Timmy Dooley
Question:703. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of motor tax collected in each local authority in 2015 to date [30188/15]
View answerMotor Tax Yield
Questions (703)
Written answers
Gross motor tax receipts from 1 January to 30 June 2015 are set out, by licensing authority, in the table.
|
Licensing Authority |
Motor tax office (€) |
Online (€) |
Total (€)
|
|
Carlow |
4,289,951 |
4,444,731 |
8,734,682 |
|
Cavan |
3,924,331 |
5,647,062 |
9,571,393 |
|
Clare |
6,384,857 |
9,467,604 |
15,852,461 |
|
Cork |
22,184,936 |
50,418,867 |
72,603,803 |
|
Donegal |
10,621,505 |
8,506,891 |
19,128,396 |
|
Dublin |
30,673,109 |
120,596,466 |
151,269,575 |
|
Galway |
13,341,287 |
19,998,325 |
33,339,612 |
|
Kerry |
6,361,912 |
13,699,207 |
20,061,119 |
|
Kildare |
7,781,378 |
21,210,507 |
28,991,885 |
|
Kilkenny |
5,338,238 |
7,855,627 |
13,193,865 |
|
Laois |
4,972,152 |
5,086,525 |
10,058,677 |
|
Leitrim |
1,893,862 |
2,299,203 |
4,193,065 |
|
Limerick |
10,745,252 |
15,047,172 |
25,792,424 |
|
Longford |
2,691,479 |
2,496,359 |
5,187,838 |
|
Louth |
6,317,633 |
8,103,667 |
14,421,300 |
|
Mayo |
7,777,178 |
9,844,707 |
17,621,885 |
|
Meath |
7,120,231 |
18,264,753 |
25,384,984 |
|
Monaghan |
4,909,703 |
4,134,881 |
9,044,584 |
|
Offaly |
4,341,229 |
5,354,504 |
9,695,733 |
|
Roscommon |
4,731,766 |
4,436,152 |
9,167,918 |
|
Sligo |
3,983,600 |
4,443,065 |
8,426,665 |
|
Tipperary |
8,617,892 |
14,261,747 |
22,879,639 |
|
Waterford |
5,884,020 |
9,299,906 |
15,183,926 |
|
Westmeath |
5,570,913 |
5,833,955 |
11,404,868 |
|
Wexford |
8,977,282 |
12,746,803 |
21,724,085 |
|
Wicklow |
5,749,940 |
13,802,209 |
19,552,149 |
|
Total |
205,185,636 |
397,300,895 |
602,486,531 |
Legislative Measures
Questions (704)
Denis Naughten
Question:704. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider including dormant safety deposit boxes under the provisions of the Dormant Accounts Acts, or other similar statutory provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30263/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Dormant Accounts Acts 2001 to 2012, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The main purpose of the legislation is to reunite account holders/policy holders with their funds in credit institutions/insurance undertakings and in this regard, institutions/undertakings are required to take steps to identify and contact the owners of dormant accounts and unclaimed life assurance policies. Dormant funds/unclaimed life assurance policies, which have not been reclaimed by the original account/policy holder or their beneficiaries, are transferred each year by the financial institution/insurance undertaking to the Dormant Accounts Fund (the Fund) which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). The transfer of monies takes place on the basis that the beneficial owner will have a guaranteed right of reclaim to their property at any time in the future.
The legislation also introduced a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed but only for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged or persons with a disability (within the meaning of the Equal Status Act 2000).
In practical terms, increasing the amount available in the Fund does not necessarily allow for the introduction of new dormant accounts measures or programmes. Whilst applying the provisions of the dormant accounts legislation to the unclaimed content of safe deposit boxes would increase the amount available in the Fund, Government Departments and agencies would still have to source monies for dormant accounts programmes and measures from their Exchequer allocation, in the same way as with any other funding programmes.
In addition, the unclaimed content of safe deposit boxes is the property of the safe deposit holder or those acting on behalf of the estate thereof. Any transfer of this personal property, which may contain important legal documents such as deeds and wills, jewellery, art or family heirlooms to the Dormant Accounts Fund would raise complex constitutional, legal and operational issues. Consequently, I have no plans to amend the legislation to add the unclaimed content of safe deposit boxes to the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Local Enterprise Offices
Questions (705)
Denis Naughten
Question:705. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will approve additional staff for the local enterprise offices in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30268/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not received staffing requests for additional staff in the Local Enterprise Offices of Roscommon County Council or Galway County Council. My Department works closely with Roscommon County Council and Galway County Council in relation to their staffing requirements and it is open to local authorities to submit staff sanction requests to facilitate the delivery of their services provided by the Local Enterprise Offices. Each staffing sanction request is examined on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (706)
Catherine Murphy
Question:706. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there has been an extreme delay in his signing off the updated planning guidelines for wind developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29235/15]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments, a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process. It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines. The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration
Questions (707, 722)
Michael McGrath
Question:707. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a new tenant purchase scheme will become operational; the way the discount on the market value of the property will be calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29567/15]
View answer
Bernard Durkan
Question:722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the local authority tenant purchase scheme is likely to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29675/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 722 together.
Part 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, similar to the schemes currently operating for local authority apartments and certain new local authority houses.
The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for the scheme’s introduction, setting out the full details involved. I expect that the new scheme will commence at the earliest possible date following the making of the Regulations which are at an advanced stage of preparation.
The scheme will operate along the lines of the incremental purchase model schemes currently operating, which involve discounts for purchasers linked to household income. The discount will be applied to the purchase price of the house to be determined by the local authority in accordance with the method to be prescribed in Regulations. It is intended to relate the purchase price of the house to its market value with replacement costs also being taken into account.
Full details of the scheme, including the income related discounts available to tenant purchasers, will be set out in the Regulations.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (708)
Terence Flanagan
Question:708. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29584/15]
View answerWritten answers
My priority will be to continue to deliver on those commitments within the Programme for Government for which I have responsibility. As the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have clearly stated, the focus of the Government is to broaden and deepen the economic recovery so that it is felt by individuals, families and communities in their daily lives. The overarching objective of my work will be to ensure that, building on the progress already made, my Department continues to contribute to sustainable economic growth and to ensuring that all members of society reap the benefits of that growth. Social housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014. The targeted social housing provision of over 110,000 social housing units, 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. Importantly, the Strategy restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing.
I have set ambitious targets for local authorities for the period 2015 – 2017 in my announcement on 1 April 2015, with an investment of €1.5 billion in a combination of building, purchase and leasing schemes which will accommodate 25% of those currently on the social housing waiting lists. On 5 May 2015, I announced funding of €312 million to support some 100 separate housing projects, providing 1,700 units of accommodation across all 31 local authorities. I will be making further announcements in the coming weeks and months.
I will continue to progress the Government approved Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness. This national plan is designed to achieve the Government’s stated commitment to ending involuntary long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by 2016. I will continue to engage with Government colleagues, housing authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations to meet the challenges of the increasing number of individuals and families presenting as homeless, particularly to reduce the numbers falling into homelessness and to provide appropriate emergency accommodation for those who require it.
I want to continue the enhancement of planning legislation to ensure we have a robust and effective system. I am progressing the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 during the current term and will bring forward the Planning No. 2 (Office of the Planning Regulator) Bill in the autumn.
Building on progress such as the recent lifting of Boil Water Notices for 11,300 Irish Water customers in Roscommon, I will also continue to drive implementation of new arrangements for water management under the Government’s Water Sector Reform Programme, working closely with Irish Water, to ensure that the challenges of meeting water demands in critical locations for industrial and commercial development, facilitating economic recovery and assisting job creation are addressed.
My Department will continue to oversee the implementation of a range of policy decisions first signalled in the Action Programme for Effective Local and given statutory effect subsequently under the Local Government Reform Act 2014. Work on a review of local government arrangements in Cork and Galway by independent statutory committees is proceeding and I have also established boundary committees to examine local authority boundaries in Athlone, Drogheda, Carlow and Waterford. Reports and recommendations from these committees are due in 2015 and early 2016.
I will continue to advance the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). My priority, as part of the programme of local government reform, has been the establishment of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in all local authority areas. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, have responsibility for, and will oversee and manage, local and community development programmes on an area basis, including my Department’s SICAP. The roll out of the new Leader Programme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020 will also be a priority.
I will continue to prioritise environmental issues and my Department will remain heavily involved in a broad range of environmental matters in the international arena, covering areas such as climate change (including full engagement in the negotiations of a new global deal on climate under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be concluded in Paris in December) and the continued development of the National Mitigation Plan, which will set out Ireland’s first statutory low carbon development strategy for the period to 2050, as well as the broader sustainable development agenda. It is essential that our recovery is based on sustainable development with a long term horizon and I am committed to the enactment of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill, together with a new national roadmap to help Ireland meet its climate change targets. I have also recently announced changes to the regulatory regime for household waste collection, including new enforcement measures and the move to pay-by-weight waste collection requirements commencing from July 2016, which I expect will further reduce our reliance on landfill and lead to greater recovery and recycling of waste in the State.
The implementation of the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Action Plan and the wider public service reform programme will be key priorities for my Department in the coming months.
I will also be continuing the Government’s programme of rebuilding trust in politics and I look forward to the outcome of the engagement and consultation process currently being conducted by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the establishment of an Electoral Commission.
In addressing this wide-ranging brief, I am committed to driving the work of my Department to ensure it plays a significant part in our country’s economic and social recovery.
Waste Management
Questions (709)
Anthony Lawlor
Question:709. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of total waste; and of electrical waste, re-used and recycled; his views that targets should be set for re-use, where possible, particularly with regard to electrical equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29596/15]
View answerWritten answers
Latest data in relation to Ireland’s waste management performance, including with respect to Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE), are contained in the EPA’s National Waste Report for 2012, available on the EPA website (www.epa.ie). The 2013 Report is expected to be published shortly.
Under Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE, Member States have an obligation to prioritise re- use at the earliest stages of WEEE take-back, separate WEEE for re-use and enable access for re-use centres or ‘approved preparing for re-use of WEEE organisations’ to collected WEEE prior to any further transfer.
Accordingly, regulation 17(3) in the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 now provides that ‘prior to any further transfer for treatment, a producer or authorised representative shall provide for the separation at their collection points of WEEE that is to be prepared for re-use from other separately collected WEEE by granting access for personnel from approved preparing for re-use of WEEE organisations that have been approved and registered by the registration body’.
The WEEE Register Society is the national registration body for Ireland. Preparing for re-use organisations who wish to gain access to WEEE from collection points are obliged to apply for approval from the WEEE Register Society who have developed the approval process, following consultation with re-use organisations, the EPA, producers and the WEEE compliance schemes, according to criteria set by the Minister.
Research has demonstrated the importance of promoting re-use of WEEE. In many instances, products are being discarded when they are in full working order that could be diverted for re-use and resale. Development of a re-use sector provides an opportunity to make a significant contribution to social and economic growth by creating employment and ensuring sustainable economic growth, whilst at the same time minimising environmental pollution. Development of this opportunity is reflected in the Government’s 2012 Waste Management Policy - A Resource Opportunity.
Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision
Questions (710)
Seán Fleming
Question:710. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the applications received from certain counties (details supplied), and the funding approved in 2015 to these counties under the rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29602/15]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for group water and group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual group scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. Details of the Group Sewerage Scheme allocations to the counties referred to in the Question under the Rural Water Programme 2015 are outlined in the following table.
2015 Rural Water Programme - Group Sewerage Schemes Allocations
|
County |
Allocation |
|
Carlow |
€100,000 |
|
Kildare |
€33,700 |
|
Kilkenny |
€200,000 |
|
Laois |
Nil |
|
Offaly |
€150,000 |
|
Tipperary |
Nil |
Planning Issues
Questions (711)
Michael McGrath
Question:711. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation regarding the issue of controlling the height of adjoining property owners' trees and hedges, given that local authorities currently seem powerless on this issue, and affected persons have no remedy other than pursuing an expensive civil case. [29618/15]
View answerWritten answers
Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of trees, nor does it make any particular provision for remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. However there is currently a civil remedy available concerning branches or roots of neighbouring trees encroaching on a person’s property. The previous Minister of State for Housing and Planning wrote to the Minister for Justice in June 2012 to explore the possibility of providing a broader civil law remedy for parties affected by high trees and hedges on adjoining properties. In this regard, advice was sought on the possibility of legislative provision being made whereby a person substantially deprived of the enjoyment of their property, such as the deprivation of light caused by high trees on a neighbouring property, could apply to the Courts for an order, and that the Courts could make an order as they see fit, e.g. to cut the trees back to an appropriate height.
The Minister for Justice responded in July 2012 suggesting that disputes of this nature between neighbours could perhaps be more appropriately dealt with through mediation – which is being increasingly used internationally as a tool for the resolution of civil disputes - rather than through the Courts. In this regard, I understand that the Minister for Justice proposes to publish a Mediation Bill later in 2015. Such mechanism, when introduced, should assist in speeding up the resolution of civil disputes of this nature, reduce legal costs and ameliorate the stress of contested court proceedings.
Unfinished Housing Developments
Questions (712)
Bernard Durkan
Question:712. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department continues to monitor progress in regard to the completion of development works in unfinished housing estates, by county; the extent of the works completed; and remaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29663/15]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2010, an annual national housing survey of unfinished housing developments has been conducted during the summer months to monitor progress. In that period, the number of unfinished housing developments has decreased by approximately, two-thirds; from nearly 3,000 in 2010 to 992 in 2014. The 2015 annual housing survey will be carried out during August and September. The detailed findings of the annual surveys, annual progress reports and other useful publications and information in relation to Unfinished Housing Developments are available on the Housing Agency’s website at:
www.housing.ie/Our-Services/Unfinished-Housing-Developments.aspx.
As Minister for Housing and Planning and Coordination of Construction 2020, I chair the National Coordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments. The Committee comprises senior representatives of the key stakeholders, including the banking and construction industries, NAMA, local authorities, the Health and Safety Authority, residents and officials from my Department. The Committee was established to drive and oversee the implementation of the recommendations of ‘Resolving Ireland’s Unfinished Housing Developments – Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments’, published in May 2011.
The Committee has met on 14 occasions and has adopted a collaborative approach amongst its constituent members to promote the work of resolving the housing situation faced by residents of unfinished housing developments.
The development of Site Resolution Plans (SRPs), agreed between residents, developers, funders and local authority personnel for the finalisation of works on site to render estates as habitable as possible, has been pivotal in resolving a large number of estates. The 2014 National Housing Survey shows that, of the 1,263 estates inspected, there were 587 estates going through the SRP process. This collaborative approach serves the best interests of all concerned and is an effective tool in the resolution process. Further information on Site Resolution Plans can be found at section 3.4 of the Guidance Manual on Managing and Resolving Unfinished Estates, August 2011, which is available at the following weblink:www.housing.ie/Our-Services/Unfinished-Housing-Developments/Guidance-Manual-on-Resolving-Unfinished-Housing-De/Guidance-Materials/Guidance-Manual_Managing-and-Resolving-Unfinished.aspx.
Budget 2014 contained a special provision, in the form of a targeted €10m Special Resolution Fund (SRF), to assist further in addressing the legacy of unfinished housing developments. The SRF is designed to encourage the resolution of the remaining tranche of unfinished developments identified in the National Housing Development Survey 2013 and, particularly, those developments not likely to be resolved in the normal way through solely developer/owner/funder action because of the presence of specific financial barriers. On 2 May 2014, allocations from the Special Resolution Fund were announced and 86 developments were approved for funding. The following link contains a list of all developments approved for SRF funding: www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,37940,en.htm.
Approximately, €7.5m has been drawn down from the Special Resolution Fund to date.
The management and administration of issues relating to unfinished housing developments is a matter for individual local authorities. Each local authority has appointed an Unfinished Housing Development co-ordinator; contact details can be found on the Housing Agency’s website at the following weblink: www.housing.ie/our-services/unfinished-housing-developments/local-authority-contacts.aspx.
Shared Ownership Scheme
Questions (713)
Bernard Durkan
Question:713. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he and his Department have managed to address the inherited issue of distressed shared ownership mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department, with the assistance of the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency and the Local Authority Housing Loans Management Group, has been examining the operation of the Shared Ownership Scheme for existing borrowers. The issues arising with Shared Ownership Schemes require careful consideration and expert financial data analysis. Arising from the findings of the review to date, with effect from 1 July 2015, the Index Linked Shared Ownership Scheme (operational up to end-2002) has been revised with regard to the annual indexation of the rental equity balance and rental payments. These amendments will reduce the monthly cost for these borrowers and avoid existing rental equity balances increasing for the remaining term. My Department has issued directions to local authorities outlining the measures and I understand these changes are being applied to individual loan accounts.
In addition, the recent reduction of 0.20% in the Local Authority variable mortgage interest rate will also benefit many Share Ownership borrowers. This new rate cut will bring the variable mortgage interest rate charged to local authority borrowers down to 2.55% with effect from 1 July, saving borrowers around €17 per month on a typical mortgage of €100,000.
My Department, together with the other agencies, will continue to examine the operation of Shared Ownership loans and issues arising for some borrowers with a view to developing further measures that may assist with the affordability of these arrangements.
Local authority borrowers should contact their local authority if they are having difficulty making the repayments on their local authority mortgage or Shared Ownership arrangement. My Department’s latest guidelines for local authorities in dealing with mortgage arrears within the local authority sector, Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities (June 2014), are available on my Department’s website at: www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf.
Housing Adaptation Grant Funding
Questions (714)
Bernard Durkan
Question:714. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which adequate resources remain available to the various local authorities to facilitate the provision of housing adaptation grants to meet the requirements of those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/15]
View answerWritten answers
The total funding allocation for 2015 of €50.5m nationally for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability represents an increase of some 10% over the 2014 funding. I trust that this increase will enable local authorities to deliver an increased level of service to their citizens. My Department works with the local authorities to manage the available budget for these supports and reallocates funding if underspends arise, to ensure full use of the available funding.
Housing Issues
Questions (715)
Bernard Durkan
Question:715. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department is being made aware of new applicants applying for local authority housing, arising from repossessions, or notices to quit from landlords; the extent to which this is being monitored by the various local authorities with a view to taking steps to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/15]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to the reply to Question No. 178 of 23 April 2015 which sets out the position in this matter.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (716)
Bernard Durkan
Question:716. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which this country remains compliant with international carbon reduction targets; the programme for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29667/15]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is on course to comply with its greenhouse gas emission reduction target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, which establishes a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from 2013 to 2020, was agreed in 2012 but has not yet entered into force. Ireland has completed the necessary domestic acceptance procedures in relation to the Doha Amendment and will be in a position to formally accept it in the third quarter of 2015. 2015 will also be a pivotal year in terms of the international response to climate change. Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are working to conclude a new global agreement in Paris in December. Ireland, through the EU, is playing its part in these negotiations. The October 2014 European Council Conclusions agreed the headline targets for the EU for the period 2021 to 2030 and these form the basis of the EU’s intended nationally-determined contribution (INDC) to the new global agreement, which was submitted to the UN Secretariat on 6 March 2015.
The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our international commitments, is well understood by Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015, published in January 2015 and which is currently before the Oireachtas. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Proposed statutory authority for the plans is set out in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015.
In anticipation of enactment of the planned legislation, work is already underway on developing a low-carbon plan - the National Mitigation Plan - the primary objective of which will be to track implementation of measures already underway and identify additional measures within the longer term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress the overall national low carbon transition agenda to 2050. In continuing my commitment to openness and inclusiveness in the development of national climate policy, I invited the views of the public and stakeholders, on 10 June 2015, on the preparation of the National Mitigation Plan currently being developed. I look forward to receiving input from all interested parties on how we might address the specific challenges ahead and harness the opportunities as Ireland moves towards a low-carbon sustainable economic future.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (717, 776, 778)
Bernard Durkan
Question:717. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new guidelines in respect of windfarms will become applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29668/15]
View answer
Robert Troy
Question:776. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the new wind energy guidelines; if these will be legally binding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30356/15]
View answer
Pearse Doherty
Question:778. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the current status of proposed new guidelines on wind energy; if he will provide an expected timeframe as to when such regulations will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30370/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 717, 776 and 778 together.
In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments, a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process. It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines. The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to make the appropriate determination in relation to a planning application or appeal, having regard to relevant planning guidelines issued by my Department. However, these guidelines are issued for guidance purposes to assist planning authorities in the performance of their functions. Ultimately, planning authorities – be they the local planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála - will make their own decision based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.
Local Authority Housing
Questions (718)
Bernard Durkan
Question:718. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons currently on the various local authority housing lists; the extent to which rent increases are making it impossible for such families to exist, or to remain in their homes; if urgent provision may be made to meet their requirements, thus preventing a rapid escalation in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29669/15]
View answerWritten answers
The latest summary of social housing assessments, which was carried out as of 7 May 2013, showed that there were 89,872 households on local authority waiting lists at that date. 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. The full 2013 results are available on my Department’s website at: www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.
In order to ensure that the most up to date and comprehensive data is available on an on-going basis relating to the numbers applying for social housing support, the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, includes a number of actions to standardise assessment and increase the regularity of assessments including undertaking the summary of social housing assessments on an annual basis from 2016 onwards.
The Government’s Social Housing Strategy targets the 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. This will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand.
I have set ambitious targets for local authorities for the period 2015 – 2017 in my announcement on 1 April 2015, with an investment of €1.5 billion in a combination of building, purchase and leasing schemes which will accommodate 25% of those currently on the social housing waiting lists. On 5 May 2015, I announced funding of €312 million which covered some 100 separate housing projects, providing 1,700 units of accommodation across all 31 local authorities. I will be making further announcements in the coming weeks and months.
Ultimately, a shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing bottlenecks that might impede the construction sector in meeting demand. My Department is leading on a range of actions under Construction 2020, including two significant pieces of planning legislation, one of which - the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill - is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.
My overriding objective in relation to rents is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole. The regulation of rent raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to rent certainty is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring proposals to Government for consideration as soon as the necessary preparatory work has been completed.
Air and Water Pollution
Questions (719)
Bernard Durkan
Question:719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the degree to which monitoring continues to take place in respect of air and water pollution; if particular trends have become noticeable arising from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29670/15]
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Air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality. The EPA has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the 31 monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network. The EPA publishes an annual report on air quality, based primarily on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive. The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2013 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in October 2014 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2013, compared to the CAFE Directive standards, as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health.
I welcome the fact that downward trends have been identified for many pollutants and that Ireland currently meets all EU standards for air quality, while noting that Ireland exceeds WHO air quality guideline values for particulate matter (PM) in some areas. Particulate matter levels are of concern, particularly during the winter heating season in some areas where the sale of smoky coal is permitted. Because of this, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns can often be similar to, or higher than, those in cities where the sale and use of smoky coal is banned. To help protect our good air quality, consumers must become more aware of their choice in home heating fuel and the potential impact that this choice can have on air quality in their locality and on human health.
In respect to monitoring of water quality, the EPA, local authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute monitor rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, and groundwater quality under the Water Framework Directive. This extensive monitoring programme comprises: 336 groundwater monitoring sites, 3,051 river monitoring sites, 42 canal monitoring sites, 213 lakes, 193 transitional water bodies and 101 coastal water bodies and provides a good overview of current water quality and trends.
The findings from the monitoring programme are detailed in the Water Quality in Ireland Reports. The most recent report covers the period from 2010-2012 and is available on the EPA website at www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/wqr20102012/.
The report contains an overview of water quality and in summary reports that 53% of rivers, 43% of lakes, 45% of transitional waters, 93% of coastal waters and 99% of groundwater were satisfactory at good or high status. There was a 4% increase in high or good condition (73%) river channel based on the biological Q value assessments. Serious pollution of rivers reduced to 17 km from 53 km since the last reporting period (2007-2009). Reported fish kills declined to an all-time low of 70 recorded between 2010 and 2012. There was a 5% reduction in satisfactory quality lakes (10 lakes) and further investigations are ongoing as to the cause of this reduction. Water quality in canals remains very high at over 90% satisfactory. The south and south-east of the country continue to have the greatest proportion of groundwater and rivers with nitrogen concentrations over 10 mg/l NO3. While there was a decrease in detections of faecal coliforms in groundwater from 61% in 2008 to 51% in 2012, these levels highlight a risk for drinking water in areas where there is inadequate treatment. Approximately 35% of the designated shellfish areas were non-compliant with the guide value for Escherichia coli.
The 2015 surveys are currently under way and a new national update for 2013-2015 will be available in 2016. The EPA and local authorities respond to water quality incidents and complaints on an ongoing basis.
Waste Management
Questions (720)
Bernard Durkan
Question:720. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the various forms of waste management are currently being used, with particular reference to the maximum use of reduction, recycling, re-use, landfill, or thermal disposal; the extent to which current practice is in accordance with international guidelines in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/15]
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Full details on Ireland’s waste generation and management performance including a full breakdown by treatment activity are contained in the 2012 National Waste Report, available on the EPA’s website (www.epa.ie).
Ireland is meeting all existing targets set down under EU legislation, including our landfill diversion targets, and our recycling rate for municipal waste (40%) is approaching the EU average (42%). I expect Ireland’s performance to continue to improve, given the further reduction in reliance on landfill since 2012, the coming on-stream of important new indigenous treatment capacity and important changes to household waste collection to further drive segregation levels.
Local Authority Housing
Questions (721)
Bernard Durkan
Question:721. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing units offered to local authority housing applicants in County Kildare in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29674/15]
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The information requested is not available in my Department. Under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, all local authorities are required to make a housing allocation scheme, the making of which is a reserved function of the elected members of the local authority concerned, in this case Kildare County Council.