Written Answers Nos 121-150
121. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the lack of a sports field at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10625/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has already provided significant physical education (PE) facilities at the newly constructed primary and post-primary schools at the educational campus of the school referred to in County Meath.
Two general purpose rooms, three external ball courts and two junior play areas were provided at the new primary school. In addition, a PE hall and six external hard play areas were provided at the post-primary school. Similar facilities will also be provided at the remaining primary school due to be constructed in the area.
The Department understands that the former VEC has also previously developed a one acre pitch on the campus.
In the circumstances, and taking into account the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available for the provision of essential classroom accommodation, it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the provision of further sports facilities at the school in question at this time.
122. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on making it mandatory that career guidance counsellors form part of staffing for post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10628/15]
View answerI have no plans to return to a situation where there would be a separate allocation for guidance in schools. If economic recovery continues I hope the Government will be in a position to improve the standard staffing allocation to schools. However, I believe that it is desirable to give schools discretion on how to use those increased resources. Since September 2012 at post primary level guidance provision is now being organised by school management from within the staffing schedule allocation. Guidance is a whole school activity and schools have autonomy on how best to prioritise their available resources to meet the requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to students. This operates at local school level. The Department helped shelter the impact for DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations.
Guidance counsellors have two distinct functions. The first is general career guidance and guidance on the educational opportunities a child or young person might pursue, while the second involves support for students' well-being. The principal and leadership of a school have the best knowledge and experience to determine how exactly guidance resources and teaching resources should be allocated.
123. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide additional resources and hours to children attending school in September 2015 who have been assessed and diagnosed with mild Down's syndrome. [10630/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that under the existing allocation system, all pupils with Down syndrome, including pupils with mild general learning difficulties, are entitled to receive additional teaching support.
Support is provided from a school's General Allocation Model (GAM) hours, or from an allocation of additional resource teacher hours allocated to schools by the NCSE.
In the current school year my Department has allocated approximately 4950 learning support/resource teachers through general allocation, while the NCSE has allocated over 6200 resource teachers.
I am aware, however, that some parents, and Down syndrome representative organisations, have concerns that the existing system does not give them certainty as to the support that their children will receive under the GAM, as these hours are distributed locally by schools.
I recently met with Down Syndrome Ireland, and some parents of children with Down syndrome to discuss their concerns in this regard.
I will consider and review the issues which have been raised and will keep the House informed of my developing views on this matter.
124. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide data on all legislation enacted by her Department since March 2011 and the total number of amendments tabled by her. [10636/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated at present within my Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
125. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the professional qualifications that Education Services Overseas Limited teachers employed by Education and Training Boards in the basic education sector are required to have. [10666/15]
View answer126. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether Education Services Overseas Limited teaching staff are required to be members of the Teaching Council. [10667/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
I understand both questions refer to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision.
My Department, through SOLAS, funds English language tuition for adults as part of the Adult Literacy service. Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for the organisation and delivery of tuition locally, including the recruitment of staff. There are no set requirements in relation to qualifications. Individual ETBs, as employers, set the criteria for positions and may include qualification requirements as part of their staff recruitment process.
Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act became operational on 28 January 2014. From then all persons employed as teachers in recognised schools must be registered with the Teaching Council, the professional standards body for teachers, in order to be paid by the State. Staff delivering ESOL programmes would not generally be employed as teachers nor be employed in recognised schools.
127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the hourly rates of pay for Education Services Overseas Limited teachers and if these vary from one education training board to another. [10668/15]
View answerMy Department has sought clarification on the issue and will reply directly to the Deputy.
128. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the recent statement by the Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection regarding the importance of foreign languages being included in the primary school curriculum, his views on the re-introduction of modern languages in the primary schools initiative, which was abolished in 2012, in view of the current statistic of just one in 25 primary school pupils learning a foreign language; if she will endeavour to include this subject in the primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10681/15]
View answerA new integrated primary languages curriculum is currently being developed for Junior Infants to 2nd classes by the NCCA. The integrated curriculum includes both English and Gaeilge. The idea of the new curriculum is to ensure that language skills are transferred effectively from one language to the other, whether that is through English or Irish. Such transferable skills will assist students in learning a third language in their second level education.
The new language curriculum aims to encourage children of different languages and cultures to be proud of and to share their heritage. These children will be given opportunities to explore and inform their class on the culture and customs of the country or heritage from which their language comes. It also aims to promote a positive disposition towards communication and language and to foster within children a lifelong interest in and a love of languages learning.
The Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative (MLPSI) provided foreign languages to a relatively small number of schools (545 out of a total 3284).
I believe that the language skills achieved through their primary education will enable our young learners to more easily take on additional languages when they enter second level education. There are many language options available for them both at junior cycle and even more at senior cycle.
A new languages policy for education is currently being developed and I look forward to receiving the strategy later in the year. Almost 80 submissions have been received and a number of the submissions relate to languages in the primary sector.
129. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has completed its analysis of the demographic trends in the catchment area of a school ( details supplied) in County Kildare; if that analysis supports the strong contention that additional second level places will need to be provided; if consideration is being given to an application by the school for additional classroom accommodation; if this project will be advanced through the devolved building programme; the timeframe within which her Department recognises the accommodation need that must be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10697/15]
View answerThe nationwide demographic analysis to determine where additional post-primary accommodation may be needed from 2016 onwards is a significant exercise and is still ongoing. When the exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed. The content of a recent letter from the school in question is being considered in this context.
My Department has already approved a devolved grant to provide additional accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers. The project is at an advanced stage and is nearing completion.
130. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 24 February 2015, her views on correspondence (details supplied), regarding a language unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10747/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the availability and provision of health-related services, including speech and language therapy supports, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and matters in relation to the provision of such services should be directed to that body. My Department has no responsibility or mandate for such services.
However, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department works with service-providing partners in the health and disability sectors to support the co-ordinated delivery of services to families of children with special educational needs. The interdepartmental Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising of representatives of my Department, Department of Health and Children, the National Council for Special Education and the Health Service Executive, plans for co-ordinated service delivery across the disability sector.
In addition, my Department is a member of the Health and Education Steering Committee which has been established to progress the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People. This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children. The long term goal of this Programme is to bring consistency in service delivery and a clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need.
As I have explained previously, pupils with SSLD have the option of attending their local school with additional teaching supports or attending a Special Class for pupils with SSLD. Speech and language therapy services are provided in all cases by the HSE.
The NCSE is responsible for opening special classes in schools, where sufficient need arises, advises parents with regard to the availability of special classes in their area or to the potential establishment of new classes.
Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
131. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 532 of 3 March 2015, her views on correspondence (details supplied), regarding child protection concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10748/15]
View answerI reiterate that if the Deputy, or any other person, has a child protection concern regarding a school it should be reported to the Child and Family Agency.
The Deputy's question is based on an individual case. The identities of the relevant persons concerned and of the school authorities involved have not been disclosed to me, and so in the particular circumstances the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment any further on the case in question.
I refer again to my reply of 3 March 2015 regarding the current arrangements for dealing with child protection concerns and the improvements that are being made and will continue to be made to the State's national child protection architecture.
132. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the date by which a person not currently on the electoral register must be included on the supplementary electoral register in order to vote in the upcoming referendums being held on 22 May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10832/15]
View answer133. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the date by which a person who wishes to be included on the postal and special voters list on the electoral register in order to vote in the upcoming referendums being held on 22 May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10833/15]
View answer143. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to facilitate Irish citizens to cast their vote by post or online who are out of the country, at work or on holidays at the time of an election or a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10689/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 133 and 143 together.
Eligible voters not included in the register of electors can apply to their local authority for inclusion in the supplement to the register up until 15 days (not including Sundays, Good Friday or Public Holidays ) before polling day, if they wish to be included in the supplement that will apply at the forthcoming referendums. Eligible voters not included in the postal and special voters lists can apply to their local authority for inclusion in the supplement to these lists up until 22 days (not including Sundays, Good Friday or Public Holidays) before polling day, if they wish to be included in the supplement to these lists that will apply at the forthcoming referendums.
As regards a date for the forthcoming referendums, I will make the necessary polling day order, in accordance with section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994, when the Constitution Amendment Bills have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. If polling was to take place on 22 May 2015, the closing date for receipt of applications for inclusion in the supplement to the register would be 5 May 2015, and the closing date for inclusion in the supplement to the postal and special voters lists would be 25 April 2015.
As to the position in relation to postal voting, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 566, 590, 595, 596, 598, 603 and 604 of 24 February 2015. There is no provision in electoral law regarding online ballot papers.
134. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce an exemption to water charges for households or homeowners paying development charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10597/15]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
Section 22(5) of the Act provides that a water charges plan may make provision for a charge in respect of the provision of a service connection (within the meaning of the Water Services Act 2007) to or in respect of a premises. In its decision on Irish Water’s Water Charges Plan, published in October 2014, the CER stated that, until it made a decision on Irish Water’s new connection charges, Irish Water should continue to apply rates equivalent to the water and wastewater related development levies which were applied by the local authorities at 31 December 2013. The CER is currently working with Irish Water to develop a high level work plan for the year ahead and this will include the new approach to connection charges. This plan will be published in the coming weeks. A more detailed work plan outlining the consultation schedule will be published later this year. There are no plans to introduce exemptions from water charges on the basis of already having paid development contributions.
135. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the various local authorities will be given permission to invite applications for 200 senior positions to assist with the delivery of social housing, as announced by him in early February 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10608/15]
View answerMy Department works closely with all local authorities and all have been invited to submit staffing sanction requests to facilitate the delivery of the Government's Housing Strategy. Each staffing sanction request is examined on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. To date, my Department has received in excess of 200 staffing requests and has already approved the majority of these.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisation arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
136. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide data on all legislation enacted by his Department since March 2011 and the total number of amendments tabled by him. [10637/15]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of legislative amendments tabled is not collated in my Department. Information relating to all legislation enacted by the Oireachtas, including legislation sponsored by my Department, is available in the Legislative Observatory section of the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas at www.oireachtas.ie or on the Irish Statute Book website at www.irishstatutebook.ie.
137. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are jobs becoming available within Ordnance Survey Ireland and, if so, whether they will be advertised to the public. [10652/15]
View answerI have no responsibility in regard to this matter which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
138. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure an appropriate loan scheme is available for persons in receipt of social welfare payments such as invalidity payment to enable them to purchase their local authority house under the new tenant purchase scheme that is being proposed whereby these tenants are currently paying more in rent than they would on a mortgage on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10658/15]
View answerPart 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, includes a commitment to introduce the new tenant purchase scheme by the second quarter of 2015. Full details of the new scheme will be set out in regulations that I will make advance of its introduction.
Currently, tenants are not precluded from tenant purchase by virtue of being social welfare recipients. However, tenants seeking to fund the purchase through loan finance from the housing authority must adhere to the terms and conditions that apply to such loans, which are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012 which are available on my Department’s website:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/ .
The Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 provide for the issuing of written guidance in the form of a credit policy for the processing of loan applications and the making of loans by all local authorities. The credit policy, introduced with these Regulations, underpins local authority lending and ensures prudence and consistency in approach.
As part of the loan application procedure, the Housing Agency provides an underwriting and support service to all local authorities. This shared central service processes loan applications, carries out credit checks and issues a recommendation to the local authority on each loan application in accordance with the credit policy. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis.
House purchase loans are not, as a general rule, available to those in receipt of unemployment/social welfare benefits. However, where there is a primary income of a permanent waged/salaried nature, and where the secondary income is from the Department of Social Protection, then long term social welfare payments can be considered, provided the long term nature of the payment is confirmed by the Department of Social Protection or other relevant Government Department. The final decision on whether or not to approve a loan in a particular case lies with the relevant housing authority, which must satisfy itself as to the borrower’s capacity to service the loan over its full term.
139. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the names, technical qualifications and method of appointment of the individual members of the marine licence vetting committee that assessed the environmental impact assessment for the Codling 1 offshore wind park project for which a foreshore lease was granted in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10662/15]
View answerThe Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) is a multi-disciplinary standing committee which has provided scientific, technical and engineering advice on applications for foreshore consent for the past three decades. The MLVC is chaired by the Marine Institute and draws together officials with scientific, technical and engineering expertise from a range of Government Departments and agencies.
For the purposes of assessing the Codling I foreshore lease application, the MLVC comprised members from the Marine Institute, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Marine Survey Office, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Other than members of the MLVC, the following bodies were consulted in relation to the Codling I foreshore lease application:
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Irish Coast Guard
- Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
- Commissioners of Irish Lights
- Bird Watch Ireland
- Geological Survey of Ireland
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
- Health & Safety Authority
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Office of Public Works
- Wicklow County Council
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
- Dublin City Council
- An Taisce
- Bord Failte
- The Heritage Council
140. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the extent to which the proposed grid connection to the Codling 1 offshore wind park was subjected to an environmental impact assessment as part of the granting of a foreshore lease in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10663/15]
View answerThe offshore grid elements of the Codling I project including cable routes and an offshore sub-station were considered as part of the environmental impact assessment carried out by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee prior to the determination of the foreshore lease application.
The Lease prohibits any work from commencing in the leasehold area until such time as the necessary authorisation and licences from Commission for Energy Regulation are in place and connection agreements are in place with EirGrid.
141. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts spent on emergency accommodation by each local authority for each of the past five years. [10673/15]
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. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources.
My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to lead housing authorities on a regional basis. Details of the ‘Section 10’ Exchequer funding provided by my Department to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services are set out in the following table on a regional basis for the years 2010 to 2014:
Funding Provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988
|
Dublin |
€40,521,375 |
€35,732,525 |
€32,398,290 |
€31,322,223 |
€ 35,322,223 |
|
Mid-East |
€906,842 |
€697,665 |
€839,146 |
€811,275 |
€ 928,489 |
|
Midlands |
€666,344 |
€624,897 |
€672,027 |
€649,707 |
€ 649,707 |
|
Mid-West |
€3,435,607 |
€2,905,457 |
€3,516,119 |
€3,399,336 |
€ 3,405,060 |
|
North-East |
€1,037,617 |
€912,250 |
€910,194 |
€879,963 |
€ 879,963 |
|
North-West |
€423,355 |
€406,335 |
€360,865 |
€348,879 |
€ 348,879 |
|
South-East |
€1,742,886 |
€2,110,476 |
€1,848,877 |
€1,787,469 |
€ 1,818,969 |
|
South-West |
€4,270,143 |
€3,505,749 |
€4,418,967 |
€4,272,197 |
€ 4,307,772 |
|
West |
€1,699,288 |
€1,227,696 |
€1,581,478 |
€1,528,951 |
€ 1,544,712 |
|
Total |
€54,703,457 |
€48,123,050 |
€46,545,963 |
€45,000,000 |
€49,205,774 |
While it is clear that a proportion of funding is used to provide sufficient bed capacity to accommodate those in need of emergency accommodation, it is equally important that resources are channelled to deliver more permanent responses in a more focused and strategic way. The arrangements that my Department put in place annually for delegating homelessness funding to the lead housing authority in each of the nine regions seek to ensure that the measures being pursued by housing authorities reflect the housing-led approach that is emphasised in the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement.
142. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available for the victims of domestic violence who are forced to leave their local authority home and if local authorities find them alternative accommodation immediately. [10688/15]
View answerWhere an individual who has left their home due to domestic violence is considered to be homeless by a housing authority, under Section 2 of the 1988 Housing Act, the housing authority may arrange for them to be placed in temporary emergency accommodation without having to be entered on the waiting list.
Where a social housing assessment is an appropriate longer-term response to a case of domestic violence, the household concerned may be determined to be in need of social housing support where, in accordance with the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, a housing authority considers that the household’s current accommodation to be unsuitable in terms of adequate housing provision, having regard to particular household circumstances or on exceptional medical or compassionate grounds.
The household must also meet other relevant need and eligibility criteria prescribed in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, as amended, and in the 2011 regulations, in order to qualify for social housing support and be entered on a housing authority list of qualified households.
Victims of domestic violence who are forced to leave their home will usually present to, or will be referred to, a domestic violence refuge in the first instance, where a range of appropriate services may be available such as advocacy, accompaniment, counselling and legal and medical assistance. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which is under the aegis of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is responsible for overseeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services.
144. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures that have been taken to ensure that waste operators comply with Environmental Protection Agency environmental standards. [10694/15]
View answerThe treatment and management of waste material is subject to a registration and permitting system by local authorities or licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as appropriate, and governed by the Waste Management (Facility Permit & Registration) Regulations 2007 or the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004, as appropriate. Environmental standards in relation to the collection of waste, and their enforcement, are the responsibility of local authorities and are governed by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007.
The primary purpose of the registration, permitting, and licensing system is to facilitate appropriate controls on waste facilities and activities so as to ensure good and consistent waste management practice and the implementation of high standards of environmental protection.
Enforcement of conditions attaching to waste collection permits, certificates of registration, waste facility permits or waste licences are matters for the relevant local authority or the EPA as appropriate. Under section 60(3) of the 1996 Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority or the EPA of their statutory functions under the Act.
145. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of the new proposals for the senior alert scheme, if there will be an increase in the fee charged to monitor the alarm unit per annum; if there is a risk of participants receiving sub-European Union standard equipment; if elderly persons will continue to receive prompt responses from the new provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10703/15]
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.
The maximum grant per beneficiary for equipment is as follows:
- Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250
- Additional pendant/Re-installation - €50
The annual monitoring costs (generally between €60 - €80 per annum) are borne by the beneficiary.
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.
It should be noted that there are no legal mandatory standards required for the manufacture of personal alarms. Many of the existing units comply with the EU standard; newer manufacturers of equipment or the newer more innovative technologies may meet other quality standards e.g. ISO standard. Under the tender competition, those suppliers that meet the minimum requirement will score the minimum amount of marks available and suppliers that propose products over and above the minimum requirements will be awarded a higher score.
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 new arrangements; however, Pobal are also providing a facility for beneficiaries to choose from a panel of monitoring companies if desired. In this regard, Pobal will also set up a panel of pre-qualified telecare service providers, who provide monitoring services. There is no onus on anyone to change from their current monitoring company.
The operational handover between my Department and Pobal is proceeding and should be completed mid-year. In the meantime Community and Voluntary Groups wishing to draw down grant support under the Seniors Alert Scheme can continue to apply to my Department in the usual way.
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.
146. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a hardship fund for eel fishermen who had to cease eel fishing by order in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10592/15]
View answerIreland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. 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.
While I recognise fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen, 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.
I understand that a number of former eel fishermen have been contracted by the ESB to catch eel so as to contribute to "Trap and Transport" operations to mitigate the impact of hydropower schemes as part of the EMP. There is no property right attaching to public eel licences and there are no plans to introduce a hardship scheme as outlined by the Deputy.
147. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide data on all legislation enacted by his Department since March 2011 and the total number of amendments tabled by him. [10634/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy relating to details of all Acts enacted since March 2011, and amendments tabled, are published and can be accessed on the website of the Oireachtas at www.oireachtas.ie.
148. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the person responsible for the administration of the television licence and the last time that the administrative operations of the licence were reviewed and-or audited, and his views on the records management and efficiency of the service and the cost of delivery. [10674/15]
View answerAn Post is charged with the role of “issuing agent” in respect of the collection and administration of television licence fees in accordance with the provisions of section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
An Post receives a portion of licence fee as commission in exchange for its activities as the Minister's issuing and collecting agent for TV licences. The amount paid to An Post varies from year to year in accordance with the volume of TV licence sales delivered by An Post. The sales target and scale of commission payable for sales at each milestone up to, and beyond, the target are determined by annual Contract.
The accounts of the TV Licence Unit of An Post are audited on an annual basis as part of a full audit of all An Post business by its Auditors.
The administration of the TV Licence is subject to review and I am currently considering the approach to be taken on a range of matters in the area of broadcasting, including the proposed Public Service Broadcasting Charge. However, until I have completed this consideration and brought proposals to Cabinet for decisions, there will be no change in the current arrangements.
The TV licence database is maintained by An Post on behalf of the Minister. It contains records of all licensed properties, together with details of previous licensed properties which for a variety of reasons no longer have a valid TV licence. All data held is the property of the Minister and An Post constantly updates this data.
As you will be aware, the Government gave approval to my Department to prepare legislation to enable the TV Licence Collecting Agent (currently An Post) to access the subscription data held by TV service providers, including Sky and UPC.
The legislation will be designed to allow the Collecting Agent to have access to the information solely for its statutory functions in relation to licence fee collection and the commercial confidentially of the information will be safeguarded.
My Department will consult with the Data Protection Commissioner in due course in relation to the drafting of legislation to ensure that it takes full account of data minimisation and data security principles.
149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there has been any analysis by Inland Fisheries Ireland of fish pathology in Border areas, which shows evidence of contamination by diesel laundering chemicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10677/15]
View answerOne of the principal functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource.
In this regard, IFI have statutory responsibilities in circumstances where there is evidence of potential harm to fish stocks and/or habitats such as the occurrence of a fish kill. All such incidents are fully investigated with a view to identifying the cause and where possible prosecuting any party found responsible. In addition, where pollution occurs that affects wild fish populations or habitats IFI also investigates in an effort to identify the cause and remove the source of the pollution.
I am advised by IFI that they have not been made aware of incidents of harm to fish stocks or habitats as a consequence of the type of activity referred to by the Deputy.
In the absence of evidence or reports of any incidence of harm to stocks or habitat, IFI have not sought the testing of any tissue samples for toxicology analysis.
However, should any party identify sources of pollution which harm fish stocks or habitats it should be reported immediately to IFI at either the local River Basin District office or alternatively via the IFI emergency hotline number: 1980 34 74 24, which is operational on a 24/7 basis.
150. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasoning behind the requirements for biomass combined heat and power facilities to achieve an efficiency threshold, nearly twice that of our European counterparts (details supplied); his views that this is a major hurdle in realising the development of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/15]
View answerThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.
The deployment of biomass for renewable electricity support is primarily supported through the REFIT 3 scheme. The scheme includes a higher rate for the use of biomass in a combined heat and power facility (CHP) which is a generator that achieves a higher level of efficiency by recovering and utilising heat that would normally be wasted in a conventional generation process. It is important to note that the biomass high efficiency CHP category has seen the highest level of applications for support in REFIT 3.
Provision of the higher support rate is dependent on certification as a high efficiency CHP plant by the CER and achievement of an overall efficiency based on the electricity generated and the heat used from the plant, calculated by the CER. The rates are supported by the public service obligation which is paid by all electricity consumers in Ireland. The overall efficiency threshold is therefore important in minimising costs that are passed onto consumers and also ensuring that the higher support rate is only payable to generators that achieve a high level of performance.
Comparison against EU counterparts requires assessment of a broader range of factors than that suggested in the Question including the range of available supports, the market environment and characteristics of the deployment in each Member State. It is worth noting that the Council of European Energy Regulators published a report in January noting that Ireland has been one of the most cost effective Member States in terms of the average cost per unit of electricity supported. Measures such as the overall efficiency threshold enable us to deploy our renewable energy ambitions while minimising costs to consumers.
