Written Answers Nos. 741-54
741. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding reading equipment in a school in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14940/15]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
742. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the payment of a grant under the additional accommodation scheme 2014 to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14955/15]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the grant due to the school in question has recently been paid.
743. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of the semi-State commercial companies under her control; the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14963/15]
View answerFor the Deputy's information there are no commercial semi-state companies under the aegis of my Department.
Details of non commercial agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Department's website. http://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/.
744. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that less well-off motorists who avail of the three-month or six-month motor tax payment option are no longer financially penalised for this essential family finance decision. [13886/15]
View answerMotor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable for the half-yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively. These relativities have remained generally consistent since the 1960s. The differential takes account of the extra workload for staff in motor tax offices and the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the resultant administrative and printing costs that arise, including the issuing of renewal notices. Each quarterly renewal of motor tax follows the same administrative procedures as the annual renewal process. Consequently, renewing on a quarterly basis generates four times the workload of an annual renewal for the equivalent period.
The estimated additional annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly discs is in the region of €50m. A loss of income from this source would have a negative impact on the total collected via motor tax and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally.
I have no plans currently to review the basis for paying motor tax on a half-yearly or quarterly basis.
745. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the reduction of approximately 50% in social inclusion and community activation programme funds and of 40%, an increase of 70% in some areas, in the number of jobs in local area government services that will be lost; the provision that has been made for this cost; the source of this money; the Department that will be responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/15]
View answerMy Departments Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) concluded on 31 March 2015 and the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015. Overall funding reductions to the LCDP over the five year period of its operation amounted to some 29%. However, it should be noted that this was commensurate with the need to reduce Government spending across a range of public funded schemes during those years.
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP was subject to a public procurement process. Tenderers have now been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local and Community Development Committees (LCDCs) have finalised contracts with the winning tenderers.
Within the constraints of the prevailing budgetary situation, I have been particularly conscious of the need to prioritise community programme funding and to make the maximum contribution to tackling disadvantage, job creation and economic recovery. As a tool to assist with this, a Resource Allocation Model, or RAM, has been developed which allows relative disadvantage to be measured across all census areas. In order to achieve the objective of moving towards allocating resources according to this model, my Department has in recent years worked to ensure that funding is protected for those areas which the RAM shows have greatest needs. This principle was used in deciding on funding allocations for SICAP and I am satisfied that the funding allocated is a fair allocation of resources for all the areas concerned.
I am aware that a small number of Local Development Companies (LDCs) that delivered the LCDP did not secure SICAP contracts. My Department has no role in the internal operations of LDCs and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are solely for the Board of each company, as the employer, to manage. Each funding Department is responsible for its own funding and contractual arrangements with the LDCs.
My Department is, however, providing practical financial support to LDCs to facilitate an orderly closure of the LCDP and the move to the new arrangements. This includes financial assistance to companies to deal with statutory redundancy payments and such other supports as are considered appropriate in the context of the closure of the LCDP. It should be noted that Pobal are currently liaising with LDCs on these issues.
746. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who is in receipt of invalidity pension or illness benefit, and previously purchased a commercial vehicle in a period when the person availed of the exemption arrangements where persons on illness benefit or invalidity pension could receive permission to work part-time for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes and keep their full social welfare payment, should be entitled to continue to tax the vehicle as a commercial vehicle, when the exemption expired as a consequence of the person's reduced income; and if such a proposal should be brought to the relevant Minister and Department. [14012/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 540 of 3 March 2015 which sets out the position in this matter.
747. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent comments by the Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs to the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, the role envisaged for Comhar na hOileáin in the future; and his plans to disband it. [14017/15]
View answerI recently briefed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on community and rural development issues. On that occasion, I emphasised to the Committee my commitment to supporting and building strong sustainable communities, including island communities. This remains the position.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, the Deputy should note that Comhar na nOileáin is an independent Local Development Company and that the matters raised in relation to the future role and the disbanding of that company, are matters solely for the Board of that company to manage.
I can confirm that Comhar na nOileán did not win funding under the recent Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) procurement process similar to the funding which it received under the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) and therefore, I have agreed to extend LCDP funding for a further six weeks to enable the company wind up the LCDP element of the company in an orderly manner.
In recognising the status of island communities a revised scheme to support the non-Gaeltacht islands has been agreed between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I am advised that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will now commence an engagement process with island communities in relation to the new scheme, which will involve engagement with Comhar na nOileán.
In relation to the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, under the EU regulatory framework governing the programme, each EU Member State must conduct an open and transparent process to select both the Local Development Strategies and the Local Action Group(s) for each sub-regional area. Accordingly, my Department recently launched the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the programme and any entity, including Comhar na hOileáin, wishing to be considered as a Local Action Group for their area has until 15 May 2015 to submit an EOI. It should be noted that Local Action Groups and Local Development Strategies will be selected by an independent selection committee, established specifically for that purpose. In that context, it would not be appropriate for me to speculate as to the outcome of the LEADER selection process.
748. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider vehicle registration tax exemptions for tractors where owners have been incapacitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14033/15]
View answerI understand that the question is intended to refer to motor tax, rather than Vehicle Registration Tax. I have no plans to introduce an exemption from motor tax in circumstances where the owners of tractors become incapacitated. An application for a refund of motor tax may be made where the owner of a vehicle has ceased to use that vehicle due to illness, injury or other physical disability, provided that there are at least three months remaining on the disc at the time of application. However, refunds are not made where the annual rate of duty applicable to a vehicle does not exceed €119. Refunds would, therefore, not be made in respect of agricultural tractors where the annual rate of tax is €102, but may be made in respect of general haulage tractors, where the annual rate of tax is €333.
It should also be noted that there is a facility to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use for a period of time. Such a declaration can be made at any time during the last month of an extant motor tax disc.
749. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the housing assistance payment scheme; the counties in which the scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis in 2015; when it will be rolled out in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14111/15]
View answerThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) 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. Subsequently, on 18 December, 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 4 Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
There are now over 1,400 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme.
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. Data for this report is being gathered from pilot sites and a progress 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 a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP as part of the pilot on an incremental basis this year. While no implementation date has yet been agreed, my Department is in contact with Donegal County Council in relation to their inclusion in the next phase of HAP statutory pilot.
750. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the statutory and European Union requirement for the environmental impact statement for the Codling Park offshore wind farm to assess the visual impact of the development from the adjoining coastline, and in view of the fact that the adjoining planning authorities (details supplied) had no statutory role in formally assessing the developer's environmental impact statement and did not do so, if he will confirm the bodies represented on the marine licence vetting committee appointed to advise him that had responsibility and the necessary technical skills for assessing the visual impact of this large-scale development on the coast of County Wicklow; the name and professional qualification of the person or persons who carried out this important aspect of the assessment on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14214/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 885 and 886 of 24 March 2015 which sets out the position with regard to the bodies represented on the Marine Licence Vetting Committee and the names and professional qualifications of the members. Responsibility for considering applications under the Foreshore Act 1933 rests with the appropriate Minister, as defined in the Act. As the application referred to concerned a proposed development 13 km offshore, assessment of the application, including carrying out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), was a matter for the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources rather than for the local authority in question. The issue of visual impact in respect of this application was investigated in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which included zone of influence maps, photomontages and other computer generated visualisations. The Environmental Impact Assessment carried out by the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources had regard to the information contained in the EIS.
751. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the implementation of the Constitutional Convention's recommendations regarding reform of the electoral system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/15]
View answerThe Convention on the Constitution addressed reform of the Dáil electoral system in its Fourth Report. On 18 December 2014, in the Dáil, the Government provided its response to the recommendations in that report. The Government has accepted the two main recommendations of the Report - to retain the current PRSTV system for elections and to establish an Electoral Commission. I published a consultation paper on the Electoral Commission on 27 January 2015 and discussed the paper with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 10 March 2015 as part of the pre-legislative process for an Electoral Commission Bill. The Committee is now engaging in a consultation process on the paper and will report their recommendations to me in due course.
The Convention also recommended in its report that measures should be introduced to improve voter turnout and improve the accuracy of the electoral register. The Government accepted these recommendations, indicating that it would seek to implement measures to achieve improvements in voter turnout and acknowledging that the highest possible levels of accuracy should be a constant and continuing objective for all with responsibility for the electoral register.
The Government did not accept the recommendation for larger Dáil constituencies, with the smallest constituency size being a 5 seater, nor the recommendation that Dáil membership be more than 159 TDs, based on a ratio of one TD to every 30,000 of the electorate.
The Government agreed that further consideration should be given in due course by the proposed Electoral Commission to the recommendations that there should be greater access to postal voting, that there should be a move away from the alphabetical order of candidates on the ballot paper and that polling hours and polling days be extended. Such consideration would include advising in detail on the electoral and operational implications, including costs, of implementing changes in these areas.
The Government also noted the Convention recommendation concerning the introduction of a relevant political education programme in schools and drew attention to the fact that much is being done in this regard already in the education sector.
752. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reinstate the first-time buyer's grant in order to help persons who are finding it very difficult to get on the property ladder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/15]
View answer755. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-introduce a first-time buyer's grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 755 together.
I have no plans to reintroduce a first time buyer's grant.
I am fully aware of the many challenges facing both the private and public housing sectors. Increasing housing supply is recognised by Government as a critical issue, reflected in the publication, in May 2014, of Construction 2020 - A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector. The Strategy contains 75 time-bound actions encompassing the development of an overall strategic approach to housing supply; identifying and implementing further improvements in the planning process to facilitate appropriate development; and seeking to improve financing options for development and mortgage provision. The measures contained in the Strategy will support the recovery of the construction sector to sustainable levels and ensure that housing demand is met, without returning to the boom and bust economic model of the past.
753. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date by which Meath County Council will receive the funding to the value of €35 million, as committed to tackle the current housing crisis. [13869/15]
View answerThe provisional funding allocations that were identified as part of the social housing targets for local authorities to 2017 which I announced recently with Minister of State Coffey, will be made available to those authorities in line with the advancement of projects by the authorities. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets out details of targets and timelines for delivery of social housing units in tables 1 and 2; this is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,39622,en.pdf.
The provision of new social housing units under the Strategy is set out in two phases, with phase 1 covering the period to the end of 2017 and phase 2 spanning the years 2018 to 2020. My Department will be working with all local authorities in relation to their delivery of the targets to 2017 and will provide funding as these units are delivered over that timeline, including funding to Meath County Council in line with the target of 519 units, for which provisional funding of €27,823,238 was indicated.
754. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of fines for dog fouling that were issued by Waterford County Council, Waterford City Council and Waterford City and County Council for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/15]
View answerThe Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat littering and include provisions relating to dog fouling. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering (including dog fouling) is a matter for local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution locally within the legislation provided, including the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter and dog fouling, taking account of its own local circumstances and priorities. Section 16 of the Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 and 1992 sets out the powers of dog wardens. In addition, section 28 of the Litter Pollution Acts provides that a dog warden, within the meaning of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, may issue a notice or on-the-spot fine to an individual believed of committing a prescribed offence under the Act.
While my Department does not collate statistics on the number of fines issued by local authorities in relation to specific offences, such as dog fouling offences, data is available under the local authority service indicators report on the number of fines issued generally, along with the number of prosecutions and convictions, under the Litter Pollution Acts. The 2013 local authority service indicators report, together with previous years’ reports, is available at the following link: http://www.lgma.ie/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013.
I believe that there are sufficient penalties in place to deal with the issue of dog fouling when enforced under the Litter Pollution Acts. Raising awareness of the litter problem and educating our young people are key to effecting a long-term change in society’s attitudes towards litter disposal but, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that they play their part in preserving the environment for others through the responsible disposal of their litter, including in relation to dog fouling.
