Written Answers Nos. 548-565
548. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role his Department will have in the forthcoming referendum on voting age in May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3267/15]
View answerThe Thirty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015 was published on 26 January 2015. The Bill is to be debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
Following the publication of the Bill, I established a Referendum Commission under section 2 of the Referendum Act 1998 on 27 January 2015. The role of the Commission is to explain the subject matter of the referendum to the electorate, to promote public awareness of the referendum and to encourage the electorate to vote.
Whenever a Constitution Amendment Bill is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, I am required under section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994 to make an order appointing polling day and at the same time appointing a Referendum Returning Officer under section 14 of the Referendum Act 1994. I will make the polling day order and the appointment for the forthcoming referendums in due course.
549. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has made contact with the European Commission since its comments on water rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4304/15]
View answerI have not had any contact with the European Commission in relation to the Commission's second Post Programme Review for Ireland which was published by the Commission earlier this year and which contained commentary on the reform of the water sector in Ireland.
A key component of the strategy to establish Irish Water is that Irish Water will be classified as a Market Corporation under Eurostat rules and as a result, will not, other than in relation to Government operating subvention, be included in the calculation of the General Government Balance (GGB).
The Central Statistics Office is responsible for engagement with Eurostat on such matters, and my Department has met with that office and is providing the necessary information to facilitate this work. Early engagement with that office by my Department centred around understanding the rules by which a utility such as Irish Water would be considered as a market corporation. Based on this understanding, the Government is confident that the underlying funding model for Irish Water supports increased investment in the water sector through an off-balance sheet classification of the utility while at the same time providing for water charges which are affordable, clear and certain. The Government remains confident that Irish Water will pass the Market Corporation Test. The decision is ultimately a matter for Eurostat.
550. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the 1,046 vacant properties under the National Asset Management Agency's remit that have been brought into productive use in the Dublin City Council area to date. [8923/15]
View answerMy Department is working closely with NAMA, the Housing Agency, local authorities and approved housing bodies in relation to the delivery of social housing. Information in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units, including a full breakdown by county, of units delivered on a quarterly basis, is available on the Housing Agency's website at www.housing.ie/NAMA.
Since the process began in December 2011 up to the end of December 2014, 1,068 NAMA-sourced units have been delivered nationally through all delivery mechanisms. A further 686 properties transactions are under active consideration whereby either terms are agreed, negotiation is on-going between the parties concerned or where a detailed appraisal (i.e. determining the most likely delivery mechanism) is being carried out.
Up to the end of December 2014, in the Dublin City Council area, 813 housing units have been identified by NAMA as being potentially suitable for social housing. Of these, 336 have been completed or contracted, demand has been confirmed by the Council for a further 409 units and the remainder are either still under consideration or have been rejected as unsuitable by the Council.
I am confident that significant social housing units will continue to be delivered through this process.
551. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of agencies dealing with homelessness; the number of persons employed by these agencies; and the amount of funding provided to these agencies by the State. [8926/15]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of such services. Housing authorities will also provide funding from their own resources. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
In 2014 my Department provided a total of €49,205,774 in funding to housing authorities under Section 10. A significant portion of the funding provided annually by my Department goes towards costs incurred by housing authorities in funding the provision of homeless services by providers such as Focus Ireland, Simon Communities of Ireland, Peter McVerry Trust, Crosscare, DePaul Trust, Salvation Army, etc. Service level agreements are in place between housing authorities and service providers in respect of homeless services funded by local authorities under Section 10. These service providers may also receive other funding through Government departments and agencies.
As part of the Action Plan to Address Homelessness, which was formalised following the special summit on Homelessness convened by me on 4 December 2014, my Department will, later this year, commission an evaluation of the homelessness sector which will examine its structures, service delivery and coordination arrangements. A copy of this action plan is available on my Department's website at the following link http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
552. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons registered as homeless; and the number of persons sleeping rough. [8927/15]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Data on homeless households in emergency accommodation is provided through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). Quarterly reports from lead housing authorities are being published on my Department's website as soon as these are available. In addition, lead housing authorities provide monthly reports on homelessness which identify the number of people utilising State-funded emergency accommodation on a regional and county basis. These monthly reports also provide details of the breakdown of the individuals and the numbers of families and dependents that are in emergency accommodation. Both the quarterly and monthly reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/
There is no official national data in relation to rough sleeping, however the issue is monitored closely by housing authorities countywide but particularly in Dublin where a twice-yearly rough sleeper count is conducted through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive using a consistent enumeration methodology. The latest Dublin Region rough sleeper county was conducted on the night of the 11 November 2014 and recorded 168 individuals sleeping rough across the region. Following the subsequent introduction of an additional 271 emergency bed-spaces in the Dublin Region, arising from the special Summit on Homelessness which I hosted in December 2014, the level of rough sleeping dropped significantly with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive estimating that there are between 15 and 25 persons rough sleeping in the city centre environs nightly and an additional 7 persons rough sleeping in the outer urban and suburban areas. The next official Dublin Region rough sleeper count will be conducted in April. The problem of rough sleeping is limited outside of Dublin, with housing authorities in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford reporting sufficient bed capacity on a nightly basis and that there is no one sleeping rough due to a lack of a bed.
553. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application (details supplied) to the Mayo North East Leader Partnership; if it will be expedited due to the time taken to process the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8957/15]
View answerMy Department recently completed a review of the project referred to and has forwarded its findings to Mayo North East Leader Partnership. I am advised that Mayo North East Leader Partnership will be in contact with the project in relation to its application in due course.
554. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership (details supplied); when a decision will issue; if it will be expedited due to the length of time since the application was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8958/15]
View answer555. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership by an organisation (details supplied); if it will be expedited due to the time taken to process it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8975/15]
View answer556. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership in respect of a community centre (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it can be expedited due to the time taken to process the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together.
In line with agreed procedures, the applications referred to in the Questions have been submitted to my Department for review by Mayo North East Leader Partnership. I expect that the reviews in question will be completed by my Department shortly.
557. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the progress of housing assistance payments in local authorities; if he will report on plans for the roll-out of housing assistance payments in each of the four Dublin local authorities; the numbers in receipt of such payments, so far, in South Dublin County Council; and if he will report on the plans to fully roll out this programme in 2015. [8990/15]
View answerThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published on 26 November 2014. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income.
Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, on 18 December 2014, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all four Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
There are now 1,000 households being supported by HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme; 57 of these households are within the administrative area of South Dublin County Council.
During the legislation's passage through the Oireachtas in July 2014 an undertaking was given that a report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee, that would include a full review of the statutory pilot phase. Data for this report is being gathered from pilot sites and the report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht shortly. Based on data gathered for the review, consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year.
558. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme; if these will remove some of the decision-making functions from local groups and their members who represent the elderly community at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9002/15]
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 included 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 and following this a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas.
Monitoring has always been the responsibility of the beneficiary and this is not changing. There are no implications for existing installations in respect of the Pobal tender competition; however, under the new arrangements, Pobal are also providing a facility for beneficiaries to choose from a panel of monitoring companies or to continue with their current monitoring company. In this regard Pobal will also set up a panel of pre-qualified telecare service providers, who provide monitoring services and this was publicly advertised on eTenders on 6 November 2014.
Pobal will manage the Scheme on behalf of my Department and 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.
This new approach will reduce the administrative burden for the many hundreds of community and voluntary groups registered under the Scheme, who provide an excellent service for the elderly. It will enable the groups to concentrate on the main purpose of the Scheme, namely to support and interact with the elderly in the local community. The new arrangements will also allow my Department to concentrate on developing and improving the Scheme. This will enhance the outcome for both beneficiaries and community groups.
559. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the responsibilities that exist for local authorities to ensure houses are built in full compliance with the planning permission granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/15]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, places clear statutory obligations on planning authorities in relation to unauthorised development. Where a planning authority receives a written complaint regarding an unauthorised development, or otherwise becomes aware of unauthorised development (except in the case of trivial or minor development), it is required to issue a warning letter in relation to the unauthorised development concerned.
In addition, planning authorities are statutorily obliged to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued or a court order should be sought, under section 160 of the 2000 Act. Where a planning authority establishes, following an investigation, that unauthorised development (other than development that is of a trivial or minor nature) has been or is being carried out, and the person who has carried out the development has not proceeded to remedy the position, then the planning authority must issue an enforcement notice or seek a court order, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so. Furthermore, the planning authority's decision on whether to issue an enforcement notice must be entered on the planning register and, in cases where it is decided not to issue an enforcement notice, any complainant must be so informed.
With regard to the completion of housing estates and other residential developments generally, my Department's Circular Letter PD 1/08 on the Taking in Charge of Residential Developments/Management Arrangements which issued to planning authorities in February 2008 states that:
“Ensuring that residential developments are completed in accordance with the planning permission is an essential part of a comprehensive taking in charge policy. It is important that the construction of the development be regularly inspected by the planning authority to ensure satisfactory completion in accordance with the permission. It is also necessary for the planning authority to satisfy itself, when the developer has ceased construction or notified the planning authority that construction is complete, or after the planning permission has expired, that the development is properly completed in line with the planning permission and, where it is not properly completed, to take early and effective enforcement action.”
Circular Letter PD 1/08 was incorporated into my Department's Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas which issued to planning authorities in January 2009. These Guidelines were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and accordingly, planning authorities are statutorily required to have regard to them in the performance of their functions under the Act.
560. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the proposal to introduce a register for technologists to enable them to work under the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9049/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 519 of 18 November 2014 which sets out the background to the proposals for the statutory registration of Architectural Technologists and the context within which my Department is engaging with industry stakeholders on this matter. I welcome the decision by Quality Qualifications Ireland to facilitate the development of a common standard for architectural technology in line with the National Qualifications Framework which is an important step towards the development of a statutory register. I am committed to advancing plans for the statutory registration of architectural technologists as quickly as possible. It is intended that a public consultation on the matter will take place over the coming months with a view to early publication of legislative proposals thereafter.
561. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recently announced review of the boundaries of Cork and Galway cities and the possibility of amalgamating city and county councils, if he will report on the savings made to date and projected for the first year since the amalgamation of local authorities in counties Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5772/15]
View answerThe independent reviews of local government arrangements in Cork and Galway which I announced in January 2015 form part on an ongoing assessment of potential reforms which may be warranted beyond those measures arising from the Action Programme for Effective Local Government (2012) and provided for in the Local Government Reform 2014 Act.
The provisions of the 2014 Act, including those relating to the merger of city/county councils in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, only came into effect on 1 June 2014. Accordingly, 2015 will be the first full year of the operation of these and other significant changes in the local government system, such as the establishment of municipal districts and a range of new governance arrangements. In the circumstances, it would be premature to attempt a comprehensive assessment of the financial or other impacts of these changes at this stage.
However, it is important to view the benefits of merger in terms of the broader objectives of local government reform such as addressing issues and anomalies relating to boundaries, eliminating duplication and separate administrative processes, reducing staff numbers in senior management grades, achieving economies of scale and improving efficiency and service delivery, rather than the partial focus on expenditure reductions.
562. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of public sector workers employed in the maintenance section of Fingal County Council in 2008; and in 2014; his views on lifting the moratorium on recruitment, in this area; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5555/15]
View answer563. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of public sector workers employed in the maintenance section of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2008 and in 2014; his views on lifting the moratorium on recruitment in this area; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5556/15]
View answer564. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of workers employed in the maintenance section of South Dublin County Council in 2008 and in 2014; his views on lifting the moratorium on recruitment in this area; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5557/15]
View answer565. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of public sector workers employed in the maintenance section of Dublin City Council in 2008 and in 2014; his views on lifting the moratorium on recruitment in this area; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5602/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562 to 565, inclusive, together.
The information requested in relation to the number of public sector workers employed in local authority maintenance sections is not held in my Department.
In relation to the moratorium on recruitment, as announced in the recent Budget, it is proposed that with effect from 2015, the moratorium and the Employment Control Framework for the Public Service will be lifted but recruitment/promotion will be subject to adherence to binding 3 year pay ceilings. Staffing resources must be managed within these overall ceilings. Detailed arrangements in terms of the local authority sector are currently being worked out between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
