Wednesday, 25 Feb 2015

Written Answers Nos. 171-195

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Questions (172, 175)

John McGuinness

Question:

172. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the 50,400 housing units to be delivered, if he will confirm the counties that will benefit from this strategy; the number of units built to date; the number of units under construction, and their location; the number of units in the planning process, and design stage; the number of units to be delivered in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he has sought or received from the various local authorities, arising from provision made in budget 2015, precise details of housing needs as registered on local authority housing waiting lists; the degree to which he has been given specific targets including house purchases by the local authorities or specifically available serviced or serviceable sites to address the housing crisis which particularly affects counties adjoining Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8421/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together.

The Social Housing Strategy 2020 published in November 2014 sets out clear, measureable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list.

The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units , through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand.

Target-setting on an individual local authority by local authority basis is well underway, and will be concluded in Quarter 1 2015, in accordance with the timeline set out in the Strategy. In this regard, letters have issued to each local authority, from my Department, seeking delivery proposals, across all delivery mechanisms, for the years 2015 to 2017 and returns are currently being received and collated.

With regard to overall national delivery targets for 2015, I expect that some 7,400 new social housing units will be provided, broken down as follows:

- 1,400 units to be built or acquired by local authorities and approved housing bodies;

- 3,000 units under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative;

- 1,000 vacant local authority units will be returned to use ; and

- 2,000 new Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) units.

In addition, a further 8,400 households will be assisted through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Total housing provision for 2015 will result in an investment of almost €800 million across a range of housing programmes.

Over the two year period 2016 to 2017, I envisage some 13,500 additional new units will be provided, while a further 22,000 households will also be accommodated through HAP and RAS in that period. The precise details of the delivery will be agreed on a local authority by local authority basis.

In terms of land use, local authorities will have regard to the suitability and availability of land within their land banks and sites within the Land Aggregation Scheme, when making proposals to my Department.

Finally, my Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy. Data on local authority housing stock (including the number of units completed and the number of units in progress, broken down by local authority) is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Questions (173)

John McGuinness

Question:

173. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to include 20 disability organisations, including the Migraine Association of Ireland, under the new round of funding by scheme to support national organisations, from which they were excluded; if the outcome of the appeals process in regard to this funding will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8375/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The organisation referred to in the Question was not successful on this occasion.

Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which is currently being considered.

On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4 million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO. The Migraine Association of Ireland was allocated €29,014 for the twelve month period to 30 June 2015.

The review process is underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.

Regeneration Projects Funding

Questions (174)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

174. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the financial appraisal by Dublin City Council regarding the restarting of the regeneration of Dominic Street flats in Dublin 1; if he will provide urgent attention to these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

A Capital Appraisal for the regeneration of the Dominick Street flats complex was recently submitted to my Department by Dublin City Council in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Works Management Framework. This is now under consideration and my Department will be in contact with the City Council when this process is concluded.

Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 172.

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Questions (176)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the submissions made to his Department, for approval by Kildare County Council, in respect of the Kilmacreddock-Barogstown wastewater treatment scheme. [8423/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 228 of 15 January, 2015. I expect to be in a position to announce, in the coming weeks, details of funding to be allocated, by way of block grant allocations, to local authorities under the 2015 Rural Water Programme.

National Trails Office

Questions (177)

Michael Creed

Question:

177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 481 and 482 of 17 February 2015 the position regarding a landowner, through whose lands one of the 39 trails covered by the walks scheme referred to in his previous replies traverses, but who is currently excluded from any payment for the maintenance of this particular stretch of trail or walkway, the way such an individual landowner, who was inadvertently excluded from benefit, when the trail was being developed, will now be included under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8438/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has been in contact with the Local Development Company administering the Walks Scheme referred to in the Question.

I am advised that the Local Development Company are examining the matter further and subject to ownership and entitlement being verified, it may be possible to facilitate this landowner.

Local Authority Offices

Questions (178)

Clare Daly

Question:

178. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department's officials requested Sligo County Council to close any part of the motor tax service, or library service, in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8446/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Decisions regarding the motor tax service or library service in County Sligo are a matter for Sligo County Council.

While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular and ongoing consultation with Sligo County Council in relation to their financial position.

Regeneration Projects Status

Questions (179)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

179. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will accede to the request from Dublin City Council for an additional executive planner to assist in the preparation of a local area plan for Ballymun, Dublin 11, in view of the importance of this plan to the regeneration, and future social and economic development, of the area. [8464/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has approved the sanction request for an additional executive planner as outlined in the question.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (180)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

180. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied). [8469/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2013 build on the commercial food waste regulations introduced in 2009, and are being implemented on a phased basis, beginning with population centres greater than 25,000 people. These Regulations are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste, in line with the national policy and the Waste Framework Directive objectives of maximising the resource which can be extracted from waste and minimising the disposal of waste.  There are positive indications that the implementation and enforcement of these Regulations is resulting in more food waste being diverted from landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency recently published Compost and Anerobic Digestion (AD) Statistics for 2013 which highlighted the following trends:

- The quantity of municipal organic waste accepted for treatment at composting facilities was 158 ktonnes in 2013, a 3% increase from 154 ktonnes in 2012;

- The quantity of food waste accepted at composting and AD facilities in 2013 was up 8% (from 105 ktonnes in 2012 to 114 ktonnes in 2013);

- The quantity of brown bin organic waste (food and garden waste) accepted at anaerobic digestion facilities increased from 0.7 ktonnes in 2010 to 7.7 ktonnes in 2013.

The successful roll-out of the brown bin is dependent on appropriate education and awareness measures being introduced to support households in using the brown bin correctly. In this regard, my Department has supported the organisation referred to through conference sponsorship and grants to fund food waste awareness campaigns. Support has also been provided to the organisation to develop a website, www.brownbin.ie, to provide the public with the information required to use the brown bin appropriately, including advice on the optimal methods for effective collection and storage of food waste.

Further funding has been provided to conduct a review of best international practice on how to educate households on using the brown bin correctly and in implementing a pilot project on the use of brown bin advisors, a key recommendation of the review. The aim of this project is to assess how a range of educational and collection tools can improve the capture and quality of food waste in the brown bin.

This interaction demonstrates the continued close working relationship which exists between my Department and the organisation concerned. I am prepared to continue to support initiatives such as those outlined which assist the public in the diversion of their food waste towards more beneficial uses and to continue working with organisations that are active in developing measures that will increase the amount of food waste that is recovered through the production of energy, compost and digestate, thereby creating opportunities for added jobs and value.

Any requests from the organisation concerned for a meeting, either at Ministerial or Departmental level, will be considered, having regard to, inter alia, the suggested agenda and diary pressures.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (181)

Finian McGrath

Question:

181. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that there are no figures for glass eel or elvers going into the western river basin district, the justification for keeping the western region closed to eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8467/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) operate an elver monitoring programme in a number of locations around the country, including in the Western River Basin District. IFI monitor the trends in the elver run at these locations on an annual basis. The data collected is used in Ireland's reporting obligations to the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007. The data is also provided to the Eel Working Group of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC - United Nations) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The data is scientifically analysed and modelled to determine the eel production for Europe as eel stocks in Ireland are a component of a pan European stock.

Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the 2007 EU Eel regulation. The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea:

- a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market,

- mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations,

- ensure upstream migration of juvenile eel at barriers,

- an improvement of water quality.

The overall requirement and objective is to provide, with high probability, a long-term 40% escapement to the sea of the biomass of silver eel, relative to pristine conditions (i.e. if the stock had been completely free of man-made influences including commercial fishing).

The latest advice from ICES in 2014 states that “The status of eel remains critical and ICES advises that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution) affecting production and escapement of silver eels should be reduced to – or kept as close to – zero as possible. The annual recruitment to Europe has increased over the last 3 years from 5% to 12% of historic levels, however recruitment is still well below the reference levels of 1960-1979 and there is no change in the status of the eel as being critically endangered”.

Ireland’s EMP was reviewed in 2012 including a comprehensive scientific assessment of eel stocks nationally. The 2012 review included a robust public consultation during which many issues were raised and considered. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation are available on the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) web site. Similar reviews were carried out across EU Member States as the eel stock has radically declined throughout Europe. The status of the European Eel is defined by the United Nations as critically endangered.

Ireland’s EMP will be reviewed again this year and an opportunity for further consultation with, and submissions from, stakeholders will be advanced at that time.

Fuel Prices

Questions (182)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he and his European Union colleagues have discussed the need to ensure that the drop in world oil prices is passed to the consumer in terms of reduced prices at the pumps, home-heating costs, industrial and agriculture energy costs; if efforts continue to be made to reflect the entire reduction of world oil and gas prices in the domestic economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8422/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Energy competitiveness is one of the three main pillars of energy policy, the other two being sustainability and security of supply. One of the main ways that competitiveness is addressed at a European level is through ensuring that the EU has well-functioning, liberalised energy markets. This is seen as the most effective means to deliver energy to consumers at lowest cost. The fall in oil and gas prices on international markets has not been a specific topic of discussion between energy ministers at recent meetings.

At a domestic level, the Commission for Energy Regulation's (CER) primary economic responsibilities in energy are to regulate the Irish electricity and natural gas sectors. There is free entry to the Irish oil market, no price control and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. It is important to note that the Irish oil sector is completely privatised, liberalised and deregulated and the CER has no role in the oil market.

Oil is consumed in two sectors of the economy - in transport and heating. The amount of oil used in the electricity sector is negligible at less than 1%. In terms of gasoline and diesel prices at the pump and home heating prices, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (under the aegis of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) has a role in ensuring that the market is functioning correctly and that consumers are not being disadvantaged. Previous investigations and surveys into oil prices, including home heating oil, have been undertaken by the National Consumer Agency (now the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission), and these are available at www.ccpc.ie. The research indicates that the price paid by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market.

The European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/observatory/oil/bulletin_en.htm.

I should also mention that I recently launched a public consultation on affordable energy which may be of interest to the Deputy. This is available at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Energy/Energy+Efficiency+and+Affordability+Division/Affordable+Energy.htm.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (183, 184)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

183. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding options that were explored during the 12 January 2015 round table meeting between members of his Department's team and the European Union Telecommunications Commissioner, Mr Gunther Oettinger, in relation to the rolling out of the high-speed broadband network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8424/15]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

184. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a consistent and reliable access to high-speed broadband will be rolled out to remote premises and islands in the north west of the country; if a list of remote premises under consideration for the roll out is available, which indicates the Government's intention to include remote communities in the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8425/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades. Approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services within the next two years.

A public consultation on a national high speed coverage map 2016 which was launched last November, closed on the 12th February. 27 submissions have been received to date and will be assessed over the coming weeks in terms of the overall intervention strategy. The map continues to be available at www.broadband.gov.ie . The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention.

The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country and includes islands in the north west of the country. All individual premises can be viewed on the map. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.

In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including the optimum procurement model, ownership model for the infrastructure and likely market impact.

On 12th January, the Department attended a roundtable meeting in Brussels hosted by EU Telecommunications Commissioner, Günther Oettinger. The aim of the meeting was to understand the challenges faced by Member States in ensuring high speed broadband availability to all citizens and to inform the development of the "Juncker Plan" funding package which aims to accelerate investment in broadband and other economic infrastructure. Arising from the roundtable, the Department had a further meeting with Commission officials and also met with the European Investment Bank to consider funding options. Discussions on the most appropriate funding model are continuing as the Department moves to finalise a draft intervention strategy.

Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy during next summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders. The Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.

Semi-State Bodies

Questions (185)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

185. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the names of the basket of companies identified by Towers Watson, to calculate the market median for Ervia employees, as part of the Ervia group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8436/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

This is an operational matter for Ervia and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. I will, however, ask the company to respond directly to the Deputy.

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (186)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

186. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will identify the total number of employees in Ervia who have an element of their basic pay at risk, as part of their contract, since the changes agreed in 2013, who received no portion of their at risk pay; if he will provide, in tabular form, for each salary range, the total percentage of pay that is at risk, as part of the new changes to Ervia employees contracts agreed in 2013; if he will provide, in tabular form, for each salary range, the total nominal and percentage amount of pay that is at risk, as part of the new changes to Ervia employees contracts agreed in 2013, which was paid out for each salary range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8437/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

This is an operational matter for Ervia and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. I will, however, ask the company to respond directly to the Deputy.

Road Improvement Schemes

Questions (187)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

187. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the financial figures, per county, of the 2015 local road improvement allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8332/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The purpose of the Local Improvement Scheme is to provide funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge; that is, private roads and laneways.  However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. At present, local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so . The local contribution for these schemes is 20% of the total cost of the project.  Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources. 

The grant allocations (including Discretionary Grants) to local authorities for this year were released on the 3rd February and the details are in the allocations booklet in the Dáil Library.

Some local authorities want a ring-fenced LIS allocation for private roads while others prefer to put the funding into public roads. I think this decision is best made at a local level.

The total grant available for LIS for each local authority is outlined in the table below:

County Councils	Discretionary Grant	Available for LIS
CARLOW	€      906,358	€    135,954
CAVAN	€   1,886,484	€    282,973
CLARE	€   3,099,477	€    464,922
CORK	€   3,487,574	€    523,136
DONEGAL	€   4,531,433	€    679,715
GALWAY	€   4,798,774	€    719,816
KERRY	€   3,343,504	€    501,526
KILDARE	€   2,241,473	€    336,221
KILKENNY	€   2,292,455	€    343,868
LAOIS	€   1,542,915	€    231,437
LEITRIM	€   1,573,178	€    235,977
LIMERICK	€   2,913,092	€    436,964
LONGFORD	€   1,137,968	€    170,695
LOUTH	€   1,159,161	€    173,874
MAYO	€   4,585,378	€    687,807
MEATH	€   3,062,913	€    459,437
MONAGHAN	€   1,742,007	€    261,301
OFFALY	€   1,552,009	€    232,801
ROSCOMMON	€   2,805,948	€    420,892
SLIGO	€   1,874,723	€    281,208
TIPPERARY	€   4,018,126	€    602,719
WATERFORD	€   2,320,528	€    348,079
WESTMEATH	€   1,584,921	€    237,738
WEXFORD	€   2,552,570	€    382,886
WICKLOW	€   1,520,116	€    228,017
Total	€ 62,533,085	€ 9,379,963

State Airports

Questions (188, 189, 190, 191)

Micheál Martin

Question:

188. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is prepared to sanction a route development fund for Cork Airport to ensure a sustainable future for that airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8401/15]

Micheál Martin

Question:

189. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continuous annual decline of passenger numbers going through Cork Airport; his plans to create a sustainable pathway for future growth at the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8402/15]

Micheál Martin

Question:

190. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider establishing the Cork Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8403/15]

Micheál Martin

Question:

191. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the draft national aviation plan outlines a sustainable pathway for growth at Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8404/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, together.

The daa is the body charged with statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin and Cork Airports.  The daa operates under a clear commercial mandate, is entirely funded from its own resources and receives no Government funding supports.  As such, responsibility for addressing the decline in passenger numbers going through Cork Airport and any plans to create a sustainable pathway for future growth at the airport are matters for the daa and Cork Airport management.  They are not matters in which I have a direct role.

That said, I am well aware and concerned at the continuing decline in passenger numbers at Cork. It was because of this decline that the Cork Airport Development Council (CADC) was established under an initiative of my predecessor, with the intention of bringing key local stakeholders together to foster a common understanding of issues of concern, identify potential opportunities for growth and to address the operating performance of the airport. The Council is chaired by the Chairman of the daa, and comprises senior representatives from the tourism and business sectors in the Cork region who are actively engaged in achieving the goals set for the Council.

I believe that there are opportunities, particularly in the tourism sector, to grow incoming passenger numbers in the Cork region.  I am aware that the daa has attractive incentive programmes available that encourage the introduction of new routes and services at their airports.  I also understand that Tourism Ireland has undertaken significant cooperative marketing activity with carriers serving Cork Airport to promote flights to Cork and boost travel to the wider regions.  The agency will continue to monitor developments at Cork Airport and work with the Airport and relevant stakeholders to maximise the numbers using existing services and to help to make the case of additional new services with potential tourism benefits for the Cork region.  In this connection, it should be noted that all of my Department's allocation for tourism is provided for the use of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, and I do not have discretionary funding available for individual marketing initiatives.

Ultimately, creating new services and growing inbound tourism depends not just on the availability of competitive access but also on ensuring that potential visitors have a reason to visit.  I would urge all the regional stakeholders to work with Cork Airport, the daa and the CADC to pursue every opportunity to develop and highlight the tourism product that is available in the catchment area of the airport.

It is intended that the National Aviation Policy (NAP), which is currently being finalised, will restate Government Policy in relation to Cork while recognising Cork Airport’s role as a key tourism and business gateway for that region, the strategic role of the airport in serving Ireland’s second city and its hinterland, as well as the potential for the airport to avail of opportunities for growth such as Tourism Ireland’s co-operative marketing investment initiative.  The NAP will make clear, however, that it is a matter for the airport and daa to stabilise and grow traffic and that it remains Government policy that Exchequer funding is not provided to the State airports.

As a result of the decision by Government that Cork Airport would remain part of the daa Group, provision was included in the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 for the dissolution of the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) and that process is currently underway.  While the Act also provides for the re-establishment of CAA if separation is decided on by Government at a future date, there are no plans to revisit that policy at this time.  It should be noted, however, that daa has since put in place arrangements for Cork Airport to be run as a stand alone business unit within the Group, properly resourced at management level locally.  This leads to faster day to day decision making, with daa Group assisting and providing support where required.

Semi-State Bodies

Questions (192)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

192. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times regrading of staff has occurred in Irish Rail in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, in respect of clerical, executive, administrative, management and engineering staff; and in respect of each, regrading the grade from and to the Department concerned, and whether or not a job evaluation process was applied. [8429/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Cearta Móna

Questions (193)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

193. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil stráicí móna a dtabhairt amach ar cíos do dhaoine ag an tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra; má tá, an bhfuil stráicí ar fáil ar cíos nó ar léas i gConamara; má tá, cad iad sonraí na bportach ina bhfuil na stráicí seo ar fáil i gConamara; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [8329/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Níl aon socruithe ginearálta i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinnse faoina bhfuil stráicí móna curtha ar cíos ná ar léas i gConamara ná in aon áit eile. É sin ráite, tá roinnt socruithe sonracha i bhfeidhm, ar socruithe stairiúla iad go príomha. Mar shampla, tá cead ag trí theaghlach móin a ghearradh ar thailte Marconi, mar a thugtar orthu, ó dheas ón gClochán, de réir socruithe a rinneadh sular cheannaigh mo Roinn na tailte sin. Tá socrúcháin eile atá cosúil leo seo i bhfeidhm i ndail le stráicí móna ar Phortach Choill na Gloine i gContae Uíbh Fhailí agus i limistéar nach bhfuil ainmnithe os cionn Ghleann Crí i gCo. Chill Mhantáin, ar a dtugtar na Featherbeds. Ar phortach Dhoire Cinn Locha i gContae Mhaigh Eo, ta 14 stráice in úsáid, agus is iad bainteoirí móna a athlonnaíodh as Limistéar Caomhantais Speisialta Phortach na Fliuchmhuine an chuid is mó acu; tá móinchearta á n-éilimh ag roinnt teaghlach i bPáirc Náisiúnta Bhaile Chruaich agus i bPáirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha. Cuireadh tús le mórchuid na n-éileamh a bhaineann le Gleann Bheatha le linn ré Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann.

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Questions (194)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that significant challenges exist to the proper conservation of the Curragh, County Kildare, principally due to high vehicular traffic and illegal dumping; the measures her Department is undertaking to help preserve the Curragh, in line with the County Kildare biodiversity plan; if she will consider designating the area a natural heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8378/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Curragh is considered the most extensive tract of semi-natural grassland in the country and has great natural value, as well as its notable archaeological and historical significance. While my Department is aware of the conservation issues referred to by the Deputy, the regulation of the vehicles on the Curragh is a matter for the Department of Defence and unlawful dumping is a matter for Kildare County Council. The Kildare Biodiversity Plan set the objective of establishing a conservation and management strategy for the Curragh and my Department is available to contribute, as appropriate, to the preparation of such a strategy.

With regard to designation issues, my Department has prioritised the designations required under the EU Nature Directives. While a review of Natural Heritage Areas is foreseen, this will not take place in the immediate future, having regard to the available resources.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (195)

Áine Collins

Question:

195. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when funding will be made available for the replacement of windows in a protected structure-listed building (details supplied). [8433/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, a number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures in general.

I recently announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This Fund, which will be administered through the local authorities, encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The amount of funding available per project will be subject to a minimum level of €15,000 and a maximum level of €60,000. Works to windows to prevent water ingress and to repair significant elements of external joinery are deemed to be qualifying works under the terms of the Fund.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. For 2015, the Council is administering a community-based heritage grants scheme with funding of €600,000 available for projects that contribute to particular heritage themes. If relevant to the case in question, I understand that applications are now open until 20 March 2015 for the scheme. The Heritage Council’s website is www.heritagecouncil.ie.

The project referred to by the Deputy may also be eligible for reliefs or grants administered by other Government Departments, local authorities or agencies.

The statutory Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2004), reissued by my Department in 2011, contains a chapter on Openings - Doors and Windows (Chapter 10), which outline the general conservation principles that apply to protected structures and to historic structures in general. In addition, as part of an Architectural Advice Series, my Department has published a series of advice books, one of which includes practical advice and guidance on the “repair” of historic windows, with another guide published in 2010 on energy efficiency in traditional buildings. Both the Planning Guidelines and the Advice Series are also available on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie. It is advised that owners or occupiers of historic properties seek advice directly from their local authority regarding heritage conservation.