Written Answers Nos. 878-891
878. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide additional funding to Meath County Council for housing adaptation grants for persons with disabilities in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29063/15]
View answerThe total funding allocation of €50.5 million nationally for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability that I announced in May represents an increase of some 10% over the 2014 funding. In the case of Meath County Council, its full funding amount for 2015 of € 857,256 is an increase of some 20% on its 2014 allocation. With regard to opportunities for additional funding, my Department carefully manages the available budget for these supports and, in 2014, additional funds were made available to local authorities with high levels of grant activity. We will be applying the same scrutiny to the budget for 2015 and, in the event of savings arising, these grants will be a priority for supplementary funding.
879. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the next social housing needs assessment is due to be published by the Housing Agency; and whether his Department has any preliminary estimate of how much the social housing waiting list has increased or decreased since the 2013 social housing needs assessment. [29088/15]
View answerAs set out in the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, the next summary of social housing assessments will be undertaken in 2016 and on an annual basis thereafter. The report of the summary undertaken in 2013, which provides the most up-to-date figures available on housing list numbers, is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.
880. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to a Topical Issues debate on 26 March 2015, if he will reply to the points he made, in the Minister's absence, to the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection with special responsibility for Activation Dublin, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, regarding the new proposal for disposal of waste tyres; the reason a company (details supplied) was appointed as the sole agent without going through a normal tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29089/15]
View answer881. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he issued preconditions to his officials before consultations began with a tyre industry company (details supplied), namely that the company would run the system and he would set the fee; the need for full principles of responsible investment and a full reporting system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29090/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 880 and 881 together.
My Department has been in discussions with representatives of the tyre sector for approximately fifteen years in order to achieve a system which delivers an appropriate environmental outcome for this waste stream. At the time of their commencement, my Department made clear to the industry that the 2007 Tyre Regulations were the last opportunity for the tyre industry to address, in a comprehensive manner, issues associated with waste tyres. That opportunity was not taken and the structure introduced by the 2007 Regulations has not worked as a result.
The Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) review report on Tyres and Waste Tyres published by my Department concluded that the current system for dealing with waste tyres is not functioning as intended, with a lack of basic information, poor structure, poor environmental outcomes in the form of large stockpiles of waste tyres, and somewhere between 24% and 50% of waste tyres unaccounted for. The report also identified significant non-compliance among those with responsibilities under the current Waste Tyre Regulations.
In February 2015, I announced a move to a full Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) for tyres which will aim to rectify the deficiencies which have been identified in the current system. The new PRI scheme for tyres will comprise the following main features:
- A single compliance scheme for end-of-life tyres to be operated by Repak,
- The ending of the option to “self-comply” under the Regulations,
- Formalisation of the existing recycling charge charged by tyre retailers into a visible environmental management charge,
- The level of this visible environmental charge would be set by my Department and reviewed in two years,
- As part of the detailed design of the scheme, consideration by my Department, in consultation with the tyres and waste industry, as to whether the funding model is predicated upon a front-loaded or back-loaded model,
- A full audit and registration and reporting component (‘black box’) with a role for the WEEE Register Society, and
- An underpinning of the new regime, including enforcement and compliance measures, by a robust legislative base, including fixed penalty notices for certain breaches.
The new arrangements that I am proposing and developing in conjunction with tyre industry representatives through the Tyres Working Group will ensure that all of the financial contribution by the consumer will go towards the environmental management of waste tyres. It will also provide greater clarity, which is not currently available, around where the funding goes. The proposed charge is therefore a formalisation of an existing charge into a visible environmental management charge. The level of this charge will be set by my Department, in consultation with the tyre industry, and will be reviewed two years after its introduction.
I want to end the current system in which the taxpayer pays twice and has insufficient clarity on where either their contribution or their waste tyres go and replace it with a system that is based on the principle of producer responsibility for tyres, which operates successfully in the majority of EU Member States, and a system that is operated by an existing compliance scheme, which has a long track record of delivering on Ireland’s packaging recycling targets.
882. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the current homelessness crisis, particularly in Dublin, if he will recommend to Dublin City Council to reduce the minimum apartment size currently required for apartments to be legally inhabitable in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29133/15]
View answerIncreasing housing supply is at the heart of addressing the range of housing issues we face today, not least in relation to homelessness. It is in this context that Minister Kelly and I jointly wrote to the Chief Executives of each of the four Dublin local authorities on 10 June 2015 urging that the process for making development plans, under way in each authority at present, should focus around practical measures that can be adopted to boost housing supply and to ensure that good quality housing in suitable locations is available at affordable prices. The letter highlights the impacts of development plan requirements on the viability of new development and advises rigorous regulatory impact assessment of any new or existing development plan standards that are above relevant national minimum requirements. Floor size is one such example. The critical need for viable housing development will be central to my Department’s exercise of its statutory role in the development plan process.
884. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of housing allocations and payments to Westmeath County Council and to Longford Country Council, from 2008 to date. [29177/15]
View answerUnder my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is provided to housing authorities in respect of a range of programmes and initiatives. Details of expenditure under the main areas of this Programme for Westmeath and Longford County Councils for the years referred to are as set out in the Tables below.
Westmeath County Council
|
- |
2008 - € |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
15,827,034 |
14,123,900 |
6,022,684 |
2,249,432 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
1,688,610 |
274,550 |
3,531,718 |
213,733 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
26,452 |
17,811 |
188,051 |
273,517 |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
120,000 |
313,095 |
132,151 |
152,809 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
122,121 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
53,104 |
514,491 |
263,195 |
|
Central Heating |
19,784 |
810,574 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Compliance with New Rented Standards |
Nil |
Nil |
119,895 |
373,537 |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
1,166,409 |
1,544,791 |
1,609,193 |
1,057,843 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
880,070 |
1,477,868 |
1,772,940 |
2,061,900 |
Westmeath County Council
|
|
2012 - € |
2013 - € |
2014 - € |
2015 (to 30 June 2015) - € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
2,916,450 |
531,658 |
2,088,810 |
20,478 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
590,314 |
118,647 |
16,431 |
Nil |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
454,800 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
102,113 |
237,131 |
87,059 |
49,094 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
369,518 |
Nil |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
209,468 |
1,079,494 |
859,733 |
Nil |
|
Central Heating |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Compliance with New Rented Standards |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
752,022 |
561,798 |
794,766 |
124,107 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
1,793,833 |
1,905,250 |
1,996,489 |
1,073,821 |
Longford County Council
|
|
2008 - € |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
16,495,900 |
12,852,409 |
3,820,875 |
758,309 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
2,361,772 |
800,690 |
4,054,104 |
802,912 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
154,462 |
Nil |
140,450 |
155,213 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
378,298 |
178,994 |
84,050 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
Nil |
294,111 |
304,810 |
|
Central Heating |
750,000 |
579,600 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
811,005 |
930,069 |
1,108,804 |
929,556 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
993,580 |
1,506,487 |
1,726,280 |
1,759,035 |
Longford County Council
|
|
2012 - € |
2013 - € |
2014 - € |
2015 (to 30 June 2015) - € |
|
Local Authority Housing Construction and Acquisition |
1,227,029 |
576,033 |
288,768 |
Nil |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
1,123,017 |
212,308 |
118,349 |
Nil |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
220,900 |
1,161,776 |
45,711 |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
113,001 |
73,827 |
135,429 |
Nil |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
313,250 |
Nil |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
206,884 |
1,147,820 |
370,286 |
Nil |
|
Central Heating |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
756,742 |
705,488 |
547,570 |
84,090 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
1,441,226 |
1,157,357 |
887,897 |
383,142 |
Funding allocations to local authorities and approved housing bodies for new build and acquisition of social housing units in 2015 will be based on the proposals they will be implementing to deliver social housing units, in line with the targets I announced earlier this year which are out to 2017.
The allocations to both Councils under a range of other programmes and initiatives in 2015 are set out in the following table.
|
Programme of Works |
Westmeath County Council |
Longford County Council |
|
|
2015 Allocation |
2015 Allocation |
|
Returning Vacant Properties to Productive Use |
€301,150 |
€282,350 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
€9,600* |
€397,430 |
|
Adaptations and Extensions to Social Housing |
€140,413 |
€181,800 |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People with a Disability |
€620,112 |
€595,580 |
* Funding allocation is in respect of completion of Phase One energy efficiency works with a further allocation for phase two works to be informed shortly.
885. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-assess the breed of German shepherd's current classification as a dangerous dog under the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, with a view to a possible downgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29189/15]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 places the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control, irrespective of breed. Such responsible dog ownership is the key to reducing incidences of problem behaviours. In addition, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended) require that 10 specific breeds of dogs, including the German Shepherd (Alsatian), and crosses of the breeds, must be muzzled and led on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 m in length by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place.
The specific control requirements for these restricted breeds are a balanced and workable arrangement which recognises the rights of dog owners and respects animal welfare to the extent possible, while also taking account of the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury, or cause death.
I have no plans to amend the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010, or the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended), in respect of these matters.
886. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current average age of permanent staff employed within his Department and the agencies under his Department's remit; the way this varies from the end of 2008 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29196/15]
View answerDetails in respect of the average age of staff in my Department at the end of 2008 and 2011 and as at June 2015 are set out in the table.
|
Year |
Average Age |
|
December 2008 |
44.65 |
|
December 2011 |
46.32 |
|
June 2015 |
47.81 |
My Department does not collect such data in respect of agencies under its remit.
888. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that his Department's housing strategy is working given that Dublin City Council is at a stage where it is struggling to cope with the demand for housing due to the crisis in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29219/15]
View answerThe Social Housing Strategy’s targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme, will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand. In order to get the most accurate data relating to the numbers applying for social housing support, the Strategy also includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the summary of social housing assessments by undertaking it on an annual basis from 2016 onwards.
With regard to social housing provision, the Social Housing Strategy sets out ambitious targets for delivery to 2020, with delivery in the Dublin area being driven by a dedicated Dublin Social Housing Delivery Taskforce. On 1 April, I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €1.5 billion for all local authorities, to meet an ambitious delivery target of 22,883 social housing units out to 2017. Within this, the combined funding total for the Dublin local authorities comes to over €500 million. As part of the delivery under this €500 million programme for Dublin, €117 million was allocated to the four Dublin local authorities on 5 May in respect of 19 build projects, which will see the development of 566 new units of accommodation.
Further announcements of new unit delivery under the Capital Assistance Scheme and the broader social housing investment programmes will be made in the coming weeks and months. The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is also progressing at pace, with over 2,500 households now in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme.
With regard to supports for homeless households, a range of measures is being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014).
Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/
Furthermore, a Task Force and Unit are in place to identify and secure properties which could potentially be used to accommodate homeless families in the Dublin Region. The Unit is comprised of representatives from my Department, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, Dublin City Council and the Housing Agency. It is linking with NAMA, the Department of Justice and Equality, OPW and the Department of Education and Skills to determine potential State-owned properties. The Unit is overseen by a Task Force, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and also comprising other senior officials of my Department, the Chief Executive and Assistant Chief Executive (Housing) of Dublin City Council, the Chief Valuer of Dublin City Council, the Director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and the Chief Executive and a Senior Executive of the Housing Agency.
889. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify when approval was first sought earlier this year for the appointment of a cycling officer by Dublin City Council and when he will make a decision on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29220/15]
View answerMy Department received a staff sanction request from Dublin City Council for a Cycling Officer, on a three-year contract, on 26 May 2015 and following consideration of the request, the post was approved on 10 July 2015.
890. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current capacity for wind generation, hydro-electric generation, biomass generation, bio-digester generation and solar generation within the Irish grid system; at capacity, the percentage of our 2020 targets that are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28210/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and, in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. Provisional figures provided by the SEAI for 2014 show that 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 22.6% of electricity, 6.7% of heat and 5.2% of transport were met from renewable sources.
The details requested by the Deputy concerning the sources of renewable generation connected to the electricity grid are available from the Eirgrid website at http://www.eirgrid.com/customers/gridconnections/listofconnectedandcontractedgenerators/ and from ESB Networks athttp://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/generator-connections/Connected-Contracted-Generators.jsp.
As regards quantum available the following table reflects the position at the end of June 2015:
|
RES-E Source |
MW (at June 2015) |
|
Hydro |
238 |
|
Wind |
2395 |
|
Biomass |
7 |
|
Biogas |
58 |
|
Municipal Waste |
9 |
|
Solar |
0.05 |
891. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the data which supports his view that the introduction of the Eircode postcode system will improve competitiveness and support and maintain jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28213/15]
View answerEircodes, the National Postcodes System, was launched yesterday. Over the next two weeks, every residential and business address in Ireland will receive a letter in the post informing them of the new Eircode for that address. My Department conducted a Cost Benefit analysis of the proposed postcodes system in 2010, which was updated last year to reflect the stage of development of the project at that time. The Cost Benefit Analysis showed that, in addition to the project yielding a positive in Net Present Value to both the State and Private Sector, it would also bring about a wide range of other benefits including:
- facilitating the accurate location of all addresses in the State, including the 35% of Irish addresses that are ‘non-unique’;
- making it easier for consumers to shop online, and assist the development of Irish online commerce;
- improving the efficiency and accuracy of internal business processes as a result of improved accuracy and consistency of databases across public and private sectors;
- making it quicker and easier for emergency services to locate addresses, particularly in rural areas;
- delivering improved efficiencies with regards to logistics;
- providing better planning and analysis capabilities across public and private sectors;
- enabling organisations to improve existing services and/or develop new service offerings; and
- facilitating improved efficiencies in the mails sector.
In addition, during the development of the postcode system, my Department conducted extensive consultation with major public and private sector stakeholders who highlighted the benefits of Eircodes to their operations.
Once public and private sector organisations start to use Eircodes, I am satisfied that their use will help underpin competitiveness and, in turn, support jobs.
