Written Answers Nos 240-249
240. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authority employment contracts now attach a clause that prohibits workers from contacting elected representatives, regarding any staffing related manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6404/15]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, local authority employee contracts are a matter for the chief executives.
241. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider flying the Amber Flag from his Department buildings, on a chosen day, in order to raise awareness of the Amber Flag programme, which works to raise awareness of mental health issues within second level schools, sports clubs and youth organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6429/15]
View answerMy Department will co-operate with whatever position may be adopted at central level in respect of this matter.
242. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 14 October 2014, if he will provide the page number he was referring to, when he stated the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014 estimates total expenditure from the local Government fund of €1.779 billion in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6473/15]
View answerThe Revised Estimates volume for the local government fund in 2014 can be found as an appendix to Vote 25 for my Department on page 109.
243. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns held by volunteers in local community groups regarding the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme, in particular regarding the lack of consultation with those groups who have been administering this scheme, with such great effect up to now; his views on delaying the implementation to allow for more conclusive discussion regarding these changes with the grassroots volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6480/15]
View answerMy Department manages the seniors alert scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and arising from this, it was decided that the scheme be managed by Pobal, given that organisation’s significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.
Pobal’s management and administrative services for the Scheme includes an invitation to tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms, which was publicly advertised on eTenders on 20 October 2014. The tender process, which is being led by Pobal, is almost complete. Following on from this, a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas. As the market for the equipment is well established, it was neither necessary nor appropriate to engage in consultations with the market on the matter prior to the tender process.
My Department has taken note of the concerns expressed. While Pobal will manage the Scheme on behalf of my Department, it is important to note that my Department will retain responsibility for the strategic policy direction of the Scheme. It will also have an oversight role in relation to Pobal’s delivery of the Scheme, and will ensure that the valuable community support for elderly persons provided by the many hundreds of community and voluntary groups across the country will be maintained.
The new arrangements will allow my Department to concentrate on developing and improving the Scheme. This will enhance the outcome for both beneficiaries and community groups.
244. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the independent review of inquiries into planning irregularities in six local authorities; the action he will take; if inquiries will be extended to other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6487/15]
View answer245. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to publish advice received from the Attorney General in relation to alleged planning irregularities in County Donegal; the action he will take on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6488/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions in six selected planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I expect to receive the final report from the consultants shortly and I subsequently intend to publish it having considered its contents.
I have no plans to extend this targeted planning review to other planning authorities. As a matter of practice, in the interests of ensuring maximum transparency and integrity for the planning system and the achievement of proper planning and sustainable development generally, I continue to keep under review measures to improve the consistency of approach in the implementation of planning legislation and policy across all planning authorities in order that the delivery of planning services are continually improved, in the interests of public confidence in the planning system and that it stands up to public scrutiny at every stage from policy formulation to decision making.
My Department is also considering proposals in respect of the next steps to be taken in respect of Donegal County Council planning matters, taking account of advice from the Office of the Attorney General. I expect a decision will be made shortly on the course to be pursued in this case.
246. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total fees and expenses paid to each member of the Private Residential Tenancies Board's dispute resolution committee for the period 2012 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6519/15]
View answer247. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current number of vacancies on the Private Residential Tenancy Board's dispute resolution committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6520/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The primary functions of the Board are to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.
Details on payments made to Dispute Resolution Committee members are available in the PRTB’s annual reports. The annual reports for 2012 and 2013 are available on the PRTB website at http://www.prtb.ie/about-prtb/who-we-are/annual-reports. The 2014 annual report is not yet available.
Section 159 of the Act provides for a Dispute Resolution Committee of up to 40 members including the Chairperson. There are currently 15 members on the Dispute Resolution Committee and the PRTB commenced a competitive process for new appointments to the DRC in 2014. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Board after consultation with the Minister.
The Residential Tenancies Amendment ( No. 2 ) Bill 2012, currently before the Oireachtas, provides that, inter alia, members of the Board may no longer sit on the Dispute Resolution Committee.
248. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements which are currently in place with local authorities; the total value of loans outstanding for this category of home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6523/15]
View answer249. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements with local authorities which are in arrears; if a process is in place for dealing with such arrears cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6524/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
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. However, the data currently available does not provide a specific breakdown in respect of Shared Ownership Mortgages. A data collection process is currently under way, referred to further below, which will provide information 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.
In 2013, the Housing Agency was asked to conduct a standalone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. An initial draft of the review was received from the Agency and a number of issues were identified that needed further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact 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.
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.
