Written Answers Nos. 179-185
179. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if concerns have been expressed to her or her Department regarding the leaving certificate construction studies syllabus, specifically the project work where there is concern that plagiarism of previous projects can be easily done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47695/14]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
180. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when she will introduce the newly drafted architectural technology syllabus to the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47696/14]
View answerRevised Leaving Certificate syllabi were submitted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in relation to the four Leaving Certificate technology subjects in 2004. Two of these subjects, Technology and Design and Graphic Communications were introduced in September 2007. The remaining two subjects, Leaving Certificate Engineering Technology and Architectural Technology are awaiting implementation.
Both subjects require significant investment in equipment and professional development for teachers, and the resources for this are not available at the current time, consequently it is necessary to prioritise. The major priorities for the present government are to reform junior cycle provision to allow for greater creativity and innovation, embedding key skills and addressing curriculum overload, to proceed with the Maths and Irish reforms which are under way, to strengthen literacy and numeracy and to implement the revised science curricula in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at senior cycle.
I would hope to implement the revised Leaving Certificate Engineering Technology and Architectural Technology curricula as soon as possible, however, it is also important to move at a pace commensurate with the capacity of the system to change.
181. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the delay in the processing of the show racism the red card scheme to support national organisations application; if he will deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47501/14]
View answerThe 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. My Department is providing funding under the scheme of in excess of €8 million over the two year period to mid–2016. This represents an increase in funding of more than 10% per annum compared to the previous scheme. A new scheme was advertised for applications early this year. Show Racism the Red Card Limited was not approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal recently submitted a report, which I am currently considering.
182. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking regarding claims of the in-filling of foreshore at the Old Dock, Long Walk, County Galway; if an investigation is ongoing within the Chief State Solicitor's office; when this investigation commenced; the progress to date; the completion date for this investigation; the action his Department may take with regard to the in-filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47535/14]
View answerMy Department is currently consulting with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office in order to identify the most suitable approach for dealing with the issues arising at the Old Mud Dock in Galway. My Department will consider what actions are appropriate in light of final legal advice on these issues.
183. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Covanta incinerator will use only truly residual waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47539/14]
View answerDublin Waste to Energy Limited has received an Industrial Emissions Licence under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The licence in question is available at www.epa.ie.
Enforcement of the conditions of the licence, including conditions concerning waste acceptance, is a matter for the Agency.
184. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to legal proceedings (details supplied) regarding alleged infringements of planning laws concerning a public right of way in north County Dublin; if his Department is monitoring the situation with regard to other alleged infringements of planning laws, particularly of a SAAO which relates to the lands in question; and if he will report on whether his Department is liaising with the chief executive of Fingal County Council regarding the protection of this SAAO. [47561/14]
View answerMy Department is seeking information on this matter and I will write to the Deputy shortly.
185. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the European Union water directive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47566/14]
View answer197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that under Article 9.4 of the water framework directive, Ireland is not required to introduce water charges for domestic dwellings where the water is being used for ordinary household purposes; if the facility for this arrangement is open ended; his views on reports that member states must apply before the end of December for such an arrangement to continue; if he will indicate his intentions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47676/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 197 together.
Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive of 2000 requires Member States to take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, in accordance with the principle of "polluter pays". Article 9(4) of the Directive states that Member States are not in breach of the Directive if they decide in accordance with established practices not to apply the provisions of the recovery of costs for a given water-use activity, where this does not compromise the purposes and the achievement of the objectives of the Directive.
While this may have been referred to at the time as providing the basis for not charging for domestic water services , the introduction of such charges has subsequently been grounded, primarily, in, firstly, the confirmation by the 2007-2011 Government of the intention to charge in the first round of River Basin Management Plans developed in compliance with the Directive and adopted in 2010 and, secondly, the commitment entered into as part of the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland (2010-2013) agreed between the previous Government and the EU/ECB/IMF. The question of continuing an exemption under the Directive before the end of the year therefore does not arise.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water and establishing a new State-owned utility to take responsibility for water infrastructure. The new more sustainable funding model being put in place through the establishment of Irish Water will allow for the investment required to ensure our water infrastructure can meet demographic and economic needs and comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive in relation to the water environment.
In line with Government policy, and the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The package of measures which I announced on 19 November 2014, provides clarity and certainty and ensures that water charges are affordable for customers. Legislation is currently before the Oireachtas to underpin this package of measures.
