Written Answers Nos. 181 - 200
181. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any health risk posed by lower power radio units fixed to the top of water meters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37355/14]
View answer183. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the provision of home display units to monitor water meter usage; if customers will have to pay for these meters; if they will be free for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37357/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 183 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme.
Irish Water has informed my Department that each water meter has a low power radio unit fixed to the top which enables it to be read periodically from a passing van. This is what is known as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). The AMR is dormant until the meter is read when it is activated only for the purpose of taking the meter read. The meters used by Irish Water do not currently employ smart metering technology and therefore home display units are not compatible at present. However, the meters are capable of being integrated into a smart meter reading system, should that ever be required.
Irish Water has procured meters and radio units that comply with all relevant European and international standards designed to protect the health and safety of customers and the public. The water meters used emit significantly less electro-magnetic radiation than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits (1,000 times less than the limit), producing 10,000 to 25,000 times less electro-magnetic radiation compared to a mobile phone.
Meters will be read automatically and the information will be provided directly to customers in their bills. Any unusual usage patterns can be discussed with Irish Water if the householder is concerned. The meter boxes are not sealed and can be opened to allow the householder to verify the meter reading if necessary. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that all the water meters in use by Irish Water comply with the Measuring Instruments Directive. In common with meters for other utility services, the meters will be the property of Irish Water who will be responsible for meter repair and maintenance.
Irish Water is putting in place a number of facilities for customers who require special or priority services. This includes the compilation of a confidential special services register for customers who prefer to have some of the services adapted to suit their needs and a confidential priority services register for domestic customers who have a critical medical dependency on water. The special arrangements put in place for the visually impaired have been developed in consultation with the National Disability Association. Irish Water has also contacted all of its customers and asked that householders with disability, mobility or medical concerns to contact its call centre in advance of the meter installation so any additional support or advice can be arranged.
184. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person's ability to pay will be taken into consideration by Irish Water when issuing bills for water usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37358/14]
View answer187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the methodology that is being applied to arrive at the assessed basis upon which unmetered homes are to be charged for water; if he will publish the research or any other documents relating to this methodology. [37393/14]
View answer189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is proposed to remove the cap on charges that will apply to metered homes following the introduction of water charges. [37395/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 187 and 189 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
The proposed approach to charging was outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it submitted to the CER in line with the provisions of the Act. The CER recently held a public consultation on this plan which covered a range of issues relating to water charges and included the proposed approach to the assessed charge . Yesterday, the CER issued a determination on the water charges plan and details and associated documentation are available on the CER website (www.cer.ie).
In making its determination on the water charges plan, the CER had to take account of the decisions made by the Government on the funding model for Irish Water and a direction made under Section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 in July 2014. This policy direction addressed a number of matters relating to domestic water charges including the provision of a free allowance of 30,000 litres of water supplied and waste water treated per annum for a primary residence on a public supply and a free allowance to cover the normal usage of water services by every child in their primary residence based on the same qualifying conditions as the child benefit allowance while customers with specific medical conditions which require increased water consumption will have their charges capped.
In its determination, the CER has decided that all customers will have their total water charges capped at the unmetered “assessed charge” for 9 months. The cap will apply from the start date of the next billing period after installation of the meter or 1 October 2014 , whichever is the later.
In addition to the above, the Government has agreed to put in place further affordability measures to assist pensioners, persons with disabilities, and carers who receive the Household Benefits Package. The conditions and administrative approach to this additional measure are being developed by the Department of Social Protection. There are no plans to provide additional allowances or affordability measures, other than those announced in the Government decision.
185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Ireland has signed up to the European Commission's 2020 climate and energy package's targets; the target values both interim and for 2020; if he will confirm that Ireland can and will meet these target values; if not, the reduced value target that will be met; and the fines or penalties attached to not meeting the targets. [37365/14]
View answerPursuant to the so-called EU Effort-Sharing Decision of 2009 (Decision No. 406/2009/EC), Ireland has ambitious, legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for each year between 2013 and 2020, inclusive.
Under the Decision, emissions in the year 2013 should be no more than the average of those same emissions in the years 2008 to 2010. In the year 2020, the target is that emissions should be 20 per cent below their value in 2005. The target for each of the years 2014 through 2019 is on a straight-line trajectory between the targets for 2013 and 2020. Over-achievement in any one year can be used in any other year where there is under-achievement. Furthermore, there are various other flexible mechanisms available to Member States to reach their targets such as Certified Emissions Reductions, that is, the unit of the Clean Development Mechanism as defined under the Kyoto Protocol, along with the inter-Member State trading of units.
The extent of the challenge posed by these emission reduction targets is well understood by the Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development and the General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill, both of which were published in April this year. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by the Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy. Proposed statutory authority for the plans is set out in the General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill.
In anticipation of the planned legislation, work is already underway on developing a low-carbon plan - the National Low-Carbon Roadmap to 2050 - the primary objective of which will be to track implementation of measures and identify additional measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress the overall national low-carbon transition agenda. As I am satisfied that Ireland is on course to comply with the annual mitigation targets in the first half of the 2013 to 2020 compliance period, the immediate focus of the national low-carbon roadmapping process will be the compliance challenge in the years 2017 to 2020.
As Ireland intends to meet its greenhouse gas mitigation targets over the period to the year 2020, the issue of fines or penalties does not arise.
186. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total sum of loans currently owed by local authorities. [37392/14]
View answerIt is a matter for each local authority to manage its own finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. Under the Local Government Act 2001, a decision to borrow money is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority. Section 106 of the Act determines that local authorities must obtain the consent of the appropriate Minister to undertake borrowing. Local authorities are asked, as an essential pre-condition to borrowing, to ensure that they achieve balanced revenue and capital accounts.
The total loans payable are taken from the latest audited Annual Financial Statements of all 88 County, City, Borough and Town Councils, which are for 2012. These have been amalgamated in the following table to reflect the new 31 local authority structure.
|
Local Authority |
Loans 2012 € |
|
Carlow County Council |
49,818,117 |
|
Cavan County Council |
23,398,461 |
|
Clare County Council |
131,038,189 |
|
Cork County Council |
506,457,376 |
|
Donegal County Council |
180,950,134 |
|
Fingal County Council |
447,409,384 |
|
D.Laoire/Rathdown County Council |
163,457,311 |
|
Galway County Council |
113,998,829 |
|
Kerry County Council |
112,058,794 |
|
Kildare County Council |
154,417,658 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
52,094,200 |
|
Laois County Council |
125,995,507 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
13,956,169 |
|
Limerick County Council |
80,805,019 |
|
Longford County Council |
51,707,526 |
|
Louth County Council |
150,497,837 |
|
Mayo County Council |
142,716,961 |
|
Meath County Council |
97,794,265 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
31,485,037 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
125,446,781 |
|
Offaly County Council |
70,982,809 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
26,010,553 |
|
Sligo County Council |
118,235,850 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
240,862,951 |
|
Waterford County Council |
139,164,069 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
111,174,546 |
|
Wexford County Council |
162,968,201 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
124,284,945 |
|
Cork City Council |
171,161,952 |
|
Dublin City Council |
876,746,153 |
|
Galway City Council |
105,446,566 |
|
Total |
4,902,542,150 |
188. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is proposed to decide upon the list of medical conditions that will receive extra allowances for water usage; and the basis on which persons with such conditions will be charged for water in the interim. [37394/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 591of 30 September 2014 which sets out the position in the matter.
190. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the provisions that may be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford whose application for the better energy homes scheme was not processed as a result of the contractor being removed from the approved list. [37222/14]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on behalf of my Department. I have no function in relation to individual grant applications.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
I am advised that where homeowners are unsuccessful in drawing down a grant, for any reason, they may request that their case is referred to the SEAI Appeals Panel. As part of this appeal process, homeowners are invited to submit details outlining any extenuating circumstances which explain the situation or any mitigating factors which are relevant to the case.
SEAI will refer this case to the Appeals Panel for their consideration. The outcome of the review will be communicated to the homeowner in writing.
191. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/14]
View answerThe 2011, 2012 and 2013 Appropriation Accounts for all Votes are now publicly available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The relevant website addresses for my Department are as follows:
2011 : http://www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/annualreports/2011/AppAccs/ENG/Vote30.pdf
2012 : http://www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/annualreports/2012/AppAcs/EN/Vote29.pdf
2013 : http://www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/annualreports/2013/AppAcc/En/Vote29.pdf
The Deputy will note that final outturn figures for 2014 cannot be confirmed until after the Comptroller & Auditor General has completed his audit of the 2014 accounts. I have set out in the following table the 2014 figures as per the Revised Estimates and the latest available outturn data in my Department's Vote.
|
Subhead |
2014 budget |
2014 Outturn To 31 Aug 2014 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Administration Expenditure (i) - Salaries, Wages & Allowances |
15,351 |
10,262 |
|
(ii) - Travel & Subsistence |
583 |
308 |
|
(iii) - Training and Development & Incidental Expenses |
757 |
309 |
|
(iv) - Postal & Telecoms Services |
529 |
204 |
|
(v) - Office Equipment & External IT Services |
3,400 |
1,079 |
|
(vi) - Office Premises Expenses |
732 |
454 |
|
(vii) - Consultancy Services and Value for Money & Policy Reviews |
1,895 |
1,005 |
|
(viii) - Equipment, Stores & Maintenance |
590 |
74 |
|
A Communications A.3 Information and Communications Technology Programme |
32,001 |
6,546 |
|
A.4 Multimedia Developments |
5,800 |
3,400 |
|
A.5 Information Society |
6,852 |
791 |
|
A.6 Change Management Fund |
1 |
- |
|
A.7 Other Services |
501 |
- |
|
B Broadcasting B.3 Grant to RTÉ for broadcasting licence fees |
181,074 |
114,900 |
|
B.4 Payment to An Post for collection of broadcasting licence |
12,457 |
6,427 |
|
B5 Deontas i leith Theilifís na Gaeilge |
34,283 |
28,298 |
|
B6 Broadcasting Fund |
14,354 |
9,119 |
|
C Energy C.3 SEAI Admin & General Expenses |
7,555 |
4,402 |
|
C.4 Sustainable Energy Programmes |
64,737 |
16,951 |
|
C.5 Energy Research Programmes |
11,040 |
1,796 |
|
D Natural Resources – D.3 Petroleum Services |
641 |
- |
|
D.4 Mining Services |
3,685 |
236 |
|
D.5 GSI Services |
540 |
364 |
|
D.6 Geoscience Initiatives |
2,984 |
686 |
|
D.7 National Seabed Survey |
3,000 |
1,574 |
|
D.8 Ordnance Survey Ireland |
7,415 |
4,000 |
|
E Inland Fisheries E.3 Inland Fisheries |
26,841 |
18,903 |
|
Gross Total |
431,506 |
232,558 |
|
Deduct Appropriations-In-Aid |
237,000 |
146,897 |
|
Net Expenditure |
194,506 |
85,661 |
192. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 19 November 2013, the role that was played by the ESB and Bord na Móna project management team for the proposed Oweninny wind farm, County Mayo, in the preparation of the new Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland wind atlas; if the new wind atlas has been made available to An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37296/14]
View answerI am advised by the SEAI that in August 2011 the SEAI advertised a Request for Tenders on the Government eTenders website for Provision of Services to Update the Wind Atlas for Ireland. Arising from this process, UK Met Office Consulting Services were selected to carry out the work and issued with a contract in May 2012.
To support the execution of the contract, the SEAI requested Bord na Mona and ESB to provide useful meteorological mast monitoring data from their wind farm sites to UK Met Office Consulting Services. This data was used by the contractor in the validation of the remodelled wind atlas datasets.
The SEAI is currently in the process of updating its online Geographical Information System to make the new wind atlas available to the public. This is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
In the interim, the SEAI has made the new wind atlas datasets available on request to professional Geographical Information Systems users and other organisations. The datasets are available to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) should ABP wish to use them.
The wind atlas was primarily intended as an information tool for local authorities in identifying areas suitable for renewable energy development within County Development Plans. Local authorities have subsequently utilised the SEAI wind atlas as a basis for developing county wind energy strategies.
193. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 473 of 2 November 2010, the latest figures by county, based on the new Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland wind atlas, together with the percentage change in the annual mean wind speed between the current SEAI wind atlas and the new one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/14]
View answer194. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the values of the mean power density of the wind at 50 m, 75 m, 100 m and 125 m above ground at Oweninny and Cluddaun, County Mayo, based on the data in both the current, and the new, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland wind atlas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has advised that it has a Wind Atlas for Ireland available on its website which displays wind speed maps. The wind speeds are available by location point within each county.
I am advised that average wind speeds per county have no practical application in planning for wind energy projects. I am also advised that the SEAI has not, to date, derived speeds on a county by county basis for the 2013 SEAI wind atlas, but is considering the potential benefits and costs of a future project of this nature.
Set out below are the average annual windspeeds, obtained from the SEAI, for the proposed locations of the Oweninny and Cluddaun wind farm sites at hub heights of 50m, 75m, 100m and 125m, for both the 2003, and the newer 2013, SEAI wind atlases. The speeds are set out in metres per second, m/s.
2003 SEAI Wind Atlas
Oweninny: 50m: 8.3m/s 75m: 8.8m/s 100m: 9.1m/s 125m: not available for 2003 wind atlas
Cluddaun: 50m: 7.9m/s 75m: 8.7m/s 100m: 9.2m/s 125m: not available for 2003 wind atlas
New (2013) SEAI wind atlas
Oweninny: 50m: 6.3m/s 75m: 7.1m/s 100m: 7.7m/s 125m: 8.1m/s
Cluddaun: 50m: 7.3m/s 75m: 8m/s 100m: 8.55m/s 125m: 9m/s
Neither the 2013 nor the 2003 wind atlases directly provide the wind energy density at particular locations. The SEAI is currently considering whether the allocation of time and resources to a project of this nature would be worthwhile.
195. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of budget negotiations, the steps he will take to provide moneys to enable the local improvement schemes to be reinstated as they are cost-efficient and beneficial to rural dwellers in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37368/14]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge. However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. There is no separate allocation for the LIS. Instead, local authorities may use up to 15% (up from 7% in 2013) of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes remains at 20% of the total cost of the project.
Details of the 2014 regional and local roads grants were communicated to local authorities on 24 January this year. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources.
The above position is likely to extend into 2015. Some local authorities want the LIS while others prefer to put the funding into public roads. I think this decision is best made at a local level.
196. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposed privatisation of Bus Éireann; his further views that it would lead to a more efficient service in view of the history of privatisation that has shown that the primary objective is always increased revenue generation and not fee reduction; if he will confirm the impact this privatisation would have on the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/14]
View answerBus Éireann is not being privatised. However, the direct award contract for the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus market services held by Bus Eireann expires later this year. The awarding of a subsequent contract is the statutory responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
All Bus Éireann routes will be included in the new five year direct award contracts which the NTA will enter into with the company next December. However, the NTA announced that 10% of publicly subvented bus services will only remain within the direct award contract until the end of 2016 after which they will be operated under separate contract that will have been competitively tendered.
Tendering will give the opportunity to test market pricing and offer possibilities to improve efficiency and customer service. It will be open to Bus Éireann to compete for the tendered routes. As at present, the fares, timetables and service standards will be set by the NTA. The tendering of these services will therefore not lead to a downgrading of services to bus users. The contract will go to the best competent tenderer who can provide the best service for the least subsidy and should assist in securing efficient and cost competitive services for passengers.
The NTA expects that the procurement process for the routes to be tendered will begin in December 2014 leading to the award of the contract in March 2016 with the successful operator commencing services in late 2016.
The NTA intends that free travel passes will be honoured by any new operator and is currently in contact with the Department of Social Protection in this regard.
197. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the situation regarding veteran, vintage and classic cars and their current liability for NCT; if his Department is considering changing the regulations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/14]
View answerThe Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 322 of 2014) provide an exemption from the requirement to undergo compulsory roadworthiness testing to cars first registered prior to 1 January 1980. However cars, irrespective of age, which are used in a commercial capacity are required to be tested. Such vehicles include Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSV’s) such as wedding and other ceremonial cars etc.
In accordance with Action 59 of the Government’s 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is commencing a review of the roadworthiness testing requirements for vintage vehicles. This review will include a public consultation, which is expected to be launched later this month. I expect the RSA’s review will culminate in recommendations to me, which I will consider in due course.
198. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37290/14]
View answerEstimate and actual out-turn figures with detailed breakdown per programme subheads are published in the Department’s annual Appropriation Account and these are available on the C&AG's website. Hyperlinks for each year are as follows.
2011: www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?n=/documents/annualreports/2011/AppAccs/ENG/Vote32.pdf
2012: www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/annualreports/2012/appacs/en/Vote31.pdf
2013: www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/annualreports/2013/appacc/en/Vote31.pdf
For 2014, spend to date for each Department is published on the Department of Finance website. Latest out-turn figures are for August and these are as follows.
www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/Final%20Exchequer%20Statement%20August%202014%20%283%29_0.pdf
Expenditure to date in 2014 across all programme headings in my Department is on target, including the additional funding injection announced in May as part of the Government's Stimulus Plan.
199. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the bodies that are responsible for the funding, installation and maintenance of road signage on motorways, national, regional and local roads; if there is a regular audit of signage carried out with a view to keeping signage effective and up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37305/14]
View answerThe construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993-2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. More specifically, the NRA has responsibility for the provision of signage under Section 19 of the Act.
The improvement and maintenance (including signage) of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Directional signage on roads is provided in accordance with guidelines set out in the Traffic Signs Manual, published by my Department. The Traffic Signs Manual provides details of the traffic signs which may be used on roads in Ireland, including their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which each sign may be used and rules for positioning them. This Manual was updated in November 2010 replacing the 1996 edition.
200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Narrow Water bridge proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37334/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I know my predecessor, Minister Varadkar, confirmed through Parliamentary Questions and in other fora, the Government’s disappointment that the Narrow Water Bridge tender process resulted in a doubling of the initial costs budgeted for by the project partners for the construction of the bridge.
Given the budgetary constraints my Department is operating under it could not take on full responsibility for the increased project cost and the significant risks involved in the project. While the Department was willing to consider assisting with the shortfall, this was explicitly contingent on significant contributions from other parties, including the Northern Ireland Executive. These commitments were not forthcoming within the timescale required for the INTERREG IVA programme.
Last month I met with officials from Louth County Council to discuss alternative plans being worked on by the local authority to advance the Narrow Water Bridge project. It is a matter for Louth County Council to further develop its proposal including the need for an economic appraisal to be undertaken in addition to an assessment of alternative funding arrangements for such a scheme. From the view of my Department, it has to be mindful of the need to operate within the very constrained budget available to it.
