Thursday, 26 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 132-142

Voluntary Sector Funding

Questions (132, 133)

Barry Cowen

Question:

132. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the release of funds to organisations under the scheme to support national organisations; the reason for the delay in the allocation and distribution of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27604/14]

Barry Cowen

Question:

133. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total allocation per annum and by organisation under the scheme to support national organisations in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The new Scheme is intended to commence from 1 July 2014, on the basis of a competitive assessment process. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received and they have completed their analysis. I will shortly confirm allocations to the successful organisations.

The first Scheme ran from 2008 until June 2011, with the current Scheme commencing in July 2011. Therefore, as shown in the following table, a number of organisations were funded under the 2008-2011 Scheme only, others received funding under the 2011-2014 Scheme only, and several received funding under both Schemes.

Scheme to Support National Organisations

National Organisation	Total Paid in 2010	Total paid in 2011	Total Paid in 2012	Total Paid in 2013	Total Paid in 2014 to date
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service	40,608	16,040	0	0	0
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland(Trading as the Peter Bradley Foundation)	0	25,000	50,000	47,100	20,724
Active Retirement Network Ireland	80,352	71,739	80,000	75,360	33,158
AkiDwA (Akina Dada wa Africa - The African Women's Network (Ireland)	45,792	18,088	0	0	0
Age Action Ireland	45,792	43,088	50,000	47,100	20,724
Alzheimer Society of Ireland	91,584	73,676	58,882	70,650	31,086
Arthritis Ireland	80,352	64,239	65,000	61,230	26,941
Aspire	0	25,000	34,052	47,100	20,724
Barnardos	81,840	50,477	60,000	56,520	24,869
Breaking Through	63,072	59,913	68,049	65,940	29,014
Brí - The Acquired Brain Injury Advocacy Association	80,352	69,239	75,000	70,650	31,086
Business in the Community Ireland	68,688	52,132	50,000	47,100	20,724
Camphill Communities of Ireland Ltd	39,011	18,088	0	0	0
Care Alliance Ireland	80,352	54,239	45,000	42,390	18,652
Caring for Carers Ireland Ltd	80,352	69,239	75,000	70,650	31,086
Carmichael Centre for Vol Groups	60,480	58,890	70,000	65,940	29,014
Centre for Independent Living	0	25,000	50,000	47,100	20,724
Cheshire Ireland	80,352	31,739	0	0	0
Children in Hospital Ireland	114,912	95,390	100,000	94,200	41,448
Children's Rights Alliance	160,704	113,478	100,000	94,200	41,448
Chronic Pain Ireland	34,560	36,151	45,000	42,390	18,652
Community Workers' Co-operative	51,840	23,889	0	0	0
Disability Federation of Ireland	45,792	45,588	55,000	51,810	22,796
Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI)	80,352	69,239	75,000	70,650	31,086
European Anti-Poverty Network	114,912	75,390	60,000	56,520	24,869
Football Association of Ireland	0	22,500	45,000	42,390	18,652
Foróige (NFTE)	0	20,000	40,000	37,680	16,579
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)	137,376	104,264	100,000	94,200	41,448
Genetic and Rare Disorders Organisation	0	10,000	18,407	18,840	8,290
GROW in Ireland	0	10,000	20,000	18,840	8,290
Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland Ltd	21,600	20,032	23,000	21,666	9,533
IASE (Irish Association for Supported Employment)	126,144	94,827	90,000	84,780	37,303
INCADDS Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Support Groups	45,792	38,088	40,000	37,680	16,579
Inclusion Ireland -	45,792	38,088	40,000	37,680	16,579
INOU	171,936	117,914	100,000	94,200	41,448
Irish Autism Action	114,912	90,390	90,000	84,780	37,303
Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH)	45,792	30,588	25,000	23,550	10,362
Irish Countrywomen's Association	91,584	36,176	0	0	0
Irish Deaf Society	91,584	73,676	75,000	70,650	31,086
Irish Heart Foundation	0	25,000	50,000	47,100	20,724
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Assoc (IMNDA)	0	15,000	30,000	28,260	12,434
Irish Mountain Rescue	64,800	60,596	70,000	65,940	29,014
Irish National Community & Voluntary Forum (NCVF)	0	27,500	0	0	0
Irish Rural Link	177,120	81,623	0	0	0
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament	86,400	34,128	0	0	0
Irish Stammering Association	45,792	33,088	30,000	28,260	12,434
Medical Research Charities Group	45,792	18,088	0	0	0
Migraine Association of Ireland	45,792	35,588	35,000	32,970	14,507
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI)	63,072	24,913	0	0	0
MOVE Ireland	45,792	32,828	50,000	47,100	20,724
Muintir na Tire	164,000	104,120	85,000	80,070	35,231
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland	51,840	50,477	60,000	56,520	24,869
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland	0	22,500	45,000	42,390	18,652
National Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Irl	0	22,500	31,538	42,390	18,652
National Association for Youth Drama	0	17,500	35,000	32,970	14,507
National Association of Building Co-operatives (Nabco)	45,792	38,088	40,000	37,680	16,579
National Association of Traveller Centres	45,792	18,088	0	0	0
National Collective of Community-based Womens Networks	45,792	38,088	40,000	37,680	16,579
National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with Intellectual Disability	45,792	18,088	0	0	0
The National Network of Women's Refuges and Support Services (NNRWSS)	91,584	36,175	0	0	0
National Traveller Womens' Forum	45,792	38,088	40,000	37,680	16,579
National Voluntary Drug Sector	34,560	13,621	0	0	0
National Women's Council of Ireland	60,480	23,890	0	0	0
National Youth Council of Ireland	0	25,000	50,000	47,100	20,724
Neurological Alliance of Ireland	63,072	54,913	60,000	56,520	24,869
New Communities Partnership	97,632	83,565	90,000	84,780	37,303
One Family	96,768	85,723	95,000	89,490	39,376
OPEN	160,704	113,478	100,000	94,200	41,448
Open Heart House	0	22,500	45,000	42,390	0
Post Polio Support Group	45,792	33,088	30,000	28,260	12,434
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI)	91,584	81,176	90,000	84,780	37,303
Safe Ireland	0	45,000	90,000	84,780	37,303
Show Racism the Red Card	0	17,500	35,000	32,970	14,507
Simon Communities of Ireland	171,936	112,915	90,000	84,780	37,303
Special Olympics Ireland Ltd	91,584	36,176	0	0	0
Suas	45,792	40,588	45,000	42,390	18,652
The Asthma Society of Ireland	0	25,000	50,000	47,100	20,724
The Carers Association	0	37,500	75,000	70,650	31,086
The Irish Traveller Movement	132,192	102,216	100,000	94,200	41,448
The Older Women's Network (OWN Ireland)	129,600	51,192	0	0	0
Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland	45,792	18,088	0	0	0
The Wheel	120,960	97,779	102,000	94,200	41,448
Voluntary Drug Treatment Network	23,400	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	€5,037,355	€3,904,466	€3,760,927	€3,587,136	€1,559,690

Planning Issues

Questions (134)

Brian Stanley

Question:

134. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the current investigation into planning which was set up following the publication of the review in June 2013. [27609/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 356 and 362 of 24 June 2014.

I appointed MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions in six selected planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 following an open public tendering process and subsequent tender evaluation assessment conducted by my Department on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender. I expect to receive the final report from the consultants in July 2014 and I intend to publish it having considered its contents.

Local Authority Staff Data

Questions (135)

Brian Walsh

Question:

135. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of seasonal staff employed by each local authority to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The most recent quarterly data on the numbers of temporary/seasonal staff, collected at the end of March 2014, are set out in the following table on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE).

LOCAL AUTHORITY	Temporary / Seasonal Staff 31 March 2014 (Total WTE)
Cork City	1
Dublin City	24
Galway City	14
Carlow	0
Cavan	1
Clare	9.68
Cork	2.15
Donegal	9
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown (DLR)	2
Fingal	1.8
Galway	0
Kerry	24.25
Kildare	5
Kilkenny	11
Laois	0
Leitrim	2
Limerick	0
Longford	6.81
Louth	4.4
Mayo	2.5
Meath	6.32
Monaghan	1
Offaly	3
Roscommon	0
Sligo	0.56
South Dublin	9
Tipperary	36
Waterford	1.44
Westmeath	6.49
Wexford	7.65
Wicklow	33
OVERALL TOTAL	225.05

Climate Change Policy

Questions (136, 149)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

136. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the heads of the climate action and low-carbon development Bill; when the Bill is expected to come before Dáil Éireann; if there are plans for the Bill to strengthen further the independence of the expert advisory body; if the Bill will include a long-term objective for low-carbon development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/14]

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

149. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the climate action and low-carbon development Bill; if the Bill will be in line with the recommendations in the report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, published in November 2013; if it will reflect the principles of climate justice; if the Bill will include a long-term objective for low-carbon development; the measures there will be to ensure the independence of the expert advisory body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27709/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 149 together.

I refer to the replies to Question No. 81 of 17 June 2014 and Questions No. 347 and 388 of 24 June 2014.

The General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill has been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Bill will be published as soon as drafting has been completed. My objective is to introduce the Bill and progress its passage through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.

Both the Heads of the Bill and the National Policy Position which the legislation will underpin were finalised, having regard to the substantial public consultation which my Department facilitated in 2012, and the second round of consultation facilitated by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht last year. A very broad range of issues was raised in both consultations and I am satisfied that the National Policy Position and the planned legislation reflect where the balance lies at this time in terms of the views across the spectrum of stakeholders and society generally. Both the National Policy Position and Head 4 of the General Scheme of the Bill address the fundamental objective on transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy in the period to 2050.

The General Scheme of the Bill is primarily focused on Ireland's domestic transition to low-carbon development. In tandem with our commitment to the developing world, a progressive approach to mitigation at a national level is the most effective contribution we can make to the global-scale actions necessary to combat climate change.

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (137)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

137. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is total confusion, chaos and competition among local community development companies, small independent community groups, Traveller organisations and the National Collective of Community Based Women's Networks as a consequence of the tendering process being implemented by his Department for the delivery of the social inclusion community activation programme; and if he will instruct his Department to withdraw immediately the demand that there be only one lead delivery agent in each county, to ensure existing organisations are able in their own right to tender for their geographical area or community of interest. [27652/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) currently being established in all local authority areas 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's Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State.

The current Programme having officially ended at the end of 2013 is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in January 2015. SICAP is one of my key priorities and in accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of the services to clients, the Programme will be subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway.

The public procurement process is a competitive process that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new Programme. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) are invited to submit joint applications. Applicants at stage one of the tendering process must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the Lot(s) applied for. If a joint expression of interest is submitted, candidates are required to select a Lead Candidate which will act as the principal contact in respect of this competitive process and any subsequent contract.

I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (138)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

138. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the social inclusion community activation programme, for which local community development companies are currently preparing to tender, has no mechanism to protect the work done over the years with the Traveller community and women; if he agrees that this work is essential to promote justice, equality and community cohesion; and if he will meet with his staff dealing with this programme and ask that they ring-fence the combined budget for the National Traveller Partnership and the National Collective of Community Based Women's Networks and continue to work directly with these two structures to administer the budget through Pobal. [27653/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The 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". As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas.  These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.  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's Local and Community Development Programme 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 with funding of €281m over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in January 2015. The SICAP's aim is to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. SICAP is one of my key priorities and its budget for next year will be decided in the 2015 Estimates process.

I am confident that supports for the most disadvantaged in our society, such as Travellers and disadvantaged women, will continue under SICAP.

Voluntary Housing Sector

Questions (139, 140, 141, 142)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

139. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a copy of the reports carried out on the defects in the Gallery Quay building managed by Túath Housing. [27658/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

140. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the ongoing legal action being taken against insurers of the Gallery Quay development, if he will commit to underwriting the repair work as a matter of urgency. [27659/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

141. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the case of the Gallery Quay development, given that Túath Housing is a voluntary housing agency and the defective works and repairs required are not of Tuath's making, if he will underwrite the legal costs required to resolve the issues. [27660/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

142. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has seen an estimate of the cost of repairs required to the defects in the Gallery Quay development. [27661/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 142, inclusive, together.

My Department is committed to working closely with Tuath Housing Association and Dublin City Council in resolving the structural and related issues affecting the 60 Tuath-owned properties at Gallery Quay. An updated report from Tuath on the progress to date in resolving water ingress and dampness at the Gallery Quay apartments was received by my Department on 20 June. The report is currently under examination and my Department will be in contact again with Tuath once this has been completed.

The report indicates that Tuath propose to undertake a detailed internal and external inspection of the windows and that the results of this inspection will build on the survey work carried out to date and inform the preparation of a schedule of works and tender documents, details of which are expected to be submitted to my Department in July. In advance of receiving this documentation, it is not possible to indicate the extent of necessary refurbishment works or the estimated cost of such works.