Written Answers Nos. 561 - 578
561. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the restrictions in terms of categories of spending by local authorities, that have been applied to moneys raised from local property tax; the minimum or maximum spending caps that have been applied to the various spending categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5542/15]
View answerMy Department has advised local authorities of their provisional Local Property Tax allocations from the Local Government Fund for 2015. 80% of LPT will be retained locally to fund vital public services in 2015. The remaining 20% will be re-distributed to provide top-up funding to certain local authorities that have lower property tax bases due to the variance in property values across the State. Local Property Tax was introduced to provide an alternative, stable and sustainable funding base for the local authority sector, providing greater levels of connection between local revenue raising and associated expenditure decisions. Given that local authorities vary significantly from one another in terms of size, population, public service demands, infrastructure and income sources, the Government has decided that no local authority will receive less income from LPT in 2015 than they received for General Purpose Grants (GPGs) from the Local Government Fund in 2014. Certain local authorities, with stronger property bases, will receive greater levels of funding from local retention of LPT in 2015 than they received from the Local Government Fund in 2014.
The Government has decided that these latter local authorities will use this surplus funding in two ways, with a portion available for their own discretionary purposes and the remainder, if any, to fund some local services in the Housing and Roads areas for which they currently receive Central Government funding. The portion that will be retained for discretionary purposes by these authorities will be an amount equal to 20% of the total expected LPT income in the relevant local authority area (before any decision to vary rates) or, in the case where that surplus will be less than 20%, the full amount.
Accordingly, 10 local authorities will receive higher levels of LPT income in 2015 compared to GPG funding in 2014 that will enable them to fund local services of up to €131.7m in the Housing and €21.7m in the Roads areas, respectively, and, therefore, free up some Central Government funding for other purposes. Those local authorities are - Clare, Cork County, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Dublin City, Fingal, Galway City, Kildare, Meath, South Dublin and Wicklow. I have advised all local authorities of their individual provisional LPT allocations, totalling €458.9m, for 2015, of which up to €153.4m is ring fenced to fund local services in the Housing and Roads areas by the 10 local authorities as outlined above. Further details in relation to the specific obligations that my Department will seek to be satisfied from these self-funding levels in the Housing area will be provided as part of the overall Housing grant allocations process for 2015, which will be completed in due course. It is a matter for the individual local authorities to decide how to spend the remaining €305.5m, in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.
The decision to allow local authorities to retain 80% of LPT locally and the power to vary LPT rates will facilitate further implementation of the overall objective of the local government reform programme, which is to achieve greater devolution to the local government sector, through supporting enhanced local decision making on spending priorities.
562. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on setting up an expert group to examine ways to rebalance and update the commercial rate structure, to make it fairer. [5554/15]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the method of valuation. The Valuation Act 2001 comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.
The Commissioner of Valuation, who has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, is conducting a programme of revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties throughout the State on a county by county basis. The national revaluation programme is the first general valuation since the middle of the 19th century, and it is a significant undertaking. If there is to be a fair distribution of the rates burden then valuation should be based on modern rental values.
I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, that, following the completion of the revaluation of the four local authority areas in Dublin, the three former local authorities in Waterford and the revaluation of Limerick, over 48,000 properties have been revalued. While this represents in excess of 33% of all rateable properties, it constitutes about 57% of the valuation base for levying rates. The Valuation Act 2001 provides that the valuation be carried out on a rolling basis. This means that each rating authority area will be separately valued as part of a planned sequential valuation of the whole country. The sequence is decided by the Commissioner of Valuation, who is independent in carrying out his function. Valuation Orders for the revaluation of further Local Authority areas are expected to be made by the Commissioner in the near future.
The Valuation (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2012, which was initiated in the Seanad, was passed by that House on 20th November 2014 and is scheduled to be introduced in the Dáil shortly. The primary purpose of the Bill is to introduce measures that will enable the Commissioner of Valuation to accelerate the national programme of revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties across the State. The measures included in the Bill include provisions for Outsourcing, Occupier Assisted Valuation and the use of computer-aided techniques.
563. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the sources of CO2 emissions here. [5710/15]
View answerIn Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, which are compilations of historical greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as transport, power generation, industry and agriculture. The most recent year for which provisional data are available is 2013. In that year, total national greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 57.81 Mt CO2-eq. (million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent). A percentage disaggregation of that total figure by source is set out in the table below:
|
Source |
Emissions share (%) |
|
Agriculture |
32.3 |
|
Energy |
19.6 |
|
Transport |
19.1 |
|
Industry & Commerce |
15.4 |
|
Residential |
11.1 |
|
Waste |
2.5 |
This and more information is available on the EPA’s website at: http://www.epa.ie/climate/emissionsinventoriesandprojections/nationalemissionsinventories/#.VNiHbmyvmfA.
564. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if customers of Irish Water will be required to furnish their PPS number in order to avail of the water conservation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5739/15]
View answer565. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the water conservation grant, if this payment will be paid annually for the period of the capped charge. [6110/15]
View answer567. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the method of payment that will be used to pay the water conservation grant; if this will be done by credit transfer or through post offices; the conditions that will attach to this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6183/15]
View answer576. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of administering the conservation grant; and the amount to be paid out in respect of the conservation grant in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5641/15]
View answer586. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements in place for processing and administering the conservation grant on behalf of his Department; the agreements that have been arrived at in relation to the cost of administering this project; the amounts provided in his Department's estimates for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/15]
View answer587. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the administration and the payment of the conservation grants, if the project was put out to tender, or if another Government Department was requested to carry out this work on behalf of his Department, without a tendering process; the process and the budget agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5930/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 564, 565, 567, 576, 586 and 587 together.
To promote sustainable use of water and to enhance water conservation in households, the Department of Social Protection will administer, on behalf of my Department, a €100 water conservation grant for households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process. It is proposed that the grant will be paid in one instalment to all eligible households in September 2015 and on an annual basis thereafter.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
An allocation of €130m for the grant scheme has been provided in my Department’s Estimate for 2015. This is based on an estimate of up to 1.3 million households applying for the grant. This estimated level of demand for 2015 takes account of the number of primary residences recorded in Census 2011 as well as experiences with other demand-led schemes. The provisions required in future years will be determined as part of the annual budgetary process, having regard to the take-up of the scheme and forecast growth in household numbers.
My Department, in consultation with the Department of Social Protection, is currently finalising the modalities of the water conservation grant. I will thereafter make Regulations under the Water Services Act 2014 which will provide for the terms and conditions attaching to the grant, including the date by which households will need to have responded to the Irish Water campaign if they are to be eligible for the grant. All households registered with Irish Water under its application campaign will be contacted directly by the Department of Social Protection in due course.
566. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on amending the terms of the mortgage-to-rent scheme, in order to raise the threshold of house values from €220,000, to a level which reflects the increase in property prices since the scheme has come into being, as many families are still dealing with serious mortgage distress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6142/15]
View answerIn order for a property to be considered under the mortgage to rent scheme it must be purchased by an Approved Housing Body for less than €220,000 (per property) in the Greater Dublin Area and €180,000 (per property) in the rest of the country. These limits were determined by a working group which took account of available market data and the current social housing acquisition limits. These limits are considered to be reasonable in respect of the income bracket that is targeted by the scheme.
568. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the acceptable level of lime in drinking water to be provided on the public mains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5499/15]
View answerUnder the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health and which meets the quality standards specified in the Schedule to the Regulations.
The quality of water provided is very much dependent on local geological conditions and the source of the water supply. Many public water supply schemes supply hard water. Normally this means the water comes from groundwater sources, but it can also come from surface waters. The substances associated with hard water, such as lime, calcium and magnesium, are not included as parameters in the quality standards specified in the above Regulations as they do not pose a threat to human health.
569. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding access to buildings, both public and private, for persons with a physical disability; and the percentage of all buildings that are wheelchair-friendly. [5504/15]
View answerMy Department does not maintain a database on the percentage of buildings which are wheelchair friendly.
The Building Regulations 1997 to 2014 provide for the health, safety and welfare of persons in and around buildings and set out the legal requirements for the design and construction of new buildings, including houses, extensions and material alterations and certain changes of use to existing buildings. The related Technical Guidance Documents provide technical guidance on how to achieve compliance with the Regulations. All buildings, both public and private, must comply with the Building Regulations that are in force at the time of their construction. The Building Regulations are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they remain in line with both national and international best practice.
Part M of the Building Regulations sets out the regulatory requirements in respect of access and use. Under the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010 and the associated Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a building, its facilities and its environs.
The aim of Part M is to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;
- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable; and
- new dwellings are visitable.
The underlying philosophy of Part M is to ensure that buildings and their facilities should be accessible and usable by persons of all ages and abilities and that the designers and builders of new buildings take accessibility issues into account throughout the design process in order to deliver a built environment that is more inclusive of all elements of society.
Notwithstanding requirements under the Building Regulations, the Disability Act 2005 requires public bodies to ensure that their public buildings are, as far as practicable, accessible to persons with disabilities. Under Section 25 of the Act, there is an obligation on public bodies to make their public buildings comply with Part M of the Building Regulations by 31 December 2015 [i.e. Technical Guidance Document M (2000 edition)]. Section 25 also requires that public buildings be brought into compliance with any amendments to Part M not later than 10 years after the commencement of such amendments [i.e. Technical Guidance Document M (2010 edition)]. The Act also provides that the Minister for Justice and Equality may request the National Disability Authority to prepare and submit a draft code of practice, which the Minster may approve, amend or refuse as the case may be, relating to the accessibility of public buildings to persons with disabilities for the purpose of giving guidance to public bodies in these matters.
570. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the non-principal private residence charge and the circumstances within which children are permitted to reside in a dwelling within two kilometres of their parents' home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5537/15]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The NPPR Charge is based on self-declaration and therefore the onus is on the property owner themselves to register their property and make the payment. The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority; Part 12 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR Charge.
A number of exemptions from the charge are set out in section 4 of the 2009 Act and section 4(6) provides for an exemption from the charge in a situation where a residential property is occupied rent-free as the sole or main residence of a relative of the owner and the sole or main residence of the owner is either on the same property or within two kilometres of it.
I have no plans to revise the legislation.
571. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason prospective council tenants are not provided the opportunity to view a property before they accept or refuse it following an offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5549/15]
View answerUnder section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the allocation of dwellings in accordance with an allocation scheme is a matter for the housing authority concerned and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. It is of course important that dwellings are allocated efficiently and effectively by local authorities. If the Deputy wishes to send me specific information regarding the particular circumstances alluded to I will consider whether further guidance, from my Department, is required.
572. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total amount of moneys collected by each county council for commercial rates and commercial water rates in 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will provide a list of the uncollected amounts. [5553/15]
View answerThe levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority during the annual budget process.
Rates income data are published by local authorities in their Annual Financial Statements. 2012 is the latest year for which audited local authority Annual Financial Statement data are available.
The amounts of commercial rates collected, as reported by local authorities in their individual audited financial statements for 2012, are set out in the reply to Question No.1577 of 17 September 2014. It should be noted that this income may include arrears collected in addition to current year rates income.
Similarly, the amounts relating to commercial water charges collected, as reported by local authorities in their individual audited financial statements for 2012, are set out in the reply to Question No.1578 of 17 September 2014. It should be noted that this income may include arrears collected in addition to current year water charges income. From 2001 to end 2013 the provision of water services was the responsibility of the City and County Councils. In some cases Town and Borough Councils entered into agreements with the relevant City or County Councils to provide water services including billing functions. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of amounts due is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in light of prevailing circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.
A total of €145,110,593 was owed to local authorities in respect of unpaid commercial water charges and €430,814,183 in respect of unpaid rates at the end of 2012, the latest year for which full audited data is available. A local authority breakdown of the information requested in relation to uncollected amounts is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Total Rates Arrears - End 2012 - € |
Total Commercial Water Arrears - End 2012 - €
|
|
Carlow County Council |
2,285,542 |
511,221 |
|
Cavan County Council |
3,611,492 |
1,744,410 |
|
Clare County Council |
9,814,406 |
8,186,212 |
|
Cork County Council |
26,383,087 |
12,572,204 |
|
Donegal County Council |
10,146,835 |
11,289,265 |
|
Fingal County Council |
22,532,759 |
7,063,652 |
|
Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council |
24,997,531 |
6,290,391 |
|
Galway County Council |
8,336,795 |
4,082,935 |
|
Kerry County Council |
3,935,069 |
1,983,468 |
|
Kildare County Council |
12,626,660 |
7,196,468 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
1,736,776 |
781,735 |
|
Laois County Council |
3,185,016 |
1,375,204 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1,997,904 |
1,370,449 |
|
Limerick County Council |
5,174,029 |
1,914,414 |
|
Longford County Council |
852,888 |
1,062,954 |
|
Louth County Council |
5,042,202 |
5,440,193 |
|
Mayo County Council |
2,724,384 |
5,039,979 |
|
Meath County Council |
5,610,873 |
3,582,871 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
2,290,962 |
1,094,813 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
1,815,829 |
1,802,059 |
|
Offaly County Council |
584,258 |
1,200,833 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
2,398,419 |
2,759,958 |
|
Sligo County Council |
2,407,266 |
3,018,861 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
39,940,231 |
8,176,487 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
1,393,197 |
494,679 |
|
Waterford County Council |
3,003,844 |
1,366,827 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2,165,820 |
2,315,042 |
|
Wexford County Council |
7,673,932 |
8,356,663 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
5,479,638 |
2,211,840 |
|
Cork City |
18,558,716 |
1,372,804 |
|
Dublin City |
76,298,631 |
15,970,773 |
|
Galway City |
17,121,329 |
2,698,604 |
|
Limerick City |
19,142,496 |
2,823,306 |
|
Waterford City |
4,668,200 |
1,428,472 |
|
Clonmel Borough Council |
1,236,634 |
36,937 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
5,784,614 |
1,241,837 |
|
Kilkenny Borough Council |
1,771,517 |
0 |
|
Sligo Borough Council |
3,657,717 |
0 |
|
Wexford Borough Council |
3,613,079 |
61,828 |
|
Arklow Town Council |
2,801,094 |
684,702 |
|
Athlone Town Council |
1,390,746 |
0 |
|
Athy Town Council |
688,053 |
237,031 |
|
Ballina Town Council |
914,531 |
0 |
|
Ballinasloe Town Council |
566,294 |
0 |
|
Birr Town Council |
429,421 |
-22,426 |
|
Bray Town Council |
3,200,894 |
1,050,658 |
|
Buncrana Town Council |
780,132 |
0 |
|
Bundoran Town Council |
373,486 |
0 |
|
Carlow Town Council |
2,377,620 |
41,131 |
|
Carrick on Suir Town Council |
238,705 |
304,192 |
|
Carrickmacross Town Council |
426,855 |
1,163 |
|
Cashel Town Council |
82,870 |
24,880 |
|
Castlebar Town Council |
1,266,141 |
0 |
|
Castleblayney Town Council |
721,163 |
21,565 |
|
Cavan Town Council |
1,070,182 |
0 |
|
Clonakility Town Council |
637,065 |
0 |
|
Clones Town Council |
215,934 |
-24 |
|
Cobh Town Council |
232,164 |
0 |
|
Dundalk Town Council |
8,028,617 |
562,035 |
|
Dungarvan Town Council |
2,068,831 |
0 |
|
Ennis Town Council |
3,379,601 |
0 |
|
Enniscorthy Town Council |
632,493 |
56,668 |
|
Fermoy Town Council |
258,678 |
79,219 |
|
Kells Town Council |
116,297 |
59,872 |
|
Killarney Town Council |
3,715,556 |
271,907 |
|
Kilrush Town Council |
221,978 |
0 |
|
Kinsale Town Council |
686,604 |
0 |
|
Letterkenny Town Council |
3,998,079 |
0 |
|
Listowel Town Council |
228,869 |
142,604 |
|
Longford Town Council |
1,551,872 |
0 |
|
Macroom Town Council |
189,002 |
0 |
|
Mallow Town Council |
344,165 |
0 |
|
Midleton Town Council |
452,415 |
0 |
|
Monaghan Town Council |
1,541,395 |
0 |
|
Naas Town Council |
1,966,714 |
288,568 |
|
Navan Town Council |
1,629,592 |
197,475 |
|
Nenagh Town Council |
907,807 |
14,219 |
|
New Ross Town Council |
618,537 |
108,160 |
|
Skibbereen Town Council |
340,529 |
0 |
|
Templemore Town Council |
168,090 |
266 |
|
Thurles Town Council |
990,522 |
0 |
|
Tipperary Town Council |
326,856 |
74,930 |
|
Tralee Town Council |
2,822,857 |
146,905 |
|
Trim Town Council |
311,769 |
48,078 |
|
Tullamore Town Council |
1,530,806 |
252,446 |
|
Westport Town Council |
472,722 |
0 |
|
Wicklow Town Council |
684,130 |
543,723 |
|
Youghal Town Council |
214,877 |
0 |
|
Total |
430,814,183 |
145,110,593 |
573. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the burden being borne by the small number of mortgages in possession of legacy Housing Finance Agency loans; if there are any measures in prospect to alleviate that burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/15]
View answerI assume that the Question refers to income-related loans that were advanced by individual local authorities to individual borrowers between 1982 and May 1986. The Housing Finance Agency (HFA) advanced the associated funds to local authorities.
A total of €403 m was advanced by local authorities under the pre - May 1986 income-related loan scheme for 15,571 mortgages. On 30 June 2014, 286 of these loans were still outstanding with a corresponding total loan balance of €10.5 m (i.e. an average loan amount of less than €37,000). Current interest rates are as listed in Schedule 1 A and 1 B of Circular HFA 236 which can be found on the HFA website at: http://www.hfa.ie/WebPublication/Circulars/HFA%20236.pdf .
Overall, the Scheme has successfully funded over 15,000 homes for families who would, otherwise, not have obtained a house loan. No new loans have issued under this Scheme since 1986 and there are no plans to alter this position. Individual local authorities administer the Scheme and deal directly with borrowers.
As with all local authority mortgages, evidence of having been refused a loan by two financial institutions was necessary in order to apply under the Scheme. Less than 2% of borrowers under the Scheme have outstanding loans. In some pre-May 1986 loan cases, the income related repayment did not fully cover the interest charges on the loan and, as a result, the loan values appreciated. The outstanding loan balance, in most cases, relates to a property whose value greatly exceeds the outstanding debt.
Since the extension of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme to pre-May 1986 income-related loans in 1996, a borrower availing of SWA who has a loan balance that has increased since the time of advance can have the interest on the increased portion of the loan, less any arrears, provided for by the HFA. The interest on the original advance amount is covered by the SWA scheme through the Department of Social Protection, subject to borrower eligibility. This arrangement operates through local authorities.
To assist local authority borrowers in financial distress, 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 by clicking on the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf.
The Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), already in place in respect of commercial mortgages, is now being implemented across all local authorities. In cases of acute mortgage distress, homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now also in place to deal with personal insolvency. The most important step any family in arrears can take is to engage early with the Arrears Support Unit of the local authority. Solutions are available and advice should be sought as early as possible.
In addition, the Local Authority Mortgage to Rent (LAMTR) scheme was rolled out nationally in February 2014. The Scheme allows local authorities to offer the mortgage to rent scheme to local authority mortgage holders with unsustainable mortgages. This enables families to stay in their home and their established community. Surrendering the ownership equity in a home is a very difficult decision for a family; however, the mortgage to rent option does provide families with stability and continuity, after an often long period of financial turmoil. Ownership of the home transfers to the local authority and the family pays a differential rent. LAMTR is just one of a range of short term and long term solutions available to local authority mortgage holders in arrears.
574. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of contracts which were put out to tender by the local authorities in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for water services, that is for waste water treatment, water treatment, bore holes, pumping stations and so on; if he will provide a breakdown of these figures per each individual local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5564/15]
View answerThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 , which is available in the Oireachtas Library, lists the water services schemes and contracts that were to be progressed under the programme. The timing of the commencement of contracts within that period was a matter for individual Water Services Authorities, subject to the requirement for my Department’s approval at key stages in the progression of projects through planning and on to construction.
Where a scheme had a procurement/construction stage budget of less than €5 million, following approval of the Preliminary Report by my Department, contracts within the scheme could proceed up to and including the seeking of tenders without the need for further Departmental approval, subject to the cost remaining within approved budgets. In these cases approval took the form of confirmation that funds were in place. For schemes/contracts in excess of €5m, approval to go to tender was also required.
Details of contracts with a value in excess of €5 million for which approval to go to tender was given is outlined in the table below.
The progression of these tenders was a matter for the individual Local Authorities.
|
Local Authority |
Scheme/Contract Name |
Estimated Contract Price |
Date Approved to go to Tender |
|
Cork County |
Clonakilty Sewerage Scheme |
€5,000,000 |
Sep 11 |
|
Cork County |
Youghal Sewerage Scheme Network Contract |
€7,300,800 |
May 12 |
|
Cork County |
Youghal Sewerage Scheme treatment Plant |
€10,910,567 |
May 12 |
|
Cork County |
Carrigtwohill Sewerage Scheme |
€17,480,000 |
Oct 12 |
|
Donegal |
Dungloe and Glenties Sewerage Scheme |
€10,240,000 |
Feb 11 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin Region Watermains Rehabilitation Project, Tranche 3 – Contract No. 8 |
€5,840,757 |
May 13 |
|
Fingal |
Leixlip water treatment Plant expansion stage 5 - Contract 1 |
€30,000,000 |
Feb 10 |
|
Galway City |
Galway Sewerage Scheme – Volume B – Mutton Island Wastewater Treatment Works Upgrade |
€6,419,000
|
Oct 13 |
|
Galway County |
Clifden Sewerage Scheme |
€5,458,370 |
Jun 11 |
|
Galway County |
Costelloe Regional Water Supply Scheme |
€8,891,000 |
Jun 11 |
|
Galway County |
Clifden Sewerage Scheme |
€5,130,840 |
Aug 13 |
|
Kerry |
Waterville Water & Sewerage Scheme Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants |
€8,676,325 |
Dec 10 |
|
Kildare |
Barrow Abstraction Rising mains Contract - Contract 3A |
€11,000,000 |
Jan 11 |
|
Kildare |
Barrow Abstraction Rising mains contract -Contract 2 |
€18,000,000 |
Jan 11 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 - Castlewarden to Ballygoran |
€15,000,000 |
May 11 |
|
Kildare |
Lower Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme - Upgrade and Extension of wastewater treatment Plant |
€21,980,000 |
Apr 12 |
|
Kildare |
Leixlip Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion. |
€29,023,838 |
May 13 |
|
Laois |
Laois Grouped Towns Sewerage Scheme –Network Contract |
€7,359,234 |
Oct 13 |
|
Longford |
Longford Towns &Villages Sewerage Scheme |
€7,137,820 |
Nov 11 |
|
Mayo |
Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme – Water Treatment Plant Upgrade. |
€6,124,000 |
Jul 12 |
|
Meath |
Oldcastle Sewerage Scheme |
€7,660,000 |
Feb 12 |
|
Roscommon |
Roscommon Town & Villages Sewerage Scheme |
€6,495,550 |
Feb 11 |
|
Roscommon |
North East Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme |
€9,552,000 |
May 11 |
|
Roscommon |
Four Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme |
€18,900,000 |
Mar 13 |
|
South Tipperary |
Burncourt Fethard Regional Water Supply Scheme |
€16,702,813 |
Jul 12 |
|
Waterford City |
Water Conservation Stage 3 Works - Watermains Rehabilitation Project Phase 3 - Contract No.1 |
€6,481,024 |
Dec 13 |
|
Waterford County |
Waterford Grouped Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme |
€34,157,864 |
Jul 12 |
|
Wexford |
Gorey Sewerage Scheme - Extension of Courtown Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTTP) |
€6,346,023 |
May 13 |
575. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on extending the Cork smokeless-coal-zone to include Midleton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5613/15]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital. Research indicated that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas.
In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated towns for the purpose of air quality management under the EU Cleaner Air for Europe Directive 2008/50/EC.
The ban has not previously been applied in Midleton, as it is not an EPA designated urban air quality management zone. However, the local authorities may at any time write to me to propose new towns for consideration for inclusion under the ban, if it is considered necessary to protect local air quality. It is suggested that, if a local authority is considering such a proposal, then this should first be debated as a Council motion and subject to a period of local consultation. This was the approach taken in relation to the recent consolidation of ban area boundaries in Celbridge/Maynooth and Wexford.
Air quality monitoring by the EPA has indicated that air quality is poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply, although smaller smoky coal ban areas may be more difficult to enforce. The further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. However, it is recognised that having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal, as it results in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.
577. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a long-term strategic plan for rural economic development; the number of rural enterprises that have been set-up in 2014 and a breakdown per county; if he will provide an update on the establishment of a rural innovation and development fund; if he will provide an update on any pilot community-based broadband initiatives to provide adequate provision of next generation broadband services to rural areas; the future funding allocations and provisions per county, in tabular form, for community enterprise centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5656/15]
View answerThe Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) outlined 34 recommendations to support rural economic development into the future and I, along with my Government colleagues, are committed to implementing these recommendations.
I am the Chair of the CEDRA Interdepartmental Group (IDG) that is working in a coordinated way to support the economic development of rural areas. In relation to the Rural Innovation and Development fund, which the Deputy refers to, an amount of €1 million has been allocated for this purpose in 2015 and I am currently examining ways to distribute this funding in order to maximise its impact at local level.
A number of the recommendations contained in the CEDRA report relate to the provision of broadband infrastructure in rural areas and form part of the work programme of the IDG. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is represented on the IDG and I am advised that the Department has recently launched a new website entitled www.broadband.gov.ie, which sets out the importance of all citizens having access to high speed broadband no matter where they live or work. The national broadband plan , which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, is an ambitious initiative that will take time to implement but I am confident will deliver for rural areas.
The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 which falls under my Department’s remit did provide support to both new and already established enterprise in rural areas. Since the current programme period began in 2009, 8, 698 enterprises have been supported and 4, 084 jobs created. In 2014, 1, 880 enterprises were supported with 1,148 jobs created. LEADER has also provided support in the past to Community Enterprise Centers in the context of the requirement for such centers having been identified in the needs analysis of the area concerned. As LEADER is a community led approach to development there are no allocations specifically for community enterprise centres; however, they are eligible for funding if the need for them is identified by the community concerned. LEADER is not the only avenue for funding to rural enterprise related activity, and in this context the information above should be supplemented by information from other relevant Departments.
It should be noted that support for rural enterprise development will also be available through the LEADER elements of RDP 2014-2020 where a total of €250 million euro will be available over the next 5-6 years to support the development of sustainable rural communities. LEADER is delivered through the medium of Local Development Strategies (LDS) by Local Action Groups and I hope to be in a position to launch the selection process for LDSs very shortly, with a view to having strategies operational towards the end of 2015.
The resources available through the LEADER elements of the RDP are critical to the future economic development of rural Ireland. However, it is also essential to ensure that these resources are working in a complementary way at a local level. In this context the delivery of a more coordinated approach to local development as envisaged by the local government reform process is also critical and I am confident that the delivery of LEADER and other resources in a coordinated way at a local level will provide strong support for the future sustainable development of rural Ireland.
578. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount outstanding on commercial water rates; the estimate of the amount that can be recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5664/15]
View answer583. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the most up-to-date compliance rates for payment of non-domestic water charges. [5830/15]
View answer603. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount collected in commercial water rates in each of the local authorities in 2013 and 2014. [6047/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 583 and 603 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 shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. Accordingly, the collection of water charges is now the statutory responsibility of Irish Water. Local authorities have continued to bill for non-domestic water services as agents of Irish Water since 1 January 2014. My Department does not hold information on the amount of outstanding non-domestic water charges owed to Irish Water.
The collection of non-domestic water charges until 31 December 2013 was a matter for the local authority concerned. Income data is published by local authorities in their Annual Financial Statements. The latest year for which audited Local Authority Annual Financial Statement data are available is 2012. Commercial water charges billed in that year amounted to some €187.6 million, while €180.7 million was collected. However, due to the historical arrears which had accumulated in preceding years, a total of €145,110,593 was owed to local authorities in respect of unpaid commercial water charges at the end of 2012, representing a 55% collection rate of all revenues due. The Local Authority Annual Financial Statement 2012 is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,39591,en.pdf .
My Department understands that the amount billed to the non-domestic sector, excluding connection charges, for 2014 was approx €180m. Final figures for 2014 will be available in the Irish Water financial statements, later in the year.
