Written Answers Nos. 847-861
847. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the key priorities in 2015 of the national housing strategy for people with a disability; the progress made in achieving these priorities in the first half of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28372/15]
View answerThe National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011 – 2016 and the associated National Implementation Framework are joint publications of my Department and the Department of Health. These documents set out the Government’s broad framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. They were developed as part of a coherent framework, in conjunction with the Government’s mental health policy, A Vision for Change, the Report of the Working Group on Congregated Settings and the Value for Money Review of Disability Services, to support people with disabilities within community based living with maximum independence and choice. Implementation of the Strategy is being driven primarily by the Housing Agency which has a key role in overseeing the rollout of the Implementation Framework and ensuring uniformity of approach at local level. A dedicated Housing Subgroup chaired by the Housing Agency was established in 2012 to progress implementation. The Subgroup includes representatives from my Department, the HSE, Department of Health, local authorities, the Irish Council for Social Housing and various disability organisations. As regards 2015 priorities, work is ongoing to progress the transitioning of individuals from congregated settings. Two task groups, reporting to and overseen by the main Subgroup, have been established to progress the priority actions of the NHSPWD, one in relation to mental health and one relating to actions for individuals with a disability living in the community.
In line with the priority action to achieve a co-ordinated approach to service delivery, housing authorities are required to establish Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) in each county/city council area to facilitate integrated and timely responses to the housing needs of people with disabilities. The Steering Groups are chaired by Directors of Housing Services and include representation from the HSE and key disability sectors. The majority of housing authorities have now established HDSGs, with support and guidance provided by the Housing Agency. It is expected that all HDSGs will be up and running in the coming months.
The preparation and delivery of a Strategic Plan in each county/city area is a key task for the Steering Groups. As part of the priority action to ensure equitable access for people with disabilities, housing authorities must develop specific local strategies to meet the identified needs of people with disabilities. The 5-year Strategic Plans will be informed by the identified housing needs and by broader formalised consultation with relevant statutory agencies, service user groups and disability organisations. The strategies will form an integral part of the local authority Housing Service Plans and will promote and support the delivery of accommodation for people with disabilities using all appropriate housing supply mechanisms. Around two thirds of the Strategic Plans have been received to date and are currently being collated by the Housing Agency into a draft National Plan. The Housing Agency is following up on those not yet received. These actions, set out in the NHSPWD, are reinforced in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
848. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the evaluation carried out by his Department on the waste prevention by-laws of Mayo County Council, and the efficacy of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28391/15]
View answerSection 35(1) provides for the making of by-laws by local authorities in relation to the presentation of waste. The approval of a draft by-law, the consideration of submissions in relation to such draft by-law and the making, amendment or revocation of a by-law made under the Local Government Act 2001, are each functions reserved to the elected members of individual local authorities.
849. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of prosecutions under the Litter Pollution Acts that have been conducted in County Mayo, in each of the past five years to date; the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28392/15]
View answerThe Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat littering. Under the Acts, the primary responsibility for litter management and enforcement rests with the 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, taking account of its own local circumstances and priorities.
While my Department does not collate statistics on the number of prosecutions taken by individual local authorities in relation to offences committed under the Litter Pollution Acts, this data is available under the Local Authority Service Indicators Report. Included in this data (covered under Tables 19 to 21 of the Report) is 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 (containing the latest available data), together with previous years’ reports, are available at the following link: http://www.lgma.ie/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013.
850. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding responsibility for noise caused by electrical currents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28467/15]
View answerAny complaints concerning environmental noise, including low-frequency noise, should be directed to the relevant local authority. The reported noise source determines how a complaint is investigated and addressed by the local authority. A public information leaflet How to Make an Environmental Complaint has been prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist members of public by advising whom they should contact regarding environmental complaints and what details should be provided to help resolve the problem. This leaflet can be viewed on the EPA website, www.epa.ie.
851. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the commercial rates charged in 2015 for wind turbines, by local authority area; if he will provide a list of the charges, by local authority, in order to illustrate any variations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28476/15]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and all rates income accrues to the local government sector. The information requested regarding rates in respect of wind turbines is not available in my Department.
852. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the opinion of the head of an organisation (details supplied) regarding set-back distances of up to 1,500 m for wind turbines from residential areas, and the effects, if any, on health from wind turbine noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28505/15]
View answerMy Department is currently conducting a review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focused specifically on noise, proximity and shadow flicker. As part of this process, my Department wrote to the Department of Health in September 2013 inviting any input that they might have on the health aspects, if any, of wind farms. Preliminary feedback was received from a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Department of Health which indicated that wind turbines do not represent a threat to public health. This feedback was based on a 2009 literature review conducted by the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The Deputy CMO subsequently wrote to my Department in April 2014 to advise that Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council had updated their evidence in relation to this matter. In that letter, the Deputy CMO stated ‘This review again supports previous advice that there is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans.’ The Deputy CMO also referred to the limited number of peer reviewed articles and research in this area and that Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council may recommend further high quality research. Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council released a further statement in February 2015 stating that ‘After careful consideration and deliberation of the body of evidence, NHMRC concludes that there is currently no consistent evidence that wind farms cause adverse health effects in humans.’
My Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Health, particularly in relation to the findings of any further international peer reviewed research on this subject. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has also been made aware of this ongoing dialogue in the context of the implementation of their renewable energy policy (including wind energy).
It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible.
853. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding voting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28518/15]
View answerSubject to age and residency requirements, a registered elector's citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. Irish Citizens alone are entitled to vote in Presidential elections and referendums. While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to extend the current arrangements for voting by non-Irish citizens in referendums.
854. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review of building regulations in respect of one-off houses; when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28520/15]
View answer861. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a report on the recent review of the building regulations will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28728/15]
View answer883. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to publish the new building control regulations; the specific changes he plans to make to the SI 9 Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014. [29138/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 854, 861 and 883 together.
The review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 following the first twelve months of their operation is now well advanced. The impact of the regulations on the cost of single dwellings (including self builds) forms an important element of this review. Some 170 submissions were received during the public consultation process which concluded on 15 May 2015. A report prepared by my Department following its review of the submissions received is currently under consideration. I expect to conclude the review speedily, with a view to ensuring that any changes deemed appropriate will be effected as a matter of priority. I envisage that the report will be published in due course.
855. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the increased property value thresholds that will apply in County Mayo following the recent changes to the mortgage-to-rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28550/15]
View answerThe package of commitments on mortgage arrears announced by Government recently includes a number of amendments to the Approved Housing Body Mortgage to Rent Scheme, which will enable more properties to qualify for the scheme and make it more flexible and accessible to borrowers. The principal amendment to the scheme, which took effect from 1 July, is to increase the valuation thresholds applicable which should enable more properties to qualify. The applicable thresholds have been set at two different levels, based on the costs of properties in different areas of the country. In respect of Mayo County Council, which is included as a ‘normal threshold’ area, the revised thresholds that now apply are as follows:
|
Property Type |
Normal Threshold Areas |
|
House |
€250,000 |
|
Apartment |
€190,000 |
856. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding for the natural environment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28605/15]
View answer859. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will protect the environment, economy, and well-being of the people of Ireland by requesting the Government to ensure that a fair share of at least 17% of the national lottery funding is allocated in budget 2016 for work on the natural environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28634/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 856 and 859 together.
I am aware of the amendment to section 41 of the National Lotteries Act 2013 that, pursuant to section 44 of said Act, enables National Lottery moneys paid into the Central Fund to be allocated for the purposes of the natural environment, as well as potentially for a range of other stated purposes.
Lottery funding is a limited resource utilised across a range of Government Departments and Agencies. National Lottery funding channelled through my Department’s Vote currently supports a wide range of other worthy causes, including community groups and voluntary organisations. National Lottery funding is also distributed by other Departments to groups working in areas such as disability, health and sport.
It is important to note that should National Lottery funding be provided for the natural environment, corresponding reductions would be required in other areas which are currently in receipt of such funding, within my own Department and also potentially within other beneficiary Departments. Accordingly, re-allocation of funding to support the natural environment at the expense of one or more of these other sectors can only be undertaken following very careful reflection. However, I intend to keep this matter under review as the budgetary situation improves in the years ahead.
In taking this view, I am conscious that the natural environment, uniquely amongst the broad range of areas funded by my Department, also receives funding from the Environment Fund, which was established with effect from 17 July 2001 by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001. The Environment Fund comprises the revenues from the environmental levy on the supply of plastic bags, collected by the Revenue Commissioners, and the environmental levy on the landfilling of waste, collected by local authorities.
The Environment Fund is hypothecated for environmental purposes, and is used for activities or initiatives in a range of areas such as, inter alia:
- schemes to prevent/reduce waste and waste recovery activities;
- research and development into waste management;
- production, distribution or sale of products deemed to be less harmful to the environment than other similar products;
- development of producer initiatives to prevent/reduce waste arising from their activities;
- promotion of awareness of the need to protect the environment, including national and regional campaigns;
- promotion/support of education and training to assist achievement of campaign objectives;
- initiatives undertaken by community groups and others for protection of the environment;
- initiatives undertaken by international organisations and others for protection of the environment and/or sustainable development; and
- such other purposes for the protection of the environment as may be prescribed by the Minister in regulations.
Since 2011, some €259 million has been disbursed to the environment sector from the Environment Fund. This is in addition to some €146 million provided to the environment sector by way of Exchequer Voted expenditure by my Department.
Given the prevailing challenging budgetary context in which the Government and my own Department has been required to operate over this period, I believe that the allocation of such a considerable amount of funding to environmental initiatives represents a fair and reasonable level of support for the environment sector in the circumstances, and I am committed to continuing to allocate and prioritise funding across my broad area of responsibility, including the environment, in as equitable a manner as possible within budgetary constraints.
857. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020 will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28610/15]
View answerThe Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under stage one of the selection process for the new programme, any entity who wished to be considered as a Local Action Group was invited to submit an expression of interest. For the purposes of the new programme, there are 28 sub-regional areas in Ireland and 45 separate expressions of interest were received. A single expression of interest was received in 19 of the 28 areas and at least 2 expressions of interest were received in the remaining 9 areas. Of the 45 expressions of interest received, 1 was formally withdrawn before assessment. Of the remaining 44, 42 met the minimum criteria and have proceeded to the next stage of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategies for their areas.
A minimum of 6 months will be allowed for the preparation of local development strategies. However, I expect that not all areas will require the full 6 months to prepare their strategies. Indeed, I am hopeful that many areas will have their strategies approved and be in a position to begin delivery on the ground by Autumn 2015, with all areas operational and processing applications by early 2016.
858. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the purposes of implementing the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020; if the Government adopted a definition of rural areas that will exclude applications from certain areas and the location of those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28613/15]
View answerThe purpose of the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is to provide resources to rural communities to support projects and interventions that will address the priority issues of social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.
The Leader elements of Rural Development Programme are delivered using a community led local development approach, where rural communities themselves are the drivers of projects to support the sustainable development of their own areas.
The definition of rural areas for the purposes of the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme encompasses all areas outside of the five main cities - Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. In principle, any area that meets this definition of a rural area is eligible for Leader funding.
It should be noted, however, that in the context of a full and comprehensive analysis of the needs and potential of a given area, a Local Action Group may decide that some areas within their sub-region may need Leader resources more than others and may prioritise these areas in their local development strategy. Such decisions are entirely within the remit of the Local Action Group and my Department plays no role in determining which areas may or may not have access to Leader funding.
860. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the housing list, by local authority area, for up to three months; three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus to 18 months; 18 months plus to 24 months; 24 months plus to 36 months; and 36 months plus; the number of derelict or uninhabitable public housing units there are in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28691/15]
View answerThe latest summary of social housing assessments, as of 7 May 2013, provides data on the number of households on local authority waiting lists at that date across a range of categories broken down by authority, including details on the length of time spent by households on housing lists. The full 2013 results are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf. The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. In order to get the most accurate data relating to the numbers applying for social housing support, the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the summary of social housing assessments by undertaking it on annual basis from 2016 onwards.
Statistics on local authority housing stock are published by the Local Government Management Agency. The Local Government Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2013 report published by the Agency provides the latest data available on the numbers of units which are unavailable for letting in each local authority area. The report is available at the following web - link: http://www.lgma.ie/en/service-indicators-local-authorities-2013.
