Thursday, 2 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 184-189

School Transport Applications

Questions (184)

Gerry Adams

Question:

184. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied) in County Louth who is being refused school transport, yet this child's two older siblings are attending the same school and are deemed eligible for school transport; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that the national school which the child attends is the closest school, 3.9 km from the family home; if this decision will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37593/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending his nearest national school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school.

In general, existing eligible children and children who had an eligibility for school transport under the former "Closed School Rule" retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances.

Siblings of these children and other children who are not attending their nearest school may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Primary School Transport Scheme.

The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.

The family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Dundalk (Tel. No. 042-9355065) regarding the availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.

School Staffing

Questions (185)

Finian McGrath

Question:

185. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding staffing at a school in Dublin 17. [37597/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has been in contact with the school referred to by the Deputy and has clarified the staffing arrangements for the 2014/15 school year.

Tax Rebates

Questions (186)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

186. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason car tax rebates are only processed in less than quarterly refunds. [37554/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 provides for the making of regulations for refunds of motor tax. The current regulations have been in force since 1992 and provide for the surrender of a motor tax disc in certain limited circumstances, such as where the vehicle has been stolen, scrapped or where the owner ceases to use the vehicle due to illness. For administrative reasons, the Regulations specifically provide that, in these circumstances, the disc must be surrendered to the licensing authority not less than three months before the expiry of the disc.

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Questions (187)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

187. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter regarding a sewerage treatment plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37418/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

The Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant has operated since 2003. While there was initially an odour issue, major improvements have been carried out which have abated the odour significantly. Irish Water is continuing to invest in improvements in the process operation and performance of the Ringsend Plant and are confident that odours can be effectively managed.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to [e-mail] or by telephone on 1890 278 278.

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (188)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

188. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding for the National Collective of Community Based Women’s Networks that does valuable work in supporting disadvantaged women at national and local level; if he will ensure that the current level of funding allocated to NCCWN is guaranteed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 551, 552, 553, 554, 557, 558, 559, 560 and 579 of 30 September 2014, which sets out the position in this matter.

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Questions (189)

Mick Wallace

Question:

189. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the composition of the board of the Private Residential Tenancies Board and their areas of expertise; the number of tenants and the number of landlords who are members of the board; the number of board members who are linked with landlord representative bodies or property related businesses; the number of members who are linked with tenant representative bodies or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The primary functions of the Board are to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.

Section 153 of the Act provides for a Board of up to 15 members including the Chairperson. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2012 which is currently before the Oireachtas provides, inter alia, for the reduction of the Board membership numbers from 15 to 12; membership has accordingly been capped at this lower number since 2010. The Act provides that the members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister and membership shall not exceed 5 years.

The composition of the Board and their areas of expertise are outlined in the following table.

Name	Description
Ms. Catriona Walsh Chairperson	Solicitor
Mr. Joe Meehan	Dept. of Social Protection
Mr. Tim Ryan	PR Consultant
Ms. Tricia Sheehy Skeffington	Barrister
Mr. John Fitzgerald	Property Professional - Member of Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (I.P.A.V.)
Mr. Paul Flood	Estates Manager, Health Services Executive, Dublin North.
Mr. Noel Merrick	Property Professional - Member of Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (I.P.A.V.)
Ms. Rhonda Donaghey	Trade Union Official
Mr. Noel Conroy	Former Commissioner An Garda Síochana 2003-2007
Mr. Gareth Robinson	Barrister
Ms. Kathleen McKillion	Head of Development, Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH)
Mr. James Leahy	I.T. Technician