. My Department will seek a report on progress and issues arising from implementation of the pilots by mid-May 2014. The structures are to be set up in all local authority areas following the establishment of new Councils on 1 June 2014. It will be a matter for each local authority to provide resources to support the functioning of these networks.
457. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which blind persons may exercise their right to vote in an independent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18922/14]
View answerMy Department is reviewing the legislative, logistical and financial implications of independent voting, including voting by blind and visually impaired persons. In this context, my Department is considering a range of options including the use of tactile ballot paper templates in consultation with relevant State and other interest groups. More generally, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Currently there are two options available to assist voters with a visual impairment to vote at their local polling station; they may avail of companion voting or they may seek the assistance of the presiding officer. Other measures in place to assist such voters include the display of a large print version of the ballot paper in polling stations and the inclusion of candidates’ photographs and party emblems on the ballot paper.
I understand that the National Disability Authority intends to carry out trials in June 2014 on the use of ballot paper templates at mock elections that would typify Irish electoral scenarios. The outcome of these trials will further inform the deliberative process in relation to the use of tactile ballot paper templates. In any review of electoral practice, it is necessary to ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between accessibility and the secrecy and integrity of the ballot, having regard to our electoral system.
458. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Sligo has been waiting over seven months for their application to be processed by the Department's foreshore unit for a seaweed harvesting licence despite the fact that further information was sent to his Department on 26 February 2014 and the fact that the applicant has heard nothing since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18929/14]
View answerForeshore consent applications are processed strictly in accordance with a prioritisation framework focusing on major infrastructural projects e.g. wastewater treatment plants and offshore energy applications. Small scale seaweed harvesting falls within the lowest priority level and, accordingly, such applications may take longer to process. All applications for licences to harvest wild seaweed are assessed in the context of the relevant regulatory framework, including nature conservation obligations. The sustainable management of Ireland’s wild seaweed resource is the focus of my Department’s efforts in licensing this activity under the Foreshore Act 1933.
The initial application concerned for a licence to harvest seaweed under the Foreshore Act 1933 was received by my Department on 21 June 2013. It did not contain sufficient information to enable my Department to undertake a complete assessment of the application. Accordingly, further information was requested from the applicant. Limited further information has been received and is currently being assessed by my Department’s specialist advisers. If the further information submitted is considered sufficient, the application will then proceed to the public consultation phase of the licence assessment process.
459. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the installation of water meters by Irish Water, the reason meters are not being installed inside the household as are other public utilities such as gas and electricity so as to allow the householder read the meter and thus be aware of the amount they are using; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18932/14]
View answer460. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of water metering, if a public utility, or other, damages a water pipe and causes a leak, the person responsible for the payment of the loss of water and the way such a leak will be measured; if a system is in place that will make the householder aware that water lost as a result of such leakage will not be billed against their house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18933/14]
View answer461. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the installation of water meters by Irish Water, the facility in place to turn on the water meter on 1 October 2014; if it will accurately read the usage for the first three months; if all meters will be set to zero on 1 October 2014 as currently the meters are running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18934/14]
View answer462. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of water metering, if a fault-leak occurs between the private house and the meter, the way the householder will be made aware of this leak if they cannot read the meter, as the meter is buried in the footpath outside the house, and in the case of an elderly person it would be impossible to read; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18935/14]
View answer463. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of water metering, the precautions that have been put in place to prevent meters being tampered with or damaged by vandals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18936/14]
View answer470. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if water meters have been installed by Irish Water in houses or housing estates that are unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19099/14]
View answer471. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if water meters have been installed by Irish Water in houses or housing estates in County Kildare that are unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19100/14]
View answer512. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households who will not have a water meter by the time charges are introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19641/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 463, inclusive, 470, 471 and 512 together.
The 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 company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the metering programme.
Most meters for public utilities are located at the point where the connection enters the household. In the case of water services, under the provisions of the Water Services Act 2007 , household pipes internal to the boundary of a property are considered the responsibility of the householder, and thus water meters are being fitted at the stopcock at the boundary of the property. As this is located on publicly accessible land, it minimises disruption during the installation programme and in terms of meter reading in due course, as access is not required to people’s homes. The meter boxes are not sealed and can be opened to allow the householder to read their meter, if necessary. Meters will be read automatically and the information will be provided directly to customers in their bills. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that all of the water metering contracts are fully compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and that the water meters in use by Irish Water comply with the Measuring Instruments Directive. In all customer communications, Irish Water asks any householders with any disability, mobility or medical concerns to contact its call centre (1890 278 278) in advance of the meter installation so any additional support or advice can be arranged.
Irish Water will not need to reset water meters to zero for October 1st 2014. The meters used in the domestic water metering programme maintain a record of the reading at midnight on the last day of each month. This provides Irish Water with an accurate month end/month start cumulative consumption on an on-going basis. These month end records will be collected each time the meters are read. Where a leak is identified on the public water mains, the repairs are undertaken by the local authority, acting as agents for Irish Water. Where the leak is identified as being within the boundary of the property under the 2007 Water Services Act, the repair of the leak has been, and remains, the responsibility of the individual householder. To assist the homeowner in the identification of any leaks Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that water meters being installed as part of the Metering Programme have a “constant flow” alarm which alerts Irish Water who will in turn alert the affected homeowner. Householders with a meter installed will be provided with a reading of their meter as part of their bill and any unusual usage patterns can be discussed with Irish Water if the householder is concerned. As part of the metering programme, my Department, in conjunction with Irish Water, is currently working on a proposal regarding customer-side leakage.
In common with meters for other utility services, the meters will be the property of Irish Water which will also be responsible the repair and maintenance of the meter. Section 74 of the Water Services Act 2007 provides that it is an offence to damage or otherwise impair a water meter. Irish Water has indicated that it will have installed a t least 400,000 meters by the end of 2014, with 1.058 million properties to be metered by the end of 2016. Of the estimated 1.35 m domestic properties connected to public water supplies, approximately 300,000 properties will not be metered as part of the current phase, due to the cost or technical difficulty of doing so. These properties would include apartment blocks, other multi-occupancy buildings and houses with shared service connections. Local authorities are in the final stages of a pre-installation survey of households connected to such supplies. The survey is providing information to Irish Water on the properties that can be metered. The intention is that a meter will be installed in any property connected to a public water supply where it is technically feasible to do so. The matter of occupancy of the property will be addressed separately. In advance of the commencement of charges, Irish Water will be engaging with every household to verify customer details.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
