Written Answers Nos. 498-517
498. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the application that has been made by Monaghan County Council or Castleblayney Town Council to his Department for funding for the Court House-Market House, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, since 2009; when such an application was made; the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/15]
View answerMy Department has not received an application from Monaghan County Council, or the former Castleblayney Town Council, for funding for the Court House/Market House, Castleblayney, County Monaghan since 2009.
499. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the concessions that are being made for pensioners, especially those living alone, whose sole income is a State pension, regarding payment of their Irish Water bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/15]
View answerA new water charging regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges will be €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households will know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs.
In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year will be available to qualifying households. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of my Department, which will be available to households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced and is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The overall cost for those who register with Irish Water, net of the €100 water conservation grant, is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.
When it comes to payment, a range of easy pay options will be in place, including direct debits, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a paypoint or payzone sign or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made. Irish Water also intends participating in the Household Budget scheme. This facility, operated by An Post on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, provides customers with a facility to have their household utility bills and social housing rents deducted directly from their weekly social welfare payment.
500. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if householders whose water is undrinkable due to lead pipes running from the water mains to their taps are exempt from paying a water supply charge to Irish Water and only have to pay for wastewater; if this should amount to a 50% reduction in their bill; if they are required to provide Irish Water with test results specific to their home in order to qualify for this reduced charge, or if it suffices that Irish Water is aware of a general problem with lead pipes in their estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19679/15]
View answerUnder the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. Details of monitoring requirements along with the procedures to be followed and the roles of water suppliers, the EPA and the HSE, where there is non-compliance with the parametric values set out in the Schedules to the Regulations, are clearly laid out in the Regulations.
The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system. Responsibility for replacing lead pipes from the main stopcock to the house and within the house therefore rests with the homeowner. In a joint position paper on lead published by the EPA and HSE in 2013, it is recommended that all lead pipes and plumbing in public and private ownership should be replaced over time. The position paper contains advice for property owners and can be downloaded from: http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/water/drinkingwater/lead/HSE_EPA_JointPositionPaperLeadinDrinkingWater.pdf.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from each customer 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. The Water Charges Policy Direction issued to the CER in July 2014 referred to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges, including where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to its customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted. Where customers are subject to a drinking water restriction notice, affected customers will receive a 100% discount to the water supply portion of their bill for the duration of the restriction.
My Department is developing a national strategy for lead, in consultation with the Department of Health, Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA, in order to map the scale of the problem and identify measures to mitigate any risks to human health posed by lead in drinking water. However, there are no plans to exempt householders with lead pipes from water charges.
501. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent and is anticipated to be spent on the Environmental Protection Agency unconventional gas exploration and extraction research programme; and the amount of same that is to be strive funding, central Government funding and Northern Irish Government funding. [19699/15]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a statutory role for the co-ordination of environmental research in Ireland, and receives an annual allocation from the Environment Fund for this purpose. The decision on the budget to be provided is made each year on the basis of balancing the indicative research requirements of the Agency, and the availability of funding. For example, in 2014, a research budget of €12.98 m was approved for the EPA. Ultimately, the final distribution of the research budget allocated from the Environment Fund is a matter for the Agency.
I understand that, following an announcement in November 2013, the EPA is coordinating a multi-agency trans-boundary programme of research on the potential Impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction projects/ operations. This UGEE Joint Research Programme (JRP) is funded by the EPA, the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The research is being undertaken by a consortium of independent organisations comprising CDM Smith, British Geological Survey, University College Dublin, Ulster University, Queens University Belfast, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Philip Lee Solicitors. The research, which began in August 2014, is anticipated to take place over approximately 24 months.
As it is the EPA which is the independent body leading on this research project, further information, if required, can be obtained directly from the Agency.
502. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is planning legislation in place that governs the use of signage over a premises; if there are regulations in place regarding a business having to use a particular language, that is if a sign over a shop may be displayed in any language, or if there are regulations in place that a sign must be in Irish or English only. [19719/15]
View answerThe planning regulations do not impose language restrictions on commercial business signage. I have no plans to introduce such a restriction.
503. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the housing assistance payment; when it is envisaged it will be available in County Kildare, to ensure that landlords receive rental payments directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19755/15]
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.
There are now over 1,800 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 progress report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee. Data from the pilot sites has been gathered and I submitted a report to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht last month. Consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year. While no implementation date has yet been confirmed, my Department is working with Kildare County Council to make the necessary arrangements for their inclusion in the next phase of the pilot.
Under the HAP scheme, local authorities will make the full rent payment on behalf of the HAP recipient directly to the landlord. The HAP recipient will then pay a rent contribution to the local authority. The rent contribution is a differential rent – that is, a rent based on income and the ability to pay. The landlord will receive prompt payments directly from the local authority on a monthly basis, subject to the HAP recipient paying the local authority their rent contribution and all payments will be made electronically.
504. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed tenant purchase scheme will provide additional funding for local authorities, which could be ring-fenced to assist them in replenishing their housing stock, in view of the current shortage of houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19758/15]
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 includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, in the second quarter of 2015, which will set out the full details of the new scheme. It is expected that the new scheme will commence at the earliest possible date following the making of the Regulations.
Under section 13 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, as amended, housing authorities may, with my prior approval, use sales receipts and moneys received from tenant purchasers in respect of incremental purchase charges under the new tenant purchase scheme for the provision, refurbishment or maintenance of housing or related purposes.
505. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person responsible for water charges, where persons live in homes owned by a trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19779/15]
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 defines the customer as the occupier of the premises in respect of which the water services are provided.
506. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a new urban and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19785/15]
View answerA number of initiatives aimed at contributing to the renewal of urban centres have been taken by my Department in recent years, as follows: local authorities were requested to exercise restraint, or where possible, to reduce commercial rates and local charges to assist local businesses in the current economic climate – the vast majority of local authorities have responded positively to this request; revised development contribution guidelines were introduced in January 2013 requesting planning authorities to put in place reduced development contributions to support town centre development and incentivise activity in the areas prioritised for development in the relevant core strategy; the publication of new guidelines on retail planning in April 2012 aimed at promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres. These guidelines retained the previous caps on store size in less populated and smaller towns, and were aimed at striking the right balance to ensure that local monopolies are not created in smaller towns which would be detrimental to competition.
In terms of Government action other than by my Department in providing assistance to retail businesses and stimulating economic activity in local communities, a number of measures have been introduced since 2011, including
- the introduction of the 9% rate of VAT on certain goods and services,
- the halving of the lower rate of employers’ PRSI,
- the introduction of the Microenterprise Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which schemes have had take-up from the retail sector, and the extension of seed capital and the employment and investment incentive scheme to the retail sector.
My Department remains committed to working with other Government Departments, with local government and with other community development and enterprise stakeholders with a view to providing a clear framework for addressing urban centre decline and its impacts on the retail sector, and will continue to explore all relevant options for further action in this regard.
Furthermore, Ireland has been allocated €1.2 billion of Structural Funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) for the period 2014 – 2020. The new ERDF regulation requires an increased focus on sustainable urban development and urban regeneration. In its Partnership Agreement with the European Commission on the new ERDF regulation, the Government has agreed that an urban development fund with a total value of €80 million will be available over the duration of the programme. Local authorities will be invited to bid for this ERDF support for projects that will contribute to the social, economic and environmental development of their urban areas. The first call for proposals will be made shortly, and it will be a matter for the local authorities to nominate appropriate projects for such funding.
A new tax relief scheme entitled the Living City Initiative was launched by the Minister for Finance earlier this month. This initiative is a targeted pilot tax incentive scheme which aims to encourage people back to the centre of Irish cities to live in older buildings (residential element), and to encourage the regeneration of central business districts (commercial element). Tax relief is available on qualifying expenditure related to the refurbishment or conversion of residential and commercial premises within the special regeneration areas of six cities (namely Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Waterford). Further information on the scheme can be obtained from the Department of Finance.
507. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent by his Department in legal fees in 2012, 2013, and 2014 in appealing decisions taken by the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20160/15]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any expenditure in appealing decisions taken by the High Court for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.
508. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work that is under way in reviewing Ireland's eel management plan; the timeframe and the nature of the engagement that will be undertaken with stakeholders; if he will provide details as to the way the stocks will be monitored scientifically, and by whom; if he will undertake to look at a special hardship fund or initiative, perhaps in conjunction with another Government Department, to assist those who have lost their livelihoods and have no means of earning income as a result of the ban on eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19296/15]
View answerIreland's eel management plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. Under the Regulation Member States must report to the European Commission on the measures adopted in their EMP’s. Ireland’s first report was submitted in June 2012 and the next reporting date is 30 June next. A Standing Scientific Committee for Eel (SSCE) was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. The SSCE comprises scientists from the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Loughs Agency, the Agriculture, Food and Biosciences Institute for Northern Ireland (AFBINI) the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and the Marine Institute (MI). The advice from the SSCE is independent of the parent agencies.
Documents relating to the latest review of the EMP measures, including monitoring of stocks, have been made available on the IFI website, www.fisheriesireland.ie, to coincide with the opening of the public consultation process which was advertised and commenced yesterday (Monday 18 May). These documents are:
- SSCE activity report;
- IFI’s three year monitoring report -2012 to 2014; and
- Ireland’s Eel Regulation Report to the EU 2015.
The documents are intended to stimulate an exchange of views within the public consultation for the 2015 review which will be a comprehensive process during which it is expected that a range of issues will be raised and considered.
Every stakeholder and interested party now has the opportunity to make their views known in writing before the closing date for the receipt of submissions on 17 June 2015. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation will be made available when this process concludes.
The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) in 2014 states that “The status of eel remains critical. ICES also 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 the status of the European Eel remains defined by the United Nations as critically endangered.
While I recognise fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen, there is no property right attaching to public eel licences. The current review advances an opportunity for further consultation with, and submissions from, stakeholders.
509. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/15]
View answerThe information contained in the reply to Question No. 450 of 28 April last is the up-to-date situation in relation to the planned commercial investment in Dingle, Co. Kerry as my Department understands it. Dingle is coloured Blue on our national coverage map (www.broadband.gov.ie) and according to publicly available information on eircom's website (www.eircom.net) the company expects to have its efibre connectivity installed in the town by the autumn of this year.
510. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify, in relation to the national broadband plan, if new private planned next generation access investments may be added to the map at any time between now and 31 December 2020; if further public consultations will be carried out on foot of the consequent amendments to the map; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19584/15]
View answer511. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the development of the regulatory framework to underpin the national broadband plan is making sufficient progress to allow him and potential bidders to meet the plan's procurement schedule of late 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19585/15]
View answer512. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he envisages for community co-funding in the access network of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19586/15]
View answer513. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to meet the requirements of the strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment directives in relation to the national broadband plan; if any necessary reports or submissions under those assessments will be published, either with, or in advance of, the forthcoming public consultation on the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/15]
View answer514. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the invitation on his Department's website to potential bidders for the national broadband plan to contact his Department, if he will specify the deadline for such a contract; if bids will be disadvantaged by failure to contact his Department in advance of the issuing of a formal invitation to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19588/15]
View answer515. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the level of co-operation from industry in relation to information on infrastructure sharing; if the limited information database proposed by his Department is capable of lowering costs, as envisaged by section 3(4) (details supplied) of the State aid guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19589/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 to 515, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November, I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
New private planned next generation access investments may be added to the national high-speed coverage map, once it is established that these plans are definitive and meet the relevant criteria required to be put on the map. i.e. that they will deliver high speed broadband service to end users. It is envisaged that the map will be updated on an ongoing basis from now until the award of a contract or contracts relating to the State intervention. How the map will develop beyond the contract award has yet to be determined.
Good progress is being made on all of the different elements of this complex project and we remain on track to publish the draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation in July. We are also on track to submit a State Aid Pre-Notification to DG Competition in June. Once the public consultation has been completed, I expect to move quickly into the formal procurement phase towards the end of the year.
As the draft Intervention Strategy is not yet fully finalised, I am not in a position at this time to comment in detail on whether the intervention will include any role for community co-funding in the access network. Based on my Department's on-going interaction with industry, it is clear that there is very significant interest in this project from several commercial operators so it is reasonable to expect a very competitive procurement process. The Intervention is also being designed on a wholesale basis with built-in assurances that it will be on a fully open access basis for all retail service providers who wish to use the new network to provide services to customers.
My Department is fully aware of the legal obligations in place under the relevant environmental impact assessment legislation and we are continuing to consider and address the application of this legislation to the State intervention.
There is no formal deadline in relation to contacting my Department as a potential bidder and bids will not be disadvantaged by not having contacted the Department in advance of the formal procurement process.
In relation to infrastructure sharing, last week my Department published a register of owners of infrastructure, as notified to us. The purpose of this register is to give potential bidders recourse to information on infrastructure which could be used as part of their bid. The register will remain open to any interested party should they wish to have their details included. Indeed, since publication, my Department has received further details for inclusion, and we will continue to engage with various organisations to ensure the maximum level of infrastructure re-use. The sharing of existing telecommunications infrastructure is considered a key enabler in reducing the overall cost of the project and in ensuring value for money to the State.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take between three and five years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids that we select.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
516. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the arrangements in place for persons who are currently on social protection payments and on very low income and are having difficulty making ends meet to pay their television licence on a weekly basis, where an official has called to the house in connection with the unlicensed television; if an instalment arrangement can be made to avoid the matter going to court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19600/15]
View answerThe sale of TV licences and the associated inspection process is an operational matter for An Post as the Minister's statutorily appointed Agent under the Broadcasting Act 2009. In general, there are instalment options available to TV licence customers in arrears. The applicability of such a process is dependent on the specific circumstances. Accordingly, the Deputy may wish to bring the circumstances of the case in question to the attention of An Post.
517. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of finances lost to his Department due to his predecessor's decision not to require the holding of petroleum prospecting licences, contrary to the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production 2007, which formed part of the terms and conditions of the onshore options licences, granted in 2011, to companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19607/15]
View answerThe three companies referred to were awarded onshore Licensing Options in February 2011 for a period of two years from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013.
In the absence of a specific set of licensing terms for the onshore area, applicants in the 2010 Onshore Licensing Round were advised that any licensing option granted under the licensing round would be subject to the offshore licensing terms. The licensing terms set down in some detail the regulatory framework applying to applicants and holders of petroleum authorisations, most of which are equally applicable to the offshore and onshore areas.
While the holders of the three onshore licensing options granted under the 2010 licensing round each applied for a petroleum prospecting licence, the Department did not process the applications as the work programmes being progressed did not involve interventions that would require a petroleum prospecting licence under the 1960 Act.
The fee to be paid on submission of an application for a petroleum prospecting licence is €1,520 and an annual fee of €7,601 per licence also applies.
