Written Answers Nos. 1581-1610
1581. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the population of each of the proposed new local action groups areas for the administration of the new Leader programme net of all towns with a population of 15,000 inhabitants or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/14]
View answer1582. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the population of County Galway, excluding the population of all towns with a population of 15,000 inhabitants or more; the names of these towns; the reason that County Galway is not being allocated more than one local action group in view of the size of the county; in view of the fact that the Connemara region is physically cut off from the rest of the county, has a very different topography, settlement pattern and agricultural industry and in view of the fact that the largest Gaeltacht in the country is situated in Connemara along with over half of the island population in the country and in view of the fact that County Cork which has only 2.2 times the population is being given three LAGs; if this decision can be appealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34487/14]
View answer1583. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements being put in place to ensure that services under the new Leader programme will be provided fully through the Irish language to Gaeltacht communities where they require such a service; if this will be part of the tender process for assessing applications that include Gaeltacht areas in their area of application; the discussions he has had with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34488/14]
View answer1584. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it was decided not to designate the offshore islands as an area for a local area group under the RDP 2014-2020 in view of the fact that a LAG operated successfully for the islands during the last two Leader programmes; the independent external assessment carried out as to the effect this decision could have on the islands including the loss of island based employment in administering the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34489/14]
View answer1585. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it will be a condition of the new Leader programme that the head office of each LAG will be in a rural area as defined in the RDP 2014-2020 for the Leader programme, that is outside all towns with a population of 15,000 or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34490/14]
View answer1586. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the requirements that will be involved and the assessment methodologies that will be employed to assess whether a partnership or a legal entity have the financial capacity, either through their own resources or with third party assistance, to finance programme commitments under the new Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34496/14]
View answer1587. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide, under the new Leader programme, that projects not undertaking to carry out an economic activity, can receive up to €500,000 assistance for any one project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34497/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1581 to 1587, inclusive, together.
The Government has, through its local government reform process as outlined in Putting People First, initiated a process at local level to ensure that local development works more effectively to support the development of local communities in a co-ordinated and sustainable way. The Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme form an important part of this process for rural communities. Following a comprehensive consultation and needs analysis process a draft Rural Development Programme for Ireland for the period 2014 – 2020, which included an outline of the Leader element, was submitted to the European Commission in July 2014. An iterative process involving the authorities in Ireland and the European Commission is now under way and the draft programme will be finalised taking account of the outcome of that engagement.
Separately, in the context of a further national consultation process, I am aware that questions have been raised regarding a number of issues, including the definition of sub-regional areas for Leader purposes, and in this context I am currently considering a number of options. I am anxious that the implementation of the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme reflects a community led approach in so far as is possible and in order to ensure this, each sub-regional area will be responsible for determining its own needs and outlining how it proposes to address those needs in its Local Development Strategy. This approach will also apply to those areas that contain Gaeltacht and island communities and I encourage both of these communities to ensure that they engage fully with the Local Development Strategy development processes for their respective areas to ensure that their concerns are fully addressed.
I do not propose to be overly prescriptive on what should be contained in any given Local Development Strategy as I believe that this is contrary to the ethos of a community led local development approach. In this context it will be largely down to Local Action Groups to outline, in their strategies, how they propose to administer and manage the funding, including the locations of their operations, within the framework outlined in the selection process.
My Department is also considering all relevant options in relation to the financial management of the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme with a view to ensuring that the system implemented is fair, effective and efficient. The definitive outline of the Leader element is yet to be finalised and the maximum levels of funding, eligibility criteria and rates of aid for projects to be funded have yet to be decided. A detailed set of operating rules and procedures will be prepared once the Programme has been agreed and approved by the European Commission.
It is important that the necessary time is taken to ensure that the systems that are established to deliver the Leader elements of the RDP are robust, inclusive and ensure that all of the funding available at a local level is maximised in support of the sustainable development of rural communities all over Ireland. Full clarity regarding the detail of the implementation systems being put in place will be made available as soon as possible.
1588. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total funding provided by his Department for new local authority housing for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the plans to increase the allocation for new local authority housing in 2015 in view of the critical shortage of such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/14]
View answerThe funding provided by my Department to local authorities for new social housing construction and acquisitions in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and allocated for 2014, is as follows:
|
YEAR |
FUNDING PROVIDED/ALLOCATED |
|
2011 |
€189.2m |
|
2012 |
€116.6m |
|
2013 |
€83.3m |
|
2014 |
€55m |
The above amounts are in addition to provision made in respect of other areas of social housing provision, such as assistance for approved housing bodies and regeneration schemes.
The allocation to be provided to local authorities for social housing purposes in 2015 will be determined in the course of the 2015 estimates process. Furthermore, my overall plans in relation to the future delivery of social housing will be set out in the new Social Housing Strategy which is currently in preparation, with the intention that it will be considered by Government in the coming weeks. It will contain clear, measurable actions to increase the supply of social housing, based on innovative solutions that will harness new funding streams, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.
1589. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a deposit protection scheme as committed to in the programme for Government to help address the issue of tenants' deposits being unfairly retained by landlords and so provide additional protection to tenants. [34520/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a tenancy deposit protection scheme. On foot of this commitment the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) commissioned research on such a scheme and reported back to my Department with recommendations in that regard. The subsequent report assessed a number of different options for delivery of a scheme ranging from one where all elements are delivered by the PRTB to one where all elements are outsourced to a private operator. The report examined each option in terms of both insurance and custodial type schemes.
In a custodial scheme, tenancy deposits are transferred to the scheme for the duration of the tenancy. They are then repaid by the scheme operator following agreement between the landlord and tenant or following the outcome of a dispute resolution process in cases where there is no agreement. The interest from the funds deposited pays for the administration of the scheme and there is no fee to either the landlord or tenant. In an insurance-based scheme, the landlord pays a premium to insure the risk of the deposit not being returned but retains the deposit. In the event of a dispute, the landlord lodges the total of the deposit with the scheme and it is repaid to either the landlord or the tenant at the conclusion of a dispute resolution process.
All of the options presented in the report were considered in order to determine how to offer the greatest protection to tenants at least cost to the Exchequer and Government approval was secured for the establishment of a tenancy deposit scheme based on a custodial model. It is my intention to introduce the legislative amendments in relation to the scheme at Committee Stage of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 in the Seanad.
1590. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided by his Department each year in the past four years for the scheme of housing aid for older people; his plans to increase the funding for this scheme next year in view of the demand for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/14]
View answerThe Housing Aid for Older People scheme is one of a suite of schemes under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability which is administered by the local authorities. Three separate schemes are available, as follows:
(i) Housing Aid for Older People Scheme (HAOP) provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs and improvements carried out. Eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, rewiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting, etc.;
(ii) Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (HAG) which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Grants for up to €30,000 are available for works including the provision of access ramps, stair lifts, accessible toilet and shower facilities, wheelchair access and extensions;
(iii) Mobility Aids Grant Scheme (MAG) provides grants up to €6,000 to cover works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.
Overall outturns for the three schemes and for the Housing Aid for Older People scheme alone for the past 4 years are outlined in the following table. The overall allocation for 2014 for the suite of schemes is €38.6m, an increase on the 2013 allocation.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Overall Outturn across HAOP, HAG and MAG |
€62.06m |
€53.41m |
€38.29 m |
€13.69* |
|
Housing Aid for Older People |
€27.10m |
€19.90m |
€11.25 m |
€5.07m* |
*Outturn as at 11 September 2014.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Funding for next year is currently being considered in the context of the 2015 Estimates.
1591. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided this year for the insulation of local authority houses; his plans to increase this funding in view of the challenges faced by people on low incomes due to fuel poverty and the cuts imposed by the Minister for Social Protection to the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34523/14]
View answer€30 million has been provided as part of my Department’s 2014 Social Housing Investment Programme for improving the energy performance of local authority housing stock. An initial €15 million was allocated to local authorities in February 2014 and earlier this month, I announced a further €15 million allocation for this purpose.
The funding is part of a €50 million investment programme over three years to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in 25,000 local authority homes. The programme commenced in June 2013 and is currently focused on providing attic/roof insulation and cavity wall insulation. Local authorities may also seek funding approval for the replacement of single glazed or poorly performing windows. More than 13,000 homes benefited under this energy efficiency measure in 2013.
Details of the full allocations to local authorities in 2014 in respect of energy efficiency are as follows:
|
Local Authority |
2014 Allocation |
|
Carlow |
€329,199 |
|
Cavan |
€476,488 |
|
Clare |
€427,706 |
|
Cork City |
€4,402,949 |
|
Cork County |
€1,089,072 |
|
Donegal |
€624,054 |
|
Dublin City |
€6,500,974 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
€1,339,449 |
|
Fingal |
€505,739 |
|
Galway City |
€419,297 |
|
Galway County |
€387,787 |
|
Kerry |
€681,692 |
|
Kildare |
€884,654 |
|
Kilkenny |
€401,344 |
|
Laois |
€747,146 |
|
Leitrim |
€213,239 |
|
Limerick |
€936,601 |
|
Longford |
€481,766 |
|
Louth |
€425,095 |
|
Mayo |
€525,123 |
|
Meath |
€848,924 |
|
Monaghan |
€299,459 |
|
Offaly |
€329,024 |
|
Roscommon |
€530,020 |
|
Sligo |
€313,089 |
|
South Dublin |
€1,807,044 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,599,307 |
|
Waterford |
€738,905 |
|
Westmeath |
€447,896 |
|
Wexford |
€651,271 |
|
Wicklow |
€629,698 |
1593. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received any request from Dublin City Council for funding to purchase new fire appliances for Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34596/14]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
Dublin City Council provides fire services on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as one of the key national priorities for the fire services capital programme. In that context and in order to deliver cost efficiencies, a programme involving fire authorities aggregating demand and jointly procuring 17 fire appliances is now nearing completion, under which Dublin Fire Brigade received an allocation for two new water tenders. My Department has reimbursed Dublin City Council €316,459 to date in respect of these.
Dublin City Council wrote to my Department in May 2014 requesting that Dublin Fire Brigade be included in the next capital funding allocation programmes for two new appliances. This correspondence has been acknowledged. All requests for funding from my Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme will be considered within the constraints of available resources and will have regard to local authorities’ priorities, the value for money offered by proposals, the totality of requests from fire authorities and the status of existing facilities having regard to risk categorisation.
1596. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Irish Water has requested customers' PPS numbers in their recently released application packs; the purpose this sensitive information will be used for; the implication for applications returned without this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34658/14]
View answerIn advance of the introduction of domestic water charges, the Government made certain decisions on 6 May 2014 relating to the structure of water charges including, inter alia, a free allowance per household and an additional free allowance for children on the same qualifying conditions as the Child Benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection.
As these allowances are to be funded by Government, Irish Water needs to ensure it has the appropriate and sufficient information to reflect these entitlements. The Personal Public Services (PPS) Numbers will be used by Irish Water to ensure that each household receives the free allowance it is entitled to, as well as any additional allowance for children in receipt of Child Benefit at that address. It will also facilitate Irish Water in providing reduced charges to owners who have unoccupied dwellings.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has recently completed a public consultation on a draft water charges plan which sets out the position if customers do not validate. In their proposals, a default charge will be applied to customers without allowances. The CER will finalise the water charges plan shortly taking account of the public consultation.
Irish Water is a specified body under section 20 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 and is therefore permitted to request PPS numbers to authenticate the identity of the person being provided with an allowance. Irish Water will treat applicants’ personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003.
1598. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of funding approved for an organisation for 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34709/14]
View answerUnder the 2011-2014 Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, my Department provided €31,086 to the organisation in question for the 6 months ending 30 June 2014.
While it was known that the existing scheme was ending on 30 June 2014 and applications were sought for the new scheme with no guarantee of continued funding, it is clear that organisations had become increasingly dependent on this funding. In agreement with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability, the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector will be reviewed with a view to rationalising the funding of these organisations to ensure efficiency in the use of public money and avoidance of duplication, while providing appropriate support to organisations working in the sector.
Having considered the impact of the decision, I announced on 18 July 2014 that I am allocating bridging funding to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a twelve month period while this review takes place. As part of this funding, the organisation in question has been allocated €62,172 for the 12 month period to 30 June 2015.
1599. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding special housing needs in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if a reply has issued to the Ombudsman to date. [34736/14]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for various social housing supports, including for adaptations and extensions to the social housing stock to meet needs of tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Kildare County Council was recently allocated funding of €329,829 for such purposes.
The administration of this funding is a matter for each local authority to manage. My Department has no role in individual cases, including in respect of related correspondence between the Ombudsman and a local authority.
1600. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposed fire station for Virginia, County Cavan; when this project will proceed to tender stage; the timeframe for construction; the estimated cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34741/14]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
A proposal by Cavan County Council to build a new fire station at Virginia was received in 2000 by my Department and approval-in-principle was granted to proceed to the planning stages. Cavan County Council submitted costings and design plans during 2000 for consideration by my Department. At that time, new fire station projects at Dowra and Bailieborough were progressing, along with proposals for a new station at Cootehill, and the Council was informed that the proposals for Virginia fire station were under consideration. In 2007, Cavan County Council submitted an updated cost plan and requested approval to proceed to tender. In 2008, my Department requested the Council to prepare contract documents and an updated cost plan. These were received in 2011. Given the constraints on public finances, the priority of the Fire Services Capital Programme has been given to replacing the fire appliance fleet and further support from my Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme to proceed with a new fire station at Virginia will have regard to these national priorities, the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide, Cavan County Council’s priorities, the extent of previous investment in Cavan fire service, the value for money offered by proposals and the status of existing facilities having regard to area risk categorisation.
1601. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposal to provide a new library in Virginia, County Cavan; when this project will go to tender; the timeframe for construction; the estimated cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34742/14]
View answerIt is a matter for each library authority, as a reserved function, to prepare a library development plan and the most recent such plan for County Cavan includes the submission of a revised application to my Department for a full-time library for Virginia in 2013, subject to significant improvement in the Council’s funding and staffing situation. No such application has been received.
Under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001, the provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.
My Department provides some capital funding towards approved refurbishment and renovation works and new library projects carried out by local authorities, subject to availability of resources and objective analysis of all applications on hand.
1602. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the capital loan and subsidy scheme to enable local authorities bring more social housing developments forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34748/14]
View answerI have no plans to amend the capital loan and subsidy scheme. Plans in relation to the future delivery of social housing are now being considered in the context of the new Social Housing Strategy, which it is intended will be considered by Government in the coming weeks. The Strategy will contain clear, measurable actions to increase the supply of social housing, based on innovative solutions that will harness new funding streams, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.
In the meantime, my Department is continuing to oversee the provision of social housing for people on the housing waiting list and for homeless persons through local authorities and other providers. Overall, I expect some 6,000 social housing units to be delivered across the range of programmes this year.
1606. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that Dublin City Council has received for the disability grants scheme in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [34759/14]
View answerThe following are the funding allocations to Dublin City Council for the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability over the period 2011 to 2013. For 2014, the figure shown is the funding drawn down to 11 September 2014:
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
€8,689,330 |
€9,518,318 |
€5,512,886 |
€1,402,300 |
Dublin City Council’s full 2014 allocation for these grants is €5,821,222, of which €1,164,244 is to be provided from the Council’s own resources.
1607. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on the level of funding and who provides the funding to elderly-senior citizens organisations, on a national, county and local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34768/14]
View answerMy Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme for 2014 is €2.35 million, which is sufficient to meet current demand levels.
The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under the scheme to supporting national organisations that provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. Core funding refers typically to operating costs that will always need to be met, and are fundamental to the organisation's survival. Two groups providing services to older people, Age Action Ireland and Active Retirement Network Ireland, receive funding under this scheme. My Department also provides annual funding to members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar. This funding has been awarded to support costs, not funded from any other sources, directly related to the organisations’ contribution to policy-making. The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament receives funding under this scheme.
Details of expenditure in recent years on these schemes is provided in the tables below.
Seniors Alert Scheme
|
Year |
Expenditure € |
|
2012 |
2.52m |
|
2013 |
2.32m |
|
2014 |
933,000 (to 12 Sept) |
Scheme to Support National Organisations
|
National Organisation |
Total Paid in 2012 € |
Total Paid in 2013 € |
Total Paid in 2014 to 30 June € |
Total allocated for 6 months to 31 Dec 2014 € |
|
Active Retirement Network Ireland |
80,000 |
75,360 |
33,158 |
21,778 |
|
Age Action Ireland |
50,000 |
47,100 |
20,724 |
16,857 |
Social Pillar Funding to Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
|
Year |
€ |
|
2012 |
15,000 |
|
2013 |
14,130 |
|
2014 |
14,130 |
1608. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy ambitions for the remainder of the Government term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34778/14]
View answerGovernment’s key policy objectives have been set out in both the Programme for Government and in the Statement of Government Priorities which was published in July 2014. I will lead those actions within my remit, particularly in relation to addressing housing needs through a number of actions including revision of planning legislation and the development and implementation of a new Social Housing Strategy. I will also be driving my Department’s contribution to economic development by supporting the delivery of a range of other Government Strategies, including the Action Plan for Jobs and the Construction 2020 Strategy and I will ensure my Department plays a full role in our ongoing national recovery.
1609. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the pyrite remediation scheme; if he will set out a timeframe as to when he expects all homes to be repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34779/14]
View answerWhile it is not possible to put a definite timeframe on the duration of the pyrite remediation scheme and on the completion of remediation works to all homes affected by significant pyritic damage, the initial phase of the scheme will deal with up to 1,000 dwellings which, it is estimated, are in need of repair over the two year period ending in 2015.
The position post-2015 will be dealt with having regard to the circumstances at that time. However, the considered view is that the number of dwellings that may require remediation post-2015 will not be as large as previously thought. There are a number of positive indicators that support this view including the number of persons who have currently applied to the Pyrite Resolution Board under the scheme which now stands at 560 approximately.
The pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by the Board in February 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel. The scheme is one of “last resort” and only applies to dwellings with a damage rating of 2 established on foot of a Building Condition Assessment in accordance with I.S. 398-1 :2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate to the Board that they have no practicable options other than under the scheme to secure the remediation of their dwellings.
Of the approximately 560 applications that the Board has received, some 375 have been validated and referred to the Housing Agency for the next stage in the process, i.e. the assessment, verification and recommendation phase. In the region of 150 dwellings have now been recommended for inclusion in the pyrite remediation scheme and the applicants have been notified accordingly. The first remediation works under the scheme commenced earlier this month on a small group of houses in a development in north Dublin.
1610. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider implementing legislation in relation to the topping and cutting of trees and hedges on private property (details supplied) similar to legislation in place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34793/14]
View answerSection 70 of the Roads Act 1993 - which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport – provides that where a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road or where it obstructs or interferes with the safe use of a public road or with the maintenance of a public road, a road authority may serve a notice in writing on the owner or occupier of the land on which such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is situated requiring the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation within the period stated in the notice.
Section 58 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 (No 20/2002) – which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources – provides that an electronic communications network operator or any person authorised by the operator may lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with any physical infrastructure of the network operator.
