Written Answers Nos. 230-237
230. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide by county a breakdown of additional staff requests by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43619/14]
View answerThe number of staff sanction requests for contract or permanent positions submitted to my Department from 1 January 2014 to date, is set out in the table below.
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
Staff sanction requests received since 1 January 2014 |
|
Cork City |
10 |
|
Dublin City |
194 |
|
Galway City |
19 |
|
Carlow |
28 |
|
Cavan |
51 |
|
Clare |
52 |
|
Cork |
77 |
|
Donegal |
152 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown (DLR) |
60 |
|
Fingal |
62 |
|
Galway |
151 |
|
Kerry |
27 |
|
Kildare |
81 |
|
Kilkenny |
79 |
|
Laois |
42 |
|
Leitrim |
21 |
|
Limerick |
66 |
|
Longford |
22 |
|
Louth |
37 |
|
Mayo |
49 |
|
Meath |
17 |
|
Monaghan |
31 |
|
Offaly |
27 |
|
Roscommon |
17 |
|
Sligo |
24 |
|
South Dublin |
46 |
|
Tipperary |
45 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
|
Wexford |
51 |
|
Wicklow |
85 |
231. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a per annum breakdown of total spending on water services, operational and capital in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and proposed in 2015 and 2016. [43621/14]
View answerFull details of operational expenditure by local authorities on water services are not available in my Department. However, the Annual Financial Statement of each local authority provides an analysis of their current and capital expenditure, including all water services provided by them, in addition to expenditure on the group water sector, private installations and public conveniences.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. The table below sets out the funding recouped to authorities by my Department. It includes all capital funding recouped under the Rural Water Programme and subsidies towards the operational costs of group water schemes provided under the Local Government Fund.
Rural Water Programme
|
Year |
Capital Exchequer Payments |
Subsidies towards Group Water Schemes & local authority salary costs |
|
|
€ million |
€ million |
|
2010 |
88 .000 |
17 . 000 |
|
2011 |
79 . 000 |
23. 000 |
|
2012 |
40.000 |
24.643 |
|
2013 |
3 4.000 |
19. 43 5 |
|
2014 (Provision) |
27 . 700 |
23. 500 |
The Water Services Investment Programme was a multi-annual investment plan for the provision of major water and sewerage schemes. The first rolling 3-year Water Services Investment Programme was launched in July 2000 to meet identified water services needs. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 was the last such plan, and is available in the Oireachtas library along with previous plans.
Details of expenditure from 2010 to 2013 under the Water Services Investment Programme is outlined in the table below.
Water Services Investment Programme
|
Year |
€ |
|
2010 |
407,000,000 |
|
2011 |
349,964,346 |
|
2012 |
268,129,230 |
|
2013 |
240,780,080 |
Details of Irish Water’s operational and capital costs for 2015 and 2016 are outlined in their revenue and water charges plan which was reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the review and the CER’s decision are available on the CER website, www.cer.ie.
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 including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has published its proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investme/Proposed-Capital-Investment-Plan-2014-2016.pdf.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
232. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the capital funding made available by his Department in each year since 2000 for the provision of waste water and water services respectively by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43628/14]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme was a multi-annual investment plan for the provision of major water and sewerage schemes. The first rolling 3-year Water Services Investment Programme was launched in July 2000 to meet identified water services needs. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 was the last such plan, and is available in the Oireachtas library along with previous plans. Details of expenditure from 2000 to 2013 under the Water Services Investment Programmes is outlined in the table below.
Water Services Investment Programme
|
Year |
Wastewater |
Water |
|
2000 |
€ 295,176,910 |
€ 84,460,078 |
|
2001 |
€ 376,014,089 |
€ 76,735,983 |
|
2002 |
€ 350,592,383 |
€ 82,525,447 |
|
2003 |
€ 285,199,226 |
€ 87,412,374 |
|
2004 |
€ 229,629,924 |
€ 82,137,157 |
|
2005 |
€ 208,520,159 |
€ 89,559,496 |
|
2006 |
€ 239,367,972 |
€ 95,069,796 |
|
2007 |
€ 254,550,106 |
€ 111,460,977 |
|
2008 |
€ 239,830,986 |
€ 150,958,610 |
|
2009 |
€ 255,101,895 |
€ 156,806,796 |
|
2010 |
€ 283,744,360 |
€ 122,150,173 |
|
2011 |
€ 220,143,396 |
€ 129,568,781 |
|
2012 |
€ 150,362,918 |
€ 115,976,768 |
|
2013 |
€ 124,396,289 |
€ 108,490,456 |
|
Total |
€ 3,512,630,615 |
€ 1,493,312,893 |
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme , within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. Information on the schemes on which the funding was incurred would, therefore, be available from the local authorities. The table below sets out the capital funding recouped to authorities by my Department under the Programme.
Rural Water Programme Capital Payments
|
Year |
€ Million |
|
2000 |
44.950 |
|
2001 |
53.456 |
|
2002 |
57.232 |
|
2003 |
74.828 |
|
2004 |
85.946 |
|
2005 |
119.000 |
|
2006 |
130.000 |
|
2007 |
130.000 |
|
2008 |
105.000 |
|
2009 |
100.000 |
|
2010 |
88.000 |
|
2011 |
79.000 |
|
2012 |
40.000 |
|
2013 |
34.000 |
|
2014 (Provision) |
27.700 |
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 including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has published its proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investme/Proposed-Capital-Investment-Plan-2014-2016.pdf.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
233. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will identify the 80 locations with deficiencies in wastewater treatment which are the subject of the European Court of Justice case against Ireland; the identity of the operators of the wastewater treatment plants; the status of the legal action and an approximation of the fines facing the State for non-compliance with prescribed treatment standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43665/14]
View answerIn October 2013 Ireland received Infringement notification by Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission in relation to perceived failures to fulfil obligations under Articles 3, 4, 5, 10 and 12 of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). My Department provided detailed material in relation to the various agglomerations, and Ireland’s efforts to bring non-compliant agglomerations into compliance, in its written response to the European Commission in December 2013. This was followed up with a supplementary written response providing additional detailed information regarding Article 5 compliance in February 2014. My Department, along with representatives of Irish Water, met with the European Commission in April 2014 to discuss Ireland’s written response and explore options for resolving the Commission complaint. The matter was further discussed at a ‘Package Meeting’ with the European Commission in May 2014. The European Commission’s formal response is awaited and at this time the question of fines does not arise. The following is a list of the agglomerations that are the subject of the Infringement notification: Abbeyfeale, Abbeyleix, Arklow, Athlone, Athy, Ballincollig, Ballybofey/Stranolar, Ballyragget, Blarney, Borrisoleigh, Callan, Carlow, Carrigtohill, Carrickmacross, Carrick-on-Suir, Castlebar, Castlebridge, Castlecomer, Castletroy, Cavan Town, Clifden, Clonakilty, Cobh, Cork City, Dundalk, Dunmanway, Enfield, Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Glanmire/Riverstown/Little Island, Gorey, Kildare Town, Kilkenny City & Environs, Killarney, Killybegs, Kingscourt, Kinsale, Leixlip, Letterkenny, Lusk, Mallow, Manorhamilton, Midleton, Monaghan, Monksland, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Navan, Nenagh, Osberstown, Passage/Monkstown, Piltown, Portarlington, Rathcormac, Rathdowney, Ringaskiddy, Ringsend, Roscommon Town, Roscrea, Shannon Town, Skibbereen, Swords, Templemore, Tralee, Tramore River Valley, Thurles, Tubbercurry, Tullamore, Tullow, Urlingford, Waterford City, Youghal.
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 including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. City and county councils (former water services authorities) which were responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services until 1 January 2014 now provide these services to Irish Water on an agency basis including oversight of the operation of wastewater treatment plants.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to put in place an investment plan setting out where it considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions, including compliance with Water Framework Directive requirements , improving sewage treatment and collection infrastructure in accordance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, responding to judgments of the European Court of Justice and achieving environmental and public health objectives arising from various regulations and EPA reports dealing with water quality. Irish Water has published its proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at the following link: http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investme/Proposed-Capital-Investment-Plan-2014-2016.pdf.
234. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions No. 239 and 240 of 6 November 2014, if he will list all members of the steering group for the water sector reform programme; the way these members were appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43679/14]
View answerThe steering group was established in June 2011 to oversee the independent assessment on the transfer of responsibility for water provision from local authorities to a water utility which was required under the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland with the EU/IMF/ECB. The group is chaired by my Department at Assistant Secretary level. As well as my own Department, membership is drawn from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, NewERA, the County and City Management Association and the Water Services Transition Office (Local Authorities) .
The group oversaw the preparation of the independent assessment and, based on the recommendations of that assessment, the Government decided in December 2011 to establish Irish Water as a public water utility. Following the Government decision in April 2012 that Irish Water should be established as an independent subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann, membership of the group was extended to include representatives of Bord Gáis and Irish Water.
At this point the group’s main focus was the development of the implementation strategy to give effect to Government decisions in relation to the water reform programme. This included consideration of the appropriate programme governance arrangements for the implementation phase. Over time the group’s role has evolved and its primary function currently is high level oversight of the water reform agenda.
235. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 239 and 240 of 6 November 2014, if he will clarify that anything to do with the mechanics of the pay progression was never raised with his Department and there exists no advice or files referring to the model to be adopted; if he will confirm who is legally responsible for determining affordability with respect to pay progression to ensure no automaticity of pay progression commences once the pay freeze ends in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43680/14]
View answerAs stated in the reply to Questions Nos 239 and 240 of 6 November 2014, the employment terms and conditions for Irish Water staff are a matter for the company. I understand that the pay model is not a new model put in place by Irish Water but was inherited from the parent company Ervia. Like other commercial semi-state bodies, pay models are negotiated between management and unions and are then subject to a ballot as necessary, as occurred in Ervia’s case. The issue of pay progression is not a matter that would have been raised with my Department as it does not arise at present, given that a pay freeze is in place until 2016. Pay progression thereafter is not automatic and will be dependent on, inter alia, affordability. Affordability is a matter for Ervia and Irish Water.
My Department sought clarification on the Ervia pay model and I understand that it is a competitive market based model comprising two key elements – a market based pay range for all employees and a Performance Related Award (PRA) which is at risk. The total of these two elements add up to the external market pay level for any given job. Performance pay will be based on a structured performance review and requires company performance, business unit performance and individual performance metrics to have been met. I am informed that under this proven and modern pay structure Ervia’s total pay for any job does not exceed the market total pay for a comparable position. Irish Water does not pay increments or any form of automatic pay award.
236. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the process of appointment for the Irish Water consultative group; if he will publish the final recommendations of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43681/14]
View answerThe Irish Water Consultative Group was established to facilitate engagement with the Unions and staff on the roll-out of the Water Sector Reform Implementation Strategy , and had its inaugural meeting in September 2012. This joint union/management group was established , with Mr. Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission as an independent chair , to provide a mechanism for regular structured dialogue, consultation and engagement on issues arising from the implementation strategy. Membership of the group comprises representatives of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; the County and City Management Association; the Local Government Management Agency; the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water; and ICTU and affiliated unions.
The group meets regularly to work through the issues concerned and has, inter alia, agreed principles for the secondment of local authority staff to the Irish Water programme; agreed the Framework for Service Level Agreements , which is available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie; and addressed issues such as the protection of the terms and conditions of employees in various circumstances. As the work of the group is ongoing there are no proposals to publish any final recommendations.
237. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding fire safety of properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43706/14]
View answerI refer to the reply given to Question No. 171 of 27 February 2014 which sets out the statutory framework in relation to the control of building activity in general and in the context of the particular problems which have arisen in relation to the properties referred to in the question. The position is unchanged.
