Written Answers Nos. 479-503
479. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [29599/14]
View answerMy Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers, Mr Finbarr O' Malley and Mr Simon Nugent, at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr. O'Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr. Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum.
Both salaries have been subsequently reduced in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 and the relevant provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement.
480. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland feels the need to replace the current grant agreement in place for a community-based organisation (details supplied) which is a not-for-profit group of organisations operating the better energy warmer homes scheme with an open tendering process which, by SEAI's own admission, is being designed from commercial for-profit entities. [29623/14]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low-income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and are vulnerable to energy poverty.
Recipients of the scheme do not receive grants but have measures installed free of charge. Homeowners register their interest in the scheme and are placed on an SEAI waiting list. Since the commencement of the scheme in 2000, over 106,000 homes around the country have received energy efficiency measures under the Warmer Homes scheme, with a total spend of over €119 million.
The scheme is delivered by Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and a panel of contractors in order to ensure national coverage. The scheme has evolved over time from a small programme to the current level of delivery, with approximately 12,000 energy poor homes due to receive upgrades this year. SEAI now wish to consolidate delivery of the scheme to achieve the optimum efficiency and value for public money.
SEAI has extensively engaged with CBOs over the past year on the transition to the new model. CBO involvement, supporting local employment and assisting in identifying and gaining access to most vulnerable homes, will still be an integral part of the new model.
The new model will use a competitive tendering process to ensure the best value is delivered for the State. This tendering process will still consider all proposals based on their approach to identifying and accessing vulnerable homes, involvement of local community groups and the benefits for local employment. The new model will also encourage partnerships between Participating Energy Suppliers, Contractors and CBOs.
481. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of US Federal Communications Commission deliberations on net neutrality, if he will outline the position in Ireland regarding whether Internet providers can legally block, throttle, or slow down access to websites, or charge content companies for faster and more reliable delivery of their traffic to users; and his views on whether the Houses of the Oireachtas should introduce net neutrality legislation. [29700/14]
View answerThe regulation of the electronic communications market is an EU competency to ensure harmonised regulatory rules in the provision of such services and the associated electronic communications infrastructure within a fully liberalised internal EU electronic communications market. There is currently no legal impediment to operators throttling or blocking access to internet content or for them to charge content companies for faster delivery of their traffic. This however, is now being addressed at EU level.
In September 2013, the EU Commission submitted a proposal to the Council and European Parliament for a “Regulation laying down measures concerning the European single market for electronic communications and to achieve a Connected Continent, and amending Directives 2002/20/EC, 2002/21/EC and 2002/22/EC and Regulations (EC) No 1211/2009 and (EU) No 531/2012” which includes proposed obligations on providers of internet access to provide unhindered connection to all content, applications and services accessed by end-users, which is also referred to as Net-Neutrality. This proposal also contains provisions for traffic management measures which will allow operators the necessary flexibility to manage their networks in such a way as to avoid unnecessary congestion.
The Commission's proposal is currently being considered by the Council and European Parliament. We will continue to contribute to the debate at European level with a view to ensuring that any new measures are fair, proportionate and consistent across Europe and will implement any legislative or other action that emerge from this debate.
482. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the rights, if any, adjacent property owners have regarding ESB Networks running cables in front of or near their properties; if undergrounding such cables can be mandatory in order to minimise the visual damage done by such cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29757/14]
View answerThis matter is an operational one for the company concerned, in accordance with appropriate planning provisions, and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.
483. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to update the relevant sections of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927 to give greater rights to landowners affected either directly or indirectly by works carried out by ESB Networks such as providing a supply to new one-off housing; and if his attention has been drawn to any court cases involving ESB Networks and private persons regarding the routing of overhead cables for one-off housing adversely affecting adjacent landowners. [29758/14]
View answerI am not aware of any need to alter the arrangements currently in place under the relevant provisions of the Electricity (Supply) Amendment Act 1927 in relation to works carried out by ESB Networks Limited as outlined by the Deputy. Accordingly, I do not have any plans to amend the Act. The existing arrangements as implemented by the company concerned are operational matters for the company and not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.
In relation to the matter of any court cases involving ESB networks and private persons regarding the routing of overhead cables, these would also be operational matters for the company and not matters in which I would have a function.
484. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form details of increments paid since 2008 in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30527/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
No. of Staff in receipt of Increment |
225 |
189 |
171 |
158 |
121 |
113 |
65 |
|
Average number of staff employed in Dept. |
323 |
310 |
289 |
282 |
265 |
268 |
272 (staff numbers as at 31/5/14) |
Increments are paid in line with the approved rates of pay at the time as outlined on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Since 1 July 2013 incremental progression is being applied in line with the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement. The payment of increments is subject to satisfactory performance under the Performance Management Development System (PMDS).
The configuration of the payroll system does not allow for the extraction of the annual cost of increments.
485. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of retired civil and public servants who have been rehired on temporary contracts or as consultants under his remit; if he will provide a breakdown of those figures in tabular form, providing associated costs of such rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30552/14]
View answerRetired public and civil servants are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period. These staff provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements.
Details of such engagements from 2011 to date are outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Number |
Associated cost |
|
2011 |
3 |
€12,425 |
|
2012 |
5 |
€22,862 |
|
2013 |
3 |
€29,941 |
|
2014(to date) |
2 |
€99,144 |
In addition to the above a retired member of an Garda Síochána is employed by me as Civilian Driver at an annual salary of €32,965. The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had continued service in their former post, applies as appropriate.
486. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken to register Ireland's opposition to genetically modified crops in the EU; and the other action he can take in view of recent developments. [29164/14]
View answerAt the June 2014 EU Council of Environment Ministers, the Greek Presidency sought political agreement on a proposed amendment to Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of GMOs. This amendment, if progressed, would allow Member States to restrict or prohibit the commercial cultivation of GMOs in their territory under defined criteria.
On behalf of Ireland, I voted in favour of this proposal at Council. Indeed, there was near unanimous support for the measure, with just two Member States abstaining on the day. Since the Commission originally proposed this amendment to the Deliberate Release Directive back in 2010, Ireland has been generally supportive of the concept of individual Member States possessing greater powers and autonomy in this area. Nevertheless, and despite the considerable support expressed at the recent Council, Member States have found this a difficult file to reach consensus on and most have had to compromise to reach this agreement after four years of discussions. The Italian Presidency will now seek an agreement with the European Parliament, and hopes to do so during its Presidency term.
None of the GM crops currently authorised for commercial cultivation within the European Union is considered to have characteristics relevant to Irish agriculture. In that sense, Ireland would not have an immediate need to consider implementing the provisions of the proposal.
487. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if 80% of the deferrals sought on the local property tax will be retained by the local authority when they are paid. [29322/14]
View answerUnder the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended, commencing this year, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year. Accordingly, any deferrals paid in 2014 and subsequent years will be part of the Local Property Tax income for that year.
In terms of local retention of Local Property Tax, the Government has indicated its intention to move to 80% retention of the Tax from 2015. A decision to allow local authorities to retain 80% of LPT collected locally and the power to vary LPT rates will facilitate further implementation of the local government reform programme, a core element of which involves greater devolution to the local government sector, through supporting enhanced local decision making on spending priorities.
My Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that they have an appropriate level of information, including in relation to LPT retention, to facilitate their budget processes.
488. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way a company (details supplied) was awarded a regional contract by Irish Water to install water meters on 26 July 2013, when it was only registered with the Companies Registration Office on 11 July 2013 and could not possibly have had a tax clearance certificate or been registered to participate in the tendering process. [29362/14]
View answer545. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money spent by Irish Water attempting to install water meters in areas where protesters have prevented their installation; the timeframe for the eventual installation of meters in these areas; and the calculated total additional costs of installing meters in these areas relative to the normal cost in an estate. [29777/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 545 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. The installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be completed by mid-2016. The timeframe and the allocation of resources for the installation of meters in each region is an operational matter for Irish Water.
Irish Water has informed my Department that its tendering process is fully compliant with public procurement rules. In accordance with EU procurement rules, given the value of the contract for the domestic metering programme, this tender was advertised at EU level, in accordance with EU procurement rules. While I have a role in consenting to capital commitments, neither I nor my Department were involved in the award of contracts.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
489. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who has not yet registered their septic tank owing to a specific medical situation can now register their tank and still have the option to apply for a grant for remediation-upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/14]
View answerThe Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012 prescribed 1 February 2013 as the date by which householders must register their domestic wastewater treatment systems. The only exception to this is where construction or installation of a treatment system takes place after that date. In such cases, the owner of the premises connected to the treatment system is obliged to register within 90 days of the connection of the premises to the treatment system.
Registration facilities have been available since 26 June 2012 and have been comprehensively publicised. Owners of domestic wastewater systems who have not yet registered may still do so and there are no late payment fees payable (but the discount for early registration no longer applies). Registration can be completed via the website www.protectourwater.ie or in any local authority office.
The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, introduced a grants scheme for householders whose treatment systems require remediation or upgrading following an inspection carried out under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the subsequent issue of an advisory notice under that legislation. A number of qualification criteria are set out in the regulations, all of which must be met in order for a grant to be paid. One of those criteria is that only householders who complied with the legal obligation to register their treatment systems by 1 February 2013 will be eligible to apply for grant aid.
490. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a public meeting that has been organised in response to a local community's experience of economic decline and underdevelopment (details supplied); the ways in which his Department directly, or agencies accountable, either directly or indirectly to his Department, including the local authorities, Pobal and the Dormant Accounts Fund, can provide assistance and facilitation to a community that is taking steps in this way to organise itself and develop its resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29032/14]
View answerA key policy objective of my Department is to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities, and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. I recently adopted a new Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 2014 that will provide diverse supports for disadvantaged communities, including measures to promote youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship, training for carers and support for people with disabilities. Measures under my Department will be administered by Pobal and applications will be invited later this year.
The LEADER elements of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, for which my Department is responsible, will be operational in early 2015. The Programme will fund enterprise development, job creation, rural tourism and recreation initiatives. It will also target social inclusion through building community capacity, training, basic services for hard to reach communities and initiatives aimed at rural youth.
In addition, the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was launched by An Taoiseach in April 2014. The report contains 34 recommendations which look at invigorating rural Ireland. An interdepartmental expert group is now being established to consider the CEDRA recommendations and to report back to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs with a draft work plan for moving forward the implementation of the recommendations.
My Department's Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State and will be succeeded in January 2015 by the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). These programmes aim to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing employment supports, training, personal development/capacity building and other supports for the harder to reach in the most disadvantaged areas in society. It is a locally accessible, frontline intervention, supporting disadvantaged communities.
The Government is committed to improving service delivery from the point of view of the citizen and my Department will continue its work in this regard.
491. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options there are for persons who wish to purchase, but cannot afford to buy houses at current prices, including affordable housing, shared ownership and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29034/14]
View answerThere are two types of house purchase loan available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and loans under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers.
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: http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/.
The Government's 2011 Housing Policy Statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the shared ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013.
In 2013, I asked the Housing Agency to conduct a stand-alone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. While I have received an initial draft of the review from the Agency, a number of issues have been identified that need further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact on local authority finances of possible mitigating measures. This data collection exercise has been initiated and will inform future approaches in relation to shared ownership.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014, which has passed all stages in the Dáil, and which is being taken in the Seanad this week, will, among other things, underpin a new tenant purchase scheme to replace the 1995 scheme for existing local authority houses, which closed for new applications at the end of 2012. The new scheme will be broadly similar to the two incremental purchase schemes currently in operation, relating to newly-built local authority houses and local authority apartments respectively. I expect that the Bill will be enacted by the Summer, following which I will prescribe the commencement date and the detailed terms of the scheme.
492. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in tabular form for each year from 2009 to date in 2014 the total number of FOI requests received, refused, granted and part-granted and appealed; the total of successful appeals, part-successful appeals and refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29067/14]
View answerThe information requested in respect of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Total number of FOI requests received* |
Total refused |
Total granted |
Total part granted |
Total appealed (including appeals to OIC) ** |
Total successful appeals ** |
Total part successful appeals ** |
Total refusals ** |
|
2009 |
143 |
10 |
62 |
29 |
14 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
|
2010 |
156 |
21 |
54 |
41 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
2011 |
119 |
13 |
55 |
22 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
2012 |
181 |
32 |
60 |
45 |
16 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
|
2013 |
111 |
18 |
40 |
26 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
2014 (to date) |
90 |
18 |
18 |
14 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
* Includes requests withdrawn or withdrawn & handled outside FOI or transferred to another body.
** All appeals have been included. Certain requests for appeal have required both an internal and external re view by OIC. A number of requests for appeal are awaiting a decision.
493. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for directing every local authority in the country to write to owners of vacant previously rated properties making them aware of what the rate demand was on the property when it was operated as a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29077/14]
View answerThe Local Government Act 1946 provides that where a property in a county council or urban local authority is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for rates. However, the owner is entitled to a refund if the property is vacant for specified purposes i.e. if the premises are unoccupied for the purpose of additions, alterations or repairs; where the owner is bona fide unable to obtain a suitable tenant at a reasonable rent; and where the premises are vacant pending redevelopment. The collection of rates and the determination of eligibility for a refund in this context are matters for each individual local authority.
The Local Government Act 1946 provided that the owner was entitled to a 100% refund in most local authority areas. Separate legislation governs refunds in the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork, where the same criteria for refunds apply but only 50% of the rates paid was refundable.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides for a change to rating law in relation to the refund of rates on vacant properties and gives discretion to the elected members of individual local authorities to vary the level of rates refunds that apply in individual local electoral areas within the authority's administrative area. This discretion allows elected members to respond to the differing characteristics of the local commercial property markets. The amendment does not make any change to the eligibility or otherwise for refunds as currently provided for in relevant legislation. The provision commenced with effect from 1 June 2014.
I have not issued a direction to local authorities requiring them to write to owners of vacant properties in respect of rates issues. The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 provide that the decision to alter the rate of refund should be taken at the annual budget meeting and that the rate of refund decided in respect of the relevant local electoral area shall apply to eligible persons for the year to which the budget relates. The absence of a decision to vary the refund means that the existing legislative provisions regarding the rate of refunds apply (either 100% or 50% as set out above).
494. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by timeframe, that is, less than six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years, and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29084/14]
View answerThe information requested in relation to staff on career break is set out in the following table:
|
Duration |
No of Staff |
|
0 - 6 months |
2 |
|
6 - 12 months |
4 |
|
1 - 2 years |
4 |
|
2 - 3 years |
0 |
|
3 - 4 years |
9 |
|
4 - 5 years |
0 |
|
5 years+ |
2 |
495. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29101/14]
View answerMy Department engaged the services of photographers on a number of occasions since February 2011. The details of the engagements are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Event |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
2011 |
Ireland's Best Kept Towns Ceremony |
Maxwell Photography |
€932 |
|
2011 |
Tidy Towns national Awards ceremony |
The Picture Rooms |
€600 |
|
2011 |
Meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management |
Lensmen Photography |
€302 |
|
2012 |
Launch of framework for Sustainable Development |
Maxwell Photography |
€485 |
|
2012 |
Putting People First launch |
Maxwell Photography |
€363 |
|
2012 |
Launch of Commission on Economic Development of Rural Areas |
Maxwell Photography |
€170 |
|
2012 |
Minister Jan O'Sullivan visiting NAMA properties leased to L/A, Scotch Hall, Drogheda |
Paul Connor Photography |
€172 |
|
2012 |
Long Service Awards for Fire Personnel, including cost of providing print copies to 200+ award recipients |
Maxwell Photography |
€3,429 |
|
2013 |
EU Presidency: Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers - Clean Tech Cluster Forum and Expo, Wood Quay |
Maxwell Photography |
€103 |
|
2013 |
EU Presidency: Senior Officials Meeting of Water and Marine Directors, Dublin Castle |
Maxwell Photography |
€308 |
|
2013 |
Ireland's Best Kept Town Ceremony |
Maxwell Photography |
€448 |
|
2013 |
Minister O'Sullivan visit to Fingal CoCo housing insulation retro fit project in Corduff, Blanchardstown |
Maxwell Photography |
€362 |
My Department's Press Office generally provides photographic services when required. However, if external photography services are required, they are obtained in line with the Whole-of-Government Optional Framework for Photography Services, details of which are available from the Office of Government Procurement.
496. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29118/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 15 April 2014. The position remains unchanged. In relation to my Department's policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where tasks involve expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.
497. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects work to be completed at Bertra Beach, Westport, County Mayo which suffered significant storm damage earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29135/14]
View answerFollowing consideration of a report which I submitted on the severe weather that affected Ireland in the period from mid-December 2013 to 6 January 2014, the Government decided on 11 February 2014 that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. €62 million of this will be made available to local authorities in the areas worst affected by severe weather to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and other infrastructure and amenities/ facilities/ infrastructure, including piers and harbours. The Government decision was based on estimates provided by local authorities, including Mayo County Council, who have been notified of the funding made available to them.
Depending on the nature of the required works, the additional funding is being made available to local authorities via the Votes of the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Agriculture, Food and Marine; and the Environment, Community and Local Government, as well as the Office of Public Works.
The implementation of the relevant programme of works for the projects identified is a matter for local authorities, in this case Mayo County Council. Therefore, any matters relating to the implementation and completion of these works is a matter for the Council.
498. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent on the regeneration of Ballymun; if he will provide a breakdown of that spending; and the sum expected to be spent in total when the regeneration project finishes. [29136/14]
View answerOver the period 1999 to date, over €755 million has been recouped by my Department to Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) in respect of the physical, social and economic regeneration of Ballymun.
This has facilitated the construction of over 1,800 replacement homes in Ballymun. Of the original 36 high rise blocks, 33 of these have been demolished to date with the remaining three tower blocks scheduled for demolition later this year. The construction of 1,300 private affordable houses has created tenure diversity and added an important demographic balance to the area.
In addition to the housing element, key infrastructure and public realm projects were developed including public amenities such as Balcurris Park, Poppintree Park and Coultry Park as well as roads, water supply and wastewater collection systems, storm water drainage and attenuation measures, all of which were necessary to create a modern, accessible and people-centred residential area.
In order to support social regeneration and sustainability, a number of community-based projects were developed by BRL including the Axis Arts and Community Resource Centre, the Poppintree Early Education Centre, the Ballymun Leisure Centre and the Rediscovery Centre.
The establishment of the Main Street in Ballymun, with significant public sector investment, is one of the major achievements of the regeneration project with a variety of commercial, retail and community facilities including the Civic Buildings which accommodate the local area office of Dublin City Council, a Primary Care Centre, motor tax office and the new Garda district headquarters.
Significant investment has also been made in improving a wide range of social and family services in Ballymun including education supports at primary and secondary level, training and job placement.
The physical regeneration of Ballymun is approaching practical completion. Dublin City Council will continue its efforts to secure private sector investment for the completion of the town centre project. An inter-agency road map Sustaining Regeneration – a Social Plan for Ballymun has been developed to build upon the work carried out to date into the future. My Department is committed to continued investment in social regeneration in Ballymun and in safeguarding the substantial State investment in this flagship regeneration project.
A breakdown of the expenditure recouped to BRL over the period 1999 to 2013 is set out in the following table. A capital provision of €10 million is being made available to support on-going regeneration projects in 2014. While it is expected that the housing element will be substantially completed this year, my Department will continue to support social and economic interventions in Ballymun over the medium term.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
1999 |
6,732,405 |
|
2000 |
20,346,410 |
|
2001 |
59,409,394 |
|
2002 |
73,856,201 |
|
2003 |
72,674,400 |
|
2004 |
74,288,270 |
|
2005 |
98,339,979 |
|
2006 |
52,815,000 |
|
2007 |
48,919,930 |
|
2008 |
75,000,000 |
|
2009 |
63,577,376 |
|
2010 |
40,001,618 |
|
2011 |
20,519,155 |
|
2012 |
30,000,000 |
|
2013 |
18,919,515 |
|
TOTAL |
755,399,653 |
499. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the role and the institute of clerk of works who come from a trades background are being segregated by current legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29140/14]
View answerI fully appreciate the important contribution which members of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Building Inspectors in Ireland (ICWBII) make to the construction industry. The executive of the ICWBII has been in contact with my Department on a number of occasions in relation to the development and implementation of the new building control regulations. I am not aware of the specific concerns outlined having been raised in the context of such engagement but my Department will be happy to engage further with the executive of the ICWBII should the need arise.
500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29153/14]
View answer502. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29172/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 502 together.
A range of contracts are in place for the provision of ICT services including training, software and storage provision. While not considered as consultancy, my Department has engaged an external company for the provision of training and continuing professional development of its ICT unit. Expenditure incurred in the years 2010 to 2013 was € 45,133, €80,586, €84,378, and €57,934.56, respectively. Expenditure of €19,000 is estimated for 2014. A review of Disaster Recovery capabilities was commissioned in 2012 which, incurred costs of €9,362. Neither contract was renegotiated since March 2011.
501. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government what the €200,000 allocated from the Local Government Fund to the household charge support unit in 2014 is expended on, given that the advertised phonelines and e-mail contact do not deal with queries. [29163/14]
View answerThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and paying the Charge.
The Household Charge was operational in respect of 2012 only, with arrears and penalties in respect of a 2012 liability being collected by local authorities, assisted by the Local Government Management Agency on a shared services/agency basis up to and including 30 June 2013. Household Charge operational matters are a matter for the relevant local authority or for the Agency, including the issuing of certificates of waiver or exemption, refunds due in respect of overpayments made prior to 30 June 2013, and all associated queries. The 2011 Act allows owners of residential property to apply for a Certificate of Discharge or Exemption or Waiver for the Household Charge. Effectively, these Certificates continue to be provided by the Household Charge Bureau on behalf of Local Authorities.
A provision of €200,000 has been set aside from the Local Government Fund in 2014 in respect of Household Charge administrative costs. I am informed by the Local Government Management Agency that the Household Charge Project Board have budgeted for costs including payroll and other administrative overheads such as postage, stationery, ICT and telephone costs.
As of 1 July 2013, outstanding Household Charge liabilities were increased to €200 and converted to a Local Property Tax liability due on the property; the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for the collection of Local Property Tax, are now pursuing outstanding liabilities.
I understand that the current compliance campaign in relation to outstanding Household Charge liabilities being managed by the Revenue Commissioners has led to an increase in queries from the public and I would encourage householders with unresolved issues to contact the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that their position is regularised as soon as possible. Contact details are available on www.revenue.ie or www.householdcharge.ie.
503. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised from March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29190/14]
View answerIn the period of the Government's term of office up to 4 July 2014, the latest date for which information is available, the appointments set out in the following table were made to the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
|
Agency / Board |
Name of Appointee |
Date of Appointment |
|
An Bord Pleanála * |
Dr. Mary Kelly (Chairperson) |
29/08/2011 |
|
Mr. Conall Boland (Deputy Chairperson) |
01/01/2012 Reappointed 01/01/2014 |
|
|
Ms. Mary MacMahon |
27/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Leahy |
14/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Nicholas Mulcahy |
21/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Gabriel Dennison |
21/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Paddy Keogh |
21/05/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Oznar Yucel-Finn |
28/01/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Robert Ryan |
28/01/2013 |
|
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority Executive Board** |
Prof. Niamh Brennan (Chairperson) |
01/05/2012 |
|
Mr. Niall Coveney |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Dónall Curtin |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Yvonne Farrell |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Mark Griffin (Departmental staff member) |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Brendan Malone |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Catherine Mullarkey |
01/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. John Tierney (Chairperson) |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Gerry Grimes |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Dr. Philip Matthews |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Lucy McCaffrey |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Charlie Murphy |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Imelda Reynolds |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Stubbs |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Frank Walsh |
01/06/2012 |
|
|
Environmental Protection Agency* |
Ms. Laura Burke (Director General) |
08/11/2011 |
|
Mr. Dara Lynott (Deputy Director General) |
12/07/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Gerard O'Leary |
08/05/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Mícheál Ó Cinnéide |
25/08/2013 |
|
|
Housing Finance Agency |
Dr. Michelle Norris (Chairperson) |
22/02/2012 |
|
Mr. John Hogan (Department of Finance nominee) |
22/02/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Phillip Nugent (Departmental representative) |
22/02/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Jackie Maguire (CCMA representative) |
13/03/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Colm Brophy |
13/03/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Murray |
13/03/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Padraic Cafferty |
21/03/2012 |
|
|
Dr. Mary Lee Rhodes |
21/03/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Jim ley |
30/04/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Michelle Murphy Lawless |
30/04/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Gerry Leahy |
30/04/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Barry O'Leary (CEO, ex-Officio) |
26/08/2013 |
|
|
Irish Water Safety |
Ms. Breda Collins (Chairperson) |
21/11/2011 |
|
Mr. John Considine |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Cuddihy |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Tom Doyle |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Brendan McGrath |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Paul Murphy |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Seamus O'Neill |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Martin O'Sullivan |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Ms. Anne Ryan |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Ms. Lola O'Sullivan |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Christy McDonagh |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Tim O'Sullivan (Departmental representative) |
21/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Odran Reid |
27/06/2012 |
|
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Mr. Rich Howlin (Chairperson) |
21/12/2011 |
|
Mr. Conor Skehan (Chairperson replaced Mr Rich Howlin) |
01/07/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Eddie Lewis (Departmental representative) |
21/12/2011 |
|
|
Ms. Marie McLaughlin (Department of Public Expenditure & Reform representative) |
21/12/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Peter Carey, Chief Executive, Laois County Council |
21/12/2011 |
|
|
Ms. Ann McGuinness |
21/12/2011 |
|
|
Ms. Clodagh Heneghan |
21/12/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Dermot Nolan (Department of Public Expenditure & Reform representative) |
21/12/2012 |
|
|
Mr. John O Connor |
21/12/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Donal McManus |
21/12/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Layde (Departmental representative) |
01/08/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Tony O'Brien |
01/07/2013 |
|
|
Local Government Computer Services Board*** |
Mr. Eddie Breen (Chairperson), Chief Executive, Wexford County Council |
01/01/2012 |
|
Mr. Michael Malone, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council |
01/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Barry Quinlan (Departmental representative) |
23/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Enda Holland (Department of Public Expenditure & Reform representative) |
22/02/2012 |
|
|
Local Government Management Services Board*** |
Mr. Eddie Breen (Chairperson), Chief Executive, Wexford County Council |
01/01/2012 |
|
Mr. Donal Enright (Departmental representative) |
01/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Malone, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council |
01/11/2011 |
|
|
Mr. Barry Quinlan (Departmental representative) |
23/11/2011 |
|
|
Local Government Management Agency*** |
Mr. Eddie Breen, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
Mr. Peter Carey, Chief Executive, Laois County Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Hubert Kearns, Chief Executive,Sligo County Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Malone, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Eddie Sheehy, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. John Tierney, Chief Executive,Dublin City Council |
20/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Barry Quinlan (Departmental representative) |
24/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Donal Enright (Departmental representative) |
24/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Paul McDonald (Departmental representative) |
24/09/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Martin Riordan, Chief Executive, Cork County Council |
18/10/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Walsh, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council |
18/10/2012 |
|
|
Mr Danny McLoughlin, Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council |
21/02/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Joe Crockett, Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council (Chair) |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Owen Keegan, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Ms. Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Conn Murray, Chief Executive, Limerick City and County Council |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Joe McGrath, Chief Executive, Tipperary County Council |
19/12/2013 |
|
|
Mr. John McCarthy (Departmental representative) |
25/11/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Ronan Mulhall (Departmental representative) |
25/11/2013 |
|
|
Mr. David O'Connor |
25/11/2013 |
|
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
Ms. Catriona Walsh (Chairperson) |
16/04/2013 |
|
Mr. Tim Ryan |
17/02/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Tricia Sheehy Skeffington |
17/02/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Paula O'Reilly (Departmental staff member) |
22/03/2012 |
|
|
Mr. Noel Merrick |
01/04/2013 |
|
|
Mr Paul Flood (HSE) |
01/04/2013 |
|
|
Mr. John Fitzgerald |
01/04/2013 |
|
|
Ms Rhonda Donaghey |
16/04/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Noel Conroy |
02/10/2013 |
|
|
Mr. Gareth Robinson |
02/10/2013 |
|
|
Ms. Kathleen McKillion |
02/10/2013 |
|
|
Mr. James Leahy |
10/06/2014 |
|
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
Professor William Reville (Chairperson) |
16/01/2012 |
|
Dr. Maurice Fitzgerald (Dental Council) |
19/10/2011 |
|
|
Dr. Paraic James (public servant) |
16/01/2012 |
|
|
Dr. Patricia Cunningham (public servant) |
20/02/2012 |
|
|
Mr. John O'Dea |
30/11/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Darina Muckian |
30/11/2012 |
|
|
Ms. Adi Roche |
30/11/2012 |
|
|
Dr. Patrick Gilligan |
30/11/2012 |
|
|
Dr. Stephanie Ryan |
16/09/2013 |
|
|
Western Development Commission |
Mr. Paddy McGuinness |
11/12/2012 Reappointed 21/02/2014 |
|
Mr. Paul Keyes |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Mr. Brendan Mooney |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Dr. Katie Sweeney (Public Servant) |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Frain |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Dr. Ann Higgins |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Dr. Deirdre Garvey |
21/02/2014 |
|
|
Mr Gerald Mullaney |
23/06/2014 |
|
|
Mr Eugene Lavin |
23/06/2014 |
* Appointments to An Bord Pleanála and to the Board of the Environmental Protection Agency are of a full-time executive nature and are governed by statutory processes.
** The board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority was reappointed for an additional month from 1 May 2012 and replaced by a new board from 1 June 2012 which will continue in place until 31 December 2014.
*** Appointments of the Local Authority Chief Executive members of the Boards of the Local Government Computer Services Board, the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Management Agency (which was established on 1 August 2012, replacing the LGCSB and the LGMSB), are made by the County and City Chief Executives collectively.
The Public Appointments Service operates a new portal www.stateboards.ie which offers a single dedicated point of contact to all government Departments, as a support to the existing State board appointment procedures. This service provides a mechanism for Departments to advertise board vacancies and it gives prospective candidates an opportunity to register their general interest in a position on a state Board and to be alerted to upcoming vacancies.
Since July 2011, my Department has sought expressions of interest through its website, from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under my Department's aegis. Expressions of interest can be made at any time and will be kept on file in my Department for consideration as vacancies occur. In considering applications, due regard is had to the requirements of the position, the qualifications, experience and expertise of applicants and Government policy regarding gender balance on State boards.
All appointments are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) under the Companies Acts. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, provide that the appointment of directors is the responsibility of the Board of BGE, with the approval of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. 12 directors have been appointed to the Board of Irish Water by BGE, for the period to July 2014, and these appointments were approved in advance by me, as Minister, and by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The following have been appointed to the Board of Irish Water:
|
Ms. Rose Hynes (Chair) |
July 2013 |
|
Mr. Michael McNicholas |
July 2013 |
|
Mr. John Tierney |
July 2013 |
|
Ms. Margaret Rae |
July/2013 |
|
Mr. Philip Lee |
November 2013 |
|
Ms. Hilary Quinlan |
November 2013 |
|
Ms. Regina Finn |
November 2013 |
|
Mr. Colman Sheehy |
November 2013 |
|
Mr. Billy Moore |
November 2013 |
|
Mr. Brian McKeown |
November 2013 |
|
Mr. Sean Kelly |
November 2013 |
|
Ms. Jacqueline Hall |
November 2013 |
In addition, although not a State Board in the traditional sense, appointments to the Board of Pobal, a not-for-profit company, fall to be made by the Government having considered nominees from a range of stakeholders. The following are the appointments to the Board of Pobal that have taken effect during this Government's term:
|
Mr. Séamus Boland (Chair) |
03/11/2011 |
|
Mr. Tommy Maguire |
03/11/2011 |
|
Mr. Liam Keane |
03/11/2011 |
|
Ms. Jennifer McHugh |
11/01/2012 |
|
Ms. Mari Hurley |
11/01/2011 |
|
Mr. William Cotter |
09/10/2012 |
|
Mr. Gerald Quain |
09/10/2012 |
|
Cllr. John Kelleher |
23/10/2012 |
|
Ms. Ann Costello |
23/10/2012 |
|
Ms. Mary Mooty |
05/02/2013 |
|
Dr. Deiric O'Broin |
08/10/2013 |
|
Ms. Helen Keogh |
08/10/2013 |
|
Ms. Catherine Travers |
08/10/2013 |
|
Mr. John Redmond |
01/07/2014 |
The following members were appointed to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee;
- Dr Eoin O'Sullivan (Chairperson)
- Mr. Conor Smith
- Mr. Séamus O'Connor
- Ms. Ronnie Fay
- Mr. Eugene Cummins
- Ms. Philomena Poole
- Cllr. Finnan McCoy
- Cllr. John Kennedy
- Ms. Catherine Linehan
- Mr. Tom Coughlan
- Ms. Colette Spears
- Mr. Jim Ganley (Departmental representative)
- Ms. Mary Connors
- Rosemarie Maughan
The following members were appointed to the Building Regulation Advisory Body:
|
Mr Aidan O'Connor (Departmental Staff representative) |
19/04/2011 |
|
Paul Kelly |
19/04/2011 |
|
Conor Taaffe |
16/06/2011 |
The following members were appointed on 10 January 2014 to the Pyrite Resolution Board established under the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013:
- Mr. John O'Connor (Chair)
- Mr. Sean Balfe
- Mr. Matt Gallagher
- Ms. Caroline Gill
Finally, the following have been appointed to the new National Oversight and Audit Commissions for local government:
- Pat McLoughlin (Chairperson)
- Tara Buckley
- John Buckley
- Donal Enright
- Garett Fennell
- Constance Hanniffy
- Martina Moloney
- Michael Nolan
- Colleen Savage
- Henry Upton
