Written Answers Nos. 544-568
544. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49125/14]
View answerThe information requested in relation to staff of my Department on career break is set out in the table.
|
Duration |
No of Staff |
|
0 - 6 months |
0 |
|
6 - 12 months |
3 |
|
1 - 2 years |
4 |
|
2 - 3 years |
2 |
|
3 - 4 years |
0 |
|
4 - 5 years |
1 |
|
5 years+ |
2 |
545. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/14]
View answerSince taking up appointment as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the only external photographic service engaged was in respect of the launch of the new Social Housing Strategy in November 2014. In that instance, the service provider was Maxwell Photography and the cost involved was €551.04. My Department’s Press Office generally provides photographic services when required. However, if external photography services are required, they are obtained in line with the Whole-of-Government Optional Framework for Photography Services, details of which are available from the Office of Government Procurement.
546. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49155/14]
View answer560. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total external public relations costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49380/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 560 together.
There have been no Public Relations firms engaged by my Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 or in 2014.
In relation to my Department’s policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.
547. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49170/14]
View answer548. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49185/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
A range of contracts are in place for the provision of ICT services including training, software and storage provision. While not considered as a consultancy, an external company was engaged for the provision of training and continuing professional development of my Department’s ICT unit; this contract has not been renegotiated since March 2011 and has not been renewed since the contract end date in 2013.
Expenditure incurred was €45,133 in 2010; €80,586 in 2011; €84,378 in 2012; €57,934.56 in 2013; and €19,311 in 2014.
549. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [49200/14]
View answerSince July 2011, my Department’s website has been used as the primary mechanism for seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under my Department’s aegis. Positions have, where appropriate, been listed on the Department’s website and, more recently, on stateboards.ie on a case by case basis as vacancies arise. In the case of certain appointments, statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In addition, in the case of a number of boards, not all of the appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, and in some situations appointments are made by the Minister with the consent of another Minister. Furthermore, appointments to An Bord Pleanála and to the Board of the Environmental Protection Agency are of a full-time executive nature and are governed by statutory processes.
Since March 2011, 205 appointments have been made to State boards under the aegis of my Department. Over 100 of these were made on foot of nominations by relevant bodies or arose from recruitment processes. 35 of the appointments arose as a result of the submission of expressions of interest or from applications through stateboards.ie.
It should be noted also that, during 2014, the term of office of the Board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, which the Government has decided is to be dissolved, was extended to 31 December 2014 pending progress on the dissolution legislation.
The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) under the Companies Acts. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, provide that the appointment of directors is the responsibility of the Board of BGE (now Ervia), with the approval of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. 11 of the 12 directors appointed initially for the period to July 2014, were re-appointed for a further period to 30 November 2014. It has now been decided to appoint a single unitary Ervia Board, with the Board of Irish Water having become an executive board comprising senior Ervia/Irish Water executives.
In line with a recent Government Decision, a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards, brought forward by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has been put in place, operating through the Public Appointments Service, and will govern relevant future appointments.
550. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a water charges allowance will be provided to students in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49229/14]
View answerCapped annual charges are set at €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households, including those households comprising of third level students. All eligible households will receive a water conservation grant of €100 per year. In effect, this means that the net cost to single adult households will be no more than €60; for other households it will be no more than €160. The overall package of measures being put in place is designed to make the water charging regime more affordable and to provide clarity and certainty to households. Metered usage can lead to lower charges than the relevant capped charge; the Children’s Water Allowance remains at 21,000 litres per annum and will apply to all persons resident in the dwelling aged under 18 (irrespective of whether the child qualifies for Child Benefit), meaning children will continue to go free.
In terms of payment, all households, including third level students, will be able to avail of a range of easy pay options, including direct debits, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a paypoint or payzone sign or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made.
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.
551. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form per annum from 2009 to date in 2014, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total successful appeals; total part-successful appeals; total refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49243/14]
View answerThe information requested in respect of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Total number of requests received |
Total Refused |
Total Granted |
Total Part-granted |
Total Appeals |
Total Successful/ part-successful appeals |
Total Refusals |
|
2009 |
143 |
10 |
62 |
29 |
11 |
5 |
6 |
|
2010 |
156 |
21 |
54 |
41 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
|
2011 |
119 |
13 |
55 |
22 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
2012 |
191 |
32 |
60 |
45 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
|
2013 |
111 |
18 |
40 |
26 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
2014 (To 16 Dec) * |
176 |
27 |
35 |
30 |
5 ** |
1 |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
800 |
121 |
306 |
193 |
43 |
15 |
27 |
*A number of FOI requests received in 2014 are awaiting a decision.
**One appeal currently in progress
552. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [49349/14]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Au- thor etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amount Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1)€21,190 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2011 |
Secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland |
Analysis on national climate policy. |
Interim report released October 2012; final report released in February 2013. |
Nil |
|
2011 |
Mr. David Lovegrove |
2011 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board. |
Published July 2012. |
€9,689 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding in 2011 . |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Pembroke Communications |
Advise on, and assist tendering process for, Tidy Towns sponsorship. |
No formal report due for publication. |
€4,560 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archaeological reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Indecon |
Regulatory Impact Analysis of proposed regulations for household food waste. |
Published June 2012. |
€24,725 |
|
2011 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2011 Report. |
Published April 2012. |
€61,077 |
|
2011 |
Certification Europe Ltd. |
Compost Quality Assurance Scheme. |
Published October 2012. |
€139,142 |
|
2011 |
RPS Group |
Provision of expertise concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment techniques for the evaluation and revision of Regional Waste Management Plans. |
No formal document due for publication. The work comprises principally advice, guidance documents and technical expertise. |
€45,223 |
|
2011 |
SKM Enviros |
Irish Recycled Plastic Waste Arisings Study. |
Published September 2011. |
€37,566.00 |
|
2011 |
White Young Green |
Annual Dust Impact Assessment Report (2011) at the Former Irish Steelworks Site, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork. |
Published March 2012. |
(2)See footnote |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment and (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme |
(1) Initial Assessment - The technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – expected to be sent to the EU Commission and published in early 2015. |
(3)€2,163,747 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optimal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
Mr. David Lovegrove |
2012 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board. |
Published March 2013. |
€1,120 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(4)€42,706 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012 |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Inter-Departmental Group |
Design of a Local Property Tax – Report of the Inter-Departmental Group. |
Published December 2012 |
Nil |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement) |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Preliminary report published February 2014. Final report expected shortly. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) |
Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas report on how to support the economic development of rural Ireland. |
Published April 2014. |
(5)€19,049 |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
It is intended that the report will be published during Q1 2015. |
€1,937 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
All Island Used Tyre Survey. |
Published March 2013. |
(6)€17,673 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
Review of the Producer Responsibility Model in Ireland. |
Final report published in July 2014. |
€292,306 |
|
2012 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2012 Report. |
Published April 2013. |
€58,271 |
|
2012 |
Fehilly Timoney & Company |
Bulky Waste Reuse Best Practice - Feasibility Study. |
Published July 2013. |
€55,289 |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (report produced on a pro bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support on developing low carbon sector roadmaps for Ireland. |
The project relates to technical support, with no formal document due for publication. |
€107,552 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support for the purposes of advising Government on the proposed 2030 EU Framework for Climate and Energy Policies. |
No formal document due for publication. The project relates to technical support. |
€44,091 |
|
2013 |
AP Env Econ Limited/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Ireland’s Environmental Data: Inventory, Assessment and Next Steps. |
Published April 2014. |
€35,178 |
|
2013 |
SLR Environmental Consulting (Ireland) Ltd/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Wind Energy in Ireland: Building Community Engagement and Social Support. |
Published July 2014. |
€50,451 |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
Not intended for publication. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Deloitte & Touche |
Expert Assistance in the Local Government Shared Services Programme |
The project relates to technical support, with no formal document due for publication. |
€105,334 |
|
2013 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Not intended for publication - this was a report volunteered to Met Éireann by the survey company on a 'sample' basis. |
Nil - provided as a 'free sample' |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
It is intended that the report will be published during Q1 2015. |
€54,938 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
It is intended that the report will be published during Q1 2015. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2013 Report. |
Published June 2014. |
€52,014 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2014 |
Ricardo-AEA |
NSMC Residential Solid Fuel Study |
May 2015 |
(7)€40,000 (estimate) |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Environmental Policy Integration: Case Studies Research |
Estimated 1st Quarter 2015 |
€38,222 |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Sustainable Urban Development |
Estimated 1st Quarter 2015 |
€20,303 |
|
2014 |
University College Cork (UCC)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Review of Environmental Social Policy Literature |
Estimated 1st Quarter 2015 |
€4,305 |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
Peer review of Met Eireann's Operational and Strategic Review. |
This report is not intended for publication. |
€4,920 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe, Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Expected to be published in early 2015. |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia Thornton Tom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2014 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2014 Report. |
Expected to be published May 2015. |
€52,013 (estimate) |
(1) The contract is in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution is €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance being met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) My Department previously provided funding to Cork County Council to support the production of an annual Dust Impact Assessment Report at the former Irish Steel site at Haulbowline Island. Following a Government Decision in June 2011, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assumed the lead role in relation to the remedial works necessary to be undertaken on the site. Accordingly, funding provided to Cork County Council for the annual Dust Impact Assessment Report 2011 and subsequent years is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
(3) This report and monitoring programme arises from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters and the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD) including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art. 10) will be underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures which will measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11).
(4) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
(5) This report has been co-funded by my Department, Teagasc and the Western Development Commission. The cost to my Department of €19,049 represents 40% of the overall expenditure.
(6) Survey jointly commissioned and funded by Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and my Department.
(7) This report has been commissioned by my Department under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The cost is being evenly split and the final charge to my Department is estimated at €40,000.
553. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have transferred from rent supplement to the rental accommodation scheme in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49274/14]
View answer554. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons currently on the rental accommodation scheme; if he will provide a breakdown based on local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49275/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 554 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 240 of 17 December 2014.
In 2013 a total of 4,701 households were transferred from Rent Supplement (RS) by local authorities, with 2,875 housed directly under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and a further 1,826 accommodated under other social housing options.
Data for October and November 2014 are currently being compiled; however up to the end of September 2014, 2,773 households were transferred from Rent Supplement. Of these transfers, 1,586 were housed directly under RAS with 1,187 accommodated under other social housing options.
555. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the operation of shared ownership schemes; the level of arrears associated with such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49295/14]
View answerIn 2013, the Housing Agency was asked to conduct a stand-alone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. While an initial draft of the review was received from the Agency, a number of issues have been identified that need further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact on local authority finances of possible mitigating measures. This substantial data collection project involving my Department, the Local Government Management Agency and the local authorities themselves is under way. It will be a number of months before sufficient data have been collected in order to complete the requisite analysis to finalise the review.
Pending full conclusion of this review, my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities setting out some of the options and interim actions that might be explored to alleviate the difficulties of those in shared ownership distress, such as allowing use of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process and room rental for Shared Ownership mortgage holders. It is accepted that these proposals are not a complete solution to the issues that arise for such mortgage holders but are intended as an interim measure pending the outcome of the review.
My Department issued revised guidelines to local authorities for dealing with mortgage arrears within the local authority sector in June 2014. Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf.
Although my Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears, there is no breakdown specifically of Shared Ownership Mortgages currently available, though the data collection process referred to above which is currently under way will be informative in that regard.
The statistics on local authority mortgage arrears generally are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15295,en.xls by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the Housing Loans contents.
557. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of registered cars in each category based on CO2 emissions; the number of cars registered in each category based on engine size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49299/14]
View answerRegistration of vehicles is a matter for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. I assume that the Question is referring to the motor taxation of private vehicles which is based on CO2 for vehicles registered since July 2008, and on the basis of engine capacity for private vehicles registered prior to that date. There were 1,990,910 private vehicles either under current taxation or declared off the road on 30 November 2014. The breakdown by band is set out in the table.
|
CO2 band – g/km |
Number of CO2 vehicles taxed at 30 November 2014 |
Number of CO2 vehicles declared off the road at 30 November 2014 |
|
A0 (0 g/km) |
475 |
2 |
|
A1 (1 – 80 g/km)
|
212 |
0 |
|
A2 (81 – 100 g/km)
|
28,987 |
36 |
|
A3 (101 – 110 g/km)
|
53,124 |
59 |
|
A4 (111 – 120 g/km)
|
171,050 |
160 |
|
B1 (121 – 130 g/km)
|
100,551 |
131 |
|
B2 (131 – 140 g/km)
|
168,587 |
222 |
|
C (141 – 155 g/km)
|
84,217 |
133 |
|
D (156 – 170 g/km)
|
31,769 |
65 |
|
E (171 – 190 g/km)
|
12,841 |
44 |
|
F (191 – 225 g/km)
|
5,367 |
46 |
|
G (more than 225 g/km)
|
766 |
18 |
|
Total |
657,946 |
916 |
|
Engine capacity band (c.c.) |
Number of engine capacity vehicles taxed at 30 November 2014 |
Number of engine capacity vehicles declared off the road at 30 November 2014 |
|
Not over 1,000 |
107,200 |
4,372 |
|
1,001 - 1,100 |
5,351 |
513 |
|
1,101 - 1,200 |
74,112 |
2,344 |
|
1,201 - 1,300 |
86,649 |
3,918 |
|
1,301 - 1,400 |
348,153 |
7,277 |
|
1,401 - 1,500 |
47,918 |
1,173 |
|
1,501 - 1,600 |
207,947 |
7,586 |
|
1,601 - 1,700 |
5,207 |
399 |
|
1,701 - 1,800 |
77,914 |
4,137 |
|
1,801 - 1,900 |
109,031 |
3,387 |
|
1,901 - 2,000 |
140,227 |
9,667 |
|
2,001 - 2,100 |
328 |
52 |
|
2,101 - 2,200 |
17,582 |
1,004 |
|
2,201 - 2,300 |
6,002 |
579 |
|
2,301 - 2,400 |
2,591 |
344 |
|
2,401 - 2,500 |
14,675 |
1,939 |
|
2,501 - 2,600 |
1,165 |
172 |
|
2,6 01 - 2, 7 00 |
2,426 |
226 |
|
2,7 01 - 2, 8 00 |
3,500 |
421 |
|
2, 8 01 - 2, 9 00 |
133 |
132 |
|
2, 9 01 - 3,000 |
13,260 |
1,323 |
|
3,001 or more |
7,281 |
2,431 |
|
Total |
1,278,652 |
53,396 |
558. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49324/14]
View answerExpenditure on staff subsistence and taxis by my Department in the past four years is set out in the Table.
|
Year |
Subsistence |
Taxis |
|
2011 |
€ 571,079.88 |
€ 22,691.46 |
|
2012 |
€ 705,249.96 |
€ 31,821.59 |
|
2013 |
€ 742,134.20 |
€ 37,629.03 |
|
2014 (to December 16 ) |
€ 542,958.84 |
€ 18,459.50 |
It is my Department’s policy that only essential business travel is undertaken and that the number of staff absent on official business is kept to an absolute minimum.
It is also the policy that taxis should only be used where no suitable public transport is available. Staff are asked to ensure that where use is made of a taxi, business requirements make it demonstrably necessary to do so; for example, because the number of officers travelling make it cheaper than other forms of public transport, and/or that other forms of public transport would be impractical. Additional travel associated with Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in 2013 and preparations for it in 2012 would account for increased subsistence and taxi expenditure in those years. Staff claiming the costs of taxi journeys must submit the relevant receipts with their travel and subsistence claims.
My Department was audited by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of VAT, PAYE, PRSI and RCT (Relevant Contracts Tax) covering the period 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2009. Revenue advised on 13 November 2009 that the audit was concluded and that no issues arose. My Department has not been audited by Revenue since. However, my Department keeps such matters under regular review and practices and procedures in respect of these areas will, if necessary, be amended in light of these reviews and any further guidance received from the Revenue Commissioners in this regard.
559. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total legal costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49339/14]
View answerThe following table details legal costs incurred by my Department since 2011 based on information contained in the annual Appropriation Accounts prepared by my Department and submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General; the table does not include costs associated with the Planning Tribunal.
Legal Costs
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
€405,000 |
€7,257,000 |
€7,812,000 |
Legal costs are difficult to estimate with accuracy; however, a specific provision of €395,000 in respect of such costs in respect of my Department was made in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. To date, some €192,000 of this provision has been, or is in the process of being, paid by my Department.
561. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has published its annual report for 2013. [48766/14]
View answerMy Department published its Annual Report for 2013 in July last. The report is available in both Irish and English on my Department's website, www.dcenr.ie.
562. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of vacancies on each public board accountable to his Department; the steps he will take to fill vacant positions on each board; the process to be used to fill such vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48926/14]
View answer569. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [49197/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 569 together.
I and my predecessor have outlined a number of times to this House the important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards which this government made from the outset to widen the opportunity to participate at State Board level. At its meeting of 30 September, the Government announced a revised model for appointments to State boards. From 1 November all vacancies on State boards must be advertised openly on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service and at its meeting of 25 November 2014, the Government agreed the publication of guidelines entitled “Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards” which are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
There have been 130 appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of my Department in the period March 2011 to date, and of these, appointments filled by those who submitted Expressions of Interest amounted to 21 (16%). It should be noted that about 40% of the appointments made to Boards under the aegis of my Department are either ex officio appointments, reappointments, the appointment of worker directors chosen by election, or appointments made from nominations made by an Oireachtas Committee.
There are currently 22 vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department as set out in the table, however 7 of these vacancies relate to the Digital Hub Development Agency and in light of the merger of that agency with Dublin City Council, as decided by the Government, it is not proposed to make further appointments at this time. The remaining vacancies will be filled in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions and the guidelines approved by Government as set out above.
|
Board |
No. of Board positions |
Number of current Vacancies |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
9 |
Nil |
|
RTE |
12 |
Nil |
|
TG4 |
12 |
1 |
|
An Post |
15 |
Nil |
|
DHDA |
14 |
7 |
|
Ervia |
9 |
4 |
|
Bord na Móna |
12 |
Nil |
|
EirGrid |
10 |
1 |
|
ESB |
12 |
1 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
6 |
2 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
12 |
4 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
9 |
1 |
|
Ordnance Survey of Ireland |
10 |
Nil |
|
Mining Board |
3 |
1 |
563. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49019/14]
View answerThe Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets to build on the achievements of the last three years and to broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity are amongst the most strategic sectors of the Irish economy and are clearly reflected in the strategy for economic and social recovery set out in the Statement.
The statement identifies the promotion of investment in indigenous energy production, reduction of emissions, improvement of security of supply and creation of jobs as overriding objectives. In doing so we need to be cognisant of energy cost competitiveness, while anchoring Irish energy policy in the three pillars of EU Energy policy. In the area of broadband, I have recently published a Connecting Communities public consultation on a national map showing the expected commercial availability of high speed broadband by 2016 and identifying the area that the national broadband plan itself needs to cover. Significant commercial investment is already underway and will be complemented by State investment aimed at addressing those areas where there is no commercial case for investment. To help create jobs and growth in small to medium enterprises, an online trading voucher scheme has been launched and is targeting support to over 2,000 SMEs over a two year period.
My Department is currently finalising a new Statement of Strategy which will set out the key objectives, outputs and related strategies for my Department for the next three years. It will include:
- A legislative programme that will include new Broadcasting, Minerals and Fisheries legislation;
- The development of an Energy White Paper, for publication in 2015, which takes account, inter alia, of energy and climate change objectives and targets over the medium and long term, specific obligations to 2020 in relation to renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency, and the need to ensure security of supply and competitiveness in our energy system;
- Further development of the National Broadband Plan;
- Continued roll-out of the National Digital Strategy;
- supporting a diverse and financially stable broadcasting sector;
- the roll-out the National Postcode project; and
- Overseeing the 2015 offshore Oil and Gas licensing Round.
When complete, the Statement of Strategy will be presented to the House early in the new year.
564. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49122/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Career Break period |
0 - 6 Months |
6 - 12 months |
1 - 2 years |
2-3 years |
4 - 5 years |
5 years plus |
|
Number of staff |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
565. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49137/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Company |
Event Date |
Event |
Cost |
|
Mr Kieran Clancy (freelance photographer) |
24 November 2014 |
National Broadband Plan Mapping Consultation, Doolin, Co. Clare |
€282 ex. VAT |
Photographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices. My Department avails of this Framework Agreement for photography needs. I am satisfied that the usage and costs incurred in the hiring of photographers represents value for money. I remain committed to an overall policy of reducing costs and maximising efficiencies.
566. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49152/14]
View answer578. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total external public relations costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49377/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 578 together.
My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in tabular format as follows.
|
Company |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Purpose of Consultancy |
|||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
To date in 2014 |
||
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
€40,514 |
€19,538 |
€18,318 |
€27,876 |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey. |
|
Murray Consultants |
€8,349 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Media Services to the Department. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
€32,670 |
€86,933 |
n/a |
n/a |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover moving from analogue TV to Digital TV. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
n/a |
n/a |
€1,797 |
n/a |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
|
TOTAL |
€81,533 |
€106,471 |
€20,115 |
€27,876 |
567. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49167/14]
View answer568. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49182/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.
My Department has not incurred any expenditure on external IT consultants in the years in question.
The Information Systems Division of my Department, does however, have contracts with six IT companies for the provision of ICT personnel, who are classed as contractors rather than consultants. The amount spent under this heading is as follows:
|
Company |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 to date |
|
Compass Informatics |
€41,980 |
€69,375 |
€85,931 |
€79,815 |
€107,453 |
|
Client Solutions |
€99,642 |
€100,050 |
€97,875 |
€101,572 |
€113,190 |
|
CPL |
€93,060 |
€103,224 |
€104,033 |
€96,408 |
€118,344 |
|
ESRI |
€126,229 |
€126,771 |
€130,464 |
€119,406 |
€124,988 |
|
System Dynamics |
€136,568 |
€187,210 |
€199,651 |
€166,377 |
€204,592 |
|
IT Force |
€270,795 |
€219,908 |
€136,377 |
€122,969 |
€129,418 |
