Written Answers Nos. 433-459
433. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the partial and full year revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer by extending the findings of the Wood Mackenzie report, which the Government plans to apply to new licences issued for exploration, resource drilling and so on, to existing licences. [31223/14]
View answer434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current taxes applied to exploration and drilling activities for natural resources and the revenue that could be raised for the Exchequer from increasing those taxes by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%,10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. [31224/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads (Kinsale area) producing gas fields off the coast of Cork fields and the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil to date.
In terms of the direct financial contribution to the State, profits from the three Kinsale area gas fields are taxed at a rate of 25%. In addition royalties from the Kinsale and Ballycotton gas fields are payable to the State at a rate of 12.5% of the fair market value of the gas at the well head. The combination of tax, royalties and rental fees currently provides for a State take of 40% of net income from these two fields.
Royalties are not payable on production from the Seven Heads Gas field or from future production from the Corrib gas field as Ireland moved away from a royalty based payments system to a tax based system in 1987. Profits from the Corrib gas field will be taxed at 25% when the field goes into production. The Corrib partners have indicated that the expected timeline for first gas is mid-2015.
The rate of tax that will apply to profits arising from any future commercial discoveries made under an exploration licence or licensing option granted from January 2007 to May 2014 will be between 25% and 40% depending on the profitability of the field.
Under the Wood Mackenzie recommendations the rate of tax that will apply to profits arising from any future commercial discoveries made under an exploration licence or licensing option granted from June 2014 onwards will be between 25% and 55% depending on the profitability of the field.
The level of profits arising from a field depend on a combination of factors including, the volume of recoverable gas or oil, the cost of developing and operating the infrastructure, the price of gas or oil over the life of the field, together with the timing and profile of production.
The operation of the taxation system and the receipt of taxation are matters for the Revenue Commissioners. As a consequence I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with the current position as regards tax paid or due to the Exchequer in respect of the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads (Kinsale area) fields, nor to provide estimates of how such a position might alter under hypothetical increased tax rates. In the case of existing exploration licences where exploration is ongoing, while we hope for more commercial discoveries, there is little point in speculating about potential revenues from oil or gas fields that have yet to be discovered.
I would also point out that it is both Government policy and the view of the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture, as expressed in their May 2012 report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, that there should be no “retroactive” changes applying to discoveries made under existing exploration authorisations.
435. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Government will proceed to invest up to €512 million in the rural fibre broadband network scheme that was announced last April; and the timeframe in which this scheme will be rolled out in Drumkeerin, County Leitrim. [30965/14]
View answerThe Government’s National Broadband Plan, which was published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and a State-led intervention for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. Commercial operators combined have either invested, or committed to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in their Irish networks, delivering high speed broadband to homes and businesses.
As a result of this accelerated investment the addressable area required by the State-led intervention has been reduced by 30% since the National Broadband Plan was launched. While the commercial developments are welcome the acceleration of investment is largely contained to cities and towns. Consequently, the speeds that are available in these areas are demonstrably better than those that are available in more rural areas.
On 25 April last, the Government's commitment to a major telecommunications network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as the foundation of its investment, as part of the State-led intervention under the National Broadband Plan was announced. This commitment is a clear expression of Government’s determination to address the connectivity challenge in rural Ireland in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Central to the strategy will be a long term, future proofed infrastructure build with next generation backhaul infrastructure (likely to be primarily fibre based) as the key component underpinning whatever access technology delivers the service (fixed or wireless). This infrastructure build will extend to locations in every county in the State identified as having no existing or planned enabling fibre network. It will be part of an end-to-end strategy that will address all parts of Ireland that cannot access commercial high speed broadband services.
A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department which will identify those areas that will require a State intervention. A county-by-county list of towns and villages which have already been identified for a fibre build-out has been published and is available on my Department's website, www.dcenr.gov.ie . Currently, a total of 33 areas in County Leitrim, including Drumleerin, have been identified as requiring an intervention. This is an indicative list and is subject to the completion of the mapping exercise. Further locations may be identified as this process continues. Similarly, it may be determined that some locations on the list will be addressed by the commercial sector and will therefore not require State intervention.
I would point out that the EU Commission’s guidelines on State aid for high speed broadband infrastructure preclude Member States from intervening in regions in which private investors have demonstrated plans to roll out their own infrastructure within the following three years. In this regard, I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 15 fibre based broadband networks in County Leitrim by July 2016. Furthermore, the recent announcement regarding a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband to Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim.
A stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the State-led intervention has recently been launched. This consultation, among other things, seeks views on the proposed criteria to be used in finalising those locations which require a State intervention. The outcome of this consultation will enable finalisation of the mapping exercise, which I expect will be concluded in the autumn.
In tandem with the completion of the mapping exercise, intensive design and planning work is ongoing in my Department with a view to producing a detailed end to end strategy for the State-led intervention. It is my intention to conduct a full public consultation on the outcome of the mapping process and the proposed strategy. EU State aid clearance will also be required for the intervention once finalised. This will be followed by a detailed procurement process with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services in identified areas as quickly as possible.
436. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his response is to the recent adjudication by UNECE, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, which found that the Irish NREAP, national renewable energy action plan, is in breach of international legal obligations and that the EU has failed in its obligation to ensure the Irish NREAP complied with its legal obligations under the Aarhus Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31003/14]
View answerIreland submitted its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), as required under Article 4 of Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy, to the European Commission in July 2010. This Plan sets out how Ireland will meet the national targets established under that Directive for the share of energy from renewable sources.
There have been no findings against Ireland by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee.
437. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will intervene with An Post to ensure that its human resources department complies with the dignity in the workplace and bullying and harassment booklet distributed to all staff members in view of the fact that a member of staff who provided medical evidence and evidence of hospital admission was accused of excessive absenteeism and asked repeatedly to report for work and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31004/14]
View answerStaffing issues of An Post are a matter for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have a function.
438. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on proposals (details supplied) from the Irish Postmasters Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/14]
View answerSecuring the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a programme of capital investment particularly in the computerisation of the post office network including the automation of all post offices. As a result, the post office network stands well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions. Any such developments would need to be subject to public procurement requirements as appropriate.
Proposals for a whole-of-government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices were presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy at its meeting on 28 April 2014. Government Departments were subsequently requested to write to my Department identifying any relevant additional services that could be discharged through the post office network by 27 May 2014. My Department is now examining the initial responses received with a view to engaging in further discussions with Departments as necessary and to submitting a final report to the Cabinet Committee in September.
439. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when his Department will publish its annual report for 2013. [31123/14]
View answerMy Department's 2013 Annual Report has been approved by Government and in accordance with usual practice it is currently being translated, ensuring that it will be available in both the Irish and English languages. I am advised that this process should be complete in the next two weeks at which point the report will be made available, including on my Department's website. I will arrange to have a copy forwarded directly to the Deputy.
440. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband and proper mobile phone coverage for the village of Dromineer, Nenagh, County Tipperary (details supplied). [31316/14]
View answerThe Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.
Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services. I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 43 fibre-based broadband networks in County Tipperary by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband in Clonmel.
The Government has committed to an ambitious network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as the foundation of the State-led intervention. This will be part of an end-to-end strategy to deliver high speed broadband services to all parts of Ireland that cannot be commercially served.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department, to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list has already been identified and includes 79 areas in County Tipperary, including Dromineer.
A stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the State-led intervention has recently been launched and will feed into the mapping exercise, which I expect to conclude in autumn. It is my intention to conduct a full public consultation on the outcome of the mapping process and the proposed end-to-end strategy. EU State aid clearance will also be required. This will be followed by a detailed procurement process with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services as quickly as possible.
In terms of mobile coverage, licences issued by ComReg require Mobile Network Operators to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. Operators tend to exceed these coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the quality of access customers have to mobile telephone antennas.
ComReg's 2012 multiband spectrum auction has released additional radio spectrum which is expected to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile services. Since the auction, three mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile broadband services and roll-out is continuing. There has also been continued investment in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements.
Local Authorities also have a strong role to play in facilitating the roll-out of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure. This is a matter which has been raised by telecommunications services providers and is reflected in the Government's National Broadband Plan which commits to addressing barriers to deployment of services.
441. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure the broadcasting of Dáil Éireann through the Oireachtas channel will include subtitles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31454/14]
View answerThe Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility in this area and I have no function in this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a hearing or visual impairment of programmes transmitted on any broadcast service provided by the broadcaster.
The Access Rules include provisions for subtitling, captioning, Irish sign language and audio descriptions. The provision of subtitling is then a matter for individual broadcasters in accordance with the Access Rules, with which all broadcasters within the jurisdiction of Ireland must comply. In the case of the Oireachtas Channel, it is understood that this would be a matter for the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Houses of the Oireachtas Communications Unit. Compliance in relation to the access rules would be monitored by the BAI.
The BAI advises that complaints regarding subtitling are directed in the first place to the relevant broadcaster if one is dissatisfied with the manner in which a broadcaster is complying with the Rules. Information on such issues is obtainable from the BAI and from its website www.bai.ie.
On 26 May 2014, the BAI launched a public consultation on proposed changes to rules governing the levels of subtitling, sign language and audio-description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to the public. The consultation will remain open until 23 July and the BAI is seeking responses from the general public, representative groups and broadcasters. The new rules will update the current Access Rules in place since 2005 and last reviewed in 2012.
442. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost of public relations and communications to his Department in 2013; the spend to date in 2014; the total estimate for 2014; the corresponding figures for each agency funded from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31525/14]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary. Expenditure on public relations in my Department was €20,115 in 2013 and to date in 2014 was €4,359.
In relation to the information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department this is an operational matter for each Agency. I will notify the relevant agencies of the question and request them to respond directly to the Deputy with their replies.
443. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a by-law aimed at protecting and preserving the wild trout populations in the Annalee, Bunnoe and Laragh Rivers, County Cavan, as requested by a local angling organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31605/14]
View answerI am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have received a request from local stakeholders for a by-law for the rivers referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this request is currently being reviewed in the context of the scientific data held by IFI for the rivers in question to consider if that the proposals are in line with best scientific advice. In addition, a draft national policy on brown trout has recently been prepared by IFI and requests from the stakeholders and any resultant by-laws would need to be consistent with the conservation ethos which the draft policy seeks to underpin. While consideration is being given to accommodating the stakeholders' proposals in line with the recommendations of the draft policy, I should advise the Deputy that IFI also advise that the introduction of an comprehensive by-law for trout for the Upper Erne might be preferable to putting in place a range of separate by-laws for the numerous waters in the area.
Any proposed by-laws will also be subject to the required appropriate period of public consultation that will allow all relevant stakeholders to make input to the proposals.
444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the need to provide an adequate broadband telecommunications service throughout all of County Cavan; the proposals there are to ensure the necessary investment is made at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31606/14]
View answer445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the need to provide an adequate broadband telecommunications service throughout all of County Monaghan; the proposals there are to ensure the necessary investment is made at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31607/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.
Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services. I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 20 fibre-based broadband networks in County Cavan and 17 networks in County Monaghan by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes proposals to provide high speed broadband in both Cavan and Monaghan towns.
The Government has committed to an ambitious network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as the foundation of the State-led intervention. This will be part of an end-to-end strategy to deliver high speed broadband services to all parts of Ireland that cannot be commercially served.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department, to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list has already been identified and includes 38 areas in County Cavan and 36 areas in County Monaghan.
A stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the State-led intervention has recently been launched and will feed into the mapping exercise, which I expect to conclude in autumn. It is my intention to conduct a full public consultation on the outcome of the mapping process and the proposed end-to-end strategy. EU State aid clearance will also be required. This will be followed by a detailed procurement process with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services as quickly as possible.
446. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has received complaints on the totally inadequate mobile telephone coverage in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if such concerns have been brought to the attention of the Commission for Communications Regulation or the telecommunications companies; the proposals, if any, there are to upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure to provide the appropriate level of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31609/14]
View answerUnder the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the quality of access customers have to mobile telephone antennas.
Complaints regarding mobile telephone coverage are a matter in the first instance for the operator. Complaints can also be escalated to ComReg which has a role in ensuring licence requirements such as coverage obligations are met. ComReg monitors compliance with licence requirements by means of biannual drive tests. I understand that current testing is designed to cover all primary and secondary national routes, with measurements being performed on all Mobile Networks.
ComReg's 2012 multiband spectrum auction has released additional radio spectrum previously unavailable for mobile operators. This is expected to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile service throughout the country. Since the auction, three mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile broadband services and roll-out is continuing. There has also been continued investment by all operators in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements.
I would also point out that Local Authorities have a strong role to play in facilitating the roll-out of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to help enable service availability throughout the country. This is a matter which has been raised by telecommunications services providers and is reflected in the Government's National Broadband Plan, which commits to addressing barriers to deployment of services.
447. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the licensing process for a company to provide a mobile telephone service; if there is an ongoing assessment of a company's investment in telecommunications infrastructure to provide appropriate coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31611/14]
View answerUnder the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the quality of access customers have to mobile telephone antennas.
Complaints regarding mobile telephone coverage are a matter in the first instance for the operator. Complaints can also be escalated to ComReg which has a role in ensuring licence requirements such as coverage obligations are met. ComReg monitors compliance with licence requirements by means of biannual drive tests. I understand that current testing is designed to cover all primary and secondary national routes, with measurements being performed on all Mobile Networks.
ComReg's 2012 multiband spectrum auction has released additional radio spectrum previously unavailable for mobile operators. This is expected to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile service throughout the country. Since the auction, three mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile broadband services and roll-out is continuing. There has also been continued investment by all operators in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements.
I would also point out that Local Authorities have a strong role to play in facilitating the roll-out of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to help enable service availability throughout the country. This is a matter which has been raised by telecommunications services providers and is reflected in the Government's National Broadband Plan, which commits to addressing barriers to deployment of services.
448. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the calibration of water meters before and, on a regular basis, after installation; the way this will be done in view of the fact that under weights and measures regulations, all such systems must be checked regularly; who will bear the cost; and the steps in place to ensure every home owner has access to the meter manufacturer's name and the unique product number of their meter. [30751/14]
View answer453. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way a company (details supplied) was awarded a major public contract on 26 July 2013 when it was only incorporated by the Companies Registration Office on 15 July 2013 and would not have had a tax clearance certificate or have been registered to meet the requirements of the tendering process. [31170/14]
View answer476. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the origins of the water meters purchased by Irish Water; the manufacturer; the way the source was chosen; the quality control measures and guarantee in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31010/14]
View answer486. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 8 July 2014, if he will respond to the question asked, which was 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 incorporated by the Companies Registration Office on 15 July 2013 and could not possibly have had a tax clearance certificate or have been registered to participate in the tendering process. [31169/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 448, 453, 476 and 486 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. My Department had no involvement in the award of the contracts for the water metering programme.
Section 72 (2) of the Water Services Act 2007 provides that meters supplied by Irish Water are subject to the requirements of the Metrology Acts 1980 to 1998, any relevant instruments made under those Acts and any relevant regulations made under the European Communities Act 1972. Irish Water is also required to ensure that water meters are the correct type and size required for the accurate measurement of consumption of water and is required to keep every meter in proper order for measuring the supply of water.
In relation to the award of the contract to the entity in question, Irish Water has informed my Department that this was fully in compliance with public procurement requirements. Public procurement rules allow companies to rely on the resources of other entities. The tender documents issued by Irish Water stated, at the time, that the contracting entity could be a single contractor, or two or more contractors acting as a joint venture, as was the case here. While the joint venture was incorporated in July 2013, the entities standing behind it provided signed Parent Company Guarantees, as was required under the pre-qualification requirements. In addition, the tender specified that “a group will not be required to convert into a specific legal form in order to submit a tender, but may be required to do so prior to award of the Contract”; it was also a condition of the award of the contract that, if the successful tenderer were a group, each member of the group produced promptly a tax clearance certificate. Irish Water has advised my Department that these conditions were fully adhered to in this case.
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.
449. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of motor tax that was collected in counties Laois and Offaly shown separately in 2013. [30779/14]
View answerGross motor tax receipts collected in counties Laois and Offaly in 2013 are as follows:
|
- |
Motor Tax Office Receipts |
Online Receipts |
Total |
|
Laois |
€11,060,666 |
€7,282,909 |
€18,343,575 |
|
Offaly |
€10,285,487 |
€7,748,979 |
€18,034,466 |
450. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding for insulating homes in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30790/14]
View answerUnder my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme for 2014, some €30 million is being provided for improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock. The funding is part of a three-year €50 million investment programme to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in some 25,000 local authority homes. Last year over 13,000 households benefitted under this measure.
Earlier this year, my Department announced details of capital allocations to local authorities of €15 million to complete Phase 1 of the programme, which commenced in June 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties. Kerry County Council received an allocation of €467,902.
In June 2014, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of the progress to date on implementing the Phase 1 works and to provide details of the funding required for the completion of these works. These submissions are being examined at present and I intend to announce details of a further tranche of capital allocations to local authorities very shortly.
451. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the loss of funding to disability organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30960/14]
View answer452. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the cuts to funding for the Irish Deaf Society will be reinstated; if he and his Department aware of the impact these cuts are having on the deaf community; if he is considering reviewing the funding they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30973/14]
View answer456. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reasons funding to the National Deaf Advocacy Service has been abolished; if his attention has been drawn to the serious consequence for the community that rely on this service; his plans to reinstate the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30677/14]
View answer463. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reverse the budget cut to the National Deaf Advocacy Service of the Irish Deaf Society in view of the impact this will have in exacerbating the already existing difficulties in accessing essential public services that the deaf community face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30754/14]
View answer465. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will rescind his decision on cutting funding to the deaf society and other disability groups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30762/14]
View answer473. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding for advocacy services in respect of the deaf community to help them access a society that they are isolated from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30850/14]
View answer474. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be reinstated to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30882/14]
View answer477. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason funding was not awarded to the Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland Limited under the scheme to support national organisations 2014-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/14]
View answer481. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reverse the decision to cut funding through the local community and development programme, which benefitted groups such the Irish Deaf Society, in view of the fact that such cuts have resulted in the closure of their advocacy service for thousands of deaf persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31086/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 452, 456, 463, 465, 473, 474, 477 and 481 together.
The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. Pobal was asked to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions. My predecessor was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and he approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The Irish Deaf Society and the Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland are not approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information on this process. As this appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or on the application of any particular organisation.
454. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the partial and full year revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer by re-introducing and doubling the non-principal private residence tax from the rate it was applied previously. [31236/14]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence.
The self-assessed charge was s set at €200 per annum and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect NPPR Charges, and late payment fees due to it and all Charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned. Proceeds from the charge are retained by local authorities and are used for the provision of local services.
Based on data provided by the Local Government Management Agency, I am informed that 359,678 properties are registered by their owners as liable for the non-principal private residence charge for 2013, the last year of the charge. A doubling of the charge to €400 could therefore potentially be expected to raise in the region of €144 million per annum if the level of properties liable remains unchanged from the 2013 position.
455. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the additional charges applied to motor tax customers who tax their vehicles for three and six month periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/14]
View answerI have no plans to review the basis for paying motor tax on a half-yearly or quarterly basis.
Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable for the half - yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively. This additional cost element takes account of the extra workload for staffing in motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File, and the resultant administrative costs and printing costs that arise, including the issuing of renewal notices.
The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly discs is in the region of €50m. A loss in income from this source would have a negative impact on the Local Government Fund and consequently on grant allocations to local authorities from the Fund, and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system, or through the taxation system generally.
457. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the allocation of funding for housing grants for people with disabilities and the elderly will be released to Meath County Council which is anxious to distribute these funds as a matter of urgency to successful applicants. [30683/14]
View answerOn 16 January 2014, I announced details of the capital allocations for the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. Every local authority received increased funding for grants compared to the 2013 allocations.
The allocation to Meath County Council in respect of the grant schemes for 2014 is €715,970, of which €143,194 is to be provided from the Council’s own revenue resources. So far this year €128,539 has been recouped to Meath County Council.
458. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a fund will be set up for the fixing of social housing affected by pyrite, in view of the fact that the current PRB scheme only applies to private housing. [30711/14]
View answerMy Department is committed to working closely with local authorities in addressing issues around pyrite-related structural defects in social housing units. In some instances the remediation of pyrite-related defects is being addressed within the terms of the construction contract. Where necessary, my Department will provide financial assistance to local authorities in cases where pyrite remediation proposals are included in the annual work programmes put forward by local authorities for funding under the Social Housing Investment Programme.
459. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to repair the homes of social housing tenants of Respond in Parnell Estate, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, in view of the fact that they have been paying full rent to Respond, despite the pyrite-related deficiencies in their homes and resulting extra heating costs. [30712/14]
View answerMy Department understands that Respond Housing Association are dealing with this matter in the context of the terms and conditions of the construction contract for the housing scheme. There are no proposals with my Department in relation to this matter.
