Written Answers Nos. 173 - 199
173. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the review by Pobal and the review by his Department into the funding of the neurological charities under the scheme to support national organisations. [13442/15]
View answer181. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the scheme to support national organisations; when the review will be completed; when decisions will be made regarding the future funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13535/15]
View answer191. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the decision to provide 12 months bridging funding to the 23 health and disability organisations excluded from the scheme to support national organisations last summer, his views on the call from the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland for an extension of current bridging to the end of the current funding period, that is, 31 December 2016; his further views on implementing a new disability inclusion funding scheme thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13566/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 181 and 191 together.
The 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. A number of previously funded organisations were not approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal were asked to undertake the 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 €1.4million 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 will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO. Details of the bridging funding provided are set out in the table.
The review process is well underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The review is designed to rationalise the funding of these organisations to ensure efficiency in the use of public money and avoidance of duplication, while providing appropriate support to organisations working in the sector. 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 in the coming months.
|
Bridging Funding Provided 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 |
€ |
|
Arthritis Ireland |
53,882 |
|
Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland Ltd |
41,448 |
|
Asthma Society of Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Breaking Through Limited |
58,028 |
|
Chronic Pain Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
Dyslexia Association of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
Genetic and Inherited Disorders Organisation Ltd |
16,580 |
|
GROW in Ireland |
16,580 |
|
Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland Limited |
19,066 |
|
Irish Deaf Society The National Association of the Deaf Limited |
62,172 |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
41,448 |
|
Irish Mountain Rescue Association |
58,028 |
|
Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Disorder Support (INCADDS) |
33,158 |
|
Irish Stammering Association |
24,868 |
|
Migraine Association of Ireland Ltd |
29,014 |
|
Motor Neurone Disease Association |
24,868 |
|
MOVE Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Muintir na Tíre |
70,462 |
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland |
37,304 |
|
National Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
National Association for Youth Drama Ltd |
29,014 |
|
New Communities Partnership (NCP) Ltd |
74,606 |
|
Peter Bradley Foundation Limited |
41,448 |
|
Post Polio Support Group Limited |
24,868 |
|
Safe Ireland |
74,606 |
|
Show Racism The Red Card Limited |
29,014 |
|
Suas Educational Development |
37,304 |
|
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
The Carers Association Limited |
62,172 |
|
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Neurological Alliance of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Union of Voluntary Organisations of People with Disabilities |
45,592 |
174. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's long-term strategy in relation to the provision of group sewage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13459/15]
View answer175. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when local authorities will be informed of their 2015 funding allocation for the development of group sewage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13462/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
The annual block grant allocations provided by my Department to the local authorities under the programme are based, in the first instance, on the requests for funding received from the authorities at the beginning of each year. The authorities’ requests for funding under the 2015 Rural Water Programme are being examined in my Department with a view to informing authorities of their 2015 allocations as soon as possible.
The Government remains committed to the continued support of the Group Water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland, founded on co-operative community and voluntary engagement, and to invest in the sector to sustain and improve quality standards and performance. My Department will also be engaging with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes to explore the possibility of introducing a rolling multi-annual funding programme to provide certainty to the sector on funding of projects.
176. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the consequences Pobal's senior alert proposal will have on volunteer groups such as Neighbourhood Watch, in that it will sideline these groups which have played a major role in communities; if he will postpone the changes in view of this fact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13464/15]
View answer178. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of consultation that took place in respect of the proposed changes to the senior alert scheme; if he will provide in detail the number of community groups and voluntary organisations that were consulted; if An Garda Síochána was consulted; if he will confirm the views of the organisations consulted with in respect of the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/15]
View answer179. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the tender documents for the revised senior alert scheme will not lead to a lower standard of equipment than used under the previous regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13518/15]
View answer180. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of community groups currently registered with his Department in the context of the senior alert scheme that have re-applied as local agents for the revised scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13527/15]
View answer182. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale for dividing the country into ten regions in the context of the tendering for the revised arrangements under the senior alert scheme; the reason an individual supplier is limited to delivering a service in three regions; the cost implications of this approach for the more isolated rural regions in respect of monitoring fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13537/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 178 to 180, inclusive, and 182 together.
My 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. Following on from this, a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas. The tender was broken down into 10 regional lots to ensure that SMEs were not disadvantaged due to excessively large lot sizes.
As the market for the equipment is well established, it was neither necessary nor appropriate to engage in consultations with the market on the matter prior to the tender process. 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 would score the minimum amount of marks available and suppliers that propose products over and above the minimum requirements would be awarded a higher score.
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 should continue to apply to my Department in the usual way.
While I have taken note of the concerns expressed, it should be noted that Pobal will only manage the Scheme on behalf of my Department; the strategic policy direction of the Scheme will remain my Department’s responsibility. My Department 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.
177. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the funding to the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/15]
View answerSince 2007, my Department has provided annual funding for the ongoing operational costs of the 17 member organisations of the community & voluntary pillar to allow for input into the policy making process within the community and voluntary sector as part of the social dialogue process. This includes the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament. In 2011, a revised application process for the funding of these 17 organisations was introduced, which gave a greater weighting to the social commentary/critical analysis role being provided by the organisations, as well as the extent to which the organisations worked with disadvantaged individuals and groups.
The table shows the community & voluntary pillar funding provided to the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament since 2011.
|
Year |
Funding provided |
|
2011 |
€15,000 |
|
2012 |
€15,000 |
|
2013 |
€14,130 |
|
2014 |
€14,130 |
|
Allocation for 2015 |
€14,130 |
It should be noted that the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament was not successful in applying for funding for the Scheme to Support National Organisations under either the 2011-2014 Scheme or the current 2014-2016 Scheme.
183. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of payments made by his Department and by the local government fund to Irish Water in 2014 and 2015; the potential consequences for State aid in relation to these payments; the analysis he has carried out in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13553/15]
View answerIrish Water received a subvention of some €439 million from the Local Government Fund in 2014 for operational expenditure, to fund water-related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities and which would, historically, have been met by local authorities from their own resources, non-domestic water charge revenues and general purpose grants from the Fund.
An amount of €399m has been allocated from the LGF in 2015 in respect of an operational subvention to Irish Water. This subvention will be paid in respect of the child allowance (21,000 litres per child per annum), a product subsidy and capping domestic water charges. In addition, provision has been made for the provision of a working capital loan to Irish Water of up to €96m in 2015.
My Department is satisfied that state aid rules do not impact on the Irish Water funding model, as Irish Water, as a State company providing public water services, is operating a service of general economic interest.
184. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date he expects to sign an order for the transfer of 250 treatment plants from local authorities to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13554/15]
View answer185. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the process in relation to the transfer to Irish Water of over-ground assets in respect of water services will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
On 14 January 2015, I signed an Order under section 12 of the Water Services (No 2) Act 2013 which provided for the transfer to Irish Water of all ‘below ground’ water services assets previously vested in a local authority. On 30 March 2015, I signed a further Order under section 12 to provide for the transfer of 236 treatments plants from local authorities to Irish Water with effect from 3 April 2015.
Considerable work is involved in preparing supporting material for the transfer of over-ground assets from local authorities, to ensure that the Orders reflect the precise nature and boundary of the assets to be transferred. This work is being undertaken by the local authorities and Irish Water in conjunction with my Department. Further Ministerial Orders will be completed in the coming months, subject to taking the time necessary to ensure the assets are accurately set out.
186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total commitment under public private partnership contracts that were or are being transferred to Irish Water, in respect of which there is an estimated operation/maintenance cost of €123,045,700 in 2015; if this information will be provided on a regional basis in relation to the 115 contracts covering 253 sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13556/15]
View answer187. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding that was paid by his Department or by the local government fund in 2014; the estimate for 2015 in respect of design-build-operate contracts in the water services sector that have an estimated operation/maintenance cost of €123 million in 2015; when these full costs will be transferred to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
Following enactment of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, responsibility for the delivery of public water services became the responsibility of Irish Water from 1 January 2014. This included responsibility for the overall costs involved, both operational and capital costs. Pending the legal transfer of contracts from local authorities to Irish Water, any costs incurred by local authorities for example on Design Build Operate or other maintenance or construction contracts were recouped under Service Level Agreements.
The transfer of contracts was effected through the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, which provides the mechanism for the transfer of both water services assets and liabilities of the local authorities to Irish Water. Accordingly, existing Design Build and Operate contracts were included in:
- the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (Transfer of Other Liabilities) Order 2014, which was signed on 20 February 2014, and
- the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (Transfer of Other Liabilities) Order (No. 2) 2014, which was signed on 24 April 2014.
My Department has established from Irish Water the current extent of DBO contracts in the water sector and the remaining liability on these contracts is outlined in the following table.
|
Region |
Estimated Costs for remaining life of contracts |
Contracts |
Sites |
Average remaining life on current DBO Contracts |
|
South |
477,165,646 |
50 |
94 |
15 |
|
East |
661,302,553 |
27 |
60 |
14 |
|
Northwest |
267,235,423 |
38 |
78 |
15 |
|
Grand Total |
1,405,703,622 |
115 |
232 |
15 |
Irish Water received a subvention of some €439 million from the Local Government Fund in 2014 for operational expenditure, to fund water-related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities and which would, historically, have been met by local authorities from their own resources, non-domestic water charge revenues and general purpose grants from the Fund. An amount of €399m has been allocated from the LGF in 2015 in respect of an operational subvention to Irish Water. This subvention will be paid in respect of the child allowance (21,000 litres per child per annum), a product subsidy and capping domestic water charges.
188. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the approximate 49% of current leakage rate in water services, if he will provide an estimate of the present benefit value of a 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% reduction in this rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13558/15]
View answerIt is estimated that the first 10% reduction in current levels of leakage would result in a present value benefit of the order of €300 million. It is estimated that a corresponding pro rata present value benefit would arise as a result of a 5% reduction in current leakage levels. While an estimate of the present value benefit arising in respect of 15% and 20% leakage reduction points is not available, it would be expected that, for leakage reduction beyond 10%, the incremental present value benefit arising from each 5% leakage reduction would reduce until the point is reached where further leakage reduction is considered uneconomic, ie it would cost more to address the leakage than to produce water from another source. That point is estimated by Irish Water to be in the region of 18-22% leakage.
189. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding voting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13560/15]
View answerIn order to be able to vote at elections and referendums, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides.
Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors - whole-time members of the Defence Forces; members of An Garda Síochána; Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses or civil partners; electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability; electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State; certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside; and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote.
Qualifying voters can apply to their local authority for inclusion in the postal voters lists. Electors who are eligible for, but not already included in, the postal voters list may apply for entry into the supplement to these lists. Such applications must be received by the registration authority at least 22 days (not including Sundays, Good Friday or Public Holidays) before polling day at a referendum in order to be considered for that referendum.
While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to extend existing arrangements for postal voting. In responding to the recommendation of the Constitution on the Convention in their fourth report that there should be greater access to postal voting, the Government proposed that an electoral commission be tasked in due course with considering the issue and advising in detail on the electoral and operational implications, including costs, of implementing change in this area. As regards the Electoral Commission, I published a consultation paper on 27 January 2015 that has since been discussed in the Seanad on 4 March 2015. I also met with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 10 March 2015 to discuss the paper as part of the pre-legislative process. The Committee will now engage in a consultation process and report their recommendations to me in due course.
190. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the non-executive members of the board of Irish Water who are not executives of Ervia/Irish Water; the qualification of each of these non-executive directors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13561/15]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group (now renamed Ervia), to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. Section 5 of the Act provides that the shareholders of Irish Water are Ervia, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Finance. Following a Government decision to have a single unitary non-executive board for the Ervia group as a whole, the Irish Water board has been reconstituted to include only executive directors drawn from Irish Water senior personnel and from the Ervia Group.
The names of those appointed as executive directors of Irish Water effective 1 December 2014 are as follows: Mr. Michael McNicholas, Mr. John Tierney, Mr. Michael G. O’Sullivan and Mr. Brendan Murphy. Mr. Michael McNicholas is the current Chairman of Irish Water.
192. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for a referendum on allowing the diaspora to vote in presidential elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13587/15]
View answerThe Convention on the Constitution recommended in its Fifth Report that citizens resident outside the State should have the right to vote in Presidential elections. In considering a response to this recommendation the Government decided that it would be necessary to analyse the full range of issues that would arise in any significant extension of the franchise, before any decision could be made on the holding of a referendum. In ‘Global Irish – Ireland’s Diaspora Policy’, launched on 3 March 2015, the Government acknowledged that such an extension of the franchise would be welcomed by many in the diaspora. However, the Government also acknowledged that it would be challenging to introduce and to manage, and that a range of issues would arise for analysis in that context, including policy, legal and practical issues. I will be undertaking the necessary analysis in co-operation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Diaspora Affairs.
193. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a payment under the Leader programme will issue in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13601/15]
View answerI am advised that Mayo North East LEADER Partnership is awaiting the return of a signed contract from the organisation in question and once received will be in a position to finalise the project and relevant claims for payment.
194. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the current embargo on the issuing of public service vehicles and taxi licences will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13539/15]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
195. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind the decision that wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles have to be less than six years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13540/15]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including vehicle standards for wheelchair accessible taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
196. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and proliferation of rickshaws that have been plying for hire in Dublin and other cities over the past number of years, in view of the fact that these vehicles have neither registration, insurance or public service vehicle identification and are operated for reward by unqualified persons; and these vehicles, which have been the subject of media comment, are being driven often overloaded, with no regard for road traffic legislation, and operate in pedestrian-only areas and footpaths, with disregard for other road users and pedestrians and often in contravention of the road traffic legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13544/15]
View answerAt present, rickshaws are not specifically defined in law, nor is there any legislation to regulate carriage of passengers by these vehicles. They fall under the category of pedal cycles for legal purposes. As such, there is no requirement to register a rickshaw and it is therefore not possible to provide estimates of their numbers. However, they are bound by road traffic legislation and must obey the rules of the road. Among other legislative requirements, this means they are barred from pedestrian-only streets.
I have indicated my intention to extend the fixed charge notice system to cover road traffic offences by cyclists, which will include rickshaws.
Dublin City Council has written to me regarding its wish to regulate rickshaws. Its legal advisors had suggested that the proposed regulatoy regime would go beyond the scope of existing local authority powers to make bye-laws. As a result the Council sought that provision be made through primary legislation to extend the scope of those powers.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is required in respect of any proposal to Government seeking permission to initiate primary legislation with a regulatory purpose. The RIA would have to set out a clear statement of the regulatory objective and an evaluation of the different possible approaches to achieving that objective. It is only when the RIA is concluded that it will become clearer as to whether primary legislation is indeed appropriate and, if so, the nature of that legislation. As rickshaws are a local matter, I informed the Council that it would be appropriate that the Council prepare the RIA. Any questions about progress in that regard should therefore be directed to the Council.
197. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide assistance and endeavour to have the refurbished Killarney House and gardens in County Kerry open to the public for the forthcoming tourism season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13437/15]
View answer198. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the interpretative centre will be installed in Killarney House and gardens in County Kerry; if she will arrange in the interim to open the house and gardens to the public for the forthcoming tourism season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13436/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing. A contract for the interpretation phase has recently been awarded and this is now advancing. Work is also continuing apace with the landscaping to the grounds and ornamental gardens.
I expect that the various elements of works will be completed at different stages during the year and it is intended that these amenities will be open to the public as soon as possible thereafter.
199. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she proposes to take in view of recent evidence that the Ward Union Hunt continues to engage in stag hunting. [12668/15]
View answerThe Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the Ward Union Hunt have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over a course. Following the recapture of the deer, the hounds and horses follow the scent. This practice is not considered to be hunting, as defined in the Wildlife Acts. Both the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and An Garda Síochána are currently investigating alleged breaches of the legislation and if there is sufficient evidence to support the alleged breaches, prosecutions will be brought under the Wildlife Acts.
