Written Answers Nos. 289-300
289. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration that has been given to the provision of assistance to the Greater Chernobyl Cause (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29565/15]
View answerThe recent request to my Department seeking assistance for the 2016 national competition being organised by the Greater Chernobyl Cause has been passed to the relevant officials in my Department, who will contact the organisers in due course, in relation to any logistical supports, that may be available to assist the project.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan T.D., has advised me that the development education programme managed by Irish Aid in his Department seeks to deepen the understanding of the Irish public on issues relating to global poverty and development. Irish Aid's development education budget provides funding each year through competitive funding rounds for the development education activities of education institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations, including in formal education settings.
At primary school level development education grants are made available through Irish Aid's Annual Development Education Funding Scheme and at post-primary level, grants are provided under Irish Aid's Worldwise Global Schools Annual Funding Scheme.
It is anticipated that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will issue a call for applications for funding under Irish Aid's Annual Development Education Funding Scheme in September 2015 and the next call for applications under Worldwise Global Schools will be in April 2016. Further information on both of these funding schemes is available by contacting the Civil Society and Development Education Unit in Irish Aid.
290. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a recycling scheme for gas appliances, similar to the Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29354/15]
View answerThere are no proposals to establish a gas appliances recycling system. It should, however, be noted that gas appliances, which are dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly, come under the scope of the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 which aim to reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment that ends up in landfill. These Regulations transpose the requirements of the re-cast WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU which came into effect on 14 February 2014. Unlike typical waste gas cookers or boilers which are more easily recycled, WEEE is a complex mixture of materials and components that because of their hazardous content and if not properly managed, can cause major environmental and health problems. Moreover, the production of modern electronics requires the use of scarce and expensive resources. To improve the environmental management of WEEE and to contribute to a circular economy and resource efficiency, enhanced collection, treatment and recycling of electronics at the end of their life is essential.
291. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to tackle the issue of food waste, particularly in view of the current negotiations at United Nations level for a target of halving global food waste by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29479/15]
View answerIn order to maximise the resource potential and minimise disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015 build on the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009. These two sets of regulations place clear obligations on waste collectors, businesses and households to promote the segregation and recovery of food waste for purposes of producing energy, compost and digestate, thereby supporting job creation in the waste and bio-energy sectors. The Regulations also facilitate the achievement of the targets set out in the Landfill Directive (Directive 99/31/EC) for the diversion of bio-degradable municipal waste from landfill sites, by directing source-segregated household food waste to composting and to other forms of treatment.
There are positive indications that the implementation and enforcement of these Regulations are resulting in more food waste being diverted from landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency recently published Compost and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Statistics for 2013 which highlighted the following trends:
- The quantity of municipal organic waste accepted for treatment at composting facilities was 158 kilo tonnes (kT) in 2013, a 3% increase from 154 kT in 2012;
- The quantity of food waste accepted at composting and AD facilities in 2013 was up 8% (from 105 Kt in 2012 to 114 kT in 2013);
- The quantity of brown bin organic waste (food and garden waste) accepted at anaerobic digestion facilities increased from 0.7 kT in 2010 to 7.7 kT in 2013.
The successful roll-out of the brown bin is dependent on appropriate education and awareness measures being introduced to support households in using the brown bin correctly. In this regard, my Department has provided sponsorship and grants to fund food waste awareness campaigns, including development of a dedicated website, www.brownbin.ie, to provide the public with the information required to use the brown bin appropriately, including advice on the optimal methods for effective collection and storage of food waste.
A report conducted in 2013, entitled Review of Best International Practice on How to Educate Households on Using the Brown Bin Correctly, recommended a national pilot programme of ‘brown bin advisors’ to educate householders on how to use the brown bin system. Sligo County Council submitted a successful proposal to my Department for Sligo town to be the national pilot of the Brown Bin Advisor Pilot Programme. The aim of this project is to see how a range of educational and collection tools, such as the use of brown bin advisors and the provision of kitchen caddies to householders, can improve the capture and quality of food waste in the brown bin. The goal is to demonstrate the positive impact that relatively low cost measures can have on the performance of the system. On foot of the findings of this project, it is anticipated that the best practices identified in Sligo town will form a model for other towns to adopt.
The introduction of pay by weight as a condition for the collection of household waste will also have significant potential to reduce average household waste by almost one third and support higher levels of segregation by providing a clear price incentive for households to properly use the three-bin system. The simple message with pay by weight is that the less your bin weighs, the less you will pay.
292. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated revenue, calculated by his Department, from a 3% vacant site levy, in accordance with the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015. [29514/15]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, is primarily focussed on addressing housing supply-related issues with a view to facilitating increased activity in the housing construction sector, particularly in the Dublin area where demand currently outstrips supply.
One of the main provisions of the Bill is the introduction of a vacant site levy aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, underutilised sites in central urban areas for residential or regeneration development. Under the provisions of the Bill, the levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites at a rate of 3% of the market value of each site, with reduced or zero rates applying in specific circumstances. At this time, it is not possible to provide an estimate of the annual levies that may be raised by planning authorities in the operation of the levy.
293. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the new building regulations. [30357/15]
View answer302. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the public consultation on the Building Control Regulations which took place during May 2015 has recommended any changes to be made; the details of such proposed changes; when they will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29258/15]
View answer313. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date with the review announced by him on the 12 April 2015 of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, Statutory Instrument No. 9 of 2014, as they relate to one-off houses; when it is intended to finalise and publish the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29458/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 302 and 313 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. On this basis, 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.
294. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the upcoming Local Authority Service Indicators Report will be published. [29237/15]
View answerThe most recent report on Service Indicators in Local Authorities, relating to 2013, was published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in December 2014.
One of the functions of the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC), which was established in July 2014 under section 126B of the Local Government Act 2001 (as inserted by section 61 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014), is to scrutinise the performance of any local government body against or in comparison with relevant indicators that the Commission considers it appropriate to refer to, and which includes relevant indicators relating to customer service. This replaces, in respect of performance in 2014 and subsequent years, the service indicators reporting to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that commenced in 2004, although the LGMA role in the collection of the data and the compilation of the report continues in respect of the replacement report to NOAC.
NOAC’s Work Plan for 2015-16, which is available on its website at www.noac.ie, includes as a specific action item for 2015 the performance indicators report in respect of activity by local authorities in 2014.
295. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a redress board to deal with new and other anticipated claims in respect of pyrite-damaged homes in north County Mayo; if he will consider offering the same redress to property owners in north County Mayo as was offered to home-owners in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29245/15]
View answerWhile I fully appreciate and acknowledge the extremely difficult and distressing situations that householders have to deal with when faced with the consequences of poor workmanship or the use of defective materials, in general, building defects are matters for resolution between contracting parties, ie. the homeowner, the builder, the supplier and/or their respective insurers.
In the event that the parties cannot reach a settlement by negotiation the option of seeking redress in the Courts can be considered. In this context, I believe that the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials should face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate actions to provide remedies for the affected homeowners.
In March of last year, my Department met with a number of private homeowners from County Mayo whose homes are affected by structural problems. The problems appear to concern approximately 15 private houses and the period of construction for the houses involved was 1997 to 2002. My Department was also made aware of problems associated with the cracking of concrete blocks in a small number of local authority estates in County Mayo involving some 17 dwellings.
Similar to the position in County Mayo, my Department also met with a number of private homeowners from County Donegal in December last year and, subsequently, I visited a number of the affected dwellings in late February of this year. Test reports on the affected concrete blocks, which had previously been commissioned by a number of the affected homeowners, were made available to my Department in order to provide a more detailed and scientific insight into the problems that have arisen in Donegal.
Having regard to the information available to my Department, a technical report has been prepared for my consideration; I intend to complete my deliberations in these matters shortly.
296. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the development of Local Economic and Community Plans by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29251/15]
View answerLocal Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) will provide a strategic framework for the economic development and community development roles of local authorities. They will identify and address the strategic objectives and practical actions needed to promote and support both economic development and local and community development across all local authority areas.
The economic element of the plan is being prepared by the local authority, with the community element being prepared by the Local Community Development Committee. The plans will be consistent with core strategies of the Local Authority Development Plans, the current Regional Planning Guidelines and in line with the regional Spatial and Economic Strategies to be prepared by the new Regional Assemblies.
Significant progress has been made by all local authorities in recent months in developing the LECPs with a view to their adoption by the end of 2015. It is understood that the majority of areas are currently engaged in public consultation processes and developing objectives underpinned by clear measurable actions to ensure successful delivery of the plans.
297. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details on all local authorities in respect of Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012; the percentage increase or decrease applied by each, or where they maintained the Local Property Tax at current levels as notified to his Department for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29252/15]
View answerEffective from 1 July 2014, local authorities may vary the rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) in their administrative area for the following year by up to 15% of the basic rate of the Tax. The power to vary LPT rates has been given to local authorities to further increase their autonomy. Elected members are already responsible for finalising the annual budget of the local authority – it is a reserved function for them – and the power to vary LPT rates has enabled them to directly influence the level of LPT income they have to meet their expenditure requirements.
The decision to vary must be taken by resolution of the Council and must be notified to the Revenue Commissioners by 30 September in order to apply for the following year. For 2015, 14 local authorities availed of the opportunity to reduce the basic rate of LPT by the levels set out in the table. The other 17 local authorities did not vary the LPT rate for 2015.
|
2015 LPT basic rate reduced by |
Local Authority |
|
1.5% |
Louth County Council |
|
3% |
Limerick City and County Council |
|
Longford County Council |
|
|
Mayo County Council |
|
|
Westmeath County Council |
|
|
7.5% |
Kildare County Council |
|
10% |
Cork County Council |
|
Cork City Council |
|
|
15% |
Clare County Council |
|
Dublin City Council |
|
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
|
|
Fingal County Council |
|
|
South Dublin County Council |
|
|
Wicklow County Council |
298. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Youth Employment Initiative under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme; the budget of the Programme; the allocation to each Programme implementer; the key objectives; the projected number of young persons reached by the Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29253/15]
View answerMy Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the successor programme to the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015.
SICAP is one of my Department’s key priorities and will operate for the 9 month period for 2015, with funding of €28 million, as outlined in the table. This includes an allocation of €2 million under the European Structural Funds (ESF) Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020 and €2 million under the Youth Employment Initiative.
The aim of SICAP to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. The objective of the SICAP activities proposed for ESF funding is to support young unemployed people under 25 years of age from disadvantaged groups and communities onto an effective pathway towards employment by providing a series of activities locally delivered under the Youth Employment Initiative.
During 2015, a national figure of some 4,000 young unemployed people will be supported through a range of defined activities under the programme, including training, job preparing/job search, work placements and mentoring.
|
LCDC Name |
Lot Name |
SICAP Budget April-Dec 2015 (€) |
|
Carlow |
Carlow County |
402,321 |
|
Cavan |
Cavan County |
556,338 |
|
Clare |
Clare County |
641,506 |
|
Cork City |
Cork City |
908,870 |
|
North Cork (3) |
Kanturk, Newmarket & Millstreet |
118,547 |
|
Charleville & Mitchelstown |
123,242 |
|
|
Mallow & Fermoy |
206,544 |
|
|
South Cork |
South & East Cork |
591,919 |
|
West Cork (3) |
West Cork District |
222,829 |
|
Bandon & Kinsale |
115,689 |
|
|
West Cork Islands (7) |
21,578 |
|
|
Donegal (3) |
Inishowen |
447,885 |
|
Gaeltacht |
254,561 |
|
|
Donegal |
778,489 |
|
|
Dublin City (5) |
Ballyfermot & Chapelizod |
404,112 |
|
Ballymun, Whitehall & Tolka |
1,147,582 |
|
|
Northside |
839,502 |
|
|
Canal, Rathmines & Pembroke |
998,657 |
|
|
Inner City |
635,514 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
700,868 |
|
Fingal |
Fingal |
889,593 |
|
Galway City |
Galway City |
487,093 |
|
Galway County |
Galway County |
1,201,187 |
|
Kerry (3) |
North East & West Kerry |
794,043 |
|
Rathmore & Gneeveguilla |
42,051 |
|
|
South Kerry & Killarney |
386,105 |
|
|
Kildare |
Kildare County |
765,170 |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny County |
455,860 |
|
Laois |
Laois County |
423,048 |
|
Leitrim |
Leitrim County |
393,488 |
|
Limerick City & County (3) |
Limerick West Rural |
392,652 |
|
Limerick Urban |
929,360 |
|
|
Limerick East Rural |
317,058 |
|
|
Longford |
Longford County |
383,669 |
|
Louth |
Louth County |
965,881 |
|
Mayo (3) |
Mayo Islands |
34,404 |
|
Ballina & Mayo West |
537,050 |
|
|
Castlebar & Claremorris |
359,454 |
|
|
Meath |
Meath County |
278,304 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan County |
464,453 |
|
Offaly |
Offaly County |
553,736 |
|
Roscommon |
Roscommon County |
448,762 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County |
439,136 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
South Dublin County |
1,533,589 |
|
Tipperary (2) |
Tipperary North |
388,921 |
|
Tipperary South |
452,917 |
|
|
Waterford City & Council |
Waterford City & County |
823,835 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County |
574,661 |
|
Wexford |
Wexford County |
1,276,311 |
|
Wicklow (2) |
Bray & Greystones |
534,069 |
|
Arklow, Wicklow & Baltinglass |
438,515 |
299. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided to Dublin City Council for the refurbishment of empty social housing units, known as voids, in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; if he will provide a breakdown for each of those years as to the number of those units that were in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 8, and the general address of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/15]
View answerSupport from my Department to local authorities in recent years to return vacant social houses to productive use has operated as a separate funding stream since 2014. For the years 2011 and 2012, Department support to local authorities for vacant units was accommodated as part of an Energy Efficiency programme and saw Dublin City Council return 379 units to use; however, a breakdown of the locations of these units and specific funding assigned to this work is not available in my Department. There was no funding for vacant units in 2013.
Under the 2014 programme, 467 vacant units were returned to use by Dublin City Council with funding of €6,163,464. The number of addresses identified in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 is as follows –
|
Area |
Dublin 2 |
Dublin 4 |
Dublin 6 |
Dublin 8 |
|
Number of Units |
56 |
25 |
34 |
63 |
For 2015, a target of 234 vacant units for return to productive use has been set for Dublin City Council, with a funding allocation of €4,378,150. The implementation of these works and the addresses concerned are matters for Dublin City Council, so my Department does not have information at this point on addresses of units returned so far in 2015. Any funding from my Department is additional to work undertaken from local authorities’ own resources to deal with vacant units.
300. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the plans of the National Association of Building Co-Operatives to develop social housing in the former tenement building at the junction of Moss Street and Gloucester Street in Dublin 2; the funding that has been committed; the reason for the delay in the roll-out of this project since it was announced in 2013 by his predecessor; when it will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29256/15]
View answerIn April 2013, the National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCO) announced plans to develop a number of housing projects, including the former tenement building at the Moss Street/Gloucester Street junction in Dublin 2. However, a formal proposal for this development was only submitted to my Department in recent weeks by Dublin City Council and it is now being evaluated. A response on the matter will issue to the City Council shortly.
